Best Dual Coffee Maker For Brewing Fresh Coffee

When it comes to coffee, it's pretty quickly the one beverage that some feel they can't live without. It's not without reason, as a great cup of coffee can be a great companion throughout your day.

So, to find the best dual coffee maker means knowing what to look for. Ideally, you want a coffee maker that caters to your tastes. If you enjoy a variety of styles, then you'd prefer two-way coffee makers that can cater to that, be it making cappuccinos, espressos, or lattes. On the other hand, if all you're looking for is a dual coffee maker that can make both a single-serve and an entire carafe, then you can find models that cater to that.

We reviewed the best dual coffee makers and outlined features to consider when buying them.

What Is A Dual Coffee Maker?

Dual coffee makers also referred to as two-way coffee makers, are machines that brew full carafes of coffee and single servings of instant coffee, drip coffee, tea, and espresso.

They are an excellent choice for households with a variety of coffee preferences.

We discussed below the best dual coffee makers that guarantee a cup of delicious hot coffee.

Best Dual Coffee Makers

1. Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker, Single-Serve and 12-Cup Pot,...

• 2 WAYS TO BREW: SINGLE CUP OR FULL POT. Brew a single-serve cup or a full pot of coffee with your favorite ground coffee. Whichever way you...
• SIMPLE SINGLE-CUP BREWING — DOESN'T USE K-CUP PODS. Brew a cup for one using loose ground coffee (not compatible with K-Cup pods). With...
• PEACE OF MIND WITH 2 HOUR AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF. How many times have you walked out the door, only to wonder: did I turn the coffee maker off....
• PROGRAMMABLE FOR WAKE-UP READY COFFEE. Program the Hamilton Beach coffee maker with the time you want to start brewing, fill with water and...
• CHOOSE YOUR BREW STRENGTH WITH SELECT-A-BREW. Control how strong you want your coffee with two brew options: regular and bold. Choose...

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The Hamilton Beach coffee maker is the best dual coffee maker for a single-serve brewer or to brew a whole pot.

In terms of the single-serve brewer, the Hamilton Beach coffee maker can brew loose ground coffee or soft pods, allowing you the flexibility of choosing your brew. The coffee maker also comes with a multi-level cup rest, so you can fill a tall travel mug or a short coffee mug without worrying about spilling coffee.

This Hamilton Beach dual coffee maker comes with a 12 cup glass carafe. It is also programmable, so if you're an early rise, you can wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Another great feature on the carafe side is that if you remove it to pour yourself a cup, it pauses, preventing the coffee from dripping onto the heater until the carafe is put back into place.

2. Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker

Cuisinart Plus 12-Cup Hot Water Coffee Maker, Black/Stainless

• Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for...
• TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Variable heater plate for temperature control that is adjustable – low, medium, and high settings – keep coffee at...
• 12-CUP GLASS CARAFE: Includes drip-free pour spout, knuckle guard for added protection, carafe lid, and ergonomic comfort grip black handle...
• ENJOY WITH EASE: Cuisinart’s trademarked Brew Pause feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle has finished
• PREMIIUM DESIGN FEATURES: Easy-to-use indicator lights let you know when water is hot and ready to dispense, and when it’s time to refill

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For drip coffee lovers, the Keurig K-Duo is the best dual coffee maker on the market.

It comes with a 12 cup glass carafe and offers multiple brew sizes. In addition, you have the choice of brewing coffee using ground coffee and k-cup pods.

The Keurig K - Duo is one of the most compact side-by-side brewers on the market. This is due to the large 60-ounce water reservoir shared between the single-serve and carafe brewing. As a result, it saves you time and makes refilling easier.

Another great feature of the Keuring K-duo is its programmable carafe auto-brew. It lets you program your dual brew coffee maker to brew a carafe up to 24 hours in advance automatically.

3. Cuisinart CHW-12P1 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Cuisinart Plus 12-Cup Hot Water Coffee Maker, Black/Stainless

• Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for...
• TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Variable heater plate for temperature control that is adjustable – low, medium, and high settings – keep coffee at...
• 12-CUP GLASS CARAFE: Includes drip-free pour spout, knuckle guard for added protection, carafe lid, and ergonomic comfort grip black handle...
• ENJOY WITH EASE: Cuisinart’s trademarked Brew Pause feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle has finished
• PREMIIUM DESIGN FEATURES: Easy-to-use indicator lights let you know when water is hot and ready to dispense, and when it’s time to refill

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The Cuisinart Coffee maker boasts some pretty useful features that make it stand out as the best dual coffee maker.

