If you cook tofu often, a tofu press is an indispensable gadget. We’ve tested and reviewed the best tofu presses to help you choose one for your kitchen!
I recently bought a new tofu press and I LOVE it. I’ve used my cast iron skillet as a DIY tofu press for years, but I often hear from readers how much they love their tofu presses and I thought it would be fun to try one. I decided to experiment with some of the best tofu presses on the market to see how I liked them.
…and I’m a convert to the tofu press! Tofu presses are simple devices that remove excess moisture from tofu. They apply even pressure to the tofu and squeeze out the water, which can make it soft or crumbly, without crushing it. After pressing, the tofu will have a firmer, chewy texture. It will hold its shape when you’re making grilled tofu and it’ll crisp up perfectly when you’re making air fryer or baked tofu. Now that I have a tofu press in my kitchen I’m never going back!
Below are my picks for the best tofu presses. If you cook tofu often, I definitely recommend investing in one. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, so be sure to check them out to find the best tofu press for you!
Our top picks:
- What’s in my kitchen: Tofuture Tofu Press – $25.95 at Amazon
- My other favourite: TofuBud Tofu Press – $24.25 at Amazon
- Best Easy Tofu Press: EZ Tofu Press – $21.99 at Amazon
- Best Bamboo Tofu Press: ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press – $22.49 at Amazon
Reviews of the best tofu presses
In my search for the best tofu press, I tried several tofu presses. The Tofuture Tofu Press was my favorite for several reasons. I love that it’s small and compact with only 3 parts (!) making it easy to store away. It’s also really easy to use. It consists of an inner container that you put the tofu in, an outer container that catches the liquid, and a lid that presses on the tofu block. You attach the lid to the containers with silicone straps and you can choose between three power levels. Each produces perfect, evenly pressed tofu every time. This press is my new tool for pressing tofu!
I also like how the excess water stays in the press so there is no mess to clean up afterwards. I just dump the liquid in the sink!
The specifications:
- Size: 6 x 5 x 2.8 inches
- Weight: 0.1 kilograms
- Material: Plastic
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The advantages:
- Easy to use
- Built-in drainage plate
- Easy to clean
- Made from BPA free materials
The disadvantages:
- Comes in one color option only
- Bands might bounce
What others say:
Best Products found the Tofuture Tofu Press to be the best overall and was rated a great choice for tofu presses by The Kitchn and Insider. It also has more than 10,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.7 rating.
Buy the Tofuture tofu press:
Second behind the Tofuture Press is the TofuBud Tofu Press. It presses tofu evenly and quickly and retains the liquid from the tofu – a big plus! It has two pressure levels that are controlled by a stable spring. While this press is overall easy to use, I had a bit of trouble winding the spring at first, which is why I classified it under the Tofuture press. All in all, though, it’s still a good choice!
The specifications:
- Size: 4.7 x 5.5 x 4.7 inches
- Weight: 1 lb
- Material: Plastic
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The advantages:
- Press in just 20 minutes
- Easy to clean
- Built-in drainage plate
The disadvantages:
- Larger to store than the Tofuture Press
- The spring mechanism is difficult to twist
What others say:
Reviewed named it one of the best tofu presses and it has a 4.7-star rating from more than 2,500 Amazon reviews.
Buy the TofuBud Tofu Press:
Most tofu presses are made out of plastic, but this bamboo press is a great eco-friendly option. The wood material also makes the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press a bit more aesthetically pleasing than plastic presses. It consists of three main parts — a top plate, a drip tray, and a drip tray — connected with screw knobs that you turn to squeeze the tofu.
Disadvantages of this press are that you have to adjust the knobs every now and then to fully drain the tofu and the tofu can tear if you press too hard too quickly. Also, it will leave some impressions on the tofu after pressing. But overall I like that it catches the excess liquid and I think it’s a great choice for someone who wants to avoid plastic.
The specifications:
- Size: 8.6 x 3.9 x 0.5 inch
- Weight: 1.92 pounds
- Material: bamboo
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The advantages:
- Hassle-free setup and use
- Can be used for different sizes of tofu blocks
- Built-in drainage plate
The disadvantages:
- Leaves impressions on tofu
- Better to hand wash to avoid damaging the wood
- No set pressure levels
What others say:
Spruce Eats named it the best bamboo tofu press and Delish ranked it second in their list of the best tofu presses.
