Your morning routine just got a major upgrade with the versatility of a 2 way coffee maker. Imagine having the choice between a rich, single-serve cup for those rushed weekdays and a full carafe for lazy weekend brunches—all from one sleek machine. It’s the ultimate solution for households where everyone’s caffeine needs are, well, a little different. No more compromise or wasted coffee, which honestly feels like a small daily victory.
We’ve been testing the top models to see which ones truly deliver on this dual promise. In this review, we’ll break down the features that matter, from brew strength settings to how easy it really is to switch between functions. You’ll find out which 2 way coffee maker is the best fit for your countertop and your lifestyle, saving you time and money.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best 2 Way Coffee Maker
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
 |
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer, 2 Brew Styles, Adjustable…
|
9.8 |
Read Review |
 |
Ninja | Drip Coffee Maker | DualBrew Pro Hot…
|
9.6 |
Read Review |
 |
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass…
|
9.4 |
Read Review |
 |
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass…
|
9.2 |
Read Review |
 |
Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable Drip Hot and…
|
9.0 |
Read Review |
 |
Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Single-Serve Brewer Glass Carafe, Automatic…
|
8.8 |
Read Review |
 |
Cuisinart 5-Cup Coffee Maker with Stainless Steel Carafe, Coffee…
|
8.6 |
Read Review |
 |
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced 5-in-1 Programmable 12 Cup Drip…
|
8.4 |
Read Review |
 |
AIRMSEN 12-Cup Programmable Dual Coffee Maker – Single Serve…
|
8.2 |
Read Review |
 |
Pantrymade Dual Brew Coffee Maker | 12-Cup & Single…
|
8.0 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 2 Way Coffee Maker
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer, 2 Brew Styles, Adjustable Warm Plate, 60oz Water Reservoir, Delay Brew – Black/Stainless Steel
The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer in Black/Stainless Steel is designed to give you a reliably great cup of coffee, exactly how you like it, every single morning. It starts with two distinct brew styles. Choose the Classic style for a well-rounded, traditional pot, or select the Rich style for a more intense and bolder flavor. Both options are engineered to be flavorful without bitterness, letting the true taste of your beans shine through.
This brewer is built for flexibility in your daily routine. The 12-cup glass carafe is perfect for hosting guests or for households with multiple coffee drinkers. But when your just making a pot for yourself, the dedicated Small Batch function is a game-changer. It optimizes the water flow and temperature specifically for 1 to 4 cups, ensuring a full-strength, never-watery brew.
Plus, the convenient Mid-Brew Pause function lets you sneak a cup before the cycle finishes, so you don’t have to wait. Convenience is a major focus. The 24-hour programmable delay brew means you can set it up the night before and wake up to a freshly brewed pot. The adjustable warming plate then keeps that coffee hot and tasting fresh for up to 4 hours, and you can control the heat level to prevent that burnt taste.
Ninja | Drip Coffee Maker | DualBrew Pro Hot & Iced Coffee Machine | Use with K-Cup Coffee Pods | 3 Brew Styles (Classic, Rich, & Iced) | 60oz Removable Reservoir & Dishwasher Safe | Black | CFP101
The Ninja DualBrew Pro Hot & Iced Coffee Machine (CFP101) in Black is designed to be the last coffee maker you’ll need to buy. It consolidates multiple machines into one countertop-friendly unit, giving you serious flexibility in how you make your daily coffee. Whether you prefer the convenience of a K-Cup pod or the affordability of your own grounds, this machine has you covered with a dedicated system for each. Its standout feature is the three brew styles.
Choose ‘Classic’ for a well-balanced cup, ‘Rich’ for a more intense flavor, or ‘Over Ice’ for coffee specifically brewed to pour directly over ice without becoming watered down. This means you can have a hot, robust cup in the morning and a perfectly strong iced coffee in the afternoon, all from the same machine. It brews single-serve pods notably fast, which is a real perk when your in a hurry. The capacity and customization are impressive.
The 60-ounce removable water reservoir is easy to fill and carry. For grounds, you can brew into anything from a small cup to a full 12-cup carafe, with nine size options. When using pods, you have four size settings. The included glass carafe works with the adjustable warming plate, which can keep coffee hot for up to four hours. There’s also a Delay Brew function for pre-setting your morning pot. Practical touches make daily use simpler.
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass Carafe And Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black with Stainless Steel Accents, 49980RG
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 49980RG, is designed for households where coffee preferences vary. Its core idea is flexibility, letting you choose between a quick single cup or a full 12-cup pot without needing two separate machines taking up counter space. This coffee maker has two completly independent brewing systems. On one side, you can brew a full pot into the included glass carafe. On the other, you can brew directly into your own cup or travel mug, up to 14 ounces.
