Some days you’re the only one in your household or workplace or community center who’s desperate for a cup of coffee. Other days there’s a queue at the kitchen counter.
If you’ve ever had to make more than a few hot drinks without the benefits of beverage technology, you already know how important it is to choose the right coffee machine.
Many modern coffee machines fall into one of two categories: single-serve or multi-cup.
So how do you choose the best 2-way coffee maker? Fear not. Our practical, no-nonsense comparison of five of the best dual coffee makers out there will guide you.
The Best 2 Way Coffee Makers Of 2023
What Is The Best Dual Coffee Maker?
Our Winner: Hamilton Beach 49980A
If you’re short on time (and who isn’t these days), then let’s just get straight to the point.
Our overall winner is the Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-way coffee maker. While all five had features to recommend them, this model was great value for money, looked really classy, and was extremely consistent in producing excellent drinks. So it’s a resounding five stars from us on this one.
That’s our assessment in a nutshell (or should it be coffee pod?). Wondering how we reached our conclusion? Read on. We compare the best aspects of five 2 way coffee makers. And the not-so-good.
Hamilton Beach 2 Way Brewer
- 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 brew, the Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker makes it...
- EASY TO USE. With the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee to brew a cup of coffee couldn’t be easier: just scoop, place and brew. There's no need to use a separate scoop or...
- 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 the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee...
- 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? Now there's no worry or turning around to check, since the...
- PROGRAMMABLE FOR WAKE-UP READY COFFEE. Program the Hamilton Beach coffee maker with the time you want to start brewing, fill with water and add ground coffee. When you wake up, coffee will be hot and...
Cuisinart SS-15P1
First up is the Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center. Brew 10 to 12 cups at once, or just a single cup of Joe. For single servings, there are three brew sizes: 6, 8 or 10 ounces. There’s also a 4-ounce setting and a 12-ounce choice. The machine measures 10.1 by 10.4 by 14.2 inches and weighs 9.5 pounds.
This machine is not only K-Cup compatible, but also ships with the Home Barista Reusable Filter Cup. Have a favorite coffee blend? You can use ground coffee. We’re a fan of grinding the beans fresh each time if possible, but we also know there are some great pre-ground options out there too.
Cuisinart Dual Coffee Maker
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of...
- SINGLE-SERVE: Enjoy three serving sizes – 6 ounces, 8 ounces, or 10 ounces – compatible with any brand of single cup pod including Keurig K-Cup pods with an optional reusable filter cup so you can...
- SUPERIOR FUNCTIONALITY: Our single-serve brewer has a 40oz removable water reservoir that complements its charcoal water filter and removable drip tray for travel mugs – enjoy energy save mode when...
- CARAFE BREWER: Serve up to 12 cups of coffee at once with our glass carafe coffee maker featuring a stainless-steel handle and body with fully automatic features – 24-hour brew start, self-clean,...
- MUST-HAVE FEATURES: Our 12-cup coffee brewer allows you to control your brew strength so you can boast light to strong coffee flavor as well as adjust your carafe water temperature that runs through...
The plastic components are BPA free, while the glass carafe sports a metal handle. This brewer puts you in control when it comes to how strong you like your drink. Selecting “BOLD” will result in a more robust beverage.
Cuisinart capsules are recyclable, with 3 varieties to tickle your taste buds: Dark Roast, Medium Roast, or French Vanilla. If a highlight of your daily commute is your cup of home-brewed barista-style coffee, you’ll be happy to know that this machine accommodates a travel mug when the drip tray is pulled out. The water reservoir has a very generous 72 fluid ounce capacity.
It’s a fully programmable machine, offering several additional features like Auto On/Off and adjustable temperature control. Setup is straightforward. There’s a choice of temperatures: hot and extra hot. Hot water is dispensed on the extra hot setting.
You’re not limited to coffee either. Use the “hot water” button to make chocolate, hot cocoa, soup, and tea. We also reckon it would work pretty well with noodles, pasta, or oatmeal-based snacks. The water filter incorporates charcoal and for a little extra bling, the filter is gold-tone.
Pros & Cons
✔ It heats up quickly
✔ It’s surprisingly light
✔ It looks great
✔ Rinse feature makes it exceptionally easy to clean
✔ Auto On/off
✔ Two temperature settings: hot and extra hot
✗ It’s on the loud side when brewing
✗ It has a tendency to splash when the coffee is being dispensed
✗ No light on the water reservoir
The Hamilton Beach 49980A
You know this is our overall best buy, so let’s examine the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer in a little more detail. As with all the coffee machines under the spotlight in this comparison, the 49980A lets you opt for either a solitary cup of coffee or a pot of up to 12 cups at a time.
