Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee

Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee compares three London roasters with very different cups.

If you are choosing between them, the bags can start to look pretty similar.

But the differences are clear once you look closer.

Union keeps things simple with a dark roast and a lower price.

Square Mile puts more attention on flavour.

Balance takes a different approach, pairing a medium roast with a published lab report.

For this comparison, we looked at three specific coffees.

They are Union Revelation Signature Espresso, Square Mile Red Brick Espresso and Balance Coffee Stability Blend.

Before we compare them, here is who put this comparison together.

Tasting is only one part of the choice, though. The price difference is hard to miss on the smaller bags.

Union costs £3.98 per 100g in its 200g bag. Square Mile's 350g bag costs about £4.36 per 100g. Our 250g bag costs £6.00 per 100g.

On 1kg bags, the gap gets much smaller.

So, does paying more get you a better coffee?

Not necessarily.

The real question is what matters most to you when you buy your next bag.

So let me start with the quick version.

Prices can change, so check the current terms before ordering. But can you trust a comparison written by one of the three brands?

Why Trust This Comparison

It is a fair question, because I founded Balance Coffee. That gives me a stake in one of these three brands.

That does not mean I want every comparison to end with Balance.

The point is to show you where each brand does well, and where it does not.

I have also kept the tasting notes separate from the brand claims.

Where I tasted a coffee, I tell you what I found. For Red Brick, I use Square Mile's own notes instead.

You can read more about our Balance Coffee taste-testing team and Balance Coffee testing framework.

With that out of the way, let's start with Union, the oldest of the three.

What Is Union Coffee?

Background of Union Coffee

Union Coffee began in London in 2001.

Jeremy Torz and Steven Macatonia founded the company. Today, Union roasts at Star Lane in East London.

Here, we are looking at Revelation Signature Espresso.

Revelation is a dark roast. Union says it tastes of chocolate, treacle and rich caramel.

If you are looking for Union coffee beans, there is another plus. You can choose how you want the coffee to arrive.

Key Features

Revelation comes as whole bean, cafetière, filter or espresso grind.

That makes Union easy to order without owning a grinder.

The 200g bag costs £7.95. A 1kg bag costs £32.95, and it comes as whole bean only.

Union also offers a subscription with 10% off.

Union also has strong green credentials. It is a B Corp and is certified to ISO 14001.

It has also won the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development twice. Those strengths suit some buyers far more than others.

Who Union Coffee Is Best For

Union suits you if you:

• Want to keep your coffee spend down.
• Prefer a darker roast with milk.
• Want several grind options when ordering.

If Union is not quite right, see our guide to coffees like Union.

Shop Union Coffee →

In Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee, Union makes the strongest case on price. Square Mile is younger and takes a different route.

What Is Square Mile Coffee?

Background of Square Mile Coffee

Square Mile Coffee was founded in London in 2008, and it puts more attention on flavour.

Anette Moldvaer and James Hoffmann founded the company. It is now run by Felicity Whitehead.

The roastery is based on Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow.

For this comparison, we are looking at Square Mile Red Brick Espresso.

It is a medium roast blend. Square Mile changes its coffees with the seasons.

The current edition is 70% Altamira de Chirripó from Costa Rica, a white honey coffee.

The other 30% is Lalesa from Ethiopia, a washed coffee. Because the blend changes, check the current edition before you order.

So what does the current edition taste like, and how do you buy it?

Key Features

Square Mile describes the current Red Brick with four notes: peach, chocolate, nougat and silky.

Its subscription page describes Red Brick's constant profile as chocolate and caramel. The fruit note has changed between editions.

One thing to know before ordering, though. Square Mile sells whole beans only.

So, if you want Red Brick at home, you need a grinder.

A 350g bag costs £15.25. A 1kg bag costs £40.75. You can also buy 2kg for £78.75.

The subscription starts at £13.25 per bag, compared with £15.25 for a one-off purchase.

UK delivery is free on all orders.

That mix of flavour focus and whole beans suits a certain kind of buyer.

Who Square Mile Coffee Is Best For

Square Mile suits you if you:

• Prefer a medium roast with flavour at the centre.
• Like a sweet, chocolate-led espresso with some fruit.
• Already own a grinder and buy whole beans.

For more options, see our roundup of coffees similar to Square Mile.

Shop Square Mile →

Square Mile keeps the focus firmly on the coffee in the cup. We started Balance to look past the cup as well.

What Is Balance Coffee?

Background of Balance Coffee

We started Balance Coffee in London in 2020. Taste still matters to us. So does knowing what is in the bag.

