Shopping for an AeroPress was simple; for years, there was just one mannequin. Due to its ingenious design—a syringelike plunger that pushes espresso within the brewing chamber by means of a small paper filter—it made improbable espresso, supplied all types of room for experimentation, and was simple to wash. In 2019, some 14 years after the debut of the primary AeroPress, the corporate launched the travel-friendly Go. This minimally miniaturized model of the unique design was significantly good for utilizing on journeys, because it meant an finish to counting on crummy Ok-Cups in resort rooms.
For some time, it was simply these two. Then the dam broke—the results of each a 2021 funding in AeroPress by Tiny Capital and followers’ insistent clamoring for extra AeroPresses—and the corporate launched a couple of new variations of its brewer. Sadly, whereas the Unique and Go had a “lightning strikes twice” vibe, the brand new crop is extra of a combined bag. Someway, in spite of everything this time, what’s come out nonetheless feels rushed. We have been utilizing the Unique and Go for years and began testing the brand new gear as quickly because it got here out. Whereas it is not as universally interesting, there are options that followers might need to take into account and a few to keep away from. If you have already got an AeroPress, that is virtually actually every part you want. However in case you’re shopping for a brand new one, this is some recommendation on which model to get.
Make sure to take a look at our different espresso guides, together with the Best Coffee Grinders, Best Portable Coffee Makers, Best Coffee Bean Subscriptions, and Best Espresso Machines.
Up to date July 2024: We’ve added the AeroPress Go Plus and the most recent model of the Clear, and we’ve up to date hyperlinks and costs all through.
Greatest for Dwelling or Workplace
For those who’re a longtime AeroPress proprietor, likelihood is that is the one you’ve got acquired. Not a lot of a looker in its cloudy grey shade, nevertheless it’s an exceedingly excessive performer and has been a favourite of baristas and residential brewers because it got here out. A part of the reason being that it permits you to management so lots of the brewing variables: water temperature, quantity of espresso, grind dimension, and bloom and brew occasions. Even when you do not make an ideal cup, it is normally nonetheless fairly good. The compact dimension means it barely takes up more room than a mug in your kitchen, and it is pretty simple to tackle a visit. Plasticky? Sure, but in addition sturdy sufficient that I now not bear in mind how lengthy I’ve owned mine. I’ve an Unique and a Go, and I have a tendency to make use of the previous at residence and take the Go on the highway. If I labored in an workplace, I might hold an Unique there. In comparison with the opposite fashions, it is most likely essentially the most versatile, able to accommodate your interior nerd if you need to take a deep dive. Even when this had been nonetheless the one one in existence, we would be simply as fanatical about it.
Greatest for Frequent Fliers
It by no means actually dawned on me that the Unique may very well be improved, and in a approach the Go is only a barely smaller model, but the adjustments are ingenious, permitting for it to nestle inside a mug, together with a scoop, stirrer, and little compactlike clamshell that holds filters. Pack all of it up and toss it within the backside of your suitcase to your subsequent flight, or put it in your backpack and head for the hills. (Campers love these.) You’ll be able to, in fact, carry complete beans and a hand grinder, however that looks like overkill to me. Grind what you want earlier than heading for the good outside or, in case your journey is extra city, discover a espresso store at your vacation spot, meet some locals, purchase a bag, ask them to “grind it for AeroPress,” and ask if they’ve any brewing recommendations—I wager they’ll. Earlier than you skip city, purchase a bag of beans to grind at residence and name it each a memento and self-care reward. The 8-ounce Go (9/10 WIRED Recommends) is clearly for the vacationers on the market, however in case you’re not too finicky, it is shut sufficient to the 10-ounce Unique that proudly owning each feels redundant. I journey loads, so if I needed to pare it down, this may be The One.
Aeropress additionally just lately launched an replace referred to as the Go Plus ($80), however this one’s a little bit of a dud. Whereas the unique Go is a tiny marvel, able to make your morning cup in your kitchen or be packed into its mug and tossed in your backpack or carry-on bag, the Go Plus appears to be extra angled towards commuters, with all of its brewing elements and equipment packed inside an insulated metallic journey mug. Two huge issues drag it down. First, the magnetic slider on its cup lid makes ingesting from it surprisingly disagreeable, because it’ll probably be touching your nostril as you drink, leaving you caught in a bizarre nether house between making a seal and never making one; it’s neither sip nor suck. Worse, not like the Unique, Clear, and Go, you’ll be able to’t brew it right into a mug with an inside diameter smaller than three inches … which is to say, most mugs. It is also onerous to puzzle out precisely whom it is for. In contrast with the Go, it feels a bit of too heavy to carry alongside in your baggage, and in case you’re presupposed to drink it in a automobile, do you simply go away the brewing elements at residence? At that time, you might use a standard AeroPress and simply pour it right into a journey mug that you simply like.
Greatest for Gifting
Whereas there is not an enormous distinction between the brand new Clears and the Unique, these are our new favorites. The fully clear model is great for seeing what is going on on contained in the brewing chamber and is … clearly … higher wanting than the cloudy, opaque Unique, which may very well be thought of our funds decide now. The numerous shade choices make it a bit of tougher to see what is going on on in there, and whereas we are usually extra functionally targeted with our critiques, having one thing cheery-looking that does not remind you of lab tools or plumbing will definitely open doorways to new customers. For those who already personal an AeroPress, there is not any purpose to improve, however in case you’re simply beginning out, that is the place.
