Best Duo Coffee Maker

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Coffee is a morning essential for many, and a duo coffee maker offers the versatility to brew both single-serve cups and full pots, catering to any situation—whether it’s a quick cup before work or a carafe for a group. These machines provide convenience by allowing the use of both coffee pods for single servings and ground coffee for larger brews, saving counter space and money compared to separate machines. When choosing a duo coffee maker, consider brewing speed, ease of use, and cleaning, along with carafe and water reservoir size. Some models offer extra features like programmable start times and strength control. We tested several duo coffee makers to find the best options for various needs and budgets.

  • Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker

    10

    We think the Keurig K-Duo is a solid choice for coffee lovers who want both single-serve and carafe options in one machine.

    10

    We think the Keurig K-Duo is a solid choice for coffee lovers who want both single-serve and carafe options in one machine.

    Pros

    • Brews both K-Cups and ground coffee
    • Large 60 oz water reservoir
    • Programmable auto-brew feature

    Cons

    • Carafe keeps coffee warm for only 2 hours
    • Top-mounted display can be hard to see
    • Dripping issues between brews

    The K-Duo caught our eye with its dual-brewing ability. We liked how it let us make a quick cup with K-Cups or brew a full pot with ground coffee. The 60 oz water tank was big enough that we didn’t have to refill it often.

    We found the programmable feature handy. It was nice to wake up to fresh coffee waiting for us. The Pause & Pour function came in handy too. We could grab a cup mid-brew without making a mess.

    The machine looks sleek on the counter. We appreciated that we could move the water tank to fit our space better. While the coffee tasted good, we wished the carafe kept it hot longer than two hours. The top display was also a bit tricky to read at times. Despite these small issues, we think it’s a good pick for most coffee drinkers.

  • Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio

    9.7

    We think the FlexBrew Trio is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility and convenience in their morning brew.

    9.7

    We think the FlexBrew Trio is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility and convenience in their morning brew.

    Pros

    • Brews single cups and full pots
    • Works with pods and ground coffee
    • Large 56 oz water reservoir

    Cons

    • Slightly bulky design
    • Can be noisy when brewing
    • Requires regular cleaning

    We’ve been using the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio for a few weeks now, and it’s become a staple in our kitchen. The ability to brew both single cups and full pots is a game-changer for households with different coffee needs. We love how quick it is – a single cup takes about 90 seconds, perfect for busy mornings.

    The machine’s versatility is impressive. We can use K-Cup pods when we’re in a hurry, or our favorite ground coffee for a more personalized taste. The 12-cup carafe is great for when we have guests over. We found the programmable feature handy too – nothing beats waking up to the smell of fresh coffee.

    One thing to note is the size. It’s a bit larger than some coffee makers, so make sure you have enough counter space. We also noticed it can be a bit noisy, especially when brewing a single cup. Regular cleaning is important to keep it running smoothly, but that’s true for most coffee makers. Despite these minor issues, we think the FlexBrew Trio offers great value for its price and versatility.

  • Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced

    9.5

    We think the Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility and convenience in one machine.

    9.5

    We think the Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility and convenience in one machine.

    Pros

    • Brews both K-Cups and ground coffee
    • Large 72oz water reservoir
    • Brew Over Ice feature for iced drinks

    Cons

    • Takes up counter space
    • More expensive than basic models
    • Carafe could be better insulated

    We tried out the Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced and were impressed by its versatility. It’s like having two coffee makers in one, which is perfect for households with different coffee preferences. We loved being able to make a quick single cup in the morning and then brew a full carafe for guests later in the day.

    The 72oz water tank is a real time-saver. We didn’t have to refill it as often as other coffee makers we’ve used. The front-facing controls are easy to use, and we found the digital display clear and helpful for selecting our brew settings.

    We really enjoyed the Brew Over Ice feature for making iced coffee. It brewed at just the right strength so the ice didn’t water it down too much. The Strong Brew option was also great when we wanted a bolder cup. While the carafe keeps coffee warm, we wish it kept the heat a bit longer. Still, for the mix of options it offers, we think this Keurig is a solid pick for most coffee drinkers.

  • Keurig K-Duo Plus

    9.4

    We think the Keurig K-Duo Plus is a great choice for coffee lovers who want the flexibility of both single-serve and carafe brewing options.

    9.4

    We think the Keurig K-Duo Plus is a great choice for coffee lovers who want the flexibility of both single-serve and carafe brewing options.

