Amazon’s Best-Selling French Press Saved My Small Kitchen

Limited counter space and lack of outlets are no match for this coffee maker (and it’s on sale).

I didn’t know what a small kitchen was until I moved to New York City. However, quickly after moving into an apartment on the Upper West Side, I realized just how tiny a kitchen could be. I’m talking one rectangle of counter space, no drawers, one outlet, and a handful of cabinets small.

While there were a myriad of storage issues to sort out, the first thing that came to mind was, “Where am I going to put my coffee maker?”

What little countertop space I had was already inhabited by a dry rack next to the sink, obstructing the only outlet in the entire kitchen aside from one hidden behind the refrigerator, rendering it essentially useless. With no outlet at my disposal, it seemed as though there was only one solution: a French press. The genius single-serve coffee maker takes up far less space than most traditional ones, it doesn’t need to be plugged into an outlet, and it brews a strong, flavorful cup of coffee that suits my coffee snob sensibilities.

I turned to the Bodum Chambord French Press, which happens to be a best-seller on Amazon with thousands of positive reviews to boot. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, it brews up delicious coffee and is petite enough to live on my recently acquired (and hand-assembled) kitchen island.

Now in the mornings, I pour hot water boiled in a kettle on the stove (if I had the counter space, I’d use an electric kettle like this one) onto coarse coffee grounds. After letting the mixture steep for a few minutes, all that’s left to do is press the mesh filter down to extract the coffee’s oils, resulting in a stronger flavor than that of coffee brewed with traditional paper filters. Not only does using a stainless steel filter create a more powerful aroma and taste, it also cuts down on single-use waste.

In case you’re still not convinced, I’m not the only one singing this coffee maker’s praises. The French press has garnered more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon, more than 2,800 of which give the space-saver a perfect five-star rating. Reviewers love the quality of the coffee they’re able to brew with the press as well as its size and design.

“It really is the best coffee I’ve ever had. I love this thing,” one shopper wrote.

“I can’t speak highly enough about the size of the 17 oz. if you, like me, have been looking for a smaller press which will make 1 huge mug of coffee,” another shared.

Whether you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur or are simply looking to clear your kitchen countertops, this is one of the best French press coffee makers you can buy. Plus, the standard 34-ounce size will only set you back $29—it’s 46 percent off right now.

To buy: $29 (was $54); amazon.com.