Ever feel like your kitchen counter is hosting a small appliance convention? Between the drip machine, the single-serve pod brewer, and maybe a french press, it’s a crowded scene. That’s where the genius of a good combo coffee maker comes in. It promises to declutter your morning routine by merging two or more brewing methods into one sleek unit. Imagine having fresh drip coffee for the family and a single espresso-style shot for yourself, all from the same machine. It sounds almost to good to be true, right?
But does a jack-of-all-trades brewer truly master any of them, or does it end up being a master of none? We’ve been testing one of the latest models to see if it can really deliver on its versatile promises. Let’s dive into whether this all-in-one wonder can simplify your life without compromising on that essential morning cup.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best 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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9.7 |
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Ninja Drip Coffee Maker With K Cup Combo, DualBrew…
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9.5 |
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Ninja Hot and Iced Coffee Maker, Single Serve Coffee…
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9.3 |
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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 Programmable Coffee Maker, 12 Cup Glass…
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8.9 |
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Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable Drip Hot and…
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8.6 |
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Ninja Espresso & Coffee Maker & Barista System, 3…
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8.4 |
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Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Single-Serve Brewer Glass Carafe, Automatic…
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8.2 |
Read Review |
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Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced 5-in-1 Programmable 12 Cup Drip…
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8.0 |
Read Review |
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AIRMSEN 12-Cup Programmable Dual Coffee Maker – Single Serve…
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7.8 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 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 core promise is flexibility, giving you complete control over how you brew, whether you need a quick single cup or a full pot for a group. At it’s heart is a true dual system.
You can use your favorite K-Cup pods for ultimate convenience, and Ninja notes this machine brews them faster than a leading competitor right from startup. For coffee grounds, you have a remarkable nine brew sizes to choose from, ranging from a small cup all the way to a full 12-cup carafe. The included glass carafe and smart scoop make grounds brewing straightforward. A foldable single-serve platform adjusts to hold your mug securely, helping to minimize splashes and mess during pod brewing.
The three brew styles are where the machine really personalizes your drink. The ‘Classic’ setting is your standard, reliable brew. ‘Rich’ intensifies the flavor for a more robust cup. The dedicated ‘Over Ice’ setting is engineered to brew coffee directly over ice without diluting it, ensuring your iced coffee is full-flavored and never watery. This works for both grounds and pods, and you can customize the size to fit your favorite glass. Practical features make daily use simple.
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 sizes, from a small mug to a large travel mug.
Or, use the glass carafe to make anywhere from a quarter carafe to a full pot for a crowd. For convenience, it also brews four sizes from traditional K-Cup pods, giving you a huge range of options in one footprint.
Speed is a big plus here. This machine brews a pod faster than a leading Keurig competitor right from startup, which is great when you’re in a hurry. But it doesn’t sacrifice control. You get four brew style choices: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and a Specialty setting.
These let you adjust the strength and temperature to match whether you’re making a hot cup, iced coffee, or even just hot water for tea or oatmeal.
A key detail is the independent hot water system. It has its own spout, completely separate from the coffee dispenser. This means no coffee residue gets into your hot water for tea or instant meals.
Ninja Hot and Iced Coffee Maker, Single Serve Coffee Maker and Drip Coffee Machine, DualBrew Pro Specialty 12-Cup with K-Cup Combo, Includes Permanent Filter, CFP307
The Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Maker, model CFP307, is designed to be the main coffee station in your kitchen. It replaces several single-use appliances by combining multiple brewing methods into one compact machine. If your household has different coffee preferences, this brewer aims to please everyone without taking up extra counter space.
Its core feature is the 13-size dual coffee system.
You can use traditional coffee grounds with five brew sizes, from a small cup to an extra-large travel mug. For convenience, it also brews directly into the included 12-cup glass carafe at four different levels. When you want a single pod, it’s compatible with 1-hole K-Cups for four more cup sizes. This flexibility means you’re covered whether your making a quick morning cup or coffee for a group.
Brewing speed is a focus, especially for pods.
Ninja states it brews a K-Cup faster than a leading competitor upon startup, which is handy for rushed mornings. The permanent, reusable filter is a nice touch for ground coffee, as it retains natural oils for a fuller-bodied flavor and eliminates the need for paper filters. You have four brew style choices to tailor the taste: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty. The Over Ice setting is made for iced coffee, so it brews a stronger concentrate that won’t get watered down.
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 a full pot at the same time. It’s essentially two coffee makers in one sleek black and stainless steel unit, giving you flexibility without taking up extra counter space. On one side, you have a full 12-cup glass carafe coffee maker. On the other, a dedicated single-serve brewer.
This means you can make a large pot for the family or a quick 14-ounce cup for yourself into your own travel mug. Each side has it’s own separate water reservoir with a clear window, so you can easily see and fill the water for either function without any confusion. The single-serve side is refreshingly straightforward. It uses a simple, reusable mesh scoop—just add your own ground coffee, place it in the holder, and brew. 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, and you avoid the ongoing expense and waste of disposable plastic capsules. It’s a more eco-friendly and economical way to enjoy single-serve coffee. For the carafe side, you get several useful features. You can program the machine up to 24 hours in advance, so your coffee is ready when you wake up.
