Best moka pots 2024: barista-approved Italian coffee

Bialetti makes the best moka pots of all time. If you look in any Italian kitchen, you're almost guaranteed to find a stovetop espresso maker from the world-famous brand. They make rich, thick, espresso-like coffee with aesthetics to rival your most prized home ornaments. They're retro, they're effective, and, used right, they make coffee like manna.

Just because Bialetti are the best doesn't mean that they're the only ones making premium moka pots. There are plenty of other good brands on the market who might even suit your lifestyle better than a Bialetti moka pot. I — a former barista — have curated a list of the very best moka pots and evaluated them all here, for you.

They're flawlessly beautiful, effortlessly functional, and make coffee which tastes close to the cups that I've brewed in the best espresso machines on  the market. Some make single-servings, others can serve over twelve people. Whichever you choose, you're in good company, drinking your coffee the authentic, Italian way.

If you're new to coffee, you can't really go wrong with any of these moka pots, one of the best French presses, or even a filter coffee maker (here are the ones which we think are the best drip makers, if you're interested). They're all the perfect place for you to start your home-brewing, speciality coffee journey.

The quick list

Here's a very quick introduction to our favorite moka pots. We'll go into more detail further down.

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The best moka pots we recommend in 2023

The best moka pot overall

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If you've used a moka pot before, chances are it was this one. The Bialetti Moka Express is so iconic, it's almost its own coffee maker category. The octagonal base, funnel strainer, angular pitcher, and hinged lid has set the tone for all the moka pots that have followed in its footsteps. 

This is great for so many reasons. It's simple to use, screwing effortlessly into place; it's effective at making deliciously rich coffee; it's built from lightweight aluminium; and it's ultra-stylish, making a true statement on the countertop. 

With credentials like the Moka Expresses, you could expect this to cost a lot more than it would. However, this moka pot is one of the best value on the market. The fact that it's crafted from aluminium means that it perfectly balances a plastic Aeropress and a stainless steel French press in terms of durability, heat conductivity, and weight.

You can select yours from a range of sizes, but the most appropriate is the six cup model. It's well-suited to families and the filter basket fits plenty of grounds. Some reviewers felt that the large filter basket was a little wasteful, but actually, it makes a strong, rich, espresso-like coffee in less than ten minutes.

Reviewers described this as cosmopolitan, with nostalgic tones. They love how the heavy-gauge aluminium feels, how quick it is to brew, and how easy it is to clean. The only thing people long for is compatibility with induction stoves. Bialetti's Venus has the same technology, but will work on other options instead of exclusively gas. What's more, because it's aluminum, it's not the most durable - our head of eCommerce Alex broke the handle of his Moka Express when trying to unscrew it. 

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The best moka pot for induction stoves

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Whilst induction stoves are great for your carbon footprint, they require you to be careful with your cookware and coffee gear. Lots of moka pots are only compatible with gas stovetops, but Bialetti's Venus works on induction stoves too. 

Instead of traditional aluminium, the Venus is crafted from stainless steel. Although steel is heavier and less conductive, this is a smart move. It means the Venus is more durable, induction-stove compatible and, expert reviewers actually say that the Venus brews coffee around one minute faster than the Moka Express at #1.

Customers also found that the stainless steel kept their coffee warmer for longer. Even better, there's no taste compromise. According to reviews Bialetti's Moka Express makes coffee with all the full, intense, and rich flavors of our favorite moka pot. 

It is an impressive alternative if you can't use gas, but I have to admit, I miss the retro aesthetics of the classic moka pot. I think it's part of this brewing style's charm. Plus, the different build style means that the gasket is sealed with silicone. Some people who switched across from traditional models felt that the silicone gasket didn't create a good, reliable seal. It's also important to note that, whilst this comes in every size between 2 and 10 cups, the two-cup model isn't induction stove-friendly. 

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The best large moka pot

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I don't normally like deviations from the classic moka pot, but you have to check out Alessi's range. Each one holds on to some simple, traditional aspects of the moka pot, but changes another aspect, culminating in some seriously stunning designs. But while I love the avant-garde design of the Alessi Pulchina, available at Amazon, I prefer the 9090. 

First, it's crafted from 18/10 stainless steel, so feels like its made to last for an entire lifetime. Customer reviews all commented on this, saying that it feels like the most robust moka pot on the market. Combined with the magnetic steel bottom, this is suitable for using on induction stoves as well as on your gas stove, so wherever you are, you know you can take your moka pot with you and have great coffee guaranteed. 

