What is AeroPress Steel?
The AeroPress in metal, and a little bigger.
AeroPress launched Steel in February 2026. It is the familiar 3-in-1 press, which AeroPress describes as part French press, part pour over and part espresso, made entirely from professional-grade 304 stainless steel apart from the plunger seal, which is LFGB-grade silicone. The chamber is double walled and vacuum insulated, like a travel flask, which AeroPress says gives superior heat retention.
It holds 12 oz, 360 ml, which AeroPress puts at 20% more than its other standard-size coffee makers, or one to two cups. It measures 6 3/4 by 4 3/8 inches, is dishwasher safe, uses the standard paper micro-filters and comes with a stainless steel scoop and stirrer. It costs $169.95 in silver or black.
What steel changes, and what it does not
It changes durability, heat and what touches the coffee. It does not change the brew.
The brewing method is the same as every AeroPress: grounds and water steep together, then you press them through a paper filter in about two minutes. What steel changes is the material around that. The Original is polypropylene, BPA free, and it has always drawn questions from people who want no plastic near hot coffee; Steel answers that with metal everywhere except the seal. The vacuum-insulated wall keeps the brew hotter through the steep, which matters most with light roasts that want high temperatures.
The trade is visibility. The Original and the Premium let you watch the bloom and read the numbered markings; steel is opaque, so AeroPress laser-etches a mark at the 5 level inside the chamber for fill guidance. If you weigh your water, as our brewing by weight guide suggests, that stops mattering.
Brewing with it
The same routine as any AeroPress, with a little more room.
AeroPress's own method is the same on every model: coffee in the chamber, water in, stir, then press through the filter, all in about two minutes. AeroPress sells coffee ground medium-fine for it, which is the grind to start from. With 360 ml to work with, Steel has space for a full mug in one press or for a stronger concentrate you top up with hot water or milk, and it lists signature, espresso-style, cold brew and iced coffee among the drinks it makes.
Because the chamber is insulated, the water stays hotter through the steep than it does in the plastic Original. That makes the most difference with light roasts, which need heat to extract fully, and with longer steeps. If a light roast tastes sour in an Original, the same recipe in Steel is worth trying before you change the grind. Our grind size guide explains what to change if it does not.
Cleaning and looking after it
The easiest AeroPress to keep, because there is nothing to scratch or stain.
Cleaning is the usual AeroPress routine: unscrew the cap, push the spent puck into the bin and rinse the seal. AeroPress says Steel is dishwasher safe, or can be washed by hand with warm water and mild soap. Unlike polypropylene, stainless steel does not pick up coffee stains or smells over time, and unlike glass it will not crack if dropped. The part that eventually wears is the silicone seal, and AeroPress sells replacement parts.
Steel vs Premium vs Original
Three AeroPresses, three materials, one method.
| Model | Material | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AeroPress Steel | 304 stainless, vacuum insulated | 360 ml | $169.95 |
| AeroPress Premium | Double-wall borosilicate glass, steel, aluminium | 300 ml | $199.95 |
| AeroPress Original | Polypropylene | 296 ml | $39.95 |
The AeroPress Premium is the one to look at, and the one to put on a counter; it is glass, so it is the AeroPress that breaks. Steel is $30 cheaper, holds more, insulates better and survives being dropped in a bag. The AeroPress Original makes the same coffee for $39.95. For a rucksack, the AeroPress Go is still the smallest.
The Black Stainless Limited Edition
A $199.95 limited run from September 2026.
AeroPress added a Black Stainless Limited Edition in mid September 2026 at $199.95, $30 more than the standard black. It is sold on aeropress.com; our link goes to the standard Steel on Amazon.
Is AeroPress Steel worth it?
If you want no plastic and no glass, yes. If you want the coffee, the Original does it for a quarter of the price.
Steel is the most durable AeroPress and the only one that insulates the brew. It costs four times the Original and brews the same coffee, so it is a purchase about materials and lifespan, not taste. For somebody who has worn out plastic AeroPresses or wants to avoid plastic altogether, it is the obvious one.
Who should buy it (and who should not)
Buy it if
- You want an AeroPress with no plastic touching the coffee.
- You travel with it and have broken or worn out a plastic or glass one.
- You want a bigger single brew than the standard 10 oz.
Skip it if
- You like watching the brew; the glass Premium lets you.
- Price matters most; the Original makes the same coffee for $39.95.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AeroPress Steel all stainless steel?
Everything except the seal, which is LFGB-grade silicone. The rest is 304 stainless steel.
How much coffee does AeroPress Steel make?
12 oz, 360 ml, which AeroPress says is 20% more than its other standard-size coffee makers.
Is AeroPress Steel dishwasher safe?
Yes, according to AeroPress, or wash it by hand with warm water and mild soap.
Does it use the same filters?
Yes, the standard AeroPress paper micro-filters, and a stainless steel filter is sold separately.
Does AeroPress Steel keep coffee hot?
The chamber is double walled and vacuum insulated, so it holds heat through the brew better than the plastic Original.
How much does AeroPress Steel cost?
$169.95 in silver or black at aeropress.com, and $199.95 for the Black Stainless Limited Edition.
