Like the other subscriptions here, Mistobox has you fill out a short survey and suggests coffee suited to your tastes. There are three “tiers” available: basic, deluxe, and exclusive. As you move up the tiers, the price increases and amount of beans decreases. The top “exclusive” tier has “micro-lot” single origin beans for $20 or more a bag.
With more than 500 coffees from 50+ roasters, Mistobox makes a good gift subscription, especially if you don’t know what kind of coffee to get someone. Somewhere in those 500 choices, your coffee fanatic should find something that will make them happy.
Mistobox starts at $12 for a 12 ounce bag. You can get deliveries every 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks.
Photograph: Trucup
OK, you got me. Trücup doesn’t actually have a subscription service and shouldn’t really be on this list. But it’s also missing something else: acid. The low acid content of Trücup makes it a great option for coffee lovers with sensitive stomachs who suffer from GERD or heartburn. I am not a doctor, so if you’ve been diagnosed with GERD make sure you talk to yours before you try Trücup.
Trücup is still worth your time, even if you’re fortunate enough to have a stomach that can handle normal coffee. It’s a mellow coffee and my top pick for drinking in the afternoon and evenings, as it’s easier on the stomach.
Trücup prices start at $13 for a 12 ounce bag. Again, there is no way to subscribe, but you can order grounds or biodegradable single serve pods to your door.
To test these subscriptions, I brewed each bag in different ways to see which beans were best suited to which brewing method. It’s worth doing the same if you have access to different ways to brew, especially if you opt for a subscription that offers a lot of variety. A roast that makes a great shot of espresso does not necessarily make the best pour-over coffee.
In the same vein, take notes on what you like and dislike. Several of these services have very nice websites where you can record your notes and mark particular coffees you liked. Take advantage of these features because you will probably forget. The coffee never stops coming with these subscriptions, which is both a blessing and curse.
If you’d like some more pointers, be sure to read our guide to brewing better coffee at home.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-Year Subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.