Bodum Chambord French Press Review: Better Desk Coffee?
The classic French press with a glass carafe in a polished steel frame, sized for about two mugs. Rich coffee with no pods and no paper filters.
Yes, for a coworker who makes their own coffee and cares how it tastes. It is a classic heat-resistant glass press and goes in the dishwasher [1]. Skip it for someone who loves their pod machine.
By Andrew Pataleta, GiftX founder · Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources
Specs at a glance
| Capacity | 17 oz, 500 ml [1] |
| Beaker | Borosilicate glass [1] |
| Frame | Polished stainless steel [1] |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe [1] |
| Size | About 6.6 x 7.5 x 4.2 inches [1] |
| Made in | Portugal [1] |
Pros and cons
- Glass can break if dropped
- Needs coarse ground coffee
- Fine grounds can end up in the cup
Office coffee without the burnt taste
Office drip coffee tastes burnt by noon. A French press makes a fresh, full-bodied cup in four minutes with just hot water.
The Chambord is the press most people picture, a design Bodum has made for decades.
It is also a gift that looks good on a counter. The polished steel frame and glass carafe make it feel like a small piece of kitchen design, not an appliance.
Glass carafe, steel frame
The listing describes a 17-ounce press with a heat-resistant borosilicate glass beaker in a durable stainless steel frame [1]. It is dishwasher safe [1].
At about 500 ml, it makes roughly two mugs, a good size for one person's morning or a shared cup [1]. Bodum makes it in Portugal [1].
There are no pods and no paper filters to buy, which suits anyone trying to cut waste.
The press has three parts: the glass beaker, the frame and the plunger with its mesh filter. All of it comes apart for cleaning.
Grind size and fragile glass
A French press needs coarsely ground coffee. Fine grounds pass the filter and leave sludge at the bottom of the cup.
The glass is sturdy but not unbreakable. A cracked beaker can be replaced, but it is a hassle.
Press coffee also cools faster in the glass than in a thermal carafe, so pour it straight after pressing.
Adding coffee to the gift
A bag of coarse ground coffee from a local roaster makes it ready to use the next morning.
From this guide, it pairs with the Zulay frother for a French press latte, or with the YETI lowball for coffee that stays hot.
If the budget is tight, the press alone is still a complete gift.
For a tea drinker, the same press steeps loose leaf tea well, which widens who the gift suits.
FAQ
How many cups does the 17 oz Bodum Chambord make?
The listing gives a capacity of 17 ounces, about 500 ml [1]. That is roughly two mugs, or one large morning coffee. Bodum also makes bigger sizes for households that brew for several people. For two people who each want a big mug, a larger press is better [1]
Is the Bodum Chambord dishwasher safe?
Yes. The listing says the press is dishwasher safe [1]. Many owners still rinse the glass beaker by hand to reduce the risk of chips, and take the plunger apart now and then to clean the mesh. Dry it fully before reassembling [1]
What coffee works best in a French press?
Use coarsely ground coffee, close to sea salt in size. Fine grounds slip through the mesh and make the cup muddy. Steep for about four minutes, then press slowly for a clean, full-bodied cup. A burr grinder gives the most even coarse grind [1]
Featured in these guides
All product reviews · All gift guides
Sources and how we checked
- Amazon.com listing for the Bodum Chambord French Press, 17 oz
Source check: Amazon prices and contents above were checked on October 29, 2026. We did not test these products hands-on. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, Amazon listings and the reasons people actually give these gifts.
As an Amazon Associate, GiftX earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the current price.