9 Best Coffee Storage Containers [Airtight, Vacuum & More]

This guide will compare many of the best coffee storage containers for home and business use. Keep reading to learn more.

I used to have a lot of trouble thinking of an optimal storage solution for my coffee. That led me to research various canisters. This post will have my findings.

I chose the Fellow Atmos as the best overall canister because it does the best job of keeping oxygen out of your beans.

Such a design makes it optimal for home baristas who want the freshest beans possible. However, it’s a bit expensive. Don’t worry; we cover more affordable alternatives in this list.

I’ll compare various canisters for home and business use. You’ll see their pros and cons, who they’re best for, and whether they’re worth getting.

Let’s compare some containers.

Best Coffee Storage Containers for Home & Business Use

1. Fellow Atmos: Top pick
2. COFFEEVAC: Cheapest
3. OXO Good Grips 6 qt: For bulk coffee
4. BODUM Yohki: For ground coffee
5. Nifty Pod Drawer: For K-Cups
6. Airscape Coffee Canister: For business
7. DecoBrothers Pod Holder Drawer: For Nespresso Vertuo pods
8. Flagship Nespresso Holder: For Nespresso Original pods
9. Coffee Gator Steel Canister: Best canister, UK

Top Coffee Storage Canisters

Each section will first display every container’s specifications. From there, you’ll find its pros and cons. Afterward, I’ll talk about their design choices, “features,” and anything else you should know before purchasing.

I have a confession, first.

I found inspiration for many of these containers from coffee legend, James Hoffmann. He made an excellent video comparing the resulting coffee and espresso from beans stored in many of these containers.

I recommend checking it out after reading these miniature reviews:

Once I’m done judging these containers, you’ll find a buyer’s guide. Use it to help you determine whether you’re getting the most value out of your storage containers.

For now, let’s get to it.

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1. Fellow Atmos: Best Overall

The Fellow Atmos works best for home baristas looking for the best way to store their coffee beans.

It’s also an exceptional pick for anyone who wants a good-looking coffee canister on their countertop.

And you won’t have to worry about it breaking if you get the stainless steel version. If you get the glass one, you must store it in a dark space to prevent UV rays from reaching your beans. Because UV destroys your beans’ flavor and aroma over time.

This one has the most thought put into its design out of all the containers I’ve seen. You press a button and twist the lid back and forth to create a vacuum. The more you twist, the greater the vacuum.

The greater the vacuum, the longer your beans will last. Because oxygen oxidizes your beans, which ruins their flavor. And it pulls out CO2, which could make your beans taste dull if not extracted.

This method requires a lot of effort to create a vacuum, but it’s effective. It’s better than using a pump, I suppose.

Plus, there’s a green/red indicator to tell you whether there’s oxygen in your container. If it’s green, you’re good. If it’s red, you’ll need to create a vacuum.

If you watched the video I posted in the previous section, James Hoffmann said this is the canister he would actually keep. And I’d trust what that dude says. Considering he was a World Barista Champion in 2007 [1].

That doesn’t make him the god of coffee, but being a champion in espresso-making does provide credibility.

If you store or flip the canister upside down, grounds will get stuck in the ridges of the lid, making it a nightmare to clean. Ensure you don’t do this if you get the Atmos.

This isn’t an ideal coffee container for folks on a budget. Read the next pick if you don’t want to spend much money on a canister.

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2. COFFEEVAC: Most Affordable

The COFFEEVAC container is optimal for folks on a budget who want to eliminate UV exposure and reduce oxygen that reaches their coffee beans.

The COFFEEVAC is made of plastic, yes. Evil plastic. However, it’s food-grade, BPA-free plastic. It’s safe to store food in. However, you may not like storing beans in plastic because you may worry about other chemicals.

If that’s the case, you’ll need to pony up extra money for a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel canister.

It’s a solid plastic container, though. There’s no ultraviolet rays that’ll hit your beans. That means your beans won’t suffer from flavor and aroma degradation. This, alone, puts it miles ahead of transparent glass and plastic canisters.

Unlike most airtight containers, the COFFEEVAC requires pressing a button to open the lid. And you’ll have to press the button to add the lid again. It’s a nice way to seal coffee grounds without vacuum sealing and displacement.

Referring to the video I linked earlier. James Hoffmann said the coffee from the COFFEEVAC tasted better than the beans in the other airtight containers. That could have been because it blocks UV rays.

