In a rush? Our top pick for the best percolator is the Cuisinart PRC-12 Classic 12-Cup Percolator.

Curious how a 200-old brewing design is still relevant?

Because it makes a reliably good cup of coffee.

But you need to try it yourself to believe it.

And in case you don’t know what to look for, don’t worry.

Today, we’ll review the best percolator on the market, as well as its close follow-ups.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Best Percolator: Top 9 Picks

Cuisinart PRC-12 Classic 12-Cup Percolator (Best Overall)
Farberware 50124 Classic Yosemite Coffee Percolator (Best Stovetop Design)
Moss & Stone Electric Coffee Percolator (Best Electric Design)
COLETTI Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot (Best for Camping)
GSI Outdoors Percolator Coffee Pot (Best for Large Groups)
Capresso 12 Cup Perk Coffee Maker (Fastest Option)
Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Electric Percolator Coffee Maker (Most Ergonomic Design)
Presto 02822 6-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffee Percolator (Best for Small Groups)
Elite Gourmet EC-120# Electric Coffee Percolator (Best Design)

Cuisinart PRC-12 Classic 12-Cup Percolator

Cuisinart has a reputation for making delicious coffee appliances, and this percolator is no different. This electric model has everything you need in such a product.

First, I love its design. This modern percolator has a sleek build, with an elongated body and long, tapered spout. It’s made of stainless steel, so it’s built to last. If taken proper care of, this model should last you for many years to come.

Since it has a 12-cup capacity, this coffee percolator gets quite heavy when filled with coffee. But the no-drip spout, together with an ergonomic handle and knuckle guard, makes pouring coffee easy.

I especially like the stay-cool bottom on this model. It allows you to place a percolator on any surface after brewing, without scarring it. Whether it’s the counter or a glass table, it doesn’t matter.

This percolator keeps coffee warm as long as it’s plugged in, which is both good and bad. It’s good because you can keep it at the same temperature for as long as you want. But it’s also bad because as soon as you unplug it, it quickly starts getting cooler.

Pros

The no-drip spout and ergonomic handle make pouring simple and mess-free
You can detach the electric cord for an easier refill at the sink
The transparent knob allows you to keep track of the progress of the brew cycle
It keeps your coffee hot as long as it’s plugged in

Cons

The percolator cools down quickly once unplugged

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Farberware 50124 Classic Yosemite Coffee Percolator

This model by Farberware has that simple, classic design that’s foolproof. It doesn’t need tons of bells and whistles to make a good coffee.

This stovetop percolator has a heavy-duty stainless-steel construction that’s practically indestructible. It’s polished to a mirror finish, which gives it that retro vibe that looks good in any kitchen.

The tight-fitting lid seals in the heat, allowing the percolator to brew coffee relatively quickly. The see-through glass knob is a nice touch, as it allows you to keep an eye on how the process is going. However, that’s also the feature customers claim breaks with use.

One thing I especially like about this model is the permanent filter basket it comes with. There’s no reason to spend money on buying paper filters, which are way messier to use than a permanent one.

I also love the fact that this model is dishwasher-safe. So instead of struggling to clean every tiny corner of the percolator, you can just put it on the top rack of your dishwasher, and it will come out as new.

Pros

A comfortable handle provides a balanced grip while pouring coffee
It features a permanent filter, so you don’t have to constantly repurchase paper ones
It’s dishwasher-safe, so it saves you the time and effort of cleaning it manually
A non-reactive interior prevents the absorption of undesirable odors or flavors

Cons

The glass knob can easily break with the use

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Moss & Stone Electric Coffee Percolator

This specific model really stands out with its sleek, modern design. It comes in 4 color options: silver, red, copper, and purple. So whatever your kitchen color palette might be, there’s a model that fits it very well.

Aside from looking good, this coffee percolator is also well made. It has a stainless steel body that’s durable and very good at retaining heat. A black cool touch handle allows you to pour coffee without getting scorched.

I especially like the little details, such as the ready-to-serve indicator light. So in case you weren’t in the room when the percolator started making sputtering sounds, this light lets you know brewing is finished.

Its automatic keep-warm function is a handy feature, considering this is a 10-cup machine, and it can take a while to drink the last sip. However, it doesn’t keep coffee as hot as I’d like it to.

When shopping online, I always prefer products with warranties. It’s great that this Moss & Stone percolator comes with a 1-year warranty, as it ensures you get a product you’ll be satisfied with.

Pros

Brews coffee in 6 to 7 minutes, which is rather fast for a percolator
Ready-to-serve indicator light alerts you when coffee is ready
A 1-year warranty ensures you get your money’s worth or your money back

Cons

Coffee doesn’t remain warm, rather than hot

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COLETTI Bozeman Camping Coffee Pot

The beauty of a percolator lies in the ability to use it practically anywhere – including outside. When you’re camping, this is the easiest and most practical way to make a great coffee.

