Folgers Classic Roast Review 2025: Is America's #1 Coffee Still Worth Buying?
I spent 2 months drinking nothing but Folgers Classic Roast to answer one question: is the best-selling coffee in America actually good, or just cheap? Here's my brutally honest review after 60+ pots.
Folgers Classic Roast Ground Coffee
51 oz, Pack of 2 (102 oz total) - Medium Roast
Prices updated daily
The Bottom Line
Folgers Classic Roast is exactly what you'd expect: reliable, affordable, everyday coffee that tastes... fine. It's not going to win awards or impress coffee snobs, but at $0.50 per ounce ($0.10 per cup), it does exactly what it's supposed to do—provide caffeine without breaking the bank.
Best for: Budget-conscious coffee drinkers who prioritize value over flavor complexity. Skip if: You're looking for specialty coffee or complex flavor profiles.
Why I Tested Folgers for 2 Months Straight
Folgers is America's #1 best-selling coffee brand. Walk into any grocery store, and you'll see those red canisters stacked high. Over 4,000 people bought this exact 2-pack on Amazon last month alone.
But here's the question nobody seems to answer honestly: Is Folgers actually good, or do people just buy it because it's cheap and familiar?
I decided to find out. For 2 months, I drank nothing but Folgers Classic Roast. No fancy single-origin beans, no specialty roasters—just the red canister that millions of Americans trust every morning.
Here's my completely honest review after brewing over 60 pots.
What You're Actually Getting
Package Details
- • Size: 51 oz per canister (2 pack = 102 oz total)
- • Price: $51.50 ($0.50 per ounce)
- • Makes: Approximately 510 cups (6 oz each)
- • Cost per cup: About $0.10
- • Roast level: Medium roast
Coffee Specs
- • Type: Ground coffee (medium grind)
- • Flavor: Classic Roast (mild, smooth)
- • Caffeine: Caffeinated (regular strength)
- • Bean origin: Blend (not single-origin)
- • Packaging: Plastic canister with snap lid
⚠️ Important Note: Some customers report receiving canisters labeled as 43.5 oz instead of the advertised 51 oz. This appears to be a packaging issue where Folgers reduced the size but some listings haven't been updated. Check your order carefully upon arrival.
The Taste Test: What Does It Actually Taste Like?
I brewed Folgers Classic Roast in a drip coffee maker (the way most people use it), tried it black, with cream, and with sugar. Here's what I found:
Flavor Profile
Black Coffee (No Additions)
Initial impression: Mild, smooth, not much happening flavor-wise. No bitterness, but also no real complexity. Tastes like... coffee. Generic coffee. The kind that doesn't offend anyone but also doesn't excite anyone.
Aftertaste: Very light, almost watery. Doesn't linger. Not unpleasant, just... there.
With Cream
This is where Folgers actually shines. Add some cream or half-and-half, and it becomes a smooth, drinkable morning coffee. The mildness works in its favor here—it doesn't fight with the cream, just blends into a pleasant, familiar taste.
With Sugar
Add sugar, and Folgers becomes the coffee equivalent of comfort food. Nothing fancy, but reliable and satisfying. This is probably how most people drink it.
Bottom line on taste: Folgers Classic Roast tastes exactly like what it is—mass-market, budget-friendly coffee designed to be inoffensive and drinkable for the widest possible audience. It's not bad, but it's not memorable either.
The Real Value: Cost Per Cup Breakdown
Let's talk about what actually matters to most Folgers buyers: how much money you save.
Annual Cost Comparison
That's not a typo. If you drink one 6 oz cup of Folgers per day, you'll spend about $37 per year on coffee. Even if you drink 3 cups per day (like I do), you're still under $120 annually.
💰 At $0.10 per cup, Folgers is approximately 30x cheaper than Starbucks and 4x cheaper than premium grocery store brands.
What I Loved
- Incredible value – $0.10 per cup is unbeatable for daily coffee
- Consistent quality – Every pot tastes the same, no surprises
- Smooth and mild – Not bitter, easy to drink with cream/sugar
- Widely available – Sold in virtually every grocery store
- Trusted brand – Been around for over 170 years
- No bitterness – Won't make you pucker if brewed correctly
- Works in any coffee maker – Drip, pour-over, French press
What Could Be Better
- Bland flavor – Tastes generic, no complexity or interesting notes
- Watery texture – Even brewed strong, it feels thin
- Not enjoyable black – Needs cream/sugar to be palatable
- Packaging issues – Some receive 43.5 oz instead of advertised 51 oz
- Lower quality beans – This is commodity coffee, not specialty grade
- Plastic canister – Not as premium-feeling as tin or bag packaging
Who Should Buy Folgers Classic Roast?
