Trip in May, unsure which train to pick

I'm originally from New Jersey; went to Northeastern my first 2 years of college and took Amtrak back and forth. It was crowded sometimes but generally worked.

I live in San Francisco now and have done for 20 years. My husband and I are coming back east to visit friends and family in May. Flying into Philadelphia, then want to take Amtrak up to NYC.

Not sure which train is most likely to get us to New York on time-ish. I know to avoid the Keystone ( took that to and from Pittsburgh--it was 5 hours late going and coming back). Do I need to pay more for the Acela in my travel date, which doesn't offer Coach? Or is the Northeast Regional pretty much okay?