This Bozeman percolator by Coletti is made of stainless steel, so it’s safe to use over a campfire. The steel is construction-grade, and the glass top is heat-toughened, so you don’t have to worry about flames damaging your percolator.

The hardwood handle is a nice touch that adds to the overall style. But it’s also practical, as it doesn’t transfer heat, allowing you to pour coffee straight from the fire.

This percolator comes with a reusable metal filter, which you can use on its own. But if you prefer a cleaner cup of coffee, you can also use paper ones as well. In fact, you get a pack of 15 medical-grade paper filters with the purchase, so you’re set for a while.

Even though this is marketed as a 9-cup percolator, you can’t actually fill it with more than 36 ounces of water. That’s actually closer to 6 than 9 cups of coffee. If you add more than that, it will start spilling through the spout.

Pros

Made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, this percolator is built to last
Aside from a reusable filter, you also get a pack of paper ones in case you prefer a cleaner cup of coffee
It’s dishwasher-safe, making maintenance simple
A lifetime replacement warranty ensures you can use this percolator for the rest of your life

Cons

Its capacity makes it more of a 6 than a 9-cup model

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GSI Outdoors Percolator Coffee Pot

What I love about coffee percolators is that they come in whatever size you need. If you need to make coffee for a bunch of people, this model by GSI Outdoors comes in a variety of sizes: 8, 14, 28, and 36 cups.

This percolator is made of 18/8 stainless steel, which means it’s rustproof, heats up evenly, and is strong enough to withstand ground impacts. In other words, it can take quite a bit of beating.

The brand is confident enough in the design quality, that it offers a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. This means you definitely get your money’s worth with this percolator – or your money back.

I must say, honestly – it’s not the best camping percolator, although it’s designed to work on both stovetop and open fire. The handle doesn’t actually have heat-proof protection, so I wouldn’t recommend using it over an open fire – at least not without gloves.

One tiny detail I especially like about this percolator is the hinged lid. While it’s not necessary, the hinge makes it impossible to lose the lid. As someone who’s managed to do that before, I find this little addition to be quite handy.

Pros

You can get it in sizes ranging from 8 to 36 cups, depending on how much coffee you want to brew at a time
A lifetime warranty ensures your percolator is free from manufacturing defects
The material is rustproof and can withstand ground impacts
The hinged lid makes it impossible to lose it

Cons

Without heatproof protection, the handle gets hot when used on an open fire

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Capresso 12 Cup Perk Coffee Maker

While it’s true that a percolator needs to brew coffee for quite a few minutes, many do that for an unnecessarily long amount of time. If you’re looking for a model that doesn’t take long, then you’ll surely like this one.

This percolator can make between 4 and 12 cups of coffee. It takes less than a minute for each cup, meaning it won’t be long before ground coffee turns into your favorite beverage.

And what’s really great about this machine is that your percolated coffee stays piping hot for as much as you like. It will automatically keep it at the required temperature until you turn it off.

The insulated base allows you to place the percolator on the table without scorching it. I like that the cord is detachable, so you don’t have to move the whole thing along.

All in all, this is really an amazing percolator. My only real complaint is the tall spout. When pouring the last bit of coffee left inside, you have to tilt the percolator almost horizontally. And by doing that, you risk getting some grounds inside your cup.

Pros

Brews between 4 and 12 cups of coffee, in less than a minute per cup
You can remove the cord when bringing the pot to the table
The insulated bottom allows you to place a hot percolator without scarring the surface
Keeps coffee hot for as long as you want

Cons

The tall spout requires tilting, which can result in grounds getting into your cup

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Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Electric Percolator Coffee Maker

With large percolators, tiny details can make quite a difference. For instance, you absolutely need an ergonomic handle to keep the whole thing tiled adequately when pouring. And that’s what makes this model from Hamilton Beach so great.

The comfortable cool-touch handle fits perfectly in your hand, without slipping, even if wet. This ensures you can’t spill coffee by accident when pouring it. Of course, the shape of the spout also helps with that.

The maximum capacity of this model is 12 cups, while the minimum is just 2. So whether you’re alone or in a group, this percolator can brew the required amount of coffee at once. Inside the percolator, there are measurement marks that tell you exactly how much water you should add.

Made of stainless steel, this percolator is built to last. The material of choice is also great for retaining heat for quite a while after coffee brewing.

You can also use the automatic keep-warm function to extend how long your coffee stays hot. But keep in mind that some customers reported the keep-warm function scorching their coffee after being on for too long.

