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The best dual coffee maker for you depends on how often you brew a full pot versus one cup, and how much counter space you have. This guide covers six machines that brew a carafe with grounds and a single cup with pods or a filter cup.
Every detail here comes from each product’s Amazon listing, and we did not test these coffee makers in person. Scores follow the four criteria in the How We Score section, and our Editorial Policy explains how we handle listing data.
Top 3 Dual Coffee Makers at a Glance
Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup 3-in-1 Coffee Maker (SS-18)
- 12-cup carafe, single serve and hot water in one unit
- Keep warm up to 4 hours in half-hour steps
- 3-year limited warranty
Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker and Single-Serve Brewer (SS-16)
- Single serve in 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz
- 24-hour brew start and Brew Pause
- Regular, bold or over ice strength
Keurig K-Duo Single Serve and Carafe Coffee Maker (Gen 2)
- 72 oz removable reservoir shared by both sides
- Carafe Auto Brew up to 24 hours ahead
- Pause and Pour for 20 seconds
How We Score
We score each coffee maker out of 10 on four criteria, using only what its Amazon listing states. A clearly listed, strong feature earns 8 to 10, a partial one 6 to 7, a feature the listing does not mention 5, and one the listing shows as absent or contrary 2 to 4. The overall score is the weighted total.
| Criterion | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Brew options | 30% | Pods and grounds, listed cup and carafe sizes, strength and over ice settings |
| Convenience | 25% | Timers, pause features, reservoir size and how easy it is to fill |
| Keep warm | 25% | Carafe type, warming plate hold time, temperature control and auto shutoff |
| Cleaning and warranty | 20% | Reusable filters, dishwasher-safe parts, descale or self-clean and listed warranty length |
Dual Coffee Makers Compared
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Spec | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cuisinart SS-18 | Best Hot Water Dispenser | 12-cup carafe, single serve, hot water | 12 cups, 20 oz cup, hot water | 8.5 | View |
 Cuisinart SS-16 | Best Single Cup Size Range | 12-cup carafe and single serve | 12 cups, 4 to 12 oz cups | 7.8 | View |
 K-Duo Gen 2 | Best 72 oz Reservoir | 12-cup carafe and K-Cup pods | 72 oz shared reservoir | 7.2 | View |
 K-Duo 60 oz | Best Smart Start Brewing | 12-cup carafe and K-Cup pods | 60 oz shared reservoir, Smart Start | 7.1 | View |
 Mr. Coffee Dual | Best Thermal Carafe | 10-cup thermal carafe and pods | 10 cups, thermal carafe | 7.0 | View |
 Pantrymade Dual Brew | Best Touchscreen Controls | 12-cup carafe and K-Cup pods | 12 cups, touchscreen | 6.1 | View |
1. Cuisinart Coffee Center 12-Cup 3-in-1 Coffee Maker (SS-18)
- Hot water side dispenses at 175, 185 or 195 degrees F
- HomeBarista XL filter cup brews up to 20 oz in one pass
- Carafe temperature sets to low, medium or high
- Dishwasher-safe parts, descale cycle and 3-year warranty
- No brew timer listed
- Deepest listed here at 17.32 inches
- No auto shutoff listed
| Carafe | 12-cup glass |
|---|---|
| Reservoir | 62 oz, back or side mount |
| Dimensions | 17.32 x 8.27 x 14.96 in |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
The Cuisinart SS-18 is a 3-in-1 coffee center with a 12-cup glass carafe, a single-serve side and a hot water dispenser, the only pick here with a separate hot water outlet. Pods brew up to 12 oz, and the HomeBarista XL filter cup holds up to 25 g of grounds to brew up to 20 oz. The hot water side pours at 175, 185 or 195 degrees F.
The carafe temperature sets to low, medium or high, and keep warm holds the pot up to 4 hours in half-hour steps. An over ice setting works on both sides, a removable whisk froths milk, and brew pause is listed. The 62 oz reservoir mounts on the back or side, for a width of 8.3 or 10.4 inches. It lists a descale cycle and a 3-year limited warranty. Score: brew options 9, convenience 7, keep warm 9, cleaning and warranty 9.
Who the Cuisinart SS-18 fits best
Choose it if your household wants drip coffee, travel mug cups and hot water for tea from one machine.
Who should skip the Cuisinart SS-18
Skip it if you want to set a brew timer the night before or want auto shutoff.
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2. Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker and Single-Serve Brewer (SS-16)
- Five single-serve sizes, the most listed here
- Works with any brand of single-cup pod or the HomeBarista filter cup
- Adjustable carafe temperature, auto-off and ready alert
- Self-clean, gold-tone filter and charcoal water filter
- Tallest listed here at 16.25 inches
- Listing names a warranty but gives no length
- Smallest listed reservoir here at 42 oz
| Carafe | 12-cup glass |
|---|---|
| Single serve | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Wattage | 1100 watts |
| Dimensions | 10.88 x 10.13 x 16.25 in |
The Cuisinart SS-16 pairs a 12-cup glass carafe with a single-serve brewer that offers five sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz. That is the widest single-cup range listed here. Brand lists it as compatible with any brand of single-cup pod, and it includes a reusable HomeBarista filter cup for grounds.
