The 5 Best Travel Mugs Reviewed and Tested
A trusty and best travel mug are a must-have for those who are always on the go. You may save time and money, and reduce paper and plastic waste by not stopping for a drink, whether it’s coffee, iced tea, or water.
Following are some of our top picks, all of which have been examined by our team of knowledgeable food writers and product reviewers.
Over days, they put the mugs through several tests—carrying them around in a bag, determining if they fit in automobile cupholders, evaluating their ability to maintain temperature—and then considered each one’s size, design, insulation, and overall worth.
Here are the top travel mugs for a quick sip while traveling, hiking, or vacationing.
Best Overall Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug | Runner-Up Stanley Classic Travel Mug | Best With Straw Bubba Vacuum Insulated Mug | Best High Tech Ember High Tech Travel Mug | Best Handled Thermos King Travel Mug | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 24 oz | 20 oz | 24 oz | 12 oz | 16 oz |
| Leakproof | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Easy to drink from | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Quality of material | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Durability | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.3 |
| Easy to clean | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 3.8 |
| Weight | 0.37 Pounds | 1.3 Pounds | 0.82 Pounds | 2.4 Pounds | 0.5 Pounds |
| Material | Stainless Steel | Aluminum | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Stays hot | Up to 5 H | Up to 7-9 H | Up to 7 H | N/A | Up to 7 H |
| Stays Cold | Up to 12 H | Up to 10-12 H | Up to 10-12 H | N/A | Up to 14-15 H |
Contigo Autoseal West Loop Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug
Look no further for a sturdy, leak-proof travel mug that will keep your coffee hot for up to seven hours. The Contigo mug is our top choice for various reasons, the first of which is the “Autoseal” cover.
Unlike other travel mugs with sliding lids that can leak, the Contigo lid features a push button that opens the vacuum seal when you’re ready to drink and seals it again when you let go of the control. Our reviewer could keep it in a bag all day without it leaking. Remember that the lid cannot be interchanged with your other travel mugs.
This vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug will keep liquids cold for up to 18 hours, depending on whether you choose the 12- or 20-ounce version. You can also select from seven colors to ensure that everyone in the family can keep their cup straight.
One of the few disadvantages is that the cup is tough to clean. “Be prepared for a bit of an inconvenience if you’re cleaning the Contigo by hand,” our product tester noted, “since it comes with precise washing instructions.” The lid is dishwasher safe. However, the bottle must be washed by hand.
What We Like Most
- Effective auto lock and anti-spill lid
- It can be locked and unlocked with one hand
- Keeps drinks hot/cold for hours
What We Don’t Like
- A little wide for smaller hands
- The plastic lid seems prone to breakage
Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug
Stanley is a century-old brand noted for its full mugs, thermoses, and other products. In fact, in 1913, the business patented all-steel vacuum flasks.
Today, the same cutting-edge technology is encapsulated in the sleek and simple form of the Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug. The item is available in three sizes—12, 16, and 20 ounces—and five different colors.
Confirmed that it lives up to the brand’s claims regarding temperature retention. Hot coffee kept warm and palatable for seven hours, cold coffee for ten hours without ice, and ice water stayed cool for more than 30 hours. Remember that temperature retention varies slightly depending on the mug size you purchase.
Our tester was delighted to discover that the trigger-action lid is leak-proof. Even after shaking it upside down over a sink, no water escaped.
It’s uncommon to find a mug with a lid as helpful as this one that is yet small enough to fit in a bag or backpack. It’s great for trekking, and because it works in cupholders, it’s also suitable for commuting.
Stanley’s lifetime guarantee applies to this item. According to the firm, the bottle can endure everything from a 4,000-foot drop to a -70-degree windchill. What’s the best part? This lifelong companion is reasonably priced, making it one of the best buys on the market.
What We Like Most
- Highly durable
- No leaks
- Great for commuters
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic parts feel breakable
- Hand wash only
- many pieces to clean
Bubba Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler
Do you prefer iced coffee? Then a travel mug with a straw might be more appealing to you. This model can keep your drink cool for up to 12 hours and fits most cup holders.
