The Best Coffee Subscription UK 2024
It hasn’t taken long for the coffee subscription market to explode.
I remember arriving back to the UK in 2018 after living outside of the country for 7 years and a simple search for coffee subscription uk only brought up a few brands.
Today there are lots of new coffee clubs all offering something slightly different.
Now, I am obviously a little biased and I do believe that Batch Coffee Club is the best of the bunch.
Here I am testing out new coffee brands
However, I’m also aware that (like specialty coffee) people have different tastes and some brands fit certain people better.
So take a look at some of the options below (all brands that I love too) alongside why I believe that Batch Coffee Club is a great choice.
The rise of the subscription box saw brands sprout up in all sorts of wonderful niches offering monthly deliveries of goodies.
Coffee subscription services have always managed to stick around though and seem to have stood the test of time while other more fleeting sub boxes have disappeared.
Although one may think that a coffee subscription box is just a delivery of coffee, each brand offers something slightly different from the next.
That’s why we thought I would create a list of the best coffee subscriptions in the UK and highlight the pros and cons of each outfit.
16 Best Coffee Subscriptions UK 2024
I’m Tom and I have been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years, starting my journey as a barista in Australia, working on coffee farms in South America and roasting coffee in The UK.
Today I review and write about speciality coffee. I am the founder of Batch Coffee Club, which showcases the very best coffee from around the world.
Coffee subscriptions are popping up all the time in the UK so we are always on the lookout for new coffee subscriptions to try out.
If your favourite coffee club isn’t on the list please leave a note in the comments below.
1. Batch Coffee Club
Type of Subscriptions - Multi Roaster Discovery. 2 different roasters and origins in each box. Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Every 2 or 4 weeks.
Weight/Quantity - 400g per box. 2 x 200g bags.
Packaging - Organic, Compostable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★★★☆
Batch Coffee Club is a specialty coffee subscription service showcasing the very best coffee in the world.
Although there are some fantastic coffee subscription brands out there, I do really believe that Batch Coffee Club is the best of the bunch.
Here’s why...
With an ever-growing list of roasteries popping up by the week in the UK, there are so many new coffees and roasting styles to try.
Although the larger more established roasteries are easy to find online and on social media, the smaller micro-roasters with little budget for marketing are a little harder to sniff out. Which is where Batch Coffee Club comes in.
Batch is a team of coffee professionals with over 15 years of experience in the industry spanning the globe.
From the hustle and bustle of Australian coffee bars through to the magnificent vistas of South American coffee farms the team alongside myself have worked first hand in every aspect of the speciality coffee journey.
The Batch coffee professionals receive coffee from roasters throughout the UK to taste and review, the top two are then selected for the coffee subscription box.
The roaster and the origin are celebrated in each in-depth coffee review that you can access by scanning the QR code on the bag.
Each coffee subscription box comes with 2 x 200g bags of speciality coffee. The coffee is then changed every two weeks so you will never have the same coffee twice.
The packaging is 100% home compostable and if you decide that Batch Coffee Club isn’t for you there is a 30 day money back guarantee.
Does Batch coffee tick your boxes? Learn about Batch coffee subscriptions here.
Use Code BESTCOFFEESUB for 50% off your first box.
2. Volcano Coffee Works
Type of Subscriptions - Select Your Favourite, Roasters Choice
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Every week, Fortnight or Monthly.
Quantity/Weight - 2 x 200g per box or 1kg bag.
Packaging - Plastic Recyclable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★★★☆
Kurt Stewart is the visionary behind Volcano Coffee Works, established in 2010.
Growing up in coffee-obsessed New Zealand, Kurt founded Volcano to introduce the exceptional coffee he cherished to the UK market.
In doing so, he has also supported the livelihoods of the communities involved in growing and producing the coffee.
Volcano began as a humble coffee cart on the streets of West Norwood and has since expanded into a team of 30 dedicated coffee enthusiasts working out of a state-of-the-art roastery in Brixton.
