We need to talk about iced coffee prices. While everyone’s busy arguing about whether putting ice in perfectly good coffee is sacrilege, the rest of us are out here trying to fuel our daily existence without selling a kidney. The folks at Delish recently did the legwork of comparing prices across America’s biggest chains (though keep in mind, prices can vary by location), and honestly?
The coffee economy is a mess, but there are deals to be had if you know where to look.
To that effect, here’s your definitive guide to getting caffeinated without going broke, ranked from “ouch, my wallet” to “wait, seriously?”
9. Dunkin’ — $5.31
Dunkin’, the self-proclaimed champion of everyday coffee drinkers, apparently charges over five bucks for a small iced coffee. That’s some premium pricing for a brand that built its empire on being the anti-Starbucks. For context, this is the same chain that used to mock Starbucks in commercials for being overpriced and pretentious.
It’s like your favorite indie band signing a major record deal, and suddenly the concert tickets cost a fortune.
8. Panera — $5.19
Panera doesn’t even offer a small—just a “regular” that costs $5.19. Classic move: eliminate the budget option entirely and call the medium size “regular” to make us feel better about spending restaurant-meal money on coffee. It’s like when streaming services got rid of the $7.99 tier and now act like $15.99 is reasonable.
7. Chick-fil-A — $4.99
At least Chick-fil-A keeps it simple: $4.99 no matter how you customize it. Black coffee, cream and sugar, extra shots—same price. It’s refreshingly honest pricing in a world of upcharge madness. Plus, their staff will probably thank you for ordering it, which is worth something, right?
6. Starbucks — $4.25
And now, for the biggest shock on this list: Starbucks isn’t actually the most expensive. At $4.25 for a basic iced coffee, they’re middle-of-the-pack. Sure, that changes real quick once you start adding oat milk and three pumps of vanilla, but their baseline is surprisingly sane. Who would’ve thought the company that convinced us all to pay $7 for coffee drinks with names longer than most sentences would show restraint somewhere?
5. Sonic — $3.59
Sonic doesn’t technically do iced coffee—they’re pushing cold brew with sweet cream for $3.59. It’s like they looked at the coffee game and said, “What if we just… didn’t play by the rules?” Fair enough. Getting a legitimately smooth cold brew at the same drive-in where you can order a cherry limeade and chili cheese tots feels like a weird, wonderful glitch in the fast-food Matrix.
4. Taco Bell — $3.04
Taco Bell serving decent coffee for three bucks feels like finding a $20 bill in last winter’s coat. Sure, most of us associate T-Bell with 2 AM poor decisions, but maybe it’s time to give them a shot during daylight hours. At $3.04, it’s cheaper than most gas station coffee these days.
Just be careful. Starting your day with their coffee might eventually lead you to believe a Cheesy Gordita Crunch is a valid breakfast food.
3. McDonald’s — $2.79
McDonald’s at $2.79 is exactly what you’d expect: competent, affordable, and available everywhere. It’s the Honda Civic of iced coffee—not flashy, but it’ll get the job done without drama. While it’s no longer the cheapest option out there, it’s still a solid deal—assuming their ice cream machine is broken and you need a different cold treat.
2. Wendy’s — $2.49
The brand famous for roasting its rivals on Twitter is now quietly roasting some of the best budget coffee in the game. For just $2.49, Wendy’s cold brew is shockingly good—good enough to make you wonder if their social media manager is also in charge of their coffee strategy. They’re playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, and the result is a high-quality coffee at a price that feels like a checkmate.
1. Burger King — $1.99
At a time when a Snickers bar can cost more than two dollars, Burger King’s $1.99 iced coffee feels like a pricing error in your favor. It’s the undisputed king of cheap caffeine, securing the top spot with a price that feels like a throwback to a different decade. It might not be gourmet, but it delivers a caffeine-and-sugar fix for less than a candy bar—and in this economy, that’s an absolute win.
Source: Delish