which zojirushi travel mug is best

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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

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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.

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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.

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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• Coffee & Tea

I Tested 15 Travel Mugs to Find the Best Ones for Coffee and Tea

My top picks from Zojirushi, Fellow, and Kinto are hot, hot, hot.

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

Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

The Winners, at a Glance

What we learned, the criteria: what to look for in a travel mug, our favorite travel mugs, the competition.

• Why We're the Experts

Straight to the Point

Our favorite travel mug is from Zojirushi . It keeps coffee and hot beverages warm for a remarkably long time and has a locking flip lid. For coffee and tea enthusiasts, the Fellow Carter Move Mug has a thinner-edged lip that offers a better drinking experience. 

After working at a coffee shop right out of college, I stopped drinking caffeine. It was the inevitable result of having way too much of it (post-college, I did not understand moderation) and coming home with my hair, skin, and clothes smelling of it chronically. But years later, after getting married to a coffee enthusiast (some would say snob), I came back to my love of coffee.

Though I now work from home and can savor my coffee slowly out of a mug, my husband often needs to bring his second cup of coffee on the go. Coupled with the extensive camping and road-tripping we do, travel mugs of all sorts have started to accumulate in our kitchen cabinets.

This is all to say: A review of travel mugs is right up my alley. I set out to test 15 of them to see which ones retained heat and cold best, were comfortable and easy to use, didn’t leak, and offered the best drinking experience. 

The Best Overall Travel Mug

Zojirushi sm-sc48hm stainless steel vacuum insulated mug.

This travel mug is deceptively lightweight, yet still holds 16 fluid ounces of coffee or tea. It retains heat for a remarkably long time (longer than any other mug I tested). The lid not only opens up with a simple click of a button but also locks shut with a side switch, so you don’t have to worry about it accidentally opening. 

The Best Travel Mug for Coffee and Tea Enthusiasts

Fellow carter move mug.

Courtesy of Fellow

The Fellow Carter Move Mug is designed with coffee enthusiasts in mind. Its heat and cold retention was second only to the Zojirushi and the inner chamber of the mug is ceramic-lined for a neutral flavor. The thin lip of the mug made drinking coffee out of it a pleasure.

Another Good Travel Mug

Kinto day off tumbler.

The Kinto Day Off Tumber is another excellent option for coffee and tea lovers. The top has a looped handle that makes it easy to carry around and the inner lid has a built-in splash guard. It also retains heat and cold for an exceptionally long time.

Note: If a temperature-controlled travel mug is what you're interested in (where you can set and hold the temperature for a prolonged period of time), then the Ember is the one to get. We tested temperature control mugs separately .

• Heat Retention Test One (without Lid): I filled each travel mug with 212°F boiling water, then left the lid off. I inserted a ChefAlarm 's probe (our favorite probe thermometer ) and set the alarm to 140°F to see how long it took for the temperature to drop. 
• Heat Retention Test Two (with Lid): I filled each travel mug with 212°F boiling water, and then placed the lid on. I took temperature readings each hour to see how long it took for it to drop to 140°F.
• Cold Retention with Lid: I filled each travel mug with 36°F cold water, and then put the lid back on. I placed the mugs in an oven with the light on, monitoring the temperature of the oven to keep it within 80 to 85°F, to simulate a warm day. I took temperature readings each hour to see how long it took for the water to reach 60°F.
• Leak Test: I filled each travel mug with water and placed the lid back on. I vigorously shook the travel mug upside down to see how much it would leak.
• Drinking Test: I filled each mug with 12 ounces of freshly brewed coffee , carrying it around the apartment and outside on walks and drinking from it to see how the user experience was.
• Cleaning Test: After each test, I thoroughly cleaned the mugs and lids.

Screw Tops Didn’t Leak Like Pop Tops

The travel mugs I tested had two types of lids. One style screwed onto the mug’s body and the other popped on and had a rubber gasket that held the lid in place. The latter were easier to put on, as all you needed to do was push the lid onto the body. However, these mugs all leaked...some worse than others. 

Conversely, most of the screw-on lids I tested did not leak much, if at all as long as they were put on properly. The bottom line: Get a travel mug with a screw-on lid and double-check that the lid is properly aligned and seated to avoid leakage.

Drink Buttons Were Annoying

Some lids, like the Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel and Stanley Classic Trigger , require pressing a button to drink from the mug. In theory, this seems like a great idea, as it only requires one hand and could prevent leakage. However, continually pressing a button for extended periods causes hand fatigue, especially if you have mobility or strength issues. This was especially noticeable with the Stanley mug, which had a stronger spring that required more pressure and strength to press.

