The best AeroPress for most people is the AeroPress Original — affordable, versatile, and capable of producing consistently excellent coffee in under two minutes. But AeroPress now makes eight distinct models (plus a grinder), from a £40 travel kit to a £170 all-metal outdoor brewer. This guide breaks down every model, which one fits your setup, and which accessories are actually worth adding.
Price tiers are relative to this guide: $ = budget · $$ = mid · $$$ = premium · $$$$ = high-end.
Invented by engineer Alan Adler roughly twenty years ago, the AeroPress works by combining full immersion (like a French press) with fine paper filtration and gentle air pressure. The result is remarkably smooth, low-acid coffee brewed in 1–2 minutes. AeroPress claims their brewer produces coffee with approximately one-ninth the acidity of conventional drip — a claim consistent with the lower temperatures and short steep times most AeroPress recipes use.
⚡ Quick Picks
- Best overall: AeroPress Original — the versatile, affordable standard
- Best for travel: AeroPress Go — self-contained kit with mug
- Best commuter: AeroPress Go Plus — insulated tumbler + full-size brew
- Best for two people: AeroPress Original XL — brews up to 20 oz
- Best outdoor/rugged: AeroPress Steel — all-metal, vacuum-insulated
- Best gift/premium: AeroPress Premium — glass + anodized aluminum
- Best for aesthetics: AeroPress Clear — transparent Tritan version of the Original
Which AeroPress Should You Buy?
The decision between AeroPress models comes down to four questions: Where will you brew? (home only vs. travel) How many cups at once? (one vs. two or more) What materials matter? (plastic is fine; glass or steel costs significantly more) What's your budget? ($$ vs. up to $$$$).
The core brew technology is identical across every model — same immersion-plus-pressure mechanics, same paper filter system, same flavor profile when recipes match. Every price premium you pay above the Original buys you capacity, materials, portability features, or aesthetics — not better-tasting coffee. Serious Eats' testing confirms this: controlled side-by-side brews from different AeroPress models are indistinguishable in the cup.
All 8 AeroPress Models Reviewed
1. AeroPress Original — Best for Most People
Best overall · Budget (~$$ on sale, $$ list)
The original model is still the best choice for most home brewers. Gray polypropylene chamber, twist-on filter cap, 350 paper micro-filters included, plus funnel, stirrer, and scoop. Brews up to 10 oz per press — one generous mug or two smaller cups. Supports both standard and inverted brewing methods, and is compatible with every AeroPress accessory including the Fellow Prismo and Flow Control Filter Cap. At 13 oz packed (with the optional tote), it travels well even without a dedicated carry case. The Original appears on sale frequently — Tom's Guide has tracked it at $ during Amazon promotions.
Best for: Home brewers who want excellent coffee for one or two people without overspending.
✓ Pros
- Best price in the lineup
- Full accessory compatibility
- Standard + inverted methods
- Dishwasher-safe, BPA-free
✗ Cons
- Plastic (fine for brewing; not premium-looking)
- 10 oz max — single press for 1–2 people
Capacity: 10 oz · Material: Polypropylene · Weight: ~8 oz without bag · Price band: Budget ($$)
Check Price on Amazon →2. AeroPress Clear — Best for Visual Appeal
Best aesthetic upgrade · Mid-range (~$$)
Functionally identical to the Original, the Clear uses shatter-resistant Tritan copolyester instead of opaque polypropylene. You can watch the bloom and extraction in real time — genuinely useful for learning the process and satisfying for coffee nerds. Available in several colorways including Clear Green. Taste is indistinguishable from the Original when recipes are matched. The main reason to buy Clear over Original is aesthetics; the main reason not to is the ~$ premium for no functional improvement.
Best for: Home brewers who already love the Original but want something that looks better on the counter, or as a gift.
✓ Pros
- See-through for visual learning
- Colorway options
- Full accessory compatibility
✗ Cons
- ~$ more for no flavor gain
- Still plastic (not premium material)
Capacity: 10 oz · Material: Tritan plastic · Price band: Mid-range (~$$)
Check Price on Amazon →3. AeroPress Go — Best for Travel and Camping
Best travel kit · Mid-range (~$$)
The Go was designed specifically for travel — the entire brewing system nests inside a 15 oz mug with lid. Slightly smaller chamber than the Original (8 oz vs. 10 oz), but that's rarely limiting for solo brewing. Folding stirrer, compact scoop, and ~20 filters all pack inside the mug. Total packed weight: about 11.4 oz. The mug doubles as your cup. For backpackers, carry-on flyers, or anyone who wants to brew at work or in hotels, this is the obvious AeroPress to buy. Uses standard AeroPress filters and most accessories.
Best for: Travelers, backpackers, and hotel brewers who want a self-contained coffee system that packs into a bag.
