Today, there are a number of coffee drinks and makers available to suit each and every coffee drinker’s preferences. But in some cases, the whole family might want a cup or two of coffee every morning and just one person may want a single cup later in the day. This is where things are made easier and convenient for everyone through the use of the best dual brew coffee maker for your budget.
Dual brew coffee makers give you 2 options for your coffee: a carafe of drip coffee and single-serve ground coffee/K-cup coffee capsules, or sometimes both. You can choose to wait for a well-brewed coffee for everyone, or just get a quick cup to start your day!
By getting a dual brew coffee maker, you’ll not only get the advantage of multiple types of coffee drinks and heightened features through one machine, but it will also cost you less than getting multiple coffee makers and will take up less space. Through this article, you’ll get to understand more of what makes a dual brew machine convenient and easy to use, while getting a look at some of the best home dual brewers out there.
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Our Top Picks for the Best Combination Coffee Maker
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Best Dual Coffee Maker Reviews
After going through many coffee machines, here’s a selection of some of the best dual brew coffee makers to consider when purchasing one for yourself or your family.
Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro System
A 60-oz water reservoir is designed to be removable and can be placed either on the side or on the rear of the machine, depending on the space you have on your kitchen countertop. There’s a hot water dispenser that’s separate from the coffee dispenser and it can give you either hot or boiling water, so you don’t need a separate kettle to make instant oatmeal, soup, or tea.
A built-in fold-away frother can give you thick foamy milk or cream with ease for specialty drinks. A 12-cup glass carafe is also included with the machine for when you need a good amount of drip coffee for the whole family. Though it does feature something revolutionary for Ninja coffee makers, a coffee ground brewing capability and K-cup pod adapter, the K-Cup feature isn’t compatible with some types of reusable K-Cup pods and also isn’t very efficient at giving out sediment-free coffee.
Though it may have some drawbacks, it is still a highly versatile coffee maker with more than enough features to satisfy any coffee drinker.
Pros:
- Highly versatile; can make multiple types of drinks.
- Can work with 9 different coffee grounds sizes.
- A time delay feature is included to keep your coffee hot and ready when you need it.
- Hot water system can provide hot water for tea and more.
Cons:
- K-Cup pod compatibility has flaws.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio Coffee Maker and 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker
There are only 2 brew strength options, “regular” for standard medium-sized coffee grounds, and “bold” when using a finer grind. This model also features 2 water reservoirs; 1 large one with measurement markings for the 12-cup pot, and 1 small 14 oz size for the single-serve side. The timed hot coffee option is a very convenient feature included that allows you to set a particular time for when you want a hot cup of coffee ready for you.
Overall, both machines are versatile. However, the 3-way model may be the more convenient option for varied coffee drinkers or a large household.
Pros:
- Versatile machine.
- Each model has 2 reservoirs to make it easy to fill in the right amount of water for the amount of coffee you want.
- Timer included.
- Auto pause and pour feature for a cup of coffee before the carafe is full.
Cons:
- Warmer automatically shuts off after 2-hours, which may be too little time for some.
- There are a few reports of the single-serve side spitting hot water into the carafe-side water tank.
De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine
A touchscreen display is another high-end feature that adds to the sleek look of this machine. The carafe, which comes along with the machine, is designed to be spill-proof, not allowing even a single drop to be wasted while pouring into anything. On top of using coffee grounds on the espresso side of the machine, you can also use E.S.E pods to make espressos, or cappuccinos and lattes. Lastly, the “bold” feature gives you the option to choose the strength of your brew.
There is a front-loading 40 oz water reservoir that’s easy to fill and the activated charcoal water filter ensures that you get the best tasting brew free from impurities from tap water.
Pros:
- Espresso side compatible with E.S.E pods.
- Advanced steam wand gives you authentic lattes and cappuccinos.
- Activated chacoal water filter is included.
- Carafe comes with a spill-proof design.
- Very versatile machine.
Cons:
- The gold-tone mesh filter for the coffee grounds is not very effective and may leave unwanted sludge at the bottom of your coffee.
- Water reservoir has no measurement markings.
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
A pause and pour feature, while the carafe fills, allows you to grab a quick cup of drip coffee. The K-Duo Plus also comes with a 24-hour programmable timer for when you want coffee brewed and hot. However, as this is also a standard option for most dual brew machines, it only gives the timer feature for a carafe brew. When your drip coffee is ready, the thermal carafe will keep it warm for about 2-hours instead of it having a warming plate.
