11 Best Light Roast Coffee in 2024

As a former barista, I brew various light roast coffee drinks multiple times a week and have personally tried dozens of brands. 

The Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend is my number one choice for the best light roast coffee. Because it’s affordable, has great, subtle fruity tasting notes, and is Rainforest Alliance Certified. 

That said, you might prefer a different brand. I expect this as everyone has different tastes. 

To cover everyone’s preferences, I put together this top 11 list of the best light roast coffees so you can find the right one for you.

Let’s dive in. 

Top 11 Light Roast Coffees

1. Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend– Best Overall
2. Lifeboost Coffee Whole Bean Coffee – Best for Beginners 
3. Black Rifle Silencer Smooth Ground Coffee – Best For Pour Over
4. AmazonFresh Just Bright Whole Bean Coffee – Best Whole Bean
5. Kicking Horse Coffee Ground Coffee – Best Organic
6. MAXWELL HOUSE Breakfast Ground Coffee – Best Supermarket
7. McCafé Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee – Best Budget
8. Lavazza, Espresso, Ground Coffee – Best in the UK
9. Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Blonde – Best Instant Coffee
10. Explorer Cold Brew Coffee – Best Coffee Concentrate for Cold Brew
11. Caribou Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee – Best Ready-to-Drink 

11 Best Light Roast Coffees in 2023

1. Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend- Best Overall

The Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend is the top light roast coffee because of its balanced, mild flavor, affordable price, and great quality.

It has a perfect light roast that is neither too dark nor too light and is consistent between individual bags. Some roasters have difficulty maintaining a consistent light roast with their beans, but Caribou does not. 

This morning blend has a subtle fruit sweetness with cherry floral overtones and a sweet caramel and nut finish.

You can enjoy it with or without milk and creamer. But I recommend drinking it black, as you can easily overpower it.

When comparing ground coffee brands, including Starbucks, this Caribou coffee is significantly more affordable, costing under half as much as a light roast ground coffee from Starbucks.

Caribou coffee is small-batch roasted, which allows for better control of quality and flavor. Additionally, it is 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified, ensuring no negative impact on rainforests in its growing regions.

One drawback is that this ground coffee is only available in a 20 oz bag. This might be too large for some coffee drinkers to use before it starts to get stale.

However, it is a great option for large families and cafeterias. 

If this doesn’t sound like the best light roast for you, consider our runner-up, the Lifeboost Coffee Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee. 

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2. Lifeboost Coffee Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Best for Beginners

The Lifeboost Coffee Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee is our second choice because it has great flavors, low acid, USDA-organic certification, and subtle cocoa tasting notes. 

It is best for health-conscious individuals who can’t tolerate the higher acid content in darker roasts and other coffees. 

It’s best for drip coffee machines and pour-over brewers; you’ll just have to grind the beans yourself to a medium grind size since this is whole-bean coffee. 

However, you can brew some good-tasting French press coffee and espressos with these beans as well. 

This Lifeboost coffee has a low acidity due to its high-altitude growing region (5,700 ft +). This means it is easier to drink for people with sensitive stomachs. 

Additionally, it is USDA-Organic Certified and third-party tested for mycotoxins and pesticides, which ensures this coffee is natural and healthy. 

That said, this light roast coffee is quite a bit more expensive than other light roasts. However, its low acidity, great taste, and organic certifications make it worth it. 

If you’re looking for the best light roast for pour-over coffee, check out the lack Rifle Coffee Company Silencer Smooth, Light Roast Ground Coffee up next. 

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3. Black Rifle Coffee Company Silencer Smooth, Light Roast Ground Coffee – Best For Pour Over

The Black Rifle Coffee Company Silencer Smooth, Light Roast Ground Coffee is the best light roast for pour-over due to its great tasting notes, smooth finish, and support of our veterans and first responders. 

It is one of the lighter roasts on this list; however, some customers report an inconsistent roast level between separate bags. 

That said, I’ve tried a few and didn’t have this issue. 

It has ‌citrus, milk chocolate, and caramel tasting notes with a smooth finish. It is perfect for drinkers who like a mild cup of Joe with some flavor. 

Compared to similar ground coffees, it costs just above average. 

This slightly higher price is worth it, though, since a part of the profits support first responders and veterans. 

It has a medium grind size, which is perfect for most pour-over brewers. 

And while this is a great-tasting, mild coffee, some customers commented that it is too strong. 

But perhaps they were adding too much grounds to their brewers or received a darker batch, as mentioned above. 

