The art of the plunge: the best cafetières for making perfect coffee at home, tested

We spent months plunging and pouring to find the best cafetières for every budget, from design classics to insulated brewers

• Everything you need to make great coffee

If you’ve always thought a french press was a euphemism for a passionate snog outside a boulangerie, then you’ll be disappointed to hear that this article is purely about coffee brewers. Cafetières, to be specific. Or, to give the French invention its full name, the cafetière à piston. You may know it as such – or as a french press; the brewing device, not the street rendezvous – but regardless, it’s a cheap, simple and brilliant way to brew coffee. Or tea, if you’re so inclined.

The cafetière is, deservedly, many people’s go-to brewer in the morning. You blearily grab it from the cupboard, heap in a few tablespoons of coffee – or lazily tip straight from the bag – and pour over some boiling water. A few minutes later, all that’s left is a final stir and a torturously slow plunge before the freshly brewed coffee pours into the cup.

Best cafetière overall:
Bodum Chambord

Best budget cafetière:
John Lewis stainless steel cafetière