An espresso machine at home might be your dream, but it’s a big investment. However, if you haven’t tried a Moka Pot yet, that will get you something reasonably close to the robust espresso you crave. The Moka Pot world has grown beyond the aluminum stovetop espresso makers, so the best Moka Pot for your unique situation is certainly out there.
Why use a Moka Pot?
If you want strong coffee beyond what your standard drip coffee maker can produce, a Moka Pot is an affordable way to liven up your coffee brewing routine at home.
The way Moka Pots work is through an innovative two-chamber design. First, you put water in the lower chamber. While many people use cold water, preheating it with an electric kettle can speed up brewing time and enhance coffee flavor.
Then, you add the filter basket with coffee grounds. It sits on the mouth of the lower chamber before you attach the upper chamber.
Finally, you heat the Moka Pot on your stovetop. Concentrated coffee brews when boiling water pushes through the coffee grounds into the upper chamber.
Though a Moka Pot is often referred to as a stovetop espresso maker, the coffee brewed with it is not quite as thick as espresso because Moka Pot cannot achieve the pressure of an espresso machine or a handheld espresso maker.
If you aren’t in the market for a large and expensive espresso machine, the espresso-like coffee of a Moka Pot can often be close enough to satisfy your strong coffee craving. However, if you dream of thick golden crema, a lever espresso machine can be a good compromise between the two.
Benefits of a Moka Pot
If you want Italian espresso at home or work without spending much money, a Moka Pot can get you something close enough. In addition, a Moka Pot is an affordable way for passionate coffee hobbyists to cultivate their skills.
For anyone who likes fresh coffee, though, most Moka Pots are not overly complicated to use. Though their brewing process is similar to an old-fashioned coffee percolator, the water is not repeatedly cycled through the coffee grounds, making a fresher product.
Some Moka Pots are suitable for camping, as you can heat them over camp stoves. In that scenario, you might find freshly perked coffee more satisfying than instant coffee. And if you are a real coffee connoisseur, you can even brew freshly ground specialty coffee in a Moka Pot. All you need is a camping coffee grinder to accompany your coffee brewer on your trip.
What should I consider when choosing the best Moka Pot?
Deciding which Moka Pot to buy includes considering where and how you will use it. If you have a stove, you need to make sure the stovetop espresso maker is compatible with your stove type, though most models work with gas and electric stovetops. Electric Moka Pots with portable burners are also available when you don’t have a stove or can’t find a Moka Pot compatible with your stove.
Aluminum vs. stainless steel
While the original Moka Pot is still made of aluminum, the innovations that have come out since then include stainless steel versions. Some people try to avoid aluminum cookware due to concerns about toxicity. If this is a priority for you and you plan to use your Moka Pot daily, a stainless steel espresso maker’s added expense may be worthwhile.
Aluminum Moka Pots
Aluminum Moka Pots are often cheaper than those made from stainless steel, though they may not last as long. In addition, many smaller body Moka Pots are aluminum, making them light and portable. This makes them ideal for camping.
Stainless steel Moka Pots
Moka Pots made from stainless steel are more durable than aluminum, but you pay extra for what you get. Though a shiny stainless steel Moka Pot may not be as aesthetically pleasing as a classic design octagonal aluminum Moka Pot, it has a modern design appeal to it. Also, stainless steel coffee makers are more likely to survive the dishwasher than their aluminum rivals.
Stovetop compatibility
Most Moka pots are compatible with both gas and electric stovetops. However, smaller capacity Moka Pots sometimes suffer burned handles from being on gas stove burners that are too big for them, so be aware of this risk with gas stoves.
If you have an induction stovetop, you probably know by now that many pots are not compatible with it. The same is true of stovetop espresso makers. So while the high-end Cuisinox Roma works on an induction cooktop and the Bialetti Moka Express has an induction adapter plate sold separately, you also might be better off looking at electric Moka Pots.
Manual vs. electric
A stovetop Moka Pot is what most people have in mind when they think of Moka Pot coffee. However, you might not have access to a stovetop in an office or a small apartment. Electric Moka Pot models with portable burners are available for these situations.
