For many people, morning coffee is a sacred ritual. It's not just a symbolic start to the day, but also a literal boost of caffeine to get your brain up and running. And for anyone who makes their coffee at home, having the right creamer can be just as important as the coffee itself. Store-bought creamers can add richness, sweetness, and flavor to your morning brew. But how do you choose the right one?
If you're looking for a classic, we recommend Nestle's Coffee Mate Liquid Creamer Singles in the flavor French vanilla. The single-serve pods are portable and give your coffee just the right amount of oomph. Keep reading for more creamer options to fit a variety of diets and preferences. And don't forget to check out our buying guide, which is full of helpful information reviewed by a barista and coffee educator!
My name is Justin McMillan, and I am a barista trainer, latte artist, and coffee enthusiast. I assist common individuals in becoming excellent baristas as part of my job. I prefer to focus on the needs and desires of each individual to help them reach their personal goals.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Store-bought coffee creamers all have the same end goal: to make your coffee rich and delicious. However, they go about this in different ways. In this guide, we'll break down the different factors that go into choosing a coffee creamer so you can pick the right one for your needs.
In addition to adding luscious creaminess to your morning cup of joe, a coffee creamer can also add flavor. There are a nearly endless number of flavor options to choose from, so to avoid feeling overwhelmed, think about what flavors you like best.
French vanilla is one of the most popular choices, with a rich, flowery-sweet flavor that pairs nicely with the bitterness of coffee. Caramel is another excellent option that adds buttery, salty-sweet notes to your brew. There’s also hazelnut, which has a toasted, nutty flavor that plays well with coffee’s earthiness.
If you prefer not to add extra flavors to your coffee and just want to boost the richness or cut the acidity, look for an unflavored creamer. These will make your coffee feel like a treat while still letting the flavor of your brew shine through.
A classic option is plain half-and-half, but you can also find unflavored store-bought creamers to fit a range of dietary needs. If you like a little bit of sugar, try a sweet cream flavored creamer.
If you want to branch out and try something new, it can be fun to browse and see what catches your eye. Flavors like chai, Irish cream, and butter pecan are less common but still delicious. You can also find seasonal flavors like gingerbread and pumpkin spice.
And if you have a favorite sweet treat, there might just be a coffee creamer equivalent! There are creamers from brands like Snickers, Coldstone, Cinnabon, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Starbucks, so you can get the taste you love at home.
While many store-bought coffee creamers contain sugar or a sugar alternative, not all of them do. Some people find that sweetened creamers are too sweet for their tastes and prefer to add their own sugar separately. Others just prefer the taste of coffee without a sweetener. You can find unsweetened creamers with flavors or without.
Flavors that are naturally sweet, like vanilla, hazelnut, and cinnamon, can add a suggestion of sweetness to your coffee even when they don’t contain any sugar. If you’re looking for an unsweetened creamer, just be sure that the packaging specifies that it’s unsweetened.
If you don’t have any specific dietary needs, then choosing a creamer can be as easy as picking the flavor you want. However, if you have allergies, health concerns, or weight-loss needs, you should read the ingredients to make sure the creamer will work for you.
A creamer’s main job is to make your coffee creamy, and to do so requires fat. Dairy-based creamers contain fat from animal milk. But if you’re lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy, or prefer to avoid it, there are plenty of other options!
You can find a range of creamers that use plant-based milk, including coconut, soy, oat, and almond milk. Because plant-based milk is lower in fat than animal milk, manufacturers will often add more fat in the form of oil or coconut cream.
Of course, if you have allergies to soy or nuts, make sure to check labels and look for a product that’s manufactured in an allergen-free facility. Most people who are allergic to tree nuts can safely ingest coconut, but talk to your doctor first if you're concerned.
You can also forego the dairy or plant-based milk completely and opt for a creamer that gets its richness from oil. Commonly used oils include palm oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil. These types of creamers can be helpful for people on low-carb diets like keto.
If you’re concerned about the amount of sugar in your diet or the number of carbs that come from sugar, you’ll want to pay attention to the type of sweetener in your creamer. Some brands use regular cane sugar or coconut sugar, which are higher in carbohydrates and calories.
Other brands use artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame potassium. While artificial sweeteners can be a better option for diabetics or people on the keto diet, there’s also some evidence that certain sweeteners may reduce insulin sensitivity or disrupt gut bacteria, resulting in an unhappy stomach.
Because of this, it can be helpful to check with a doctor or healthcare professional to determine which sugar alternative is the best for you. If you’re having a hard time finding a creamer with ingredients you like, consider buying an unsweetened version and adding your own sweetener.
Store-bought creamers come in two forms: powder and liquid. While some people find that they prefer the consistency of one over the other, the main difference is the shelf life. Powders don’t require refrigeration and can be stored in your cupboard. They often last for months.
On the other hand, liquids usually need to be refrigerated after opening and will last a couple of weeks in your fridge. If you drink coffee daily or have multiple people in your household using the creamer, shelf-life may not be as much of an issue. However, if you use creamer only occasionally you may prefer a more shelf-stable option.
Liquid creamer lovers can also play around with size options to find the right amount. You can find large sizes of up to 32 ounces as well as smaller cartons that are great for single-person households. There are also individually packaged creamer singles, which don’t need to be refrigerated. These can be useful for taking to work or on trips.
