best travel mugs to keep coffee hot

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Matt Jancer

The Best Travel Mugs to Keep Drinks Hot or Cold

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Best Overall Hydro Flask Coffee Mug With Flex Sip Lid (16 Ounce) Read more

A Good Wide-Mouth Bottle Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Mug (16 Ounce) Read more

A Classy Paper Cup Replacement KeepCup Brew Cork (12 Ounce) Read more

An Eco-Friendly Option Miir Climate+ Read more

Staying hydrated can be a battle, especially if you're toting around a bottle of lukewarm water, coffee, or tea. Whether you drink cold drinks or hot ones, a vacuum-insulated beverage holder can keep it at your preferred temperature so that every sip is a joy. There are tons of vacuum-insulated bottles, mugs, and tumblers on the market these days. Most of them are perfectly capable at keeping beverages colder or warmer than room temperature for much longer than a non-insulated bottle, too.

I tested each bottle with both ice water and cold water, sat outside on a patio in indirect sunlight, and then with hot coffee left indoors, where the ambient temperature was 70 degrees. During testing so far, none of the bottles failed to roughly match up to their claims of how long they'd keep cold liquids cold and hot liquids hot. It's rare to run across an insulated bottle that's a total failure at doing that these days, but it's also rare to find one that truly stands out. Rather, I've noticed the features that tend to make or break a bottle are their leak-proofing, exterior coating, and cap. Here are the best travel mugs that impressed us, and some of the rest.

Note that my colleague, Medea Giordano, wrote a piece about the use of lead soldering in the construction of some reusable bottles. Be sure to check out our guides to the Best Reusable Water Bottles , Best Coffee Subscriptions , Best Coffee Grinders , Best Espresso Machines , Best Portable Coffee Makers , Best AeroPress Coffee Makers , and How to Make Better Coffee at Home and Joe Ray's rave on how he learned to love pour-over coffee .

Updated March 2024: We've added the Yeti Rambler Vacuum Bottle With Chug Cap, Stanley IceFlow Straw Tumbler, REI Co-op Camp Mug, and GSI Outdoors MicroLite 500 Flip. We've also added information about the use of lead in some bottles' manufacturing, as well as updated pricing and availability throughout.

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Best Overall

Hydro Flask’s powder coating is one of the toughest I have come across on a beverage container. Whenever I can foresee some serious abuse happening to a coffee mug on a trip, I take a Hydro Flask. I’ve yet to dent or scratch one through routine carelessness over the past four years. Without a cupholder in my car, my Hydro Flask lived on the floorboards, rolling and crashing around with every maneuver, and it still held up. The pebbled texture is grippy, so you're less likely to fumble it if your hands get wet or greasy.

A Good Wide-Mouth Bottle

Narrow openings are fine for water, in my opinion, but for hot beverages, I like having a wider gap so I can take a big gulp. I'm less likely to burn my mouth on hot drinks when I can let them cool off through a bigger opening, too. The TKWide’s Cafe Cap is more like drinking from a regular to-go coffee cup, rather than a water bottle.

All the colors have matte powder-coated finishes, which are more scratch-resistant than the brand’s smooth powder-coated finishes. That said, I haven’t found them to be as tough as Hydro Flask’s powder coating, and the uncoated stainless-steel ring on the bottom of the mug is pretty easy to scuff up.

A Classy Paper Cup Replacement

The Brew Cork is greater than the sum of its parts. This double-walled, insulated mug is meant to replicate and replace paper coffee shop cups. It’s fun to drink out of. Many other tumblers’ lid openings are blocky or mash your nose, but the KeepCup is ergonomically on point. It’s not the best for road trips, nor the best for keeping a ton of coffee hot for hours, but I highly recommend the LongPlay if all you want is a reusable cup to cut down on single-use waste and keep your drink warm long enough for you to actually drink it. That said, the lid is a bit dribbly. While the interior and lip are glass—no metallic off-tastes here—the exterior shell below the rubber grip is plastic.

An Eco-Friendly Option

It doesn't fit a typical car’s cup holder, but if you like an insulated mug that resembles a cup more than a bottle or beer glass, the Climate+ is for you. It has the solid build quality and tough powder-coated finish we’ve come to expect from Miir, in a package that has less of an impact on the environment. Miir says that the Climate+ uses no new plastic (the lid is 100 percent recycled and recyclable), and its insulation uses 25 percent less stainless steel than traditional insulated mugs. It’s also completely BPA-free.

Nena Farrell

Julian Chokkattu

Camp Classic

This camp cup is awfully charming, harkening back to the classic blue, enameled camp cups that ooze 20th-century Americana. Like all the tumblers on this list, it’s vacuum-insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold ones cold. Its screw-on plastic lid, with a sliding lever for sipping, is leak-proof enough. If you leave it upside down for more than a few seconds or shake it, it’ll drip, but I couldn’t get it to leak by knocking it onto its side. The handle is plastic to avoid conducting heat from hot contents, and the inner part of the handle is lined in cork. The Campy isn’t enameled—it’s just painted to look like it—but it pulls off the effect well.

For Coffee Purists

Instead of a tiny sippy hole, the Carter’s screw-on cap reveals a wide tumbler that lets you breathe in your coffee’s aromas as you drink. The opening is 69 millimeters wide, so you can use most manual coffee brewers, such as an AeroPress or Hario pour-over, directly on it. That’s too wide for many cars’ cup holders, but it’s plenty stable, and you won’t have to worry about tipping it over on a desk. My average-size hands had no issues, but some buyers with smaller hands might find it difficult or uncomfortable to hold.

The interior is ceramic-coated, so you don’t get any metallic flavors, and the thin metal lip is curved like a cabernet glass. Its textured matte exterior coating is tough and held up as well as the mighty Hydro Flask’s coating. It's been completely leak-proof too. You should have no concerns throwing it into your laptop bag completely full.

For Camping

When traveling, I want to pack light. Snow Peak’s gorgeous insulated titanium camp mug is less than 4 inches tall, weighs only 4.2 ounces, and has foldaway handles to make it even smaller. Its 450-ml capacity equates to slightly more than 15 fluid ounces. As someone who finds washing mugs to be an interminable hassle, this is the easiest one to travel with—just refill, rinse, and carabiner it to the outside of your bag. I've carried mine up glaciated mountains and down desert trails for six years now, and although the lettering has worn away, the mug itself works as well as it did when new. You can also buy a Snow Peak lid for $14 separately, which is splash-proof and kept my coffee warmer for longer.

Tumblers and travel mugs are generally designed for you to pour your chosen beverage into, but what if you just want to put a can in there? These kinds of insulated drink holders are particularly useful when I'm out and about, drinking a canned soda or beer, and want it to stay cool in the summer heat.

Not only can you put the can directly into the drink holder, but you can also pour it into the Hydro Flask and drink directly out of it, if you wish. Just remove the collar, and now you've got a handsome, stainless steel rim to sip from. The collar fits over the bottom of the can to stabilize it too, so you won't lose it. This is the 12-fluid-ounce version that fits a standard beer, soda, juice, or wine can. There's also a 16-fluid-ounce Tallboy Cooler Cup for $28 if you're feeling particularly thirsty.

Honorable Mentions

We've run through many travel mugs, and not all of them are winners. These are a few we like, just not as much as the ones above.

Miir Flip Traveler for $28 : The Miir has a tough powder coating with a flip-top lid that is absolutely leak-proof. I couldn’t get one drop of liquid to escape, no matter what I did to this tumbler. It’s narrow enough to fit any cup holder or backpack bottle holder, and it feels tough enough to survive years of abuse. Personally, I also find it quite aesthetically attractive, with its sharp lines and angular cap, compared to its competition. Miir has stated that some of its bottles use lead, and its website states : “MiiR drinkware is frequently tested at a 3rd party accredited lab by COE Resolution CM/RES(2013)9. When MiiR drinkware is tested, lead is not detected. The limit of detection is < 0.002 mg/kg (ppm).” Representatives at Miir declined to clarify if the Flip Traveler is one of its bottles that use lead.

Yeti Rambler Bottle With Chug Cap for $50 : The star of this bottle is what Yeti calls the chug cap, a threaded spout that's between a wide-mouth opening and a more typical sipping hole in size. I enjoyed it quite a lot. When gulping water, it flowed more smoothly and quickly than a sipping hole, but it didn't spill over my face, as a wide-mouth opening can sometimes do when in a hurry. A cap with a plastic handle screws on over it to close up the bottle. The handle is wide and robust. I'd use a carabiner to clip it to a backpack often and never worried about it breaking (36 fluid ounces of water is heavy). If you're a frequent sipper like me, you'll appreciate that it only takes a half turn of the cap to expose the chug cap. Yeti cautions that the chug cap (which can be unscrewed and removed) is unsuitable for hot beverages. Just to make sure I didn't burn my mouth on that initial, exploratory sip of hot coffee, I'd take it off when drinking something hot, which negated some of the bottle's convenience. Like most Yeti bottles, the exterior coating was durable and didn't scratch or dent during testing—we've often got a code to customize it for free on the WIRED coupons site. Yeti uses lead in its manufacturing .

Stanley IceFlow Tumbler for $30 : Rather than a long straw, the IceFlow has a stubby, flip-open straw about an inch long that's built into the cap. It was easy to manipulate with my thumb to flip it out, which I appreciated when I was hot and sweaty after a workout and didn't want to fumble with a hard-to-use cap. Its small diameter meant that I couldn't gulp water, though, only sip a steady trickle. The carry handle was big enough to use while wearing puffy gloves this past winter, and it flips down and out of the way when you don't need it. Both are a very nice touch that outshine most other bottles' handles. Like Stanley's other bottles, its exterior coating is tough enough that I noticed no scratches or wear. Stanley uses lead in its manufacturing process .

Contigo Luxe Autoseal for $36 : What makes the Contigo “automatic” is a button on the side of the lid that opens the sipping hole. There’s a lock to prevent the button from opening the hole, too. With or without the lock activated, the Contigo never leaked a single drop. Some buyers have complained that the metal lid gets too hot, but I filled up the Luxe Autoseal with scorching, molten coffee, and the lid barely even got lukewarm. Contigo is also among the manufacturers that uses a lead solder bead in its construction. When reached for comment, a company representative said, “The bead is covered and insulated by multiple layers—it never comes in contact with users or liquids in the bottle—and cannot be accessed unless the bottle is fully deconstructed. No traces of lead are found on or in the bottle that would be exposed to the consumer or the beverages in the bottle.”

KeepCup Thermal for $26 : This is the answer to those who like the KeepCup LongPlay's ergonomic shape and paper-cup-imitating feel but long for a cup that can keep their coffee warmer for longer. The Thermal is, like most of the vessels in this guide, vacuum-insulated stainless steel that insulates against heat loss or, in the case of cold beverages, heat gain. It shares the Brew Cork's slightly dribbly lid, although it loses some of the novelty of the Brew Cork's glass.

REI Co-op Camp Mug for $23 : There are getting to be an awful lot of insulated camp mugs in this basic style on the market, and REI's own is a perfectly fine option that doesn't particularly stand out. REI didn't attempt any gimmicks with its lid, which is a durable piece of thick plastic with an open hole for sipping and a smaller hole for airflow (so that sipping is smooth). You can't just toss it in a backpack or on the floor of your car without it leaking, but for a camp mug, that's fine. They're better suited for use in camp, a motorhome, or on a desk anyway, in my opinion. The exterior coating was tough enough to show no scratches, even after knocking it over a few times outside, and the REI graphics were tasteful and attractive, in my opinion.

Miir Camp Cup for $28: Miir's insulated coffee mug doesn't leak, it insulates hot and cold drinks just fine, and the coating is as tough as any Miir. But it's up against tough competition, and for the same money the Hydro Flask Mug is a bit nicer. The Miir lacks the Hydro Flask's stainless steel rim, and the transparent plastic lid feels a little cheap. The sliding opening on the lid felt like just an extra step to operate each time I wanted a sip.

Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler for $35 : The rounded handle is comfortable to hold, which is important in an 18.4-ounce mug loaded with up to 32 fluid ounces of drink. Like most Hydro Flask products, it comes with the same bomb-proof powder coating (in optional soft, pastel colors) that resists scratches and chips very well, plus the addition of a straw poking through its lid. There's also a 40-fluid-ounce version for $40 .

GSI Outdoors Glacier 15-Fluid-Ounce Camp Cup for $20 : It's not too easy to find at retailers, and when you do, they tend to be available in just a few colors and go in and out of stock. This cup is awfully simple, particularly the incredibly basic lid, but it's more than a little endearing. There's a brushed stainless steel version and, my favorite, a "blue speckle" that imitates the classic enameled blue camp cups of past generations, although both of these colors are plain steel. Other colors come in a more durable-seeming pebbled coating.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug for $29 : The stainless-steel interior is BPA-free and has a wide-mouth opening. The lid locks to avoid accidental spillage, and I once accidentally left hot tea in it for 18 hours and found it still hot when I opened it again. It’s also small enough to fit in my jacket pocket on chilly morning walks. It’s not my preferred mug for daily use, simply because the lid has three separate parts—a mouthpiece, a gasket, and a lid—that are deeply ridged and hard to clean.

Rambler Stackable Cup for $30 : This insulated cup holds 16 fluid ounces, which is the capacity of a typical tall drinking glass. The best aspect of this is that you can stack several of them, so you can keep a bunch in your pantry without taking up much room. It comes with Yeti's durable powder coating, too, making them among the toughest options out there.

Hydro Flask Mug for $28: The Hydro Flask Mug merges a durable powder-coated, vacuum-insulated construction with the traditional, handle-sporting shape of a diner or camp mug. Hydro Flask does it better than most. The stainless steel rim makes it nicer to sip from than competitors' mugs, and it comes with Hydro Flask's usual drip-proof lid and bomber-tough powder coating that is nearly impossible to scratch. But it is more at home on a desk than at a campsite or in a car's cup holder, which it can't fit into.

GSI Outdoors MicroLite 500 Flip for $30 : Under the button-activated, flip-up lid there's a contoured bowl that you drink from, as if somebody cut the top half off a plastic cup. It felt gimmicky and unnecessary. It didn't do anything that just drinking from an open bottle couldn't do, and it tended to collect stray water droplets after I was done drinking. The overly complex cap was harder to hand wash than most caps, although the dishwasher could clean the cap without issue. What saves the MicroLite 500 is the stainless steel rim, which felt nice to drink from when the cap was removed, plus the array of available colors in durable, non-scratch coatings. Minus the cap, the bottle was fairly nice, if not particularly a standout among the competition. There's a MicroLite 500 With Twist Lid for $30 that does away with the gimmicky cap and has a simpler lid, although the carry strap is narrow and not as robust as I'd have liked.

Owala FreeSip for $28 : Product reviewer Medea Giordano loved the FreeSip ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) for its dual drink spouts: one open hole, plus a built-in straw. If you've got mobility or pain issues that make tilting your head a hassle, this mug is a solid performer. It's easy to grip too, with its flattened sides, which can come in handy for those with reduced hand dexterity.

OtterBox Elevation for $30 : At 8.5 inches tall, the Elevation 20 looks a lot bigger than it is. It has a copper lining that the company says helps better maintain your beverage’s perfect temperature, although I saw no noticeable difference in the Elevation's temperature-holding abilities. The clear press-on lid has a locking mechanism that you can switch it out for a straw lid or a French press lid if you’re in a hurry. It comes in a variety of stunning hues. OfferBox uses lead in its construction. When reached for comment, a company representative said, “ The seal is not open or accessible to the end user, and at no time, under intended use, could it come into contact with the end user. The OtterBox Elevation tumbler meets all applicable US regulatory requirements.”

Purist Mover for $48 : Ever empty a stainless-steel bottle of one beverage and fill it up with a different one, only to notice that the taste of the first drink lingers? The Purist has applied a thin layer of glass over the interior of the Mover, which keeps this taste transfer from happening. You can down a mug full of coffee and then fill it with herbal tea without risking a coffee aftertaste. I didn’t experience leaks from the Element top, but a high number of customers have reported their Purist lids leaking over time. I’ll keep using the Purist and update this page with information on how it performs.

S'well Traveler Tumbler for $30 : S’well boasts that its tumblers are triple-walled, but I'm not convinced that has much real-world benefit over a normal double-walled tumbler. It didn't keep beverages remarkably colder or hotter than its competitors, for example. What really sets the S’well apart are its designs. There are 12 finishes, from plain colors and bare stainless steel to elaborate patterns, such as blue marble and faux wood, and a slide-open lid so you don’t have to pop it off every time you want a swig of coffee.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Pint for $26 : Stanley’s vacuum pint includes a press-on lid with a deeply pebbled exterior that’s reminiscent of classic flasks. Although it’s billed as a 16-ounce pint, Stanley has added a few extra ounces to accommodate foam (or splashing hot coffee), and the lid comes with a slide-in metal bottle opener if you like to go immediately from work to happy hour. Stanley uses lead in its manufacturing process .

Avoid These Travel Mugs

We’ve tested a great many tumblers, and not all are winners. These aren't anywhere near as good as our picks above.

Greens Steel Beast 20-Ounce Insulated Tumbler for $18 : Greens Steel’s Beast tumbler has more than 67,000 positive reviews on Amazon and is, at least for me, one of the top hits when I search Amazon for an insulated tumbler. But the rubber seal around the lid is thin and easily comes out of place. I was ready to write the Beast off when it was leaking like a sieve, but after I adjusted the seal, it was reasonably leak-proof. Sometimes it dribbles, sometimes it doesn’t, depending on whether the seal stays put when you’re attaching the lid. The exterior color coating is not as durable as the Klean, Hydro Flask, Yeti, or Fellow. It did come with a regular metal straw, a thick metal milkshake straw, and a cleaner brush.

Snow Peak Kanpai 500-ml Bottle for $98 : Unlike most of Snow Peak’s line of camping and backpacking gear, the Kanpai is stainless steel, not titanium, and it’s not made in Japan. It’s a double-walled, insulated stainless-steel tumbler with a glossy finish, and it comes with three lids, for some unnecessary reason. There’s a white screw-on lid that needs to be removed every time you want a drink, and a black version of the same lid. The third lid—one with a sipping hole that can be closed with a sliding latch—leaks if the Kanpai tips over. It took damage in a mere 3-foot drop when it was empty, landing on its rim, which flattened. A steel bottle, especially one with no liquid in it, should be able to survive that without battle scars.

Toaks Titanium Double Wall 450ML Cup for $40: More often than not, I champion Toaks gear as an affordable source of titanium camp cookware compared to Snow Peak and Evernew and MSR, which tend to be more expensive. But this mug is only $10 less than the Snow Peak mug we recommend above, and its finishing is rougher.

Brenda Stolyar

Scott Gilbertson

Louryn Strampe

Medea Giordano

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Best Insulated Cups of 2024

We tried the Stanley Tumbler, Yeti Rambler, and other cups to see which did the best job keeping drinks hot and cold

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

An insulated cup lets you take your favorite drink, hot or cold, anywhere you go. Whether you’re looking to tote around a day’s worth of cold water, or you want to keep your coffee hot all the way to work, the right insulated cup feels like it was designed with your routine, and even you, in mind.

But the worst insulated cups can feel like a piece of over-engineered junk that leaks tepid coffee or room-temperature water onto your lap, and clutters your cupboards, collecting dust.

Best Insulated Cups

Stanley tumbler review, yeti rambler review, how cr tests insulated cups.

These devices go by many names—travel mug, travel cup, or tumbler to name a few. And of course, some brands and models have become all but synonymous with taking your drink to go: The Yeti Rambler, Stanley Tumbler, and Thermos-brand models of any variety are all famous for different reasons, from inventing the category itself to protecting your drink so well even a fire won’t breach its vacuum-insulated walls.

But reputation isn’t everything. In our recent evaluation of insulated cups, we tried out a traditional Thermos, the Stanley Tumbler, and the Yeti Rambler, along with plenty of the competition, to see which insulated cups rose to the top.

“One of the most interesting findings in our testing was that some of the really well-known brands, including Yeti and Starbucks, fell short of the competition,” says Bernie Deitrick, CR’s test engineer in charge of evaluating insulated cups. “In certain cases, we’d find that the mug would be beautifully designed and styled, but would have something like a flimsy plastic lid that would allow the heat to escape, or liquid to spill.” We run our tests to give you data-based comparisons. With something like an insulated travel mug—which will live in your grip day after day—we realize that only you can decide what makes it great, whether that’s a leakproof design or a profile that fits in the slimmest of cup holders. Know that at a minimum, every mug here keeps drinks hot for at least a few hours; we sincerely hope that’s plenty long enough for your commute.

We test how well-insulated cups keep drinks hot or cold, how easy they are to clean, and whether they offer readily replaceable gaskets.

For the temperature tests, we filled each insulated cup with boiling water (212° F) and immediately screwed or pressed each lid back on. Then our testers opened each cup at set intervals to take the temperature of the water inside until it dropped to 140° F—better known as lukewarm.

We also tested each cup to see whether it could keep cold drinks cold as well as hot drinks hot. “We found that cups that were well-insulated did a great job with keeping liquids either hot or cold,” Deitrick says.

To rate how easy cups are to clean, we evaluated each lid, assigning points to those that were easy to clean and subtracting from those that had hard-to-clean nooks or gaskets in their lids that retained soils even after a thorough scrubbing.

Each insulated cup in our test had at least one silicone gasket, and some had as many as three. Over time, they can wear out, and many harbor foul odors. So we removed each gasket that could be removed—some can’t—to see how easy it would be to clean beneath it, and then replaced it. We also noted whether a manufacturer offered replacement gaskets or lids, which will, on occasion, spare you the need to replace an entire cup.

Lastly, we sized up ease of use, which reflects whether or not the cup resists leaking and spilling, how easy it is to open the lid and drink from the cup without it, and how easily the cup will—or won’t—fit into car cup holders.

Paul Hope is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports and a trained chef. He covers ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens, as well as grills, drills, outdoor power tools, decking, and wood stains. Before joining CR in 2016, he tested kitchen products at Good Housekeeping and covered tools and remodeling for This Old House magazine. You’ll typically find him in his old fixer-upper, engrossed in a DIY project or trying out a new recipe.

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The Best Travel Mug

By Trey French and Anna Perling

Hot drinks are a daily staple for many, and just as important as the beverage is the travel mug that keeps it warm while you’re on the go.

After a decade of testing travel mugs, we still recommend the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug for most people. It keeps drinks hot for hours, and its locking lid stays securely closed, even when you toss the mug into a bag. We also have another option, which fits better in most cup holders, for use while you’re driving.

Everything we recommend

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

The best travel mug.

This mug offers the best heat retention, plus one-handed usability and a locking, leakproof lid, which makes it especially useful if you carry your mug in a bag or backpack.

Buying Options

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug (16 ounces)

A wider mug for drivers.

This wider mug fit securely in our testers’ cup holders, and its spill-proof lid design is good for rough roads. It doesn’t retain heat as well as the Zojirushi mug—a fact that some people might actually appreciate.

OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set

For cleaning your mug.

This bottle-cleaning set has a skinny straw brush and a looped detail-cleaning brush, which are all you need to keep your travel mug squeaky clean.

The 16-ounce Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug keeps beverages hot for hours, even in cold environments. It has a well-designed exterior, an easy-to-clean nonstick Teflon interior, and a foolproof lid-locking mechanism that you can operate with one hand.

The mug is lightweight and slim, but it may not fit snugly in some cup holders. However, thanks to its locking lid, we were comfortable carrying it around in a bag, without worrying about leaks.

This Zojirushi model is pricey for a travel mug, but this is the mug we trust most not to spill in a bag, and it’s hard to put a price on that. (Actually, that would be about the price of a new bag, laptop, phone, and whatever else happened to be in there at the time.)

It’s also available in a 20-ounce version .

Like other Zojirushi products, it comes with a five-year warranty.

The 16-ounce Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is wider and fits better in most car cup holders than the Zojirushi mug. The lid has an auto-sealing button that prevents spills, and when you drink, it won’t block your view of the road ahead.

Although this Stanley model may not keep drinks as hot as the Zojirushi mug, some people might prefer such results—we’ve heard many complaints over the years of the Zojirushi mug keeping drinks too hot.

Both the mug and the lid are dishwasher safe, but the lid has fewer parts than that of our top pick, so it is easier to disassemble and hand-wash if you prefer to clean it that way.

And let’s not forget that these things need cleaning regularly. That’s why we also have a bottle-brush recommendation for when you need to clean out the gunk .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: zojirushi sm-sf stainless steel mug (16 ounces), also great: stanley classic trigger-action travel mug (16 ounces), also great: oxo good grips water bottle cleaning set, other good travel mugs, the competition.

