Last updated: 24 March 2026.

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

The AeroPress Premium promised to turn a cult-favourite plastic brewer into a luxury countertop statement. Glass chamber, stainless-steel accents, and a price tag of £189.99. But does swapping polypropylene for borosilicate actually improve your morning cup? In this AeroPress Premium review, we put the Premium through its paces, compare it with the Original and the new AeroPress Steel, and tell you exactly who should buy one and who should save their money.

Cool Factor: 4/5

This review contains links to CoolCuration detail pages that include affiliate links. Our opinions remain editorially independent.

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What is the AeroPress Premium?

The AeroPress Premium is the first glass-and-metal version of the iconic AeroPress coffee maker. Launched in late 2024, it reimagines the beloved brewer with a handmade double-wall borosilicate glass chamber, anodised aluminium plunger, and stainless-steel filter cap. It uses the same patented 3-in-1 brew method (fast immersion, micro-filtration, and air pressure) that made the plastic Original a worldwide hit, with over 65,000 five-star reviews across more than 60 countries.

It is available in Black, White, and Silver from the official AeroPress UK store at £189.99. The capacity remains 10oz (one to two cups). It ships with paper micro-filters, a stainless-steel scoop, and a stainless-steel stirrer.

In short, this is the AeroPress dressed up for the kitchen counter rather than the campsite. However, with the Original sitting at around £34, it costs nearly five times more for what is fundamentally the same brewing method.

First impressions of the AeroPress Premium

Unboxing the Premium feels different from any AeroPress experience before it. The packaging is considered, the glass chamber catches the light beautifully, and every metal component has a reassuring weight. The stainless-steel scoop and stirrer are engraved with the AeroPress logo and feel like proper barista tools rather than throwaway accessories.

You notice straight away that this is not a travel brewer. It is heavier and more delicate than the Original, and AeroPress themselves warn against pressing into thin-walled glass mugs. As a result, you will want a sturdy ceramic mug or a carafe underneath. There is also a handmade quality to the glass chamber. Because each one is individually crafted, minor cosmetic imperfections can occur, which is normal for borosilicate products.

Setup takes seconds. If you have ever used any AeroPress, you will be brewing within a minute of opening the box.

The brewing experience

Brewing with the Premium is genuinely enjoyable. The double-wall glass retains heat noticeably better than the plastic Original, and you can watch the coffee steep through the clear chamber. This adds a visual dimension to the daily ritual that the opaque Original simply cannot offer.

The aluminium plunger moves smoothly with a satisfying, weighted resistance. Meanwhile, the coffee itself tastes identical to what you get from the Original. That is not a criticism. AeroPress coffee is smooth, clean, low in acidity, and entirely grit-free. The 3-in-1 method works brilliantly regardless of whether the chamber is plastic or glass. So if you are expecting a flavour improvement, you will not find one.

What the Premium does differently

What you will find is a more elevated routine. It feels slower and more intentional. The Premium turns a quick brew into a small morning ceremony, and if that matters to you, it is worth every penny.

There are a couple of practical drawbacks, though. First, the inverted method, a popular brewing hack among enthusiasts, is explicitly discouraged by AeroPress for safety reasons. The glass chamber makes the brewer less stable upside down, and the risk of hot liquid spilling is real. If you rely on the inverted method, that is a genuine dealbreaker.

Additionally, some users report minor dripping during the brew when not using a flow-control cap. This is likely down to the smooth glass surface creating less friction than plastic. It is not a major issue, but it is worth noting.

Cleaning and care

One important point: the AeroPress Premium is hand-wash only. Do not put it in the dishwasher. AeroPress are clear about this on their product page. Day-to-day cleaning is still quick, though. Pop the puck, rinse the chamber, and you are done.

We tested ours using coffee from Exhale, and the results were excellent. Smooth, full-bodied, and not a trace of bitterness.

See the AeroPress Premium on CoolCuration

AeroPress Premium review: Premium vs Original vs Steel

Since we first published this AeroPress Premium review, the landscape has shifted. AeroPress has launched the AeroPress Steel, an all-stainless-steel brewer now listed on the AeroPress UK store at £159.99, although stock is currently limited. Here is how all three compare.

