5 Best Coffee Options for AeroPress — Make the Most of Your Coffee Maker!

Ready-to-brew, delicious and affordable options for real AeroPress coffee lovers.
By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: August 09, 2023
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  • Apr 14, 2023: The review was published.
  • May 22, 2023: We reconsidered the ranking and moved the Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans to position no. 4.
  • May 22, 2023: The AmazonFresh Colombia Whole Bean Coffee was discontinued/became unavailable for purchase, so we moved it to position no. 5.

The Aeropress is a tiny versatile coffee maker that uses an immersion brewing method. Since its debut in 2005, the Aeropress has grown in popularity considerably. There is even an annual World Aeropress Championship, which features a number of international competitors. If you got such a device, you need appropriate coffee. Our comprehensive guide will show you the best coffee options for AeroPress and help you choose the right alternative.

We’ve looked at 37 different coffee options and picked the 5 best ones, out of which, the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend is our top pick. When shopping for a coffee for AeroPress, it’s essential to consider your preferences and individual needs. The first thing you should look for is the roast profile, which indicates how dark the beans have been roasted. You’ll want to understand coffee origins and flavor notes, as well as processing methods and grinding options.

Quick Summary

  • "An incredibly balanced blend of Arabica and Robusta to provide you with a cup of rich-flavored java with no bitter notes"
  • Best Dark Roast Coffee: Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass
    "This 100% Arabica coffee features chocolate malt, molasses, and licorice notes with an earthy lingering finish"
  • Best Pre-Ground Coffee: Death Wish Ground Coffee
    "This is a true powerhouse: ground coffee made from beans of dark roast; boasts of a splendid awakening intense taste with chocolate and cherry notes"
  • "This is whole-bean coffee that is manufactured by a family-owned business; has dark chocolate, syrup, and walnut notes"
  • "These coffee beans are 100% Arabica of medium roast level; is roasted and packed in the U.S.A"

Top 5 Coffee Options for AeroPress Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5761 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.5
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.8
9.9
Features
  • Coffee type: whole bean
  • Origin: mix of Arabica from Brazil, Colombia, and India and Robusta from Indonesia and Vietnam
  • Roast: medium
  • Flavor notes: honey, almonds, and dried fruit
  • Package size: 2.2 lbs.

More features: blended and roasted in Italy

If you’re looking for the best coffee beans for an AeroPress, the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend is a great choice. This bag contains a mix of whole Arabica beans from Brazil, Columbia, and India, as well as Robusta beans from Vietnam and Indonesia. This combination gives your coffee a mild and creamy taste.

The aroma level for the Lavazza Super Crema blend is a 4 out of 5. The beans were blended and roasted in Italy to create the perfect medium roast. This makes it a great option for shots of espresso from your Aeropress or any other type of coffee you prefer. It contains notes of honey, almonds, and dried fruit, giving it a unique taste and aroma that will make your morning cup of coffee extra special.

Another great feature that makes these beans a great choice for espresso or other specialty coffees for your AeroPress is the velvety crema that is produced when the coffee is brewed. This crema is thick, with an orange color that is pleasing to the eye and the palette.

These beans give you the full, rich flavor of traditional espresso coffee, with a natural sweetness instead of the bitterness you’d get with some other blends. The caffeine level is a bit high for some people, though this may be exactly what you need first thing in the morning. The price for a 2.2-pound bag is also decent for such high-quality coffee beans.

    Why is it special?
  • Velvety flavor
  • Nice aroma
  • Thick crema
  • Beans aren’t too oily
    What are the flaws?
  • Not for super-strong coffee taste lovers
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2813 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.5
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.7
2
Best Dark Roast Coffee

Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass

Features
  • Coffee type: whole bean
  • Origin: Arabica from Indonesia and South America
  • Roast: dark
  • Flavor notes: chocolate malt, molasses, licorice, and an earthy lingering finish
  • Package size: 2.2 lbs.

More features: Kosher certified, nut-free, Fair Trade, organic

There are many reasons that the Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass coffee beans are a great choice for use with an AeroPress. This bag holds over 2 pounds of dark roast whole beans, which has a sweet, smoky aroma of vanilla and dark chocolate.

These coffee beans also have a wonderful flavor profile, with tasting notes of chocolate malt, licorice, and molasses, which combine to create an earthy finish that lingers on your tongue.

As well as being a great AeroPress coffee, it also works well in a drip machine, a French press, or even for a cold brew. To help you get the perfect grind size for any of these options, there is a grind guide on the back of the bag. There are also instructions for the temperature, water quality, and contact time.

These beans, and all of the beans sold by Kicking Horse, carry several certifications as well. The Fairtrade certification ensures that the profit from this coffee helps empower the farmers to invest in their communities. The Organic certification means that the beans are grown using smart farming, which protects the environment rather than sacrificing it for a profit. This brand is also committed to sustainable practices to grow their beans.

These beans come from Indonesia and South America using the certified practices described above. They are then roasted in Canada, below the gorgeous, towering Rocky Mountains.

    What are its best features?
  • Responsibly grown beans
  • Smoky and sweet aroma
  • Earthy finish
  • No bitterness
    What could be improved?
  • It is a bit pricey
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4575 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.6
3
Best Pre-Ground Coffee

Death Wish Ground Coffee

Features
  • Coffee type: ground
  • Origin: Arabica and Robusta from South America
  • Roast: dark
  • Flavor notes: cherry and chocolate
  • Package size: 1 lb.

More features: other package sizes available, bold flavor, quality brew,  Fair Trade, USDA Certified Organic

If you’re looking for the best fine ground AeroPress coffee, you may want to try out Death Wish Ground Coffee. It comes pre-ground, so you don’t need to worry about grinding the beans yourself, which can save you some time on a busy morning.

This coffee uses a dark roast, which gives the brew a bit more intensity. The beans are roasted using a unique technique in high-tech Loring Roasters, which reduces the acidity and gives it a stronger taste that is smooth and delicious.

Death Wish Coffee also uses small batches in the roasting process of fewer than 65 pounds each, which ensures that each bean has a consistent roast for the best quality possible. This also maintains the fresh taste that some other coffee brands can’t compare to.

The beans themselves are a mix of premium Arabic and Robusta beans from South America. They are then roasted by master coffee roasters at the Death Wish Coffee headquarters in upstate New York. These beans have a bold flavor that contains subtle notes of chocolate and cherry. They also have a rather high caffeine content, which makes them a great choice for those tough mornings when you need a strong cup of coffee to help you wake up.

This coffee is USDA Certified Organic and Fairtrade Certified, so you know that the beans are grown using safe practices, and the farmers are getting their fair share for their products.

    What stands out?
  • Fairtrade and Organic certifications
  • No bitterness
  • Smooth, rich flavor profile
  • High caffeine content
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Pricey for a small one-pound bag
  • Might seem too strong and bitter for some
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6734 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.9
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.4
4
Features
  • Coffee type: whole bean
  • Origin: Arabica from Brazil, Colombia, and Sumatra
  • Roast: dark
  • Flavor notes: dark chocolate, syrup, walnut
  • Package size: 2 lb.

