Coffee is a morning staple for many around the world, thanks to its energizing effects, and there are countless ways to enjoy the perfect cup. One of the quickest and most convenient methods is through instant coffee.
While shortcuts to traditional brewing have existed for centuries, modern instant coffee can be traced back to 1890 when New Zealander David Strang developed a soluble coffee using his patented "dry hot air" process, according to Tasting Table. A couple of decades later, it hit the market, and by World War I, instant coffee became widely popular. Instant coffee, as we know it today, is made from brewed coffee grounds that are dehydrated before packaging. Since the coffee is already brewed, you simply add water, and voilà—instant coffee!
Despite its convenience and affordability, instant coffee has developed a bit of a bad reputation over the years. Critics often cite its lower caffeine content and lackluster flavor, with many coffee enthusiasts viewing it as a subpar option. However, instant coffee has uses beyond just drinking—it’s great for baking, flavoring homemade coffee ice cream, and more. And while single-cup coffee makers have added serious competition, instant coffee remains a quick and easy way to make a cup of joe.
When it came time to taste-test various instant coffee brands, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Would all 10 brands be the worst cups of coffee I’d ever had? To my surprise, there wasn’t much to fear if you’re just after a basic cup of coffee. While it doesn't compare to freshly brewed coffee from a local café, the flavors hold up.
Here are 10 popular instant coffee brands, ranked from my least favorite to the best overall.
Maxwell House
Nutrition (Per 1 Cup):
- Calories: 2
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 1 g
"Good to the last drop" is a slogan that coffee lovers have long associated with Maxwell House. I picked up an eight-ounce container of their medium-roast instant coffee for $7.99. According to the instructions, you should stir one teaspoon of coffee into six fluid ounces of boiling water.
The look: Out of the package, the instant coffee had a medium to dark brown appearance, somewhat resembling the chocolate cookie crunch pieces you’d find in an ice cream cake. The coffee dissolved easily in hot water, and after stirring, the drink took on a dark brown color with some light foaming around the edges of the cup.
The taste: At first sip, I thought this might be a decent, middle-of-the-road option. However, the aftertaste was quite bitter, which made me hesitant to go back for more. Beyond the bitterness, there wasn’t any notable flavor that could elevate it above the others in this roundup. While there’s definitely a market for coffee drinkers who enjoy a bitter brew, other coffees in this test delivered bitterness in a more balanced way.
Folgers Classic Roast
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 1
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 1 g
If any coffee brand is synonymous with instant coffee, it's Folgers. A staple in America's morning routine for decades, Folgers has stood strong despite the rise of coffee chains and increasing competition in grocery stores. I picked up a 3-ounce container of Folgers Classic Roast instant coffee for $4.29.
The look: Folgers Classic Roast instant coffee comes out of the package as a dark brown, finely ground powder. It's finer than brands like Bustelo but not as fine as others like Starbucks. Once dissolved in hot water, the coffee takes on a dark brown color, and unlike some other brands, there was no foam around the edges of the cup.
The taste: The instructions suggest mixing one rounded teaspoon of coffee with six fluid ounces of hot water, but I found this ratio slightly off. The coffee tasted more watered down compared to other brands in this roundup. That said, it had a smoother, mild flavor, likely due to its more diluted consistency. If you adjust the water-to-coffee ratio—either by using less water or adding more coffee—you could achieve a more balanced cup that isn’t too bold for most drinkers.
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 2
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Great Value won top honors in my K-Cup tasting, so I approached this instant coffee test with cautious optimism for Walmart’s store brand. An 8-ounce container of Great Value instant coffee cost me $5.42, and with a suggested 120 servings per container, it breaks down to less than five cents per cup.
The look: Like other instant coffees in this roundup, Great Value Classic Roast has a dark brown, crumble-like appearance. It dissolved quickly in hot water, resulting in a dark brown cup of coffee with no foam around the edges.
The taste: It took a few sips to get a feel for the flavor of Great Value Classic Roast. The first thing I noticed was its smoothness, fitting the profile of a medium roast. Compared to other instant coffees, this one strikes a good balance—not too bold, but not overly light either. It would mix well with sweeteners or flavors, but it also works fine as a standard black coffee or with cream. A solid middle-of-the-road option.
Nescafé Clasico
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 1
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Carbs: 1 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 1 g
Nescafé offers two instant coffee lines: Clásico and Taster's Choice. I tried the Clásico, which comes in a deceivingly large six-ounce glass container, priced at $7.29. According to the packaging, it makes up to 85 cups of coffee, costing just under nine cents per cup.
The look: Nescafé Clásico instant coffee has a medium reddish-brown color, slightly lighter than Bustelo or Folgers. It dissolved quickly in hot water, producing a dark brown cup of coffee with no foam around the edges.
The taste: There wasn’t much aroma when sipping this coffee, but the flavor was pleasant and mild. As a black coffee, it tasted good—something I didn’t find with many other coffees in this roundup. However, when I added cream, it lost some of its smoothness, which may be something to consider for those who prefer their coffee with cream.
Ferrara Instant Espresso
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 2
- Fat: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 4.7 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 1 g
Ferrara Instant Espresso has different instructions compared to most other instant coffees, calling for one rounded teaspoon per three ounces of boiling water, whereas most others suggest one teaspoon per six ounces. With a 1:3 ratio and the boldness of espresso, I was concerned about how intense the flavor might be. At $5.99 for a 2-ounce container, it's also on the pricier side.
The look: This instant coffee is darker and more finely ground than most, though not the finest blend. It dissolved quickly once stirred, resulting in a very dark cup of coffee, likely due to the stronger ratio. There was no foam on the surface.
