Best Siphon Coffee Makers (Vacuum) – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

A siphon coffee maker is a brewer that’ll take you back in time to your high school chemistry lab.

But this time, instead of scientific jargon, you’ll be offered a delightful cup of coffee!

In fact: coffee from a siphon brewer is hard to beat. They’ve served as the secret behind some of the most successful baristas in the world.

They require caution and effort – yes, but the process is so entertaining that I won’t be surprised if it turns into a new-found hobby.

Since you’re here, I think it’s safe to assume that you already know how cool a siphon brewer is. That’s why I’ve dug into the market and pulled out 5 of the best siphon coffee makers the market has seen.

Scroll down to discover what they are!

Here is a quick overview of our top five siphon coffee maker picks. Let's get started.

Let's delve into the reviews of siphon coffee makers one by one.

No plastic parts are used to put this coffee maker together. It’s both good and bad news. It’s good news because no harmful plastic will end up in your final cup and bad news because glass has made the siphon pretty destructible. One careless move is all it takes to shatter it into pieces.

Designs aside, let’s have a look at its functionality. It’s a completely manual process which will require some commitment from your part. However, on the bright side, it allows you to customize your cup to your liking. Everything from the amount of coffee to the steeping time is for you to decide.

With a little bit of learning curve, you’ll perfect the art of coffee making. I’d say that the coffee from this Siphon is worth all the initial hassle. This is because the taste is rich in flavors that are missed in drip coffee makers, and some even claim that it beats coffee from even famous baristas!

It’s no secret that Japan’s got the best glass. So when Hario advertised this coffee siphon to be made of Japanese heat resistant glass, I had no doubt about its durability.

Right out of the box, it not only looks, but also feels sturdy and of very high quality. The glass is quite thick so that you don’t have to be fearful every time you even breathe passing it.

Like every siphon coffee maker, the Bodum Pebo too, has a learning curve. But with trial and error, you’ll be able to perfect your cup into an addictive flavor not even a French press could extract.

What’s special about the Pebo is that it can brew up to 8 cups at a time – and takes no more than 10 minutes to get there. This also means that your whole family as well as your guests wouldn’t have to miss a cup or two from it!

What’s more, it comes with a reusable plastic filter, instead of a cloth filter and thus makes it a snap to clean. However, it doesn’t do a good job if the grounds are too finely powdered. So the coarser they are, the better and the good news is that coffee taste doesn’t change.

The build quality is great as well, but still, it’s no toy to play with. A simple clumsy move is all it takes to put an end to this delightful brewer.

The package doesn’t include a burner, which isn’t a deal breaker. However, it’s compatible with gas and electric burners – as long as it’s placed on top of a diffuser.

On a side note, be cautious about the size of Pebo before you place a buy. It clocks in at 6.1 x 6.1 x 11.1 inches and may not fit into most kitchen cabinets, or underneath for that matter.

If you’ve ever thought that French Press coffee can’t get any better, then Yama Tabletop Syphon is here to prove you wrong. The sealed interior manages to capture most of the flavors of coffee that are otherwise lost – hence the heavenly taste.

It can brew 20 ounces at a time, and the 5-cup measurement is given in terms of espresso cups. So be aware of the actual amount it can brew to avoid disappointments. In that case, for a small family, this siphon would fit the bill.

The design is definitely worth mentioning as it’s classier than most siphons I’ve laid eyes on. After serving you as a brewer, it can be used as a decorative element in your precious vintage collections.

If the price concerns you, be rest assured that you get every penny’s worth out of it. It comes with 5 clothe filters that can be used for quite some time without needing a replacement. The package also includes a useful butane burner which is of exceptional quality.

It’s heavy, easy to use and can be adjusted in very small increments. However, it’s compatible with gas stoves as well – leaving hardly any room for concerns. The glass is also very handy. It wouldn’t of course survive a fall, but under proper care will live up to your expectations.

KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer has no plastic components, which is a simple explanation to the weight and quality of constructions. It’s made up of glass, and stainless steel accents, along with a stainless steel filter that’s comparatively easy to clean.

What makes it a great deal amidst the high price is its functionality. If you find the coffee brewing process too complex to handle, then this unit is an answer to your prayers because it is automated.

As a result, the coffee quality is maintained at a consistent pace, and you don’t have to fear offering foul-tasting coffee to your valuable guests. But do make sure you drink it right after the brew. There’s no heating element to keep the brew warm and if you don’t serve all the cups right way, it’ll turn lukewarm.

On the downside, however, the design of the siphon magnetic locking mechanism traps a few drops of water when emptying the pot. This makes it a hassle to clean as soapy water gets trapped too. So it’ll need a good couple of additional rinses to get it completely cleaned.

If you’re new to the art of coffee making from a siphon/vacuum coffee maker, then here’s a simple guide that’ll help you get started.

This art needs caution, and the right brewer to perfect your cup. If you get it right, the chances are, you’ll end up making coffee similar to French press but without as much silt.

Or in other words, you’ll get your hand on the best coffee that can be brewed at home!

There are two types of siphon brewers; stovetop and standalone. They’re named after their heating sources, so it’s not difficult to figure them out.

Stovetop brewers can be kept on top of your gas or electric stove. You need to place a diffuser in between to minimize direct exposure to heat which would otherwise increase the risk of cracking.

They’re pretty much easy to use, but not as stylish as the standalone brewers. Standalone brewers come with an external heat source such as butane or alcohol. Hence they’re portable, and can be used from anywhere.

Siphon brewers have a history that dates back to the 80’s. When they were initially made, metal like brass and stainless steel were used. Still, such models are available but they’re used more as an ornament in luxury villas than a brewer.

Most of the siphons today have a glass body. The models listed in the list above are the best among them as they have the original heat resistant borosilicate glass. While they would definitely not survive a fall from your countertop, careful use is sufficient to ensure long life.

Most siphon models often come with cloth filters and they do an excellent job at trapping all grounds from your coffee. However, they’re not the easiest to clean. In fact, they deserve the credits for the gripes you’d have heard about cleaning.

After each use, they need to be emptied, scrubbed and dried so that mildew won’t grow. But the good news is that certain recent models come with stainless steel filters that are a snap to clean.

The burners that can be used with siphons depend on their compatibility. However, alcohol, butane and gas are commonly used.

Newer models even come with halogen and electric burner compatibility. But unsurprisingly, they tend to be more expensive.

Alcohol, being the least expensive of all, is my least favorite as well. It’s not easy to control the heat, unless you’ve good practice dealing with an alcohol burner. And it will also leave soot underneath the siphon.

So my advice is to opt for a gas or butane model. They’ve a proven track record of unfailing performance and are pretty easy to use.

Honestly, siphon brewing isn’t as hard as they say it is. Time consuming – yes, but definitely not something you wouldn’t enjoy doing.

Just fill the bottom portion with water, heat it up and enjoy how the water goes to the upper bowl. Then put in your coffee and stir once. After about a minute remove it from the heating source. Eventually, the lower bowl will cool down and create a vacuum that’d pull the water through the grounds.

It’s only natural to have your fingers crossed until you buy yourself the ideal brewer that’d suit your needs. And I’m pretty sure our list will have one for you, as they’re currently the trending brewers on the market. Simply match your preference with them and pick the closest one. 

Happy brewing!

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