Pre-ground coffee beans are frequently chosen by coffee drinkers because they are quick and convenient. For those who don’t want to buy a home grinder, they save time and money by eliminating hassle. While whole-bean coffee is generally advised for the best freshness and flavor, ground coffee can still result in a tasty cup of joe.
You’re in luck if you’re picky about your coffee but still yearn for the convenience of ground coffee at home. Without sacrificing flavor, aroma, or even your preferred café coffee, you can get the best ground coffee available.
Below, we’ve compiled our top picks after researching everything from the areas where coffee beans are sourced to the various size bags that can be purchased. Keep reading!
Best Ground Coffee: Our Top Pick
- 1. Lifeboost Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Best Overall
- 2. Eight O’Clock Ground Coffee
- 3. Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Ground Coffee – The Runner-Up
- 4. Kicking Horse Coffee “Grizzly Claw”
- 5. AmazonFresh Colombia Ground Coffee
- 6. No Fun Jo: Organic Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf Pick
- 7. Starbucks Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee
- 8. Tim Hortons 100% Arabica Original Blend Ground Coffee
- 9. Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend Ground Coffee
- 10. Maxwell House Original Roast Ground Coffee
- 11. Koa Coffee- Medium Roast Tri-Pack
- 12. Death Wish Coffee: Dark Roast
The 12 Best Ground Coffees
1. Lifeboost Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Best Overall
Lifeboost’s Dark Roast is our top pick because it is a smooth, strong offering. It is a dark roast with a flavor and body to match, and it is easily accessible in drip grind size.
Although the flavor propelled it to the top of the list, it is also the most expensive, so it might be a splurge. If you prefer lighter beans, you might not like this roast because it is so dark. It is also low in acidity, Fair Trade, Organic, pesticide-free, and easy on the stomach.
It depends on your taste, just like every other coffee. This is our top pick because, in our opinion, it has some of the best flavors of any pre-ground coffee on the market. In addition, Lifeboost provides a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Pros
- Robust, dark flavor
- Smooth, well-balanced, and low-acid
- Certified Organic, Fair Trade, and pesticide-free
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- May be too dark
2. Eight O’clock Ground Coffee
Eight O’Clock ground coffee will satisfy your craving for a bitter bite. This company has been around for a while and provides one of our list’s more affordable options. This roast has a mild flavor if you prefer something a little more delicate.
It’s a well-liked option for most people on a daily basis, but it also pleases fans of cream and sugar. However, if you prefer your coffee black, this option might not meet your needs. If you prefer a smoother profile, you might not like the finish’s reputation for bitterness.
At a very reasonable cost, this is a choice that is kosher certified.
Pros
- Economical
- Kosher Certified
Cons
- Bitter
3. Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Ground Coffee – The Runner-up
Sumatra Mandheling from Volcanica came in second. This rare Indonesian coffee has a full body, a robust, velvety flavor, and notes of earth and spice. Additionally, there are three grind sizes available (French press, espresso, and drip).
This unusual medium-roast coffee is anything but mild. With a rich, intense flavor and little acidity, it truly is a coffee lover’s coffee. This is a great option for a medium roast ground coffee because of its pleasant complexity, smooth profile, and slightly sweet note.
Pros
- Distinguished aroma and full-bodied flavor
- Rich, complex profile
- Rare Indonesian coffee beans
- Available in three grind sizes
Cons
- Less traditional flavors
- Somewhat pricey
4. Kicking Horse Coffee “Grizzly Claw”
Dark roast blend with hints of hazelnut and dark chocolate is called Kicking Horse Grizzly Claw. It has a strong flavor without being bitter. The fact that this brand is Fair Trade and USDA Organic will appeal to you if you care about the environment.
To those who are not used to the boldness, the aroma may be too overpowering due to its intensity, which matches the depth of this dark roast. Beginners in the dark roast game may think it tastes “burnt”, but a seasoned dark roast lover looking for robustness to match the growl of a bear will not be disappointed in Grizzly Claw.
This brand, which is more expensive, has Fair Trade and USDA Organic certifications.
Pros
- Smooth flavor
- Bold & rich profile
- Organic & fair trade certified
Cons
- Slightly pricey
- Bitter aftertaste
5. Amazonfresh Colombia Ground Coffee
For those on a tight budget, AmazonFresh Colombia Ground Coffee is a good, affordable option. It’s a gentle option for your morning cup with a lovely aroma and smooth finish. It is said to be a great substitute for cold-brewed coffee even though it is not overpowering.
This option is a medium-roast coffee that is on the lighter side. Its mild flavor might not satisfy you if you prefer a stronger cup of coffee. On the plus side, there is a money-back guarantee available if you decide against trying it.
Although it isn’t a premium coffee, it offers good value for the money.
Pros
- Economical
- Pleasant aroma
- Not bitter
Cons
- Muted flavor
6. No Fun Jo: Organic Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf Pick
No Fun Jo Decaf, the best option for decaffeinated coffee, is an organic blend that uses the Swiss Water method to remove the caffeine while preserving the natural coffee flavor. It is a medium-dark roast with a robust flavor and a complex flavor profile. This blend dispels the misconception that decaf coffee is tasteless with notes of milk chocolate and blueberry.
With a slightly acidic taste, those who like that “something extra” in your coffee will appreciate it. The best decaf option we have is also on the more expensive side.
Decaf coffee is provided to you by No Fun Jo without sacrificing its morals. Don’t be misled by the name; this beverage is devoid of both chemicals and caffeine.
Pros
- Robust flavor
- Complex profile
- Organic & fair trade certified
- Swiss Water processed
Cons
- Expensive
- Acidic
7. Starbucks Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee
Starbucks Breakfast Blend, a blend with a lighter roast, has a mild flavor and a recognizable name. Many have grown accustomed to its bright notes and gentle body. You can make this decision while still wearing your pajamas and come to the coffee shop.
This mild blend will seem too underwhelming to live up to the expectation if you’re looking for a more audacious way to start your day. Additionally, it is said to have a sour flavor, making it unsuitable for those who prefer plain black coffee. Even though it’s a favorite among many as a regular, everyday coffee, because it’s coarsely ground, it might not work well in your brewer.
If you enjoy a good breakfast blend, this inexpensive choice goes well with cream and sugar.
Pros
- Affordable
- Creamy profile
- Bright notes
Cons
- Muted flavor
- Sour aftertaste
8. Tim Hortons 100% Arabica Original Blend Ground Coffee
Tim Hortons Original Blend is an imported Canadian product with a trade secret. Only three people are aware of the blend’s secret recipe. That’s job security!
The restaurant-style coffee is renowned for its mild flavor and sweetness as a kinder medium roast. Maybe what you get at home isn’t the same. For the medium roast coffee connoisseur, this choice will seem weak, flat, and lacking in bite because it is not a premium coffee.
Serving as Canada’s largest restaurant chain, “Timmie’s” is widely known for its coffee and doughnuts, so it’s no surprise the brand has quite a following. While a common coffee, you might start feeling Canadian if you drink enough of it, huh?
Pros
- Very affordable
Cons
- Flat profile
- Bitter aftertaste
- The light side of medium
- Acidic
9. Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend Ground Coffee
A light breakfast blend with hints of sweetness and spicy is the Caribou Coffee, Caribou Blend. This is a good option if you have a sensitive stomach due to its low acidity.
If you prefer a more flavorful medium roast, this may seem weak and flavorless to you, especially if you like your coffee black. Remember that some brewing techniques might have problems with its fine grind as well.
This company is Rainforest Alliance-certified and uses sustainably sourced materials. If corporate ethics are important to you, this is a cost-effective option that offers good value.
Pros
- Affordable
- Rainforest Alliance certified
- Low Acidity
Cons
- Bitter aftertaste
10. Maxwell House Original Roast Ground Coffee
Our most affordable choice is Maxwell House Original, a company that has been around for more than 125 years. You probably grew up seeing the blue brick in your home, even if you believe your parents to be older than dirt. Today, it’s available in a variety of forms to accommodate different brewing techniques.
It is noted to have a sour flavor with a bitter aftertaste and is thought to be a financially excellent option for everyday consumption. If your stomach is delicate or you would rather have a smoother profile, it might not be ideal. However, this is a good value if you’re on a tight budget and also like cream and/or sugar in your cup.
Pros
- Economical
Cons
- Sour flavor
- Bitter aftertaste
- Acidic
- Lacks body
- Lacks aroma
11. Koa Coffee- Medium Roast Tri-pack
In the coffee industry, Koa coffee is a well-known company that has earned respect for producing award-winning, high-quality Kona coffee. The Kona coffee belt, which is one of the best coffee-growing regions in the world, koa coffee is grown in Hawaii.
Koa coffee has a distinct flavor and is made entirely of Kona coffee. It has a sweet, mellow flavor and a hint of fruit, and it is very smooth and rich full-bodied coffee. No bitterness and little acidity are present in the coffee. The Grande Domaine, the Private Reserve, and the Estate are the three flavors that make up the Koa Tri-Pack, each of which comes in 8-ounce sample packs. It is a medium roast coffee that tastes great when made in a French press or pour-over.
Pros
- High quality
- A sweet, mellow taste
- Low acidity
Cons
- Expensive
12. Death Wish Coffee: Dark Roast
This coffee blend is definitely not for the timid, as the name implies! An extremely potent shot of coffee that is similar to getting punched in the face is the focus of Death Wish Coffee, which reportedly contains at least twice as much caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. Dark roasting gives these beans a flavor that is almost burnt and hints of chocolate, which many customers absolutely adore.