We’ve been testing travel mugs since 2013. Previous versions of this guide were written and researched by Séamus Bellamy and Anna Perling. In 2023, staff writer Trey French wrote the latest update to this guide. He gained an appreciation of high-performing insulated drinkware while spring camping in Colorado when the temperatures dropped below freezing.

In addition to conducting our own tests, we spoke to engineers and industry professionals about mug design, ideal coffee and tea drinking temperatures, and the best way to find out how long coffee will really stay good in a travel mug.

Travel mugs, as their name implies, are for people who want to take beverages on the go. Compared with paper or Styrofoam cups, a good travel mug offers better insulation and safeguards against leaks or spills. In addition, you can save money in the long run and reduce your environmental impact by using a travel mug.

Tumblers, thermoses, and insulated water bottles are all close cousins to the travel mug but have some important differences:

• Tumblers have sipping ports that don’t seal as tightly or securely as on travel mugs and have wider mouths for you to add ice cubes. Many also have straws for you to sip cold beverages.
• Thermoses usually lack the slim size and lid-design features that make travel mugs portable and convenient. With a thermos, instead of popping open a lid to take a sip, you need to unscrew the cap and pour liquid into an open cup to drink.
• Insulated water bottles are geared toward keeping drinks cold and don’t have sipping ports like travel mugs do. Instead, they often have screw-top lids that require two hands to open and close, or they have sport caps, which aren’t great for hot drinks.

To determine which travel mugs to test, we look for mugs that advertise the following qualities:

Vacuum-insulated: All of the mugs we consider are double-walled and vacuum-insulated .

Capable of retaining heat all day: We look for mugs that claim to keep hot beverages drinkably warm for at least eight hours.

Made of stainless steel: Stainless steel is more durable than glass or ceramic and retains heat better than plastic. It’s also the best material for vacuum insulation and therefore heat retention.

Leakproof and spill-proof: A leakproof seal keeps a closed lid from leaking if the mug jostles. A spill-proof seal guards against spills should you drop the mug or knock it over; such seals typically incorporate a push button, like the one found on the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action.

Easy to use: A good mug should be easy to both open and close, as well as to lock and unlock, with one hand. It should also be easy to disassemble for cleaning. We look for mugs that advertise these features or have reviews indicating that they are easy to use.

Between 12 and 20 ounces in capacity: We’ve concluded that 16 ounces is the optimal capacity for a travel mug, as it delays the need for a refill while remaining portable and easy to hold. Some people prefer wider mugs that don’t rattle in cup holders, while others like slimmer mugs that take up less space in backpacks or bags. We test both styles.

After considering the everyday wear and tear that a travel mug might go through in real-world scenarios, we devised tests to mimic those scenarios. During our tests, we use the mugs daily, evaluating them for simple enjoyability.

• Leak and spill tests: We test mugs for leaky seals by shaking them upside down, dropping them, and carrying them in bags.
• Drop test: We drop each mug three times from a height of 4 feet onto asphalt.
• Insulation test: We fill each mug with boiling water and then measure how quickly the water cools over eight hours, checking every hour.
• Ease of cleaning: We wash each mug, following instructions; we also take apart their lids and wash those. We check for lingering smells and to see if the finish on the mug is harmed.
• Cup holder compatibility: We test the mugs in cup holders of varying sizes (2.75, 3.5, and 3.75 inches in diameter).

The 16-ounce Zojirushi SM-SF Stainless Steel Mug is the best travel mug for keeping drinks hot for long periods of time. This mug also comes in a 20-ounce size. (The SM-SF is the current model; these model designations often change from year to year, but the mugs themselves stay the same.)

It kept our drinks the hottest. According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, the best temperature range for coffee is 145 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit. After sitting for eight hours in the Zojirushi mug in a 72-degree room, our water measured 158 degrees—hotter than in any other mug we tested. That translates to hot coffee over a full workday. (If you’re opening the mug more frequently than once an hour, however, it might cool a bit faster.)

It won’t leak. It has sturdy, leakproof seals and a simple locking mechanism. Just close the lid, switch the lock into position, and you’re guaranteed that the top won’t pop open when you don’t want it to—when you’re carrying the mug in a bag, for instance.

It’s easy enough to keep clean. The nonstick interior helps to prevent odors and stains, though the mug’s instructions do warn against storing milk or fruit juices in the mug. (If you prefer drinking from a vessel that doesn’t have a nonstick coating, you might consider the Zojirushi SM-KHE , which has an electro-polished stainless steel interior.) The narrow girth makes it hard to get a sponge inside, but using a bottle brush circumvents that problem. You can disassemble the plastic lid to clean out any gunk that might be lodged in hard-to-reach places, although the small plastic and silicone parts can be difficult to get on and off the lid.

It’s durable. Though this mug developed a few scuffs in our drop tests, it acquired no more than the other mugs we tried, some of which fared far worse. Zojirushi backs the vacuum insulation of its stainless steel mugs with a five-year limited warranty, and the company sells individual replacement parts online .

It’s simple. The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug has an attractive design that’s minimalist yet eye-catching in its simplicity.  The 20-ounce version comes in only one color (navy), but our pick, the 16-ounce version, comes in three (navy, pale pink, mint blue).

How the Zojirushi mug has held up

The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug might be the single most commonly owned and used product among Wirecutter staffers; it has traveled in many crowded bags, backpacks, and purses without any problems. One staff member did report that after eight years of use, hers finally developed a leak. Another colleague says that their mug has survived drops onto cement (once from a third-floor balcony) without suffering more than a dent.

Zojirushi specifies hand-washing only, but we know of several mugs that have survived accidental trips through the dishwasher without any noticeable decrease in performance, though the external paint has flaked as a result.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The Zojirushi mug is sometimes too good at insulating. We’ve found that if we pour fresh coffee directly into the mug, the liquid can stay scalding hot for hours. To prevent burning your mouth, let your beverage cool a little before closing the lid.
• It’s not cup holder friendly. This model, which is more narrow than a typical travel mug, did not fit snugly in our testers’ car cup holders. If you prefer a travel mug with a larger circumference, check out our also-great pick.
• It isn’t spill-proof. Though the SM-SF is leakproof, it isn’t spill-proof like our also-great pick; the design lacks an automatic seal to prevent liquid from spilling if you drop the mug while you’re drinking.

The 16-ounce Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is our recommendation for use in a car, as it’s a great spill-proof mug that keeps drinks hot and fits in a cup holder.

It’s designed for drivers. Wider than the Zojirushi mug, this Stanley model fit more securely in our testers’ car cup holders. The top of the mug is narrower than the base, though, to help reduce heat loss through the lid. (Experts told us that the lid is where a double-walled mug loses the most heat.) And the design has no pop-up lid to bump your nose or block your eyes while you’re drinking.

It’s spill-proof, unlike the Zojirushi mug. You do need to hold down a button to keep the sipping port open to drink from the mug, which may be frustrating to some people. However, this design prevents spills—whether from rough roads, say, or if you accidentally knock the mug over while reaching for it—since the mug closes automatically. Other mugs we tested, such as the Contigo Autoseal Transit and West Loop (both former runners-up), had similar buttons, but the button on the Classic Trigger-Action was easier to press and hold. Unlike the Zojirushi model, this mug has no lock to secure its lid, but it never leaked in our tests.

It keeps drinks hot long enough. The Classic Trigger-Action can’t keep your beverages quite as hot for quite as long as our top pick can, but that might be a plus for those who complain that the Zojirushi mug keeps drinks too hot. When we boiled water and let it sit in this Stanley mug, the water took only three hours to cool to 158 degrees (whereas water in the Zojirushi mug took eight hours to reach that temperature). After eight hours, the water in the Classic Trigger-Action measured 132 degrees—26 degrees cooler than the water in the Zojirushi mug. If you drink your beverages quickly or don’t want to wait for them to cool down before sealing your mug, the Classic Trigger-Action may be a better option for you.

It’s tough. This mug endured our drop tests, sporting only light scuffing on the plastic lid and minor dents at the side of the base of its body. Like Zojirushi’s five-year warranty, Stanley’s lifetime warranty covers only manufacturer defects, not damage to mug components due to accidents or wear. Should you damage the lid or simply lose it, you can buy a replacement lid .

It’s dishwasher safe. Both the mug body and the lid can go in the dishwasher. The lid has some hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, so be sure to disassemble it for the best cleaning results. Stanley’s lid has fewer pieces than Zojirushi’s lid and is easier to take apart.

You have more color choices. If you care about colors, the Classic Trigger-Action comes in many—about a dozen at last count. This mug also comes in a 20-ounce size .

The OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set is the best bottle-cleaning set. It comes with a large bottle brush, a skinny straw brush, and a looped detail-cleaning brush, all kept together on a handy ring so you won’t lose any of the parts. The set is dishwasher safe, and we found that it works well for anyone looking to remove gunk from travel mugs and other hard-to-clean items.

If you want a mug with a locking lid for about half the price of our top pick: Consider the GSI Microlite 500 Flip , which keeps liquids almost as hot as the Zojirushi mug and has a similar one-handed flip top with a lock.

However, when we dropped this GSI mug to the ground when the lid was unlocked, the lid popped open and spilled coffee everywhere—and the exact same thing happened when we dropped it a second time. Eventually, we dropped the mug enough, accidentally, to break the lid; GSI does sell replacement lids.

This mug, which has a large sipping port, also has a higher flow rate than our picks, and may require more careful sipping when the beverage is really hot.

If the Zojirushi mug is out of stock: You might look into the MiiR 360 Traveler , which in our tests kept drinks almost as hot and resisted denting just as well as our top pick. When it’s unlocked, its sipping port allows you to drink from anywhere on the lid’s circumference. We decided not to make it a pick because we struggled to decipher whether the sipping port was open or closed—which in turn led to spills. Unlike some twist-to-open 360-degree ports, the MiiR 360 Traveler’s lid has a push button for operation that forms the center of the lid, and at a glance, it looks nearly the same whether closed or open.

The mug is also available in a flip-top version called the Flip Traveler , but we’ve found flip-top lids prone to breaking during our drop tests. The mug bodies for the 360 Traveler and the Flip Traveler are the same, and the lids are interchangeable, in case you buy one and then decide that you’d like to try the other.

We’ve considered and evaluated several other Zojirushi travel mugs throughout our testing. Here’s a breakdown:

• Zojirushi SM-WR : Almost identical to the SM-SF series, this version has an integrated gasket, which reduces the total pieces to clean. We like it almost as much as our top pick. However, it dispenses a little faster than the SM-SF, which is good for cold drinks but can be too much for really hot drinks.
• Zojirushi SM-YAE : This 16-ounce mug costs a little more than our main pick. It comes with an electro-polished interior, like the Zojirushi SM-KHE, but has a shape that’s stouter than other Zojirushi mugs and short enough to fit under the spout of a single-cup brewing machine. In our tests, however, it fell short of our picks in insulating performance: After eight hours, the water temperature had dropped to 100 degrees, 58 degrees cooler than the water in our top pick.
• Zojirushi SM-SHE : We were reluctant to test this mug due to persistent stock issues. Zojirushi sent us one to try out anyway, but it broke during our drop test.
• Zojirushi SM-JHE : We opted not to test this mug because it has a wide-mouth, screw-off lid.
• Zojirushi SM-JTE : We also elected not to test this model, which has a tea-leaf filter, due to its screw-off lid.

The JoeVeo Temperfect Javabliss 16 Travel Mug brings a scalding drink down to a drinkable temperature and holds it there by using a third layer in its wall to capture excess heat and then release it over time. It isn’t leakproof or spill-proof, though.

The 17-ounce Kinto Travel Tumbler insulates well—so well that it was the third-best contender at insulating in our tests behind the Zojirushi SM-SF and GSI Microlite 500 Flip. Drinking from it requires fully removing the lid, though, as well as finding a place to put the lid.

After dismissing previous iterations of the Hydro Flask travel mug, we tested the 20-ounce Hydro Flask Coffee Cup with Flex Sip Lid , and it was a clear improvement over older models. It kept drinks hot for about a half day, and it resisted denting better than about half of the other tested mugs. The lid requires two hands to open and close, however, so it can be tough to open while you’re distracted, and it has a tendency to “burp” a small amount of liquid when you rotate the lid from closed to open.

The 16-ounce OXO Good Grips Thermal Mug with SimplyClean Lid resembles—and insulates about as well as—the Hydro Flask mug we tested, keeping drinks hot for a half day. It also shares that model’s flaws, requiring two hands to open and close, and burping some liquid.

The Klean Kanteen Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle was a previous runner-up in this guide, as well as a former insulated water bottle pick, but we found that the lid occasionally leaked when we left the bottle on its side overnight.

The 18-ounce Purist Mover with Scope Lid insulates nearly as well as our picks and has a 360-degree sip lid, which lets you drink from any side of the mug. It requires two hands to open and close, though.

We broke the flip-top lid of the 20-ounce Welly Traveler , as well as the glued-on product-label plate on the bottom of the mug, the first time we dropped it.

The 12-ounce Ketiee Travel Mug is cheaper than most mugs we looked at, and we wondered what we’d get for the price. It kept drinks hot for about two hours during our tests, scoring near the bottom. Our main complaint is that the molding process left a pointy knob on our test unit, right above the drinking port, that pressed into our testers’ noses. Also, the product page states that it’s spill-proof—and we found that it wasn’t, whether the flip-top lid was open or closed.

The promise of the battery-powered Ember Travel Mug 2 is that it allows you to keep your beverage at a specific temperature (up to 145 degrees) for three hours—if you remember to charge it. Without the battery, it scored at the bottom on our insulation test; we also managed to break its inner seal during our drop test. Although we like the standard Ember Mug 2 (read more in our mug warmers guide ), we can’t recommend this even more expensive sibling.

The Contigo Autoseal West Loop Travel Mug was one of our previous runners-up, and like the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action , it has a button that you need to push before you can drink. The West Loop didn’t hold up as well in our drop tests as the Stanley model did, and we found its vertical push button harder to use than the one on our current also-great pick.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Hongbin Bill Ma, director, Center of Thermal Management at the University of Missouri , phone interview , September 22, 2017

Michael Dickey, professor of chemical engineering at North Carolina State University , phone interview , September 26, 2017

Meet your guides

Trey French

Trey French is a staff writer at Wirecutter covering outdoors gear. A trail runner, backcountry skier, and long-distance backpacker, he has reviewed gear for Treeline Review and advised wilderness travelers on lightweight backcountry equipment at Katabatic Gear. He resides in California’s Eastern Sierra, where scenic desktop backgrounds are born.

Anna Perling

Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs. Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. Anna is a mentor at Girls Write Now and a member of the Online News Association.

Further reading

This Inexpensive Water Bottle Is Meant for Cyclists, But It’s Great for Travelers, Too

by Christine Ryan

The Camelbak Podium is affordable, lightweight, and perfect for packing.

Our Favorite Mugs

by Jackie Reeve

Our Wirecutter home team is passionate about the vessels they drink them out of. Here are the mugs we can’t get enough of.

How to Clean a Travel Mug or Water Bottle

Don’t want your coffee to taste like yesterday’s brew? Give your travel mug a good deep clean—and do the same for your insulated water bottle, too!

We’ve Recommended This Travel Mug for a Decade. It’s Still Going Strong.

by James Austin

Our longtime favorite travel mug keeps drinks piping hot, and the nifty locking lid makes it virtually spill-proof.

The Best Leak-Proof Travel Mugs for Taking Hot (and Cold) Drinks on the Go

By Kristi Kellogg and Meaghan Kenny

Whether you're embarking on your morning commute or headed on an East Coast road trip , you should have one of the best travel mugs in hand. Finding one you like means you can skip the routine stop at the coffee shop (or at least say no to the disposable cup), cut back on single-use plastics, and keep your drinks at an ideal temperature (with some, for hours and hours at a time). Ahead, we've rounded up Condé Nast Traveler editors' personal favorites—from brands like Hydro Flask, Yeti, Corksicle, Stanley, and more. With insulated, leak-proof, and easy-to-carry options in the mix, there's a mug in here ready for a spot in your cup holder or tote bag .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler

The 20-ounce version of Hydro Flask’s All Around Tumbler has been my go-to lately, both at home and on the commute to work. It keeps coffee warm for a few hours, so if I’m sipping slowly I don’t have to bother with reheating it, and does its job in keeping iced coffee cool, too. It has the type of lid that you can push back and forth to open or close, and the opening is wide enough to easily fit a reusable straw. I don’t drive, but the mug's size seems very cupholder-friendly, too! — Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

Stanley Classic Trigger Action travel mug

Stanley makes the best classic mugs (the company has been around since 1913 after all). The brand is known for its iconic insulated steel thermoses, which promise hours-long insulation for hot drinks and durability for wherever you’re taking your beverage— hiking , camping , thrown in the back of your car on a road trip , you name it. The original green color has a delightfully retro vibe as well. — Megan Spurrell, senior editor

Stojo collapsible travel cup, 16-ounce

The main reason I adore my collapsible Stojo cup is its clever design that makes it incredibly easy to carry around. I’m not kidding when I say that when folded down, my 16-ounce cup turns into a disc that fits into my jacket pocket. It’s also light enough to drop into a travel backpack or a sling bag when you go hiking. I use mine for everything from coffees and smoothies, and when dry, for snacks and berries. Don’t expect an insulated mug with this one: It keeps a beverage warm (or cool) for long enough for you to drink it, but isn’t a double-walled metal cup. However, it has helped me cut down on a ton of waste when traveling, and might I add is cute-looking, too. — Arati Menon, global digital director

Read a full review of the Stojo cup.

Stanley Aerolight Transit bottle

The AeroLight Transit bottle has become my new favorite mug to use on my morning commute to work. My tea is still piping hot even after my hour-long train ride. I keep it in my tote bag—along with my laptop and phone—and it never leaks. I've flipped this one completely upside down and nothing spills out, making it a reliable option to travel with. It's one-third lighter than Stanley's typical stainless steel, so it doesn't feel heavy in my bag either. I also appreciate how slim the bottle is—it's so easy to carry around. — Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor

Jessica Puckett

Devra Ferst

Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

Olivia Morelli

Yeti Rambler stackable mug

When I'm traveling, the most essential ritual I preserve is my morning coffee. While I love nearly all of the Yeti drinkware options, this mug is perfect for coffee—both for its manageable 10-ounce size, as well as the side handle, which makes this especially easy when I'm on a road trip or a train. (This mug has come with me on camping trips in the Shenandoah Valley and Delaware Water Gap, on a road trip through the Appalachian Highlands, and a long drive between D.C. and New York City .) A fair word of warning though: The airtight lid and insulation work almost too well—coffee stays hot a long time, so I recommend you get it close to your ideal temperature before pouring it in. —Corina Quinn, former city guides director

Snow Peak Milk bottle

This is one of those gifts I have become deeply attached to—it was given to me about a year ago, when I was getting really into camping and the chic outdoor brand Snow Peak, and it’s since become a staple in my house. It has a beautifully minimalist design, is small enough to feel really portable (as in, it’s not a pain to have to tote home once it’s empty), and it never leaks. It’s no bargain, but given how much I use and love it, I think the math sort of works out in the end. — M.S .

Zojirushi stainless steel mug

“This mug is my favorite one ever because the lid has a lock feature that makes it completely leak-free. I can throw this in a travel tote and not worry about coffee dribbling all over. Plus the stainless steel interior keeps coffee extra hot for hours, but it doesn't burn your hands. In addition to my commute on the subway, I've taken this little wonder on train rides to upstate New York , and I've never spilled a drop.” —Jessica Puckett, senior editor, transportation and travel news

Hydro Flask 20 oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

Another option from Hydro Flask worth noting is the 20-ounce bottle with a Flex Slip lid. It's large enough that I can bring plenty of iced coffee with me on the go, but it's still cupholder-friendly—very important for road trips. The double-wall vaccum insulation keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12. The carry-handle makes it easy to hold on long walks and the leak-proof lid is easy to open and close. I love the color options, especially this new purple shade. —M.K.

Martina Thornhill Okay cup

It’s not hyperbole to state that I’ve tried the lion’s share of travel mugs on the market. I drink a ton of coffee and I travel and drive a lot. I hate the way metal mugs make coffee taste—it’s so much better out of a ceramic mug. The Okay Cup from Portland, Oregon –based ceramicist Marina Thornhill is gorgeous, doesn’t leak, and doesn’t make your coffee taste like mud. It’s pricey, but a better long-term deal than always dumping the coffee you put in another mug and don’t actually drink. It’s constantly selling out, so put your name on the pre-order list—it’s worth the wait. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor

Kinto travel tumbler

If you’re a tea drinker like me or like your travel mugs to keep your hot drinks piping hot, be warned: this insulated mug gets me every time, keeping my teas at steaming, roof-of-mouth-burning temperatures for what feels like an impossibly long time. (And that’s a good thing in my book.) I prefer the matte exterior over the stainless steel for its added grip. I use it to commute with my tea (it doesn’t leak!) and on extra-long winter walks because I know it’ll stay warm the entire time. —Meredith Carey, former travel bookings editor

Yeti Rambler lowball

This mug is a thing in my house. My partner received one as a Christmas gift , only to find it missing every morning—truth be told, after I stole it once to use for hot coffee on my morning subway commute, I couldn’t go back to any other thermos. I personally love that this mug doesn’t have a handle, because it’s so insulated it never burns my hands, yet the coffee inside stays piping hot, and its shape is nice and easy to hold. When I’m done enjoying my hot drink on the go, it takes the least space possible in my bag , where it usually clangs around for the rest of the day until I make my way home (or back to wherever I’m staying). —M.S.

Corkcicle classic tumbler

This Corkcicle tumbler keeps my coffee hot on my subway commute, and is secure enough to sneak a couple of sips while standing on a crowded, moving train. There’s also something joyful about pouring my freshly brewed coffee into a pink vessel—how could I not be cheerful toting this cute mug around the office? Most often this mug has been my subway companion, though I have used it for road trips and early morning flights that require a caffeine boost before boarding. —Katie Henwood, former senior SEO manager

Miir Climate+ Tumbler

Lately when I want a compact option that won't take up much space in my backpack or tote after it's empty, I've been reaching for this sleek stainless steel tumbler from Miir. It's shatter proof, so I don't worry about dropping it or getting any dents. For an extra charge, you can even personalize it, making it a great gift for any traveler in your life. —M.K.

Hydro Flask stainless steel travel mug

This Hydro Flask mug checks all the boxes: It's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, has a leak-proof lid, carrying handle, and no-sweat matte finish, and comes with a lifetime warranty. You can use it as a thermos, a water bottle , or a coffee cup. Hydro Flask also has matching slings that let you carry your travel tumbler hands-free, helpful when biking, hiking, or just dashing through the airport. — Kristi Kellogg, contributor

OtterBox Elevation wine tumbler

Technically this is a wine tumbler, but more often, I use it for iced coffee. It keeps my caffeine cold, fits the extra-large ice cube I put into the bottom, and doesn’t leave rings on tables when I set it down. Plus, like all things OtterBox, it’s sturdy—I don’t have to worry about dinging or denting it when I inevitably drop or knock it over. Its smaller size means it’s also carry-on and backpack friendly. —M.F.

Hay Sowden travel cup

I don’t think there’s a chicer travel mug than this colorful one from Hay, which comes in pink, green, or gray, all with contrasting, two-toned lids. It puts all other thermoses to shame when it comes to design—but it’s also totally functional, with an insulated stainless steel exterior that keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for an impressive 24 hours. —M.C.

W&P Porter mug

This mug hits all the right marks: The silicone sleeve makes it easy to grip and quiet when placed down on a surface; the mouthpiece on the lid is easy to slide open and close; and it’s safe to put in the dishwasher and microwave. Plus, it just looks nicer than the rest of my logo-clad travel mugs. Most often I use it to sip coffee on my morning commute, but I have also brought it on longer train rides to D.C. and on flights as a vessel for oatmeal. —M.F.

Simple Modern travel coffee mug

One of my favorite reusable water bottles is from Simple Modern, so I had high hopes for its travel mug and it certainly did not disappoint. This stainless steel mug keeps my hot beverages hot for four hours and my iced coffee cold for up to 16 hours, so it's great for day trips and using at the office. It's dishwasher safe and the handle makes sipping on the go easy. The under $20 price tag is nice, too. —M.K.

