The Best Moka Pot In 2024: 6 Stovetop Espresso Makers To Consider

Rachel
January 27, 2024
Coffee Brands & Makers, Coffee Q&A, Moka Pot

There’s something to be said for the nostalgia of doing things the old-fashioned way. When it comes to espresso, that means carrying out your morning ritual using a stovetop Moka pot.

I’ll admit it; I’m seriously crazy about coffee. The typical morning routine of brewing a piping hot cup of coffee or espresso has turned into a passion for some of us.

Nowadays, fancy coffee and espresso machines are all the rage and come in every shape, size, and fashion.

However, there’s something to be said for the nostalgia of doing things the old-fashioned way.

When it comes to espresso, that means carrying out your morning ritual using a stovetop Moka pot.

From one coffee nut to another, let’s look at my recommendations on the best Moka pot in 2024.

Be sure to stick around for an extra bonus tip on how to achieve a cup of espresso with crema from the comfort of home.

What is the best Moka pot in 2024?

Bialetti – Moka Express

Best Overall

It’s always hard to beat a classic. The Bialetti Moka Express is hands down one of the most popular stovetop Moka pots on the market and for good reason.

When you see the Bialetti logo you know that you are getting a high quality Moka pot with a design that has stood the test of time.

There are tons of fancy and more expensive machines to make espresso out there but there is something to be said for doing things the old way.

This model has a super comfortable handle and the Bialetti’s patented safety valve found on many of the companies’ other models.

This particular Bialetti model is easily my favorite simply because it consistently produces a great tasting espresso time and time again.

All of Bialetti’s models give you the traditional Italian espresso-making experience each and every time you use it.

Bialetti has been making their go-to stovetop Moka pots for over 35 years. great-tasting

This pot is available in three to twelve cup sizes. This Moka pot is perfect for everyday use around the house or especially if you plan to bring your Moka pot along when you’re traveling.

I particularly love bringing the smaller three-cup-sized pot with me when we are camping. Additionally, this pot can be used on just about any cooking surface.

Be aware that for induction-type cooktops, this model requires an induction plate adapter sold separately. Additionally, this model is aluminum, so it cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher.

If you’re looking to purchase your first stovetop Moka pot, I cannot recommend this one enough.

Bialetti – New Venus

Modern Twist on a Classic

It’s safe to say that you won’t be disappointed if you choose any of the Bialetti Moka pots on this list. I’ll try to be fair to some of the other brands, but you just can’t go wrong with a Bialetti.

The Venus model boasts a more modern stylized shape than the original and looks great while, most importantly, producing a great-tasting espresso.

This particular model has been updated for use on induction-type cooktops while still providing the same experience as homemade Italian espresso.

This Moka pot is available in a four to a ten-cup range of sizes. I prefer the ten-cup size in this model as there are usually a few other coffee lovers in the house that don’t ever want to be left out.

Just know before buying that this model is also aluminum and must be hand washed.

If you’re looking for a sleek and attractive-looking Moka pot that performs as well as any of the old traditional models, this is the way to go.

GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker

Multiple Color Options Available

The GROSCHE Milano pot is available in several attractive color options and has a beautiful ergonomic handle that positions nicely away from your heat source to avoid damage.

If you’re looking to add a little more customization to your Moka pot, this might be a good option for you.

The handle also solves the common problem of overheating that is seen in many of the other Moka pots on the market.

On top of making a fantastic Moka pot, the GROSCHE company has directed its mission and efforts toward remaining carbon neutral while also championing fair wages and working to provide relief to areas of the world that lack clean drinking water.

Any company that produces a great product while also using portions of the proceeds of sales to help solve large-scale global problems will consistently be ranked highly on my best-of lists.

Get yourself a GROSCHE Milano Moka pot, enjoy a great tasting coffee, and feel good that your purchase is helping the company’s efforts in these vital areas.

Bialetti Kitty Espresso Coffee Maker

Easiest to Clean Moka Pot

Did I mention that I thought Bialetti Moka pots were great? Bialetti’s third appearance on this best-of list should be proof of that by now.

This model is not quite as well renowned or popular as Bialetti’s previous models mentioned here. However, this model is stainless steel and is entirely dishwasher safe.

The Bialetti Kitty is a bit pricier and is made in China, not in Italy like our previous entries on our list.

Like many products, there are some trade-offs for additional features, so if these issues are a deal-breaker, you may be better served going with one of the more highly ranked products from this list.

All in all, this is a nice Moka pot that is much easier to clean than some of the other options previously mentioned.

