Bialetti Mokona Espresso Machine Review: Is It Worth It?
Hello, I'm Sam. The Bialetti Mokona is an electric espresso machine from the Italian maker Bialetti. It uses a pump, a portafilter and a manual steam wand. The octagonal body copies the Moka Express stovetop pot. After 14 years running a coffee shop, I judge the Mokona for a busy morning.
The machine brews ground coffee, ESE pods and Bialetti capsules. A removable 1.5 liter (50.7 fl oz) tank feeds the pump. The manual asks for a 10 minute preheat and a descale every 300 coffees. The common version needs 220-240 V. Bialetti documents five faults, from a tripped thermal protector to scale.
New stock has dried up, so most buyers meet the Mokona on the used market. The plastic body, the small cup clearance and the missing temperature setting limit it. The review below weighs those limits against its three coffee formats. Zero brand money here, and every word comes from my shop and my reading.
What Is the Bialetti Mokona?
The Bialetti Mokona is an electric espresso machine with a pump, a portafilter and a manual steam wand. Bialetti shapes the octagonal body after its Moka Express pot. The machine measures 315 mm (12.4 in) wide, 400 mm (15.7 in) tall and 280 mm (11 in) deep.
The Mokona is a semi-automatic machine. The user doses and tamps the coffee, and the pump handles the water. This sets it apart from a moka pot, which sits on a stove. The machine has no grinder and no temperature setting.
The user can brew with three kinds of coffee, and each one needs its own insert. The following are the three formats the Mokona takes:
- Ground coffee: The coffee goes in a filter.
- ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pods: The pods go in a pod filter.
- Bialetti aluminum capsules: The capsules go in a capsule holder.
The water tank holds 1.5 liters (50.7 fl oz) and comes off for filling. A steam wand froths milk for cappuccino.
The painted body is ABS plastic with chrome parts. Stainless steel is not part of the housing.
Bialetti sold the Mokona in several versions. The CF40 takes all three coffee formats. The Mokona Deluxe in white pearl and the Mokona One are named variants, and the One lists ground coffee only.
Who Makes the Bialetti Mokona?
Bialetti Industrie makes the Mokona and prints an address in Coccaglio, Italy, in the manual. The model code is CF40. The manual edition is dated 2010.
The brand behind the machine built its name on one pot. Alfonso Bialetti created the Moka Express stovetop pot in 1933. That octagonal aluminum pot still defines the brand.
The Mokona carries that stovetop look into an electric machine. The body even shows a molded handle shape, but the handle has no function.
How Does the Bialetti Mokona Brew Coffee?
The Bialetti Mokona will brew coffee as an electric pump pushes hot water through the grounds. A stovetop moka pot relies on steam pressure instead. Water comes from the 1.5 liter (50.7 fl oz) tank.
The pump sends that water to a filter holder, which locks onto the hub with a turn to the right. A cup sits on the grill beneath two spouts. The brew switch starts the flow once the heat LED glows, and a second press stops it.
The brew LED turns on and off while the machine runs. Bialetti calls this normal, because a temperature control device manages the heat. A thermostat switches the heater on and off to hold the temperature. The blinking LED shows heating, not a fault.
The manual says the machine must be very hot to brew at the right temperature. For that reason, Bialetti suggests a preheat of about 10 minutes with the empty filter holder locked on the hub.
Does the Bialetti Mokona Make Real Espresso?
Yes. The Bialetti Mokona makes espresso with a pump, a portafilter and finely ground coffee. The pump pushes water through a tamped puck. Crema is possible when the grind, roast and heat are right.
Listings state 20 bar of pump pressure, but the manual gives no pressure figure. One German guide names 15 bar instead. No source measured the pressure at the coffee itself.
Espresso Italiano Certificato, the Italian reference for espresso, calls for about 9 bar at the coffee. A listing figure of 20 bar is a pump rating, so the pressure at the puck sits lower.
The same reference describes a shot of about 7 g (0.25 oz) of coffee, 25 ml (0.8 fl oz) in the cup, in about 25 seconds, brewed near 88 °C (190 °F). The Mokona manual states no brew temperature, and the machine has no setting for it.
