I've fallen in love with the elegant, non-toxic AeroPress Premium – but is it worth the price?

If you’re ready to ditch cheap plastics in your kitchen, upgrading to a non-toxic coffee maker is a great place to start. The AeroPress has long been a favorite among coffee and health enthusiasts (including renowned neuroscientist and podcaster Dr. Andrew Huberman). While it has always been BPA-free, the AeroPress has now been reimagined with luxurious, plastic-free materials in the form of the AeroPress Premium.

I spent a month testing this new and improved version, admiring its handmade double-walled borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and anodized aluminum design. Not only is it exceptionally well-crafted and a non-toxic coffee maker, but it also brews some of the smoothest, most full-bodied coffee I’ve ever tasted.

That said, with its high price tag, this isn’t a gadget for everyone. The AeroPress Premium is as much a statement piece as it is a coffee maker – ideal for those who are willing to invest in both style and health. If you’re looking to learn about all the pros and cons, this Aeropress Premium review is for you.

Specifications

First Impressions

Unboxing felt like opening a premium gift, thanks to the thoughtfully designed packaging. My first thought was: this would make a great present for the coffee lovers in my life.

Inside the box, the AeroPress Premium certainly lived up to its name in terms of aesthetics. The glass and stainless steel components look sleek and elegant; I was expecting them to feel fragile but they are actually sturdy and strong. The Premium upgrade also comes with a weighty, stainless steel stirrer and scoop – engraved with the brand logo. They feel like ultra-professional tools.

Setting up was refreshingly simple. With clear illustrations and straightforward instructions, I was brewing my first cup in minutes. There are also video tutorials on the website, if you need more guidance. Unlike some coffee gadgets that feel like they require a degree in engineering, the AeroPress Premium’s design prioritizes functionality and ease of use.

What's it like to use?

Once you learn the technique, it's incredibly easy. I've found it to be a calming morning ritual and it's so simple, you can do it basically half asleep.

Start by boiling a kettle, or heating water to 185°F (85°C) if you have a temperature-controlled kettle. Line the filter cap with filter paper and twist the glass chamber on top (it locks in and it's really satisfying). Place on top of a sturdy mug and add one scoop of ground coffee into the chamber. Pour hot water into the chamber to your required strength (there are numbers to guide you). Stir gently for 3 seconds using the stainless steel stirrer, then insert the plunger a half-inch into the chamber. Wait 60 seconds, then press the plunger down gently until you hear a hiss, signaling the brew is complete and your hot coffee is ready.

It’s also incredibly quick. I timed it to be less than three minutes from start to finish, including the time it took to boil the kettle. The included stainless steel filter cap, scoop, and stirrer (all plastic-free!) are very nice to use. The absence of plastic offers peace of mind for those concerned about microplastics and toxins, particularly when using hot water.

Taste test

From espresso shots to smooth americanos, the coffee was exceptional. Every brew is rich, full-bodied, and free from the bitterness that can plague other methods. I love how the filter paper catches the oils; you're left with a very refined, smooth taste.

Clean-up, storage & maintenance

One of the standout features of the AeroPress Premium is how simple it is to clean. After brewing, a quick rinse under cold water cools the stainless steel filter, and popping out the coffee puck is a breeze. A rinse and air dry are all that’s needed to have it ready for your next cup.

AeroPress recommend cleaning the gadget with 'lukewarm water, gentle soap, and a gentle cloth every week to preserve the life of your AeroPress Premium.'

In terms of storage, I found it can look slightly out of place without a dedicated organizer or coffee station. Right now, I have it on low a shelf next to my kettle and I keep the tools in my cutlery drawer. I'm tempted by the AeroPress stainless steel stand, as I have a small city apartment and I try to avoid clutter.

How does it compare?

Compared to the AeroPress Original (pictured above on the right), the Aeropress Premium is taller, weightier, and expertly crafted. It doesn't use any plastic whatsoever. It's also much more expensive. I found no real difference in the taste, but I did find that the double-walled glass kept my coffee slightly warmer.

If you're new to AeroPress and want to try the brand for just $30, the Original is a great choice. It's still BPA-free and FDA and EU-approved for contact. I also recommend the Original to anyone who wants a coffee maker to take traveling or to the office – the Premium is a bit too heavy for that.

