The main part is that you unscrew the filter piece, so you can just push out the puck of coffee then rinse / dry through the tube. This makes them much easier to clean and dry than a french press where you have to send a jet of water through the bottom in case you had a bit too much coffee, then need an implement to actually reach the bottom of the device. Also makes it easier to throw the grounds into a dedicated (or semi-dedicated e.g. organics, composting) bin without the additional rinsing water.
The second draw is that it's paper-filtered by default, there are metal filters but the paper filters mean way cleaner cups (less residue going through). This also provides a wider and more flexible grind-range.
The third draw is that you filter directly into your mug, or bottle (if the mouth is wide enough), and can e.g. filter onto ice cubes for iced coffee, so less option for miss-pouring and mess.
The fourth draw is it's all plastic so it travels really well, and because the plunger is hollow you can stow things into the plunger (e.g. many hand grinder will fit), so it also makes for a nice travel / hiking device.
Seconded. I've been nomading for much of the past 6 years and having an AeroPress + Hario hand grinder means I can always make good coffee. It's compact, easy to clean, and as long as you're using good beans, somewhat difficult to brew a bad cup.
The main part is that you unscrew the filter piece, so you can just push out the puck of coffee then rinse / dry through the tube. This makes them much easier to clean and dry than a french press where you have to send a jet of water through the bottom in case you had a bit too much coffee, then need an implement to actually reach the bottom of the device. Also makes it easier to throw the grounds into a dedicated (or semi-dedicated e.g. organics, composting) bin without the additional rinsing water.
The second draw is that it's paper-filtered by default, there are metal filters but the paper filters mean way cleaner cups (less residue going through). This also provides a wider and more flexible grind-range.
The third draw is that you filter directly into your mug, or bottle (if the mouth is wide enough), and can e.g. filter onto ice cubes for iced coffee, so less option for miss-pouring and mess.
The fourth draw is it's all plastic so it travels really well, and because the plunger is hollow you can stow things into the plunger (e.g. many hand grinder will fit), so it also makes for a nice travel / hiking device.