The right Moka pot for you depends on a variety of factors. Above all, you should make sure it will work with your stove and that it is made of high-quality metals as it’s important to make sure your Moka pot heats up evenly and doesn’t release any unhealthy particles in your brew.
While electric stoves are not as demanding as induction and will work with most Moka pots, to get the best-tasting coffee, you should look for a few features. Keep reading to find out how you can make sure that you buy the best Moka pot for an electric stove!
Top 10 Best Moka Pots
So here’s what you came for. Our list takes in mind everything that you might find relevant and useful for your needs.
It wasn’t easy to only pick 10 best pots out of the hundreds and thousands of models out there but we made sure we created a solid list of features that we considered. We took in mind the capacity, make, price, value and size so you’d only have to worry about picking the one that matches the criteria you care about.
Best Moka Pot Overall: LuxHaus
The LuxHaus Moka pot is what nearly a century of Moka pot development led up to. It is a high-quality Moka pot with a beautiful design that will fit perfectly in any kitchen.
As it's essential to make sure all your kitchen equipment is made out of food-safe stainless steel, this is precisely what makes the LuxHaus coffee maker perfect.
It's made of the highest quality stainless steel and works equally well on gas, induction, and electric burners. Using a LuxHaus Moka pot, you won't have to worry about uneven heat distribution when making coffee.
The amount of coffee it makes is also a big plus. There are two models, one for three cups and the other for six. This way you won't have to worry when you have more people coming over.
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 at any point after your purchase, you can return it and get a full refund.
Last but not least, the Moka pots we offer are top-notch but come at a reasonable price so you won't have to splurge to be able to make delicious coffee at home.
Runner Up - Bialetti
The Bialetti stovetop coffee maker was first made in 1933. It has proved itself through the years and is a dependable coffee maker.
There are different variations of the model that make between one and twelve cups of coffee. That is 2 to 18,4 oz of strong coffee, to be exact.
Its biggest downside is that it's made of aluminum, which is not as resilient as stainless steel.
Best for Travelling - Zulay Kitchen Classic
This small affordable coffee maker is a good option if you travel a lot and like to make your own coffee anywhere you are. Even though it's a somewhat lower-class pot, if you know how to use it, you will be able to get some great coffee out of it. It is also made of aluminum, so you need to be careful what stovetops you use it on.
You should always be careful when buying cheaper Moka pots. Sometimes they are not made of high-quality metals, which can be dangerous.
Best Electric - Uniware Professional Electric Coffee Maker
A lightweight, easy-to-use solution if you're not a morning person and can't be bothered to make your coffee manually. This electric Moka pot has an excellent build quality and is made of 80% aluminum. It comes with a metal lid that opens like a door hinge which protects from spilling coffee all over your floor.
It is designed for 3 cups (6 ounces) of coffee, but you can purchase an adaptor that you can insert to make room for an additional cup.
Best Affordable - IMUSA USA B120-43V
This Imusa Moka pot is among the cheapest we could find. It is made of aluminum and has a 6-cup capacity, even though this is not very accurate. One of the ways that Imusa managed to cut corners and get the price as low as $15 is that it's a little smaller than usual. Here a cup is considered to be 1.5 ounces which means that you will get slightly less coffee than with the other models.
Even though it's an aluminum model, you can use it with both electric and gas stoves. With a weight of just over 15 ounces, it is lightweight enough to bring with you when hiking.
Like any other aluminum-made Moka pot, this one can only be washed by hand, and you shouldn't use strong detergents.
Good Overall Options
As you can already see, there are many different Moka pots you can choose from. While the differences might seem subtle, a good stovetop espresso maker brews much better coffee than a cheap one.
We found a few Moka pots that are pretty good overall but do not excel in any of the previous categories. Below, you can find them and see what their pros and cons are.
Vremi Stovetop Espresso Maker
This stovetop espresso maker has a rigid aluminum structure. It comes in silver and black and has a great design. Vremi has also made sure that their Moka pots come packed with security features. These include a rubberized handle and the mandatory safety valve.
The Vremi Moka pot brews coffee slightly faster than most other Moka pots. It can brew 6 cups of coffee at the same time and works great on most stoves.
This pot is also relatively small at just 6x5x8 inches, making it great if you have limited space or like to travel and make your coffee on the road.
COLETTI Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot
This Moka Pot is a fantastic option if you are someone who likes going camping and making your coffee wherever you are. It comes in two different sizes (9 and 12 cups), so you will also be able to brew a great cup of coffee for everyone on a camping trip. This coffee maker was designed with the outside in mind. Coletti makes sure that if you're into that camping lifestyle, their Moka pot offers all you need.
It has a premium build quality and a great stainless steel design with a classy wooden handle.
The only disadvantage of this espresso maker is the higher than average price tag of $45.
Cuisinox Roma 6-cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Moka Espresso Maker
The Cuisinox Moka pot is a high-quality option that also works on an induction stove. As it's a stainless steel Moka pot, you don't have to be as careful when washing it as with an aluminum model. The manufacturer recommends that you don't put it in the dishwasher, but there shouldn't be a problem if it's only sporadically.