This coffee maker accommodates travel mugs of up to a maximum of around 7.25 inches high with the drip tray removed, or around 4.25 inches otherwise. The machine itself measures 10.6 by 12.2 by 13.7 inches and weighs less than 2 pounds after shipping.
Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-way Coffee Maker
- 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 brew, the Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker makes it...
- EASY TO USE. With the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee to brew a cup of coffee couldn’t be easier: just scoop, place and brew. There's no need to use a separate scoop or...
- 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 the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee...
- 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? Now there's no worry or turning around to check, since the...
- PROGRAMMABLE FOR WAKE-UP READY COFFEE. Program the Hamilton Beach coffee maker with the time you want to start brewing, fill with water and add ground coffee. When you wake up, coffee will be hot and...
It’s fully programmable, so if you like to wake up to a cup of coffee that’s already brewed, fragrant and welcoming, you’ll love this machine. There’s also an auto shut off. And we love the fact that it doesn’t matter if you’re using a carafe, travel mug, or small cup, this machine can brew straight into the vessel.
You can also vary the strength of your brew from regular to bold. If for whatever reason, you can’t drink your coffee straight away, there’s a warming plate to keep it piping hot. The machine is made from stainless steel and ships with a 12-cup capacity carafe. It’s very affordable and extremely low maintenance.
The water reservoir is on the side of the machine so you can easily spot when it needs refilling. The carafe-side reservoir has a large capacity. You also get various mesh filters, brew baskets, and a very useful cup rest with several levels.
The display and control panel allows you to use hour and minute buttons to program and pinpoint the exact time in the next 24 hours when you want your cup of Joe. It makes no difference whether you’re brewing a single cup of coffee or a whole carafe: both are equally programmable.
If you decide to choose the single-serve option, you can add ground coffee directly to the mesh filter on the brew basket. Your other option is to add a soft pod to the pod holder. The hot plate will not only keep your coffee piping hot for two hours; if there’s been no activity for two hours, the plate shuts off automatically.
Pros & Cons
✔ Excellent 24-hour programmable feature
✔ Stainless steel components are really easy to clean
✔ Many parts are also dishwasher safe (we recommend top rack)
✔ Extremely compact
✔ Straightforward to use
✔ Short brewing time of around 2 minutes for the first cup, less for the next cups
✔ Great stacking ring feature to make sure your cup is at the right height
✔ Choice of strong or bold brew
✗ This coffee maker does require very regular descaling
✗ A thorough cleaning cycle can take a long time
✗ Can be a little messy in terms of coffee splatters – keep a cloth handy
De’Longhi BCO430BM
When you’re deciding on which dual coffee machine to buy, you’re as likely to want to know which machine performed best as you are which is the best buy. So let us tell you about the top performer, the De’Longhi BCO430BM. This combination pump espresso and 10 cup Drip Coffee Machine also incorporates an Advanced Cappuccino System if frothy coffee is your thing.
On one side of this machine, the 15 bar pump means it makes gorgeous and authentic latte, espresso, and cappuccino. The cappuccino system uses advanced technology to mingle milk and steam for a foamy froth of delight.
De'Longhi BCO430BM
- 1 machine does it all: 1 side makes authentic 15-bar espresso, cappuccino and latte, while the other side brews exceptionally delicious coffee.
- Flavor savor brew system: De’longhi’s patented coffee brewing system extracts maximum flavor and aroma for a robust coffee experience.
- Front-loading system: Both water and coffee reservoirs are conveniently located with frontal access for drip coffee – no need to move the machine.
- Your foam, your way: The advanced cappuccino system mixes steam and milk to create a rich, creamy froth for evenly textured drinks – just the way you like them.
- Filtered water for a better brew: The advanced active carbon filter keeps water fresh and free of impurities for better-tasting brewed coffee.
On the other side, it simply makes great coffee. The coffee side will dispense into a carafe, while the espresso side is suitable for cups.
This machine is extremely well-designed and accessible. The water and coffee reservoirs are located at the front of the machine for convenience. There’s also a filter that makes use of active carbon for great tasting drinks; improve them still further by using filtered water.
You can brew a carafe of 10 cups at once, and the large capacity water reservoir means you don’t need to worry about filling up too often. Convenience is the name of the game with this coffee maker.
As well as a 24-hour digital timer, there’s an auto-shutoff feature and a brew pause option. So you don’t need to wait for the brewing cycle to draw to a close, you can pour your drink as soon as you’re ready to enjoy it.
There’s a warming plate to keep your brewed coffee fresh and at a deliciously hot temperature. It measures 11 by 14.5 by 12.7 inches and weighs 10.25 pounds after shipping is removed. (It’s 16 pounds with packaging.) It usually ships with a full-size coffee pot.
