Are metal AeroPress filters better than paper?

Neither is strictly better — metal adds body and reduces waste, paper gives a cleaner cup. It's a taste preference.

Do I need a special grinder for AeroPress?

No, any decent burr grinder set to a medium grind works well. A hand grinder is a great compact match.

Is the AeroPress good for travel?

Yes — it's light, near-unbreakable and rinses clean, which makes it a favourite for desks and trips.

AeroPress accessories worth having in the UK

The AeroPress is brilliant on its own, and a few accessories make it more consistent and convenient. Others are gimmicks you can happily ignore.

This guide focuses on the extras that improve the cup or the routine for a compact setup.

Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Our verified picks

Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

AeroPress

AeroPress Original Coffee Press

A compact manual coffee press for quick single-cup brewing. It suits flats, student rooms, offices and travel setups where storage space is limited.

Best for: Single-cup coffee with minimal kit and minimal mess.

Check latest price on Amazon

Check latest price on Amazon Full notes →

Hario

Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper, Size 01

A lightweight plastic pour-over dripper for manual filter coffee. It suits small kitchens where a low-cost, low-footprint brewer is more practical than a machine.

Best for: Simple pour-over brewing with very little storage demand.

Check latest price on Amazon

Check latest price on Amazon Full notes →

What to look for

Filters: paper vs metal

Paper filters give a clean cup and easy cleanup; reusable metal filters add body and cut waste. Many people keep both.

A scale and a grinder matter most

Weighing coffee and water, plus a burr grinder, improve results far more than AeroPress-specific gadgets.

Travel and storage extras

Caps, cases and a small grinder make the AeroPress an excellent travel and desk brewer.

Small-space advice

The whole kit fits in a mug or a drawer.
A hand grinder pairs perfectly for a silent, compact setup.
You don't need a gooseneck kettle for AeroPress.

Common mistakes

Buying gadgets before a grinder
Fix: Prioritise a burr grinder and a scale before AeroPress accessories.
Using stale pre-ground coffee
Fix: Fresh beans ground to order make a bigger difference than any accessory.
Overcomplicating the routine
Fix: A simple, repeatable recipe beats chasing elaborate techniques.

Frequently asked questions

Are metal AeroPress filters better than paper?: Neither is strictly better — metal adds body and reduces waste, paper gives a cleaner cup. It's a taste preference.
Do I need a special grinder for AeroPress?: No, any decent burr grinder set to a medium grind works well. A hand grinder is a great compact match.
Is the AeroPress good for travel?: Yes — it's light, near-unbreakable and rinses clean, which makes it a favourite for desks and trips.