This is our second Cuisinart coffee brewer. Our first was 14 cups. This one is 12; we make 12 cups in the morning, so that carafe is FULL. The construction of the machine is of a less sturdy construction; if I move the machine back on the counter the metal on the side flexes. I assume it's made of thinner gauge metal. For the money, I would expect a better grade. But it still makes really good coffee.