7 Best Ground Coffee Brands For A Quick Cup Of Joe

Are you looking for the best ground coffee brands to stock up your cabinet? Here are my favorite brands for high-quality coffee you can make in minutes.

Too busy for coffee? That sounds like a pain for those who can’t get their day started without a caffeine kick. But there are some days when we can’t find the time to grind the batch, clean things up, and wait for our cup of Joe to be brewed the right way.

Now that is when the coffee ground comes into play. Ground coffee may not be regarded in as high esteem as whole bean coffee, but it’s convenient and still packs a punch. Here are seven of the best ground coffee brands to make it even easier. 

1. Folgers

As one of the most popular ground coffee brands in America, Folgers has grown a massive loyal fanbase waiting to consume over 30 billion bags of coffee a year. 

Most of their products are made of a fine blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, roasted and ground before hitting supermarket shelves. One of my favorite things about Folgers is the wide variety of flavors ranging from mild and medium to medium-dark and dark. As of 2022, Folgers has developed 18 ground coffee canisters, including classic roast, house blend, French roast, decaf, and many more.

2. Starbucks

Ever since it was launched in 1971, Starbucks has been taking the world by storm with its constantly evolving flavors and recipes. Ground coffee fans will be spoiled for choice. You can choose the Decaf House Blend, Holiday Blend, Mocha, and Espresso Roast, along with a playful mashup of seasonal flavored blends to make it more fun to enjoy new flavors every day.

Even better, those unique blends become an irresistible gift for your loved ones. As fall is approaching this year, I highly recommend the Pumpkin Spice Ground Coffee, made from 100% Arabica coffee.

Check out our list of the strongest Starbucks coffees for a wake-up call.

3. Kicking Horse Coffee

Small but mighty, the Canadian Rocky Mountains-based coffee roaster started out in a small garage in 1996.

Succeeding its well-received whole bean coffee lines since the company’s debut, Kicking Horse later started to introduce ground coffee, mostly centered around its beloved strong-tasting profile. You can choose from light roast to dark roast, including Lucky Jim, Hola, Smart Ass, Kick-Ass, Three Sisters, 454 Horse Power, Grizzly Claw, and Storm. 

All eight options are equally priced, but my favorite call for those seeking unique flavor is Storm. This is an exclusive single-origin coffee sourced from Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Each sip of Storm delivers a floral and chocolate aroma while the taste reminds you of bright chocolate flavors with hints of bergamot, jasmine, and honey.

4. Death Wish Coffee

Born with a mission to keep you awake and protect the earth in the process, Death Wish Coffee is known as one of the strongest coffees in the world. It’s definitely not something for the weak of heart as it contains about 300 milligrams of caffeine for every cup.

The New York-based roaster hypnotizes caffeine worshippers worldwide. Each sip is steeped in a bold and intense blend of Arabica and Robusta beans from India and Peru.

In the scene of coffee roasters, Death Wish is a new kid on the block. It was launched in 2012 but soon took off with a huge reputation as it even fueled the astronauts at the International Space Station. 

5. Lifeboost

Can we make coffee healthier? With that in mind, Dr. Charles Livingston went ahead creating his own coffee brand that’s all about sourcing only the best quality beans in his products. Ironically, only 2% of beans grown worldwide meet his standards. 

From espresso, Cinnamon Cappuccino to Half Caff and Midnight Roast, Lifeboost guarantees not only ethically sourced beans that are 100% chemical-free and pesticide-free but also low-acidic and certified organic.

By going Lifeboost’s way, you are contributing to fair treatment and pay for its workers and environmental preservation. One of my favorite ground coffee from the brand is Medium Roast Bean, the single-origin coffee sourced from a small plantation in Nicaragua located at 5,700 feet on the slopes of Mt. Kilambe.

You might also be interested in our round-up of the best organic coffee brands. 

6. Peet’s

Dating back as far as 1969, Peet’s is no more a stranger to coffee fanatics. The brand has stood the test of time for decades with its unique richness and overall strength.

If you’d rather stick to something traditional, don’t overlook Peet’s Big Bang. This smooth medium roast ground coffee was brought to life for the brand’s 50th anniversary.

Alternatively, those who enjoy the coffee-forward, smoky, bittersweet with hints of caramel will be hooked by Peet’s Organic French Roast. The beans are sourced from Guatemala and Colombia, where the coffee is known to mature slowly on a high elevation, making it denser, harder, and packed with flavor.

7. Caribou

Caribou opened its doors to the US coffee market in 1992 and made a name for itself in the specialty coffee market. 

One of its proudest lines is the Caribou Blend Medium Roast, a classic product packed with a distinct complex layer of flavors. On the flavor profile, the roaster marks its blend as a capsule of “sweet, spicy, and berry notes to produce a rich, syrupy body and a bittersweet cocoa and cedar finish.” It’s woody and spicey, yet, the acidity level is not overly powerful yet still sharp and pungent.

Alternatively, Caribou Daybreak Light roast is another top call for ground coffee lovers. Enjoy the warm sunshine in every cup that opens with subtle fruit sweetness and cheery floral overtones. As it lingers to the end, washing down your throat, that is when the sweet caramel and nut finish kicks in to complete its tasting profile.