Pros & Cons
✔ You can brew up to 10 cups at once
✔ Coffee drip-maker side is especially good
✔ Extremely simple to use
✔ Front-loading coffee and water reservoirs
✔ Reusable metal filter
✔ Very easy to clean
✔ Pretty good crema
✗ Espresso side is a little loud
✗ You need to make sure the espresso side is at the right temperature before you brew
✗ The milk frother takes a little practice to get just right
✗ You’re likely to get a few dribbles when you pour the coffee, no matter how careful you are
Kitchen Selectives CM-302BL
If budgets are tight, then the Kitchen Selectives CM302BL offers the best budget option, with their keenly priced CM-203BL. You can make 12 cups at once in this smart-looking black coffee machine. It ships with not one but two glass carafes, each with a 12 cup capacity. It measures 9.4 by 14.2 by 12.8 inches and weighs 6.6 pounds.
We really liked the fact that each side not only operates independently of the other, but the illuminated switches mean it’s easy for you to keep tabs on what’s going on. There’s an auto shut off which kicks in if there’s been no activity for two hours, and there’s also a pause and serve feature. You don’t have to wait for the coffee to complete its brewing round.
Kitchen Selectives CM-302BL
- Dual side drip coffee maker with two 12-cup glass carafes
- Each side brews independently; brew decaf and regular coffee simultaneously
- Illuminated switches operate each side independently
- Pause and serve feature; 2-hour automatic shut-off
- Removable filter baskets; 1 year warranty
You can even brew regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee at the same time, due to the way the two sides work independently of one another. It carries a one year warranty and ships with removable filter baskets. Some components are relatively delicate, and you might need nimble fingers to ensure they’re firmly in place before you start the brewing process.
Pros & Cons
✔ Ships with 2 12-cup carafes
✔ Outstanding value for money
✔ Easy to obtain compatible replacement carafes
✔ Removable, reusable coffee filter
✔ You only need a small amount of coffee for a cup
✔ Coffee is dispensed at a delightfully hot temperature
✗ Some components are quite small and delicate so you need to handle with care
✗ You need to make sure that the filter basket is firmly in place otherwise draining might be an issue
✗ Shipping packaging materials could be a little sturdier
Keurig K-Duo
It wouldn’t be a coffee machine comparison without a Keurig, and the K-Duo Coffee Maker is the offering we examined from everyone’s favorite K-Cup manufacturer. You get a choice of single-serve and 12-cup carafe brewing options. When it comes to brewing sizes, your options are 6, 8, 10, or 12 fluid ounces, either in the form of a carafe, or a single cup. You can use either ground coffee or K-Cups.
There’s a hot plate to keep the coffee warm once brewed, and various accessories can be purchased separately. These include the reusable mesh coffee filter. You can also use the K-Duo to dispense hot green or black tea, chocolate, cocoa, and herbal teas, either by using the appropriate K-Cups or by popping a teabag in the cup and opting for hot water only.
Keurig K-Duo Dual Brew Coffee Maker
- BREW A CUP AND A CARAFE: Use both ground coffee and K-Cup pods.Compatible with keurig gold tone mesh filter accessory: A reusable coffee filter you can use to brew your perfect carafe (sold...
- STRONG BREW: Brew a stronger, more intense single cup.
- MULTIPLE BREW SIZES: Brew a 6, 8, 10, or 12-cup carafe and a 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz. cup.
- LARGE 60 oz. WATER RESERVOIR: The 60 oz. water reservoir is shared between the single serve and carafe brewing, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. Removable reservoir makes...
- 12-CUP GLASS CARAFE: Included with your brewer along with a heating plate to keep coffee hot.
The 24-hour carafe auto-brew option means you can set a timer to have your coffee ready when you want it, and the Pause and Pour feature means you don’t have to wait for the entire pot of coffee to be ready before you’re enjoying your cup of Joe. The Strong Brew button is there in case you feel like a more robust single serving of coffee.
If you are brewing a carafe, the smallest number of cups you can brew at one time is six. The water reservoir has a capacity of 60 fluid ounces and is shared between the single-serve and carafe brewing sides. Refilling is easy as the reservoir is removable although as the tank is at the back of the machine you may need to turn the coffee maker around for access.
The machine measures 16.2 by 15 by 14 inches, and weighs 14.4 pounds, with a 30-inch power cord. Program buttons are on the top of the machine. The simple yet cool design is similar to all new Keurig models.
Pros & Cons
✔ The single-serve side is excellent
✔ Single-serve brewer accommodates travel mugs, including some taller ones
✔ Warms up very quickly
✔ “Strong” button offers the option for more strongly-tasting coffee
✔ Compact design makes it ideal for smaller kitchens
✗ No reusable filter supplied
✗ Wide opening on the glass carafe makes it easy to clean
✗ Water reservoir, although removable, is at the back
✗ Doesn’t retain your program settings, you need to reset every time
Coffee For 2: What To Look For In A Coffee Maker
So what are the salient features of 2-way coffee makers? How do you decide which of the various models is right for you?
