The Moka pot has been around for nearly a century now and since its invention, there have been a lot of different variations. Nowadays there is more variety than ever, so choosing the best one can be very overwhelming.
Compiling this list we went through the goods and bads of each model of Moka pot. You will be able to see what makes each model better than the others and what its features are. Keep reading to find out how to pick the best one for you that fits your budget!
Our Top 10 Moka Pot Picks
Even after going through all the available information on choosing a Moka pot, picking the suitable model for you can still be challenging. We've made a list that should help.
Best Value - LuxHaus
The LuxHaus Moka pots are a great example that you can have premium quality on a budget. LuxHaus offers two stainless steel Moka pots with a different capacity. One is for three and the other for six cups.
We offer a lifetime quality guarantee so you can be sure that you will always be able to enjoy a great cup of coffee. If for some reason you don't, we will give you a full refund. No questions asked.
What you should also know is that the LuxHaus Moka pot works perfectly on any stovetop, be it induction, gas or electric. In fact, this model is the best Moka pot for electric stove.
For the price of $39, you can have a fantastic Moka pot that is just as good as the ones you'd find at a higher price.
Best Moka Pot for The Outdoors - Bialetti Moka Express Aluminum Stovetop Coffee Pot
Bialetti was the inventor of the Moka pot, so they know a thing or two about making coffee. This model is the one closest to the original design but now it's made of higher quality aluminum and heat-resistant nylon. It has also gone through an easy-to-clean safety inspection patented by Bialetti.
This Moka pot is made of aluminum, so it has all the features of the metal. It should be washed by hand, but it takes fewer minutes to heat up than a stainless steel model. Its best quality is that it weighs in at a mere one pound which means you're not even going to feel it in your bag. It can also make up to three cups of delicious stovetop espresso at a time.
Best Large Capacity Moka Pot - Godmorn 15 oz
Made from food-grade stainless steel, this Moka pot is rust-resistant and easy to clean, and of course, makes delicious coffee. Lots of delicious coffee. The Godman Moka pot can make up to nine cups of coffee at the same time. This means that you will have enough brew for almost an entire football team.
As this stovetop espresso maker is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is suitable for open flame and induction burners and any hotplate you throw it on. There is one requirement for induction burners, though. It should be larger than 3" so it works well. If used on a gas stove, the bottom might turn black, but this won't affect the taste of the coffee.
The main complaint about this pot is that the coffee filter is a bit too tight and can be hard to remove.
Top Electric Moka Pot - De'Longhi Alicia EMK6
De'Longhi has been making Moka pots for ages. The Alicia EMK6 is their most sophisticated model so far. To have a great cup of coffee, all you need to do is plug it in and flip the switch.
The Moka pot is made of stainless steel and plastic, but it's all the highest quality. It even has a glass viewing component so you can enjoy your coffee being brewed.
This model has an indicator light and an automatic shutoff which is a handy safety feature that sets it apart from the competition.
The most significant disadvantages here are the relatively high price and the inconsistent rubber components. Some users have complained about receiving units with leaky rubber seals.
Most Beautiful Moka Pot - Fdit Stainless Steel 4 Cups Stovetop Coffee Maker
Until this point, you will have noticed that there isn't a lot of diversity in Moka pot design. Yes, there are some flashy colors, but the shape is always nearly the same. This is why when we found this stovetop espresso maker, we thought it had to go on the list.
It's a stainless steel model with a fine mesh filter for better filtration, which will give you a more aromatic coffee. It is sold in a matte silver color with a metal brass-colored handle. It also has a good capacity of four cups of delicious coffee.
The biggest downside is that the whole pot is made of steel, including the lid, and it can all get very hot.
Best Moka Pot Overall - LuxHaus
The LuxHaus Moka pot is the result of more than a century's worth of development. It has an elegant design and will fit beautifully in any kitchen, making it perfect for your home!
Any LuxHaus model is made of stainless steel of the highest quality. All the silicone parts are also food safe, and this is what makes it perfect. The coffee capacity is also a big plus. There are two models, one for three cups and another six-cup version, that will leave you with enough to serve more people without worrying about running out!
The last and probably most significant advantage of purchasing this stovetop espresso maker is the quality guarantee at LuxHaus. As a customer, this means that if you are not fully satisfied with your Moka pot after purchase--if something goes wrong or it doesn't work as expected, you can return it for a full refund!
The LuxHaus Moka pot is the perfect addition for anyone who loves making coffee. This high-quality stainless steel Moka pot will work equally well on gas, induction, or electric burners and provides an evenly heated surface that allows you to make your coffee in no time! And on top of all that it comes at a great price. Here you can have high quality for a low price! Head over to our catalog to buy your own LuxHaus Moka pot now!
