It lacks the flair, sure, but does it unfailingly deliver cup after cup of strong coffee? We saw you shake your head sadly in agreement. Yes, we’re talking about electric coffee percolators. As we said, it punches far above its weight, but these things have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and there’s a good reason why they haven’t gone extinct yet. Okay, maybe dinosaurs are stretching it too far, but electric coffee percolators have been a household staple since the 70s-80s.
Given the panache of 21st century coffee culture, one would expect these unattractive artifacts to…well, have been artifacts by now. Look at them. A simple kettle-like appearance with none of the sophistication of modern-day coffee pods and French presses. How could they even compare, right?
But then again, these things are tenacious, if anything. Honestly, what else can serve you robust, shake-you-awake coffee, often at the rate of a cup a minute, you know? Which makes them absolutely perfect for large (and often, needy) gatherings. And think about the nostalgia. We bet this is how your mom made coffee back in the day, and given that they look exactly the same, you’ll surely feel hints of nostalgia. The science is super simple but that’s not even important anymore given how long coffee percolators have been proving their worth.
It lacks the flair, sure, but does it unfailingly deliver cup after cup of strong coffee? We saw you shake your head sadly in agreement. Yes, we’re talking about electric coffee percolators. As we said, it punches far above its weight, but these things have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and there’s a good reason why they haven’t gone extinct yet. Okay, maybe dinosaurs are stretching it too far, but electric coffee percolators have been a household staple since the 70s-80s.
Given the panache of 21st century coffee culture, one would expect these unattractive artifacts to…well, have been artifacts by now. Look at them. A simple kettle-like appearance with none of the sophistication of modern-day coffee pods and French presses. How could they even compare, right?
But then again, these things are tenacious, if anything. Honestly, what else can serve you robust, shake-you-awake coffee, often at the rate of a cup a minute, you know? Which makes them absolutely perfect for large (and often, needy) gatherings. And think about the nostalgia. We bet this is how your mom made coffee back in the day, and given that they look exactly the same, you’ll surely feel hints of nostalgia. The science is super simple but that’s not even important anymore given how long coffee percolators have been proving their worth.
How Was This List Made?
To make matters less tedious for you, we did the background checks. We put in the time and effort to go through pages upon pages upon pages of Amazon reviews, for starters. Seriously, we read through the good, bad and ugly to figure out which ones are ultimately worth it. Not only that, we took up matters with (self-proclaimed) experts. We discussed the ins and outs of this rather homely device with them to reach our conclusions.
We read blogs, spoke to coffee snobs, pored over several lists and went through several Reddit threads to finally make up our minds for you. And here we have it. Our (and we’re hoping your) top contenders for the best electric coffee percolators.
TOP PICK
Presto 02822 6-Cup Stainless
Not only does this have a 1 year limited guarantee, but it is also extremely safe and easy to use! It looks smart and is very easy to clean, making it extremely fuss-free. And it’s got all imaginable features.
CHECK LATEST PRICE1. HomeCraft CU30SS Quick-Brewing 1000-Watt Automatic Coffee Urn
Go big or go home, yeah? If you’re looking to go big that is, of course. Well, you won’t strike out on this one. Not only is this big, which means it has great capacity, it is also usable for other things apart from coffee. Tea, hot chocolate, cider, you name it. A 30 cup capacity makes it perfectly suited for big gatherings. Even more so as it has a very quick brewing time—one cup per minute. Your guests won’t be kept waiting long.
Made of stainless steel, this electric coffee percolator urn is rather chic looking and doesn’t occupy too much space. It comes with a reusable coffee filter which is dishwasher-friendly. You won’t have to go through the hassle of buying paper filters with this one. A two way non-drip faucet ensures that no coffee goes to waste and your counter top remains clean. All you have to do is gently press down on the serving handle to fill your cups. The base is kept safe through a sturdy pedestal.
A LED light indicator lets you know when the brewing is done and it’s time to serve. The coffee percolator also has a keep warm function so that the coffee, when served, is the perfect temperature.
The only problem with this is that the spigots aren’t of really great quality. However, the manufacturer is likely to replace them as long as you have a warranty. The metal parts may also get discoloured over time. So for this one, get yourselves the extended warranty.
Pros
- Great capacity
- Very reasonably priced
- LED indicator light
- Keep warm function
Cons
- Metal might get discolored with use
- Spigots may need replacement
Verdict: If you’re looking for an electric coffee percolator with substantial capacity, this is the one. It comes at a very reasonable price and can be used for other things than coffee. As far as the shortcomings are concerned, all is solved with an extended warranty.
2. Euro Cuisine PER12 Electric Percolator
Another old-school coffee percolator, but this one looks sleek and modern. Looking for something slightly smaller than 30 cups but also not single-serve? Try this one out! The copper tone looks stunning, especially against the black base and handle. It is surely going to brighten up your kitchen and your mornings, of that we’re sure. There’s a glass knob on top that allows you to peek in as the coffee is percolating. So cool, right?
