Imagine waking up, craving both a quick, strong cup of drip coffee and a fancy, foamy latte. Do you need two separate machines cluttering your counter? Many coffee lovers face this daily dilemma. Having different gadgets for different brews takes up valuable kitchen space and often means extra cleaning.
Choosing the perfect combo coffee maker adds another layer of confusion. Should you focus on the espresso quality or the drip speed? Does one machine truly handle both tasks well? You want versatility without sacrificing taste or convenience. It’s a balancing act that often leaves buyers feeling overwhelmed by technical jargon and too many features.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down what makes a great combination machine. You will learn exactly what features matter most, ensuring you invest in a brewer that satisfies every coffee mood, from your Monday morning rush to your relaxing weekend treat.
Ready to declutter your counter and upgrade your morning routine? Let’s dive into the best ways to get the best of both worlds in one powerful appliance.
Top Combo Coffee Maker 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 FOR ONE OR MANY: Perfect for holiday hosting or cozy mornings, brew a single cup or a full 12-cup carafe to serve family and friends with ease.
- MULTISTREAM TECHNOLOGY FOR FULL FLAVOR: Extracts rich taste and aroma in every brew, ideal for festive gatherings and seasonal sipping.
- SEASONAL VERSATILITY WITH BREW OVER ICE & STRONG BREW: Enjoy refreshing iced coffee or bold, energizing cups to power through holiday hustle.
- EXTRA-LARGE 72 OZ RESERVOIR FOR STRESS-FREE HOSTING: Brew multiple cups or carafes without constant refills, perfect for entertaining guests.
- PROGRAMMABLE AUTO BREW FOR HASSLE-FREE MORNINGS: Schedule your carafe up to 24 hours ahead for effortless holiday mornings and brunches.
- FASTER BREWING: Single serve coffee maker brews a coffee pod faster vs. Keurig K-Elite upon startup. Compatible with K-Cups, it's perfect for a busy lifestyle while delivering optimal flavor.
- DUAL SYSTEM: Grounds and pods system with 9 grounds brew sizes (Sm Cup, Cup, XL Cup, Travel Mug, XL Travel Mug, ¼ Carafe, ½ Carafe, ¾ Carafe, Full Carafe) and 4 pod brew sizes (6, 8, 10, 12 oz.).
- 3 BREW STYLE CHOICES: Select Classic, Rich, or Over Ice for your favorite grounds or coffee pods. The iced and hot coffee maker delivers optimal flavor that never tastes watered down.
- ICED COFFEE: Brew your favorite grounds or pods fresh over ice for flavorful iced coffee that's never watered down. Plus, customize your ice coffee sizing with 9 grounds sizes and 4 pod sizes.
- KEEP WARM FUNCTION: Adjustable warming plate keeps coffee warm for up to 4 hours. Upgrade traditional coffee pot and coffee makers with custom carafe sizing plus Delay Brew and Keep Warm Functions.
- 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.
- 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.
- No waiting time with Dual Heating System Allows you to brew coffee and espresso simultaneously.
- Italian 15 BAR pressure pump Experience authentic espressos brewed at the optimal pressure for rich flavor.
- Advanced Steam wand Choose micro-foam setting to steam milk for lattes or treat yourself to authentic cappuccinos with Cappuccino setting on the Advanced Steam Wand
- 24 Hour programmable timer and Digital Touchscreen Enjoy intuitive and enhanced experience with Digital Touchscreen and wake up to freshly brewed coffee with the digital timer.
- Bold Setting function Customize your preference of flavor and aroma for a rich, yet smooth coffee experience
- 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.
The Ultimate Combo Coffee Maker Buying Guide
A combo coffee maker is a fantastic appliance. It mixes the best of two worlds: a standard drip coffee maker and a single-serve pod brewer. This guide helps you choose the perfect one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at these important features. They make a big difference in your daily coffee routine.
Brew Capacity and Versatility
- Drip Size Options: Check if the drip side handles a full 12-cup carafe or smaller amounts. Some models let you brew just 1-4 cups on the drip side.
