Want the best coffee for Aeropress? Check out the top choices and a buying guide so you can choose the best beans for your perfect cup of coffee.
In a hurry? Our top choice is the Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast Coffee!
The AeroPress is one of the most versatile home brewers on the market.
It even has its own world championship.
But that begs the question: what’s the best coffee for AeroPress?
After nearly five years in the coffee industry, I have a lot of thoughts.
In this article, I’ll run through my top AeroPress coffees.
Let’s just get to it!
Best Coffee For AeroPress: Top 9 Picks
- Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast Coffee (Best Overall)
- Volcanica Costa Rica Peaberry (Most Interesting Flavors)
- Koa Estate Medium Roast Whole Bean 100% Kona Coffee (Best Hawaiian Coffee)
- Lifeboost Medium Roast Decaf (Best Decaf)
- Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee (Best Espresso Roast)
- Volcanica Coffee Guatemala Antigua Reserve (Best Dark Roast)
- Illy Arabica Selection Guatemala Whole Bean (Best Single-Origin)
- Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast Organic Coffee (Best Light Roast)
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender Medium Roast Ground Coffee (Easiest to Brew)
Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast Coffee
Embolden Dark Roast is one of the most drinkable dark roasts I’ve come across.
The dark roast Lifeboost coffee is rich and deep. It’s perfect for creating concentrated AeroPress espresso. And the coffee is great for adding cream and sugar.
Plus, Embolden is a single-origin dark roast. That means you get crisp and clear Nicaraguan flavors.
Lifeboost is certified by Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and USDA Organic, so you can rest assured the coffee is produced under high standards.
This coffee is also 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are better and tastier than Robusta beans or any Arabica/Robusta blend.
This is a standout coffee for its smoothness. It’s truly one of the most drinkable AeroPress coffees I’ve found. That’s why it tops my list.
The only thing to note is that the dark roast does take away a few of the unique single-origin flavors that you would get in a lighter roast.
Pros
- The dark roast shines in AeroPress brews because it keeps the coffee rich and deep and perfect for creating AeroPress espresso
- It’s a single-origin coffee, which means you get a crisp, clean, and specific flavor profile
- Lifeboost is certified by Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance, so you can be sure the production processes were held to high standards
- This is 100% Arabica coffee, which is better and tastier than any Arabica/Robusta blend
Cons
- You do lose some of the unique single-origin flavors because this is a dark roast
Volcanica Costa Rica Peaberry
Peaberry coffee is a natural mutation in the coffee cherry where instead of two smaller coffee beans, the fruit produces one big one.
Peaberry beans are huge. And they have rich and rounded flavors.
This Volcanica Costa Rican Peaberry is a flavor bomb in every brew. Especially when brewing with AeroPress.
With each brew, you’ll find the flavor profile of this single-origin Costa Rican coffee potent and delicious.
The notes of honey, lemon, and almonds come across clearly and in each sip. It’s no exaggeration when I say that this coffee has some of the biggest flavors I’ve ever had in coffee.
Plus, it’s a wash-processed coffee. That ensures that crisp and clear flavors get into your mug.
And the medium roast keeps everything balanced. This coffee isn’t too acidic and isn’t too rich. It’s just right.
Think of this coffee as the flavor-bomb coffee you’ve been waiting to try.
Just note that because of the intense flavors, it doesn’t do so well with cream and sugar.
Pros
- Peaberry coffee is incredibly flavorful and juicy, so you’ll get rounded and rich flavors in every brew
- Notes of honey, lemon, and almond come across as really strong in AeroPress brewing with this coffee
- The washed process keeps everything clear and punchy
- The medium roast makes everything balanced, so it’s not too acidic and not too strong
Cons
- Because of the juicy flavors, this coffee doesn’t do as well with cream and sugar
Koa Estate Medium Roast Whole Bean 100% Kona Coffee
KOA Coffee is a trusted brand in the Hawaiian coffee world, so you can be sure you’re getting quality and consistency in every bag.
