7 Best Dual Coffee Makers: Our 2021 Reviews (Two Way Coffee Brewer)
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. In America alone, demand for it has risen more than 5% in the past six years, and 62% of people are drinking at least a cup every day.
It’s not just plain old black coffee, though. More and more people are getting excited about gourmet beans and new ways to brew. With the ever-increasing popularity of coffeehouses and their frequently expanding list of options, there are more ways to drink coffee – from lattes and cappuccinos to straight-up espresso or specialty blends flavor – than ever before.
What if you want to enjoy more complex brews at home? The dual coffee maker is a trend that’s taking off for its versatility and convenience. You can now have your single cup and your pot for later from the same machine. You can even make more than just coffee with many of them. The options can be overwhelming, so we’ve made it a little easier for you to choose.
Here are our picks for the seven best dual coffee makers of 2021.
Our Top Pick – The Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
Let’s start with our overall favorite machine. For lovers of a variety of hot beverages, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System is a strong contender for the best dual coffee maker. It’s everything that a dual coffee maker should be and then some.
A sleek black machine with a right-side control panel, this system can brew drinks in six different sizes, hot or cold, and at roughly a foot long, 10 inches wide, and 15 inches tall, it’s reasonably compact. It comes with a 10-cup glass carafe and two permanent filters. It also comes with a recipe guide including 40 unique treats to try.
There are two main downsides to the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System. The first is price; it costs $130, which is relatively expensive, and does not come with a warranty automatically. The second is that its smart control technology can be difficult for some users to navigate.
Why We Love The Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
The biggest draw of this machine is that it brews both hot and cold, as well as brewing a variety of drinks, brew sizes, from simple ground coffee, cocoa to loose-leaf designer teas. It’s got customizable options that allow you to pick the perfect brewing temperature, time, brew-pause and amount for whatever you’re making using this coffee brewer.
On top of that, it’s got a built-in frother for cappuccinos and lattes that folds away when not in use for easy storage. Add to that its easy-removal reservoir and reusable, drink-designated filters for both tea and coffee, and you’ve got one of the most versatile machines on the market today.
Other Top Picks
For the rest of the list, we combed through the market to find the best dual coffee makers in a few different categories. We considered the machines’ efficiency, cost, and versatility, as well as their added features and customer service perks.
We also took into account drawbacks for each machine, to give a fair assessment. These ranged from design flaws to incompatibility. Though relatively minor in all cases, they’re still something to consider when looking for the right machine.
Our top picks were:
- Best on a Budget: The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer
- Best Programmability: The Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
- Best for Home Baristas: The De’Longhi Coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino Machine
- Best for the Office: The Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker
- Best Espresso Dual Coffee Maker: The De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine
- Best Compact Machine: The Mr. Coffee Pod and 10-Cup Space-Saving Combo Brewer
Here are the details for each dual coffee maker, as well as their “Best Of” categories, to give you a better idea of your options.
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer – Best on a Budget
If you’re looking to get a dual coffee maker but don’t want to break the bank, we recommend the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer. This machine, coming in at less than $70, is an affordable powerhouse. It has a 12-cup glass full carafe as well as a single-serve station that can make one cup of joe from loose coffee rather than pods.
With a built-in wake-up starter, you can have hot cut of cup of coffee first thing in the morning with no extra steps. You don’t even have to worry about leaving it on when you head off to work; it shuts off automatically after two hours. You can select the strength of your brew and, with its simple scoop-and-brew filter system, have it ready with as little fuss as possible.
It’s slightly on the bigger side, at more than a foot long and more than 15 inches high, so it’ll definitely take up some counter space. It’s also unable to work with pods, as it doesn’t have an included pod basket. The single-serve side also has little-to-no cup size customizability, so you’ll have to be careful about picking mugs that aren’t too big or too small.
Still, for the price, it’s a solidly capable and straightforward machine for those who need a machine that works without the frills.
The Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker – Best Programmability
Looking for something versatile, yet simple to use? The Cuisinart 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker is the right machine for you. Its design is deceptively simple with a straightforward button control panel on the front, but it’s capable of a wide range of software tricks.