With a 12 cup capacity, this electric percolator coffee pot brews delicious coffee on your counter top within minutes. All you have to do is pour water into it up to the mark indicated and add your favourite coffee. Then you flip the switch and that’s that. It comes with a no-drip spout for graceful serving and ensures no coffee is wasted. No filter is required additionally for this percolator. So, not only is that one less thing to worry about, but also one less thing that requires cleaning.
The Euro Cuisine PERI12 Electric Percolator comes along with a detachable cord, making sure that it is very safe to use. This too has a LED light indicator to mark the end of brewing time. The stainless steel build is absolutely stellar, as are the stay-cool handle and base.
The only glitch with this is that sometimes the handle may come loose. This may prove to be a problem, especially if it happens when you’re serving someone. And once the handle is loose, coffee may start to leak from there.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Metal filter provided
- Detachable cord
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Handle may come loose
- May start to leak once handle is loose.
Verdict: It looks smart and has a decent capacity if that’s what you’re looking for in a percolator. It also has a lot of safety measures in place. Not a bad buy at all, for the price.
3. Moss & Stone Electric Coffee Percolator
A classic percolator that brews from anywhere between 2 to 10 cups, this one is perfect for family use. And it looks as cute as a button! Although the design is traditional, it comes with every modern feature imaginable. We’re talking cool-touch handle and base, a stainless steel with a copper coated body, a no-drip spout and a keep warm function. Whoof! That’s a tall order to serve. But wait, there’s more. It also comes with a removable coffee filter including a filter basket and pump tube which makes it super easy to clean. The no-drip spout ensures no spillage.
This does take around 6 to 7 minutes to brew the coffee. If that doesn’t bother you, this might be the one you’ve been looking for. You’re unlikely to complain about a more robust-tasting brew. There’s a removable cord, which means that safety will not be an issue. It also has a glass knob which sits like a cherry on top of a great deal. And for its reasonable price, it’s built really well. There’s also a water indicator line which allows you to add the correct amount when brewing.
Our only problem is, if the water is too close to the ‘max’ line indicated, it can leave puddles on the counter top. No one wants that now, do they? We’d suggest keeping it a little below the indicated line to avoid a puddle. You may also want to pay attention to how you grind your coffee for if it’s really fine, it may pass through the filter and land up in your cup.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Detachable cord
- Easy to clean
- Very user friendly
Cons
- Can overflow sometimes
- Filter doesn’t work too well with a fine grind
Verdict: Looking for a reasonably priced electric coffee percolator pot for the family? This is the one. As long as you follow instructions and are patient about your coffee, you’re good to go with this one. After all, more time means a more flavorful cup!
4. Farberware FCP240 2-4-Cup Percolator
Okay, this is the closest to a single-serve we’ve got. It has a 2 to 4 cup capacity, which makes it perfect if you’re the one you’re buying this for. Because of its small capacity, it’s also small in size if you’re worried about the space it’ll take up on your counter top. However, don’t let the small size and capacity fool you. This can brew as fast as a cup a minute so you don’t have to wait long for your brew. Along with a very resistant stainless steel construction, it comes with a very thoughtful keep warm mode which allows your latter cups to be served hot while you’re still sipping the first one.
The cool-to-touch handle and lid knob both have rolled edges so that they are easy and safe to use. A detachable cord also helps to make it non-fussy. Even the filter inside is a stainless steel basket, ensuring your cup lacks none of the aroma of a good cup of coffee. Literally, all you need to do is add coffee and water, switch the coffee percolator on and wait for it to do its job. From start to finish, it’s that simple.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks with this one. For one, the lid, unless set properly, may not sit as tightly as you might want. Plus, you have to be careful about the wattage of your power socket, or the plug might smoke. But both these problems are taken care of as long as you’re careful.
Pros
- Small size
- Quick brew
- Detachable cord
Cons
- Have to be careful of wattage
- Lid may not sit tightly
Verdict: This is the best single-serve electric coffee percolator pot you’ll find on the market. It’s quick, safe to use and very reasonably priced. We say go for it.
5. Presto 02822 6-Cup Coffee Percolator
This one is marked ‘Amazon’s Choice’ and with good reason! This stainless steel electric percolator has a 2 to 6 cup capacity. You can use it for just yourself or with your family. Not only does this have a 1 year limited guarantee, but it is also extremely safe and easy to use! It looks smart and is very easy to clean, making it extremely fuss-free. And it’s got all imaginable features.
Detachable cord? Check. LED light indicator? Check. Automatic keep warm mode? Check. Cool-to-touch handle and lid knob? Check. It circulates hot water through the grounds, like traditional percolators do, and makes that familiar percolating sound. There’s also a metal basket filter provided for you to use, so don’t bother about the paper ones. This electric percolator coffee pot also comes with a perk tube! It’s truly value-for-money and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
Perhaps the only drawback this has is the presence of an aluminum nut at the bottom of the percolator which may corrode over time. But that’s just over a very, very long period of time! So really, it shouldn’t be that much of a problem.
