The Best Coffee Subscriptions in 2024
Updated: May 07, 2024
Sure, you could pick up a bag of grounds at the grocery store. Or, you could experience the joy of fresh, customized coffee delivered directly to your door. We spent two months testing coffee subscription services to find the very best.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
I credit my husband for getting me into coffee. For years, I didn’t think twice about what I was putting in my mug. But after many, many coffee dates as on-a-budget college kids, I started to understand what I was missing. Freshly ground beans really do make a difference. The type of water you use affects the flavor. And yes, brew method matters.
My interest only grew during the pandemic when I had nothing but time for tinkering with our ever-growing coffee tools collection. It was exciting to learn how a slightly different grind size impacted the flavor of a pour-over. We even bought an espresso machine and learned the secret to pulling a perfect shot. And the best part? Our trials never have to end. We can spend every Sunday morning perfecting our brew methods and trying the best coffee brands.
If you, too, want to get in on the joy, there’s no better place to start than with a coffee subscription. Sure, gear and gadgets are fun. But the number one factor for a great cuppa is the bean you choose. A coffee box gives you the variety and flexibility to find what puts the caffeinated pep in your step.
We spent weeks researching, testing and reviewing the best coffee subscriptions on the market. Whether you like sipping on something new every morning, supporting women-owned businesses or learning about other cultures, there’s a little something for you on this list.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Best Overall
Trade Coffee
Once you start a Trade coffee subscription, it’s hard to quit. I’ve been testing this mail-order service for six weeks, and it puts you in the driver’s seat for all your coffee needs.
First, you take a quiz to identify how you take your coffee, preferred roasts, desired flavors, etc. Then, the experts at Trade match your results to hundreds of bean options from vendors all across the country. Beans are roasted, shipped and delivered directly to your door. After each delivery, provide feedback on what you liked (or didn’t) to further customize your subscription.
I was impressed with Trade’s ability to nail my coffee preferences on the first try. Bag after bag of delicious beans, all with roast dates within a few days of delivery, showed up at my door. I tried coffees from roasters around the U.S.—including Sparrows (Michigan), Red Rooster (Virginia), PT’s (Kansas), Common Voice (Tennessee), Broadsheet (Massachusetts) and Joe’s (New York). While I opted for whole beans, you can also choose grounds suitable for 10 common brew methods (for more, read my full review).
Plus, Trade makes it easy to re-order your favorites. On a subscription, simply add a beloved bag back to your queue, or stock up on the brand’s coffee marketplace.
Plans start at $15.75 per bag for a classic Trade subscription, which includes popular, crowd-pleasing roasts. Or, level up to a Trade Plus subscription for $19.95 per bag, gaining access to additional flavors and specialty brews. On each plan, you have the option to pre-pay for three or six shipments (earning free shipping in the process) or pay per delivery with a $1.95 shipping fee.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomePros
- Ability to try new, customized-for-you coffees from around the country
- Very fresh beans
- Easy to gift
- Free shipping on pre-paid orders
Cons
- Bags are on the smaller side, measuring around 11 ounces
Madi Koetting/Taste of Home
Best Specialty
Bean Box
The way to a coffee lover’s heart? Fresh, curated beans—all wrapped up in a pretty box. And that’s the exact experience you get with Bean Box. Our Product Reviews Home Editor, Madi Koetting, tested the service for two months. She was blown away by the flavor, quality and packaging experience, going so far as to say it “changed mornings for the better” in her Bean Box review.Â
To subscribe, you start with a quiz defining your preferences on grind, tasting experience, quantity and frequency. Madi suggests opting for the Curator’s Choice tasting experience. “There’s something delightful about having coffee sommeliers hand-pick my brew based on seasonality,” she says. “I’m quite happy I went this route (it’s also the brand’s most popular tasting experience).” There are traditional light-to-dark roasts available, delivered as either grounds or whole beans, in addition to decaf and espresso options.
