Ever find yourself stuck between wanting a quick single-serve pod and a full pot for guests? That’s the exact dilemma a good k cup combo coffee maker solves. It merges the convenience of Keurig-style pods with the flexibility of a traditional drip machine, all in one sleek countertop footprint. No more choosing between speed and volume on busy mornings—you get to have your coffee and drink it too, literally.
But with so many models promising the world, which one actually delivers? I’ve been testing a popular combo maker to see if it lives up to the hype. We’ll look at the brew quality, how easy it really is to switch between functions, and whether it’s worth freeing up that extra outlet in your kitchen. Let’s dive in and see if this two-in-one wonder is the right fit for your daily routine.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best K Cup Combo Coffee Maker
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Ninja | Drip Coffee Maker | DualBrew Pro Hot…
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9.9 |
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Ninja Drip Coffee Maker With K Cup Combo, DualBrew…
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9.6 |
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Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass…
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9.4 |
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Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass…
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9.1 |
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Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable Drip Hot and…
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8.9 |
Read Review |
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Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Single-Serve Brewer Glass Carafe, Automatic…
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8.6 |
Read Review |
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Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced 5-in-1 Programmable 12 Cup Drip…
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8.4 |
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AIRMSEN 12-Cup Programmable Dual Coffee Maker – Single Serve…
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8.1 |
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Cuisinart Single Serve + 12 Cup Coffee Maker, Offers…
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7.9 |
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Pantrymade Dual Brew Coffee Maker | 12-Cup & Single…
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7.6 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 K Cup Combo Coffee Maker
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) is designed to be the last coffee maker you’ll need, consolidating multiple machines into one sleek, black countertop unit. It’s built for flexibility, letting you choose between using your favorite ground coffee or K-Cup pods without compromise. Whether you need a single morning cup or are brewing a full carafe for a group, this machine adapts to your routine. A key advantage is its speed.
This single-serve brewer is engineered to brew a coffee pod faster than a leading competitor like the Keurig K-Elite from a cold start, which is a real benefit when your morning is rushed. But it’s far from a one-trick pony. The dual system handles both grounds and pods with precision. For grounds, you have nine brew sizes ranging from a small cup all the way to a full 12-cup carafe. For pods, there are four size options. This level of control helps you get the strength and volume exactly right.
Flavor customization is central with three dedicated brew styles. The ‘Classic’ setting is your standard, reliable brew. ‘Rich’ intensifies the flavor for a bolder cup. The specialized ‘Over Ice’ setting is a game-changer, brewing a concentrated coffee directly over ice so it chills instantly without becoming watered down. This means cafe-quality iced coffee is just as easy as making a hot cup. Convenience features are thoughtfully integrated.
Ninja Drip Coffee Maker With K Cup Combo, DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System, Coffee Machine Compatible with K-Cup Pods, 12 Cup Single Serve Coffee Makers with Paper Filter, CFP301
The Ninja DualBrew Pro CFP301 is designed for coffee drinkers who want one machine to handle it all. It combines a single-serve pod brewer with a full 12-cup carafe system, giving you serious flexibility depending on your morning mood or how many people you’re serving.
Its core feature is the 13-size dual system. You can brew coffee from grounds into five different cup or travel mug sizes, or make a full carafe in four sizes.
For pods, it’s compatible with K-Cups and offers four brew sizes from 6 to 12 ounces. This means you can have a quick single cup on a busy day and easily make a full pot for the family on the weekend. It’s also noted to brew a pod faster than a leading Keurig machine from startup, which is a nice perk when you’re in a rush.
Flavor control is a big part of this machine. It offers four brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Specialty.
Use Rich for a bolder cup from grounds or pods, or Over Ice to brew coffee directly over ice without watering it down. The Specialty setting is key—it brews a super-concentrated coffee that you can use as a base for homemade lattes or macchiatos. There’s even a dedicated setting for hot water, with it’s own separate spout to avoid any coffee taste in your tea or instant meals.
Adding to the specialty drink capability is the built-in, fold-away frother.