Looking for a whole bean light roast coffee instead? See our top choice, the AmazonFresh Just Bright Whole Bean Coffee up next. 

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4. AmazonFresh Just Bright Whole Bean Coffee – Best Whole Bean

The AmazonFresh Just Bright Whole Bean Coffee is the best light roast whole bean coffee because it is inexpensive, has a crisp and clean taste, and has a consistent quality. 

It offers pleasant tasting notes of toasted bread and a subtle milk chocolate finish. 

As a light roast, it has lower acid content and a milder strength than darker roasts. 

It is best for people who drink a lot of coffee and prefer whole beans (instead of pre-ground). 

That said, 32 ounces of coffee beans is a lot, even for people who drink a ton of coffee. 

But, if you have multiple drinkers or are trying to break a coffee consumption record, this AmazonFresh light roast is right for you. 

On a positive note, this coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified, which means that Amazon takes measure to ensure the rainforest near the growing regions are protected. [1]

This is a nice update to see from such a large company. 

And while this is a hefty 32-ounce bag of coffee, you will find that is priced similarly to many 12 oz bags from other brands. 

Looking for an organic light roast instead? The Kicking Horse Coffee, Hola, Light Roast, Ground Coffee is my top choice. 

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5. Kicking Horse Coffee, Hola, Light Roast, Ground Coffee – Best Organic

The Kicking Horse Coffee, Hola, Light Roast, Ground Coffee is the best organic light roast because it has a great taste and sports a USDA organic and Fairtrade certification. 

This coffee has exotic tasting notes of red currant with a touch of honey. 

Kicking Horse achieves these flavors due to the beans’ growing regions in Central and South America along with its roasting process. 

It is best for people who like unique flavors in their coffee and want a certified organic product. 

That said, it costs a premium. It comes in a 10-ounce bag but costs slightly more than an average 12-ounce bag of coffee from other brands. 

Along with its USDA Organic certification, the Kicking Horse Coffee, Hola, Light Roast, Ground Coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified as well.

This means the growing regions are protected and use sustainable farming practices. 

It is pre-ground coffee and is a medium grind size. This makes it best for pour-over brewers, drip coffee machines, and cold brews. 

Some customers report that this coffee is too strong for a light roast. However, I don’t agree and think it is rather mild and comparable to other light roasts. 

That said, you may have a more sensitive pallet than me. 

Looking for the best light roast coffee that you can grab in your local supermarket? The Maxwell House Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee up next never fails. 

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6. MAXWELL HOUSE Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee – Best Supermarket

The Maxwell House Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee is the light roast that you can find in virtually any supermarket. It has a consistent quality, flavor, and grind size, making it a go-to, simple choice. 

It has a simple and smooth flavor, which is neither too bitter nor strong. 

It is perfect for coffee drinkers who want an inexpensive, large quantity of coffee that they can buy at their local grocery store or online. 

Compared to other popular coffee brands like Lavazza, Starbucks, Kickhorse, etc., this coffee is significantly less expensive. 

In fact, you get two to four times more coffee grounds for about the same price. 

That said, the 38.8 ounces you get might be difficult to use before it starts to get stale. 

Also, some customers wrote that this coffee lacks flavor. I somewhat agree, but you can say the same for many light roasts. 

Looking for another inexpensive light roast? Keep reading to learn why the McCafé Breakfast Blend, Light Roast Ground Coffee is our budget recommendation. 

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7. McCafé Breakfast Blend, Light Roast Ground Coffee – Best Budget

The McCafé Breakfast Blend, Light Roast Ground Coffee is the best budget light roast coffee because of its fair price, good flavor, and taste that matches McDonald’s in-store coffee. 

It has a subtle flavor of toasted bread with tasting notes similar to the popular McCafé medium roast. 

It is perfect for coffee drinkers who want something affordable and prefer McDonald’s coffee from their local restaurant. 

In fact, I taste-tested a light roast that I ordered from McDonald’s drive-thru with this ground coffee I made at home. I couldn’t tell the difference. 

Compared to other ground coffees, this is one of the most affordable light roasts. 

Especially if you purchase the larger sizes among the 12 oz bag, 24 oz canister, and 30 oz canister options. 

This coffee has a nice, smooth taste and mild flavor. On the light roast spectrum, it is one of the “lighter” roasts out there. 

Are you searching for the best light roast in the UK? In that case, check out our top choice– Lavazza’s Espresso Italiano Classico Ground Coffee. 

