Problem with the stovetop ones is you need a stovetop and they dont like small quantities as much. With my couple the brew they make tends to toward over extracted as the drawdown time can be slower than ideal.
Best compromise on size is probably the 3 cup one as it will make 2 reasonable sized cup or a large mug. Also you can buy spare glass bits if needed
The butane burner isnt totally necessary for a start so maybe se if they are going to get regular use first, using the alcohol burners and moving them to the side as the water rises works fairly well.As to cheaper Syphons a few of them I own the overall fit isnt as good and the tube length is a little long leading to it being a bit harder to get a consistent brew.
For teenage (or big kid) appeal the chemistry set look of the burner ones is hard to beat too


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