Well, one of the first considerations has to be the brewing options. Even with single-serve, the size of individual cups of coffee can vary. Do you want a machine that can cope with a range of sizes, from 4 fluid ounces to 12 fluid ounces? And if you’re more likely to brew a carafe of everyone’s favorite caffeinated beverage, how many cups do you need?
And while we’re on the subject of brewing options, would you prefer a 2-way coffee maker that only takes pods, one that only takes ground coffee, or one that takes a combination? Are you planning on serving coffee in china cups, or a travel mug? And if the latter, how tall a travel mug does your dual coffee maker need to accommodate?
Benefits of 2 Way Coffee Makers
The main benefit of buying a dual coffee maker is flexibility. All of the coffee machines we investigated offered the option to brew a single cup of Joe or a pitcher. In a time when sustainability is increasingly important, it means waste is minimized and convenience maximized.
Many dual coffee makers also have auto-off features. This shuts the machine off automatically after a certain time if there’s been no activity, usually around 2 hours. And there’s also often a hot plate that can help keep your coffee warm if you can’t drink it straight away. So dual coffee makers are beneficial for the domestic, community and even workplace environments.
Prerequisites For Using A Dual Coffee Maker
When we looked into our carefully curated selection of the best 2 way coffee makers, one surprising theme was how messy some of them were when they were dispensing coffee. So while cleaning isn’t everyone’s, er, a cup of tea, we reckon it’s sensible to keep a selection of cloths on hand.
We know it’s kind of a basic suggestion, but it really does pay to read the manual when it comes to dual coffee machines. It’s often essential to prime the machine before first use, as well as run regular maintenance and descaling cycles. Some of which take longer than others.
And as with every coffee brewing method, choosing the right blend in the first place is crucial to the quality of your final beverage. One of the key things to remember is that Arabica coffee is generally less bitter-tasting than coffee made from Robusta beans. And coffee also varies depending on where in the world it originates.
Things That Differentiate 2 Way Coffee Makers
Apart from the coffee pods versus ground coffee choice, the features on 2-way coffee makers differ in many other ways. Size is one obvious difference, as is the location of the water reservoir. Some have the reservoir at the front, others at the side, others on the back.
The control panel buttons may also be located in different places: front, top, or side. You need to take this into consideration when you’re deciding which 2-way coffee maker is the best one for you.
As well as taking the ease of cleaning and maintenance into account, check what accessories typically ship with the 2-way coffee machines on the market. Some ship with glass carafes and other useful pieces of kit; with others, you need to buy every accessory separately. And of course budget might also be a factor.
2 Cup Coffee Maker Q And A
Can a two-way coffee machine make a single-serve and a carafe portion at the same time?
It depends on the model. Some of the machines we looked at had this feature.
Can I wash a dual coffee maker in the dishwasher?
Again, all models are different, but for many machines, the removable components are dishwasher-safe. We’d recommend the top tray though. (Did you know it was a woman who invented the world’s first recognizably useful dishwasher, by the way?)
Do I have to wait for the brew to finish before pouring myself a coffee?
Some machines have a pause option, where you can pour yourself a brew without having to wait for the whole carafe cycle to finish. No need to wait!
Conclusion: Which 2 Way Coffee Maker To Buy?
Our Winner: Hamilton Beach Dual Coffee Maker
So after contrasting and comparing five of the best 2 way coffee makers, we’re happy to declare the Hamilton Beach 49980A top of the class. You get a lot of above-average benefits for your dollars. It has a 12 cup capacity and is easy to clean and maintain. It’s fully programmable so you can wake up to the aroma of coffee, and the auto shut-off means you don’t need to worry if you forget to turn off the machine. The warming plate keeps your coffee delectably warm, and the 49980A ships with several accessories.
So prime the grinder, prepare the beans, get out your best china (or travel mug), and make sure that water’s filtered. Then all that’s left to do is enjoy a great cup of coffee.
Hamilton Beach 2 Way Flexbrew
- 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 brew, the Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker makes it...
- EASY TO USE. With the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee to brew a cup of coffee couldn’t be easier: just scoop, place and brew. There's no need to use a separate scoop or...
- 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 the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee...
- 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? Now there's no worry or turning around to check, since the...
- PROGRAMMABLE FOR WAKE-UP READY COFFEE. Program the Hamilton Beach coffee maker with the time you want to start brewing, fill with water and add ground coffee. When you wake up, coffee will be hot and...
Hi my name is Larry, a coffee aficionado from the US. I have already visited Colombia, Sumatra, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Jamaica in my pursuit of finding the best-tasting coffee beans. I currently write from Bali and enjoy the relaxed life that you can only find in Canggu. Welcome to my coffee world!
Last update on 2023-09-21 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
