If you love good coffee, a stovetop espresso maker can be an excellent investment. Spend some time mastering your technique, and you’ll get delicious flavors without spending a fortune.
If you’re considering investing in one of these clever gadgets, you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to investigate the seven best stovetop espresso makers on the market right now.
Just step this way to find out what’s on offer…
The best stovetop espresso maker in 2020
1. GROSCHE Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker Moka Pot
GROSCHE’s Milano espresso maker is a distinctive looking option. It’s available in a choice of black, white, silver and red. The black and silver come with black handles, while the red and white have a natural wood-colored finish.
They’re available in 3, 6 or 9-cup capacities (note that the cup here is, of course, an espresso cup). And the black one can also be purchased in a cute 1-cup size. Whatever your appetite for espresso, there’s an option to suit.
They’ll work on all types of cooktop except induction. You can even use them on a propane camping stove.
The handle is nice and big and keeps your fingers well away from the hot pot. It has a soft rubber finish too, so it’s comfortable to hold.
Inside, there’s a safety valve to prevent the pressure from building up too high and leading to blow-outs.
As an added bonus, buying this espresso pot will help bring safe drinking water to people in need. For each purchase, GROSCHE’s Safer Water Project will deliver at least 50 days of clean water to communities around the world.
This is pretty easy to clean. Note, however, that if you leave it for too long, the surface can develop white spots.
One other thing to be aware of is that the filter is a tight fit in the lower chamber. That makes it a bit fiddly to remove when it’s time for washing.
Pros:
- Choice of sizes and attractive colors
- Cleverly designed handle minimizes the risk of burns
- Every purchase helps fund bringing clean water to communities in need
Cons:
- The surface can develop white spots if left too long before cleaning
- The filter is rather fiddly to remove.
2. LuxHaus Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker Moka Pot
If you like the idea of a modern take on the traditional espresso pot design, you’ll love the LuxHaus. This sleek and stylish espresso maker has clean lines and a mirror-polished stainless steel finish. It will look the business in any modern kitchen.
It comes in a choice of 3, 6 or 9-cup capacities. (Remember this is espresso cups, i.e. about 2 ounces per cup.) The chambers are of food-grade stainless steel, and LuxHaus offer a “no-rust” guarantee. And because the stainless steel is magnetized, it can be used on all types of cooktop, including induction.
The handle is made of black heat-resistant plastic and the spout is carefully shaped to avoid drips. There’s also a spring mechanism on the coffee filter, which makes it much easier to remove. And there’s a safety valve to avoid the pressure getting too high.
We have, however, heard of some issues with this producing sufficiently strong coffee. We’re not sure why this is the case, but if you like your espresso strong there may be better options.
And take care when cleaning, as the lower chamber has some sharp edges.
Pros:
- Attractive mirror-polished stainless steel construction
- Spring mechanism for easier filter removal
- Can be used on all kinds of stovetop, including induction
Cons:
- Struggles to make a very strong espresso
- Watch out for sharp edges as you’re cleaning.
3. IMUSA Aluminum Espresso Stovetop Coffee Maker
IMUSA’s espresso maker uses a traditional design and is extremely economical. You can pick it up for about the same price as a couple of espressos from an artisan coffee shop!
This one is made of aluminum, rather than stainless steel. It won’t rust, and it’s very lightweight. The handle and knob are made of black bakelite that stays cool to the touch. And there’s a safety valve to avoid blow-outs.
It’s available in a choice of 1, 3, 6 or 9-cup capacities. Note that the aluminum construction means it won’t work on induction cooktops. And don’t put it in a dishwasher or you’ll damage the surface. Just use warm soapy water to wash it by hand.
Make sure that you seal it nice and tight before you pour, or it may leak. That does mean you’ll need to be prepared to use some elbow grease to take it apart again for cleaning.
One other thing to be aware of is that the aluminum walls of this pot are quite thin. That means your coffee won’t hold its temperature for long after the heat has been turned off. If you’re making more than one cup and don’t want to serve it all at once, you may need to reheat it.
Pros:
- Classic design at an unbeatable price
- Choice of 1, 3, 6 or 9-cup capacities
- Lightweight and rust-free construction
Cons:
- Make sure it’s screwed in tight to avoid leaks – and be prepared to work hard to unscrew it again!
- Doesn’t hold its temperature for long when it’s removed from the heat.
4. Bialetti Express Aluminum Moka Pot (Our Top Pick)
The Italian-made Bialetti is the classic espresso pot, trusted by thousands around the world. It’s a bit more expensive than most other models on our list. So is it worth the investment?
Well, whatever size espresso maker you’re looking for, there’s an option here to suit. Choose from 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12-espresso cup capacities.
It’s made of polished aluminum. While it will work on most cooktops, it isn’t suitable for induction. It’s not safe to be put into the dishwasher either. And because there are several parts, giving it a deep clean by hand takes some time. (After most uses, though, a quick rinse will suffice.)
The knob and handle are made of black plastic, and they stay cool to the touch during use. Just make sure if you’re using a gas cooktop that the flame doesn’t extend around the outside of the pot. The handle won’t cope with that level of heat.
The design of the safety valve is patented, and it’s easy to check and clean. And all the parts fit neatly together without leaving any space for leaks. The build quality here is very good indeed.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and you’ll get perfect coffee in between 4 and 5 minutes. As with all stovetop makers, there’s not enough pressure here to make this technically an espresso. But with this one, you’ll be hard pressed to tell the difference.
