The Best Siphon Coffee Makers of 2023 [My Favorites + Top 5] Review & Guide (2023)

By now, most coffee lovers have become familiar with the odd-looking device known as a "siphon coffee maker" (or more simply vacuum coffee maker).

It's this quirky device of glass tubes and burners reminiscent of devices used in sci-fi movies and your old high school science lab.

But what does this weird (and cool) looking device do other than make you look like a cross between a Portland hipster and a mad scientist?

Here's a rundown of the features, history, and what to look out for if you're in the market for one of these cool devices.

The 5 best siphon coffee makers of 2020

preview	Product	Evaluation
	Hario "Technica" Glas-Syphon...	2,054 reviews
	Bodum PEBO coffee maker,...	No ratings yet
	Gourmia GCM3500 Digital Siphon...	No ratings yet
	Diguo New Generation Electric...	No ratings yet
	KitchenAid KCM0812OB Siphon...	No ratings yet

You don't want to drag yourself to the café for your delicious morning cup? Home coffee brewers can easily immerse themselves in the wonderful world of vacuumed coffee without leaving their fluffy slippers and flannel nightgowns.

There's a wide range of caffeine options, and I'll walk you through some of the best siphon coffee makers out there so you can start brewing your own delicious concoctions (like the mad scientist that you are) in no time !

1: Hario Technica Coffee Siphon – The Japanese coffee maker

The Hario Technica system is a standalone siphon that uses an alcohol burner and reusable cloth filters. It has a handy 5-cup brewing capacity, is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass and is imported from Japan. Hario is known for their high quality coffee machines and this one doesn't disappoint. Of all siphon systems, this is the showpiece we all picture in the back of our favorite coffee house. The open burner and glass carafe fit perfectly into any crazy science lab!

Advantages

• Simple, elegant design.
• Made from heat resistant borosilicate glass so unlikely to break easily.
• Standalone system that's as fun as it is functional.

Disadvantages

• The cloth filter can be difficult to clean.
• The included alcohol burner isn't as efficient as a butane gas burner, and you might end up wanting the latter.

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2: The Bodum Pebo Vacuum Coffee Maker

The Bodum Pebo coffee maker is a finely crafted product from Scandinavia. Known for its clean, simple design, it's no wonder it's a favorite at popular coffee shops like Starbucks! The Bodum Pebo is a stovetop siphon system where the lower chamber is flat so it can be placed directly on top of the heat source. Consisting of two firmly connected glass bowls, it can brew a perfect cup of coffee in 5 to 11 minutes and has a brewing capacity of 4 to 8 cups at a time.

Advantages

• Slim, minimalist design.
• Can be used on the stove.
• Has a brewing capacity of up to 8 cups.

Disadvantages

• The glass compartments aren't as "unbreakable" as the Hario's borosilicate compartments.
• With use and time, the bodum can lose its tight seal, which can lead to drainage problems and a miserable mess.

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3: The Gourmia Premium Siphon Coffee Maker

The siphon brewer for the modern age! The Gourmia Premium Siphon System is electronic, cordless and has a one-touch interface! More akin to the electronic drip pot you might be used to, this sleek and angular system can stand on your countertop and unlike those that require a burner or open flame, this system is self-contained.

Advantages

• Electronic and wireless. No need for a burner or stove.
• One-touch interface with temperature control and "keep warm" mode.
• Beautifully designed. Has both the modern aesthetic to match your other kitchen appliances and the beautiful feel of the theatrical wonder as you watch your coffee brew itself.

Disadvantages

• Cloth filters are difficult to clean and even more difficult to replace.
• The brewing capacity is only about 3 cups.

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4: The new generation electric siphon coffee maker from Diguo

Another self-contained electric siphon! The new generation siphon from Diguo has a capacity of 3 cups.

It has an electric base with adjustable heat control and can make you a tasty cup in about 5 minutes.

Like the Gourmia, it has a sleek, modern look while still retaining that cool aspect. It can easily settle on your countertop alongside all your other kitchen gadgets and still be the hot new thing on the block.

