Mushroom coffees are having a bit of a moment, but unfortunately most of them are underdosed in at least half of their ingredients and both Four Sigmatic and Laird Superfood fall into this category.
They also both rely on proprietary blends and unfortunately they are notorious for hiding underdosed ingredients. Sure, functional mushrooms can offer great benefits for focus, immunity, and energy—but only if they’re dosed properly.
Now, they're not entirely useless, just there are better options, and Four Sigmatic is at least cheap, so considering the fact it's half the price of better products it's not a complete disaster.
That said let's break down how Four Sigmatic and Laird Superfood stack up against each other and why I don’t think either one is your best bet. What we're going to see very quickly is that Laird is more expensive, but without offering much in the way of extra benefits despite the extra mushrooms.
Editors Note: This review is covering Laird and Four Sigmatic's mainline coffee products, not the creamers and so on, there are also alternative versions of each mushroom coffees, but they generally have the same issues.
If you want a recommendation, I'd say Nootrum (it's basically Laird, but with the correct doses and standardized extracts).
Four Sigmatic
I’ll start with Four Sigmatic since it’s the more well known brand of mushroom coffee. They combine organic coffee with functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Chaga, and this isn't a terrible combo by any means. But, considering the idea is to provide a lower-caffeine coffee alternative that boosts focus and immunity cordyceps would be a better inclusion as it's the mushroom that actually boosts energy due to a compound called cordycepin.
Primary Purpose: A coffee replacement with mild cognitive and immune benefits.
Key Ingredients: Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushrooms, blended with organic Arabica coffee.
Caffeine Content: 50 mg per serving which is half the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee.
Flavor Profile: Smooth, earthy, with a dark roast flavor.
The Issues with Four Sigmatic
While Four Sigmatic sounds great on paper it doesn’t tell you how much Lion’s Mane or Chaga you’re actually getting and the only reason to do that, is if you're not getting a good dose of something. They call it a "proprietary blend," which basically means they can hide underdosed ingredients behind clever branding.
- Lion’s Mane: This is probably dosed reasonably since it’s the star of the product, and research shows you need at least 500 mg for cognitive benefits. But, that's really at the very lowest end and 1000mg and up is generally considered better.
- Chaga: Again, if we assume it’s dosed decently, you could see some immune-boosting and antioxidant benefits.
If you’re someone who wants serious benefits from your mushroom coffee, Four Sigmatic just doesn’t deliver enough bang for your buck. It’s more of a “nice idea” than a genuinely effective product.
Laird Superfood
Now let’s talk about Laird Superfood. This one does actually tell us a little more about the mushrooms they use. Their "Organic Performance Blend" includes Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Maitake, but that is too many mushrooms for 2 grams. They do also throw in MCT oil, which adds a creamy texture and some sustained energy benefits which is a nice extra.
Primary Purpose: A higher-caffeine coffee with added wellness benefits for energy, immunity, and focus.
Key Ingredients: Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake, and MCT oil.
Caffeine Content: 100 mg per serving—close to a regular cup of coffee.
Flavor Profile: Rich, full-bodied, and creamy thanks to the MCT oil.
The Dosing Breakdown
Laird gives us a 2,000 mg proprietary mushroom blend, and while that’s a step in the right direction, it’s still far from ideal. Ingredients are legally listed from largest to smallest in proprietary blends, so if we're being generous and assume they didn't just mix all four evenly then Lion’s Mane and Chaga are dosed reasonably, (because they're listed as the largest ingredients) but here’s where things fall apart:
- Cordyceps: Even if it makes up 500 mg of the blend (which is optimistic), it’s way below the 1,000–3,000 mg needed for energy and endurance benefits. You’re not going to feel much of anything from this.
- Maitake: At 500 mg (again, assuming equal distribution), it might offer a little immune support, but it’s far from the ideal dose of 1,000–3,000 mg.
The MCT oil is a nice touch, and it does add a bit of sustained energy, but let’s be clear: that’s coming from the oil, not the mushrooms.
Ingredient Comparison
| Ingredient | Four Sigmatic | Laird Superfood |
|---|---|---|
| Mushroom Blend | Lion’s Mane, Chaga | Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Cordyceps, Maitake |
| Caffeine Content | 50 mg | 100 mg |
| Additives | None | Organic MCT oil |
| Flavor | Smooth, earthy | Rich, creamy |
My Take on the Benefits
Four Sigmatic Benefits
- Cognitive Support: Lion’s Mane is probably dosed well enough to provide mild mental clarity.
- Immune Boosting: Chaga could help with antioxidant and immune support, but there’s no way to know for sure.
- Lower Caffeine: If you’re trying to cut back on caffeine, this is a decent option.
Laird Superfood Benefits
- Energy and Performance: Don’t expect much from the Cordyceps—it’s underdosed for anything meaningful.
- Cognitive Support: Lion’s Mane might offer some focus benefits.
- Sustained Energy: The MCT oil adds a nice energy boost, but that’s not thanks to the mushrooms.
- Immune Support: Maitake and Chaga might help here, but again, they’re not dosed high enough for noticeable effects.
Taste and Usability
Four Sigmatic:
The smooth, earthy flavor is good. And it’s also super convenient since it comes in instant packets, so you can take it on the go.
Laird Superfood:
The rich, creamy flavor is much closer to traditional coffee, thanks to the MCT oil. It’s less convenient, though, since you have to brew it like regular coffee.
Price Comparison
| Brand | Price | Price per Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Four Sigmatic | $38 for 30 servings | $1.27 |
| Laird Superfood | $19 for 12 ounces (24 servings) | $0.79 |
Laird wins on price, but neither product justifies the cost based on what they deliver.
Pros and Cons
Four Sigmatic
Pros:
- Low caffeine makes it ideal for those cutting back.
- Convenient instant packets.
- Focus on Lion’s Mane and Chaga, two well-researched mushrooms.
Cons:
- Proprietary blends hide exact dosing.
- No Cordyceps for energy benefits.
- Overpriced for what it delivers.
Laird Superfood
Pros:
- MCT oil provides creamy texture and sustained energy.
- More affordable per serving.
- Richer, more traditional coffee flavor.
Cons:
- Cordyceps and Maitake are significantly underdosed.
- Requires traditional brewing, which might be less convenient.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, neither Four Sigmatic nor Laird Superfood are great options if you’re serious about functional mushrooms. Both rely on proprietary blends that hide underdosed ingredients, and the benefits just don’t stack up to the marketing claims.
If I had to pick, Four Sigmatic beats Laird because it's cheaper. Still, you’re better off looking for a mushroom coffee that’s upfront about its doses and uses standardized extracts—because these blends just aren’t cutting it.