The Cuisinox has a significant downside, though. It has a price of $117, which is nearly as much as a cheap espresso machine.
Tops 55703 Rapid Brew Stovetop Coffee Percolator
The Tops Rapid Brew Stovetop Coffee Maker is made of a mix of stainless steel and aluminum, so it brings some of the advantages of both. It has a slick design and high build quality, which will last you for years.
A more significant con of this model is that it is designed to work on a gas stove, so if you're into the outdoors, it will be great. Even if you don’t go hiking, this Moka pot is still a good option. It is not compatible with an induction stove and will take slightly longer to heat up on an electric one but will still give you great coffee.
Bellemain Stovetop Espresso Maker
The Bellman Stovetop Espresso Maker is an excellent option for multiple reasons. It comes with a stay-cool handle and lid knob to protect your hands. It also packs an overheating prevention safety valve. Bellemain offers a two-year warranty, but despite that, this Moka pot is not of the highest quality.
It is made of aluminum, so it works with both electric and gas stoves but not induction. The stay-cool handle and lid knob are great features that will protect your hands, though. The overheating safety valve is something not many models have, so it's also a significant advantage in its favor.
The most significant downsides are that the aluminum is prone to flaking off. On top of that, not all units come with good seals, so they might leak. All in all, it is not of the greatest quality.
What Is a Moka Pot?
Now that you’ve gone through our top 10 list, you might want to know more about the Moka pot and how to more easily choose the best for you.
The Moka pot was invented around 90 years ago by an Italian inventor and engineer called Alfonso Bialetti. The design he patented is pretty simple and hasn't changed a lot since. It uses steam pressure that is forced through the coffee grind and extracts the delicious flavor you know.
The first Bialetti Moka pot was made out of aluminum as this was the best metal for this purpose. Although this was true back in the 1930’s, the stainless steel that’s used nowadays is actually a better metal but it was too expensive back then.
Nevertheless, aluminum has some pretty great qualities. It is very light, which means that the Moka pot is even easier to take with you on the road. Also, it’s a good heat conductor, so it takes less time for water to heat up. Additionally, this means that the heat is evenly spread, so your coffee will brew evenly, giving you the best taste.
It didn't take too long before the first stainless steel Moka pot was made and it brought some great qualities. Stainless steel is way more resilient than aluminum, so it's easier to look after. Furthermore, not being a great heat conductor like aluminum means it takes longer to cool down but this way you can brew consecutive rounds of coffee without having to reheat the Moka pot.
How Is a Moka Pot Different from an Espresso Maker?
Moka pots and espresso makers use steam to make brew and this way, they ensure the coffee has a strong, rich taste. While this is true for both, the Moka pot is more straightforward.
How Does a Stovetop Espresso Maker Work?
A Moka pot has three main parts that are the boiler (bottom chamber), the coffee filter, and the kettle (top chamber). First, you pour water into the boiler. Here you have to make sure that it is up to the bottom edge of the safety valve as it's there to release the excessive pressure.
When enough steam is produced, it is pushed up through the coffee. This is where the extraction happens. Then, the coffee finds its way through the tower that's in the kettle. This is how you end up with a delicious brew.
Does a Moka Pot Make Espresso?
The coffee that comes out of a Moka pot is not espresso. It is about half as strong as actual espresso and around twice as strong as drip coffee. Espresso machines generate around 9 bars of pressure, roughly three times as much as what a Moka pot does. This is because an espresso machine is a lot more complicated which helps push the steam a lot faster through the coffee.
A Moka pot is also called a stovetop espresso maker for a reason. Despite the fact that the pressure it generates is significantly lower, it is still the same method. Although this may be true, due to the lower pressure, a Moka pot produces a lot less crema. There are a few tricks you can try but it will never get to the crema you get from an espresso machine.
Why Don't Moka Pots Always Work Best on an Electric Stovetop?
To get the best tasting brew out of a Moka pot, you need a stove that lets you precisely and quickly control the temperature as this way you can time exactly when the coffee is perfectly brewed. For that reason, gas stoves are most often recommended for Moka pot coffee as the flame lets you be very precise with the amount of heat.
Aluminum Moka pots won’t work on an electric stove. Nevertheless, they are very lightweight and a great heat conductor and for this reason it's even more important to precisely control the temperature. If the water gets too hot, your coffee will burn, and this will ruin its taste.
A stainless steel stovetop espresso maker might face the opposite problem. As they are not good heat conductors, they might cause an uneven heat distribution, leading to an uneven extraction, giving you a bad cup of coffee.
How to Choose a Stovetop Espresso Maker
Choosing the right stovetop espresso maker can be daunting, especially if you don't know what to look for. You should consider many things, and we are here to help you make the right decision.
Aluminum or Stainless Steel
Moka pots can be made out of one of two metals: aluminum or stainless steel. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages.
Aluminum
Aluminum Moka pots are usually cheaper than stainless steel ones. Aluminum is a great heat conductor and is a lot lighter than stainless steel which means that you will be able to take your Moka pot with you anywhere you go.
