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10 Best Travel Coffee Mugs (Take Your Java With You)

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Scott

October 10, 2023

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There are so many great reasons to own a travel mug for your morning coffee, even if you don’t plan to go far with it. From simply keeping the beverage warm to stop it from spilling too easily, or just being more eco-friendly when you visit Starbucks, a travel mug can be a fine companion on those busy mornings.

There are so many options out there when it comes to travel mugs for your morning cup of joe that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. To help you out, I’ve trawled through hundreds of options to bring you my top ten choices.

These range from the best option for durability to the most insulated, best leakproof, and many more. Have a read through and if you like the looks of any of the available options, click on the ‘Price and Reviews’ button to check current prices.

Let’s not delay any further and jump right in to find out our top choice for the best travel coffee mug.

Top 5 Best Travel Coffee Mugs

• Top Choice – Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug
• Runner Up – Zojirushi Travel Mug
• Classic Mug Design Option – YETI Rambler
• Most Durable Option – Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug
• Best French Press Option – Bodum Travel Press

1. Top Choice – Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug

The top choice for your next coffee travel mug has to be Contigo. This company really knows a thing or two when it comes to practicality and they’ve really thought out every aspect of this travel mug’s design.

The lid is possibly one of the best designs out there. It is leak proof so you can carry this mug in your backpack but it’s also spill proof as the lid seals when you’re not sipping from it. This makes it a clean and tidy option and you don’t have to unscrew the lid to drink from it. By pressing a button, this opens the sipping portion so you can drink as you type, talk on the phone as you only need one hand to use it.

Thermalock vacuum insulation keeps your coffee hot for up to 5 hours or cold for up to 12 hours. You can buy this thermos with or without a handle and the drinking spout can be used on either side of the cup so left and right-handed folk can all use this mug.

It fits in most car cup holders, it’s top-rack dishwasher safe, and BPA free. It’s perfect for hot coffee on the go or even as a water bottle for cold drinks.

This mug is really well designed, pleasant to use, and comes in a huge variety of size and color options to suit every individual. That’s why it’s taken the top spot as the best travel coffee mug.

2. Runner Up – Zojirushi Travel Mug

Our runner-up is this attractive and durable hydro flask by Zojirushi. Made of stainless steel it’s easy to clean and very hygienic. The slick steel finish is really eye-catching and you can choose between eight different color finishes to best suit you.

It works well as an insulated mug and can manage around 5 hours of heat retention for hot drinks and up to 12 hours of cooling for cold beverages. It’s a compact design and leak-proof os perfect to fit in your backpack on a hike or for the busy commuter.

The lid flips up when you press the push-button to allow sipping and easily clicks back into place. Another great feature is that the stopper part of the lid can be removed for thorough cleaning. It’s not as one-handed as the Contigo design but it does function just as well for cold and hot beverages. The wide top can accommodate ice cubes well so ideal for iced coffee.

The main points with this coffee cup are that it’s a slick and clean design and has excellent temperature retention thanks to the double-wall vacuum and is the perfect choice to accompany you on your morning commute.

3. Classic Mug Design Option – YETI Rambler

If you love the wide-mouth design and feel of holding a real mug of coffee then this classic design Yeti Rambler is for you. It’s not as insulative as the thermos flask design but it will keep your coffee hot for a good two hours. The wide opening means that you can use this for more than your morning coffee. Oatmeal, soup, chili, the options are endless. The only downside is that a wider opening means less heat will be retained.

It does come with the standard Yeti leakproof lid but it’s not secure enough to store this mug in a backpack. This mug is a great reusable coffee cup but isn’t designed for action. Best to enjoy your cup of coffee at home, at your work desk, or on a gentle stroll.

It’s a bit too big to fit in a car cup holder but is dishwasher safe so easy to clean. It has a nice big, wide-grip handle that is comfortable to hold and it comes in a huge array of color options which is a nice touch.

4. Most Durable Option – Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

If you’re looking for an extremely tough travel mug that can be knocked about in a backpack then the Stanley Classic is for you. This flask wins out for durability and the solid stainless steel vacuum insulated walls keep your drinks hot for up to a whopping nine hours and iced for an insane forty hours!

The lid is spill and leak-proof and you can open the drinking spout by using the push button. This makes this flask perfect for one-handed use. It’s designed to fit well into most cup-holders as well.