Best Moka Pots In No Particular Category
Ilsa Stainless Steel 3 Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
Ilsa is a small Italian company that knows how to make a great Moka pot. They always make sure every unit is of the highest quality. This particular Moka pot is made of stainless steel. Actually, the whole body is steel, even the handle.
The model has a 3-cup capacity, so it's enough if you have someone coming over, but it's not too big to take with you on camping or backpacking trips.
Data Deer Stovetop Espresso Maker
Another Moka pot that will make you great coffee. This one is made of aluminum, and there's a wide variety of colors you can have it in. It comes equipped with an ergonomic, heat-resistant handle, a safety valve, and a quality silicone gasket. All that you need for the perfect coffee.
There is a variety of options when it comes to size two. You can have it as small as 6 ounces (three cups), going all the way up to 24 ounces (12 cups).
The only downside is that, due to the aluminum make, it won't work on an induction stovetop.
Vremi Stovetop Espresso Maker
The Vremi Moka pot works on any stovetop out there. That includes gas, electricity, and even induction. It is pretty tiny so that you can take it anywhere with you.
It only takes 5 minutes for your coffee to be done, so you will be saving some time in the morning. The shape diffuses heat efficiently, so your coffee will have a great aroma.
The only downside is that it is not dishwasher-safe. It is made of stainless steel, so you don't have to be too careful with it.
VeoHome Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker
The VeoHome Moka pot came close to being our choice in the design category. It resembles a futuristic tea kettle at first. This way, it can easily blend into any kitchen. Even though VeoHome is a French company, the Moka pots are made in China.
It is made of stainless steel so that you can use it on any stovetop you might have at home and don't have to be too careful when washing it. It doesn't have any heat-resistant features, though, so it can get very hot while brewing.
Imusa USA Aluminum Stovetop 6-cup Espresso Maker
The Imusa Moka pot is a great affordable option. It has a 6-cup capacity but only at 1.5 ounces each. It has a cool-touch handle and a knob, so you won't risk burning your hand when making coffee.
It is compatible with both gas and electric stovetops but not induction. It is very lightweight, so you can easily take it with you if you're into hiking. As it's made of aluminum, you can't wash it in the dishwasher, though.
What Makes a Good Stovetop Espresso Maker for You?
There is no single best Moka pot for all. Picking the right one for you depends mainly on your taste and needs. You should consider your lifestyle first, determining the capacity you need and the metal that would suit you best. We've made a list of what you should consider when going through the sea of different models.
Your Lifestyle
The most important thing you should consider is your lifestyle. If you're someone who's always in a hurry but still wants to enjoy a strong cup of coffee in the morning, you should probably invest in a high-quality electric stovetop espresso maker.
If you're an artistic soul and love actively participating in making your coffee, you should stick to the manual models. This way, you will be able to make your coffee just like you like it. It is somewhat like analog photography. You have to do everything yourself and you might get it wrong at first but when you get it right it’s extremely rewarding.
Moka pots are also great if you love the outdoors. In this case, you might want to look for a smaller, lighter model. This way, it won't be a burden when camping.
Moka Pot Size
The capacity of a Moka pot is one of the more significant differences between the models. The good thing is that there are different sizes that would fit everyone's needs.
If you live alone, you will probably be happy with a one to three-cup Moka pot. This way, you will have the right amount of coffee for yourself and even if you have people coming over.
If you don't live alone and usually find yourself making coffee for more people, you will want to consider a model with a bigger capacity. Depending on the brand, there are Moka pots for up to 12 cups.
Aluminum or Stainless Steel
Choosing between aluminum and stainless steel is pretty straightforward. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper but harder to look after and less durable. Stainless steel is a little more expensive but will last you longer, and your coffee will taste great straight away, without the need for seasoning. Moveover, stainless steel is not going to oxidize, unlike aluminum which might.
Design
No matter which model or which brand suits you best, you should always make sure that you find the design pleasing. Considering this is an important part of your decision making process.
What is a Moka Pot?
To help you more easily choose the best Moka pot for you, we thought it would be a good idea to explain how exactly it works and where it came from.
Moka pots are very simple devices that anyone can use. The first Moka pot was invented in the 1930s by the Italian inventor and engineer Alfonso Bialetti and was known as the Moka express. Since then, the Bialetti Moka pot has been developing, and many other companies were inspired to make their own.
The first Bialetti Moka pot was made out of aluminum and only made one cup at a time. The reason for choosing aluminum was that there weren't many other options as stainless steel had only been invented a few decades ago and was still expensive. Cast iron wasn’t a good alternative either as it was too heavy and too difficult to produce.
How Does a Moka Pot work?