Grind size sets the flow. A grind that is too coarse lets the coffee flow out too fast, and one that is too fine slows the flow.
Missing foam can come from the grind, the roast, a machine that is not hot enough or poor tamping. Bialetti lists all four as causes.
What Brewing Systems Does the Bialetti Mokona Use?
The Bialetti Mokona uses three brewing systems: ground coffee, ESE pods and Bialetti capsules. A separate insert handles each system. The machine switches between them by swapping the holder or filter.
Ground coffee goes in a one cup or two cup filter inside the filter holder. Light tamping follows. Bialetti advises coffee made for café type espresso machines.
ESE pods sit in a separate pod filter. The pod goes in the center, with any paper tabs tucked inside the holder. Bialetti calls for pods made for café style machines.
The standard ESE pod is 44 mm (1.7 in) wide and holds about 7 g (0.25 oz) of coffee. The illy brand created the format, and roasters such as Lucaffè and Caffè Vergnano sell pods in it. Senseo-style 70 mm pads do not fit.
Capsules use a second holder with a lever and a closing cover. Bialetti allows only its own Caffè d'Italia aluminum capsules there.
The aluminum group, the cover and the capsule stay hot right after use. Bialetti warns of burns.
Brewing Systems:
| System | Insert | Dose or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ground coffee | One cup or two cup filter | About 10 g (0.35 oz) or 20 g (0.7 oz) |
| ESE pods | Pod filter | One pod, about 7 g (0.25 oz) |
| Capsules | Capsule holder | Bialetti Caffè d'Italia only |
Which Capsules and Pods Fit the Bialetti Mokona?
The Bialetti Mokona fits Bialetti aluminum capsules and standard ESE paper pods. No other capsule brand is allowed in the capsule holder. Buyers purchase the capsules separately.
Each Bialetti capsule holds 7 g (0.25 oz) of coffee, the dose set by Espresso Italiano Certificato. Bialetti says aluminum keeps coffee fresher than plastic.
Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and K-Cup capsules do not fit the capsule holder. Only Bialetti Caffè d'Italia capsules do.
Ground coffee gives the most control over the cup. ESE pods are tidier. Bialetti capsules are the simplest, but they limit the choice of coffee.
One listing for the Mokona One names ground coffee only. The set of inserts in the box can differ by variant, so the buyer checks the list.
What Are the Bialetti Mokona Specs?
The Bialetti Mokona specs give a body 315 mm (12.4 in) wide and 400 mm (15.7 in) tall. Those numbers set how much counter space the machine needs. The manual lists no weight, so a buyer cannot check that from the manual.
The water tank holds 1.5 liters (50.7 fl oz). That volume decides how often the tank needs a refill. The drip tray is much smaller. A French shop guide gives it a volume of 20 cl (6.8 fl oz), and an aluminum plate covers it.
Power details are harder to find. The manual prints voltage and power only on the rating plate under the machine. Most listings give 1,050 W, and one lists 1,250 W.
Power use also depends on idle time. After 15 minutes without use, the machine switches to standby and draws under 0.5 W. Heating up again takes up to 50 seconds after a few idle hours.
Mokona Specs:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 315 mm (12.4 in) |
| Height | 400 mm (15.7 in) |
| Depth | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Water tank | 1.5 liters (50.7 fl oz) |
| Power on most listings | 1,050 W |
| Standby draw | Under 0.5 W after 15 minutes |
Does the Bialetti Mokona Run on US Voltage?
No. The Bialetti Mokona does not run on US voltage, since the common CF40 is rated 220-240 V. A specification list for the model gives that range.
The manual points to the rating plate on the bottom for the exact voltage. A buyer checks that plate before plugging in any imported unit. The plate shows what the machine was built to use.
Bialetti's warranty excludes damage from a voltage other than the one in the manual. If the wrong voltage harms the machine, the warranty does not cover the damage.
A step-up transformer is a device that raises voltage, so some owners of Italian units tried one. Some owners who ran an Italian unit through a step-up transformer report that it shuts off after a few seconds.
