There is nothing quite like getting out of your tent on a chilly mountain morning, boiling some water, and making a fragrant cup of coffee in your dependable french press. This process is a ritual for many campers and with good reason. The simple luxury a french press provides while camping elevates your trip from ordinary to something truly extraordinary!
There are more and more options for a durable, packable, and full featured french press for your next camping trip, and we’re here to help you decipher your options. From ultralight titanium presses, to ones big enough to make coffee for your entire group, we’ve got you covered.
Read on for our full review of the best camping french presses, or simply check out our top picks below:
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Best Overall
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Best for Backpacking
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Best for Car Camping
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Best Value
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$49.95
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$59.95
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$69.99
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$25.99
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Best Camping French Presses
Best Overall: GSI Outdoors Glacier Vacuum Java Press
The best french press for camping in our experience, the GSI OUtdoors Glacier is designed for the riggors of outdoor use. Constructed on durable stainless steel and vacuum sealed to keep your coffee warm.
- Keeps coffee warm for hours
- Easy to use
- High-quality design
- Can leak if tipped over
The GSI Outdoors Glacier Vacuum Java Press is our top pick for a versatile camping french press. Crafted out of durable stainless steel, the carafe stands up to the rigors of any campsite while keeping coffee warm for hours. The vacuum insulated body also won’t leach or degrade overtime, so you’re sure to enjoy years of wonderful camp coffee.
The GSI french press gets top marks for keeping coffee warm, with many reviewers reporting that even hours after brewing, the coffee was still warm enough to enjoy. The french press makes about 4 cups of coffee, making it ideal for most camp mornings.
In terms of quality, the Glacier Vacuum Java also gets top marks. In addition to the stainless steel body, the plunger seal is made of high-grade silicone and the top from sturdy molded plastic. No need to worry if the GSI french press falls off your picnic table!
Other nice features include a rubberized bottom that prevents slipping and an easy to clean removable filter. Our only nit for this french press is that even when the top is in ‘closed’ mode, we’ve experienced some slight leaking if the french press happens to fall over.
However, this is far and away the top camping french press in our minds!
Best French Press for Backpacking: Snow Peak Titanium French Press
The Snow Peak Titanium French Press is the perfect way to enjoy great coffee while camping or backpacking, without adding a bunch of extra weight to your pack.
- Ultra lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Small (only brews 1 cup)
- Doesn't fit on all backpacking stoves
If you’re planning on making a gourmet cup of coffee in the backcountry, we recommend the Snow Peak Titanium French Press. This incredibly light (just 6.3 ozs!) french press is simple to use, constructed of titanium, and made in Japan by Snow Peak.
You’ll find this french press is easy to pack, with a folding handle that collapses against the body for easy storage. The mesh plunger and filter can be used on their own or paired with the included extra filter for grit-free coffee. Since the carafe is made from titanium, you can boil water directly in it on your backpacking stove for a simple coffee set-up.
In terms of cons, there aren’t many with this high-quality french press. However, we did find the body to be a bit small for use with our MSR stove, making it a bit more difficult to use. Some reviewers also don’t like the taste from the extra filter, however, you can simply only use the metal mesh screen and get a great cup of coffee.
Durability is also high, with many reviewers having used the Snow Peak french press for years. This Japanese company is known for quality, and it definitely shows through on their titanium backpacking french press!
Best for Car Camping: Stanley Classic Vacuum French Press
This 48oz french press was designed to be used at campsites and in the backcountry. Large enough for bigger groups and made of the same durable material that Stanley is known for.
- Keeps coffee warm for hours
- Large enough for groups
- Durable construction
- Filter could use improvement
The knock on a a lot of camping french presses is that they can’t make enough coffee for more than a few people. However, the Stanley Classic Vacuum French Press makes enough for a crowd with a 48 oz capacity and vacuum construction that keeps your coffee warm for hours.
This heavy duty french press is constructed of 18/8 stainless steel and although it does weigh quite a bit, that is a small price to pay for such a large capacity french press. It is also great at campsites given the metal carafe and durable top. You’ll also get Stanley’s limited lifetime warranty, so no need to worry about the product’s longevity.
We have heard that some users have issues with grounds escaping the filter and getting into your coffee, although that hasn’t been our experience.
Overall, Stanley is a very high-quality brand and makes some of the best camping gear available. Their classic french press is no different and is by far our top pick if you’re looking for a higher volume french press for your next camping trip.
Best Value: OXO Brew Venture French Press
Made from shatter resistant plastic and designed for campgrounds and outdoor adventures, the OXO French Press is a great budget pick for a camping french press.
- Lightweight
- Shatterproof construction
- Excellent price
- Not insulated
One thing you’ve probably noticed while reading some of our other tops pick for a camping french press is that they aren’t cheap. You generally get what you pay for, but if you’re looking for a durable french press to take camping without spending too much, check out the OXO Brew Venture. This 32 oz french press is crafted from shatter resistant PA-free Tritan™ Renew plastic.
This french press is virtually indestructible while still brewing a great cup of coffee and with all the features you’d expect in a good french press. The plunger and filter are well designed to avoid any grounds seeping their way into your cup, while the high-quality handle makes the carafe perfect for outdoor use.
If there is one glaring feature we miss when using the OXO french press it’s the lack of insulation. That means your coffee won’t stay warm for hours on end like the vacuum sealed carafes in some of the higher-end options in this guide. But honestly, that won’t be an issue for the majority of campers who just want a nice cuppa in the morning.