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8. Lavazza, Espresso Italiano Classico, Ground Coffee  – Best in UK

The Lavazza, Espresso Italiano Classico, Ground Coffee is the best light roast coffee in the UK due to its balanced flavor, great quality, and perfect grind size.

This is a light roast, fine ground coffee for espresso brewing.

Its roast level gives it a distinct level of intensity to espressos. However, since most UK coffee drinkers are used to intense espresso drinks, you may prefer a darker roast. 

Still, its unexpected taste and strength are enjoyed by many.

The beverage has floral and fruity tasting notes that are not overwhelming. These notes are subtle and cannot be easily masked by milk, creamer, or sugar.

Since it is pre-ground to a fine-grind size, you don’t have to do any work grinding coffee yourself.

Lavazza sources this coffee from multiple origins, including farms in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America.

Blending beans from multiple regions gives it a distinct flavor and strength.

One potential drawback of this coffee is that it may be perceived as weaker compared to dark and espresso roast coffees.

However, it is worth noting that this coffee is specifically designed for individuals who prefer a less intense flavor profile.

The Lavazza, Espresso Italiano Classico, Ground Coffee can be found at various online retailers and nearly all grocery stores in the UK.

Looking for an instant coffee instead? Read on to learn about the Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Blonde Roast Packets.

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9. Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Blonde Roast Packets Veranda Blend – Best Instant Coffee

The Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Blonde Roast Packets Veranda Blend is the best light roast instant coffee because it tastes nearly identical to the whole bean and ground Veranda coffee. 

It has a pleasant flavor profile of toasted sweet malt and milk chocolate and tastes just about the same as the light roast you order from your local Starbucks. 

It is best for coffee drinkers who prefer minimal preparation and cleanup with the familiar taste of their regular Starbucks order. 

However, compared to instant coffee from other brands, it is quite expensive. For example, you can easily find instant coffee for half the price of this. 

But, as an instant coffee, it is one of the better-tasting ones. As I mentioned earlier, it tastes pretty close to the real thing. But some customers can easily tell that the texture isn’t quite right. 

But that’s a given for pretty much any instant coffee. 

Instant coffee not your thing? Perhaps our recommended coffee concentrate, the Explorer Cold Brew Coffee Low Caffeine Concentrate, is. 

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10. Explorer Cold Brew The Seeker Coffee Low Caffeine Concentrate – Best Coffee Concentrate

The Explorer Cold Brew The Seeker Coffee Low Caffeine Concentrate is the best light roast coffee concentrate because of its low acid, great tasting notes, and lower caffeine content. 

It has earthy tasting notes of dried fruit and toasted nuts that aren’t too overpowering. 

That said, if you want a bit more flavor, just add more of this concentrate to the water when you mix it. 

This Explorer cold brew concentrate is best for coffee drinkers who want a light roast cold brew coffee that is quick and easy to prepare. 

All you need to do is mix one part of this concentrate with four parts of hot or cold water, stir, and it is ready to drink. 

Compared to other coffee concentrates, this one is priced about average. 

And well this is great for making cold brew coffee, I don’t consider it a true “cold brew.” That’s because you don’t brew it yourself. 

Another advantage is that this concentrate has half the caffeine compared to other concentrate. 

This means you can enjoy a cold brew without the excessive caffeine content. 

Some customers report that this concentrate is too strong and/or too bitter. However, I didn’t think that when I tried it.

It seemed pretty mild and smooth. Perhaps those reviewers used too high of a concentration in their coffee drinks. 

Looking for a ready-to-drink, bottled cold brew instead? The Caribou Coffee Vanilla Crafted Cold Brew Coffee is our top choice. 

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11. Caribou Coffee Vanilla Crafted Cold Brew Coffee – Best Ready-to-Drink 

The Caribou Coffee Vanilla Crafted Cold Brew Coffee is the best light roast bottled coffee because of its great vanilla flavoring, perfect roast level, and smooth texture. 

This ready-to-drink coffee is one of the best bottled cold brews on the market. 

It has a well-balanced vanilla flavoring and the perfect amount of creamer to make this coffee smooth and flavorful.

That said, some customers report that it is a bit too mild for them. But as a light roast, I think its strength and flavor are on par with similar coffees. 

Since this Caribou Coffee is a canned beverage, it is best for people on the go as it requires absolutely zero preparation time. 

That said, it is one of the most expensive types of light roast coffee. But the same can be said for any bottled coffee beverage. 

This makes sense since the brand has to roast the beans, grind the beans, brew the coffee, add flavorings/creamer, and bottle it. 

Compared to whole bean and ground coffee, there are many more processes and steps involved, which add to its cost. 