Each side has its own, easy-fill water reservoir with a clear window, so you always know how much water is ready for each brewer. This means you can make a single cup without affecting or emptying the water for the full pot, which is really convienient for busy mornings. For single-serve brewing, the machine includes a reusable mesh scoop. You simply add your favorite ground coffee to the scoop, place it in the brewer, and start.
It’s a straightforward process that avoids the ongoing cost and waste of plastic pods. This system is not compatible with K-Cup pods, which can be a benefit for your wallet and the environment, as you’re not constantly buying and throwing away single-use packaging. You have control over your brew strength with options for regular or bold, whether making one cup or a full pot. The programmable timer can be set up to 24 hours in advance, so you can wake up to a ready pot of coffee.
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass Carafe And Single Serve Coffee Maker, White with Stainless Steel Accents, 49933
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 49933, is designed for households where not everyone wants the same amount of coffee at the same time. Its core idea is simple: one machine gives you two completely independent brewing systems. You can brew a full 12-cup pot into the included glass carafe, or you can make a single serving directly into your travel mug.
This flexibility means no more wasted coffee or arguments over brewing a whole pot for just one person.
On the single-serve side, the process is straightforward. It uses a reusable mesh scoop—you just fill it with your own ground coffee, lock it in, and brew up to 14 ounces. It’s important to note this system is not compatible with K-Cup pods. For many, this is actually a benefit. You can buy any bag of ground coffee you prefer, which often costs less per cup than pods.
It also cuts down on plastic waste, since there’s no disposable pod to throw away after each brew. You get fresh flavor and it’s easier on your wallet and the evironment.
Convenience features are built in to fit a busy morning. Each side—the single-serve and the full pot—has its own, separate water reservoir with a clear window. This makes filling easy and lets you see exactly how much water is available.
Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable Drip Hot and Iced Coffee Maker & Single Serve Coffee Machine, Glass Carafe, Auto Pause and Pour, Black (47500J)
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable Drip Hot and Iced Coffee Maker & Single Serve Coffee Machine, Black (47500J) is designed for households where everyone has a different coffee routine. It combines two appliances in one, saving valuable counter space. You get a full 12-cup programmable drip machine on one side and a single-serve brewer for loose ground coffee on the other.
This means you can brew a whole pot for the family or just a quick cup for yourself without needing two separate machines. Brewing is highly customizable. You can choose from six settings, including regular, bold, and specific options for hot or iced coffee. The unique AquaFlow showerhead on the carafe side helps saturate grounds evenly for a richer, more flavorful pot. When you’re in a hurry, the Auto Pause & Pour feature lets you sneak a cup before the full pot finishes brewing.
For single servings, its incredibly straightforward: use the included mesh scoop to add your own ground coffee, place your mug, and start brewing. Please note, this machine is not compatible with K-Cup pods. Convenience is a major focus. You can program either side up to 24 hours in advance using the intuitive touch display. So, you can set everything up the night before and wake up to fresh coffee.
Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Single-Serve Brewer Glass Carafe, Automatic Hot & Iced Coffee Machine, Brew Strength Control and Brew Pause, SS-16, Stainless Steel
The Cuisinart SS-16 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Single-Serve Brewer is designed for households where coffee preferences vary. It combines the convenience of a single-serve machine with the capacity of a full carafe brewer, giving you flexibility without needing two separate appliances. For single servings, this machine is highly adaptable. It accepts any brand of single-cup pod, including popular Keurig K-Cup pods, so your not limited to one brand.
It also includes a reusable HomeBarista filter cup, allowing you to use your own fresh ground coffee for five different serving sizes from 4 to 12 ounces. When you need more coffee, the 12-cup glass carafe is ready. The carafe has a sleek stainless steel handle and a matching glass body, designed to look good on your counter. Remember, a “cup” here is about 5 ounces, which is a standard coffee measure. Functionality is a key focus.
The machine brews coffee notably faster than previous Cuisinart 12-cup models, thanks to its improved heating system. The 42-ounce removable water reservoir is easy to fill and features an easy-view window so you can always check the level. For better tasting coffee, it uses a charcoal water filter to reduce impurities before the water even hits the grounds. You have significant control over your brew.
