The Best Travel Coffee Press Mug: Expert Reviews & Guide

Welcome to the premiere online source for unbiased reviews and comparisons of the top French press travel mugs available today. You’re likely here because you’re researching the Best Travel Coffee Press Mug options for yourself or as a gift.

While the core function of various travel presses doesn’t differ dramatically, features like price points and lesser-known brands can make choosing difficult. This site is driven by a passion for coffee, especially French press, and aims to answer your questions and help you decide if a travel French press is right for you.

I’m an avid coffee drinker and make coffee in many ways at home, with the French press method being a frequent choice. I appreciate the rich body of pressed coffee that paper filters remove. At home, I prefer brewing in thermal French press pots with vacuum-sealed double walls. While I don’t keep coffee in the beaker long after brewing, the insulation helps maintain water temperature during the 4-minute brewing process better than glass or plastic.

Using a travel mug French press, however, means keeping the pressed grounds in the mug while you drink, making the plunger and filter screen even more critical. Among the current travel coffee press options, my three favorites stand out for their excellent insulation and effective filtering, even when the mug is tilted.

Often the most affordable decent option is The Zyliss Travel French Press Mug. It resembles a standard coffee mug but features a basic press/plunger with a filter screen integrated into the lid. If budget is a primary concern and a coffee-cup style mug is acceptable, it’s worth considering.

But before making any hasty purchases, let’s delve into detailed reviews of some of the best options on the market.

Detailed Reviews of Top-Rated French Press Travel Mugs

Below are comprehensive reviews covering some of the best-rated French press travel mugs sold today. This section aims to grow as new models are introduced.

The Espro Travel Coffee Press (Optional Tea Filter)

Espro has offered an impressive travel press for several years. Initially known simply as the Espro Travel Press, they introduced a second, slightly larger and lighter version in 2018 called the Espro Ultralight. Both could be contenders depending on your needs.

Espro Travel Coffee Press with Lid OffThe original Travel Press by Espro is exceptionally well-made. While more expensive than many other travel French presses, its premium specifications justify the cost. It excels at keeping coffee hot thanks to its sturdy build with double-wall vacuum insulation and a robust, well-insulated lid. You won’t likely need to replace this mug anytime soon. The mug is somewhat small, yielding about 12 ounces of coffee. However, if you prioritize exceptionally well-filtered French press coffee, this mug is unparalleled. All Espro French presses feature what I consider the best filtration designs. They include multiple filter screens with a much tighter mesh than standard French press filters. An optional screen for loose leaf tea is also available.

Espro Ultralight Travel Coffee Press Next to a BagIn 2018, Espro launched the Ultralight to complement the original Travel Press. The Ultralight was designed to be slightly larger yet lighter, utilizing the same high-quality filtration screens as the original model. It’s taller, slightly more slender, weighs less, and incorporates a new loop cap, allowing it to be carried like a hydration bottle. While I usually favor the bulk and strength of the standard Espro, I appreciate the extra size of the Ultralight. If I were going on a hike, I could bring coffee initially and switch to water later without needing a second bottle.

Both Espro models are relatively expensive compared to other travel French press mugs, but they remain highly affordable compared to top-tier home French presses or coffee makers. A unique feature of both Espro coffee presses is the option to insert paper filters into the French press plunger, offering an alternative to drinking unfiltered coffee. Some individuals prefer to avoid coffee oils due to taste or health considerations, and Espro is the only brand providing this flexibility. These are strong contenders for the Best Travel Coffee Press Mug if quality filtration and build are paramount.

The Bodum Travel French Press

The Bodum Travel Press is available in both acrylic and stainless steel versions. The acrylic version is generally cheaper but shares the same basic design, including a nearly identical plunger and screen.

Bodum Acrylic French Press Travel Mug in BlueThe Acrylic mug is constructed from BPA-free, double-walled plastic. Note that the double wall is air-insulated, not vacuum sealed, meaning coffee won’t stay hot for as long as vacuum-insulated models. This is often acceptable for this style of mug. The main concern with the acrylic version is its durability; being plastic, a fall could result in a crack. It’s also spill-resistant rather than fully spill or leak-proof, so it’s best kept upright if placed in a bag. This mug comes in various colors and is available in one size: 15 ounces.

