The Search for the Best Coffee Container: 8 Best Canisters Reviewed

Stale beans are bad beans. The beans, the water’s mineral content, your brewing method, and your technique will all affect the final cup. But is that all that matters?

One of the most critical and often overlooked factors that affect your coffee’s freshness is how you store your beans.

Even with the most expensive and best coffee, it will all be for nothing if you let its main enemy anywhere near it: oxidation.

8 Best Coffee Canisters

1. Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Coffee Canister – Best Overall

One of the most popular coffee container solutions out there, it has all the features that you could want to ensure maximum freshness.

Features

• Stainless steel
• Vacuum-sealed
• Military-grade materials
• Date wheel

Design

Its design is sleek and will fit in any coffee aesthetic.

Made of stainless steel, this is very durable and prevents chemical reactions between your coffee and the container. It also keeps light out so that you can store it anywhere in your house.

Performance

It sports a vacuum seal that prevents air and moisture from spoiling your coffee. Its lid lets you push down into the container to force all the air out before locking it. This ensures the tightest possible seal and keeps it that way.

Extras

Its date wheel keeps your coffee fresh by letting you keep track of roast or expiration dates.

Is It Right for You?

If you’re the type of coffee lover who wants the best possible cup and is willing to spare no expense to ensure maximum freshness, this is the one for you.

Pros

• Durable with military-grade quality
• Date wheel lets you keep track for maximum freshness
• Easy to use

Cons

• Most expensive coffee container

2. Lovffee Coffee Canister – Best Value

This container may just love your coffee as much as you do.

Features

• Valve allows carbon dioxide to escape
• Ceramic design
• Silicone base
• Coffee scoop

Design

It is one of the few ceramic coffee containers out there and looks fantastic. Personally, we love its blue and orange design, but they offer many colors for anyone out there, ranging from plain black or silver to colorful pink or green.

They also offer a variant with a handle on the lid and another without it.

Performance

It has patent-pending technology on its lead, which creates a vacuum seal and allows carbon dioxide to escape through its one-way valve.

The choice of ceramic material offers many colorful design choices and makes it resistant to heat. It has a soft silicone base that will ensure you don’t scratch your countertops.

Extras

As a bonus, it comes with its very own coffee scoop!

Is It Right for You?

If you’re particular about getting a ceramic container for your coffee beans or just want extra bright and colorful containers, this is for you.

Pros

• Only ceramic option on this list
• Looks great
• Dishwasher safe
• The lid has a handle for easy use

Cons

• Breakable

3. OXO Good Grips Airtight Coffee Container – Best Budget Pick

This coffee storage solution is an airtight, space-efficient container.

Features

• Airtight
• Modular design
• Compatible with the OXO Pop line of products
• Easy to store container
• Durable plastic material
• BPA-free
• Dishwasher safe

Design

Its shape makes it easy to store anywhere, without wasting important space in your pantry. It can easily stack with any POP container from the OXO line.

It is also made of transparent plastic, which blocks out 99% of UV rays. If you’re protective of your coffee, we’d recommend you store it inside your cupboard.

Performance

Push the button on top of the lid to engage the seal. The same button also doubles as a handle.

As a warning, OXO discourages carrying this container by the lid. Some customers have also raised concerns about the seal gradually weakening over time.

Extras

Its lid makes it compatible with OXO’s additional features for its POP container line, such as a date dial, scoop, and more. This means you can customize your container, depending on your needs.

Is It Right for You?

If you’re looking for a durable, affordable, and airtight container that you can customize, yes!

Pros

• Customizable features and modular design for easy storage
• Can hold up to 1000 grams of coffee, so you can keep big batches
• Blocks 99% of UV rays despite being transparent

Cons

• Plastic
• See-through
• No valve
• Seal tends to weaken gradually

4. Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister

Fellow is known for making high-quality coffee products from its Stagg EKG Kettle to the Fellow Prismo attachment for the Aeropress. The Prismo will ensure you have airtight coffee.

Features

• Vacuum canister
• Forces air out of the container
• Choice of design
• Various sizes

Design

Its design is sleek and straightforward, making it a very sexy addition to your coffee bar or brewing station. You can choose between glass or steel.

Its sizes come with a capacity of either 6 oz, 10 oz. and 16 oz. No matter how many beans you typically store, there is a perfect size for you.

Performance

Its seal works by twisting the lid back and forth until a green sign appears on the small round indicator on top.

When this indicator appears, it means the container has reached 0.7 atmospheres of pressure inside. If you continue twisting the lid, it can drop to as much as 0.5 atmospheres of pressure. It’s that easy to use.

It maintains this for up to a week if you don’t use your coffee. For daily use, the Atmos can increase your bean’s lifespan by up to 50%.

To open the container, it is as simple as pressing the button on top of the lid. The hissing sound means all the air has rushed back into the container, and you’re free to lift the lid.

Extras

Fellow Atmos features a unique technology in the lid.

Is It Right for You?

If you want a canister that will ensure that no air stays in it, this is the one for you. However, the unique nature of the technology in its lid requires special care instructions.

