The Caffeinated Gear Team | January 14, 2025
Coffee shouldn’t be about compromise. Whether you’re brewing for one or serving the whole family, a dual coffee maker could be your perfect morning companion. Our team of certified baristas and coffee experts has spent months testing these versatile machines to help you make the right choice.
As coffee professionals, we understand the morning rush when only a quick pod will do, and those lazy weekend mornings when a full carafe of freshly brewed coffee sets the perfect tone. That’s exactly why we’ve thoroughly tested the market’s best dual coffee makers that can handle both scenarios brilliantly.
If you’re weighing up your options between a Keurig pod coffee maker and a traditional drip machine, you might find that a dual coffee maker offers the best of both worlds. These clever machines combine single-serve convenience with the traditional drip coffee experience, all in one space-saving unit.
Through our extensive testing and professional experience, we’ve made a conscious decision to exclude espresso and drip combination machines from our recommendations. Here’s why: espresso brewing requires precise pressure control and specific engineering that simply doesn’t integrate well with drip coffee systems.
Pod and drip combinations make perfect sense – they share similar brewing principles and components. Both need a water tank and basic pump system. But espresso is a different beast entirely, demanding precise pressure control, temperature stability, and specialized components that don’t play well with others.
We’ve tested numerous espresso combination machines, and the results have consistently disappointed. For proper espresso, we strongly recommend investing in a dedicated machine instead.
Looking for a proper espresso machine? Check out our comprehensive guide:
While combining brewing methods might seem brilliant on paper, we’ve found that dual coffee makers aren’t for everyone. Here’s what our testing experience has taught us:
For casual coffee drinkers who want both pod convenience and the ability to brew a full pot, dual coffee makers can be brilliant. They save counter space and money while delivering consistent results.
However, if you’re developing a deeper interest in specialty coffee, exploring different origins and roast profiles, we’d recommend a different approach. For serious coffee enthusiasts, we suggest either a high-quality standalone drip brewer like the Breville Precision Brewer or Technivorm Moccamaster. For manual brewing, consider the Hario V60. If you need pod convenience, original Nespresso machines offer access to a wide range of specialty coffee pods.
Want to explore more single-serve options? Read our detailed guide:
For those who simply want reliable, convenient coffee without diving into the complexities of specialty brewing, a dual coffee maker offers excellent value. These machines shine when you need both single-serve convenience and the ability to brew larger batches.
Let’s examine our top picks for dual coffee makers, based on months of hands-on testing:
The base model K-duo impressed us with its straightforward functionality and reliable performance. It handles K-cup pods from 6-12 oz and brews up to 60 oz of drip coffee using standard filters. The strength control and auto-brew features add welcome versatility.
What stood out in our testing was the clever single reservoir design. Unlike some competitors, you won’t need to juggle multiple water tanks – one fill serves both brewing methods. Users consistently praise this thoughtful design feature in their reviews.
Do note the footprint – at nearly 11 inches wide, it demands reasonable counter space. If your kitchen is compact, consider the Plus model below.
The K-Duo Plus showcases brilliant space-saving design, consolidating both brewing systems into a single unit. We particularly appreciate the switch to a thermal carafe instead of a warming plate – it keeps coffee fresh without developing that burnt taste common to hot plates.
This compact marvel proves particularly popular in smaller kitchens. The innovative design maintains all functionality while significantly reducing counter space requirements. The thermal carafe is a genuine upgrade, preserving coffee flavour far better than traditional glass carafes with warming plates.
This model caught our attention with its included refillable pod option. You can use standard K-cups or fill the reusable pod with your preferred ground coffee – a brilliant touch for those who occasionally want to brew their favourite beans in single-serve portions.
The separate water reservoirs design sparks some debate. Some users appreciate the dedicated tanks, ensuring the carafe side always has enough water. Others find filling two tanks cumbersome. We noted two practical considerations: you’ll need 6-8 inches of clearance above for filling, and the single-serve side can splash with shorter cups – easily fixed by using taller mugs or a stand.
After thorough testing in our coffee lab, we found the FlexBrew 2-Way represents Hamilton Beach’s practical solution to the dual-brewing dilemma. This machine combines a generous 60 oz drip coffee maker with a versatile K-cup pod system, making it a brilliant space-saving option for varied coffee preferences.
The market response speaks volumes – its substantial number of Amazon reviews reflects genuine customer satisfaction, particularly given its competitive price point. Many standalone pod or drip machines actually cost more than this comprehensive combo unit.
Our testing revealed that the drip coffee function consistently outperforms the pod brewing side. The pod brewing process runs slightly slower than dedicated pod machines, making this an ideal choice if you primarily want drip coffee with occasional pod brewing flexibility.
An interesting design choice is the dual water tank system. Unlike the Keurig K-Duo’s single reservoir, this model features separate tanks for pod and drip brewing. Whether this works for you depends on your preferences – some users appreciate that single-cup brewing doesn’t affect the main tank’s water level, while others might prefer a unified system.
The 49966 mirrors its glass carafe sibling (the 49976) in functionality but ups the ante with a thermal carafe. During our testing, we encountered some confusion regarding capacity specifications – an issue we’ve seen across various coffee maker brands.
