What are the Best Tofu Presses? Top Vegan Tofu Press for 2019

Many new vegetarians and vegans quickly find out that there’s a lot more to preparing tofu than simply cutting it up. Did you know that draining your tofu and getting all the water out can provide a better texture and flavor? Pressing tofu can also make it soak up marinade more easily and prevent it from crumbling while you’re cooking. Dried, firm tofu is perfect for a wide variety of vegan recipes, so you shouldn’t just cut and stir-fry your tofu to get the most out of it. 

Traditionally, people press their tofu by wrapping it in dish towels or paper towels, then putting heavy books or pans on top of this to get all the water out. While this is effective, it’s difficult to get all the water out and creates a lot of waste. The good news is, you don’t have to do this; tofu presses are an essential kitchen gadget that is life-changing and slowly, gradually squeezes all the water out of your tofu so you’re left with a dense block that has incredible taste and texture.

Dry tofu is able to soak in much more flavor from dressings and marinades, and it’s safer to fry in oil, since there will be less water to create dangerous splashing. If you like your tofu crispy, dry tofu is perfect and allows you to achieve that crunchy, golden crust. A little bit of research can help you find the best tofu presses on the market, which use food grade materials and work quickly and easily to bring you dry, textured, flavorful tofu. 

Top 5 Tofu Presses

ToFuture Tofu Press **TOP PICK**5 out of 5 stars
Glue Theory Simple Drip Tofu Press4.8 out of 5 stars
EZ Tofu Press4.7 out of 5 stars
Tofu Presser Super Tofu Press 4.6 out of 5 stars
Kimono Kitchen Bamboo Tofu Press4.5 out of 5 stars

What Types of Tofu Presses Are There?

There are two basic styles to tofu presses. They involve either plates that are tightened using tension knobs, or a spring-loaded plate that forces water out. These types are: 

  • Plate style tofu presses. With these, you place your tofu between two metal or plastic plates, which you tighten using adjustable screws. These are simple and easy to use, as well as affordable and compact, however you’ll have to constantly use the screws and pay attention. If you need a cheap option, this is your best choice. 
  • Box style tofu presses. With these, you’ll put your tofu into a container made of metal or plastic, where a spring-loaded plate will press down. You won’t get much choice as to the size or type of tofu to insert, however this type is very convenient because once you set it up, you can focus on something else while it does all the pressing for you. If you’d like to find a product of great value and save lots of time (you can put tofu in this press, go to work, and come back to perfectly dried and textured tofu), this is the ideal choice for you.

What Kind of Tofu is Best to Press? 

As many vegetarians and vegans know, there are many options when it comes to tofu and you’ll find lots of different consistencies and textures. Within these, there are some that are better for pressing than others. 

In general, the tofu you press is the type of tofu that you would typically add to a salad or use in a stir-fry. This will usually be extra-firm or firm varieties of tofu that tend to hold their shape as you cook them or press them. Many people use silken and soft tofu to put into smoothies and sauces; if you try to press this type, it’ll cause the tofu to crumble up and turn into a paste. 

The Best Tofu Press List


ToFuture Tofu Press

This tofu press from ToFuture is stylish and unique, and it helps to completely transform your tofu. It presses all of the water out of tofu slowly and gradually to improve its texture and taste so you get everything you can from your purchase. In the end, you’ll have tofu that has firm consistency and texture, which allows it to absorb marinades and other flavors easily. You can toss the press in the dishwasher to clean, and it fits easily in the fridge since it’s compact. It’s also BPA Free and very easy to clean so you can rest easy. Tofuture transforms your tofu from the spongy and tasteless veggie option that it tends to be into an ethical, healthy, and delicious option that you can add everywhere in your diet, no matter what you’re cooking. The company not only offers its Tofu Press but also offers ideas and recipes on its website so you get lots of choices for your menu. Your only problem will be selecting what to try first. Besides pressing, you can also use this product to marinate or even make your own tofu.

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Pros

  • Presses tofu slowly and gradually 
  • BPA free and easy to clean 
  • Company offers recipes and other ideas so you have lots of options 

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Cons

  • Difficult to deal with the press’s elastics 
  • Breaks very easily due to stress fractures 


Glue Theory Simple Drip Tofu Press

Glue Theory’s tofu press quickly and easily removes water from any tofu block you’ve put into it, and it’s easy to get rid of this water and clean the press because it has a drip tray attached to it as well as a built in tofu strainer. The press is patent pending for its unique design, which offers you an all-in-one solution for all your tofu needs. Its materials are BPA free and of high quality; the nuts and bolts are created from food grade stainless steel. There’s guaranteed no mess, since it’s designed to prevent you from having to clean up at all, and the detachable tray easily discards any water once you’re done. You’ll get a prefect press, no mess, and you don’t need to worry about stacking books or trying to catch all the drippings from your tofu. This press allows you to set it and forget it so you can focus on other things while you’re preparing the perfect meal, and it fits tofu blocks of all sizes. The stainless steel metal prevents rust, the handles are easy to turn, and precision aligned holes drain water easily. The press was created to make your life easier, and best of all, the Simple Drip Tofu Press is backed by a 100% money back guarantee.