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’s coffee routine is the same. It solves the classic dilemma of wanting just one fresh cup for yourself while also being able to brew a full pot for the family or guests. This white with stainless steel accents machine is essentially two brewers in one, giving you genuine flexibility without taking up extra counter space. Its core function is right in the name: 2 ways to brew.
On one side, you have a single-serve coffee maker. It uses a simple, included mesh scoop—you just add your own ground coffee, place it, and brew directly into your cup or travel mug, up to 14 ounces. It’s important to note this side is not compatible with K-Cup pods. The other side is a traditional 12-cup programmable coffee maker with a glass carafe. Each side has its own, separate water reservoir with a clear window, making it easy to fill and see exactly how much water you have for each brew.
No more guessing or cross-contamination of water between functions. This design leads to some practical benefits. By using your own ground coffee in the single-serve side, you can skip buying disposable plastic pods. This is often more eco-friendly and easier on your wallet over time, reducing both waste and ongoing costs. The flavor can be fresher too, as you control the grind and quality.
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 machines in one, saving valuable counter space. You can brew a full 12-cup pot for the family or a single, quick cup for yourself, all without needing separate appliances. Its core function is flexibility. On one side, you have a traditional drip coffee maker with a glass carafe.
It features an AquaFlow showerhead that spreads water evenly over the coffee grounds for a more consistant and flavorful extraction. You won’t have to wait for the entire pot to finish brewing, either. The Auto Pause and Pour function lets you sneak a cup as soon as there’s enough in the carafe. When you’re done, the automatic shutoff turns the machine off after four hours for peace of mind. The other side is a dedicated single-serve brewer.
It uses a simple mesh scoop for your own ground coffee—just scoop, place, and brew. It’s important to note this machine is not compatible with K-Cup pods; it’s designed for use with your favorite loose ground coffee. Customization is straightforward. You can choose from six brew settings, including regular, bold, and specific options for hot or iced coffee.
Ninja Espresso & Coffee Maker & Barista System, 3 Espresso Brew Styles, Single-Serve Coffee & Nespresso Capsule Compatible, Built-in Frother, Espresso, Cappuccino & Latte Maker, Black, CFN601
The Ninja Espresso & Coffee Maker & Barista System CFN601 is a versatile all-in-one machine designed to replace your single-serve brewer, espresso maker, and drip coffee pot. It combines three appliances into one countertop footprint, giving you a huge range of options for how you make your coffee each day. Its core strength is espresso. The Barista Plus Technology uses a 19-bar pressure system to extract rich, ultra-flavorful espresso with a smooth, professional-quality crema.
You can use it with your favorite Nespresso OriginalLine capsules, choosing from three brew styles: a classic 1.35-oz Espresso, a longer 3.75-oz Lungo, or a concentrated 1-oz Over Ice shot meant for pouring directly over cold milk or water. The built-in, fold-away frother is key for turning those shots into proper coffeehouse drinks. It easily creates the microfoam needed for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites right at home. But this machine doesn’t stop at capsules.
You can also brew through your own coffee grounds. It offers three flavor profiles—Classic, Rich, or Over Ice—and nine different brew sizes. This means you can make a single cup, fill a large travel mug, or brew a full 12-cup carafe for a group. The adjustable cup tray slides up and down to accomodate everything from a small espresso cup to that tall travel mug, preventing splashes. For entertaining, the versatility really shines.
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 and Single-Serve Brewer is designed to be the one coffee machine that fits everyones routine. It combines the convenience of a single-serve pod brewer with the capacity of a full 12-cup carafe machine. This means you can make a quick cup for yourself in the morning and still have the ability to brew a full pot for family or guests without needing two separate appliances taking up counter space.
For single servings, it offers five different cup sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces. It works with any brand of single-cup pod, including popular Keurig K-Cup pods, so your choices are wide open. If you prefer fresh ground coffee, it also comes with a reusable HomeBarista filter cup, letting you use your favorite beans. When you need more coffee, the sleek glass carafe brews up to twelve 5-ounce cups.
The carafe has a stainless steel handle and a matching glass body that looks good on any countertop. Functionality is a key focus here. This machine brews coffee significantly faster than many standard 12-cup models, helping you get your coffee sooner. The 42-ounce water reservoir is removable for easy filling, and an easy-view window lets you check the water level at a glance. It includes a charcoal water filter to help reduce impurities for a cleaner tasting cup every time.
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 to adapt to your coffee routine, not the other way around. Its core idea is flexibility, giving you multiple ways to get your morning cup without taking up extra counter space. At first glance, it looks like a sleek single-serve machine. But it’s actually a 12-cup drip coffee maker too, with the glass carafe cleverly tucked on its side to maintain a slim footprint.
You can brew a single hot cup using a K-Cup pod or your own ground coffee. You can also brew a single cup of iced coffee. Or, when you need more, use ground coffee to brew a full 12-cup pot into the carafe. That’s the five-way versatility it offers, covering most any situation. Convenience is a major focus. The large 60 oz. removable water reservoir means you can brew a whole pot or about seven single cups without a refill.