Bodum Stainless Steel Travel French Press Mug in BlackFor those seeking something more durable that retains heat longer (and willing to spend a bit more), the stainless steel French press travel mug from Bodum is a popular alternative. Its higher price reflects its vacuum insulation between the stainless steel double walls. Aside from the material and insulation, the mug is otherwise identical to the acrylic version. If you’re prioritizing features for a plastic free travel coffee mug, the stainless steel Bodum is a better fit than the acrylic.

Both versions feature a plunger integrated into the lid that stays in place while drinking. The lids themselves are made from the same BPA-free plastic. My primary critique for both Bodum mugs is the plunger screen. It’s a basic screen common in inexpensive French presses. Crucially, the screen doesn’t extend to the very bottom, allowing water/coffee to slosh around under the screen after pressing. This permits sediment to slowly pass the filter, resulting in coffee that isn’t as clean as it could be. Nevertheless, the Bodum travel coffee presses remain a good value; they are reasonably priced, and Bodum has a solid reputation for quality.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Travel Press Mug

The travel coffee press mug made by Stanley is, in my opinion, a rugged “beast.” It feels substantial, large, and heavy, designed to withstand considerable wear and tear over time.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Travel Press Mug in Hammertone GreenIt excels at keeping coffee hot for 4-5 hours and features a fine mesh filter screen that performs better than most French press screens, though not quite as sophisticated as Espro’s. Unlike some competitors, the Stanley mug is primarily available in its signature classic green and stainless steel finish. It comes in a 16-ounce size (expandable to about 18 ounces if used solely as a travel mug without the press components).

If you prefer drinking coffee from a readily accessible spout on the lid, this mug might not be ideal. Its lid unscrews to reveal the drinking opening, similar to the Espro Ultralight. This requires two hands to drink, like a hydration bottle. However, I highly recommend this mug for on-the-go French press coffee. It’s larger and less expensive than Espro presses, boasts a better filtration plunger than Bodum, is significantly more durable than Zyliss mugs, and functions like a standard French press, unlike newer designs from brands like Kohipress or Amovee. If you’re planning a trip, perhaps guided by a north east usa travel guide, the Stanley’s durability makes it a great travel companion.

This mug best suits users who don’t require a one-handed drinking experience (like a push-button spout). If that feature is essential, you might consider the Kohipress or Zyliss.

The Kohipress Portable French Press Mug

This mug shares some functional similarities with the Aeropress but without using paper filters. It filters like a French press but employs an innovative one-way valve to prevent over-extraction.

Kohipress Kohi Plus Combo Travel Mug French Press in UseUnlike the Aeropress, which often produces a strong drip-like coffee filtered through paper, the Kohipress’s super fine mesh screen allows desirable coffee oils through, providing a taste profile closer to traditional French press coffee. Many users favor the Kohipress design specifically for the valve located at the bottom of the plunger. Similar to the Stanley, the Kohipress plunger is substantial and actually contains the coffee you drink. The filter screen at the plunger’s base is highly effective at keeping sediment out; grounds cannot bypass the plunger walls to enter the drinking chamber.

Once the plunger is pressed down and coffee enters the “holding tank,” you eliminate worries about over-extraction because the one-way valve prevents water from moving back into the spent grounds chamber. This is perhaps the only French press travel tumbler where I’d feel completely comfortable leaving coffee with the spent grounds for extended periods. It genuinely prevents the coffee from becoming bitter. The Kohipress brews a smaller batch, around 12 ounces, but its vacuum-sealed double-wall construction keeps coffee hot for hours. It feels very well-made.

My main complaint is that the very last bit of coffee often doesn’t make it from the grounds chamber into the drinking chamber, so your 12 ounces is closer to 10-11 ounces of usable coffee. This can make it feel like you finish the coffee too quickly. For those who prefer an easily accessible drinking spout, this mug delivers. This design is undeniably clever, and the price is reasonable, typically less than Espro. However, Amovee offers a very similar press for significantly less, though quality may vary – it’s often a trade-off.

Is the Kohipress one of the best travel coffee press mug options? Yes, it is, but it’s not my personal favorite due to its size, wasted coffee, and price point. At a near-premium price, I feel it should yield slightly more coffee or avoid wasting any.

