The Best Coffee on Amazon in 2024: Actually Good Coffee With Free 2-Day Shipping

Ahhhh, coffee from Amazon…I’m going to be straight with you: I don’t recommend it. But I also understand. Amazon makes everything more convenient, and it’s often cheaper to buy things on Amazon because of free two-day shipping. And when we want coffee, we want it now, and we don’t want to have to worry about tracking down a local roaster or waiting for shipping. 

If you ARE going to buy your coffee from Amazon, there are a few things you need to know. I’ll share what I believe are the best coffees on Amazon, and I’ll also offer some tips on how to make better coffee with the coffee you get delivered.

The Best Coffee Available on Amazon

1. Cafe Grumpy Colombia Coffee — The Best Coffee on Amazon
2. Stumptown Roasters Ethiopia Single Origin— A Close Second
3. Volcanica Tanzania Peaberry Coffee — Best Light Roast
4. Death Wish Coffee Dark Roast — Most Caffeinated

1. Cafe Grumpy Colombia Coffee — The Best Coffee on Amazon

As someone who lives close to New York City, I’ve long been a fan of Cafe Grumpy, a local roaster that’s become known for its exceptional coffee. In fact, for a while, their coffee was my go-to, and I’d make a point to stop by one of their cafes whenever I was in the city. So, when I discovered that Cafe Grumpy’s Colombia coffee was available on Amazon, I was intrigued.

After trying it for myself, I can confidently say that yes, this is the best coffee you can buy on Amazon. The tasting notes are absolutely sublime—rich, chocolatey, with a touch of sweetness and a bright, citrusy acidity that keeps things balanced. And while the coffee may not be as fresh as what you’d get directly from the roaster’s website, it’s still leagues ahead of most of the other options available on Amazon.

One thing to note is that Cafe Grumpy’s Heartbreaker blend is also quite popular, but it’s a rotating blend, so it changes every so often. Some batches have been absolutely incredible, while others have been just okay, in my opinion. The Colombia coffee, on the other hand, is consistently excellent.

If you have the option, I’d recommend buying directly from Cafe Grumpy’s website, as that will ensure you’re getting the freshest possible coffee. But if convenience is your top priority, the Colombia coffee on Amazon is a fantastic choice.

2. Stumptown Roasters Ethiopia Single Origin — A Close Second

If you’re not familiar with Stumptown Coffee Roasters, they’re a beloved roaster based in Portland, Oregon, which a recent survey named the best city for coffee in the United States (though I have to wonder if they’ve never been to New York City).

I’ve tried a number of Stumptown’s coffees, and while I wasn’t a huge fan of their Holler Mtn. blend, their single-origin offerings are truly exceptional. And their Ethiopia Single Origin is one of the best I’ve tasted.

With notes of ripe fruit, floral aromas, and a silky-smooth mouthfeel, this coffee is a true delight. It’s a testament to the skill of Stumptown’s roasters, who manage to coax out the most nuanced and complex flavors from the beans.

Like Cafe Grumpy, Stumptown is also available on Amazon, which makes it a convenient option for those who prioritize fast shipping and free delivery. But, as with the Cafe Grumpy coffee, I’d recommend buying directly from Stumptown’s website if you can, as that will ensure you’re getting the freshest possible beans.

3. Volcanica Tanzania Peaberry Coffee — Best Light Roast

While many of the big-name roasters on Amazon seem to be struggling with quality control and freshness, there’s one company that has consistently impressed me: Volcanica Coffee.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Volcanica is one of the few major coffee roasters that I’ve found that consistently produces high-quality, fresh-tasting coffee, even at the immense scale Volcanica has reached. It’s really impressive.

One of my personal favorites from their lineup is the Tanzania Peaberry coffee. This light roast offers a delicate, floral aroma, with notes of honey, citrus, and a hint of spice. It’s a beautifully balanced cup of coffee that’s perfect for those who prefer a lighter, more nuanced flavor profile.

