You can talk to any coffee connoisseur and, nine times out of ten, they will tell you about how much they love how unique the best siphon coffee maker designs are. You have probably seen one before – they are the ones you see in all those hyper-hipster coffee shops that just look super cool and intriguing.
So, what exactly are siphon (or vacuum) coffee makers? Well, basically, they are a full immersion brewing system. They have two chambers: the one on top is where your coffee grounds would be on a strainer and the bottom one is where you put in the water. When you heat the water, it creates some sort of a vacuum which forces the water through the siphon tube in the middle and into the top chamber where all your coffee grounds are. After a few minutes, the fresh brew will then drain back into the bottom chamber as the heat eases down and the pressure falls. Your coffee is now ready to enjoy!
If the mesmerizing way by which the coffee is brewed is not enough to make you want to buy one, here is why you might want one of the best siphon coffee makers in your possession. First of all, they have an extremely elegant design that would make your kitchen counter look that much better!
Not only does it look beautiful but the technology by which it operates is elegant as well. You will notice how different your coffee will taste after using one of these. Because of the way the boiling water passes through the chamber, you will get the maximum flavor out of all the coffee grounds you use. Having and using one of the best siphon coffee makers will take your coffee-making experience to a whole new level!
Top 6 Best Siphon Coffee Maker Models
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1. Yama Glass Stovetop Siphon Brewer
Notice how the Yama Glass Stovetop Siphon Brewer is a little less expensive than other siphon brewers out there. We love how it is available in two different sizes (22 ounces and 40 ounces), so you can choose which one would work best for your specific needs.
This stovetop brewer has a simple yet elegant design. It is very easy to use, especially when compared to other siphon brewers. If you have kids running around the house you may want to consider another siphon brewer because, although this Yama one is simple and very cute, it is on the more fragile end so you will need to be careful when using it.
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 8.00 x 8.00 x 11.00 inches
- Item Weight: 2.40lbs
- Manufacturer: YAMA
- Material: Glass
- Color: Clear
Sample customer review… This is simple to use, works great, and makes some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. Once the water boils it only takes a minute to brew on the burner then you remove it from heat. Once the air in the lower half starts to cool the coffee will start to return to the bottom, once done it’s ready to serve (you can make the coffee drop faster by cooling the air on the bottom with a damp cloth just make sure it’s not too cold you could cause the glass to break if it is too cold.
A room-temp damp cloth would be fine, of course, be careful when doing this so you won’t burn yourself). Coffee is smooth and not bitter. You might need to make a few pots figure out how strong you want the coffee to be for the type you are using. The instructions say to use a scope per cup. ex 5 cups of water = 5 scopes of coffee grounds. I found that to be a bit much but if you like strong coffee then it’s good for you. Though this all depends on the type of coffee you use and how fresh it is.
I find that this is pretty easy to clean overall though you may find a bottle brush comes in handy for cleaning the pot half. It seems to be pretty well made overall.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.
2. Hario-Technica Tabletop Siphon Coffee Maker
The Hario Technical Siphon Coffee Maker looks like it belongs in a science experiment catalogue – and we absolutely love that! How fancy and barista-like are you going to feel when using this?! You can be assured that coffee will taste just like how it should when using this brewer. This specific one was designed in Japan and is of an extremely high standard.
The glass that it’s made out of is heat resistant and remains of the same quality regardless of how often it’s used. It comes with a cloth filter (which is washable and reusable) but it can also be used with metal filters.
You can also replace the existing burner with a butane burner if you want a faster brewing process. Yes, this brewer unfortunately has only a 3 cup capacity but, I mean, quality over quantity right?
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 6.30 x 3.74 x 13.11 inches
- Item Weight: 4.2oz
- Manufacturer: HARIO
- Material: Glass
Sample customer review… If you want to feel like a barista, this coffee siphon makes you feel like a pro. It also gives you coffee that does not like taste Starbucks. But the coffee taste is similar to dripped coffee. It does take a longer time to make. After the water is boiled, it takes about 3 minutes for the brewing process to complete with a butane burner. So it’s like a weekend treat for coffee lovers.