Best travel coffee mugs in 2024 — tested and rated

We’ve tested a range of models to find the best travel coffee mugs

Best overall

Best budget and durable

Best with handle

Best heavy duty

Best color selection

Best smart travel mug

Best for heat retention

Best for sustainability

Most secure

Best mug design

Best ceramic

Whether you want to ensure your coffee stays warm throughout the morning, or your iced tea remains cool in warm conditions, you'll need one of the best travel mugs. 

And while it might seem simple enough, the task of choosing out of tons available, can be tricky. You'll need to find the right travel coffee mug to suit your needs and lifestyle. Consider what material you'd prefer? Durable materials range from steel, aluminum and plastic, to even ceramic. Other things to think about include how heavy it is to carry, heat retention, and overall style. 

Finally, how much are you willing to spend? The best coffee travel mugs range from $15 to $35, though there are more advanced types with their own battery that cost $185.

To help you decide, we’ve found a great selection of the best travel mugs to suit any lifestyle and budget right now.

1. MiiR Flip Traveler

Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 2.75 x 7.25 inches | Weight: 10.2 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 9

The MiiR Flip Traveler is one of the best travel coffee mugs we’ve tested, offering a compact cup that will keep your liquids hot or cold for hours. Coming in 9 different colors, the double wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel body holds 16 fluid ounces of liquid. Although there are 12 and 20 fluid ounce capacities available too. The cup itself is very light, coming in it at 10.2 ounces.

The unique lid on top flips out when you need to drink and is secure when you need it locked in. But right after you drink, a small amount of liquid can gather on the lid, leaking to tiny droplets getting in places they shouldn’t. Also, if you don’t lock the lid firmly in place, it can spill. There’s nothing worse than having hot tea on your electronics because you didn’t make sure the lid was completely down.

It was one of the best we tested at keeping liquids consistently hot. Our testing started at 203 degrees Fahrenheit, only to drop to 178 after two hours, 154 after five hours, and 126 after 10 hours. Other cups paled in comparison, with the MiiR outclassing them in the category that is, literally and figuratively, the hottest.

Washing the cup is super simple and the lid doesn’t need to be taken apart to be put in the dishwasher. The whole cup is fairly durable and comfortable to hold. Overall, MiiR offers a fantastic travel mug with few downsides, keeping everything cool and on the inside. Give it a try if you are looking for a mug that offers everything you’d need. 

2. Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

Best budget and best durable

Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Dimensions: ‎2.9 x 8.9 inches | Weight: 8 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 18

Stanley is a brand built for rugged adventures and their Trigger Action Travel Mug is no exception. The strong, durable exterior claims that it has survived a bullet so it should be able to handle whatever you can throw at it. Made of stainless steel, the double-wall vacuum insulation creates a sturdy mug that weighs 12.8 ounces and holds 16 ounces, making it one of the heaviest we reviewed. A 20 ounce capacity is available too, which will no doubt weigh even more — we tested the 16 ounce capacity. 

The lid is also built to last, having a unique trigger system that lets you take a sip by just pressing the button. Though the lid is useful, it does tend to leave a bit of water in the mouthpiece if you close it too quickly. But other than the occasional dribble, it won’t leak even when turned upside down and severely shaken. The whole cup is dishwasher safe, but you might want to think twice about taking apart the lid. It's a bit difficult to reassemble, especially when you haven’t rebuilt it before. 

It kept the heat in fairly well, starting at 204 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to 176 at two hours, 152 at five, and 125 hours at 10. But when it does have a hot liquid in it, the heat only breaks through a bit allowing you to hold even scolding beverages without a problem. 

While the MSRP is $25, it can often be found for $17.50, so you are getting one of the best travel coffee mugs out there for a great price. Even if you aren’t the adventurous type and just need something to shove in your cup holder that won’t tip over, then Stanley is your guy.

3. Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

Capacity: 20 fluid ounces | Dimensions: ‎2.9 x 9.3 inches | Weight: 13.2 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 14

Hydro Flask is one of the most popular brands for travel mugs and cups for a very good reason. Available in multiple sizes, from 12 to 40 ounces, and in 11 colors, this travel mug features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your drinks at the right temperature for hours. The stainless steel bottle is durable, with paint that won’t chip from use.

What really makes this mug different from the competition is its unique lid. The top handle is great for taking it on the go, but when you unscrew it you see the real magic. To take a sip, just turn the lid counterclockwise to open the seal. When you want to take the whole lid apart to clean, just unscrew it in the opposite direction, revealing the intricate mechanism beneath. Keep in mind that getting it put back together can be a bit of a hassle or might take practice. 

The cup is incredibly durable and lightweight, coming in at 11.6 ounces for the 20 ounce capacity. Though it lacks a rubber bottom, the cup is still comfortable to hold and stable. It's also great at keeping your drinks hot, falling from 202 degrees Fahrenheit to 172 after two hours, 145 after five, and 116 after 10. It's definitely one of the more unique-looking cups we’ve tested, but that doesn’t make it any less spectacular. Expert engineering and craftsmanship put it at the top of our list. This is why it’s one of the best travel coffee mugs. 

4. THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 3.3 x 7.6 inches | Weight: 15.7 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 8

Thermos is a brand that has become synonymous with quality travel mugs, and the Stainless King is truly a wonderful option. Made of stainless steel, this vacuum-insulated cup is dishwasher safe and should fit in most cup holders. The handle on the side makes holding the cup easy and the outside stays cool even when hot liquids are inside. It is available in four different colors and holds 16 fluid ounces of liquid.

The lid is expertly crafted and won’t leak no matter how many times it's turned over or shaken. But it does have to be completely closed to work, just a little bit of an opening and the cup will spill out whatever is inside. 

To open the lid, just turn the nozzle counter-clockwise revealing the “open” label on the lid. When it's closed, the lid creates a vacuum seal that keeps everything nice and hot. There’s even a small hook on the bottom of the lid to hold your tea bag and make sure it doesn’t fall in. The lid doesn’t even need to be taken apart to clean.

The Thermos excels at keeping beverages hot, outperforming everything else we tested. Starting at 203 degrees Fahrenheit, it only dropped to 181 at two hours, 159 at five, and 131 at 10 hours, which we found was still too hot to drink. It earns a spot on our list as one of the best travel coffee mugs for this reason alone. 

It is one of the heaviest cups we tested, coming in at a whopping 15.6 ounces. The only heavier mug was the Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Mug. 

5. Yeti Rambler

Capacity: 20 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 3.5 x 7 inches | Weight: 12.8 ounches | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 34

Available in 10, 20 or 30 ounces (we tested the 20 oz capacity), the Yeti Rambler is unique in its design, offering a much stouter mug with enough room for your liquid inside. Cupholder-friendly and dishwasher safe, this double-wall vacuum-insulated mug is great for taking your cold or hot drinks on the go. Plus it’s available in a whopping 34 colors, so you can find whatever tone you want. 

Because of its more round shape, it's better than some we’ve reviewed at not getting knocked over, though it doesn’t have a rubber bottom for grip. But even the mightiest wind should allow the Yeti to stay upright. 

The lid is simple but effective when kept upright. You can slide it up to take a sip and then slide it back down to seal it. The slide requires a bit of pressure for it to get opened, so it shouldn’t just flop open and spill what's inside. But you shouldn’t just place this cup in your bag because it is possible for it to spill. The lid does not screw on and only has a rubber circle keeping it in place. With enough shaking or momentum, the lid will pop off and won’t have an airtight seal when turned upside down. 

It's also a bit dangerous to drink while hot. We found that while testing the outer ring on the lid retains heat a bit too well and was too hot to touch. The cup itself retains heat well enough, starting at 204 degrees Fahrenheit and going to 166 after two hours, 136 after five, and 108 after ten. 

But if you aren’t going on any backpack adventures and just want a drink to keep warm, then the Yeti is a great option. 

6. Ember Temperature Control Travel Mug

Capacity: 12 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 3 x 8 inches | Weight: 38.4 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Colors available: 2

Having an electronic travel mug that costs $185 might seem a bit extra, but the Ember makes it seem absolutely reasonable. The mug has an internal battery and can keep a drink at the same consistent temperature for three hours on a single charge. All you have to do is tap the center to reveal icons and set it to your desired temperature. 

It's packed full of smart features, which is why it’s one of the best travel coffee mugs, like Bluetooth that connects it to your phone to set the temperature and light that tells you when the cup needs charging. It also has an app, which is simple to use and works flawlessly, showing the battery level and temperature of the beverage (but it does need to be reconnected after every use). To charge it, all you have to do is place the cup on the included stand and it should be ready to go in just a few hours. We set the temperature to 136 degrees Fahrenheit after starting at 199, it managed to stay the same for the whole 10-hour period. 

The lid is also a marvel of engineering- all you have to do is press down whenever you want to drink to create a small circle of liquid to flow through. Even when shaken, the liquid didn’t escape and stayed inside the remarkable metal cylinder. Some liquid might stay around the lid after you take a sip, so keep that in mind. 

It’s also very durable and has a rubber-coated bottom to keep it from spilling over. It might be a great travel mug, but other options can do what it does without the hefty price tag. There’s no need to over-engineer a cup that’s worked fine before. It’s fairly lightweight,  coming in at 12 ounces and holding 12 fluid ounces. Being hand wash only is a drawback to boot as well.

7. Teabloom

Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 2.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 15.2 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 5

The Teabloom tumbler allows you to make teas on the go with everything inside the bottle. Unlike a lot of other travel mugs, this long but elegant bottle comes with a metal diffuser with its own handle that you can throw your favorite tea blend or coffee right inside. Holding 16 fluid ounces, it's made of stainless steel and brushed with a metallic exterior that stood up to the wear and tear of everyday use and weighs 15.2 ounces.

The tumbler is very thin and can be a bit wobbly. It doesn’t have a rubber grip and it's tall but the thin facade can cause it to get knocked down with just a little bit of force. But it will fit in almost every cup holder snugly, without any worry of it flying out. 

The lid is a simple screw-on top with a rubber ring that easily stops it from leaking even when shaken upside down. We found that even with the lid not screwed on completely all the way, the cup did not spill any water.

It also retained heat very well. When you put it in high-temperature beverages you can feel the heat on the side but it is definitely not too hot to touch. Out of all the travel mugs we tested without its own battery, the Teabloom held heat the longest, starting at 203 degrees Fahrenheit, and falling to 179 at two hours, 154 at five hours, and 126 at ten hours. It's by far one of the best travel coffee mugs to store hot liquid in, the fact it can make tea, coffee, or infused fruit water is just a plus. 

8. bioGo 16 oz Reusable Coffee Cups

Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 3.6 x 7 inches | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Material: Rice husk | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 8

The bioGo Reusable Coffee Cup is simplistic but offers everything you’d need in a travel mug. Available in eight colors, it's made of recycled rice husks making them better for the environment. They also fit in cup holders and have a padded bottom to stop the cup from falling over.

It's also remarkably light; the model we tested weighs 6.2 ounces while still holding 16 fluid ounces. Although a 13 ounce capacity is also available. That light nature does make it feel a bit flimsy, but it held up to being knocked around just as well as other stainless steel mugs we tested. The cup is dishwasher safe and won’t break apart after multiple uses. 

The screw-on lid is simple but effective. The hole on top has a plastic stopper that can be flipped in or out, which effectively keeps liquids inside. No matter how shaken or flipped upside down, the cup did not leak. The lid closer did not move once it was locked in place, but when the piece came out of the hole it did flop around. 

Though it's a very pretty and stylish cup, it didn’t retain heat as well as a lot of the other mugs we tested. Starting at 202 degrees, it dropped quickly to 118 by two hours, 90 by five, and room temperature by 10. The whole cup became extremely warm on the outside, starting out at 125 degrees making it too hot to touch. If you need a mug that's safe for the environment and that you don’t need to hold hot beverages for long periods, then give this bioGo a shot. The environmentally friendly aspects make it one of the best travel coffee mugs.   

9. Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

Capacity: 16 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 3.56 x 7.75 inches | Weight: 6.9 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Colors available: 13

The Contigo West Loop Travel Mug has a gorgeous and unique shape that is durable enough to last. Made of stainless steel and its own patented Thermalock insulation, drinks stay hot or cold for hours inside. The shape makes it stand out from other travel mugs out there while still being slim enough to fit in most car cup holders. It holds 16 ounces of fluid and weighs 6.9 ounces. A 20 ounce capacity is also available, but we tested the smaller model. 

The lid opens with a button press on the side, allowing any liquid to flow without issue. Even when shaken and held upside down, nothing escaped. To make sure nothing escapes, there’s a fantastic locking feature where all you have to do is press down on a button on top to make sure the lid can’t open. So when you place the mug in your bag, the button won’t accidentally get pressed and spill everywhere.

The odd shape does have it wobble a bit when tapped and it lacks rubber grips on the bottom, so it can fall. But it is still quite durable so even a tumble shouldn’t crack the exterior. The whole cup is dishwasher safe and the locking lid does not require disassembly to clean. 

When filled with hot liquid, we found that the plastic lid coated in rubber got very hot and couldn’t be touched at max heat. But it did hold heat tolerably, starting at 204 degrees Fahrenheit and failing to 166 at two hours, 137 at five, and 111 at 10. Other travel mugs insulated a bit more consistently, but the Contigo still earned a recommendation, which is why it makes the list as one of the best travel coffee mugs. 

10. Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

Capacity: 18 fluid ounces | Dimensions: 4.4 x 6.9 inches | Weight: 5.3 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 9

The Ello Campy Travel Mug is a simple, yet truly effective, liquid container. Its sleek metallic exterior hides a vacuum-insulated interior that keeps beverages cold or hot hours after use. That hard body makes it incredibly durable, though the plastic lid may not be able to handle the most aggressive of use. 

The handle is coated in cork inside, helping you keep your grip and not burn yourself when going for a drink. The large handle makes it impossible for it to fit firmly in most car cup holders, especially any that are very deep. But it does make the cup look aesthetically pleasing and simple to use if you’d rather grasp a handle. 

The screw-on lid is a bit more than just a simple piece of plastic, using a unique flipping mechanism to look the cup in place. Hot liquids made the lid too hot to touch and drink. It's also just a simple push button that can easily be knocked open without you noticing. This cup can’t be placed in a bag because it will spill everywhere. But it won’t leak when turned upside down as long as the lid is positioned correctly. 

The whole cup is fairly good at keeping liquids hot, starting at 203 degrees Fahrenheit it fell to 171 at two hours, 142 at five, and 113 at 10. That puts it alongside a lot of the other cups we tested with vacuum insulation. Overall, it's great as long as you don’t try to drink scolding hot beverages. The model tested holds 18 ounces and weighs 5.3 ounces, but a smaller 11 ounce design is also available. 

11. Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Mug

Capacity: 18 fluid ounces | Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 24.7 ounces | Material: Ceramic | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Colors available: 5

The Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Mug is elegant with a timeless look, capturing the vibe of a cozy summer cottage somewhere in the wilderness. With a thick rubber bottom, the mug stays firmly planted when placed down and won't jiggle too much unless you try to knock it over. Being made of ceramic, we imagine that it's not as durable as other steel options (though we didn’t intentionally try to break it). 

The handle on the side makes it comfortable to hold, though it is a fairly wide mug that won’t fit in most cup car holders. You can fill it with 18 fluid ounces of liquid and clean it in the dishwasher. 

The top lid is a thin piece of plastic that you can shift up and down to take a drink. The lid is most certainly not leakproof and does not offer an airtight seal. If you just flip it over, the liquid will come gushing out, potentially with the lid as well. The lid is not screwed on and has no rubber gasket and is only held in place by a thin rubber bit around the lid.

It’s also not very good at retaining heat. It started at 199 degrees Fahrenheit and went down to 115 in just two hours. Like the Tupkee Glass Tumbler, the cup reached room temperature in just five hours. It's a much better indoor mug than a travel one, offering a unique option that just isn’t as stable as others on this list. The mug is also quite heavy, coming in at 22 ounces.

How we test

We put these travel mugs through rigorous testing for durability, heat retention, and comfort. First, we gave a score to every mug based on holding capacity, comfort to hold, stability, ease of opening, ease of cleaning, weight, and quality. 

Then we performed a test to see if it could hold liquid while turned upside down, without spilling a drop. We filled each cup to its maximum amount and held it upside down for five seconds. Then we noted which cups leaked and spilled onto the countertop. Most mugs managed to stay tight-lipped, while others leaked their insides everywhere. After a quick wipe-down of each mug, we moved on to the next step.

Then we tested each mug's ability to retain heat. We filled each cup at the same time with boiling water and checked its temperature with a digital instant-read thermometer at two, five, and 10 hours. To check the inside temperature, we opened the top and placed a thermometer with a rod inside just long enough to get the recording without leaking much heat. Then, we closed the lid as quickly as possible before moving onto the next one.

How to choose the best travel mug

Material A travel mug can be made of stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, or glass. If you need a more durable mug, you should find one made of a tougher material like steel or plastic. These tougher mugs are also much better at retaining heat, with some having a vacuum insulation that keeps heat from escaping.  

Durability Steel and plastic mugs are incredibly durable, able to withstand rigorous outdoor activity or time spent knocking around in a backpack. Mugs with rubber bottoms are also better at staying upright and not just falling over. If you are looking for a mug you can take on the road, it needs to be both durable and practical to use. 

Size Most travel mugs are between 12 and 20 ounces, with 16 and 18 being the sweet spot. Most are slim enough to fit inside your average car coffee cup holder, while being snug enough to not just bounce around inside. If you are looking for a good sized mug, then aim for one that's around eight to ten inches in height. 

How easy is to clean Ideally, you should wash or rinse out your travel mugs straight after use, to prevent any grimy build-up inside. If you want to remove odors, one tip is to add  ½ cup of vinegar before adding 1tbsp baking soda into the travel mug. Allow it to soak in the solution overnight, and then rinse it with warm water. Make sure you rinse it well so that there are no traces of the solution/vinegar. This should have removed lingering smells. 

How do you keep your beverage hot or cold? Whether you want to maximize the heat or chill factor of your drink, there are a few tips. For hot beverages, it's recommended to pour hot water into the mug, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then empty the mug, before adding your hot drink, and this should retain the temperature. The same applies for cold drinks, but you use ice cubes in the cold water instead.  

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Steven Asarch is a writer and editor who lives on Twitch and YouTube. After graduating from Baruch College, he wrote for IBT Media,  Newsweek and Insider. In 2021, he executive produced the docu-series "Onision in Real Life" on Discovery +. As someone always looking to have the best smelling apartment possible, he's made it his mission to find the best air purifiers out there. His home has since become an air purifier haven, having stored and tested ten models for over three months. You could say he now knows everything there is to know about air purifiers, and what separates the good from the best.

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The Best Travel Coffee Mugs, Whether You Walk, Ride, or Drive

By Wilder Davies and Emily Farris

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We take our recommendation for the best travel coffee mugs very seriously. The working world (ours anyway) runs on caffeine, and for many coffee drinkers, that need has to be satisfied on the go. So a good travel coffee mug—one that’s easy to hold, doesn't leak, and keeps hot coffee hot and iced coffee cold—is a must.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug

Brumate Nav

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Tumbler with Magslide Lid

To find the best travel mugs available right now, we tested more than 20 popular and top-rated options in a variety of shapes and sizes. Below, you’ll find our top picks for commuters of all kinds, followed by the details of how we tested and what we looked for. To learn the pros and cons of all the other mugs we tested, keep reading.

The best travel coffee mug to toss in your bag: Zojirushi

Of all the travel mugs we tested, there are only a few we’d feel comfortable tossing into a bag with our laptop or favorite book, and of them all, this one was the absolute best at keeping our coffee hot. After five hours the hot coffee we poured in was almost too hot to drink.

That excellent heat retention is due to the Zojirushi’s vacuum-insulated, double-walled stainless steel. Though it sounds like a beast, this travel mug is actually relatively lightweight and has a super-slim design that fits perfectly in your hand or bag. It also looks really nice, which is a definite plus for a mug you'll be carting around everywhere.

And you never have to worry about coffee spilling inside your bag or briefcase because the spout cap has a pretty serious sliding lock on the top that, when engaged, makes it impossible to open or spill. Shake, rattle, roll this thing—it's not going to leak any hot drinks on you or whatever else you’re carrying. The lid also comes apart for easy hand washing.

The Zojirushi travel tumbler isn’t dishwasher-safe, which is true of many vacuum-insulated vessels. This was the slimmest travel mug we tested (the opening of all three sizes is just 1⅝ inch) so if you want to clean it with friction, you’ll need a soft bottle bottle brush . That kind of cleaning shouldn’t be necessary often since the inside has a non-stick coating. We weren’t able to find any kind of documentation on what that coating actually is but it probably is nothing to worry about as the issues with nonstick cookware are around exposing it to direct, high heat or scratching it with metal utensils, neither of which are likely in a coffee cup. The super-slim design also means this mug may rattle around in a car cup holder, and the 20-ounce size is too tall to fit under our Nespresso VertuoPlus spout (you’d likely run into the same issue with other single-serve coffee makers ). Finally, sipping from the Zojirushi is slightly more awkward to drink from than many of the other mugs we tried, but it’s a small price to pay for such incredible heat retention and the peace of mind that comes with having a truly leak-free travel mug to use for hot drinks on the go.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes, very Sizes available: 12 ounces , 16 ounces , 20 ounces Warranty: 5 years

This price represents the 12-ounce size. Click through for more options.

The best dishwasher safe travel coffee mug to toss in your bag: Brumate

If you want a spill-proof, leak-proof travel mug that you can also stick in the dishwasher at the end of the day, we recommend the Brumate Nav. This tapered, tumbler-style mug is just as secure as the Zojirushi, though the “BevLock” lid uses a slider to lock a flip-top spout cover into place. And even when it’s not locked, this mug won’t leak; the lock just provides an extra layer of security in case the flip-top were to catch on something strong.

We accidentally turned our testing up to eleven one morning when we dropped this mug—full of piping hot coffee—while trying to shuffle small kids out the door. The lid was closed, but not locked, and we didn’t lose a single drop or burn any toddlers.

The insulated stainless steel body retains heat well (though not as well as the Zojirushi) and we appreciate that the BPA-free clear plastic lid allows us to look inside the cup.

The Brumate doesn’t retain heat nearly as well as the Zojirushi, but if you consume your coffee within an hour or two, it’s more than sufficient. The product description says it will keep hot drinks hot for three hours, but we only experience that kind of heat retention if the mug is full, and stays that way, for the entire three hours. We’d also love to see this mug in a 16-ounce size.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces , 22 ounces , and 32 ounces   Warranty: Limited lifetime

This price represents the 22-ounce size. Click through for more options.

The best travel coffee mug for the car: Yeti Rambler with Magslide Lid

If you like to take your coffee in the car, you might not need a truly leak-proof mug. But you still need something to prevent sloshing and splashing when you inevitably encounter a pothole or other rough road. And, of course, a travel mug for the car must be able to keep your coffee hot even on brutally-cold mornings.

Yeti’s tumbler-style Rambler mug meets all of our requirements for a car-friendly coffee mug, and then some. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink hot for hours, the slim base fits comfortably in a car cup holder, and the Magslide spout cover is really easy to open with one hand while driving (it’s easiest if you slide it open while it’s still in the cup holder).

This mug is also incredibly easy to clean as all three parts are dishwasher safe. The little magnetic slider stays securely put until you pop it off from the underside of the lid.

Aside from the fact that it’s not leak-proof, there’s not much we don’t love about this mug. But some coffee drinkers may find the size options limiting. The 10-ounce is perfect for an 8-ounce pour-over, a small latte, or a couple shots of espresso, but the next size up is 20-ounces and that may feel too big if you just want to commute with a cup of coffee. We’d love to see this mug offered in a 14-ounce or 16-ounce size, too.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: No Sizes available: 10 ounces , 20 ounces , 30 ounces Warranty: 5 years

This price represents the 10-ounce size. Click through for more options.

How we tested travel coffee mugs

For weeks we conducted unofficial testing, adding these mugs to our regular coffee-vessel rotation. When it came time for the official testing, we filled all of the mugs with piping hot water and let them sit on our desks for five hours. We then sipped from each to determine if they had retained heat. Next, we put the containers through a stress test, shaking them and tipping them up and down to see if anything leaked. Finally, we took some brisk walks to mimic the frantic conditions of a morning commute, coffee mug in hand. We did not preheat the mugs by filling them with hot water first—we figured the typical user would not do this and we wanted to see how well each mug retained heat without this step.

The Zojirushi is the only insulated vessel we’ve tested that (just barely) fits into the ridiculously slim side pocket of a standard Fjallraven Kanken backpack.