Or because it has a much better airtight seal than the competition. Regardless, it’s cheaper, doesn’t look too bad, and does a great job of protecting your coffee beans.

What if you need to store a lot of beans for entertaining guests? I have you covered.

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3. OXO Good Grips 6 Qt: Best for Bulk Coffee

The OXO Good Grips 6 qt works well for anyone who wants to store a lot of coffee beans in a kitchen closet or cupboard.

Despite their high price tag, I suggested these spots because these containers have no UV protection. You need to keep coffee beans away from sunlight. Otherwise, the UV rays will deteriorate their aroma and flavor.

Why are OXO containers pricey?

Because they’re a popular brand. The plastic they use for their containers is decent, but I wouldn’t say it is decent enough to justify the high prices.

Then why’d I recommend this product?

So long as you have a dark area to store your beans, these containers are cheaper than many other options. Meanwhile, they’ll hold a lot of food (including coffee beans).

I’ve used OXO containers often and have had no issues with them. They’re aesthetically pleasing and do a great job of keeping air out of your container. Are they as good as vacuum-sealed or displacement containers?

No.

But they do a good enough job of storing large amounts of beans.

They’re also easy to use. You press the button on top of the lid to remove it. And that’s all. Cleaning is a nightmare, though. You’ll need to disassemble the lid to throw it in the dishwasher.

You may also not like that this container is made with BPA-free plastic. The next container’s an alternative.

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4. BODUM Yohki: Best for Ground Coffee

The BODUM Yohki is best for anyone who has ample room in their cupboards to store coffee containers. And who wants the freshest-tasting beans possible.

The former requirement comes from this container using glass. Since it’s glass, it’s not durable, which means that you (or a cat) could accidentally knock it off a countertop. It also won’t block UV rays since it’s not opaque.

And you don’t want UV rays hitting your beans. Ultraviolet light breaks down molecules in your coffee beans. Causing them to lose flavor and aroma [2]. Thus, you’ll need to store them somewhere dark.

Glass is dishwasher-safe, though. Allowing you to easily clean your container since you won’t have to worry about the dishwasher melting any plastic parts.

A lot of people have complained about the aesthetics of BODUM’s logo interfering with the container’s “slickness.” I don’t find a problem with this and consider it a con. However, you may.

I don’t like cork lids. Low humidity can cause cork to shrink and dry due to sudden temperature changes [3]. If you’re in such a climate, the cork lid may shrink and lose its ability to keep air out of your container.

However, if you want to store various food items, the many sizes BODUM offers will help you have a consistent aesthetic. Here are all the sizes they offer, which will vary in price:

• 0.6 L
• 1.9 oz
• 2.0 oz
• 8 oz
• 34 oz

You may have read this post looking for something for storing K-Cups for some reason. Don’t worry, you didn’t waste your time reading this far.

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5. Nifty Coffee Pod Drawer: Best for Storing Coffee K-Cup Pods

The Nifty Coffee Pod Drawer works best for anyone who needs an attractive storage solution for their K-Cups.

This drawer could hold up to 3 10-count packs of K-Cups without any issues. However, if you buy the 72 count from Amazon, then you’d need to place half of them somewhere else.

I’m getting somewhere with this.

Use that space on your kitchen counter—or inside your cabinet—for something else other than K-Cup boxes. This drawer will fit most Keurig models on top of it without any issues. Making it a perfect space-saver.

The average Keurig machine is 13 inches tall. Pairing it with this holder will make it 16 inches tall. Most wall cabinets have around 18 inches of space between it and your countertop [4]. Thus, you may not be able to access your water reservoir.

Because you’ll need several inches of vertical clearance to access it and the pod slot dispenser. However, stacking a Keurig and the Nifty won’t cause any issues on coffee carts, tables, or kitchen islands.

Say you needed to move your Keurig machine. You may accidentally dent the drawer when doing so, which’ll ruin its aesthetic.

There’s no bottom on the drawer, which means your K-Cups will drag against the counter. And in some circumstances, people have said they’ve fallen through.

The drawer has wheels at the bottom of it, though. You won’t have to worry about an annoying squealing sound when pulling and pushing the drawer.

Despite all the smack I talked about this holder, it’s an excellent and affordable option for people who have the allotted vertical storage space. Or Keurig models with front-access water reservoirs like the K-Duo Plus.

Are you a business owner that read this section for no reason? I’ll stop wasting your time in the next mini review.