Advantages

• Electrical base. No burners or open flames.
• Adjustable heat control.
• Makes your brew in 5 minutes or less.

Disadvantages

• Small brewing capacity.
• The upper glass cylinder is extremely sensitive.

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5: The KitchenAid KCM08120B Siphon Coffee Maker

Even the vaunted KitchenAid brand is embracing the siphon coffee maker with their own electric version!

The KitchenAid KCM8120B Siphon Brewer features an automated, full-immersion siphon that is "delivered through precise temperature and vacuum technology."

It is made of high quality glass with stainless steel accents that add to its sophisticated and modern design.

It has an 8-cup brewing capacity, a magnetic locking seal that keeps the unit securely held together, and comes with both a steel filter and cloth filter pack.

Advantages

• Comes with steel filter and cloth filter pack. electric.
• Big capacity
• Sleek design with durable glass and stainless steel accents.
• Magnetic closure seal.
• No open flames or burners required.

Disadvantages

• At the more expensive end.

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What is a vacuum coffee maker and why does it make great coffee?

A siphon or vacuum coffee maker is one"full immersion"brewing system. That means instead of boiling the coffee, it uses a constant heat source (the burner) to create an internal vacuum that moves the water from one chamber to the next.

One of the main advantages of a vacuum brewer is that the waternever reaches the boil, causing the coffee to lose some of its most subtle flavors. With a siphon, once the burner is adjusted, the temperature remains constant throughout the brewing cycle. This full "immersion" method is ideal because the coffee grounds are all continuously immersed in the water for the same length of time and with the same amount of heat.

One of the main benefits of a vacuum brewer is that the water never boils, causing the coffee to lose some of its most subtle flavors

The design consists of two glass chambers, one filled with water and the second with coffee grounds. Heating of the lower chamber with the burnercauses an increase in vapor pressure.

Steam forces the water to rise to the upper chamber where the coffee grounds await. The water, which is now mixed with the coffee grounds, is drawn back down into the lower chamber thanks to gravity through a filter (The "vacuum" effect) and leaves behind delicious, perfectly brewed coffee when it's ready. It's delicious and it's science!

a brief history of the siphon coffee maker

While it may seem like a newfangled hipster fad, siphon coffee makers — sometimes spelled "syphon" — have actually been around for a while. The concept dates back to the mid-18th century when the earliest known patent for a siphon-style coffee maker was filed in Berlin in the 1830s.

People agreed back thenbrewing coffee diminished the tasteand various types of vacuum and steam pressure machines were put into use.

The first commercially successful siphon brewer was designed and sold by the Frenchwoman Madame Vassieux, who popularized this new method of brewing coffee in the late 19th century.

The method was more elegant and theatrical; Asatisfying spectacle for entertaining gueststhat was much more appropriate for the time. And why shouldn't we enjoy the same?

Dig deeper: Other features to look for

You already know a lot about this great Gravity coffee maker. But here are a few interesting points.

wonderwhat functionslook in a siphon? When looking for the best siphon coffee maker, here are a few interesting points to consider when making your choice:

Electric Siphon Coffee Maker vs. Stovetop

Choosing between a standalone electric siphon or a hob is really a matter of taste and aesthetics. In terms of brew quality, there isn't much of a difference.

Thestovetop, as the name suggests, is designed to sit on top of your stove and use its flame as a burner. These tend to be a bit simpler and less expensive than their flashier standalone counterparts. The standalone, on the other hand, has its own stand and built-in burner (either gas or alcohol) located just below the lower chamber that holds the water. These tend to have a bit more flair in their design, but otherwise work the same way.

Capacity & Design

As with any coffee machine, the required amount of brew depends on your own needs. Vacuum coffee machines brew in a variety of batch sizes, typically between 3 and 8 cups per brew.

Who can deny the odd appeal of a siphon coffee maker? They're exquisite, tastefully satisfying, and make a mind-blowing cup of coffee!