Pros

A non-slip ergonomic handle allows you to pour coffee without spilling
Measurement marks on the inside tell you exactly how much water to use
Can brew anywhere between 2 and 12 cups of coffee at once
Comes with a permanent filter basket, so you don’t have to use paper ones instead

Cons

If left for too long, the auto keep-warm function can scorch your coffee

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Presto 6-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffee Percolator

If you live in a household with no more than 2 coffee drinkers, then there’s no need to buy a large percolator. The larger the model, the more coffee you need to make at once. So getting a model of the right size means you don’t end up with leftover coffee.

That’s why this model by Presto is so great. It makes anywhere from 2 to 6 cups at a time, depending on your need.

And if you do make more coffee than you can drink, there’s an automatic keep-warm mode that will keep it at a required temperature. Actually, this feature is working for as long as the percolator stays on.

One thing I find a bit annoying is that there’s no on/off button. This means that you have to unplug it any time you’re not using it. Honestly, I’m more likely to forget to do that than to press a shutdown button.

I do like the ready-to-serve indicator light. In case you don’t hear the percolating sound, the light alerts you when the brewing process is done.

Pros

The stay-cool bottom allows you to place the percolator onto any surface
The ready-to-serve indicator light lets you know when your coffee is brewed
The auto-warm feature keeps coffee piping hot for as long as you need it
Made of 18/10 stainless steel, this percolator is durable and rustproof

Cons

To turn it off, you must unplug it from the electric source

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Elite Gourmet EC-120# Electric Coffee Percolator

To be honest, this is one of the best-looking percolators I’ve seen. It’s sleek and modern, it’s a real eye candy in any kitchen.

But aside from looking good, this percolator is high-quality as well. The stainless steel construction is rustproof and very good at heating up. In fact, this percolator can brew hot coffee in less than 5 minutes. Now that’s fast!

If you brew more coffee than you need, there’s an auto-warm function that will keep it warm for hours, while placed onto the 360° swivel base. However, once you remove it for the first time, the base won’t start heating up by itself. Instead, you have to turn it on by pressing a button.

One detail I especially like about this model is the boil dry safety feature. In case you try brewing with too little water, the percolator will shut down. This prevents possible accidents from overheating.

Given it’s an electric percolator, it’s clear you can’t put it in the dishwasher. But what you can wash that way is the filter basket, which is also the toughest part to clean manually.

Pros

Brews up to 12 cups of coffee within just 5 minutes
Features a 360° swivel base that works as an auto-warm plate
The dry safety feature prevents accidents from the overheated percolator
The coffee filter is dishwasher-safe, saving you the hassle of doing it yourself

Cons

The base turns off when you pour a cup, so you have to remember to turn it on again

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A Buyer’s Guide to Percolators

At first glance, most coffee percolators appear the same. Similar material, capacities, etc. But there are some factors that definitely affect how well a certain model suits your needs. Here are the things you should pay attention to when choosing the best coffee percolator.

Type

There are two types of percolators available: stovetop and electric.

A stovetop percolator needs a heat source to work. While it’s called “stovetop”, you can also place it over the flame to make it work. This is the ideal option if you are searching for a camping percolator.

And as far as stovetops go, you can use a percolator on both electric and gas stoves. An induction stove won’t work, because they’re made of metals that don’t hold the magnet, like aluminum or steel.

An electric percolator coffee maker features a base with an incorporated heating element. This type of percolator only requires a power outlet to work.

Of the two, the stovetop option is more affordable.

On the other hand, it requires more attention than the electric alternative. You need to remove a stovetop percolator from the heat source once it’s done, or you risk burning your brewed coffee. An electric one shuts down after it’s done brewing.

Cleaning

Cleaning the coffee maker is my least favorite part of being a coffee drinker.

When it comes to cleaning, the stovetop coffee percolator is much more maintenance-friendly than the electric one.

Simply disassemble the parts and wash them with hot water. Or, if made of stainless steel, you can place it on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Electric percolators have attached electric parts, so you can’t do the same. Instead, you need to run a “rinsing cycle,” by brewing water with vinegar or soda to remove stains and limescale.

At the very least, look for models with filter baskets that are dishwasher-safe. Cleaning it manually can be time-consuming when the coffee ground gets stuck in between the holes.

Capacity

The beauty of percolators lies in their wide range of capacities. While the majority of models lie between 6 and 18-capacity, you can find a percolator as small as 2-cup or as big as 36 cups.

And when I say cup, I mean a 5-ounce cup, which is the standard size for percolators.

When choosing the right size, take into consideration the amount of coffee you plan on brewing regularly. Because the larger the percolator, the more it takes to heat up. And for optimal results, you want to use its whole capacity.

For that reason, you don’t want to brew 2 cups of coffee into a 36-cup percolator every day. Instead, it’s better to get a smaller version for regular brewing.