The water reservoir, which can hold up to 60-oz of water, is given 3 holding spots on the machine; to the right, the left, and behind the machine. This makes it convenient for you to store the coffee maker. The machine’s slim size makes it much easier to store than other heftier dual brew machines which take up a bit more space on your countertop. The reusable gold-tone mesh filter provided with the machine can also be replaced by flat-bottom paper if you would like to replace it. All in all, this is a smaller machine than others and with fewer features than the others mentioned above, but it is a space saver and can still satisfy a regular coffee drinker.
Pros:
- Space saver.
- Very simple to use.
- Choice of the number of cups and size of single-serve.
- A strong thermal carafe keeps the coffee warmer for longer than a glass carafe.
Cons:
- Less versatile than others in this price range.
- Doesn’t include the “My K-Cup” adapter for your choice of grounds, this must be bought separately.
Fastest Dual Coffee Maker
For those with rushed mornings, brewing a whole carafe of coffee or even just a single cup needs to be fast. If you need a coffee maker that only brews into a carafe, then take a look at these fast drip coffee makers instead. Otherwise, we can recommend the following two dual machines.
Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System, Auto-iQ Tea and Coffee Maker
Precise automatic temperature settings give you a well-balanced, non-bitter taste when brewing for drip coffee. With the ability to make a well-brewed carafe of hot coffee in 6 minutes or a cold brew in only 15 minutes, the Ninja hot and cold brew system is a very fast and efficient combination coffee maker.
One major feature that makes this coffee maker unique is the in-built tea maker. With its 5 brewing options and tea recognition options (herbal, black, oolong, green, and white), the tea maker side of this machine is equally efficient at giving you well-brewed tea for hot drinks or even iced tea. There are separate filters for brewing coffee and brewing tea so that the flavors aren’t mixed in any way and the system recognizes which ones is placed inside.
Unlike other dual brew coffee makers, this machine does not have a separate side for single-serve drinks and does not accept pods, instead, it is only designed to take in grounds – either in loose form or in bags. Through only 1 tap, you can brew 6 different quantities of coffee, ranging from a single cup to a full carafe.
It features a programmable timer for when you want hot coffee ready in the morning but it does not have a pause-and-pour function to allow you to fill a cup of drip coffee while still brewing. Since this is one of the fastest brewers on the market, that’s not too much of a drawback. Though it does lack some common dual brew features, it can save you a lot of counter space, money and time, making any kind of coffee or tea you want.
Some users say that you won’t get really hot coffee with this machine. If that’s something that’s important to you and you’d rather forego the tea making ability, then try the Ninja CM401, which is a coffee maker that brews at 200℉.
Pros:
- Very versatile tea and coffee maker.
- Book with 40 recipes included in the package.
- Can make well-brewed cold brew in just 15 minutes and a hot carafe in 6 minutes.
- Automatically adjusts the brewing temperature based on your drink selection.
- Compact design.
Cons:
- Does not include a pause-and-pour feature.
- Only accepts grounds, not pods.
Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer
The main highlight of this machine, however, is its speedy brewing. In less than 2 minutes, you can get a well-brewed cup of hot coffee ready to drink through the single-serve pod side. The carafe can also be filled to the top in a very short amount of time, just about 5 minutes. This is because the machine will stay on with the hot water ready to go for up to 4 hours, after which it turns off on its own. Due to this brewing time, it is one of the fastest dual coffee makers you can find. The consistency of quality and temperature in every cup is also a highlight.
This machine holds 2 water reservoirs, one of which (carafe reservoir) can not be removed but opens at the top to be refilled. The single-serve reservoir has a 40 oz capacity and can be removed for cleaning and filling. There’s a charcoal water filter built-in so that you can use water straight from the tap. A pause-and-pour feature is also included in the design, for when you want a cup of coffee before the carafe is full.
The brew strength controller, which allows you to brew light or strong coffee, isn’t very efficient at getting the right strength for your chosen cup of coffee. The single-serve brewing tray may also frustrate some users due to it being too short and unable to collect any inevitable splashed coffee, therefore, messing up the counter. Unfortunately, the tray is also not adjustable.
Pros:
- Very fast, and efficient brewing.
- Any K-Cup pods can be used and you have the option to buy the compatible HomeBarista reusable pods.
- Warming plate present for the carafe.
- You can choose your single serve cup size.
Cons:
- The carafe reservoir opening is very small and is difficult to pour water into it.
- The single-serve tray is not effective.