    Pros

    • Brews both K-Cups and ground coffee
    • Adjustable water reservoir for space-saving
    • Programmable auto-brew feature

    Cons

    • More expensive than basic coffee makers
    • Requires regular cleaning and descaling
    • Carafe keeps coffee warm for only 2 hours

    We’ve been using the Keurig K-Duo Plus for a few weeks now, and it’s quickly become our go-to coffee maker. The ability to brew a single cup or a full carafe is really handy. On busy mornings, we can grab a quick K-Cup, but when we have more time, we enjoy a full pot of our favorite ground coffee.

    The multi-position water reservoir is a smart design feature. We moved it to the side, which freed up some counter space. The programmable auto-brew is also a nice touch. We set it up at night, and wake up to fresh coffee in the morning.

    We like the strong brew option for those days when we need an extra kick. The pause and pour feature is great too – we don’t have to wait for the full carafe to finish brewing before pouring a cup. The thermal carafe keeps coffee warm, but we wish it lasted longer than two hours. Still, for most of our needs, it works just fine.

  • Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Maker

    9.3

    We think this versatile coffee maker is a great choice for households with varied brewing needs.

    9.3

    We think this versatile coffee maker is a great choice for households with varied brewing needs.

    Pros

    • Brews single cups or full pots
    • Easy-to-use programmable features
    • Includes reusable filter

    Cons

    • Not compatible with K-Cups
    • No water filter
    • Can’t see water level for single-serve side

    We’ve been using the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Maker for a while now, and it’s become a staple in our kitchen. The ability to brew either a single cup or a full 12-cup pot is super handy. We love having options, especially when we’re in a rush or when we have guests over.

    The programmable feature is a game-changer for busy mornings. We set it up the night before, and wake up to fresh, hot coffee. The auto shut-off after two hours gives us peace of mind if we forget to turn it off before leaving the house.

    One thing we really like is the included mesh scoop. It makes measuring and adding ground coffee a breeze. No need for separate measuring tools. The reusable filter is also a nice touch, cutting down on waste and saving money on paper filters.

  • Ninja DualBrew Coffee Maker

    9.1

    We think the Ninja DualBrew is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility and convenience in one machine.

    9.1

    We think the Ninja DualBrew is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility and convenience in one machine.

    Pros

    • Brews both grounds and K-Cups
    • Multiple size options
    • Makes hot and iced coffee

    Cons

    • Bulky size
    • Pricey
    • Learning curve for features

    The Ninja DualBrew impressed us with its versatility. We loved being able to switch between ground coffee and K-Cups without hassle. The machine lets us brew a quick single cup or a full carafe for guests.

    We found the coffee quality excellent. The “Rich” brew setting gave us a bolder cup that rivaled our local coffee shop. For iced coffee fans, the Over Ice function worked well, creating a strong brew that didn’t taste watered down when poured over ice.

    The size options are a big plus. We could fill travel mugs or make just enough for one person. The fold-away cup platform for single serves is clever, cutting down on splashes. While there are many buttons, we got the hang of it after a few uses.

  • Cuisinart Dual Brewer

    9

    We think this versatile coffee maker is a solid choice for households with varied brewing needs.

    9

    We think this versatile coffee maker is a solid choice for households with varied brewing needs.

    Pros

    • Brews both single cups and full carafes
    • Thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
    • Easy to use with helpful features

    Cons

    • Takes up counter space
    • Pricier than basic coffee makers
    • Some users report issues with K-cup function

    The Cuisinart Coffee Center caught our eye with its dual-brewing ability. We like that it can make a quick single cup or a full 10-cup carafe. This flexibility is great for homes where coffee needs change throughout the day.

    We found the thermal carafe to be a standout feature. It kept our coffee hot for hours without that burnt taste you get from a warming plate. The carafe has a comfortable handle and pours smoothly.

    Using the machine was simple. We appreciated the clear water window and the option to pause brewing to sneak a cup. The single-serve side worked well with K-cups and the reusable filter. While some users had trouble with K-cups, we didn’t run into issues during our tests.

  • Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker

    8.7

    We think the Keurig K-Duo is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility in their brewing options.

    8.7

    We think the Keurig K-Duo is a great choice for coffee lovers who want flexibility in their brewing options.