Madi’s Bean Box orders showed up on her doorstep in a cute brown box. She opted to receive two bags each month. “My coffee-tasting experience was rich, robust and full of surprises,” Madi says. “I drink my coffee black most days, and the Colombia del Campo blend I tested first had a subtle tartness mixed with soft notes of cherry chocolate, just like the bag mentioned. The next day, I tested the Ethiopia Yabitu Koba Natural coffee. I didn’t know coffee could have notes of cotton candy until this Bean Box review, and it certainly tickled my tongue in the best way.”
On a biweekly subscription, prices start at $22 per bag when you pay per delivery and $19.23 per bag when you pre-pay for the year. Need delivery only once a month? Then, prices start at $24 per bag when you pay for delivery and $20.77 on a year’s pre-payment. Prices change again, for both biweekly and monthly subscriptions, when you add two bags to your order.
Madi Koetting/Taste of HomePros
- Customized to suit your tastes
- Expertly curated and independently roasted coffee
- Free shipping, plus other subscriber perks
- Espresso and decaf options
- Cute packaging, perfect for gifting
Cons
- On the pricey side
CAMRYN RABIDEAU FOR TASTE OF HOME
Best Global
Atlas Coffee Club
Got wanderlust? This subscription is for you. Atlas Coffee Club takes you on a monthly journey to the world’s most popular coffee destinations, with roasts hailing from Costa Rica, Ethiopia, India and more.
One of our expert writers, Camryn Rabideau, put Atlas to the test and confirms it’s a global delight. “For my delivery, I was lucky enough to receive coffee from the Yunnan region of China,” Camryn says. “I opted for ground beans that I could use in my drip coffee machine, and I received the coffee in medium and light roast.”
Ordering an Atlas subscription is similar to other coffee clubs. You start by filling out a quiz asking coffee type preference (this is one of the few subscriptions we’ve seen with Keurig K-Cup and Nespresso Pod offerings), grind type, roast preference, number of bags and delivery cadence. It’s worth nothing that there’s only one Atlas coffee per month, so if you opt for the biweekly delivery, you’ll receive the same bag twice.
“Each bag was carefully packaged in its box and came with a postcard featuring facts about Chinese culture,” Camryn says. “The coffee bag itself was absolutely beautiful. It featured a vibrant yellow and blue print with a dragon tail, red flowers and Chinese lanterns. It would jump off the shelf at you, but you’d never find these particular coffee beans at the store. Additionally, there was a pamphlet with information about the coffee beans, tasting notes and brew recommendations.”
Atlas Coffee Club starts at $9 for a half bag, $14 for a single bag and $28 for a double bag. K-Cups cost $29 for 24 cups, $39 for 48 cups or $49 for 72 cups and Nespresso Pods run you $19 for 20 pods, $29 for 40 pods and $39 for 60 pods. The brand offers frequent sales and discounts, though, so you can likely save on your first order.
Camryn Rabideau/Taste of HomePros
- Internationally sourced
- Customizable delivery options and coffee selections
- Pod option, in addition to ground and whole beans
- Seven grind types
- Frequent sales and discounts
Cons
- Unable to reorder favorite beans
- Only one roast a month
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Best Single-Serve
Cometeer Coffee
Love the convenience of instant coffee without the, well, taste of instant coffee? Try a Cometeer coffee subscription! These genius recyclable capsules rely on flash-frozen coffee concentrate and ship directly to your door.
I tried several types of Cometeer coffee a few months ago, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I can’t get over the convenience factor. The pods are perfect on busy (or, let’s be honest, lazy) mornings when I don’t want to pull out my grinder and make a mess of grounds all over the countertop. Instead, Cometeer gives me a delicious, cafe-quality coffee with mere water from the kettle.
Simply grab a pod from the freezer, mix it with hot water or milk and enjoy it as hot coffee, an iced latte or even an espresso martini. No brewing required! Moreover, Cometeer offers multiple roast options from over a dozen roasters. I also love that they have ample decaf options.