The lid comes off making it easy to get clean and the whole thing is dishwasher safe. The stainless steel interior is hygienic and all plastic is BPA-free. This flask is built to last you a lifetime and to prove this, Stanley offers a full lifetime warranty.

5. Best French Press Option – Bodum Travel Press

If you’re looking to combine your coffee maker with your travel mug then consider a French-press travel mug. Bodum, known for their fantastic French-press, has produced this model that performs extremely well.

You can get a stainless steel design or a BPA-free plastic double-walled but both are insulated so will keep your drinks hot for several hours. The silicone grip handle makes it comfortable to carry with you.

The lid is spillproof but doesn’t form a seal so isn’t leakproof. It has a built-in plunger to press away all the coffee grounds.

This press is very easy to use. All you need to do is add freshly ground coffee and then top up with hot water. Wait 4 minutes and then press the plunger. That’s it.

The biggest complaint with these mugs is that the press doesn’t go all the way down and that you can’t remove the lid. These features are fundamental to the design of a french press and can’t be avoided. It’s important to add any creamer and sweeteners before you press the plunger down.

Once you get the hang of this mug and the delicious fresh coffee it produces, you’ll never go back to a coffee shop again.

Travel Coffee Mug Buying Guide

Thermos Vs Tumbler

The first thing to consider when choosing a travel mug is whether you want to go for a classic thermos style or whether you’d prefer a mug/tumbler shape.

The tumbler option is a bit more familiar as it resembles a standard coffee cup and can be more comfortable to grip. They do come insulated but due to the wider opening of these coffee cups, they don’t retain heat as well as a thermos-type container would.

The thermos, hydro flask style travel coffee mug is a bit more heavy-duty. Due to the narrower inlet and sealed top, they hold in the heat better. These are a better option if you plan to leave your coffee for a while before you drink it. They are also better if you want to carry your coffee in a backpack.

Material

The main material types that make up a travel mug are steel, plastic, ceramic, and sometimes glass. Ceramic and glass give a beautiful clean taste to your coffee as they don’t absorb odors. The downside is that they don’t insulate the drink as well as vacuum-sealed options and they will break if knocked or dropped.

Plastic is sturdy and durable but make sure you ensure it’s BPA-free if it’s contacting the drink.

The best material for lining your thermos is stainless steel as it’s tough, hygienic, easy to clean, and doesn’t hold onto smells and flavors.

Lid

The lid design of your travel mug will influence how you use it. If you want to store it in a backpack then make sure it’s a leakproof, screw-on top. If you want to sip on the go a press-button spout or flip top works really well.

If you’re only using the mug around your home or work environment to keep your coffee warm then a standard splash-proof lid will do nicely.

Design

Consider whether you want a handle vs grip sleeve to hold your mug. The handle can make it easier to carry whilst out and about but may block the mug from being used in a car cup holder.

If you plan to use it on your commute, check the diameter of your mug to make sure it fits into the cupholder.

If you are going to use it with a coffee machine, make sure the mug isn’t too tall to fit under the outlet.

Finally, make sure the travel mug is a design or color that brings you joy as this small gesture can brighten up your day.

Care

Travel mugs vary in care instructions. Some are dishwasher safe whereas some options are hand wash only. Make sure you check the manufacturer’s care instructions to avoid a build-up of coffee oils and scum in your travel mug.

F.A.Q.s

What is the best coffee travel mug?

The Contigo Autoseal is the top choice on our list due to its design, practicality, and ability to keep coffee piping hot for hours. It’s leakproof and spillproof and you can even sip your coffee one-handed.

What is the best travel mug to keep coffee hot?

The S’well traveler has triple insulation and can keep coffee hot for up to 12 hours.

How long do travel mugs keep coffee hot?

The average time for a travel mug to keep your coffee warm is around 5 hours. Some options can manage 10-12 hours whereas some of the wider, smaller options only work for 1-2 hours.

Is there a coffee cup that keeps coffee hot?

All these coffee cups have a layer of insulation that prevents coffee from losing too much heat over time. The effectiveness of the individual design varies alongside the thermal insulative capabilities of the mugs.

Do ceramic travel mugs keep coffee hot?

No matter how well designed the ceramic mug is, it can’t beat a vacuum insulated thermos for keeping coffee warm. That being said, they can still keep your coffee warmer than a standard mug would if they have a double wall built in.

