As a coffee lover, sometimes you might be in the mood for just one small cup of coffee, but on other days, you might need a full carafe to get you through the day. But, with the dual coffee maker, you can get the best of both worlds.
Dual coffee makers or what is also fondly referred to as the 2-way coffee maker will be designed with the capability to make both single-serve and carafe servings which means they will work perfectly for both individuals and a group of coffee drinkers.
These coffee makers can also come in a range of combinations such as those that can use either pod or ground coffee and models that include a hot water system. Hence, overall a dual coffee maker will be one that provides two coffee making options.
But like all other coffee maker types, you need to get the best dual coffee maker to ensure you get great service.
In this piece, we help shed more light on what these coffee makers are all about and also make it easier to choose a good model with our top 10 dual coffee maker reviews.
10 Best Dual Coffee Makers Reviews
1. Hamilton Beach 49980A – An Affordable and Low-Maintenance Dual Coffee Maker
- Capacity: 12-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: Yes
Any coffee aficionado on the hunt for an affordable and low maintenance coffee maker that brews some fine quality coffee will love the Hamilton Beach 49980A.
This small and compact coffee machine will allow you to make some café-quality coffee at the comfort of your home and do it faster than many others in its class. Better yet, you will also get the freedom to choose whether to make a full pot or just one cup.
Many of its users will also love that it has a fully programmable function which will ensure that you always find your coffee ready when you wake up and that you can adjust it to suit the cup or vessel you are brewing into.
Also, you can easily alter your coffee’s strength thanks to the convenient brew strength selector function, and there is also an auto shut off function for safety.
What some users might not like is the fact that it does not come with a travel mug. Many others in its price range include one, but these mugs are cheap and easy to get and should hence not be a deal-breaker. Also, the plasticky smell and taste will dissipate within a short time.
Pros:
- Fully programmable
- Adjusts to suit your cup
- Convenient brew strength selector
- Auto shut off function
Cons:
- Does not include a travel mug
- Plasticky taste when new
2. Ninja CF082 – Smart and Efficient Brewing
- Capacity: 43 oz
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: No
The best double coffee maker for you is always one that will give you an easier brewing time like the Ninja CF082 that makes coffee brewing more effortless whether you are making a single cup or a full carafe.
This top-notch coffee machine makes use of a smart and efficient brewing system that helps to unlock all the flavors from the coffee and also allows you to adjust the richness.
And this will also be a perfect choice for the milk-based coffee lovers thanks to the easy to use milk frother that allows you to steam and froth milk easily.
The coffee maker also uses a permanent filter to help save you cash, and it will also include a warming plate that will keep your coffee at the ideal drinking temperature for up to 2 hours.
Although this coffee maker will take up a little more room when compared to others in its class, this is something you can live with given its top-quality coffee and its many other amazing features.
Pros:
- Convenient multi-serve dial
- Highly efficient and adjustable flavor extraction
- Easy to use the milk frother
- Cost-saving permanent filter
- Warming plate included
Cons:
- Takes up more room
3. Cuisinart SS-15 – For the Best of Both Worlds
- Capacity: 12-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: Yes
Cuisinart SS-15 is one of the best dual coffee makers with k-cup not only on our list but also on the market. And several things make this such an amazing coffee machine.
First of all, it gives you the best of both worlds as it will excel when it comes to both single-serve and full carafe brewing.
Also, this coffee machine is designed to allow you to make your coffee just how you like it as it includes a handy brew strength selector feature. And with its reusable filter cup and gold-tone coffee filter, you can make some amazing quality coffee with your favorite coffee grounds.
The water that you use to make the coffee will also be well taken care of by the charcoal water filters that help to remove any unwanted impurities. And you can also easily fit a travel mug on this coffee machine thanks to the removable drip tray that also makes clean up easy.
The opening on the water reservoir is a little on the smaller side which can make adding water a little hectic, but it only takes some getting used to. Also, you should still be able to pour easily from the carafe once you get the hang of it.
Pros:
- Brew strength selector included
- Charcoal water filter delivers excellent water quality for brewing
- Easy to use control panel
- Uses reusable filter cup
- Accommodates travel mugs
Cons:
- Small reservoir opening
- Carafe pour spout not very good
4. Ninja CP307 – Highly Versatile Tea and Coffee Maker
- Capacity: 10-cup
- Carafe: Thermal
- Single Serve: No
It is always great to have a versatile coffee maker around, and if you do not mind spending a few extra bucks to get one, the Ninja CP307 will be perfect.
This highly versatile appliance will be great for making both tea and coffee and has been designed to allow you to choose from several brew size and strength options to ensure you can make your coffee just how you like it.
Better yet, this coffee machine also has a fold-away frother that will allow you to froth milk for all your milk-based drinks like lattes.
You will never have to take cold coffee again when using this machine as it will come with a well-insulated thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for up to 2 hours. And to make it even more convenient, the water reservoir is removable for easy refills.
Price is probably the most significant drawback given that this is the priciest item on our dual coffee maker reviews, but you can be sure it will be worth every buck.