What we looked for

Obviously, a travel mug needs to be spill-proof, but mugs that will travel in a bag also need to be completely leak proof. To test the seal on each mug, we filled them with hot coffee, closed the lids according to the manufacturer’s directions, and shook them vigorously while turned upside down.

One of the most important considerations was temperature retention, so we looked at how well the mug kept coffee hot over the course of a few hours. We lined up the mugs and tasted them side by side after five hours to see which one was the hottest.

If a mug was marketed as leak-proof, we looked at how hard or easy it was to engage its leak-free function. Mugs that are too hard to seal are more likely to malfunction when you’re running out the door in a hurry.

We didn't want a travel coffee mug that was too heavy or unwieldy, as this would make it more difficult to carry around while commuting. We also considered how much you had to maneuver your mouth while drinking.

If a mug wasn’t listed as dishwasher safe, we looked at how easy it was to get all parts—including the nooks and crannies of the lid—thoroughly clean with hand washing .

Yes, these mugs are utilitarian vessels meant for keeping hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold, but let’s not pretend looks don’t matter. These are accessories as much as they are tools.

Personal preference dictates what size coffee cup you’ll need, and if you make yourself an 8-ounce latte every morning, a 20-ounce travel mug is going to be too big. So we looked for mugs that offered a range of sizes—including mugs big enough for those who do like to chug 24 ounces of coffee on the way to work.

For car commuters, a base that’s too wide is a deal breaker. So we looked at whether or not these mugs were slim enough to fit into standard car cup holders.

Other travel coffee mugs we tested

We love this bigger Yeti Rambler mug for most of the reasons we loved our top pick for the car, and it even has a handle and a more leak-resistant (though not leak-proof) lid. But the smallest size is 20-ounces and it’s just big enough that it’s not guaranteed to fit in every car cup holder. Plus, unless you’re planning to hit the road with an entire French press-worth of coffee, a 20- or 30-ounce capacity is overkill for your morning commute.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Some Leakproof: No Sizes available: 20 ounces , 30 ounces

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid

Yeti's most mug-shaped Rambler mug has the best size selection of all of the Rambler mugs and the two smaller sizes (10 ounces and 14 ounces) are stackable. But because it's mug-shaped, it won't fit in a car cup holder. And because it has the Magslider lid, it's not leak proof, either. While this one is generally good for camping, the handle is pretty basic and not very comfortable to hold—especially if the 24-ounce size is full of hot coffee.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: No Leakproof: No Sizes available: 10 ounces, 14 ounces, 24 ounces

Yeti Rambler 24-Ounce Mug

With the addition of the Hotshot lid, Yeti’s versatile, durable insulated Rambler water bottle becomes a (mostly) leak-proof travel mug for coffee, tea, and other hot or cold drinks. The Hotshot lid, when twisted to the open position, allows you to drink from any spot along the rim. We say it’s “mostly” leak-proof though, because if it’s not closed tightly enough, it is possible to shake some drops out of this mug when turned upside down—and we don’t love that it allows for that kind of user error. You can also buy the Hotshot cap separately , which is a great way to get even more out of a Yeti Rambler bottle you already own. Well, as long as you make sure to close it really well.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Most Leakproof: Mostly Sizes available: 12 ounces , 18 ounces

Yeti Rambler with Hotshot Cap

Brumate haș a series of leak-proof coffee mugs with handles called Toddy and these mugs have nearly all the same features we love about the Nav. But the reasonably-sized option ( 16 ounces ) is too wide to fit into any cupholder. The two larger sizes ( 22 ounces and 32 ounces ) have tapered bottoms and actually do fit into many cup holders, but most coffee drinkers will find they're otherwise just too big, in general.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Some sizes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 6 ounces , 22 ounces , 32 ounces

Brumate Toddy

Klean Kanteen is best known for its lightweight stainless steel reusable water bottles (and for tripping up our spell check every damn time) but the brand also makes a very nice double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel tumbler. In fact, it’s so nice it’s almost perfect. This mug has excellent heat retention, and the powder-coated body is durable, dishwasher safe, and covered by Klean Kanteen’s lifetime warranty. The tumbler’s wide mouth (wide for Klean Kanteen, anyway) is big enough to fit most ice cubes, and the bottle itself is slender enough to fit most cup holders. Unfortunately, you need to use two hands to open the leak-proof lid, which isn’t always conducive to drinking hot coffee while on the go.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces , 16 ounces , 20 ounces

Klean Kanteen Wide Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle

Klean Kanteen

We’re generally big fans of Oxo gear but the Oxo Good Grips travel mug we previously tested always leaked a little when tipped upside down. In 2023, we tested a newer model, which has what the brand calls a leak-proof “SimplyClean” lid. The mug comes in an array of pretty colors, all of the parts are dishwasher safe, and we found the lid to be truly leak free when properly assembled. However, the engineering required to get such a good seal is… a lot. Disassembling the lid for cleaning and reassembling it are each three-step processes—and the steps are so unintuitive that instructions, arrows, and numbers are actually embossed in various spots all over the three separate lid components (four if you count the removable gasket). After a few tries, it’s pretty easy to get used to how it all goes together, but coming from a brand that makes such user-friendly products, this leak-proof lid is more complicated than it needs to be. It’s also a little too easy to accidentally remove the entire lid when trying to open the spout.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces , 20 ounces

OXO Good Grips Travel Coffee Mug With Leakproof SimplyClean Lid

We like that the short Hydro Flask coffee mug feels like a traditional mug, and this is the only “travel” mug we tested that comes in a 6-ounce size. Like all of Hydro Flask’s insulated products, this mug has great temperature retention and it’s also very durable thanks to solid construction. But because it doesn’t have a leak-proof lid or fit into a car cup holder, it’s definitely more of a “coffee on the front porch” mug or “hot toddy around the campfire” mug than an actual commuting mug. Another drawback? Unlike the brand’s powder-coated water bottles, Hydro Flask mugs are not powder-coated and therefore are not dishwasher safe .

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder : No  Leakproof: No Sizes available: 6 ounces , 12 ounces , 24 ounces

Hydro Flask Mug

This 16-ounce stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug from Thermos is good, and most people would probably be content using it, but there's also nothing remarkable about it. It didn't keep our coffee hot nearly as long as the Zojirushi and though it has a leak-proof lid, it doesn't lock like the Brumate does. It’s also only available in one size (16 ounces). That said, the underside of the lid does have a built-in hook for tea bags and loose-leaf tea infusers, so if you're a tea drinker who likes to take your hot tea on the go, you’ll like that feature.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder : Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces

Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler

When we first tested the Fellow Carter mug, we tried the Move model —a gorgeous ceramic-lined thermal mug that does a great job of keeping hot drinks hot. Unfortunately, the twist-off lid required the use of both hands, which kept the Fellow Carter from taking a top spot. When we retested travel mugs in 2023, we were thrilled to find that Fellow had recently released a new model of the Carter mug with a slide-lock lid (the lid can also be purchased separately if you already own a Carter mug). The smooth sliding mechanism makes it easy to open and close the angled lid with one hand, and though it doesn’t actually lock like the Zojirushi does, it is leak-proof when closed. But the angle of the new lid means our testers’ noses got smashed up against it every time we took a drink, and because of a lip around the inside of the body, it’s hard to get every last drop of coffee out of this mug. Additionally, the ceramic-coated stainless steel interior is supposed to keep this mug from holding onto smells, but we found that after just one use, it was nearly impossible to get the coffee smell out the lid —so this isn’t a tumbler we’d want to use interchangeably as a coffee cup and a water cup.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces

Fellow Carter Slide Travel Coffee Mug

We wanted to love this beautiful powder-coated stainless steel tumbler from Kinto, a Japanese housewares brand. And for the most part, we did. The carry handle on the smartly-constructed top can be removed, revealing a thin circular opening that ensures controlled sipping. Liquid doesn’t pour out too quickly (no scalded tongue or ice cubes in the face) and when tightly sealed, it doesn’t leak. You can also remove the entire top of the mug, which makes pouring easy and makes the travel mug easy to clean. However, it’s impossible to open this mug one-handed. That, combined with its high price tag, kept it out of our top picks.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 17 ounces

Kinto Day Off Stainless Steel Tumbler

The MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler got a lot of oohs and aahs during the unboxing phase of our test. It's sleek, bright, and incredibly comfortable to hold. And when you buy a mug, the brand gifts a portion of revenue to a charity project that's trackable via a code on the bottom of the mug. Hot drinks stay piping hot in this mug, thanks to what the brand calls “Thermo 3D Double Wall Vacuum Insulation Technology.” The locking flip lid is super-secure, too. Unfortunately, the way it’s designed makes it impossible to get the lid completely out of the way when drinking, which resulted in little spots of coffee on our testers’ noses with every single sip.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler

S’well’s water bottles have a cult-like following so we were excited to try the brand’s sleek and simple vacuum-insulated travel tumbler. ​​It did a good job keeping our coffee warm for a couple hours, but it wasn’t noticeably better than most of the other mugs we tried. The stainless-steel and BPA-free plastic lid is actually leak-proof thanks to an airtight flip-top spout cover. However, it flips easily enough we’d be worried about it catching on something in a bag and opening up by accident. Also, as with the Miir above, our testers’ noses got pressed into the piece that flips back while drinking—especially as we got toward the bottom of our hot and cold drinks. This design flaw is less annoying on this mug than it is on the Miir, but it’s annoying nonetheless.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 oz

Sip by Swell Stainless Steel Travel Mug

We can't help but love this vintage-inspired Stanley travel tumbler—but definitely not for coffee. It does a good job of keeping hot drinks hot, but after weeks of testing, we will only ever use it for ice water because following every single sip, a significant amount of whatever liquid is inside accumulates on the top of the supposedly leak-proof trigger-activated spout cover. When that liquid is coffee, you risk leaving little coffee stains everywhere you go. The slim design is really nice to hold and this tumbler fits in every cup holder we tried, but it’s kind of annoying to have to hold down the trigger the entire time you’re drinking.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: No Sizes available: 16 ounces , 20 ounces

Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug

Ace Hardware

This vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel mug from Ello looks like the kind of old-school speckled enamelware you'd find in your grandparents' house (that’s a good thing). More importantly, it holds heat well and doesn’t leak, though we wouldn’t want to toss it into a bag with any electronics or white clothes. It’s slender enough to fit in some (but not all) car cup holders—and unlike most of the insulated travel tumblers we tested, it has a handle. Technically, this mug is dishwasher safe, but the brand recommends hand-washing, and we’d want to do that anyway since the inside of the handle is lined with cork. There’s also no way to clean with friction under the sliding spout cover. Still, for less than $20, this mug is a good budget pick, especially if you want a cute, leak-proof insulated mug with a handle. But price is often indicative of quality, and while we have yet to encounter any problems, customer reviews indicate issues with long-term durability, and upon closer inspection, we realized we could probably snap off the handle with very little effort. (Intentional damage would not be covered by Ello’s limited lifetime warranty , but accidental breakage might be.) If you want something that will hold up to everyday use, consider investing in something that’s more solidly constructed.

Dishwasher safe: Yes (top rack only, hand wash recommended) Fits in car cup holder: Maybe Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 18 ounces

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

Like the Ello Campy (above), the Ello Cole is a budget-friendly, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel tumbler with a leak-proof sliding spout cover. It holds heat well and all of the parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, though hand-washing the body is recommended. The Cole also has a cork accent, though on this mug, it’s a “built-in coaster,” which seems rather pointless since a well-insulated mug shouldn’t sweat. While we enjoyed testing this mug, we also worry about long-term durability after reading customer reviews—and the fact that there’s no way to deep clean under the slider lid is concerning, too.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces

Ello Cole Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

The West Loop mug with Contigo’s leak-proof Autoseal lid is very leak-proof, thanks to a lock switch on the top. But even after unlocking the sip lid, you still have to push pretty hard on the autoseal button on the side of the lid to open it enough to get a good swig. In theory, it’s a good system, but when you just want to take a drink of coffee, it’s pretty annoying, especially because the button isn’t very responsive; it often feels like you’re not pushing it hard enough. We also had a really hard time getting the coffee smell out of the lid, even after just one use.

Dishwasher safe: Lid only, top rack Fits in car cup holder: Most Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces , 20 ounces , 24 ounces

Contigo Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

The Contigo Autoseal Transit Mug has some nice features that set it apart from the West Loop. There’s a permanently-affixed non-slip silicone textured sleeve and a silicone pad on the bottom, too. But it has Contigo’s Autoseal lid, and though the Transit mug’s push-button mechanism is slightly different from the lid on West Loop (and locks and unlocks by twisting the lid), it’s equally annoying to have to hold down a button as you drink.

Dishwasher safe: Lid only, top rack Fits in car cup holder: Most Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces

Contigo Autoseal Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Our testers were divided on this collapsible silicone travel “mug.” It’s really more of a coffee cup to travel with than an actual travel mug, as it’s not insulated and the flip-top lid is more leak-resistant than leak-proof. But if you want something that takes up very little space when not in use, this is a decent option. Simply push down the cup from the top and it becomes about the size of a can of tuna. It also comes in lots of pretty colors and all of the parts are super easy to clean in the dishwasher. On the other hand, keeping track of all those parts (especially the support ring) can be kind of annoying.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: No Sizes available: 12 ounces , 16 ounces , 24 ounces

Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw

The takeaway

If you want a travel mug that will keep your coffee piping hot (or your cold brew cold) for hours, the Zojirushi stainless steel mug has the best heat retention capabilities of any mug we tested. It’s also completely leak-proof so you can toss it in your bag without worry. The Brumate Nav , while not as great at retaining heat as the Zojirushi, has an equally-secure lid and the added benefit of being dishwasher-safe. For car commuters, we recommend the tumbler-style Yeti Rambler with the Magslide lid . Though not leak-proof, this dishwasher-safe, vacuum-insulated mug is pretty great at preventing spills while also keeping your morning coffee easily accessible—even while you keep your eyes on the road.

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• What to Buy

The Best Travel Coffee Mugs, According to Our Tests

We tested more than 25 top-rated picks to find the best spill-proof, stylish, and durable mugs.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

How We Tested Travel Coffee Mugs

Our favorite travel coffee mug, factors to consider, other travel coffee mugs we tested, our expertise.

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

There’s nothing like sipping a freshly brewed coffee from your favorite espresso machine or cold brew coffee maker first thing in the morning — if you have the luxury to savor that cup before your day gets busy. For those of us with little to no time to spare, a travel coffee mug is essential. You may not be able to drink your coffee while relaxing in your favorite local coffee shop, but you will have super-hot or ice-cold coffee to fuel your day.

The problem is finding the best travel coffee mug that keeps the flavor of your go-to coffee intact without any metallic aftertaste. Paper and plastic cups don’t come close to the efficiency, sustainability, and temperature control a durable travel coffee mug offers. We tested more than 25 travel coffee mugs, paying close attention to insulation, design, and size. We also spoke to some die-hard coffee drinkers to get their expert opinions on the best travel coffee mugs, from ceramic mugs to stainless steel tumblers. Read on to discover our editor-tested and approved picks.

Best Overall

Yeti rambler 20 oz tumbler.

At 20 ounces, it’s large enough to hold enough coffee or other beverages to last all day long, with tough insulation to keep the temperature just right.

Be careful: the MagSlider lid isn’t leakproof.

Durability, size, and next-level insulation characterize the Yeti Rambler Tumbler. It can handle all environments, from your office to your car, pool chair, or camping tent. Made from kitchen-grade, rust-resistant stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, your beverage will remain at the exact temperature you desire (whether hot or cold) for hours. 

The Rambler can take a tumble with its hardy construction, and the exterior won’t chip or fade from years of use. However, during an upside-down leak test, we noted that the mug dripped a bit, so they wouldn’t leave it loose in a bag. The magnet on the MagSlider Lid adds an extra layer of protection to keep heat or cold from escaping. 

During testing, we also noted the Rambler’s long-lasting cool insulation, staying under 40°F for about 10 hours. It won’t sweat either, and if you spend a decent amount of time in the car, you can rest easy knowing it fits in most cup holders. Once you’re done for the day, you can throw it in the dishwasher to be ready for tomorrow.

Volume: 20 ounces | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Dishwasher safe: Yes

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Ello Campy Travel Mug

This mug is a great size, features a stylish design, offers stellar hot and cold insulation, and is truly leakproof — all for under $20.

While the lid is dishwasher-safe, the body should be hand-washed. 

Some of the coolest travel tumblers around, Ello products have great heat retention to keep things piping hot for hours. We especially love the Campy Stainless Steel Mug, which is great for traveling because it didn't leak a single drop during testing. It also performed very well for cold insulation, with under-40° temperatures that lasted for more than 10 hours. 

Pair those marks with the mug’s stylish design and comfortable cork handle, and you’ve got a perfect formula for an all-around great mug. Hikes, commutes, working from home or at the office, picnics — we can't envision a scenario where this mug wouldn't be useful. And under $20, it can't be beaten for value.

Volume: 18 ounces  | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Dishwasher-safe: Lid is dishwasher-safe, body is not

Food & Wine / Fran Sales

Best Leakproof

Contigo autoseal west loop vacuum.

This mug kept drinks insulated for nearly two days, outperforming competing options. 

You might want to pass if you're only looking for a travel mug that's good for cold beverages.

Contigo's leak-proof mug is ideal for anyone who takes their beverages on the go, especially hot drinks. It fits in cup holders, it keeps drinks insulated for hours, and it's easy to use with just one hand if you're driving or holding something in the other. 

We loved this mug’s Autoseal feature, where the snap seal top pops open with the click of a button. It can even help you avoid spilling your drink. Functionally, it’s comfortable to hold, with a center groove that lends itself nicely to wrapping your hand around. The downside is there’s no handle or a texture to boost grip, though the color coating on the outside provides a light layer of non-slip.

Volume: 20 ounces | Lid type: Pop-off lid | Dishwasher-safe: Lid is dishwasher-safe, body is not

Food & Wine / Bailey Fink

Best Wide Travel Mug

Fellow carter everywhere mug.

This mug feels high-end and offers incredible insulation abilities, keeping drinks hot for hours.  

Since it doesn't fit in a cup holder, this is not a good option if you like to sip while you drive. 

For a reliable and secure travel mug with exceptional insulation abilities, we recommend the Fellow Carter Everywhere Travel Mug. During our tests, we noted that the lid screwed on and off easily, creating a tight seal when shut — meaning no liquid was spilled when the mug was placed upside-down, on its side, or even shaken. 

Insulation-wise, this mug performed very well with both cold and hot liquids. For cold drinks, the ice didn't melt at all the following day. For hot drinks, the temperature dropped very slowly. Plus, the ceramic interior helped their drinks taste better and ensured the mug didn’t absorb residual odors after washing. Our only qualm was the overall size of this mug, as its wide base does not fit in standard car cupholders. If you're looking for a slimmer model, we highly recommend the Fellow Carter Move Mug , which comes in three sizes: 8, 12, and 16 ounces. We've tested the 12-ounce option and love it so much that bring it with us whenever we travel.

Volume: 16 ounces | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Dishwasher-safe: No

Food & Wine / Bridget Degnan

Best Splurge

Kinto day off tumbler.

It provides excellent hot and cold insulation, is leakproof, and seals incredibly well, thanks to its twist-on cap.

This mug is not dishwasher-safe.

This high-end travel mug looks as good as it functions. It aced our usability and leakproof tests: It has a screw-on cap that ensures every drop of liquid stays in the mug (although we noted that you need to make sure you screw on both pieces very well or else they will leak). The kinto's slim body is comfortable to hold. We enjoyed drinking from the circular opening of the mug, which allowed us to sip from any angle, though we noted that the flow was a bit fast.

The cap keeps the mouth area covered, so no need to worry about it coming into contact with germs as it rolls around inside your bag. Plus, it's versatile enough to use for either coffee or water, as it keeps both hot and cold drinks at your desired temperature for long periods. While this tumbler is on the pricier side, if you want an aesthetically pleasing travel mug that works, we say this one is worth it. The compact size, exceptional insulation, and smart, leakproof lid design make this an all-around standout.

Volume: 17 ounces  | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Dishwasher-safe: No

Best for Car Travel

Bubba envy insulated tumbler.

This is the ideal iced or hot drink container for the car. 

This mug is not leakproof.

If you’re looking for a reliable, extra-large travel mug, the Bubba Straw Envy Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler might be your best bet. The removable straw is nice for iced coffee, and the size is ideal for a car cup holder. The mug is spill-proof in that if you knock it over, the lid won't pop off — but the liquid will come out of the mug. While it's comfortable to hold, the lack of leak protection will certainly make a mess even if it's tipped, let alone knocked over or turned upside down. It should remain upright in your hand or a cup holder only. 

Despite that, this mug has incredible insulation and keeps liquid cold for nearly two days. The hot water remained hot for more than three hours and even kept warm until the following day, at 22 hours. We found the insulation abilities of this mug to be surprisingly unmatched, performing better than mugs twice or three times the price. We even poured an iced coffee to drive down to the beach one morning, and on the drive home, the remaining coffee was still ice-cold. Case in point: This is the ideal iced or hot drink container for the car.

Volume: 24 ounces | Lid type: Pop-off lid | Dishwasher-safe: No

Food & Wine / Megan Soll

Best Insulated

Hydro flask wide mouth flex sip lid bottle.

We gave this tumbler a perfect score across all four categories, including size, design, insulation, and value.

It’s difficult to open this mug with one hand. 

Another great name in insulated and no-sweating drinkware tech, the Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler earned a perfect score. This large mug can carry hot or cold coffee or tea in any environment for extended periods — and looks good in the process. Made from stainless steel, it’s comfortable to hold, while the wide mouth facilitates easy access to add liquids and ice. On the go, the handle and exterior texture make it simple to grip. 

The lid can be sealed completely by twisting to prevent leakage, and it even has a red color marking inside to easily indicate if it’s fully closed. During testing, we noted that the lid’s super-tight seal never leaked, despite placing the mug upside-down and on its side. Given its sleek design and high performance, we recommend this mug for any type of liquid, hot or cold.

We tested 27 popular, top-rated travel coffee mugs via an initial 4-week testing period and through long-term testing to collect further insights from editors after months of continued use.

• For 4 weeks, we provided feedback on each travel coffee mug’s sealing capabilities, cold insulation performance, hot insulation performance, and ease of cleaning. In addition to its general design observations, we also paid close attention to insulation, size, and value.
• In our long-term testing, we paid attention to each mug's durability and ability to withstand daily bumps, scratches, and dishwashing cycles. We also observed any changes in each travel coffee mug's design, observing how well the thermos kept our coffee hot or cold or any changes in the effectiveness of the leak-proof or spill-proof seal over time.
• Overall, we evaluated each mug based on how often we reached for it in our daily lives and if we'd recommend it over others we've tested.

Thanks to its durability, size, and next-level insulation, the Yeti Rambler earned the top spot on our list of best travel coffee mugs. During testing, we found the Yeti to work great in virtually any environment, keeping our beverage at the exact desired temperature for up to 10 hours.

Travel coffee mugs are usually made of either metal or ceramic, with tight-fitting lids, and some can be vacuum insulated. Your choice of material should take into account how you intend to use the mug, how long you need your coffee to stay hot, and how you drink out of it.

Choosing the right size of travel mug is about more than just how much coffee you want it to contain. If you need it to fit in your car’s cup holder, for example, or slide easily into a bag or backpack for a train commute. In general, you want a travel mug that will be easy to transport and contain enough volume of coffee to keep you satiated.

Lids are either designed as “drink-thru” or have to be removed to access the contents. Drink-thru lids are easier to navigate on the go but are not as good at keeping heat from dissipating. If you need a mug just to get hot coffee from one place to another without needing to drink it en route, a sealed lid with no drink-thru access will work best for retaining heat. If you do need to sip on the go, look for a lid with an easy slide or flip access that still protects from spills, rather than one that has a permanent opening.

Leak-Proof vs. Spill-Proof

Leak-proof travel mugs are designed to not allow any liquid to release when properly closed and sealed. These are ideal for mugs that you might need to toss into a bag or backpack during your commute. Spill-proof mugs are designed to mitigate a mess when accidentally knocked over during use. Some companies may use the language interchangeably, but in general, Leak-Proof will usually be slightly more secure than just spill-proof.

Care and Cleaning

Many travel mugs are not dishwasher safe, especially some that are vacuum insulated. Be sure to check the packaging to determine the best way to care for them. Regardless, travel mugs should be at least rinsed out after each use, even between cups, to keep them fresh, and preferably fully cleaned once a day to prevent mold and mildew. Remember that even if your mug is dishwasher safe, the dishwasher won’t remove tough stains and strong odors. For that, you’ll want to use baking soda and water and give it more of a scrub.