Lid Design and Drinking Experience

Some lids (like the Camelbak , Yeti Rambler Tumbler , and Yeti Rambler Mug ) featured thick plastic lids with drink holes set slightly back from the edge. Drinking from them felt bulky and cumbersome. Other lids, like the Simple Modern Kona Collection , had a latch right near the opening, hitting my bottom lip as I sipped. My favorite travel mugs had thinner lid edges (like the Zojirushi and Fellow ) or rounder-edged lids (like the Kinto ), which felt more natural and pleasant to drink from. Both the Fellow and the Kinto also allowed you to drink from the mug in any direction.

Heat and Cold Retention

The travel mugs that had the best heat retention also, unsurprisingly, kept liquids cold longer as well. The Zojirushi blew every other mug away on both accounts, taking over 14 hours to drop from 212°F to 140°F and nearly 20 hours for 38°F water to warm up to 60°F. The second-best mug in these tests, the Fellow , took a respectable 10 hours to drop from 212°F to 140°F and 6 hours to go from 38°F to 60°F. The Kinto mug also took 10 hours to drop down to 140°F and 13 hours to get to 60°F. With these three mugs, you could carry around your coffee or tea and it'll stay hot or cold nearly all day.

On the flip side, some of the worse performing mugs, like the Hydro Flask and Corkcicle , dropped temperature alarmingly fast, from 212°F boiling to 140°F in just three hours and 38°F to 60°F in about eight hours. Most folks drink their coffee and tea within a few hours of brewing it, but if you prefer your coffee piping hot or you have a long commute, it’s nice to have a mug that'll go the distance.

Look for a travel mug that has a double-walled, vacuum-sealed body for the best heat and cold retention. Select a travel mug that has a screw-on lid. Pop-on lids are more convenient but leaked. Pick a travel mug that has a rounded or thinner lip for the most pleasant drinking experience.

And, finally, get a travel mug that's suitable for your lifestyle. If you are constantly on the road, look for a mug that's lightweight, easily opens up with just one hand, and fits in your car's cup holder. If you're a long-distance commuter on public transit, find a mug that retains heat exceptionally well and can be safely tossed into a bag.

What we liked : The Zojirushi retained heat and cold for a remarkably long time, longer than any mug I tested. The 212°F boiling water took a little over 14 hours to cool down to 140°F, while cold 36°F water took over 20 hours to warm up to 60°F. The flip-top was easy to use, with a simple button that popped it open. There’s a secondary latch that locks the lid, too.

The mug has a thin plastic lip and the lid comes apart into two pieces, which makes it easier to clean. The inside features a nonstick coating, preventing stains. Best of all, this slim travel mug is incredibly lightweight.

What we didn’t like: The heat retention of the mug is one of its best features. But it also means freshly brewed coffee takes a while to cool down to a drinkable temperature. If you plan on drinking the coffee from the travel mug immediately, make sure to let the coffee cool before pouring it in. Otherwise, you might scald your tongue with each sip. 

Also, the opening of this travel mug is narrower than other models. This made it more challenging to clean. (You’ll want a bottle brush for the task.) 

• Material: Stainless steel with nonstick coating and BPA-free plastic
• Dimensions: 2.625 inches diameter; 8.5 inches tall
• Dishwasher-safe: No
• Stated capacity: 16 fluid ounces
• Fits in a car’s cup holder: Yes
• Weight: 7 ounces

What we liked : The Fellow Carter Move Mug is great if you prioritize the coffee or tea-drinking experience. The interior chamber of the travel mug is ceramic lined, to help prevent any metallic taste that a cheaper stainless steel model might impart to your coffee or tea. The thin metal edge of the mug feels great on your lips and allows you to drink in whatever direction you pick the mug up from.

The mug features a removable “splash guard” insert that looks a bit like a sink drain. This prevents hot liquid from splashing outwards. The double-walled, vacuum-sealed body retained heat, taking over 10 hours to drop from 212°F to 140°F and 16 hours to rise from 36°F to 60°F.

What we didn’t like: The mug's lid requires you to unscrew it and you need two hands to do so. This also means you have a lid that you need to carry (or put down) when you're drinking. That said, Fellow does sell an optional slide lid (which I did not test).

• Material: Stainless steel with ceramic interior coating
• Dimensions: 3 inches diameter; 7.25 inches tall
• Weight: 12.5 ounces

What we liked : The Kinto is a well-constructed, lightweight mug that retained heat and cold for fairly long, taking nearly 10 hours to cool 212°F boiling water down to 140°F and 13 hours for 36°F water to warm up to 60°F. The mug itself features a two-part top, one that screws onto the body and acts as a splash shield, and one that's a sealing lid with a looped handle.

The first splash shield offers a tapered lip and allows you to drink from all sides of the mug. Like the Fellow, this makes it a pleasure to drink from. The handle on top of the sealing lid is nice for carrying, too. 

