From Pods to Grounds, We Found the Best Dual Coffee Makers That Do It All

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Dual coffee makers are great when your coffee routine isn’t the same every day. You can fix a fast cup on your way out the door or make a full pot when you have people over, all in one machine. However, not all dual coffee makers are the same. Some let you choose between pods and coffee grounds, while others work only with grounds. Certain models also offer espresso capabilities or come with a milk frother, giving you the ultimate in variety.

Our top picks:

Over the years, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab has tested more than 100 coffee makers, brewing over 1,000 cups in the process. I test the latest coffee makers year-round, and in addition to drip and single-serve machines, I’ve evaluated every type of coffee maker you can imagine, from Nespresso machines to espresso makers, coffee makers with grinders, and many more. Each machine is assessed for performance and ease of use. I also conduct taste tests, with both experts and everyday coffee drinkers, to ensure every machine brews a delicious cup of coffee.

Other dual coffee makers we tested and liked (but may not be for everyone)

• Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker:This machine is geared toward coffee enthusiasts, with features such as adjustable bloom time and temperature. It’s an excellent machine, but it comes with a high price tag, and those seeking quick and convenient coffee may not enjoy fussing with the extra features.

• Cuisinart Coffee Center Grind & Brew Plus: This is one of the few dual coffee makers that automatically grinds beans when making a full pot. In Lab testing, I found it performed well, making piping hot coffee quickly. It earned average scores in taste tests, which is surprising given that it grinds fresh beans. However, this may be a good pick for someone who values the convenience of having a built-in grinder.

How we test dual coffee makers

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab has been testing coffee makers for decades, brewing well over 1,000 cups in the process. For dual coffee makers, our evaluations focus on ease of use, performance and taste.

✔️Ease of use: We assess how straightforward each machine is to set up and operate. Testers note how intuitive the controls feel, how easy the water reservoir is to access and fill, and whether markings on the carafe and tank are clear. We also evaluate cleaning, including whether parts are dishwasher-safe and whether any components are difficult to reach.

✔️Performance: When assessing performance, we measure the temperature of the coffee after brewing and how long it takes to brew. For carafes, we take the temperature of the coffee after a two-hour period to make sure the coffee stays hot.

✔️Taste: Using the same coffee across all machines, we brew both drip and single-serve coffees and have a panel of taste testers evaluate each cup. Scores reflect balance, bitterness and overall flavor quality.

What to look for when shopping for the best dual coffee makers

✔️ Coffee drink options: Not all dual coffee makers have the same drink options. Beyond drip coffee and single-serve, some machines can also make coffee over ice, specialty concentrated coffee, espresso, and pour-over, which you’ll want to consider based on your needs. Another thing to keep in mind is the options for single-use pods, including K-Cups, reusable pods, Nespresso capsules, and ESE pods. Some single-serve coffee makers also use ground coffee in a brew basket, so you don’t have to buy additional capsules.

✔️ Brew sizes: Even though most dual coffee makers have serving size options, they can vary with each machine. Most single-serve options include 6-, 8-, and 10-ounce sizes. However, some machines offer less common sizes, such as a 5-ounce cup or an XL travel mug. Full carafe options are typically 10 or 12 cups.✔️ Machine size: Consider the size of the machine and the footprint. Some dual coffee makers are bulkier because they have separate spaces for the carafe and single-serve coffee, whereas others have a slimmer design. The trade-off for a slimmer machine is often that it may not be compatible with pods, but that’s not always the case.✔️ Type of coffee: When it comes to single-serve cups of coffee, the options for brewing are using a single-use pod or pre-ground coffee. Single-use pods like K-Cups or Nespresso capsules are more convenient but more expensive than ground coffee. Using coffee grounds lets you choose exactly which coffee you want, rather than being limited to single-use flavors. Single-serve options that use coffee grounds typically use reusable or paper filters or a reusable pod. Drip coffee makers with carafes either use ground coffee or whole beans.

What else can dual coffee makers brew besides hot coffee?

Besides full pots of coffee and single-serve, some dual coffee makers have specific settings for making other drinks, such as iced coffee, cold brew, or coffee concentrate.

Iced coffee is brewed at a lower temperature setting, so when it comes out of the machine, it’s not as hot and won’t melt the ice as much.

In cold brew, dual coffee machines keep the grounds submerged in water. However, most machines use low heat and a shortened time cycle, so it’s not what’s considered traditional cold brew.

Some machines also make coffee concentrate which is very potent coffee and mimics espresso. The coffee concentrate can make drinks like lattes, cappuccinos or Americanos without tasting weak. It’s also handy to make iced coffee because it won’t taste watered down.

More top-tested coffee machines and appliances

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Jamie Uedahas nearly two decades of experience in product development and manufacturing. She tests and writes about everything coffee-related year-round, including espresso makers, coffee grinders, drip coffee makers, French presses, and more. She has a passion for coffee and has completed rigorous SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) courses in coffee brewing, barista skills, and sensory tasting. She regularly tests and contributes her knowledge as a judge in the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Awards.

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all testing and content related to cooking and making drinks, including coffee makers. She continually road tests different coffee makers throughout the year.

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