I’ve tried a number of Volcanica’s coffees, and I’ve been impressed by the quality across the board. Their Kenya AA is another standout, but unfortunately, it wasn’t available on Amazon when I last checked.

As with the other coffees on this list, you can also buy directly from Volcanica’s website, which is the best way to ensure you’re getting the freshest possible beans. But if convenience is your top priority, the Tanzania Peaberry on Amazon is a fantastic choice.

4. Death Wish Coffee Dark Roast — Most Caffeinated

If you’re in the market for a seriously caffeinated coffee, then look no further than Death Wish Coffee’s Dark Roast. This brew is known for being one of the most caffeinated coffees on the market, with a caffeine content that’s around four to five times that of a regular cup of coffee.

Now, I’ll admit that the quality of Death Wish’s coffee isn’t necessarily the best. To achieve that insane caffeine content, the company blends Arabica and Robusta beans, and the bitterness and boldness of the Robusta coffee tends to overwhelm any more nuanced flavors.

But if you’re simply looking for a serious caffeine kick, and you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of flavor complexity, then Death Wish is the way to go. The dark roast is smooth and rich, with notes of dark chocolate and a hint of smokiness.

It’s worth noting that there are other ultra-caffeinated coffees out there that have even more of a punch than Death Wish. But in my experience, they often struggle to balance that high caffeine content with a taste that’s actually enjoyable. Death Wish manages to strike a pretty decent balance between the two.

So, if you’re a caffeine fiend who’s willing to compromise a bit on flavor, then Death Wish’s Dark Roast is the best option I’ve found on Amazon.

Should You Buy Coffee on Amazon? Why I Don’t Recommend It

As I mentioned earlier, I have some serious reservations about buying coffee on Amazon. And that’s because coffee, as a highly perishable product, simply doesn’t do well in the Amazon supply chain.

The key to great coffee is freshness. The flavor and aroma of coffee beans start to deteriorate rapidly after they’ve been roasted, and ideally, you want to consume them within two weeks of the roast date. Anything beyond that, and you’re going to start losing a lot of the nuanced flavors that make a particular coffee special.

Unfortunately, the way Amazon operates, with its vast warehouses and lengthy shipping times, means that most of the coffee you buy on the platform will be well past that two-week window by the time it reaches your doorstep. The coffee may still be technically “fresh,” in the sense that it’s not moldy or rancid, but it’s going to be a far cry from the vibrant, complex flavors it had when it first left the roaster.

This is a problem that affects pretty much all coffee sold on Amazon, regardless of the brand or roaster. Even the top-tier coffees I’ve highlighted in this guide are going to suffer from some degree of staleness by the time they reach you. It’s not their fault. And, really, it’s not Amazon’s either. You’re going to sacrifice quality if you want convenience.

Now, you might be thinking, “But wait, some of the coffees you recommended have ‘best before’ dates: doesn’t that mean they’re still fresh?” Unfortunately, no. It’s important to understand the difference between a “roasted on” date and a “best before” date. A “best before” date is essentially just a manufacturer’s guess as to when a product will have lost its quality. It doesn’t necessarily have any bearing on the actual freshness of the product.

A “roasted on” date, on the other hand, is a much more reliable indicator of freshness, as it tells you exactly when the coffee was roasted. The closer that date is to the day you receive the coffee, the fresher it will be. Ideally, you want it within 2 weeks of using it.

Unfortunately, even among the top-tier roasters selling on Amazon, a “roasted on” date is still the exception rather than the rule. And for the majority of coffee sold on the platform, you’re not going to have any way of knowing how long ago the beans were roasted.

So, while I do think the coffees I’ve highlighted in this guide are the best you can get on Amazon, I would still encourage you to seek out other options if you’re truly serious about enjoying exceptional coffee. Look for local roasters in your area, or consider subscribing to a coffee subscription service that specializes in delivering fresh, high-quality beans.

Tips for Buying the Best Coffee On Amazon

Okay, so I’ve made it pretty clear that Amazon isn’t the ideal place to buy coffee. But if convenience is your top priority and you’re set on purchasing your beans through the platform, there are a few things you can do to maximize your chances of getting the freshest possible coffee.

