One machine for your solo mug and the pot for everyone else, with a few quirks to know about.
Our Quick Take
In this Hamilton Beach 2 way coffee maker review, the big idea is two separate brewing systems sharing one body: a regular 12 cup drip side, and a smaller side that fills a single mug with your own grounds, no pods involved.
That flexibility is handy when the people in a home drink different amounts of coffee. The trade-offs are slower mug brewing, a brew temperature on the cool side, and a large footprint, so it pays off mostly if you truly use both sides.
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Best for
Households where one person wants a mug and another wants a pot
Skip it if
Pod fans, speed seekers, and anyone with limited counter space
Key Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Layout | A drip carafe on one side and a mug-sized brewer on the other |
| Pot size | 12 cups, about 60 oz at 5 oz per cup, in a glass carafe |
| Mug side | Fills a mug of up to about 14 oz, with a removable platform for regular and travel mugs |
| Mug side coffee | Your own ground coffee in a reusable mesh basket, no pods |
| Pot side filters | Flat-bottom paper filters, with no permanent filter in the box |
| Scheduling | Programmable a day ahead |
| Strength | Regular and bold |
| Footprint | About 10.6 in deep, 12.2 in wide, and 13.7 in tall |
| Measured brew temperature | About 195°F in one independent test |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Pour yourself one mug without brewing a pot you will not finish
- The mug side uses ordinary ground coffee, so there are no pod costs and no pod waste
- One purchase covers a quiet weekday cup and a weekend carafe, and costs less than buying two machines
- A timer, a regular and bold choice, and a pause for pouring early on the carafe side
- The mesh basket on the mug side is reusable, so no filters to buy for that half
Cons
- The mug side is slow, taking roughly five minutes for a 12 oz cup including warm-up
- Only one side can run at a time, and the hot plate switches off during a mug brew
- No permanent filter is included for the carafe, so you will need paper filters
- An independent test measured the brew at about 195°F, at the low end of the ideal range
- Coffee left sitting on the glass carafe’s hot plate can taste scorched
- It takes up a lot of counter space
Hamilton Beach 2 Way Coffee Maker Review: What You Are Buying
Picture two small coffee makers that share a body. On one side sits a classic drip brewer with a 12 cup glass carafe. On the other side is a mug-sized brewer with its own water tank and its own basket. They share one heating element, which is why they cannot run at the same time.
The mug side is the unusual part. It does not use K-Cups or other pods. You scoop your own grounds into a reusable mesh basket, set a mug on the removable platform, and brew up to about 14 ounces. The same basket also acts as the measuring scoop, so there is one less tool to find.
How It Brews: What Independent Testing Found
A reviewer at HomeGrounds measured the brew temperature at roughly 195°F, the cool end of the 195 to 205°F range that coffee professionals aim for. Their verdict on flavor was good but not exceptional, much like other affordable drip machines, with darker roasts coming out better than lighter ones. Switching on the bold option helped.
Time is another factor. The reviewer reported about five minutes for a 12 ounce mug, including warm-up, and about 10 to 12 minutes for a whole pot. That is slower than a pod machine, so if you need a cup in under two minutes, this is not the right tool.
The carafe side lacks a bloom step and a showerhead, so extraction can be uneven. The mug side does not share that flaw. Both sides can be scheduled up to a day ahead.
Is the Two Way Coffee Brewer Worth It?
The value comes from flexibility. If two people in a home drink different amounts, one machine saves money over two and reduces waste, because you can brew a single mug without pouring out the rest of a pot.
It is less appealing if you only ever need one format. A dedicated drip machine or a dedicated pod brewer would be faster, simpler, and smaller.
Care and Cleaning
Most of the removable pieces can go in the dishwasher, and a damp cloth takes care of the base. Plan to descale with vinegar and water about twice a year, or sooner in hard water areas. Our cleaning tutorial has the details.
How It Compares
Compared with the Keurig K-Duo, this machine skips pods, so each mug costs less but takes longer to brew. Compared with a simple 12 cup machine, you give up counter space in exchange for the mug side.
Want to see every option side by side? Browse our Top 10 Best Auto Drip Coffee Makers.
Buy it if
- People in your home drink different amounts of coffee
- You prefer to use your own ground coffee
- You like having a timer
Skip it if
- You want to use K-Cup pods
- You need quick mugs or very hot coffee
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hamilton Beach 2 way coffee brewer use K-Cups?
No. The mug side runs on loose ground coffee in a reusable mesh basket, and pods will not work.
Can this Hamilton Beach 2 in 1 coffee maker brew both sides at once?
No. Both sides share a heating element, so you brew one at a time.
How large a mug can it fill?
The mug side fills up to about 14 ounces, and the removable platform makes room for regular and travel mugs.
Is the Hamilton Beach two way coffee brewer programmable?
Yes. You can schedule it up to a day ahead and choose between regular and bold strength.
Final Verdict
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer suits homes with mixed coffee habits. It is not the fastest or the fanciest, but it handles a quiet morning mug and a weekend pot for a fair price. Just be sure you have the counter space.