Ranking The Best And Worst Brands For Your Morning Fix
For so many people throughout the world, the day begins with a cup of coffee. And since a good cup of Joe is so important to start their days off right, they want to be sure they're getting the right stuff. But with so many brands out there, it can be hard to tell what's worth buying and what's a waste of beans.
Although some of these brands may not be everywhere, most of them are large enough that the local supermarket should only be missing a few of them. Regardless, it's always good to know where the most popular coffee brands of the day stand before a shopping trip.
BEST: Community Coffee
Known for its scrappy, independent roots, the family-owned Louisiana brand Community Coffee is now offered nationwide and has attracted a devoted following. As shown here, it's also known for coming in a wide variety of quirky flavors.
However, there are more traditional varieties too, and according to Tasting Table, the beans used in them are sourced from Guatemala and Mexico, and the recipe has been reliably enjoyable since 1919. Strong and flavorful, Community Coffee has proved to be a dependable brand.
WORST: Maxwell House
Maxwell House is an established brand of instant coffee, but if it was ever good, that no longer seems to be the case. According to The Old Coffee Pot, that's because it's made from a low-cost combination of Arabica and Robusta beans, which give it more caffeine but a harsher drinking experience.
Unfortunately, even those looking for value from Maxwell House would be disappointed until fairly recently. According to Bloomberg Law, the company reached a $16 million settlement in 2021 after they were found to be overstating how many cups of coffee can be made from a single package.
BEST: La Colombe
According to the Food Network, La Colombe is ethically sourced and includes recyclable packaging, but neither of these positive qualities really tell anyone how it tastes. However, the brand is also more accommodating in this respect than other brands are.
Although most brands have a light, medium, and dark roast, La Colombe is significantly more precise about their range of coffee. To fit any palate, they also offer precise roasts like dark-medium and medium-light. It's hard to go wrong with their coffee.
WORST: Eight O'Clock Coffee
On paper, Eight O'Clock Coffee has a lot going for it. It's a surprisingly affordable brand, it comes in a wide array of fun flavors like Texas Pecan Praline, and it's one of the more aromatic brands available. Yet, while it's certainly not terrible, it's a little disappointing.
That's because the flavors of the coffee's more gimmicky variants tend to dissipate after a few sips, only leaving a ghost of the taste that once enticed the senses. Although its original blend has some sweet notes of fruit, it has a similar problem. It's the La Croix of coffees.
BEST: Blk And Bold
Blk and Bold emerged amid a wave of positive press as a Black-owned business that donates 5% of profits to various programs that support at-risk youths. But while this consideration and its fair trade certification speak well to the character of its owners, they don't have much to do with the coffee.
Fortunately, their products are also highly regarded, as Kenneth Davids of Coffee Review described them as using high-quality Arabica beans from Ethiopia dried by natural techniques. He also described their blends as sweet, if a little acidic, and refreshing in their originality.
WORST: Nescafé
Although many instant coffee brands are more about value and convenience than taste, it seems that Nescafé has nonetheless fallen particularly far in the minds of long-time customers. According to the Manchester Evening News, this backlash was prompted by a change to their original blend in 2017.
Although the company told the outlet that the change was supposed to introduce a fuller flavor, consumer reports suggest that this does not describe how the coffee now tastes at all. Instead, they've compared it to drinking dishwater.
BEST: Peet's Coffee
According to Mashed, Alfred Peet was such an influential figure in coffee that even Starbucks owes its start to him. And his ironclad process has made it so the company that bears his name consistently produces fresh, quality coffee.
It's known for tasting fresher than many other brands because the robust beans the company selects are immediately sealed after they're hand-roasted. Their Major Dickason's Blend is particularly popular, and the Food Network added that its simple water-treated nature makes its decaf version the best of its kind.