The manufacturer lists this model with an 80 fl oz capacity and maximum pot size, while marketing it as a 10-cup brewer. Curiously, they rate the 49976 at 60 fl oz for 12 cups. This inconsistency (suggesting both 5 fl oz and 8 fl oz cup measurements) reflects a broader standardisation issue in the coffee industry.
What’s crystal clear is that these machines share nearly identical features. The primary difference? You’re investing about twenty pounds more for the thermal carafe version, which our team found particularly useful for maintaining temperature over longer periods.
With its striking design reminiscent of modern kitchen art, the Ninja CFP301 caught our attention immediately. Its unique appearance sparks conversation, but our testing revealed it’s much more than just eye-catching.
Versatility defines this machine. It handles K-cup brewing from 6-12 oz, drip brewing from single cup to 60 oz carafe, and offers four distinct brewing styles: classic, rich, over ice, and specialty. The integrated folding milk frother adds another dimension to its capabilities.
However, we need to address some marketing claims. While Ninja promotes cappuccino-making abilities, we must clarify two crucial points:
The “specialty” setting produces a concentrated 4 oz coffee – more intense than regular drip but not quite espresso. For most home brewers seeking variety in their coffee routine, this proves sufficient.
We particularly appreciated some unique features during our testing. The dedicated boil setting for tea preparation is uncommon in coffee machines. While the non-heating frother might disappoint cappuccino enthusiasts, it excels with cold drinks – perfect for iced lattes and frappuccinos. It even adds an interesting twist to breakfast cereal with frothed milk.
The CM401 occupies an interesting space in our dual coffee maker review. While it doesn’t offer pod compatibility, its ability to brew various coffee styles – from concentrated “specialty” shots to full carafes – earns it a place in our roundup.
Our testing confirmed its impressive versatility within the drip brewing spectrum. However, we should note that while Ninja markets this as SCAA certified, we couldn’t verify this on the current SCAA certified brewer list. The “specialty” setting produces 4 oz concentrated coffee – suitable for milk-based drinks but distinctly different from true espresso.
User feedback consistently praises its intuitive operation. Just remember that, like the CFP301, you’ll need to heat milk separately when using the frother for hot drinks. For cold beverages, however, the frother performs admirably.
After our comprehensive review of dual coffee makers above, we’ve gathered the most common questions our readers ask about these versatile brewing systems. As coffee experts who’ve tested dozens of machines, we’re here to share our detailed insights.
In our extensive testing experience, we haven’t found a truly all-in-one solution yet. The Ninja brewers come closest, but they still have limitations. While they offer “espresso-style” concentrated coffee, it’s not genuine espresso, which requires specific pressure and temperature control. They also lack proper steam wands for creating traditional milk foam, offering only cold foam capabilities instead.
We’ve found that genuine espresso simply demands dedicated equipment—the precision and specialisation required don’t mesh well with combination machines.
While ‘best’ varies based on individual needs, our testing consistently shows the Ninja CM401 as the top choice for most households. Here’s why: it brilliantly handles both single cups and full carafes without wasteful pods, creates concentrated coffee for iced drinks, and offers their signature “specialty” brew (a 4 fl oz concentrated coffee).
We particularly value its versatility—the water boiling feature for tea and the milk frothing capability add significant practical value for daily use.
The world of coffee pods can seem confusing, but it’s simply about different systems. You’ll find ESE pods (paper-filtered discs for certain espresso machines), Nespresso capsules (and their compatible alternatives), and K-cup pods specifically designed for Keurig and compatible machines.
This is where we need to be crystal clear: while some 2-in-1 makers claim cappuccino-making abilities, they’re not producing traditional cappuccinos. True cappuccino combines espresso with steamed milk—something these machines can’t technically achieve.
Take the Ninja dual coffee makers: they offer milk frothing and concentrated coffee, creating a drink that resembles cappuccino. However, without true espresso extraction and steam-heated milk, it’s not quite the real deal. Some might enjoy these beverages, but coffee purists should know the difference.
While DeLonghi and others manufacture actual combination espresso-drip machines, our testing suggests these compromises often disappoint serious coffee enthusiasts.
Want to know how to make a cappuccino using the Breville Barista Express Impress?
Most dual coffee makers feature separate water reservoirs—typically a larger tank for drip brewing and a single-serve tank for pod brewing. The Keurig K-Duo breaks this trend with a unified reservoir, but it’s the exception rather than the rule.
When it comes to dual coffee makers combining drip and pod brewing, our experience shows they’re generally as reliable as single-function machines. The potential issues aren’t typically related to their dual nature.
For instance, glass carafes might chip regardless of whether they’re part of a combination unit or standalone brewer. While there’s a theoretical risk of losing both brewing capabilities if the machine’s electronics fail, we’ve found this scenario quite rare in practice.
As British coffee experts who still appreciate a proper cuppa, we understand the appeal of tea-brewing functionality. Most coffee makers don’t reach the near-boiling temperatures ideal for tea, but the Ninja CFP301 stands out with its dedicated boil function.
In fact, after testing countless machines, we consistently recommend the Ninja dual coffee makers (particularly the CFP301 and the similarly capable CM401) for households seeking maximum versatility. These machines deliver exceptional variety without compromising on quality—a rare achievement in the world of combination brewers.
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