THE BEST MOKA POT IN 2024: OUR COFFEE EXPERT TELLS ALL

The stovetop espresso maker (aka the Moka pot) is adored by the fans of a rich, bold cup of coffee.

Photo: Jovana Durovic

These humble coffee makers have been a staple of the Italian kitchen for decades, brewing espresso-like coffee without the expense and hassle of a large machine.

I tested all the top brands to come up with this list of the 7 best Moka pots of 2024. Whether you want a designer model or something to take on the road, there’s a perfect brewer for you.

Our 7 Top-rated Moka Pots in 2024

I searched for the best stovetop coffee maker on the market using a detailed testing protocol, customer reviews, and our previous experience with top coffee makers. This table summarizes key features of the winning espresso makers, and you’ll find more detailed reviews below.

I own two Bialetti Moka pots. I have a 3-cup pot for camping trips and a 9-cup version reserved for making coffee at home. Both have been in my coffee arsenal for over 10 years, and even the little rubber seal (always the first fault point in a Moka pot) is still holding strong.
The Bialetti Moka Express was the original Moka pot, first produced in 1933, and the made-in-Italy brewer is still the best stovetop espresso maker (1).

Its quality, consistency, and usability were unmatched among the models I tested. And I wasn’t surprised to find most online reviewers and customers feel exactly the same.

The defining feature of the Moka Express is its unique octagonal shape. Aside from making it a style icon, the design promotes even distribution as the coffee brews. This lack of hot spots means I never tasted any burnt flavors during testing.

Clean-up is easy. Unscrew it, knock the used grounds out of the coffee basket, and wash it with warm soapy water. If I’m honest, I rarely wash the base section of mine, just giving it a quick rinse with cold water. When I’m camping, I don’t bother giving it a proper wash until I get home.
For more details, check out my full Bialetti Moka Express review.

The Moka Express is great on my electric stove. But if you have an induction stove, you’ll need a stainless steel Moka pot. I tested quite a few of these, and while they looked virtually identical, the Luxhaus was the clear performance winner.

Everything slotted together perfectly; nothing jiggled or poked out at the wrong angle. It felt sturdy and reliable, so I wasn’t surprised it’s backed by a lifetime money-back guarantee. It also sports a very sleek and shiny design, befitting the name Luxhaus.

In testing, it heated quickly and evenly, taking under 5 minutes for a 6-cup brew. The coffee it produced was punchy and bold while still offering a lovely balanced flavor – neither too bitter nor overly acidic.

Induction stove owners may also be interested in our Cuisinox Roma moka pot review.

The Grosche Milano is a clear Bialetti knock-off, but you can’t blame them for not wanting to mess with a good thing. Like the Moka Express, it’s made from food-grade aluminum and features the tried-and-true octagonal design. It comes in a huge selection of colors; I found the faux wood handle options particularly charming.

The Grosche Milano is the best budget coffee maker on the list, but the quality hasn’t suffered. The silicone gasket seal has better longevity than the rubber you see in other cheap brands (2). And the safety valve is imported from Italy.

Given its obvious imitation, I was curious to see how the Milano performed relative to the Bialetti. Spoiler alert: It’s not quite as good.

My biggest complaint was that the brewer often sputtered coffee during the brewing process, so I was forced to keep the lid closed. I usually open the lid once coffee starts to flow, which minimizes overheating and burnt flavor notes. 

The Milano is still a great deal, especially because the brand nearly always runs bonus promotions. Mine came with a free milk-frothing wand! But it wouldn’t be my pick for expensive specialty beans.

I’ve always wondered why there aren’t more electric Moka pots on the market. They seem like such a convenient route to this robust style of coffee. But having tested every one I could get my hands on, I’ve concluded that they must be hard to make well. Most models I tried brewed too hot or too slowly. Or if they brewed well, their build quality was terrible. 

Thank goodness the DeLonghi EMK6 Alicia is here to redeem the whole genre! I really enjoyed using this coffee maker and would definitely recommend it to the Moka pot lover with a hectic morning.

Unlike a traditional stovetop model, the Alicia is completely hands-off. Just like a filter coffee maker, you set it and forget it. It stops brewing automatically and switches into a 30-minute Keep Warm mode. 

The electric heating element is much more controlled than a stovetop element, so I never suffered any burnt-tasting coffee. Indeed, this coffee may have been the smoothest of any I tried. And I was happy to find the coffee tastes fresh throughout the keep-warm cycle.

I was disappointed by the plastic carafe on top. I like the aesthetic of watching the coffee brew, but glass would look and feel much nicer – and alleviate any concerns about leaching plastics.

Most Moka pots are camping-friendly, but this camping-specific model from adventure brand GSI Outdoors goes above and beyond.

It has no plastic parts, so even if you accidentally drop it into your campfire, nothing will melt. I speak from experience here. It is very easy to fumble things camping in the cold with numb hands!

The fold-away handle is the other obvious perk of this model, making it easy to stow it compactly in your pack. Just remember that the metal handle gets hot, so have a strategy to grab it if you plan on using your Moka pot over a roaring fire.

The GSI moka pot only comes in one size, a 6-cup model, which weighs just under 2 pounds. I’d say that’s a bit heavy for an ultra-light backpacker, but it’s reasonable given that it makes two or three servings. You could even divide the parts between everyone’s packs. I’d love to see them introduce a lighter 3-cup model for solo adventures.

A moka pot can’t make true espresso. Despite being nicknamed a “stovetop espresso maker,” we all know it just brews stronger coffee. The Bellman Stovetop Espresso Maker, however, is true to its name. You can make real espresso and steamed milk on your stovetop or at your campsite!