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Pros

  • Drip tray attached to catch water easily 
  • Unique design is all in one solution 
  • Food grade stainless steel prevents rust 

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Cons

  • Difficult to take apart so you can clean the individual pieces
  • Have to turn the knobs a lot to get it to where you want 


EZ Tofu Press

EZ’s tofu press easily removes all the water from your tofu, both large and small portions, so you can cook it and eat it with better texture and flavor. Overall, the press provides better absorption of flavor and texture, leaving you with tofu that just tastes better. It removes all the water within fifteen minutes or less, and you don’t need to deal with elastic brands or springs like some other presses; just tension it every couple of minutes until the water’s all out. There are centering marks so you can place the tofu block properly and utilize the press as best as possible. It’ll press evenly every time with a stainless steel grommet top plate, which presses smoothly, and there’s no need for plastic. To clean easily, just put into the top rack of your dishwasher or wash with soapy, hot water. The press is made right here in the USA, not China, and it’s affordable and easy–hence the name. It costs less than many other brands on the market so you get the most value out of it as possible, and an instruction manual is included so you know exactly what to do. Before you marinate or cook your tofu, use this press, which is BPA free and USDA approved.

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Pros

  • Affordable and easy to use 
  • Steel tensioning that doesn’t involve elastic bands or springs 
  • USDA approved 

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Cons

  • Cracks appear quickly and make the press useless
  • Occasionally the knobs will keep spinning and won’t tighten, making it impossible to press


Tofu Presser Super Tofu Press 

This Super Tofu Press by Tofu Presser is the original tofu press and has been sold on Amazon for almost ten years. More than 50,000 of them have been sold. The press is made right here in the USA, with press plates that are solid and made of plastic. This plastic is HDPE and is BPA free, as well as approved by the FDA for use around food. All of the springs, washers, bolts, and nuts are also approved by the FDA and made from food grade stainless steel. They’re not unsealed or hollow, which means they won’t split open once pressure is applied, or allow water to leak inside. You can press all the water from your tofu easily, quickly, and with zero mess. You won’t have to use heavy objects to stack plates in order to achieve the perfect texture for your tofu, and the water drains very easily. To clean, simply put it on the top rack of your dishwasher or rinse with warm water. The press is guaranteed to last for 50,000 cycles and is environmentally friendly and safe, so you can feel good as you remove water from your tofu in less than 15 minutes. Before you cook your tofu, add amazing flavor to it using this press.

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Pros

  • Plastic and food grade stainless steel used is all FDA approved 
  • Presses water out in 15 minutes or less 
  • Guaranteed to last 

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Cons

  • You will constantly have to drain the water by hand 
  • Makes tofu crumble and not firm 


Kimono Kitchen Bamboo Tofu Press

Kimono Kitchen’s tofu press is unique in that it uses bamboo material to remove the excess water from tofu, in fifteen minutes or less. With solid bamboo wood and stainless steel hardware, this press is perfect for people who are looking for a non-toxic and more eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic tofu presses. It’s made here in the USA and involves food grade stainless steel. The solid, thick wood boards will press your tofu over and over again without cracking or bending. You’ll get great texture and better flavor from your tofu, which will be more firm and dense than ever before. If you’re stumped for ideas, an instructional book with bonus recipes is included, helping you on your vegetarian or vegan journey. This tool is an essential kitchen addition for anyone who needs plant-based protein in their diet, and its bamboo material promotes a healthier lifestyle and non-toxic living. Just ensure you’re using extra firm or firm tofu, not Silken Tofu, and tighten the knobs every three minutes to achieve dryness.

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Pros

  • Bamboo material is eco friendly and non toxic 
  • Instructional book with recipes is included 
  • Made in the USA with food grade stainless steel 

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Cons

  • Pressing area is limited 
  • Have to constantly drain the water by hand 


Conclusion & What is the Best Tofu Press

It seems surreal, but pressing your tofu can indeed change your life, especially if you’ve been on a vegan or vegetarian diet for years. Tofu presses, like blenders or mixers, are an excellent addition to any kitchen. Whether you go with a traditional press that’s been sold in the thousands or a new one that’s patent pending, your days of soggy tofu are behind you. You’ll get dry, firm tofu that’s perfect to fry and add to a variety of different recipes. Chewy, dense, firm tofu that’s been pressed is excellent to add to stir fry and other types of cooking; it’s also very easy to fry so you get that crispy and golden brown texture. All you have to do is figure out whether you need a plate presser, which you adjust every few minutes, or a box one that you can set up in the morning and then come back to after work to get firm, perfect tofu. Whichever type you select, you’re guaranteed to see the taste and texture of your tofu change for the better. Check out our favorite, the ToFuture Press (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE).