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Best Coffee Container 2024

Updated January 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Fellow Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister
Fellow
Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister
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Best coffee container
Bottom Line

An airtight seal, small footprint and minimalist design made this a quick favorite during testing.

Pros

We found it easy to engage the vacuum seal by twisting the lid. We noticed the canister completely eliminated odors from the coffee beans when the lid was secured in place. We love the simple, stylish design and the option to choose from clear glass, matte black or matte white finishes.

Cons

Prolonged exposure to sunlight will start to diminish the freshness of your beans if you opt for the clear glass finish.

Best Bang for the Buck
Oggi Coffee Canister
Oggi
Coffee Canister
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Best large coffee canister
Bottom Line

If you’re hoping to up your coffee game, experience the perfect blend of freshness and affordability with this canister, which boasts an ample 62-ounce capacity to preserve your beans.

Pros

It has a stainless steel body and BPA-free plastic lid that is airtight and easy to clean. The clear lid allows users to quickly check the stock of their beans without exposing them to oxygen. You can also buy matching tea and sugar canisters.

Cons

It's not the most durable of coffee containers.

Planetary Design Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
Planetary Design
Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
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Best stainless steel coffee container
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A favorite of our coffee expert, this stainless steel canister is durable, stylish and easy to clean. It has a valve seal to remove air and a double-lid design for optimal freshness.

Pros

Available in two sizes — the smaller can hold approximately half a pound of coffee beans, while the larger accommodates up to 1 pound or more for ground beans storage. Crafted from durable stainless steel. It features an enameled exterior and is available in a variety of colors to match your kitchen.

Cons

The top lid is on the loose side, so just make sure it’s on tight to ensure your beans keep fresh.

Veken Coffee Caniste
Veken
Coffee Canister
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Best canister with measuring scoop
Bottom Line

This canister flaunts a slim design but offers a generous 22-ounce capacity and features an adjustable date tracker on its lid and comes with a scoop that attaches to its side.

Pros

We like that it keeps beans fresher for longer with a one-way CO2 valve and an airtight silicone seal. It includes a scoop for measuring ground coffee. The convenient dial keeps track of the content's age.

Cons

Our tester found that the outside of the canister was susceptible to scratches more so than other canisters we tested.

DII Mason Jar-Inspired Ceramic Kitchen Canister
DII
Mason Jar-Inspired Ceramic Kitchen Canister
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Best ceramic coffee container set
Bottom Line

Elevate your farmhouse kitchen with this set of three charming ceramic canisters. These heavy-duty canisters not only exude rustic style but also feature a practical silicone gasket to keep your food fresh and protected from ants and bugs, while their lids provide easy access.

Pros

This ceramic canister comes in a set of three with matching sugar and tea canisters. The jars have the cool retro look of mason jars. The silicone gasket helps keep your beans fresh for longer periods of time.

Cons

They're fairly small and aren’t technically air-tight.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
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Researched
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Buying guide for best coffee containers

Coffee is at its freshest, boldest, and most delicious when the beans and grinds are stored and brewed under ideal circumstances. 

When exposed to oxygen, roasted coffee beans begin to go stale. In fact, when you open a new bag, beans meet oxygen and the clock starts ticking. Thankfully, you can preserve your coffee beans for longer with the proper coffee container.

Which coffee canister is best according to experts?

If you're serious about coffee, you probably choose your beans carefully. No matter how great the beans are, however, improper storage could lead to stale beans and poor-quality coffee. To keep your beans fresh, you need high-quality coffee storage containers. The best coffee canisters have airtight seals that reduce bean oxidation for a fresher flavor. 

The BestReviews Testing Lab tried out one of the top coffee storage containers on the market, the Fellow Atmos Coffee Canister, to see how it performed. We loved the seal on the lid because it was secure and easy to use — great for keeping coffee beans fresh.

We also interviewed Kelsey Waddell of Roasty Coffee for her input on the best coffee bean canister. She chose the Planetary Design Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister as her favorite because its dual-lid design effectively preserves freshness.

You'll find more information on these picks and our other favorites below. 

Our top picks

Fellow Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister

 

Best coffee container

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 41 oz | Material: Glass or stainless steel  | Weight: 1.3 lb | Dimensions: 4.3” W x 4.3” D x 6.6” H | Seal Type: Vacuum seal

We tested this coffee storage container and loved the way the lid worked. You simply put it on the container, then move it back and forth to improve the seal and remove excess air. The idea behind this is to reduce your coffee's exposure to oxygen to keep the beans fresh for longer. 

