This Secura French press review covers whether it actually delivers on its main promise — better heat retention than glass at roughly the same price — and who it’s genuinely right for.
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⭐ Quick Verdict: Secura French Press The best budget stainless steel French press available. Significantly better heat retention than glass models at roughly the same price as the Bodum Chambord. 👉 Check price & availability — Secura 34oz
Secura French Press at a Glance
Who the Secura Is Best For
The Secura makes the most sense if you:
- Want a French press that keeps coffee hot significantly longer than glass
- Don’t mind not being able to see the brew through glass
- Want fully stainless steel construction — no glass to break
- Are buying on a budget but want better durability than plastic
- Brew a full pot and sip slowly over 30-60 minutes
The Secura is probably not the right fit if you:
- Care about aesthetics — the Secura is functional but not as refined-looking as the Bodum Chambord
- Want to watch the coffee steep through glass — you can’t with stainless steel
- Need a very small press for solo brewing — the smallest size is 12oz but the 34oz is the sweet spot
- Already have a glass press and heat retention isn’t bothering you
What Is the Secura French Press?
The Secura is a double-wall insulated stainless steel French press, made from 304 grade 18/8 stainless steel — interior and exterior. It’s available in multiple sizes (12oz, 17oz, 34oz, and 50oz) and several colours including silver, black, blue, grey, and green.
The 34oz is the most popular size and the one most people are looking at when they compare the Secura to the Bodum Chambord. It’s priced similarly to the Chambord but offers meaningfully better heat retention because of the double-wall stainless construction.
It’s made by Secura — a small business brand that sells primarily through Amazon and focuses on kitchen appliances. Not a heritage brand like Bodum, but the product quality is solid and customer reviews are consistently strong.
👉 Secura French Press 34oz — Check price & availability
Build Quality
The Secura feels solid and well-made for the price. The 304 grade 18/8 stainless steel is the same food-grade steel used in quality cookware — it’s corrosion-resistant, won’t impart any metallic taste to your coffee, and is noticeably more durable than plastic-framed glass presses.
The double-wall construction means the outer surface stays cool to the touch even when the press is full of hot coffee — a practical safety feature that glass and single-wall presses don’t offer.
The handle is comfortable, the lid fits securely, and the overall construction feels robust. It’s not as refined or aesthetically considered as the Bodum Chambord — the Secura has a more utilitarian look — but it feels built to last.
The one caveat: you can’t see the brew. If watching the coffee steep is something you value, stainless steel isn’t for you. It’s purely a practical press, not a visual one.
For a detailed comparison of glass vs stainless steel French presses, our Glass vs Stainless Steel French Press guide covers the trade-offs in detail.
Heat Retention
This is the Secura’s headline feature — and it genuinely delivers.
The double-wall stainless steel construction keeps coffee hot for approximately 60 minutes longer than glass models. In practice that means:
- A glass French press (Bodum Chambord or Brazil) keeps coffee warm for about 20-30 minutes
- The Secura keeps coffee warm for approximately 60-90 minutes
For people who brew a full pot and sip slowly over breakfast, or anyone who gets distracted and comes back to their coffee after 45 minutes, this is a meaningful improvement. The coffee you pour an hour after brewing from the Secura will be noticeably warmer than what you’d get from a glass press.
It’s not as impressive as a vacuum-insulated thermos — it won’t keep coffee hot for 4+ hours. But for the first hour or so, the heat retention is excellent for the price.
How the Coffee Tastes
The Secura uses a 3-layered stainless steel filter structure — and it comes with two extra filter screens included in the box. You can stack one or more extra screens for additional filtration, which reduces sediment noticeably compared to a standard single-filter press.
The coffee itself is excellent. Full-bodied, rich, and smooth — exactly what you expect from a French press. The stainless steel interior doesn’t affect the flavour at all, which is a common concern with metal coffee equipment. The 304 grade steel is completely taste-neutral.
There’s still some sediment at the bottom of the cup — that’s normal for any French press regardless of how many filter layers it has. But the three-layer filter plus the extra screens give you more control over sediment than a standard single-filter press.
If eliminating sediment entirely is the goal, the ESPRO P3 with its double micro-filter is a better choice. But for most people the Secura’s filtration is more than adequate.
Ease of Use
The Secura is straightforward to use — same four-minute brew process as any French press.
- Add coarsely ground coffee
- Pour hot water just off the boil
- Place the lid on without pressing
- Wait four minutes
- Press the plunger slowly and evenly
- Pour immediately
The cool-touch handle and knob make it comfortable to handle with a full press of hot coffee — a practical advantage over glass presses where the frame can get warm.
One small thing worth knowing: the Secura has a symbol (▲) on the lid. Turn this symbol away from the spout before pressing for optimal heat retention. It’s a minor detail but it’s mentioned in the product instructions and worth knowing.
Cleaning
The Secura is fully dishwasher safe — all parts including the lid, plunger, filter mesh, and pot. This is a genuine advantage over glass models where Bodum recommends handwashing to extend the glass lifespan.
The filter disassembles easily for a thorough hand rinse if you prefer. The stainless steel interior is easy to wipe clean and doesn’t stain or retain coffee oils the way some materials do.
The main cleaning consideration is the extra filter screens — keep track of them and rinse them separately after each brew. They’re small and easy to lose if you’re not careful.