You may even want an electric Moka Pot if you do have a kitchen with a stovetop, as some electric models have nice touches, like an automatic shutoff feature. Also, your choices for stovetop espresso makers might be limited if you have an induction stove.
If you want a portable coffee maker for camping, you probably don’t want an electric Moka Pot. However, you might want one of the more inexpensive Moka Pots so you wouldn’t be too disappointed if it got dinged up during your travels or singed on your camp stove.
Capacity
If you drink big mugs of drip coffee, switching to a Moka Pot might be hard because what you get when a Moka Pot prepares coffee is just a tiny espresso cup. The capacity of Moka Pots is therefore given in espresso cups. However, a little bit goes a long way with Moka Pot coffee, as Moka coffee is strong.
Here is a rough guide of what to expect for Moka Pot capacity. The size of Moka Pots is usually given in cups, with 1 cup being 2 ounces in most cases. However, some brands might not stick to this formula as closely as others. Cuisinox Roma uses 1.5-ounce cups instead of 2-ounce cups to calculate its sizes, and the Coffee Gator also has a reputation for its 6 cups being small 6 cups.
- 1 cup: 2 ounces, or 59 milliliters
- 2 cups: 4 ounces, or 118 milliliters
- 3 cups: 6 ounces, or 177 milliliters
- 4 cups: 8 ounces, or 237 milliliters
- 6 cups: 12 ounces, or 355 milliliters
- 9 cups: 18 ounces, or 532 milliliters
- 12 cups: 24 ounces, or 710 milliliters
Aesthetic
Many Moka Pots on the market retain the traditional design created by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and have a round or octagonal base. Both aluminum and stainless steel Moka Pots usually have a metallic finish. As a result, aluminum models may look shinier, though stainless steel models retain their appearance longer.
Some Moka Pots have colorful outer coatings that can match your other small kitchen appliances or just make you smile when you look at them. While this pleasure can be worth pursuing, you won’t smile if your Moka Pot frustrates you in other ways while you are brewing coffee. So try to keep your ability to be rational about which Moka Pot will be the most functional for your needs, even if you see one that is cute.
Our top picks
The best Moka Pots of 2023 include representatives from all major categories: stovetop, electric, stainless steel, and aluminum models. Any of them can brew quality coffee, but reading about their differences can help you find the right one for your needs.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick  | Bialetti Moka Express |
| Check Price |
Personal Favorite  | Bialetti Kitty |
| Check Price |
 | Cuisinox Roma |
| Check Price |
Best Electric Option  | De'Longhi EMK6 |
| Check Price |
 | Grosche Milano |
| Check Price |
 | Coffee Gator |
| Check Price |
Buying guide for best Moka Pot in 2023
Finding the best Moka Pot brand for your needs requires looking at where you plan to use it and how many cups of coffee you need to make. Traditional Moka Pots and newer electric models have advantages, and each category has strong contenders. You may also want to consider whether an aluminum model or one made from stainless steel is better for your needs.
Bialetti Moka Express
The Bialetti Moka Express is the iconic Moka Pot by Bialetti, known for its classic design and aesthetically pleasing octagonal shape. When most people think of a stovetop coffee maker, the traditional Moka Pot comes to mind.
It is a simple yet durable coffee brewing gadget that does not have a lot of complicated features or parts that can break. Of course, it can get clogged or start leaking after some time, but with the right maintenance, these problems are usually easily preventable.
This coffee maker probably has the most size variations in the market. It is available in 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 cup sizes. This flexibility helps you get the right amount of coffee for your needs.
The Bialetti Moka Express is made of aluminum. It is not dishwasher safe, but it can handle a camping trip. You can get an induction adapter plate sold separately, making the Bialetti Express Moka Pot compatible with an induction stove.
- The original Moka Pot.
- Iconic Italian design.
- Available in many sizes.
- Suitable for gas and electric stovetops.
- Easy to clean.
- Less durable than stainless steel.