The 41-ounce model we tested was big enough to hold a 12-ounce bag of coffee beans. However, the brand also offers 24-ounce and 14-ounce containers. It comes in two different materials: glass or stainless steel. While some people prefer glass because they like to see how many beans they have left, light shining through the glass could potentially degrade the beans unless you store it in a dark kitchen cabinet.

Overall, this is a tester favorite and a great buy. It's easy to use with one of the simplest vacuum seal systems we've come across. It's a compact canister that doesn’t take up too much counter space or cabinet space, yet it accommodates an entire bag of coffee beans.

Oggi Stainless Steel Coffee Canister

Best large coffee canister

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 62 oz | Material: Stainless steel  | Weight: 13 oz | Dimensions: 5” W x 5” D x 7.5” H | Seal Type: Silicone gasket

If you're looking for roomy but affordable coffee bean storage, this canister is a solid choice. It might not have a vacuum seal or valve seal, but it has a silicone gasket with clamps to prevent air from getting in, keeping the coffee reasonably fresh. 

The 62-ounce capacity is large, especially considering how little it costs. It fits almost a pound of coffee beans — or more ground coffee by weight. You can keep an eye on your coffee level through the transparent lid without opening it, but notably, this means you should keep it out of direct sunlight. 

While it isn't the most high-tech coffee bean canister, it's an excellent choice for coffee lovers on a budget. You can also buy matching tea and sugar containers. 

Planetary Design Airscape Stainless Steel Coffee Canister

Best stainless steel coffee container

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 32 oz (small) ; 64 oz (medium) | Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 1 lb  | Dimensions: ‎5” L x 5” W x 4” H (small) ; ‎5” L x 5” W x 7” H (medium) | Seal Type: Valve seal

What makes the Airscape stand out is its dual-lid design. "These containers employ a unique two-lid system designed to combat the enemy of coffee freshness: oxygen," says Waddell. "The inner lid, acting like a plunger, seals your coffee beans by pushing out the oxygen through a two-way valve, ensuring that your beans remain uncontaminated. The top lid, available in both plastic and bamboo, creates an additional layer of airtight protection.”

It comes in two sizes: small and medium. The small container holds around a half-pound of coffee; the medium container holds 1 pound of coffee. This product is made of durable stainless steel with your choice of 10 enamel finishes, including matte red and obsidian. 

"For coffee aficionados seeking the ultimate coffee storage solution, the Airscape containers stand out as a game-changer in preserving the freshness of your precious beans," Waddell notes. We agree that this airtight coffee canister is excellent for anyone who worries about their beans going stale. It could make all the difference in the taste of your finished brew. 

Veken Coffee Canister

Best coffee canister with measuring scoop

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 22 oz | Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 1.17 lb | Dimensions: 5.3” W x 5.3” D x 7.4” H | Seal Type: Valve seal

Although you can use this canister for both coffee beans and ground coffee, we think it's especially suitable for storing ground coffee because of the included scoop. It's great for measuring out just the right amount.

The valve seal system lets out carbon dioxide (CO2) naturally emitted by coffee beans without letting in oxygen, which helps keep them from going stale. It's made from stainless steel and has a sleek look with five color choices including gray, black and copper. 

We appreciate the valve seal on this coffee container. We also like that the lid clamps in place for a better fit. Plus, the date tracker is useful for remembering when you first stored your coffee. 

DII Mason Jar-Inspired Ceramic Kitchen Canister

Best ceramic coffee container set

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 15 oz (per canister) | Material: Ceramic | Weight: 15.4 oz (per canister) | Dimensions: 4” W x 4” D x 5.6” H | Seal Type: Silicone gasket

With this product, you don’t just get a coffee canister; you also get matching tea and sugar canisters. We find this a nice touch for anyone who likes to leave their beverage canisters out on the counter. Although they are made of ceramic, all three look like vintage mason jars. 

Each jar has a 15-ounce capacity. That’s not huge, but you could use more than one of these jars to store coffee if you needed more storage. The silicone gasket seal might not be fancy, but it keeps air and moisture out. 

If you're in the market for a set of ceramic canisters, this is our favorite. We like the way they look and appreciate the farmhouse aesthetic. 

