Choose an espresso machine if you want a pump, a milk frother and a quick shot at the bench, a moka pot if you want a simple stovetop brewer, and a manual grinder if you already have a way to brew and want to grind fresh. Then compare the water tank, the footprint and the power, because those decide where the machine can live. Every figure comes from the product listings.
Espresso machines
The three machines below each have a 20 bar pump, and their listings describe a milk frothing function.
The Devanti 20 bar machine in black is rated at 1360W, with a 0.9L removable water tank and a 75cm power cord. It measures 14 x 29 x 30cm and has a mug warmer and a removable drip tray. Two silver models in the same range list the same specifications.
The Devanti CM-06 is also rated at 1360W, but it has a 1.2L tank and a full metal housing. It adds an LED temperature display and measures 21 x 27 x 32.5cm.
The Pronti CM-850D is rated at 1100W with a detachable water tank of about 1.2L (its listing gives both 1.2L and 1.25L). It has a high pressure frother, a cup warmer and protection against overheating and overpressure. It measures 30.6 x 15.7 x 30.8cm and has 2 filter baskets, one large and one small.
All three come with single and double filters and a tamper, and the listings describe removable drip trays.
A moka pot
The 6 cup moka pot is made from SUS304 stainless steel and borosilicate glass in three parts that screw together. It has a safety valve, it is dishwasher safe, and the listing says one cup is 50ml of espresso. It works on gas and electric cooktops but not on induction, so check your cooktop before you buy it.
Manual grinders
The manual grinder has a ceramic burr and a 350ml glass jar, and an extra jar for storing the grounds. You turn a screw clockwise for a finer grind or anticlockwise for a coarser one. It measures 21 x 17cm. A vintage style grinder in wood and cast iron measures about 26 x 14 x 14cm and weighs 1.015kg. Both listings say that coffee beans are not included.
What you do by hand
An espresso machine needs water, ground coffee and a tamp, and the frothing is done at the machine. A moka pot needs water, medium ground coffee that is not pressed firmly and a stove. A manual grinder needs you to turn the handle, and none of the listings give a grinding time, so think about how much you want ground at once.
Cleaning
The espresso machines list a removable water tank and a removable drip tray, which are the parts you empty and rinse most often. The moka pot is listed as dishwasher safe. The stainless steel and glass grinder comes apart for cleaning and washing, and the vintage grinder is listed as easy to clean.
Compared
| Item | Type | Power | Tank or capacity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devanti black | Espresso | 1360W | 0.9L | 14 x 29 x 30cm |
| Devanti CM-06 | Espresso | 1360W | 1.2L | 21 x 27 x 32.5cm |
| Pronti CM-850D | Espresso | 1100W | About 1.2L (listing gives 1.2L and 1.25L) | 30.6 x 15.7 x 30.8cm |
| Moka pot | Stovetop | Cooktop, not induction | 6 cups | Not listed |
| Manual grinder | Hand | None | 350ml | 21 x 17cm |
Which one for which kitchen
A bench with little room. The black Devanti, which has the smallest listed size of the three.
A household that wants more water per fill. The Pronti CM-850D or the CM-06, each with a tank of about 1.2L.
Someone who wants a stovetop pot and no machine. The moka pot, if the cooktop is gas or electric.
Someone who already brews and wants fresh grounds. The manual grinder, or the vintage style one.
Before you buy
- Measure the bench and the space above it, then compare the sizes in the table.
- Check the power cord length against the nearest power point.
- Look at your cooktop if you are choosing the moka pot.
- Decide how many cups you make at a time, and compare that with the tank or pot size.
- Buy coffee beans separately, because neither grinder in this guide includes them.
- The coffee machines page lists everything above, with more grinders and pod storage.
Frequently asked questions
What does 20 bar mean on an espresso machine?
It is the pump pressure. The Devanti machines and the Pronti CM-850D all list a 20 bar pump.
Can a moka pot be used on an induction cooktop?
No. The listing says it works on gas, electric and other cooktops but excludes induction.
Do the coffee grinders include beans?
No. Both manual grinder listings say that coffee beans are not included.
Which machine holds the most water?
The Pronti CM-850D and the Devanti CM-06 hold the most, about 1.2L each (the Pronti listing gives both 1.2L and 1.25L), against 0.9L for the black Devanti.