If you like the convenience of creamer singles, Coffee Mate is a popular option. This creamer is free of lactose, cholesterol, and gluten, with a bright burst of vanilla flavor. The individual pods are shelf-stable for up to nine months and are also great for traveling. Plus, they dissolve quickly into both hot and cold beverages.
A few people thought the flavor was watered down, but the majority of reviewers loved the vanilla flavor in their coffee and appreciated the convenience of having individual servings. They said they're a great option to have on hand, whether at home, at work, or traveling.
Sown's dairy-free creamer is made from organic oat milk and sweetened with cane sugar. They use rolled oats, rather than oat flour, to create a flavorful and creamy concoction with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. The shelf-stable formula can be kept in your pantry; once opened, it will last for up to 30 days in your refrigerator.
The main complaint from reviewers was that it's too sweet. If you prefer less sugar, there's also an unsweetened flavor. However, many others were pleased to report that it tastes just like other popular creamers but with organic, non-GMO ingredients. They agreed that it's sweet and creamy and said it's delicious in both coffee and tea.
If you like the taste of real cream in your coffee, but find that it goes bad too quickly, Mini Moo's Half and Half is an excellent alternative. They're made from real cream, plus some preservatives to keep them shelf-stable. No refrigeration is required! The individual sizes are perfect to use at home and on the go.
Reviewers noted that although these are shelf-stable, they still eventually go bad, so make sure to check the expiration date. When it came to flavor, there were few complaints, with reviewers agreeing that they taste fresh and creamy. They loved the convenience of the Mini Moo's, especially for situations with no fridge access.
Not only does this creamer from Nestle have zero grams of added sugar, but it's also free of lactose and gluten. The sweetness comes mainly from artificial sweeteners, making it a low-calorie option with 15 calories per serving. Plus, the powder formula will keep in your cupboard for a while.
Some diabetics warned that this product increased their glucose levels. Others weren't fans of the aftertaste. However, many reviewers said this is one of the best sugar-free creamers out there, comparing the flavor to the regular hazelnut Coffee Mate. And others liked that the powder doesn't cool down their coffee when they add it.
Nutpods' creamers are an excellent option for a variety of diets, including Whole30, keto, paleo, and vegan. The dairy-free formula uses coconut cream for richness, with hints of toasted marshmallow flavor that will enhance your morning cup. Keep an opened carton in the fridge and stash the extras in your pantry.
Not everyone was a fan of the flavor of this creamer, with some reviewers saying it was barely there or tasted burnt. On the other hand, many appreciated the subtle flavor as a lighter, dairy-free alternative to traditional creamers. They added that the consistency is nice and thick and it froths well too!
Inspired by Cold Stone Creamery, this creamer from International Delight was made for ice cream lovers! The sweet cream flavor adds oomph to your coffee or tea and is gluten- and lactose-free. The individual pods are shelf-stable and perfect to bring to work or while traveling.
Complaints about this product were mostly related to shipping issues, and feedback about the creamer itself was positive overall. Reviewers said the flavor is delicious with the perfect level of sweetness; one person said it's like adding vanilla ice cream to your coffee! Plus, they appreciated the convenience of the single servings.
Get more out of your morning cup with Laird Superfood's creamer. The plant-based powder formula consists of just four ingredients: coconut milk powder, coconut sugar, marine algae calcium, and extra virgin coconut oil. It's free of artificial sweeteners and colors and contains all four MCTs.
Reviewers warned that this isn't a traditional coffee creamer. It tends to be less creamy and takes a frother or whisk to blend it in without clumping. Still, many reviewers said it adds a pleasant coconut flavor to their coffee. And they appreciated the simple and nutritious ingredient list!
This creamer from Califia Farms uses almond milk and coconut cream to create a thick and rich consistency. It's flavored with a hint of warm vanilla and lightly sweetened with cane sugar, but has just two grams of sugar per serving. Plus, it's allergy-friendly; there's no dairy, soy, or gluten.
Some reviewers found the texture to be too thick or even lumpy after refrigerating. On the other hand, most reviewers said it mixes into their coffee without a problem and can also be used for baking. They liked the flavor and level of sweetness. And the fact that it's shelf-stable when unopened was a big plus!
If you're looking for a sweet creamer without the sugar, check out Splenda's Liquid Coffee Creamer. It contains no sugar or corn syrup and is instead sweetened with erythritol and sucralose. The hazelnut flavor adds a nutty, toasty flavor to your brew. And with only 15 calories per serving, it won't ruin your diet!
Some reviewers said there's an aftertaste, or it's too sweet with little hazelnut flavor. But for many, the low calories and lack of sugar won them over. Reviewers said it's rich and creamy, with a delicious flavor that makes their coffee taste even better.
If you're not a fan of the preservatives and additives found in many traditional creamers, check out this product from Kos, which contains just one ingredient: organic coconut milk powder. It's shelf-stable, keto-friendly, and has a myriad of uses. Stir it into your coffee, smoothies, soups, and more.
Some reviewers had trouble dissolving the clumps in this powder, although most were able to get smooth results by adding the powder before the liquid or using a frother to blend it up. Many reviewers loved the richness and subtle flavor it adds to their coffee. They said that it provides the creamy mouthfeel of creamer without the dairy.
Adding a store-bought creamer isn't the only way to spruce up your daily cup of joe. Check out more of our favorite coffee products below to make your mornings even more special.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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