Frequently Asked Questions

“This is a vessel with two layers (or walls), one inside and one outside,” says Jessica Easto, author of Craft Coffee: A Manual . “In between is a layer of space, which even air has been sucked out of (that's what a vacuum is). Heat moves very slowly through the air, and it moves even more slowly through this "vacuumed" space because there are very few molecules in that space. Since heat transfer happens so slowly, your coffee stays hotter for longer.”

This will depend on your travel mug, says Easto. “A vacuum-insulated travel mug can keep coffee hot for several hours. Different brands promise different times.” If you need your coffee just to get you through your commute, you may not need the top-of-the-line mugs, but if you want that coffee hot all day, investing in a good vacuum-insulated mug or bottle will be the way to go.

Up to a point, says Easto. “The best performers of any material will be vacuum insulated.” Having said that, ceramic is a good material for retaining heat, and lids help to prevent fast cooling, so if you only need your coffee to stay hot for a short amount of time, they work fine.

Use a stiff brush or rough-sided sponge to remove the oils left behind by coffee (and any dairy or oat milk you've added). Baking soda and vinegar are the best bet for neutralizing aromas; soap is often difficult to thoroughly rinse out, and you can get lingering unwanted aromas and flavors. Put a half cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of regular dish soap in the travel mug, fill the rest with hot water, let it soak for a few hours, and then rinse it out thoroughly.

For the lid and rubber gasket (if needed), take the gasket off, and wash it with regular dishwashing liquid on a soft sponge. You can use the same sponge to clean the lid. Finally, rinse the mug and let it air dry.

Strong Contenders

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug ($29 at Amazon)

Although the Zojirushi performed well in our leak tests and kept both hot and cold beverages at the right temperature, we didn't love the overall design of this travel coffee mug. Since this mug is narrow yet tall, we found it difficult to hand wash and dry.

S'well Stainless Steel Traveler ($35 at Amazon)

We liked the vacuum insulation of the S'well Stainless Steel Traveler and noted that it formed a perfectly airtight seal to keep our beverages cold for up to 30 hours. However, we wish this travel coffee mug had a grippy exterior, a looped handle, or another more travel-friendly design feature, as it was slippery to grab and go.

THERMOS Travel Coffee Mug with Snap Flip Lid ($30 at Amazon)

We noted that this mug does not leak at all, even when knocked around on the countertop. Though it fits in standard car cupholders, the bulky handle of this thermos makes it awkward to easily grab and sip while driving, so we would have preferred not to have a handle at all.

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler with Locking Flip Lid ($34 at Amazon)

We liked the overall design, insulation, and size of the MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler. However, we found a design flaw with the locking flip lid, as we found it difficult to take a sip without splashing coffee especially while commuting.

RTIC Outdoors Travel Mug ($35 at RTIC)

This travel mug performed well in our leak and insulation tests, but we didn't love the somewhat bulky handle and we found it difficult to quickly unscrew the lid for cleaning or refilling.

What Didn’t Make the List

In our tests, a few travel coffee mugs did not meet our expectations in terms of design, performance, and insulation. Some models like the Klean Kanteen Wide Recycled Insulated Mug leaked and spilled during our tests. We were disappointed by the performance of the Ember Stainless Steel Temperature Control Travel Mug and found that the smart controls took some time to get used to, and even then were ultimately awkward to use.

Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She has written for Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, and more. For this piece, she used editor-tested insights and her research on top-rated travel coffee mugs.

Related Articles

The 11 Best Travel Mugs to Keep Your Coffee Hot

Say goodbye to lukewarm coffee once for all.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

While this item is so widely appreciated (and usually taken for granted), that doesn’t mean all of the options on the market perform the same. Any hardcore coffee drinker knows the disappointment that comes from sipping your daily cup of Joe, only to find out it has turned lukewarm. To narrow down the overwhelming travel mug options available for you to shop, we have tested a ton of top brands, like Yeti and Contigo, to confidently present you with the best coffee thermoses out there.

From the best travel mugs to keep your coffee hot for hours, to other more modern thermos styles with a reusable straw, there's an option for everyone's budget and needs. Keeping in mind insulation levels, leak proof lids, thermos design details, and washability, we guarantee these travel mugs won't disappoint.

S'well Stainless Steel Tumbler

You've seen S'well blow up over the last decade. They have products in every major department store. We knew S'well "made it" when other brands have been knocking off their signature designs. Suddenly carrying a travel bottle with that S'well logo turned into a status symbol in gyms, offices, classes, and more. While the brand offers travel mugs in a variety of colors and prints, we love this not-so-flashy, quality coffee thermos for daily use.

It's ergonomically friendly to hold, fits in your cup holder, and is super lightweight for throwing in your bag once you are done sipping. It's simple, stylish, and easy to handle, checking off everything you want in the best coffee mug. Just make sure every S'well bottle your purchase has their authentic seal to ensure it's not a fake. But you'll quickly find out the hard way when your coffee turns cold after 8 hours.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

We deem the Zojirushi Stainless Steel mug the best value on this list. For under $20, you can get a top-rated coffee thermos that will keep beverages hot or cold hour hours. It has stainless steel vacuum insulation with a safety lock to prevent the lid on this travel mug from opening on accident. (You can even tip this upside down without spills.) The wide mouth opening accommodates full-sized ice cubes that will keep them solid for the bulk of your day.

Yeti Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

This wouldn't be a best travel mug roundup without the iconic Yeti Rambler. Outdoor enthusiasts and seasoned tailgaters know that this thermos lives up to all the hype. On even the coldest days, Yeti's rambler will help keep you warm by serving steamy liquid for hours on end.

This product has well over 40,000 rave reviews, so if you don't believe us, there are plenty more that will stan this mug. It's shatter-resistant, cup-holder compatible, and dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. The lids are interchangeable, but this once comes with a magnetic slide closure to avoid outside contact on the surface where your mouth lies. This also makes opening and closing a breeze so you can quickly sip on the go, without having to untwist a vacuum seal top.

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Travel Mug

After thorough testing, there is no travel mug that keeps coffee hot quite like a Hydroflask. And we mean piping hot—even after leaving hot coffee in a freezing car for 8 hours. This thermos won't actually fit in your car cupholder, but the vacuum seal top and flex handle is comfortable to carry on hikes, walks, and errands. It's on the chunkier side, but if your top priority is uncompromising temperature regulation, look no further.

Stanley Stay-Hot Titanium Multi-Cup

We know, the price point is high on this top travel mug, but if you have the money to spend, you're going to quickly fall in love. And if you're a big outdoorsy guy, you're going to want to consider this investment.

This Stanley coffee thermos is like magic. It's a new product on the market that uses the innovative materials to make it light as a feather. It's a basic design but can be used for both a mug and koozie (it can fit a beer can,) while promising durability and hours of temperature regulation. There's nothing worse than a travel mug or coffee thermos weighing you down on the trail, and Stanley's latest advances solve that problem.

Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug

We vote the Contigo Autoseal thermos as the best travel mug to use in the car. It fits nice and snug in all car cup holders, and can open and close it's sip compartment with ease. Plus, it delivers on the spill-proof, leakproof promise. Usually with a vacuum seal top, it's a process to unlid and sip, but Contigo figured out how to solve this problem, so you don't have to think twice about coffee spills while on the road.

Corkcicle 24oz Tumbler

Corkcicle's popular prints, funky colors, and pop culture collaborations— Star Wars fans, you're going to want to see this —have swept through department stores, boutiques, gyms, and the internet. They are on the more stylish side of things when it comes to the market of travel mugs with functionality following right behind.

The brand's 24oz tumbler is perfect for everyday use. Aside from color, it's a straightforward and simple body design, sleek enough to carry and clean without any fuss. It features a subtle nonslip grip and bottom, which is actually extremely beneficial to anyone with butter fingers.

Bodum Travel Mug

A good travel mug is one that gets incorporated into your daily routine. It's a lot easier to do that when your thermos is nice to look at. This sleek metallic coffee mug from Bodum will elevate your car cup holder or work desk situation. It might not be the most durable option on the list, but it brings enough function to the table with an attractive, minimalist design.

Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Travel Tumbler

It's probably the travel mug your parents used on repeat to sip out of at all your soccer games as a kid. They might even still have one as an heirloom, as it was one of the first thermal mugs on the market. It can be used for hot ciders, teas, coffees, and soups, and the brand still remains relevant.

We love it because it has an inner hook for your tea bag. Even with scalding hot liquid inside, the outer remains cool to the touch. The Drinking Lock features a vacuum seal making this leakproof and durable. It fits perfectly under your Keurig or single serve coffee machine, making life easier when you're having a late start to the day.

Simple Modern Classic Insulated Tumbler with Straw

Whether you're an iced coffee addict, or just like to sip on ice cold drinks all day, you'll quickly become hooked over this internet sensation of a cup from Simple Modern. We can't explain it, but something about this travel cup just makes you want to keep drinking whatever liquid you have inside. While it comes with two different interchangeable lids: a flip lid and a straw-id for versatility, we prefer the latter for cold beverages on ice.

• Vacuum insulated • Fits most cup holders • Hot for 5 hours • Cold for 20 hours • Dishwasher safe

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler

MiiR is another household name is the travel mug space. Even though this coffee thermos looks more luxe and delicate, it's surprisingly durable. And while some stainless steel travel mugs can leave a slight metallic aftertaste, you won't have that problem here. Your morning coffee will still be piping hot by the afternoon. When sealed, the leakproof lid can handle bumpy commutes, even in your backpack.

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The 7 Best Coffee Mugs To Keep Coffee Hot

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Whether you take your time drinking your morning coffee or get pulled in a million directions before you can even take your first sip, one thing is true: Hot coffee has a very short lifespan. For those who would rather not depend on the microwave every time their coffee turns lukewarm or cold, I went in search of the best coffee mugs to keep coffee hot. Whether you prefer a customizable electric cup warmer or a portable insulated style, these picks are customer-approved options.

If you sit at a desk most of the day or prefer not to drink your coffee in a single sitting, a coffee mug with an electric warmer is a good investment. Similar to a hot plate, the electric warmer does double duty as a coaster and maintains the temperature of your mug’s contents when it’s in place. Certain models allow you to set the temperature to your preference, whether you like your coffee warm or steaming hot.

If you’re looking for a portable, standalone mug to keep your coffee hot, pick one with double-wall construction. The vacuum-sealed layer of air prevents heat from escaping and insulates your coffee from cold ambient air for longer. Also, pay mind the size of the coffee mug. No matter how hot your coffee is, if the mug isn't big enough for your needs, you'll end up having to get up and refill it.

No matter what your budget or aesthetic preferences are, these are the best coffee mug s to keep coffee hot.

1. The Overall Best: CORSORI Coffee Mug Warmer & Mug Set

• Also available on Walmart, $30 and Cosori, $30

Desk-dwellers and slow-sippers will love this two-piece set from Cosori . It includes a 17-ounce stainless steel mug and a heated base that will keep your coffee or other hot beverage at a consistent temperature for hours. Three touch-control buttons allow you to power the heater on or off, and adjust the temperature between 77 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit to your ideal sipping preference. The mug has a cool-touch handle and a slip-resistant silicone sleeve, as well as a lid to keep the contents warm, even if you bring the mug into a different room.

According to one reviewer: "I’ve had several different coffee warmers and this one is hands down the BEST! I’m able to keep my cup of coffee nice and hot for a very long time! I put hot water in the mug to “pre heat” it for a minute then brew my cup of coffee. I can then take it upstairs and put it on the warmer base and enjoy my cup of coffee for as long as I want without it getting cold. Anyone who is tired of their coffee getting cold so fast should absolutely get this item. It’s fantastic!”

2. The Best Value: SUNWILL Coffee Mug With Handle

• Also available on Kmart, $23

If you’re looking to sip coffee away from an outlet, your next best choice is a double-wall vacuum-sealed mug like this one from Sunwill. The 14-ounce mug is made of lightweight but durable and rust-proof stainless steel, and will keep your drink hot for more than three hours. The included BPA-free clear lid fits snugly on the mug, and has a sliding opening so you don’t need to remove it to take a sip. The Sunwill comes in a range of fun colors, and if you like to drink iced coffee in the warmer months, the double-wall construction will keep iced drinks cold for up to nine hours, as well.

According to one reviewer: "I bought this mug because I rarely get to finish my cup of coffee in one sitting at work. From the minute I am in the door, I am going. I used to make a cup and have to end up reheating three or four times [...] This mug keeps my coffee hot (not warm) for hours. My cup lasts me all day, and by the time I take my last sip at 2:30, it's not piping hot, but it is still a warm cup of coffee.”

3. The Best Thermos: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug

• Also available on Walmart, $47 , and Target, $28

Zojirushi’s stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug has one of the best designs when it comes to temperature retention, and will keep coffee hot for up to six hours. In addition to the double-wall construction, the mug’s lid flips open so you can pour or sip from the mug without opening it. The lid clicks closed and has a lock to keep heat and spills contained. The tall, slender design of the Zojirushi fits in most car cup holders, and also takes up minimal space if you want to slip it in a travel bag or a purse. It is available in 12, 16, or 20 ounces, and comes in a variety of neutral and bright colors. It boasts an overall 4.8 star rating from over 28,000 Amazon shoppers, which is pretty impressive.

According to one reviewer: "It is winter here, and its cold. This thermos keeps the coffee hot in those conditions for 10++ hours. I went one day from 6am when I got the coffee to about 10pm at night before I noticed it being "lukewarm".”

4. The Editor’s Pick: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug

• Also available on Target, $130 , Walmart, $140 , and Best Buy, $130

If you’re very serious about keeping your coffee hot all day and like the look of a traditional ceramic mug, this temperature-control smart mug from Ember is an excellent – albeit pricey – option. The stainless steel mug conducts heat efficiently, and has matte black ceramic coating, giving it a classic look. The key difference between the Ember and the overall best (besides price), is that the heat source comes from inside this mug as opposed to the base, allowing you to bring it with you anywhere and still control the temperature. The saucer acts as a charging base for the mug, and the mug can last for an hour on a single charge. You can control the temperature of this mug from the Ember app, which even comes with pre-programmed temperatures for popular drinks like lattes, espresso, and tea, and has built-in timers you can set for how long you want to keep your drink hot. The app also comes with included recipes, and you can even sync it to your health app on your phone to track your caffeine intake against your other vitals.

Editor's note: After years of reheating cold coffee in my microwave, I invested in this smart mug. I love that you can control the temperature from an app, so I can bring it with me to another room and still control what temperature it is. — Amy Biggart

5. The Best Double-Walled Glass Mug: Eparé Glass Coffee Mug

• Also available on Walmart, $26

Whether you want to make photo-worthy layered specialty lattes or simply love a see-through mug, these double-walled mugs will keep your coffee hot while offering a sleek, modern look. Made from durable Borosilicate glass, each mug has a 12-ounce capacity, and can be run through the dishwasher for easy cleaning. These mugs are resistant to condensation, which is a great feature if you like to switch between hot and iced coffee drinks, and they produce a cool optical illusion that makes it look like your drink is floating inside of the glass. At just $25 for a pack of two, they’re a great value, too.

According to one reviewer: “ I’ve been using my mugs everyday since I purchased them. I absolutely love them. I’ve put them in the microwave and dishwasher. They are lightweight, but very durable. I love being able to see my drink, whether it’s coffee or tea. The double insulated glass keeps the hot drink cool to the touch.”

6. A To-Go Mug With A Near-Perfect Rating On Amazon: YETI Rambler 20 Oz.

• Also available on YETI, $30 , and Dick’s Sporting Goods, $30

If you want to upgrade your to-go mug, get this YETI Rambler tumbler , which boasts a near-perfect 4.8-star overall rating on Amazon. It’s made from stainless steel, and has double-walled vacuum insulation that keeps hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold for hours on end. The sip lid also has a magnetic lock, which does not prevent leaks or spills, but will help to keep your coffee hotter for longer if you snap it closed when you’re not actively drinking. Despite the large 20-ounce capacity, its slim design means it fits in most standard car cup holders, which is a huge plus.

Editor’s Note: I’m obsessed with my YETI rambler mug, especially for long car rides. I’m a very slow coffee and tea drinker, but this to-go mug keeps my coffee hot for hours. It also just looks really sleek and nice. I have it in both the navy and maroon colors, and I love them both! — Carina Finn

7. A Set Of Insulated Mugs With Built-In Coasters: DOWAN Insulated Coffee Mug

• Also available on Walmart, $19

These 15-ounces insulated ceramic mugs not only look beautiful, but they also have so many useful features. The ceramic body is insulated to keep your beverage warmer for longer, especially when paired with the removable sip lid, which can help to retain your drink’s heat. The bottoms, which can also be easily removed, are made of cork, so in addition to boosting insulation, they’ll also protect your tables from scuffs and scratches. They come in four neutral colors, have thousands of fans on Amazon, and should be hand-washed to keep them looking their best.

According to one reviewer: “I have been searching for something like this for A LONG time. I make myself a fancy-ish coffee/tea every morning. I am someone who, when drinking a hot beverage... actually likes it to stay hot. So I typically drank out of a "travel mug" while at home. But this is so much more... satisfying. The ceramic is great, as is the rich color, and the cork is not only aesthetic but functional (no ring marks on your wooden coffee table or nightstand). In fact, you could say that about the whole mug. Aesthetic and functional. My favorite combination for all things in life.”

This article was originally published on Jan. 17, 2021

• Accessory Reviews /

The Ember Tumbler is a cool, high-tech travel mug — but it can’t handle the heat

A device that keeps your drink at the perfect temperature all day sounds like heaven. but ember’s latest travel gear might be a little more tech than we actually need..

By David Pierce , editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired.

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My coffee routine is needlessly fussy but fairly predictable. I wander bleary-eyed into the kitchen, add some water to the kettle, and start heating it to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, grind some coffee beans, get out the Chemex, add and rinse a new filter, put the whole thing on a scale, add 40 grams of beans, slowly pour in 600 milliliters of hot water, pour it into my trusty silver Yeti Rambler, and pad into the living room to either play with my son or look at TikTok on my phone. It’s a life, you know?

For the last few weeks, the Ember Tumbler has wormed its way into that routine. The $199 Tumbler is Ember’s newest product but carries the same promise as the company’s popular mugs: it can keep your drink at the exact temperature you want for hours at a time. Its internal heating system will, by default, hold your drinks at 135 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you pair it via Bluetooth to your phone, you can use the Ember app to dial it exactly the way you like it.

The Ember Mug was a fixture in my life for a long time, even though two things about it drove me nuts. It could only hold 10 ounces of liquid — objectively not enough, thankfully there’s a 14-ounce model now — and it was a standard mug with a handle, so I couldn’t take it with me on the train or in the car. (Ember’s first-ever product was actually a travel mug, but it also only held 10 ounces. What are we doing here, people?)

The Tumbler, in theory, solves all my problems! It holds 16 ounces (about 473ml) of liquid, which is a much better number. It also comes with two lids: one with a sliding piece that you can click open and drink out of and one with a handle that closes the mug off entirely. Its battery lasts three hours, which should be plenty of time to finish your coffee or tea. On paper, the Tumbler is everything I’ve wanted it to be.

In reality, it’s a little more complicated than that. For my specific use case, which now involves working from home instead of commuting to an office, it is in fact everything I wanted. The Tumbler is a delightful thing to drink coffee out of every morning. It’s heavy in a good way, like you’re holding a luxury object instead of just a mug; it’s nice to drink out of with the lid both on and off. In the mornings, I bring the Tumbler down to my basement office, set it on the included round charging pad, and my coffee’s hot for hours. Lovely!

As a travel mug, though — like, for people who actually go outside from time to time — the Tumbler is disappointing. I noticed a few times that when I wasn’t keeping it on the charging pad, my coffee seemed to get cold even faster than with my usual travel mug. So I did some testing, comparing the battery-charged Tumbler to my batteryless but well-insulated Yeti Rambler . (There are a lot of good insulated travel mugs out there; this one’s just my go-to.)

First, I poured boiling-ish water into both mugs, and about 60 seconds later (the time it took to find a thermometer), I measured the temperature in both. This was our control number.

• Rambler start temperature: 205.9 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tumbler start temperature: 204.6 degrees Fahrenheit

Then I put the lids on both mugs, closed them, and left them alone for an hour. This is the “I made coffee and then something came up” test. Then I measured their temperatures again.

• Rambler after one hour: 180.7 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tumbler after one hour: 149.4 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros and cons here. The Rambler does a better job of holding its heat, but the Tumbler’s job is to let my drink cool to its ideal drinking temperature — you can set whatever temperature you want in the Ember app for your phone, but it defaults to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which science (Ember’s app) apparently says is the ideal coffee drinking temperature, and then uses its internal heaters to hold it there. So the rapid decline isn’t necessarily the sign of a problem yet.

Next, I slid open each lid’s mouthpiece and left them out for another hour. This is the “early morning meeting” test.

• Rambler after two hours: 162.7 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tumbler after two hours: 139.2 degrees Fahrenheit

Same deal! The double-insulated Rambler continues to hold its heat, but the Tumbler is at a perfect drinking temperature after two hours. Everybody wins.

For the third hour, I upped the ante. With lids on and mouthpieces open, I stuck both mugs out in the windy 40 degree Fahrenheit elements of my morning. This is the “warm drink on a cold day” test.

• Rambler after three hours: 144.1 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tumbler after three hours: 135.1 degrees Fahrenheit

Once again, I’m calling this a double victory. Both are losing temperature — these are tough conditions! — but are still doing their jobs, and the Tumbler is still in its sweet spot. After three hours, both my beverages are still very drinkable.

After three hours, both my beverages are still very drinkable

I brought both mugs inside, slid their mouthpieces closed, and left them for another hour. This is the “maybe this just became my afternoon coffee instead” test.

• Rambler after four hours: 135.0 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tumbler after four hours: 113.7 degrees Fahrenheit

For the first time, we have a too-cold beverage, and it’s the Tumbler. The battery died right at the end of hour three, as advertised, and now, with no heater and not much insulation, it’s starting to lose temperature quickly. Meanwhile, the Rambler is still hanging on.

My last test was to leave them overnight, which is not exactly a real-world use case, but hey, I’d already poured all the water. I call this the “I left it out overnight” test. 

• Rambler after 12 hours: 99.0 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tumbler after 12 hours: 76.5 degrees Fahrenheit

Obviously, both are undrinkable here, but once again, the Rambler is doing a noticeably better job of keeping my drink warmer. The Tumbler is, for all intents and purposes, at room temperature.

These tests confirmed two things to me. First: the Tumbler does a good job of getting your drink to the right temperature quickly and keeping it there for a few hours. Score one for the fancy mug! But second: if my goal is to keep my coffee hot and drinkable (sometimes too hot!) as long as possible, Yeti’s mug is clearly the better choice. 

The comedian Brian Regan has a great bit where he’s walking around an appliance store shopping for a refrigerator. “This keeps all your food cold for $600,” the salesman says to him. “You’ve got this refrigerator, keeps all your food cold for $800.” Then the salesman walks to the next one, drapes his arm over it, and starts the sales pitch: “Check this out: $1,400, keeps all your food cold .”

That’s how I feel about the Ember Tumbler. It does the job, which in this case, is to keep all my drinks warm. But Yeti’s 16-ounce Rambler costs $30, compared to $200 for the Tumbler, and it actually keeps my coffee above the too-cold level for longer. And if I need it to cool down faster, I can just take off the lid or throw in an ice cube. I’m much more interested in keeping my drink hot than in cooling it down faster.

If you spend most of your time like I do, shuffling from kitchen to basement with the charging pad never more than a room away, the Tumbler works great — when I leave it on the pad, my coffee is at or close to that magic 135 degree Fahrenheit temperature all day. It’s a great mug, albeit a ludicrously expensive one given that my microwave is just upstairs. But when I leave the house, I’m taking the Rambler. Thirty bucks, keeps all my drinks warm.

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16 best flasks and travel mugs that will keep drinks hot (or cold) for hours

Enjoy a hot or cold beverage wherever you travel, with these best-rated flasks and insulated mugs, article bookmarked.

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If you can’t stand your tea being tepid or your water turning lukewarm, an insulated flask could be the answer. Whether used during the commute, long car journeys or nippy outdoor trips, some flasks will keep your beverages hot for 24 hours or more, while others can manage until lunchtime.