Pros:
- Made in Italy, home of the espresso
- Patented safety valve
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Deep cleaning takes some time, though mostly, you’ll only need to rinse it
- Won’t work on induction cooktops.
5. Zulay Classic Stovetop Espresso Maker
If you’re looking for a non-standard sized espresso maker, check out this attractive model from Zulay. This one offers a 3, 5 or 8-espresso cup capacity.
It’s made of aluminum and has the classic octagonal espresso maker shape. Traditionalists can opt for no fewer than three different silver shades: silver moon, polished silver and silver sheen. And there are dark gray and white options too.
If you prefer a pop of color in your kitchen, there are plenty of other finishes to choose from. How about bright blue, rich red, or pearly pink? All will make a real statement on your cooktop.
Just make sure that cooktop isn’t induction, as the aluminum won’t heat up. It will work fine on any other cooking surface, including a camping stove.
The handle and knob on the lid are both heat-resistant plastic, so you won’t burn your fingers. With most of the color ways, they’re black. Choose the white option, though, and the finish is an attractive natural wood effect. There’s also a safety valve inside to keep the pressure at safe levels.
You’ll need to wash this espresso maker by hand, but it’s easy to do.
Zulay suggest avoiding using detergent, as it can remove the coffee oils that otherwise build up inside. They say those oils enhance the flavor. Actually, they’ll go off over time and impair the taste of your coffee. Use detergent, and your coffee will taste better for it.
The chamber walls here are quite thin, so you’ll want to drink your coffee as soon as it’s made. If you leave it, it will get cool pretty quickly.
Pros:
- Attractive pot in a range of stylish colors and finishes
- Heat-resistant handle and knob (though make sure the handle stays clear of a gas flame)
- Safety valve to prevent blow-outs
Cons:
- Not suitable for use on induction cooktops
- The chamber walls are thin, so your coffee will lose heat quickly after it’s removed from the stove.
6. bonVIVO Intenca Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker (Best Stainless Steel)
bonVIVO’s Intenca is a thoroughly modern espresso maker. It’s constructed of stainless steel and has a stylish design. Choose from chrome, copper or matte black finishes. Any of them will look brilliant in a contemporary kitchen.
You can choose from two sizes too. The 3 to 4 cup option has a capacity of 6.8 ounces. The 5 to 6 cup version will hold 10 ounces.
The upper and lower chambers are rounded rather than octagonal. The finish on the handle is the same as the rest of the espresso maker for a sleek look. That does mean, however, that it gets very hot. Make sure you use a heat pad or oven mitt to avoid burning your fingers.
The u-shaped spout is easy to pour without splashes, and there’s a safety valve to prevent blow-outs. And because this is made of stainless steel, it can be used on induction cooktops as well as gas, electric or ceramic.
It can even be washed in the dishwasher. It will have a longer life, though, if you clean it by hand.
One thing to note is that on first use, the top and bottom chambers require some force to fit tightly together. That becomes less of an issue when you’ve used it a few times. At that point, the seal will be better molded to the pot.
This isn’t the cheapest espresso pot out there, but it’s stylish and well-made. And if you want to avoid aluminum, it’s a great option.
Pros:
- Stylish contemporary design in a choice of finishes
- Suitable for use on any cooktop, including induction
- U-shaped spout makes it easy to pour without drips
Cons:
- The handle gets very hot – you’ll need to use an oven mitt to protect your fingers
- You’ll need to exert some force to screw the top and bottom chambers together for the first few uses.
7. Bellemain Stovetop Espresso Maker Moka Pot
American firm Bellemain’s stovetop espresso maker looks almost identical to the Bialetti – but it’s half the price. So are there any compromises in terms of its performance?
Well, there’s plenty of choice for households of all sizes. You can choose from 3, 6 or 9-cup versions. The handle and lid are made of stay-cool black plastic. And there’s a safety valve to prevent the internal pressure becoming too high.
It’s made of traditional aluminum. Note that, while it will heat up fine on most cooktops, it won’t work on induction hobs. And don’t put it into a dishwasher, or the surface will become oxidized and may even peel off. Fortunately, that’s not a big problem, as it’s pretty easy to clean by hand.
As with some of the other models we’ve reviewed, it does take some effort to get a tight seal. The threads on the top and bottom chambers don’t line up quite as neatly as we’d like.
There are some sharp edges on the lower chamber too. Take care when cleaning to avoid cutting your hands.
All in all, though, this is a great little machine for the price.
Pros:
- Available in 3, 6 or 9-cup sizes
- Easy to wash by hand
- Safety valve prevents the pressure building up too high
Cons:
- The top and bottom sections are harder than we’d like to screw together tightly
- There are some sharp edges on the lower chamber.
Ready to choose?
That brings us to the end of our round-up of the seven best stovetop espresso makers out there! We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about their features.
Our top pick is the classic Bialetti. The pedigree of this one is second to none, and for a stovetop coffee maker, it’s hard to beat.
But if you want to steer clear of aluminum, the bonVIVO Intenca is a great alternative. We love its contemporary design and quality construction
Whichever option we choose, we hope you’re soon enjoying delicious espresso made on your very own stovetop. What a brilliant way to start your day!