We Tested the Best Non-Electric Coffee Makers—Here Are Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker

$49 at Amazon $49 at Walmart $40 at Williams-Sonoma

Not only is the Classic Chemex one of the most beautiful coffee makers on the market—and a permanent feature of the design collection at New York City's Museum of Modern Art—but it's also less fussy than those pour-over brewers that only make one or two cups at a time. Simply place the paper filter inside the Chemex, scoop in your grounds, and pour the hot water. The whole process takes just a few minutes.

For gravity-fed coffee makers like the Chemex, Allie Caran, the Program Manager at BaristaValet, recommends using medium-sized ground coffee to unlock the most flavor. And, like with most brewing devices, try to get the water between 195 and 205 degrees. Be careful with the Chemex's very breakable glass, but enjoy the rich coffee every morning, as well as how lovely the item looks on your table.

Taysha Murtaugh, editorial director for The Spruce Eats, has used a Chemex for years and says she would absolutely recommend it to anyone who has the time to brew this café-quality coffee. Plus, it's stylish, doesn't require electricity, and is easier to clean than a French press.

"Pour-over makers take some time to master and require continuous monitoring while brewing, so they're not ideal for those who are short on time," she says. "However, when I can spare a few moments, it's a nice experience that makes me feel more connected to my morning cup."

Just make sure to drink up before your coffee gets cold. Because it's not insulated, it won't stay hot for long.

Capacity: 3, 6, 8, and 10 cups | Material: Glass carafe and wood collar | Recommended Grind Size: Medium-coarse | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (remove collar) | Filter: Yes | Warranty: None

Best French Press

Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker

$34 at Amazon $62 at Walmart $30 at Williams-Sonoma

This is a classic-style French press, first made in the 1950s. It has a glass carafe, a shiny chrome-plated stainless steel frame, and a matte-black polypropylene handle that’s easy to grip. The carafe holds 34 ounces, which of course includes space for grounds. The eight “cup” serving size refers to 4-ounce coffee cups, so if you drink from a larger cup or mug, you can make two to three servings of coffee with one pressing.

The three-part filter is designed to let aromatic oils and flavors flow through while fine grinds and sediment stay behind. All parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The press is made in Portugal.

Capacity: 12, 17, 34, and 51 ounces | Material: Glass and stainless steel | Recommended Grind Size: Coarse | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Filter: No | Warranty: 1-year limited

Best Cold Brew

Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker System

$49 at Amazon View on Bluebottlecoffee.com View on Lacolombe.com

If cold brew and iced coffee are your thing, there are plenty of non-electric brewers out there for you—one of the most popular and highly reviewed being the Toddy Cold Brew System. It's reasonably priced, easy to use, and most importantly leads to delicious results. After testing the item, our reviewer said the taste was "strong yet smooth" and noted that users can easily adjust the ratio of coffee grounds to water to make it stronger or weaker as they wish.

The Toddy is an immersion-based brewer, which means the grounds are soaked directly in water for a recommended steep time of 12 to 24 hours. Expect to get 38 ounces (roughly 14 servings) of rich cold brew concentrate per batch.

Capacity: 38 ounces | Material: Glass and plastic | Recommended Grind Size: Coarse | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (except filters) | Filter: Yes | Warranty: 1 year

Best Large Capacity

Secura French Press Coffee Maker

$39 at Amazon $26 at Walmart View on Thesecura.com

One drawback to non-electric coffee makers is that they typically produce less coffee per brew, but this French press from Secura is the exception, as its available in multiple sizes all the way up to 50 ounces.

This isn't some bulk item devoid of craftsmanship, though. It's made from three layers of stainless steel—an upgrade over easily breakable glass French presses—and has a cool-to-touch handle and knob, so you can grab and pour as soon as the coffee is ready. The double-wall insulation will retain your coffee's heat longer, which is an especially great feature considering the amount of coffee you'll be brewing. All parts are dishwasher-safe.

Customers give the Secura French press overwhelmingly positive reviews, with the vast majority giving it five stars. Praise ranges from the item's durability, to the way it looks on the counter, to the delicious coffee it consistently brews.

Capacity: 15, 17, 34, and 50 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Recommended Grind Size: Coarse | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Filter: No | Warranty: 2 years

Best Pour Over

Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper

$24 at Amazon $50 at Williams-Sonoma View on Lacolombe.com

The Hario V60 is a simple pour over that eliminates the fuss when brewing. All you have to do is place the V60 on your cup, add a paper filter and coffee grounds, then pour hot water. The item is durable and an excellent value for money as well.

You can purchase the Hario V60 in a number of materials, including glass and plastic, but the elegant ceramic model tends to be the most popular. And since the product is roughly the size of a coffee mug, it's incredibly easy to store and can even accompany you on trips and vacations. All you need is access to hot water and your favorite coffee grounds.

For a little fun fact, Nigel Price, the founder and owner of Drip Coffee Makers in New York City, told us that the V60 gets its name because the sides are angled at 60 degrees.

Capacity: 1 to 4 cups | Material: Available in glass, plastic, copper, ceramic, and stainless steel | Recommended Grind Size: Medium-fine | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Filter: Yes | Warranty: 90 days

Best Splurge

Espro P7 French Press

$150 at Amazon $120 at Williams-Sonoma View on Espro.com

Many non-electric coffee makers, including French presses, come at budget prices. If you're looking for a noticeable upgrade over the norm, it might be worth paying for the Espro P7 French Press. It produces exceptionally rich, clean coffee that we tasted firsthand. The main difference between it and other French presses is that the P7 has two filters made of fine mesh instead of a single stainless steel filter, which is more common. We tested 21 other French presses alongside the P7 and the results showed significantly less sediment in coffee brewed by the P7 than average.