When it comes to choosing the best flask for your needs, think about the size, and whether you’re more likely to use it for hot or cold beverages. Water bottle -style vessels are best for chilled drinks, while travel mugs are better for taking quick sips of coffee . Then there are the more capacious flasks that tend to come with a cup for leisurely mugfulls of teas and soups.

Ultimately, what makes a flask worth your money is it’s ability to slow down heat transfer – either in or out – via a layer of almost airless space sandwiched between the flask’s inner and outer walls.

You may also want to consider helpful features that set one flask apart from the next, whether that’s carry-loops and handles, clever mouthpieces and incorporated cups, and even self-cleaning technology.

Keep reading to find out which flasks impressed us the most.

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How we tested the best flasks

First and foremost, flasks had to keep drinks hot or cold as promised, to make it onto our list. We assessed the brands’ claims by filling the flasks with boiled water (or iced water), and drank from them after a number of hours, to see if the temperature had held. We also considered how easy the flasks were to use and any design features that made them a joy to drink from, as well as mouthpieces, lids, handles and more. Generally, they had to be leak-proof – although, there are a couple of entries that aren’t, but more on that later.

The best flasks for 2024 are:

• Best flask overall – Thermos superlight drinks flask, 470ml: £14.50, Amazon.co.uk
• Best compact flask with a cup – Lifeventure TiV vacuum flask, 700ml: £22.99, Lifeventure.com
• Best for style – Stanley quencher H2.0 flowstate tumbler, 1.2l: £37.39, Amazon.co.uk
• Best insulated mug – Hydro Flask coffee mug, 354ml: £28.95, Amazon.co.uk
• Best high-tech flask – Larq bottle purevis, 500ml: £99, Livelarq.com

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Thermos superlight drinks flask

• Best : Flask overall
• Material : 18/8 food grade stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 0.21kg
• Capacity : 470ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for 10 hours, cold for 24 hours
• Dishwasher safe : No
• Looks great
• Light and compact
• Not everyone will like the mouthpiece for hot drinks

There’s so much to like about this little flask from Thermos. On first impressions, it has a sleek, simple look to it – it’s slim, compact, and the lightest of all of the flasks we tried, making it ideal for taking it with you on the go.

There’s a little button that releases the lid, so opening the flask is a breeze, and the mouthpiece is one of the best (if not the best) we tried – wide and curved, for effortless, comfortable sipping.

When it came to the temperature test, our water was still chilled after a full 24 hours, as promised. Meanwhile, coffees and teas were still piping hot after 10 hours, so rest assured this flask will keep drinks toasty until the commute home.

Lifeventure TiV vacuum flask

• Best : Compact flask with a cup
• Material : 18/10 stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 445g
• Capacity : 700ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for more than eight hours, cold for 24 hours
• Slim and very portable
• Brilliant temperature retention
• The cup is fairly small

This 700ml flask boasts all the perks of a larger option while stripping away the extra bulk. With a copper coating to improve heat preservation, it boasts the ability to keep drinks hot for up to eight hours. Impressively, we found ours was still nice and warm after around 20 hours, which is pretty good going. Equally impressive was the flask’s ability to keep drinks chilled – there were still ice cubes in our cold water after 24 hours.

Should you prefer sipping hot tea and coffee from a cup rather than straight from the flask, this is a brilliant, compact choice. Unscrew the flask’s lid and it becomes a cup, although, admittedly, quite a small one, so you will probably need to fill it a few times to quench your thirst.

The flask isn’t dishwasher safe but this is a minor annoyance with an otherwise very efficient and purse-friendly piece of kit.

Stanley quencher H2.0 flowstate tumbler

• Best : For style
• Material : 90 per cent recycled 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 635g
• Capacity : 1.2l
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for seven hours, cold for 11 hours
• Dishwasher safe : Yes
• Ergonomic handle
• Fits into some car cup-holders
• Not leak-proof

The unlikely product to have taken TikTok by storm, Stanley’s quencher flowstate can barely stay in stock. But is it worth the (considerable) splurge? Boasting a 1.2l capacity, the reusable tumbler keeps cold drinks chilled for up to 11 hours (or two days when iced). We tested these claims with an ice-cold smoothie, which stayed deliciously chilled. The ergonomic handle adds to its ease of use, while the narrow base that fits some (but not all) car cup-holders is a nice touch.

Though it’s easy to switch between the three lid positions, the full-cover top failed to pass the leak-proof test. This completely rules out the quencher in terms of carrying it loose in a bag, which is quite a big drawback, considering the price. There’s also no denying it’s heavy, and the sheer size of the thing is slightly impractical for lugging around a city during the commute. But, when working from home, we appreciated the large capacity, as it helped boost our water intake (the colours are pretty, too).

Le Creuset travel mug

• Best : Small flask
• Material : Stainless steel
• Weight : 140g
• Capacity : 350ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for six hours, chilled all day
• Small and compact
• Looks smart
• Takes force to open and close

The smallest of the flasks we put to the test is Le Creuset’s travel mug – a smart, compact and robust choice from the cookware brand. Although, the lid does take a bit of force to open and close, which might be a deal-breaker for some. It closes with a reassuring snap, though, so we felt confident it wouldn’t leak a drop. Despite the brand not specifically describing the flask as leaf-proof, we found it didn’t leak at all while we were putting it to the test.

It has a simple, utilitarian look to it, with a nice metallic finish, incorporating the signature Le Creuset three-ring design, while the lid sports the brand’s bright volcanic orange hue (the flask is also available as blue or red versions). We also liked that it’s been designed with a rubbery base, which ensures it won’t clang when you set it down.

There’s no knocking its heat retention, either, as this little flask kept drinks piping hot after six hours. Meanwhile, cold water stayed lovely and chilled all day long.

Stanley adventure to go bottle

• Best : Sturdy design
• Material : 8/8 stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 512g
• Capacity : 750ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for 20 hours, cold for 25 hours (four days when iced)
• Dishwasher safe : Unspecified
• Robust design
• Matte finish
• Splashy if you don’t unscrew the stopper enough

While this is a strapping flask from Stanley, it looks more streamlined and contemporary than the drinkware veteran’s classic designs. It’s a good size, but doesn’t feel overly bulky, and it promises to keep drinks hot for up to 20 hours, and cold for 24. Happily, these claims stood up during testing.

The lid doubles as an insulated cup, and, while it’s modestly sized, we think it’s big enough. There’s no chance of spills, as you might expect from a screw-in stopper, while little gaps in the stopper mean you can pour without having to unscrew it all the way. It’s a sturdy flask that gets the job done.

Thermos stainless steel king flask

• Best : Flask with a cup
• Material : 18/8 food grade stainless steel
• Weight : 650g
• Capacity : 1,200ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for 24 hours, cold for 24 hours
• Twist and pour stopper
• Collapsible handle
• Cup included
• The cup can get hot in your hands

As Thermos has become synonymous with insulated flasks, naturally, the supersize “steel king” was going to be pretty hard to beat. It has a whopping 1.2l capacity, and we were genuinely quite stunned by how hot it kept our water over 24 hours. Most of the ice in our cold drink was still solid after 24 hours, too – you could fill your Thermos in the morning and it will still be refreshingly cool the following day.

It’s sturdy but surprisingly lightweight for its size, and the handle, which is collapsible (to save on space), helps with one-handed carrying and pouring. Everything about the steel king feels exceptionally well-made – from the thick-rimmed stainless steel cup (which doesn’t have a handle but is still nicely capacious) to the twist and pour stopper. Our one quibble would be the stainless steel cup can feel hot in your hands when the liquid inside is especially scorching. However, never having to completely remove the screw cap before pouring will make for smoother al fresco pit stops. A classic for a reason, we can’t knock it.

Ocean Bottle flask

• Best : Environmentally conscientious flask
• Material : 90 per cent recycled stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, silicone rubber and ocean-bound plastic
• Weight : 320g
• Capacity : 500ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for six hours, cold for six hours
• Conscientious choice
• Versatile mouthpiece
• Carry loop for portability
• The mouthpiece can drip momentarily after the lid is removed

A conscientious choice when it comes to the materials used and environmental impact, this insulated flask from Ocean Bottle is largely made up of recycled stainless steel and ocean-bound plastic. On top of this, the brand says buying one bottle will fund efforts to prevent the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles from ending up in the ocean as plastic waste – so you can feel genuinely good about buying this one.

Water, coffee and even thicker smoothies and soups aren’t off limits, thanks to the bottle-esque mouthpiece – although, we did find the mouthpiece can momentarily drip slightly once the lid has been removed.

Easy to grab, owing to the flexible carry loop, you can unscrew the larger lid for cleaning and chucking in ice. Our drinks were still impressively hot after six hours and refreshingly chilled after the same amount of time – cold enough that some of the ice we dropped in there was still intact.

Hydro Flask coffee mug

• Best : Insulated mug
• Material : 18/8 Pro-Grade Stainless Steel, BPA free
• Weight : 317g
• Capacity : 355ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Up to four hours
• Versatile lid and mouthpiece

Sometimes, it just feels better to drink from an actual mug than a flask – particularly when you’re not actually heading into the wild, but sitting at your desk, wanting your tea or coffee to stay hot for a few hours longer.

This insulated mug isn’t leak-proof, so you won’t be carrying it around in your bag, but if you tend to forget about your cups of tea until they’ve turned tepid, it’s ideal. The matte finish is nice in the hand, and while the brand doesn’t specify for how long it should keep drinks hot or cold, our boiled water was still fairly hot after four hours, which is all you really need for a tumbler like this.

When it came to ease of use, the lid can be placed on at any angle, and the mouthpiece slides open and close easily. The mouthpiece can also be removed completely, if you’d prefer to drink straight from the mug.

Yeti 18oz bottle with hotshot cap

• Best : Mid-sized coffee flask
• Material : 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 531g
• Capacity : 532ml
• The hotshot cap allows you to drink at any angle
• It’s not clear when the hotshot cap is closed

This flask is robust enough for outdoorsy excursions, but not so bulky that you wouldn’t reach for it for everyday use, so it’s a good choice for taking to work, too. While Yeti doesn’t specify a maximum heat retention time, we found that our water was still hot after 24 hours, while some of the ice in our cold water managed to survive for just as long.

Everything from the matte surface to the range of fun colours on offer suggests high-quality materials. We are also big fans of the aptly named hotshot cap, which, once swivelled to one side, will let you sip from any angle. However, something to remind us whether or not the swivel mechanism had been ‘closed’ would have been really helpful.

What we consider to be the perfect amount of liquid flows through at the perfect speed (although this will be quite subjective) and the hotshot cap didn’t let us down when it came to being completely leak-free.

Ohelo tumbler

• Best : Flask with a strainer
• Material : 18/8 stainless steel, lead- and BPA-free
• Weight : 245g
• Capacity : 400ml
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for six hours, cold for 12 hours
• Strainer works well
• Variety of colourways
• No indication of when the lid is closed
• Taking it apart for cleaning is a little fiddly

A perk of Ohelo’s tumbler is the strainer, which we found worked well with our loose-leaf tea, but keep in mind you can’t easily remove the tea leaves on the go. Still, you could also use it for fruit infusions or lumpy protein shakes. To drink, you just need to twist the lid until it clicks into place, letting you know it’s open. The lid proved to be leak-free, and it’s quite helpful that you can take sips from anywhere around the lid, rather than just one mouthpiece.

The lid needs to be taken apart to be cleaned, and putting it back together is a little fiddly, but we got the hang of it. As for heat retention abilities, this little tumbler performs brilliantly – hot water was still impressively hot after six hours, and chilled after 12.

Klean Kanteen insulated TKPro

• Best : Plastic-free flask
• Material : Stainless steel and silicone and 18/8 food-grade stainless steel interior, BPA-Free
• Weight : 620g
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for 28 hours, cold for 90 hours when iced
• Dishwasher safe : No, hand wash recommended
• Plastic-free
• Large cup included

Sleek and plastic-free, this flask from Klean Kanteen is an efficient and eco-conscious choice. While not quite as capacious (750ml) as the flasks from Thermos (£23, Amazon.co.uk ) and Zwilling (£31.95, Zwilling.com ) despite its fairly bulky design, it’s still going to be an excellent choice for bringing on longer outdoor adventures.

It performed ludicrously well when it came to preserving drink temperatures – our hot water was piping hot after 28 hours. We were dubious about claims that it could keep iced water iced for 90 hours, and were flabbergasted to find it does exactly that (yes, really, almost four days).

Leakproof and cleverly designed, the flask features a twist-and-pour cap, which can be poured from any angle – while slightly splashy if you don’t open it enough (or indeed too much), this is a really nifty way to save time and prevent some of the heat from escaping.

We loved how capacious the stainless steel lid was (216ml), and appreciated the wide mouth for comfortable sipping – perfect when you’re gasping for a big cup of tea.

Contigo luxe autoseal travel mug

• Best : Flask for easy, one-handed sipping
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for five hours, cold for 12 hours
• The mouthpiece is convenient
• It’s small and compact

There’s something satisfyingly simple about this travel mug from Contigo. Press the large button on the lid, and your beverage will flow from a hole in the lid. As the flow of liquid is more concentrated than it is from larger mouthpieces, it feels almost similar to a mini vortex, which is fun. Our water was hot after five hours, and cold after 12.

Drinking from this flask is a one-handed operation, as you don’t need to unscrew the lid before taking a sip. The lock on the lid will also prevent the button from being pressed when you don’t want it to be – say, when it’s being pushed up against your laptop in your bag. The flask is also very compact, narrow (making it easy to hold in one hand) and lightweight to carry. It’s a sleek bit of kit when it comes to design as well, with its all-over metallic finish, although there’s a range of other colours to choose from, too.

Larq bottle purevis

• Best : High-tech flask
• Material : Stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 280g
• Max temperature preservation times : Hot for 12 hours, cold for 24 hours
• Dishwasher safe : Bottle is but the cap needs to be hand-washed
• Self-cleaning technology
• Stylish design
• Not recommended for tea and coffee

If you feel uneasy about water quality while travelling, Larq’s self-cleaning water bottle is a high-tech investment that has blazed a trail with its patented UV-C light hidden in the lid, eliminating nearly all (99.9 per cent) of bio-contaminants inside.

Looking a little sci-fi, the flask has a button on the lid, which can be pressed for either a short (one minute) UV-C cycle or you can choose adventure mode (three minutes) for extra peace of mind. Beneath the intimidating tech, though, the purevis is also just an excellent flask – our water remained hot after 12 hours, and there were still cubes of ice in our cold water after 24 hours. Importantly, please note purification will be less effective with ice in the bottle, as this may partially block the UV-C light.

A clean bottle should help to keep that musty bottle smell at bay, and, while we admit we may have been swayed by the knoweldge our water was completely clean, we did find our water tasted fresher for being purified. We liked that the bottle will clean itself automatically every two hours and, unlike the rest of our tech, only needs to be charged every month or so. It is worth noting the brand doesn’t recommend using the bottle for drinks such as coffee and tea.

Chillys series 2 lichen

• Best : Flask for keeping water cold
• Material : Powder-coated stainless steel, BPA-free
• Weight : 390g
• Colour and design variety
• Antimicrobial drinking collar
• Unscrewing the lid can unscrew the drinking collar, causing leaks

Chilly’s has become somewhat synonymous with stylish drinkware – from dreamy ombre to abstract and floral bottles, there are plenty of styles to choose from. While you can use the brand’s insulated bottles for holding hot drinks (ours did a good job of keeping water piping hot for 24 hours) we would say we preferred using ours for keeping drinks cold. Some of the ice in our cold water was still intact after 24 hours and, naturally, the water was refreshingly chilled.

The series two bottles boast an antimicrobial drinking collar, which is dreamy to drink from and can be removed easily when it comes to cleaning the bottle, or dropping in ice cubes. This can sometimes open with the lid when it hasn’t been screwed on tightly enough, though, but the lid itself is completely leak-proof. Plus, the handle on the lid wins major points in terms of portability, while the protective rubber base means you don’t need to worry about making an obnoxious clang when setting down the flask.

Thermos ultimate insulation flask

• Best : Flask for commuting
• Material : Stainless steel with silicone rings
• Weight : 300kg
• Sturdy design
• Lightweight

This is a really solid little Thermos that does pretty much everything you’d ask of a flask. Thermos claims the flask retains temperatures for 24 hours, and it certainly did keep water cold and coffee warm over the full period. We were particularly impressed by how secure the flask felt, and we had no concerns about it leaking while bouncing around in our work bag on the Tube, in the car, or even while cycling, so it’s ideal for commuting.

The silicone rings make the flask feel extra sturdy, which we appreciated when out hiking, but, for most outdoor adventures, we’d probably opt for a flask that has a greater volume. That being said, it’s lightweight and has a decent 500ml capacity, which feels just right for taking tea or coffee into the office.

Partner in Wine wine bottle

• Best : Flask for wine
• Material : Stainless steel and plastic lid, BPA-free
• Weight : Unspecified
• Good choice of colourways
• The mouth of the lid is too narrow fo ice cubes

As photogenic as they come, this insulated flask from Partner In Wine has been purpose-built for keeping your bottle of plonk cool for up to 24 hours. A great purchase if you really resent sipping on ever-so-slightly warm wine during the summer months, this would be perfect for filling up before picnics, festivals and any al-fresco gatherings when you would rather leave the wine cooler at home. It will fit one bottle of wine perfectly, and feels markedly lightweight for a bottle of this size (750ml).

While we weren’t able to test this flask during the summer months, we still found that fridge-chilled wine stayed suitably cold for 24 hours. There’s no chance of vino spillages, either, as we can attest that the lid, which screws on easily and securely, is leak-proof. If you like ice in your wine, it’s worth noting the mouth of the bottle is quite narrow (indeed, wine-bottle narrow), so typical ice cubes won’t fit through.

While the black colour we tested is currently sold out, there are plenty of other dreamy hues to choose from, including soft pastels and all-over stainless steel.

The verdict: Insulated flasks

Sleek, compact and brilliant for sipping on the go, the Thermos superlight drinks flask was the top performer – we can’t recommend it enough for everyday use. We found our water was still piping hot after 10 hours, and it doesn’t hurt that the flask also looks great.

Lifeventure’s TiV vacuum flask also offers excellent value for money, while the Klean Kanteen flask is ludicrously good at keeping drinks hot or cold for many, many hours.

The Ocean Bottle deserves a mention for being so versatile when it comes to carrying cold water and hot drinks as well as thicker liquids such as smoothies and soups, and we love that the brand is built on the premise of protecting the ocean by reducing plastic waste.

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The 7 Best Temperature-Controlled Mugs to Keep Your Drinks Warm

Tired of your hot coffee cooling down too quickly? One of these temperature-controlled mugs will ensure your hot beverage stays that way.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

The solution? Temperature-controlled mugs. They keep your drink piping hot (or warm, if you prefer), so that you can enjoy sitting that same drink for hours instead of mere minutes. These convenient mugs can either be battery-powered, use a special coaster to transfer heat to the mug, or some even do both. If you're looking to grab a temperature-controlled mug for your own cozy moments at home, check out one of these bestselling and top-rated options down below.

Best Temperature-Controlled Mugs

Best Overall

Ember the ember mug 2.

Best Travel Option

Ember the ember travel mug 2.

Best Budget

Apekx auto on/off gravity-induction coffee mug.

Most Cutest

Bsigo smart coffee mug warmer & cute cat mug set.

Best Low-Budget Travel Option

Vsitoo smart mug with lid.

Best Warming Coaster

Vobaga coffee mug warmer.

Most Versatile

Muggo muggo 2.0, what to consider.

The main factor to consider when choosing a temperature-controlled mug is how portable you need it to be. Mugs that are designed with a battery inside the unit itself can be carried anywhere and don’t tether you to your desk or countertop. These batteries won’t last forever, though, and once they’re dead, you’re stuck carrying around a heavy mug of cold coffee.

Mugs that use heating coasters, on the other hand, have an unlimited runtime, and as long as you stay near your desk or countertop, your drink will stay hot all day. They’re less portable, though, and will begin to cool off as soon as you pick them up. These heating coasters require you to place your mug on top of them to keep temperatures high.

You should also think about whether or not you’d like to control your mug using a smartphone app. These can allow you to customize precise temperatures and alert settings, but could also be more trouble than they’re worth if you don’t need them. They can cost a pretty penny.

How We Selected

When curating this list of options, we carefully studied the online reviews and customer feedback for many of the options on the market today. No temperature-controlled mug on this list has lower than a 4 out of a 5-star average rating.

We then narrowed down our list by eliminating products that appeared to be chronically unreliable or had frequent safety issues, like overheating. Since users will have different priorities and concerns regarding runtime, temperature ranges, and portability, we made sure to include a variety of styles to choose from. Pricing was also taken into consideration, so regardless of your budget situation, you should be able to find an option that suits your needs.

Looking for other ways to stay cozy during the cooler months? Check out our picks for the best heated blankets , robes , thermal gloves , and smokeless fire pits .

This Ember mug is our pick for Best Overall, and for good reason: It's leagues above the other mugs on this list. The Ember Mug² will keep drinks hot for up to 90 minutes via battery power, or all day long if you utilize the included heated coaster. That coaster is also the mug's charging station, so while it's heating up, your mug is juicing up.

The Mug 2 is compatible with the Ember app, which allows you to customize temperatures and receive notifications for when your drink has reached your desired temperature.

A scratch-resistant ceramic finish makes this mug nice and durable, and its water-resistant design allows you to hand-wash it without harming the battery or internal components. That also means, unfortunately, the mug isn't dishwasher-safe.

In addition to an auto-sleep setting that cuts off after 2 hours of inactivity on its coaster, this mug also wakes up and starts heating as soon as it senses liquid inside. Over 6,000 reviewers give this a 4.6 out of a 5-star average rating. As far as smart mugs go, it doesn't get much better than this.

This multifunctional option would be a great choice for those who want to ensure their drink will stay piping hot all day, wherever they may be.

With an internal battery life of 3 hours, the Travel Mug 2 allows you to carry your drink on the go in a temperature-controlled tumbler, and whenever it’s ready for a recharge, the included charging coaster will bring it back up to full power.

Like the Mug 2, the handy Ember smartphone app allows you to customize the precise temperature of your drink. Unlike the Mug², however, the Travel Mug² has a hidden touchscreen feature that activates when tapping the Ember logo on its side. This lets you adjust the temperature, check battery life, and look at a personalized name that you can set (via app), all from the mug itself. And yes, the auto sleep function is also here for turning that mug off after 2 hours of inactivity.

If you're looking for something dishwasher-safe and/or inexpensive, look elsewhere: This hand-wash-only travel mug will set you back $200.

If you don’t need to travel with your drink, this mug and its heating coaster are a great option that won't break the bank. Although the mug itself doesn’t have a heating element, it uses the included coaster to raise and maintain the temperature of your drink, ensuring it will stay hot virtually all day.

The simple design of this model is also useful for those who don’t want to deal with buttons, apps, or batteries—you simply set the mug on the base and it automatically begins heating.

Keep in mind that the coaster only works with the mug that it comes with, so you won’t be able to have control over a personal mug or cup. However, that coaster uses the same technology as a wireless charging pad, so you can also use it to charge your smartphone or Bluetooth earbuds—as long as those devices feature wireless charging. It also comes with a lid to prevent spills.

Bsigo Smart Coffee Mug Warmer & Cute Cat Mug Set

This cute beverage warmer is a great way to reheat coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and milk. With a 16-ounce ceramic mug decorated in adorable cats, this warmer can keep beverages warm at up to 140 Fahrenheit.

It has an 8-hour auto shutoff that helps avoid burns. It also comes with a waterproof silicone cover for its coaster that’s both heat-resistant and food-grade, so as not to burn any surface it sits on or accidentally touch the hot plate directly.

Tall and stout, this set has a mug perfect for drinking from or pouring hot liquids into a cup of your choice. It also comes with a wooden lid to cover your drink, and a slot to fit a cute cat paw spoon for mixing sugar and milk. This is the perfect mug for cat lovers and gifting to others.

The sliding lid on this 14-ounce mug makes it portable enough to take on a walk or in the car, and depending on the set temperature, can function for up to 8 hours on a single battery charge.

The temperature can be adjusted from 96 and 149 degrees—the widest range of all our picks—and can be controlled by using the Vsitoo app, or via the buttons on the mug itself. We’re also big fans of the LED indicator on the side of the mug, which gives you a real-time view of the current temperature as well as battery life. This mug can keep drinks warm for up to a whopping 4 hours.