Featuring fully automatic wake-up, shut-off, and self-cleaning, as well as carafe warming and a large reservoir, this is a coffee maker that practically runs itself. It has a 12-cup glass carafe with a dripless spout. You can essentially set it and forget it.
It also has a hot-water-only station, making it great for single servings as well as other hot beverages and foods. This station runs completely independently from the coffee section, meaning that you can use them at the same time to make coffee and food. Talk about mid-morning efficiency.
Unfortunately, this machine also doesn’t work with single-serve pods. It’s also relatively heavy despite its small size, making it slightly more difficult to maneuver. It does, however, come in at only $92, making it an affordable choice considering its customizability.
The De’Longhi Coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino Machine – Best for Home Baristas
Looking to feel like a barista in your own home? Consider the De’Longhi Coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino Machine. This coffee maker comes with a 10-cup glass carafe on one side and an espresso press on the other side. It also has a milk frother, so you can do all of your prep in one place.
The machine’s design is especially nice; it’s got a front-access reservoir and coffee basket so that you don’t have to move the machine when you want to start your brew. Pair that with a 24-hour programmable timer and pause function, and you’ve got a machine that can make a brew at a moment’s notice and keep it comfortably warm all day.
The De’Longhi Coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino Machine costs $199, which is actually relatively value-friendly, as it’s in the ballpark of other machines with fewer settings. It’s a larger machine, though, at about two feet long and 14 inches tall. Still, it’s a simple yet versatile machine that would be good for coffee enthusiasts that like experimenting.
The Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker – Best for the Office
The Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker would fit right in at the office. It’s got a 12-cup glass carafe side, making it one of the highest capacity machines on the list, but it also has single-serving functionality with adjustable sizing from six to 10 ounces. It’s pod-compatible and includes a water filter for the best tasting drip coffee every time.
The machine has a simple front interface for each section and comes with a reusable basket filter and a reusable pod for the single-serve side. Though it’s relatively compact at only 10 inches long, it’s on the heavier side at 12 pounds. It’s also got a rear access reservoir, which can be difficult to fill.
Still, it’s a pretty easy machine to clean up, with a removable drip tray and reservoir. It also comes with reusable filters and pods, which makes it a slightly better option for the environment than many other single-serve machines with this capacity.
The Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker costs $192, which is reasonable for the use you’re going to get out of it.
The De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine – Best Espresso Dual Coffee Maker
If you know you’re going to be drinking a lot of very strong coffee, you might want the De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine. This is a sizable appliance, clocking in at 15 inches long and nearly 14 pounds, but all that heft shows is how much of a powerhouse it is.
This machine has a unique Dual Heating System, which allows you to brew coffee in the 10-cup glass carafe at the same time you’re making espresso with the Italian 15 bar pressure pump depends on your preferences. Its adjustable strength settings let you amp up your coffee’s intensity even more. The built-in steam wand is great for lattes and cappuccinos as well.
This one has a touchscreen interface, which can be more complex than simple button machines, but allows for more precise control over the programmable timer. The carafe is also spill-proof, so you never waste a drop of coffee.
This machine is the priciest on the list at $397, which makes sense considering all the bells and whistles it comes with. The biggest downside is that it does not have single-serving capabilities, which can be frustrating if you don’t drink a lot of coffee during the day or want to experiment with new drinks.
The Mr. Coffee Pod and 10-Cup Space-Saving Combo Brewer – Best Compact Coffee Machine
Pressed for counter space? The Mr. Coffee Pod and 10-Cup Space-Saving Combo Brewer is the right machine to look at. It has a single brewing station capable of making both large batches in the 10-cup thermal carafe and single servings at multiple mug sizes. It’s got water filtration and brew-strength control for maximum customizability.
It’s significantly smaller than any other machine on the list, at only seven inches wide and seven pounds in weight. Unfortunately, it does have a rear access reservoir, which can be difficult to get to in tight spaces. However, its thermal carafe means that you can make a large amount of coffee to drink all day, and have it taste fresh whenever you pick it up.
This coffee maker is relatively economical, as it costs $179. It’s pod-compatible but comes with a reusable single-serve filter so that you can brew with your own grounds if you choose to. The Mr. Coffee Pod and 10-cup Space-Saving Combo Brewer is great for small offices, dorms, and apartments.
