Best French Press Travel Mugs (It’s Easy To Have Great Coffee On The Go)
If you love hot coffee on the go and if you love the intense and rich flavors that only come with a French press then you’re going to love the French Press Travel Mug. It takes two marvelous gadgets and combines them to make a coffee cup like no other.
These mugs are durable, leak-proof, insulated and they brew the coffee all in one device. They are easy to use and perfect to grab on those busy mornings.
To help you decide which is the best French Press travel mug for your needs I’ve come up with this focused, condensed review that is bound to feature the one that suits you. I’ve chosen the seven top picks that cover all necessary bases from heavy-duty to large capacity options down to delicate glass ones.
Read on to find out more about these fantastic creations and at the end, I’ve included a handy French Press guide to help you make the most delicious coffee using your new travel mug.
Best French Press Travel Mugs – Summarized
- Top Choice – Bodum Travel Press
- Runner Up – Bobble French Coffee Press For Travel
- Best Glass Option – Betterbrew Travel French Press Coffee Maker
- Most Durable – Stanley Classic Travel Press
- Best Option For No Sediment – ESPRO P1 Stainless Steel Travel Coffee French Press
- Best Large Capacity Mug – GSI Outdoors JavaPress, French Press Coffee Mug
- Best Small Capacity Mug – Zyliss HotMug Travel French Press
1. Top Choice – Bodum Travel Press
Brand: Bodum
Capacity: 15 Ounces
Pros
- Stainless Steel
- Insulated
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons
- Spare Lid Not Included
For our top choice where travel mugs and the French press combine is the Bodum. This stainless steel, shatterproof thermos has vacuum-sealed, double-wall insulation which will keep your brewed coffee hot for hours.
The silicone and mesh filter glides easily through the hot water and keeps the ground coffee separate from the drinking portion.
It has a rubber grip portion that’s comfortable to hold and the non-skid rubber base keeps the tumbler from being knocked over.
It’s really easy to use, leak-proof, and fits well into most cup holders so perfect to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee on the go.
2. Runner Up – Bobble French Coffee Press For Travel
Brand: Bobble
Capacity: 14 Ounces
Pros
- Stainless Steel
- Triple Wall Insulated
- Fine Mesh Press
Cons
- Plunger Resistance
If you like your coffee hot, like piping hot then this is the portable french press for you. It’s triple wall insulated to keep that coffee warm for many hours. The sleek, stainless steel design makes this a practical and attractive option with the added benefit of great coffee.
It uses a fine mesh plunger to ensure sediment is kept to a minimum but with this smooth textured coffee comes a little annoyance. The fine filtering of the plunger creates a fair bit of resistance when you’re pressing it down and if you push it too hard, you will send hot coffee spurting everywhere. As long as you’re patient and apply even pressure then this shouldn’t be an issue.
Otherwise, this is a really attractive and easy-to-use option and the stainless steel makes it very hygienic and easy to keep clean.
3. Best Glass Option – Betterbrew Travel French Press Coffee Maker
Brand: Betterbrew
Capacity: 15 Ounces
Pros
- Borosilicate Glass
- Insulated
- Extended Plunger
Cons
- Plunger Prone to Splashback
If you love the clean fresh taste that comes with the glass-carafe, traditional french press but you still need an insulated travel mug then you don’t need to compromise anymore. This Betterbrew coffee maker may not win out where durability is concerned but it makes some of the best coffee. The inner tube lining is made of glass and the external casing is plastic which makes it a bit tougher and cool to touch.
It’s double-wall insulated so your coffee stays piping hot yet the exterior is comfortable to touch. The borosilicate glass is heat resistant so has extra insulating properties. It also has an extended plunger design that gives you ounces of coffee per press which is a major plus.
The lid is leak-proof, spill-resistant, and it’s easy to sip from so a great travel companion.
The tight-fitting, silicone seal and fine mesh plunger keep all sediment at bay but this handy design does come with a price. The plunger can be prone to sticking and if your force it this will create splash-back. As usual with the brewing process, press slowly and evenly to avoid any mess.
