This 1-cup brewing gadget is one of the most flexible and fun brewing devices in the coffee industry. A must-have for true coffee lovers.
About Aerobie, AeroPress and the inventor, Alan Adler
The AeroPress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, a mechanical engineer and retired Stanford University professor.
Adler is also the man behind the famous Aerobie Flying Ring (a frisbee-like toy).
In 2021, Adler, who was nearing retirement age, sold the coffee-related segment of his company to the Canadian investment firm, Tiny Capital. That also means that AeroPress is a company in its own right and not a sub-brand under Aerobie.
This move was met with skepticism by some of the more traditionalist coffee aficionados; however, overall, it appears that the new investors have rejuvenated the company. They’ve introduced a range of new products that are quite interesting and worthwhile. Of course, the original AeroPress remains the best! Yet, it’s refreshing to see some innovation, like the new, AeroPress XL as well as the transparent version released this year.
The reason people were somewhat protective of the AeroPress is because it’s such a charming brewing device, surrounded by its own dedicated community.
There are both national and World AeroPress Championships, drawing competitors from around the globe.
I had the opportunity to be a judge at one of the larger international competitions, and it was a lot of fun, yet serious at the same time.
AeroPress Versions:
AeroPress Go: A smaller, travel-friendly version that includes a travel cup and lid, perfect for coffee lovers on the move. This model is designed by Alan Adler himself. Dedicated review here.
AeroPress Original: The classic design that started it all, known for its simplicity and efficiency in brewing.
AeroPress Clear: Similar to the original but crafted from transparent Tritan plastic, allowing you to watch your coffee being extracted. This model is created by the new AeroPress owners.
AeroPress XL: A double-capacity version of the original, utilizing larger filters for brewing more coffee at once. This model is created by the new AeroPress owners. Dedicated review here.
Here’s the new and beautiful AeroPress in my studio
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THE AEROPRESS?
One of the AeroPress’ main strengths is its compact size. It’s small and lightweight enough that you can easily fit it into your regular backpack and bring it to work or on a trip.
However, the small size also means that the AeroPress is somewhat limited in its capacity. If you are just brewing for one or maybe even two persons that’s no problem. If you have to brew coffee for your family or a larger group you better look for something with a larger capacity.
(Btw: To overcome that problem I have created a recipe for brewing two cups at once!)
2024 Update: AeroPress now also offers a big capacity version called the AeroPress XL, which is worth checking out, if you want the same convenience but at bigger scale. You can brew 2-4 c cups with this device. I have a review of the AeroPress XL here that you can check out.
BUILD QUALITY
The AeroPress is crafted from BPA-free plastic. It has evolved subtly over the years with small incremental updates, for example, new color schemes in its logo and numerals.
The plunger features a removable silicone seal, which can be removed for cleaning. Despite being made of plastic and rubber, this device is extremely durability. I have never heard of anyone breaking any parts of the device. However, if you for instance loose the cap, you can get a spare one.
The latest version of the AeroPress has replaced the italicized letters with a more modern font in a discrete color, moving away from the eye-catching red, gold, and blue lettering we’ve been used to. Overall, I think it’s an improvement.
In 2023, AeroPress also introduced a transparent model, which is slightly more expensive since it’s made of Tritan plastic. I have this device as well and can confirm that it brews exactly like the original. This model is called the AeroPress Clear, and it is more “clear” to see what’s going on inside while the brewing is taking place.
Is it worth the extra price? Only you can answer that. The coffee tastes the same.
DESIGN
As mentioned in the section above the brewer is extremely sturdy. But let’s dwell a bit more on the design and some its features. The little coffee maker is capable of brewing in two different ways: Inverted and normal.
First, you rinse a paper filter, insert in the plastic disk.
Then you prepare the device and add ground coffee, followed by an exact measured dose of water.
After that, you plunge.
Voila: You have coffee! Of course, there’s a lot more to making a great cup of joe than that, but you get the basic principle.
The design not only is revolutionary and innovative at the same time, but it’s also quite practical in many ways: The brewer is basically cleaning itself while it’s brewing.
There’s an AeroPress in small, medium and XL nowadays! Note that the XL uses bigger filters than the two other versions.
EASE OF USE
The brewer is very easy to use, but there is a learning curve. Of course, you can just start using the typical ‘beginner’ recipes, you’d find online, but at the same time, there are millions of small tweaks you can apply as you go along.
In that sense, the brewer is a great source of fun. It’s easy to get started, but the options are limitless as your proficiency as an Aero-barista grows.
One thing I want to emphasize though is that there are a few techniques and best practices that you should definitely apply in your brewing, which will help you make great coffee a lot faster. It’s easy to make good coffee with the AeroPress… however, making truly heavenly coffee is another matter entirely. That is unless you check out our ‘secret’ tricks to getting the most out of the AeroPress.
This is an AeroPress review only though, so more about that in my other post here.
TASTE
As mentioned before there are a million of different ways to brew, which all have their own impact on taste. However, in general, it’s a device that has more in common with the pour over method rather than espresso or the French press.
This comes down to using a paper filter. A paper filter blocks out many of the coffee oils from entering the final cup. A lot of people actually like this, because it enhances the more subtle coffee flavors. However, some more hardcore coffee drinkers will actually prefer a stronger and more ‘oily’ coffee. If you are one of those persons, you probably already know it.
You can consider investing in an extra metal filter disk and use it in lieu of the paper filters. It’s quite cheap and totally alters the capabilities of the coffee maker. There are quite a few different metal disk filters out there, but essentially they do the same.
Bonus Info💡: There is also a special paper filter called the Aesir filter, which IMO is a must-have when using the AeroPress. It elevates the coffee to an even higher level
Back in the days the AeroPress was ‘marketed’ as a bit of an alternative to espresso – hence the name. However most people today agree that its primary strength lies in more traditional ‘black coffee’.
That being said the AeroPress is an extremely versatile brewer that can do just about anything. Even stuff like cold drip and cold brew can be made with the AeroPress.
AeroPress Conclusion
So what’s the verdict on the AeroPress?
Well, it’s a coffee classic for a good reason! It’s a well-designed coffee maker that is simple to use and produces a good cup of coffee.
The main downside is that it can be a bit tricky to find the right technique and recipe with so many options out there. It’s a bit overwhelming.
However, whether you’re looking for an easy way to make a great cup of coffee (or a new hobby!), I think the AeroPress is worth trying.
The AeroPress is a lot more versatile than the French press. You can brew all kinds of coffee with it due to its unusual design. Is it also better? As a coffee professional, I will have to say “yes”. The design of the contraption lets you have a lot more control over the brewing process, but this is also the reason that it can be difficult to use properly.
Is the AeroPress really that good?
Both yes and no. In general, it’s not that easy to make a truly magnificent cup of coffee with this device. The kind of cup that rivals the best of pour overs is hard to achieve. However, when you become an advanced AeroBarista, you can make some outstanding cups.
Is the plastic safe?
Yes, it’s made with polyprobylene, which is considered safe and PBA-free.
Is AeroPress good for espresso?
It can make some strong and concentrated shots that will satisfy many people, however, it cannot make genuine espresso. The pressure is not anywhere near 9 bars. You can invest in the special Prismo cap if you want to make something a bit more like espresso.
Asser Christensen
Hello, and welcome! I'm the editor & founder of this site. I have been a coffee geek since I started home roasting more than a decade ago. Since then, coffee has taken me on countless adventures: From ancient coffee ceremonies in Ethiopia to the volcanos of Sumatra. My background is in journalism, and today I'm also a licensed Q Grader under the Coffee Quality Institute.
