Which makes better-tasting coffee?

The PerfecTemp's drip brew and water filter suit everyday medium-roast coffee. A percolator cycles hot water through the grounds repeatedly, which can taste stronger and slightly boiled, so pick it only if you like that style.

Which is better for a large household?

The PerfecTemp, at 14 cups. The percolator tops out at 12 cups and lets you brew as few as 6.

Is the percolator worth the extra money?

At $90.00 at Wayfair versus $59.93 at Macy's for the PerfecTemp as of November 7, 2026, you pay about $30 more for stainless construction and much stronger owner ratings, but you give up the timer and water filter.

Both are stainless where it matters, but the percolator has fewer electronic parts and no warming plate. The PerfecTemp's timer and filter add parts that can fail.

Can I set either one to brew before I wake up?

Only the PerfecTemp. It is programmable with auto shutoff. The percolator has no clock or timer.

Do either need paper filters?

No. The PerfecTemp ships with a permanent filter and the percolator uses a metal filter.

Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Coffee Maker vs Cuisinart 12-Cup Classic Percolator

Buy the PerfecTemp 14-Cup if you want a programmable drip brewer with a timer, water filter and brew-strength control for a household that drinks a lot of coffee. Buy the 12-Cup Classic Percolator if you want a stainless percolator that keeps coffee hot at the table and has far higher owner ratings. The PerfecTemp is much cheaper: $59.93 at Macy's as of November 7, 2026, versus $90.00 at Wayfair for the percolator.

Today the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Coffee Maker costs $30.07 less at its best price.

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