WORST: New England Coffee
According to Mashed, New England Coffee was such a favorite throughout the 20th Century that its demand grew hundreds of miles beyond that region. But in the decade since the company was sold to one in New Orleans, it hasn't been so easy to see why.
The company is known for offering an uncanny array of blends and flavors, but its breakfast blend seems to be the most popular. Although this light-to-medium roast is arguably a little boring, it's also smooth and nicely balanced. Unfortunately, the other flavors tend to be more mediocre than anything.
BEST: Caribou Coffee
According to Tasting Table, Minnesota-based chain Caribou Coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified and freshly made. Although there are certainly fancier coffee brands, Caribou's offerings are consistently strong and flavorful. In particular, the Mahogany blend is considered a great dark roast.
However, it seems that those who prefer lighter blends won't necessarily disappointed either. Although the Mahogany blend is rich and earthy, their lighter fare is more tangy. Sometimes, it's all about getting the basics right, and Caribou seems to have that down.
WORST: Yuban
Although Tasting Table credited Yuban for its proud, century-long history and sustainable business practices, including a Rainforest Alliance certification, it seems the brand has fallen into hard times. Although Eat This, Not This said Yuban once used 100% Colombian beans, this is no longer the case.
Since that change occurred, it seems that taste has suffered. The outlet also pointed out that the company's messaging about its Robusta and Arabica blend from Latin America and other unspecified tropical regions suggests it's using the cheapest beans it can find.
BEST: Intelligentsia's Choice
Among coffee drinkers, there's a certain type whose passions for the drink are only inflamed by the best of the best. Some may call them snobs, while others may call them connoisseurs, but they're very particular about their coffee. For these people, Intelligentsia's Choice is one of the most popular coffee brands.
According to the Food Network, the brand is known for carefully selected single-origin coffees like Kenya Gichathaini, Rwanda Busanze, and Honduras Caballero Family. Intelligentsia's Choice is so precious about its beans that the same ones will taste different depending on the time of year.
WORST: Seattle's Best
Despite its name, Seattle's Best is what happens when an established coffee brand lowers its standards. According to Business Insider, Starbucks launched the brand as a way to attract customers who are turned off by the company's trendy image.
However, it seems the brand doesn't think much of these customers because while it does offer some organic varieties, all of its various flavors carry the same aggressively bitter aftertaste. It seems oddly appropriate that bitterness would characterize Starbucks' attempts to reach out to customers it alienated.
BEST: Don Francisco's Coffee
Although it's not as well known as some of the other brands listed here, Don Francisco's coffee has attracted some passionate fans for its pleasant aroma, smoothness, and rich flavors. Kenneth Davids of Coffee Review agreed, noting hints of vanilla, honey, flowers, and chocolate in its Colombia Supremo blend.
Davids awarded the coffee high scores in its strength, acidity, and aftertaste but was the most complimentary about its flavor and aroma. Although some people may argue that it's possible to find a better-tasting coffee than Don Francisco's, it seems difficult to find one that smells better.
WORST: Green Mountain
Since they're a signature brand for those who use Keurig K-Cups, Green Mountain coffees are often maligned for the impact of the machine's design philosophy on the environment. However, many of Green Mountain's best-known blends are average at best and disappointing at worst.
Serious Eats rated their Nantucket Blend as decently strong with fruity and chocolatey flavors but found that flavored profile a little muddled. Its popular Breakfast Blend and Our Blend fared worse with the website, as both were described as tasting stale, and the latter was weak.
BEST: Stumptown
According to the Food Network, a popular choice among coffee hipsters is Stumptown's signature Hair Bender blend, which is great for making espresso. However, it's a more versatile blend than that and can stand just fine on its own.
It's described as a complex blend with a full body but also some subtle sweet notes to keep it from getting too dark or bitter. Its richness makes it a generally enjoyable drink that also pairs well with milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
WORST: Folgers
Although Mashed explained that Folgers was in business for about half a century before they started making their Classic Roast Instant Coffee, it now practically defines the brand. However, any expectation of quality that may come from this long-standing popularity is apparently ill-founded.