Aluminum is harder to look after, though. You can forget about washing it in a dishwasher or with any strong detergents as aluminum can be easily damaged and rust. Because of this, you should also dry your Moka pot immediately after washing. Some manufacturers even recommend not using soap for washing to keep the pot's seasoning.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel Moka pots are a lot more durable. They come at a higher price, though. Stainless steel is nonporous, which means that your stovetop espresso maker won't rust over time and it’s much easier to maintain. Because a stainless steel Moka pot won't rust and be affected by water and detergents, it will maintain its shine and patina.
It is generally safe to throw them in the dishwasher, but manufacturers still recommend hand-washing your Moka pot to prolong its longevity.
Coffee Capacity
There is a wide variety of Moka pot sizes. There are models that make between one and 18 servings.
The size of a stovetop espresso maker is generally measured in cups. This can be a little misleading, as in this case, a cup equals 2 oz of coffee which is around as much as a double espresso shot. A standard cup is about 8 oz which means that a single serving of Moka pot brew won't fill it. Below you can see the actual amount of coffee that comes out of the different sizes of Moka pots.
- 3-cup Moka pot brews around 6 oz of coffee
- 6-cup Moka pot brews around 9 oz of coffee
- 9-cup Moka pot brews around 18 oz of coffee
- 12-cup Moka pot brews around 24 oz of coffee
Stove Compatibility
The type of your stove has a significant influence on the Moka pot you should buy. While a Moka pot is generally made to work on most stoves, some might be incompatible with it.
Aluminum Moka pots won't work on an induction stove. The reason for this is that they use high-frequency electromagnets instead of simple heated coils. To heat up, they require a magnetic metal such as stainless steel.
If you already own an aluminum Moka pot, you can use an adapter. A cast-iron or stainless steel frying pan will also work but will take longer to heat up.
Induction stoves work with any sort of metal that’s attracted to magnets, which includes stainless steel. Nevertheless, even if you own a stainless steel stovetop espresso maker, that's not always a guarantee that it will work with induction as some cheaper models are not made of pure stainless steel but a mixture of different metals.
Manual Vs. Electric Moka Pot
The original Bialetti Moka express was designed for use on a gas or electric stove. Nowadays, you can also make a cup of stovetop espresso on an electric Moka pot that you plug into the outlet.
Electric Moka pots tend to be more expensive than manual ones but they are convenient in situations where you don't have access to electric stoves. This can be in an office, dorm room, or an RV, among others.
The most significant advantage of these coffee pots is that some of them have a keep-warm function, which maintains the temperature of the coffee for a certain period.
How Do You Make Good Brew in a Stovetop Espresso Maker?
Brewing coffee in a Moka pot is pretty simple. Here are a few steps you can follow to make sure it comes out as good as possible.
- Throw a damp towel in the freezer. You will need this at the end.
- Heat some water to the boiling point and pour it into the bottom chamber of the Moka pot. This way, you will make sure that your coffee doesn't burn while you're waiting for the water to boil.
- Put the coffee in the filter and put everything together.
- Put on the hot stove and wait for the gurgling sound.
- Once you hear it, take the Moka Pot away from the stove and cover it with the cold towel. This way you will quickly stop the extraction process before the coffee gets bitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stainless Steel Moka Pot Better Than Aluminum?
Stainless steel is a higher quality metal than aluminum. It is more rigid, lasts longer, and is a better thermal insulator.
When it comes to Moka pots, in most cases, a stainless steel Moka pot will do what aluminum does but better. If you use an induction stove, though, stainless steel is your only option.
How Do You Clean a Moka Pot?
Cleaning a Moka pot, especially an aluminum one, is a little complicated. You need to do it by hand to make sure you don't ruin the metal, and you shouldn't use strong detergents. Hot water will usually do the trick, but you can also try a mix of baking soda and warm water.
When it comes to stainless steel Moka pots, you don’t have to be as careful. Some can even be washed in a dishwasher.
Can You Use a Stovetop Espresso Maker with Induction?
High-quality stainless steel Moka pots will always work with induction. It's essential that the stovetop espresso maker is not a fusion of stainless steel and aluminum or another metal. Head over to our catalog and check out our high-quality LuxHaus Moka pots!
How Can You Use a Stovetop Espresso Maker on an Electric Stove?
Depending on the stove and coffee maker you have, using an electric stove can sometimes be challenging. If you buy a high-quality pot, it will work great on an electric stove. Cheaper alternatives usually take longer to heat up, though.
Is Coffee from a Stovetop Espresso Maker as Strong as Espresso?
Moka coffee is around half as strong as espresso. An espresso machine uses much higher pressure to extract a much stronger flavor from the coffee grind.
Moka pot coffee is still strong enough for most people just to have one cup per day, though.
Final Thoughts
Moka pots are fantastic tiny coffee makers. While figuring out how to properly use one might take some time, it is a very rewarding experience.
Not all models out there would work well on an electric stove, though. You have to make sure that the metal used to make it is of the highest quality so the whole pot heats up evenly and you don't end up with under brewed coffee.
If you're on the lookout for a high-quality pot, make sure to head over to our catalog and check our stainless steel Moka pots.