✓ Pros
- Everything packs into the mug
- Lightest travel kit in the lineup
- Same brew quality as Original
✗ Cons
- Slightly smaller capacity (8 oz)
- Plastic mug doesn't insulate
- Less ideal for brewing at home daily
Capacity: 8 oz · Material: Polypropylene + plastic mug · Weight: ~11.4 oz packed · Price band: Mid-range (~$$)
Check Price on Amazon →4. AeroPress Go Plus — Best Commuter Kit
Best insulated travel kit · Mid-range to premium (~$$$)
The Go Plus (launched mid-2024) upgrades the Go's concept by pairing a full-size brewing chamber (10 oz, same as the Original) with a double-wall 18/10 stainless-steel tumbler that keeps drinks hot for hours. The tumbler has a magnetically latched lid and filter storage compartment in the base. It's heavier (~566g) and more expensive (~$$$) than the Go — worth it for commuters who want insulated drink-on-the-go convenience, but overkill for backpackers where weight matters. Brews 10 oz vs. the Go's 8 oz.
Best for: Daily commuters who want one kit for brewing and drinking without a separate travel mug.
✓ Pros
- Full-size brew capacity (10 oz)
- Insulated stainless tumbler
- Filter storage in base
✗ Cons
- Heavy for backpacking (~566g)
- Nearly double the price of the Go
Capacity: 10 oz · Tumbler: 16 oz stainless · Weight: ~566g · Price band: Mid-range to premium (~$$$)
Check Price on Amazon →5. AeroPress Original XL — Best for Brewing Multiple Cups
Best for households · Mid-range to premium (~$$$)
The XL doubles the Original's brew capacity to approximately 20 oz per press — enough for two to four people without making multiple batches. Uses the same immersion-plus-pressure mechanics but with a larger chamber and XL-specific paper filters (note: these are not interchangeable with standard filters and cost slightly more per unit). An AeroPress organizer stand is available separately to make the XL a proper countertop station. The XL was introduced in 2023 and addresses the most common complaint about AeroPress: its single-serving limitation.
Best for: Households of 2–4 where AeroPress has become the primary brewing method and making multiple batches is a daily nuisance.
✓ Pros
- Double the Original's capacity (20 oz)
- Same great brew quality
- Ideal for households and RVs
✗ Cons
- XL filters cost more (unique size)
- Larger footprint, less portable
Capacity: ~20 oz · Material: Polypropylene · Filters: XL-specific (larger diameter) · Price band: Mid-range to premium (~$$$)
Check Price on Amazon →6. AeroPress Clear XL — Best XL with Transparent Chamber
Best aesthetic XL · Premium (~$$$)
The Clear XL combines the larger 20 oz capacity of the Original XL with the transparent Tritan construction of the Clear. If you've decided you need the XL capacity and also prefer seeing the brew in progress, this is the obvious choice. Functionally identical to the Original XL — same XL-specific filters, same brew mechanics — just with the visual appeal of a see-through chamber. Available in Clear variants. The ~$ premium over the Original XL follows the same pattern as Clear vs. Original: you're paying for transparency.
Best for: Households who want the XL's capacity and prefer a transparent chamber for visual control.
✓ Pros
- Large 20 oz capacity
- Transparent brewing chamber
- Available in colorways
✗ Cons
- ~$ more than Original XL for transparency only
- XL filter cost premium still applies
Capacity: ~20 oz · Material: Tritan plastic · Price band: Premium (~$$$)
Check Price on Amazon →7. AeroPress Steel — Best for Rugged Outdoor Use
Best outdoor/rugged · Premium (~$$$)
Steel is AeroPress's most serious outdoor brewer — 304 stainless steel chamber, plunger, filter cap, scoop, and stirrer with double-wall vacuum insulation in the chamber. It holds heat better than plastic models, making it better for cold-environment brewing, and it's rugged enough for bikepacking, car camping, and off-grid use. Capacity is slightly larger than the Original (~12 oz vs. 10 oz). The trade-off: it weighs ~660g (more than three times the Original) and costs $$$. Steel is a niche pick — compelling for the right outdoor enthusiast, overkill for everyone else.
Best for: Committed outdoor coffee drinkers who brew in demanding environments and want a brewer built to last decades.
✓ Pros
- All-metal, rugged construction
- Vacuum-insulated for heat retention
- Slightly larger capacity (12 oz)
✗ Cons
- $$$x the cost of the Original
- Heavy (~660g) — not for ultralight backpacking
- No flavor advantage over cheaper models
Capacity: ~12 oz · Material: 304 stainless steel · Weight: ~660g · Price band: Premium (~$$$)
Check Price on Amazon →8. AeroPress Premium — Best Gift / Premium Materials
Best showpiece · Premium (~$$$$)
The Premium marks AeroPress's twentieth anniversary — a borosilicate glass chamber with anodized aluminum components. It's plastic-free, visually striking, and produces identical coffee to the Original when recipes match. Independent testing finds zero flavor difference between Premium and Original in controlled brews. At $$$$, you're paying for materials and aesthetics. Sold primarily through AeroPress.com and Williams-Sonoma; available in Silver, Black, and White. If you already own an AeroPress and want a premium upgrade for your countertop, or you're buying a gift for a serious coffee enthusiast, the Premium makes sense. For first-time buyers, the Original is the rational choice.