The Bellman has more of a learning curve than a traditional Moka pot. Just like any espresso machine, you’ll need to dial in the perfect grind size and amount of coffee. But the result is glorious rich espresso with a full body and thick crema. After spending an afternoon getting to know this device, my shots rivaled those from my local coffee shop. 

It’s the most expensive product on this list, but let’s put that in perspective. It’s the only one that can steam milk, and it’s much cheaper than an espresso machine. You can actually prepare cafe-style microfoam suitable for latte art! 

You can get a cheaper model that omits the pressure gauge, but I think it’s worth the cost. It makes the learning process quicker, and your shots will be more consistent.

The Bellman is compatible with all stoves, including ceramic and induction. But in my experience, it works best with gas or camping burners. The boiler needs time to heat up, especially if you plan to steam milk. This took between 5 and 10 minutes on a gas stove but closer to 15 minutes on my electric stove. 

This Moka pot is made from heavy-duty stainless steel, so it’s durable but heavy. At over 5 pounds, it’s great for car camping, but you probably won’t want to hike it too far.

If the Bellman isn’t in your budget, check out my Bialetti Brikka review. It adds a pressure-activated valve to the standard Moka Express.

Pit the espressos made with the moka pot vs espresso machine and you’ll know that the former doesn’t make real espresso, but with the Bellman, it gets a little closer, adding a bit of body and a thin layer of crema to your drink.

I wouldn’t buy this coffee maker if I just wanted to brew coffee; it’s wildly overpriced in that context. But if I wanted to make great coffee and invest in something beautiful for my kitchen, the Alessi Pulcina starts to make financial sense.

Italian brand Alessi is known for “making the ordinary extraordinary.” The Pulcina is designed by famed architect Michele De Lucchi in collaboration with Illy Coffee (3). The unique bulbous shape is supposed to resemble a baby bird, with the spout as the chick’s beak. It’s also available in an intense all-black version that I can easily envision Darth Vader using for his morning brew – if that’s your vibe.

I’ll admit, I thought all this was pretty silly until I actually brewed some fantastic coffee. The design isn’t just for show. The round body helps with heat distribution, so even when I left it on the burner for too long, I never got a hint of burnt coffee. And the “beak” has a clever V shape that makes for a smoother pour.

The Pulcina is aluminum, so it won’t work with induction cooktops. And at this price, I was a little disappointed to find the handle and knob are plastic.

How I Tested These Moka Pots

I tested every Moka pot following Home Grounds’ standard recipe for how to use a Moka pot. 

In each case, I used the same medium-roast beans, finely ground coffee, and a coffee-to-water brewing ratio of 20 g of coffee per 6 ounces of water (3-cup capacity). I timed how long it took for the first appearance of coffee in the upper chamber and ensured there were no leaks during brewing.

I evaluated coffee on:

• aroma
• flavor
• aftertaste
• mouthfeel

A good Moka pot brew should be robust but not overwhelming in flavor with a heavy body. A common complaint with Moka pot coffee is that it can taste burnt, so I looked out for this in particular.

Ease of use was evaluated qualitatively. How easy was it to set up the brewer? Does the top thread smoothly onto the base? Is the handle comfortable? How easy is it to take apart and clean?

Finally, long-term durability was considered based on customer reviews, my own previous experience, and that of other Home Grounds team members.

What To Look For In A Moka Pot

Part of the appeal of the Moka pot design is its simplicity, and most Moka pots will deliver a similar style of strong coffee. But there are still a few key things to consider to find the best Moka pot for you.

How much coffee can it make?

Moka pots brew a very strong shot of coffee, similar to espresso. It’s designed to be served in small quantities or diluted with hot water to make an Americano-like drink. When a Moka pot’s capacity is listed in cups, it doesn’t refer to a standard measuring up. Rather, a “cup” is a 2-ounce serving.

Here’s a useful chart for deciding which Moka pot size is right for you:

Cup Size	Coffee liquid in ounces	Coffee liquid in milliliters
3-cup	6.05oz	200ml
6-cup	10oz	300ml
9-cup	18.05oz	550ml
12-cup	25oz	775ml

Generally speaking, most solo coffee drinkers will prefer the 3-cup size, while the larger options are for sharing. 

Will it work with your stove?

Remember that not every Moka pot works with every heat source. While they all work with traditional electric or gas stoves, aluminum moka pots (and some stainless steel ones) don’t work on induction stoves. 

If you have an induction stove, choose an espresso pot specifically described as compatible. Alternatively, you can buy an adaptor that allows you to use any stovetop brewer on an induction stove.

If you plan to take your Moka pot camping and brew over a fire, pick one that can handle more heat. Skip the glass model or anything with a plastic handle.

Material: Aluminum Vs Stainless Steel

The original Moka pot was invented by Alfonso Bialetti and made from aluminum. The material is light, cheap, and great at conducting heat – meaning you’ll get your coffee ASAP. But stainless steel is growing in popularity (4).

Stainless steel is completely non-corrosive and non-porous, making it more durable (5). There is also evidence tying aluminum to diseases like Alzheimer’s, though no research has found any negative health consequences linked to aluminum coffee makers (6). You need to brew gallons of daily coffee to leach enough aluminum to have an effect.

My advice is to buy a stainless steel Moka pot if you intend to use it daily as your primary way to make coffee. The durability and ease of cleaning and maintenance make it well worth the extra weight and expense. On the other hand, if you want a Moka pot for camping or occasional use, a lightweight aluminum brewer makes more sense.

The Verdict

One of the appealing things about choosing the best Moka pot is that there is a model to suit almost any need or budget. For me, there is no topping the original, the Bialetti Moka Express. 

There’s a reason this iconic design has been a staple in Italian homes for generations. It makes wonderful coffee, is easy to use, and lasts decades. However, if you have an induction cooktop, consider the sleek and sophisticated Luxhaus Stovetop Espresso Maker instead.

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