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 not everyone wants the same thing at the same time. 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.
On one side, you have a dedicated single-serve brewer.
It uses a simple mesh scoop for your own ground coffee—you just scoop, place it in the holder, and brew directly into your cup or travel mug, up to 14 ounces. It’s a straightforward system that avoids the need for disposable plastic pods. This means you can buy your favorite bag of ground coffee, which often costs less per cup and creates less waste compared to single-use pods.
The machine is not compatable with K-Cup pods, so it’s an eco-friendlier and budget-conscious choice.
The other side is a classic drip coffee maker with a glass carafe. Here, you can brew up to twelve cups for a group or to have coffee ready throughout your day. Both sides operate independently, each with its own, easy-fill water reservoir that has a clear window so you can see the water level.
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 flexibility: you can brew a full 12-cup pot using the included glass carafe, or make just a single serving directly into your favorite mug. This means no more wasting half a pot when your only having one cup, and no arguments about brewing a whole pot for just one person. Making a single cup is straightforward.
The machine comes with a reusable mesh scoop. You simply scoop your preferred ground coffee into it, place it in the dedicated brewer, and start the machine. It’s important to note this system is not compatible with K-Cup pods. While that might seem like a limitation, it’s actually a feature that can save you money and reduce waste over time.
You buy bags of ground coffee or whole beans, which often cost less per cup than pods, and you don’t have to deal with throwing away plastic or foil after every brew. Each brewing side—the single-serve and the full carafe—has its own, separate water reservoir. They’re clearly marked with water windows, so you can easily see and fill the exact amount you need for either option without any confusion. For the carafe side, a couple features really improve the daily routine.
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’s coffee routine is different. It combines two full coffee systems in one compact footprint, giving you the flexibility to brew a quick single cup or a full 12-cup pot without needing two separate appliances taking up your counter space. This machine offers two distinct ways to brew, each with its own water reservoir for easy filling.
On one side, you can brew a full glass carafe. Its unique AquaFlow showerhead is designed to saturate coffee grounds evenly for a rich and flavorful pot. You don’t have to wait for the entire pot to finish either, thanks to the Auto Pause and Pour feature that lets you sneak a cup mid-brew. On the other side, the dedicated single-serve function lets you brew a cup for one using your own ground coffee. It includes a handy mesh scoop for easy filling—just scoop, place, and brew.
It’s important to note that this system is not compatible with K-Cup pods; it uses loose ground coffee for both brewing methods. Customization is straightforward with six brew settings. You can choose regular or bold strength for a standard pot, and there are specific settings for brewing both hot and iced coffee directly. The intuitive touchscreen display makes it simple to set your preferences.
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 to be the last coffee machine you’ll need to buy. It elegantly combines two popular brewing methods into one sleek stainless steel appliance, eliminating the compromise between a quick single cup and a full pot for guests. This machine’s standout feature is its true versatility. For your morning routine, it functions as a single-serve brewer compatible with any brand of pod, including Keurig K-Cup pods.
You can choose from five cup sizes. It also includes a reusable HomeBarista filter cup, so you’re not limited to pods—you can use your own fresh ground coffee for a more sustainable and personalized cup. When you need more, it brews a full 12-cup* glass carafe. The carafe itself is a stylish piece with a stainless steel handle, designed to look good on your counter and keep coffee hot. Functionality is where this Cuisinart really shines.
It’s built to brew coffee faster than standard models, saving you precious time. The 42 oz. removable water reservoir is easy to fill and has an easy-view window. You have significant control over your brew: adjust the strength from regular to bold, and even select a special ‘over ice’ setting for perfect iced coffee. A charcoal water filter ensures cleaner, better-tasting water for your coffee, which makes a noticeable difference. Convenience features simplify your daily 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 coffee preferences vary. It’s a dual coffee system that combines a full 12-cup drip machine with a single-serve brewer, all in one unit with a surprisingly slim footprint. At first glance, it looks like a compact pod brewer, but the 12-cup glass carafe is cleverly tucked on its side to save counter space. This machine offers genuine flexibility with five brewing methods.
You can brew a single hot cup using a K-Cup pod or your own ground coffee. It also makes a single serving of iced coffee. For bigger mornings or when company arrives, you can program it to brew a full pot of up to 12 cups using ground coffee. The touchscreen lets you set Auto Brew the night before, so you wake to a fresh single cup or a full carafe. You can even select regular or bold brew strength for both single-serve and carafe options. Convenience is a major focus. The large, 60 oz.
removable water reservoir means you can brew a whole carafe or about seven single cups without a refill. This reservoir is also movable; you can position it on the back or the side of the machine to better fit your kitchen layout. Speed is another perk, as it brews a single hot cup in under two minutes. The single-serve side has a removable cup rest that accommodates tall travel mugs up to 7.25 inches. Maintenance is straightforward.
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 significant counter space without asking anyone to settle for a brew they don’t love. Its core strength is the dual compatibility.
For a single serving, you have a choice: pop in any standard K-Cup pod for ultimate speed, or use your own ground coffee in the reusable filter for a custom cup. When you need more, switch to the multi-serve system, which brews a full 12-cup pot into the included glass carafe. This flexibility means one person can enjoy a specialty pod while another prepares a full pot of their favorite ground roast for the family or office—all from the same machine. Performance is centered on speed and control.
The 1000W dual boiler system heats water rapidly, promising a full 12-cup pot in about 10 minutes and a single hot cup in under 90 seconds. You can tailor your brew using the touchscreen panel, adjusting the strength and cup size to get it just right. A major convenience feature is the 24-hour Delay Start; simply set it up the night before, and your coffee will be ready and waiting when you wake up. Once brewed, the auto-keep-warm function maintains the carafe’s temperature for up to two hours.
Cuisinart Single Serve + 12 Cup Coffee Maker, Offers 3-Sizes: 6-Ounces, 8-Ounces and 10-Ounces, Stainless Steel, SS-15P1
The Cuisinart Single Serve + 12 Cup Coffee Maker, SS-15P1, is designed for households where one person wants a quick single cup and another needs a full pot. It combines two popular brewing methods into one sleek stainless steel appliance, saving valuable counter space without compromising on function. For your morning single serve, this machine offers flexibility. It’s compatible with most single-use pods, including Keurig K-Cup pods, using the included pod holder.
If you prefer your own ground coffee, an optional reusable filter cup lets you use any blend you like. You can choose between three cup sizes: 6, 8, or 10 ounces, giving you control over your portion. A note on performance: using the reusable filter works best with a medium grind and ensuring the grounds are tamped down; too coarse a grind or too little coffee can effect the water pressure and the brew quality.
The amount of coffee extracted can vary, so you might need to adjust the programming if you change your grind or amount. When you need to serve a group, the 12-cup carafe side is fully featured. You can program the brew strength from light to bold and even adjust the brewing temperature, which is a nice touch for flavor clarity. The water for both systems runs through a charcoal filter to improve taste.
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 into your daily routine, wether you’re brewing for a crowd or just for yourself. It combines a full 12-cup drip machine with a single-serve brewer in one compact unit. This means you can make a pot of coffee for the family on weekends and quickly brew a single cup on your way out the door on a weekday morning. It’s a practical solution for households with mixed coffee habits.
Its versatility is a key highlight.
For the carafe side, you use the permanent filter basket with your own ground coffee. For single servings, you have two options: use your favorite K-Cup pods or use the included reusable pod for ground coffee. A helpful note: for the single-serve function, you’ll need to add fresh water to the reservoir each time you brew, which ensures the water is at the right temperature for a better tasting cup.
The adjustable brew size for single servings lets you choose between 6, 8, 10, or 14 ounces, so you can fill everything from a small espresso cup to a large travel mug.
Planning ahead is easy with the programmable touchscreen. You can set the timer the night before to wake up to a freshly brewed carafe of coffee. The auto shut-off feature provides peace of mind, turning the machine off after brewing so you don’t have to worry about it.