Best for: Gift buyers, design-conscious coffee enthusiasts, or anyone who wants a plastic-free countertop showpiece.
✓ Pros
- Premium glass + aluminum materials
- Plastic-free construction
- Exceptional gift option
✗ Cons
- $$$$x the Original for no flavor improvement
- Heavier, hand-wash only, more fragile
- Not for travel or outdoor use
Capacity: ~10 oz · Material: Borosilicate glass + anodized aluminum · Price band: Premium (~$$$$)
Check Price on Amazon →AeroPress Model Comparison Table
| Model | Capacity | Material | Weight | Price Band | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 10 oz | Polypropylene | ~8 oz | ~$$ | Most people |
| Clear | 10 oz | Tritan plastic | ~8 oz | ~$$ | Aesthetics |
| Go | 8 oz | PP + plastic mug | ~11.4 oz | ~$$ | Travel / hiking |
| Go Plus | 10 oz | Tritan + steel mug | ~566g | ~$$$ | Commuters |
| Original XL | ~20 oz | Polypropylene | Larger | ~$$$ | 2–4 people |
| Clear XL | ~20 oz | Tritan plastic | Larger | ~$$$ | XL + visual |
| Steel | ~12 oz | 304 stainless | ~660g | ~$$$ | Outdoors / rugged |
| Premium | ~10 oz | Glass + aluminum | Heavier | ~$$$$ | Gift / showpiece |
Key AeroPress Accessories Worth Buying
The AeroPress's accessory ecosystem is one of its strengths. A few third-party upgrades meaningfully expand what the brewer can do:
Fellow Prismo (~$): Replaces the standard filter cap with a pressure-actuated valve and 150-micron metal filter. Prevents drip-through without inverting the brewer, enables longer steeps, and produces stronger espresso-style concentrates with crema-like foam. Compatible with Original, Clear, XL, and Go Plus — not compatible with Go. Available on Amazon. Best add-on for espresso-style brewing.
AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap (~$): Official AeroPress accessory. Adds a drip-prevention valve like the Prismo but is compatible with all standard-size models including the Go. Supports both paper and reusable metal filters. Championship recipes increasingly specify this cap for precise flow control. A good alternative to Prismo for Go users.
Able Disk Reusable Filter (~$): Stainless steel replacement filter. Standard version allows more oils through for a heavier, French press-like body; Fine version produces a cleaner cup closer to paper. Eco-friendly alternative to single-use papers. Good for travel where carrying paper filters is inconvenient.
Aesir Premium Paper Filters (~$ for 100): Ultra-dense paper filters preferred by AeroPress championship competitors. Produce exceptionally clear cups that highlight acidity and nuanced aromatics, making them particularly good for light-roasted specialty coffees. Worth the premium for serious enthusiasts.
AeroPress vs. French Press and Pour-Over: Which Should You Choose?
AeroPress, French press, and pour-over all produce excellent coffee — but they suit different preferences and workflows. Here's a clear breakdown:
AeroPress vs. French press: Both immerse grounds in water, but AeroPress uses fine paper filters that remove most sediment and oils, producing a much cleaner, smoother cup. French press uses a metal mesh that lets oils and fine particles through, creating heavier body but more texture and potential grit. AeroPress claims its coffee has roughly one-ninth the acidity of French press — shorter steeps and lower temperatures extract fewer bitter compounds. If you find French press coffee too heavy or harsh, AeroPress is the natural upgrade. If you love French press body and don't mind sediment, there's no compelling reason to switch. See our best French press guide for alternatives.
AeroPress vs. pour-over: Both use fine paper filters producing clean, clear cups. The main differences are speed and control. AeroPress brews in 1–2 minutes with minimal technique; pour-over (V60, Chemex, Kalita Wave) requires 3–4 minutes of careful pouring and more precise grind/dose. Pour-over coffee is often described as more delicate and terroir-expressive; AeroPress is slightly more forgiving and faster. For light-roasted specialty coffee where subtle flavor notes matter, many enthusiasts prefer pour-over. For everyday speed and simplicity, AeroPress has the edge. See our best pour-over drippers guide.
AeroPress vs. moka pot: Both are fast, manual, single or two-serving brewers. AeroPress produces cleaner, lower-acid coffee with more variable output. Moka pot produces a specific, intense, concentrated coffee with more consistent character — essentially stovetop espresso. If you primarily want espresso-style drinks for milk-based beverages, a moka pot is a simpler dedicated tool. If you want more flexibility across different brew styles, AeroPress wins.
