BAYKA French Press Review: Brewing Big, Brewing Bold, Brewing… Glassy

If you like a big cup of coffee, enjoy watching those coffee grounds do their thing, and don’t want something tap-tap fragile every time you press, the BAYKA French Press looks promising. It’s a large 1-liter (34 oz) press, built with borosilicate glass and stainless steel, plus a four-level filter system. That’s a lot of hardware, which is good… but also gives more places for things to either shine or slip.

First Impressions & Build Quality

Right out of the box, this French press feels satisfying. The glass is thick borosilicate, which means it’s better at dealing with temperature shocks than regular kitchen glass. If you accidentally pour boiling water in, it’s less likely to crack (though nothing’s totally invincible). The stainless steel frame gives it a sturdiness a lot of glass-only presses lack, helping when you’re grabbing or carrying the whole thing.

The aesthetic is nice: dark pewter finishes, clean lines, a decent weight that says “I paid for something more than a flimsy office press.” The lid, plunger, handle—everything seems solid enough without being overkill. The 4-level filtration (mesh, spring disk, cross plate, final screen) is a very welcome touch: ideal for reducing sediment and grit in your cup, though as with all French presses, you’ll still get some.

One detail I liked is how the stainless steel frame doubles as protection for the glass. It’s not just decorative; it genuinely helps reduce the chance of shattering if you bump it against your sink or counter. It won’t save the press from a drop on tile, but it adds peace of mind.

Another small but useful touch is the ergonomic handle. Some cheaper presses feel awkward when full, but BAYKA’s handle feels balanced. That matters when you’re pouring 34 ounces of hot coffee and don’t want an accidental morning disaster.

Brewing & Flavor

When you use it, BAYKA delivers coffee that’s rich and full-bodied, with that satisfying texture French press fans love. The multiple filters help a lot so you avoid overwhelming grit/sediment, though you still get that classic press mouth-feel (a good thing, if you enjoy bold texture). Hot water retention is decent; the glass doesn’t keep heat like a fully insulated steel press, but the thick glass + stainless frame help minimize heat loss.

You’ll want to preheat the press (pour in hot water, let it warm up, discard) to avoid big temperature drops when brewing. Because when you put in boiling water into a cold glass, it will lose heat fast—this affects extraction, and coffee ends up weaker or more acidic/flat if not careful. When done right, you get that lovely balance of sweetness, richness, and a bit of boldness—especially if using coarsely ground, freshly roasted beans.

What’s impressive is how well the filtration performs compared to budget presses. With four levels, it removes a lot of the mud that normally makes it to the bottom of your cup. You’ll still have some, because French press is inherently rustic, but it feels much more refined than expected for its price point.

The glass design also adds a bit of theatre. Watching the bloom and steeping process through clear sides gives a tactile sense of the brewing journey. If you like the ritual of coffee making, this French press adds to it by making the process visible, not just the end product.

Pros & What Bayka Gets Right

• Big size: 34 oz is generous. Great for households, sharing, or people who want more than one cup at a time.
• Four-level filtration: helps reduce sediment and gives a cleaner cup than cheaper presses with single screen filters.
• Durable materials: borosilicate glass + stainless steel frame = a good balance between look and toughness.
• Good price for the features: considering the size and multilevel filter, you get quite a lot for the cost.
• Clean design: looks nice in modern kitchens; feels more premium than some cheaper all-plastic or thin-glass presses.

Another major pro is versatility. With this much capacity, you can use it not only for coffee but also for brewing loose leaf tea or even making cold brew overnight. The filtration system handles leaves and grounds equally well, which adds to its usefulness beyond just your morning coffee routine.

It’s also worth highlighting how approachable it is for beginners. Some French presses feel like you need a manual to assemble and clean, but BAYKA’s design is intuitive. Even if it’s your first press, you’ll likely find it straightforward and less intimidating than it looks with all its filter layers.

Cons & What Could Be Better

• Fragility of glass: even though it’s thick borosilicate, glass is glass. Drop or knock it, and you risk cracking.
• Heat retention: not bad, but any “leakiness” of heat from exposed glass means coffee can cool more quickly than insulated models.
• More parts, more cleaning: The four filters are great for sediment control, but they mean extra screens to rinse, align, maintain.
• Weight & size: when full, this thing is heavy. Handling with wet hands or trying to pour from a tall glass carafe demands a steady grip.

Another downside is that with all the parts involved, losing or damaging one piece can reduce performance significantly. A bent mesh screen or misaligned plate can mean more sediment in your coffee, and replacements aren’t always easy to source unless you buy directly from the manufacturer.

Also, while the capacity is a pro for households, it can feel like overkill for solo coffee drinkers. If you only want a single mug in the morning, you may find yourself brewing more than you need and either wasting coffee or dealing with lukewarm second cups.

Who Would Like It, and Who Might Not

If you want a French press large enough to serve 2-4 people without brewing multiple rounds, appreciate a cleaner, less gritty French press experience, and like seeing your brew come alive through clear glass, this BAYKA press will likely make you happy. It strikes a strong balance between aesthetic appeal, function, and affordability.

If you need rugged gear for travel, camping, or just want a product that can survive years of careless handling, this press might not be ideal. Glass is always vulnerable, and despite the stainless support, it won’t take abuse the way a full metal press can.

This also suits people who enjoy the ritual of coffee. The act of watching, steeping, pressing, and serving feels elevated here. If you see coffee as more than a caffeine delivery system, BAYKA gives you a brewing experience to match.

On the flip side, if you’re someone who just wants a quick jolt before running out the door, the multiple steps and extra cleaning may be more than you want to handle before 8 a.m.

Final Thoughts & Verdict

Overall, the BAYKA 34oz Stainless + Borosilicate Glass French Press is a solid choice for coffee lovers who want a balance of size, refinement, and value. It’s a step above budget models, offering better filtration and a sturdier design without veering into the high cost of premium brands.

If you treat it with a bit of care—preheating, cleaning thoroughly, and storing it safely—you’ll get a French press that serves up delicious coffee for years. It’s the kind of product that rewards mindful brewing rather than careless use.

For those who like to make coffee part of their daily ritual, it’s an upgrade worth considering. It looks great on a counter, performs well for its price, and produces coffee that feels a notch above the average press. If you want quality French press coffee without overspending, BAYKA delivers.