Product Comparison
AeroPress Original vs AeroPress Premium
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For almost everyone the AeroPress Original is the one to buy - it brews identical coffee to the Premium for a fraction of the price, and it is more durable. The Premium is worth it only if you specifically want a glass brew chamber with metal accents and do not mind paying far more and losing dishwasher convenience. Both use the same brewing method, the same filters, and make the same one-to-three espresso-style servings. Below: materials, durability, cleaning, and whether the Premium's upgrade earns its price.
| Spec | AeroPress Original | AeroPress Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | BPA-free plastic | Glass chamber with metal accents |
| Brewing method | Press-through immersion | Identical press-through immersion |
| Capacity | 1-3 espresso-style servings | Identical 1-3 servings |
| Durability | Near-indestructible | Glass - more fragile |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes | No |
| Portability | Lightweight, travel-friendly | Heavier, less travel-friendly |
| Price band | Budget | Luxury version of the same brewer |
Does the AeroPress Premium make better coffee than the Original?
No - the coffee is identical. Both models use the same press-through immersion method, the same filters, and the same plunger design, so the cup is the same. The Premium's differences are entirely about materials and feel: a glass chamber with metal accents instead of plastic. You're paying for aesthetics, not better coffee.
The AeroPress Original is one of the most recommended brewers in coffee for good reason: it is cheap, nearly indestructible, dishwasher safe, and travels anywhere. The plastic is BPA-free and does not retain flavors or odors, cleanup is a quick rinse, and it is an easy entry into excellent immersion coffee. The only real downside is that the plastic looks utilitarian next to the glass Premium.
- Pros: affordable; near-indestructible plastic; dishwasher safe; lightweight and travel-ready; identical coffee to the Premium.
- Cons: utilitarian plastic look; no premium-material appeal.
Skip this if you specifically want a glass-and-metal brewer on your counter and are happy to pay several times more for the same coffee - that is the only reason to choose the Premium.
Is the AeroPress Premium worth the higher price?
Only for the materials. The Premium swaps the Original's plastic for a glass brew chamber with metal accents, which looks and feels more premium - but it brews the exact same coffee, costs far more, is more fragile, and is not dishwasher safe.
The AeroPress Premium is for buyers who want the AeroPress experience in nicer materials. The glass chamber is the headline upgrade, paired with metal flourishes that give it a heftier, more refined feel. But the trade-offs are real: glass is breakable where the Original shrugs off drops, it is heavier and less suited to travel, and you lose dishwasher convenience. None of that changes what is in the cup.
- Pros: glass-and-metal materials look and feel premium; same proven brewing performance; a nicer object on the counter.
- Cons: much pricier for identical coffee; glass is more fragile; not dishwasher safe; heavier and less travel-friendly.
Skip this if you want the best value, plan to travel with it, or want a brewer you can drop without worry - the Original wins on every practical measure.
Which AeroPress should you buy?
Start here: the AeroPress Original for almost everyone - same coffee, much lower price, more durable, dishwasher safe. Choose the Premium only if glass-and-metal materials genuinely matter to you and the higher price and fragility are acceptable trade-offs for looks.
Skip this first: if you travel, want the best value, or are clumsy with glassware, skip the Premium. There is no coffee-quality reason to choose it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the coffee actually identical between the two? Yes. Both use the same brewing method, plunger, and filters, so the cup is the same. The only differences are the chamber material, price, durability, and dishwasher compatibility.
Is the AeroPress Premium dishwasher safe? No - the Premium is not dishwasher safe, while the plastic Original is. If easy cleanup matters, that is a point for the Original.
Which is better for travel? The Original. It is lightweight and nearly indestructible, whereas the Premium's glass chamber is heavier and breakable.
Do they use the same filters? Yes - both use standard AeroPress paper filters, so there is no difference in consumables or ongoing cost.
Related: See our coffee gear hub, the Hario V60 vs Chemex guide, and the BestPickZone homepage.
Last verified: June 2026. Specs confirmed against AeroPress product pages and editorial reviews; prices change frequently, so confirm current Amazon pricing before purchasing.