Bialetti Moka Express 1-Cup Stovetop Coffee Maker

Last updated 5 October 2026

What the Moka Express 1-Cup is

The Moka Express is the pot most people picture when they think of Italian stovetop coffee: an octagonal aluminium body, a black handle and the little moustached man on the side. Bialetti has made it since 1933, and the design is in the permanent collections of the Triennale di Milano and MoMA in New York, according to Bialetti's own Moka Express page.

The 1-cup is the smallest of the sizes Bialetti sells. It suits one person who wants a single short, strong coffee.

How it works

The pot has three parts. You fill the bottom boiler with room-temperature water up to the safety valve, fill the funnel with ground coffee without pressing it down, and screw the top collector on. As the water heats, pressure pushes it up through the coffee and into the top.

Bialetti's tip is to keep the heat low and wait. The coffee is ready when the pot starts to gurgle, and then you take it off the hob.

The result is stronger and thicker than filter coffee, but it is not a true espresso, because a stovetop pot cannot reach the pressure of an espresso machine.

Key facts

• Makes: one espresso cup, about 60ml.
• Body: aluminium, with a thermoplastic handle and knob.
• Safety valve: Bialetti's own design, which you can inspect and clean.
• Hobs: gas and electric. On induction it only works with Bialetti's induction plate, sold separately.
• Cleaning: rinse in water only. It is not dishwasher safe.
• Other sizes: Amazon UK lists 2, 3, 4, 6 and 18-cup versions on the same listing.

Who it suits

It suits someone who drinks one coffee at a time and likes it short. It also suits a small kitchen, a narrow boat or a camping trip with a gas stove, because there is no plug, no pods and nothing to charge.

It is the wrong size for anyone who drinks a full mug or makes coffee for two. One cup means one espresso cup, not a mug, so the 3-cup or 6-cup is the better buy for a household. If you want a single mug instead, the AeroPress Original makes a mug of coffee at a time and needs only a kettle.

The limits

Aluminium needs looking after. It cannot go in the dishwasher, and Bialetti says to clean it with water rather than detergent. The rubber gasket wears out over time, so you will need a replacement gasket every so often to keep the seal tight.

It does not work on an induction hob without the separate plate, which is worth checking before you buy it as a gift. And at £31.20 on Amazon UK, the smallest pot costs about the same as the 3-cup, so you are paying for the size you want rather than saving money.

Where to buy it

Amazon UK has the 1-cup at £31.20, sold by EasyGK, with free delivery. Bialetti also sells the Moka Express on its own European site, in euros.

Buy the Moka Express 1-Cup on Amazon UK

Frequently asked questions

How much coffee does the Bialetti Moka Express 1-Cup make?

One espresso-sized cup, about 60ml. That is a short coffee, not a mug.

How much does the Bialetti Moka Express 1-Cup cost in the UK?

It was £31.20 on Amazon UK on 5 October 2026, sold by EasyGK.

Does the Moka Express work on an induction hob?

Only with Bialetti's induction plate, which is sold separately. It works directly on gas and electric hobs.

Can you put a Bialetti Moka pot in the dishwasher?

No. Bialetti says the Moka Express is not dishwasher safe and should be rinsed in water.

Is Moka pot coffee the same as espresso?

No. It is strong and concentrated, but a stovetop pot brews at a much lower pressure than an espresso machine, so it has less crema and a slightly different taste.

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