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Bean Envy vs Bodum Side-by-Side Comparison

Bean Envy cold brew coffee maker vs Bodum French press. Two excellent brewers. One with an immersion filter, one using freestyle brewing.

Updated
Bean Envy vs Bodum: Top Competing Genres

Specifications

Price at publication
$31.53 $32.49
Brewer HxW
7.9 x 5.9 inches7.7 x 7.5 inches
Brewer Diameter
4.7" (11.9 cm)5.1" (13.0 cm)
Brewer Materials
Borosilicate glass, stainless steel, siliconePlastic, silicone
Filter Type
Stainless steel immersionStainless steel plunge
Filter HxDia
6.9 x 2.7 inches7.9 x 6.9 inches
Decanter Weight
1 lbs1 lbs
Total Parts Count
76

Design

Stopper / Lid
Filter
Build Quality
Overall Design Scoring

Bean Envy is an all-round top-quality product and it makes a fairly good brew. The silicone base and the two-lid design are particularly nice, and the stainless steel filter was well-machined. Unfortunately, pouring with the silicone lid popped up was not so smooth.

The Bodum cold brew coffee maker is an adaptation of a French press. It uses a similar fast and convenient plunge filter. Since it’s only meant for cold brewing, the entire body is made from plastic. This makes it light, convenient, and affordable. There’s a lid with a plunger attached for decanting and filtering, and a simple lid for brewing.

Usability Comparison

Brewing
Decanting
Cleaning and Storage
Overall Usability Scoring

Brewing and decanting required minimal effort. Additionally, the volume markings on the carafe are great for telling how much yield is produced and how much coffee you have remaining during use. For hand-washing, you will need a bottle brush and a little extra care is required so as not to misplace either of the lids in storage.

The Bodum doesn’t come with any ‘easy-to-use’ instructions. This means you have to decide your own brew ratio. We chose a 1:5 ratio of grounds to water, and everything else was straightforward. Decanting, however, can be a bit involved.

Brew Quality

Bouquet
Drinkability
Sediment
Overall Performance Scoring

For an immersion filter brewer, the Bean Envy ranks very competitively and the brew quality is relatively good. The brew is strong, flavorful, and smooth but not as complex as a cold brew can be. We found it brewed more towards the bitter flavors rather than the sweeter ones.

Taking the brew method into account, the Bodum produces a high-quality, strong cold brew coffee concentrate. It’s beautifully smooth to drink and full-bodied, however, it didn’t capture the complexity that our leading brewer was capable of. The filtration method, however, was one of the best.

Overall Scores

Brew Quality
Design
Ease of Use
Overall Scoring

Pros & Cons

  • Two lid design
  • Silicone base
  • Handle design
  • Measuring markers
  • Light and durable
  • Open/close spout
  • Perfectly airtight
  • Comfortable handle
  • Freestyle brewing
  • Made in Portugal
  • Filter bottom
  • Pouring with silicone lid
  • Decanting can be tricky
  • No measuring guides

Conclusion

The Bean Envy and the Bodum French press are both top contenders in their respective genres. The Bean Envy is a stylish glass carafe with a stainless steel immersion filter, while the Bodum is an all-plastic freestyle brewer based on a French press design.

The Bean Envy has a special silicone stopper for post-brew decanting, while the Bodum has a lid with an attached plunge filter and a levered spout opening. 

The Bean Envy is more versatile for additional hot brewing but with the Bodum, you can customize the brew strength and the brew quality. If you prefer a high-quality and full-strength cold brew concentrate, the Bodum is the better choice.

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Roger Shitaki
Roger ShitakiReviewer

Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.

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