Plus, this is a single-estate 100% Kona coffee. That means that it comes from one farm in one region. It isn’t blended with any crop from any other region or farm.
And single-estate coffees have very specific flavor characteristics, which is true of this coffee.
The medium roast keeps everything balanced. This KOA single-estate isn’t too dark and isn’t too acidic. It’s a perfectly balanced cup that’s good on its own or with cream and sugar.
It’s the best coffee for dipping your toe into the world of Hawaiian beans.
But this coffee is a bit expensive. So it’s best saved for a special occasion.
Pros
- Single-estate coffees have unique flavor characteristics, which is true of this coffee
- Hawaiian coffee is some of the best in the world, and KOA Coffee has been doing it for a long time, so you’re getting quality and consistency in each bag
- The medium roast keeps everything balanced, so this coffee isn’t too dark and isn’t too acidic
- It’s 100% Kona coffee, so it isn’t blended with other crops from different regions, and you get the full Kona experience
Cons
- It’s on the pricier side, so it’s best to save this for a special occasion
Lifeboost Medium Roast Decaf
Finding decaf coffee that still tastes great in AeroPress is tough because, usually, it just tastes flat.
But this Lifeboost Medium Decaf is a Swiss Water decaf coffee. That means that it was decaffeinated using only water and no chemicals. So you still get a tasty coffee, just no caffeine.
Plus, it’s 100% Arabica coffee. Arabica beans are tastier than Robusta beans. And they hold their flavor better throughout decaffeination.
Lifeboost is certified by Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance, so you get safe and healthy coffee no matter which Lifeboost coffee you buy.
And this decaf is roasted in small batches, which means you get the freshest possible roast each time you buy a bag.
It’s simply the best option for decaf AeroPress coffee. The medium roast means it’s versatile enough for any AeroPress recipe.
The only thing to note is that you do lose some of the single-origin characteristics through the decaf process.
Pros
- The Swiss Water decaf process means you still get unique and interesting flavors in your coffee
- It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are tastier than Robusta and keep their flavor better through the decaffeination
- Lifeboost is certified by Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance, so you can be sure that you’re getting high-quality and safe coffee
- It’s roasted in small batches, so you can be sure that you’re getting the freshest possible roast in each bag
Cons
- You lose some of the single-origin flavor profile during the decaffeination process
Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee
AeroPress brews are great for their versatility, and they are one of the easiest ways to get an espresso-style coffee at home.
And for that, you need a coffee that’s great for espresso brewing. That’s the Lavazza Super Crema.
The notes of honey and dried fruit come across really well when brewed in espresso-style AeroPress recipes.
It’s a blend of Brazilian, Indian, Colombian, and Indonesian coffees. That makes this a balanced and drinkable AeroPress espresso.
The dark roast itself helps meaning you can brew this coffee in even the strongest AeroPress recipes and get great results. It’s also great if you’re a beginner and need a forgiving and versatile coffee.
The depth and richness of Super Crema mean it works really well with cream and sugar. Either as black coffee or as espresso for a latte.
Super Crema is a super solid and reliable espresso roast coffee for your AeroPress.
The only bummer is that the blend of four coffees means some specific and unique flavors get lost.
Pros
- Notes of honey and dried fruit come across as strong when brewed as espresso-style AeroPress
- The blend of Brazilian, Indian, Colombian, and Indonesian coffees makes this a super-balanced cup
- The espresso roast means you can brew this strongly in AeroPress and still get great results
- Because of the richness and depth of this coffee, it goes great with cream and sugar
Cons
- Because of the blend of four coffees, some of the specific and unique flavors can get lost
Volcanica Coffee Guatemala Antigua Reserve
Personally, I love Guatemalan coffee beans. They have a smooth and chocolatey flavor and make delicious coffee.
This Volcanica Guatemala is another winner. It has notes of deep caramel, earth, and smoke that come across really nicely in an AeroPress recipe.