The taste: This espresso is definitely bold but surprisingly smooth, with a distinct espresso flavor that will appeal to those who enjoy a strong brew. It does lean toward the bitter side with a slight tartness. If you're looking for a versatile instant coffee that works well both hot and iced, this might not fully meet your expectations. However, it’s a good choice if you enjoy a robust espresso flavor.
365 Instant Coffee
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Whole Foods offers its store-brand 365 Instant Coffee, priced at $8.69 for a 3.5-ounce container. The package instructions suggest using one heaping teaspoon of coffee per cup of boiling water. However, boiling water isn't always necessary. If you don’t have a tea kettle, microwaving water or using a single-cup coffee machine works just as well.
Appearance: Despite being labeled a medium-dark roast, the dry coffee granules are unusually light, resembling milk chocolate rather than dark chocolate. The granules are larger than other brands, with a texture more like tiny gravel pieces. Once mixed with hot water, the coffee takes on a deep brown color with minimal foam on top.
Taste: The coffee is bold, with an immediate bitterness that doesn't linger. Advertised as a medium-to-dark blend, it delivers a strong flavor, but the bitterness is the most notable aspect. Despite this, it's still approachable compared to other darker, more bitter varieties.
Starbucks Premium Instant Dark Roast
Starbucks maintains its dominance in the coffee industry by offering a product for every type of coffee lover. I picked up a container of their Premium Instant Dark Roast for $9.99, which holds just over 3 ounces. According to the label, it makes up to 35 cups, bringing the cost to about 29 cents per cup. While it’s on the pricier side, it is Starbucks, after all.
Appearance: The instant coffee resembles finely ground, fresh coffee, with a dark brown hue typical of a dark roast. If presented on its own, it could easily be mistaken for fresh coffee. Once stirred into hot water, the result was a deep brown cup of coffee, with no foam at the surface. After adding cream, I noticed a couple of small pieces of undissolved coffee debris floating in the cup—barely noticeable.
Taste: The packaging describes this blend as "Bold and Chocolaty," and I agree. The chocolate notes hit immediately upon opening the container, and they were just as pronounced in the taste. The coffee has a less smooth, more bitter finish, especially on the backend. It's a solid choice if you enjoy a bold cup, though the strong chocolate flavor may not be to everyone's liking.
Café Bustelo Espresso Instant Coffee
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 1
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 1 g
Café Bustelo's iconic yellow label stands out in the coffee aisle. I purchased their Espresso Instant Coffee for $7.39 for a seven-ounce container. The instructions recommend using one teaspoon of instant coffee for every six fluid ounces of hot water.
Appearance: The instant coffee grounds are a deep, dark brown, reminiscent of chocolate cookie crumbles on an ice cream cake. When stirred into hot water, it took a few extra stirs to fully dissolve. The final result was a dark brown cup of black coffee, with no foam around the edges.
Taste: Since Café Bustelo is an instant espresso, I expected a stronger flavor, and it delivered. It strikes a nice balance between boldness and a slightly sour mouthfeel, while remaining smooth. There’s also a noticeable nutty flavor right from the first sip. If you’re specifically looking for instant espresso, this is a solid choice, though the intense espresso flavor may not appeal to everyone.
Illy Classico
Illy is a popular choice for hotels and coffee shops across the country, a strong endorsement given the numerous options available. Illy’s instant coffee is marketed as "mild and balanced" with a slightly more pronounced intensity. At $10.20 for a 3.3-ounce can, it's one of the more expensive options in this roundup.
Appearance: The Illy Classico Instant Coffee has a light brown hue, similar to Whole Foods' 365 blend. The instructions are somewhat vague, suggesting you stir one or two teaspoons of coffee into hot water, leaving the strength up to personal preference. Once mixed, the coffee dissolved instantly, producing a deep brown cup with no foam on the surface.
Taste: Illy's description of being "mild and balanced" is spot on. The coffee is smooth, with no bitterness on the finish, offering just the right amount of boldness for those who enjoy light to medium roasts. If you're after a strong, intense brew, this might not be your cup of coffee, but it’s one of the few in this roundup that I found myself returning to for multiple sips.
Nescafé Taster's Choice House Blend
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 2
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Nescafé’s Taster's Choice House Blend stands apart from its Classico instant coffee, using a different blend of beans and a freeze-drying process. I appreciate that this product comes in convenient individual packets, eliminating the need for measuring. At $3.79 for a box of 18 packets, it breaks down to just 21 cents per cup.
Appearance: The coffee granules are larger than typical instant coffee grounds, resembling small gravel pieces. The color is lighter, similar to milk chocolate, which is expected from a Light to Medium roast. However, once I mixed it with eight ounces of hot water, the coffee appeared much darker than anticipated, almost like a strong black coffee, with a slight foam around the edges.
Taste: This is a very approachable cup of coffee. As a Light to Medium blend, it will suit a wide range of coffee drinkers. It’s smooth, not bold, and easy to drink. There’s a faint nutty flavor, though subtle enough that it doesn’t dominate the experience. The finish is clean, with no bitterness at all. Overall, it’s an excellent choice if you prefer a mild, easygoing instant coffee.
I ultimately chose Taster's Choice as my top pick because of its pleasant taste and smooth texture. While instant coffee may not be everyone’s go-to, Taster's Choice provides an accessible flavor that works well if you’re in a pinch, and it pairs nicely with added flavors or sweeteners. If you prefer something bolder, Café Bustelo’s instant espresso is a great alternative.