More features: roasted in Hollywood, Florida, gluten-free

Koffee Kult is a family-owned coffee company, so they take pride in every bag of coffee they sell. They use an artisan coffee roaster that is environmentally friendly to roast their beans properly without harming the planet or the beans themselves.
The Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans are 100% Arabica beans from Columbia, Brazil, and Sumatra. This gourmet bean blend is then dark roasted at Koffee Kult in Hollywood, Florida to give it a bold, smooth flavor profile that is free of the bitterness and acidity that can ruin an otherwise great cup of coffee. Some people find this dark roast to be a bit light in color, so it is a good starter dark roast for many people.
When brewed, this coffee has an aroma and flavor notes of dark chocolate, walnut, and syrup. It has a heavy body, with a smooth, bright finish that will give even the most hectic morning some enjoyment.
The packaging for these gourmet coffee beans is eye-catching, though many people find the bags a bit hard to open. They also don’t always seal very well, so you may want to find a container with a good seal to keep the beans as fresh as possible after you open the bag.
You can use this coffee in your AeroPress to make a tasty espresso or a larger cup of coffee, plus can combine it with some steamed milk for a delicious latte or cappuccino if you like.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Artisan roasted
  • Has a bold flavor
  • No bitter aftertaste
  • Eco-friendly process
    What is not ideal about it?
  • A bit light for a dark roast
  • Hard to open package
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3797 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.6
Features
  • Coffee type: whole bean
  • Origin: Arabica from Colombia
  • Roast: medium
  • Flavor notes:cocoa and brown sugar
  • Package size: 2.2 lbs.

More features: roasted and packed in the U.S.A., satisfaction guarantee,

If you love getting a great cup of AeroPress coffee every day but don’t want to spend a fortune on those specialty coffee brands, the AmazonFresh Colombia Whole Bean Coffee may be the right choice for you. It comes in a decent-sized two-pound bag that includes a budget-friendly price.

As well as saving you some money on your daily coffee making routine, this bag of beans also gives you a great mild taste with very little bitterness you would expect from a quality medium roast. In fact, the roastmasters in charge of these beans time each batch perfectly to ensure that the toasty flavor and the aroma complement the unique characteristics of these beans.

Speaking of the beans, this bag contains only 100% Arabica beans from Columbia. These beans have a subtle citrus aroma that gently wakes you up in the morning. The flavor contains notes of cocoa and brown sugar for a bit of sweetness and a smooth finish that you’ll savor down to the last drop.

Another reason these beans are a top choice for many coffee-lovers is that they are packed quickly after the roasting process. This helps keep the beans in the bag as fresh as possible to give you the best possible taste. The downside is that there is no “roasted on” date on the bag to tell you how long ago the beans were roasted and bagged.

    What do we love it for?
  • Has a great low price
  • Features a smooth finish
  • 100% Arabica beans
  • Mild flavor profile
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Its slight bitterness may not appeal to everyone
  • Features no roast date
Also Product Ranking:

Things to Consider

There are many brewing methods out there for making coffee, including drip coffee makers, espresso machines, and a French Press. One of the most recent innovations is the AeroPress, which is a more versatile brewing method. It allows you to use any coffee you like to brew a cup exactly the way you want it, whether you like strong espresso, a regular cup of black coffee, or even specialty beverages like lattes or cappuccinos. Of course, to get the best cup of coffee possible from you Aeropress, you need to start with decent beans or pre-ground coffee.

What is actually AeroPress?

An AeroPress is similar to a French Press in that it uses a plunger to filter out the grinds from the coffee itself. This is the only similarity between the two devices, though. An AeroPress includes a filter attached with a cap. You put the coffee in the chamber, add water, and stir. Then you wait about 20-30 seconds for full immersion of the grinds. When the coffee is ready, you place the filtered end over your chosen mug and insert the plunger at the top. This pushes the coffee through the filter, keeping the grinds in the AeroPress while the coffee strains into the mug.

As well as allowing you to make your coffee to your exact specifications in brew strength, this handy little tool is compact and portable. You can use it at home, at the office, at a hotel, or even on a camping trip. The AeroPress is quite affordable, too, so you can save your money for those specialty coffee beans or some gourmet pre-ground coffee to make your perfect brew.

Features to consider while choosing coffee for Aeropress

If you’re going to use an AeroPress, it is best to choose the coffee for this brewing method carefully. This will ensure you get the best-tasting AeroPress coffee that will meet your personal preference.

Whole beans or ground?

5 Best Coffee Options for AeroPress — Make the Most of Your Coffee Maker!
Coffee connoisseurs will always tell you that buying coffee beans is always better than purchasing pre-ground coffee. The main reason for this is that coffee beans, like the Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass beans, tend to stay fresh for a couple of weeks. Pre-ground coffee will only stay fresh for a few hours, especially if it isn’t in a properly sealed container. This means that the pre-ground coffee won’t have the same flavor as it does when you first open it, while the beans will maintain theirs for much longer.