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6. Airscape Coffee Canister: Best for Businesses

The Airscape Coffee Canister works perfectly for businesses wanting optimal storage. Or for home baristas who frequently entertain guests. Because of the large size options the Airscape has.

The ceramic will block UV and does an excellent job at preventing oxygen from hitting your beans. It also creates a nice aesthetic for homes and coffee houses. However, ceramic is more fragile than steel. It could scratch easily or shatter if you knock it over.

Displacement coffee canisters will use inner lids to expel air from your container to keep out oxygen. Other displacement containers I have seen didn’t have an additional lid, but the Airscape does, which helps further with keeping your container airtight.

Having a displacement canister that’ll fit varying hand sizes is important for baristas. Since they may have larger hands. Let’s use James Hoffmann for example. He had trouble fitting his hands inside the container’s inner lids for other displacement devices.

If your barista can’t pull out the lid, they’re not accessing the coffee.

I recommend the Airscape over the Fellow Atmos for businesses because the Airscape has variations that’ll store up to 2 pounds. In the Atmos, you could store around a pound.

If you didn’t watch the video I posted toward the beginning of the article, the host says there wasn’t too much of a flavor difference of the Airscape versus other coffee canisters. However, I stick to my recommendation based on everything I posted.

It doesn’t include features like a date wheel or measuring spoon. If you’re spending this much on a container, you likely already have a spoon. You could use dry-erase markers on your canister to mark the dates.

Dry-erase markers are erasable when used on ceramic [5].

Did you read this post looking for a Nespresso storage solution? Then keep reading.

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7. DecoBrothers Pod Holder Drawer: Best Nespresso Vertuo Pod Storage

The DecoBrothers Pod Holder Drawer is a great holder for folks with Nespresso Vertuo machines.

This section and the next will cover holders for Original and Vertuo pods. Original pods are the small ones that brew espresso. Vertuo pods brew espresso and black coffee.

It’s a great way to conserve space in kitchens since you can place any Nespresso machine on top of it. Most Nespresso machines are around 11 inches tall. This thing is 3.3 inches tall. That would bring you to around 14 inches, giving you several inches of vertical clearance.

You’ll need this clearance to access your pod holder and water tank. You might have issues if you place the drawer plus the machine under a typical wall cabinet with 18 inches of space. Because in most cases, you’ll need to move the Nespresso to access the water tank.

Unless it’s removable, then you should be fine.

It has a tempered glass top, so you won’t accidentally dent it if you bump the machine into it. The drawers don’t scream when opening, meaning it’s not a fuss to deal with whenever grabbing a capsule.

You could also get 56- or 60-capacity drawers.

My biggest worry with recommending this drawer is that many folks have complained about lousy packaging. In the worst-case scenario, you could return it.

Let’s talk about the Flagship Nespresso Holder.

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8. Flagship Nespresso Holder: Best for Nespresso Original Pod Storage

The Flagship holder is ideal for anyone with Nespresso Original machines.

It’s a lazy Susan that holds Nespresso Original pod boxes. If you have messed up boxes (with tears and such), this display won’t look the best on your counter. Otherwise, it’s convenient since you don’t need to place a bunch of pods in slots.

And the rotation mechanism of this device isn’t rough. No resistance when trying to rotate it.

Since it rotates, you’ll conserve a lot of space. No having to worry about your Nespresso machine not having enough vertical clearance to access the water tank. And you could shove this thing in a corner and have access to all your pods.

There’s nothing else special about this holder, though. It’s a chunk of metal that rotates and holds Nespresso pods. But it’s affordable and a decently-thought-out product. Hence, why I recommend it.

If you’re outside the USA, you’ll appreciate our last pick.

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9. Coffee Gator Steel Canister: Best Coffee Storage Container, UK

The Coffee Gator Steel Canister is best for people living in the UK, Australia, and Canada due to its availability.

It also works well in various weather climates due to having an airtight seal. However, it’s great for anyone living anywhere.

It’s a stainless steel container, meaning there’s no light that’ll seep into your beans. Allowing you to store it anywhere.

So long as it’s not in a spot where you’re likely to knock it over. The steel on this baby isn’t that thick. It’s easy to dent, which will ruin the container’s aesthetics.

It includes a 30 mL stainless steel measuring scoop, which could save you a tiny bit of money on buying a new one. However, there’s no holster for the measuring spoon. Usually, canisters would include one.

