The ordering process is straightforward because there are no choices for you to make. Just give them your address and credit card number and the coffee will be on its way to you at the end of each month. The company only sends the beans they are harvesting that month, which come from a single farm somewhere in Central or South America. The locations are limited to ensure they can actually get the beans to your door while they’re as fresh as they’re supposed to be.
I got beans from all over Central and South America: Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Brazil. Each coffee was entirely unlike the one that came before it. Shipments only get sent out on the 28th of every month, so I was limited to one bag per month. Because of the harvest and roast process this really is a boutique product, so you can’t order en masse the way you can with larger roasters. I don’t think it makes sense to identify my favorite beans here because you, dear reader, are not guaranteed to get them anyway. What you are guaranteed to get are incredibly cool coffees. At $20 a month (with free shipping), I think this subscription is a remarkable value for the coffee I got to experience.
For the decaf drinker: Swiss Water
Tester: Alaina Chou
Best for: Decaf drinkers who want in on the coffee subscription experience
If you’ve been reading all of this as a decaf drinker thinking to yourself, “Wow, I wish I could get in on the coffee subscription life,” here’s some good news: This subscription offers a rotating selection of decaf coffees from roasters all across the U.S, all of which have gone through the Swiss Water process, a chemical-free decaffeination technique that you can read more about here. You won’t find the kind of customization and curation options here that you see in most of the other subscriptions on this list, but if you’re okay with trying out a range of coffees and aren’t married to one particular roast level or flavor profile, this service will work for you. They do only currently offer whole bean coffees, so you’ll need to grind your own beans if you decide to try it out.
I opted for bi-weekly shipments, though Swiss Water also offers weekly, monthly, and bi-monthly. The first coffee I received was from Manzanita Roasting Company, based in San Diego, California. There was no informational card included here, so all I really gathered about the coffee was that it was from Guatemala and had notes of berries and chocolate, which I found to be true. For a decaf brew, I was impressed by the quality and nuance of the flavor. The same can be said for the second bag of beans I received, which was a blend called “Kick Back ZZs” from South Carolina-based Barista Alley.
How we tested the best subscription coffee services
Our editors have used each and every one of these coffee subscriptions in their homes over the course of several months, and some for years. We’ve made sure to try a variety of bean types where possible, and to try the beans with a variety of brewing methods to see how well they perform as espresso, pour-over and drip coffee, and French pressed coffee. Our editors are continually testing many of these services and constantly trying new coffee subscriptions to keep this list updated as the market changes, so be sure to check back as we update it often.
Are coffee subscriptions worth it?
If you’re a frequent coffee drinker, the answer is probably yes. Whether you have a favorite blend you find yourself buying on repeat or you’re eager to try new beans and hone your tasting skills, a coffee subscription will make your life easier and may even save you some money. If you’re currently buying a bag of beans every few weeks at your local coffee shop or grocery store, that bag could potentially be cheaper when bought on subscription—and you’ll get the added convenience of never needing to worry about restocking your stash.
How do coffee subscriptions work?
At the most basic level, a coffee subscription works much like any other subscription service: You select a quantity and frequency, and lo and behold, a bag of freshly roasted coffee shows up at your doorstep every one to four weeks, depending what you chose. But no one wants to come home from vacation to a pile of beans that are past their prime, only to receive another package the following day. So these coffee subscriptions make it easy to put your coffee deliveries on hold, or cancel them altogether. Some also offer personalization in the form of quizzes or feedback forms, so you can know you’re getting a curated selection that’s tailored specifically to your tastes.
What about instant coffee?
If instant coffee is more your speed, we don’t blame you—it’s hard to beat the convenience. And while instant coffee has historically gotten a bad wrap from third wave coffee nerds and espresso heads everywhere, you’d be surprised what innovations have been made in the space in recent years. After tasting a whopping 40, we found a range of great-tasting options that would impress even the most seasoned coffee pro. Head this way for our review of all the best instant coffees and espressos money can buy.