What we didn’t like: Because the Kinto mug has two parts to the lid that screws onto the body, there is twice the chance of user error where you can misalign the threads and not properly screw on the lid. Like the Fellow, the Kinto lid screws on, which means it requires two hands to remove it. Unlike the Fellow, though, the lid does have a handle, so it's easier to wrap your fingers around it and hold on to it, allowing you to drink with one hand.

• Material: 18-8 Stainless steel powder coated, with polypropylene and silicone
• Dimensions: 2.75 inches diameter; 9 inches tall
• Stated capacity: 16.9 fluid ounces
• Weight: 10.5 ounces
• Contigo Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug : Contigo makes reasonably priced travel mugs and this one does a good job retaining heat and cold. But the shape of the lid and its small opening meant coffee pooled on top of the lid between sips, which caused dribbling and spilling.
• Hydro Flask All-Around Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid : The Hydro Flask travel mug lost heat the quickest of all the mugs I tested, and the pop-on lid leaked.
• Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Tumbler : This Yeti Rambler had a pop-on lid that leaked and didn’t retain heat or cold very well.
• MiiR Flip Traveler: This solidly constructed, lightweight mug was easy to use and retained heat and cold better than most of the mugs I tested. Unfortunately, it leaked a bit, no matter how much I tightened or screwed on the lid.
• Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug: Unlike the Yeti tumbler we tested, this Yeti mug had a screw-on lid that didn’t leak. It also retained heat and cold for a respectable amount of time. But the thick plastic lid made drinking out of the mug less pleasant than our winners.
• Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug : This Contigo mug did a decent job with retaining heat and cold, but having to hold down a button to drink was tedious.
• Simple Modern Travel Coffee Mug : This mug lost heat and cold relatively quickly.
• Corkcicle Commuter Cup : Unfortunately, this mug lost heat extremely quickly (in just over three hours).
• W&P Porter Insulated Tumbler : I loved the feel of this tumbler and its colorful design. But the insulated tumbler lost heat relatively quickly and leaked terribly when turned upside down.
• CamelBak Horizon Tumbler : The Camelbak tumbler did a poor job of retaining heat and cold. It also had a snap-on lid that leaked.
• Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug : The rugged and durable mug felt like what your grandfather probably drank from as he backcountry hiked his way across the Rocky Mountains. It’s built to last a lifetime (and is backed with a lifetime warranty as well). And it did a good job retaining heat and cold. But it's slightly annoying to drink from since you have to push a button to sip. And when you did, the coffee flowed out very slowly.
• Simple Modern Insulated Thermo s: This travel mug did a great job retaining heat and cold. But the small lid had a flip-top with a locking latch that protruded fairly high, bumping into my bottom lip.

How do you clean coffee or tea stains off of a stainless steel travel mug?

Sprinkle some baking soda (about one to two teaspoons) into the mug and add water to form a paste. Gently scrub with a damp cloth, soft sponge, or bottle brush. The mildly abrasive baking soda should remove the stains.

How do you maximize the heat and cold retention of a travel mug?

For hot beverages, warm up the inside of the travel mug by pouring hot water (it can from the tap) into the mug, letting it sit for a couple of minutes, and empty the mug. Then, add your coffee or hot beverage. For cold drinks, cool the inside by pouring in water and adding a few ice cubes, swirling the cubes around, then drain it and add the cold beverage.

What size travel mug is best?

For most folks, a 12- or 16-ounce travel mug is sufficient. If you're a hardcore coffee drinker or you travel a longer distance for work, a larger 20-ounce mug might be a better fit.

How do you clean a travel mug lid?

If your travel mug's lid disassembles, take it apart. Then soak the lid in warm, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and thoroughly rinse.

What is the best travel mug?

After testing, the Zojirushi travel mug came out on top, with a convenient flip-top and excellent insulation. But if you prioritize the coffee-drinking experience, the Fellow Carter Move Mug and Kinto Day-Off Tumbler are also excellent.

What travel mug won't leak?

All of our favorite travel mugs (from Zojirushi, Fellow, and Kinto) are leak-proof. The Zojirushi features a flip-cap that locks, while the other two have screw-on lids that prevent accidental spills.

Why We're the Experts

• Irvin Lin is a cookbook author, recipe developer, food writer, photographer, and ceramicist.
• He wrote the cookbook Marbled, Swirled, and Layered , which was picked by the New York Times as one of the best baking cookbooks of 2016.
• He runs a blog called Eat the Love , where he’s developed, photographed, and written recipes since 2010. Eat the Love was nominated twice for best food blog by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 2016 and 2022.
• He has served as a judge for the 2021 IACP Cookbook Awards and served on the executive committee for the 2022 IACP Cookbook Awards. He currently serves on the 2024 Book Awards Committee for the James Beard Foundation.
• He’s tested and reviewed hundreds of kitchen items including stand mixers and indoor herb gardens .
• For this review, Irvin tested 15 travel mugs, evaluating their insulation, usability, and more to find the best ones.

