Compaction caused by mechanization affects soil quality and, consequently, the development of crops. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different degrees of soil compaction on the physiology, morphology, and anatomy of different coffee cultivars in a controlled environment. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with randomized block design in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement, with five coffee cultivars (Arara, Catual Amarelo IAC 62, Catual Vermelho 144, MGS Paralso 2 and Mundo Novo IAC 379-19) and five degrees of compaction (68, 74, 80, 86 and 92 %), with four repetitions, totaling 100 experimental units. The following variables were evaluated in the aboveground biomass: plant height, number of leaves, diameter of the orthotropic branch, fresh mass of leaves and stem, leaf area, gas exchange, and chlorophyll a and b index; in the roots: length, surface area, volume, diameter of fine and coarse roots, fresh and dry mass of roots, as well as anatomical characteristics. Results showed that soil with degrees of compaction above 80 % negatively affected the variables evaluated. Catual Vermelho 144 presented the worst performance regardless of the degree of compaction, while Arara and MGS Paralso 2 showed the best performance under the evaluated compaction degrees. Anatomical structure of the roots was modified with soil compaction, and no differences were observed among cultivars.