The Best Mushroom Coffee, WIRED Tested and Reviewed (2025)
The world has been inextricably linked to caffeine for centuries, and here in 2025, the perennial scientific debate over coffee’s ultimate health impact remains tantalizingly unsettled. One might cynically believe this persistent lack of consensus is a sophisticated psyop orchestrated by mainstream media to keep consumers perpetually searching for marketable solutions to a problem that might be entirely manufactured. Regardless of one’s stance on this endless tug-of-war, the burgeoning cottage industry of coffee alternatives that has proliferated in its wake is an undeniably fascinating outcome. It is within this dynamic landscape that mushroom coffee makes its inevitable, and increasingly prominent, entrance.
For those seeking a departure from traditional coffee or a way to augment its effects, functional mushroom blends have emerged as a compelling option. A quick deep dive into the market revealed no fewer than ten established players, each offering their unique spin on a common foundational formula. This typically involves a synergistic combination of dried functional mushrooms—most frequently lion’s mane, renowned for its cognitive-enhancing properties; chaga, celebrated for its antioxidant profile; and cordyceps, often linked to energy and endurance. These core fungi are frequently boosted with other buzzy add-ons like probiotics for gut health or nootropics for amplified mental clarity.
To provide a definitive guide, the WIRED team embarked on an intensive testing regimen. I personally committed a full week to each product, including our eventual top pick, Atlas Coffee Club’s Latte Superblend. This involved a rigorous substitution: my usual morning coffee ritual was replaced entirely by each brand’s recommended dose of mushroom powder mixed with hot water. The initial five days were dedicated to pure, unadulterated testing, allowing the unvarnished flavors and effects to come through. After this baseline period, I permitted myself to experiment with sweeteners and milks—an absolute necessity for many of these blends if one hopes to finish an entire cup without a visceral reaction.
Some of these alternatives delivered a familiar, mild coffee-like experience. Others, surprisingly, were actual coffee beans infused with mushroom extracts, bridging the gap between old and new. Then there were the truly uncanny concoctions, beverages so distinct that a normal person might never crave them unless fully immersed in the esoteric lifestyle this unique alt-beverage industry caters to. This journey was a rollercoaster: I experienced moments of amusement, occasional frustration, an unfortunate bout of gastrointestinal distress, and more early afternoon energy crashes than I care to count – all in the name of science, and all to spare you the trial and error.
Featured in this article
Best Overall: Atlas Coffee Club Atlas+ Latte Superblend ($26)
The Atlas Coffee Club Atlas+ Latte Superblend stood out as the clear winner, earning our "Best Overall" accolade. Priced at a reasonable $26, this blend offers a remarkably balanced experience that doesn’t compromise on taste while delivering discernible functional benefits. Unlike many mushroom coffees that struggle with an earthy, often off-putting undertone, the Atlas+ Latte Superblend managed to integrate its functional mushroom complex (including a robust mix of lion’s mane, chaga, and cordyceps) into a genuinely enjoyable latte-like drink. Its "Superblend" designation is well-deserved, incorporating not just the foundational mushrooms but also adaptogens and other beneficial compounds that contribute to a sustained, clean energy lift without the jitters often associated with traditional caffeine. The powder dissolves effortlessly, creating a smooth, creamy texture when mixed with hot water and a splash of milk (oat milk proved to be a particularly complementary pairing during testing). The flavor profile is subtly nutty with a hint of natural sweetness, making it one of the few contenders that felt genuinely palatable from the first sip, even before adding any personal touches. The energizing effect was noticeable, providing a gentle yet consistent boost to focus and alertness that carried me through the morning without the typical mid-day slump. It’s a sophisticated, well-rounded option for anyone looking to fully embrace the mushroom coffee trend without sacrificing their morning ritual’s enjoyment.
