AeroPress Coffee Maker review: Smooth coffee and easy brewing in a travel-friendly package

The AeroPress Coffee Maker lives up to the hype: it's a compact, portable brewer that rivals pro-level machines in flavor and ease of use.

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If you're in the market for a small coffeemaker that's easy to use, remarkably versatile, and affordably priced, then the AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker is your best single-serve coffee maker option. I was immediately impressed by AeroPress's clear instruction manual and intuitive brewing process, but the fact that this device can make espresso, American-style coffee, and cold brew in minutes truly sets it above its peers. 

Because of its small size and the fact that it doesn't need to be plugged in, it's an ideal choice for on-the-go coffee brewing. Read on to learn more about why we consider the AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker to be the finest one-cup coffeemaker out there. 

Setup and design 

The AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker comes in six pieces: a brewing tube, a filter basket, a plunger, a coffee scoop, a funnel, and a stirring paddle. When you purchase this device, you'll also receive circular paper microfilters.

Although the AeroPress involves numerous pieces, each item is small and lightweight enough to be easily transported. And, because the device is entirely made of plastic, there's no need to worry about cracking or shattering a glass carafe. The AeroPress can easily live in an office desk drawer, a shared kitchen pantry, or a small piece of carry-on luggage. 

To assemble the AeroPress, drop the microfilter into the filter basket and twist the basket onto the brewing tube. The tube rests on top of your mug or whatever you're brewing into, and you drop coffee into the brewing tube so it rests on the filter. The AeroPress's packaging included a funnel for anyone concerned about spillage.

How to use an AeroPress

Each AeroPress comes with thorough instructions (also accessible online), so you're ready to launch into brewing as soon as you open the box. 

I brewed espresso-style coffee by boiling water and allowing it to cool to the temperature recommended by AeroPress, 175 degrees F. I then poured just enough water to moisten the medium-fine grounds into the brewing tube and let it sit for 30 seconds to allow the coffee to "bloom." (A technique used in the best French press, too.) 

After you add the ground coffee and water and stir to combine, you use the plunger to brew. I waited 30 seconds for the coffee to infuse the water. As you push down on the plunger, you add pressure to the interior of the brewing tube, which moves the water through the ground beans and extracts flavorful coffee in under 2 minutes.

A note on brewing: The AeroPress instructions call for a single scoop of coffee grounds per brew cycle. If you want a stronger brew, consider adding more coffee grounds to the brewing tube, stirring the water-coffee grounds mixture for 10-15 extra seconds, and/or using dark-roast coffee (or espresso beans).

Cleanup

The design of the AeroPress provides an easy cleanup process. I first unscrewed the filter basket from the brewing tube and used the plunger to push the filter and the coffee grounds into the trash can. The filter basket, brewing tube, plunger, coffee scoop, and stirring paddle are all machine-washable, so after a quick rinse, they went right into the dishwasher.

AeroPress espresso

Espresso-strength coffee is the signature brew style of the AeroPress. I wasn't surprised to discover that this device makes an espresso shot that's bold and complex, along with a long and nuanced finish. AeroPress espresso is equally appealing on its own or in the context of a latte; just add steamed milk, and you're in business.

For espresso, I poured until the water hit the "1" line on the brewing tube. The lower the number, the stronger the finished coffee.

AeroPress cold brew

Anyone who has ever attempted to make cold brew at home, DIY-style or with one of the best cold brew makers, can vouch for the fact that it is a long process. Turns out, the AeroPress works for cold brew, too.

To make cold brew with the AeroPress, replace hot water with room-temperature water. Pour the water to the "1" line on the brewing tube and finish brewing as normal. Then, add water and ice, and you'll end up with a glass of cold brew that boasts an attractive taste profile in a fraction of the time.

Possible cons

The small size and unique shape of the AeroPress means that traditional paper coffee filters can't be used for brewing, so you'll need to purchase AeroPress's own specialty versions. This isn't eco-friendly and can prove inconvenient (most retail stores don't carry these filters). The latter can be fixed by investing in an AeroPress Stainless Steel Filter, which is machine-washable and endlessly reusable.

Because the AeroPress comes in multiple pieces, it can be easy to misplace portions of the device. Fortunately, AeroPress sells a la carte replacement parts, so you can get a new filter basket or plunger or paddle.

What are your alternatives?

In terms of its flexibility and brewing speed, the AeroPress is peerless. That said, other single-serve coffee makers can replicate some of the AeroPress's most appealing characteristics. The Grosche Moka Pot also uses gravity and pressure to brew espresso-style coffee, and it's affordable and easy to use. However, it does require a stovetop and it can't make cold brew. Check out our guide to the best Moka pots to learn more.

Pour-over coffee makers achieve a flavor quality that's comparable to the AeroPress, although they take far longer to brew. The Kalita Wave Dripper 185 is one of the best pour-over coffee makers; it uses standard coffee filters, is dishwasher-safe, and has an intuitive brewing process. The Nguyen Coffee Supply Phin Filter is an even more portable option. The Vietnamese-inspired pour-over with stainless steel pieces that stack together and are easy to transport in the included pouch. 

The bottom line

After running a series of tests, I concluded that the AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker is one of the best ways to make coffee currently on the market. It's sturdy and light, so you can take it anywhere, and it's machine-washable. The AeroPress won our hearts with its affordable price and ability to brew a cup of coffee that a pro barista would be proud to serve in 2 minutes flat.