To order, first decide if you want a variety roaster box, a decaf or half-caff box or a roaster-specific box. A membership sends 32 capsules to your door every four weeks. It costs $64—which is a $20 savings over a one-time purchase.Â
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomePros
- Nearly instant coffee
- An array of roasts and roasters
- Recyclable packaging and pods
- 32 servings per order
Cons
- Needs to stay frozen
- Pricey
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Best for Gifting
Driftaway
Yes, coffee subscriptions are a convenient way to order a household staple. But they also make great gifts—especially when the club is as curated as Driftaway.Â
You start with a quiz asking all the usual questions, but instead of blindly saying “I like bold dark roasts” or “I’m more into fruity light roasts,” Driftaway offers a Coffee Explorer Box for the first shipment. This beautiful box (truly, I was awed by the bright colors and packaging) features five mini coffee bags, each labeled with a color. The kit also includes a tasting form, bag with a sample grind size and a pamphlet with instructions and QR codes so you can join a virtual tasting. There’s also an envelope for after you’ve tasted the coffee that reveals each color’s origins.
Of all the coffee subscription boxes we tested, Driftaway was by far the most unique. This experience lets you set aside any preconceived notions you may have about the coffee you think you like. Plus, it makes for a fun date night…or morning!
After the Coffee Explorer Box, Driftaway excels by offering ample delivery options. Choose from five bag sizes, ranging from 8 ounces to 5 pounds, then choose delivery every one, two or four weeks. Prices vary depending on the exact combination of size and cadence you choose. But one of the most popular offerings—a 12 ounce bag every two weeks—starts at $19 when you pay per shipment, $18.05 when you pre-pay for six months and $17.10 when you pre-pay for a year.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomePros
- Coffee Explorer Kit with a coffee tasting class
- Small business
- Cold brew and large-scale options
- Sustainable with plastic-free packaging and carbon-neutral operations
- Ships within 24 hours of roasting
Cons
- Explorer Box is a bit pricey
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Best Small Business
Bean & Bean
Delivering quality coffee? Check. Making strides toward gender equity? Yup. Giving back to sloths? You bet! Bean & Bean, run by a mother-daughter duo, is roasting more than a delicious bag of coffee. Every purchase helps create positive change for people and the planet.
An an animal lover, I was immediately interested in Bean & Beans mission. Plus the sloth packaging? Too cute. But this coffee subscription is way bigger than its branding. The coffee was some of the best I tasted, offering a smooth flavor in every sip. I particularly loved the back-to-basics Fancy Diner Coffee.
Bean & Bean offers several subscription options, including 3-month (starting at $76), 6-month (starting at $152) or 1-year (starting at $298) plans. If you fall in love with a specific roast, you can also set up recurring deliveries and save.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomePros
- Family-owned small business
- Partnership with the Sloth Institute
- Sourced from primarily women-owned and -led farms
- Compostable, recyclable packaging
- Roasted in house
Cons
- Bestsellers subscriptions are pre-paid
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Best Seasonal
Partners Coffee
Know someone who’s always in the know? The Partners Coffee Roaster’s Choice Subscription is the best way to stay on top of the latest and greatest coffee. I love Partners for their bold packaging and both New York- and global-themed brews. In my testing, I found that Partners offers fresh, no-frills coffee perfect for morning sipping. (The Elevate was a personal favorite when pulled in my espresso machine.)
Each 12-ounce bag is hand-selected by a member of the Partners team. You’ll receive both single-origin beans and blends, depending on the month, and you can opt for whole beans or one of six ground options. Enjoy delivery every one, two, three or four weeks, starting at $19.50 a bag.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomePros
- New coffees selected by the Partners team
- Roasted fresh daily
- Free shipping
Cons
- No control over flavor profiles
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Best Vietnamese
Nguyen Coffee Supply
Looking to upgrade your prep beyond plain ol’ pour-over? Say hello to Nguyen Coffee Supply’s Vietnamese coffee subscription.
I tested the Discovery Kit subscription, which includes plenty of tools and merch to go along with your coffee. You’ll receive a coffee scoop, glass mug, tote bag and, most notably, a phin filter. This traditional method requires no paper filter and works as somewhat of a hybrid between pour-over and French Press. You add your grounds, add the press, bloom with a little bit of hot water, then fill to the top and let drip. It takes a little bit of time, but the result is well worth it. I enjoy my coffee black, but for a traditional preparation, try it with a splash of condensed milk.
