2-Day Shipping on most products. Shop Now!
Kristen is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer and homebody. She specializes in home and lifestyle content, and loves helping others live their best lives at home and beyond. Romanticizing her life since 1987, you can probably find her sipping on iced coffee, crushing a Crossfit workout, designing her next dream space, or blasting Taylor Swift.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When it comes to coffee, I’m not usually very picky. Espresso drinks, cold brew, drip coffee — I’m pleased with it all. However, I’ve realized I’ve been overcomplicating things when it comes to my morning cup of coffee, especially now that I work from home. Over the past few years, I’ve tried plenty of coffee makers to find one that’s just right, whether it’s a pod machine or a large classic drip coffee maker, but ultimately what I’ve really longed for is something simple. That’s why I finally stopped my search for the perfect machine and realized that what I needed all along was right in front of me: a single-serve French press.
This Bodum French Press 12-Ounce delivers the ideal size for my morning cup without wasting any leftover coffee (or tempting me with a second serving). And as one of our favorite French press coffee maker brands, Bodum delivers a classic model that has held up after years of constant use. This reliable mini French press is all I need to start my day!
For any caffeine fiends who need two or three cups to get their day going, this tiny coffee maker might not be for you. However, if you’re like myself and only need one cup in the morning, then I’m here to tell you that this personal-sized coffee maker is just what you need. For some reason, brewing just one cup feels a little luxurious in the morning after going through the ritual of boiling water and letting the grounds seep. The result is smooth, rich coffee made easily with any grounds of my choosing (often from another Apartment Therapy favorite, the coffee subscription service BeanBox!).
The French press itself features a glass heat-resistant body that has remained sturdy and durable even after I’ve used it for years. It also includes a stainless steel filter and plunger that work impressively well at keeping grounds out of your coffee — especially at this price point. The simple design also means that this French press is easy to take apart and clean. The lightweight body requires just a simple wipe with a sponge, rather than having to deal with too many parts or a heavy, cumbersome carafe.
Over 12,000 5-star Amazon reviewers have also attested to this no-fuss French press, praising this size in particular for keeping on hand at the office or using it as a travel coffee maker for hotels or camping. And like myself, many have used it for years with no issues.
Overall, this small French press has been a surprising winner when it comes to making coffee in the morning. Because I only drink one cup, I genuinely don’t need any over-the-top machines. And a huge bonus is that it’s a waste-free method because it doesn’t require any filters or coffee pods. As an under-$20 French press, this handy Bodum produces the exact amount of silky smooth coffee I need every time.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
If you’re anything like us, morning is the best part of your day because, well, coffee. As the days begin to warm up, many of us are switching up our coffee routine and opting for iced coffee or cold brew over soul-warming lattes. However, home-brewing iced coffee can be a pain, so having the ability to pivot between hot and iced coffee without a trip to the corner coffee shop is game-changing. While we have our fair share of favorite espresso, drip and pod, and cold brew machines, we never dreamed of having just one machine that could tackle both temperatures. That is, until we heard of the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System.
Like all other Ninja products, the Hot and Cold Brewed System reinvents an everyday kitchen appliance and is affordable (we’re talking under $200 and on sale right now for even less). This countertop machine may look like your average coffee maker, but allow us to assure you — it does so much more. The machine is equipped with two brewing baskets (one for coffee, another for tea) with removable filters, a measuring spoon, and a 50-ounce glass carafe, most of which can be stored inside the machine for clutter-free counter space. With six brew size options — ranging from travel size to full carafe — and a fold-away frother, you’re able to concoct the coffee order of your dreams.
In fact, Amazon reviewers (over 10,000 of them!) shared a wide variety of uses for the machine — some love it so much, they practically wrote novels. “Even the frothing and cleanup is a breeze,” wrote one customer who just received their machine, “I can’t wait to make every possible combination of tea and coffee beverages.”
The Ninja brewer is good for newbies and pros alike—one reviewer even compares it to their job at an espresso shop. “I used to have a job as the manager of an espresso shop. I am snobby about my coffee (and tea). Anyone who knows about the intricacies of balanced drip coffee flavor knows that a great deal depends on the temperature of the brew. This machine delivers. Brewed at the perfect temperature, you can brew cheap coffee grounds or high-end fresh ground beans and both come out with outstanding well-balanced flavor.” So basically, not only is the machine itself affordable, it’s going to continue to save you money over time.