- Needs an additional adapter plate for induction stoves.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
Bialetti Kitty
While Italian company Bialetti invented the genre of stovetop coffee makers, they didn’t stop innovating after they developed the iconic Bialetti Express Moka Pot. The Bialetti Kitty is a modern-looking stovetop espresso maker made from stainless steel. Its contemporary design will make this coffee pot an excellent addition to your kitchen appliances and look nice when the coffee is served to the table.
One of the visible Moka Pot improvements with this model is the heat-resistant ergonomic handle that makes it safe and easy to use without risking burning your fingers.
Bialetti Kitty’s closest competitor on this list is the Cuisinox Roma, and the Bialetti Kitty is the cheaper of those two. It is compatible with all types of stovetops, including induction, and is also more affordable than most stainless steel versions of the Moka Pot.
- Durable stainless steel.
- Contemporary design.
- Heat resistant and ergonomic handle.
- Can be used on electric, gas, or ceramic stovetops.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Higher priced than aluminum models.
- It can rust inside if not dried properly.
Cuisinox Roma
The Cuisinox Roma is a high-quality Moka Pot made of stainless steel. While it is more expensive than other Moka Pots, one characteristic that would undoubtedly make the higher price worthwhile for some buyers is its compatibility with induction stoves.
This stovetop espresso maker comes in 4 cups, 6 cups, and 10 cups. However, like most other stovetop espresso makers, the Cuisinox Roma calibrates its sizes based on a 1.5-ounce cup rather than a 2-ounce cup. So while any stovetop espresso maker is known for using small cups, these are tiny cups.
Their 4-cup model, holding four 1.5-ounce cups for a total of 6 ounces, might be comparable to a competitor’s 3-cup model holding three 2-ounce cups for a total of 6 ounces. The 10-cup model tops out at 15 ounces.
At any size, the Cuisinox Roma is heavier than its competitors, but it is also super durable.
- Works with induction stoves.
- Made of quality stainless steel.
- Classy satin finish.
- Great size to make multiple servings.
- Higher price compared to competitors.
- The metal handle can get hot.
De’Longhi EMK6
The De’Longhi EMK6 is an electric Moka Pot with many thoughtful features. It is an ideal Italian coffee maker for an office that doesn’t have a kitchen.
It is designed to make six cups, but it comes with a filter adapter that will let you make only three cups. This way, you clearly know how much ground coffee to put in.
It can be hard to guess when the brewing process is complete with some Moka Pots. However, the De’Longhi EMK6 automatically shuts off when the brewing process is complete, so you can’t burn the coffee like you can with a stovetop espresso maker.
Also, the top chamber is made of clear plastic, so you can easily see whether the coffee is still brewing. The rest of the device is stainless steel, and the handle is heat-resistant.
One of the greatest advantages of this coffee maker is that the warmer keeps brewed coffee warm for 30 minutes. The coffee pot lifts easily from the base for serving coffee.
- No stovetop is needed.
- Easy to use.
- Adjustable brewing capacity.
- Safety automatic shut off.
- Keep warm function.
- It may be too large for one person as it brews a minimum of 3 cups.
- Not suitable for using outdoors as it requires electricity.
Grosche Milano
This Moka Pot can be used on gas and electric stoves, and it is perfect for camping trips with a portable burner. However, it does not work with the induction stoves.
Though this coffee maker looks similar to a Bialetti Moka Pot, they have innovated some details, like the safety valve.
Another difference between the Grosche Milano and Bialetti’s Moka Pots is the Grosche Milano’s heat-resistant handle with a burn guard. This Moka Pot has a few color variations to suit your aesthetic preferences.
- Works on all gas and electric stoves.
- Affordable price.
- Handle with a burn guard.
- Suitable for camping.
- Not suitable for induction stovetops.
- Handle may melt on big gas burners.
- Can't be washed in a dishwasher.
Coffee Gator
Coffee Gator is a newer addition to the Moka Pot world, arriving on the scene in 2015. While their Moka Pot stovetop espresso maker is yet another aluminum octagon, it uses premium cast aluminum for a sleeker look.