A Moka pot has a very ingenious way of making coffee. As you can guess by the fact that it was invented almost a century ago, it's not complicated at all.
The process of making a Moka coffee starts with pouring water. It's best to start with hot water as this way your coffee will not end up bitter. Moreover, the less time your Moka pot is on the stove, the less likely the coffee inside it is to burn.
Once you pour the water into the boiler and put the Moka pot on a hot stove, a lot of steam will be released. This is what’s supposed to happen as later it will force its way up through the beans and give you a cup of strong coffee. If there's too much steam, what's in excess will be released through the safety valve.
When there is enough steam, it goes through the coffee in the filter above the boiler. When you're putting the coffee in it, you shouldn't tamp it as the pressure a Moka pot produces is not as high as the one an espresso maker does. This is why if you tamp your coffee, it's going to come out bland.
After the filter the coffee goes in the kettle and this is where you can find your brewed coffee. Inside it is a little tower that helps lead the coffee inside. You know the brew is finished by the gurgling sound that’s going to come out of the Moka pot.
Advantages of a Moka Pot
The Moka pot is the coffee maker of choice for many. While the Moka coffee is different from espresso, it's still strong enough for most people's start of the day.
- A Moka pot makes strong coffee. If you have already tried a cup of coffee made in a Moka pot, you know that it's pretty strong. For me, one cup in the morning is enough to keep me awake for the entire day. If it had to be positioned on a scale, it would be somewhere around the middle as the Moka coffee is around twice as strong as drip coffee and approximately half as strong as espresso.
- Making coffee in a Moka pot is easy. It is significantly easier to make a fantastic cup of coffee in a Moka pot than in an espresso machine. There isn't a lot you can mess up, and you only have to be careful with your timing and the amounts of coffee and water.
- Making coffee in a Moka pot is fast. It only takes around 5 minutes from the moment you start preparing your cup of coffee to the moment it's done. This depends on the type of Moka pot you're using, your stove, and how much water you have poured in, but it's not going to take long in any case.
- Moka pots are affordable. You have a few options when it comes to making fantastic coffee at home. An espresso coffee maker would set you back a few hundred dollars, but a stovetop espresso maker is significantly less expensive. While Moka pot prices start as low as $10, we would recommend getting a better one. A good Moka pot would set you back around $30-40, which is still pretty cheap.
- Moka pots are eco-friendly. A stovetop espresso maker is one of the best options to make coffee with the environment in mind. You won't have to change the filter for every cup, and usually, a quick rinse is enough to get them clean. This way, you won't have a guilty conscience.
- A stovetop espresso maker is very analog. There are no electronics involved in making stovetop espresso. All you need is some heat, coffee, and water. This way, you can be the artist of your cup of coffee.
- A Moka pot is perfect for traveling. Due to its compact size and no need for electricity, you can take your Moka pot with you when traveling. That's why it is the best coffee maker for camping.
Disadvantages of a Moka Pot
As with anything, a Moka pot is not perfect. It has some drawbacks, but it's nothing you can’t get over or learn to avoid.
- Good coffee takes practice. Most complaints that Moka pot users have is that the coffee comes out bitter.
This is so because of over-extraction. The easiest way to avoid that is to start with hot water and cool down the pot as soon as the coffee is made.
- You need consistent grind. If you're using a blade grinder for your coffee, you will likely have different-sized particles. This way, the coffee won't have the best taste and will usually come out bland. This is the reason why for the best results, you will need a burr grinder.
- They don't make a lot of coffee. While there are Moka pots for up to 12 cups of coffee, most manufacturers consider two ounces a cup and some make it even smaller. Despite that, this shouldn't bother you, as the coffee that comes out is strong enough to wake you up.
Types of Stovetop Espresso Maker
As you have already figured it out, for nearly a century of existence, manufacturers have had the time to think of different approaches to givе you the best coffee. There is no one kind of best coffee, though. This is why it's not that easy to say which pots are better.
Aluminum Moka Pot
The original Bialetti Moka pot was made of aluminum. Nowadays, there are still many aluminum Moka pots out there, but their pros and cons haven't changed a lot.
Pros
Aluminum is a light metal which means that this type of Moka pot is slightly better for camping trips. Additionally, an aluminum Moka pot is also a great heat conductor which will help make your coffee faster than in a stainless steel stovetop espresso maker. Furthermore, the coffee you make in such a Moka pot is less likely to roast unevenly.
Nevertheless, the biggest reason why you might be interested in buying an aluminum Moka pot is the price difference. It is a significantly less expensive metal, so these Moka pots are more affordable.