It’s not particularly messy to clean the grind but it’s not as easy as taking out the filter with grind already in there. The glass seems to be quite durable as the bottom glass slipped (small vertical drop) and landed in the sink as we pour the liquid out (We did not know the grip was not tightened). I picked this Japanese-made siphon over other brands because I know how durable and well-made the glass is from a Japanese-made glass teapot that I have been using for years.
I would recommend this product to coffee lovers.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com
3. Bodum Pebo Stovetop Siphon Coffee Maker
You may have seen the Bodum Pebo Siphon Coffee Maker in coffee chains like Starbucks. It is loved for its clean and simplistic design. The Bodum Pebo uses a stove-top brewing system – the bottom chamber is flat so it can be put directly above your heat source. It has a capacity of four to eight cups at once which is amazing! With this siphon coffee maker, you will have your perfectly brewed cup of coffee in 5 to 11 minutes to enjoy.
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 12.50 x 10.30 x 7.80 inches
- Item Weight: 1.55lbs
- Capacity: 34 fluid ounces
- Manufacturer: Bodum
- Color: Clear
- Material: Glass
Sample Customer Review… This is the first coffee maker of this type that I have owned. I have had many drip-style coffee makers in the past, my most current one is the Cuisinart with an internal carafe with a lever to dispense coffee straight into the coffee cup. Let me tell you that I had no idea what my coffee really tasted like until I used this Bodum PEBO vacuum, coffee maker.
I was skeptical of what I read, saying that the coffee will taste better. Let me tell you that my skepticism is gone. The coffee really tastes better. I now enjoy my coffee on a whole other level. I also enjoy making coffee now, it is kinda fun to watch this thing do its magic (maybe this will go away with time, being new and all) and it really does not take that long to do at all. I use a heat diffuser on a gas stove set to a little under medium and it only takes about 10-12 minutes.
One thing to note is that there (for me anyway) is more time involved with the care and clean-up. I am willing to overlook this because of the better coffee it produces and the coolness and fun factors.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com.
4. Nispira Belgian Luxury Family Balance Siphon Coffee Maker
First of all, how stunning is the Nispira Belgian Luxury Siphon Coffee Maker?! With its gold and chrome body and wooden base, this coffee maker truly does embody luxury and elegance. But this is more than just a pretty face. The plated balancing shaft and handle ensure you have full stability and functionality when handling the boiling hot water.
The glass is heat resistant and the water retainer is made out of stainless steel so everything is very durable. It also has its own alcohol burner so you can brew your coffee at any time! We are just so fascinated by how elegant this coffee maker looks – it will add so much to any kitchen counter! If you are not only looking for amazing coffee but also luxury in a pot, this is the coffee maker for you.
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 12.20 x 5.00 x 15.74 inches
- Item Weight: 5.64lbs
- Manufacturer: NISPIRA
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 500ml
Sample Customer Review… This is indisputably the most beautiful mechanical kitchen marvel I have ever purchased !! Gorgeous to look at, makes an astoundingly good cuppa coffee, and just watching it function as the water transfers from the boiler to the carafe, the weight shifts, automatically extinguishing the flame, and then the magic happens! The Thermo Cycle kicks in and it draws all the coffee back into the empty boiler ready for serving. No transistors, no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, just absolutely brilliant simple mechanical genius. If I could’ve given 10 stars I would.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com
5. KitchenAid Automatic Tabletop Siphon Coffee Maker
The KitchenAid Tabletop Siphon Coffee Maker is automated yet still produces rich and flavorful brewed coffee that is common to siphon-brewed coffee. The automated feature makes this coffee maker extremely convenient. This automation and the other technology that the coffee maker uses makes it very precise when it comes to temperature and timing. It also has a magnetic lock which improves the brewing process to present you with fresh and richly brewed coffee.
Besides the brew unit stand and the dual-purpose lid, this KitchenAid brewer comes with cloth filters, a cleaning brush and scoop. It also has a four to eight cup capacity so you can comfortably get your daily dose of caffeine, without worrying about making a new batch for your family.
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 8.70 x 6.70 x 14.30 inches
- Item Weight: 4.80lbs
- Manufacturer: KitchenAid
- Color: Onyx Black
- Material: Plastic
Sample Customer Review…I love coffee and I have tried it all over the world. If you love coffee, you will not be disappointed with this “Siphon”, type Brewer! I make coffee very strong indeed, in fact, for what “I”, call coffee, I use two cups of very coarsely ground coffee per full pot! That’s strong coffee! But Smoooooth….with this brewer because it is brewed correctly every time!