First and foremost, always buy whole bean coffee and grind it at home right before brewing. Pre-ground coffee loses its freshness much more quickly than whole bean, so this is an absolute must if you want to enjoy the best possible flavor. Investing in a good coffee grinder is the best way to upgrade your coffee at home.

Choose a good quality burr grinder, as this will ensure you get an even, consistent grind that’s tailored to the specific brewing method you’re using. Blade grinders, on the other hand, tend to produce an inconsistent grind that can lead to uneven extraction and off-flavors.

Next, look for coffees that have a “roasted on” date rather than just a “best before” date. As I mentioned earlier, the “roasted on” date is a much more reliable indicator of freshness, and you’ll want to aim for beans that were roasted as recently as possible. Well, actually…at least five days before you brew with them, but I promise a “roasted on” date that’s too recent won’t be the issue when buying coffee on Amazon.

Additionally, try to find roasters that are transparent about their sourcing and roasting practices. Look for information about where the beans were grown, how they were processed, and the specific roast profile used. This can give you a better sense of the overall quality and freshness of the coffee. Companies that share things like origin and growing altitude are more likely to know their stuff and offer gourmet coffee.

Another tip is to pay attention to the packaging. Ideally, the coffee should be sealed in a valve-equipped bag that allows the release of carbon dioxide (a byproduct of the roasting process) while preventing oxygen from entering. This helps to preserve the freshness of the beans. I still recommend moving the beans over to a vacuum-sealed storage container after opening, though.

Finally, consider signing up for a coffee subscription service that specializes in delivering freshly roasted beans instead of buying on Amazon. While these services may not be as convenient as Amazon in terms of shipping and delivery, they can often provide a much higher level of quality and freshness.

Wrapping Up: The Best Coffee on Amazon

So, there you have it: my comprehensive guide to the best coffee you can buy on Amazon. While the platform may not be the ideal destination for those seeking the absolute freshest and most exceptional coffee, there are still some great options to be found if you know where to look.

My top two picks are the Cafe Grumpy Colombia Coffee and the Stumptown Roasters Ethiopia Single Origin. Both of these coffees offer exceptional flavor profiles and are about as good as you’re going to get when buying from Amazon.

If you’re a fan of light roasts, I also highly recommend the Volcanica Tanzania Peaberry Coffee. And if you’re in the market for a serious caffeine boost, the Death Wish Coffee Dark Roast is your best bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does coffee degrade in quality when bought on Amazon?

The main reason coffee degrades in quality when purchased on Amazon is due to the platform’s supply chain and logistics. Amazon’s warehouses and guaranteed shipping times mean that coffee often sits for weeks or even months before it reaches the customer’s doorstep. This prolonged storage causes the coffee to lose its freshness, with the flavor and aroma deteriorating significantly. Coffee is at its peak immediately after roasting, and ideally should be consumed within 2 weeks of the roast date. The lengthy Amazon supply chain prevents this, resulting in stale, subpar coffee.

How can I tell if the coffee I’m buying on Amazon is fresh?

The best way to determine the freshness of coffee on Amazon is to look for a “roasted on” date, rather than just a “best before” date. A “roasted on” date tells you exactly when the coffee was roasted, which is a much more reliable indicator of freshness than a generic “best before” date. Unfortunately, many coffee brands on Amazon don’t provide this level of transparency, so your best bet is to stick with the top-recommended options in the article that do include roast dates. Buying whole bean coffee and grinding it yourself right before brewing can also help maximize freshness.

Are there any advantages to buying coffee on Amazon?

The primary advantage of buying coffee on Amazon is convenience. Amazon offers fast, free shipping for Prime members, making it easy to get coffee delivered right to your doorstep without having to seek out a local roaster or wait for shipping from the roaster’s website. This can be especially appealing for those who prioritize speed and simplicity over absolute freshness. Additionally, Amazon offers a wide selection of coffee brands and roasts, allowing customers to compare and choose the options that best suit their taste preferences.