Brew strength sets to regular, bold or over ice for a cup or a carafe, and the carafe temperature adjusts. It lists a 24-hour brew start, Brew Pause, a water window, self-clean, auto-off and a ready alert. The single-serve side uses a 42 oz removable reservoir, and the spec table lists 16.25 inches tall. Score: brew options 8, convenience 9, keep warm 7, cleaning and warranty 7.
Who the Cuisinart SS-16 fits best
Choose it if you want a timer, Brew Pause and the most single cup size choices.
Who should skip the Cuisinart SS-16
Skip it if you have low cabinets or want a stated warranty length.
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3. Keurig K-Duo Single Serve and Carafe Coffee Maker (Gen 2)
- Largest listed reservoir here at 72 oz
- Single cups in 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz and carafes in 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups
- Brew Over Ice, Strong Brew and Extra Hot for single cups
- Front-facing control panel with a digital readout
- No keep warm time or auto shutoff listed
- No warranty listed
- Spec table weight of 16 ounces and type "Espresso Machine" look wrong
| Carafe | 12-cup glass |
|---|---|
| Reservoir | 72 oz removable |
| Wattage | 1100 watts |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 11.1 x 12.7 in |
The Keurig K-Duo Gen 2 brews K-Cup pods on one side and coffee grounds into a 12-cup glass carafe on the other. Single cups come in 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz, and carafes in 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups. One 72 oz removable reservoir feeds both sides, the largest listed reservoir among the picks. The spec table lists model number 5000378536.
Brew Over Ice, Strong Brew and Extra Hot apply to single cups, while programmable Auto Brew starts a carafe up to 24 hours ahead. Pause and Pour stops the brew for 20 seconds so you can pour. A heating plate keeps the carafe hot, with no hold time given, and Keurig lists no auto off, unlike the K-Duo 60 oz pick here. The spec table lists 12.7 inches tall, and we set aside its 16-ounce weight, which looks wrong. Score: brew options 8, convenience 9, keep warm 6, cleaning and warranty 5.
Who the K-Duo Gen 2 fits best
Choose it if you use K-Cup pods often and want the biggest listed tank here for fewer refills.
Who should skip the K-Duo Gen 2
Skip it if you want iced carafes or a stated warranty.
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4. Keurig K-Duo Single Serve and Carafe Coffee Maker, 60 oz Reservoir
- Single cups in 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz and carafes in 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups
- Carafe Auto Brew up to 24 hours ahead
- Pause and Pour for 20 seconds
- Strong Brew for a more intense single cup
- Keurig lists no Brew Over Ice or Extra Hot setting, unlike the K-Duo Gen 2 pick here
- No warranty listed
- Spec table dimensions of 5.21 x 5.75 x 6.04 inches look wrong
| Carafe | 12-cup glass |
|---|---|
| Reservoir | 60 oz (1.77 L) removable |
| Wattage | 1000 watts |
| Auto off | 5 minutes after last single cup |
This Keurig K-Duo brews K-Cup pods on one side and ground coffee into a 12-cup glass carafe on the other. Single cups come in 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz, and carafes in 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups. A 60 oz removable reservoir, listed as 1.77 L, feeds both sides. Strong Brew makes a more intense single cup, and Keurig lists no Brew Over Ice or Extra Hot setting, unlike the K-Duo Gen 2 pick here.
Smart Start heats and brews in one process. Programmable Auto Brew starts a carafe up to 24 hours ahead, and Pause and Pour stops the brew for 20 seconds. A heating plate keeps the carafe hot, with no hold time given, and auto off covers both the brewer and the plate. The spec table lists 1000 watts, but its dimensions look wrong, so we set them aside. No warranty is listed. Score: brew options 7, convenience 9, keep warm 7, cleaning and warranty 5.
Who the K-Duo 60 oz fits best
Choose it if you want a K-Cup and carafe combo with a timer, Pause and Pour and auto off.
Who should skip the K-Duo 60 oz
Skip it if you want iced coffee settings or a stated warranty.
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5. Mr. Coffee Single Serve and 10-Cup Coffee Maker
- Only thermal carafe among the picks
- Select-a-Cup matches water to brew size
- Strong Brew Selector and water filtration
- Removable reservoir and reusable filter
- No single cup sizes or reservoir size listed
- Widest listed here at 15.16 inches
- No warranty listed
| Carafe | 10-cup stainless thermal |
|---|---|
| Pods | K-Cup compatible |
| Filter | Reusable |
| Dimensions | 7.36 x 15.16 x 15.43 in |
The Mr. Coffee dual brewer makes a single serving with a K-Cup compatible pod or up to 10 cups with grounds. It is the only pick here with a double-walled stainless steel thermal carafe, which the listing says keeps coffee hot for hours. A Strong Brew Selector makes a bolder cup.