The flavors don’t overpower the cup, and all work together to create a great experience. Imagine a dark roast diner cup but with a sweet undertone.
The dark roast helps keep the single-origin Guatemala smooth. The dark roast also imparts some interesting and smoky characteristics. It’s a great winter morning coffee.
The washed processing of this Guatemalan keeps the coffee smooth and rich. That means it’s super versatile in AeroPress recipes. It responds well to changing up your normal routine.
Lastly, it’s a Kosher and Rainforest Alliance coffee. That means that it was held to a high standard throughout its processing.
It’s maybe the best Guatemalan coffee I’ve ever tried, and I highly recommend it to any AeroPress brewer.
Pros
- Notes of deep caramel, earth, and smoke come across well when brewing this Guatemala in an AeroPress
- The washed process keeps the flavors smooth and rich, which means it has versatility when brewing
- The dark roast gives this coffee interesting and smooth single-origin characteristics
- It’s a Kosher and Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee, which means it was held to a high standard through its processing
Cons
- The dark roast takes away some of the interesting single-origin Guatemalan flavors you’d get in a lighter roast
Illy Arabica Selection Guatemala Whole Bean
Guatemala is known for its chocolatey flavor. This Illy Arabica Selection Guatemala is spot on.
The notes of chocolate, honey, and caramel keep this coffee smooth, rich, and delicious. But don’t be fooled. This isn’t an acidic coffee. It’s a smooth body and a drinkable aftertaste.
The medium body means that this is a versatile coffee that can handle any AeroPress recipe you throw at it.
Want an AeroPress espresso? Bingo. Just a smooth cup of black coffee? Easy. Coffee with cream and sugar? Yep.
Single-origin Guatemala means you get a specific and direct flavor profile that isn’t blended with another country or coffee. It’s just Guatemala coffee from the Huehuetenango region.
And it’s 100% Arabica beans. Arabica coffee bean is always a better choice than Robusta in terms of taste.
As far as this list is concerned, this is the best single-origin coffee for AeroPress.
The only downside is that Illy batch roasts their coffees. So you might not get the freshest possible roast when you buy a bag.
Pros
- Notes of chocolate, honey, and caramel carry this coffee through an AeroPress brew, keeping it lively and delicious
- The medium body means this is a versatile brew that can handle any AeroPress recipe
- It’s a single-origin coffee, which means you get a specific and direct flavor profile that isn’t blended with any other coffee
- It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are better and tastier than any Robusta bean
Cons
- It’s batch-roasted, which means you might not get the freshest roast possible when you order a bag
Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast Organic Coffee
Lifeboost has an extensive lineup of good coffees. But none are as bright and lively as the Optimist Light Roast.
It’s a single-origin coffee, which means you get a crisp and clear flavor profile. And it’s consistent from bag to bag.
The light roast itself helps keep everything bright and imparts tasty stonefruit notes to AeroPress brews.
And it’s 100% Arabica coffee. Arabica beans are tastier and of higher quality than Robusta beans.
Optimist Light Roast is certified by Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and USDA Organic. You can rest assured that this coffee is safe, healthy, and held to high processing standards.
If you’re a fan of light roasts and haven’t tried Optimist yet, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Get a bag now and try it out. I can almost guarantee you’ll love it.
The only downside is that the light roast doesn’t do so well with cream and sugar.
Pros
- It’s a single-origin coffee, so you get a crisp and clear flavor profile that’s consistent from bag to bag
- The light roast keeps this coffee bright and lively, so it has a good amount of acidity that imparts tasty stonefruit notes to your AeroPress brews
- It’s 100% Arabica beans, which means it’s tastier and higher quality than an Arabica/Robusta blend
- It’s certified by Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and USDA Organic, so you can be sure it’s safe and healthy
Cons
- Because of the lighter roast, this coffee isn’t as versatile and doesn’t do as well with cream and sugar
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender Medium Roast Ground Coffee
Stumptown is a national roaster that’s been around for a long time. And they’ve been trusted by coffee folks like me for that entire time.