How Do You Make Coffee With the Bialetti Mokona?
To make coffee with the Bialetti Mokona, heat the machine until the ready LED glows. The power switch turns the machine on. The filter holder locks in place and a cup waits under the spout.
Filling starts with the removable tank. Fresh cold water goes in, and the tank must seat firmly. The manual forbids running the machine without water in the tank.
Hot water runs through the empty holder first. The flow also warms the cup, and Bialetti lists that as the way to get hotter coffee.
The one cup filter takes about 10 g (0.35 oz) of coffee, and the two cup filter takes about 20 g (0.7 oz). Light tamping follows with the supplied tool.
The one cup filter suits a single cup, and the two cup filter suits two cups at once. The pod filter and the capsule holder need no tamping.
Bialetti advises coffee made for café type machines, which means a fine espresso grind. The machine has no grinder, so pre-ground coffee or a separate grinder is needed.
Used grounds go out and the filter gets a rinse as soon as the flow ends. The manual warns against pulling the holder while the brew switch is pressed in. A new holder can need some force to lock.
Steps:
- Fill the tank with fresh cold water and seat it firmly.
- Switch the machine on and lock the filter holder on the hub.
- Let the machine preheat until the LED glows.
- Dose and lightly tamp the coffee.
- Press the brew switch and stop the flow with a second press.
- Empty the grounds and rinse the filter.
How Does the Bialetti Mokona Steam Wand Work?
The Bialetti Mokona steam wand froths milk after a press of the steam switch and a wait for the ready light. The filter holder comes off first. A tall cup sits under the frother.
The steam switch makes its LED blink. The dial then controls the steam. It turns counterclockwise to open the steam and clockwise to close it.
Steam does not always arrive right away, because a few drops of hot water can come out first. Bialetti suggests venting into another container first, so the water does not land in the milk.
Once clean steam flows, the milk matters. Cold or room temperature milk gives the best foam. The frother sits just under the surface, and the cup moves slowly up and down.
A few seconds of steam into an empty container after each use clears the hole. A pin cleans the hole if milk stays in it. The wand and steam are hot, so tall containers or gloves protect the hands from burns.
How Do You Clean and Descale the Bialetti Mokona?
To clean and descale the Bialetti Mokona, unplug it and wipe the body with a damp cloth first. The body never goes in water or a dishwasher. Abrasive detergents are off limits.
The filter holder, the capsule holder and the filters get a rinse under the tap after every use. A soft brush reaches the inside, and a pin clears the spout. Needles, nails and large metal tools can ruin the filters.
Now and then the grill and the drip tray go in warm water with dish detergent. The tank gets a rinse with a small brush. The shower filter gets a wash too.
The frother gets a wipe with a damp sponge after each use. Every part except the body is safe in warm soapy water.
Periodic Cleaning:
- Grill and drip tray in warm soapy water
- Tank rinsed with a small brush
- Shower filter washed
- Filters cleared with a soft brush and a pin
How Often Does the Bialetti Mokona Need Descaling?
The Bialetti Mokona needs descaling at least every 300 coffees, often sooner with hard water. Hard water shortens that interval. The task takes a non-toxic descaler made for coffee machines.
At two coffees a day, 300 coffees last about five months. At one coffee a day, they last about ten months.
Descalers for coffee machines usually use citric acid, lactic acid or sulfamic acid. The pack states the dose, and Bialetti's manual names no brand.
The descaler goes into the tank. The filter holder stays off and a container sits on the grill. The machine runs two or three cupfuls at a time until the tank is empty, and the run repeats two or three times.
A clean water cycle follows to flush the circuit. The descaler pack sets the dose.
Descaling Steps:
- Pour a dose of non-toxic descaler into the tank.
- Take off the filter holder and set a container on the grill.
- Run two or three cupfuls at a time until the tank is empty.
- Repeat the run two or three times.
- Flush the circuit with clean water.
Scale causes leaks, drips and weak flow in this machine. Bialetti's warranty also excludes breakdowns caused by missed descaling.