Users love the mug for its affordability and easy-to-use buttons, though say that it's tough to clean due to the design of the cup's interior.

You’ll have to supply your own flat-bottomed cup, but the low price and hassle-free design of this warming coaster could be a great deal for the right customer. A single control button turns the unit on and also adjusts the temperature, so you won’t have to deal with extra controls or apps.

An auto-shutoff feature will power off the coaster after four hours, and the 59-inch cord should be long enough for most desk setups. The best feature is that it comes in six colors, making it much easier to match your existing home and office decor.

The Muggo 2.0 can be used either as a temperature-controlled mug or—by simply removing the battery—a standard travel mug without any extra weight. The spill-resistant rubber seal and fully-closable lid combine to nearly eliminate the chances of leakage, and the powerful battery heats up your liquid in about ten minutes. The mug will work for up to three hours on a single charge.

This mug comes with a dual charging coaster and has two docking spaces: one for the battery to recharge, and the other to continue heating your drink while you wait. Its impressive temperature range is also a nice perk. Customers say that although the mug works as promised, the lid has design flaw that makes liquids flow from it slowly.

Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

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Swig Travel Mug, 18oz, Stainless Steel, Insulated, Party Animal, Travel Cup with Lid and Handle, Dishwasher Safe, Copper Plated

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• 18OZ TUMBLER WITH HANDLE AND LID keeps cold drinks cold for 9 hours and hot drinks hot for 3 hours with Swig Life's triple insulated, copper-plated, stainless steel cups. Travel coffee tumbler holds up to 18oz of your favorite beverages.
• CUP HOLDER FRIENDLY 18 oz tumbler fits most standard size cup holders. With a comfortable handle, this travel mug is easy to carry and perfect for use as an everyday insulated water bottle.
• HIGH QUALITY INSULATED CUP keeps your drinks at the perfect temperature all day long. The large opening allows ice to fit with ease, and the spill resistant, removable slider lid lets your choose how you want to sip.
• TRAVEL COFFEE TUMBLER WITH HANDLE comes with a large lid (compatible with Swig reusable straw sets) with a removable slider for an easy sipping experience. Features a built-in coaster base that prevents slips, drips, and scratches. Top rack dishwasher safe.
• VARIETY OF COLORS AND PRINTS to choose from makes the Swig Life range of cups, travel mugs, tumblers, and water bottles the best unique drinkware you'll find. We also offer a variety of bags, coolers, straws, straw toppers, and other water bottle accessories to style your Swig.

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Product Description

Travel Mug (18oz)

Thanks to our triple insulation technology, our 18oz travel coffee mug with handle and lid keeps drinks cold 9+ hours and hot 3+ hours. The cup holder friendly travel mug makes it the ideal travel companion, to and from the classroom, the conference room or even just your living room!

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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality and size of the coffee mug. They say it's a high quality item that fits perfectly in their cup holder. Customers are also impressed with the vibrant colors and the fact that it comes in many different designs. However, some customers have reported issues with the lid. They feel that it leaves a lot to be desired and does not stay on the cup. Customers also differ on ease of cleaning, and leakage.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the warmth of the cup. They mention it lives on their desk daily and keeps their coffee hot and their drinks cool for a long time.

"...It has a nice fitting lid and keeps my coffee warm enough to enjoy to the last drop. It is a perfect size and comes in many colors and designs...." Read more

"...No sliding or scratching on furniture. It keeps my coffee hot . I love the color." Read more

"Perfect size, beautiful vibrant colors, keeps my ice tea cold for way longer than advertised. I still have ice in my cup after 24 hrs...." Read more

"...I have used it for several months and love it. The insulation keeps beverage warm for long periods of time, and it is lighter weight than my bigger..." Read more

Customers like the appearance of the cup. They say it's pretty, has beautiful vibrant colors, and is very nice. They also mention that it comes in many colors and designs and is comfortable in their girl hands.

"...It is a perfect size and comes in many colors and designs . I opted for a solid light blue...." Read more

"...No sliding or scratching on furniture. It keeps my coffee hot. I love the color ." Read more

"Perfect size, beautiful vibrant colors , keeps my ice tea cold for way longer than advertised. I still have ice in my cup after 24 hrs...." Read more

"...But this cup caught my eye because it was attractive and because of the handle...." Read more

Customers like the quality of the cup. For example, they mention it's a high quality item, durable, and spill proof. Some say that the cup is perfect for work and the handle makes it easy to carry. That said, most are happy with the quality and durability of the product.

"This cup is 16 oz. Good start for the day . I like the top. It's so easy to use. The handle is a good addition...." Read more

"...It's easy to clean, too. The cup is sturdy and exactly what I was looking for! Highly recommend this brand!" Read more

" This cup is fantastic . I love that it feels secure in my hand and keeps my coffee warm. The pattern is gorgeous...." Read more

"...The top of the lid does not come apart for cleaning. Liquid gets caught...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the size of the cup. For example, they mention it's the perfect size, fits perfectly in their cup holder, has a nice sized handle, and does a good job of keeping their drink warm. Some say that it fits in their purse and in their car's cup holders.

"...It is not bulky and heavy like ceramic mug I tried. It has a nice fitting lid and keeps my coffee warm enough to enjoy to the last drop...." Read more

" Perfect size , beautiful vibrant colors, keeps my ice tea cold for way longer than advertised. I still have ice in my cup after 24 hrs...." Read more

"...It fits in my purse when I take it to the car and fits in my cup holder if I turn the handle to the center where there is room for handles...." Read more

"...The lid fits snugly and does not drip whatsoever. The handle is high enough on the cup that it allows it to sit nicely in my 2024 Subaru cupholder...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the ease of cleaning. Some mention it's very easy to clean via the dishwasher, and it'll keep beverages hot. However, others say that it't easy to remove for cleaning, and the lid is really hard to clean.

"This cup is 16 oz. Good start for the day. I like the top. It's so easy to use . The handle is a good addition...." Read more

"...it had not been a clear lid so I couldn't see that it's impossible to get completely clean because now when I drink out if it I just think about it..." Read more

"...It's easy to clean , too. The cup is sturdy and exactly what I was looking for! Highly recommend this brand!" Read more

"But cover is hard to clean inside mouth part" Read more

Customers are mixed about the leakage of the cup. Some mention that it's cute, keeps drinks hot, and doesn't leak. The lid fits snugly and does not drip whatsoever. However, some say that the lid is not really leak-proof and the drink seal slide has a couple of problems.

"The mug is very cute, keeps drinks hot, and doesn't leak ...." Read more

"...for the drink it's really hard to clean properly, and it doesn't keep leaks from happening ...." Read more

"...The lid fits snugly and does not drip whatsoever . The handle is high enough on the cup that it allows it to sit nicely in my 2024 Subaru cupholder...." Read more

"...amount without being too large, had a comfortable handle, had a leak-proof lid and looked cute. This Swig mug ended up being PERFECT for me...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the lid of the coffee cup. They mention that it leaves a lot to be desired, it's interesting, and that it should be more functional. Some say that the opening on the lid should be bigger, and it tends to have buildup between the lid and the little thingy to slide. Some customers also mention that the lid is broken.

"The mug is very cute, keeps drinks hot, and doesn't leak. The lid is clear and very hard to clean, I scrubbed it for 15 minutes with a tiny wire..." Read more

"...It’s disappointing that the lid is so darn tight . It does an OK job keeping my water cool but I have had other brands that do a much better job." Read more

"This cup is fantastic. I love that it feels secure in my hand and keeps my coffee warm. The pattern is gorgeous...." Read more

"Would have given 5-stars, except the lid is broken ." Read more

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8 Best Tumblers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

I put over 40 tumblers through temperature retention, durability and ease of use tests to determine which are worth your money.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Camelbak thrive mug.

Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler with Lid and Straw

Best for Coffee

Brümate müv.

Best for Cold Drinks

Owala insulated travel tumbler.

Best Wine Tumbler

Contigo river north wine tumbler.

Best Large Capacity

Hydrojug traveler.

Best for Travel

Stanley iceflow stainless steel tumbler.

Easiest to Clean

Yeti rambler tumbler.

But, what's the difference between a tumbler and a water bottle ? Tumblers usually have a larger mouth and a wider shape that resembles a cup, versus a narrow bottle. While water bottles are easiest to clean when used with water, tumblers are designed to hold a variety of different hot and cold beverages. Some have handles and small spouts for sipping, while others boast straws that stay in place or fold down for travel.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, our team of experts tests thousands of beverage-related products every year. Over the past couple of months, I personally tested over 40 tumblers. I also worked with our consumer testers to get their feedback on how much they liked using their tumblers in real-life scenarios. Here are the tumblers that excelled in temperature retention, ease of use, versatility and so much more.

The CamelBak Thrive Mug was out best tested tumbler for its great insulation and durability. After 24 hours, I found that the water still remained cold and when dropped from our drop tester it didn't dent or spill all over me or my colleague. It features a comfortable, easy-to-grip handle and a lid with a small spout and closure. The base has a non-slip material that consumer testers have told me is great when they're trying to be extra quiet around sleeping family members. The lid easily screws on and off the tumbler, which is much easier than other pull-off lids I've tested.

The lid leaked a tiny bit when the tumbler was pushed over in our leak test. It was easy to clean up, but something to keep in mind if having a leak-proof tumbler is important to you.

We also tested the Camelbak Thrive Tumbler , which is a smaller, more affordable option, without a handle. This model tested just as well as the the Thrive Mug.

Simple Modern's tumblers have tested well in our Lab tests and conveniently are also affordable. This model from Simple Modern comes with two different lids — a leak-proof lid (as confirmed in Lab testing) and another lid with a straw — so it's perfect for people like me who sometimes wants to use it for iced coffee and sometimes for hot coffee. I just suggest holding on to it well because the bottom did dent quite a bit, with some paint chipping when dropped in our Lab tests.

This tumbler is also compatible with a cocktail shaker lid that is sold separately, but adds even more versatility to this model. While we only tested the 20-ounce option for this story, it also comes in three other sizes: 16-, 24- and 28-ounces in a variety of fun colorways and patterns to choose from.

BrüMate's leak-proof tumbler ensures that you won't drop a single drop of your coffee even if you throw it into your backpack on a long commute. It features a lid with a lock that gives you (and especially people like me!) peace of mind on your commute. I thought it was comfortable to sip out of and the handle offers a comfortable grip. The bottom of the tumbler is tapered to ensure that it will fit inside your car's cupholder.

In our Lab tests, this tumbler got perfect scores in the drop and leak tests. The lid took me a bit of practice to remove from the tumbler since the pieces have to be properly aligned, but I figured it out after a couple of tries thanks to the packaging stickers BrüMate provides.

This insulated tumbler from Owala comes in a variety of fun colorways and offers two ways to drink from it: with the included straw or sip mode through the lid. Out of all the tumblers I've tried, I really like drinking water out of this at my desk because it holds a lot of water and is comfortable to use and hold. I also like using it for my iced coffee. It peformed relatively well in temperature retention over a 24-hour time period, but kept its ice over the course of an entire workday.

Owala's Insulated Travel Tumbler performed well in other Lab tests as well. The straw didn't leak when the tumbler was hit on its side, unlike other tumblers with straws that leaked all over the place. Keep in mind that if you do turn the tumbler upside down it will leak. And there was only a slight dent on the tumbler after drop testing.

I tested nine different wine tumblers to determine the best wine tumbler for this story and the Contigo River North Wine Tumbler tested best overall . It's lightweight (6.1-ounces) and easy to grasp in your hand. It received high scores in drop testing, it didn't dent nor did the lid come off after all three drops and leaked only a tiny bit during leak testing.

Instead of water, each wine tumbler was tested with chilled wine in our Lab. This tumbler has a small spout and is easy to sip from; if you prefer to sip from it without the lid, you can do that as well. Like other wine tumblers we tested, the insulation of this tumbler wasn't as good as larger tumblers, so sip your wine quickly (but that isn't the worse problem you could have).

The HydroJug Traveler is a large, 40-ounce tumbler that features a straw that folds down when you're not drinking from it, which proved to be leak-proof in our tests. (It's actually one of the only 40-ounce tumblers I tested that's leak-proof.) It didn't leak in our drop test, where we drop the tumbler from a height of three feet, but it did dent. I love that with such a large capacity, I don't need to refill this tumbler often to meet my daily hydration goals.

"I prefer that the lid is see-through, so you can easily see what's inside the cup without unscrewing the top," said one tester who also appreciated the HydroJug's rubber base, which makes it less prone to falling over on certain surfaces.

The Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler comes in four different sizes from 20-ounces to a whopping 96-ounces and over 30 different colorways. In our Lab tests it didn't leak at all, receiving a high score, but it did dent a bit from drop testing. While my colleagues and I really like the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler , a.k.a. the Stanley cup, which has tested well in our Labs, we think this is a great option for those who love to travel thanks to its leak-proof straw, tapered bottom and comfortable handle.

"I love that it has a higher capacity than most water bottles, but still fits in the same cup holders thanks to its shape, perfect for road trips, air travel and hiking ," said one tester. They went on to say that the handle is useful and easy to hold and how convenient it is that the straw easily flips up and down; "it’s all the appeal of the iconic Stanley cup made easy for travelers."

RELATED: Stanley vs. Yeti: Which Tumbler Is Better?

The Yeti Rambler Tumbler is an easy-to-hold and durable tumbler (no dents in drop testing) that comes in various sizes and colorways to match your style and beverage preference.

On the brand's website you can even customize your tumbler by engraving your own uploaded design, monogram or more onto the back or front of your tumbler. (I engraved one for my mom for Mother's Day!) We've tested various capacities of this tumbler, but we're especially fond of the 20-ounce version which is great for transporting your morning coffee, a smoothie or even just for keeping water at your desk.

The Yeti MagSlider lid makes it easy to open and close the drinking spout and to remove the closure for easy cleaning. Better yet? All pieces are dishwasher-safe. Keep in mind that if you accidentally drop this tumbler, the MagSlider may fall off (it did in a drop test) and spill your beverage, so be careful when transporting.

The Competition: Other tumblers we tested

While these tumblers might not be for everyone, we think they're also solid options for certain needs and preferences:

•Looking for a ceramic-lined option? W&P Porter Insulated Tumbler features a comfortable non-slip silicone sleeve that prevented the tumbler from denting during drop testing, but it didn't have the best temperature retention.

•A compact ceramic-lined option? Fellow Carter Cold Travel Mug comes in a variety of neutral colorways and has rather good insulation, but it's a little small compared to most of the ones I tested.

•A small tumbler with a fold down straw? Pelican Hydration Pelican Traveler is a small 22-ounce option with a fold down straw and a leak-proof seal that was a little hard to clean.

•An option with a stainless steel straw? Corkcicle Cold Cup Insulated Tumbler was rather durable in testing and comes in a variety of fun colorways. A couple of consumer testers thought the straw was hard to drink out of.

•Interested in a hot and cold option? Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler can hold either hot or cold beverages and is compatible with a straw lid or a closeable lid, which is nice, but I found during testing that it came off a little too easily.

How we test tumblers

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we evaluate each piece of drinkware for leakage, temperature retention, durability and more.

We've tested thousands of pieces of drinkware over the last couple of decades. In our latest round, I tested over 40 tumblers, including 17 Stanley cup dupes side-by-side to evaluate performance and ease of use.

To determine each model's durability, we use our drop-tester machine ( pictured ) to drop each cup at a height of three feet — twice with the cup standing upright and once with it on its side.

To assess temperature retention, every tumbler is filled to maximum capacity with water. We then remove a specific amount of water from each tumbler, replacing it with a calculated amount of ice.

The internal water temperature of each tumbler is documented eight times over 30 hours to determine which dupes retain temperature best.

To test leakage, we fill each tumbler with the same amount of water and food dye. We knock over each tumbler and let it sit on its side for 30 seconds, then we check to see if any water seeps through its straw or lid.

To evaluate ease of use, we consider how each tumbler opens and closes. Using either a dishwasher or dish soap and a brush, we test how easy it is to clean each model.

In addition to Lab tests, we send tumblers to consumer testers to get their opinions on how they fare in real life. When it came to tumblers, we had over 60 consumer testers provide valuable testing insight.

What to look for when buying a tumbler

✔️ Hot versus cold: While some tumblers can hold hot and cold beverages, some are specifically designed for one temperature of beverage over the other. Models with straws tend to only be for cold beverages, while tumblers with small spouts are ideal for slowly sipping hot coffee or tea.

✔️ Size: Tumblers range in capacity from a small 8-ounce for drinking a double shot of espresso to a large 42-ounce for staying hydrated. After you've determined what you would like to hold in your tumbler, think about how much of that liquid you'll want to drink and use that as a guide for selecting the right size for you. ✔️ Materials: If you want your cold beverage to stay chilled and your hot beverage to remain hot, select a tumbler with an insulated material. Insulated tumblers are usually made from double or triple walled stainless steel. All picks on this list are made out of this and some have a plastic lid. ✔️ Ease of drinking: Tumblers usually offer one of two drinking methods. Those designed for cold drinks boast straws, while those for hot beverages have small spouts for sipping. Some tumblers also have two types of lids so you can switch it up based on your beverage. ✔️ Handle: About half of the tumblers we've tested have a handle. Handles make for easier carrying by hand, but might not allow you to carry your tumbler in a backpack pocket or car cupholder, depending on the tumbler. Think about how you will be transporting or not transporting your tumbler before determining which model is right for you. ✔️ Leak-resistance: Do you want to throw your tumbler into your backpack or simply put it into your car cup holder? This determines how important leak resistance if for your lifestyle. There are some leak resistant picks on this list that ensure peace of mind, but if that's not as important to you there are other good picks as well that may leak if dropped accidentally. ✔️ Cleanability: All tumblers should be cleaned regularly to eliminate bacteria and prevent mold growth. If a tumbler must be hand-washed, use a bottle brush to thoroughly clean the interior with soap and warm water. If a tumbler has a straw, we recommend that you hand-wash it for a thorough clean, even if the tumbler states that it is dishwasher-safe. If you're not a fan of using a bottle brush to clean a tumbler, ensure that it’s dishwasher-safe before purchasing. The dishwasher's tough environment can deform the seal on tumblers that aren't dishwasher-safe and ruin the exterior over time, so always check if a tumbler is dishwasher-safe.

Which tumbler keeps ice longest?

In general, we found insulated water bottles to keep ice longer than some insulated tumblers that don't have airtight lids . We determined through testing that the larger the water capacity of the tumbler, like a Stanley cup dupe, the better the ice retention. Our best overall pick from Camelbak had excellent temperature retention, holding ice longer than other picks on this list.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Eva Bleyer has tested all kinds of kitchen gear for GH, including gas ranges , microwaves , kitchen scales , blenders and more. She holds a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University, where she studied sustainability practices. She's also a trained cook. Eva has tested over 40 different tumblers in the last couple of months, including 17 Stanley cup dupes . She has also tested numerous water bottles and insulated water bottles for the Kitchen Appliances Lab.

Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.

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• Coffee & Tea

The Best Coffee Mugs (That Can Actually Make Coffee Taste Better)

These mugs will elevate your daily cup with style and comfort.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Serious Eats / Alli Waataja

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Coffee Mug

The best updated classic mugs, the best design-forward coffee mugs.

• The Best Coffee Cups & Saucers

The Best Handleless Coffee Mugs

The best travel coffee mugs.

• Why We're the Experts

Coffee mug preferences are very personal. Style, sentimental value, and routine all play a part in selecting a favorite. At the same time, coffee is a complex sensory experience: There are more than 800 identified flavor and aroma compounds in brewed coffee, and the vessel we drink from can have an impact on how these are conveyed. The thinness of the lip, material, size, and shape can all affect our sensory perception of coffee, but we also want a mug that is comfortable to hold and looks stylish—one that makes every cup of coffee stand out.  

“Fresh-roasted, well-brewed coffee requires so many steps to go right, and the final piece is the vessel you’re enjoying it in. If you haven’t thoughtfully chosen your mug, it can turn something that is thoughtfully prepared into a sub-par experience,” says Xavier Alexander, owner of the Chicago café and roastery Metric Coffee .

This means it might be time to ditch your old, oversized mug. Giant mugs keep coffee too hot due to their large thermal mass when full, but as soon as the volume drops below the halfway mark, the coffee cools off too quickly and becomes sour ( coffee tastes best around 130ºF when your palate can detect more subtlety and sweetness). We spoke to roasters, baristas, and other coffee experts to build a list of the best, reasonably-sized (6- to 14-ounce) coffee mugs that will improve the flavor of your coffee while remaining stylish, comfortable, and easy to drink from. 

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Here's what, we think, can impact the sensory experience and comfort of a coffee mug:

• Lip thickness:  A thin lip is easier to drink from without dribbling, and it allows you to delicately sip the same way  a wine glass  does to take in more of the aroma of your brew.
• Opening width:  A wider opening will allow your nose to take in more aroma, but also for the coffee to lose heat faster. Narrower cups create more thermal mass but might block your nose. “Aroma, and the psychology around it, is very important to me when drinking coffee,” says Sarah Nguyen, founder of the specialty Vietnamese coffee company Nguyen Coffee Supply , “so I don’t use one with a small diameter where I couldn’t adchieve the aroma’s effect.”
• Size:  Our sensory receptors detect more nuance in coffee from 120-140ºF, and smaller mugs help coffee cool to drinking temperature quicker while allowing you to finish your mug before it becomes cold and sour. “I like to see how the coffee changes as it changes temperature,” says Chrisena Ricci, lead production specialist in Buffalo, New York’s Tipico Coffee Roasters . For this reason, she chooses mugs at the larger end of the size range we’re suggesting. To avoid the off flavors that come with cold coffee, she only fills her mug halfway and then goes for a couple of refills.
• Base/wall thickness:  Adding mass to the walls or the mug's base will increase thermal insulation, which can help keep coffee hotter even as the volume drops.   That’s not always an advantage, though. Some prefer the elegance of a thinner wall. Alexander likes short pours of coffee. “Because I drink less, I’m not looking for thick-walled insulation. I want to drink my coffee at a safe temperature,” he says.
• Material:  Ceramic and porcelain are better heat conductors and add insulation while glass helps coffee cool quickly; good for people who are eager to sip. Stainless steel and silicone are durable materials for travel mugs , which might come with ceramic inserts to avoid off flavors.
• Texture: When you’re dealing with a hot liquid and going for maximum enjoyment, the feel of the cup on your lips is important. “I don’t like the rough ceramic that feels sandy or brushed. I don’t want to put that in my mouth,” says Kim Westerman, owner of the terroir-driven roastery Hedonic Coffee . She prefers glass or a more refined ceramic, such as porcelain. “They’re smooth, silky, and create no friction between you and your coffee.”

Serious Eats / Will Dickey

• Handle:  Round handles can rotate and slip but handles with a flat top give your thumb a better leverage point and are more comfortable to hold. Size and position matter as well for stability. “For good support, you should be able to fit two fingers in,” says Nyugen, “and make sure the handle is not too close to the base. A handle that’s balanced on the side or higher to the rim allows more control when holding it.”   
• Handleless options:  Sometimes a handleless cup can feel more natural to pick up than those with a handle, and they tend to be more stylish and sleek. For this style, insulation or thick walls prevent you from burning your hand.
• Cup & saucer:  A well-designed saucer allows your thumb to pinch the lip, making it easy to carry your coffee from room to room (and catching any spills if you stumble). It’s also a good look for company. “It’s not my everyday go-to,” Nyugen says, “but it’s very sweet for an occasion when you’re trying to create an experience.” 
• Double-duty:  Though some of the mugs below were originally intended for espresso drinks , we included them because they're also favorites of coffee pros for brewed coffee. These multi-talented options include the  Fellow 11oz Monty Double Wall Ceramic Cup and  notNeutral 6oz Vero Glass .

A Mug with True Grip

Created co. angle drip.

Created Co.

“I like a square handle because it gives me better control,” Ricci says. Also Alexander’s pick for the mug with the best handle, this update on the traditional diner version lets you wrap three fingers around it, resting them on the flat inner edge so you can navigate through sipping without wobbles or slippage.

An Updated Diner Mug

Notneutral lino 10-ounce coffee mug.

Seattle Coffee Gear

Working with baristas at Intelligentsia Coffee, notNeutral designed their Lino series with specialty coffee in mind. With a flat handle for your thumb to rest on, a thick base that keeps coffee hot, and a thin lip that’s easy to sip from, it’s a stylish update to the classic diner mug—and it comes in a variety of colors. You may also notice that your favorite local coffee shop has its own version of the Lino mug—notNeutral produces custom designs wholesale, so keep your eye out for fun patterns and colors.