Also, the plastic taste and smell are typical of most coffee machines when new, and you can easily eliminate it with a thorough rinse before using the coffee maker.
Pros:
- Great for brewing both tea and coffee
- Provides several brew size and strength options
- The adequately insulated thermal carafe
- Fold-away milk frother included
- Removable, easy refill reservoir
Cons:
- A little pricier
- Plastic taste and smell when new
5. AmazonBasics MA-D03A – Budget-Friendly Coffee Maker for the Light Drinkers
- Capacity: 5-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: No
Amazon always has you covered when it comes to the basic things that you use at home, and if you are on the lookout for a budget-friendly coffee maker, their model MA-DO3A is perfect.
Despite its small price tag, it still gets the job done and what makes users will love most about it is that it takes up almost insignificant counter space.
Also, this space-saving coffee machine has some simple controls to ensure anyone can figure it out. And it will include an automatic brew pause to allow you to pour a cup mid-brew.
The coffee maker comes with a removable filter basket for easy cleaning and a reusable filter to eliminate the need to buy paper filters. There is also a keep-warm function to maintain the ideal coffee temperature for several hours.
The 5-cup capacity is on the smaller side but for light drinkers, it is more than enough. Also, this coffee maker might be a little too basic for some users, but the good thing is that it still gets the job done.
Pros:
- Small, space-saving design
- Allows for mid-brew cup pour
- Cost-saving reusable filter
- Straightforward to use
- Handy keep-warm function
Cons:
- Smaller capacity
- A little too basic
6. Hamilton Beach 49976 – Maximum Brewing Flexibility
- Capacity: 12-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: Yes
Versatility is one of the key things that make the dual coffee makers special, and Hamilton Beach 49976 is as versatile as it can get.
This coffee machine will allow you to brew with both coffee grounds and pods, and you also get to choose your preferred brew strength which lets you customize your brew further.
There is also a handy programmable timer that you can use to ensure your coffee will always be ready when you wake up and auto pause and serve that lets you get a cup in the middle of the brew cycle.
The 3-minute brew time is also fast enough for most users and with the auto shut off function, you will always get peace of mind.
Although the reservoir for the single-serve section is smaller and both reservoirs are not removable, the easy refill design with a view window takes care of these issues.
Pros:
- Works with both pods and grounds
- Programmable timer
- Handy auto pause and serve the function
- Faster brew time
Cons:
- Smaller single-serve reservoir
- Reservoirs are not removable
7. Ninja CF085Z – Great All-Round Multi-Serve Coffee Maker
- Capacity: 43 oz
- Carafe: Thermal
- Single Serve: No
Here is another top quality coffee machine by Ninja that you can always rely on to make some amazing coffee whether you are brewing for an individual or group.
The machine has a handy multi-serve dial that lets you choose the amount of coffee to make from a single cup to a full carafe.
It makes use of a highly efficient flavor extraction technology that allows you to decide the flavor richness and brew type that you want. And there is also a milk frother that will allow for even more versatility.
With the thermal insulated carafe, you can keep your coffee hot for many hours. And this machine also uses a removable filter basket and reusable filter which besides being convenient will also save you money.
The clean function can be annoying because the clean light keeps turning on and is hard to get rid of, but this is still a positive thing as it helps ensure you always use a clean machine for great-tasting coffee. And while it can be a little drippy, this is typical of most machines in its category.
Pros:
- Handy multi-serve dial
- Efficient flavor extraction technology
- Thermal insulated carafe
- Removable filter basket and reusable filter
- Removable water reservoir for easy fill
Cons:
- The clean function can be annoying
- A little drippy
8. Cuisinart CHW-12C – Sleek and Simple
- Capacity: 12-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: No
There is a lot that you can use hot water for, from making hot cocoa, soup, oatmeal to even making some French press coffee. Hence, the fact that Cuisinart CHW-12C has separate hot water on demand function means it will very useful to have around.
Another thing that makes this one of the best dual brew coffee makers is the fact that it has a programmable auto on/off function as this ensures you can set it to have your coffee ready just when you need it.
Also, there is a handy brew-pause function to allow you to pause brewing and get a quick cup of coffee before the cycle is complete. And the unit will also come with a drip-free spout carafe to give you an easy time when pouring.
The only thing that seems amiss for many users is that the hot water system is quite loud. But, unless you are planning to live it running throughout the night this should not be a big issue.
Pros:
- Hot water on demand
- Convenient brew-pause feature
- Auto on/off function
- Sleek-looking and space-saving
- Drip-free carafe
Cons:
- The hot water system is quite loud
9. Mr. Coffee SK13-RB – Simply Great Tasting Coffee
- Capacity: 12-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: No
Mr.Coffee SK13-RB is a simple, no-fuss top-rated dual coffee maker that makes some surprisingly good coffee, and it will be a great machine to have around for the regular coffee drinkers.
It is easy to use the machine that comes with a simple button control and indicator lights to let you know when the machine is on or off. And because it has a convenient lift and clean filter basket, cleaning it should be fast and easy.