After all, the customer feedback for it in modern times suggests that this coffee tastes burnt when it has a flavor at all. As one commenter put it, "This tastes like day-old percolator coffee that had been reheated in the microwave. I mean that literally."
BEST: Starbucks
Although Starbucks is known for a wide array of sugary, colorful drinks that don't seem like they resemble coffee at all, the popularity of those drinks has a way of overshadowing its signature blend. It's also easy to forget that it expanded the popularity of traditional espresso.
According to Tasting Table, Starbucks achieved its early gains with its Pike Place roast before the company created its more attention-grabbing drinks, and its quality shouldn't be underestimated. Dark and heavy without tasting burnt, this roast carries notes of toasted nuts.
WORST: McCafé
Right off the bat, it's worth noting that McCafé has some passionate defenders. They'll likely remind others that McDonald's served coffee from the very beginning and that those will give it a chance will find McCafé pretty good when they pull into the drive-through.
However, they should note that Mashed agrees but warns that the McCafé available in stores is nothing like what's available in the restaurant. No matter what roast or blend people buy, it will only end up tasting burnt when they take it home.
BEST: Dunkin Donuts
According to Caffeine Informer, all of Dunkin' Donuts' espresso beverages are Rainforest Alliance certified. That's also true of about 30% of their dark roast beans, but it's unclear where the rest are sourced from.
That said, the results have proved consistently flavorful and include a wide variety of different blends, some being more gimmicky than others. Although it's hardly a brand known for organic coffee and could contain chemicals, its taste has remained consistent over the years.
WORST: Chock Full O' Nuts
According to Tasting Table, the unusual name of this brand comes from the fact that it was a nut-roasting firm before the Great Depression, which prompted a switch to cheaper (at the time) coffee beans. Although the company's coffee is known for lasting long, it's not known for tasting good.
As a fan mentioned in a message to Coffee Detective, this wasn't always the case. However, Chock Full O' Nuts has increased the amount of Robusta beans in its blend in recent years, which has made its coffee blander and more bitter.
BEST: Lavazza
Considered one of the most celebrated luminaries of Italian coffee, Lavazza also has a reputation for its punishing intensity. However, Tasting Table explained that the super dark variants that earned this reputation are only a fraction of the company's total offerings.
In particular, the Classico is considered a strong and flavorful blend, but the Gran Selezione's chocolate notes and savory richness make it a potential favorite among Lavazza customers. The company's lighter blends also aren't supposed to be any less flavorful.
WORST: Death Wish Coffee
It's not unusual for Death Wish Coffee to cost about $20 a bag, but the company justifies it by promising more caffeine than any other coffee manufacturer. Unfortunately, the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee doesn't make it taste better.
Eat This, Not That described the company as using Robusta beans for the extra caffeine, but those beans have a way of making coffee more bitter. Other consumers have also described it as tasting burnt, which doesn't help. Caffeine isn't everything.
BEST: illy Coffee
According to Tasting Table, illy has all but put Trieste, Italy, on the map as a hotbed of coffeemaking, and that's because it's tough to find more flavorful blends. That flavor comes at a price, but illy customers get what they pay for.
Aside from being a cut above in the taste department, illy coffee is smooth with a delicate balance and is versatile as a base for various styles of drink. It's primarily used for espresso, but customers can get as much value out of a French press or a standard coffee machine.
WORST: Tim Hortons
Although Tim Hortons has been a Canadian favorite for decades, it seems that the reputation of the chain's coffee has shifted downward in recent years. While it used to be considered a great place to get a cup, the tasting experience is more inconsistent now.
Some will still describe it as fairly decent, but others are known to use words like "stale," "sour," or "burnt" to describe it. According to The Guardian, the coffee's bland reputation could be the result of increased competition with other brands rather than any real change, but it's nonetheless a prevailing one.
