There's nothing like that morning cup of coffee. Wake up, somehow make your way into the kitchen, and blindly hit the Keurig brew button and hope that you already placed a cup under the night before. I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't have a medium iced latte every morning before class from Dunkin Donuts. I basically run on coffee, no matter how much sleep I got the night before, but does it matter where that coffee comes from? Some people prefer homebrew and some prefer Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, but do you ever try comparing these two main brands? Lets consider some differences between the two to see which is the best chain for you!

Which is cheaper?

A medium iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts costs $2.49, while a grande iced coffee at Starbucks is $2.65. Not a big difference, but it adds up. You don't want to use all that money on coffee, or do you? Dunkin definitely has the win in this category.

Which is higher quality?

This topic is truly based on preference, but we can compare some of each coffee chains' products. Both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have seasonal flavors, but who makes these signature coffees better? Everyone knows that Starbucks is KNOWN for their basic white girl pumpkin spice latte, and as one of these girls that gets this every fall, I never get offended. The latte at Starbucks is rich and creamy and in my opinion, is way better than the pumpkin spice syrup Dunkin uses. All Dunkin's flavors are in syrup, and honestly, I just feel like it makes the coffee taste like sugar in a cup. Personally, I believe Starbucks wins this category.

Which has the larger variety?

It is clear when comparing the menus that Starbucks definitely has a larger variety of menu items than Dunkin Donuts. This is because Starbucks not only sells breakfast items and coffee, but they also sell lunch items and non-coffee beverages. Starbucks also has a lot of healthy alternatives for those who are looking for a low-calorie beverage. On the other hand, Dunkin Donuts has a larger variety of donuts and munchkins (as told by the name of the establishment). Both coffee shops have very different menus, and whichever one is better is definitely dependant on what you are in the mood for.

Ordering Process

I'm more of a Starbucks person, but one thing I don't like about Starbucks is the way they name their sizes. When I first started going, I kept forgetting that a small was called a 'tall' and that a large was "venti". All I could remember was grande, so all I would get there were medium sized coffees. Win for Dunkin here for sticking with the classic small, medium, and large.

Environment

If you are looking for somewhere to get work done while drinking a fresh cup of coffee, Starbucks is definitely the way to go. Starbucks sometimes has booths and small sitting areas. I always get the feeling that the people on their computers at Starbucks are working on novels or something. It is a nice quiet place to hang out or meet up with friends and is also found in many Barnes and Nobles. I feel as if Dunkin is more of a drive-through chain, but this could just be my opinion. Another win for Starbucks!

In the end, whichever is better is based on preference. If you are looking for a place to relax and read a good book, Starbucks is probably the place for you. On the other hand, If you are just going for a good cup of coffee on the way to work, Dunkin has your back. Really all that matters is getting that much-needed cup of coffee first thing in the morning.