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Atlas Coffee Club Review: This Subscription Helped Me Discover the Wide World of Coffee
Updated: Jul. 18, 2024
We tested Atlas Coffee Club, a popular coffee subscription service that sends you freshly roasted java from around the world. Here's why it's worth the splurge.
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I frequently find myself standing in the aisle of my local grocery store, wishing they had a better selection of coffee brands. They mostly carry big-name brands, which are good, but I’d be lying if I said they don’t get a little boring when you drink them every day.
I love trying different coffees and even giving coffee gifts. So when I heard about Atlas Coffee Club, a coffee subscription box that sends you coffee from around the world, I knew I had to try it out. Read on for our Atlas Coffee Club review.
What is Atlas Coffee Club?
Atlas Coffee Club is a coffee subscription service, and though it’s certainly not the only brand that ships freshly brewed beans, it stands out from competitors thanks to its globally sourced coffee. Each month, Atlas sends “micro-lot coffees” that it sources from all around the world—one month, you’ll get to experience chocolaty coffee from Costa Rica, and the next, you’ll be sipping a surprisingly fruity brew from Ethiopia.
I was lucky enough to receive coffee from the Yunnan region of China for my delivery. I opted for ground beans that I could use in my drip coffee machine, and I received the coffee in a medium and light roast. Each bag was carefully packaged in its box and came with a postcard featuring facts about Chinese culture. Additionally, there was a pamphlet with information about the coffee beans, tasting notes and brew recommendations.
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 as they make their U.S. debut via Atlas. Cool, right?
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Atlas Coffee Club
Discover the wide world of coffee without leaving your home! This club inspires wanderlust with every sip.
Atlas Coffee Club Features
As mentioned earlier in our Atlas Coffee Club review, it’s a subscription service, which means the company sends recurring deliveries. When customers sign up for Atlas, they can select whether they want deliveries every two or four weeks and how many bags they want per delivery. The smallest is a half-bag option, and the largest for true coffee enthusiasts is the four-bag box. It’s worth noting that if you opt for deliveries every two weeks, you will get the same beans twice because the brand only introduces new coffee monthly.
Atlas also caters to your individual coffee preferences. You can choose between whole-bean or ground coffee, depending on what coffee equipment you use. Plus, you can specify whether you prefer light-to-medium roast, medium-to-dark roast, or all roast types.
As with most subscription services, you can skip a delivery or cancel at any time, and Atlas also has rewards programs that let you earn bonuses such as free shipping and store credit. The only downside: There’s no way to reorder your favorite coffee—Atlas doesn’t have a storefront where you can purchase past products that you particularly enjoyed.
How We Tested It
How do you test coffee? You drink it, of course! (Tough job—I know.) I first sampled Atlas in February 2022.
Initial Testing
Typically, I have at least two cups of coffee per day—one in the morning and one mid-afternoon. I decided to sample the medium roast as a midday pick-me-up. I brewed a pot in my drip coffeemaker and took a few sips of it black before adding my usual cream and sugar. The coffee was rich without being overwhelming, and I could taste notes of honey. I found that I didn’t need to add as much sugar as usual because the brew was naturally a bit sweet.
Beforehand, I was worried that the coffee might be a bit out-of-the-box for my tastes, but overall, it tasted like a high-quality brew that one would find in a cafe. I’d happily drink it any day!
Not everyone has the same coffee preferences, so I wanted to have a few more people sample the product. Family brunch was the perfect opportunity to get opinions, so we brewed a pot of the light roast all together. My father thought the brew was a little too light—he’s a dark-roast kind of guy—but everyone agreed the flavor was great, regardless of whether they drink their joe black or with mix-ins.
Follow-Up Testing
To ensure this subscription continues to live up to the hype, Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski re-tested the service in July 2024.
“I tried Atlas many years ago, and I was eager to see if it’s still worth the price,” Katie said. “After all, this subscription helped me get into brewing quality coffee at home. Before, I used to think people who ground beans every morning and had multiple different brewing gadgets were a little crazy. Coffee is just a source of caffeine, right? But trying Atlas blends from around the world helped me realize there are so many coffee flavors, notes and even textures to explore.”
For this test, Katie sampled three bags: a dark roast and a medium roast from Guatemala, as well as a dark roast from Burundi. She also got an assortment of K-Cups and Nespresso pods.