Don’t let water or particles inside the pump. Otherwise, this may lead to potential damage. This means you can’t store ground coffee in it. Note also that the lid is not dishwasher safe.

Pros

• Beautiful design for that instagram-worthy coffee nook
• Choice of glass or stainless steel and color
• Various sizes for your needs

Cons

• Expensive
• Special care required for the lid

5. Tightvac Coffeevac

The Tightvac Coffeevac is a partially vacuum-sealed container that ensures you have airtight coffee.

Features

• Partially vacuum-sealed
• Seal is touch-activated
• Many designs and colors

Design

It comes in many designs and colors, such as purple, green, black, and more. It’s also lightweight and portable! As for size, it can fit up to 16 oz of coffee beans, with other variants offering smaller sizes.

You also have options between steel and glass canisters.

Performance

It keeps unwanted air and light out and lets carbon dioxide vent out to ensure freshness. Moisture will also not be an issue with the Tightvac.

To make you feel extra safe about this choice, it is NSF tested and certified, and FDA approved. So you’re sure to keep your coffee and other dry goods fresh and safe.

Extras

Its airtight seal is touch-activated, which is a lovely, uh, touch.

Is It Right for You?

If you want to customize the aesthetic of your coffee nook, this is for you.

Pros

• Variety of designs and colors for any coffee nook theme
• Touch-activated seal making it easy to open and close

Cons

• Not completely airtight
• Not dishwasher safe
• The lid tends to tighten after a while

6. Kitchables Coffee Canister With Airfresh Valve Technology

This coffee canister comes with an airtight seal and what they call the “CO2 fresh valve technology” that is sure to keep your coffee fresh.

Features

• CO2 fresh valve technology
• Airtight seal
• Stainless Steel
• Comes in various colors

Design

Made of stainless steel, this is a durable container. It comes in various colors: silver, purple, yellow, green, blue, black, and red. You can also choose between a capacity of 14 oz. and 16 oz for this coffee canister.

Personally, we love the matte black they offer. It also has a lock on the side where the scoop attaches to.

Performance

Its special technology ensures that you keep your coffee fresh. It also promises to be watertight so that moisture won’t be a problem. And if you’re not satisfied, their 100% manufacturer’s warranty is sure to keep you covered.

It has received many 5 star reviews. Customers have even discovered that the coffee scoop that comes with this canister can double as a tamper for espresso!

Extras

Concerned about mixing up essential dates? This comes with a built-in calendar, which lets you select both the month and the day.

It also comes with its very one coffee scoop!

Is It Right for You?

If you’re one of those people who cares about the aesthetics of their coffee bar and tries to match the color of your coffee container, this may just be a great choice.

If you want a combination of having a calendar, many design options, and special technology, this is definitely for you.

Pros

• Variety of color choices
• Free scoop!
• Built-in calendar to keep track of dates

Cons

• Might be too large for some

7. Blinkone Airtight Coffee Canister With Magnetic Scoop

No matter how many times you blink, that scoop isn’t going anywhere!

Features

• Stainless steel build
• Magnetic scoop
• Airtight

Design

Blinkone’s design comes in beautiful shape. This canister is completely made out of stainless steel and only comes in silver. Although, considering how great it looks, we’re not complaining!

Do remember that its capacity is only 18oz. Its size, together with its price tag, makes this one of the pricier options for a coffee canister out there.

Performance

The Blinkone is a stainless steel coffee container that comes with an airtight seal made up of silicone. However, it has no one-way valve.

In fact, they’re so confident that you’ll be 100% satisfied that they offer a lifetime warranty when you purchase this.

Extras

It has a magnetic scoop that ensures you won’t lose it anytime soon. Blinkone also gives you a complimentary coffee guide once you purchase this coffee storage solution. The guide gives you tips on how to select and brew your coffee.

Is It Right for You?

If you regularly use a coffee scoop to measure how much coffee you’re brewing, this is for you.

Pros

• Magnetic scoop so you’ll never lose it
• Lifetime warranty makes this extra worth it

Cons

• No valve
• Pricey

8. Planetary Design Airscape

By its very name, its technology lets air escape from inside the container without allowing unwanted air in during storage.

Features

• A special valve that pushes air out and locks the lid
• Stainless steel build

Design

It comes with 2 lids. One used to push air out of the container, and another to put on top. The first lid is black and doubles as a handle. The second lid is transparent.

It comes in silver, bronze, and blue. Personally, we love the bronze.

Performance

It is airtight and allows built-up carbon dioxide to escape by using the first lid to push excess air out. When you do, you’ll hear a very satisfying hiss. This ensures airless storage for maximum freshness.

When using this, make sure to put the lid in right-side up. Otherwise, it could lead to some issues.

Extras

The Planetary Design Airscape comes with an airless storage feature.

Is It Right for You?

If you’re particular about airless storage, this is for you.

Pros

• Opaque so it’s sure to block out uV rays wherever you place it
• Adjustable based on how much coffee you have left inside
• Two sizes to choose from (32 oz. and 64 oz.)

Cons

• Expensive

Why Do I Need a Coffee Canister?

Coffee storage is just as important as everything else for maximum freshness.

