The AeroPress Original is a compact, shatterproof manual coffee maker that brews one or two cups in about two minutes by steeping coffee and then pressing it through a paper micro-filter.
- Skill level
- Beginner
- Counter space
- Compact
- Maintenance
- Low
- Makes
- Filter coffee
Our take
Buy it if
Anyone who wants a quick, forgiving single cup at home, at work or on holiday, with very little to clean.
Think twice if
Brews one or two cups at a time, not a full pot
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- Brews a smooth, low-grit cup in about 2 minutes (per AeroPress)
- Up to 10 oz (296 ml) per brew, enough for one or two cups (per AeroPress)
- Light, compact and shatterproof, so it travels well
- Cleanup is quick: push out the puck of grounds and rinse
- Comes with paper micro-filters
Limitations
- Brews one or two cups at a time, not a full pot
- Needs AeroPress-size paper filters (or a reusable metal filter, sold separately)
- Pressing takes a little arm strength if the grind is very fine
Overview
The AeroPress is the cheerful little brewer that coffee lovers pack for holidays and keep on their desks at work. You add coffee and water to the chamber, stir, wait a moment, then press. A gentle push sends the coffee through a paper micro-filter into your mug, and about two minutes later (per AeroPress) you're sipping.
Why people love it. It's forgiving. The paper filter catches the fine grit a French press lets through, so the cup is smooth and clean, but it still has a pleasant body. It's light and shatterproof, so it survives backpacks and camping trips, and cleanup is almost fun: pop off the cap, push the puck of grounds into the bin, rinse, done.
Make it even better with freshly ground coffee from a burr grinder such as the Baratza Encore, and weigh your coffee and water on a scale. Our guide to using an AeroPress has a simple starting recipe.
First brew idea: about 15 g of medium-fine coffee to 220 g of water just off the boil. Stir, wait a minute, then press slowly for about 20–30 seconds. Then taste and adjust; it's very hard to get wrong.
Specifications
- Brand
- AeroPress
- Model
- Original
- Category
- Brewing Equipment
- Skill level
- Beginner
- Maintenance
- Low
Compatibility & maintenance
Takes standard-size AeroPress paper filters, which are sold in packs. AeroPress makes larger "XL" models with their own filters; the Original uses the standard size. It presses straight into most sturdy mugs.
After brewing, push out the used grounds and rinse the seal and chamber. Let the parts dry before storing. AeroPress offers a one-year warranty against defects.
Questions about the AeroPress Original Coffee Press
How much coffee does the AeroPress Original make?
Up to 10 oz (296 ml) per brew, according to AeroPress: enough for one or two cups.
How long does an AeroPress brew take?
About two minutes from start to finish, according to AeroPress, including a short steep and a slow press.
What filters does the AeroPress Original use?
Standard-size AeroPress paper micro-filters. The larger XL models use their own, bigger filters.
Can an AeroPress make espresso?
It makes a strong, concentrated coffee that works well in milk drinks, but it can't reach the pressure of an espresso machine, so it isn't true espresso.
Is the AeroPress good for travel?
Yes. It's light, compact and shatterproof, which is why so many people take it camping or on holiday.
How we researched this
This is a researched profile compiled from manufacturer documentation and the sources below. We have not tested this equipment ourselves. Our editorial policy.
- Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0047BIWSK), checked 1 Nov 2026