Dual coffee makers are machines that are capable of multitasking by making coffee, frothing milk, brewing a single-serve cup, or making multiple hot drinks at once.
There are tons of these machines on the market today, so how do you know which has the best functionality?
We have rallied the top-rated dual coffee makers together and tested each one extensively to give our opinion on the best dual coffee maker of 2024.
The parameters we based our findings on were:
- Quality of taste
- Temperature retention
- Easy to clean
- Unique features
- Value for money
You’re probably looking for a dual coffee maker because you want versatility.
Perhaps, on most days, you’ll only need a single cup to start the day, and you need it fast, even brewed directly into your travel mug to sip in the car.
Even so, you might still want the option of a full pot when you’re entertaining guests.
And how about those weekend mornings when you have time to enjoy a full breakfast?
A quality two-way coffee maker is a good choice for these situations.
If you’re in a hurry, these are the options for the best dual coffee maker on the market right now:
- Ninja Hot and Cold Tea and Coffee Maker—Most Versatile
- Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker—Best for Space-Saving
- Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Coffee Maker—Best-Tasting Coffee
What to Look For When Buying
These are some of the things you should focus on to find the best dual coffee maker for your home:
Features
What do you want out of your purchase?
Are you just looking for a coffee maker that will allow you to brew a single cup and a full pot, or would you like some added options?
Maybe a cold brew, or some hot water for tea?
Versatility is key, and this comes through its core features.
Another nice feature to have is programming.
When you set up your coffee to brew at night, you’ll save some valuable minutes the next morning.
Also, an automatic shut-off means you don’t have to worry about having left your coffee maker on for the rest of the day.
Size
One important thing to consider is the available space on your kitchen counter.
Many two-way coffee makers can be quite large and can be harder to fit in a smaller kitchen.
Our best dual coffee maker, the Ninja Hot and Cold Tea and Coffee Maker, packs many functions in a relatively small space.
However, the smallest of the bunch is the Keurig K-Duo Plus.
Taste and Temperature
Coffee-lovers know that the crucial element in a new coffee machine is that it makes a tasty, hot brew.
For this, the coffee extraction needs to be even and efficient, and that’s why many incorporate a showerhead system to make sure the result is rich and smooth.
All the models on our list are great for flavor, but the Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew is the winner of the taste test.
What Is the Best 2-Way Coffee Maker?
With so many fantastic dual models available, it’s tough to choose the right one, but we highly recommend the Ninja Hot and Cold Tea and Coffee Maker.
You’ll be able to get anything from a cappuccino to an ice tea.
Still, you won’t have to sacrifice the quality of a full pot of coffee.
Does Keurig Make a Dual Coffee Maker?
Keurig is known for its easy-to-use single-cup machines, but they do have models with the traditional full pot option.
The Keurig K-Duo Plus we reviewed is a small and sleek dual coffee machine that works with both K-cup pods and ground coffee.
If you’re worried about the extra expense of the K-cups, there are many options for refillable k-cups to fill with your own ground coffee.
Using refillable k-cups is also better for the planet, which we love.
Learn several simple methods on how to reuse your K-cups and save money in this video.
Which Is Better, Hamilton Beach or Cuisinart?
Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart are both great, durable brands that will allow you to get many years of use and a hot, tasty cup of coffee.
They also aren’t too technical or expensive.
In this case, we’d go with the Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew—a reliable option that combines quality with the ease of a pod machine.
It’s a long-standing bestseller that’s easy to use and gives amazing variety.
What Factors Drove Our Ratings
- Quality of Taste – Each tested machine must produce a delicious cup of coffee. To keep this constant, the same freshly ground coffee was used for each test.
- Temperature Retention – The 2-way coffee maker had to keep the coffee warm for a reasonable period of time after brewing.
- Easy to Clean – Using a machine that you hate to clean is not fun. The easier the machine is to clean, the more it will be used.
- Unique Features – Each machine has a unique feature that sets it apart from the rest of the group.
- Value for Money – Your money is preciously hard-earned, and you should only spend it on appliances that are worth it.
