Best Moka Pots: 8 Stovetop Espresso Makers Tested & Reviewed [2024]

Are Moka pots as good as coffee lovers say? Are they all equally good? Where should you start when looking for a new Moka pot? We go through all these questions in our top 8 best Moka pots article. Let's get going.

Top 8 Best Moka Pots for 2024?

LuxHaus Moka Pot - Best All Rounder

The LuxHaus stainless steel stovetop espresso maker packs everything you want. It is made of the highest quality food-safe stainless steel, has a well-working safety valve, and makes delicious coffee that any coffee lover would appreciate. Additionally, it'll work equally well on an electric, induction, and gas stovetop, so the brewing process is short, and you won’t have to buy an adapter. 

LuxHaus didn't cut corners with the quality of the stainless steel they used so that you won't ruin the surface. Moreover, you won't have to worry about having a shot of espresso-like coffee having a metallic taste, and you can even put this Moka pot in the dishwasher.

LuxHaus also made sure that there is a variety of size options so you'll be able to make just enough coffee for your needs. In addition, the range of sizes means that the 3-cup pot LuxHaus coffee pot is perfect for camping, as it will fit in any backpack.

Besides, the high-quality steel won't turn black by propane camping stoves. Another thing worth mentioning is the heat-resistant handle, made of high-quality plastic and far enough from the stovetop coffee maker not to heat up and burn your hand. Coupled with all that, the LuxHaus Moka pot, with its modern design. 

One more thing that you’ll love about LuxHaus is that it’s a family business and not a big corporation. This ensures that attention to detail and customer service are top notch.

Don’t forget - unlike the others, the LuxHaus Moka pot comes with a lifetime quality guarantee. 

Grosche Milano Steel Matte Black - Runner Up

The Grosche Milano is another fantastic Moka pot with a beautiful design. Just like the LuxHaus stovetop espresso coffee maker, this one is made of stainless steel. The stainless steel make means you'll be able to use it on any kind of burner, including electric, coil, induction, and camp stoves.

Grosche offers the Steel Matte Black Moka pot as a 10-cup and 6-cup model. They weigh 2.5 and just over 3 pounds, respectively, which, adding to the larger minimum capacity of 6 cups, makes it a bit of a burden if you want to take it camping. 

Giving credit where it's due, the matte black powder-coated finish is absolutely beautiful and seems to be very durable. Additionally, Grosche promises that you can also put it in the dishwasher without risking damage to the surface.

Now, about the cons. There have been some complaints about the pot heating up very slowly - which could mean the alloy is not pure stainless steel.

Bialetti Moka Express - Best Aluminum

The first Moka pot was the Bialetti Moka Express, so they know a thing or two about coffee makers. Not only that, but Bialetti sold 3.5 million units between 2015 and 2017 only in Italy. All of that experience comes at a cost, though.

The Bialetti Moka Express is one of the pricier aluminum options currently on the market ($30 for a 3-cup pot). The Bialetti Moka Express comes in various sizes, ranging from 1 to 18 cups of coffee. 

Now, about the coffee that comes out of the Bialetti Moka Express. It's delicious and has a versatile flavor and body. Additionally, it's easy to make and personalize, and you don't need to be as strict with the size of your ground coffee as with some other pots on our list. 

A cup of bold coffee will only take around 3 minutes with a medium grind on a high heat setting. Surprisingly, it takes almost 10 minutes on medium heat and using a fine grind. 

The Bialetti Moka Express is quite expensive, but that doesn't mean you're paying for a higher quality product than other options. The biggest design flaw is that it's not equipped with a heat-resistant handle, so that it can get very hot. 

As it's an aluminum pot, you'll have to be careful while washing it, and you'll have to season it before the first use. Secondly, the pot is incompatible with induction stovetops; if you consider buying one and have an induction cooker, you will additionally need to purchase a base adapter too.

VonShef - Best for Travel

The VonShef Moka pot is the best model for traveling on our list. The coffee maker is very light, weighing just over 1.5 pounds. VonShef achieved this low weight by using aluminum, which will have similar disadvantages to the Bialetti Moka Express. The biggest of them is that it's not induction compatible. 

While discussing disadvantages, we should mention that the rubber seals and the inside of the pot are not of the highest quality. They have a flimsy feel, meaning the pot won't last as long. That's understandable, though, as the price of this stovetop espresso maker is less than $20.

bonVIVO Intenca - Most Original Design

The bonVIVO Intenca Stovetop coffee maker is another pot with an original design. It comes in three colors: chrome, copper, and black. This design makes it anything but a budget option, though. $68.99 is a lot, even for a quality stainless steel pot. 

Like with the rest of the stainless steel models on the list, this one has all the advantages they do. It's more durable, works on induction stoves, and you don't need to season it. In addition, this pot supposedly has a heat-resistant steel handle, which, unfortunately, tends to get pretty hot when brewing.

One more thing that was rather disappointing, considering the price tag, is that the pot isn't exactly dishwasher safe, even though bonVIVO claims it is. There are a few complaints online that the copper finish peels away after a round at a higher temperature, so we recommend handwashing it. 

The Intenca weighs around 2 pounds, which is reasonable for a 4-cup (6.8 oz) Moka pot. There's a second option of 6 cups (10oz) if you want to make coffee for more people or want to brew it in the morning for the whole day.

