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Oct 15, 2024

Best Moka Pots 2024 - Forbes Vetted

The moka pot is a popular coffee-making tool in Europe, beloved by coffee experts for its powerful brew and hands-on technique. The best moka pots—like our top overall pick from Bialetti—have a wide

The moka pot is a popular coffee-making tool in Europe, beloved by coffee experts for its powerful brew and hands-on technique. The best moka pots—like our top overall pick from Bialetti—have a wide base for easy burner centering and better heat distribution, producing smooth, flavorful cups of coffee. If you prefer the convenience of an electric model, the De’Longhi Alicia Electric Moka Pot is great for beginners and has helpful features like automatic shutoff to prevent overheating.

The best moka pots should be simple to use and brew strong, flavorful coffee in minutes.

To compile our list of winners, we spent more than eight hours evaluating each product’s materials, weight, capacity, stovetop compatibility and ease of cleaning before finalizing this guide. We also consulted two coffee experts, Heather Perry, CEO of Klatch Coffee, and Dale Donchey, founder of Spiller Park Coffee, for additional insight into choosing the best model. Below, the best moka pots for rich, full-bodied java.

Amazon

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 0.48 pounds | Capacity: 6 cups | Induction compatible: No

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The original moka pot is the Bialetti Moka Express, an Italian icon that’s been around for nearly 100 years—and it’s still the best version you can buy today. “Bialetti is the only brand you should buy,” says Donchey. You can tell that its design has been honed over many decades, as it’s easy to assemble and use, consistently makes great-tasting coffee and doesn’t cause too big of a headache when it comes to cleaning. The heavy gauge aluminum body conducts heat evenly, and the wide base easily centers on a burner. Another benefit? It comes in various sizes, especially compared to other moka pots, going as small as one cup to as large as 18 cups.

While you can certainly buy it in the standard silver color, Bialetti offers a few other options, allowing you to add some personality to your stovetop. Plus, it’s known for collaborating with other brands on limited edition patterns and colors—recent examples include Bridgerton and Mackenzie-Childs.

Amazon

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 0.8 ounces | Capacity: 6 cups | Induction compatible: No

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The Primula Moka pot looks similar to the Bialetti Moka Express but is significantly less expensive. This means you’ll have to make some concessions—namely regarding quality. While the Primula does brew a good cup of coffee, it’s not quite as durable as the Moka Express. However, this is a great choice for beginners or those who want something to take camping, backpacking or on vacation without being too precious.

Amazon

Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Capacity: 6 cups | Induction compatible: Yes

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Aluminum moka pots can’t be used on induction stovetops—instead, you’ll have to go with a stainless steel design, like Bialetti’s Venus model. Even if you don’t have an induction stovetop, you may gravitate toward this option because of its modern and stylish design. Plus, stainless steel moka pots brew coffee much faster than aluminum.

Unlike the Moka Express, the Venus only comes in three sizes (4, 6, and 10 cups) and two colors (silver and copper), so you have fewer customization options. However, it does have a thicker handle and a slightly more eye-catching design compared to the original.

Amazon

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Capacity: 6 cups | Induction compatible: N/A

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If you love the moka pot look but want the convenience of an electric coffee maker, check out the De’Longhi Alicia Electric Moka Pot. This model is much easier to use than the traditional stovetop option and leaves less room for error, so it’s a good choice for beginners or people who aren’t committed to the moka pot lifestyle. Some standout features include automatic shutoff to prevent overheating and a keep warm function for up to 30 minutes. It’s only available in one size, although the filter adapter allows you to brew half a pot (3 cups) if needed.

Amazon

Material: Aluminum | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Capacity: 18 cups | Induction compatible: No; needs adapter

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Although we’re featuring the Moka Express twice, we specifically want to call out the 18-cup version here. Moka pots are pretty small, especially when you remember that “cups” refers to “espresso cups,” not a typical 8-ounce cup of coffee. Most moka pots only go up to 12 cups, which is why this 18-cup model stands out. It’s an excellent option for households where more than one person uses the moka pot, and it reliably produces great-tasting coffee. Just keep in mind that it takes longer to brew than the smaller sizes.

Amazon

Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 0.44 pounds | Capacity: 6 cups | Induction compatible: Yes

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German designer Richard Sapper created the Alessi 9090, and it’s a true piece of art—in fact, the award-winning design was displayed at MoMA. This high-end coffee maker is functional, too, with an anti-drip spout, a large ergonomic handle and an extra-large base that maximizes heat. Plus, it’s induction-compatible since it’s made from stainless steel, which adds to its versatility. Customers say this model is exceptionally well-made and expect it to last a lifetime.

The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. Over the years, we’ve published expert-backed articles on various coffee products, including the best drip coffee makers, the best espresso machines and more.

To determine the best moka pots, we researched dozens of best-selling options, compared features and asked industry experts—along with our team of experienced staffers—for insights.

There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best moka pots. Here’s what to look for.

Moka pots are generally pretty small, and when you see cup capacity, it’s talking about espresso cups, not coffee cups. Most moka pots come in 3 and 6-cup capacities, which should be enough for one person. “I don’t think anyone needs anything bigger than a 3 cup if you’re looking for an espresso substitute,” says Donchey. If you have a larger household or frequent houseguests, you can find moka pots that go up to 12 cups—the Bialetti Moka Express even has an 18-cup model, which we highlighted in this guide.

Traditionally, moka pots are made from aluminum, which is not compatible with induction stovetops. If that’s what you have, you’ll need to look for a stainless steel option (like the Bialetti Venus) or choose an aluminum model with a stainless steel adapter. For example, Bialetti sells an induction adaptor that can be used with any of their aluminum models up to 12 cups.

You can also buy an electric moka pot, which offers greater convenience. “Electric moka pots offer consistent temperature, like a kettle, leaving grind size as the only variable,” says Perry. “When using a manual model, such as those intended for gas stovetops, you’ll need to control the temperature as well as the grind, so it can take longer to dial in the process to produce a cup you’re happy with.”

Aluminum is the traditional material for moka pots, but stainless steel models are growing in popularity. Aluminum varieties are more economical but can take longer to brew and show signs of corrosion much faster. “If you’re investing for the long haul and already know you enjoy moka pot coffee, consider a stainless steel model, which better resists corrosion and can be easier to keep clean,” says Perry.

Yes, moka pots are worth buying for serious coffee drinkers who want to brew a strong cup of java. They are economical and durable, providing excellent value in the long run and a hands-on experience for people who want a more involved brewing process.

On the other hand, moka pots involve a learning curve. They are much more finicky than other coffee machines and must be monitored closely. “They aren’t easy to get good coffee out of because it’s basically a percolator espresso,” says Donchey. “They’re hard to control without lots of practice.” But, “if you nail your recipe and get consistent at it, you’ll have a home barista skill few do.”

Good news: You can brew any type of coffee in a moka pot. While the roast type doesn’t matter, though, the grind does. You want a fine to medium grind—or, finer than the grind you would use for a drip coffee maker and coarser than the grind you would use for an espresso machine.

Moka pot coffee shares some similarities with espresso, but it’s not the same thing. “Moka pot coffee is intense and strong, as well as high in caffeine content; for some, this evokes characteristics of espresso,” says Perry. “True espresso comes from water forced through coffee grounds under very high pressure. A moka pot uses only a small fraction of the pressure found in espresso machines, and the finished product, while strong, won’t have the syrupy consistency found in high-quality espresso.”