K Cup Combo Coffee Maker Buying Guide
A k cup combo coffee maker is a real space-saver. It brews single-serve pods but also has a carafe side for making a whole pot. It’s perfect for households where one person wants a quick cup and another needs a full morning supply. Here’s what to look for.
Brew Size Flexibility
Check teh carafe size, usually 8-12 cups. More importantly, see what single-serve options it offers. Some machines only work with official K-Cup pods, while others have a universal pod holder or even a reusable filter. That last one lets you use your own ground coffee, which is a huge money-saver over time.
Brew Strength and Temperature
Not all machines brew the same. A good one will have a ‘bold’ or ‘strong’ brew setting for the pod side. This lets more water flow through the grounds for a richer flavor. Also, look for one with optimal brew temperature (around 195°F). A weak, lukewarm cup is a common dissapointment with cheaper models.
Countertop Footprint
These are two machines in one, so thay need more space. Measure your counter area before you buy. Consider the machine’s layout too—some have the carafe brewer stacked vertically, which saves depth, while others have them side-by-side. Make sure you have room to swing open the pod holder and remove the carafe easily.
Programmability and Convenience
For the carafe side, a programmable clock timer is a big plus. You can set it the night before and wake to a full pot. Also, check how fast each side brews. The pod side should be quick, but a full carafe will naturally take a few minutes. A pause-and-serve function on the carafe is handy if you need a cup before its finished brewing.
Water Reservoir and Maintenance
The reservoir fills both sides. A larger one means less refilling, especially if you use the carafe often. For cleaning, a removable reservoir and drip tray make life simpler. All machines need descaling regularly, but some have a reminder light which is helpful for keeping your coffee tasting it’s best.
Frequently Asked Questions About K Cup Combo Coffee Maker
What is a K-Cup combo coffee maker?
It’s a single-serve brewer that does two things. It uses K-Cup pods for quick coffee. It also has a separate basket where you can use your own ground coffee. This gives you more choices in teh morning.
How does the ground coffee side work?
You open a small basket, often called a “My Cup” or reusable filter. You add your favorite ground coffee, close it, and brew. It’s just like a small drip coffee maker. You’ll need to clean the basket after each use.
Can I use any K-Cup pod?
Most combo makers work with all standard K-Cup pods. This includes brands like Green Mountain Coffee and many store brands. It’s always good to double-check your model’s manual, but compatibility is usually wide.
Is it difficult to clean?
Not really. The water reservoir and drip tray need regular rinsing. The pod holder gets a quick rinse. The ground coffee basket requires a bit more attention, as you need to wash out the used grounds and filter. A quick clean after each use keeps it running great.
What cup sizes can I brew?
This varies by model. Most let you choose from a few sizes, like 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces. Some even offer a “travel mug” setting for larger cups. The controls are usually simple buttons.
Does it take up a lot of counter space?
They are designed to be pretty compact. Most are similar in size to a standard single-serve brewer. It’s wise to check the dimensions before you buy, especially if your counter space is limited.
Is the coffee from grounds as fast as from a pod?
Brewing with grounds might take a little longer than a pod. The machine needs to heat the water and filter it through the loose grounds. The difference is usually just a matter of seconds, so it’s still very quick.
Do I need a special water filter?
Some models have a slot for a charcoal water filter cartridge. This can improve taste if your tap water is hard or has a strong flavor. Using one is optional, but it can help reduce mineral build-up in the machine over time.
One Last Look
So, there you have it. Choosing the right machine really comes down to what you need most from your morning cup. Think about how many people you’re usually making coffee for, and how much counter space you’re willing to give up. A good machine should fit your routine, not the other way around.
In the end, a k cup combo coffee maker is all about giving you options. You can have a fast single serve one minute, and a full carafe for friends the next. It’s a simple way to make sure everyone gets what thay want, without needing two separate appliances. Just pick the features that matter to you, and you’ll be set for your next coffee break.