This might also make the Coffee Gator Moka Pot more durable than other aluminum Moka Pots. However, it is hard to tell how much Coffee Gator improves upon similar stovetop espresso makers beyond looks. It comes packaged with a pair of stainless steel espresso mugs, so some may be drawn to the aesthetic of a matching Moka Pot and mugs set.
The Coffee Gator Moka Pot comes in one 6-cup size, though some users report it is a close squeeze to get all six cups. Nevertheless, it might work for you if you consistently want to prepare that much coffee.
- Elegant, matte black finish.
- Cool touch handle.
- Works with gas and electric stoves.
- Comes with two stainless steel espresso mugs.
- Only comes in one size.
- It did not work on an induction stove when we tested it.
- Not dishwasher safe.
Tips for using a Moka Pot
Stovetop espresso makers brew delicious coffee, but they have quirks that can be hard to adjust to if you are used to other coffee makers. Understanding what you are getting into can help you have the best experience possible with your new Moka Pot.
Does Moka Pot make espresso?
Espresso purists might note that espresso machines use at least 9 bars of pressure, while a Moka Pot cannot generate that much pressure. Moka Pots usually top out around 1 or 2 bars of pressure. Espresso-like coffee is a more technically accurate term for Moka Pot coffee, but, for many people, Moka Pot coffee will be close enough to espresso.
What size Moka Pot should I buy?
The standard serving size of Moka Pot coffee is more like a shot of espresso in a demitasse cup than a mug of drip coffee. It is usually two ounces, even smaller than a French press standard serving of four ounces.
Though Moka coffee is a small cup, it is a very strong coffee. So think of how many espresso shots you want with that in mind. You might also make sure you have a demitasse cup to hold your Moka Pot coffee, as it would look like not much in a mug unless you add hot water to make an Americano.
What is the best grind for a Moka Pot?
One challenge with Moka Pots is that they perform best with a grind of coffee between the coffee grinds that are usually prepackaged for sale. If you can grind your own coffee beans, the best coffee for a Moka Pot is ground medium-fine. It should be coarser than the finely ground coffee used for espresso but finer than drip coffee.
It will probably work well enough if you buy standard ground coffee, though you may have more watery coffee as water can pass through the coffee grounds more quickly. However, the finely ground coffee usually used for espresso coffee can clog a Moka Pot and create excessive pressure buildup.
How do you know when your Moka Pot has finished brewing?
You need to be attentive to when your Moka Pot is done brewing to avoid over-extraction and preserve the flavor of the coffee.
Usually, the gurgling and bubbling noises will let you know your freshly perked coffee is ready. You can also open the lid of the Moka Pot and watch as coffee flows into the upper chamber, and then you will be able to see when it is done.
However, if you hear noises that are more like screeching or whistling, the Moka Pot’s gasket might need to be cleaned or replaced.
How do you make a latte with a stovetop espresso maker?
While you might wonder if putting milk directly in your Moka Pot in place of water would be an efficient way to make a latte at home, this is not a great idea because the milk can leave residue in your Moka Pot hard to remove. However, if you heat milk in a separate pitcher and then froth it with a milk frother, you can add it to the coffee brewed with a Moka Pot to make lattes, cappuccinos, or other espresso coffee drinks.
Do you need to clean a Moka Pot?
Unfortunately, the rumor that not cleaning a Moka Pot makes the coffee taste better is false. You need to clean your Moka Pot after each use, but pay attention to manufacturer instructions because not all Moka Pots are dishwasher safe. Aluminum Moka Pots like the Bialetti Express are generally not machine washable, which is a little bit frustrating, but rinsing them with clean water after use should be sufficient. If you notice any oily residue inside of your Moka Pot, use some dish soap to get it cleaned.
While choosing the best stovetop espresso maker can sometimes be overwhelming, knowing the differences between the best Moka Pots should help clarify which one is perfect. Of course, having fewer options might make your decision easier if you have an induction stove or no stove, but at least you will make the right choice.
Excellent quality coffee at home is easier to prepare than you think, so get ready to experience the pleasure of making coffee with this classic stovetop espresso maker.