Best Dual Coffee Maker with Grinder
Cuisinart SS-GB1 Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus
It also features the standard 12-cup carafe maker beside the single-serve maker, which is compatible with most coffee pods. 2 drip trays are attached to the single-serve side of the machine, one of which (in the middle) can be folded into the machine to accommodate larger mugs or flasks. The 24-hour brew timer is also included in this machine to set the perfect time for a hot cup of coffee for you.
Though it does have a self-clean option, this machine is hard to clean, in particular, the grinder, which requires constant cleaning and patting down due to condensation that shows up, making the grounds slightly wet and muddy. 2 water reservoirs are attached to the machine and neither is removable. The carafe side reservoir does have a viewing window to see how much water is in it, but the single serve side doesn’t. Overall, this is a good coffee maker which can save you the expense of buying a coffee grinder, but one that is not as versatile as others in this price range.
Pros:
- Grinder included for fresher grounds.
- Foldable drip tray to accommodate larger cups in the single-serve section.
- 2 water reservoirs for larger amounts per use.
Cons:
- The grinder uses blades instead of burrs.
- The grinder is hard to maintain.
- The single serve water reservoir doesn’t have a viewing window to see the level of water inside.
How to Choose the Best Single Serve and Pot Coffee Maker Combo
Coffee Variety and Level of Customization
For a dual brew coffee maker, the standard 2 ways of making coffee are through drip and through a single-serve section that takes in coffee grounds. However, there are more features and add-ons that you might want to consider for your coffee maker. For even further convenience and range in flavor, you could seek out a coffee maker that accepts K-Cup or E.S.E pods of all types and brands as well as coffee grounds for single-servings.
If you’re a specialty coffee drinker and enjoy lattes and cappuccinos, a milk frother attachment is ideal for your coffee maker. If you’re really an espresso enthusiast, then a fast dual brew, espresso and drip combination coffee maker is as best a combination coffee maker as you can find.
Ground Coffee or Pods
Pods can be a quick and convenient way to brew your coffee, without relying on coffee bean grinding or coffee grounds that aren’t as fresh. However, if you’re going for maximum flavor, then a coffee maker that accepts pods and coffee grounds in the single-serve section, and comes with a bean grinder is the best choice, as this will give you the most flavor and freshness you could want in your coffee.
Glass or Thermal Carafe
A thermal carafe is more durable than a glass carafe, and won’t need a warming plate to keep your coffee warm for more than an hour. The stainless steel double wall material keeps it warm without needing a warming plate. Though it retains heat for a longer time, a thermal carafe does not over-extract the coffee once filled.
Ease of Use
Coffee makers, in general, are often made to be as convenient for the user as possible, with many featuring a 24-hour programmable feature and very easy-to-use brew selections. Most of the work is done by the machine itself, leaving only the refilling of the water reservoir and adding of the coffee grounds to be done by you. However, for further ease of use, you can seek out machines that are pod-compatible, contain 2 water reservoirs for holding larger amounts of water for each side, and machines that feature a self-clean option.
Easy to Clean
If you use your coffee maker daily, then this alone would mean that you would need to clean it well every day. This is much better than not using it at all and leaving it to gather dust, which would cause further problems to the coffee maker and reduce its durability.
If your dual coffee maker comes with a reusable filter, then you would have to clean it by hand often. A reusable filter will save you cash in the long run, so make sure to take care of it. You will also need to clean out both sides of the machine once everyday to make sure that no coffee residue remains inside and causes you trouble later on.
Not all machines have a removable water reservoir, which is a feature that makes regular cleaning, and even refilling with water, easier.
Counter Space Needed
Most dual machines will save you much space, as they provide the functions of multiple regular coffee makers, but in one compact design. However, there are a few bulky ones out there. So you would have to check carefully what size the machine is before you purchase one. But if all your needs are met in a machine that may seem larger than others, then you might want to go for it anyway.
FAQs
A dual coffee maker is a machine that can give you 2 or more different types of coffee. In general, a dual coffee maker has 2 sections, one that will give you a full pot of drip coffee and another beside it that gives you a single-serve cup instantly using either pods or ground coffee, and for some machines, both.
Keurig has a line of dual coffee makers called K-Duo. These coffee makers can be used to make a full carafe of drip coffee, and a single-serve cup using K-Cup pods or coffee grounds.
The K-Duo and K-Duo Essentials coffee makers have almost the same features. However, the K-Duo Essentials does not come with a 24-hour programmable timer, nor does it come with a “strong brew” feature, both of which are featured on the K-Duo. Because of this, the K-Duo is more expensive than K-Duo Essentials.
Most Ninja dual brew coffee makers, like the DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System, come with K-Cup pod compatibility.