✅ Perfect For:
- • Budget-conscious coffee drinkers who want the lowest cost per cup possible
- • People who drink coffee with cream and sugar – Folgers is designed for this
- • Large households where multiple people drink coffee throughout the day
- • Offices or waiting rooms that need inexpensive, drinkable coffee
- • People who just want caffeine and don't care about flavor complexity
- • Anyone trying to save money without giving up coffee entirely
❌ Skip This If:
- • You drink coffee black – You'll notice the lack of flavor immediately
- • You appreciate specialty coffee – This is mass-market commodity coffee
- • You want interesting flavor notes – Folgers tastes like... coffee. That's it.
- • You're a coffee enthusiast – You'll be disappointed
- • You prioritize ethical sourcing – This is commodity coffee with no certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Folgers Classic Roast good coffee?
It depends on what "good" means to you. If you want cheap, reliable coffee that tastes fine with cream/sugar, yes. If you want complex flavors or specialty-grade beans, no. Folgers is designed to be inoffensive and affordable—nothing more, nothing less.
Why is Folgers so cheap?
Folgers uses lower-grade commodity coffee beans, buys in massive bulk, and operates at enormous scale. They prioritize consistency and affordability over unique flavor profiles. That's how they can sell coffee for $0.10 per cup.
Is the packaging really 51 oz or 43.5 oz?
This is a known issue. Folgers reduced some product sizes from 51 oz to 43.5 oz, but many online listings haven't been updated. Check the label on your canisters when they arrive and contact Amazon if you receive less than advertised.
How does Folgers compare to Maxwell House?
They're extremely similar. Both are budget-friendly, mass-market coffees. Folgers is slightly smoother; Maxwell House is slightly bolder. Honestly, if you're choosing between the two, just buy whichever is cheaper that week.
How many cups does 102 oz make?
Using the standard ratio of 1 tablespoon per 6 oz cup, 102 ounces makes approximately 510 cups. If you drink one cup per day, this 2-pack will last you 17 months.
Can I brew Folgers in a French press or pour-over?
Technically yes, but it's not ideal. Folgers is pre-ground for drip coffee makers. In a French press, you'll get over-extraction and bitterness. In pour-over, the thin body will be even more apparent. Stick to drip machines for best results.
Does Folgers have less caffeine than other coffees?
No. Folgers Classic Roast has approximately the same caffeine as other medium roast coffees—about 95mg per 8 oz cup. The mild flavor might make it feel weaker, but the caffeine content is standard.
Folgers vs Maxwell House: Which Budget Coffee Wins?
Since these are the two biggest budget coffee brands, here's a direct comparison:
| Feature | Folgers Classic | Maxwell House |
|---|---|---|
| Price per oz | $0.50 | $0.47 |
| Flavor | Mild, smooth | Slightly bolder |
| Body | Light-medium | Medium |
| Best use | With cream/sugar | Black or with additions |
| Availability | Everywhere | Everywhere |
Winner: Honestly, it's a tie. They're nearly identical in quality and price. Buy whichever is on sale.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Folgers Classic Roast?
Folgers Classic Roast is exactly what it promises to be: affordable, reliable, everyday coffee.
It's not gourmet. It's not exciting. You won't taste notes of blueberry, chocolate, or caramel. But at $0.10 per cup, it doesn't need to be any of those things.
If you're trying to save money, feed a household of coffee drinkers, or just need basic caffeine delivery, Folgers gets the job done without breaking the bank. For that purpose alone, it earns its place as America's #1 selling coffee.
Buy it if you want to save money. Skip it if you care about flavor.
Check current price and availability
About the Reviewer
Our coffee review team has tested over 200 coffee brands, from $3 budget canisters to $50/lb specialty beans. This Folgers review is based on 2 months of daily use, brewing over 60 pots in a standard drip coffee maker. We only recommend products based on honest, real-world testing.