Moccamaster vs Bonavita: Drip Coffee Maker Review

Are you looking for the best drip coffee maker on the market today? Look no further than the Moccamaster and Bonavita coffee brewers! Let’s review!

So, you are looking for the perfect drip coffee maker. And not just any regular drip coffee maker but one that will give you the burst of energy you need in the morning. Well, search no more! Today we’ll be comparing two popular drip coffee makers the Moccamaster vs. Bonavita.

It is important to know that this is a hard comparison to make, being that very few coffee makers are on the same level as these two top rated coffee machines.

In this comprehensive guide, we compare these two brands to find the top pick. Read on to find out which coffee-making machine emerges victorious.

The Technivorm Moccamaster

Let’s start with the Technivorm Moccamaster. These Dutch-based coffee makers have been around for quite some time, with the first model coming into the market in 1968.

The amount of work put into the production of these beauties is extraordinary. Each Moccamaster produced is carefully handmade by the best craftsmen and using only the best materials available.

Technivorm Moccamaster, 10-Cup Coffee Maker

Its nine-hole outlet arm and unique copper heating element allow the water to quickly reach the optimum brewing temperature, thus extracting the perfect depth of flavor. The specialty coffee association has approved this model.

Its brew-basket has a drip-stop that automatically shuts off the flow when you pull out the carafe, allowing you to sneak off a quick cup before the brewing process is complete. It also has an auto-off power feature that will switch the device off after the brewing cycle is complete.

Pros

  • High-quality materials used, meaning it’ll be a long time before you’re looking to replace this coffee maker
  • Fast brewing. It can prepare an entire carafe in about 6 minutes
  • Simple to use even for beginner-level coffee makers
  • Long 5-year warranty that has you covered in the unlikely event something goes wrong

Cons

  • It’s not the most pocket-friendly option in the market
  • Its 9-hole arm falls short in efficiency compared to other models

Bonavita Drip Brewer

Unlike Technivorm, Bonavita hasn’t been around for quite as long, with their first drip brewer entering the scene in 2011. These coffee makers have their designs drawn up in Germany but are produced in China.

Consequently, they can enter the market with far lower prices than those of the Moccamaster, a feature that has helped strengthen its hold on the market.

Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup Coffee Brewer

Designed with a more compact feel than the Moccamaster, this model features a robust 1500-watt heater that keeps the temperature at a favorable 195 – 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

It has a pre-infusion option which, before brewing, soaks the ground coffee to facilitate degassing. It also has a round nozzle with holes evenly distributed to allow for uniform saturation of your favorite ground coffee.

Pros

  • Produces excellent coffee at a pocket-friendly price
  • Better extraction facilitated by its pre-infusion mode
  • Uniform saturation from its efficient 12-hole nozzle
  • Relatively simple to use even for beginners

Cons

  • Its concealed design makes cleaning it more difficult
  • 2-year warranty
  • Less resilient make

Buyers Guide

So, we know both brands are the best out there, but what makes them stand out from the rest. More importantly, which one holds the edge over the other? Let’s look at some of these important considerations before choosing a drip coffee maker.

Brewing Temperature

Coffee temperature gauge letting you know when your coffee is ready.
The temperature of water used in the extraction process plays a vital role in the brewing process.

The optimum temperature in the brewing process is anywhere between 195 – 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Brewing temperature is ultimately what separates good coffee makers from the very best ones.

Maintaining this temperature is crucial as anything lower will result in under-extraction of the coffee leading to flat coffee. If you use temperatures above this range, you’ll end up with bitter, over-extracted coffee.

Moreover, the coffee maker should reach this optimum temperature within a short time and maintain it for the entire brewing process. That’s typically around eight minutes to prevent over-or under-extraction.

Both the Moccamaster and the Bonavita do a pretty decent job in controlling the brewing temperature. Both can easily reach this temperature range in under a minute and maintain this optimum range during the entire process.

Brewing Time

A clock letting you know when its time for coffee.
The recommended brew time is five minutes to create the perfect cup of coffee.

Like temperature, how long the water stays in contact with the coffee in the filter basket is critical. If the period is too short, under-extraction occurs, and your coffee is flat. On the other hand, if brewing takes too long, it will result in over-extraction-producing bitter coffee.

The recommended time is the five-minute mark, though feel free to try it out with different brew times to get the one that is perfect for you.

For an even faster cup of coffee don’t forget to check out our review of Keurig’s top models.

Longevity

As far as durability and reliability are concerned, the Technivorm Moccamaster easily comes on top.

All Moccamaster models are made by hand using only the best materials available. Each part is carefully made to perfection to withstand the test of time.

This attention to detail is coupled with the fact that the Moccamaster offers a five-year warranty. Compared to Bonavita’s two-year warranty, the Moccamaster is the better choice if you’re searching for a longer-lasting machine.

Design

The Moccamaster towers over the Bonavita with a taller, more stand-out look. The Bonavita, on the other hand, has a more compact look and can be placed in most cabinets with ease.

The compact design of the Bonavita makes cleaning it particularly difficult, and it also makes it hard to view or control the brewing cycle. The Moccamaster is more open, allowing some level of control over the flow of coffee from the brew basket

The Moccamaster also has a shut-off stop that prevents coffee from flowing when you withdraw the pot. This feature comes in handy when you’re feeling impatient and want to have a quick taste before the brewing is complete. As for the Bonavita, the brew basket lies on top of the carafe, thus stopping you from pouring yourself a cup before the cycle is complete.

The Bonavita has a round nozzle with the holes arranged circularly over the brew basket. This setup allows a more even distribution and saturation of water as you introduce it in the basket, unlike the Moccamaster, which has a slim rectangular arm with the holes arranged linearly.

Price

Price tag on your cup of coffee.
There is a difference in price between these two machines. However, there is no difference in taste!

The most significant difference between these two giants is their prices. The Technivorm Moccamaster being a high-quality handmade machine is understandably way more costly than the Bonavita, which lacks the high-end looks and resilience of the Moccamaster.

However, the massive contrast in pricing between the two is hardly reflected in the quality of coffee produced by each coffee maker.

Cozy’s Bottom Line

When it comes to making the perfect cup of coffee, both the Moccamaster and the Bonavita produce excellent, rich brews. However, the Technivorm Moccamaster’s premium build and longevity are the critical differences between the two machines and give it victory in today’s battle.

With that being said, if the Moccamaster is beyond your budget, then perhaps the Bonavita is the way to go. Especially since it offers pretty much the same smooth, full-flavored coffee as the Moccamaster, but for nearly half the price!

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