Greatest for (Actually) Huge Boys
AeroPress followers have been clamoring for a much bigger model of the basic brewer for years, principally as a result of the Unique’s 10-ounce capability means making espresso for a couple of individual could be a ache within the butt. These followers acquired their want with a mannequin that is twice the scale of the unique. However greater doesn’t appear to be higher. Actually, greater appears a bit of extra harmful. Whereas the Unique, Clear, and Go all use the identical dimension cap and filter, every bit of the XL is bigger. It has its personal filters, and also you brew into the carafe it comes with, as a result of the XL’s bigger diameter makes it too huge to brew instantly into most mugs. It additionally positive aspects a whole lot of peak. With the plunger prolonged and related to the barrel, and all of that sitting on the carafe, it is 19 inches excessive. In our testing, 5’3″ Seattle barista Reyna Callejo from Olympia Espresso Roasting Firm stood on a stool to get it to work, a balancing act involving sizzling liquids you probably is not going to need to be doing earlier than your morning espresso, or ever, actually. Utilizing the inverted technique additionally feels extra perilous—that is half a liter of sizzling water you are perching excessive above your countertop, legs, and personal elements. For those who actually love AeroPress, need an additional cup’s value each time you brew, and are not postpone by the potential perils, go for it, however most of us who crave extra espresso would probably be higher off with a distinct type of brewer.
Put a Lid on It?
This accent—which attaches to all AeroPress fashions besides the XL—is designed to maintain your brewing dripless, which it does if issues are working proper. A ketchup-bottle-style pressure-actuated valve permits the inverted-averse to experiment with grind sizes and brewing occasions with no drip. Your espresso will not go wherever till you press the plunger. It additionally is meant to create an “espresso-style crema” with darkish roast, which seems to be vaguely sudsy bubbles, not the scrumptious, dense, caffeinated foamy goodness you would possibly hope for. It is form of just like the peach fuzz on a teenage boy’s higher lip in comparison with a legit bushy mustache. Actually, I didn’t discover a lot in the best way of constructive change that the cap had on the espresso it made. That movement management works nice, although. Good luck cleanly ejecting the puck into the compost bin; with out some peculiar futzing that I—and lots of people on-line—by no means discovered, the filter and a layer of grounds are inclined to detach from the remainder of the puck and get caught within the cap. I had enjoyable wanting by means of the Amazon critiques, a lot of which complained about leaking, however laughed out loud on the one which hit residence essentially the most: “I do not suppose it does something.”
Filtered Outcomes
This reusable stainless filter permits AeroPress customers to keep away from utilizing and pitching the paper filters. Reducing down on paper waste is a noble intention, however I used to be pretty unimpressed with the outcomes. Most notably, the tip product is way sludgier than what AeroPress customers are used to. Even for me, a French-press fan who would not thoughts some sediment within the backside of my cup, this appeared like loads. Except you employ a Stream Management cap, the stainless filter additionally lets espresso drip by means of a lot sooner than a paper filter does. Amazingly, water poured from a faucet by means of an empty (no grounds) AeroPress with the stainless filter and inventory cap will fill then overfill the vessel beneath it, not the brewing chamber. With a paper filter and the identical cap, the brewing chamber fills, then takes effectively over a minute to empty out. Equally, if you’re brewing espresso and depress the plunger, it sinks so quick and simply that retaining regular stress on it’s tough. Lastly, amongst all of our each day environmental sins, pitching a compostable 2.5-inch-wide paper disc (which can be utilized for a number of brewings) barely makes a blip in contrast with, say, that plastic- or plastic-lined bag your espresso is available in. As with the Stream Management cap, there’s most likely a tiny area of interest of people that will make common use of this, however I believe most of us will drop 15 bucks on it, battle with it a couple of occasions, then overlook about it within the utensil drawer.
My Personal AeroPress Setup
Most of us might be fully pleased with only one AeroPress. By means of work, I occur to personal two, which is generally redundant. If I needed to whittle it all the way down to only one, I might take the Go. If I traveled much less, I might be nice with the Unique and simply take that on journeys—it does simply nice.
The remainder of my residence setup consists of an Oxo scale for weighing espresso beans by the gram. The present model of the size is this Stainless Steel Food Scale ($56), an awesome all-rounder within the kitchen. WIRED reviewer Michael Calore likes Oxo’s Precision Scale ($56) that includes a built-in timer, which is helpful with extra difficult AeroPress or pour-over brews.
My grinder is a Baratza Encore ($150), which I like for the standard of the grind, total worth, and sturdiness. It is also repairable, a spot the place many different producers fall quick.
Whereas I like the look of gooseneck kettles, I discover them finicky and slow-pouring after I’m not utilizing them for espresso. As an alternative, I have been utilizing the Cuisinart CPK-17 ($100) for 4 years, and it is nonetheless chugging away nice. It is a reviewers’ darling, with six preset temperatures and a “hold heat” button to carry it at that temperature for half-hour.
One little factor I’ve come to understand is engaged on a silicone mat whereas I brew. AeroPress fails are rites of passage, principally as a result of they’ll make a spectacular mess. I take advantage of a Silpat mat from my baking drawer, which supplies a strong, nonslip base and helps hold catastrophe at bay.
