The Best Dual Coffee Makers, According to Our Testing

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Accommodate a variety of brew preferences using just one machine with the best dual coffee maker.

Dual coffee makers, also known as two-in-one or two-way coffee makers, typically produce full carafes of coffee along with single servings of drip coffee, instant coffee, espresso, and tea. They’re a great solution for households with a variety of coffee preferences.

While choosing the best dual coffee maker might seem like a simple decision, there are actually a number of considerations to weigh. We’ve tested some of the top dual coffee makers on the market and reviewed them here so you can choose the ideal machine to fulfill your daily coffee fix.

1. BEST OVERALL: Cuisinart Coffee Center 4-in-1 Barista Bar
2. RUNNER-UP: Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker With Glass Carafe
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Hamilton Beach 49880Z 2-Way 12-Cup Coffee Maker
4. UPGRADE PICK: Nespresso Lattissima One Espresso Coffee Maker
5. MOST VERSATILE: Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve Coffee Maker
6. BEST FOR TEA: Cuisinart Coffee Center 2-in-1 Coffee Maker
7. BEST COMPACT: Keurig K-Duo Plus Single-Serve & Carafe Coffee Maker
8. BEST FOR COLD DRINKS: Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System With Carafe

How We Tested the Best Dual Coffee Makers

We researched models from the top coffee maker brands and selected and tested those with high customer satisfaction. The selection process factored in brew capacity and sizes, functionality, and special features. Each coffee maker in our lineup comes with a carafe and produces a maximum of 10 or 12 cups of coffee.

Most of the top picks offer two or more brew strengths to accommodate different personal preferences. Select options have a built-in milk frother and accept K-cups or pods. The majority of the coffee makers on the list feature durable stainless steel components for longevity. Some models come with a charcoal filter that enhances flavor, 24-hour programmability, brew pausing, and auto shutoff.

Once assembled, we conducted side-by-side testing of each coffee maker. We considered how easy each machine was to set up, how quickly it brewed coffee, and, of course, the flavor of the finished product. Since these are dual coffee makers, we also tested all of their functions, including their ability to operate as a traditional coffee maker, brew cappuccinos and lattes, and brew with Nespresso cups and Keurig cups.

Our Top Picks

These top picks take into account key shopping considerations for the best dual coffee maker in addition to overall quality and value. Read on to discover some of the top-rated options on the market in a variety of categories for delicious coffee every time.

Best Overall

Cuisinart Coffee Center 4-in-1 Barista Bar

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The versatility of this multifunctional barista bar helped it earn our top spot. Cuisinart’s Coffee Center is a great option for those who enjoy a variety of brews, from morning coffee to a pick-me-up cappuccino or espresso in the afternoon. It comes equipped with a standard 12-cup coffee maker on one side and a single-service brewer on the other. There’s also a steam wand that froths milk for cappuccinos, lattes, and the like.

Not only does it boast two separate reservoirs, one for the standard coffee maker and one for barista-style beverages, it has the ability to steam milk for a latte while simultaneously brewing a full pot of coffee. The single-service side works with 6-ounce, 8-ounce, and 10-ounce capsules, which means it can take both Nespresso capsules and Keurig K-cups.

In testing, we found that the control knob design makes it easy to toggle through and select from different brewing options. But we did have one gripe: The steam wand extended a little low for our usage; we had to search for a glass small enough to fit underneath it so we could froth our milk.

As for taste, the coffee-maker side produces robust flavors, especially when engaging the “Bold” option on the control panel. We tried both types of capsules in the single-serve side and found them to be comparable in flavor to the Nespresso and Keurig machines we tested.

Cleaning the Cuisinart is similar to other dual coffee makers. We liked that most of the removable parts are dishwasher-safe, eliminating the need to hand-wash. While we appreciated the clean feature on the control panel, we’re not sure it’s much different from pressing the “Brew” button. The Cuisinart is one of the larger dual-function coffee makers we tested. While it certainly offers space savings over a Nespresso or Keurig machine and coffee maker, it does take up a fair amount of real estate on the countertop. Still, that larger size is worth it given the versatility it offers.