There is also a handy water level monitoring window that lets you know when you need to add more water and brew-pause which can be a lifesaver.
While the auto-pause function seems to cause some dripping as you pull out the carafe to pour coffee, this is typical of most coffee machines with this function, and so it should not be a big deal. When looking at it, the plastic looks thin gauge but for its price, it is still good enough.
Pros:
- Handy on/off indicator lights
- Fast and easy cleanup
- Convenient brew pause and serve
- Easy water level monitoring
- Relatively more affordable
Cons:
- Auto pause causes a little dripping
- Thinner gauge plastic construction
10. Black & Decker DLX1050W – Great Value for Money
- Capacity: 12-cup
- Carafe: Glass
- Single Serve: No
Getting value for your money should be one of your key priorities when shopping for the best two-way coffee maker and that is just what you get with the Black & Decker DLX1050W. And this is because it comes in a great price tag and is well built and designed to make some great coffee.
This coffee machine will offer 24-hour programmable brewing to allow you to choose when you want your coffee to be ready. And it is easy to operate thanks to the intuitive controls.
There is also a sneak-a-cup feature that will let you get a quick cup of coffee in the middle of the brew cycle, and this will also be a safer machine to use thanks to the 2-hour auto shut off function.
Besides making some good old drip coffee, there is nothing much you can use this coffee maker for, but because it is inexpensive and it makes some great tasting coffee, this will hardly be the deal-breaker.
Pros:
- 24-hour programmable auto-brewing
- Auto shutoff for safety
- Soft-touch and intuitive controls
- Brew pause feature
- Easy and quick cleanup
Cons:
- Not very versatile
How to Buy the Best Dual Coffee Makers
Nothing beats the versatility of the dual coffee makers as they are the kind of machines that will work for any kind of coffee lover from those that just take one cup to those that prefer a full carafe.
But to choose one that will give you the best service regardless of your preferences, you need to watch out for the following things.
Coffee Options
The coffee options that you get should be the first and perhaps most important factor to consider when choosing a dual coffee maker because one of the main reasons for buying one is to get versatility.
Besides just standard coffee, the machine you choose should be able to make various other kinds of brews and allow you to make various adjustments to the brew quality that you get.
A good coffee machine should allow you to at least be able to make common beverage types like lattes and cappuccinos.
Pressure
Because extraction of coffee from the coffee grounds is done under pressure, and this is more so when making espresso-based drinks, you need to make sure your machine delivers enough pressure.
Overall, you can get machines that will have anything between 3 and 20 bars of pressure, but there are still many models that deliver even more.
But, if you are looking for something to use for making espressos, something that can deliver at least 9 bars should be more than enough. And for other brewing methods like drip coffee makers, high pressure might not be necessary as these machines mostly rely on gravity.
Capacity
There is no right or wrong capacity when it comes to coffee makers as it will mostly depend on your preferences and particular situation. While a single-serve might be more than enough for some people, for others, something that makes a full carafe is more favorable.
Because dual coffee makers will offer you both single-serve and full carafe brewing capability, almost any model can work for you.
For the single-serve section, the capacity remains the same, but when it comes to the carafe brewing, you will need to be keen on the capacity as some carafes will hold as little as 8 cups while others will have a capacity of up to 12 cups.
Carafe
The carafe type that your dual coffee maker uses also matters as it affects is the convenience of use. Typically, these coffee makers will come with either glass or thermal carafe.
Glass carafes are clear and will allow you to monitor the coffee level when brewing, but unlike the thermal types, they will not keep the coffee hot as they do not have insulation.
Thermal carafes are double-walled and vacuum insulated which means they will help keep your coffee hot longer which eliminates the need to keep reheating it.
When it comes to the carafe, the best dual brew coffee maker will mostly depend on your coffee consumption pattern because both types work well enough.
Serving Size
A good dual coffee maker should offer you a wide variety of serving sizes to ensure you can make as much coffee as you want.
Many models will allow you to choose whether you make a full or half a carafe while others will offer different serving sizes in terms of volume.
For the single-serve section, the most common serving sizes to expect from these coffee machines are 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 ounces. But, some models will offer larger serving sizes than this.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
No matter how good the coffee that your machine makes is, it will not serve you well if it is complicated to use.
Something with some simple and easy to understand controls will give you an easy time. The models with an LCD are also often easier to use. Other things like auto-off and indicator lights will also ensure you have an easy time with your coffee maker.
When it comes to the ease of cleaning, models that come with an easy to remove the filter basket and water reservoir will be easier to clean up.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer single-serve coffee or are a heavy drinker that likes to make a full carafe or even both, the dual coffee makers will be perfect for you as they will give you the best of both worlds.
And when it comes to picking a good model from the wide variety of options in the market, you will only need to keep the factors explained above in mind which range from coffee options and pump pressure to carafe type and brew sizes.
Better yet, with our reviews of 10 of the best dual coffee makers out there, it should now be easy to narrow down your options.
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