Stelton Collar - Most Posh Stovetop Maker

The Stelton Collar has the most unique pot design of all the products on our list. It was designed by the Italians Daniel Debiasi and Federico Sandri for the Danish Design company Stelton, which explains the Scandinavian feel this coffee maker has. The beautiful black finish and wooden handle will look fantastic on any stove. This includes induction, as the pot is made of high-quality stainless steel. 

Aside from that, the coffee maker makes delicious Moka espresso shots, and the brew has a great aroma. What we were surprised to find out was that Stelton included an additional filter plate that sits on top of the coffee.

Even though the pot is made of high-quality stainless steel, we wouldn't put it in the dishwasher as there’s no information about if it’s dishwasher safe. Furthermore, it only comes sized for 4 cups of coffee (8oz/240ml). One more thing to consider is the price. At almost $100, it's not for you if you're on a budget.

IMUSA - Cheapest Moka Pot

IMUSA makes one of the most affordable options available on Amazon at just $6. The coffee maker is sturdy and easy to use, making up to three espresso-sized cups of coffee. Unfortunately, this stovetop espresso maker is made of aluminum which makes it incompatible with induction cooktops. On a more positive note, you can still use the pot to make delicious coffee on an electric or gas stove. 

9barista - Most Scientific Moka Pot

You should know that this 9barista coffee maker isn't your average stovetop coffee maker. While it still works on a stove and uses the same principle as the rest of the Moka pots, it costs nearly as much as an espresso machine.

After knowing all that, you probably expect something stunning, and you'll get it. The 9barista Moka pot is equipped with a twin-boiler system that heats to 170°C (338°F) and then pushes the water through the ground coffee and into the upper chamber at exactly 9 bars of pressure. A valve lets the water pass through the coil heat exchanger on the way up and lowers the temperature to 93°C (199°F). This is how much you need for the perfect espresso shot with a thick crema layer. 

The whole process is similar to making a true espresso cup in a manual espresso machine. If you're a true coffee enthusiast, this will give you an incredibly satisfying coffee brewing experience.

What to Look for in a Great Moka Pot?

As you know, there are plenty of Moka pots to choose from, and they all have pros and cons. This means there's no single greatest Moka pot currently on the market but pots for different needs. Here's what you should consider before you make a purchase.

Capacity

One of the first things you should keep in mind is how much caffeine you'll be drinking. As Moka coffee is very strong, a single cup is around 2oz, so it's much smaller than regular coffee. These 2 ozs of coffee pack quite the punch, though, as they have around 80mg of caffeine.

Now, about the Moka pot sizes. Usually, a 3-cup coffee maker makes what most would say is one cup of regular coffee. If you want to make coffee for more people, you can choose a 6 or a 9-cup model. 

Don't get ahead of yourself with the size, though. If you buy a bigger Moka pot than you need, you'll still have to make the amount of coffee it's designed for. This is because the Moka pot generates pressure to brew your coffee. If there isn't enough water in it, it won't be able to generate sufficient pressure, and you'll have a bland brew at best.

Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel

Aluminum and stainless steel are the most widely spread metals for Moka pots. The original Moka Express was made of aluminum. Many vendors nowadays use stainless steel because aluminum lacks some major advantages. 

Not only will a stainless steel stovetop espresso maker work equally well on an induction, gas, and electric stoves, but it's also a lot more durable. You can even throw some stainless steel versions in the dishwasher, and they'll be fine. Just make sure the producer confirms the Moka pot is dishwasher safe.

On the other hand, aluminum Moka pots tend to be cheaper and lighter. You'll have to season them before you make your first cup of Moka coffee, as aluminum may leave a metallic taste in your coffee. Additionally, you'll have to be extra careful when washing them and avoid using strong detergents.

Design

A Moka pot is a piece of kitchen equipment you'll use regularly. What’s most important to consider here is a good heat-resistant handle. As Moka pots get very hot while brewing, you’ll want to ensure you can hold it without burning your hand.

Price

The last thing you may want to consider is the price. Most aluminum Moka pots go for around $30 but have their disadvantages. A decent stainless steel pot will cost you a little more at around $40-$50 but will last you significantly longer. There are, of course, premium models that go for $100 and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Make Moka Pot Coffee?

Making a Moka pot coffee is simple and only requires a few steps. 

1. Pour the water in the Moka pot.
2. Put the ground coffee in the pot.
3. Put the pot on the hot stove and wait for the gurgling sound.
4. Once you hear it, your coffee is made.

However, you can personalize a few things to brew a tastier cup of Moka pot espresso. Firstly, grind your coffee right before brewing to ensure it's fresh. Then it’s a good idea to throw a damp towel in the freezer while the coffee is brewing so you can cool the pot. And last but not least - start brewing with hot water instead of cold to minimize the risk of burning your coffee and ruining the taste.. 

How Do You Wash a Moka Pot?

You can clean a stainless steel Moka pot just like your average piece of kitchen equipment. However, washing an aluminum Moka pot is a bit trickier, and it's best to let it soak in a lemon juice and water solution and then brush off all the leftover coffee grounds.

What Is Seasoning?

Seasoning a Moka pot is making 1-2 rounds of coffee and throwing them out. You should do that before using an aluminum pot for the first time. This will build up a thin layer of coffee on the aluminum and drastically improve your coffee's taste.

Final Thoughts

Apparently, choosing the right pot depends on many factors. If you're looking for a high-quality, all-rounder Moka pot, go for the LuxHaus coffee maker. It has everything you'll ever need from your daily coffee brewer and comes at a fantastic price.