Read our full review:Cuisinart Coffee Center 4-in-1 Barista Bar

Product Specs

• Dimensions: 16.75 inches high by 12.88 inches wide by 11.88 inches deep
• Brew capacity: 12 cups
• Carafe included: Yes

Pros

• Brews coffee and is compatible with 3 sizes of single-serve cups
• Separate reservoirs allow the coffee maker and single-serve side to operate simultaneously
• Both reservoirs come equipped with charcoal filters to improve taste
• Includes advanced features like 24-hour programmability and pause brewing

Cons

• Takes up more space on the countertop than some other dual-function coffee makers

Get the Cuisinart Coffee Center 4-in-1 dual coffee maker at Amazon,Wayfair, Best Buy, or Crate & Barrel.

Runner-Up

Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker With Glass Carafe

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Ninja’s specialty coffee maker is one of the most versatile products on the market, capable of brewing a full glass carafe of drip coffee as well as iced coffee and concentrated espresso-style drinks. The built-in milk frother allows you to heat milk and create silky foam for lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

Flavor and serving size options abound with this machine. Use the brew strength control feature to choose between three settings (classic brew, rich brew, super-rich brew) and then select from six brew sizes—single cup, XL single cup, travel mug, XL travel mug, half carafe, and full 10-cup carafe.

All these options could make setting up the Ninja confusing, especially when your brain is still trying to wake up. Luckily, Ninja makes the process easy thanks to a handy double-ended scoop that clearly labels the amount of grounds to add to the filter and a water reservoir with clear markings for each serving size option. The measuring spoon attaches to the side of the machine so it won’t get lost. The reservoir on the Ninja is also a bit shorter than on other dual coffee makers we tested, which makes it easier to fit under the fridge water dispenser to fill with filtered water.

The labeled control knob on the front of the unit makes it easy to dial in the desired size. There are also separate buttons for normal brewing, rich brew, iced coffee, and specialty 4-ounce espresso-style drinks. A built-in steaming wand folds out from the side of the machine for frothing milk.

We found that the Ninja makes a strong, good-tasting brew, especially when using the “Rich” setting. The frother is a nice addition but, unlike with some models we tested, milk must be frothed manually by holding a cup of milk under the wand. This requires a bit more effort to create a cappuccino, latte, or some other specialty drink.

Overall, the Ninja is an excellent and surprisingly affordable choice for anyone who wants to brew coffee as well as a variety of other types of coffee drinks.

Product Specs

• Dimensions: 15 inches high by 12 inches wide by 8.75 inches deep
• Brew capacity: 10 cups
• Carafe included: Yes

Pros

• Highly versatile; offering 6 different brew sizes with 3 brew strength settings
• Controls and measuring spoon make it easy to brew different sizes and drink types
• Built-in foldaway steaming wand ideal for lattes and cappuccinos

Cons

• Water reservoir can be difficult to clean in certain spots
• Glass carafe is not ideal for keeping coffee hot for several hours

Get the Ninja CM401 dual coffee maker at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart,Best Buy,Sam’s Club, or Ninja Kitchen.

Best Bang for the Buck

Hamilton Beach 49880Z 2-Way 12-Cup Coffee Maker

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Dual coffee makers tend to be pricier than standard drip coffee makers. However, this Hamilton Beach model boasts both a 12-cup carafe of coffee and single servings at an affordable price. The single-serve function brews up to 14 ounces of coffee, but it uses grounds rather than pods.

The two brewing options are separate (each with their own reservoirs), a setup that lets you brew a single serving while the carafe stays in place. This is useful in households with both coffee drinkers who are on the go and those who work from home. A switch on the control panel makes it easy to toggle between single serving and carafe.