Kurt continues to be the driving force of the business, personally roasting the first batch of coffee each day.
Volcano consistently produces some of the finest coffee available in the UK, maintaining high volume without compromising quality.
Volcano Coffee Works is committed to complete supply transparency, ensuring they know the origins of their coffee and frequently visiting many of their farmers.
Read more about Volcano Coffee Subscriptions.
3. Coffee Works
Type of Subscriptions - Blends, Single Origin, Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Whole beans/Ground
Timeframe - Every 1, 2 or 3 weeks or Monthly
Quantity/Weight - 250g bags.
Packaging - Plastic. Recyclable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK and NI
Value - ★★★★★★★★★☆
Coffee Works is an indie coffee roaster founded by coffee wizard Kev Lewis.
If you’ve ever been in the market for any piece of coffee paraphernalia and searched online for some advice there's a good chance you came across Kev.
He’s pretty mad about coffee and home brewing and his knowledge of home coffee machines is unparalleled in the UK.
Coffeeworks have been around for a little while now and have featured in our coffee club. Checkout the review of Coffee Works here.
They have a pretty large menu of coffee available and there is a huge array of all sorts of coffee that’s all available as a subscription.
Find out more about the Coffee Works Subscription.
4. Assembly
Type of Subscriptions - Contemporary, Combination, Classic
Ground/Whole beans? - Whole beans
Timeframe - 1 or 2 times per month
Quantity/Weight - 2 x 200g bags per box.
Packaging - Rice paper bags. Recyclable.
Letterbox - ❌
Shipping - Worldwide
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
They are one of the few coffee roasters in the UK that are pushing the boundaries of each aspect of their business.
The Assembly roastery is housed in a 19th century fire station in the heart of London.
The Loring roaster alongside a state of the art coffee sensory lab and a couple of event spaces to hold cuppings is a testament to how serious these guys take specialty coffee.
When talking to their business manager, Ed, he explained how the team is in constant conversation with their customers, whether it’s a retail customer purchasing a 250g bag every other week or a wholesale cafe that orders dozens of kilos per week.
This conversation enables Assembly not only to build strong long lasting relationships and understand their customers wants and needs but also keeps their finger on the pulse of the specialty coffee industry.
Read more about Assembly Coffee Subscriptions.
5. Origin
Type of Subscriptions - Feature coffee subscription, Decaf, Cold Brew, Pod
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - From every 1,2 or 4 weeks..
Quantity/Weight - 250g bags.
Packaging - Home Compostable Bags
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Having worked closely with his fathers coffee business growing up, he has always been involved in the industry.
After a trip to Australia in the early 2000’s where coffee culture reigns, Origin was born.
Since then Origin coffee has evolved into a full team of industry professionals, a world class coffee program, 6 coffee shops and an ever evolving product range.
Read more about Origin Coffee Subscriptions.
6. Balance
Type of Subscriptions - Blends, Single Origins. Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly.
Quantity/Weight - 250g, 1kg bags.
Packaging - Plastic bags. Recyclable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Founder James has worked in the coffee industry for 8 years and wanted to create a coffee brand with a mission to inspire people to drink better quality coffee at home.
The coffee that they roast is focused on selling to people who are looking at becoming more of a home barista and create that coffee shop experience in their own home.
With really clean and slick branding their eye-catching watercolour design is a clue about the style of coffee that they offer.
They are not afraid to showcase an unusual origin and may provide that unique bag of speciality coffee you are looking for.
Balance offer a few different espresso options and an espresso taster pack that lets you try all of their blends at once.
Read more about Balance Coffee Subscriptions.
7. Rave
Type of Subscriptions - Traditional (darker roast) or Discovery (lighter roast) Rave Coffee.
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - From every 1 week to 3 months.
Quantity/Weight - 250g bags. Choose from 1 to 4 per delivery.
Packaging - LDPE bags. Recyclable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK and International
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
To be fair Rave are beasts in the coffee industry.
They've been around for quite some time, and I even remember hearing about them before I began my journey into specialty coffee.
The ethics and brand values of Rave are immediately evident when you visit their website or social media accounts.
They have a laid-back approach, aiming to make customers feel at ease right away. They are true coffee enthusiasts, frequently visiting the origins of their coffee.
I spoke with their roaster and green buyer, Brooke, who has extensive industry experience and is incredibly friendly and personable. Rave exudes approachability and caters to everyone, whether you're a seasoned expert like Brooke or new to the coffee scene, with options tailored to your tastes.
Their coffee bean subscriptions feature a rotation of seasonal roasts, available in quantities ranging from 250g to 1kg per delivery, with flexible schedules from weekly to every three months.
Check out our Rave Coffee Review for more info.
Otherwise if these guys tickle your subscription box fancy Visit Raves’ Website Here.
8. Square Mile
Type of Subscriptions - Filter, Espresso, Our Pick, Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Every 1 or 2 weeks or monthly
Quantity/Weight - 350g or 1kg
Packaging - Plastic and Cardboard
Letterbox - ✅ for single bags
Shipping - UK, Worldwide
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Square Mile Coffee Roasters was established in 2008 by specialty coffee pioneers Anette Moldvaer and James Hoffmann.
A cornerstone of London coffee culture, they have expanded into a dynamic team of 22 skilled coffee professionals, all brimming with experience and passion for their craft.
Square Mile is committed to continuous evolution, constantly assessing their impact and seeking improved solutions for their daily operations.
By collaborating closely and supporting their partners throughout the supply chain, they strengthen relationships, build expertise, and contribute to elevating London's specialty coffee culture on the global stage.
Check out Squaremile coffee profile for more info.
Otherwise if Visit Square Miles Website Here.
9. Just Bru
Type of Subscriptions - Multi Roaster. Espresso, Filter and Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Monthly
Quantity/Weight - 2 x 250g bags.
Packaging - Depending on the Roasters
Letterbox - ❌
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Just Bru was founded by coffee pros and fanatics Ben and Liv.
Seven weeks into the COVID lockdown, the couple decided to start Just Bru, recognizing that their barista and coffee-loving friends were missing their favorite UK coffee shops.
Their backgrounds in specialty coffee laid the foundation for this UK coffee subscription service, where each pair of coffees is carefully selected from the vast array of options available in the UK.
Their goal is to support the showcased coffee roasters in each box and provide an effortless service that delivers quality coffee and the thrill of discovering new flavours.
Just Bru offers a monthly coffee subscription, allowing you to choose coffee best suited for either a filter or an espresso machine.
If Just Bru sound like one of the best coffee clubs for you Visit Just Brus’ Website Here.
10. Gustatory
Type of Subscriptions - Multi Roaster. Filter or Espresso. Preference of Flavours. Pods. Decaf. International Roasters
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Monthly
Quantity/Weight - 1-3 x 250g bags.
Packaging - Depending on Roaster
Letterbox - ❌
Shipping - UK and International
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Gustatory are the curated beverage space.
They are dedicated to supporting small, independent brands aiming to reach audiences across the UK.
Gustatory features a variety of brands in coffee, tea, wine, and more, each bringing their unique flair and creativity to the market.
Committed to ethical and sustainable production, Gustatory ensures that each brand is mindful of its impact on both local and global communities.
Gustatory partners with the environmental charity One Tree Planted, donating on behalf of every subscriber to support global reforestation efforts.
Their subscription coffee beans allow you to specify your flavor preferences, roast level, and grind size, ensuring a personalized coffee experience. If you're seeking the best ground coffee for a cafetière, their offerings could be the perfect solution.
If Gustatory flip your coffee selection box switch Visit Gustatorys’ Website Here.
11. Pact
Type of Subscriptions - House, Select or Microlot Pact Coffee. Coffee Pods. Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - From every 3 to 50 days.