Best for Coffee Connoisseurs: Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
This cult classic is coffee aficionados go-to french press style coffee maker for camping. The Go Travel version improves on the original by combining a drinking mug that doubles as a carrying case.
- Exceptional taste
- Easy to use
- Very portable
- Doesn't make a ton of coffee
Ok, we know, the Aeropress isn’t technically a french press. But for any camping coffee aficionados out there we just had to include it in this guide. The Aeropress has been around for several years now and is bar none the most popular way to brew a serious cup of coffee while in the backcountry, at your campground, or even just during a long road-trip.
The simple device pushes hot water through the grounds to give more of an espresso type brew compared to a french press. We like the Go version for its packability, perfect for both backpacking and car camping.
There are some downsides to the aeropress, notably that it doesn’t have the capacity of many of the french presses in this guide. However, there is also an XL version that is a good option if you want to brew more than the Go version allows for.
Overall, we recommend the Aeropress for serious coffee folks who don’t want to sacrifice quality on their camping trip.
Best All-In-One Camping French Press: Stanley Adventure All-In-One Boil + Brew
Save time and cleanup by utilizing the Stanley All-in-One French Press to both boil your water and brew your coffee all using a single container. A great budget option that saves time on those busy camp mornings!
- Simple, all-in-one system
- Base can be used to boil water
- Solid construction
- Can be difficult to use when hot
One final great option to consider for those searching for the best camping french press is the Stanley Adventure All-In-One. As you probably guessed from the name, this french press is designed to be both a pot to boil your water as well as a carafe to filter and pour from.
The exterior carafe is made from stainless steel and can be used with your backpacking stove or directly on a campfire to boil water. Then, you’ll simply add your grounds and push the included filter down into the carafe.
The result is a wonderful pressed coffee that is ready to drink after four to six minutes of steeping. You can then attach the lid and easily pour your french press into your favorite camping mug.
The only drawbacks to the Stanley All-In-One is that the plunger/filter is made of plastic, which many people may be hesitant about given the high heat it is exposed to and potential to impart a taste on the coffee. While we’ve never heard of any actual issues from those items, it is something to consider.
Camping French Press Buying Guide
While finding the perfect camping french press isn’t as complicated as picking some of your other camping gear, it does pay to have an idea of what to look for. Most of the considerations will revolve around when and where you plan to use your french press, so think about that first and foremost.
From there, materials, capacity, durability, and weight all factor in as well.
Let’s walk through some of the key considerations you should keep in mind when purchasing your camping french press.
Car camping or backpacking?
The most important consideration is certainly where and how you plan to use your new coffee maker. Heading into the backcountry for a multi-day expedition? Or looking to upgrade your car camping set-up with a deluxe french press that is sure to impress your companions?
Those two scenarios will lead you to very different conclusions in terms of which french press is right for your situation. Find a few details on both options below:
- Backpacking: If you’re backpacking, bikepacking, or any other outing where you’re planning on carrying all of your gear without the help of a car, you’ll want to look at the ultralight/packable french presses on the market. As you can read above, our favorite for these conditions is the Snow Peak Titanium French Press.
- Car Camping: We find that most folks are looking for a way to upgrade their camp coffee while car camping or in their trailer/RV. In that situation, size and packability matter a lot less and you’ll be far more concerned with overall size and ability to keep your coffee warm. If this describes your situation, we recommend checking out either our top pick, the GSI Outdoors Glacier French Press, or if you’re after a larger capacity, you can’t go wrong with the Stanley Classic French Press.
Materials & Durability
This will go hand in hand with the section above in regards to how you plan to use your french press. Most that are designed for use in the backcountry will be made of single-layer titanium or stainless steel. Both of these materials will provide durability and a lightweight package, but you won’t get much heat retention.
On the other hand, bulkier car camping french presses will be constructed out of durable stainless steel, and many will be vacuum sealed, keeping your coffee warm for hours.
Our lone pick that isn’t constructed from metal is the OXO Brew Venture, which is designed out of a custom plastic that won’t shatter.
We never recommend bringing a glass or cheap plastic french press on any camping trip as you can easily shatter or break the carafe.
Size & Capacity
A final consideration when selecting a french press for camping is the size and capacity of the carafe. On a recent dispersed camping trip in Colorado we were learned this the hard way when we realized that our french press only made enough coffee for a few cups!
Generally, most french presses have around 32 oz of capacity. That makes approximately 4 full cups of coffee (don’t be fooled as many say they’ll make 8, but those would be tiny cups!) so think about what your typical coffee drinking morning entails. If you want more than that, we highly recommend going with the Stanley Classic French Press which boasts a whopping 48 oz carafe, enough for at least six cups of coffee.
On the other hand, if you’re on a solo backpacking trip, you’ll want to prioritize a small, single-serve french press that is easier to pack. For that, we recommend the Snow Peak or Aeropress.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
If you’re like us, upgrading you camp coffee set-up is a worthy endeavor. Our favorite way to do that is by adding a bit of luxury and using one of the excellent camping french presses on the market. For most campers, your best bet will be the GSI Outdoors Glacier French Press, but several other contenders are worth considering as well!
Let us know if you’ve been using one of these french presses or have another recommendation in the comments below.