Cuisinart 5-Cup Coffee Maker with Stainless Steel Carafe, Coffee Machine with Removable Water Reservoir, Charcoal Water Filter, 30-Minute Keep Warm, and Brew Pause, DCC-5570NAS, Stainless Steel
The Cuisinart 5-Cup Coffee Maker with Stainless Steel Carafe, DCC-5570NAS, is designed for those who need a reliable, space-saving machine for their daily brew. It’s perfect for smaller households, offices, or anyone who prefers to make a fresh pot more often. With a five-cup capacity, it focuses on delivering quality without taking over your kitchen counter. This coffee maker is notably compact.
Its sleek stainless steel design fits easily into tight spots, wheter its a small apartment kitchen, a dorm, or a cozy corner of your counter. You get a full-featured machine without sacrificing precious space. The included stainless steel carafe is both durable and stylish, featuring a dripless pour spout to keep your serving area clean. It’s a solid, practical build that feels substantial. A key feature is the removable water reservoir.
This makes filling and cleaning incredibly straightforward—you can just carry it to the sink. The reservoir also holds a charcoal water filter, which helps reduce impurities for a cleaner-tasting cup of coffee. It comes with a permanent nylon filter too, so you can skip buying paper ones if you want, though you can use either. The brewing process is simple and fast, getting your coffee ready with minimal fuss. Functionality is where this model really shines for everyday use.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced 5-in-1 Programmable 12 Cup Drip and Single Serve Hot & Iced Coffee Maker with Movable 60 oz. Water Reservoir, Use Pod Packs and Grounds, Fast Brewing, Black (49924)
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced 5-in-1 Programmable Coffee Maker (49924) is designed for households where everyone has a different coffee preference. It’s a versatile machine that combines a full 12-cup drip brewer with a single-serve system, giving you five total brewing options. You can brew a single hot cup using a K-Cup pod or your own ground coffee. You can also make a single cup of iced coffee directly over ice.
And when you need more, you can brew a full 12-cup pot using ground coffee in the traditional carafe. One of it’s most clever features is its space-saving design. At first glance, it looks like a compact single-serve brewer. The 12-cup glass carafe is actually hidden on the side of the machine, keeping the overall footprint slim on your counter. The dual-position, 60 oz. removable water reservoir adds to this flexibility.
You can place it on the back or the side of the unit to best fit your kitchen layout and make refilling more convenient. This large capacity means you can brew a full carafe or up to seven single cups without needing a refill. Programmability makes your morning routine smoother. The easy-to-use LED touchscreen lets you set Auto Brew the night before, so you can wake up to either a freshly brewed single cup or a full pot waiting in the carafe.
AIRMSEN 12-Cup Programmable Dual Coffee Maker – Single Serve Machine for K-Cup Pods & Ground, 1000W Fast Brew, Delay Start, 2H Keep Warm, Touchscreen, 60oz Tank, Glass Carafe – Home & Office
The AIRMSEN 12-Cup Programmable Dual Coffee Maker is designed to end the morning compromise between personal preference and convenience. It’s a single appliance that genuinely functions as two complete coffee stations in one, saving you significant counter space without sacrificing any brewing options. Its core feature is the dual compatibility. For a single serving, you can use your favorite K-Cup pod for ultimate speed or add your own ground coffee for a custom brew.
When you need more, switch to the multi-serve system to brew a full pot—from 4 up to 12 cups—into the included glass carafe. This flexibility means everyone in a household or office can have their coffee exactly how they like it from the same machine. Performance is centered on speed and control. A robust 1000W dual boiler system powers both functions.
It can brew a full 12-cup pot in about 10 minutes, while a single serving is ready in under 90 seconds, ensuring a hot, high-temperature extraction for better flavor. You manage everything through a straightforward touchscreen panel. Here, you can program the 24-hour delay start so your coffee is waiting for you, select your brew strength, and set the cup size for precise water volume.
Pantrymade Dual Brew Coffee Maker | 12-Cup & Single Serve Drip Machine | Touchscreen Programmable | K-Cup & Ground Coffee Compatible | Glass Carafe | Auto Shut-Off
The Pantrymade Dual Brew Coffee Maker is designed to fit the way you actually live. It solves the common dilemma of wanting a full pot for the family or just one quick cup for yourself. With this machine, you don’t have to choose. It combines a traditional 12-cup drip coffee maker with a single-serve brewer in one sleek, countertop-friendly unit.
Its core feature is genuine versatility. For gatherings or a day working from home, the 12-cup glass carafe has you covered.
When you’re on your own, the single-serve side lets you use your favorite K-Cup pod or your own ground coffee. A quick note for the best taste: you’ll need to add fresh water to the reservoir for each single cup you make. This flexibility means no one in your household has to compromise on their preffered coffee style.