More Travel Mugs Reviewed

6. Best Travel Tumbler – Swig Life Triple Insulated Tumbler

There’s nothing more satisfying to grip than a tumbler and these insulated ones by Swig do a lot more than just feel nice. With an enormous forty-one different design options, you can be sure that you’ll recognize yours in a crowd.

These tumblers have a lovely soft silicone base that makes them slip, scratch, and noise-free. The slider lid allows you to sip your coffee in a spill-free manner or you can remove the lid and just use it as an insulated mug. It even has an opening that can fit a reusable straw.

Triple insulated walls keep your coffee hot for three hours or cold for up to 9 hours. These tumblers are easy to clean as they’re dishwasher safe and they are BPA-free.

Swig Life also has a range of larger tumblers if 14 ounces isn’t enough for you so check out their store on Amazon to find out more.

7. Best Insulation – S’well Traveler

If your goal with your next travel mug is to brew your coffee the night before and still have it hot when you wake up then you need some advanced insulation. This S’well traveler has triple insulation and a leak-proof lid to keep your coffee hot for up to 12 hours. It uses therma-swell technology to ensure good heat retention but also boasts being able to keep beverages cool for up to 26 hours. Perfect for long hikes or camping trips.

The wide-mouth design can accommodate ice cubes and this flask comes in a variety of sizes to suit your needs. There are loads of color and design options and the flask is anti-condensation so nice to hold onto.

This is a really attractive and functional flask but it does have a slight downside as it doesn’t fit into all car cup holders which can be a little frustrating. The screw lid also means you need two hands to get into it so not ideal for when you’re busy working or on the phone.

8. Best Ceramic Option – Ello Ogden Ceramic Travel Mug

To start with, ceramic travel mugs have plusses and minuses. The downsides are that they break if you drop them. Similar to a regular coffee mug, they can’t handle a beating. They also won’t keep your coffee hot as a thermal insulated flask will.

Now onto the positives. They don’t absorb flavors so give a lovely clean taste to your coffee. They feel nice to hold and are microwave safe. So although they only keep your drink warm for an hour or so, you can easily re-heat it at any point. It’s worth mentioning that this mug is insulated so performs better than a standard coffee mug.

The lid on this mug is a friction-fit slider that is splash-proof but not safe to tip over. The silicone boot is non-slip, comfortable to hold, and acts as a coaster.

This mug is dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

9. Best Stainless Steel Option – Klean Kanteen Insulated Tumbler

Klean Kanteen is well known for its extremely durable and functional stainless steel water bottles. This stainless steel travel tumbler is no exception. With an updated, Klean coat exterior this mug won’t scratch or chip and is formulated for human and environmental health.

The different mug sizes have a role to play in their heat retention capacities with the smallest managing 2 hours and the larger, 20-ounce option keeping your coffee hot for around 6 hours. It can manage this thanks to the climate lock insulation and splash-proof lid.

Made with food-grade stainless steel and backed by the Klean Kanteen Strong as Steel guarantee these products are super durable and hygienic as well as odor and corrosion-resistant.

The seven color options are nature-inspired with a glossy or matte finish to suit whichever style you match best.

10. Best Leak Proof Option – OXO BREW Thermal Travel Mug

There’s nothing more frustrating than a thermos that leaks everywhere and this is an issue that Oxo has addressed. The lid screws in place firmly and seals to avoid leaking. It has a sipping spout insert that doesn’t compromise the leakproof nature of this lid. All these components come apart for thorough cleaning.

The double-wall insulation will keep your coffee hot for up to 10 hours and the non-slip ring provides a comfortable grip. The lid is square-shaped which makes it easy to unscrew and also stops the bottle from rolling away.

This mug is designed to be tossed into any bag and won’t let you down. Alongside this, Oxo promises to commit 1% of all sales annually to non-profit environmental causes so you can sip your coffee and feel good about your choices as you do so.

Final Thoughts

There are so many great options out there when it comes to a coffee travel mug it can be difficult to know where to start. I hope this review has been helpful in narrowing down some of the competition and helping you to zone in on which model may be the best for you.

In the end, a good travel mug has to strike the right balance between aesthetics and functionality. It not only has to keep your coffee safe and warm but it also acts as an accessory day-to-day. Make sure you choose an option that best suits you and you’ll find yourself looking forward to the morning routine or commute for work.

Happy Brewing!

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