Imagine waking up and smelling fresh coffee brewing, but also wanting a quick espresso shot later. Does your kitchen countertop look like a coffee appliance graveyard, cluttered with a separate drip machine and a single-serve brewer? Many coffee lovers face this exact dilemma: needing the flexibility to brew a full pot for guests one minute and craft a strong, individual cup the next. Trying to find the perfect Coffee Maker Combo that handles both tasks without taking up half your counter space feels like a treasure hunt!
The market is flooded with machines promising everything, but often delivering mediocrity in one function or the other. You worry about sacrificing taste for convenience, or perhaps spending too much on two separate, high-quality units. This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the best Coffee Maker Combos available, breaking down features like brew strength, capacity, and ease of cleaning.
By the end of this post, you will know exactly which all-in-one machine fits your daily caffeine ritual and budget. Get ready to reclaim your counter space and elevate your morning routine!
Top Coffee Maker Combo Recommendations
- 3 WAYS TO BREW: With this 12 cup Hamilton Beach coffee maker, brew a single cup with a pod or coffee grounds or brew up to 12 cups using your favorite ground coffee
- FAST BREWING — BREW A SINGLE CUP IN ABOUT 90 SECONDS: In the morning, every second counts. Unlike 2 way coffee makers of the past, the FlexBrew Trio Coffee Machine prepares a single cup in 90 seconds so you have more time to enjoy your brew
- BREW 7 SINGLE SERVINGS WITHOUT REFILLING THE 56 OZ. WATER RESERVOIR: With this single serve coffee maker, you'll save time with fast 90-second brewing and a large 56 oz. water reservoir that can brew 7 cups without needing a refill
- WAKE-UP READY COFFEE WITH EASY-TOUCH PROGRAMMING: For the 12 cup coffee maker side, wake up to a hot mug by setting the Easy-Touch programming the night before; the backlit display clearly shows the time & settings.
- 5 SINGLE-SERVE SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM: Customize brewing size to your cup using the Hamilton Beach Flex Brew coffee machine; select 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 oz. with ground coffee or 6, 8 or 10 oz. via a pod — you'll get perfect amount in your cup
- 2 WAYS TO BREW: SINGLE CUP OR FULL POT. The included single-serve scoop makes it easy to just scoop, place and brew. You can brew up to 14 oz. into a cup or travel mug on the single-serving side or make up to 12 cups on the carafe side with ground coffee.
- SIMPLE SINGLE-SERVE BREWING: With the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee to the single cup coffee maker couldn’t be easier: just scoop, place and brew. (Not compatible with K-Cup* pods.)
- ECO-FRIENDLY AND EASY ON YOUR WALLET. For fresh flavor and less waste, skip the plastic pods. Since this Hamilton Beach coffee maker doesn't use K-Cup* pods, there's less to buy and throw away.
- HAMILTON BEACH PROGRAMMABLE COFFEE MAKER WITH MULTIPLE BREW SETTINGS: Choose whether to make a single cup or full pot, select bold or regular brew strength options, and program the coffee maker up to 24 hours in advance for wake-up ready coffee.
- GET YOUR FIRST CUP FAST WITH AN AutoPause & Pour COFFEE MACHINE: Enjoy a quick cup while your coffee is still brewing. There's no need to wait for the full pot, thanks to the AutoPause & Pour feature on this carafe and single-serve coffee maker.
- BREW BY THE CUP OR CARAFE: Brews both K-Cup pods and coffee grounds.
- MULTISTREAM TECHNOLOGY: Saturates the grounds evenly to extract full flavor and aroma in every cup, hot or cold.
- BREW OVER ICE: Adjusts temperature for maximum flavor and less ice melt for single-cup iced coffees and teas.
- STRONG BREW & EXTRA HOT FUNCTIONALITY: Brews a stronger, more intense-flavored cup and the extra hot feature brews a hotter single cup.
- MULTIPLE BREW SIZES: Brew 6, 8, 10, or 12oz single cups or 6, 8, 10, or 12-cup carafes. 12-cup glass carafe specially designed to limit dripping.
- 2 WAYS TO BREW: SINGLE CUP OR FULL POT. The included single-serve scoop makes it easy to just scoop, place and brew. You can brew up to 14 oz. into a cup or travel mug on the single-serving side or make up to 12 cups on the carafe side with ground coffee.
- SIMPLE SINGLE-SERVE BREWING: With the included mesh scoop, adding your favorite ground coffee to the single cup coffee maker couldn’t be easier: just scoop, place and brew. (Not compatible with K-Cup* pods.)