A Coffee Mug with a Modern Vintage Touch

Manual 11oz amber glass mug.

These straight-sided mugs from Manual are easy to drink from, and their exaggerated handles add modern flair to their vintage amber glass design. Glass allows coffee to cool more quickly than ceramic, so these mugs are perfect for impatient sippers with a sense of style.

A Heated Mug for Slow Drinkers

Ember temperature control smart mug.

The Ember mug has a built-in heater that keeps coffee hot for 80 minutes and allows you to set the temperature between 120 and 145ºF. Keeping the coffee warm prevents organic acids from breaking down into bitter and sour flavors that you normally find in room-temperature brews. While we preferred the travel option in our tests of  temperature-control mugs , we also like the handled mug version for drinking at home.

A Lidded Ceramic Coffee Mug

Hasami 13.5oz natural mug with saucer.

Blue Bottle Coffee

We’re fans of the striking angles of Hasami cups, but we particularly like this lidded option. It’s slightly larger than we would normally recommend, but with an included stackable ceramic coaster/lid this mug can keep your coffee temperature regulated before you need a refill. It’s made from a combination of porcelain and clay, however, so it does have a rougher texture that could be off-putting to some.

A Lightly Tapered Coffee Mug

Kinto 9oz fog mug.

Mugs that taper towards the lip can help hold temperature, though they’re usually harder to drink from. This mug from Kinto features a flared lip but keeps all of the heat retention of a squat base without the downsides. We like the squared-off handle, which allows two fingers to nestle nicely with a solid thumb rest.

A Design-World Classic Coffee Mug

Marimekko 7oz oiva/siirtolapuutarha coffee cup.

Finnish design firm marimekko is known for its eye-catching patterns and colors. Its 7-ounce coffee mug is a great size and shape for sipping your coffee at the ideal temperature. Like most options on this list, it has a flat handle and a thin lip, but it also comes in an array of classic marimekko designs (including  colorful and  monochrome flowers ).

A Stylish, Squat Coffee Mug

Haand 10oz short mug.

Wide-mouth mugs are perfect for taking in the full aroma of coffee as you sip. Since half of coffee’s sensory experience is in its aromatics, these shorter, wider mugs help you take it all in. Haand offers this design in a variety of colors and patterns, too, allowing you to build a set or just pick out a single mug.

A Cute, Colorful Coffee Mug

Felt+fat 8oz cappuccino cup.

Though it’s called a cappuccino cup, this option is great for drip coffee . The smaller, squat mug has a wide opening and straight sides, making it easy to sip your coffee at the perfect temp. We like the confetti colorway, but it comes in a handful of attractive solid colors, too.

A Stackable Classic Coffee Mug

Heath 8oz stack mug.

Heath Ceramics

Heath has been making ceramics for Bay Area coffee roasters for decades, and this smaller, stackable mug is great for people with limited cabinet space. We love the flattened handle for an easy thumb rest, and the stoneware body offers great heat retention.

A Mid-Century Mug

Kinto cast amber.

Alexander’s favorite glass is small, lightweight, and translucent, offering an elegant sip. The thin glass lip feels smooth in the mouth, and the handle, though thin, is flat-topped with sturdy corners for a sure grip. Plus, he says, “The amber color makes the hues of the coffee that much more beautiful.”

Serious Eats / Jesse Raub

An Everyday Mug That’s Fun to Look at

Ank studios copper bloom mug.

ANK Ceramics

For “daily drip drinking,” Westerman grabs this tie-dyed, hand-fired mug. “It’s visually pleasing with a good medium weight and thickness.” Though the low, round handle is “probably an aesthetic choice,” she likes its size and girth; it’s not too wide that holding it is awkward, and it feels balanced in hand.   

The Best Coffee Cups & Saucers 

A coffee mug that’s also perfect for a latte or cappuccino, notneutral lino 3-ounce espresso gift set.

Westerman declares this mug “beautifully designed.” Sturdy without being heavy, it features an “ergonomic and functional” handle that’s rounded at the side to hug the curve of your fingers and flat on top for maximum support. “It’s good for any hand size,” she says, “which matters because I have small ones.” It also features a shape designed to hold steaming milk or a fluffy head of foam if you’re going for a specialty coffee.

A Traditional Italian Coffee Cup

D’ancap 6.1oz verona cappuccino cup and saucer.

Prima Coffee Equipment

Designed for a cappuccino, the d’Ancap 6-ounce cup and saucer is a favorite among coffee pros for drip coffee as well. It features high-quality porcelain with a thicker base that tapers to the lip, offering superior heat retention without sacrificing sippability. Its small capacity makes it easy to drink your coffee at the perfect temperature, and the wide mouth lets you take in the full aroma.

A French Porcelain Set

Pilivuyt coupe porcelain cup & saucer.

Williams Sonoma

A larger cup-and-saucer combo, this high-quality porcelain set from Pilivuyt is elegant and sturdy. Porcelain holds temperature better than regular ceramic, but it’s also non-porous and easier to keep clean of coffee stains. Pilivuyt has been making porcelain since 1818, and these cups are considered commercial-grade.

A Handless Art-Piece Coffee Mug

Wilcoxson brooklyn ceramics 8oz small cup leaf.

Wilcoxson Brooklyn Ceramics

With its soft curves and folded walls, this piece from Wilcoxson Brooklyn Ceramics creates a shape that fits nicely in your hand. Its thin walls help coffee cool to drinking temperature while letting the heat warm your hands. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns and serves as a beautiful art piece as much as it does a coffee vessel.

A Sleek, Double-Walled Tumbler

Fellow 11oz monty double wall ceramic cup.

The Monty ceramics line from Fellow has a double-walled design for better heat retention while keeping the outside cool to the touch. This is a great option for people who like drinking coffee from handleless tumblers but don’t want to grab a hot cup. The insides are slightly sloped to assist in latte art pouring, so this mug is well-suited for espresso drinks.

A Set of Stackable Tasting Glasses

Notneutral vero cortado glass.

Clive Coffee

The Vero line from notNeutral has a thick, glass base and a thin lip, keeping it eminently sippable and heat-proof enough to handle. It’s a great vessel for coffee tasting, too. If you’re looking to brew up an expensive, limited-edition coffee to share with a friend, a set of Vero glasses lets you sip small volumes lightly without feeling like you’re holding an empty cup.

Serious Eats / Nick Simpson

A Pair of Mugs Made for Light and Dark Roasts

Kruve eq glass set.

This double-walled duo is scientifically designed to enhance coffee’s flavor and aroma. The squat interior of the Excite mug softens acidity in darker roasts, while the narrower insides of the Inspire mug focus acidity in fruitier coffees. Westerman likes their look and feel. “They’re really smooth in the hand, very symmetrical, proportional, and balanced,” she says, “and the coffee follows through to a long finish because of the focused shape.”

A Tea Cup for Pour-Over Coffee

Ling baobao 200 ml gaiwan.

The Gaiwan is a Chinese lidded cup-and-saucer designed for loose-leaf tea, but Alexander uses it as a stylish vessel for pour-overs . “When I brew on a Chemex, the temperature drops 15 to 20 degrees automatically on pour, so the coffee is ready to drink,” he says. The brew has cooled enough to allow him to grip the thin-walled cup. “I really like the delicate nature of it. Similar to the perfect wine glass, it feels almost as if it has no weight.”

A Spill-Proof Travel Mug

Fellow carter move mug.

Some of the most popular travel mugs are monster-sized, but coffee drinkers looking for flavor rather than just a big caffeine boost will appreciate the reasonable size of this mug in addition to its durability. Stainless steel with a ceramic coating inside ensures proper flavor. The Carter's lid seals up tightly. “I put it in my backpack, and it doesn’t matter how I turn it,” says Westerman. “I could leave it upside down, and that thing will never leak.” Ricci marvels, “One of my bosses drove over hers, and it still worked.” We named the Carter Move Mug as one of the top picks in our travel mugs review .

Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

A Collapsible, Eco-Friendly To-Go Cup

Stojo 12 oz cup.

A silicone cup with a heat sleeve and tabbed lid, this lightweight, travel-ready mug collapses to save room in your bag before and after use. Ricci is a fan of its sustainability; rather than using a disposable cup, she can tote this around and present it to the barista when she stops at a café. Silicone can impart flavor over time, so she suggests scrubbing it with a paste made of equal parts baking soda and water before washing it with soap and water.

An Insulated Travel Mug

Miir camp cup.

This camp mug-inspired cup from Miir checks the right boxes: a thin lip for sipping, a thumb rest on the handle, and the added bonus of vacuum insulation. Its lid lets you take it on the go, and its sturdy handle can be clipped to a backpack for hiking and camping.

What mug shape keeps coffee the hottest?

While a coffee mug with a heavy base that tapers upwards to the lip might keep your coffee slightly hotter, mug temperature is more of a measure of thermal mass. Larger mugs, around 16 ounces or more, will have a large thermal mass when they’re full and keep coffee hotter the longest—as long as they stay full. As soon as you start to sip coffee, the thermal mass drops significantly and the coffee will cool down quicker. Smaller mugs, between six and 10 ounces, will keep coffee warm until you finish your last sip and go for a refill. 

Is glass or ceramic better for coffee? 

Materials that are non-porous, like porcelain or glass, are the best vessels to drink coffee from because they don’t impart any flavor and don’t retain coffee oils. Smooth-glazed ceramics are also great options, but natural glazes and rough surfaces can impart flavor to  brewed coffee . Plus, it’s harder to clean coffee oils from their surface. 

Why are diner mugs so thick? 

Diner mugs are designed with thick, ceramic walls so they’re sturdy and won’t break in busy kitchens and dish pits. They also retain heat better. The thick walls can hold higher temperatures than thin ceramics, but they are also harder to drink from, heavy, and awkward to hold.

How do you keep coffee mugs clean? 

To keep ceramic and glass mugs nice and clean so that coffee tastes fresh, Ricci soaks them in a solution of baking soda and vinegar and then washes them out with soap and very hot water. It's the same chemical reaction needed to get baked goods to rise properly, so it's food-safe. She’s also a fan of Cafiza , a cleanser used in coffee shops to eat away the coffee proteins and oils that build up on equipment. You can buy it in easy-to-use tablet form.

Why We're the Experts

• Jesse Raub was the commerce writer for Serious Eats. He worked in the specialty coffee industry for more than 15 years.
• Betsy Andrews is a freelance writer at Serious Eats.
• She is a James Beard- and IACP-nominated food and drink journalist who was previously the executive editor of Saveur magazine and a dining critic for The New York Times.
• For this article, Betsy interviewed coffee experts about the essential qualities of coffee mugs.

More Serious Eats Recipes

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

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The 8 Best Moscow Mule Mugs of 2024

We found the copper to keep things cool

The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below

When it comes to classic cocktails, the Moscow Mule is among the most iconic, perhaps because it’s so simple, calling for just vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice. But for the most authentic experience, you’re missing the most important ingredient: the signature copper mug.

Why does the traditional mug matter so much? The copper material takes on the temperature of the drink, keeping your libation ice-cold—even on the hottest of summer days. Some say the copper also intensifies the fizziness of the spicy ginger beer, creating aromatic fragrances and flavorful sips. A standard copper Moscow Mule mug is made entirely of copper with a round bowl and handle to keep your hand from freezing. If that’s not your style, there are many contemporary and quirky options available.

We've researched the best Moscow Mule mugs available, and chose our favorites. Read on to find yours!

• What to Look for

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Best overall, advanced mixology moscow mule copper mugs.

Crafted by hand

Includes straws, coasters, and shot glasses

Requires care

Will tarnish over time

One of the most authentic Moscow Mule mugs available is Advanced Mixology's Moscow Mule Copper Mugs Set, which includes everything you need to craft excellent cocktails: four hammered mugs, a matching hammered copper shot glass for measuring, four copper straws that double as stir sticks, and four wooden coasters.

The mugs hold a generous 16 ounces—more than enough room for a double Moscow Mule if you so please—and each is crafted from 100 percent food-grade copper that's heated, tempered, formed, hammered, and polished by hand, and then finished with a tarnish-resistant coating on both the inside and outside. Hand wash the mugs to protect the finish. In general, copper cups like these will begin to tarnish over time. That said, it’s easy to buff them up at home with a little bit of metal polish.

Capacity: 16 ounces | Material: 100 percent copper | Glasses Included: 4

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Cocktail kingdom engraved moscow mule mug.

Top quality

Bartender-approved

Unusual design

Looking for something fun? Barware giant Cocktail Kingdom riffs off the traditional Moscow Mule design for a cheeky, nostalgic-leaning mug. The bucking donkey logo is actually a reproduction of the first official Moscow Mule mug crafted in 1946.

Aesthetics aside, this mug is heavy-duty. It’s made with 100 percent copper and coated with a food-safe finish that prolongs the life of the mug and prevents direct copper contact, meaning it won't patina, tarnish, or fade after many washes. The mugs are hand-wash only and hold 12 ounces of liquor each. Trust Cocktail Kingdom to make an excellent copper mug. The barware producer is known as the go-to for high-quality bar tools for bartenders everywhere.

Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: 100 percent copper | Glasses Included: 1

“The great thing about a Moscow Mule is how easy it is to make and enjoy. It's just three ingredients—vodka, lime, ginger beer." — Harry Jamison , General Manager of a.kitchen+bar

Best Solid Copper

B. weiss moscow mule copper mugs.

No polishing required

Elegant gift box

Not as high-quality as other options

Every one of these beautiful copper mugs is carefully crafted by hand. The set includes four hand-hammered copper mugs, four straws that double as stir sticks, a shot glass, and a spoon with a spiral-twisted handle for stirring. The generously sized handles are welded to the body for extra sturdiness. All of this is packed up in an elegant gift box, too, so you can rest assured it looks nice when you send it to your favorite home bartender . 

The mugs hold 16 ounces each. The thin rolled lip is a nice touch, as well, as it gives the mug an elevated look and is easy to sip from when you’re not drinking from a straw. The mugs have a durable coating, so you won’t have to worry about corrosion or having to polish them after every use.

Capacity: 16 ounce | Material: 100 percent copper | Glasses Included: 4

“The most important ingredient in a Moscow Mule is ginger beer,” says Jamison. “You want to get something that has a good kick of gingery spice to it (we use Fever-Tree at our bar).”

Sertodo Copper Copper Moscow Mule Mug

Handmade by artisans in Texas and Mexico

Trendy shape

Made from recycled sources

Requires upkeep

When it comes to quality, Sertodo’s copper Moscow Mule mugs are as top-notch as you get. Each Sertodo product is carefully made from recycled sources by a team of artisans led by founder Jonathan Beall in the brand’s Austin, Texas, workshop and Michoacán, Mexico. While the mugs undergo traditional copper welding and hammering, they have a modern appearance. Sertodo skips the usual rounded cup for a more angular, Southwestern take on a Moscow Mule cup. The handles are carefully welded on, making them incredibly durable, and the brand uses high-quality copper, so there's no need for chemical linings and lacquers.

Each mug holds a hearty 18 ounces of liquid. You can get them in singles or sets of two or four. They are on the pricier side but keep in mind the brand employs highly skilled Mexican artisans, so that money is going towards exceptional materials, hours of craftsmanship, and the employees' quality of life.

Capacity: 18 ounces | Material: 100 percent copper | Glasses Included: 1, 2, or 4

“The drink is a great template for experimentation because it will work well with pretty much any spirit,” says Jamison. “Audrey Saunders made a version with gin and mint, Jim Meehan made an amazing version of a Mule with mezcal and passionfruit.”

Decodyne Moscow Mule Shot Glasses

Great for hosting

Cute and functional

Copper-plated

While these won’t hold a full Moscow Mule, these petite shot glasses are excellent accompaniments to your next happy hour. Both cute and functional, they hold 2 ounces each. They're 100 percent copper-plated and have a durable, non-reactive stainless steel interior for durability. 

When they aren't in use, place them in the kitchen to hold small amounts of salt, sugar, or spices for your favorite recipes. They also make great measuring cups when you need exactly 2 ounces of something for cooking. You could even use them as a festive  jigger for measuring  out your actual Moscow Mules or for  serving fun shots —perhaps vodka with a lime salt rim or fresh ginger juice. Wipe with a damp cloth to clean.

Capacity: 2 ounces | Material: Copper plated | Glasses Included: 4

Best Personalized

Mark and graham monogrammed copper mug.

Mark & Graham

Versatile mug

Monogrammed

Not a traditional Moscow Mule mug

A personalized mug can make a wonderful gift for a hostess, friend, or family member. If you're giving these as a gift and want them to stand out, add a monogram engraved into the metal for a permanent embellishment—it’s a great touch for the new bride or the first-time homebuyer. Monogramming does cost extra, but you can choose from 16 different styles, which gives you plenty of options for personalization.

For this mug, Mark and Graham veers away from the rounded Moscow Mule mug shape, opting, instead, for a classic beer hall Stein. That means this mug will be excellent for not just drinking frozen cocktails but icy beers and Micheladas.

It's made from 100 percent copper and lined with tin, plus it features a generous handle. Since there’s no coating on the copper, the mug will develop a patina over time. However, you can polish it if you prefer a shiny appearance.

Capacity: 15.5 ounces | Material: Copper plated, tin | Glasses Included: 1 or 4

“My favorite Mule family member is the Peruvian classic, Chilcano: Peruvian Pisco, ginger, lime and soda. Personally, I think fresh ginger tastes better than ginger beer. With a fresh ginger syrup, you get a lot of extra spice, and it's delicious." — Ivy Mix , co-owner of Leyenda , and Author of Spirits of Latin America

Krown Kitchen Moscow Mule Copper Mugs

Finished with stainless steel

Purists may not like a non-copper mug

Purists swear by a 100 percent copper mug, but if you’re worried about upkeep, having a mug lined with stainless steel will help your drinkware hold up over time. The Krown Kitchen Moscow Mule Copper Mug Set has a hammered copper exterior, but the interior is non-reactive stainless steel, so it won't corrode or impart tinny flavors to your  favorite cocktails . This set includes four mugs and coasters, a stainless steel-lined shot glass, a recipe book, and a cleaning cloth.

The handles are welded onto the mug for added security, and the double-walled construction will keep drinks cool for several hours, which is a great bonus if you're going to be enjoying a drink or two outdoors during the summer months. No wonder these mugs are at every Happy Hour in the South.

Capacity: 16 ounces | Material: Stainless steel, copper | Glasses Included: 2

“I always make Mule cocktails with fresh ginger syrup rather than ginger beer because I love the bite and heat that fresh ginger brings,” says Lynette Marrero , cofounder of Speed Rack and bar director of Llama Inn and Llama San. “As for the mug, I think it came into fashion as a way to market the drink, but also copper does keep it cold. If you don’t have one, you can make it in a glass and enjoy."

Best Design

Kamojo moscow mule copper mugs.

Impressive design

Includes straws

Handmade by artisans in India

Not a traditional design

Metal is quite thin

If you’re looking to impress, Kamojo’s embossed mugs skip the traditional decorative hammered finish in favor of elegant embossments of flowers, leaves, filigrees, and flourishes. The shape of the mugs is different from the usual barrel-shaped versions, with a taller, slimmer shape.

Each of these details is carefully hammered by hand by an artisan in India. The mugs hold 16 ounces each, so they’re a perfect fit for any classic Moscow Mule recipes (or try a  spiked lemonade  or Bloody Mary) you find, while the generous, elegantly shaped handle is easy to hold. 

The copper is finished with a protective coating, helping reduce the oxidation copper is prone to over time (that means less time polishing, more time sipping). Two copper straws are included for sipping or stirring, and a free e-book with Moscow Mule recipes is included. These should be hand washed.

Capacity: 16 ounces | Material: 100 percent copper | Glasses Included: 2

Advanced Mixology's Mule Science Moscow Mule Copper Mugs not only look stunning, but each one also holds a generous 16 ounces of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Plus, the set comes with a shot glass, straws, and coasters. If you're giving the gift of drinkware to a cocktail enthusiast, the B. Weiss Copper Moscow Mule Mugs hold the same amount of liquid, won't corrode, and arrive in classy packaging.

What to Look for in a Moscow Mule Mug 

A great Moscow Mule mug is pricey, but that’s because of the copper construction. Over the last few centuries, drinkers have discovered that copper cups retain the chilly temperatures of an ice-cold beverage for far longer than a standard metal mug. Copper is particularly efficient at insulating, keeping your drinks cold all through hot summer days. While 100 percent copper mugs are the most high-quality options available, one lined with stainless steel will also be easy to clean. Some Moscow Mule cups even come with a cleaning cloth to make them shine like a new penny.

Many options out there are copper plated. While this will be easier to clean, they won’t have the benefits of a 100 percent copper mug.

If not finished properly, a copper mug can actually be dangerous. Copper parts can seep into your drink. Every option on this list is safe, but if you’re searching for a copper mug elsewhere, make sure the mug has a food-safe lacquer or finish. 

A Strong Handle

One of the reasons folks love a Moscow Mule mug is because they keep your drink absolutely frosty for over an hour. That also means it's very cold to hold, which is where the handle comes in. You’ll want to ensure the handle is large enough to fit your hand and welded on for extra stability.

How do you clean a copper mug?

As soon as happy hour is over, rinse the container and use a soft sponge and mild dish soap to scrub your copper mug. Rinse with hot water and dry the mug with a dish towel. Repeat with another dry kitchen towel—do not let the mug air dry.

Every few months, polish the mug with a metal cleaner to remove any tarnish. If you don’t have access to metal cleaner, try cutting a lemon in half and covering it with salt. Rub it on the tarnish, and any spots should come right out.

Why are Moscow Mule served in copper mugs?

There are a host of reasons Moscow Mule mugs are served in copper mugs. Some say copper intensifies the fizziness of ginger beer . More importantly, copper is one of the most conductive materials out there, meaning it takes on the chilled temperature of your drink. When you pour the ice in the Moscow Mule, it immediately chills down and keeps your drink frosted for far longer than a regular glass.

Kate Dingwall is a sommelier and spirits writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years and has her BarSmarts and WSET certification. After living in Savannah, Georgia, for five years, she knows her way around a Moscow Mule.

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• EatingWell in Real Life

This Adorable Mug Keeps My Coffee Hot and Cocktails Cold for Hours

It’s perfect for all of your adventures this summer.

Jaime Milan is the deputy digital editor for Veranda . She was previously the senior news and lifestyle editor for EatingWell . In Jaime's spare time, you can find her cooking, gardening, antiquing, rearranging her house, watching Barefoot Contessa reruns, or playing with her (very adorable) mini Australian Shepherd, Gumbo.

This is Obsessed: my weekly column devoted to sharing all the things I'm loving right now—from unique food and gift ideas to travel destinations and beauty products—plus some tips and tricks for living your best life.

I love it when I receive a gift and it's obvious that the person really thought of me before buying it. So when I recently received a birthday present from a sweet friend that made me feel this way (and has also been a great gift that I use every day), I knew I had to share it with you.

My friend bought me a Corkcicle mug that's light blue and covered in white hydrangeas (one of my favorite flowers!). Corkcicle teamed up with Rifle Paper Co. for the adorable and summery design, and it makes me happy every single time I look at it.

Rifle Paper Co. x Corkcicle Coffee Mug

Beyond just being cute, it's also really functional. This 16-ounce mug is triple-insulated to keep coffee or tea hot for up to three hours. I've discovered that it also keeps iced coffee and cocktails chilly for just as long, and it's the perfect vessel for bringing on all of your summer adventures since it has a lid that you can remove completely, or open or shut to sip from. Bonus: It's dishwasher-safe and very durable (read: you won't break it if you constantly knock over mugs like I do).

Corkcicle also makes a 16-ounce tumbler in the same design that would be perfect for commuting to work, since it can fit right in your car's cup holder. And if you want to skip straight to cocktails, there's a super-fun stemless wine tumbler that would be perfect for pool days or al fresco drinks.

Rifle Paper Co. x Corkcicle Tumbler

Rifle paper co. x corkcicle stemless tumbler.

Whichever design you pick, you really can't go wrong. And while these insulated cups make perfect gifts for friends or family, I definitely wouldn't blame you if you decided to stock up on a few for yourself.

Jaime Milan is EatingWell's digital editor for all things newsy and trending. She's always on the hunt for the latest and greatest things to share with EatingWell's readers. In her spare time, you can find her experimenting in the kitchen, tackling home projects with her husband or taking pics of her very photogenic American Eskimo Dog, Grits. Follow her on Instagram at @jaimemmilan .

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