We Tested 15 Coffee Canisters: These 8 Actually Keep Beans Fresh

Best Overall

Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

One of the best ways to keep coffee beans fresh is by protecting them from oxygen, and few kitchen containers do a better job of that than the Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister. In fact, the brand says its canisters increase coffee shelf life by roughly 50 percent. After testing, we confirmed that the canister keeps coffee fresh longer than other options, though we can't definitively corroborate the 50 percent claim. We also performed a follow-up test with the Atmos in a different size (1.2 liters as opposed to 0.4 liters) and, again, found the results above average.

To make the beans last longer, the canister has an airtight seal that forms after users twist the lid back and forth several times. A handy vacuum lock indicator reveals when air has been fully purged from the canister and oxygen is prevented from entering. Along with its performance, we praised the canister for its stylish design and lightweight but durable material. There are three size options, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.2 liters; two choices for material, borosilicate glass or stainless steel; and two colors available, matte black and matte white.

One drawback to note is that the lid isn't the easiest to clean, as Fellow advises against rinsing it under running water. The canister is also a tad pricier than many similarly sized alternatives, but the cost is worth it in the end for fresher, tastier coffee.

Price at time of publish: $35

Capacity: 0.4, 0.7, and 1.2 liters | Material: Stainless steel and glass | Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.25 x 4.9 inches (0.7-liter model) | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Budget

Oxo Steel Coffee Pop Container (1.7 Qt) With Scoop

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  4.8/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

Oxo manufactures a variety of items to help households run smoothly, including its line of Pop containers. The 1.6-liter option is specifically designed for coffee, and it's one of the best values compared to other coffee canisters out there.

The easy-to-use lid forms an airtight seal when the Pop button is pressed down. The button can also be used as a handle when raised. Some online reviewers say it can start to stick after a while, but we found it extremely smooth in long-term testing.

The BPA-free canister is large enough to hold a 1-pound bag of coffee, whether ground or whole bean, yet slim enough to save valuable counter space because of its rectangular design. A coffee scoop is included with the purchase, as well. The Pop container's corners are rounded, though, so you can pour beans directly from it if you prefer.

This is an updated version of a previous Oxo coffee canister. The two are similar in size, price, and design, but the newer model comes with a couple of upgrades, especially regarding its ease of cleaning. It is now dishwasher-safe (aside from the lid) after previously being hand-wash only.

Price at time of publish: $23

Capacity: 1.6 liters | Material: Plastic and steel | Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 6.3 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (container and silicone gasket only)

Best Bulk

Planetary Design Airscape Kilo Coffee Canister

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.8/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

The only thing better than coffee is a lot of coffee, but it’s tough to buy in bulk when you’re worried about all those beans going stale. Luckily, the Planetary Design Airscape Kilo is spacious enough to store a whopping 2.5 pounds of ground or whole bean coffee as well as 5 pounds of flour and sugar, making it one of the largest airtight canisters you can find. Despite its size, the item looks sleek and subtle on the countertop, thanks to its matte colorways—white, gray, or charcoal.

What really sets this canister apart is its inner lid, which you press down via a handle to remove the air from inside. Out of the 15 canisters we tested, this one tied for first place in freshness and flavor, largely due to the effectiveness of the inner lid. The Airscape is also one of the easiest canisters to clean (even though it's not dishwasher-safe) because its large size allows customers to reach all parts inside with a sponge.

If you like the product and want a full set for your kitchen, Planetary Design produces the Airscape in two other sizes: a small canister, which holds 8 ounces of coffee, and a medium-sized one, which can store up to 1 pound. All options are sold at reasonable prices—even this bulk one.

Price at time of publish: $41

Capacity: 3.55 liters | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 8 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best for Ground Coffee

Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Canister

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4.8/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.8/5
• Overall Value
  5/5

An airtight seal is just the start of what makes this canister a top pick, particularly for ground coffee. It's designed with a one-way CO2 valve that protects the coffee from oxygen while letting it de-gas. This proved effective in our tests, as the coffee stored in the canister was noticeably fresher than coffee left in a bag for the same amount of time.

There's a unique date wheel on top of the lid to track how long your coffee has been stored, which is something we didn't come across with other canisters. Coffee Gator even throws in a stainless steel measuring scoop and four replacement valves with the purchase.