This Hamilton Beach machine isn’t as flashy as some higher-priced models that take K-cups or Nespresso cups, and it doesn’t make cappuccinos or lattes. It does, however, boast some useful additional features, including a 24-hour timer, auto shutoff, and brew pausing. There’s also a brew strength selector that allows coffee drinkers to choose between regular and bold flavors.Though it may lack the bells and whistles of other machines, the budget-friendly Hamilton Beach dual coffee maker is a great choice for those who want the option to brew full pots and single servings.

Product Specs

• Dimensions: 13.7 inches high by 12.2 inches wide by 10.63 inches deep
• Brew capacity: 12 cups
• Carafe included: Yes

Pros

• More budget-friendly price point compared to similar options
• Useful additional features, such as timer, auto shutoff, and brew pausing
• Control panels makes it easy to set size options and brew-strength settings

Cons

• Doesn’t have the ability to make espressos, cappuccinos, and other speciality drinks

Get the Hamilton Beach dual coffee maker at Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy.

Upgrade Pick

Nespresso Lattissima One Espresso Coffee Maker

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When a plain cup of Joe just won’t cut it, Nespresso’s Lattissima One is a premium option to brew espresso, cappuccinos, and other specialty coffee drinks. While a number of machines perform these functions for far less money, the Lattissima makes brewing these barista-style beverages much easier. Simply fill the small milk container to suit the size of cappuccino or latte desired and press the frothing button. About a minute or two later, the specialty coffee drink, complete with a good head of milk froth on the top, is ready to enjoy. There’s no need to hold milk under a frother or even spoon the froth on the drink. The Lattissima does it all automatically.

With loads of Nespresso flavors to choose from (the Lattissima comes with a large sample pack), coffee fans have plenty of options when it comes to the strength and flavor of specialty drinks. Yet while we love how the Lattissima takes the effort out of brewing, the machine cannot brew more than one drink at a time, and it doesn’t make regular coffee. That said, given that the Lattissima is compact at just about 6 inches wide by 13 inches deep, it’s certainly possible to pair it with a traditional coffee machine on a kitchen counter.

Product Specs

• Dimensions: 10.5 inches high by 6.1 inches wide by 12.8 inches deep
• Brew capacity: Single
• Carafe included: N/A

Pros

• Capable of brewing cappuccinos and lattes in minutes with minimal effort
• Can make a range of different sizes to suit a variety of specialty coffee preferences
• Compact size doesn’t take up much space on the kitchen counter

Cons

• Not capable of functioning as a traditional coffee maker

Get the Nespresso dual coffee maker at Amazon, Best Buy, or Target.

Most Versatile

Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve Coffee Maker

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Keurig’s K-Cafe is designed for K-cup lovers who want the ability to make lattes, cappuccinos, and other fancy coffee drinks. As with standard Keurig machines, the K-Cafe brews up single servings in five different size options: 6 ounces, 8 ounces, 10 ounces, 12 ounces, and an espresso shot. Adjacent to the K-cup brewer is a smartly designed milk frother.

One hassle of making lattes or cappuccinos is manually frothing milk, which is typically done via a stemming wand that extends from the coffee maker. This Keurig model does it automatically: Simply add milk to the metal frothing cup, sit the cup in its cradle, and then press a button; the machine does the frothing in about 2 minutes. Pour it into the single-serving cup and spoon froth on top to complete the drink.

We like how simple this model makes it to froth milk—and its ease of use in general. Button controls on the top of the unit are clearly labeled and blink when the machine is ready. However, this unit only makes individual K-cups and cannot brew a whole pot of coffee. It’s also one of the larger models we tested. At more than 15 inches wide and nearly 12 inches deep, it demands more real estate on the countertop than most.

Product Specs

• Dimensions: 11.7 inches high by 15.3 inches wide by 12.5 inches deep
• Brew capacity: Single
• Carafe included: N/A

Pros

• Metal steaming cup automates the process of frothing milk for beverages
• Capable of making 4 different single-serve sizes of coffee
• Easy-to-use push-button controls for brewing coffee and frothing milk

Cons

• Only brews 1 serving of coffee at a time