Buy the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press:
The EZ Tofu Press is a great basic option. The simple plastic press is equipped with locking knobs to press tofu blocks easily and efficiently. Once the tofu is secure in the press, I recommend laying it on its side over a bowl to catch the liquid. You also have to tighten the knobs every few minutes to squeeze out every last drop. (If you overtighten it too quickly, the tofu may break.) While this press requires a little more work, it’s still effective!
The specifications:
- Size: 9 x 5.25 x 4 inches
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
- Material: Plastic
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The advantages:
- Made in the USA
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Easy to clean
The disadvantages:
- Need to keep tightening screws while it pushes
- No set pressure levels
- Requires a separate bowl to catch liquid
What others say:
The Spruce Eats named the EZ Tofu Press the best overall tofu press. In addition, it has more than 6,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.7-star rating.
Buy the EZ Tofu Press:
Other tofu presses to consider
Raw Rutes Tofu Press
The Raw Rutes Tofu Press is a little different from other tofu presses in that it is made of stainless steel. That means it’s heavier and more expensive than others, which is why it wasn’t among my top picks. But if you’re willing to splurge, this might be a great no-plastic choice. You can also use it to make your own tofu! The Raw Rutes Tofu Press is available on Amazon for $105.
Healthy Express extra firm tofu press
Similar to the EZ Tofu Press, the Healthy Express Extra Firm Tofu Press features a top and bottom platen supported by spring-loaded screws to easily remove all of the liquid from your blocks. It has a slightly curved design that could squeeze the blocks a little better, although you have to place it over a container on its side to allow water to drain. The Healthy Express Extra Firm Tofu Press is available on Amazon for $19.95.
Tofudee Tofu Press with Auto IntelliSpring
This might be the prettiest tofu press on this list! It comes in lime and grapefruit tones to add a pop of color to your kitchen. That being said, I like that this plastic tofu press automatically drains the liquid into a separate container. The Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring is available on Amazon for $25.95.
NOYA Adjustable tofu press
The NOYA adjustable tofu press is popular with media sites and has been voted the best overall tofu press by Reviewed and Delish. It’s not one of my favorites because it’s bulkier to store, but it can double as a tofu marinade dish, giving it more than one function. The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is available on Amazon for $22.99.
How I tested the best tofu presses
I have selected eight tofu presses that have received great reviews online and have been personally recommended to me. I pressed several blocks of tofu with each of my picks. Then I grilled, baked and tasted the tofu that had been pressed in each press. I’ve found some clear favorites in terms of usability and texture. My number one choice, the Tofuture Tofu Press has become a game changer for making vegan and plant-based recipes in my kitchen!
Everything you should know before buying a tofu press
What you should consider before buying a tofu press
Not all tofu presses are the same! Some have built-in drain plates and drip trays, while others are just two pieces of plastic held together with screws and bolts. Before choosing one, consider the size of the tofu press – do you have space to store it? You should also consider the material (plastic, bamboo, or stainless steel), whether the press comes with its own drain pan, and how easy it is to wash. With these characteristics in mind, you can choose the tofu press that works best for you.
Why do you have to press tofu?
When you buy tofu, you’ll find that it usually sits in LOTS of water. Some recipes just require you to wipe away this liquid with kitchen paper, but if you’re grilling or want to make really crispy tofu in the air fryer or oven, you’ll want to squeeze out most of it. It might seem like a tedious extra step, but it will add a much more satisfying texture to your tofu. Plus, pressing helps the tofu soak up a marinade for the best flavor!
How long should you press tofu?
The time you need to press tofu depends on the size of the block. For reference, I typically press a 12- to 14-ounce block for about 30 minutes. If you plan ahead, you can also put it in a press and refrigerate overnight. That way you don’t have to press on it just before cooking.
Can you press tofu without a tofu press?
A tofu press makes pressing tofu super easy and convenient, but it’s still possible to press without one. I use a cast iron skillet for this. Pat the tofu dry and wrap in a kitchen towel. Place on a cutting board or baking sheet and place a heavy cast iron skillet on top. Set it aside for about 30 minutes, check halfway through and change the towel if too wet. That’s it! If you’ve enjoyed pressing tofu with a cast-iron skillet, I definitely recommend getting a tofu press. It makes pressing tofu even easier!
The best tofu recipes
Once you have a tofu press, I hope you start adding tofu to your regular rotation! First, check out my guide on how to cook tofu. Then try one of these delicious tofu dishes:
The prices were correct at the time of publication. This post contains affiliate links.