Our top picks for moka pots, manual espresso, pour-over, and beyond.
Let’s face it, there are a lot of different kinds of coffee makers out there. From automatic drip brewers, to espresso machines, to pour over, and so much more. This post breaks down 3 (+1, for our honorable mention) great coffee brewing options across the brewing spectrum. We’ve got a fan favorite crowd pleaser, A feature loaded option, and our ultimate pick, plus that honorable mention. So regardless of how you like to brew, we’ve got something fun for you!
In This Article
Bialetti Venus Stovetop Espresso Maker — Fan Favorite
Our fan favorite is a classic brew method: stovetop espresso. The Bialetti Venus is a great pick here as a stainless steel moka pot that is dishwasher safe and easy to use. These brewers are typically made of aluminum, so the stainless steel upgrade makes the Venus dishwasher safe, with no plastic, silicone, teflon, or aluminum present in the model. If you haven’t had stovetop coffee before, it’s an easy process to learn. Coffee is placed in a brew basket and water is added to the base, then the brewer is placed on the stove. As the water heats up it rises through the brewing chamber and provides a lightly pressurized brew that tastes somewhere between a drip coffee and a shot of espresso. It’s a perfect option for a low maintenance, easy to use brew method that doesn’t require the investment of an espresso machine.
Bialetti Venus Stovetop Espresso Maker
A classic Italian moka pot reimagined in stainless steel, so it works on induction stovetops without an adapter and goes straight into the dishwasher when you’re done. The build is entirely plastic-free, and it comes in multiple cup sizes to fit your household.
Best for: someone who wants a simple, low-maintenance, plastic-free brew method that’s easy to use and easy to clean.
Related: New to stovetop brewing? Read Your Comprehensive Guide to Moka Pot Brewing
Flair 49 Pro Manual Espresso Machine — Best Features
If you do prefer espresso, our best features pick, the Flair 49 Pro Manual Espresso Machine may be the perfect option for you. This manual espresso maker features a 49mm portafilter, which means the puck is a bit taller and can be less prone to channeling. The lever is easy to understand and use thanks to a built-in pressure gauge, which will show you exactly when you are in the right range for espresso. It should be noted that this is a fully manual machine, which means no electricity or boiler. You add the grounds to the portafilter and tamp, then add hot water to the reservoir and work the lever. While it is a bit of extra work compared to a semi-automatic espresso machine, it’s also a fun way to brew once you get the hang of it! Perfect for anyone who enjoys manual espresso and wants the help of a gauge and a taller portafilter.
Flair 49 Pro Manual Espresso Machine
A fully manual, lever-operated espresso maker with no electrical connection needed. Its 49mm portafilter builds a taller puck for more consistent shots, the built-in pressure gauge shows exactly when you’re in the espresso range, and the included pressurized basket lightens the demands on your grinder.
Best for: someone who wants genuine manual espresso control, with a built-in gauge that removes some of the guesswork.
Hario Switch V60 Immersion Coffee Maker — Ultimate Pick
The Hario Switch is a nifty device that puts immersion brewing and pour over into one piece of gear. We love it because it gives you the ability to control the brew time on tricky lighter roasts, getting full flavor without the weighty body of a press brew. To use this brewer, you simply add a standard V60 filter along with your grounds and hot water. The Switch will keep the coffee in suspension until you press the release lever, at which point the bottom opens and the coffee moves through the filter into your vessel. It’s a very simple brewer, but one that truly gives you the best of pour over and press coffee. It’s why it’s our ultimate pick for manual brew methods!
Hario Switch V60 Immersion Coffee Maker
Our top overall pick among this year’s manual brew methods. A simple stainless steel ball valve lets you switch between immersion and pour over drip in the same dripper, so you control contact time while a paper filter keeps the cup clean. It takes standard 02 V60 filters, with nothing proprietary to track down.
Best for: someone who wants pour-over-level clarity with more control over contact time, especially for lighter roasts.
OXO Rapid Brewer — Honorable Mention
Our honorable mention for this list is the OXO Rapid Brewer. This brewer works similarly to other handheld “espresso” brewers, but we really like the manual process here. You add coffee and water to the unit, then pump it to generate the pressure needed for brewing a concentrate. It’s simpler than it seems, but it’s innovative, and even won a Sprudgie for Best New Product (as well as the 2025 SCA Best New Product award). The whole process takes under 5 minutes, and you can use it for hot or cold drinks. The small size and lightweight construction make it a great candidate for camping or travel as well, especially since you don’t even need hot water to brew your concentrate! A really great pickup for a user looking to move beyond a simple coffee dripper.
OXO Rapid Brewer
A pressurized-chamber brewer that makes hot coffee or cold brew concentrate in under five minutes, with both a concentrated and a less concentrated option. Lightweight plastic construction makes it easy to travel with, and it’s compact and easy to clean when it’s time to put it away. A fun step up from a basic coffee dripper.
Best for: someone who wants speed and versatility (hot or cold, concentrated or not) in a portable, easy-to-clean package.
Related: Taking your coffee on the road? See Best Ways to Make Coffee While Camping
Shop Our Top Picks
- Bialetti Venus Stovetop Espresso Maker
- Flair 49 Pro Manual Espresso Machine
- Hario Switch V60 Immersion Coffee Maker
- OXO Rapid Brewer
Video Highlights Summary
Our video for this list covers:
- The fan-favorite Bialetti Venus stainless steel moka pot and its dishwasher-safe, plastic-free construction.
- The Flair 49 Pro manual espresso machine, our best features pick, and how its 49mm portafilter and built-in gauge can transform your manual espresso experience.
- The Hario Switch V60, which won our ultimate pick, thanks to the way it combines immersion brewing and pour over.
- Our honorable mention, the OXO Rapid Brewer, a nifty little pump-based device that makes brewing concentrate easy on the go or at home.
- A little more on “manual brewing” and what ties these devices together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a manual brew method?
A manual brew method is any coffee maker where you, not a machine, control the brewing process. That covers moka pots, lever espresso makers like the Flair 49 Pro, pour-over and immersion drippers like the Hario Switch, and hand-pumped brewers like the OXO Rapid Brewer.
Is moka pot coffee the same as espresso?
Not quite. A moka pot brews under light pressure as steam pushes water up through the coffee, so the result is stronger and richer than drip coffee but less concentrated than a true espresso shot. It lands somewhere in between.
Can you use the Bialetti Venus on an induction stovetop?
Yes. The Venus is made from stainless steel instead of the aluminum used in traditional moka pots, so it works on induction stovetops without an adapter. It's also dishwasher safe.
Do I need a special grinder for the Flair 49 Pro?
A capable espresso grinder will give you the most control, but the Flair 49 Pro comes with a pressurized basket that is more forgiving of grind size, which lightens the demands on your grinder while you learn.
What filters does the Hario Switch use?
The Hario Switch uses standard size 02 V60 paper filters, so there are no proprietary filters to track down.
Can the OXO Rapid Brewer make cold brew?
Yes. The OXO Rapid Brewer makes both hot coffee and cold brew concentrate, and it brews in under five minutes. You don't even need hot water for the cold brew concentrate.
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