French press and pour-over are two of the most popular ways to brew at home. Both are simple and inexpensive, but they taste different and ask different things of you. Here is how they compare.
How they taste
A French press steeps coffee in water and passes it through a metal mesh. The mesh lets oils through, so the cup is full-bodied, rich and slightly heavy. Pour-over drips water through a paper filter, which catches oils. The cup is lighter, cleaner and shows more delicate flavors.
Effort and skill
French press is forgiving. Add coarse coffee and hot water, wait four minutes and press. Pour-over rewards care: you control the pour speed, pattern and timing, so there is more room for good results and for mistakes. Our V60 pour-over guide walks through the steps.
Equipment and cost
- French press: the French Press Coffee Maker, 34oz, Borosilicate Glass (from $24.99) is all you need besides a kettle.
- Pour-over: a dripper and filters. Options include the Octagonal Ceramic V60 Pour-Over Filter Cup, the Borosilicate Glass Pour-Over Dripper Set (from $21.21) and the Stainless Steel Pour-Over Coffee Filter Cup (from $24.99), plus V60 filter papers (from $16.99) and a server like the V60 Glass Server, 360ml.
Cleanup
A French press leaves wet grounds in the beaker and mesh, which takes a minute to rinse out. Pour-over cleanup is easy: lift the filter and toss it. Reusable metal filters, such as the Stainless Steel Reusable Coffee Filter, cut paper waste but need rinsing. See paper vs metal filters.
Batch size
A 34 oz French press makes several cups at once and keeps it simple for two or more people. Pour-over is best for one or two cups at a time.
Grind
French press needs a coarse grind. Pour-over needs medium. Using the wrong grind is the most common cause of bitter or sour coffee, so check the grind size chart.
Which should you pick?
- Pick French press if you want a rich cup with little effort, or you brew for more than one.
- Pick pour-over if you like a clean, bright cup and enjoy the process.
- Cannot decide? They cost little, so many people own both.
See the right ratios in French press coffee ratio and coffee to water ratio.
FAQ
Which is stronger?
French press tastes heavier and fuller. Strength depends mostly on your ratio.
Is pour-over healthier?
Paper filters remove some oils from the cup. Beyond that, the choice is about taste.
Can I use pre-ground coffee?
Yes, but match the grind to the method. Fresh grinding gives a better cup.