Dirty water, drips at the group and faint flow all signal scale. A descale cycle before the 300 coffee mark is the fix.
What Problems Does the Bialetti Mokona Have?
The Bialetti Mokona can have five documented problems: a stopped pump, leaks, noise, vibration and weak flow. Bialetti lists a cause and a fix for each in its CF40 troubleshooting sheet.
Water under the machine has two possible sources, and the color of the water tells them apart. Clean cold water comes from an overfilled tank. Bialetti says to dry the tank area and refill.
Dirty or coffee-colored water and drips at the group point to scale instead. Scale is the mineral buildup left by water. A descale cycle is the fix.
Noise has a different cause. A loud machine can mean the pump is cavitating, which means it is running with air instead of water. Bialetti says to lift the tank repeatedly while the pump runs.
Vibration comes from how the machine sits. It calls for a flat, rigid surface and intact rubber feet on the pump.
The design also sets limits. Only small cups fit under the spout. The housing is ABS plastic, and the machine has no grinder and no temperature setting.
Some behavior looks like a fault but is not one. A few drops of hot water before the steam are normal. A brew LED that cycles on and off is normal too.
Seating the tank, filling it before each session and descaling on schedule avoid most of the listed faults.
Problems and Fixes:
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pump stops | Thermal protector trips | Switch off and wait about 10 minutes |
| Clean water under the machine | Overfilled tank | Dry the area and refill |
| Dirty water or drips at the group | Scale | Run a descale cycle |
| Loud pump | Cavitation | Lift the tank while the pump runs |
| Weak flow | Scale or loose filter plate | Descale and screw the plate tight |
Why Does the Bialetti Mokona Stop Pumping or Run Slow?
The Bialetti Mokona stops pumping when its thermal protector trips, and runs slow when scale builds up. After a trip, Bialetti says to switch the machine off and wait about 10 minutes. The pump should then work again.
A loosely fitted filter plate weakens the flow of water. Bialetti says to screw the plate tight on the group.
Scale also makes the flow faint, because it builds up inside the machine. A descale cycle comes first.
Owners of new units report water that will not pass the filter or only drips. The first check is that the filter holder is fully locked on the hub. A new holder can need some force to lock.
How Does the Bialetti Mokona Compare to Rivals?
The Bialetti Mokona compares with rival pump machines such as the De'Longhi Dedica Style and the Breville Bambino. Bialetti's own Gioia is a capsule machine. The Mokona takes more coffee formats than the Dedica or the Gioia.
The De'Longhi Dedica Style is 14.9 cm (5.9 in) wide and weighs 4.22 kg (9.3 lb). It has a 1.1 liter (37.2 fl oz) tank and a thermoblock heater. De'Longhi says it is ready in about 40 seconds.
The Mokona asks for a preheat of about 10 minutes, against about 40 seconds for the Dedica Style.
The Breville Bambino is 19.5 cm (7.7 in) wide and has a 1.3 liter (44 fl oz) tank. Its portafilter measures 54 mm (2.1 in), and Breville advertises a heat-up of about 3 seconds.
The Bialetti Gioia takes Bialetti capsules only. It has a 20 bar pump, a 1,200 W rating, a 0.5 liter (16.9 fl oz) tank and no steam wand.
The Gaggia Classic E24 has a brass boiler, a stainless steel housing and a professional steam lance. The Mokona uses a plastic body.
Rival Machines:
| Machine | Tank | Coffee formats |
|---|---|---|
| Bialetti Mokona | 1.5 liters (50.7 fl oz) | Ground, ESE pods, Bialetti capsules |
| De'Longhi Dedica Style | 1.1 liters (37.2 fl oz) | Ground, ESE pods |
| Breville Bambino | 1.3 liters (44 fl oz) | Ground |
| Bialetti Gioia | 0.5 liters (16.9 fl oz) | Bialetti capsules |
Is the Bialetti Mokona Better Than the De'Longhi Dedica?
No. The Bialetti Mokona trails the De'Longhi Dedica on settings and new availability, but leads on tank size and coffee formats. The Dedica is the easier machine to buy new.