Whilst all moka pots come in a range of sizes, the 9090 is particularly versatile. They offer single-serve models right through to ones with ten cup capacities. It's true, some brands make even bigger sizes, but this is the greatest range, with the smallest incremental steps between each model, so you can make sure you've got the most efficient model for your home needs.

Customers also love how it feels to hold. It's heavier, but the handle has a neat lever which substitutes for a screw to secure the moka pot to the base. Whilst you might not want to opt for a heavier model if you struggle with your wrists, it is easy to pour from. 

I also spotted something which has rarely happened in my history of researching for reviews before. People started talking about how they feel using the 9090. Multiple customer reviews described feeling 'cool', 'put-together', and 'cosmopolitan' for simply using the 9090. It's clearly a lifestyle investment.

However, the 9090 has a few drawbacks. The top of the 9090 is tall and narrow, making it hard to reach deep inside for deep cleaning. This is also the most expensive moka pot on the market. It costs over ten times some other models on this list, which is a lot to pay for a few cups of coffee. Most crucially, this is a slow moka pot. Reviewers all said that you'll have to wait for another two or three minutes on top of the Bialetti timings, but that the coffee tastes equally delicious and smooth when it's done.

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The best electric moka pot

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There aren't many electric moka pots that I'd recommend, except for the De'Longhi Alicia. If you don't have space on your stovetop, or indeed a stovetop at all, this will more than cater to your moka pot cravings. 

Aesthetically, this follows the traditional, octagonal design of the most popular moka pots on the market. It's crafted from lightweight aluminium and the carafe will lift cord-free off the base, making it feel like you have an authentic moka pot.

As the coffee brews, it fills a transparent carafe, so you can check how many cups are ready to drink without having to lift a finger. There's also no danger of burning or over-brewing your coffee. The moka pot does everything for you, completely automatically, in just a few minutes.

Customer reviews all praised how easy this was to use. I read plenty of people praising this for taking all the guesswork and burnt coffee out of their lives. It's all so simple. Most of the reviews felt that this didn't even compromise on flavor, even though it brews much quicker than a traditional moka pot (there's even a timer to let you know how long your coffee needs).

I had a look at some more trusted review sites and found that more specialist coffee reviewers felt that the Alicia's coffee was a little weaker and flatter than the Bialetti's, for example. You also can't use ultra-fine coffee grounds when making coffee, because this can clog the filters. That doesn't sound fantastic, but it might be a sacrifice worth making for a completely automated coffee experience.

People's biggest grievances were that it is easy not to screw the carafe on tight enough, resulting in leaking and mess, which is never ideal, especially when an appliance is supposed to be making life easier. I saw a couple of updated reviews which suggested that the rubber seal can be stiff in the first few weeks. Apparently the leaking stops, but I don't think that should be something you have to work through. Plus, it doesn't happen for everyone. 

The Alicia can also struggle with temperature control, both under and over heating the coffee, so you have to keep a careful eye on it and dial in the Alicia to how you like your coffee. 

The best luxury moka pot

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This moka pot is everything I love about European design. The bright colors are inspired by Sicilian carnival celebrations, painting bright reds, blues and yellows across the traditional moka pot silhouette. Before testing this, I thought they might look gaudy. I actually hoped they would, because maybe it would make me want to buy this a little less. Spoiler alert: they don't. The colors are beautiful. If I didn't love it so much, I would hate it for being so irresistible.

So, as you can tell, Dolce & Gabbana really brought the style factor and, as you can expect, Bialetti brought the taste factor. This is as easy to use as Bialetti's best Moka Express. Everything screws perfectly into place, it's quick to boil, and I made some deliciously thick, smooth, and rich coffee in it. If you want some inside scoop, my editor, Alex, has bought Dolce & Gabbana's speciality branded coffee, available at Macy'ss and he loved it. It comes in a beautiful tin and has incredible notes of hazelnut and chocolate. 

My only comments would be that the handle got quite hot just towards the end of brewing. It's thermoplastic, so I could, technically still lift the moka pot off my stove. It wasn't comfortable, both because of the heat and because the plastic isn't very tactile. I wonder whether the person who came up with the phrase 'pain is beauty' was using this moka pot (I'm being dramatic). It's not too bad, but if I had to warn you of anything it would be that — and the price tag. 