The two-way coffee maker comes with a 12 cup glass carafe with a drip-free spout. The Cuisinart programmable coffee maker also features a hot water dispenser for on-demand hot water, letting you enjoy hot cocoa, soup, tea, or your choice of beverage or meal. In addition, the hot water system has its power button and a 54-ounce water reservoir. The system operates independently or at the same time as the coffeemaker.

The Cuisinart programmable coffee maker is equipped with a carafe temperature control knob which offers a heater plate with High, Medium, and Low settings to keep coffee at the temperature you prefer.

Lastly, the two-way coffee maker features a charcoal water filter that removes impurities that can change the taste of your beverage. The dual coffee maker also has a removable drip tray which has ample space for a tall travel mug.

4. Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System

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Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System, Tea & Coffee Maker, with...

• COLD BREW: Brew tea or coffee at a lower temperature over ice for smooth, naturally sweet flavor in 10 to 15 minutes.
• SEPARATE BASKETS: Keep flavors separate with different baskets for brewing coffee and loose or bagged tea.
• SMART BASKET RECOGNITION: System recognizes what's in the basket and automatically displays coffee or tea options.
• 6 BREW SIZES: Brew anything from a single cup to an XL cup, travel size, XL travel size, and half or full carafe with your coffee maker.
• 5 BREW STYLES: Choose your style with Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Cold Brew, or Specialty.

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Unlike most dual coffee makers, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System differ because it doesn't look like a dual coffee maker because it lacks two separate sides.

However, what the coffee maker lacks in appearance, it caters for in functionality. The dual coffee maker offers 5 brew styles inclusive of tea. It's designed to brew hot over ice at double strength for a vivid, authentic flavored iced coffee or tea that's never watered down. In addition, you can enjoy a specialty of drinks ranging from frothy chai lattes to cappuccinos, macchiatos, and more.

Additionally, the coffee maker offers 6 different brew sizes, from a single cup or travel size to half or full carafe. So it's the best dual coffee maker for versatility. The Ninja Hot also comes with a 10 cup thermal carafe, and to top it off, it also comes with a frothing wand.

Lastly, the Ninja Hot and Cold brewed system feature individual baskets for tea and coffee, allowing you to keep the flavors separate.

5. BELLA Dual Brew Single Serve Coffee Maker

BELLA (14392) Dual Brew Single Serve Coffee Maker, Silver/Black

• DUAL BREW COFFEE MAKER: This coffee maker uses pressurized pump technology to maximize flavor extraction for single serve K-Cups & deliver a...
• SPACE SAVER: A great choice for smaller kitchens, offices and dorms, the Dual Brew Single Serve Personal Coffee Maker has a compact design...
• SAVOR THE QUALITY: Our one cup coffee makers brew you a rich, delicious single cup of java with quickness & convenience. They feature...
• KITCHEN ESSENTIALS: BELLA offers a full range of high-quality products including air fryers, waffle irons, toasters, coffee makers, electric...
• MIX IT UP: The kitchen should be fun. With BELLA It can be. We provide you with quick & convenient kitchen solutions to simplify your hectic...

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A common factor in dual coffee makers is that they have two sections. However, the Bella dual brew coffee maker has just one. It's compact, making it ideal for homes focused on saving on space. You can be sure it won't clutter the countertop.

The dual brew coffee maker uses pressurized pump technology to maximize flavor extraction for single-serve K-Cups & deliver a bold, full-bodied brew.

The dual brew coffee maker comes with a reusable filter cup that lets you brew your hot coffee anytime. The filter can also be used for brewing hot water for teas, cocoa, and more. You can also load coffee grounds when in the mood for a single-serve.

Features To Consider When Buying Best Dual Coffee Maker

a) Brewing Method

This is the first thing to consider when searching for the best dual coffee makers. Essentially, dual brewers are either based around an espresso maker or an auto-drip machine as their core components. What's great about dual coffee makers is that there are sufficient varieties on the market to find one that caters to your diverse coffee drinking needs.

Espresso-based machines tend to be more expensive and bulky; hence a drip-based machine is usually the way to go for most.

Though drip-based dual brewers won't brew authentic espresso, they can produce a concentrated shot that closely mimics the flavor drinks like lattes or Americanos. This makes them an ideal choice for an affordable alternative to an espresso maker.

It's also possible to find the best dual coffee makers that focus on making coffee in single-serve or carafe sizes, while others add the option to make more robust or regular cups of coffee. Other models include the option of using pre-made pods on the single-serve side. Some models also use the K-cup line and soft pod system. If you already use either, you can look for the best dual coffee maker that comes with the ability to use them.