Depending on your preferences, you can use the removable plastic straw with or without the Tritan lid. Our tester discovered one design problem: there is no way to entirely close the top because the hole lacks a cover or flap.
Because the cup is composed of stainless steel, it repels stains and aromas, ensuring that your lemonade does not taste like yesterday’s coffee. The mug is guaranteed for life, so you know it will last.
Following the testing, our reviewer concluded, “If you’re looking for a robust travel mug that’s meant to carry both hot and cold liquids, the 24-ounce Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler is a decent alternative at a price you can afford.”
What We Like Most
- No sweating
- Lid seals tightly
- Fits in car cup holders
- Keeps drinks cold or hot
What We Don’t Like
- Can’t close the hole on the lid
- Hand wash only
Ember Travel Mug
The elegant Ember Travel Mug2 will keep your drink hot during your morning commute, much like many other travel mugs. Still, it distinguishes out by employing innovative technology and a high-tech design.
The Ember Travel Mug 2 is lighter and more streamlined than its predecessor, owing to the use of a touch-sensitive control screen instead of a manual dial.
The mug is “smart” since you can regulate and set its temperature via the panel or connect it to the Ember app via your smartphone. The software effectively functions as a temperature thermometer for the cup, alerting you when the desired temperature is attained.
According to our reviewer, this is a good feature because it prevents the chance of burning your mouth.
According to our tester, the lid is the best design component of the Ember Travel Mug2: It opens with a single push, is leak-proof, and allows you to sip from any side of the mug. In addition, the mug’s design is ergonomic.
It has a matte texture and is wider at the top than the bottom, making it easy to grip and handle.
What We Like Most
- Touchscreen display
- Battery lasts up to three hours
- 360-degree leak-proof lid
What We Don’t Like
- Extremely expensive
- Only 12-ounce capacity
Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug
Thanks to the vacuum insulation of most travel mugs, a handle is no longer necessary to keep your hand dry from condensation or to prevent it from getting burned. Still, if you prefer to drink from a handled mug, this version from Thermos is the right pick for you.
Available in five different colors, this 16-ounce mug will keep beverages hot for up to five hours or cold for up to nine hours, thanks to the double-wall stainless steel construction.
The lid has a “DrinkLock” seal, which opens when you press the lever to the left or right. Our product tester called the cover “pure genius,” saying there were no spills and that her morning coffee stayed hot for longer. The one drawback (if you even consider it one) is that this mug must be hand-washed.
Tea drinkers will also want to consider this mug since it has a built-in tea hook that accommodates most tea infusers and makes it easy to remove them from the mouth. It comes with a five-year limited warranty in case there is an issue.
What We Like Most
- Keeps drinks hot/cold for hours
- Comfortable to hold
- Lid seals tightly
What We Don’t Like
- The lid is hard to clean
- Doesn’t fit in all car cup holders
What is a vacuum-insulated mug?
When looking for travel mugs, the term “vacuum-insulated” appears everywhere. It’s also frequently used in conjunction with the word “double-walled.”
Both labels indicate that a travel mug is constructed of an inner wall and an outer wall, two distinct layers and that the air between the layers has been partially suctioned out, creating a vacuum. Because they are less exposed to outside air, drinks can maintain their temperature for extended periods thanks to this design.
How do I clean my travel mug?
Check the product specifications or user manual to see if the item is dishwasher-safe before cleaning. Glass and plastic travel cups frequently offer this benefit, but stainless steel travel mugs do not.
Don’t worry if your mug can’t go in the dishwasher. Cleaning is still relatively simple. Dish soap, a sponge, or a soft brush are all needed for a quick daily clean.
On stainless steel mugs, stay away from steel wool brushes and abrasive household cleansers. Allow a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to sit inside the mug for a few minutes for a more thorough cleaning. Rinse and clean with dish soap before using.
Can I make my travel mug retain heat longer?
Pre-heating or pre-cooling your travel mug before use is a simple but effective technique to get the most out of your products.
The material will be primed for enhanced temperature retention if you wait a few extra minutes to let hot or cold water rest in your mug. While your coffee is brewing, you can pour hot water from the faucet or even boil it to add more heat.
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