Another reason many coffee-lovers prefer beans over pre-ground coffee is that they can choose the grind size they want depending on the type of coffee they’re making and the brewing strength they prefer. With pre-ground coffee, you get what’s in the bag, so you need to adjust your other parameters to suit the brewing method.

This doesn’t mean that pre-ground coffee doesn’t have its benefits. It saves you time during the brewing process since you just need to scoop it into your AeroPress and add water. It is also more convenient if you’re traveling since you don’t need to carry a grinder along with you wherever you go. The best coffee grind for an AeroPress is a finer one, so be sure your pre-ground coffee has this option.

Origin

You may not think that the bean’s origins are all that important but you’d be wrong. Where the bean comes from can alter the flavor profile of the beans. This is due to their genetic makeup, the growing conditions in the area, and the way the beans are processed. Again, there is no right or wrong origin for the beans you brew with, it all depends on your taste. Many coffee brands use beans from one area while others like to combine beans from different origins, like the Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans. This gives it a blend of flavors that you may not get from single-origin beans.

Roast

There are three main roast types to choose from when it comes to coffee beans. A light roast makes light brown beans with toasted grain and some pronounced acidity. Medium roast beans are brown, with a more balanced aroma, flavor, and acidity. Dark roast coffee beans are dark brown, with a heavy, full-bodied flavor and a bit of spice to them.

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to the roast of the beans, it all depends on your personal preference. You should remember that an AeroPress does make the coffee taste quite a bit stronger and darker than a normal drip machine will, which is one of the reasons this little device is so good for making espresso. If you normally prefer medium roast coffee, you may want to try out a light roast in the AeroPress. If you like a dark roast, the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend or another medium roast may be a better choice to start with. Of course, if you love strong coffee with a bold flavor, your favorite dark or medium-dark roast will work well in an AeroPress.

Flavor notes

5 Best Coffee Options for AeroPress — Make the Most of Your Coffee Maker!
As we discussed above, the origins of the coffee can affect the flavor, as can the type of bean you’re using. This can vary from bean to bean, too, so you need to check out the bag to be sure of exactly what type of flavor notes the coffee you’re choosing will have. For instance, the Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans uses whole Arabica beans from Columbia, Brazil, and Sumatra, which combine to give the coffee flavor notes of dark chocolate, syrup, and walnut. The AmazonFresh Colombia Whole Bean Coffee also uses Arabica beans, though only from Columbia, so they have flavor notes of cocoa and brown sugar.

The beauty of using an AeroPress is that it brings out those flavor notes more than a regular drip coffee maker would, rather than washing them out. You may not have even noticed those flavor notes before, so be sure to try out a few brands in the AeroPress to discover your favorites.

Aroma

Since our sense of taste works so closely with our sense of smell, the aroma of the coffee you’re brewing is as important as those flavor notes. Of course, the flavor notes do make up a huge part of the coffee’s aroma. Since the AeroPress brewing method can help expand and bring out those flavors, they also fill your nose as you inhale the air around the coffee you’ve just brewed. This enhances those flavors as you drink it, so a fantastic aroma can make your coffee experience that much more tantalizing and delicious.

Package sizes available

The most common size for the coffee packages in our reviews is about two pounds. This is a good size since it gives you enough beans to last a week or so without you worrying about the freshness of those beans. There are other sizes, though, from the small one-pound bag of Death Wish Ground Coffee to large five-pound bags that can supply a whole household of coffee drinkers for long.

The size you choose depends on how many people you’re supplying with coffee and how much they drink on a normal day. Be sure not to go too big or you may lose some of that much-desired flavor from stale beans. It’s better to buy more often to keep the freshness of your coffee at its optimal level.

Extra features

The features we’ve described above are the main ones to consider when buying your coffee. Of course, you may also want to check out a few other details to ensure you’re getting the best AeroPress coffee possible.