Mornings feel simpler with the programmable timer. You can set it up the night before to have a full carafe hot and ready when your alarm goes off. No waiting, no fuss.
The adjustable brew size is another thoughtful touch, letting you select exactly how much coffee you want, from a 6-ounce cup to the full 12-cup pot. This helps avoid waste and ensures your coffee is always fresh.
Daily use is straightforward thanks to the intuitive touchscreen control panel. Safety and clean-up are considered, too. The auto shut-off feature gives you peace of mind if you get distracted and forget to turn it off.
2 Way Coffee Maker Buying Guide
Ever wish your coffee machine could do more? A 2 way coffee maker is basically a versatile countertop appliance that lets you brew two different types of coffee. You can make a classic drip pot for a crowd or use a single-serve function for a quick cup. It’s a great solution for households where not everyone drinks teh same thing. Here’s what to keep in mind when you’re looking for one.
Brewing Capacity and Speed
Think about your daily routine. How many people need coffee at once? If you often have guests, a full 12-cup carafe is essential. But for solo mornings, a single-serve option that brews directly into your mug is a lifesaver. Check how fast each mode brews—some machines are quicker with pods than with a full pot, which can be a real help when your in a rush.
Pod Compatibility and Ground Coffee
This is a huge factor. Most 2-way brewers work with K-Cup pods, but not all. Double-check the brand’s list to ensure it fits your favorite pods. Equally important is the filter basket for your own ground coffee. A permanent, washable filter is a nice bonus that saves you money and reduces waste over time. You’ll appreciate the flexibility to choose.
Machine Size and Carafe Style
Measure your counter space! These units need room for the pod mechanism and the carafe. A sleek, compact design is key for smaller kitchens. Also, look at the carafe. A thermal one keeps coffee hot for hours without a warming plate, which can make coffee taste bitter. A glass carafe on a hot plate is more common, but it means drinking the coffee quicker for the best flavor.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Nobody wants a complicated clean-up. Removable parts like the drip tray, water reservoir, and pod holder should be easy to take out and wash. Look for a model with a descaling alert or reminder—it’ll help maintain your machine’s performance and lifespan. A little regular care goes a long way to preventing clogs and ensuring every cup taste great.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Way Coffee Maker
What is a 2 way coffee maker?
It’s a single machine that offers two main brewing methods. You can typically make a classic drip pot of coffee or use a single-serve function for things like pods or ground coffee. It gives you flexibility without needing two appliances.
Who is this type of coffee maker good for?
It’s perfect for households where people have different coffee habits. Maybe you drink a full pot every morning, but your partner just wants one quick cup. It’s also great if you sometimes have guests and need to brew more.
Does it use a lot of counter space?
Not really! It’s one machine, so it takes up about the same space as a standard drip coffee maker. It’s much more compact than having two separate machines side by side, which is a big plus.
Can I use my own ground coffee with the single-serve side?
Most models let you do this. They usually include a reusable filter basket for your own grounds. This means you’re not locked into buying only specific pods, saving you money and offering more choice.
Is it difficult to clean and maintain?
Cleaning is pretty straightforward, similar to a regular coffee maker. You’ll need to decalcify it periodically. The reusable pod basket and water reservoir need regular washing. Just check the manual for your specific model’s care instructions.
Are the coffee pods expensive to use?
Pods do cost more per cup than buying a bag of grounds. But the convenience is the main draw. Using the included reusable basket with your own coffee is the most economical way to use the single-serve function on a daily basis.
What should I look for when buying one?
Consider the carafe size for the drip side. Check which pod brands the machine is compatible with, like K-Cup or Nespresso. Look for a programmable timer if you like morning coffee ready when you wake up. A pause-and-serve feature is handy too.
Do they make good coffee?
Yes, the quality is generally very good. The drip side functions just like a standard brewer. The single-serve side is designed to get the water temperature and pressure right for a solid cup. The taste ultimately depends on the coffee you choose to put in it.
Final Take
So, there you have it. Choosing the right machine really comes down to what you need from your daily brew. Think about your routine. Do you need speed in the morning, or is a relaxed weekend cup more your style? Your counter space and budget matter, too. It’s all about finding the fit that makes your day a little better, one cup at a time.
If you value both convenience and quality, a 2 way coffee maker is a fantastic option to consider. It gives you that flexibility without needing two separate appliances. You can have your simple batch of coffee ready for the family, and also treat yourself to a single, fresh mug later. It’s a smart solution that covers the basics really well, making sure no one has to compromise on their prefered way to enjoy a good coffee.