Coffee

What's behind our coffee Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 75 models in coffee to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based on blind taste tests by coffee experts.
Container size (oz)
The size of the container in ounces.
Price per pound ($)
Approximate retail price per pound.
Cost per six oz. brewed ($)
The cost to brew each six ounce cup of coffee.

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Follow Consumer Reports

What makes a great cup of coffee? We look for smoothness and complexity, with no off-flavors. The beans should be neither under-roasted nor charred, and the brew should have at least moderate aroma and flavor. If you're looking for information about coffee, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ coffee reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our coffee buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and coffee reviews to help you choose the best coffee for your needs.

Coffee buying guide

The story that an Ethiopian goat herder discovered coffee when his berry-eating goats became frisky is likely apocryphal, but it's generally believed that coffee first came from that region. These days, Americans consume about 25 percent of the world's coffee. The average coffee drinker enjoys 3.3 cups a day, or about 1,200 cups a year. Maybe that's why there seems to be a coffee shop on every corner.