Pros
- Comes with a warranty
- Detachable cord
- Value-or-money
Cons
- Can make a loud noise sometimes
- Aluminum nut at the bottom of the carafe
Verdict: The size is versatile, it comes with a warranty and makes great coffee. What’s there to complain about? It has all the features you may want out of a coffee percolator and is absolutely value-for-money.
A Buyer's Guide: What to look for in your coffee beans
What, you didn’t think we’d leave you to choose an electric coffee percolator pot without telling you what to look for, did you? If you’re still a little iffy on the buy, we get it. No need to break a sweat though. We’re here for you. And we’ll tell you exactly what to look at when you’re buying one these. It’s pretty simple, really. You can rely on us. After all, we have done our homework. We’ve kept in mind all the things that you may want from these so you can choose one based on what you need. Read on to find out.
Things to look out for
Here’s a list of exactly what to look out for when you’re buying an electric coffee percolator:
Size
This really is the most important. For coffee percolators, size does matter! Do you want one for just yourself, or for your entire family? Is it going to be used at home or at a big gathering like at a social event or your office? Depending on that, you need to choose an appropriate size. A coffee percolator pot made for 6 cups isn’t going to suffice if you’re looking to serve a lot of people. Similarly, one made for 30 cups is far too much if you want to use it at home. Standard percolators usually have a capacity of anywhere between 2 and 12 cups, with larger percolator urns that can run anywhere upward of 30 cups. Be smart about the size, think about where the percolator is going to be used and choose accordingly.
Speed
Again, depending on where and what purpose you’re making the purchase for, speed is important. Some electric coffee percolator pots are quite fast and can produce brews at the rate of a cup a minute. If you want speedy delivery, this is something we think you should look into. After all, waiting for a long time for a simple cup of coffee can be quite annoying. However, if you want a more rounded, robust flavor, you could also option ones which take a slightly longer time. This would be ideal for a percolator bought for family use. When you need a quick pick-me-up and aren’t on a crazy time crunch, a coffee percolator which can serve you good, strong coffee will be the best for you.
Materials
Most electric coffee percolators are made of stainless steel. And this is something you might want to stick to. Why? Well, not only does it make it more durable and long-lasting, but they’re also designed to keep intact the flavor and aroma of your coffee. Since their build hasn’t changed much over the years, most of the coffee percolators on the market today come with a metal basket inside where steam is used to brew the coffee. Not only this, a stainless steel electric percolator makes sure that none of the unpleasant smells of plastic parts gets mingled with the delicious scent of your brew. Steel also won’t impart harmful chemicals when it’s hot so it’s not a health hazard either. That’s definitely one less thing to worry about.
Safety Features
All said and done, we know heat, steel and electricity can often be a potent, and, er…lethal combination. It’s true, metal conducts both heat and electricity. However, it isn’t as scary as it sounds. Most stainless steel coffee percolator pots these days come with enough safety features to make sure that you’re in the way of no harm when going about your daily lives. For one, they usually have stay-cool handles so that you can access the pot even when it’s hot without burning yourself. There are also ready-to-serve light indicators so that you don’t leave the percolator on for too long. If it’s the cord that’s bothering you, there are several options out there for electric coffee percolators with a detachable cord to make the brewing process much safer.
Design
Okay, okay, they aren’t the most suave-looking, we know. And it’d be hard to find really contemporary looking ones out on the market too. But all said and done, really, a kettle isn’t that bad to look at, is it? Especially if you’re buying an electric percolator coffee pot made of stainless steel. That looks pretty neat, doesn’t it? If that too doesn’t tickle your fancy, we’d say look at the colors. Some of them come in beautiful notes of rose gold and blush.
Now that you know about everything that you have to keep in mind, let us present to you our top 5 picks for the best electric coffee percolator. Remember, this isn’t just our word, it’s the words of customers who’ve already used them, and so it’s pretty tried-and-tested.
And that’s all with electric percolators for now. We’ve given you our top five and as you may have noticed, they’re all of varying sizes. You can choose whichever one is best suited for your situation and needs. They are all extremely safe to use and make incredible tasting coffee. They’ve been around for so long for a reason, right? And as has been amply demonstrated (through this article and well, generally through their existence for so long), looks aren’t everything. These simple, kettle-like appliances are actually really good at what they do.
Our top pick for a small electric coffee percolator pot would be the Moss & Stone Electric Coffee Percolator. It looks good, serves the purpose and delivers on a more rounded flavor.
For a big one, we’d say go ahead and buy the HomeCraft CU30SS Quick-Brewing 1000-Watt Automatic Coffee Urn. It’s big but not clunky, and smartly designed with a cool-touch base so you can move it around safely.
We really do hope that you’ll give them a chance. They have delivered consistently for so long now that it’s hard to go wrong with them. Good luck shopping! We’re glad to have helped.