Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
Bialetti Moka Express vs Cuisinox Roma Stainless Steel Moka Espresso Maker
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Moka Pots: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Bialetti Moka Express is the aluminium original, simple to use and to clean, for gas and electric stoves. The Cuisinox Roma is the stainless steel alternative for induction, with a spare gasket and a 25-year warranty.
Bialetti Moka Express
Buy itThe aluminium original, with an easy-clean safety valve and the simplest care routine here.
- Aluminium body with a thermoplastic handle and knob.
- Easy-clean safety valve, and a fill line at the valve that makes dosing water simple.
- Care is a rinse with water after use, with no detergents needed.
- Not dishwasher safe; Bialetti says detergent and dishwashers can damage it and affect taste.
- Works on induction only with Bialetti's separate induction plate adapter.
- Bialetti's own store lists a 14-day return window.
Cuisinox Roma Stainless Steel Moka Espresso Maker
Buy itA heavy-gauge stainless steel pot for every stovetop, with a spare gasket and a 25-year warranty.
- Heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel with a mirror-polished finish.
- Works on induction, gas, electric, ceramic and halogen stovetops.
- Extra replacement gasket included, a 25-year warranty, and published sizes from 4 to 10 cups.
- Cup sizes are based on 2 oz espresso cups, so a 6-cup pot makes about 12 oz.
- The mirror finish shows fingerprints and water marks.
- Stainless steel heats less evenly than aluminium, so watch the heat.
Side by side
| Bialetti Moka Express | Cuisinox Roma Stainless Steel Moka Espresso Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone with a gas or electric stove who wants the classic moka pot. | Induction cooktop owners and anyone who wants a stainless pot that lasts decades. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Bialetti Moka Express - The aluminium original, with an easy-clean safety valve and the simplest care routine here. Choose the Cuisinox Roma Stainless Steel Moka Espresso Maker instead if induction cooktop owners and anyone who wants a stainless pot that lasts decades.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Moka Pots: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).