For many, coffee is a vital morning ritual that helps to put a spring in your step. Over the past couple of decades, coffee has perked up into quite a sophisticated and costly habit – but it doesn’t have to be.
We now have an endless array of ingenious machine inventions promising to transcend us to coffee heaven. However, sometimes it’s worth sticking with the classics – mostly if you hanging for a strong java and have a weak budget. A favourite classic coffee maker is the Moka pot. This espresso maker brews a coffee that packs a punch right in the comfort of your kitchen.
So where did it all start? In the 1930s, Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti invented the first Moka pot in the Yemini city of Mocha. Since then, the Moka pot has become a staple in European and Latin American kitchens. These days, this brewing method is seeping into households from every corner of the globe.
When looking to purchase your Moka pot coffee maker, you are spoilt for choice. To make things a little easier, let’s compare the five best Moka pots for sale on Amazon today.
Our Pick – Five Best Moka Pot Coffee Makers for sale on Amazon
| Moka Pot | Sizes Available | Material | Features | Rating | Check Price |
| bonVIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker | 3.4 oz (100ml), 6.8 oz (201ml), 11.8 oz (350ml) | Stainless Steel | – Stainless Steel – Steel handle – Available in chrome, copper, and black | 4.6 | Here |
| Bialetti Moka Express Coffee Maker | 2 cups 4 cups 12 cups 18 cups | Aluminium | – Classic design – Safety valve – Plastic heat resistant handle – Made in Italy | 4.6 | Here |
| Primula Espresso Maker | 1 cup 3 cups 6 cups 9 cups 12 cups | Aluminium | – Classic design – Plastic heat resistant handle- Available in silver, aluminium, and red colour | 4.4 | Here |
| GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker | 1 cup 3 cups 6 cups 9 cups 10 cups | Aluminium | – Classic design – Plastic or rubber heat resistant handle – Available in red, black, white, and original – Safety valve- Made in Italy | 4.5 | Here |
| Cuisinox Moka Espresso Maker | 4 cup 6 cup 10 cup | Stainless Steel | – Stainless Steel – Steel handle | 4.4 | Here |
bonVIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker
The bonVIVO Intenca Stovetop Espresso Maker is a sleek and stylish stainless steel Moka pot that compliments a more modern kitchen. The stainless steel makes it more durable and heavier than aluminium pots, which means it will last longer than other options on the market. This pot is a solid and popular Moka pot offering.
On the flip side, one of the biggest gripes that critics have about the bonVIVO copper chrome finish is a plastic film that tends to peel off or chip away. Some have reported signs of rust developing in the pot’s bottom chamber, so remember to clean your pot by following the instructions provided.
From a safety perspective, it is worth mentioning that the stainless steel handle is fixed to the pot and therefore heat conductive. Some think the handle gets hot, whereas others believe it is okay.
Bialetti Moka Express Coffee Maker
The Bialetti Moka Express Coffee Maker makes top-quality coffee. Although we know that Moka coffee is not the same as espresso coffee, this one comes pretty close. Bialetti is more than a brand. It is an institution built on a long-standing reputation as an industry leader in Moka pot manufacturing.
This pot itself is manufactured in Italy and comes with all the classic cosmetic bells and whistles. It keeps to the original design, and the plastic handle will ensure you can safely pour your piping hot cup of Joe.
Since this Moka pot is aluminium it is not dishwasher safe. Make sure you follow the instructions provided to best preserve your pot.
Important note for buyers: To ensure you receive a high-quality Bialetti Moka Express Coffee Maker, do not buy a model that brews three and nine cup quantities. Unlike the other sizes available, these pots are not manufactured in Italy.
Primula Espresso Maker
If you are on a budget, the Primula Espresso Maker will do the job and brew a strong coffee for you.
Like the Bialetti Moka pot, the Primula Espresso Maker is made out of aluminium. It will discolour quickly with heat and coffee stains – but that is all part of the charm. If you are looking for a pot to ‘pop’ in your kitchen, check out their red pot, it has a real retro vibe.
The downside to the Primula is that there have been several instances where the handle or knobs fall off. Make sure you don’t use the handle as leverage to screw the pot tight. This will help keep your Primula intact for longer.
Top tip: There have been some reports of a strange chemical smell when brewing coffee in this pot. To prevent this, make sure you thoroughly clean this pot before brewing coffee in it.
GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
The GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker combines a classic design with contemporary features to make one very slick looking Moka pot. Some of the great features of the GROSCHE is that it is available in black, white, and red. Plus, the handle nobs on the pot are available in black plastic or a wooden-looking rubber handle.
One of the common themes in the feedback was that the GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker brews burnt and bitter coffee. It is important to be patient when brewing using a GROSCHE coffee and “supervise” your flame. It may take up to 15-minutes to brew your coffee, and I suspect the burnt brew comes from impatience.
Cuisinox Moka Espresso Maker
The Cuisinox Moka Expresso Maker is similar to bonVIVO in its contemporary design. This Moka pot is one of the pricier options on the market. If you are looking for a long-term option, this is the perfect option. It makes a great coffee and is stainless steel making it highly durable.
The upper chamber of the Cuisinox Moka Espresso Maker is a bit fiddly to clean. It is worth purchasing a bottle brush to clean narrow hard to reach places.
One of the downsides to this Cuisinox Moka Espresso Maker is the handle. The handle is stainless steel handle and therefore heat conductive – literally making your cup of brew too hot to handle. To safely pour an espresso, you have to use an oven glove or tea towel to serve up your coffee.
Final thoughts
When purchasing your Moka pot, it is important to consider the material, size, safety, cost, and most importantly, taste. There is never a one size fits all option and when it comes to your morning cup of java, everything is subjective to your taste.
Overall, we recommend sticking with a classic. The Bialetti Moka Express Coffee Maker is the best value because it is competitively priced and has an outstanding reputation for making great coffee. If you are not put off by aluminium and like the classic design, stick with a brand that has stood the test of time.