What's important is getting a coffee maker that fits your needs.

b) Water Reservoir

The water reservoir is vital as it plays its role when brewing an entire pot of coffee using a dual coffee maker.

Water reservoirs can range from 30 to 60 ounces, with 40 ounces being considered the average. Thus, the size of the reservoir is directly proportional to how often it must be refilled.

It's essential to keep in mind that refilling the reservoir during the brewing process can result in the dual coffee maker not reaching the optimal water temperature.

Consequently, you should always keep this in mind and prepare coffee portions per their capacity.

c) Size and Design

It's also important to consider the size and design when searching for the best dual coffee makers.

Most people tend to consider a dual coffee maker when saving space on their countertop and looking to reduce the hassle of maintaining two separate coffee makers. In such cases, the key benefit of the best dual coffee maker is that it can perform the function of two machines.

However, it's also worth noting that the best dual coffee makers come in various sizes and designs. Hence if looking to save on space, you ideally want the best dual coffee maker that's compact and suitable for your countertop. So ensure to check the dimensions of the coffee maker before buying it.

It's also key to checking the offerings of the coffee machine. For example, some coffee makers only have carafe and single-serve, which is suitable for some. At the same time, others can brew directly into a travel or coffee cup.

d) Ease of Use

It's always essential to consider how easy to use an appliance is before investing in it. When buying online, read customer reviews to get an idea of ease of use. Ideally, the best dual coffee makers should not give you a hard time, and you shouldn't feel like you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get a cup of coffee.

Some coffee machines come with separate water reservoirs for the single-serve and carafe sides, meaning you have to pay close attention to how much water you add. What's great is that you won’t have to refill the other side because you used its opposite.

Other dual coffee maker models feature reusable filters, which can be quite costly to run in the long run. They have to be cleaned by hand, but you won’t be going through any paper filters in the meantime.

e) Thermal Vs. Glass Carafe

The big question: Do you prefer a thermal carafe or a glass carafe?

It comes down to how you like to enjoy your coffee.

The purpose of a coffee carafe is to store your brewed coffee and keep it warm.

Glass carafes can do this by pairing with a hot plate that adds heat overtime to the coffee. When using it, you will have to reheat your coffee or make it separately. Something else to consider with a glass carafe, you'll have to drink your coffee pretty quickly, or it can lead to burnt tasting coffee if left on for more than about 30 minutes (more or less depending on the machine). The best dual coffee makers with a glass carafe are also best suitable for early risers.

On the other hand, the best dual coffee maker with a thermal carafe is ideal if looking to retain the hotness of your coffee for long periods. A thermal carafe is more durable than a glass carafe.

Many dual coffee makers mostly come with a glass carafe option. This is because the single-serve coffee option reduces its importance. For example, if brewing for one, you don’t have to use the whole carafe. In contrast, if brewing for a group, you’ll likely use the whole carafe before the spoiling becomes an issue. 

f) Programming Features

There are a variety of dual coffee makers, and to stand out, they all offer various features. In addition, some dual coffee machines have programming features that elevate the convenience of brewing your coffee. For instance, allowing you to set your morning brew before going to bed.

Some of the best dual coffee makers also have an auto-shut-off feature to save power and time.

g) Milk Frothing

If you're a fan of lattes and cappuccinos, then searching for the best dual coffee maker with a milk frother is necessary.

Espresso machines feature a steam wand by default, but you'll also find these on various dual brew coffee maker styles.

An automatic milk frother is the most accessible type because it does the steaming work for you. However, a manual steam wand is more suitable for better microfoam and allows you more control to make the exact kind of froth you'd like.

If you enjoy latte art, a manual frother is the best choice.

h) Materials and Durability

It's essential to consider the build quality of appliances when buying as it directly correlates to their durability. For example, most coffee machines are made from plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel.

The quality of the component and the materials can also impact the flavor. Some people notice faint metallic notes from coffee makers that use aluminum heating elements, for example, so that’s something you’ll want to avoid if you have a sensitive palate.

The carafe is another factor to consider. Glass carafes are cheaper but don't retain heat well and break easily. A thermal carafe is made of dual-layered stainless steel. This keeps coffee hot without the need for a warming plate. It's also shatter-proof and more durable than a glass carafe.

i) Ground Coffee or K-Cups

Before buying your best dual coffee maker, it's essential to check if it's compatible with K-cups and ground coffee. Though most dual coffee makers can operate with ground coffee, some coffee machines also allow you to use K-cups.

K-cups are quick, practical, and versatile. However, they are not sustainable and eco-friendly. They are also costly to run in the long run.