BEST: Equal Exchange
Although this photo shows that Equal Exchange also has some interest in the chocolate market, they're primarily known as a coffee company that spearheaded fair trade practices intended to help otherwise exploited coffee farmers. But while that's great, it's not entirely related to the coffee's quality.
Fortunately, Tasting Table suggested that this is also good, as Equal Exchange can be counted on for a smooth, balanced blend. Their Women In Coffee series showcases the work of female-led operations and is characterized by sweet blends accented with brown sugar.
WORST: Gevalia
This Swedish coffee brand gives every impression that it's a more gourmet company with fancy, golden packaging to match. However, it seems that only its price really matches that glowing self-image. Although it's hardly terrible, the actual coffee isn't really worth the money.
Instead, Mashed described Gevalia's coffee as tasting like fairly average coffee compared to gourmet brands like illy, Intelligentsia, or Lavazza. And even when customers do find a special blend among their offerings, the company is frustratingly quick to discontinue them.
BEST: RISE Brewing Company
Although cold brew coffee often feels different than drinking a standard cup, it's a better option for hotter days. And according to Very Well Fit, the RISE Brewing Company's flagship Nitro blend is a refreshingly simple take on the concept.
Made from organic Peruvian coffee and purified water, Nitro is lauded for containing no added sugar or dairy. Instead, it achieves its sweet flavor and malt-like texture with infusions of nitrogen gas. That all makes for a great cold brew, and the additional flavors add variety, but they can be a little hard to find.
WORST: Whole Foods 365
Considering that it's often marked as Fair Trade, organic coffee with a surprisingly low price point of about $11 for a 24-ounce bag, Tasting Table saw much to recommend about the Whole Foods 365 brand. Not the least of which was the wide range of nuanced, satisfying roasts.
However, other commenters on Reddit noted that these conditions are only applicable at Whole Foods locations with on-site roasters. For locations without them, this brand's offerings are closer to other middling coffee brands like Kirkland. If the first experience were more universal, Whole Foods 365 would easily belong on the best list.
BEST: Kahawa 1893
As Kenneth Davids of Coffee Review explained, the Kahawa 1893 brand — often found in Trader Joe's — was founded by Margaret Nyamumbo as a means to see female coffee farmers in Kenya receive more compensation for their work than they otherwise would.
Davids was as glowing about the coffee as he was about the mission, saying that it was sweet and "satiny-smooth" with notes of various fruits and black tea. Kahawa 1893's Safari Blend scored highly with him in general, but its taste and aroma were particular strengths.
WORST: Kirkland
Although faithful Costco shoppers know that the store's Kirkland brand can sometimes yield some desirable options, that's not necessarily true of all of them. And while Kirkland's coffee isn't exactly bad, its benefits are mostly practical.
In other words, customers can be assured that it's drinkable, inexpensive, and lasts a long time. However, it's also about as average as average gets. It's fine for those who simply treat coffee as fuel, but it doesn't offer much in the taste department.
BEST: Allegro Coffee
Although Allegro Coffee is a premium brand that's largely focused on coffee intended for espresso, the $13 one can expect to pay for a 12-ounce bag is on the lower end for a brand of its stature. And it's worth it.
Organic, GMO-free, and certified by the Rainforest Alliance, Allegro's Sierra Ground Coffee is a medium-dark roast with notes of caramel and dark chocolate. According to Very Well Fit, its beans are sourced from Indonesia and throughout South America, and its coffee should impress fans of dark roasts.
WORST: Café du Monde
While some coffee brands see backlash due to mediocrity, it would be unfair to call Café du Monde bad coffee. Instead, it's perhaps fairer to say that it's founded on a taste that most people haven't quite acquired.
Café du Monde is unique for adding chicory root to its coffee, a practice that Smithsonian Magazine explained dates back to the American Civil War when the port of New Orleans experienced a supply blockade. After the war ended, Louisianans got used to the taste and kept this mixture up. Since chicory root makes coffee more bitter than usual, it's not for everyone.