But if you prefer the convenience of ready-to-drink coffee, you can’t go wrong with the Caribou Coffee Vanilla Crafted Cold Brew Coffee

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Light Roast Coffee Buying Guide

Here is what you should consider before you buy a light roast coffee. For more details on what to think about when buying coffee, see our complete coffee-buying guide.

What to Consider	Why it’s Important
Roast	Light roasts range from “blonde” to “light”
Coffee Type	Whole-bean coffee has a longer shelf life compared to pre-ground coffee, but you have to grind it yourself before you can use it. Additionally, there are options such as instant coffee, ready-to-drink coffee, and coffee concentrate.
Grind Size	The grind size you need to buy (or grind yourself) depends on the brewing method you want to use. French press, cold brew, drip, pour-over, espresso, Moka pot, etc., are the most common methods.
The right type for your beverage	Various factors such as the species of coffee bean, caffeine content, growing region, and others play a role in how your light roast coffee tastes.
Certifications	Certifications such as organic and Fairtrade are important to many individuals.
Price/Budget	You can find inexpensive to expensive light roast coffee.
Single vs. multi-origin	Single-origin coffee beans generally have a more consistent flavor in than blends (multi-origin).
Packaging/roast date	A coffee with a recent roast date means it is fresher.

Roast

The roast level of coffee varies and includes options such as blonde, light, medium, and dark. Additionally, there are some variations within the light roast category.

For example, a “blonde roast” is usually the lightest roast you can get. However, some brands just use it as a synonym for “light roast.”

That said, you can have light roasts from two brands with one darker or lighter than the other. 

Because of their subtle flavors and strength, light roasts are perfect for drip machines, pour-over brewers, and French presses.

That said, you can use medium roast for any type of coffee. However, an espresso made with a light roast wouldn’t taste right. 

The best light roast for you depends on your personal preferences. Here are some recommendations for each light roast level. And for more details, see our complete guide here. 

Roast	Flavor	Best for
Blonde	Lighter, subtle flavors	Coffee drinks (drip brewing, pour-over)
Light	Light, subtle flavors	Coffee drinks (drip brewing, pour-over) and French press

Coffee Type

When selecting a light roast coffee, the main options available are whole beans or pre-ground coffee. You can also get light roast instant coffee, ready-to-drink coffee, and concentrate. 

Whole beans have the longest shelf life after being opened, usually about four weeks. Grinding the beans yourself gives you fresher coffee and adds nice aromas to your home.

In contrast, pre-ground coffee offers convenience as you can easily measure and add it to a coffee brewer.

Using pre-ground coffee is faster with less cleaning, but they have a shorter shelf life.

Instant coffee is a convenient and affordable option as it can be prepared quickly by adding it to hot water and stirring. However, most regular coffee drinkers find its taste and quality to be lacking.

Coffee concentrate can be a cost-effective and convenient option as well. All you need to do is add equal parts of hot or cold water concentrate and then mix.

Ready-to-drink coffee, also known as bottled coffee, is typically pricier than other types of coffee due to its expensive and time-consuming manufacturing process.

However, it does not require any extra preparation time aside from opening the bottle.

Coffee Type	Benefit	Drawback
Whole beans	Freshest possible coffee	More prep and cleaning time
Grounds	Less cleanup, cheaper	Goes stale faster
Instant	Fast prep time, affordable	Lacks in taste and flavor
Concentrate	Easy preparation	Short shelf life, expensive
Ready-to-drink	Zero prep time	Expensive

Grind Size

The grind size of light roast coffee has an impact on the brewing process, affecting the mixing of coffee grounds and hot water in terms of speed and effectiveness.

This impacts the amount of flavor and strength that ends up in your cup of coffee.

Different brewing methods require specific grind sizes. For example, French presses require coarse grinds, drip brewers require medium grinds, and espresso machines require fine grinds.

Since light roast coffees go best with drip machines and pour-over brewing methods, medium-grind light roasts are common. 

Using an incorrect grind size can lead to the presence of grounds in your coffee or potential damage to your brewer.

For more information, refer to our coffee grind size guide which provides recommendations for the appropriate grind size for each brewing method.

Grind Size	Best for
Fine	Espresso machines and Moka Pots
Medium	Drip machines, cold brew, and pour over
Medium-coarse	Drip machines, pour over, cold brew, and French press
Coarse	French press and cold brew

Certifications

When choosing a light roast coffee, it is important to take into account certifications like USDA Organic and Fair Trade.