“One of my favorite parts of this coffee club is the packaging, so I’m pleased that hasn’t changed,” Katie says. “I love the postcard and informational note about the coffee/country of origin. It’s a fun way to learn a little something new and keep track of all the coffee you’ve tried. The brightly patterned bags are fun, too.”
Katie first tried the dark roast Guatemala coffee with tasting notes of malt, baked red apple and butterscotch. “I use my KitchenAid KF8 automatic espresso machine every day, and this whole bean dark roast was the perfect espresso-style bean to kick off testing. It brewed a rich, full-bodied cup with minimal acidity. The flavor was balanced and tasty, either black or with a splash of vanilla creamer. I made espresso shots, cappuccinos and Americanos with this coffee and it was incredibly easy to drink.”
Next, she tried another dark roast. This time from Burundi with tasting notes of red apple, black tea and raisins. “Since it was a dark roast, I chose to brew this blend in my espresso maker as well,” Katie notes. “And even though the roast and prep method were the same, this was a totally different coffee experience. The flavor was balanced, with a touch more acidity than the Guatemala beans.”
That’s the beauty of Atlas! Even when sticking to coffee preferences, the club delivers a new experience every single month. “I love this service so much,” Katie says. “It really is perfect for both established coffee drinkers and beginners defining their tastes. I know my day is about to get better when that little gray box shows up on the porch!”
Pros
- Unique coffees from all over the world
- Fresh and aromatic beans
- Up to four bags per delivery
- Options for K-Cups and Nespresso pods
- Visually appealing bag designs
- Informational postcard and brewing tips
Cons
- Unable to reorder favorite beans
- More expensive than store-bought coffee
FAQs
Does Atlas Coffee Club make a good gift?
You bet! Atlas is a great option for both serious coffee drinkers and newbies looking to learn more. The brand makes it incredibly easy to gift in three, six or 12-month increments. We’ve also tried the Legendary Destinations Gift Set, which, while pricey, is a fun way to try four different beans from around the world.
How much is Atlas Coffee Club?
The price varies depending on how many bags you buy—more bags mean more coffee but also more savings. A single 12-ounce bag costs $14, and two bags costs $28. You also have the option to buy a 6-ounce “half bag” for $9.
Where is Atlas Coffee Club located?
Atlas Coffee Club is based in Austin, Texas. However, the brand’s coffee beans come from regions all around the world. Explore South America, Africa, Asia and more—one cup at a time.
When does Atlas Coffee Club ship?
It depends on your shipping preferences. At checkout, choose to receive fresh beans every two weeks or every four weeks.
Does Atlas Coffee Club have K-Cups?
Yes! The brand now offers coffee pods compatible with your favorite single-serve coffeemaker. Choose from three plans, offering 24, 48 or 72 cups per month.
Why You Should Trust Us
We’re big coffee fans here at Taste of Home. Our editors and Product Testing Team have reviewed many caffeinated products, including flavored coffee, coffee concentrates and a Trade coffee subscription. We’re also big on testing gear, from Keurigs to pour-overs and coffee grinders. Collectively, our team has decades of experience in the product testing and food/beverage space.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a way to freshen up your coffee routine (aside from hilarious novelty mugs), our Atlas Coffee Club review tells you that this brand is worth a try. You’ll experience unique types of coffee that you can’t find in the grocery store, and the beans are always fresh. Plus, the box ships right to your door. There are myriad ways to customize your subscription so it fits your coffee-drinking preferences. I can’t wait to make iced coffee (in my favorite cup, of course) with Atlas beans.
Plus, Atlas Coffee Club makes a great gift. Whether you’re shopping for a coffee lover, baker or breakfast fanatic, you can’t go wrong. It’s a staple on our food of the month club and gift subscription lists. Read our review of Bean Box next!
Where to Buy an Atlas Coffee Club Subscription
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Atlas Coffee Club
Discover the wide world of coffee without leaving your home! This club inspires wanderlust with every sip.
After reading our Atlas Coffee Club review are you ready to start sipping on java from around the world? Sign up for Atlas Coffee Club through the website, where you’ll be able to customize the frequency and size of your delivery. Additional options, like coffee samplers, are available on Amazon. Trust us—this is not your average joe!
Originally Published: February 11, 2022