Brew Later lets you set it ahead, and Grab-a-Cup Auto Pause lets you pour before the brew ends. The listing names water filtration, a removable reservoir and a reusable filter. The spec table lists 7.36 by 15.16 by 15.43 inches and Manual as a special feature, which conflicts with its programmable features. No warranty or reservoir size is given. Score: brew options 6, convenience 8, keep warm 8, cleaning and warranty 6.
Who the Mr. Coffee Dual fits best
Choose it if you want coffee that stays hot in a thermal carafe without a hot plate.
Who should skip the Mr. Coffee Dual
Skip it if you want listed single cup sizes or iced coffee settings.
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6. Pantrymade Dual Brew 12-Cup and Single Serve Coffee Maker
- Touch pad controls, the only ones listed here
- Single serve takes pods or ground coffee
- Adjustable, removable drip tray fits travel mugs
- Reusable #4 filter per the spec table
- No single cup sizes or reservoir size listed
- No pause feature listed
- No warranty listed
| Carafe | 12-cup glass |
|---|---|
| Controls | Touch pad, programmable |
| Filter | Reusable, #4 |
| Dimensions | 14.56 x 10.23 x 14.56 in |
The Pantrymade Dual Brew sets a 12-cup glass carafe and a single-serve brewer side by side. The single-serve side takes pods, and the description says it also brews ground coffee for a single cup. It is the only pick here with touchscreen controls, which the spec table lists as a touch pad. You can schedule the brew in advance.
An adjustable, removable drip tray fits travel mugs. A 2-hour auto shut-off is listed, and the description mentions an adjustable brew size. The spec table lists a reusable #4 filter and 14.56 by 10.23 by 14.56 inches. We left out its 17-pound weight, which looks high for a plastic brewer. No warranty is listed. Score: brew options 6, convenience 7, keep warm 6, cleaning and warranty 5.
Who the Pantrymade Dual Brew fits best
Choose it if you want a simple side-by-side combo with touch controls and a timer.
Who should skip the Pantrymade Dual Brew
Skip it if you want listed cup sizes, a pause feature or a warranty.
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How to Choose the Best Dual Coffee Maker for Your Household
Match the single cup side to your coffee
Some take only pods, while others include a reusable filter cup for grounds.
Check the carafe type
A glass carafe sits on a warming plate, so look for a listed hold time or temperature setting. A thermal carafe keeps coffee hot without a plate.
Look at the reservoir
A large, removable reservoir shared by both sides means fewer refills.
Measure your counter and cabinets
Compare the listed height, width and depth with your space, since spec tables here list heights up to 16.25 inches and one lists a side-mount reservoir option.
Decide which extras you will use
Timers, pause, over ice settings, frothers and hot water outlets vary by model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dual coffee maker for a busy household?
The Cuisinart SS-18 scores highest here. It lists 20 oz single cups, a hot water dispenser, 4-hour keep warm and a 3-year warranty.
Which dual coffee maker can I set the night before?
The Cuisinart SS-16 lists a 24-hour brew start, and both the Keurig K-Duo Gen 2 and K-Duo 60 oz list carafe Auto Brew up to 24 hours ahead. The Mr. Coffee Dual and Pantrymade Dual Brew also list brew scheduling.
Which dual coffee maker keeps coffee hot the longest?
The Cuisinart SS-18 lists keep warm up to 4 hours in half-hour steps, the only stated hold time here. The Mr. Coffee Dual uses a thermal carafe that the listing says keeps coffee hot for hours.
Can these machines brew a single cup with ground coffee?
The Cuisinart SS-16 and SS-18 include HomeBarista reusable filter cups, and the Pantrymade description says its single-serve side takes grounds.
Which dual coffee maker makes iced coffee?
The Cuisinart SS-16 and SS-18 list over ice settings for both single cups and carafes. The Keurig K-Duo Gen 2 lists Brew Over Ice for single cups, while the K-Duo 60 oz lists no over ice setting.
Final Verdict
The best dual coffee maker in this group is the Cuisinart SS-18 for its hot water dispenser, 4-hour keep warm and 3-year warranty. The Cuisinart SS-16 is the pick for five single cup sizes, a 24-hour timer and Brew Pause, and the Keurig K-Duo Gen 2 suits K-Cup users who want a 72 oz shared reservoir and 24-hour carafe Auto Brew. Check the current price and size on Amazon before you order.
Looking for something else? See our Single Serve Coffee Maker and Drip Coffee Maker guides, or browse Coffee Pod Organizers for your K-Cups.
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