The Best Answer:
If you’re after something powerful and intense and therefore don’t mind some few coffee powders in the bottom, a Moka Pot could be worth a shot. It’s a thicker coffee like espresso.
But, if you like a neater cup that might possibly be less harsh and acidic, it’s lighter and sweet, a Chemex is a must-try! It’s usually a good idea to test out both choices prior to buying a product to help confirm your selection. They are both cheap and quick too!
Every brewing method is clearly distinct from the others, and each strategy has its own set of benefits and cons.
That is also completely personal, in what style you prefer, something stronger and acidic with the Moka pot, or lighter with the Chemex!
But what you really want to know is which of these is the best fit for yourself. Am I correct?
Because these two ways of producing are significantly unique both are gaining fame and are definitely worth considering! Continue reading to find out what different brewing techniques we have to show you!
Moka Pot vs Chemex: Differences
Differences | Moka Pot | Chemex |
---|---|---|
Structure | Simple,quick and it looks really elegant | Distinct due to the specific thick paper, which filters. Is much nicer and cleaner looking! |
Water Temperature | Really hot to mild | Warm/ hot water |
Grind size | Medium or fine | Medium to thick |
Quantity | Small portions per brew | Big portions per brew |
Flavor | Strong,rich, robust, nutty tones, similar to espresso | Super clean cup. Low bitterness. The taste is sweet and very pure with flower notes |
Time Brewing | Less than 8 mins | 3~4 minutes |
Cleaning | Easy and careful | Very easy |
Cost | Inexpensive 7~25$ | More expressive than Moka Pot |
Design | Steel or aluminum (can’t break) | Glass or plastic (a bit fragile) |
Caffeine level/ per 1 shot | 106 mg (stronger than espresso) | 80mg (lighter) |
The Moka Pot

Moka Pot Structure
The Italian Moka pot is a cooktop or electrical coffee machine that makes coffee by forcing hot water over ground coffee that has been pressurized by steam. It creates a bitter and thicker coffee as it’s simple, quick and it looks really elegant and modern. Brewing coffee with the Moka pot is a great way to enjoy an espresso-like coffee.
Moka Pot Water Temperature
The water here is really heated! When the burner is hot, the pressure gradually rises to owe to both the movement of the contained air and the increased concentration gradient of the more heated water.
When the pressure inside is strong enough to drive the water up the spout via the coffee grinds, coffee would then start to flow.
After the water bursts, you have to lower the heat, so the fluid can chill a bit.
If your Moka pot is leaking check how to fix it here!
Moka Pot And Grind Size
The Moka pot prefers a medium-fine grind.
The optimal grind for a Moka pot coffee is moderate to medium-fine, rougher than espresso grounds, but thinner than the Chemex machine. To do this, use whole coffee beans and grind them yourself!
Moka Pot and Quantity
The quantity depends on the size of your Moka Pot. There are many sizes and the smaller Moka pot produces an amount similar to 1 good shot of espresso.
Two-cup Moka Pot is great once per individual, tiny ones produce nicer coffee, but if you drink coffee often, 2 cups are great to obtain that coffee sensation without drinking far too much coffee for the entire workday.
Moka Pot And Flavor

It produces a rich, robust, satisfying drink. This might be your home “espresso” machine if you want a strong coffee taste with a lasting aroma.
It has nice acidity and looks and tastes like a typical espresso. It has nutty and earthy tones too.
Moka Pot Caffeine
It’s a bit stronger than espresso for sure. The caffeine content in 1 shot of Moka coffee (2 oz) is 106 mg. The caffeine content in 1 shot of espresso (2 oz) is 94 mg.
Moka Pot Pros And Cons
Pros
- Ready in less than 5 mins
- Quick and easy, no special method
- Inexpensive
- Similar to espresso
- Moka Pot is easy to clean
- Elegant design (better than the standard coffee pot)
- Moka Pot History dates back to the 1930s making it a classic stovetop coffee maker
- Portable and can take it anywhere
Cons
- Makes smaller quantities
- Needs attention, as it can burst
- Needs cleaning regularly as it can clog
- More acidity and bitterness
- Heavy caffeine level
Read Also: Are Aluminum Moka Pots Safe

Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
The Chemex

Chemex Coffee Structure
Chemex is the best black coffee you can taste. It’s the smoothest, freshest quality black coffee you will ever have!
It’s distinct due to the obvious specific paper, which filters out a large portion of the oils.
When opposed to ordinary drip coffee, it is much nicer and cleaner looking!
Chemex Water Temperature
When making drip coffee with Chemex, you possess total management over the temperature of your water.
You can properly calculate this with a household thermometer or a bottle with a thermometer. It has typically warm to hot water.
Chemex And Grind Size
To brew the ultimate cup of coffee choose a medium-coarse grind with the Chemex coffee machine. The heavy filter can manage light, medium and dark roasts, so it truly comes down to individual choice.
Chemex And Quantity
You may easily generate plenty for several people at once with the Chemex. I’d suggest a filter/ drip brewer, whether it’s the Chemex or not.
Chemex And Flavor
The Chemex is a coffee maker that produces a pure cup of coffee. The coffee is velvety and clear of dust, from the tiny filters to the slick container.
When brewed properly, the Chemex yields a deep, strong cup of coffee with low bitterness and harshness. The taste is sweet and very pure with floral notes.
Chemex Caffeine
Chemex Coffee Brewer yields 30 ounces of coffee with around 80 mg of caffeine loaded into an 8-ounce cup of coffee. Remember 1 espresso shot is 1 ounce. So this makes a strong caffeine level.
Chemex Pros And Cons

Pros
- Allows you to have greater management over the coffee grounds
- Less expensive than a drip-maker
- There are no electromechanical pieces to break out or clog, making it simple to clean
- Lovely design
- Easy to use and brewing in 4 mins
- Sweet taste and coffee body
- The heavy paper filter is responsible for the coffee’s distinct purity
- Produces rich coffee oils
- Can be used for multiple coffee cups
Cons
- Easily breakable and fragile accessories
- Chemex is a little more costly than a Moka Pot
Read Also: Brewing Guide For The Chemex
Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moka Pot Better than Chemex?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a coffee maker. The Chemex is a pour-over style brewer, while the Moka Pot is a stove-top espresso maker. If you want a richer, more intense cup of coffee, the Moka Pot is probably better. If you prefer a lighter, smoother cup of coffee, the Chemex is probably better.
Which Coffee Brewing process is Easier: Chemex or Moka Pot?
The Moka pot is definitely easier. All you do is fill the bottom chamber with water, put ground coffee in the middle chamber, and screw on the top. Put it on the stove and wait until the boiling water reaches the top of the chamber.
Last Thoughts
We hope this list and our article gave you an idea of these 2 amazing coffee devices! They are both inexpensive and super easy to use.
The choice is yours to make, of course, depending on your tastebuds.
The Moka pot is for you, if you need something easy and portable, you can take it everywhere even for camping to enjoy a cup really similar to espresso. If you are a fan of a strong cup of thick and nutty coffee, it’s for you.
On the other side, Chemex is a faster way of making a sweeter and floral cup of coffee in a really big quantity and is super easy to use!
Each of these machines creates a delicious coffee and will give you a nice caffeine boost! Coffee lovers enjoy!

Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!