Quantity/Weight - 250g per box. 1 x 250g bags.
Packaging - Paper and aluminium bags. Recyclable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Pact have been in the UK coffee subscription game since 2012.
They have been transforming perceptions of coffee, aiming to elevate it to the status of fine wine rather than a common cupboard staple like flour, as it is often viewed in the UK.
All of Pact Coffee's subscription beans are sourced through the direct trade model. This approach involves visiting farms at the origin to meet producers, thereby eliminating middlemen who typically reduce the earnings of coffee producers.
Pact offers a highly flexible coffee club that allows you to easily pause and adjust your subscription.
When you purchase a Pact coffee subscription in the UK, a frequency gauge helps you determine how often you need deliveries based on your weekly coffee consumption. They also provide options for decaf coffee beans and coffee pod subscriptions.
Check out our Pact Coffee Review for more info.
12. Rise Coffee Box
Type of Subscriptions - Multi Roaster Discovery. Decaf
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Every 2 weeks, 1 or 2 months
Quantity/Weight - 2 x 227g - 250g bags.
Packaging - Depending on the Roaster.
Letterbox - ❌
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
Rise Coffee Box was founded throughout the pandemic similar to Batch Coffee Club.
Founders and Legends Ben and Alice were missing their morning flat whites and after not been able to find a UK coffee subscription online to fit their needs, decided to start their own.
As passionate coffee enthusiasts, they ensure each box contains two independently roasted coffees, carefully selected, along with a recipe and stories from each roaster.
Additionally, you'll receive a small treat from an independent food and drink brand that the couple admires
If Rise fries your coffee bean box bacon Visit Rises’ Website Here.
13. Blue Coffee Box
Type of Subscriptions - Light, Medium, Dark Roast. Multi roaster. Decaf.
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - Every 2 weeks, 1 or 2 months
Quantity/Weight - 2 x 227g bags.
Packaging - Eco bags. Compostable.
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK and International
Value - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆
The Father and son duo of John and Harvey founded Blue Coffee Box in 2017.
Their goal was to revolutionize home coffee consumption in the UK, replacing jars of instant coffee with freshly roasted specialty coffee.
Blue Coffee Box offers a Discovery Coffee Box, featuring two bags of coffee from rotating roasters, or a single bag option.
They also provide a decaf choice and a coffee beans gift set, which allows you to include a personalized message inside the box.
Check out our Blue Coffee Box Review for more info.
If Blue Box Coffee is right up your street Visit Blue Coffee Boxes’ Website Here.
14. Dog and Hat
Type of Subscriptions - Multi Roaster. Filter, Espresso or Omni roast
Ground/Whole beans? - Whole Beans
Timeframe - Monthly
Quantity/Weight - 1-3 x 250g bags.
Packaging - Depending on Roaster
Letterbox - ❌
Shipping - UK
Value - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Dog and Hat is operated by the Morgan family out of their farmhouse on the outskirts of York.
They meticulously research UK coffee roasters to feature in their coffee box, driven by the infectious passion each roaster has for coffee. Dog and Hat aim to share this enthusiasm with a broader audience.
They exclusively select roasters who prioritize ethical sourcing, ensuring complete traceability of the beans and fair treatment for the farming communities involved.
Dog and Hat's coffee bean subscription service includes a curated selection of UK roasters. Additionally, they offer an International coffee subscription option, highlighting one international roaster each month.
If Dog and Hat flies your coffee beans club kite Visit Dog and Hats’ Website Here.
15. Campbell and Syme
Type of Subscriptions - Roasters Choice, Fruity, Chocolatey, Sweet, Experimental
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - 1, 2 and 4 Weeks
Quantity/Weight - 250g bags, 500g bags, 1kg bag
Packaging - Recyclable Packaging
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK and International
Value - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
When Campbell and Syme founded their company in October 2012, they possessed limited knowledge about the intricacies of coffee roasting.
However, they were aware that coffee could offer an exceptionally sweet and juicy flavour when its unique characteristics were properly emphasised.