- Single-Serve Compatibility: Most use K-Cup style pods. See if the machine includes an adapter for reusable pods. This saves money and helps the environment.
- Programmability: A fully programmable timer is a must-have. You can set it the night before, and wake up to fresh coffee!
Brew Quality Controls
- Temperature Stability: Good coffee needs hot water. Look for machines that heat water quickly and keep it hot during the brewing cycle.
- Brew Strength Selector: Some advanced models let you choose between regular or bold flavor profiles.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used affect how long your machine lasts and how clean your coffee tastes.
Carafe Material
- Glass Carafe: These are easy to clean and allow you to see how much coffee is left. However, they can break easily.
- Thermal Carafe (Stainless Steel): These keep coffee hot for hours without a warming plate. Warming plates can “cook” the coffee, making it taste bitter over time. Thermal carafes are usually better for taste preservation.
Internal Components
The water reservoir should be made of sturdy, BPA-free plastic. Check reviews for complaints about leaks or plastic taste transferring to the coffee. Stainless steel heating elements generally last longer than plastic ones.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A few design choices really boost the performance of your combo maker.
Quality Boosters
- Separate Water Reservoirs: The best machines have two separate water tanks—one for the drip side and one for the pod side. This keeps the systems clean and prevents flavor crossover.
- Removable Parts: Components like the brew baskets and pod holders must be easy to remove for cleaning.
Quality Reducers (What to Avoid)
- Small Water Reservoirs: If the tank is too small, you refill it constantly. This becomes annoying fast.
- Complex Cleaning Cycles: If the machine requires a complicated descaling process, many users skip it. Skipping maintenance reduces the lifespan of the machine.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about who will use this machine and when.
For the Busy Family
If you have a large family or host guests, prioritize the 12-cup drip function. Programmability is essential so everyone gets coffee right when they wake up.
For the Solo Drinker
If you live alone or sometimes just need one cup quickly, focus on the single-serve side. Look for fast heat-up times on the pod brewer.
Counter Space
Combo makers take up more space than single brewers. Measure your counter depth and height before buying. A taller machine might not fit under your cabinets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Combo Coffee Makers
Q: Do I need to use different water for the pod side and the drip side?
A: Not usually. Most models use the same water source. However, the best machines have separate internal plumbing so the coffee flavor does not mix between brewing methods.
Q: Are combo makers harder to clean than regular drip machines?
A: They require a little more attention. You must clean both the drip basket area and the single-serve needle area regularly. Descaling is important for both functions.
Q: Can I use my favorite ground coffee in the pod side?
A: Yes, most combo makers include a reusable filter basket or adapter. You just fill this adapter with your own grounds instead of using pre-packaged pods.
Q: Which side brews faster, the drip or the single-serve?
A: The single-serve pod brewer is almost always faster. It heats a small amount of water instantly, usually brewing a cup in under a minute.
Q: Do I need a specific type of water filter?
A: Many higher-end models come with charcoal water filters built into the reservoir. These improve taste. If your machine does not have one, using filtered tap water is highly recommended.
Q: How long does the coffee stay hot in a thermal carafe versus a glass carafe with a warmer?
A: A thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for 2 to 4 hours without changing the flavor much. A glass carafe on a warming plate keeps coffee hot longer, but the flavor starts to degrade after about 30 minutes.
Q: What is the most common user complaint about these machines?
A: Users often complain about the machine being too tall for standard kitchen cabinets or the drip side not reaching a high enough temperature for optimal extraction.
Q: Are K-Cup machines worth the extra cost?
A: Yes, for convenience. They eliminate measuring and cleanup for individual cups. If you drink coffee only occasionally, a simple drip machine might save you money.
Q: What should I look for in the warranty?
A: Aim for a minimum one-year limited warranty. Check what the warranty covers—usually, it covers electrical failure but not physical damage from dropping parts.
Q: Can I use this machine to make hot water for tea?
A: Many models allow you to run a brewing cycle without coffee grounds or a pod inserted. This dispenses hot water directly into your mug for tea or oatmeal.