    Pros

    • Brews both single cups and full carafes
    • Large 60 oz shared water reservoir
    • Programmable for auto-brewing

    Cons

    • Carafe can be tricky to pour when full
    • Takes up counter space
    • K-Cups not recyclable everywhere

    We’ve been using the Keurig K-Duo for a few weeks now, and we’re really impressed with its versatility. It’s so nice to have one machine that can make both single cups and full pots of coffee. In the morning, we often program it to have a fresh carafe ready when we wake up. The auto-brew feature is super handy.

    The K-Duo makes good coffee too. We like using the “Strong” button for a bolder single cup. The carafe coffee comes out hot and stays that way on the warming plate. We did notice the carafe can drip a bit when pouring a full pot, so we’re careful to go slow.

    We love how easy this machine is to use. The buttons are simple, and the big water tank is a breeze to fill and clean. It’s great not having to refill for every brew. While it does take up some counter space, we think the K-Duo’s flexibility makes it worth it for most kitchens. If you like having coffee options, this could be your new favorite appliance.

  • Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker

    8.7

    We think the Keurig K-Duo is a great choice for coffee lovers who want both single-serve and carafe options in one machine.

    8.7

    We think the Keurig K-Duo is a great choice for coffee lovers who want both single-serve and carafe options in one machine.

    Pros

    • Brews both K-Cups and ground coffee
    • Multiple brew sizes for cups and carafes
    • Shared 60 oz water reservoir

    Cons

    • Takes up counter space
    • Carafe quality could be better
    • Limited programming features

    We’ve been using the Keurig K-Duo for a few weeks now, and it’s quickly become our go-to coffee maker. The ability to brew both single cups and full carafes is super handy. In the mornings, we can make a big pot for the family. Later, when we need a quick pick-me-up, we pop in a K-Cup for a single serving.

    The machine is pretty simple to use. We like that it has a shared 60 oz water tank for both brewing methods. This means less refilling and makes our morning routine easier. The Pause & Pour feature is nice too. We can grab a cup mid-brew without making a mess.

    We did notice a few downsides. The machine takes up a fair bit of counter space, so it might not be ideal for tiny kitchens. The glass carafe feels a bit flimsy, and we wish it had more advanced programming options. But for the price and convenience, we think it’s a solid choice for most coffee drinkers.

  • Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio

    8.6

    We think this coffee maker is a solid choice for households with varied brewing needs, but reliability concerns give us pause.

    8.6

    We think this coffee maker is a solid choice for households with varied brewing needs, but reliability concerns give us pause.

    Pros

    • Three brewing options in one machine
    • Fast single-cup brewing
    • Large water reservoir

    Cons

    • Some units fail after a few months
    • Single-serve function can clog
    • Mixed customer reviews

    The FlexBrew Trio caught our eye with its versatility. We liked being able to brew a full pot, a single cup with grounds, or use a K-Cup pod. This flexibility is great for families with different coffee preferences.

    We found the single-cup brewing to be quick, taking about 90 seconds for an 8 oz cup. The 56 oz water tank was handy, letting us make multiple single servings without refills. For full pots, the thermal carafe kept coffee hot for hours without a warming plate.

    But we can’t ignore the durability issues. Some users report their machines breaking down after just a few months. The single-serve function seems prone to clogging, which is frustrating. While Hamilton Beach offers replacements, this doesn’t fully make up for the inconvenience.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a duo coffee maker, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Capacity

Think about how much coffee you typically brew. Look for models that can make enough for your needs.

Brewing Options

The best duo coffee makers offer flexibility. We suggest choosing one with:

  • Single-serve and carafe options
  • Multiple cup size settings
  • Brew strength controls

Ease of Use

User-friendly features make brewing easier. Consider machines with:

  • Programmable settings
  • Clear, intuitive controls
  • Easy-to-fill water reservoirs

Size

Measure your counter space. Pick a machine that fits comfortably in your kitchen.

Durability

We believe build quality matters. Look for:

  • Stainless steel components
  • Positive user reviews on reliability
  • Longer warranties

Additional Features

Some helpful extras to consider:

  • Built-in grinder
  • Hot water dispenser
  • Milk frother

Price

Set a budget, but remember that paying a bit more often gets you better quality and features.

FeatureWhy It Matters
CapacityEnsures you can make enough coffee
Brewing optionsProvides flexibility
Ease of useMakes daily use more convenient
SizeFits your space
DurabilityLasts longer
Extra featuresAdds functionality
PriceBalances cost and quality

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect duo coffee maker for your needs.