User reviews were also a large part of our research, to ensure verified buyers were happy with their purchases, and to compare our findings with the reviews.
Here at The Healthy Treehouse, we value quality over quantity. If we felt that the cost was greater than the value of what the appliance included, that model would be excluded from the list.
Top Dual Coffee Maker Options
Top-Rated Best Dual Coffee Maker—Most Versatile
Ninja Hot and Cold Tea and Coffee Maker
Includes
- Coffee maker
- 10-cup glass carafe
- Built-in frother
- Coffee
- Coffee basket
- Tea basket
- Ninja scoop
Features
- Can brew a variety of sizes from a pod-free single cup to a full carafe
- Can brew several coffee beverages, from concentrated shots to cold brews
- Can brew teas from tea bags to loose-leaf
- Separate basket for coffee and tea
- Auto IQ one-touch intelligence technology
- Built-in frother
Ninja makes surprising coffee machines with amazing features.
They’re versatile and well-thought-out and usually include more than one beverage option.
This Ninja Hot and Cold Tea and Coffee Maker allows you to prepare a range of drinks, from a single cup of coffee to a full pot, or even cold brews or concentrated shots for a cappuccino or latte.
Also, the built-in milk frother allows you to prepare coffee store-type drinks every day.
It’s also ideal for those families that have a coffee and tea drinker since it has brew functions for both.
And, most importantly, this machine includes separate baskets for coffee grinds and tea leaves, so they don’t get mixed up.
On top of this, it has a brew delay function that allows you to program your coffee for the next morning, and you can choose between different brews, from normal to rich or concentrated.
Quality of Taste
We were very pleased with how flavorful the coffee was when testing this Ninja. Hot, iced, and the concentrated coffee shots were all delicious.
Temperature Retention
Coffee dispensed from the Ninja was very hot when programming for hot coffee. When making a cold brew, the machine pours it over ice in less than 10 minutes.
Easy to Clean
The glass carafe is dishwasher safe and the machine is easy to whip down if need be.
Unique Features
This programmable dual coffee maker has endless attachments, creating an entire barista station right in your kitchen. We loved the quick cold brew option.
Value for Money
With so many functions and attachments, this coffee maker is well worth the price tag for professional coffeehouse drinks.
User Reviews
Donal (verified purchase) said in February 2020: “We have made whole pots, half pots, travel mugs, and regular coffee cups. We have made specialty coffee, regular coffee, and sweet tea. This does it all.”
Why Buy This Product
If you love a variety of coffee drinks, buy this machine.
If you are working with a smaller kitchen with little storage, this is a reasonably-sized dual coffee maker.
Top-Rated Best Dual Coffee Maker—Best for Space-Saving
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
Includes
- Dual coffee maker
- 12-cup thermal carafe
- Mesh reusable ground coffee filter
- 60-oz reservoir
Features
- 60-ounce reservoir that can be moved to either side or along the back to maximize counter space.
- Can brew a range of coffee sizes from single cups to pots
- Can keep your coffee warm for a couple of hours without scalding or losing flavor
- Programmable settings that’ll allow you to set your coffee maker for the next day.
- Pause and pour feature
- Smart start
The Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker is a great dual option for those who love the convenience of a fast, single on-demand cup, together with a full thermal pot of coffee for families.
It is the best single-serve and pot coffee maker that we tested.
With the amazing variety of K-cup beverages, from tea to hot chocolate, you certainly won’t get bored.
We like how this machine is programmable, so you can prepare it at night and wake up to the delicious smell of fresh coffee.
Also, the thermal carafe will keep your coffee hot for 2 hours without burning it.
Note that the 60-ounce water tank can be moved to either side or even to the back of the machine, depending on what’s most comfortable for your kitchen.
Small kitchens can maximize space, as this machine is the smallest of the bunch.
Quality of Taste
Strength and quality shined in the coffee brewed from this Keurig. Both carafe and single-cup coffee making were flavorful and delicious.
Temperature Retention
The thermal carafe is insulated to keep your coffee warm in the pot for up to 2 hours after brewing it.