Best Nootropic Cocktail: Lucid Nootropic + Mushroom Coffee ($35-$62)
For those specifically targeting cognitive enhancement, the Lucid Nootropic + Mushroom Coffee emerges as the "Best Nootropic Cocktail." Available at varying price points from $35 to $62 depending on the vendor and quantity, Lucid makes a bold promise of enhanced mental clarity and focus, and largely delivers. This blend goes beyond the typical three-mushroom trifecta, incorporating a more extensive array of nootropic ingredients alongside its functional fungi. The "cocktail" aspect refers to its carefully curated blend of compounds designed to support brain health and cognitive function, including adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea and Bacopa Monnieri, known for stress reduction and memory support, in addition to lion’s mane and cordyceps. The taste, while certainly "functional," is surprisingly pleasant for such a potent blend. It has a slightly earthy and herbaceous flavor that, when sweetened and combined with a dairy or non-dairy milk, transforms into a warming, invigorating beverage. The effects were distinct: a noticeable sharpening of focus, improved concentration, and a sense of calm mental energy that made tackling complex tasks feel more manageable. It wasn’t a jarring jolt of energy, but rather a smooth, sustained cognitive uplift, making it ideal for creative work, intense study sessions, or demanding professional tasks. Lucid positions itself as a premium brain-boosting beverage, and its performance during testing affirmed this ambition.
Best Whole Package and Add-Ons: Laird Superfood Organic Coffee With Functional Mushrooms ($20)
Laird Superfood’s Organic Coffee With Functional Mushrooms takes the crown for the "Best Whole Package and Add-Ons." At $20, this product isn’t just a coffee alternative; it’s an entry point into a holistic wellness ecosystem. Laird Superfood, a brand synonymous with quality and clean ingredients, offers a comprehensive range of complementary products like creamers, hydration mixes, and other superfood blends that allow users to customize their wellness routine. This coffee itself is a medium roast infused with a blend of functional mushrooms, primarily chaga and lion’s mane. The key distinction here is that it’s actual coffee with mushrooms added, not a mushroom powder designed to mimic coffee. This means it delivers the familiar, comforting taste of a good quality organic coffee, but with the added benefits of functional mushrooms. The flavor is robust yet smooth, with no discernible mushroom taste, which is a significant plus for purists. The functional benefits were subtle but consistent—a stable energy level and a feeling of general well-being, rather than a dramatic cognitive shift. What truly elevates Laird is the brand’s commitment to quality sourcing, sustainable practices, and the breadth of their product line, which makes building a complete, health-conscious beverage routine incredibly easy and appealing. Their add-ons, particularly their various superfood creamers, perfectly complement the mushroom coffee, enhancing both taste and nutritional value.
Best Mushroom-Infused Coffee: Shroomi Focus Mushroom Coffee ($36)
For those who want the true coffee experience but with the added benefits of fungi, Shroomi Focus Mushroom Coffee, priced at $36, is the "Best Mushroom-Infused Coffee." This product expertly bridges the gap between traditional coffee consumption and the wellness-driven mushroom trend. Unlike many powdered blends, Shroomi delivers pre-ground coffee beans that have been thoughtfully infused with functional mushroom extracts, primarily focusing on species known for their cognitive benefits, such as lion’s mane and Rhodiola Rosea. The result is a cup that tastes undeniably like high-quality coffee—a medium roast with a pleasant aroma and a smooth, balanced flavor profile. The mushroom components are virtually undetectable in terms of taste, making it an ideal choice for those wary of earthy or fungal notes. However, their presence is subtly felt. The "Focus" in its name is apt; testers reported a gentle but sustained improvement in concentration and mental clarity, without the peaks and valleys often associated with unadulterated caffeine. It provided a clean, alert energy that facilitated productivity without overstimulation or jitters. Shroomi’s approach ensures that you get the ritual and taste of your beloved morning brew, enhanced with a functional boost that supports mental acuity throughout the day. It’s a perfect entry point for coffee lovers curious about mushrooms but hesitant to abandon their daily coffee habit.
Others Tested
Four Sigmatic Organic Coffee ($20):
Four Sigmatic, founded approximately a decade ago by visionary Finnish-American bohos, displayed remarkable prescience in marketing mushroom coffee to the wellness-conscious Angelenos affluent enough to prioritize esoteric health trends over strict scientific consensus. Their expansive catalog is a veritable constellation of mushroom-infused ingestibles, with bagged, pre-ground coffee serving as the flagship product, complemented by instant latte mixes, smoothie add-ins, and "capsules." Buying from Four Sigmatic is refreshingly straightforward—no convoluted subscriptions, complex kits, or any other marketing nonsense. You simply select what you desire, pay for it, and it arrives at your doorstep a few days later.