That is why we publish a lab report alongside our coffee.

For this comparison, we are looking at Stability Blend. It is a medium roast made from three origins: Brazil, Mexico and Uganda.

So what sets Stability Blend apart from the other two?

Key Features

The main difference is our published 2026 lab report. We cover it in full under Health and Purity below.

Stability Blend is built around three tasting notes: milk chocolate, hazelnut, and fig.

You can order it as whole bean, filter, or espresso grind. That helps if you don't own a grinder.

We also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Our 250g bag costs more per 100g than the other two brands' smaller bags. Stability Blend costs £14.99 for 250g.

A subscription gives you 15% off, plus priority shipping on orders over £25.

So who gets the most from Stability Blend?

Who Balance Coffee Is Best For

Balance Coffee suits you if you:

• Want to see published lab testing before buying.
• Prefer a medium roast with chocolate and hazelnut notes.
• Want flexible grind choices and a 60-day guarantee.

Shop Balance Coffee →

So, the three brands are approaching coffee from different angles. Now let's get into the part that usually settles the argument: the taste.

Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee: Taste and Roast Profile

Union Coffee Taste and Roast Profile

Union Revelation is a dark roast built for a rich, caramel cup.

When I brewed the first shot, the bitterness came through before the caramel sweetness.

I opened the grind slightly to soften the extraction.

That softened the bitterness. The caramel and cinnamon-like aromas also became easier to notice.

It is a darker cup than the other coffees in this comparison.

If you like a deeper, richer roast, that will probably work for you.

If you like brighter, fruitier coffee, you may want something else.

So what does a medium roast with fruit notes offer instead?

Square Mile Coffee Taste and Roast Profile

Square Mile Red Brick is a medium roast, and its notes point to sweetness and some fruit. It is built as an espresso blend.

For the current edition, Square Mile lists "Peach / Chocolate / Nougat / Silky".

The peach adds some fruit. The chocolate and nougat keep the cup sweet and familiar.

Across editions, Square Mile describes the constant profile as chocolate and caramel.

I have not tasted this coffee myself, so these are Square Mile's own tasting notes.

Red Brick is also very much an espresso coffee. Square Mile recommends 19g in, a 1:2 ratio, and 28–32 seconds.

If you like a sweet espresso with a touch of fruit, Red Brick is likely to appeal.

So how did our own medium roast behave in the cup?

Balance Coffee Taste and Roast Profile

Stability Blend was one of the easier coffees to dial in.

My first espresso shot ran a little quickly, so I tightened the grind slightly.

That gave the shot more body and brought the milk chocolate and hazelnut forward. The finish also became sweeter and cleaner.

I also brewed Stability Blend using a V60. The first cup was pleasant, but the dried fruit character was muted.

For the second brew, I went slightly finer and kept my pours more even.

That gave me more sweetness without making the cup heavy. The dried fruit became easier to pick out.

The clean finish stayed in place.

I found much the same consistency across espresso and filter. That makes Stability Blend useful if you switch between them.

Its roast is medium, like Red Brick, and lighter than Union's Revelation. So which of the three suits your taste?

Taste and Roast Profile: Which Is Best for You?

On taste, it comes down to what you enjoy.

Union Coffee Revelation suits you if you want a dark cup that works with milk.

If you prefer a sweet espresso with some fruit, Square Mile Red Brick takes that approach.

Its current notes are peach, chocolate and nougat.

Balance sits somewhere in the middle.

Stability Blend is a clean medium roast that works across espresso and filter.

The bigger differences show up in price and published testing.

So if taste is your main priority, start with the roast style you already know you enjoy.

Next, it is worth looking at how much choice each brand gives you when ordering regularly.

Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee: Customisation and Subscription Flexibility

How Flexible Is Union's Subscription?

A Union coffee subscription takes 10% off every order. It can arrive weekly, fortnightly, monthly or every six weeks.

You can also pick your grind. Union offers whole bean, cafetière, filter and espresso.

That helps if you do not own a grinder.

With its Discovery plan, Union picks two 200g bags for you.

You can also skip, bring forward or cancel a delivery when you need to.

Square Mile puts its flexibility in a different place: when your coffee arrives.

How Flexible Is Square Mile's Subscription?

Square Mile can send your coffee weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You can also set your own gap, from six to 40 days.

You can change, skip or pause your orders. UK delivery is free on every order, however small.

You can also switch coffees when your taste changes.

Our subscription leans on a different strength: the discount on smaller bags.

How Flexible Is Balance Coffee's Subscription?