What to Look for in Your Dual Coffee Maker
If you’re not sure exactly whether any of the machines on this list match your needs, then consider breaking down exactly how and where you plan to use it. We’ve taken the liberty of elaborating on our decision process so that you can apply it to other options on your radar.
Though one of the biggest constraints when buying a new machine is cost, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor that you look at. Instead, look at the overall value you’re getting for that price. When purchasing a dual coffee maker, you might consider:
- The types of coffee it makes
- Its programmable settings
- The kind of carafe it uses
- Its overall design and size
Here’s what you need to look for in each of these categories.
Types of Coffee
Consider the kinds of coffee your machine is capable of making. If you don’t drink as much coffee but still want variety, consider a machine capable of brewing from single-serving pods. Like to drink cappuccinos and other, slightly more complicated coffee drinks? A built-in espresso maker is probably a good investment.
Additionally, the method of filtration is important when it comes to coffee types. Does it have a reusable filter you can clean out and use again, or does it rely on paper filters or plastic cups? This can affect the overall taste of your finished cup, too, and give you more control over which coffee brands and styles you use.
You should also consider whether the machine is capable of making more than just coffee. Tea is a popular dual function for coffee makers now and can mean your machine is useful for boiling water in small amounts for other things as well, including soups. Machines with good water filtration and hot water dispenser are great multitaskers.
Programmable Settings
If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t rise easily, then having the ability to program your coffee maker to start as soon as you’re out of bed can save you many a morning of groggy machine operation. You should also look for a machine with a built-in automatic shutoff for optimal convenience.
There are other software settings that can make your life easier. Is it capable of brewing from different grind levels? Are there brew-strength indicators? Does it offer multiple cup sizes? Look for the settings you’re most likely to use, and for a machine capable of remembering your customizations.
Consider this and other conveniences when you’re deciding what kind of setting you’ll need on your machine. Do you drink hot, iced, or cold brew coffee? How strong do you like your coffee to be? Are you tech-savvy or want something simple? Pick the machine that best suits how you enjoy your brew.
Thermal or Glass Carafe
If you tend to drink your coffee slowly over the course of the day, then you may consider investing in a machine that comes pre-equipped with a larger thermal carafe. These can ensure that your brew is as fresh in the afternoon as it is in the morning. Be warned, though, that it’s more difficult to clean a thermal carafe, as many of them are hand wash only.
If, however, you’re more likely to drink only a small amount of coffee at a time, a glass carafe can be a more economical and easier to clean option. These are the most commonly available kinds of carafes, and are often sturdier than they look, being reinforced with stainless steel. Still, glass isn’t the best option if you’re living with small children or pets.
Either way, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the correct size carafe. A 12-cup carafe is useless if you’re only going to drink one cup a day, and you’ll get annoyed filling up a 10-cup or less carafe over and over again for the office. Gauge how many people will be drinking how many cups daily to find the right size for your needs.
Overall Design & Size
Of course, one of the most important considerations with any appliance is how much counter space it’s going to take up. A versatile machine is almost always going to be considerably larger than a simple, single-use coffee maker, so consider how much room you are willing to dedicate to it well ahead of time.
Consider the additional features built into the design. The most common are milk frothers and water filtration systems, and built-in grinders. You might also consider looking at software features that appeal to you. You might want keep-warm settings, automatic shutoffs, self-cleaning cycles, or brew finish indicators.
You should also consider the design of the machine. Do you want simple controls or sleek AI panels? Where should the dispenser be? Where will attachments attach, and where will you store them? This can help prevent annoyance later on, as a machine can make amazing coffee and still be useless if you can’t turn it on or get to the reservoir.
Conclusion
It’s unsurprising that in a busier-than-ever world, we’re figuring out new ways to combine our favorite appliances and get the most efficient results every single day. What once took several large, counter-filling professional-grade machines can now be done with a small coffee station by someone with no barista experience. Good coffee is getting more accessible all the time.
If you’re looking to save space, speed up your morning routine, or experiment with new ways to make coffee, tea, and other hot beverages (and meals!), consider our picks for the best dual coffee makers to improve your kitchen or office. You might just find a new way to enjoy your favorite coffee beans.