It also includes a freshness date tracker to keep track of your beans’ freshness.

The date tracker is a bit of a pain to understand, though. If you’re a caveman like me and can’t understand things immediately through context, you’ll need to look at the product page to know which numbers correlate with the month and date.

The center dial is for month. The outer for day.

And it includes a CO2 release valve. This feature will let air escape from your canister without letting oxygen in. Preventing your beans from staling quicker.

Let’s get into the buyer’s guide.

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Coffee Canister Buying Guide

Consider these factors when shopping for a coffee canister:

Factor	Description
Type of Canister	Stainless steel, ceramic, glass, etc.
Materials	Food-grade, airtight, odor-resistant.
Features	Scoops, date trackers, grinders, etc.
Size and Capacity	Matches your coffee consumption.
Insulation Properties	Keeps coffee fresh and flavorful.
Price	Consider features and value per use.

The following sections will expand upon each of these points. You’ll find out what canisters typically have with these containers and how these factors affect your coffee’s taste.

Here we go.

1. Types of Coffee Canisters

You’ll see several types of canisters like.

1. Airtight Coffee Canisters

Airtight canisters rely on a strong seal and sturdy material to minimize air and moisture exposure. Think stainless steel, ceramic, or glass with silicone seals.

The tight seal restricts air and moisture from reaching the beans, slowing down oxidation and preserving freshness.

Pros:

• Durable and easy to clean: Metal and ceramic options can withstand daily use and are simple to wash.
• Good protection: They provide significant protection from air and light, extending shelf life compared to unprotected beans.
• Variety of materials: Choose from sleek stainless steel, elegant ceramic, or aesthetically pleasing glass to match your preferences.

Cons:

• Not the freshest option: They don’t completely eliminate air contact, limiting ultimate freshness.
• Can crush fragile beans: The tight seal can damage delicate roasts.
• Bulky and heavier: Compared to some displacement options.

Honestly, you’ll want airtight containers if you’re after aesthetics. Using a zipper sandwich bag (e.g., ziploc) will do an equally good job preserving your beans.

2. Vacuum-Sealed Coffee Canisters:

Vacuum-sealed canisters remove air almost completely through a powerful pump, creating an oxygen-depleted environment for your beans. The pump extracts nearly all air from the canister, significantly slowing down oxidation and maximizing freshness.

Pros:

• Ultimate freshness: They offer the longest shelf life and preserve the most delicate aromas and flavors.
• Ideal for long-term storage: Perfect for bulk bean purchases or infrequent coffee drinkers.
• Easy to use: Some models feature electric pumps for effortless sealing.

Cons:

• Most expensive: Prepare to pay a premium for this top-tier freshness technology.
• Bulky and requires power: Electric models need an outlet, and manual pumping can be tiring.

Vacuum-sealed canisters often do the best job at keeping out oxygen and depressing CO2.

3. Displacement Coffee Canisters:

Displacement canisters utilize various methods to push out air and create a more oxygen-depleted space for the beans. Think one-way valve canisters or pressurized canisters.

Each method varies, but they all aim to eliminate as much air as possible while preventing fresh air from entering.

• One-way valve canisters: Release excess CO2 from fresh beans while blocking air entry.
• Pressurized canisters: Remove air before sealing with a pump.

Pros:

• Good balance of freshness and affordability: They offer decent air exclusion at a lower cost than vacuum canisters.
• Variety of options: Choose from different methods and features to suit your preferences.

Cons:

• Not as airtight as vacuum: Freshness retention is good but not the absolute best.
• Maintenance required: Some options, like one-way valves, need occasional cleaning.
• Limited space for CO2 release: Freshly roasted beans might require additional airing to prevent bag bursting.

There isn’t much of a taste difference with using displacement containers versus vacuum-sealed ones.

2. Canister Materials

Here are the materials you’ll typically find with coffee canisters:

• Glass: The main downside of glass is that it’s transparent. This means it won’t protect the beans from sunlight.
  • If you go for a glass container, it’s best to keep it in a cupboard, away from light.
• Stainless steel: Don’t cause a chemical reaction with coffee, which means they are completely suitable for storage.
  • Plus, such containers are great for keeping the light away from the beans since they’re opaque. They’re also durable and can last for years.
• Plastic: Thin plastic containers aren’t that good with keeping the odors away from the beans
• Acrylic: The same as plastic ones; their main advantage is affordability.
  • It’s difficult to find a good airtight acrylic jar.
• Ceramic: The same as stainless steel, but more fragile.