- ECO-FRIENDLY AND EASY ON YOUR WALLET. For fresh flavor and less waste, skip the plastic pods. Since this Hamilton Beach coffee maker doesn't use K-Cup* pods, there's less to buy and throw away.
- 2 HOUR KEEP WARM WITH AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF. How many times have you walked out the door, only to wonder: did I turn the coffee maker off? Now there's no worry or turning around to check, since the coffee maker turns off automatically after 2 hours.
- GET YOUR FIRST CUP FAST WITH AN AutoPause & Pour COFFEE MACHINE: Enjoy a quick cup while your coffee is still brewing. There's no need to wait for the full pot, thanks to the AutoPause & Pour feature on this carafe and single-serve coffee maker.
- 4-IN-1 BARISTA BAR: The Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffee Maker lets you enjoy up to 12 cups of coffee (cup equals approx. 5 oz. (varies by brewing technique) and single-serve cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso.)
- CONVENIENT FEATURES: This coffee machine with fully automatic brewing and 24-hour programmability allows you to customize your coffee's freshness with adjustable Keep Warm up to 4 hours and Brew Pause features.
- BREW CONTROL: Tailor the strength of your brew with the brew strength control and savor the rich flavors with the included gold-tone, commercial-style permanent filter and charcoal water filter.
- SINGLE SERVE BREWER: Choose from three brewing sizes: 6 oz., 8 oz., and 10 oz. to suit your preferred coffee strength, compatible with Keurig K-Cup or other single serve pods to satisfy your caffeine cravings.
- NESPRESSO COMPATIBLE CAPSULE BREWER: The coffeemaker is compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine-style capsules to allow you to delight in both single and double espresso sizes.
- 13-SIZE DUAL COFFEE MAKER: Grounds and pods system with 5 grounds brew sizes (Sm, XL Cup, Travel, XL Travel Mug), 4 carafe sizes (¼, ½, ¾, Full Carafe), and 4 traditional pod brew sizes (6-12oz).
- FASTER BREWING: Brew a coffee pod faster than a leading Keurig coffee maker upon startup. Compatible with K-Cups, it's perfect for a busy lifestyle while delivering optimal flavor.
- 4 BREW STYLE CHOICES + TEA: Deliver optimal flavor for hot coffee, ice coffee, or tea. Select Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty for your favorite grounds or coffee pods, or water for tea.
- INDEPENDENT HOT WATER SYSTEM: Separate from the coffee dispenser to eliminate cross-contamination. 2 temperature settings—hot and boil—allow you to make instant soups, oatmeal, or hot cocoa.
- SPECIALTY BREW: Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- BREW RICH, FLAVORFUL COFFEE: The unique AquaFlow showerhead of the drip coffee maker directs water over the entire brew basket for optimal saturation of coffee grounds.
- 2 WAYS TO BREW – GRAB A CUP TO GO OR ENJOY A FULL POT: Brew a single-serve cup or a full coffee carafe with your favorite ground coffee. With this programmable coffee maker, it's easy to brew coffee either way. Not compatible with K-Cup* pods.
- BREW YOUR WAY WITH 6 SETTINGS INCLUDING ICED COFFEE: The 2-in-1 coffee machine lets you customize your cup of coffee or the full pot just the way you like it with regular, bold, hot and iced coffee options.
- INTUITIVE TOUCH DISPLAY — PROGRAMMABLE UP TO 24 HOURS AHEAD: Whether you're making a full pot or brewing into a single-serve cup, you can program the Hamilton Beach coffee maker up to 24 hours in advance using the intuitive touchscreen display.
- SIMPLE SINGLE-SERVE BREWING: Brew a cup for one using loose ground coffee. With the included mesh scoop, adding ground coffee to the single-serve coffee maker side couldn’t be easier: just scoop, place and brew. (Not compatible with K-Cup* pods.)
- 5 WAYS TO BREW: This Single Serve Coffee Maker & 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker combo can brew a single iced or hot cup with a K-Cup* pod or ground coffee, and you can use your favorite ground coffee to brew a whole pot — the choice is yours.
- SPACE-SAVING DESIGN & SLIM FOOTPRINT: At first glance, this streamlined coffee machine might look like a single-serve brewer. Take a second look and you'll find that its innovative design has a 12 cup glass carafe hidden from view on its side.
- WAKE UP TO A SINGLE CUP OR 12 CUPS: The touchscreen of this programmable coffee maker has Auto Brew to let you wake up to a fresh-brewed single cup or up to 12 cups in the carafe. Control strength with regular and bold options.
- DUAL-POSITION 60 OZ. WATER RESERVOIR: This Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker has a removable reservoir that can be positioned on the back or side of the 12 cup coffee maker to best fit your space and optimize your brewing needs.