You can even move this reservoir to the back or side of the machine to better fit your kitchen layout. Mornings are streamlined with fast brewing—a single hot cup is ready in under two minutes. The programmable touchscreen lets you set it the night before, so you wake up to either a fresh single serving or a full carafe. You can even select regular or bold strength for your coffee. Using it is straightforward. The LED touchscreen is clear and wipes clean easily.
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 2-in-1 machine that combines a full-pot brewer with a single-serve system, meaning it can handle a family breakfast or a quick solo cup without needing two appliances on your counter. Its core strength is flexibility through three brewing methods. For a group, the multi-serve side brews a traditional pot, with settings for 4 to 12 cups.
When you just want one cup, the single-serve side works with both K-Cup pods and your own ground coffee. This means everyone in the home or office can have their favorite coffee exactly how they like it, from a name-brand pod to a speciality grind. This machine is built for a smart, efficient routine. The programmable delay start lets you set it up the night before, so you wake to a freshly brewed pot.
The 1000W dual boiler system powers a rapid brew, making a full 12-cup pot in about 10 minutes and a single serving in under 90 seconds. After brewing, the auto-keep-warm function maintains your coffee at the ideal temperature for up to two hours, so no more lukewarm leftovers. Operation is straightforward via a modern touchscreen panel. You can customize cup size and strength by adjusting the water volume, giving you control over your drinks intensity.
Combo Coffee Maker Buying Guide
Ever wished your kitchen counter had less appliances? A combo coffee maker is a real space-saver, combining two brewing methods in one machine. You might get a drip brewer with a single-serve pod system, or an espresso maker that also froths milk for lattes. It’s perfect for households where people have different coffee habits.
Your Daily Brewing Needs
Think about your routine. Do you need a full carafe for the family every morning, or just a quick cup for yourself before you run out the door? Some combos are better at one function than the other. If you mostly use pods but want a drip option for weekends, prioritize a model with a great single-serve system and a decent carafe.
Counter Space and Size
Even though it’s two-in-one, these machines still need a footprint. Measure your available space before you fall in love with a model. Check the height too, especially if you plan to keep it under cabinets. A smaller footprint with a vertical design can be a smarter choice for tight kitchens.
Ease of Cleaning
More features can mean more parts to wash. Look for models with removable drip trays, easy-access water reservoirs, and dishwasher-safe components. A machine that’s a pain to clean will quickly become a dusty decoration. Trust me, you’ll appreciate simple maintenance on busy mornings.
Budget and Value
Combo units range widely in price. Set a realistic budget upfront. Sometimes, buying two separate, simpler machines can be more cost-effective and offer better performance for each task. Consider what you’re really gaining—if you’ll use both functions regularly, the combo is likely worth it. If not, you might be better of with a single-purpose brewer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Combo Coffee Makers
What is a combo coffee maker?
A combo coffee maker is a single appliance that brews more than one type of coffee. It usually combines a standard drip coffee maker with a single-serve brewer, like one for pods or K-cups. This gives you flexibility for your daily routine.
Who should buy one?
This type of machine is great for households where people have different coffee preferences. If you like a full pot but your partner wants a quick single cup, a combo unit can make you both happy. It’s also handy if you enjoy trying different coffee styles without needing two seperate machines on your counter.
Are thay difficult to use or clean?
Not really! They operate just like two simple machines in one. You’ll have two different water reservoirs and brew paths to manage. Cleaning involves descaling the system and washing the carafe, just like a standard coffee maker. The pod side often has a simple removable drip tray.
Do they take up a lot of counter space?
They are larger than a basic machine, but they save space compared to having two entirely seperate appliances. The footprint is usually wider but not much deeper. It’s a good idea to check the dimensions before you buy to ensure it fits in your kitchen.
Can I use any type of pod?
Most combo makers with a pod side are designed for a specific system, like Keurig K-Cups. Always check the product description to see which pods it accepts. Some models include a reusable filter basket, which lets you use your own ground coffee in the single-serve side, too.
Is the coffee quality good from both sides?
Yes, a well-made combo brewer should produce a good cup from both the drip and pod functions. The drip side often has programmable features for strength and temperature. The pod side offers the same convenience and speed you’d expect from a standard single-serve machine.
Are they more expensive?
They typically cost more than a basic drip or pod machine alone. However, you are getting two appliances in one. For many people, the convenience and versatility justifies the higher initial price compared to buying two individual units.
Before You Decide
So, think about your real morning routine. Do you actually need a machine that does three things, or would a great single brewer be enough? It’s easy to get excited by all the options, but the best choice is the one you’ll use. Check how much counter space you really have, not just how much you wish you had. And be honest about how often you’ll make a latte versus a regular cup of coffee. Your daily habit is the best guide.
In the end, a good combo coffee maker should simplify your kitchen, not complicate your life. It’s about getting the drinks you enjoy without needing a separate appliance for each one. Take your time comparing the features that matter to you most, like brew strength or milk frothing style. A little research now means you’ll be much happier with your choice for years to come.