Death Wish Coffee (brewed) has more caffeine than Cafe Bustelo (brewed) on both counts: 300mg per 8 oz brewed against 150mg per 12 oz cup, and about 38mg per fluid ounce against 12. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Cafe Bustelo (brewed) vs Death Wish Coffee (brewed): the numbers
| Cafe Bustelo (brewed) | Death Wish Coffee (brewed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 150mg per 12 oz cup | 300mg per 8 oz brewed |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 12.5mg | 37.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.7 | 1.3 |
Sources: Cafe Bustelo (brewed)'s figure is verified in our Cafe Bustelo (brewed) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Death Wish Coffee (brewed)'s figure is verified in our Death Wish Coffee (brewed) guide against Death Wish Coffee published figure (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Death Wish Coffee (brewed) packs roughly 3 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 8 oz brewed finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Cafe Bustelo (brewed) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Death Wish Coffee (brewed) when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- Cafe Bustelo (brewed): the full caffeine guide
- Death Wish Coffee (brewed): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Cafe Bustelo (brewed) or Death Wish Coffee (brewed) have more caffeine? Death Wish Coffee (brewed): 300mg per 8 oz brewed versus 150mg per 12 oz cup for Cafe Bustelo (brewed).
Which is stronger per ounce? Death Wish Coffee (brewed), at about 37.5mg per fluid ounce versus 12.5mg for Cafe Bustelo (brewed).
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