The coffee itself is sourced from, you guessed it, Vietnam. The brand offers both robusta and arabica beans in medium and dark roasts. They even offer canned cold brew!
The Discovery Kit subscription starts at $155 and includes six coffee bags, shipped every other week, plus a phin filter and other tools. You can also create your own subscription, ordering coffee every one, two or four weeks in three-, six- or 12-month intervals.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomePros
- Delicious Vietnamese coffee
- Discovery Kit includes coffee-making tools
- Unique flavor profiles
Cons
- Subscriptions are pre-paid
- No options for light roast fans
What to Consider When Choosing a Coffee Subscription
The more you explore the world of coffee, the harder it is to enjoy any old cup of joe. Whether you’re a budding barista who’s just starting out or a coffee connoisseur who owns a $200 tamper for their espresso setup, coffee subscriptions make quality beans available to everyone. That said, it’s important to choose the right service for your needs. Here are the core qualities to consider:
- Selection: What kind of beans are available? Some services we tested have a near endless array of options, while others have just a few classic blends. Do they offer an assortment of options, like whole bean, ground or K-Cups/capsules? Are you able to choose between decaf/regular coffee and different roast levels? If you fall in love with a particular blend, can you order it again?
- Customization: Can you choose the cadence of your subscription? How easy is it so skip a week—or cancel altogether? Can you add on additional bags, as needed?
- Price: How much does the subscription cost? And how much coffee do you receive? Do you pre-pay upfront or are you charged every time a bag ships?
- Packaging: How does the coffee subscription arrive at your door? Are the packing materials recyclable? Would it make a good gift or is it better suited for practical mornings?
How We Found the Best Coffee Subscription Boxes
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomeFinding the best coffee subscription boxes takes time—good thing we had plenty of caffeine! First, we did our homework. We spent weeks researching top coffee brands and specialty clubs on the market. Then, we called in samples of our top selections. We aimed to include beans from all over the world at a variety of price points. Some stalwart favorites from previous rounds of testing, like Bean Box, Atlas Coffee Club and Cometeer, automatically made the cut.
For the rest, our expert coffee writer spent eight weeks testing over 12 bags of coffee in her home. Each morning, she would grind and brew a new variety using a pour-over, French press or drip coffee maker. She rated beans on aroma, flavor and freshness. These scores were then compared to other subscription factors, like cadence, price, bag size and packaging. Only the top services made our list.
Why You Should Trust Us
Katie Bandurski/Taste of HomeTaste of Home editors are no strangers to testing and reviewing coffee beans, gear and gadgets. Over the years, our Test Kitchen pros have evaluated the best drip coffeemakers, home espresso machines and cold brew brands. In our home kitchens, our crew has assessed everything from Keurigs to the best mushroom coffees. And me, personally? As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, I bring eight years of media experience to the table. In the two year’s I’ve spent as Taste of Home’s Senior Shopping Editor, I’ve written about my beloved Baratza burr grinder, a delightful Halloween-themed coffee and the best gifts for coffee lovers.
FAQs
What is a coffee subscription?
A coffee subscription is a service offering shipments of roasted coffee at preset increments. Oftentimes, packages arrive biweekly or monthly. Most merchants give subscribers options regarding grind type, flavor profile and bag size.
Are coffee subscriptions worth it?
Whether a coffee subscription is worth it will depend on the subscriber’s interest in and consumption of coffee. If a cup of instant granules and water does the trick, then this splurge is unnecessary. However, if you or a loved one is likely to source beans from local roasters, buy coffee from a cafe multiple times a week or drink coffee at a quick rate and in a high volume, then a coffee subscription is an advantageous treat.
How do coffee subscriptions work?
From vendor to vendor, coffee subscriptions work differently. Customers choose the frequency of their deliveries, the type of grind, the roast level, the size of the bags and, occasionally, the coffee flavors. As for payment, customers’ credit or debit cards are typically auto-charged at designated intervals.
Taste of Home writer, Lauren Naru, contributed to this article
Originally Published: April 29, 2022