Pros
- Organic
- Entirely fair trade
- Very strong and are all about that morning hit
Cons
- A dark roast
Why Do We Buy Ground Coffee?
Why then would you purchase ground coffee? When it comes down to it the main reason you would buy ground coffee is convenience. Ground coffee is much easier to store than beans and can be found almost anywhere. It also comes in a wide range of brands and varieties, and all you need to do is add a scoop to your coffeemaker and turn it on.
Additionally, you won’t need to purchase a coffee grinder, which can get expensive, especially if you want to buy a good one that will grind your beans evenly. You can get excellent coffee for fair prices by buying ground coffee, and you’ll also save a ton of time and effort.
Factors To Look For In Ground Coffee
Tasting Notes
When trying a new coffee, it’s a great idea to decide whether you prefer light, medium, or dark roasts. But it can become more difficult than that. Look for a blend’s tasting notes, which are typically printed on the bag somewhere. You might prefer a dark roast, for example, that has notes of chocolate but not smokiness, or vice versa.
Price
Price is an important factor because most coffee drinkers have a cup (or three) every day. And it’s worthwhile to try. Examine your preference for a $5 bag of beans over a $20 bag. No coffee is necessarily the best for your taste buds just because it costs more money.
Size
Use your coffee as soon as possible to get the most flavor out of it. Even pre-ground coffee will taste better if you brew it soon after purchasing. Therefore, even though those 5-pound bulk bags may be practical and cost-effective, they may eventually result in poor coffee. Take into account how often you drink coffee. You’ll likely get the best results with a typical 12-ounce bag if you drink one or two cups per day.
Best Way To Store Ground Coffee
After selecting the best coffee grounds, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and flavor. Do not forget to keep away from oxygen, moisture, heat, and light. We have listed some tips for storing coffee below…
- Store ground coffee in an airtight container to prevent oxygen from entering and causing the coffee to go stale. Take a look at our article on the top coffee storage options.
- Store ground coffee out of direct light, in a dark place like the pantry, or in an opaque container.
- Store at room temperature between 20-25 degrees. Coffee absorbs the flavor of the surrounding environment so unless you like a fishy flavor profile to your brew. Read More on: Can You Freeze Ground Coffee?
- Buy small quantities of coffee on a regular basis. Generally speaking, coffee keeps its most flavorful state for about two weeks after roasting. Consequently, depending on how much you drink, it is best to purchase small batches.) regularly rather than large batches occasionally.
Related Reading: Does Ground Coffee Go Bad?
Our Verdict
When it comes to selecting a ground coffee, the world is a jungle with horses, bears, and caribou. With our reviews, we hope to have clarified a few options. We’ll summarize some of the highlights now.
Lifeboost’s Dark Roast, which is our choice for the top ground coffee, has a flavorful profile and an impressive list of sustainable certifications. The Sumatra Mandheling from Volcanica, which came in second place for best ground coffee, is every bit as daring and exotic as it sounds. No Fun Jo, our best decaf, serves up a cup of cheeky complexity with a strict code of ethics.
No matter what Jo says, keep it enjoyable because there are lots of options. Keep brewing and be careful out there in the jungle!
FAQs
How Much Ground Coffee Should I Put When Brewing?
The type of coffee maker you own, how much coffee you plan to make, the grind size you’re using, and how strong you like your coffee are all factors that affect how much coffee to use when brewing. However, you can rely on a general principle known as the “Golden Ratio” of coffee for the majority of brews. For every 15 to 18 grams of water, 1 gram of coffee is used. This is more accurate than measuring coffee by scoops, though it may be challenging for some people to understand because it is based on weight rather than volume. However, if you want to measure coffee in scoops, a good starting point is one scoop of coffee (2 tablespoons) for every 6 ounces of water.
However, be aware that this may result in more variation in the strength of the coffee. Except for espresso, which tastes best with a 1:2 ratio of coffee to water, or roughly 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 1.5 ounces of water, the Golden Ratio applies to everything.
Can I Put Coffee Grounds Down The Sink?
Coffee grounds down the sink can eventually lead to problems. Because coffee doesn’t dissolve or degrade in water very quickly, it can build up in your sink and clog it. Coffee grounds can be disposed of in your trash can or compost instead of the sink, though occasionally doing so shouldn’t hurt.
What Grind Size Should I Use?
Pre-ground coffee typically has a medium grind size, making it perfect for drip coffee makers and typically acceptable for Chemex, AeroPress, or pour-over equipment. To be more specific, a medium-coarse grind works best in a Chemex and a medium-fine grind works best in a pour-over, but you can still get excellent results with the typical medium grinds found in the grocery store. Aim for a coarse grind when using a French press, percolator, or cold brew maker; espresso makers and Moka Pots work best with finely ground coffee.