Starbucks, Costa, and Coffee Bean Chain Comparison

Ever stood in line at a busy coffee chain, wondering whether to go for the medium or large cup—or if you’ll ever get your check or a clean table? We clocked four major coffee chains during peak hours to find out how they really stack up when it comes to pricing, convenience, and those little details that make or break your coffee run.

The most cost-effective option is Starbucks’ 592ml (20 oz) Venti (‘Extra Large’) at just ¥33—best value per milliliter. Cat poop coffee gives you more liquid for less money, while Costa plays it safe and Coffee Bean’s sizes aren’t even clearly labeled.

Coffee Size & Value: What You Actually Get

We visited four coffee chains and compared drink sizes and prices during a single afternoon and evening:

• Starbucks: Latte (355ml / ) ¥27, (473ml / ) ¥30, (592ml / ) ¥33. The 592ml is the best deal.
• Costa: Latte (300ml / ) ¥28, (400ml / ) ¥31, (500ml / ) ¥34. Middle-of-the-road sizing and pricing.
• Cat Poop Coffee : Regular coffee (336ml / ) ¥25, (448ml / ) ¥28, (560ml / ) ¥31. Good value for volume.
• Coffee Bean : Standard and Large cups at ¥30 and ¥32—but no listed capacities.

Conclusion? Go Venti at Starbucks for the most coffee per yuan. Cat poop coffee gives you the most liquid for your money if you’re buying for a group. Costa is reliable but unremarkable, and Coffee Bean’s lack of transparency on volume is puzzling.

Tableware & Takeaway: Cups, Lids, and Extras

All four chains let you swap paper for ceramic, though policies vary slightly:

• Starbucks: Happy to switch from paper to ceramic mid-drink. Offers sturdy cup holders and branded paper bags. Optional latte art sleeves on request.
• Costa: Serves drinks in ceramic by default; paper cups available on request. Two drinks come with a cardboard tray, no bag.
• Cat Poop Coffee: Paper by default, but will add a cup holder and paper bag if asked.
• Coffee Bean: Serves in ceramic by default. Adds cup holder and paper bag when requested.

For takeaway, only Starbucks provides a hard cup holder and a paper bag. Costa gives you nothing extra for a single cup. Cat poop and Coffee Bean will provide basics if asked, with Coffee Bean also giving you a cup holder and paper bag.

Self-Service Stations & Extras

The variety of free extras at the condiment bar can really elevate your cup:

• Starbucks: The most comprehensive selection—offers skim milk, three sugar types (white, brown, ‘healthy’), four flavorings (vanilla, cinnamon, ‘bean paste’, chocolate), plus napkins, stirrers, and spoons.
• Costa: Three sugar types, flavored syrup and non-dairy creamer, plus napkins and stirrers.
• Cat Poop Coffee: Three sugar types, three flavorings (cocoa, cinnamon variants), stirrers, straws, napkins, and insulation rings—but sweetener often runs low.
• Coffee Bean: Two sugar types, lemon water, tea, and paper cups, plus napkins and straws.

Starbucks wins for range; Cat poop coffee is a close second if you don’t need skim milk. Costa and Coffee Bean offer basics but fewer choices.

Service Speed & Cleanliness

How fast do they clear your table—and remember your receipt?

• Starbucks: Took 15 minutes to clear a table after request. Staff often forget to notify when your printed receipt is ready.
• Costa: Not very proactive unless prompted. Receipts also need to be collected manually.
• Cat Poop Coffee: Extremely fast table clearing—even outdoors. Receipts given promptly.
• Coffee Bean: Slowest—tables left uncleared for up to 20 minutes. Fast receipt service.

For speed alone, Cat poop coffee excels. Starbucks and Costa lag in both table clearing and receipt handling. Coffee Bean is slow on cleaning but quick with receipts.

Wi-Fi, Power, and Hidden Perks

Your ability to work or stream from your corner table depends on more than just atmosphere:

• Starbucks: Few power outlets (about 1 per 8 seats), but Wi-Fi is strong and fast.
• Costa: Similar outlet scarcity, weaker Wi-Fi (4-bar signal).
• Cat Poop Coffee: Outlets under most seats, but Wi-Fi is unreliable (took 3 tries to load a page).
• Coffee Bean: No visible power outlets, but Wi-Fi is fast (Apple.com loaded in 6 seconds).

Starbucks has the best mix of outlets and speed. Coffee Bean surprises with fast Wi-Fi but zero plugs. Costa and Cat poop coffee offer middling performance on both fronts.

Secret Menu Items & Brand Quirks

Every chain has its hidden gems:

• Starbucks: Offers an unofficial ‘secret menu’—try asking for a ‘drip coffee’ or ‘zebra mocha’.
• Costa: Uses lighter-roasted beans than Starbucks, resulting in a purer, more aromatic cup.
• Cat Poop Coffee: Sells actual ‘civet coffee’ (made from civet droppings) for over ¥200 a cup. You can often get a free bean as a souvenir.
• Coffee Bean: Popularized by Korean star Jung Joon-young; features K-pop TVs and gives you a ‘beeper’ to summon your drink when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee chain gives you the most coffee for your money?

Starbucks’ Venti (592ml) latte for ¥33 offers the lowest price per milliliter. Cat poop coffee’s large cup (560ml) for ¥31 is also a great value if you want more volume for less money.

Can you get a ceramic cup instead of paper at these chains?

Yes—at all four. Starbucks, Costa, and Coffee Bean will switch from paper to ceramic if you ask. Cat poop coffee will also accommodate the request without issue.

Do any of these coffee shops have free refills?

No—none of the four chains offer free refills, even if you stay seated for hours.

Is there skim milk or flavored syrup at all locations?

Starbucks offers skim milk and four flavorings. Costa has flavored syrup and non-dairy creamer. Cat poop and Coffee Bean have limited options compared to Starbucks.

Which chain has the fastest Wi-Fi?

Coffee Bean has the fastest Wi-Fi (6 seconds to load Apple.com), but no power outlets. Starbucks has solid Wi-Fi and some outlets, though seating is competitive.

Do any coffee chains have secret menu items?

Yes—Starbucks has an informal ‘secret menu’ including drinks like ‘drip coffee’ and ‘zebra mocha.’ Asking for these can get you something unique.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Chain Comparisons

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright floral notes, or Brazil Queen Manor for a balanced medium roast—both excellent for testing how different coffee chains handle single origins. For espresso-based drinks, their Classic Blend offers chocolatey sweetness with a smooth body, ideal for comparing milk texture and temperature consistency across chains. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.