- FAST BREWING — BREW A SINGLE CUP IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES: In the morning, every second counts. This 5 way dual coffee maker prepares a single hot cup in less than 2 minutes so you have more time to enjoy your coffee.
The Ultimate Coffee Maker Combo Buying Guide
A coffee maker combo is a fantastic appliance. It brings together two great things: a regular drip coffee maker and a single-serve pod brewer. This guide helps you pick the best one for your kitchen. You get flexibility and great coffee every time.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a combo unit, look closely at what it offers. These features make a big difference in your daily routine.
Dual Brewing Capability
- Make a full pot for guests using the drip side.
- Brew one quick cup using the single-serve side for yourself.
- Ensure both sides work well together without taking up too much counter space.
Programmability and Timer
A good combo unit lets you set it up the night before. You wake up to the smell of fresh coffee. Look for a 24-hour programmable timer. This saves you precious minutes in the morning.
Carafe Type
Some machines use a glass carafe, others use a thermal (stainless steel) carafe. Thermal carafes keep coffee hot longer without burning it on a hot plate. Glass carafes are cheaper but need a warming plate.
Water Reservoir
Check the size of the water tank. A larger reservoir means you fill it less often. Some models have separate tanks for the drip and single-serve sides. Others share one large tank. Shared tanks are often easier to manage.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used in your coffee maker affect its lifespan and how clean your coffee tastes.
BPA-Free Plastics
Most modern coffee makers use plastic components near the water path. Make sure these plastics are labeled “BPA-free.” This keeps harmful chemicals out of your drink.
Stainless Steel Components
Stainless steel is durable. Look for stainless steel elements in the heating system and the thermal carafe. These materials resist rust and hold up well over time.
Filter Baskets
Some units use permanent, reusable mesh filters. Others require paper filters. Permanent filters save money and are better for the environment.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all combos brew coffee the same way. Small details affect the final taste.
Brew Strength Control
High-quality machines offer a “bold” or “regular” setting. The bold setting slows down the water flow slightly. This lets the grounds steep longer, improving flavor extraction.
Showerhead Design
The way water hits the coffee grounds is crucial. A good showerhead wets all the grounds evenly. Uneven wetting leads to weak, sour coffee.
Cleaning Features
Descaling is important for machine health. Some units have an automatic cleaning cycle. This feature significantly reduces the effort needed to maintain the machine.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the machine every day.
Counter Space
Combo units can be wide. Measure your counter space before buying. Tall machines might not fit under low cabinets.
Ease of Use
The controls should be simple. Can you easily switch between the single-serve side and the drip side? Clear, backlit displays help users operate the machine in low light.
Single-Serve Pod Compatibility
If you use the single-serve side often, check which pod types it accepts. Most take K-Cup pods, but some older models take different styles. Ensure compatibility with your favorite pods.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Coffee Maker Combos
Q: Are coffee maker combos harder to clean than single brewers?
A: Sometimes they are slightly more complex because you have two systems to maintain. However, many models include easy-access components for simple cleaning.
Q: Do coffee maker combos make weaker coffee?
A: No. Quality combo units use separate brewing mechanisms for each side. The drip side brews like a standard machine, and the single-serve side uses pressure for a strong individual cup.
Q: Can I use my own ground coffee in the single-serve side?
A: Many single-serve sections include a reusable filter basket. This lets you use your favorite ground coffee instead of pre-packaged pods.
Q: How much counter space do these machines usually take up?
A: They vary greatly. Expect a width between 10 to 15 inches. Always check the exact dimensions before purchasing.
Q: What is the main advantage of a combo unit?
A: The main advantage is versatility. You satisfy multiple coffee drinkers in one household easily.
Q: Do thermal carafes keep coffee hot all day?
A: Thermal carafes keep coffee hot for several hours (usually 3-4 hours). They do not keep it hot as long as a thermos, but they prevent the burnt taste from a hot plate.
Q: How important is the water filter system?
A: It is very important for taste. Water filters remove chlorine and sediment, making your coffee taste cleaner and brighter.
Q: Are combo units more expensive than buying two separate machines?
A: Generally, buying a quality combo unit costs less than buying a separate high-end drip machine and a separate single-serve brewer.
Q: What does “pause and serve” mean on a drip machine?
A: This feature lets you pause the brewing cycle briefly. You can pour a cup before the entire pot is finished brewing.
Q: Should I choose a machine with a warming plate or a thermal carafe?
A: If you drink coffee slowly over many hours, choose the thermal carafe. If you drink the whole pot quickly, a warming plate is fine.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!