One thing to look at is where the beans are roasted. If they are getting roasted in huge batches in a large warehouse, they may not be getting the attention to detail needed for a high-quality bag of beans. The beans used for the Death Wish Ground Coffee are roasted in small batches in the company’s New York headquarters, so this company pays close attention to the way their beans are roasted and the quality of the finished product. Different areas may also use different roasting methods, which can alter the taste of the beans.

There are a few different certifications that can be found on coffee beans as well, including the USDA Organic Certification, the Fairtrade Certification, The Smithsonian Bird Friendly Certification (that ensure the beans are 100% organic and shade-grown), and UTZ Certification that relates to sustainable farming. Though these are the top choices for coffee producers, there are also a few others that you may notice on the packaging, which will tell you what measures the coffee producers are taking to ensure their beans are grown properly and responsibly.

How to make a coffee in AeroPress

When it comes to using an AeroPress, there are a few regular and specialty methods to choose from. To get you started with this handy little brewing device, here is the standard method for making the perfect cup of coffee:

  • Place the filter and the cap on the AeroPress.
  • Place the AeroPress on the mug with the filter down.
  • Add your preferred amount of ground coffee.
  • Pour in the hot water and stir.
  • Insert the plunger and press down gently, forcing the contents through the filter and into the cup.
  • Drink your perfectly brewed coffee.

FAQ

Which grind is better to use in an AeroPress?

The best grind for use in an AeroPress is one that is a bit finer than sea salt, which is similar to what you’d use in a normal percolating coffee machine. The finer grind will give you a richer flavor as it allows for more contact with the water. Of course, you don’t want to go too fine, or it may push through the filter in the AeroPress, creating some unwanted sediment.

Does the taste of beans grown in different regions differ?

Yes, the area the beans are grown in can alter the taste of the beans, even if they are the same type of bean. This is because different areas of the world have varying climates, which affects how the beans grow. As well as the growing process, the way the beans are processed and roasted can affect the way they taste.

Is it hard to clean coffee out of AeroPress?

No, it isn’t hard to clean out the used coffee grounds from an AeroPress. All you need to do is remove the filter cap, then press down on the plunger to push the grounds and the paper filter right into your trash can. Then pull the plunger out of the chamber and rinse all the pieces with hot water. Dry them off and put them aside until it’s time to make your next cup of coffee.

Why is AeroPress coffee so good?

AeroPress coffee has a classic taste with clearly defined flavor notes beacuse it uses the paper filter. This filter stops any oil and sediment from getting in the cup. AeroPress brings out more body while it keeps the cup from being over-the-top muddy. This device is able to make coffee concentrate pretty similar in taste to espresso. It is the a great brewing option for curious coffee drinkers and people who like to experiment.

Can you use any type of coffee in an Aeropress?

In general, the answer is yes. But you should use only pre-ground coffee in an Aeropress. If you want to make a more flavorful and rich cup of coffee, we recommend you use whole bean coffee that you grind yourself.

Our verdict

An AeroPress is a convenient little device for making a great cup of coffee. It allows you to adjust the brew strength as you see fit, plus brings out flavors you wouldn’t get from a normal drip coffee machine. Of course, to get the most out of your AeroPress, you must start with the right coffee.

Our top pick is the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend. This medium roast mix of Arabica and Robusta beans has a mild, creamy taste with rich flavor notes of honey, almonds, and dried fruit. It also creates a velvety crema that will please espresso lovers.

The Kicking Horse Coffee Kick Ass dark roast is 100% Arabica beans. It includes flavor notes of chocolate malt, licorice, and molasses, with a lingering finish. This coffee also includes several certifications, plus has a guide on grind sizes and brewing instructions right on the bag.

For a high-caffeine content, try out the Death Wish Ground Coffee. This dark roast is a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans, with an intense, yet smooth flavor. The master roasters use unique small-batch roasting technology for consistent beans. This coffee also includes USDA Organic and Fairtrade certifications.

9,9
Total Score
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend - Editor’s Choice
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