The Amovee Travel French Press Mug

I remain skeptical, but the Amovee mug appears virtually identical to the Kohipress discussed above, at least the stainless steel model. Both share the same design, feature double-walled thermal insulation, and hold roughly the same amount of coffee (12 ounces).

Amovee Portable French Press Thermos in SilverThe Amovee is cheaper, and some might argue it’s not made as well. For just a slight price difference, the Kohipress might be preferable. However, the plastic version of the Amovee travel mug coffee press is considerably cheaper, offering a budget-friendly alternative! While the stainless steel Amovee is only marginally less expensive than the Kohi+, the plastic version is among the lowest-priced travel presses available. It could be an excellent gift for a friend or family member, or for yourself if long-term durability isn’t a primary concern.

The same minor drawbacks apply to the Amovee: it’s relatively small, and I dislike that you can’t access the final portion of coffee at the bottom. However, at almost half the price of the Kohipress, the plastic version of this mug makes a strong case as one of the best travel coffee press mug options for budget-conscious buyers.

The Zyliss Travel French Press

Also known as the Cafetiere Hot Mug

This might raise eyebrows among serious coffee aficionados, but the Zyliss travel French press mug, also called the Cafetiere Hot Mug, is a popular coffee press mug combination despite lacking truly outstanding features.

It’s not leak-proof, lacks vacuum insulation, isn’t exceptionally durable, doesn’t produce the absolute best French press coffee, and isn’t particularly stylish. What makes it a great option, however, is its price point. It’s inexpensive and perfectly serves the needs of most people.

The Zyliss mug is made from BPA-free plastic and features an air-insulated body. This prevents the exterior from getting hot and helps keep coffee warmer longer, though likely only for 30-60 minutes. Realistically, if you’re using this mug, you’re likely at home or work where extended heat retention isn’t necessary. The Zyliss looks and feels like an oversized coffee mug you might use while reading the newspaper at the dining table, making it an excellent entry-level option for a mug/coffee press combo device. The plunger mechanism is simple to understand and clean, and although not innovative, it functions like any standard plunger you’ve encountered before. If you’re thinking about travel gear, perhaps paired with a water bottle with filter travel, this mug offers a simple, budget-friendly way to enjoy French press on the go.

With approximately a 12-ounce capacity, the Zyliss French press coffee mug is short and wide rather than tall and slender like the Espro Ultralight. Given its price, it’s difficult not to give this product a positive review. It offers a simple, effective solution without breaking the bank, making it a contender for the best travel coffee press mug in the value category. It’s perfect for those who need a quick coffee fix while maybe considering how to rent room to traveling nurses or other travelers who might appreciate simple, portable coffee solutions.

Are There Other Options to Consider?

Naturally, the market offers more models than those reviewed here. While the mugs above represent what I believe to be the best values in this category, many other functional options exist across various price points.

Alternative mugs you might wish to research include:

• The Steel Toe French Press Coffee Travel Mug by Planetary Designs
• The Double Shot 3.0 French Press Travel Coffee Mug by Planetary Designs
• The Presse Coffee & Tea Making Tumbler by Bobble
• The Commuter JavaPress by GSI Outdoors
• The Travel Mug Coffee Press by Mind Reader

Future updates may include full reviews of these products if there is sufficient interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our readers frequently ask questions about French press travel mugs. We’ve categorized them into easy-to-follow Q&A blocks to help you understand some common points about making French press coffee on the go.

1. Do Travel Coffee Presses Make Good Coffee?

Anyone considering purchasing one of these mugs likely has prior experience making French press coffee at home. With a standard French press carafe, you typically press the grounds to the bottom and then either leave them while drinking or pour all the coffee into a separate serving vessel to prevent over-extraction. With a French press travel mug, however, it’s not practical to remove all the grounds after pressing; otherwise, you wouldn’t need the all-in-one press/mug design.

Most highly-rated travel mugs feature dual filtration and/or extra-fine mesh to minimize fine particles in your cup and create a clearer separation between the coffee and the pressed grounds. Even with these features, the nature of a French press mug means your coffee will likely be more heavily extracted than coffee from a standard home unit. The grounds remain in the mug as you drink, and the movement as you lift the mug can release additional bitters and fines from the bottom. I would argue that even the best travel coffee press mug might produce coffee that is slightly less “pure” than what you’d get from a top home unit like a Frieling, Espro P7, or Bodum Chambord.

