11 Best Ground Coffee in 2024

This is our review of the best ground coffees in 2024. 

I’m Tim, an avid coffee enthusiast and connoisseur. I brew and study coffee daily, so you don’t have to. 

Our number one choice for the best ground coffee is Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain Coffee because it has a dynamic flavor and smooth taste. It is a great “everyday” go-to coffee. 

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee: Best Overall

• Roast: Medium
• Flavor profile:
  • Full body with creamy & caramel flavors
• Available In: 12 oz & 18 oz bags
• Best for: Drip coffee, pour-over
• Grind size: Medium
• Origin: Multiple origins
• Organic: USDA Certified Organic

Check Current Price

However, coffee is extremely subjective and might not be your favorite choice. For example, it is a medium roast, whereas you might prefer dark or blonde roasts. Or you’re looking for a lower-cost option. 

Don’t worry; we plan ahead. Since we knew one ground coffee product isn’t the best for everyone, we compiled a list and reviewed the top five options.

So keep reading to learn all about them. 

Top 11 Ground Coffees

1. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee – Best Overall
2. Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast – Best Budget-Friendly 
3. Death Wish Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine
4. VitaCup Ground Coffee – Runner Up
5. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf
6. Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, Ground Coffee – Best in UK
7. Grinders Smooth Crema Ground Coffee – Best in Australia 
8. Pike Place – Best Starbucks Ground Coffee
9. Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend– Best Light Roast
10. Starbucks Espresso Roast– Best for Espresso Machines
11. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw, Dark Roast– Best for Cold Brew and French Press

11 Best Ground Coffee in 2024

Here are our reviews of the best coffee grounds.

1. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee – Best Overall

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Full body with creamy & caramel flavors
Available In	12 oz & 18 oz bags
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	USDA Certified Organic

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain Ground Coffee is perfect for your regular day-to-day coffee. It has a great flavor profile but mild enough to make your daily morning coffee.

It is a medium roast, which means it has less acidity than a dark roast, but a bolder taste than a light roast. Like most medium roasts, it is not super strong or bitter but has some citrusy undertones that aren’t for everyone.

That said, if you like medium roasts, there’s a high chance you’ll love the Holler Mountain ground coffee. Its caramel and hazelnut flavors make pair great with milk or your favorite creamer.

It is a medium grind, making it perfect for brewing in a coffee machine or pour-over system. The grind size is too small for French presses. If you want to use it for espresso, you can grind it finer.

Compared to other ground coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain ground coffee is more expensive than average. If you’re looking for an affordable bag of ground coffee, this isn’t it.

However, this coffee is USDA Organic certified, and as they do with all their products, Stumptown Coffee Roasters clearly labels the roast date on the packaging so you know when to use it by for maximum freshness.

Additionally, the Holler Mountain grounds come in two sizes– 12 oz and 18 oz.

This ground coffee is certified USDA organic, meaning there are no harmful pesticides or GMOs. It is also readily available through Amazon, several other online merchants, and local grocery stores.

While it is a great-tasting, everyday coffee, the Holler Mountain ground coffee is rather expensive. So, it might not be worth it to you.

In that case, the Smart Ass, Medium Roast Grounds from Kicking Horse Coffee might be a better choice.

2. Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast – Best Budget-Friendly

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Tart red currant, sugar cane, and milk chocolate
Available In	10 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin, Africa, Central America, South A
Organic	USDA Organic

Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast Grounds is an affordable and great tasting option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly ground coffee.

This medium roast has a rich aroma and flavor profile with notes of tart red currant, sugar cane, and milk chocolate. Its smooth taste and honeyed berry body pair nicely with milk or your favorite creamer or goes down smoothly as black coffee.

It comes in a 10 oz bag, and the grind size is medium, making it ideal for drip coffee, pour-over, or cold brew, just like the Holler Mountain coffee and other medium grinds.

Kicking Horse Coffee’s Smart Ass Medium Roast Grounds are certified USDA organic and certified Fairtrade– meaning it is produced in accordance with ethical and environmental standards in mind.

The price is considerably lower than other ground coffees, and the affordability makes it a great option for those on a budget. Additionally, the packaging clearly labels the roast date so you know when it’s freshest.