A USDA-certified organic coffee is free from artificial preservatives, flavors, colorings, or other additives.

The Fair Trade certification signifies that the coffee was sustainably grown and sourced, ensuring fair compensation, support, and oversight for the farmers and communities involved.

A Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that no damage or harm is done to the surrounding rainforests in the growing regions.

To ensure the highest quality and ethical standards, it is advisable to select a brand with the necessary certifications when purchasing light roast coffee.

Please refer to the table below for quick information on certification, and for more in-depth information, read our coffee certifications guide.

Certifications	What it means
USDA Organic	Cruelty and chemical free and transported safely.
Fairtrade	Protects the farmers who grew the coffee beans.
4C Certification	Protects the farmers who grew the coffee beans.
Rainforest Alliance Certification	Ensures no deforestation.
Smithsonian Bird Friendly	Looks after the birds living in the coffee farms.

Price/Budget

When shopping for light roast coffee, it is important to consider the price and quality.

Lower-quality coffee is typically priced lower, while higher-quality coffee is priced higher. However, there are occasional opportunities to find good deals.

A 12 oz bag of whole-bean light roast coffee typically varies in cost from $8 to $25, depending on factors like quality and brand.

Type	Cost range per 6-oz cup of coffee (budget to high-quality)
Instant coffee	$0.13 to $0.25
Ready-to-drink coffee	$2 to $5 (per bottle)
Pre-ground coffee	$0.16 to $0.32
Single-origin whole-bean coffee	$0.32 to $0.54
Multi-origin whole-bean coffee	$0.22 to $0.41
Specialty pour over coffee	$0.29 to $0.51

Single-origin Vs. Multi-origin

When purchasing light roast coffee, it is important to consider its origin.

Single-origin coffees are made by using beans that are only sourced from one country, region, or farm.

Single-origin coffees typically exhibit consistent flavors, distinct tasting notes, and textures due to their focus on a specific coffee bean variety and its growing region.

Single-origin coffees tend to have a unique and consistent flavor profile, which typically makes them more expensive than blends from different regions. However, there are instances where they can be more affordable than blends.

In contrast, multi-origin coffees, or blends, use beans sourced from multiple locations, typically from two or more countries or regions and sometimes from two or more species of beans.

Due to the diverse origins and species of beans, there is a wide range of combinations, resulting in a greater diversity of flavors.

On the other hand, multi-origin blends can occasionally have varying flavors and less desirable tastes and are typically a more budget-friendly option.

There is no clear answer as to whether single or multiple-origin medium roast coffee is better. It depends on personal preference and the characteristics of the specific coffee being considered.

Single Origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the advantages of single-origin coffee beans/grounds.

• Consistent flavor profiles and texture
• Robust tasting notes
• More strength/boldness

Multi-origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the advantages of using multi-origin/blended coffee beans/grounds.

• Typically less expensive
• Different combinations can make unique flavors
• Blended tasting notes

To learn more about this, read our complete guide on single-origins and coffee blends.

Packaging Date/Roast Date

When choosing light roast coffee, it is essential to consider the packaging and/or roasting date.

Some coffee brands include a packaging date or a roast date on their packaging. Typically, the packaging date aligns with or is one day after the roast date.

For optimal flavor and quality, I recommend choosing a light roast coffee that has been recently roasted.

But, it can be challenging to determine the packaging/roast date when making an online purchase.

Still, it is possible to contact the seller and politely inquire about obtaining a freshly made batch rather than one that has been stored for a prolonged period of time.

To learn more about this, see our guide on packaging and roast dates. 

Best Brands

When searching for light roast coffees consider well-known brands such as Caribou, Lifeboost, Kicking Horse, McCafe, and Starbucks.

Each brand offers a range of light roast coffees in different forms, such as whole-bean, pre-ground, instant, ready-to-drink, etc., to suit your personal taste preferences.

In addition, these brands are available for purchase at a variety of retail locations, including supermarkets, grocery stores, and online retailers such as Amazon.

Our Verdict

Here are our top three light roast coffee recommendations. Each has a great flavor, mild strength, and a roast level that isn’t too overpowering. 

• The Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend is our top choice because of its well-rounded cherry, caramel, and nut tasting notes, low cost, and perfect roast level. 
• Our second choice, the Lifeboost Coffee Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee has a great roast level, too, along with USDA organic certifications and low acid. 
• The third option is the Black Rifle Coffee Company Silencer Smooth, Light Roast Ground Coffee because of its milk chocolate and caramel tasting notes and its support of veterans and first responders.