The Best Tofu Presses of 2026

• Material: BPA-free plastic & stainless steel
• Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.6 x 5.6 inches
• Weight: 2.31 pounds
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

This press has more of a traditional look, with a simple construction of two curved, BPA-free plastic plates and two stainless steel screws. It comes fully assembled in one piece, and the whole thing can easily be tossed in the dishwasher after use.

The bottom plate has a helpful outline of where to place your tofu, and the plates are slightly curved to achieve the most successfully pressed block. Be aware that this mechanism requires a bit more babysitting than other models; the instructions recommend tightening the screws evenly three-to-five times while it's pressing for the best results. And since there's no drip tray included, you'll have to tip it over the sink or a bowl while the water drips out.

Although this process required a little more time and attention, the results were worth the wait. The tofu was very well pressed and came out with a dense, crispy texture after pan-frying. (Plus: it comes with a complimentary kitchen towel for sustainable drying!)

• Material: BPA-free plastic
• Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.7 x 2.8 inches
• Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

This little box-like press comes with only three parts, which made set-up easy (even without glancing at the provided directions). The pressing process is unique in this model. Instead of using screws or a spring, there are three hooks that jut out on both sides of the container, where the tight silicone bands latch onto to create pressure. You can decide to press it on the lowest, medium, or highest pressure, depending on how firm you'd like your tofu to be.

I found that the lowest pressure option was enough to make a significant difference in just 15 minutes, with a resulting block of tofu that was firm enough to crisp. And even the highest setting didn't create any cracks during testing. So if you're in a pinch, this could be a great choice.

The only disadvantage to this press is the quality. As soon as I unboxed it and started to hand wash it, I noticed one of the plastic stoppers on the bottom corner fell off (and, tragically, down the drain) very quickly. One of the handles also came off the hinges a couple of times during use, but that part easily snapped back into place with a little effort.

All of this is to say: This press works very well, it just might not last you a lifetime.

• Material: BPA-free plastic & stainless steel
• Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.7 x 4.7 inches
• Weight: 14 ounces
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

I was excited to try this press, mostly because of its sleek, modern look and fully recyclable plastic makeup. It's made up of six parts (which made clean-up a bit more challenging): A plastic knob, a sliding lid, a metal spring, two plastic plates, and the plastic container. Luckily, everything is dishwasher safe.

It technically comes with two pressure levels, but the first applies very little pressure and is meant for silken tofu (which usually doesn't require pressing at all). During testing, I put it on the second level for 15 minutes, and it resulted in a decently firm block—but I did have to pat it dry with a paper towel afterward, since the plastic sheets that the tofu sat between seemed to collect pools of liquid. There is a pour spout built-in, but it didn't work as well as others because the tofu doesn't stay locked into place as it tilts. It was also difficult to remove the slippery block without accidentally breaking it apart.

I appreciated the included recipe book, though, which provided lots of appealing ideas that would be great for folks new to the tofu-cooking universe.

• Material: BPA-free plastic
• Dimensions: 7.09 x 5.12 x 3.94 inches
• Weight: 1.04 pounds
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

This four-piece press is made up of a water collecting tray with two handles, a durable spring, a strainer, and lid. The tofu block is placed between the strainer and lid, and it starts pressing when the lid is snapped into place with the two handles.

There's only one pressure setting with this press—and it's high. I actually found it difficult to snap the lid into place since the spring is so strong. I had to press down pretty hard with one hand to get the lid shut, using the other to try to lock the second handle into place. Plus, the spring doesn't stay attached, so it can fall out of the provided placeholder at the bottom of the tray. Once everything is locked in, though, it stays put. And the resulting block I tested was decently firm, surprisingly without any cracks from too much pressure.

I have to admit that the product itself doesn't seem very high quality; the tray arrived with a slight bend to it that worsened slightly after a run in the dishwasher. Since the material isn't very sturdy, this one might not last you a lifetime.

• Material: BPA-free plastic
• Dimensions: 9 x 5.25 x 4 inches
• Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

Another no-frills option, this tofu press arrives fully assembled in one piece, with two plastic plates connected by two stainless steel screws. These plates are fully straight and not curved, so you won't be able to lean this press over your sink to drain the liquid. (I learned this the hard way after making a mess on my countertop.) Instead, you'll have to balance it vertically over a plate or similar container, which unfortunately means another dish to wash afterward.

The instructions that came with this press were a little vague, which was especially troubling in a model like this, where guidance is needed to be sure you're screwing the right amount of pressure without accidentally cracking the tofu. It's also another instance that requires more attention, as you should be tightening the screws every two to four minutes to ensure the right amount of pressure is consistent to achieve results in 15 minutes or less.

Unfortunately, the resulting tofu texture wasn't optimal, even after tightening the screws regularly as directed. It's possible that I didn't start at the right pressure point though, since those instructions weren't as clear.

• Material: BPA-free plastic & stainless steel
• Dimensions: 6.69 x 5.91 x 5.31 inches
• Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

This tofu press charmed me upon arrival, with its playful, translucent colorful look.

When it came to functionality, though, it didn't deliver as well as the others. After screwing in the top lid (there's only one level offered), I noticed through the clear container that the pressing plate was lopsided, pressing the tofu unevenly. I tried playing with it to even out, but struggled to readjust it and couldn't get it perfectly straight.

Once the 15 minutes had passed, I removed the lid and noticed that the block had cracked in several places, and the texture still seemed decently wet. Sauteeing it in a pan with hot oil confirmed my suspicions, as the residual water splashed back at me several times.

• Material: Bamboo & stainless steel
• Dimensions: 3.39 x 1.54 x 0.2 inches
• Weight: 1.92 pounds
• Dishwasher-safe? Yes

I really wanted to love this eco-friendly, 100% bamboo tofu press, but its functionality disappointed me during testing. The hardware doesn't come attached, so setting everything up felt like an Ikea home project. It took me close to 20 minutes to set it all up, and taking it apart for storage was time-consuming as well.

Once it was finally ready to press, I wasn't sure how many times to screw the hardware due to a lack of instructions, so I ended up cracking the tofu block as a result (and somehow getting splashed with the tofu liquid in the process). Even after cracking under pressure, the tofu was not firm to my liking after 15 minutes; it broke apart several times during the cooking process and the resulting taste was watery.

As for long-term use, maintaining a wooden tofu press comes with its own set of challenges. You'll have to be sure it dries thoroughly after each wash in order to avoid mold growth. And watch out for splinters; ToPress recommends regularly moisturizing the press with oil to retain moisture and prevent splitting.