Kicking Horse Coffee sources the Arabica beans for this ground coffee from Africa, Central America, and South America, which means you get a flavor profile created from beans around the world.

One downside is that it has less coffee per bag– 10 oz compared to other brands, which provide 12-16 oz sizes. That said, having a smaller amount of grounds might be a good thing and help you use it all before it gets stale. 

And while the Smart Ass medium roast has a great aroma (sweet syrup & vanilla bean) and tasting notes, it is not for everyone. Some online reviewers mention it is too bitter for them. 

If you’re not a fan of bitterness in your coffee drinks, the Death Wish Dark Roast is a great choice– just watch out for the extra caffeine.  

3. Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Chocolate and cherry
Available In	1 lb bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	USDA Organic

The Death Wish Dark Roast ground coffee is a great-tasting dark roast that is perfect for those who want a strong and bold cup of coffee. 

A single 8 oz cup has a whopping dose of 472 mg of caffeine, making it double or more than almost every other dark roast coffee. 

Death Wish achieves this high caffeine content through a special roasting process and unique coffee beans.

The bold flavor of this dark roast coffee is robust and full-bodied, and smooth. It isn’t bitter or overly acidic and has gentle notes of cherry and chocolate, making it an enjoyable cup for those who prefer something bolder.

The grind size of the Death Wish grounds is medium-coarse, which makes it perfect for pour-over brewing methods as well as drip machines.

It comes in a 16 oz bag, and the packaging clearly labels the roast date so you know when it’s freshest. Plus, it’s certified USDA organic and Fairtrade certified, like the Kicking Horse Coffee. 

Having double the caffeine is great if that’s what you’re after. But tons of caffeine in a single cup of joe isn’t for everyone. If you get the caffeine jitters easily, ease into Death Wish’s coffee grounds. 

Another downside is the Death Wish Dark Roast’s price. it is significantly more expensive than comparable roasts. However, the extra jolt of caffeine and great taste may make it worth it to you. 

If dark roasts and lots of caffeine aren’t your style, our runner-up, the VitaCup Ground Coffee, might be. 

4. VitaCup Ground Coffee – Most Healthy Option

Roast	Medium-dark
Flavor profile	Cinnamon notes and smooth finish
Available In	11 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	N/A

The VitaCup Ground Coffee is a great runner-up option for those who want affordable, quality coffee infused with vitamins and other nutrients.

It is made with 100% Arabica coffee beans and offers a medium-dark roast that has notes of cinnamon and a silky texture.

This ground coffee is infused with vitamins B1, B5, B6, B9, and D3. These added vitamins give this coffee a healthy boost and clear up brain fog.

Additionally, VitaCup Ground Coffee is sustainably sourced and certified USDA organic. It comes in an 11 oz nitrogen-sealed bag and is sold at an affordable price.

It has a medium-coarse grind is works best with Keurigs, drip coffee machines, French presses (AKA plungers), and pour-over coffee brewing methods. 

The downside to this ground coffee is that it has a subtle flavor that can be overpowered by milk or cream, so unless you drink it black, you may find it lacking in taste.

Additionally, the VitaCup Ground Coffee is infused with MCT oil, making it perfect for those on a Keto diet. However, the oil adds a slightly different texture that some people don’t like. 

Overall, VitaCup Ground Coffee is an excellent option for those looking for a healthy and affordable cup of coffee.

According to VitaCup, this medium-dark roast is a dietitian formulated to boost your brain function and strengthen your immunity. 

If vitamin/MCT oil infusions and caffeine aren’t your cup of tea, the No Fun Jo Decaf ground coffee might be.  

5. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf

Roast	Medium-dark
Flavor profile	Sweet blueberry and milk chocolate
Available In	12 oz bag, 2 lb pack
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	USDA Organic

No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is a medium-dark decaffeinated roast that’s sure to please those who want their coffee without the caffeine kick.

It is certified USDA organic and Fairtrade certified. No Jo removes 99.9% of the caffeine from its beans with the Swiss Water Process– a chemical-free method of using water, time, and temperature to remove caffeine. [1]

As such, it has less caffeine than most “decaf” coffees. 

Additionally, it contains no additives, sweeteners, or flavorings. 