One downside to the thorough filters is that it requires a little more elbow grease to press the plunger down and remove it afterward. This is a good sign though, because it means there's almost no gap between the filters and the interior of the French press. The P7 is available in two sizes, 18 and 32 ounces. We tested the latter and think it works for single-person and multi-person households.

Capacity: 18 or 32 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Recommended Grind Size: Coarse | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top-rack only) | Filter: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime

Best for Travel

AeroPress Original Coffee Maker

$40 at Amazon $40 at Target $40 at Williams-Sonoma

Coffee lovers, outdoorsy types, and one-cup-a-day folks will appreciate the convenience and rich brewing of the AeroPress, a hand-pressure-powered coffee brewer that can make either one small regular-strength coffee, or a more concentrated "espresso-like" beverage that can be diluted with water or milk. Countless brewing techniques can be found all over the internet (look up the winning approach taken at the World AeroPress Championships for a real doozy of a brew), but simply speaking the little maker and its proprietary paper filters make a quick coffee that's just the right size for one person.

The item has just over an 8-ounce capacity, which is on the smaller side. However, the brand later released the AeroPress XL, which has more than double the capacity at 20 ounces. The plastic isn't great for heat retention, and cleaning can be a pain, but these little presses pack a lot of bang for the buck, and fit neatly in a drawer, on a counter, or in a carry-on suitcase.

Capacity: 8 ounces | Material: Plastic | Recommended Grind Size: Fine to medium-fine | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack only) | Filter: Yes | Warranty: 1-year limited

Best Espresso Maker

Flair Signature Espresso Maker

View on Amazon $159 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond

The Flair Classic Espresso Maker is one of the most beautifully designed coffee gadgets you'll ever see. It's sleek, unique, and available in multiple colorways. And the best part: it pulls a delicious shot of espresso.

To use, pack the filter with ground espresso, pour hot water over the brew head, and pull the lever until the rich beverage fills your cup. It might take some trial and error, but users say the coffee is strong and topped with a frothy crema. The recommended ratio is roughly 18 grams of coffee to 60 milliliters of water.

One drawback is that the item is fairly time consuming, both in brewing and clean-up, but the resulting espresso beats out other non-electric options. Another aspect worth consideration is the price; for what the Flair Espresso Maker costs, you could also find a reliable electric espresso machine. As a result, this option might be best for die-hard coffee lovers rather than those looking for quick-and-easy espresso.

Capacity: 1.35-ounce espresso shot | Material: Stainless steel | Recommended Grind Size: Fine | Dishwasher Safe: No | Filter: No | Warranty: 5-year limited

Best Moka Pot

Bialetti Moka Express

$35 at Amazon $30 at Target $40 at Williams-Sonoma

The Bialetti Moka Express is a classic stovetop device that produces rich, concentrated coffee, close to espresso. While you won't get the thick crema that is often a hallmark of a fine espresso shot, you can certainly whip up strong coffee in a flash with one of these brewers and make a variety of other drinks. Thin the coffee with hot water for an Americano or pour the rich shot into frothed milk for a latte or cappuccino.

Not only is this device affordable and reliable, but it's also versatile. Our tester appreciated the amount of control he had over the coffee, using a finer grind, higher heat, and less water for an extra-bold punch of caffeine, or a medium grind with more water for an end result closer to drip coffee. It's been in his arsenal for more than two years and shows no signs of slowing down. Just note that the handle does get hot, so you'll have to use a towel or oven mitt to grab it from the stove.

Moka pots only take a few minutes to brew (about three minutes for medium grounds on high heat and almost 10 for fine grounds on low heat), but they need to be cleaned after each use and, unfortunately, are not dishwasher-safe. On the plus side, you can find the item in a variety of sizes, all of which are extremely affordable. And it's small enough to store in a cupboard when you're done using it.

Capacity: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 18 espresso-sized cups | Material: Aluminum | Recommended Grind Size: Fine | Dishwasher Safe: No | Filter: No | Warranty: Two years

Best Percolator

Farberware Yosemite Coffee Percolator

$45 at Amazon $43 at Walmart $45 at Wayfair

If you've ever enjoyed a cup of coffee on a camping trip, there's a good chance it was brewed by a coffee percolator. While these simple, steel coffee makers are a common sight in the great outdoors, they can also be used at home on the stovetop.

Farberware's Yosemite Coffee Percolator is a trustworthy pick whether you plan to use it in the wild or your kitchen. It's available in two sizes, 8 or 12 cups, both of which are large enough to accommodate multiple coffee drinkers. One of our favorite details is that the item has a lifetime warranty that covers any issues caused by manufacturer defects. That said, the Yosemite Percolator doesn't have the sturdiest materials. The stainless steel is on the thin side, and the handle can get hot to touch depending on the heating source and how long you brew for.

The good news is that it can brew quick, tasty coffee. Percolators are prone to over-brewing, which leads to bitterness, because the water can get too hot, and this model is no different. But if you keep the temperature between 195 to 205 degrees, the coffee will be strong and balanced.

Capacity: 8 or 12 cups | Material: Stainless steel with glass knob | Recommended Grind Size: Medium-coarse | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Filter: Optional | Warranty: Lifetime