I'm always suspicious of devices that use paper filters. I didn't see whether it is definitely paper or not, but it says you can buy an extra pack of 350 filters.

Besides the environmental impact of using a filter every single day, I prefer metal filters because one of my barista friends tells me that paper filters absorb many of the oils in the coffee, removing some of the tasty-goodness.

I've used an Aeropress for over a year. It's great and makes great coffee. You need to grind the beans for espresso. It's super easy and makes a great cup. The only downside is it's a bit difficult to make a lot of cups of coffee if you're entertaining. But for one or two, it's wonderful (and cheap!).

They have them at Zabar's for $25. Zabar's also sells the filters.

Mike D: It does use tiny little paper filters, but the instructions talk about the environmental impact and says you can reuse them if you want.

Those same oils can also be what causes upset stomach for a lot of people, though, so it's it may be an advantage for some. I feel like I read somewhere, though, that they would make a metal filter for it. In any case, the filter is probably less than 2 inches in diameter, and definitely reusable (probably 3-5 times per filter).

Another potential drawback--again, it's very personal--is that some folks may find the resulting coffee too smooth, especially if you prefer really dark european style roasts and are accustomed to some bitterness. I like Aeropress coffee, my (French) other is not.

The best thing is to try to find a store that does demos--Sur La Table often does--and give it a shot.

If you use a French press regularly, it's not more of a hassle, but if you're like me and have the drip machine set the night before, this can be a big change.

Renata -- Wow, you might have just helped me solve one of my dilemmas. I love coffee, but have noticed that on some occasions, it does not agree with me. I stopped making coffee at home, but am not wondering if it was the metal filter on my coffee maker or my french press. Here's to my hopeful coffee future...

Well, paper filters, along with coffee grounds can be composted, so I don't see anything wrong with paper filters.

I have both a French press as well as the Aeropress. I was shocked with how good the Aeropress coffee is - I had sort of assumed that it was just a gimmick. I was also leery of relying on paper filters, but I've gotten over that. Give it a try!

I am a big fan of the Toddy Cold Brew System (http://www.toddycafe.com/) where you get a coffee concentrate you can keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze the concentrate into ice cubes for longer useage. Just add hot water, cream and sugar when you want a cup of coffee. It's affordable ($40), you reuse the filters several times, is much less acidic than your standard coffee (I love my French press, but the coffee is too acidic for me now), efficient (don't have a coffee pot plugged in for countless hours), less waste (you don't throw away much coffee), and makes great cold coffee drinks in the summer. Free shipping now for the holidays!

I love my Presso, which makes excellent (and paper filter-free) espresso using what sounds like a similar system for using air pressure to force hot water through the grounds.

It's an incredibly rugged -- and beautiful -- design. We've been using ours at least once a day for two years, and it's still performing as well as the day we got it.

I got my Aeropress as a gift 5 months ago, and I figured it was a gimmick. I gave it a shot since it was advertised as making a cup of coffee comparable to one made with a Clover machine (which is a rediculous claim). Truth be told, it's not quite the Clover equal, but it's very good. It's definitely on par with my french press. There is no burning of the grinds that happens with my drip style machine. The clean up is super amazing, so much easier than my french press. The paper filter is single use. The first week we had it I tried to make my cup and my wifes cup using one filter, but the second cup "drains" to fast, while stirring and some grinds make it through.
It's not perfect. Sometimes the filters don't fit perfect and while your doing the 10 second stir you can tell it's draining through before the pressure plunger is used.
All in all, I use it every day and love it. I don't like when we have company in the morning and my wife makes me use our drip machine since it uses more grinds than if we just do a 10 cup version in the drip. Oh well. Great gift and product.

I love the Aeropress. It's not so great when I have lots of guests -- for those occasions, I stick to my 10-cup french press -- but it's great for just a few cups.

It's amazingly easy to use, and it offers a level of control that is difficult to match with any other brewing method. As a matter of fact, that may be one of the Aeropress' downsides -- getting the exact same cup multiple times is kind of difficult since you're controlling the amount and duration of pressure.

The coffee is almost eerily smooth (which can be both good and bad), yet it is dense and has a great mouthfeel. I'm not sure I'd choose an Aeropress to be my only coffee brewing method if had to pick, but it's definitely one of my favorites.

Oh, and I almost forgot. It's the best possible solution for brewing coffee on the road. I travel to Asia regularly, and this thing is nearly unbreakable and packs into a very small space. Anyone who travels should buy one of these things...