This canister is available in three sizes and multiple colors. The medium canister, which we tested, comfortably holds 1 pound of ground or whole bean coffee. We filled the canister with water and shook it upside down over the sink to test the integrity of the airtight seal. Not a single drop of water escaped, showing how well your coffee beans will be protected inside. The item should not be put in the dishwasher, but we washed inside the canister with a sponge without issue.

Price at time of publish: $26

Capacity: 0.9, 1.3, and 1.9 liters | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 6 inches (1.3-liter model) | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Design

Crate & Barrel Aspen Large White Canister with Scoop

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4.3/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5

The Aspen Canister Set combines style and functionality for a great all-around design. The canisters themselves are made from thick stoneware painted a crisp white and have wooden lids to add an accent color. They also have a built-in holder on the side so you don't have to sift through cupboards for your coffee scoop.

Crate & Barrel offers these canisters in four sizes, and we tested the 89-ounce model, which is a terrific option for customers who buy their coffee in bulk. If you buy one standard 12-ounce bag of coffee at a time, though, it's probably worth picking a smaller size. The canisters are reasonably priced considering how hefty and durable they feel.

One of the only areas in which the Aspen canister didn't excel was in a test that assesses if its seal is airtight. After storing coffee in the canister for more than a week, we determined that the beans had lost a lot of their CO2, indicating that the canister isn't fully airtight. The coffee, both ground and whole beans, remained fresh enough to brew a tasty batch, however, so you shouldn't be deterred from purchasing the Aspen canister. It just doesn't have the same top performance as some of the pricier, specialized coffee canisters.

Price at time of publish: $30

Capacity: 89 ounces | Material: Stoneware canister with wood lid | Dimensions: 6.1 x 6.9 x 8.1 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Stoneware

Le Creuset Storage Canister

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.8/5
• Performance
  4.8/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5
• Overall Value
  4/5

Le Creuset is well known for its colorful cast-iron cookware, and these stoneware canisters capture the brand's signature style. They are available in several eye-catching colors, from a cherry red to an elegant white, so every customer should be able to find an option that matches their kitchen décor. The canisters also have a wooden lid for a nice accent.

We tested the largest model, which holds 2.5 quarts. Since it isn't specifically designed for coffee, we found it more simplistic than other canisters, some of which include one-way CO2 valves, clasps, coffee scoops, and more. It's also on the expensive end, partially because of the durable stoneware it's made from, so it isn't the best value for money out there. Regardless, we gave it high marks for freshness, durability, and ease of cleaning.

You can find the Le Creuset Storage Canister in three sizes, starting at 23 ounces and working up to this 2.5-quart model. This offers the chance to buy a matching set in various sizes should you want to store other kitchen goods, like sugar and flour. The canister is dishwasher-safe, although the lid is hand-wash only.

Price at time of publish: $62

Capacity: 23 ounces, 1.5 quarts, and 2.5 quarts | Material: Stoneware and wood | Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 8 inches (2.5-quart model) | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (except for wooden lid)

Best Glass

Bodum Yohki Storage Jar with Cork Lid

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Our Ratings

• Performance
  4.3/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5
• Design
  4.3/5

While glass isn't the best material for a canister, as exposure to sunlight causes coffee to go stale faster, the Bodum Yohki storage jar tested well enough that it deserves inclusion on this list. (It even outperformed several stainless canisters that we tested.) Just try to keep it out of direct sunlight if possible.

A large part of what makes the item effective is its cork lid. It takes a firm push to get the lid on, indicating that the silicone gasket forms an airtight seal. Yet, it's not difficult to put the lid on; instead, it's just the right amount of tension. After storing whole-bean coffee in the canister for eight days, it came out fragrant and made a flavorful brew. We stored ground coffee in the canister for another eight days and it came out less vibrant but still sufficient. It's also convenient that the canister is dishwasher-safe, which isn't the case with many other models we tested.

Bodum manufactures its Yohki jars in three sizes, so you can purchase a matching set to store other dry goods. This 34-ounce model is the middle-sized option, and it's an ideal fit for a bag coffee. The simple glass-and-cork canisters are affordable and suit any kitchen design.

Price at time of publish: $22

Capacity: 34 ounces | Material: Glass canister with cork lid | Dimensions: 4.4 x 7.5 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes