This $15 Coffee Press Makes the Perfect Cup Every Time (and 8 More Editors Love!)

Patrice J. Williams
Patrice J. Williams
Patrice J. Williams is a commerce and lifestyle writer with more than 15 years of experience in print, digital, and broadcast. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, CondeNast Traveler, TripSavvy, Thrillist, What to Expect, and more. She's the creator of Looking…read more
updated Mar 2, 2024
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Pouring hot water from a teal kettle into a Chemex coffee maker on a kitchen counter.
Credit: Joe Lingeman

For some people, grabbing a cup of coffee before starting the day is just one more hurried, hectic part of the morning routine. But for others, making that first brew of the day is a blessed ritual. Manual coffee makers may take just a tad bit longer than popping in a K-cup, but the end product is a mug of coffee or shot of espresso that’s caffeine-perfection — and well worth the extra time and effort. 

From pour overs to a classic Italian moka pot, we rounded up our favorite manual coffee makers. These won’t take up a ton of space in your kitchen (one is even portable!) and they’re all quite stylish. 

Nguyen Vietnamese Coffee Phin Filter
$15

Nguyen Coffee Supply's coffee press gets the stamp of approval for function, affordability, and quality. It makes the perfect drip in just five minutes and is AT-approved with Shopping Director Jada Wong, who says, "this no-frills, fool-proof phin filter is great for all the mornings where I'm half-awake. It's the traditional way to brew Vietnamese coffee, and it makes a perfect cup every time."

$15 at Nguyen Coffee Supply
Bodum Chambord French Press
$30

The classic Chambord French coffee press is always a solid choice. Whether you choose a stainless steel, copper, or gold finish, it's sure to seamlessly integrate with your other appliances. It includes a fine mesh filter and is dishwasher safe.

$30 at Williams Sonoma
Stanley Classic Perfect-Brew Pour Over
$26

If you're a Stanley devotee and a coffee lover, then this pour over should be added to your collection. As expected, it works well with most Stanley mugs or bottles, but other mugs that hold up to 20 ounces work just as well. The built-in filter is easy to clean and it comes in matte black, white, or green.

$26 at Stanley
Hario Pour-Over Coffee Maker Kit
$50

Prep your coffee just how you like it with Hario's pour over kit. It includes the essentials like a ceramic dripper, heat proof glass (that holds up to four cups!), and 100 coffee filters. You can read a full review of the Hario pour over to find out why it made one Kitchn editor ditch their bulky Keurig.

$50 at Williams Sonoma
Bodum 8 Cup Pour Over Coffee Maker
$20

Here's a pour over coffee maker that you'd be proud to display on your kitchen countertop. The circular carafe is a real statement maker and the addition of the cork cuff adds gorgeous texture. Just add your grounds to the stainless steel filter (no need to buy paper ones!) and you'll be sipping a great cup of coffee in minutes.

$20 at Target
ESPRO P7 French Press
$120

This stainless steel French press from Williams Sonoma is great for yourself or even a gift, especially since you have the option of adding a monogram. The maker uses a two-filter process for smooth, rich coffee, and the steel carafe keeps it hot for hours.

$120 at Williams Sonoma
WACACO Minipresso Portable Espresso Machine
$55

Wacaco's espresso maker isn't just great for people with limited counter space, but it's also great for travelers. The compact design doesn't require the use of batteries or electricity, but just a few pumps of the device extracts espresso for a nice jolt of caffeine on the go.

$55 at Amazon
Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker
$36

This stovetop espresso maker design dates back nearly 100 years. Though the style is classic, it has an ergonomic handle and works on a range of stovetops, from gas to electric to induction. The Moka Pot is a Kitchn fave for its ease of use and ability to brew a concentrated flavor.

$36 at Amazon
Flair Espresso Maker
$229

Flair's manual espresso maker is a great find for anyone who takes their caffeine seriously or the person who just wants a really cool gadget. A pull of the lever creates a creamy, smooth shot of espresso. The device doesn't take up a ton of space on your counter and it even comes with a carrying case.

$229 at Amazon

A version of this story was first published on May 3, 2019 by Arlyn Hernandez.

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