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee comes in a 12 oz bag and has pleasing notes of sweet blueberry and milk chocolate. Plus, it has a smooth texture that’s easy to drink.

It has a medium-coarse grind, which is good for drip coffee machines, French presses, and pour-over coffee brewing methods. 

The downside is that the No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is more expensive than other decaf ground coffees. However, the fact that it has even less caffeine than other “decaf” coffee grounds, coupled with its quality and flavor, makes it worth the price.

Overall, if you’re looking for a flavorful and healthy cup of decaffeinated coffee, the No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is an excellent choice. 

6. Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, Ground Coffee – Best in UK

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Chocolate and dried fruits
Available In	250 g bag, 2-pack 250 g bags, and 12-pack 250 g bags
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Fine
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin, Central and South America
Organic	N/A

The Lavazza, Qualità Rossa ground coffee is perfect for UK coffee drinkers. 

It’s a Robusta and Arabica medium roast blend with a “5/10” intensity, meaning it is not too strong or weak. Since it is rather mild, it makes a good cup of black coffee and pairs well with milk too. 

It is a fine grind that works well in Moka Pots and espresso machines. And compared to other ground coffee available in the UK, it is fairly priced. 

One upside to the Lavazza Qualità Rossa ground coffee is that each 250-gram bag is vacuumed-sealed, which helps preserve its flavor and freshness for longer periods. 

You can purchase it in a single-pack, two-pack, or 12-pack of 250-gram bags online or at several local grocery stores. 

Some online reviewers noted that the expiration date is too soon from when they received their orders. But those seem like isolated cases, as almost all reviews are positive. 

Read on for the best ground coffee in Australia. 

7. Grinders Smooth Crema Ground Coffee – Best in Australia 

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Cocao, malt, and honey
Available In	200 gram bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	N/A

The Grinders Smooth Crema ground coffee is great tasting and roasted in Melbourne– making it a great option for Australians. 

This ground coffee is a medium roast with a smooth and silky texture. It has a mild sweetness and isn’t bitter. If you like a mild cup of coffee as opposed to a strong one, you’ll enjoy this coffee. 

Since it is a medium grind, it is best for drip machines and pour-over brewing methods.  

Compared to other ground coffee available in Australia, the Grinders Smooth Crema is a bit more expensive. However, it is worth the price due to its taste and quality. 

It is a multi-origin coffee– Grinders Coffee House imports green coffee beans from several sources and roasts, blends, grinds, and packs the beans at their Melbourne facility.  

This means this coffee is fresher than imported products. 

All of Grinders Coffee is sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. This means the beans are sustainably farmed and produced in ways that benefit the environment, wildlife, and families. [1] 

One downside is that this bag of ground coffee is rather small– only 7oz, while a typical bag is 10-12 oz. However, with a smaller bag, you’ll be able to use it faster before it goes stale. 

If you’re looking for the Starbucks ground coffee instead– check out the Pike Place roast. 

8. Pike Place – Best Starbucks Ground Coffee

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Cocao and rich praline
Available In	28 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$$
Origin	Mutli-origin, Asia Pacific and Latin America
Organic	N/A

Starbuck’s Pike Place ground coffee is perfect for the casual coffee drinker. If you order a regular coffee from any Starbucks, Pike Place is what they will serve you.

It is Starbucks’ signature blend, named after the street of their first coffee shop. It is a medium roast and has a balance of smooth and rich flavors. 

It works best brewing with a regular coffee brewer and pour-over since it is a medium grind. 

In terms of pricing, it isn’t the cheapest ground coffee on the market, but it is nothing to balk at. It is affordable and not too expensive. 

Although it is a mass-produced coffee, Starbucks only uses ethically-sourced beans (100% Arabica) from Latin America. 

This blend is a “safe” coffee, meaning it isn’t anything out of the ordinary. Nothing really unique, but perfect if you want the same coffee you order from Starbucks at home. 

One downside is that it is only available in a large 28 oz bag. So large you might not be able to use all the grounds before they start to go stale. 

You can buy Pike Place pre-ground online, at Starbucks, or at your local Walmart or other supermarket. But if you want it to be as fresh as possible, you can buy the Pike Place whole-bean coffee instead. 

