What is the difference between this and the P7 besides the design?

Hi Jacob, thanks for your question. The Press P7 and the Press P6 are both double-walled stainless steel, but the P7 is also vacuum insulated, so it will more effectively retain the temperature of your coffee. The Press P7 is available in both 18 oz and 32 oz sizes, while the P6 is just 32 oz. The plastic handle on the press rod and the plastic handle on the body of the P6 has a stylish octagonal design, whereas those parts on the P7 are stainless steel and rounded. If you have any additional questions about ESPRO products, feel free to email us at service@espro.com. -The ESPRO Team

Where is this item made?

ESPRO Team, you should really look into metals ratings, counterfeiting, and China. You're probably not getting the grade of stainless you're paying for.

Plastic should never be used in parts that get hot. Why would you make the filter assembly out of plastic?

Not a good thing, but we live in fearless world of plastics everywhere in our lives and, now, in nature. In contact with foods and beverages hot and cold, where manufacturing advantages of cheap intricate waterproof parts and containers, easily disposed of and easily replaced, outweigh any relatively obscure downstream health concerns. Plastic water supply pipes are now common as are water valve part, being cheaper, faster, and easier than the iron, copper, brass parts they replace. Keurig pods of cheap plastic heated and in direct contact with hot brews, all-plastic Mr. Coffee machines, etc. etc.. To avoid heated plastic in coffee making seek out the excellent old-school glass and stainless steel french presses. The glass cylinder Bodum I have restricts plastic to the cap which spends little if any time immersed, but my other Bodum, stainless and barrel-shaped like an old Farberware percolator, has plastic parts, including those of the flexible more permeable variety, in continuous contact with the final brew.