BEST: Cafe Bustelo
According to the Food Network, the Cafe Bustelo company have remained committed to their coffee's rich, bold flavor for nearly 100 years. In that time, they haven't jacked up the price either because each package's value amounts to about 25 cents per cup.
With beans sourced from Nicaragua, Brazil, and Colombia, the coffee that comes ready-made in their packages is finely ground enough to be used in a variety of roasting methods, including espresso. The company is also known for its widely-beloved blends.
WORST: Wide Awake Coffee Company
Although this photo shows how clever the Wide Awake Coffee Company's marketing is, there's only so much that cute little owl can do on its own. That said, Tasting Table credited the company for being unique among Keurig pod contributors by using compostable K-cups.
It's also fair to say that there's nothing necessarily wrong with the coffee, as it's a serviceable brand known for mild, muted flavors. However, that also means the coffee isn't particularly strong or flavorful. It doesn't taste burnt or bitter, but it isn't remarkable either.
BEST: Fire Department Coffee
According to Unsustainable Magazine, Fire Department Coffee began as a passion project for a group of retired and active firefighters. As such, it's a brand interested in giving back to the first responders community because of a non-profit wing that supports emergency workers facing severe health challenges.
As for the coffee itself, the brand makes a pleasant medium roast with a deep flavor. Beyond that, its more gimmicky and popular blends like Donut Shop are sweeter and a little more acidic. The cause is important but the coffee's still good.
WORST: Mayorga Coffee Roasters
Although Mayorga Coffee has its fans, others will go as far as to compare it to dishwater or complain about the oily additives in its beans. Although Kenneth Davids didn't go that far in Coffee Review, he wasn't so impressed either.
He described thair India Monsooned Malabar blend as unusually heavy and gritty and also believes it was a darker roast than its "medium" label suggested. He also described it as having some bitter tones. He compared it to Retsina, which even fans of that drink often compare to turpentine.
BEST: Grounds For Hounds
According to the Food Network, 20% of the proceeds from Grounds For Hounds' sales got to supporting animal rescue organizations. But while that explains the "every cup helps a pup" slogan it's also worth looking at the contents of that cup.
According to Honest Brand Reviews, Grounds For Hounds uses 100% high-quality Arabica beans with no sugar, gluten or GMOs. The results are full-bodied but nonetheless sweet coffees with notes of chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted walnut in their S'mores blend. Their Soul Pup blend's flavor profile is more like vanilla, walnuts, chocolate, and strawberries.
WORST: Aldi
There seems to be some debate on the quality of Aldi's house blend, as some think the instant version is some of the best instant coffee on the market. However, that opinion isn't exactly universal as just as many people seem to think it's terrible.
In particular, the mild blend known as "Der Milde" consistently failed to impress people. As Reddit user nangillala put it, "It tastes like someone made tea in your coffee mug and forgot to properly clean it."
BEST: Joe Coffee
Although they're not limited to this product, Joe Coffee specializes in instant coffee pods that don't require a coffee maker to use. Instant, they're simply mixed with water and either left cold or heated up from there.
The concept is inventive and the quality is there, but Very Well Fit warned that this makes the pods expensive. Still, the coffee is roasted in small batches and is known to feature notes of chocolate, caramel, and marzipan.
WORST: Senseo
Although reviewers often didn't get specific, there was a strong and consistent distaste for Senseo's coffee pods, which were originally supposed to work in the brand's coffee machines. Customers experiences with Senseo weren't just disappointing but terrible and that. was true throughout their whole line of blends.
And it seems that this backlash finally came to a head in 2011. According to Fox Business, Sara Lee discontinued their line of Senseo products in all of North America that year. That may make the brand's inclusion here seem unnecessary but the pods are still available online.