If you want your coffee to stay fresh for as long as possible, choose a canister with good insulation. Stainless steel, ceramic, and double-walled glass canisters are all good options.

Features will also impact your container’s price.

3. Features

Additional features you could find get with a coffee canister include:

Feature	Description
Date Wheel	Helps you track the freshness of your coffee.
Vacuum pump	Removes air for ultimate freshness.
CO2 valve	Releases gas, prevents bag bursting.
Airtight seal	Keeps air out, preserving freshness.
UV Protection	Blocks sunlight, preserves flavor.
Measuring scoop	Accurate coffee portions, every time.

Many of these features are gimmicky features to make you think you’re getting more value out of your machine. The CO2 valve is useful, since it’ll improve your beans’ freshness, but it’ll often result in costlier containers.

UV protection is more of a design choice than a feature. All stainless steel and ceramic cases will naturally block UV rays due to their structure. Glass and plastic won’t block UV rays unless they’re opaque.

Airtight seals are a design choice in airtight containers. Vacuum pumps will come with some vacuum-sealed models. But they require a lot of effort to use.

Date wheels are handy but unnecessary in many cases. Use labels, dry-erase markers, or don’t let your coffee sit for so long to ensure optimal freshness.

Measuring scoops are nice if you need one. Otherwise, they’re a nuisance. Because containers typically won’t include storage solutions for measuring spoons.

Let’s move on to size and capacity.

4. Size & Capacity

Consider how much coffee you typically buy and drink at a time. If you’re a single coffee drinker, a small canister (around 8 ounces) might be sufficient. If you share your coffee or entertain guests often, you’ll need a larger canister (12–16 ounces or more).

Attention business owners, if you use canisters to store your beans, you’ll need to store multiple pounds of beans. It’s not common to find vacuum-sealed or displacement containers that’ll store such a large amount of beans.

Let’s move onto insulation properties.

5. Insulation Properties

An insulated canister acts as a barrier, minimizing the impact of external temperature changes. This keeps your beans in a steady, cool environment, preserving their essence and taste.

Coffee beans are sensitive to temperature changes. Fluctuations can degrade their flavor and aroma, leading to a stale, underwhelming brew.

Materials matter when it comes to insulation. Let’s compare:

• Stainless Steel: A popular choice for its durability and excellent insulation properties. Double-walled construction provides even better protection.
• Ceramic: Offers good insulation, but might be less effective than metal against rapid temperature changes.
• Glass: Not inherently insulating, but some models feature double-walled construction with insulating layers for improved temperature control.

Using a vacuum-sealed canister will also help with insulation, but it’ll increase your container’s price.

Let’s see how much.

6. Price

Coffee canisters range from around $10 to $50 or more. The price will depend on the material, size, and features of the canister.

Airtight containers will typically cost the least since they don’t have complex mechanics. Unless they’re from brands like OXO. Then they’ll cost more due to having the brand name attached.

Displacement and vacuum-sealed containers will cost the most because they include more research to create. To remain profitable, businesses need to charge more. These containers also tend to use ceramic or stainless steel, which could lead to an increased price.

Otherwise, manufacturers may add “features” like measuring spoons and date wheels, which could increase the container’s price.

I suggest you keep reading to learn more about general questions regarding coffee storage.

FAQs for Coffee Storage

Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about storing coffee beans and grounds.

Can You Store Coffee in a Plastic Container?

While possible in a pinch, plastic is not ideal for coffee. Chemical leaching and poor oxygen barrier compromise taste and freshness. Choose glass, ceramic, or metal for best results. 

Should I Store Coffee Beans in the Freezer?

Freezer works for long-term (3+ months), but freeze in airtight containers to lock in freshness. Defrost slowly for even results.

Conclusion

Let’s review our picks:

• Fellow Atmos: A lot of thought put into the design.
• COFFEEVAC: UV protection, affordable, and does a great job at keeping air out of the container.
• OXO Good Grips 6 qt: Easy to use and holds a lot of coffee.

I went with the Fellow Atmos as the best container overall because it results in some of the best-tasting beans. It also does the best job at removing air without requiring separate vacuum-sealing tools.

To have great-tasting beans, you’ll also need fresh beans. Check out our coffee bean buying guide to find the best beans for your drinks.