Very similar to how strong a cup of ‘”Joe”, that they make and drink in Bogota “Columbia”, or “Turkey”. And this coffee maker does its job perfectly EVERY time!!! And “Smooth” isn’t even the word for the coffee that this makes!
Worth EVERY penny and more!!
Read more reviews on Amazon.com
6. KENDAL Tabletop Siphon Coffee Maker
The Kendal Tabletop Siphon Coffee Maker has a very interesting design which would make you think it would be complicated to operate. This is far from the truth. This coffee maker is actually surprisingly easy to use. With its five cup capacity, you can have fun all the while treating your friends to amazingly and uniquely brewed coffee.
We love how it comes with its own alcohol burner, wooden stirrer, cloth filters, and a measuring spoon which are all reusable and very easy to clean.
Specifications:
- Product Dimensions: 16.70 x 7.20 x 5.50 inches
- Item Weight: 2.84lbs
- Manufacturer: Kendal
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 0.31 gallons
Sample Customer Review… I was a bit skeptical of its ability to make a great cup of coffee but I was completely wrong. I am a bit of a coffee snob and have been roasting, grinding, and french pressing my coffee for the last 20 years or so. I thought I had the very best possible equipment….until I tried this. The coffee was very clean and clear with no sediment and not a hint of bitterness. It actually tastes better than any cup I have ever been able to make at home.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com
Buying Guide: Things To Consider When Purchasing a Siphon Coffee Maker
How it works
Begin by placing the item on a heat source after filling the lower portion with water. Add your coffee grounds of choice to the top chamber. The water will begin to boil and turn into steam creating pressure that forces the water to the top part of the item, mixing with the coffee grounds.
After steeping with the grounds once it is removed from the heat source, the pressure built up by the remaining steam that has turned back to water steadily draws the now steeped coffee back to the bottom chamber, passing through the cloth filter to remove the coffee grounds. The end result is a bold and smooth tasting coffee that is incomparable to anything you might get from a drive-thru on your way to work.
Durability
Because of the higher price compared to other coffee makers, you will most likely want this product to last longer than a few cups of coffee. Being partly made of glass, you will need to look for a product that is manufactured to withstand the slightest slip or drop. Other users have mentioned that cleaning the product is where cracks and chips tend to happen to most, so keep the fragile tendencies of this product in mind when shopping.
Design
Let’s be honest, if you are looking to purchase a Siphon coffee maker, it is mostly for flashy aesthetics, not for the ease of making a good cup of coffee. So design is important to consider when purchasing your brewer. If you want that “wow” factor when brewing for guests, you may need to invest a little more for something that is going to be a little more showy.
However, the materials you will need to produce a good cup of siphoned coffee are standard among almost all of the models you will find, so a baseline siphon brewer will still get you the coffee you are looking for, even if it doesn’t give you the show you were looking for.
Burners
Brewing your perfect cup of coffee is incomplete without a heat source to start the vacuuming process. To start, there are two different types of siphons when determining your heat source. There are models that are meant to be heated right on your stovetop, and there are free standing models, with which you may need to purchase a separate heat source.
Some free standing siphon brewers come with their own heat source. Yet, if you need to purchase a heat source separately, there are three common kinds of burners; alcohol, gas, and butane. Alcohol burners are the less expensive of the two, but are not recommended because the heat source is not as simple to use and is dangerous to operate around small children. Butane or gas burners are recommended because they are easier to use and provide an easier cleanup after making your coffee.
If you spent your time and effort to create your perfect cup of coffee, you want to be able to enjoy it right away, not have to spend the time cleaning up your siphon brewer and heat source.
Conclusion
If you are anything like me and all the other coffee geeks out there then it is safe to assume that you are absolutely blown away by how cool these vacuum coffee makers work! Not only are they completely mesmerizing, but the technology they employ is so interesting! Hopefully our selection of the best siphon coffee maker options on the market have helped make your buying process a little easier. All in all, it is very safe to say that we absolutely love all of the above-mentioned coffee makers.
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Written by Azza Ali; Contributors: Tatum, Lykasha, Leanne, Jack Leduc, Katherine Roberts, and Lindsey Seney