With a smart system that detects what you put into the basket, the machine is programmed to know just how long (and at what temperature) your brew should be. So whether you’re whipping up a creamy cappuccino or a smooth cold brew, all you have to do is press a button. If you do ever happen to feel like you’ve lost your way (we doubt it), this Ninja comes along with a recipe book and guide, which can help take the guesswork out of the few tasks the machine doesn’t already do for you.
Finally, don’t worry if coffee’s not your thing, the Hot and Cold Brewed System works just as well for tea, making it a great appliance for families with multiple beverage preferences. One tea-loving reviewer shared: “I have a Teavana system that I really like, but I have switched and now use this for making tea, too. I promise you, your tea will not have the slightest coffee taste because the filter and compartment holding the filter is completely different than what is used for coffee.”
See? Perfect for anyone, any time of year.
My wife and I will be buying a house somewhere in the near future. Whenever she asks me what kind of neighborhood I want to live in, I just say, “One within walking distance of a coffee shop.” That’s my only criteria, because that’s how much I love coffee. Right now we live in an apartment in a busier part of the city, so most of my coffee is to-go, and grabbed on foot. Which is where this DIY leather coffee sleeve come into play… 
For now, I don’t live in a house within walking distance of a coffee shop. I live in an apartment within walking distance of like 20 coffee shops. It’s a caffeine-lovers dream, really. I don’t know if you can call “grabbing coffee” a hobby, but if you could, I’d be the most skilled at that hobby. Even though I get a lot of coffee, I don’t always remember to grab a reusable cup prior to a coffee run. A coffee sleeve, though, is small enough to keep in my coat pocket. It helps cut down on a little bit of waste, plus it’s cute and let’s everyone know that I am definitely not drinking tea.
Because I live in an apartment and not a house, there’s not a lot of heavy duty crafting happening at my place. Tools are loud, and the walls in my building are thin. I had never even considered doing any mechanical etching, sanding, etc. before I got my hands on the tool I used to etch this leather coffee sleeve. You guys – it’s so quiet. And it’s small, so it’s not intimidating at all. The Dremel® Stylo+? 10/10, would etch again. Keep reading to see how I made a reusable coffee cup sleeve to keep my hands cool and my drink hot.
Print out the Leather Coffee Sleeve template, cut out the template, and trace the shape of the cup sleeve onto to the back of a piece of scrap leather.
Use a sharp utility knife (or a sharp pair of scissors) and cut out the shape of the sleeve.
Line the template back up with the cut piece of leather, both the leather and the template facing right side up. Trace over the lettering lightly with a pencil. This will leave an indentation in the leather.
Affix the leather to your work surface (using clamps or tape, just so it doesn’t move while you’re trying to work on it), and throw on a pair of safety goggles. Following the indention, etch over the design using the Dremel® Stylo+ tool.
While this tool is small, take the same precautions as you would with a larger power tool (because while it’s small, it’s still powerful!). When switching out the accessories, make sure to unplug the Dremel® tool. And always wear some type of protective eyewear. Safety first!
Lay the leather on a scrap piece of wood, and use the small nail to press a few equally-spaced holes along the edge of strap. After you’ve marked your holes, hammer the nail through each mark to puncture the leather and create a hole to stitch through. Line up the other edge of the strap with the punctured one, and press the same number of holes onto the other side. Puncture through these holes with a hammer and nail as well.
Thread your needle with embroidery floss, and stitch into one of the bottom holes. Leave a few inches of floss at the first hole (so you can tie it up at the end). Stitch across as you go up the edge of the cuff, joining the strap together. Once you’ve reached the top, turn around and stitch down, going through each pair of holes again. Once you’ve reached the bottom, tie the ends of the thread together in a knot.
Oh, coffee. I really do love you. There are few things that I will always agree to no matter the time or place, but coffee is one of those things. It doesn’t even matter the kind of coffee. Espresso shots, mochas, drip coffee, crappy gas station cappuccinos… just give me caffeine. I’m drinking an almond milk latte right now as I write! What a coincidence.
This post is sponsored by The Home Depot, but all opinions are mine alone. Working with great brands like The Home Depot enables us to pay for all the content you see on Curbly. Thanks for supporting us, and them!