4. Most Durable – Stanley Classic Travel Press
Brand: Stanley
Capacity: 16 Ounces
Pros
- Stainless Steel
- Insulated
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Lid Can Be Hard Work
If you need a travel mug that can cope with being shoved in a backpack ready for a hectic commute or a long hike then you need a model that is equipped to handle the bumps and shakes along the way.
This Stanley coffee brewing thermos is not only built to last but it’s backed up with a lifetime warranty. The insulation will keep your coffee hot for 4 hours or cold brew cool for up to 5 hours.
It’s a stainless steel french press with a plastic lid but this is all BPA free so safe to keep your coffee in. It’s also completely dishwasher safe so clean up is simple and easy.
The lid is leak-proof but the cap that clips it into place is a little bit fiddly so it’s not the easiest thing to sip from one-handed. This is a very minor issue and the fact that it fits well into car cup holders is great. You can simply leave the top off when driving or just wait until you get to work to enjoy your hot coffee.
5. Best Option For No Sediment – ESPRO P1 Stainless Steel Travel Coffee French Press
Brand: Espro
Capacity: 12 Ounces
Pros
- Double Micro Filter
- Insulated
- Shatter-Proof
Cons
- Plunger Can End Up Sticky
If you love French press coffee but you always seem to end up with a gritty mouthful of sediment, no matter what the coffee grinder is set to, then consider this option. The Espro coffee mug has a double micro filter which filters up to 12x finer than standard French press filters can.
The double vacuum insulated walls really do keep your coffee warm for hours and the lid fits securely and is leak proof. One feature I really love is that when you fully press the plunger down it seals off the coffee beans so that the brewing stops. This means you won’t end up with bitter coffee from over-extraction.
The mug is stainless steel and dishwasher safe so is hygienic and easy to clean but due to the fine mesh, tight-fitting nature of the plunger it can end up creating suction when it’s pressed down and this makes it difficult to take out later on to clean. This is a bit of a pain but otherwise, this mug works really well and is a really good option for coffee lovers.
6. Best Large Capacity Mug – GSI Outdoors JavaPress, French Press Coffee Mug
Brand: GSI Outdoors
Capacity: 20 Ounces
Pros
- Nylon Sleeve
- Insulated
- Sip-It Top
Cons
- Incorrect Product Description
If you need a coffee brewer that can quench your thirst all day then GSI Outdoors have just the ticket. The 20 Oz carafe comes with a nylon sleeve for insulation which not only keeps the coffee warm but also feels really nice to hold. It made from copolyester plastic which is known for being food safe and free from BPS, EE, AA, and BPA.
The lid clips into place securely to allow you to easily press the plunger when the coffee is brewed. There is a small sip gap so you can drink your coffee throughout the day without having to remove the lid.
It’s spillproof and makes a really good camping or RV buddy or for a thirsty, coffee-loving commuter. One annoyance with this product, however, is that the title states that it’s a 30-ounce coffee brewer when actually the carafe is 20 ounces. This is a bit off-putting but don’t let Amazon take away from what is otherwise a really great option.
7. Best Small Capacity Mug – Zyliss HotMug Travel French Press
Brand: Zyliss
Capacity: 12 Ounces
Pros
- BPA Free
- Insulated
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons
- Fragile
If you prefer a smaller cup of coffee or you just really like the satisfying feeling you get from sipping your coffee out of a mug rather than a flask then this Zyliss model is for you. It is completely BPA free and is dishwasher safe so is a safe and low maintenance option.
It features double-wall insulation to keep your coffee warm but instead of a pushdown plunger it has a removable, clip-on fine mesh filter to separate out those coffee grounds. The insulation isn’t as long-lasting as the flask design and this mug won’t keep your coffee warm all day. It’s perfect to enjoy your morning coffee at home or at work without it getting too cold by the end of the cup.
One issue with this coffee mug is that the mesh filter is fragile and the clip is prone to breaking. This is usually a problem that kicks in after a year or two of heavy use but it’s worth considering when you’re weighing up which is the best option for you.