If you want to eliminate all plastic in your kitchen and you're willing to pay for a luxurious upgrade, you won't regret the AeroPress Premium. It's beautiful, elegant, and designed to last.

Another direct comparison would be the more traditional Bodum Chambord French press. It is one of the most beautiful coffee makers, and in my opinion, is pretty enough for a permanent place on your countertops. Bodum as a brand utilizes entirely natural products, incorporating ethically sourced glass, steel, wood, and bamboo into their pieces. It produces an incredibly rich and silky cup of coffee. It's cheaper, but more fragile, slower and trickier to clean than the Aeropress premium – if speed and ease are at the top of your priority list. You can find out more in my Bodum Chambord review.

Who would it suit?

People who love functionality over fuss. If you love great coffee but dislike the mess and complexity of other methods, this is your match. It’s also a fantastic option for anyone looking to phase out plastic from their kitchen; every part of the AeroPress Premium (including the stirrer and scoop) is crafted from health-conscious materials, like glass and stainless steel. If you value craftsmanship, you'll enjoy the look and feel of this coffee maker. It's lovely to use and handle.

What I loved:

• Delicious coffee: Smooth, rich, and free from grit.
• Quick: Ready in under three minutes.
• Health-conscious design: Handmade glass and stainless steel. Plastic-free and perfect for hot brewing.
• Easy to use and clean: No fuss, no mess, and simple to clean.
• Reliability: I've used it daily for a month, without a hitch.

What I didn't like:

• Cost: It’s significantly more expensive than the AeroPress Original. For the price, I'd like to have seen a steel filter included, so you can save on buying paper filters.
• Capacity: If you’re brewing for more than one, you may need a larger French press.
• Station clutter: While beautiful, it can look slightly out of place without a dedicated organizer, caddy or the AeroPress stainless steel stand.
• Heavy: This is fine for home use, but you can't really travel with it, like the plastic version.
• No frothy coffee: If you don't own a separate milk frother, you can't make a creamy latte or cappuccino. If you're spending upwards of $100 on a coffee maker, you might want more versatility.

What do the customer reviews say?

They love how sturdy and industrial the Aeropress Premium is. Like me, they were surprised by the weight and thickness of the glass and metal, which makes it feel very high quality.

One reviewer said: 'It makes the same great coffee, and you can feel a little more secure knowing that you've eliminated one potential source of microplastics from your life.'

Other reviewers felt that it's a bit expensive compared to the original, which they know and love. They wish it came with a steel filter and a funnel for smaller-mouthed mugs.

Should you buy it?

The AeroPress Premium is a beautiful, well-crafted upgrade for anyone seeking an elegant, non-toxic coffee maker. I have knocked it down from 5-stars due to the high price and lack of versatility. While it may not be for those on a budget or those who want to create a variety of special drinks, it’s a great choice for anyone who values simplicity, functionality, premium craftsmanship – of course, delicious americano or espresso.

How we test

At Homes & Gardens, we have a rigorous testing process for all of our coffee makers. This enables us to score coffee makers both individually and against other models on the market.

We start with our research. As H&G’s kitchen appliance expert, I’m always on the lookout for the best coffee makers on the market. Once I’ve found one that I think you, our readers, will like, I order it to my home kitchen. I like to test at home, as it means I can use the appliance in my regular routine for around a month. This helps me uncover advantages (or most likely, pain points) I would never discover with a one hour session in the test kitchen.

Once I have the coffee maker in my hands, I’ll get testing. The first thing I make with any espresso machine is an espresso. This is a way of testing how good a coffee maker is at the basics. A good espresso should be between 1.25-2 oz. It should be 190-205 degrees and full of flavor. A big giveaway is the crema on top: that should be thick with a hazelnut hue.

Then, I'll test other brews: including americano, latte, cappuccino and anything else the coffee maker has to offer. After brewing and tasting, I make notes on the clean-up process as well as how I would recommend storing and maintaining the coffee maker.

After a month of testing and evaluating, I round up my notes. Then, I take a look at all of our other coffee makers to see how they compare. I also look at online reviews to see what other experts and real-life customers thought, so that I could bring you more insight.

If you’re interested and want to find out more, you can read all about the process in our how we test coffee makers page.