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AeroPress vs Moka Pot – What’s The Difference?

Jason Gass
Last Updated: August 18th, 2023

The AeroPress is one of the simplest ways to make a great cup of coffee or espresso. For the coffee lover that enjoys a robust shot of espresso, the AeroPress gives a great option without the expensive coffee machines or complicated tools.

Another great coffee maker that many coffee lovers enjoy is the Moka Pot. This cool coffee maker is a stove-top percolator. Stove-top percolators have been around for many years and are used to make a more robust cup of coffee than you’ll get from a drip coffee maker.

If you have been contemplating another way to make coffee, or if you are looking for something more compact, both the AeroPress and the Moka Pot are great options.

It can be hard to decide between coffee makers like the AeroPress and the Moka Pot, so in this article, we’ll look at the benefits of AeroPress vs Moka Pot and share with you the features of each that make them stand out.

moka pot

Things To Consider Before Buying Either AeroPress or Moka Pot

When it comes to shopping for a Moka Pot or an AeroPress or any other type of coffee maker, there are a number of product features that you should consider carefully when making your decision.

We’ve put together this helpful guide to provide you with all of the information you need to make the best coffee maker selection.

Price

One of the first features that we always consider when shopping for a coffee maker or any other sort of kitchen item is price. Price can be a big deciding factor when it comes to selecting a coffee maker.

Besides the initial price of the coffee maker, you need to also consider the cost of any accessories that you may need, and the ongoing cost of filters or other parts that need frequent replacement.

Some coffee makers are surprisingly affordable until you consider the price of filters, pods, or other replacement parts.

Before buying any coffee maker, make sure you also research the price of the accessories. Your inexpensive coffee maker may just end up being more expensive to use in the long run.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of a coffee maker are really important when you think about where you’ll be using your coffee maker the most. Is this coffee maker going to stay in your kitchen?

Then you can select a coffee maker that is a bit larger. However, if your kitchen is small, then you may want to look for a smaller, more compact coffee maker.

If you are using your coffee maker for travel, for instance in your suitcase, camper, or camping supplies, you should consider a lightweight and compact option. For portability, look for coffee makers that can break down into small, easy-to-store parts.

You’ll also want to consider a lightweight coffee maker, especially if you want to pack this item in your suitcase.

Design and Construction

If you are looking for a coffee maker that will reside on your countertop, design, and construction are going to be important considerations.

If you are looking for a coffee maker that will be a focal point in your kitchen, you’ll really want to consider the looks of the design, as well as the materials it is made of, and how well the coffee maker performs.

If your needs are for a portable coffee maker that can handle the rigors of travel, then consider a coffee maker that has a compact design. Portable coffee makers should also be made from durable materials that are also lightweight.

Brewing Time

If you need your coffee fast, then this is a really important product feature for you to consider. Brewing time varies greatly between different types of coffee makers.

Some coffee makers give you a delicious cup of coffee in just minutes, while other coffee makers require you to boil water, steep your grounds and then wait for the coffee to brew.

More manual coffee makers generally take longer to brew a good cup of coffee than say your automatic drip machine or a high-end espresso maker.

When you are considering coffee makers like the AeroPress or the Moka Pot, you’ll need to remember that both require more time than automatic coffee makers, but you’ll enjoy a really delicious result when they are done brewing.

Presenting the AeroPress Vs Moka Pot

When it comes to making a great cup of coffee, which should you choose? The AeroPress or the Moka Pot? If you are determined to utilize a manual brewing method like percolation or a coffee press, these two options are really two of the best you can find.

The Moka Pot has been around for years and has an iconic style that people love to have on their stoves. On the other hand, AeroPress has become a favorite of coffee lovers for making espresso-style coffees without all the gear.

Below, we’ve offered our thoughts on both the Moka Pot and the AeroPress so that you have a better idea of which is the best coffee maker for you.

AeroPress

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight for portability
  • Brew time is relatively short
  • Uses pressure to brew espresso-style coffee
  • Affordably priced

Cons:

  • Functional but not attractive
  • Need a separate way to heat your water
  • Uses a specific type of paper filter
  • Only makes 4 cups of coffee

Moka Pot

Pros:

  • Comes in four size options (3,6,9, and 12 cups)
  • Classic design that looks great on your stove
  • Makes traditional percolated coffee
  • Coffee is robust and delicious
  • Very reasonably priced

Cons:

  • Takes some time to learn the brewing process
  • Must have a stove or fire to operate
  • Cleaning is a challenge
  • Brew time is approximately 10 minutes

Features & Benefits of AeroPress Vs Moka Pot

Design and Construction

The design and construction of the Moka Pot and the AeroPress are very different. They also have different thoughts behind their construction and design.

The Moka Pot has been around for many years. If you look at pictures of kitchens from the 1950s you’ll find a percolator coffee maker on the stove that looks an awful lot like the Moka Pot. The Moka Pot is designed to use steam and boiling water to make coffee.

So the materials and design are made to fit this function. We like the stylish, retro design of the Moka Pot. It comes in a range of colors that look great on your stove. The Moka Pot is made from stainless steel so it’s long-lasting and durable.

