The world of coffee accessories is vast, and it seems to just continue growing. From complex siphons to ultralight drippers, there’s a novelty accessory for everyone.
But within that universe of niche tools, the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker is one of the few that will appeal to a wide range of coffee drinkers. The AeroPress is fast, like a Nespresso machine, and easy to use, like a French press, and it makes coffee that tastes almost as great as a lovingly prepared pour-over.
Also, it comes in a durable, portable package.
Our pick
The lightweight, compact AeroPress is the simplest way to make an excellent-tasting single cup of coffee, no electricity needed.
The clear version performs exactly the same as the original AeroPress, but costs a bit more. It’s only worth getting if you value that crisp, clear look.
The AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker’s sterile appearance and clumsy learning curve might draw more than a few confused looks in the office kitchen the first time you use it. But it’s easy to get the hang of the technique, and we quickly grew to love this weird-looking beverage syringe. (If looks matter to you, the clear version does look a little more modern).
Anywhere you have ground coffee and hot water, the AeroPress can make a great cup of coffee in less than two minutes. If you buy one, you’ll be joining a large community of coffee enthusiasts who love the AeroPress.
Also great
The AeroPress Go has a slightly smaller capacity than the original, but it comes with improved accessories and seamlessly packs down into a travel cup.
Although the original AeroPress is quite portable, the AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press makes it easier to bring all the accessories (stirrer, scoop, and filters) with you. It comes in an adorable compact container that doubles as a cup, and we found the updated accessories to be better designed than the originals. But what’s gained in convenience is lost in capacity: The Go holds only 8 ounces, whereas the original AeroPress holds 10. You can still make the original AeroPress recipe for 4 ounces of concentrated coffee (which can be diluted), but some other recipes for brewing a standard cup of coffee will need to be modified.
And if you don’t care about using all of the accessories, you may find it just as convenient to travel with the original AeroPress, which has space in its chamber to carry your stash of pre-ground beans. If you’re into camping, or you tend to seek out ultralight gear, keep in mind that the Go might not be an upgrade from the original AeroPress. The Go is about 3½ ounces heavier, not including a grinder or any other coffee accessories you might pack.
Ultimately, either AeroPress will work well for travel, but you should get the Go if you value a coffee setup that loads into a self-contained package, including a cup.
