In the coffee world, AeroPress is known for making some of the best coffee makers. AeroPress’ schtick is this: a french press, moka pot, drip, and pour over, but better. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, the Premium is AeroPress’ newest offering. It’s called the ‘Premium’ and it’s got a premium price tag to boot. This is $179 — I’ve seen budget espresso machines with a lower MSRP. It’s expensive, yes, but, hand on my heart, it makes a frickin’ good cup of coffee.
In under a minute, I was able to get full-bodied (but not bitter), smooth (but not too strong), delicate (but not weak) coffee. I topped off with a smidge of frothed oat milk and voilá. My coworkers couldn’t get enough of the AeroPress Premium’s balanced coffee.
But it’s not all sunshine and daisies: this is a pricey coffee maker. If you’re after a premium device though, especially if you’re avoiding plastic, it could be the best AeroPress for you. Find out the full story in this AeroPress Premium review.
AeroPress Premium: Cheat sheet
- Who is it for? Coffee evangelists and AeroPress lovers
- What does it do well? I can’t lie, it makes a mean, mean coffee
- What are its weaknesses? It’s so eye-wateringly pricey for a non-electric, fully-manual coffee maker
- What should you use it for? Brewing premium coffee with style
AeroPress Premium: Specs
AeroPress Premium review: Price & availability
The AeroPress Premium is available to pre-order now from AeroPress direct, with shipping dates in early December — a perfect Christmas present for the coffee lover in your life. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s eye-wateringly expensive: $179. For an entirely manual coffee maker? I know. But it’s so pretty.
The AeroPress Original is $47 at Amazon U.S., and the AeroPress XL is $69 at Amazon U.S. The Premium is by far the priciest AeroPress available today, but it’s the only plastic-free model, if that’s a dealbreaker for you.
AeroPress Premium review: Design
The AeroPress Premium really excels in the design department. It’s breathtakingly gorgeous. Constructed around hand-blown double-walled glass and anodized aluminum, the AeroPress Premium is a work of art. The double-walled glass exterior is heat-proof, so even with boiling water inside, the glass exterior is safe to touch.
The stainless steel filter cap is removable, which means you can clean the finicky bits inside. The plunger tip is constructed of black silicone, which won’t stain with repeated use and submersion in coffee. AeroPress includes filters with your coffee maker, but obviously these won’t last forever — you’ll have to purchase more once you run out (or get a reusable stainless steel filter). AeroPress filters are $11.94 for 350, which works out at 3 cents per filter.
There are numbers on the side of the glass chamber so you can fill to the same level every time. In testing, with one (provided) scoop of coffee, I found pouring water to number 4 produced the best results, although you’ll want to experiment to find your ideal ratio.
AeroPress Premium review: Performance
Obviously this is a non-electric, manual product, so it’s not going to froth your milk or need preheating time. You simply set it up, pour over the water, and plunge. The vacuum seal and filter provide a grit-free drink that won’t leave silt at the bottom of your mug. I particularly liked how the AeroPress made a layered, balanced coffee with no bitterness and a delicate flavor without being weak. I’ve truly never tasted coffee like this before — it’s softer than espresso, not bitter like a french press, and smoother than a moka pot.
Now I’ve tasted coffee brewed by an AeroPress, I’m not sure I ever want to go back — I just wish the Premium wasn’t so expensive.
AeroPress Premium review: Storage & maintenance
The AeroPress premium is pretty compact, at 7 inches tall with a diameter of 4.3 inches. You’d easily be able to keep this in a kitchen cupboard. Cleaning is straightforward too; simply clean with warm soapy water. It’s not dishwasher or microwave safe, unlike the standard AeroPress.
AeroPress Premium review: How does it compare?
The Premium is — you guessed it — the most premium product on AeroPress’ roster. The AeroPress Clear Color ($49) has a plastic pressure chamber and makes a delicious brew, too, so will be better for AeroPress beginners or those on a budget. If you’re brewing up for more than one, you might want to check out the AeroPress XL ($67), which makes up to 20 fluid ounces of coffee in one press.
I much prefer the taste of AeroPress brewed coffee over french press, drip, or pour over — it’s more delicate and layered, not bitter in the slightest, and brews with no grit. I’ve got a moka pot at home and I love the process of watching/hearing the water dripping out of the funnel, but I’m not a massive fan of the silt left at the bottom of my cup.
AeroPress Premium review: Verdict
The AeroPress Premium is certainly a premium product. The beautiful glass-and-metal construction will look the part in anyone’s kitchen, and the included scoop and stirrer accessories are weighty and well-made. In terms of flavor, I’ve never tasted coffee as delectable and gentle as this. Don’t get me wrong — it’s not weak at all. There’s just a lightweightedness to it, like butterfly wings, or organza. You don’t miss out on any of that coffee taste, it’s just elevated and refined.
Although it’s a pricey product, if you’re an AeroPress evangelist looking to level-up your coffee brewing, this is the perfect coffee maker for you.