The AeroPress is designed to be a compact and portable way to make your favorite espresso drinks. Its compact design is intended to fit easily in small kitchens or in your suitcase or camping gear.

This compact coffee maker stores all of its parts stacked together so it takes up minimal space. The AeroPress is made from BPA-free plastic so not only is it compact, but it is lightweight and durable.

Portability

If your decision between the Moka Pot and the AeroPress lies in portability, you’ll need to consider a few things.

First, if you’re traveling by RV or camper, the Moka Pot is a great option. With the availability of a stovetop, the Moka Pot is an ideal, compact companion for a camper.

It tucks easily into smaller RV cabinets. It is also good for making coffee over the campfire, so if you’d like a more rustic way to make coffee the Moka Pot is perfect.

The AeroPress is also great for RV camping, tent camping, or backpacking. The compact size, and lightweight construction tuck perfectly into storage bins, backpacks, and even the drawers of your RV.

With AeroPress, you can enjoy coffee anywhere you can make hot water. We also like the AeroPress for car or air travel. The lightweight design fits easily into your suitcase, and won’t add a ton of weight to your luggage.

Easy to Use

When it comes to ease of use, we like the AeroPress better. The AeroPress only requires that you install the filter, add coffee grounds and hot water, then stir and press. In just about 4 minutes you have a delicious cup of espresso or coffee.

The Moka Pot isn’t difficult to use, but it does take more time and effort to get a good cup of coffee. The Moka Pot has been around since 1933 and is a favorite in Italy for brewing a cup of strong coffee, much like an espresso.

To brew with the Moka Pot, you add water to the base, finely ground coffee to the filter basket, and set it on a heated stove. Brewing with a Moka Pot takes about 10 minutes. To alter the flavors of the coffee you can change beans, or alter the length of the brew time.

One thing does set the two coffee makers apart when it comes to ease of use. That is cleaning. The AeroPress is exceptionally easy to clean. The press creates a puck of grounds that can be easily removed with the filter. The parts then can go into the dishwasher to clean.

The Moka Pot isn’t hard to clean, but it does take more effort to get the grounds out of the filter basket, and this can be a messy process the first few times you use the Moka Pot.

Price

The great thing about both the Moka Pot and the AeroPress is that they are both very affordable. However, if you really want to select the most affordable option, the Moka Pot is by far the better option.

Even the 12-cup Moka Pot is less expensive than the AeroPress. And, you don’t have to purchase any filters or other accessories to use the Moka Pot.

With that said, AeroPress is probably the most affordable way to make espresso drinks. This press will get you brewing straight from the box. You will need to purchase filters over time, but a box of filters is also very affordable.

Alternatives to AeroPress Vs Moka Pot

alternatives to aeropress vs moka pot

Still not sold on the AeroPress or the Moka Pot? There are a few coffee maker options that allow you to make a similar cup of coffee, that we think are great alternatives.

1. GSI Outdoors Percolator

The GSI outdoor percolator is designed to make great coffee on the campfire. If you are looking for a way to make coffee while camping, this stainless steel percolator is a nice choice. It is compact and lightweight so it packs easily and doesn’t add too much extra weight to your gear.

The GSI has a nice silicone heat-resistant handle, so you don’t need to use a hot mitt to remove it from the fire or the stove. This percolator is easy to pour, with a secure lid. The filter basket also has a lid, so you don’t have to worry about spilling grounds.

2. POLIVIAR French Press Coffee Maker

The Polivar French press is a nice alternative to the AeroPress. This stainless steel French Press makes a single serving of coffee or tea. The multi-layer filter keeps grounds from your coffee while allowing you to brew a delicious cup of coffee.

The double-wall design of this coffee press keeps your coffee hot for a good couple of hours, which is a great benefit if you’re outdoors and don’t want to worry about your coffee getting cold. The stainless steel construction is quite durable and allows you to take this French press just about anywhere your travels take you.

3. Primula Stove Top Percolator

The Primula stove top percolator is another great alternative to the Moka Pot. Also a traditional style percolator, the Primula looks great on your stovetop or works well on the campfire. This percolator makes 9 cups of coffee, which is plenty for two or three people.

The Primula is made from aluminum so it is lighter weight than stainless steel options, making it a good pick for travel. It is also fairly compact so it fits nicely in smaller kitchens or in camping storage.

Final Thoughts on AeroPress Vs Moka Pot

If you are considering the Moka Pot and the AeroPress to make coffee at home or on the go, you know that they are both great options. When it comes to making coffee on the go, the AeroPress is the lightweight compact option that we love.

However, the Moka Pot is a versatile option that can be used on the go in your camper or campsite but also looks great sitting in your home kitchen.

When it comes to making a great cup of coffee, you can’t go wrong with either the AeroPress or the Moka Pot. You just need to figure out which best suits your needs and coffee preferences.

About The Author

Jason Gass

Jason Gass is a Colorado based freelance writer and blogger whose goal is to share a good cup of coffee and great stories around a campfire with close friends. When he’s not working, he spends most of his time traveling, searching for the best breweries, and road-tripping in his teardrop trailer with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.

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