Not Dunkin' Or Starbucks: The Best Pumpkin Spice Coffee Pods You Can Buy

Cozy and comforting, a batch of barista-made pumpkin spice-flavored coffee is unmatched. However, if you've invested in a coffee machine to cut back on your expensive caffeine habit, you don't need to miss out! There are plenty of pumpkin spice-flavored coffee pods on the market that are on par with barista brews. In our opinion, the best ones you can buy aren't actually from big hitters like Dunkin' or Starbucks, but from an independent company called Firehouse Coffee. This contender came out on top in our taste test of nine pumpkin spice coffee pods, ranked worst to best.

Quirkily billed as Pumpkin-itis, these pods are described on the Firehouse Coffee website as "one 'infection' you'll actually want to catch." They come in a pack of 12 and feature the aroma of warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and other classic fall spices. In fact, the heady fragrance of these coffee capsules was the first thing that won us over. Earthy, rich, and nutty, Pumpkin-itis boasted bright and vibrant notes. Meanwhile, each sip took us on a flavor journey; from the citrusy zing of orange zest to the vibrant punch of warming cinnamon, this cup of Joe was complex and multidimensional. While we only tasted the caffeinated pods, there is a decaffeinated version available too, if you want all the flavor without the buzz. Along with the Pumpkin-itis pods — a flavor which is also available as whole coffee beans — shoppers can also purchase the pumpkin crème brûlée or pumpkin roll flavor to get their pumpkin fix.

Firehouse Coffee was founded by retired firefighter and flight paramedic Mike Adams, which is why the coffee blends have names that are inspired by the fire, healthcare, and first responder communities. Some of the unusual but memorable monikers for the capsules include Rescue Rum, Ladder Truck, Cardiac Cath, and ICU (which is Irish cream-flavored). There are also two coffee bean mascots on the packaging that are dressed as a nurse and a firefighter, and a section on the website is dedicated to coffee gifts for nurses.

Meanwhile, the loser in our taste test was Starbucks' pumpkin spice coffee pod because it was overly perfumed and smelled like a scented candle. This was surprising, considering that Starbucks has several beloved pumpkin spice-flavored menu items that make an appearance in-store every fall, such as the pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin cream cold brew. Dunkin's offering was second-to-last because it too had a harsh and artificial aroma. Moreover, it had an odd acidic aftertaste, which we couldn't stomach. Firehouse Coffee, on the other hand, was just right and had a flavor profile that just kept getting better with each sip.