Short on time? Our top pick is the Hario Technica glass siphon coffee maker.

Admit it:

The first time you ever laid eyes on a siphon vacuum coffee maker, you were hooked.

I know I sure was.

It’s such a unique and visually appealing way of preparing your favorite brew.

And it doesn’t just look good – it makes really good coffee.

Naturally, you need one in your life.

But which one?

There are tons of different models on the market, so picking the best siphon coffee maker is quite a task.

Here’s the good news:

I did my research so you don’t have to.

In this article, I’ll cover some of the coolest siphon apparatus on the market.

Let’s go!

Table of Contents

Best 5 Siphon Coffee Makers – Our Top 5 Choices

Hario Technica Glass Syphon Coffee Maker (Overall Best Siphon Coffee Maker)
Bodum PEBO Coffee Maker (Easiest Siphon Coffee Maker To Clean)
Boeng 5-Cup Coffee Syphon Tabletop Coffee Maker (Budget Best Option)
Diguo Belgian/Belgium Luxury Royal Family Balance Syphon Coffee Maker (Best Premium Option)
Yama Siphon 8 Cup Stove Top Coffee Maker (Best Siphon Coffee Maker For Large Households)

Hario Technica Glass Syphon Coffee Maker

This brand is well known for making high-quality heat proof glass. So naturally, we can expect this siphon coffee maker to be very durable.

And indeed, the glass feels rather thick and sturdy when you pick it up.

You can choose between the 3 and 5 cup capacity. If you drink only a tiny cup of coffee at a time, go for the smaller option. If you prefer a larger mug, then by all means, pick the larger one.

Keep in mind that by 5 cups they mean 25 ounces, which is slightly bigger than a travel mug.

I love the fact that the stand, burner cover and filter are all made of stainless steel. The fasteners are made of brass while the windbreak is made of aluminum. It doesn’t get more durable than that, so you can rest easy knowing it’ll withstand the test of time.

But that also means this coffee maker is rather heavy, compared to other models.

It comes with an alcohol burner, and it takes around 10 minutes to make 5 cups of coffee. While a butane burner would definitely speed that up, this is still a pretty decent brewing time for a siphon coffee pot.

Pros

Between 3 and 5 cup capacity, you can choose the model that better suits your needs
All parts are either glass or metal, which means it will last you a long time
Assembling this coffee siphon is super easy and won’t take up a lot of your time
No need to trouble yourself with hand washing, just throw all the parts into the dishwasher

Cons

The heavy stand makes pouring somewhat awkward

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Bodum PEBO Coffee Maker

Here’s a model that’s both simple looking and simple to use.

For a siphon coffee brewer, that is.

It might not be the best looking one, but it sure makes a good cup of coffee.

And that’s what matters the most, right?

You can use it on both electric and gas stoves. That means your friend can borrow it, even if they have a different type of stove at home.

The glass appears thin, but don’t let that fool you.

If you use this coffee siphon properly, it can last you a very long time.

This is a pretty good model for someone who has never used a siphon coffee maker before. It’s so simple and straightforward that you don’t even need a manual for setting it up.

With an 8 cup capacity, this is one of the largest models on this list. It’s great for households with more than one coffee drinker.

The carafe features a stay-cool nylon handle that makes pouring a breeze.

You also get a stopper, which is basically a cork that keeps the leftover coffee sealed and safe from oxygen. That way you can keep your coffee fresh for several hours.

Siphon coffee makers can be a pain to clean, but luckily, that’s not the case with this model. Just disassemble it and put all the parts in the top rack of your dishwasher.

Not having to hand wash glass parts is definitely a huge time saver.

Pros

Makes anywhere from 4 to 8 cups of coffee, which is more than most siphons on the market – so it’s a great choice for larger households
Easy to set up and use, so you won’t have to waste any time fiddling around
Takes less than 12 minutes to make a full carafe of delicious coffee, so you don’t have to wait a long time for your morning cup to brew
The reusable plastic filter is easy to clean and makes a bold coffee

Cons

Looks pretty basic compared to other models on this list

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Boeng 5-Cup Coffee Syphon Tabletop Coffee Maker

When it comes to siphon coffee makers, it doesn’t get any more affordable than this.

I’m actually quite surprised to see a heatproof glass product at this price. For that alone, this model definitely deserves a spot on this list.

This coffee maker comes in two sizes: 3 and 5 cup capacity. The first is for people who are satisfied with one full mug of coffee. The second is for you and your partner. Or lone and heavy coffeeholics. Hey, no judgement here.

It’s relatively fast – you only have to wait 10 minutes to get a full carafe of coffee.

The parts are made of borosilicate glass and polypropylene. Both can withstand high temperatures, but the latter is a form of plastic. No matter how heat resistant it is, it can’t compare to metals.