They also believed that a welcoming demeanor could attract customers, inviting them to both enjoy their coffee and feel valued.
To them, specialty coffee was not about exclusivity; rather, it served as a platform for shared experiences and meaningful dialogues.
Much has evolved since those initial days.
The company has matured, benefitting from the diverse skills and knowledge contributed by various team members.
Despite this growth, the core values that Campbell and Syme espoused have remained constant.
Read More about Campbell and Syme
16. Grind
Type of Subscriptions - House Blend, Light Blend, Decaf, Pods.
Ground/Whole beans? - Both
Timeframe - 2 - 8 Weeks
Quantity/Weight - 2 x 227g bags, 1kg bagn or 30/100 Pods
Packaging - Compostable Pods, Recyclable Packaging
Letterbox - ✅
Shipping - UK and International
Value - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆
Grind has been going since 2011.
Which, in speciality coffee years is pretty darn old.
David Abrahamovitch founded Grind by transforming his father's Shoreditch mobile phone shop into a café-bar.
Over the past decade, Grind has evolved into a cult coffee brand with multiple locations across London, including espresso bars, cocktail bars, restaurants, an international-grade recording studio, and a state-of-the-art coffee roastery.
Still based in Shoreditch, Grind now employs around 200 people, with many of their investors becoming regular customers and friends worldwide.
Their subscription options are diverse, offering ground or whole beans in your choice of house blend, light blend, or decaf. Additionally, they provide one of the few UK coffee pod subscriptions featuring compostable pods.
How to choose a coffee subscription?
Take a look at the information below about how to select the right coffee subscription for you. Make sure you keep in mind a couple of key factors like the type of subscription (Discovery box, same coffee each delivery, etc), the timeframe between each coffee delivery, the options on how the coffee is prepared (whole beans, ground, etc) and various other factors like size of box and value for money.
Discovery coffee subscription or same coffee roaster subscription?
The constant supply of the same coffee is something quite typical of individual coffee roasters to offer.
This is particularly good for folks with espresso machines that are happy with a blend of coffee and opt for a delivery timeframe that replenishes their hopper with fresh coffee beans.
You can of course find many coffee subscriptions that offer different coffees in each delivery.
Same Roaster?
Decide on whether you would like to try coffees from different coffee roasters or the same one. If you are totally in love with one particular roaster they will sometimes let you opt for a seasonal coffee selection box and send you a new coffee of theirs in each box.
Otherwise there are many coffee subscription brands that offer a multi-roaster approach and to explore the amazing coffee roasters we have in the UK.
Coffee bean subscription or ground coffee subscription?
If you have a grinder, great! You will be able to opt for whole beans in pretty much every coffee club.
If you are in the market for a ground coffee subscription you will need to check that this is an option as some brands only send whole beans.
Delivery rate and quantity?
Try and figure out how much coffee you drink per week and opt for a delivery timeframe that supplies enough coffee.
Coffee will be at its very best from 5 - 21 days after the roast date. So a bi-weekly coffee delivery will suffice for those who like to change it up. A monthly coffee subscription delivery is also a great option for more casual coffee sippers.
Just a coffee subscription or extra treats?
Are you a person that enjoys surprises?
Whether it’s an organic chocolate bar or a best selling novel there are a range of brands that offer “coffee plus something” in their box.
Are Coffee Subscriptions Worth It?
It completely depends on you as a coffee consumer. If you love coffee but don’t have the time to go out and buy specialty coffee or perhaps getting hold of quality coffee is harder for you in the location live then a coffee subscription may suit you really well.
Also, if you love trying new coffee but you don’t have the time to research new brands and would rather receive recommended coffees then a discovery coffee subscription could be a great investment.
For some that live in cities and have coffee roasters on the doorstep a coffee subscription may not be worth it. The rituals of visiting coffee shops and purchasing coffee while also supporting local businesses are traditions that have helped the speciality coffee industry grow.