Then you can take it to your local Starbucks, and they will grind it for you (for free). 

If a medium roast coffee isn’t your favorite, check out the top light roast ground coffee. 

9. Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend- Best Light Roast

Roast	Light
Flavor profile	Cherry floral flavor with caramel and nut finish
Available In	20 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$
Origin	Multi-origin
Organic	N/A

The Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend is a light roast ground coffee best for beginners or those who enjoy a mild cup of joe. 

It has a mild strength which isn’t too overpowering. If you’re used to drinking medium and dark roasts, you may find this coffee too weak. 

This morning blend has subtle fruit sweetness with cherry floral overtones and a sweet caramel and nut finish. It tastes good with and without milk and creamer. If you do drink it with creamer, don’t use too much, as it can easily overpower the coffee’s flavor. 

This Caribou coffee is much less expensive than other ground coffee brands, including Starbucks. Almost half the cost of a light roast ground coffee of the same weight from Starbucks. 

So, if you’re on a budget and want a good light roast, the Caribou Daybreak Morning Blend should be your top choice. 

All Caribou coffee is small-batch roasted, giving them better quality and flavor control. Also, it is 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified, which ensures that Caribou Coffee never impacts our rainforests in a negative way. 

One downside is that this ground coffee only comes in a 20 oz bag. For some coffee drinkers, this may be too much to consume before it starts to get stale. However, partially because of its large size, it is a common coffee in cafeterias. 

If light roasts are too weak for you, look for espresso grounds instead. 

10. Starbucks Espresso Roast- Best for Espresso Machines

Roast	Dark/espresso
Flavor profile	Rich molasses and caramel
Available In	28 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Fine
Price	$$$
Origin	Mutli-origin, Asia Pacific and Latin America
Organic	N/A

The Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee grounds are best for people who prefer espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos, flat whites, americanos, lattes, etc. 

This dark roast has a strong taste with notes of rich molasses and caramel. It is strong, which is expected for espresso grounds, and great for most espresso drinkers. However, think it is not strong enough (I disagree). 

Compared to other espresso grounds, the Starbucks Espresso roast is reasonably priced. But on more expensive than most brands on average. 

Like all Starbucks coffee, this roast is ethically sourced from countries in the “Coffee Belt.” This means the farms don’t use harmful practices while growing the beans. 

Like other ground coffee from Starbucks, the Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee grounds only come in 28 oz bags. I drink a lot of coffee and espresso myself, and it is hard for me to get through that much before it starts to stale. 

11. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw, Dark Roast- Best for Cold Brew and French Press

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Rich, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnut
Available In	10 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour-over
Grind size	Medium
Price	$$
Origin	Multi-origin, Central and South America
Organic	USDA Certified Organic

The Grizzly Claw ground coffee by Kicking Horse is a good option if you’re making cold brew or using a French Press to make your coffee. 

It is a dark roast with a rich flavor that includes tasting notes of cacao nibs, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and brown sugar. It is extremely smooth and not bitter, making it a good choice for any coffee drinker that wants a strong cup of joe. 

Like other Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw is affordable. It is not the most expensive, but it is not the cheapest either. And given its great quality, it is worth its price. 

 Kicking Horse Coffee Grizzly Claw Coffee is USDA Certified Organic, meaning it has great quality and uses smart farming practices to grow it. 

Additionally, it is Fairtrade certified, ensuring it uses farms that invest in the local community. 

One downside of the Grizzly Claw coffee is that it tastes a little bitter to some folks. Although most people, including me, disagree. But we all have different tastes. 

Another drawback is that the coffee bag is extremely hard to open. You may need scissors as the adhesive that holds the bag’s seals together is so strong that some people can’t pull it apart. 

Ground Coffee Buying Guide

Here are the top considerations when you are looking for ground coffee to purchase. For more details, read our complete coffee-buying guide. 

Roast

The roast level (dark, medium, light, blonde) of the coffee is an important consideration when it comes to selecting ground coffee. Darker roasts tend to have bolder, more intense flavors, whereas lighter roasts often have a more subtle flavor. 

It is all up to your personal preference which roasts you like the best or decide to try.

