I used to be that barista who rolled my eyes when customers asked about french press vs pour over. “They’re both just coffee,” I’d think while pulling another espresso shot.
Then I started making coffee at home and realized I had no clue what I was talking about.
After three years of testing both methods daily (and spending way too much money in the process), I finally switched camps. Here’s what I learned about the real difference between french press vs pour over, including the cost breakdown that might surprise you.
My Coffee Journey: From Snob to Student
Working at a specialty coffee shop in Brooklyn, I was all about the pour over life. V60, Chemex, fancy filters – the works. I thought french press was for people who didn’t “get” coffee.
Boy, was I wrong.
When I started brewing at home, my pour over obsession quickly became expensive. Between the filters, the precise grinder, the gooseneck kettle, and the constant experimentation with different beans, I was easily spending $200+ per month on coffee supplies.
French Press vs Pour Over: The Honest Comparison
Flavor Profile:
- Pour Over: Clean, bright, highlights origin characteristics. Think tea-like clarity.
- French Press: Bold, full-bodied, oils and sediment create richness. Think wine-like complexity.
Time Investment:
- Pour Over: 8-12 minutes of active brewing (including grinding and cleanup)
- French Press: 4 minutes steeping + 2 minutes cleanup = 6 minutes total
Skill Required:
- Pour Over: High. Water temperature, pour speed, grind size, timing all matter.
- French Press: Low. Add coffee, add water, wait, press. Hard to mess up.
The Cost Breakdown That Changed My Mind
Here’s where french press vs pour over gets interesting. Let me break down the actual costs:
Pour Over Setup & Monthly Costs:
- Quality V60 or Chemex: $30-60
- Gooseneck kettle: $40-80
- Paper filters: $12/month
- Premium beans (needed for clean extraction): $60-80/month
- Total first month: $142-212
- Monthly after: $72-92
French Press Setup & Monthly Costs:
- Quality French press: $25-50
- Regular kettle (you probably have one): $0
- No filters needed: $0/month
- Good quality beans (doesn’t need to be premium): $40-60/month
- Total first month: $65-110
- Monthly after: $40-60
Annual savings with French press: $384-528
Why I Switched After 3 Years
The turning point came when I calculated that I was spending nearly $1,100 annually on my pour over habit. That’s vacation money!
But the real kicker wasn’t just the cost. It was the consistency. With pour over, my coffee quality varied wildly based on my morning energy level. Rushed morning? Terrible coffee. With french press, I get consistently good coffee even when I’m half asleep.
Which Method Actually Saves You Money?
French press wins by a landslide. Not only is the initial investment lower, but the ongoing costs are dramatically less. No filters, no need for premium single-origin beans, and it’s nearly impossible to waste a batch.
My Current Morning Routine
I use a 34oz Bodum French press with a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio:
- Heat water to 200°F (or just off boiling)
- Add 45g coarsely ground coffee
- Pour 680g hot water, stir once
- Wait 4 minutes
- Press slowly and pour
Total time: 6 minutes
Total cost per cup: About $0.75
Taste: Rich, full-bodied, and consistent every time.
The Bottom Line
If you’re torn between french press vs pour over, ask yourself this: Do you want coffee that tastes amazing and costs less, or coffee that can taste amazing if you nail the technique and don’t mind spending twice as much?
For me, the answer was easy. I switched to french press and never looked back. My bank account (and my morning stress levels) thank me daily.
That said, I still love a good pour over when I visit coffee shops. But for daily home brewing? French press is the clear winner.
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