Bialetti are known for their great value moka pots, Dolce & Gabbana are not. Their influence has almost quadrupled the price of the moka pot. If you'll keep it on the countertop, bookshelves, or open cabinets, this will make a great ornament. If you've ever heard of the unexpected red theory, this is your perfect piece for it. However, if you want pure function, you're paying a pointless premium for some very pretty decoration.

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The best stone moka pot

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If you've been looking at moka pots, you'll know that Grosche is one of the big three, alongside Bialetti and Alessi. The Milano is their bestselling model if you count the sales of the aluminium and steel models too. 

I've put the stone enamelled moka pot in this buying guide, because it's such a unique design. Too many moka pots look the same, but this provides a completely different look and feel to the same old, silver-clad options. Reviewers all love the evenly-applied enamel, which looks natural and earthy, plus, it doesn't get hot. Even better, you can choose between four, tactile finishes and a range of sizes, so I'm certain that there's one for everyone.

Customers all liked the way the Milano feels. I saw the handle described in a range of ways. Although it looks wooden, it's best summarized by an Amazon customer who said it feels 'firmly microfibery', which is nicer to hold than most moka pots. 

Taste-wise, Grosche filter baskets are smaller than Bialetti's. This means that their coffees always taste weaker. For some, this is fine, or better than having an intense espresso-like cup of coffee, but if you like thick, rich, moka pot coffee, you might feel like this slightly misses the mark. You should also bear in mind that you can't clean it in a dishwasher, though that is also true for most moka pots.

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How to choose the best moka pot for you

You can't go wrong with any of these moka pots. However, as with any coffee maker, there are always factors which it is important to consider, such as the size, aesthetics, and price. For moka pots, there are some more factors to take into account:

Composition
Most moka pots are made of aluminium, because it's lightweight and quick to heat up, whilst being relatively durable. However, these aren't compatible with induction stove and won't keep your coffee warm. If you have an induction stove, opting for a stainless steel moka pot will be much more suitable to your needs. There are also some which have tactile, stone finishes on the outside.

Compatibility
As I mentioned, some moka pots work well on gas, whereas others are designed to work with induction stoves too. There are even models which can work completely automatically, so you won't need either. Depending on your home set-up and how often you travel, you'll want to choose an appropriate moka pot.

Capacity
This feels like an obvious one to consider, but so many people don't think about it. If you'll only be making single servings, it makes sense to buy a one or two cup moka pot. If you know you've got a whole family to caffeinate, or you'll be hosting coffee mornings, a ten cup capacity moka pot will be a much better bet.

Style and aesthetics
You've got to think about design, especially when buying an Italian product. All of these are beautiful, but they come in all styles and shapes. There's the classic, octagonal, silver style, or a more modern matte black, or even, taking a leaf out of Dolce & Gabbana's book, a brightly colored and patterned design.

Price
I wish budgeting didn't have to come into play, but it's one of the inescapable aspects of buying a moka pot. You can pick up a good Bialetti for less than $40, but the Alessi models will cost up to $400. This isn't proportional, because the Bialetti is still the best moka pot on the market, but there are some extra features you might want to invest in.

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How we researched the best moka pots

At Homes & Gardens we like to test every product before we recommend them to you. We have a long wish list of moka pots, which our experts are making their way through. As we test more models, we update this page with the results from our in-person experiences.

When we can test these moka pots, we have a series of standardized tests and assessments which we put each model through. First, we'll asses the aesthetics, dimensions, and feel of the moka pot. There's no underestimating the difference that a neatly screwing gasket or stunning silhouette can make to how you perceive a moka pot.

Then, we deep dive into the taste tests. Depending on the capacity of a moka pot, we'll test each number of cups that it can make, measuring out 1.5 tbsp of coffee (ground medium fine) and 6 fl oz of water. We'll time how long a moka pot takes to properly percolate and boil into the upper section and then measure how hot the coffee is in the upper section of the pot. We're looking for the moka pot to reach about 200°F, but we also want our coffee to taste thick and rich. It should be the most similar in flavor profile to an espresso, since that is the kind of coffee that moka pots are well known for.

Whilst we haven't finished testing the moka pots on this list, we do as much research as we can. That way, we can supplement our knowledge with everyone else's experience. I've read through hundreds of customer and expert reviews cross-checking every boast made by a brand and every claim or complaint made by customers. That means that this guide is a comprehensive summary of everything you need to know about the best moka pots on the market. If you want to find out more, we have a whole page dedicated to how we test coffee makers.

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