Grind size

The grind size of ground coffee is an important consideration when selecting your coffee. The coarseness or fineness of the grind will affect how quickly the water and coffee mix together in your brewing method, as well as how quickly it extracts flavor from the beans.

Coarsely ground coffee works best with French presses and pour-over brewing methods, while medium and fine grinds work best for drip coffee machines and espresso machines, respectively. Learn more about this in our coffee grind size guide. 

The right type for your beverage

When selecting ground coffee, you’ll want to consider the type of beverage you plan on brewing. If you’re looking for a cup of regular brewed coffee, then a medium-dark roast with a coarse grind would be best.

For espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, look for an espresso roast with a fine grind.

If you’re looking for decaf coffee, then you’ll want to look for a decaffeinated variety with a medium-coarse grind.

Certifications

When selecting ground coffee, it’s important to consider certifications such as organic or Fair Trade. This will ensure that your coffee is sustainably grown and harvested, helping to support the farmers who produce it.

In addition, USDA-certified organic is a good indication that there are no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or other additives added to the coffee. 

If having no additives to your coffee is important to you from a health and environmental standpoint, look for this certification.  

Price/Budget

When selecting ground coffee, you’ll want to keep your budget in mind. Ground coffees vary widely in price and quality. Some are more expensive than others, so it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend before making a purchase.

Ground coffee ranges between $8 to $25 depending on quantity and quality. For example, you can get a low-quality 30-oz container for less than $10 or a high-quality 10-oz bag for $15.  

Single-origin vs Multi-origin

Another important consideration when choosing a ground coffee is whether to go with single-origin or multi-origin beans.

Single-origin coffee is made from beans that come from a single source, such as a specific country, region, or farm. As such, it has unique characteristics that make it stand out and can be quite expensive.

Multi-origin coffees, on the other hand, are made from beans that come from multiple sources. This allows for a blend of flavors and generally results in a more affordable coffee.

Single-origin coffee tends to have a more consistent flavor, while multiple-origin coffee may have several different tasting notes. I personally prefer single-origins, but some days I like multiple-origin better.

For a more detailed guide, read our article on single-origin vs multi-origin beans.

Packaging date

In addition to other factors, you’ll want to consider the packaging date when selecting ground coffee. Coffee tastes best when it is freshly roasted and packaged, so make sure to check the packaging date on the bag before purchasing.

That said, you can’t look at the packaging date yourself if you buy it online. But you can contact the seller to ensure you’re getting a fresh bag as opposed to one that was sitting on the shelf for a month. 

Extra features

Additional features such as flavorings and infusions with MCT Oils and/or vitamins are other things worth considering.

If having your coffee grounds infused with vitamins and other health-boosting additives is important, look for coffee grounds that have it– one great option is the VitaCup Ground Coffee above. 

On the other hand, if you like unique flavors, look for coffee grounds that have been infused with flavorings. Coffee grounds with added chocolate, caramel, and other flavors can be a great way to enjoy a unique cup of coffee.

Best brands

When selecting ground coffee, it is important to consider the top brand. Some of the best brands for ground coffee include Starbucks, Folgers, Peet’s Coffee, Kicking Horse, and Death Wish.

Although only a few of their products made our list, Starbucks offers a wide variety of single-origin coffees with unique flavor profiles. Their selection of medium and dark roasts is great for drip coffee machines and espresso makers alike.

Our Verdict

The top three ground coffees are Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain Coffee, Kicking Horse Coffee Smart Ass, and Death Wish Ground Coffee. All three have unique, bold flavors but are very different. 

• Our top choice, the Holler Mountain ground coffee, is a great, versatile coffee that casual coffee drinkers can enjoy every day. 
• The Kicking Horse Smart Ass coffee is a lower-cost alternative with fantastic aromas and tasting notes, making it a good choice for those on a budget. 
• Lastly, the Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee has double the caffeine of standard dark roasts and has a unique, bold taste that is never bitter. If you’re a caffeine junkie, Death Wish has you covered.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee: Best Overall

• Roast: Medium
• Flavor profile:
  • Full body with creamy & caramel flavors
• Available In: 12 oz & 18 oz bags
• Best for: Drip coffee, pour-over
• Grind size: Medium
• Origin: Multiple origins
• Organic: USDA Certified Organic

Check Current Price