Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker Review — Tested With 40+ Brews

The Moccamaster KBGV Select is a hand-built drip coffee maker from Technivorm, a Dutch manufacturer that’s been producing the same fundamental design since 1969. It uses a copper boiling element to heat water between 196 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, the range the Specialty Coffee Association considers optimal for coffee extraction.

I tested this brewer over multiple sessions, brewing both half and full carafes to see whether it delivers on its $369 price tag. The KBGV Select is SCA Gold Cup certified and ECBC approved, which means it meets professional brewing standards for temperature, contact time, and total dissolved solids.

After running it through its paces, here’s what stood out, what fell short, and how it stacks up against competitors like the OXO Brew 9-Cup and Breville Precision Brewer.

What Makes the Moccamaster KBGV Worth It

Copper Heating Element Delivers Consistent Brew Temperature

The standout feature of the Moccamaster is its copper boiling element. It heats water to 196-205°F and maintains that temperature throughout the entire brewing process. This matters because water that’s too cool under-extracts coffee, producing weak, sour cups, while overheated water scorches the grounds.

In my testing, this translated to consistently smooth, balanced coffee with no bitter aftertaste. The difference is noticeable compared to cheaper drip machines that fluctuate in temperature mid-brew.

Half and Full Carafe Selector

The KBGV Select includes a brew-volume selector switch on the front panel. Flipping it between half and full adjusts both the water flow rate and hotplate behavior. On the half setting, water disperses more slowly to compensate for the reduced coffee bed resistance.

This is a meaningful upgrade over older Moccamaster models, which struggled to produce good coffee at smaller volumes. The KBGV Select handles 5-cup brews with the same consistency as a full 10-cup pot.

Drip Stop Mechanism

When you remove the glass carafe mid-brew, a built-in drip stop prevents coffee from dripping onto the hot plate. I tested this several times and the mechanism worked cleanly each time. The coffee flow stops within a second or two of lifting the carafe, and a sloped channel catches any residual drips.

This is a small feature that prevents burned coffee residue on the heating plate and saves cleanup time.

Simple Operation and Easy Cleaning

The Moccamaster has two switches. Power on/off and half/full carafe. There are no digital displays, no app connectivity, and no programmable timers. You add water, add grounds, flip a switch, and get brewed coffee in 4-6 minutes.

Cleaning is straightforward. The brew basket, lid, and glass carafe all detach and can be hand-washed with soap and water. The metal outlet arm that delivers water to the filter basket slides out for cleaning as well.

Build Quality and Warranty

The Moccamaster uses a metal body frame that feels solid on the countertop. It weighs 6.25 pounds and measures 6.5 by 12.75 by 14 inches. Technivorm backs it with a 5-year warranty and offers lifetime repairs with replaceable parts available through their website.

The machine is hand-assembled in the Netherlands, and Amazon reviewers rate it 4.3 stars across 4,576 reviews. That warranty and parts availability are major differentiators from disposable coffee makers.

What Needs Improvement

Plastic Components Feel Cheap for the Price

At $369, you’d expect every part to feel substantial. The water tank lid, filter basket, and glass carafe lid are all made of thin plastic that flexes when handled. The carafe handle also feels lightweight compared to the metal frame. Long-term owners report these parts hold up despite feeling insubstantial, but the first impression doesn’t match the price tag.

Fixed Water Tank

The water tank is built into the machine and cannot be removed for cleaning. You can wipe down the inside, but filling and rinsing it requires working around the fixed position. A detachable reservoir, like the OXO Brew 9-Cup offers, would make daily use more convenient.

No Programmable Timer

There’s no way to set the Moccamaster to start brewing at a specific time. If you want coffee ready when you wake up, you’ll need to prep the night before and turn it on manually. For a coffee machine in this price range, the absence of a timer is a notable gap compared to competitors.

Glass Carafe Lid Design

The carafe lid can flip open when pouring the last few ounces of coffee. The pouring stream is also wider than ideal, which means you need to pour carefully into narrow mugs. A thermal carafe model (the KBGT) solves the heat retention issue, but it’s a separate purchase at an even higher price.

Descaling Requirement

Hard water leaves mineral deposits in the copper heating element over time. Technivorm recommends descaling every 100 brews using a dedicated cleaning powder. Skipping this maintenance can permanently damage the brewer. This is standard for any coffee maker, but the copper element’s sensitivity to scale buildup means you can’t ignore it.

Moccamaster vs Alternative Drip Coffee Makers

Moccamaster vs OXO Brew 9-Cup

The OXO Brew 9-Cup costs roughly $250, saving you over $100 compared to the Moccamaster. OXO includes a programmable timer, a removable water tank, and a rainmaker shower head for even ground saturation. The Moccamaster counters with its copper heating element for faster, more stable brew temperatures and a 5-year warranty versus OXO’s 2-year coverage.

If you value programmable features and a lower price, the OXO is a strong alternative. If brew temperature precision and long-term durability are your priorities, the Moccamaster earns the premium.

Moccamaster vs Breville Precision Brewer

The Breville Precision Brewer sits at a similar $350 price point but takes a technology-first approach. It offers six brewing modes including Gold Cup, Fast, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew, and a customizable My Brew setting. The Moccamaster offers none of that flexibility, focusing instead on one brewing process executed consistently.

Choose Breville if you enjoy experimenting with different brewing variables and specialty coffee recipes. Choose the Moccamaster if you want a machine that removes all decision-making from your morning routine.

Moccamaster vs Bonavita Enthusiast

The Bonavita Enthusiast delivers roughly 90% of the Moccamaster’s coffee quality at about 50% of the cost. It’s also SCA certified for brew quality. The trade-off is a 1-year warranty compared to the Moccamaster’s 5 years, and Bonavita doesn’t offer the same parts availability for long-term repairs.

For budget-conscious coffee enthusiasts who replace their brewer every few years, the Bonavita is a practical choice. The Moccamaster makes more financial sense if you plan to keep it for a decade or longer.

Final Verdict: Is the Moccamaster Coffee Maker Worth It?

The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select earns a 4.2 out of 5 rating. It brews excellent drip coffee with precise, consistent temperature control that cheaper machines can’t match. The SCA Gold Cup and ECBC certifications validate what you taste in the cup.

The 5-year warranty, replaceable parts, and lifetime repair availability make this a genuine long-term investment. If you plan to keep your coffee maker for a decade or more, the per-brew cost becomes competitive with budget options.

The plastic component quality and lack of programmable features keep it from a higher score. But if your priority is great-tasting coffee with minimal effort every morning, the Moccamaster delivers on that promise without compromise.