Do you cook tofu often? Then you’ll need a tofu press! This handy tool helps drain excess water from the tofu easily and in a short time. It is convenient and saves me a lot of time in the kitchen! Check out my favorite picks for tofu presses that will suit your needs.
Quick Overview
If you cook tofu often, a good tofu press can be a game-changer. It makes draining excess water easy, and saves you loads of time in the kitchen.
I’ve tested several models myself, and in this post I’m sharing the ones I truly love, ranked based on my experience as well as user reviews and trusted food-industry sources.
Why I Use a Tofu Press?
Tofu is a staple in Japanese cooking, and one of my favorite ingredients to experiment with. While you can drain tofu by hand or with the classic towel-and-plate setup, a tofu press makes the process so much easier—especially when you’re short on time.
Here are a few reasons why I use a tofu press:
- Removes excess water quickly for better texture
- Helps tofu absorb marinades more effectively
- Improves browning and crisping when pan-frying or baking
- Frees up your hands so you can prep other ingredients
- Creates consistent, firm results every time
- Love cooking with tofu? Here are my best tofu recipes you’ll enjoy.
- Prefer to make tofu from scratch? Try my recipe for Homemade Tofu!
My Top Picks
- What’s in My Kitchen: Tofuture Tofu Press
- Best Bamboo: ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press
- Best Simple: EZ Tofu Press
- Best Budget: Yarkor Tofu Press
- Best Adjustable: NOYA Adjustable Vegan Tofu Presser
Reviews of The Best Tofu Presses
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Tofuture Tofu Press
I’ve enjoyed using this press in my kitchen. It drains tofu far faster than the old-fashioned towel method. If I want fully drained tofu, I’ll leave it in the fridge overnight (just be sure to empty the liquid first so your tofu doesn’t sit in it).
It’s dishwasher-safe and compact enough for a kitchen cabinet. For anyone who cooks tofu often, it’s a solid investment.
- See how I use the tofu press in this recipe: Ganmodoki (Japanese Fried Tofu Patties)
The specs:
- Dimensions: 6″ L x 5″ W x 2.8″ H
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Capacity: 8- to-12-ounce blocks of tofu
- Drain time: 30 minutes
The pros:
- Drains tofu quickly
- Easy to clean and store
- Adjustable pressure levels
- Separate container for liquid
- 2-year warranty
The cons:
- Silicone bands can be a bit tight
What others are saying:
This tofu press has more than 11,700 reviews and a 4.7-star rating on Amazon.
2. Best Bamboo: ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press
For anyone trying to cut down on plastic, this bamboo press is a great pick. You sandwich the tofu between two bamboo boards and tighten the wingnuts. The gradual, adjustable pressure delivers firm, dry tofu in 10–20 minutes. A built-in drip tray collects the water, so no extra bowl is needed.
It isn’t dishwasher-safe, and the bamboo may wear over time. But, if you’re willing to hand-wash and care for it, it’s an eco-conscious tool.
The specs:
- Dimensions: 8.6” L x 3.9” W x 0.5” H
- Material: Bamboo and stainless steel
- Capacity: 8- to 16-ounce block of tofu
- Drain time: 10 to 20 minutes
The pros:
- Eco-friendly material
- Drains tofu very quickly
- Customized pressure
- Large tofu capacity
- Cheesecloth can be used to press yogurt or cheese
The cons:
- Requires manual adjustment
- Not the most durable
What others are saying:
The ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press has 1,600 reviewers on Amazon and a 4.3-star rating. It was named the best bamboo tofu press by The Food Network as their favorite bamboo tofu press.
3. Best Simple: EZ Tofu Press
If convenience is your priority, this press is hard to beat. Place the tofu between two plates, tighten the knobs, and within 15 minutes you have drained tofu. It’s compact, easy to store, and top-rack dishwasher–safe.
Because it lacks a built-in liquid container, you’ll need to press over a bowl or sink. It can be a minor inconvenience for many, but worth noting.