Hair Bender is one of the original blends, and it’s withstood the test of time. You can certainly trust and take it from me that this is a quality and dependable blend.
The notes of citrus and dark chocolate keep this coffee rounded and delicious. That makes it a great option for any AeroPress recipe.
And the medium roast balances everything out. The acidity and the depth are both mellow, which means Hair Bended is a great coffee any time of day.
Plus, it’s 100% Arabica coffee. Arabica beans are better and of higher quality than any Robusta/Arabica blend.
Take it from me, if you’re looking for the most balanced and easiest-to-brew coffee, it’s Hair Bender from Stumptown.
The only downside is that because it’s a blend of three coffees, you lose some of the specific flavor characteristics.
Plus, it’s a coffee ground, so it will definitely not be as fresh as whole-bean coffee.
Pros
- Notes of citrus and dark chocolate keep this coffee rounded and delicious, which is perfect for any AeroPress recipe
- The medium roast balances the acidity and the depth of the coffee, making it a mellow drinking experience for any time of the day
- It’s 100% Arabica bean, which means it’s tastier and higher quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend
- It’s the original blend from Stumptown, so it’s been around and trusted forever
Cons
- Because it’s a blend, you lose some of the unique flavor characteristics
- It’s pre-ground coffee, so you lose some of the freshness you would get by grinding the beans on your own
How To Buy Coffee For AeroPress
Let’s chat briefly about how to buy coffee specifically for AeroPress.
These are the top three things I look for:
Is Ground Or Whole Bean Coffee Better?
I always say that if you can grind your own beans, you absolutely should.
Beans lose their flavors faster once they are ground. So, if you buy pre-ground coffee, it will start to taste bland and flat faster than if you grind beans at home with a coffee grinder.
My best advice, get yourself a decent entry-level grinder. It’s the easiest way to step up your home brewing game.
BOTTOM LINE
Always grind beans at home if you can.
What Flavor Notes Should You Look For?
This is all about personal preference. But in my experience, going for coffees that are a bit more mellow in flavor notes tends to work better in AeroPress brews.
I prefer coffees with notes of chocolate, caramel, or stonefruit. Generally, that means the coffee will be easy to brew and have a more mellow drinking experience.
But any coffee can be delicious in an AeroPress! It just depends on how you brew.
BOTTOM LINE
It’s just to personal taste. Mellow notes mean a mellow brew.
What Is The Best Roast Level?
Again, the roast level is up to personal preference, but I find that medium roasts work best in AeroPress.
That’s because medium roasts tend to be the most balanced and most forgiving.
They won’t often be too bold or too bright. Usually, they’ll be just right.
BOTTOM LINE
Again, personal preference, but medium roasts tend to be the most drinkable.
FAQ
Time for a few final last-minute questions.
These are the most common questions I get about AeroPress coffee.
Is AeroPress as strong as espresso?
AeroPress can make some pretty concentrated and strong coffee. But it won’t be as thick as espresso and won’t have any crema.
So no, Aeropress is not as strong as espresso.
Does grind size matter for AeroPress?
Yes! Grind size matters a lot for the AeroPress coffee maker. It changes your extraction speed and how strong your coffee will end up.
It’s best to use a fine grind when brewing coffee with AeroPress.
Why does my AeroPress coffee come out weak?
If your AeroPress is coming out weak, you need to adjust the grind a little finer.
A finer grind will slow down your extraction and make your coffee stronger and tastier.
My Final Verdict
Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast Beans are the best coffee beans for Aeropress.
It has a smooth and rich flavor profile. It’s perfect for adding cream and sugar. And because of the darker roast, it’s pretty forgiving no matter how you brew your AeroPress.
It’s single-origin and 100% Arabica. So all-around, it’s a great option for even the most casual coffee drinker.
Give it a shot!