Our coffee subscription gives you 15% off every order.

You also get priority shipping on orders over £25.

You can change, hold, or cancel your subscription at any time.

You can choose whole bean, filter, or espresso, depending on how you brew.

So which subscription fits the way you buy coffee?

Subscription Flexibility: Which Is Best for You?

Choose Union if grind choice matters most. Its four grind options give you more ways to order.

Choose Square Mile if delivery timing and free UK delivery matter most. Its custom schedule offers more flexibility.

Choose Balance if a discount on smaller bags matters most. At those sizes, its 15% off is the largest of the three.

No single feature determines which subscription fits best. Your brewing setup and buying routine matter more.

Price is the next comparison.

That is where the gap between these three brands becomes much clearer.

Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee: Price and Value

Union Coffee Price and Value

Union wins on price.

Union Revelation costs £7.95 for 200g, which works out to £3.98 per 100g.

The 1kg bag costs £32.95, bringing the price down to £3.30 per 100g. It comes as whole bean only.

You can also save 10% with a Union subscription, making it cheaper for regular orders.

That difference matters if you drink coffee every day.

Square Mile costs more per 100g, but delivery is part of its price story.

Square Mile Coffee Price and Value

Square Mile Red Brick costs £15.25 for 350g, or about £4.36 per 100g. UK delivery is free on every order.

Its 1kg price is £40.75, bringing the cost down to £4.08 per 100g.

That can make a difference when you are comparing the total cost of smaller orders.

Square Mile costs more than Union at these bag sizes. Our 250g bag costs more again.

Balance Coffee Price and Value

Stability Blend costs £14.99 for 250g as a one-off, which works out at £6.00 per 100g.

A 1kg bag costs £39.99 as a one-off, or £4.00 per 100g.

On subscription, the 1kg bag costs £33.99 after the 15% discount. That is £3.40 per 100g.

On 1kg one-off bags, our £4.00 sits just below Square Mile's £4.08 and above Union's £3.30.

We also publish a 2026 lab report.

The value question therefore goes beyond the coffee price. We also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.

So which brand gives you the best value?

Price and Value: Which Is Best for You?

On price alone, Union gives the best value. It costs £3.98 per 100g for its 200g bag, against £4.36 for Square Mile.

On 1kg one-off bags, Union costs £3.30 per 100g, ours £4.00 and Square Mile £4.08.

On 1kg subscriptions, Union is about £2.97, Square Mile about £3.03 and ours £3.40.

Our 250g one-off bag costs £6.00 per 100g, the most of the three.

Choose Union if keeping the coffee cost down matters most.

Choose Square Mile if you want Red Brick and its flavour-led espresso profile.

Choose Balance if published testing and the 60-day guarantee form part of your idea of value.

If you want to compare three other UK roasters, see our Rave vs Origin vs Balance Coffee guide.

Price is one part of the comparison. So why does purity matter in coffee?

Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee: Health and Purity

Purity matters because mould can affect coffee. The US Food and Drug Administration lists coffee among the foods at risk.

It says mould usually grows during crop production or storage.

Some moulds make toxins called mycotoxins. One linked with coffee is ochratoxin A, or OTA.

The World Health Organization says we should eat as little of these toxins as we can.

That does not mean every coffee contains a harmful amount.

The useful question here is what each brand actually tests and publishes.

Union Coffee Health and Purity

We could not find any published lab results for Revelation. So there is no test result to check its purity against.

Union is B Corp certified. That covers how the company treats people and the planet.

It does not show whether the coffee was tested for mould, pesticides or mycotoxins. A lab result is a separate thing. Our guide to mould-free coffee brands covers this in more depth.

Square Mile has a similar gap in its published testing information.

Square Mile Coffee Health and Purity

Square Mile does not publish lab results for Red Brick.

You can ask it for its transparency reports. These cover sourcing, not lab tests.

That tells you where the coffee comes from. It does not tell you about mould, pesticides or mycotoxins.

So this comparison only covers what each brand makes public. It does not claim the coffee contains any particular substance.

Those reports help if you care where your coffee comes from.

If you want published testing, Balance gives you more to check.

Balance Coffee Health and Purity

Our 2026 lab report tested one sample of our beans and ground coffee.

P.H. s.r.l., part of the TÜV SÜD Group, carried out the testing.

The screen covered 600+ pesticides, aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, mould and yeast, and heavy metals.

That makes five test areas in total. All results were within limits.

The results apply to the sample sent to the laboratory.

They do not mean that every possible substance is absent.