Why Choose A French Press Travel Mug
Better Coffee
Instead of throwing instant coffee into your beloved travel mug why not opt for the very best coffee each morning. A French press travel mug allows you to use the finest ground or whole bean coffee added straight to the mug. It’s delicious, barista-quality coffee, as easy as a cup of instant.
Stays Warm
All these French press travel mugs have some means of insulating the coffee inside them. Whether it’s a double or triple walled vacuum insulation or a thermal sleeve, they all work to keep your coffee warmer for much longer than an ordinary mug would. Perfect for those whole love coffee but always seem to be too busy to finish their mug.
No-Spill
The lids are designed to prevent spills and leaks if the coffee mug is tipped accidentally. This is great chaotic kitchens or for enjoying coffee at your work desk or near your computer. It’s also ideal to enjoy morning coffee in bed and avoids nasty coffee stains on the bed linen.
Easier To Brew
The French press is a really simple and straightforward method of brewing coffee that’s almost as easy as ordering it from Starbucks. You just need to add the coffee, pour in the hot water, wait 4 minutes, and then press the plunger. There you have delicious fresh coffee with no hard work for you.
Less Clean-Up
Combining your coffee cup and brewer leaves you with less clean-up overall. Once the coffee is finished you can throw away (ideally in the composite) the grounds and then rinse the mug. Most of these options are dishwasher safe which is ideal to give the mug a deep clean.
How To Brew The Perfect Coffee Using Your French Press
Grind Size
To make delicious coffee in your french press you need to consider the grind size of the coffee you’re using. Too fine will cause the coffee to taste bitter and over-extracted and the finer coffee will easily slip through the filter causing a gritty cup of coffee. You want to coffee to be very coarsely ground, ideally sold as French press grind coffee, or set your coffee grinder to the coarsest setting.
Brew Ratio
The ratio of coffee to hot water does vary depending on how strong you like your coffee. If you’re unsure how much coffee you should be using start with a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water. For example, if the mug is 15 ounces then you’ll want to use 1 ounce of coffee (28 grams). You can adjust the brew ratio to suit you so if it tastes too strong reduce the amount of coffee. If you find it too thin and watery then increase it.
The brew ratio can also vary with different types of coffee used as well as the darkness of the roast.
Water Temperature
If the water used is too hot then it will burn the fresh coffee bringing out bitter flavors. If it’s not hot enough then the coffee will be under-extracted, leading to a thin, watery cup possibly with a sourness. The ideal water temperature to use is somewhere between 195-205F. You can get this temperature perfect by using a thermometer or you can simply bring the kettle to a boil and let it stand for a minute as this allows the water to cool to about the right temperature.
Timing
Once you have your coffee weighed out, ground up, and the water ready to go, the last thing to consider is timing. First, you want to pour a small amount of water over the coffee, just enough to get it. Let the coffee sit for 30 seconds and this allows it to bloom.
Next, pour the rest of the water over the coffee and give it a stir to make sure it’s fully submerged. Start a timer for 4 minutes and wait.
Once the timer goes off, press the plunger and your coffee is ready to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
A french press travel mug is a simple solution to all your morning coffee woes. It makes delicious fresh coffee a valid option on those busy, chaotic mornings and keeps the java hot and ready for when you need it most.
There’s a lot of options out there to choose from so that’s why I’ve kept this review down to our favorite top picks. This helps keep your options open but removes unnecessary copy-cat products.
Just as everyone is unique, so are our coffee preferences. If the French press isn’t for you then you can use these mugs as a simple travel mug for espresso, pour-over, or any other coffee you enjoy.
Best of luck on your coffee journey and happy caffeinating!
Related Reading
10 Best Travel Coffee Mugs (Take Your Java With You)
How to Use a French Press to Make Coffee (and How Not To)
How To Make Coffee While Camping (Our 10 Favorite Methods)
Best Type of Coffee for French Press Brewing
