What is the difference between a coffee percolator and a filter coffee machine?

• While both brew great coffee, the method is entirely different. A filter coffee machine passes hot water through coffee grounds just once using gravity, resulting in a clean, smooth, and lighter cup of coffee. A coffee percolator continuously cycles boiling water up through a tube and over the grounds multiple times. This extra extraction process creates a much stronger, hotter, and more robust brew, making it a favorite for traditional coffee lovers.