The results page shows the testing categories and reported findings. You can also read the full certificate there.

That transparency is the main difference in this comparison.

If published testing matters when you choose coffee, you can review our independent lab test results before buying.

So where does that leave the three brands on purity?

Health and Purity: Which Is Best for You?

Balance is the only one of these three that publishes lab results.

As covered above, our 2026 report covers one tested sample across five test areas.

You can explore our mould-free range if that matters to you.

Union and Square Mile do not publish lab results. B Corp status and sourcing reports are useful, but they do not measure purity.

Taste depends on your palate, subscriptions depend on your routine, and price depends on what you buy.

Testing gives Balance another point of difference.

With every factor covered, how do the strengths and weak spots stack up?

Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee: Pros and Cons

Union Coffee: Pros and Cons

Union's weak spots are testing and the 1kg grind limit. Square Mile's trade-offs sit in different places.

Square Mile Coffee: Pros and Cons

Square Mile asks you to own a grinder and accept a changing blend. Our own trade-offs are mostly about price.

Balance Coffee: Pros and Cons

Before the verdict, which practical questions come up most for each brand?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Union coffee good?

Yes, Union roasts speciality coffee in London and reports an SCA quality score of 84.5. The score comes from Union itself, so it is not an independent assessment. Its Revelation blend has chocolate and caramel notes, suits milk, and comes from a B Corp certified roaster.

Is Union coffee good for espresso machines?

Yes, Revelation is Union's signature espresso blend, and Union sells it in an espresso grind. That means you can order it ready for your machine at home. It also comes as whole bean, cafetière and filter grinds, though the 1kg bag is whole bean only.

Where can you buy Union coffee?

You can buy Union coffee directly from Union Coffee, as well as Tesco, Ocado, Waitrose and Amazon. Buying direct gives you access to Union's subscriptions, its Discovery plan and more grind options. Its website also lists tasting notes and brewing tips for each coffee it sells.

Is Square Mile coffee worth it?

Square Mile can be a good fit if you want flavour-led coffee and already own a grinder. Its coffees sit in the mid-priced range, while its seasonal approach gives you more variety. Red Brick suits espresso drinkers who like a sweet, chocolate-led cup with some fruit.

Does Square Mile sell ground coffee?

No, Square Mile sells its coffee as whole beans rather than offering ground versions. The roaster says ground coffee loses flavour more quickly, which is why it recommends grinding immediately before brewing. You therefore need your own grinder if you want to prepare Square Mile coffee at home.

Where can you buy Square Mile coffee?

You can buy Square Mile coffee directly from its official website, which offers free UK delivery. If you are looking for Square Mile coffee beans, the website lists its current coffees. These include Red Brick and its seasonal releases, with both espresso and filter options.

Is Balance Coffee worth it?

It may be, if published lab results matter when you choose coffee. Our 250g bag costs the most per 100g of the three, but we publish a 2026 lab report. Our 60-day money-back guarantee also gives you time to decide whether it really suits you.

Is Balance Coffee good for health?

We publish lab results rather than making health promises. Our 2026 report tested one sample of our beans and ground coffee, and every result was within limits. Those results apply to that sample only, and do not prove that the coffee has any health benefit.

Where can you buy Balance Coffee?

You can buy Balance Coffee directly from our website, including Stability Blend and our other coffees. If you sign up, you get 15% off each order and priority shipping on orders over £25. Stability Blend suits you if you want a medium roast with chocolate, hazelnut and fig notes.

With the questions answered, one decision is left: which bag to buy.

Conclusion: Which Brand Should You Choose?

In Union vs Square Mile vs Balance Coffee, the right brand depends on what you value most.

Choose Union If:

• You want to keep costs down. The 1kg bag is cheapest per 100g, but it is whole bean only.
• You want plenty of grind options without needing to own a grinder.
• You want a chocolate-and-caramel espresso that works well with milk.

If price is not your main concern, Square Mile may suit you better.

Choose Square Mile If:

• You enjoy a sweet, chocolate-led espresso with some fruit.
• You already own a grinder and are happy buying whole beans.
• You like trying seasonal coffees and changing things up regularly.

If published testing matters more than flavour variety, look at Balance.

Choose Balance Coffee If:

• Published lab testing is important when deciding which coffee to buy.
• You want a medium roast with whole bean, filter, or espresso options.
• The 60-day money-back guarantee is important to you when trying a new coffee.

If you are not sure where to start, try our Stability Blend with the 60-day money-back guarantee.

You can also explore our wider guide to UK coffee beans for more options.