IMUSA USA B120-42V

Best Value Moka Pot

This is a great little Moka pot at an attractive price point. I love finding products that outperform their price, and the IMUSA does precisely that.

The IMUSA makes a great cup of espresso and turns your kitchen into your own private cafe from the comfort of your home at a great price.

The IMUSA company has been producing coffee makers for over fifty years and is considered one of the best coffee maker companies in the world.

While this one does not hold the nostalgia for me of the classics listed above, it does the job and does the job well.

This model can be used on all cook surfaces and is recommended to be hand-washed only.

I was a little skeptical that a Moka pot could be any good at this price but was happy to find out that I was wrong about doubting that such an incredible value is available on the market today for myself and my fellow coffee fanatics.

You can’t go wrong with this Moka pot at this price. Give it a try. You won’t be sorry.

Cuisinox Roma 10-Cup Stainless Steel Stovetop Moka Espresso Maker

A High-End Stovetop Moka Pot

The Cuisiox Roma stainless steel Moka pot comes in at the other end of the spectrum regarding price.

This model is more expensive than any of the others we’ve previously covered here. However, you often get what you pay for.

The Cuisinox Roma is just beautiful to look at and adds an element of luxury, elegance, and class to your morning coffee preparation.

This Moka pot is stainless steel and is likely to last a lifetime. So if your purchasing preference is to buy one durable item only to have to buy it once, this would be an excellent choice.

Final Verdict: Which Moka pot is the best for you and your needs?

And the drum roll, please… When all is said and done, I will go for the Bialetti Moka express ten times out of ten if I were buying my first Moka pot.

Quality products are timeless, and this particular design is just that. So if you want a Moka pot that you’ll use for years to come and one that has been trusted for years, this is the one to get without question.

Frequently asked questions about Moka pots / Stovetop Espresso Makers

The most straightforward answer to a question like this is often the best. When it comes to choosing which coffee to use in your Moka pot, it’s really all about the grind size of your coffee.

For a Moka pot, you want your coffee ground finer than a drip coffee maker yet not as fine as the coffee used in an espresso machine.

This would typically fall within the category of a medium to medium-fine grind size. Dark roasts tend to taste better and produce a stronger brew than light or blond roasts.

Additionally, many of the companies that manufacture Moka pots have some suggestions on particular coffee brands and sometimes even have their own brands suggested for each Moka pot.

There is no doubt that coffee brewed in a Moka pot is highly concentrated and much stronger than an average drip coffee maker.

The coffee brewed in a Moka pot is as close as you can get to the strength of espresso without actually owning an expensive espresso machine. However, by definition, it is not true espresso.

In the end, it all comes down to pressure. Currently, espresso machines create five to ten times more pressure than a Moka pot giving the brewing process that extra little kick in strength.

On the other hand, coffee made in a Moka pot is about three times as strong as that of the coffee made with a standard drip coffee maker.

For me, the satisfaction I get producing a super-strong espresso-like coffee using traditional tools far exceeds the need for splitting hairs when it comes to this question.

When faced with the question of getting an espresso machine vs. a stovetop Moka pot, the stovetop method simply provides me with much more enjoyment and ease of use with fewer bells and whistles to worry about.

Crema is a delicious, aromatic, reddish-brown foam that rests on top of a shot of espresso. It is formed when air bubbles combine with fine-ground coffee’s soluble oils.

To some, a good crema is indicative of a good quality coffee that provides a better flavor and long aftertaste. But, at the same time, others don’t seem to think that crema makes that much of a difference so long as you enjoy the taste of your morning cup.

Usually, crema is associated with espresso made in a high-end, highly pressurized espresso machine found at your local cafe.

However, it is possible to achieve a good crema using a stovetop Moka pot by using a Bialetti Brikka Moka pot.

Bonus Review

Bialetti – New Brikka, Moka Pot

Crema From a Stovetop Moka Pot

The Brikka model has a specialized pressure valve inside the pot that allows you to produce a cup of espresso with crema at home using a stovetop Moka pot.

This Bialetti model mixes the traditional and classic style of the old with the added bonus of updated yet simplistic functionality usually only found in more expensive and complex espresso machines.

Get ready to impress your friends and family and rival the skills of your local barista with the perfect look and taste of a professionally brewed espresso.

That beautiful Guinness-like effect on the top of a cup of espresso is heaven to many a coffee enthusiast and to be able to do so without an expensive machine makes the Brikka model worth a look.

We’ve reviewed a number of great Moka pots here that are sure to help you get your caffeine fix.

Hopefully, armed with the knowledge of the different stovetop Moka pots we’ve covered above, you will find the one that’s best for you, and it provides you cup after cup of enjoyment!