Their Focus blend, boldly labeled as a dark roast, defied expectations. Instead of the unpleasant cigarette-butts-and-bowling-alley aftertaste that often mars similar dark blends, Four Sigmatic’s offering presented a surprisingly clean and robust profile. It had a deep, earthy richness without any accompanying bitterness or acridity, a stark contrast to many of its competitors. Despite my personal preference for lighter beans, this particular dark roast resonated like a comforting embrace from an old friend after weeks of navigating murky, silt-laden concoctions. The initial caffeine buzz was pronounced but normalized after two days of incorporating the Think blend in lieu of more standard shroom-based coffee replacements. Intrigued by the adaptogenic claims, I then added a three-quarter-teaspoon hit of the powdered Focus blend to my daily cup to observe any amplified effects. Within a mere ten minutes, I felt an overwhelming, almost compulsive urge to meticulously sort my finances spreadsheet in preparation for the upcoming tax season. Following this surge of organizational energy, I found myself effortlessly setting up a new template in Loopy Pro, tailored to accommodate a friend who had planned to join my basement jam session that evening. Though he ultimately bailed, I was still thoroughly "jacked on Genius Adaptogens," as I noted in my journal, and proceeded to play all the instruments myself into the wee hours of the night, fueled by an unexpected burst of creative and sustained energy. Four Sigmatic delivers on its promise of focus and vitality, making it a strong contender for those seeking a potent and reliable mushroom-enhanced coffee.
Not Recommended
MUD/WTR Original Blend ($45):
The packaging of MUD/WTR isn’t quite as overtly unhinged as the famously verbose bottle of Dr. Bronner’s, but it certainly occupies a similar philosophical realm of maximalist, almost evangelical, messaging. The spicy dust contained within the can is a veritable circus of intriguing, if sometimes discordant, ingredients. Alongside the usual suspects of functional mushrooms—chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps—it boldly incorporates herbaceous stalwarts like turmeric and masala chai, creating a truly unique, albeit challenging, flavor profile.
It took me several days to grudgingly accept that properly emulsifying this ruddy powder, according to the suggested instructions (1 tablespoon with ¾ cup of water, battered thoroughly with the included handheld immersion blender), is an utterly impossible task. The consistency remained stubbornly gritty, a constant reminder of its powdered origins. Frustrated, I began an extensive series of experiments with supplemental ingredients, desperately hoping that some precise blend of milk, fat, and sugar would finally minimize the pervasive, gritty aftertaste that relentlessly overwhelmed the palate. After much trial and error, I eventually landed on a concoction of 1 tablespoon of simple syrup and 4 ounces of whole milk, frothed vigorously in my trusty Subminimal NanoFoamer Pro. The final result, while an improvement, hovered somewhere uncomfortably between a vaguely spiced chai latte and the kind of bland hot cocoa one might encounter at a coffee shop plagued by boring ’90s music, surly baristas, and a perpetually dirty bin overflowing with stale vegan and gluten-free snacks next to the register. I didn’t actively hate it, but the bottom quarter of every cup inevitably devolved into an undrinkable, gunky mess. And let’s not even begin to discuss the chunky brown lacing that stubbornly clung to the edge of the cup, a constant visual reminder of its imperfect mixability.
The physical and mental effects of MUD/WTR felt more like a mere facsimile of a boost rather than a visceral, undeniable kick in the pants. While a placebo high is arguably better than nothing, the sheer amount of adjunct ingredients required to render this drink truly palatable—combined with its persistent textural issues—meant that it ultimately felt less like a reliable daily sipper for increased focus, energy, virility, and the million other things this product boldly promises within the expansive wall of text adorning its packaging. Instead, it positioned itself as an occasional, indulgent treat on a chilly day, rather than a foundational element of a productive morning routine. For its price and the effort involved, MUD/WTR simply doesn’t deliver on its grand ambitions, landing it firmly in our "Not Recommended" category for consistent daily use.
The landscape of mushroom coffee is continually evolving. As of November 2025, WIRED has expanded its testing to include promising new contenders such as Heady Cup’s Mushroom Coffee Bloom Shroomery Blend and North Spore’s Functional-5 Mushroom Coffee, with ongoing evaluations to ensure our recommendations remain current and comprehensive. For those looking to further optimize their morning ritual, be sure to explore our guides to the Best Coffee Subscriptions, Best Energy Drinks, Best Coffee Makers, and Best Electric Kettles. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