How to Brew with an AeroPress: Step-by-Step
The standard AeroPress method is fast and forgiving. This is the baseline approach recommended by AeroPress for new users. Advanced recipes (James Hoffmann's inverted method, championship techniques) offer refinements but aren't required for excellent daily coffee.
You'll need: AeroPress, a paper filter, freshly ground coffee (medium-fine, ~17g for a standard cup), and hot water (175–200°F depending on roast — lighter roasts benefit from hotter water).
Step 1 — Rinse the filter. Place a paper filter in the cap, rinse with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the brewer. Discard the rinse water.
Step 2 — Add coffee. Set the AeroPress on your mug, add ~17g of medium-fine ground coffee (adjust dose to taste). For reference, this is roughly 2.5 level AeroPress scoops.
Step 3 — Pour water. Pour ~200g (7 oz) of hot water over the grounds. Fill to the "1" or "2" mark for concentrated shots; fill to "3" for a full mug.
Step 4 — Stir and steep. Stir gently for 10 seconds. Place the plunger to create a seal but don't press yet. Steep for 60–90 seconds.
Step 5 — Press. Press the plunger down slowly with steady, gentle pressure for 20–30 seconds. Stop pressing when you hear a soft hiss — that's air, not coffee. Pressing past the hiss produces bitter, over-extracted output.
Step 6 — Eject and rinse. Remove the cap over a trash can, press the plunger fully to eject the puck, rinse the components. Total cleaning time: under 30 seconds. See our coffee grind size chart to dial in your grind.
AeroPress FAQs
What grind size should I use for AeroPress?
Medium-fine is the default — similar to table salt or slightly finer than pour-over. But AeroPress is unusually forgiving: you can use anything from medium-coarse (for a longer steep) to near-espresso-fine (for a shorter, more concentrated brew). Championship recipes span a wide range. If your coffee tastes sour, grind finer or steep longer. If it tastes bitter, grind coarser or steep shorter.
Is AeroPress coffee the same as espresso?
No. True espresso requires approximately 9 bar of pressure — AeroPress generates roughly 0.35–0.75 bar through hand-pressing. The result is a strong, concentrated coffee that can be diluted or used in milk drinks, but it lacks the emulsified oils and true crema of high-pressure espresso. Accessories like the Fellow Prismo and JOEPRESSO push AeroPress closer to espresso character, but don't replicate it.
What's the difference between the standard and inverted AeroPress method?
Standard method: brewer sits on the mug with the filter cap at the bottom. Water drains through the filter as you pour, giving less control over total steep time. Inverted method: plunger is inserted first, brewer flipped upside down (open end up), allowing full immersion with no drip-through until you flip and press. Inverted gives more precise control over steep time but adds complexity and a small risk of spillage during the flip. For everyday use, standard is fine. For competition-style or advanced recipes, many brewers prefer inverted.
How long do AeroPress filters last?
Standard paper filters are single-use. AeroPress includes 350 in the box — at one brew per day, that's roughly a year's supply. Paper filters for the Original, Clear, Go, Go Plus, and Steel are the same size; XL models require larger XL-specific filters. Reusable metal alternatives (Able Disk, AeroPress stainless and gold-tone filters) last indefinitely with proper care.
Can you make cold brew with an AeroPress?
Yes — two ways. Quick cold brew: use cold or room-temperature water, double your coffee dose, steep for 2–3 minutes, press over ice. This produces a strong, smooth concentrate. Slow-drip cold brew: use the PUCKPUCK adapter, which screws onto the AeroPress and drips cold water through grounds over several hours, producing a more nuanced cold brew. For dedicated cold brew makers, see our best cold brew coffee maker guide.
Which AeroPress accessories are actually worth it?
For most users: a good grinder matters far more than any AeroPress accessory. If you're buying accessories, the Fellow Prismo (~$) is the most impactful — it enables longer steeps without inverting and produces stronger espresso-style concentrates. The Flow Control Filter Cap (~$) is the official equivalent and works with the Go. Reusable metal filters (Able Disk, ~$) are worth it for sustainability or French press-like body. Aesir paper filters are worth trying if you drink specialty light roasts and want maximum clarity.
Ready to Dial In Your Home Coffee Setup?
Pair your AeroPress with a quality grinder — it's the single biggest upgrade you can make to your coffee quality.
Sources: AeroPress.com — How It Works; Tom's Guide — Best AeroPress; Serious Eats — AeroPress Guide; AeroPress product specifications (manufacturer, 2024–2026); World AeroPress Championship recipe archive (2024–2025). how to use an AeroPress
Curious what else can brew a great single cup? See our guide to the best AeroPress alternatives of 2026.