The 9 Best Coffee Storage Jars

To push air out rather than just seal it in, the Planetary Design Airscape uses a second lid inside the first. You press that inner lid down onto the beans, a small valve lets the trapped air escape, and a lever locks it in place. The brushed steel keeps light out, and this medium size holds about a pound of beans. It's pricey, it's hand wash only, and the inner lid can stick if it goes in crooked.

The Veken Coffee Canister packs the usual coffee extras into a sturdy steel body for a modest price. A one-way valve lets fresh beans vent gas without letting air in, and a clamp presses the lid onto a silicone ring. A dial on top marks the roast or open date, and a scoop clips to the side. A thin window strip lets in a little light, so park it in a cupboard, and it's hand wash only.

Coffee fans who want a true vacuum without pumping by hand can press the Fellow Atmos Electric lid once and let it work. A tiny pump pulls the air out, a light shows the seal, and sensors top it up when it fades. Fellow says one charge lasts about three months of daily use. It holds a bit less than a standard bag, and Fellow warns that ground coffee or powders can clog the valve and void the warranty.

Roomy is the point of the Coffee Gator Canister: by the maker's chart, it takes close to a pound and a half of beans. The steel lid clamps down on a rubber seal, a valve vents gas from fresh roasts, and a turning wheel on top tracks the month you opened it. A scoop rides along on the side. It takes up a lot of counter space and needs washing by hand.

No pump and no batteries: the Coffeevac 1 lb makes its seal with one push on the lid, which forces air out through a small valve. A press of the button lets air back in when you want to open it. The black plastic body keeps light away from the beans, and it costs little. It's tall for some cupboards, plastic can hold onto old coffee smells, and the warranty runs only 30 days.

Anyone who wants to put the whole thing in the dishwasher should look at the Progressive ProKeeper. Its tinted plastic box cuts down on light, a silicone seal and latch keep air out, and a measuring scoop stores inside the lid. The square shape fits a one-pound bag and sits neatly on a pantry shelf. There's no valve for fresh-roasted beans, the tint isn't fully dark, and the latch can feel stiff at first.

Moka pot owners get a neat trick from the Bialetti Smart Coffee Jar: the pot's filter basket sits in the lid, so you can fill it straight from the jar with less mess on the counter. A silicone ring seals the glass, and a steel spoon comes with it. It's sized for a small European bag of about half a pound, so a typical American bag won't fit, and the clear glass belongs in a dark cupboard.

Glass won't hang on to stale coffee smells, and the Prepara Evak pairs it with a plunger lid that pushes air out as you press it down onto the beans. Lifting the handle breaks the seal. Three sizes are sold, and the large one holds about a pound. The clear glass lets light reach the coffee, so keep it in a cupboard, and the plunger takes a firm push that can be hard on weak hands.

The OXO Good Grips POP is a pantry box first, which makes it a smart buy for anyone who also needs a home for sugar, tea or flour. One push on the button lid tightens the silicone seal, and a second push releases it. This size holds about a pound of coffee, and it's dishwasher safe. The clear plastic lets light in, there's no valve, and the button can break with heavy use.