The 4 Best Electric Siphon Coffee Makers | Purchased coffee (2023)

Becoming a home barista isn't rocket science. It's easy to make delicious coffee in the comfort of your own kitchen. You just need a reliable machine that looks and feels good.

siphon coffeeCoffee makers offer serious coffee drinkers a fabulous coffee experience. It's not just about the taste, it's about watching something beautiful and intense emerge. True coffee geeks say the centuries-old siphon brewing method is the best invention - and they're right.

So your perfect cup starts with this crucial decision: do I buy an electric siphon or its stovetop version?

Our top picks

Why a Siphon Coffee Maker? What is the difference between electric and stove?

In order to get a perfectly rounded cup of coffee, the choice of the device is crucial.

There are a large number of machines on the market with (sometimes) the same price tags, so getting it right is important.

We all know how siphon coffee makers work and that they look like something used in a school chemistry lab, but how do you choose a good siphon brewer?

Whatever you choose, it's sure to add some serious class to your kitchen and impress your patrons (who may have only seen these bad guys at hipster cafes before).

There are two types of siphon machines: stovetop and electric. It's not hard to figure out how they named them, since they're labeled for their heat sources.

A range hood is designed to sit on top of an electric or gas range. You must place a diffuser between the machine and the heat source, as direct heat exposure increases the risk of the lower chamber rupturing. The designs are mostly kept quite simple and lack the style of the E models.

An electric or standalone machine might be less romantic and more practical, but it does have its own stand or heat source, with either a separate or built-in gas or alcohol burner that sits neatly under the lower chamber. Also, they are portable machines that offer the ultimate in convenience. You literally plug it in and you're good to go!

Typically, both machines make between three and eight cups per brew.

Choosing between the two isn't just about aesthetics, although it's fair to say that the standalone designs are more eye-catching than their stovetop kin. They're also harder on your wallet - but if you want quality and bling, you'll have to pay for it.

So they look like a really impressive piece of kit, and with that comes a higher price point than the usual kitchen worktop accessories.

In this review, we look at four such products, their pros and cons, what people like and dislike about each, and any particular differences in their features.

Let's take a look at what's out there:

The Kitchenaid electric siphon

Advantages

Kitchenaid has been a popular home appliance company in America for years. If you're curious about the entire siphon coffee making process but not sure if it's for you, the good news for beginners is that this functional yet great looking machine is automated. It has a magnetic closure seal and large capacity.

It's built like a tank and looks incredibly solid. If you know anything about these machines, you will have found that regular exposure to heat will eventually weaken the sturdy glass, but luckily this machine is built to last. Users report that it's effortless to use, making about seven to eight cups per brew. It comes with a cloth filter.

Disadvantages

The bad news is that it's harder to clean than drippers. Some reviewers also complain that the coffee actually brews, leaving a slightly filtered brew.

Obviously, coffee needs to be hot, but boiling water only extracts bitter flavors. Most siphons keep water near boiling, but Kitchenaid will take it to over 100 degrees Celsius. This reduces the brewing time to just a few minutes, with the recommended brewing time being around 11 minutes. The machine is also available at the more expensive end of the market.

Das Bodum ePebo

Advantages

This is a really cool looking piece of kit. If you want to relive your science lab class, you or your guests can watch the entire brewing process through the two fixed bowls. The shells are really tightly closed, so that no aroma is lost.

The ePebo claims to make up to six perfect cups in five to 11 minutes, although many reports say it's closer to eight cups. There are many videos online about this product so you can easily learn how to make the most of it.

The base is BPA-free Triton plastic, so no chemicals in your coffee. No paper filter required, and one reviewer uses it to brew tea! The base automatically controls the brewing cycle, and there is a soft rubber handle on the coffee pot. Those who love it say it's by far the best electric siphon out there.

Disadvantages

Not everyone loves it! Common complaints are: the coffee doesn't drain well, causing the coffee to get stuck in the top container. Also, it only brews to a light roast. Thorough cleaning of the product apparently helps.

Those who have used Bodum machines for years report that the quality is not as high on this one.

Although the sales description says it's all glass, reports say the top is actually glass but the bottom is plastic.

Twinbird D854

Advantages

This neat looking Japanese model is slimmer than their older model, the D853 and the Bodum design.

Again, it's easy and fun to watch the brewing process. Neither an advantage nor a disadvantage, but you also need a step-up transformer since the machine is 100V.

Reviewers say it makes excellent coffee and that it's easy to clean. Despite some of the downsides below, those who have used it say it makes the best coffee they've ever had, so maybe the Japanese instructions are worth the trouble!

Disadvantages

There is very little information about it! Newbies report that it's a lot more work than their drip machine, but that's pretty much the case with any siphon.

Both parts are made of glass, so you have to be careful with them! It's also probably best not to put it in the dishwasher - which can be a chore if you don't have time to wash up.

The manual is in Japanese and Japanese only, which means you'll have to search the web for English instructions.

Not everyone loves the cloth filter, some users choose to purchase mesh or paper filters instead.

Also, the jug is quite small, only extending to four cups. So if you're looking for a whole morning brew for the family, this might not be the model for you.

Klarstein siphon

Advantages

It's a neat and compact design that doesn't take up all of your kitchen space. It also claims to deliver a full-bodied cup of coffee in a very short time. It features an automated digital control mode in the base of the machine for quick brewing, but if you want your brew to last a little longer you can switch the machine to manual.

The jug can be turned in all directions on the base and removed from the machine.

Enthusiastic reviewers describe a rich, clean cup of coffee from an easy-to-use machine (at a much lower price point than competing machines). It comes with an English and Spanish user manual.

Disadvantages

It's difficult to clean, but that's something reviewers say about most siphons! It may just be that people who are used to other coffee making devices will eventually adjust and think that the siphon is worth the trouble.

Users report that the instructions are really bad and difficult to use. Therefore, the machine will be better understood if you find a few explainer videos before getting started. However, several reviewers found the end result tasted fairly regular and lacked depth.

Some people don't like the cloth filter and report that the heating pad deteriorated after heating for a relatively short period of time. There have been some reports of the water boiling over, while others note that after a few weeks of use, the water was taking longer and longer to heat up. The pot is very small so really, unless you don't mind making coffee over and over again, this isn't the machine for you.

Final Thoughts

We hope this review has helped you find the perfect electric siphon coffee maker for your kitchen. Really and truly, you won't go too far wrong with any of the above models!

Have you ever used one of these machines? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments box below. Speak soon!