Le Creuset Stoneware Canister

Best stoneware coffee container

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 48 oz | Material: Ceramic | Weight: 2.8 lb | Dimensions: 5.5” W x 5.5” D x 12.3” H | Seal Type: Silicone gasket

Fans of high-end kitchenware manufacturer Le Creuset will love this stoneware coffee canister. It has the colorful good looks you'd expect from a Le Creuset piece and is available in Marseille blue, cerise red or classic white. 

We like the 1.5 quart/48-ounce version for coffee, as it can fit a full 12-ounce bag of coffee beans with room to spare. However, if you're looking for something more compact, there's also a smaller 23-ounce version. The silicone gasket around the wooden lid makes it airtight, even if it isn't as high-tech as a vacuum seal or valve seal. 

This is one of our favorite coffee canisters aesthetically, even though it might not keep your coffee as fresh as those with more advanced seals. That’s not a big issue if you get through your coffee quickly, though. Plus, diehard Le Creuset lovers won't mind the tradeoff. 

MiiR Airtight Coffee Canister

Best coffee storage container with accordion seal

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 12 oz | Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 1.1 lb | Dimensions: 4.5” W x 4.5” D x 7” H | Seal Type: Accordion seal

The accordion seal on the MiiR is one we haven't seen before. It fits on top of the coffee inside the canister and locks in place, keeping out oxygen that causes coffee to spoil. A conventional screw lid fits over the top of this, providing dual protection. 

MiiR adopts a unique capacity measurement for its coffee canister, making direct comparisons challenging. Despite being labeled as a 12-ounce canister, it doesn't equate to 12 fluid ounces; instead, it refers to the volume of coffee beans it can hold. In contrast, the Fellow Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister, with a listed 41-ounce capacity, also accommodates 12 ounces of beans. While it may seem modest compared to other options, it can actually store a full bag of coffee beans.

We love the innovative seal design on this canister and find it helps with freshness. It also looks great. It has a simple, minimal design with black, white or copper finishes to choose from. 

Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Canister

Best coffee storage container with date tracker

Product Specifications: 

Capacity: 44 oz | Material: Stainless steel | Weight: 14 oz | Dimensions: 5” W x 5” D x 6” H | Seal Type: Valve seal

The date tracker on this canister allows you to record the month and date when you filled it. This helps you keep track of the beans’ age and when they might need replacing.

We like the stainless steel construction and sleek gray finish. We looked at the medium-size canister, which holds 16 ounces of whole coffee beans. There is also a smaller option that holds 11 ounces of beans and a larger option that holds 22 ounces of beans. 

This is an affordable coffee canister that does a great job keeping coffee fresh. It has a valve seal to let CO2 out without letting oxygen in. 

Key considerations

Size

How much coffee do you drink? How many bags of coffee do you keep open at any given time? These factors will help determine the container size you need. One pound of coffee beans equals about 16 ounces of volume, which is pretty standard in coffee containers. Generally, you only want to store as much ground coffee as you can drink in a week or two. 

If you store beans, it’s okay to store a couple of months’ worth in a container. However, as we will see, the quality of the container and its placement affect bean quality.

Seal

High-quality coffee containers — those that keep your coffee fresh the longest — generally come with one of two seal types: a vacuum seal or a valve seal.

Vacuum seals are particularly popular; most coffee beans are packaged in vacuum-sealed bags. Vacuum sealing removes air from the container so the coffee doesn’t oxidize. 

Valve seals are also popular, and many people find them superior to vacuum seals. Coffee naturally emits carbon dioxide. If you’re trying to preserve beans in a container over a long period of time, you need to remove the excess air the beans create. A valve seal works in one direction, allowing carbon dioxide to escape the canister without inviting oxygen in.

That said, even canisters with a simple silicone gasket seal do a decent job of keeping coffee fresh. This is especially true when storing whole beans, as they don't oxidize as quickly as ground beans. 

Material

Coffee containers may be made of stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or glass. Stainless steel is highly effective: It’s an airtight material that prevents oxidation, and it can’t be stained by coffee oil. Ceramic is highly effective at keeping beans dry and cool. Plastic is one of the cheapest options, but it’s also the least suited to keeping coffee fresh. It may absorb the coffee oils, ruining the flavor of darker roasts. Furthermore, some varieties of plastic are porous. The last option, glass, may be airtight, but exposing a glass coffee container to sunlight could increase the temperature within, furthering oxidation.

