Top Espresso Brands for a Perfect Brew Experience

For coffee enthusiasts, choosing the right espresso brand can make all the difference in crafting the perfect cup at home. Over recent years, several brands have consistently been revered for their quality and flavor, ensuring that aficionados get the rich, aromatic experience they crave. From well-established international names to innovative new companies pushing the boundaries of traditional coffee, there's a wealth of options catering to diverse preferences. For those eager to elevate their espresso experience, we invite you to explore the curated list of the best brands below.

Illustration of espresso

Best brands of espresso in 2025

Lavazza

Lavazza, founded in 1895, is a renowned Italian coffee roaster that has established itself as one of the best producers of espresso globally. In 2023, the company achieved a record EUR3.1 billion in sales, marking a 13% year-on-year growth, driven by strong performances in both at-home and out-of-home channels, including a 28% increase in e-commerce sales. Despite facing economic headwinds and soaring green coffee costs, Lavazza chose to limit price increases to protect consumers, though this strategy resulted in a 15% fall in group EBITDA and a 28% decline in net profit. The acquisition of MaxiCoffee in France further expanded Lavazza's presence in the market. Known for its high-quality coffee blends, such as the 100% Arabica Lavazza Qualita' Oro, the brand continues to be a leader in the coffee industry. For detailed insights on Lavazza’s performance, visit Lavazza's Record Sales Post Economic Headwinds.

Illy

Illy, a renowned Italian coffee company founded in 1933, is celebrated for its high-quality espresso blends, such as the Intenso and Classico, which are crafted from arabica beans sourced directly from multiple origins. Illy's coffee is known for its consistent taste and quality, thanks to its innovative pressurized packaging technology. The company achieved a record 13.6% increase in revenue in 2022, reaching EUR567.7 million, and has seen significant growth in all markets and distribution channels. Illy's Classico blend, in particular, is praised for its medium roast and subtle notes of dried fruit, chocolate, and nuts, making it a favorite among espresso enthusiasts. With a global presence in over 140 countries, Illy continues to be a leader in the espresso coffee market. For more insights, check out this Illy coffee review.

Stumptown

Stumptown Coffee is renowned for its high-quality espresso, having grown from a single shop to ten locations and three roasteries over 16 years. The company is committed to Direct Trade practices, forming close relationships with small farmers and cooperatives to source exceptional coffees. Stumptown's diverse product mix includes Grand Cru coffees, which are highly prized and often sold out within two weeks. Their cold brew sales have significantly increased, from 1% of annual sales to nearly 10% since its introduction outside their cafes. With a strong presence in major cities like New York, Stumptown continues to expand and innovate in the specialty coffee market.

Blue Bottle

Blue Bottle Coffee is renowned as one of the top producers of specialty coffee, including espresso, driven by its obsession for quality and commitment to sustainable sourcing. In 2024, Blue Bottle renewed its responsible coffee sourcing credentials, achieving Enveritas's Responsibly Sourced mark for 94% of its purchases. The company works closely with farmers, paying above market prices and supporting community projects to ensure high-quality and sustainable coffee. Blue Bottle's collaboration with Nespresso resulted in the co-developed coffee blend, Blend No. 1, which combines coffee from Ethiopia and Uganda, highlighting their expertise in crafting unique and flavorful espresso blends. This blend is available for Nespresso Vertuo machines and can be enjoyed as a Gran Lungo or over ice. Discover more about their innovative partnership and coffee blend by visiting the official announcement.

Peet's Coffee

Peet's Coffee, founded in 1966 by Alfred Peet, is renowned for its high-quality, artisanal coffees, particularly its dark roasts, which are celebrated for their intense and rich flavors without bitterness. The company is committed to sourcing the highest-quality Arabica beans and roasting them to order, ensuring the freshest coffee possible, with deliveries made within 24 to 48 hours of order submission. Peet's Coffee offers a variety of blends, including the popular Major Dickason's Blend, which was developed in 1969 and features hints of chocolate, cardamom, and earth. Their Small Batch Series subscription provides monthly selections of rare, limited-release coffees from independent farmers worldwide. With a strong market presence, Peet's Coffee is among the top companies in the espresso coffee market, expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% by 2032. You can explore their exquisite coffee offerings on their official website.

Counter Culture

Counter Culture Coffee is a leading producer of high-quality espresso, renowned for its specialty coffees that score 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale, with a weighted average quality score of 86.3 points. Their signature espresso blend, Hologram, formerly known as Rustico, is praised for its fruity, milk chocolate, and syrupy flavors, incorporating beans from Peru and natural-processed Ethiopians. The company has seen significant growth, particularly in their direct-to-consumer channel, with a 12% increase in sustainably sourced coffee sales in 2023. Counter Culture is committed to environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability, supporting initiatives like World Coffee Research. Their dedication to quality and sustainability has resulted in a net operating profit for the first time since 2019.

Death Wish Coffee

Death Wish Coffee is renowned as one of the best producers of high-caffeine coffee, including espresso, with a caffeine content of 59 milligrams per fluid ounce, significantly higher than the average cup of coffee which has about 12-22 mg per ounce. This brand, established in 2012, sources 98% of its coffee beans through fair trade and ensures all of them are USDA Organic certified. Known for its bold and smooth flavor, Death Wish Coffee offers various blends, including a dark roast and espresso roast, with no bitterness. The company has gained significant success, partnering with NASA and appearing in a notable Super Bowl ad in 2016. With its products available in over 12,000 retail locations, Death Wish Coffee continues to innovate and strengthen its brand presence.

Intelligentsia

Intelligentsia Coffee, founded in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange, is a leading producer of high-quality espresso, renowned for its commitment to sourcing direct from growers in Central America, South America, East Africa, and Ethiopia. The company, a major representative of the third wave coffee movement, operates several cafe locations and roasting facilities, including those in Chicago and Los Angeles, utilizing vintage Ideal Rapid Gothot Roasters. Intelligentsia's precise method of sourcing and processing coffee cherries ensures a natural sweetness and unique flavor profiles, such as notes of milk chocolate, citrus, and stone fruit. In 2015, Peet's Coffee & Tea acquired a majority stake in Intelligentsia, allowing the company to continue operating independently. Known for its dedication to quality, Intelligentsia has been included on several local and national "best" lists since 2006.

La Colombe

La Colombe is a prominent player in the specialty coffee industry, renowned for its high-quality coffee beans sourced from around the world and expertly roasted to perfection. The company is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices, which has helped build a loyal customer base. La Colombe's focus on innovation and creativity in product development, such as the popular Draft Latte system, has led to a 25% jump in their overall cold category sales. With a strong e-commerce platform and a growing number of cafes across the country, La Colombe has successfully expanded its reach and increased its market share. The company's beans have a best-by window of 8 weeks post-roast, ensuring freshness and quality.

Nespresso

Nespresso is a leading brand in the global coffee market, particularly renowned for its premium espresso products. As of 2023, Nespresso holds a significant market share of 37.8% in the US coffee pod market, showcasing a notable increase from 29.7% in 2022. The brand generated over USD $6.3 billion in revenue in 2020, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. The global Nespresso capsules market is projected to reach a value of $14.62 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2021 to 2028. Nespresso's success is driven by its commitment to quality, innovation, and expanding market reach.