But given the price it sells at, that’s to be expected. Still, that doesn’t mean these parts aren’t durable. As long as you use it the way it’s intended, this coffee maker can last you quite a while.

With that being said, you should wash the parts by hand. While polypropylene is highly resistant to heat, certain parts might still deform if you put them in the dishwasher.

The coffee maker comes with everything you need – the burner, cotton wick and cloth filters. You also get a wood stirrer and a plastic spoon for coffee grounds, so you don’t have to waste any time or money gathering additional bits and pieces.

Pros

One of the most affordable siphon coffee makers on the market
Comes with a wood stick for stirring coffee, so you don’t have to buy it separately
Doesn’t take up a lot of space on your counter, which is great if you have a cramped kitchen
You can choose between a 3 and a 5 cup model, depending on your needs

Cons

The parts are not dishwasher safe, so you have to wash them by hand

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Diguo Belgian/Belgium Luxury Royal Family Balance Syphon Coffee Maker

If you want to feel like an alchemist, then this is the perfect siphon coffee brewer for the job.

It’s so pretty, I’d pay just to look at it sitting on my counter every day.

This coffee maker comes in gold, silver and rose gold and features a wooden base. It looks sophisticated and complex.

And, well, that’s because it is.

Let’s be real – you’ll probably have to go over the manual a couple of times before you get the hang of it. If you don’t like complicated things, then this is not for you.

But you can rest assured that – once you figure it out – you’ll enjoy using it.

The parts are made of either silicate glass or 304 stainless steel. Both of these materials are extremely sturdy, so you can rest assured this apparatus will last you a long time.

It weighs over 5 pounds, so there’s little chance you’ll accidentally push it off the counter.

Of course, there’s a downside to this beauty – and in this case it’s the cleaning. The parts can be quite difficult to wash. This also includes the cloth filter this vacuum coffee maker comes with, which like all the other parts needs to be washed after every use.

Pros

You can choose between three luxurious colors to suit your kitchen esthetics
This siphon brewer is so durable, you might even pass it on to your grandchildren
Due to its weight, there’s little chance of you knocking it over and breaking it
In case you do break something, most parts can be bought as a replacement

Cons

It’s more difficult to clean than most siphon coffee makers

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Yama Siphon 8 Cup Stove Top Coffee Maker

This 8 cup siphon coffee maker by Yama is an affordable, yet high-quality product.

It’s made of sturdy borosilicate glass that’s hand blown. This stuff is strong like a rock and you can’t break it, no matter how much heat you expose it to.

Its design is simple, with the shape of an hourglass.

This coffee maker works on both gas and electric stovetops. In case of the latter, the product comes with a wire diffuser for use on electric coil burners. You should also use the diffuser on ceramic top stoves, just to be on the safe side.

The carafe has an 8 cup capacity. That’s suitable for an entire family of coffee drinkers.

It features a handle for easy pouring, but one thing concerns me. The handle is angled downwards, so you need to be careful when grabbing it while it’s over a heat source. Otherwise, you might end up burning yourself.

The parts aren’t dishwasher safe, so you’ll need a brush to clean both compartments. But they’re pretty big, so cleaning shouldn’t be that hard.

The coffee maker comes with a plastic stick that’s a stirrer on one side and a spoon on the other side. I don’t like the fact that it’s plastic, but the 2-in-1 stick is a nice idea.

Pros

Comes with a wire diffuser, which acts as a protective measure between an electric stove top and the glass base, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it
Has an 8 cup capacity, so it can make enough for the whole family
You can use the lid as a siphon stand after the brewing is done and avoid breaking the glass by placing it on a cold surface while it’s still hot
Brews a full carafe in just 10 minutes, which is handy when you’re in a hurry

Cons

The spatula is plastic, which is not good for hot liquid

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Siphon Coffee Maker Buying Guide

Okay, it’s time for the serious part – how does one pick the right siphon maker?

If you’ve never seen it in action before, you’re probably as confused as you are excited about getting one.

In this section, we’ll discuss all the features you should consider when buying a siphon brewer.

Standalone VS Stovetop

First things first – you should know that there’s no difference between the two when it comes to the quality of your siphon brew.

This means your choice ultimately comes down to where you plan on using your siphon coffee maker.

The bottom chamber of a standalone siphon coffee maker is round in shape, which is why it comes with a stand. The stand is essential for holding the whole thing upright. .

The burner, either built-in or separate, sits underneath the bottom chamber.

Since you don’t need an electrical outlet or a stove, you can use a standalone siphon basically anywhere you want. This could be your kitchen, office or even your living room. After all, it looks so cool, every house guest should be able to see it.

A stovetop siphon coffee maker, on the other hand, features a flat bottom chamber that you can place onto a stove without it falling over.

So in a way this makes it kind of easier to use, because all you have to do is pop it on the stove. There’s no fiddling around with a burner involved.

On the other hand, you can only use one of these in a kitchen with a stove. And unless you invite your guests to your kitchen, it’s unlikely they’ll see what a cool coffee maker you have.

In terms of price, a stovetop siphon is generally a cheaper option.

One thing to note though – if you go with a stovetop coffee maker, you’ll have to use a diffuser between the stove and the siphon. If you don’t, the glass bottom will crack under direct exposure to heat.

Capacity

person pouring coffee from a siphon pot into a mug

Don’t expect a siphon vacuum pot to make you a gallon of coffee.

While they do come in different sizes, their capacity is between 3 and 8 cups at a time.

By cup, I don’t mean your classic tea and coffee mug. In this case, a cup means five ounces, which is a cappuccino mug.

To figure out which size is the best option, consider how much and how often your household drinks coffee.

This is not the type of coffee maker that keeps your coffee warm after it’s brewed. So if you don’t need a large amount of coffee at once, go for a smaller model.

Materials

A siphon coffee maker is by no means a new invention. In fact, it dates back to the 1830s.

Back then, it was typically made of glass or stainless steel.

Nowadays, the material of choice is borosilicate glass. That’s what they use for LED lights, bakeware and even lab equipment. This material can withstand a sudden temperature change of up to about 340 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s good to know it won’t break under high heat, but that doesn’t mean it’s unbreakable. So if you have kids or clumsy roommates, make sure to keep it in a safe place when not in use.

Filters

Typically, siphon coffee makers come with a cloth filter.

These are great for preventing ground debris from getting into your coffee.

But for cleaning?

They’re pretty damn inconvenient. You need to empty the grounds and scrub it well. Then, you need to dry it, or else mildew can appear.

If this seems like too much effort, you can get a stainless steel filter. Compared to cloth filters, these are a breeze to clean.

But, they do let some oils and minuscule coffee grounds through. As a result, you get a more rich-bodied cup of coffee.

Burners

siphon maker bottom chamber over a burner

Standalone siphon coffee makers require a burner.

But which one to use?

Generally, the choice lies between alcohol, butane and gas.

Alcohol burners are the most affordable of the three. But, the flame is not as easy to control, and soot accumulates at the bottom of the siphon.

Gas and butane, on the other hand, are both easy to use and stable.

Lots of models can use different types of burners interchangeably. But before you opt for a particular type of burner, make sure it’s compatible with your siphon.

Design

A siphon coffee maker is one of those things worth buying for the looks alone.

It’s not that it doesn’t make good coffee. It does. But it also looks so damn good doing it.

When it comes to design, it seems like the sky’s the limit. Some models are pretty basic, and resemble a crystal ball. Others look like an alchemist lab.

The more expensive a machine is, the more complex it looks.

One thing’s for sure – whichever siphon vacuum pot you choose, it won’t go unnoticed.

Your friends will look on in awe and amazement as you brew up a pot of java in one of these things. They’ll be lining up to try the coffee, just watch.

FAQ

Got more questions?

I don’t blame you.

Siphon brewers are rather complex compared to other coffee makers, and you’ll probably have to study the manual a bit before you go ham on setting it up.

Here are the answers to some things that might be popping into your head.

How Do You Make Siphon Coffee?

The brewing process seems complicated at first, but it really isn’t.

Here’s the step by step guide.

Soak the filter in warm water for at least 5 minutes.
Put it at the bottom of the top compartment and secure it in place.
Fill the bottom compartment with hot water.
Connect the top to the bottom compartment and position the whole thing over a burner.
Turn the burner on and watch the water boil. As that happens, the hot water will rise to the top compartment.
Lower the heat, add coffee grounds and stir gently.
Let that sit for a minute.
Remove the coffee maker from the burner and stir it about 10 times with a bamboo paddle.
Let the coffee draw downward, then remove the upper chamber.

That’s it!

It might be confusing at first, but after a couple of tries, you’ll be able to do it blindfolded.

What Is The Best Grind For Siphon Coffee?

You should aim for a medium grind size that falls somewhere between espresso and filter.

Using a grind that’s too fine can clog your filter. On the other hand, a grind that’s too coarse will brew much quicker, resulting in coffee that lacks flavor.

What Does Siphon Coffee Taste Like?

From such a sophisticated brewing method, you can’t expect anything less than a sophisticated cup of coffee.

Your favorite hot beverage brewed on this machine is rich, smooth and full-bodied. It’s clear, without any coffee sediment, yet it tastes sharp and strong.