The Dedica Style gives the user more control over the machine. It offers three brew temperatures, so the user can change how hot the coffee is. It also has a descaling program with an indicator, which handles the removal of mineral buildup. A selectable shut-off time sets when the machine turns itself off. It fits cups up to 12 cm (4.7 in) tall.
The Dedica Style also has limits. Its tank holds 1.1 liters (37.2 fl oz). It has no cleaning program and no dishwasher-safe parts.
The Mokona makes up for some of this with a 1.5 liter (50.7 fl oz) tank and three coffee formats. It has no temperature setting and fits small cups only. It also sits on the used market, so a buyer can't get it new as easily as the Dedica.
How Much Does the Bialetti Mokona Cost?
The Bialetti Mokona has no current US cost, since the US listing shows it as unavailable with no return date. The listing carries a 3.9 out of 5 rating from 2,213 ratings.
Prices found for used and imported units were in euros and pounds. No US figure is stated here for that reason.
Bialetti's warranty runs two years from the delivery date on the receipt. Defects must be reported within two months of discovery.
The stovetop Bialetti Moka Express lists a best price in the last 30 days of $39.99 on the Bialetti US site. Shoppers drawn by the look alone can spend far less.
Running costs add up in three places: Bialetti capsules, descaler and ESE pods or fresh ground coffee.
Where Can You Buy the Bialetti Mokona?
Buyers can buy the Bialetti Mokona mostly on the used market, where sellers still list it. New stock has dried up at major retailers. A German guide checked the red, silver, Deluxe and One variants in October 2026. None was available new.
Used units therefore decide what a buyer can get. Colors seen on listings include silver, red, black, white pearl for the Deluxe and mint. The Mokona One lists ground coffee only.
A used buyer checks four things:
- Inserts: All three inserts are present.
- Descaling: The last descale date is known.
- Pump: The pump builds pressure.
- Steam wand: The steam wand works.
Imported units need a check of the rating plate voltage before use.
Is the Bialetti Mokona Worth It?
No. The Bialetti Mokona is worth buying only used, at a low price, by a shopper who values its looks and three coffee formats. The US listing shows no new stock.
The strengths are clear. The Mokona brews ground coffee, pods and capsules, has a removable 1.5 liter (50.7 fl oz) tank, froths milk with a steam wand and drops to standby after 15 minutes.
The weaknesses weigh more. The common version needs 220-240 V, the body is ABS, the heat has no setting and only small cups fit.
Pros:
- Three coffee formats
- Removable 1.5 liter (50.7 fl oz) tank
- Steam wand for milk
- Standby after 15 minutes
Cons:
- Common version needs 220-240 V
- ABS plastic body
- No temperature setting
- Only small cups fit
Owner scores are good but thin. A Polish review site shows 4.7 from 9 reviews, and eight of them praise the looks. The US listing sits at 3.9 from 2,213 ratings.
Neither rating source breaks down failure types, so the scores say little about durability.
The Mokona suits a buyer in a 220-240 V country who wants a pump machine that also takes ESE pods and Bialetti capsules, and who drinks small cups and cappuccino.
The Mokona can make crema with a fine grind and light tamping, but no measurement confirms the 20 bar figure.
Buyers who want a new machine have better picks: the De'Longhi Dedica Style, the Breville Bambino, or the Gaggia Classic E24 for a steel body and a stronger steam lance.
Who Should Skip the Bialetti Mokona?
Buyers who want a new machine with a warranty should skip the Bialetti Mokona. Used units carry no Bialetti cover. The two year warranty applies only to a new unit with a receipt.
Four other kinds of buyers should also look elsewhere:
- Buyers who want control: The Mokona has no controls for temperature or brew parameters. Anyone who wants to set them needs another machine.
- Buyers who use large cups: Only small cups fit under the spout. Large cups and glasses do not fit.
- Buyers who want stainless steel: Buyers who want a stainless steel body should skip it too.
- Buyers with only a 120 V outlet: A shopper with only a 120 V outlet needs a different machine.
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