During roasting, large amounts of carbon are produced and trapped in the coffee beans. Over time, the beans slowly release this trapped carbon.

This process is called degassing, and it affects the freshness of coffee beans.

A suitable coffee container can ensure that air, light, and heat don’t go anywhere near your coffee beans. One thing to always consider is to ensure your coffee canister is airtight.

Difference Between Coffee Canister Materials

Glass/Ceramic

Perhaps one of the most common material used, glass isn’t the best. It’s breakable and see-through.

Glass allows light to penetrate your coffee beans. So, when using glass, make sure to observe proper coffee storage and keep your container inside your cupboard.

Plastic

Plastic is a cheap and durable coffee storage option. However, make sure to select a container that is made of thick plastic to prevent other odors from being absorbed into your beans.

Steel

Steel is the best material design you can opt for. It is durable, prevents chemical reactions between the coffee canister walls and the beans themselves, keeps light away, and usually comes with good seals.

Essential Features of Coffee Canisters You Should Look For

1. Container Airtight – this prevents oxidation; the strength, durability, and quality of the seal of your canister will determine how much air it can keep out and for how long
2. One-way valve – this lets carbon dioxide that the beans naturally and gradually release escape the coffee container without allowing unwanted air to go in
3. Heat resistance – this usually comes with stainless steel and ceramic options; when opting for plastic, ensure proper coffee storage in a cool place
4. Opaque or blocks out UV rays – this would depend on where you plan to keep your containers; if you want them to be displayed on the counter or your coffee bar, it is best to get opaque coffee canisters

Tips to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

https://youtu.be/vED2YjsB3cg

Consume It Within a Week From Its Roast or Peak Date

Different beans have different peak dates depending on the bean’s origin, characteristics, roast, and the roaster’s intended flavor and aroma.

After roasting, coffee needs time to rest and let the aroma and flavors develop.

What’s the best way to find out when your bean’s peak date is? Ask your roaster!

They’ve worked hard to figure out the bean’s characteristics and have probably cupped it so often that they know when it’s at its best.

Most experts agree that it’s best to consume coffee within about a week from its roasting date, which means you shouldn’t buy more beans than you can finish within that period.

If you really can’t finish it within a week, at least try to finish it within a month. Any more than that, and we’d recommend you use that old coffee for cold brew, baking, or dessert!

Avoid Oxidation

Oxygen makes coffee spoil faster, which is why keeping your coffee in an airtight canister for coffee is vital.

The more oxygen it comes into contact with, the faster it will spoil, and the less flavor and aroma you’ll experience when you finally brew it.

Store in a Cold and Dark Place

Light can increase your coffee beans’ temperature through the addition of thermal energy. UV rays also accelerate the breakdown of chemical compounds in the coffee.

This is why most prefer storing coffee in opaque canisters for coffee so that no light will speed up your coffee’s degradation.

Keep in mind that the effect is the same, whether the beans are exposed to sunlight or artificial light!

Avoid Moisture

Moisture can immediately make your coffee go bad. A good canister should keep both air and moisture out.

This is also why freezing your coffee is not advisable. The sudden increase in temperature creates condensation that subjects your coffee to too much moisture.

Buy Whole Bean Coffee

Buying whole bean coffee is a basic rule for all coffee brewers. Coffee quickly loses its freshness the moment it is ground. It’s one of the main reasons why you should never buy ground coffee. 

The moment coffee is ground, the amount of surface area exposed to air and oxygen exponentially increases. Oxidation will happen very quickly once you grind your beans. It rapidly loses its flavor and aroma.

If you have the option, choose whole bean coffee and grind it fresh, or right before you use it to brew your cup.

There are many coffee grinder options out there that can fit any need and budget.

Top Picks

Coffee Gator Storage Canister: Best Overall

If money is not a primary consideration for you, the Coffee Gator is the best coffee storage solution you could possibly buy. It has all the features you could hope for, and it looks fantastic and sexy.

It is a vacuum-sealed canister with a built-in date wheel. They even claim it is made of military-grade materials!

Lovfee Coffee Canister: Best Value

Although the only ceramic option on the list, this is the best value for money pick. Its size is enough for just about anyone’s one week’s worth of coffee beans.

It has all the most essential features you need for a coffee canister: an airtight lid, one-way valve, and heat resistance.

The design and free coffee scoop are generous bonuses, too. It’s a perfect match of design, functionality, and price!

OXO Good Grips: Best Budget Canister

Made of plastic, the OXO Good Grips Pop Container is very durable. Its unique feature is its modular design, making it very easy to store, upgrade, and customize according to your needs.

You can even opt to upgrade the lid so you can keep track of the date of your coffee! It still ensures you get airtight coffee without breaking the bank.

Despite being transparent, it still blocks out 99% of UV rays. However, we suggest storing it in your pantry or cupboard just to ensure your coffee stays as fresh as possible.

Conclusion

The trick to brewing the best coffee and maximizing your beans is to ensure its freshness.

With the right combination of water, method, technique, beans, the canister, and proper coffee storage, you’re sure to have a heavenly cup!

What are you waiting for? With all these options, there is undoubtedly a solution for your budget and needs.