Cons
Aluminum is a corrosive metal, so most of its disadvantages come from this. Moreover, for the same reason, you shouldn't wash your Moka pot in the dishwasher. If you do, the top layer of aluminum might get damaged, and the Moka pot might corrode. If that happens, it's tough to get rid of it. In case that happens you are better off buying a new pot.
Another disadvantage that an aluminum stovetop espresso maker has is that you will need to season it. To do that, you have to brew a few rounds and throw them down the drain. Above all, this is done because unseasoned aluminum will give your coffee a metallic taste.
When cleaning your Moka pot you should be careful not to wash off the seasoning. This is why most manufacturers recommend washing your Moka pot only with warm water.
Stainless Steel Moka Pot
Most high-quality Moka pots are made of stainless steel, and there are a few good reasons for that.
Pros
Above all, stainless steel is a significantly more rigid metal and is not at all sensitive to strong detergents and dishwashers. The reason for that is that it's a nonporous metal which means that it doesn't rust. Actually, this is very good for any kitchen appliance as it will last you a long time and also you won't have to worry about drying your Moka pot after washing.
One more great advantage that stainless steel Moka pots have is that they work equally well on all stoves. Yes, that includes induction as these stoves only work with magnetic metals and stainless steel is such.
Cons
Stainless steel is more expensive than aluminum, which raises the price of the pot. Nevertheless, it is still worth the investment, as it'll last you significantly longer.
While stainless steel Moka pots are not that heavy, they also weigh more than the aluminum models. This makes them a little less suitable for camping trips.
The last feature where stainless steel lags behind is heat conductivity. Stainless steel is more of a heat insulator than aluminum, so it might take you a little longer to prepare your coffee.
Electric Stovetop Espresso Maker
The first Bialetti Moka pot was designed to be used on a stovetop, but nowadays, there are electric models too that you can plug directly into the electricity outlet.
Pros
An electric Moka pot is a lot easier to use as it works the same way as your manual stovetop espresso maker but everything is automated. With this in mind you won't have to be careful with some of the details around making the perfect cup of coffee. This type of stovetop espresso maker turns off automatically when your coffee is made, making your life a lot easier.
Another great advantage is that, as you won't have to wait for the gurgling sound to take the Moka pot away from the heat, you will be able to save some time in the morning. The pot is going to turn off the heat for you. Some models even have the option to start preparing your coffee in the morning automatically.
An obvious advantage that these Moka pots have is that you don't need a stovetop to use them. This is great for RV's, offices, or dorm rooms.
Cons
These pots are not the most affordable. If you're on a budget, then you should probably consider a manual stovetop espresso maker as such an espresso coffee maker will only set you back around $50 for the cheapest models.
Another disadvantage is the size and the weight. As these models come with their own heater, they're chunkier and heavier than a manual model.Also, if you're a coffee enthusiast, you will probably be disappointed that you will not have that personal experience in making your coffee. Using an electric stovetop espresso maker is easy but limits your freedom for creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Strong Is Moka?
Moka coffee is relatively strong. It is around twice as strong as drip coffee and about half as strong as espresso. Still strong enough for most people, though.
Is Moka Pot the Same as a Stovetop Espresso Maker?
Yes, a Moka pot and a stovetop espresso maker are the same things. It is also called a stovetop espresso maker because the coffee extraction method is the same as the one on an espresso maker.
What Is The Best Grind Size for a Stovetop Espresso Maker?
The perfect grind for a Moka pot coffee is medium-fine. It shouldn't be as fine as for espresso, as the pressure produced by the Moka pot is significantly smaller.
Can You Get Crema in a Stovetop Espresso Maker?
Getting crema in a stovetop espresso maker is not easy. Because of the lower pressure, there isn't a lot of foam-forming, which is what crema is. You can try some tricks, but it won't be as much as in an espresso maker.
How Do You Clean a Stovetop Espresso Maker?
If you own an aluminum Moka pot, you should only wash it with warm water. A stainless steel model is easier to clean. You can use any detergent you have and even wash some models in the dishwasher.
How Is a Moka Pot Different from a Percolator?
A Moka pot uses pressure to push water through the coffee grounds quickly. This way, the brewing happens instantaneously. A percolator heats the water and steeps the grounds, so the whole process takes a bit longer.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Stovetop Espresso Maker
Picking the best Moka pot for your lifestyle can be complicated if you don't know where to start. Many different Moka pots seem the same at first glance. After reading this guide, you should be able to pick the best one for you easily. There are Moka pots with different capacities and made of other metals. The electric ones are also great, but they're pricier and take away the charm of being fully involved in your brew.
The best option that we have for you is our very own LuxHaus stainless steel Moka pot. It isn't just a great Moka pot but also comes at a great price. Head over to our website to get your high-quality Moka pot now!