2. Are Travel Coffee Presses Hard to Keep Clean?

At home, I typically steep grounds for about four minutes, then press the plunger before pouring all the coffee into a serving carafe. I often clean the French press immediately afterward, before coffee oils can adhere strongly to the glass beaker or the plunger and filter screens. When the press is still wet, cleaning is straightforward: dump the spent grounds into trash or compost and rinse the components under running water. This is quick and easy. If everything dries out, however, you might need to soak, scrub, or use a dishwasher.

Taking your French press on the go means the grounds will remain in the mug after you finish drinking until you find a sink, which could be minutes or hours. Therefore, travel coffee presses can indeed be more challenging to clean than your home coffee press. I generally advise people to leave the final bit of coffee/water in the mug to keep things moist and perhaps shake it periodically. This makes cleaning easier later. If you dump out all the liquid and let the inside of the filtration plunger/lid dry, cleaning can become a significant chore, especially when traveling or commuting. For travelers using a best french press travel mug, planning for cleaning is key.

Alternatives to Consider

While this article focuses on dedicated travel mug French presses, numerous other excellent methods exist for making coffee while traveling, camping, or on the go. I often prefer devices that are simple, durable, affordable, and highly effective at their specific task.

Here are some alternatives to making French press coffee directly in a travel mug:

A Dedicated French Press & Thermos

One straightforward approach is to use a dedicated, smaller French press to brew coffee and then immediately transfer it into a high-quality thermal carafe, thermos, or tumbler. Brands like Coffee Gator, Frieling, and Espro offer excellent small French presses.

If you typically enjoy two to three cups of coffee each morning, the integrated brewer mugs may be too small. When I travel, I often bring a 32-ounce stainless steel French press from Coffee Gator. After brewing, I pour the coffee directly into my thermal bottle, allowing me to enjoy 2-3 large cups over several hours. This method ensures better heat retention and prevents potential over-extraction issues sometimes associated with leaving coffee on grounds in a travel mug.

Moka Pots Plus Hot Water for Awesome Americanos

Another technique I use frequently, particularly when camping or hiking, is combining a 3-6 cup moka pot with a large thermal carafe or beverage bottle. A moka pot is a robust device that can last for decades with minimal maintenance (like replacing the gasket periodically). It brews directly over an open flame and uses regular ground coffee, making it highly convenient for travel. The coffee it produces is concentrated like espresso, and diluting it with hot water yields a fantastic cup akin to an Americano or strong drip coffee. Since many travel presses can over-extract, and you might transfer coffee to a separate cup anyway, this is a viable and often superior option for many travelers, perhaps exploring sites like the north east usa travel guide.

Don’t Forget About the Aeropress

Finally, I must mention the Aeropress, as many avid coffee drinkers are still unaware of it. The Aeropress is a single-serve brewing method that produces coffee similar in strength to French press but typically filtered through a paper disc. It’s very affordable, made from durable, food-grade plastic, and brews coffee directly into your cup. You simply heat water (using a kettle, stovetop, or open flame), add coffee and water to the Aeropress chamber, and press the water through the filter into your mug.

It’s ideal for travel and, for some, even preferable to French press coffee as it yields a cleaner cup largely free of the coffee oils that some dislike. Many people who don’t enjoy French press coffee dislike the body or sediment, and over-extracted coffee (common in some lower-end travel presses) can also become bitter.

Undeniably, an all-in-one brewer and mug offers convenience. If you are set on getting a combo coffee maker mug, carefully reread the reviews provided above. I still lean towards the Espro Ultralight as my preferred option in this category; it’s a decent size, yields all the brewed coffee, makes excellent coffee, and generally avoids over-brewing. However, if you’re not fully convinced, explore the direct comparisons between various mugs.

In conclusion, selecting the best travel coffee press mug depends on your specific needs regarding price, durability, coffee quality expectations, and convenience. By considering the reviews and alternatives presented here, you can make an informed decision for your on-the-go coffee experience.