Easy to Clean
We found this carafe and chamber easy to clean after each use, and we drank a lot of coffee from this machine!
Unique Features
The water reservoir is movable depending on your kitchen size. Both k-cup and thermal carafes are the two most popular choices in coffee makers, so this could be considered the perfect coffee machine for many.
Value for Money
Keurig priced this machine well, as it combines the functionalities of two machines into one.
User Reviews
Dan (verified purchase) had this to say in September 2019: “The design is superior. The buttons are simple, clear, and all in one place. The coffee pods and filter are easily accessible, even under a cabinet.”
Why Buy This Product
This coffee marker is small, stylish, and has a smart design.
There is no heating plate so your coffee will not burn, perfect for people who drink multiple cups per day.
Top-Rated Best Dual Coffee Maker—Best-Tasting Coffee
Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Coffee Maker
Includes
- Trio coffee maker
- 2 easy-fill reservoirs
- Single-serve pack holder
- Brew basket
Features
- Can brew single-serve coffees in two ways, pods or ground, as well as a 12-cup pot of coffee
- Select-a-brew feature that’ll allow you to customize the strength of your coffee
- Adjustable mug rest that you can easily remove to fit a travel mug
- 2 easy-fill reservoirs and easy-view water windows
- Carafe side with programmable timer and 2-hour auto-shutoff
- Automatic pause & serve during brewing
This Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Coffee Maker is a versatile bestseller.
It’s also easy to use and produces incredibly rich and hot coffee.
A stand-out feature is a single-serve side, which has an adjustable mug rest you can remove to fit even a tall travel mug.
It brews up to 10 ounces from K-cup generic pods or ground coffee.
The full pot can brew up to 12 cups and is compatible with normal paper filters.
Full programming is available for the carafe side, and the full pot takes 10 minutes to prepare.
Brew time for a single-serve is three minutes.
The warming plate will keep the full pot warm for two hours and will automatically shut off, which is a needed safety feature in busy homes.
Quality of Taste
The coffee from this Hamilton Beach model was our absolute favorite cup of joe. It had a major depth of flavor with custom brew strength.
Temperature Retention
The carafe side kept the coffee warm for up to two hours without flavor loss, so we were able to have multiple cups of coffee until the afternoon.
Easy to Clean
We found no issues when cleaning either side of the machine and the carafe.
Unique Features
The taste of the coffee sets this appliance apart from the rest. The coffee was also hotter and fresher than any coffee I have ever had at home, and it even has a cold-brew option.
Value for Money
We think this machine is so affordable and worth the money, especially when you compare the price to buying a store-bought coffee every day.
User Reviews
Kayla (verified purchase) said in April 2020: “This is, hands down, the best coffee maker. I’m thrilled to have the option to brew a carafe or single cup. Programming my coffee to brew before I get out of bed is a game-changer!”
Why Buy This Product
If you just want the best-tasting coffee you’ve ever brewed, this machine is top-tier.
Coffee snobs unite, because this is the machine for you.
Other Helpful Information
If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out this DeLonghi BCO430 Coffee Maker that combines an espresso machine and a 10-cup drip coffee maker.
The Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center is also a great option that can deliver a full pot or a single-serve. It’s compatible with K-cup pods and ground coffee.
If you are interested in having your coffee stay warm for longer, check out some of the best commercial coffee makers to keep your coffee hot.
Espresso may be your thing instead of a standard cup of joe.
Read through our picks for the best espresso maker for strong coffee drinks.
The beans you use matter!
Learn more about the different types of coffee beans and what is tastiest for your taste buds here.
The Winner
After all this caffeine, lets wind-down and show love to our winner.
The best dual coffee maker you can buy is the Ninja Hot and Cold Tea and Coffee Maker.
It’s not only great for a single-serve and a full pot of coffee, but you can also use it for cold brews and teas.
If you enjoy switching up your drinks or have family members with different tastes, there’s no question on what model to buy.
This coffee maker has enough variety to prepare anything from a hot chocolate for the kids to a nice cappuccino or iced tea for yourself.
