Guide · Beans and ground coffee
The best ground coffee for filter machines in the UK
Supermarket ground coffees whose packs say they suit filter machines, from Taylors, Cafédirect, Costa, Lavazza and Morrisons, with what to look for and prices checked on 3 Oct 2026.
The best ground coffee for filter machines UK shoppers can pick up is usually labelled on the pack: several supermarket coffees now say “for cafetière and filter” in so many words. This guide picks out the ones that do, explains what a filter grind is and how it differs from espresso and cafetière grinds, and covers dose and filter papers. We haven’t tested this in person. Picks are based on what each pack says and prices checked at Morrisons on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Filter grind vs cafetière and espresso grinds
Filter machines drip hot water through a bed of coffee over a few minutes. That wants a medium grind: finer than a cafetière, much coarser than espresso.
- Too fine (espresso grind) and the water backs up, the filter can overflow and the coffee tastes bitter.
- Too coarse (cafetière grind) and the water runs straight through, giving weak coffee.
Most UK supermarket ground coffee is a medium, all-purpose grind that works in both cafetières and filter machines. That’s why packs often say “cafetière and filter” together. What to look for on the pack:
- “Filter”, “cafetière and filter” or “all coffee makers”
- A roast or strength number, to pick how strong you like it
- Avoid packs labelled only for espresso or moka
Who it isn’t for: anyone with a grinder. Freshly ground beans beat any pre-ground pack.
Best ground coffee for filter machines UK: the picks
Taylors Rich Italian: the all-rounder
Taylors says it’s best served in a cafetière or filter. It’s a medium roast (Taylors’ roast 4) with dark chocolate and almond notes, 100% arabica and Rainforest Alliance certified. £5.75 for 200g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: budget buyers. At £28.75 a kilo, it’s the dearest here.
Taylors Lazy Sunday: for a lighter cup
Taylors’ lighter option: a mellow light roast (roast 3) with milk chocolate and citrus notes, 100% arabica, again best served in a cafetière or filter. £5.75 for 200g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who likes strong, dark coffee.
Cafédirect Machu Picchu: the organic, Fairtrade pick
The pack describes it as strength 4, medium-dark, full-bodied with dark chocolate overtones, suitable for filter and cafetière brewing, and Fairtrade and organic certified arabica. Check price at Morrisons.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a light roast.
Costa Dark Amazonian ground: the dark, cheap pick
Sold specifically as “ground for cafetière and filter”. Costa calls it rich and intense, strength 5 of 6, with caramel notes. £3.50 for 200g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026. See our Costa coffee beans page for the bean versions.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who finds dark roasts bitter.
Morrisons The Best Fair Trade Colombian: a single origin for less
100% arabica single origin, medium roast, strength 3, with chocolate and caramel notes. Morrisons says its ground coffee is designed for coffee machines, filters and cafetières. £4.30 for 227g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone after a bold, dark cup.
Morrisons Anytime: the cheapest
Medium strength, “smooth and well rounded”, and labelled perfect for all coffee makers. £3.60 for 227g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026, or £15.86 a kilo, the cheapest here.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants origin or flavour detail. The pack says little about either.
Lavazza Qualità Rossa ground also says it can be used in filter coffee machines, at £6.25 for 250g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026.
How much coffee per cup?
Pack advice varies. Morrisons suggests one rounded dessert spoon per cup, Costa one to two tablespoons per 250ml, and Cafédirect about 15g per 250ml for a cafetière. For a filter machine, start with the pack’s suggestion, then adjust by taste: more coffee if it’s weak, less if it’s harsh. Your machine’s manual may give its own dose.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants precision. Weighing the coffee on kitchen scales beats spoon measures.
Paper vs permanent filters
- Paper filters trap more of the fine particles and oils, giving a cleaner cup. You’ll need the right size for your machine.
- Permanent (mesh) filters save buying papers, but let more fine particles through, so the coffee can taste heavier and leave sediment.
Either works with all the coffees above. Our reviews of the Moccamaster KBG Select and Melitta AromaFresh II cover two popular machines, and the filter coffee machines hub has more.
Who it isn’t for: anyone using a pod machine. These are for drip filter machines.
Downsides
- Pre-ground goes stale quicker than beans. Close the pack tightly and use within a couple of weeks.
- Only Morrisons prices. Tesco, Asda, Ocado and Waitrose blocked our checks.
- Pack claims, not our tasting. We haven’t tested these in person.
FAQ
Can you use cafetière coffee in a filter machine? Usually, yes. Most supermarket ground coffee is a medium grind sold for both, such as Costa’s “for cafetière and filter”.
Can you use espresso ground coffee in a filter machine? It’s too fine for most filter machines and can taste bitter or overflow the basket. Choose a pack labelled for filter.
What’s the cheapest ground coffee for a filter machine? Morrisons Anytime was £3.60 for 227g at Morrisons, checked 3 Oct 2026, and is labelled for all coffee makers.
Is organic filter coffee available in supermarkets? Yes. Cafédirect Machu Picchu is Fairtrade and organic certified and labelled for filter and cafetière.