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Quick verdict
Choose the Hario Maru for a straightforward removable-basket routine and a size that matches your cups. Choose the Bodum Assam if you specifically prefer lowering a press instead of lifting out a wet basket at serving time. Neither is a stovetop kettle, and the convenience of a press does not make steeping time irrelevant.
Research-based buying guide, checked October 18, 2026. We have not tested these products hands-on. Manufacturer specifications and attributed outside findings are distinguished from our buying judgments.
Who should buy or skip
Buy if: you make multiple servings of loose-leaf tea and want one pot for steeping and pouring.
Skip if: you normally drink one small mug, need an unbreakable pot or expect the teapot to boil water.
Compare the choices
| Choice | Choose it for | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Hario ChaCha Kyusu Maru | A roomy removable metal basket | Needs somewhere for the wet basket |
| Bodum Assam tea press | Lowering a plunger to isolate leaves | Extra press components to clean |
| Infuser basket in a mug | A simple single-serving routine | Less convenient for serving several people |
Decide what happens when steeping ends
Hario’s Maru holds leaves in a removable stainless basket. You lift it out when the tea reaches your preferred strength. Plan a small dish for the wet filter rather than leaving it on a surface that will stain.
Bodum markets the Assam press as stopping further brewing when its plunger is lowered. That is a manufacturer description, not our measured extraction result. If you are very sensitive to changes in strength, serving or decanting the tea promptly is still a straightforward way to manage the routine.
Match volume to your cups
Hario lists Maru practical capacities of 300, 450 and 700 ml. The Assam version considered here is 1 L. These are different serving sizes, so a price comparison without volume can be misleading.
Measure the mug you actually use. If a 700 ml pot already covers your normal tea round, a litre may be unnecessary. If you serve several people, a small decorative pot may require repeated brewing. The right size is more useful than the lowest price per advertised cup.
The leaf basket deserves a close look
Hario emphasizes space for leaves to expand. Check the exact filter depth and minimum useful water level for the chosen pot. A large vessel with a shallow dose can leave the leaves poorly positioned in the brewing water.
For the Assam, inspect the filter and plunger assembly and how it comes apart for cleaning. Fine leaf particles and wet tea collect in different places than they do in an open basket. We have not tested filtration with tiny-leaf blends or compared pouring drips.
Glass needs the right heating and cleaning treatment
Both products discussed here use heatproof glass, which remains breakable. Heatproof is not the same as safe on a flame. Hario explicitly says the Maru is not for an open fire, induction stove or oven, and requires removing the metal strainer for microwave use.
Use separately heated water and follow the exact pot’s manual. Let components cool appropriately before washing and avoid treating a press handle as a carrying handle. Check whether replacement lids, glass or filters are available before selecting a model you expect to keep for years.
Buying in the United States or Canada
Match Maru CHJMN-70T if you want the linked 700 ml version, and a 1 L Assam with the intended stainless filter. Bodum sells different Assam finishes and sizes; verify materials rather than relying on the first product photo in a US or Canadian search.
The buttons open the named country’s Amazon search results. Match the exact model, size and included parts before ordering. Compare delivered cost, seller and return terms; no fixed price, availability or warranty eligibility is promised.
Questions before ordering
Will the Assam keep tea hot like a vacuum flask?
It is a glass tea press, not an insulated vacuum carafe. Do not transfer heat-retention claims from a different product category.
Is Maru’s basket simpler for one cup?
A smaller Maru can work, but a suitable basket in your existing mug may be an even simpler purchase for one serving.
Final buying decision
Maru is our choice for a familiar lift-out basket and flexible size selection. Assam is worth considering when its press routine solves the wet-basket inconvenience for you. Choose the actual volume, filter arrangement and replacement parts before paying for a decorative finish.