If you’re still stumped let us guide you through Are Coffee Subscriptions Worth it?
Who Does Coffee Subscriptions In The UK?
To be honest most of the independent coffee roasters in the UK offer some form of coffee subscription. This usually comes in the form of the same coffee delivered each week, however you may find the odd coffee roasters that lets you select a certain coffee or they may send a range of single origins.
There are also many coffee subscription brands that offer discovery boxes that usually consist of various coffees sourced from a mix of coffee roasters.
How Big Is The Coffee Subscription Market In The UK?
The UK coffee subscription market has exploded in recent years. Not only have brands started to offer solely coffee subscriptions but also coffee roasters are also offering the service.
The reason for this is a number of factors including the rise of the specialty coffee industry, people making coffee at home and the ease and popularity of subscription delivery services.
How Often Do I Need a Coffee Subscription Delivered?
First of all figure out how many coffees you consume per week. The weight of ground coffee per cup will vary depending on the method used but is usually around 15g - 20g.
Say you consume 2 coffees per day that’s 14 per week so you would get through around 210g - 280g of coffee per week.
It’s your choice then whether you would opt for say a 500g delivery of coffee every 2 weeks or 1kg every 4 weeks. Coffee is at its very best 5 - 21 days after the roast date, so keep that in mind when selecting timeframes.
Is It Best to Get Whole Beans or Ground Coffee Subscriptions?
It depends on whether you have a coffee grinder and whether you’re wanting to use it everyday.
We would always recommend opting for subscription coffee beans as coffee is best brewed freshly ground. But if you haven’t got round to purchasing a grinder yet or your manual grinder is reserved for weekend mornings then opting for some ground coffee delivered is your ticket.
What Are Personalised Coffee Subscriptions?
Many brands now offer a personalised coffee subscription. The personalisation comes in a couple forms:
If you are looking for a coffee gift subscription then there are sometimes options to include a message inside the first box. There are normally options for coffee gift boxes to be purchased as a package such as three boxes delivered over 6 weeks which make perfect gifts for coffee lovers.
Personalisation also comes in the form of a bespoke coffee of your liking in each box. This is normally determined by a series of questions about your taste and preference in coffee. You will then normally be sent a coffee that the brand thinks you will enjoy.
Where To Find A Gift Coffee Subscription?
Any of the coffee subscription boxes listed above would make a great gift for you to give to a coffee lover.
There are certain brands that offer various types of payment on their subscription service. For example some brands only offer recurring subscriptions so you will be paying every time coffee is delivered to the recipient like a subscription to Netflix for example.
Some coffee brands offer packages so you can purchase 3 or 6 boxes for example at once. This normally works out as a better option as a gift as you don’t need to set a reminder to cancel the subscription after a certain amount of days.
Also look out for certain brands (like Batch Coffee Subscription UK) that offer personalised messages inside the box.
Are Coffee Subscriptions Eco Friendly?
Some brands offer a more eco-friendly coffee subscription than others when it comes down to packaging, shipping and roasting.
Coffee packaging comes in various forms and materials, the industry like many are trying to balance the need for packaging that keeps the product fresh but also harms the environment as little as possible. Most coffee bags are now recyclable, some plastic-free and some are compostable (although make sure you check they’re home compostable before you lob them on your compost pile in your garden).
Coffee roasting is also another way roasters are trying to become more eco friendly. Like a large revolving oven, raw coffee is poured into the top of the machine and roasted for roughly 10 - 15 minutes per batch.
Many roasters operate on gas but more and more electric coffee roasters are becoming available on the market offering a slightly more eco-friendly approach.
Can You Cancel A Coffee Subscription?
You will certainly be able to cancel any coffee subscription that you sign up for a recurring delivery.
You should either be given instructions on how to cancel when you sign up or by logging into your online account. If none of these are an option, reach out to them by email and I’m sure one of their friendly staff will let you know how to go about cancelling your subscription.
