Battle of the Brews: Pour Over vs. French Press vs. AeroPress
- Simon from Home Barista Lab
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
There’s no single best way to brew coffee at home...only the best way for you. The right method depends on your taste, your preference and how engaged you want to be in the process.
Pour over, French press and AeroPress are three of the most popular manual methods for a reason. They’re approachable, versatile and all capable of producing a great cup although in very different ways.
Let’s look at what sets them apart and how to choose the one for your brew preference.
Pour Over: Clean, Clear, Controlled
Best for: those who enjoy light to medium roasts, clarity in flavour and a calm, intentional brewing process.
Pour over brewing (like the V60 or Orea) gives you clean, layered flavours with high clarity. It rewards precision and consistency. Grind size, pour rate and timing all matter. It can be a mindful ritual or a test of technique, depending on how deep you want to go.
What to expect:
Medium to light body
Bright, nuanced flavours
Control over almost every variable
Moderate brew time (2.5–4 min)
French Press: Full, Bold, Forgiving
Best for: those who like deep, full-bodied coffee and an easy, no-fuss brewing method.
The French press is a classic. It retains more oils and fine particles than pour over, which creates a heavier mouthfeel and deeper, rounder flavours. It’s simple, durable and perfect for brewing larger batches too.
What to expect:
Full body
More texture (and sometimes some grit)
Bold, rounded flavour
Longer steep time (4–6 min)
AeroPress: Smooth, Fast, Flexible
Best for: those who want quick, clean coffee with room to experiment.
The AeroPress is a modern classic. It uses gentle pressure to brew coffee somewhere between an espresso and a pour over. It’s highly portable, endlessly adaptable and great for both beginners and advanced brewers who like to tinker.
What to expect:
Medium body
Balanced flavour
Fast brew time (1–2 min)
Dozens of method variations
So… Which One’s Best?
The honest answer? It depends on you.
If you love precision and clarity: try a pour over.
If you want a richer, more tactile brew: go French press.
If you’re after speed and versatility: the AeroPress is your friend.
None of them is better than the others. They just serve different moods, moments and preferences. In fact, many home brewers use all three depending on the mood of the day.
Final Pour
The best way to find your favourite is to try them for yourself.
Each method has its own rhythm, its own character and charm. Learning how to brew with all three not only makes you a more confident home barista, it also opens the door to more satisfying coffee.
Curious to try?
Join a workshop and get hands-on with pour over and French Press. Mention you want to also do the AeroPress if that appeals to you and we can swap out the Espresso method for it. Learn the techniques, taste the differences and find your favourite with expert guidance.
Comments