It’s the age-old question: which is better, Keurig or Ninja coffee makers? In this blog post, we’re going to pit the two against each other in a dual brewing battle to see which one reigns supreme. So put on your boxing gloves and saddle up because it’s time for some serious brewing!
Over the years, I’ve had Keurig machines and Ninja coffee bar models at home. They both make great coffee, but some key differences between them might make one a better choice for you than the other.
Let’s start with a rundown of each machine in our Keurig K-Duo vs Ninja DualBrew showdown.
Keurig K-Duo
- Single-cup or carafe brewing
- Programmable timer
- Pause and pour function
- Smart start feature
- 60-ounce water reservoir
- Gold-tone mesh filter
- Strong brew function
Ninja DualBrew Pro
- Sleek design
- Four brew styles
- Built-in frother
- Dual-purpose brew basket
- 60-oz water reservoir
- Easy-to-use controls
- LCD screen
Keurig K-Duo Overview
The Keurig K-Duo is the best of both worlds. Whether you’re a coffee lover who wants to be able to brew a single cup or a carafe, or you want a machine that’s easy to use and takes up minimal counter space, the K-Duo has you covered. It’s also got some handy features like a programmable timer, a pause and pour function, and a smart start feature that heats and then brews in one simple process.
Unlike other Keurig’s, this coffee machine has a large 60-ounce water reservoir and is compatible with Keurig’s gold-tone mesh filter.
The Keurig K-Duo also has a strong brew function, which allows you to brew a more intense single cup of coffee. And if you’re in a hurry in the morning, no problem! The K-Duo can be programmed to brew a carafe up to 24 hours in advance automatically.
Ninja DualBrew Coffee Maker Overview
The Ninja DualBrew Coffee Maker is a versatile and user-friendly machine that’s perfect for both beginning coffee drinkers and experienced baristas alike. This coffee maker features a sleek design that will look great on any countertop, and it comes with all the features you need to make delicious coffee at home.
One of the best things about the Ninja dual coffee maker is its versatility. With this machine, you can brew both ground coffee and K-Cup coffee pods, and you have the option of four different brew styles: classic, rich, over ice, or specialty.
The Ninja coffee bar also features a built-in frother for making lattes and other coffeehouse drinks. Additionally, it has a 60-oz water reservoir that can be positioned on the side or rear of the machine.
Another great feature of Ninja dual coffee makers is its easy-to-use controls. The machine has an LCD screen that makes it easy to select your desired drip coffee brew settings, and it also has a clean function that makes maintenance a breeze.
Ninja vs Keurig Feature Comparison
Coffee brewing options
Both Keurig and Ninja offer a variety of coffee brewing options. Most importantly, both offer the ability to brew a full 12-cup carafe or single-serve coffee options.
The Keurig coffee machine has individual brew heads, either single cups or brewing a pot. Alternatively, the Ninja has a single brew head that uses an adapter so that you can brew K-cups or grounds coffee. This means you will need to be able to store the adapter somewhere when brewing with the carafe.
Specialty brewing options
When it comes to unique brewing options, the Ninja stands out. The Ninja offers the ability to make iced coffee, brew a super-rich coffee concentrate, and even has a specialty brew option to make espresso-style drinks.
The Keurig does have a stronger brew option, but it doesn’t have any additional specialty brewing options.
Water reservoirs
The Ninja coffee bar has a 60-ounce water reservoir that is shared between the single-serve and carafe brewing, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. The Keurig also has a 60-ounce water reservoir that’s shared between brewing options.
The removable water reservoir is a handy feature that both coffee machines have. This makes it easy to refill the reservoirs without having to move the entire coffee machine.
One standout feature of the Ninja is its adjustable water reservoir position. You can position the reservoir on the side or rear of the machine to fit your space.
Carafe brew size options
Both machines come with 12-cup carafes. The Keurig carafe is glass, while the Ninja’s has the option of a glass carafe or stainless steel carafe. Both devices offer the ability to brew a 6, 8, 10, or 12-cup pot of coffee.
The Ninja has the ability to brew classic, rich, and specialty pots of coffee in the carafe, while the Keurig does not.
K-Cup coffee pod brew size options
The Keurig coffee maker offers 4 cup size options: 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces. Likewise, the Ninja has the ability to brew a 6, 8, 10, or 12-ounce cup with its single-serve option.
The Ninja also offers the unique ability to brew larger single-serve cups if you use the non-pod options. An XL cup size (up to 24 ounces) is available and is perfect for those who need a little extra coffee in the morning.
Programmable options
Both coffee makers have programmable brewing options that allow you to set the time you want your coffee to brew up to 24 hours in advance. Just set it and forget it!
The Keurig also has a “smart start” feature that heats and then brews in one simple process. There is no need to wait for the machine to heat up before selecting your cup size.
The Ninja coffee maker takes things one step further with the ability to program not only the brew time but also the brew strength. So, if you like weaker or stronger coffee, you can set it to brew just the way you like it.
Pause and pour feature
Both Keurig and Ninja offer a “pause and pour” feature that allows you to pause the brewing process so that you can pour a cup before the entire pot. The Ninja’s pause is not automatic. There is a manual switch that you can move over that will stop the flow, so don’t forget to switch it back.
Water reservoir
This is where the Ninja has a significant lead over the Keurig. While both machines have a 60-ounce water reservoir, the Ninja also has an innovative feature that allows you to position the reservoir on the side or rear of the machine. This is a great space-saving feature that the Keurig does not have.
Display
The Keurig coffee maker has a small backlit display screen that displays the time and has small indicators for cup size and brew strength. The Ninja coffee maker has a large, easy-to-read display that shows all the same information as the Keurig, plus it also tells you how many cups or ounces of coffee it will make.
The Ninja display also has a clock function on the front so that you can easily see what time it is.
Dimensions
The Keurig coffee maker is 12.92″ tall by 10.94″ wide and 12.76″ deep inches, while the Ninja coffee maker is 11.39″ long by 9.13″ wide and 15.54″ tall inches.
Milk frother
Built into the Ninja DualBrew coffee maker is a frothing arm. It doesn’t heat up the milk, but it does give you the ability to make lattes and cappuccinos with ease. The Keurig coffee maker does not have anything to froth milk.
Heating Plate
Keeping coffee hot in a full carafe is not something you usually find in Keurig coffee makers, but the K-Duo does have this feature. The Ninja coffee maker also has a heating plate to keep coffee warm for up to 2 hours.
Both coffee makers also come with an automatic shut-off feature.
Cleaning option
When it comes to cleaning, both coffee machines have dishwasher-safe parts and easy-clean features. The Keurig has a deep clean function that allows you to clean your unit easily. The Ninja also has a clean function, but it is not as robust as the Keurig.
Final thoughts on Keurig K-Duo vs Ninja Dual Brew coffee maker
Each coffee maker has its own set of features that make it unique. If you are looking for a machine that can do it all, the Ninja DualBrew is the way to go. It is a great coffee maker that can make both single cups and full pots of coffee. The biggest bonus is its versatile brewing options. Capable of making both classic and specialty coffees, the Ninja caters to all taste preferences.
The Keurig K-Duo is also a great machine. It sticks more within the K-cup ecosystem, and while it can make an entire pot of coffee, it doesn’t have the same range of brewing options as the Ninja. If you are someone who loves K-cups, then the Keurig K-Duo is an excellent option for you.
So, there you have it! A comparison of Ninja coffee bar vs Keurig combination coffee maker. If you are still unsatisfied, check out our coffee gear section to discover more. Happy caffeinating!