Aesthetic

A coffee container can be an attractive and unique countertop accessory. Remember, however, that a decorative glass container will expose the contents to light and heat, speeding up the oxidation process. A decorative opaque container may be more effective. 

Remember, too, that for the freshest possible coffee, the container should have an airtight seal. A container designed to look “rustic” or “cozy” may lack this feature.

Features

Bamboo lid

Some coffee containers feature bamboo lids, which are both decorative and effective at sealing off air. A container with a bamboo lid may also have valves or vacuums to preserve coffee. However, it’s worth noting that some containers with bamboo lids are more geared toward aesthetics. These products may not be as good at keeping coffee fresh.

Freshness tracker

Some coffee containers have a simple tracker located on the lid or side that allows you to note the day you put coffee in the container and when it will start to go stale. As mentioned, an effective coffee container will keep its contents fresh for over a week. Noting the date will alert you to when the taste may start to fade.

UV protection

Some glass containers are built with UV protection that prevents light and heat from reaching the beans. This is a worthy compromise for those who want a glass container that shows off its contents.

Coffee container prices

  • Inexpensive: For under $20, you’ll find an array of plastic and glass coffee containers that keep coffee adequately fresh. This range may include some smaller stainless steel and ceramic units with valves or vacuums.
  • Mid-range: Most coffee containers cost between $20 and $30. These tend to be made of stainless steel or ceramic, featuring effective valves or vacuums.
  • Expensive: For over $30, you’ll find larger coffee containers made of stainless steel and featuring valves that allow air to escape the container. These are often the most effective containers for keeping coffee fresh.

Tips

  • Wash and dry your container between uses. Coffee will leave residue and flavor behind once the container is empty. Thoroughly clean it before adding new coffee to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Keep the container out of the sun. Shield it from the light, preferably in a cupboard. Heat can increase oxidation, as can moisture.
  • Avoid putting it in the fridge or freezer. While placing your beans in a cool or frozen place may seem like it would preserve freshness, you will lose lots of flavor if you do. The coffee may not be stale, but it’ll be bland.
  • Grinding increases surface area. The finer the grind of the coffee, the more exposed it becomes to the elements, and the faster it will oxidize.
  • There is no set timetable for coffee to go stale. The type of bean, roast, bag and environment all subtly affect its taste, peak freshness and lifespan.

FAQ

Q. Where should I place my coffee container?

A. The best location for a coffee container is a cool, dry and dark place like a cupboard. However, a cupboard may not always be the most convenient place, especially if you want to display a decorative container. 

If you want to keep your coffee container on display, place it out of direct light and heat — away from windows as well as the oven, stovetop and dishwasher, all of which emanate heat.

Q. How can I tell if my beans have turned stale?

A. You can use almost all of your senses to determine whether your beans have gone bad. Fresh coffee has an oily and relatively glossy surface; beans that look dull may be stale. You can test for the presence of oil by rubbing beans between your fingers. 

Smell is another way to check freshness. If the beans lack an aroma, they have likely turned stale. 

The last option is to taste the coffee. Bland coffee without a potent aroma or flavor has likely passed its expiration date.

Q. Does putting coffee in a fridge make it last longer?

A. No. While there's some debate over whether storing whole beans in a freezer helps them last longer, fridges don't get cold enough to preserve coffee for longer. And, worse than that, coffee absorbs flavors and odors, so if you store it in the fridge or freezer, it can come out tasting bad. It's best to store your coffee in a suitable container at room temperature. 

How we analyzed

We tested one of the coffee canisters on this list and interviewed coffee expert Kelsey Waddell for her recommendations. Aside from this, we researched popular coffee containers, comparing factors such as capacity, seal type and design. We considered more than 20 products before selecting our top models. 

Our expertise

Lauren Corona has been writing for BestReviews for more than six years. In this time, she's covered hundreds of home and kitchen products. She's written about coffee machines and coffee accessories and is a self-confessed coffee snob, so she's serious about selecting the best coffee canisters. 

Sources

  1. Interview with Kelsey Waddell of Roasty Coffee
  2. A Science Guide to Coffee Freshness, Samo Smrke
  3. How to Store Coffee, National Coffee Association
  4. How Does Light Affect Roasted Coffee, Karmen Yoong