Feature	AeroPress Original	AeroPress Steel	AeroPress Premium
Materials	BPA-free plastic	304 stainless steel	Double-wall borosilicate glass, aluminium, stainless steel
UK price	~£34	£159.99	£189.99
Capacity	10oz	12oz (20% larger)	10oz
Portability	Excellent	Good (heavier but durable)	Not recommended
Heat retention	Good	Excellent (vacuum insulated)	Excellent (double-wall glass)
Dishwasher safe	Yes (top rack)	Yes	No (hand-wash only)
Inverted method	Yes	Yes	No (discouraged)
Best for	Everyone, travellers	Travellers wanting premium feel	Home baristas, design lovers

The Steel is a significant new option. It is travel-friendly, virtually indestructible, dishwasher safe, and holds 20% more coffee. If you want a plastic-free AeroPress you can actually take on the road, the Steel is the better choice. The Premium, on the other hand, remains the pick for people who brew exclusively at home and care about aesthetics as much as function.

And if you just want great AeroPress coffee at the best possible price, the classic AeroPress Original is still unbeatable.

Value for money

At £189.99, the AeroPress Premium costs nearly five times more than the Original. You are not paying for better coffee. Instead, you are paying for better materials, better looks, and a more tactile brewing experience. Whether that trade-off makes sense depends entirely on your priorities.

If you are building a curated home coffee setup and want something that looks as good as it brews, the Premium earns its place. Similarly, if you are eco-conscious and want to move away from plastic, the Premium delivers, though the new Steel does too at £30 less with added durability.

Where value drops is in the restrictions. You cannot travel with it, you cannot use the inverted method, you cannot put it in the dishwasher, and if you drop it, you are buying a new one. At this price point, those limitations do sting.

The verdict

The AeroPress Premium is a beautifully made brewer that transforms the daily coffee ritual into something more intentional and considered. It does not brew better coffee than the Original, but it makes the act of brewing feel special. For design-conscious home baristas who do not need portability, it is a joy to own and use.

The arrival of the AeroPress Steel does complicate the picture. Anyone who wants premium materials and travel-readiness now has a compelling alternative at a lower price. But the Steel cannot match the Premium's visual elegance. Glass catches the light in a way steel never will.

For context, the Specialty Coffee Association notes that brewing variables like water temperature and grind size matter far more than the brewer's material. So whichever AeroPress you choose, the coffee in the cup will be just as good.

Overall, a solid 4/5 Stone cold. The AeroPress Premium impressed us with its gorgeous build quality, thoughtful engineering, and the way it elevates a simple daily ritual into something genuinely enjoyable. It did not quite reach Ice cold because the price is steep for what is functionally the same brew as the Original, the hand-wash-only limitation is a minor hassle, and the inverted method restriction will frustrate a fair few enthusiasts. Still, if you are after a showpiece brewer for your kitchen counter, this is properly impressive.

See the AeroPress Premium on CoolCuration

Frequently asked questions

Is the AeroPress Premium worth the money?

It depends on what you value. The coffee tastes identical to the £34 Original, so you are paying for premium materials, aesthetics, and a more tactile experience. If you brew at home and care about how your kit looks and feels, it is worth it. If you just want great coffee, the Original is the smarter buy.

Can you use the inverted method with the AeroPress Premium?

No. AeroPress explicitly discourages the inverted method with the Premium due to the glass chamber. It is less stable upside down and there is a real risk of spilling hot liquid. If the inverted method is central to your routine, consider the Original or the new Steel instead.

Is the AeroPress Premium dishwasher safe?

No. The Premium is hand-wash only. AeroPress state this clearly on their product page. However, day-to-day cleaning is quick because the plunger wipes the chamber clean as you brew. A simple rinse is usually enough.

How does the AeroPress Premium compare to the AeroPress Steel?

The Premium (£189.99) is a glass-and-metal home brewer designed for aesthetics. The Steel (£159.99) is an all-stainless-steel brewer that is dishwasher safe, travel-friendly, and holds 20% more coffee. The Steel is more practical and versatile. The Premium is more visually striking. Both brew the same quality coffee.

Where can I buy the AeroPress Premium in the UK?

The AeroPress Premium is available from the official AeroPress UK store at £189.99 in Black, White, or Silver. It is also stocked by selected UK retailers and Amazon. You can find our full breakdown on the CoolCuration AeroPress Premium page.

More from CoolCuration

• Rhinowares Coffee Grinder — a compact hand grinder that pairs perfectly with any AeroPress for freshly ground beans on the go.
• Gift Guide for Coffee Lovers — our full curated collection of the best gifts for anyone who takes their brew seriously.
• Best Air Fryer UK — another honest kitchen review covering the top-rated air fryers for UK buyers.
• Gousto — get recipe boxes delivered to your door with a referral discount that saves you money on your first orders.
• Exhale Coffee Discount Code — grab a discount on the low-acid coffee we used to test this very AeroPress.