14 Best Instant Coffees 2024 UK

Score: 85/100

With strong roasted coffee bean aromas and a hint of hay, this strong coffee was named our champion for good reason. Our panel loved the rich, roasted flavors with pleasant notes of malt and bitter, dark chocolate. A delicious way to start the day.

Score: 82/100

A wonderful combination of roasted cocoa and caramel with a hint of acidity balanced by vanilla, this lighter-tasting blend has all the elements you would expect from a good quality coffee – perfect for a quick mid-morning cup.

Score: 77/100

Testers found this coffee to have a surprisingly high level of complexity for an instant coffee. In addition to pleasant aromas of chocolate, light caramel and almond nuttiness, the taste was well balanced with mild notes of roasted coffee beans, good levels of acidity and a hint of bitterness at the end. A great all-round drink.

Score: 76/100

With sweet aromas of brown sugar, roasted coffee beans, and cocoa, testers initially found the flavor to be a bit more tart than they expected. However, this is tempered by a pleasant nuttiness that lingers on the palate.

Score: 76/100

Testers appreciated the aromas of this coffee, which were reminiscent of a malted milk drink. They also liked its mild taste with distinct caramel notes, hints of cocoa and low acidity. A great drink for a crowd when you’re expecting guests.

Score: 76/100

It has a strong, rich, roasted coffee aroma, but the flavor is more balanced and mellow than it suggests. With notes of dark chocolate and light sweet caramel, testers said it has a high level of acidity.

Score: 73/100

There are hints of nutmeg and dark chocolate in this coffee, but our testers had mixed reviews – some thought the acidity was a bit too overpowering and too sharp, while others said it was a well-balanced, smooth coffee.

Score: 73/100

Testers found it to have the classic, slightly smoky aroma of instant coffee, but with creamier, more upscale cocoa bean notes for a rounded cup. The taste is strong, combining a good level of lingering bitterness with a crisp acidity.

Score: 71/100

Reminiscent of filtered coffee with aromas of tobacco and roasted coffee beans, a coffee with a mild, delicate taste with a long-lasting bitterness that does not overwhelm the palate.

Score: 71/100

For those who prefer a more subtle cup, testers described this coffee as being milder, with aromas of roasted cocoa and a hint of vanilla. Delicate in taste, it is a versatile option for a quick caffeine fix.

Score: 70/100

Pleasantly light with notes of roasted coffee and hints of caramel, this coffee was on the milder side. Testers appreciated the taste with notes of cocoa and a touch of grassiness, making it easy to drink, without the ashy taste often associated with instant coffee.

Score: 70/100

Nutty aromas with a hint of vanilla are complemented by a pleasant, well-balanced coffee that testers found rich and aromatic, with a bright and crisp finish on the palate. A warming blend that doesn’t require a trip to your local Costa.

Score: 70/100

Testers found the taste of this coffee to be well-balanced, with a pleasant fruity aftertaste, as well as an intense aroma of brown sugar with a hint of hazelnuts and tobacco.

Score: 70/100

Testers found the coffee to have slightly burnt aromas, which slightly lowered the overall rating. However, it is worth trying if you like coffee with a very mild flavor. With notes of lightly roasted coffee beans, only a hint of bitterness is noticeable on the finish.