The specs:
- Dimensions: 9” L x 5.25” W x 4” H
- Material: Plastic and stainless steel
- Capacity: 16-ounce blocks
- Drain time: 15 minutes
The pros:
- Simple to use
- Presses tofu very quickly
- Can adjust the pressure yourself
- Durable
The cons:
- No container to catch the liquid
- Need to adjust throughout
What others are saying:
The EZ Tofu Press has a 4.7-star rating from more than 6,000 reviews on Amazon. It was also named the best overall by The Spruce Eats.
4. Best Budget: Yarkor Tofu Press
If you want to try a tofu press without spending much, this model is a reasonable entry point. It uses a metal spring and plastic clamps to apply pressure and drains tofu quickly.
That said, some users find the clamps awkward to tighten, and it works best for smaller tofu blocks.
The specs:
- Dimensions: 7.09” L x 5.12” W x 3.94” H
- Material: BPA-free plastic and metal
- Capacity: 8- to 12-ounce tofu block
- Drain time: 15 to 20 minutes
The pros:
- Affordable
- Simple to assemble and operate
- Comes with cheesecloth
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- 2-year replacement guarantee
The cons:
- Best for smaller blocks
- Can be difficult to clamp
What others are saying:
This tofu press has more than 2,300 Amazon reviews and a 4.5-star rating. It’s also named the top budget tofu press by The Spruce Eats.
5. Best Adjustable: NOYA Adjustable Vegan Tofu Presser
This tofu press packs in many features! It has a stainless-steel spring with dial lets you fine-tune pressure, and a built-in collection container.
The container includes markings so you can see exactly how much water you’ve removed, and the top doubles as a pour-spout for easy draining. The removable tofu plate can double as a cutting board.
It’s dishwasher-safe and ideal if you want precision and versatility. The downside: it has more parts to clean, and some users note it doesn’t always hold larger tofu blocks as well.
The specs:
- Dimensions: 7.48″ L x 5.11″ W x 6.49″ H
- Material: BPA-free plastic and stainless steel
- Capacity: 6-ounce block
- Drain Time: 15 to 30 minutes
The pros:
- Extracts water from tofu quickly and effectively
- Allows very granular control
- Includes built-in water collection container
- Handles to lift out tofu
- Doubles as a container for marinating tofu
- Dishwasher-safe
The cons:
- Doesn’t come with money back or replacement guarantee
- A lot of parts
What others are saying:
The NOYA Adjustable Vegan Tofu Presser has more than 5,900 and a 4.6-star rating on Amazon. Both Reviewed and Food Network named it the best overall tofu press.
Other Tofu Presses to Consider
Grow Your Pantry Bamboo Tofu Press with Drip Tray
This bamboo tofu press is similar to the ToPress model but slightly pricier and with fewer user reviews. It includes a drip tray, but the small springs can be harder to clean.
TofuBud Tofu Press
Another alternative, though it didn’t make my top five because of lower review volume or less consistent performance.
Raw Rutes Ninja Tofu Press
This stainless steel tofu press from Raw Rutes is stylish and extremely durable. It’s pricey at over $100. While it can also be used to make your own tofu, that feature isn’t necessary for most home cooks.
Nami’s Tips for Buying a Tofu Press
Before you shop for a tofu press, here are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Capacity:
Think about how much tofu you usually cook. If you often use larger amounts—anything over 12 ounces—look for a press that can hold one or more 16-ounce blocks at once.
Material:
Most presses are made from plastic or bamboo. Plastic is generally more durable, while bamboo is the more sustainable choice, though it may not last as long.
Storage:
If your kitchen space is limited, check the dimensions and whether the press can be disassembled for compact storage.
Container:
Some presses include a built-in container to catch the drained liquid, while others don’t. A built-in container adds convenience (no extra bowl needed) but can make the press slightly bulkier.
I hope this post helps you find the best tofu press for your kitchen. If you have questions or a favorite tofu press I didn’t mention, leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about your experience!