Sizing Options
| Size | Volume | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 12oz | 350ml | One small cup / solo brewing |
| 17oz | 500ml | One large mug or two small cups |
| 34oz | 1L | One or two people — most popular |
| 50oz | 1.5L | Two or more people, or large mugs |
The 34oz is the right choice for most people — versatile enough for one or two people and the most widely available size.
Secura vs Bodum Chambord: Which Should You Choose?
Glass vs Stainless Steel: Quick Comparison
Choose stainless steel for durability and heat retention. Choose glass if you value aesthetics and enjoy watching the brewing process.
This is the most common comparison, so it’s worth addressing directly.
| Feature | Secura 34oz | Bodum Chambord 34oz |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$28–35 | ~$40 |
| Material | Full stainless steel | Glass + stainless frame |
| Heat retention | 60-90 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Breakage risk | Very low | Moderate |
| Aesthetics | Utilitarian | Classic, refined |
| Can see brew | No | Yes |
| Dishwasher safe | Fully | Partial |
| Extra filters | 2 included | No |
| Best for | Heat retention, durability | Aesthetics, traditional feel |
Choose the Secura if:
- Heat retention matters — you sip slowly or return to your coffee later
- You want something unbreakable — no glass to worry about
- You want to spend slightly less than the Chambord
- You’re fine with not seeing the brew
Choose the Chambord if:
- Aesthetics matter — the Chambord looks significantly better on a counter
- You want to watch the coffee steep through the glass
- You prefer a classic French press feel
- Replacement parts availability matters to you
For most people who prioritise function over form, the Secura is the better buy. For people who care about how their kitchen equipment looks, the Chambord wins.
See our full Bodum Chambord Review for a deeper look at the Chambord.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent heat retention — keeps coffee hot 60+ minutes longer than glass
- Fully stainless steel — interior and exterior, no glass to break
- 3-layer filter plus 2 extra screens included
- Fully dishwasher safe
- Cool-touch handle — safe to hold with a full press of hot coffee
- Multiple sizes and colours available
- Slightly cheaper than the Bodum Chambord
- Robust and durable — built to last
Cons:
- Can’t see the brew — no glass window
- More utilitarian look — not as refined as the Chambord
- Stainless steel can dent if dropped hard
- Replacement parts less easily available than Bodum
- Some sediment in cup — normal for French press
Is the Secura French Press Worth It?
Yes — for anyone who wants better heat retention without spending much, the Secura is one of the best value French presses available.
At roughly the same price as the Bodum Chambord or less, you get significantly better heat retention, a more durable build, and a fully dishwasher-safe press. The trade-off is aesthetics — the Secura looks functional rather than beautiful, and you can’t see the brew through glass.
If heat retention is the main reason you’ve been hesitating about French press brewing, the Secura solves that problem cleanly at a very reasonable price.
If aesthetics matter and you want something that looks great on your counter, stick with the Chambord.
👉 Secura French Press 34oz (~$28–35) — Check price & availability
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Secura French press good quality? Yes — the 304 grade 18/8 stainless steel construction is solid and durable, and the double-wall insulation works as advertised. Customer reviews on Amazon are consistently strong across all sizes. It’s not a heritage brand like Bodum, but the product quality is reliable.
How long does the Secura keep coffee hot? The double-wall construction keeps coffee hot for approximately 60 minutes longer than glass models. In practice that means coffee stays warm for around 60-90 minutes after brewing — significantly longer than the 20-30 minutes you’d get from a glass press.
Is the Secura better than the Bodum Chambord? It depends what matters to you. The Secura wins on heat retention, durability, and price. The Chambord wins on aesthetics and the classic glass French press feel. For function-focused brewers, the Secura is the better buy. For style-conscious brewers, the Chambord is worth the extra cost.
Does the Secura affect coffee flavour? No — the 304 grade stainless steel is completely taste-neutral. A common concern with metal coffee equipment is a metallic taste, but this doesn’t occur with quality stainless steel. The coffee tastes the same as it would from a glass press.
Is the Secura French press dishwasher safe? Yes — all parts are fully dishwasher safe, including the lid, plunger, filter mesh, and pot. This is a practical advantage over glass models where handwashing is recommended to extend the glass lifespan.
What size Secura should I buy? The 34oz is the right choice for most people — versatile enough for one or two people and the most widely available size. If you only ever brew for yourself, the 17oz is worth considering. For larger households or big mugs, the 50oz suits better.
Can I use the extra filter screens to reduce sediment? Yes — stacking the extra filter screens on top of the standard filter reduces sediment noticeably. The more screens you stack, the cleaner the cup. Two or three screens stacked together produces a significantly cleaner result than a standard single-filter press.
Continue Learning
- Glass vs Stainless Steel French Press → full comparison of both materials to help you decide
- Bodum Chambord Review → the most common alternative to the Secura at a similar price
- ESPRO P3 Review → best option if sediment is your main concern
- Best French Press Under $50 for Beginners → how the Secura compares to other options at this price
- Best French Press for Beginners → broader guide covering all budgets and brewing styles
- How to Use a French Press → step-by-step brewing guide once you’ve chosen your press
- Best Coffee Beans for French Press → what to brew with your new press
- 7 French Press Mistakes That Ruin Your Coffee → avoid the most common beginner errors
- Best French Press for One Person → if you’re buying for solo brewing