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Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug Review: The Best Insulated Travel Coffee Mug

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In my wider tested review of travel coffee mugs , I found the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug to be the best insulated mug on the market today. Ahead, learn more about the features that made it stand above the rest.

When it comes to travel coffee mugs, aesthetics (and practicality) are subjective. Some prioritize compatibility with their car’s cupholders, while others seek spill-free options for their backpacks. For many, all-day insulation is paramount, while others simply aim to maintain their coffee’s temperature until reaching their destination. Regardless of preference, almost everyone would prefer a sleek and stylish take-anywhere travel coffee mug that matches their lifestyle. After rigorously testing 14 different travel mugs and tumblers over a span of 10 days, the Zojirushi Stainless Mug emerged as the standout for its exceptional insulation properties and overall quality.

The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug emerged as the standout for its exceptional insulation properties ... [+] and overall quality.

Zojirushi’s travel mug lived up to the company’s reputation for high-quality appliances. It did not spill, slosh or leak a single drop of coffee into my bag and was lightweight and easy to drink from. But most impressively, it kept coffee hot (and iced coffee chilled) for many hours—far longer than I personally even needed it to. Several of the other travel coffee mugs I tested were well insulated, including the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug and Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler . But overall, the Zojirushi topped the list for impressive insulation.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 20 ounces | Insulated: Yes | Dimensions: 2.9 x 3.1 x 9.3 inches | Weight: 10 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: No

• Keeping your beverages piping hot or refreshingly icy cold for extended periods
• Easy access with one hand for opening and drinking
• You prefer a travel mug with a traditional design 

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How to choose a mattress, based on your sleep style and budget, zojirushi stainless steel mug features, first-rate insulation.

While reviewing travel coffee mugs, insulation (the ability to keep drinks piping hot or frosty cold) was one of the most important features I assessed. Of course, unless you’re going hiking or camping, most folks don’t usually need to maintain their coffee’s temperature for a whole day—or even half a day. But it’s nice to know that the coffee you pour into your mug in the morning will be just as comfortingly hot when you get to the office—and Zojirushi’s travel mug lives up to that promise.

The stainless steel mug is double-walled and vacuum-insulated, which slows down the transfer of heat or cold to keep the contents inside at a consistent temperature. In my testing, I poured coffee made with almost boiling water (207 degrees Fahrenheit) into the mug in the morning, then tested it with a digital thermometer six hours later. During that time, the coffee dropped a mere 37 degrees—far less than most of the other models I tried. Even after 12 hours, the coffee was still above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is generally considered the upper end of the ideal coffee-drinking temperature range. Similarly, the Zojirushi mug kept iced coffee at a chilly 47 degrees for eight hours, giving it one of the best cold-retention scores of any model I tried. While most of the travel mugs I tested claimed to be well insulated, the Zojirushi truly delivered.

Absolutely, Positively Leak-Proof

There’s little worse on a day-to-day basis than opening your backpack or purse to discover your travel mug has leaked coffee inside. That’s why I was thrilled to find that the Zojirushi travel mug is completely leak-free. Its screw-top lid securely fastens into the base, creating an airtight seal that keeps the contents in place, even when shaken, jostled or held upside down. Additionally, the lid features a slider lock to prevent accidental openings. To truly put it to the test, I took the mug on an airplane flight and was delighted to find my backpack dry when we landed. While I wasn’t completely enamored with the Zojirushi’s tapered shape or flip-top lid, both of which felt more like drinking from a water bottle than a travel coffee mug, I’m willing to overlook this minor issue for the sake of enjoying hot or icy coffee for hours with no leaks.

Spacious But Lightweight

I tested Zojirushi’s 20-ounce travel mug, which proved more than capable of holding ample coffee, tea or water to satisfy my thirst and caffeine needs. (The mug also comes in a larger 24-ounce size, though I did not personally try it.) While many of the mugs I tested felt somewhat heavy in my hand, the Zojirushi’s ultralight stainless steel construction, weighing just 10 ounces, felt featherlight and effortless to hold, even when filled with coffee. Additionally, I appreciated the ability to hold and operate the travel mug with one hand, simply pressing a button to flip up the lid when ready to drink. When I’m rushing around multitasking (which is all too often), I value a travel mug that makes my coffee consumption absolutely seamless.

My Expertise

I have been a professional food writer for more than 15 years, and a dedicated coffee lover for even longer than that. My writing and recipes have appeared in publications including Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, the Washington Post and Food52, and I am also the author of seven cookbooks. When not writing specifically about food, I regularly review and test a wide array of kitchen appliances—like hand mixers , ice cream makers and loaf pans –for Forbes Vetted. To make sure I did not miss anything during my research, I reached out to two coffee industry experts: Stephanie Dana, from the Brooklyn-based roastery Parlor Coffee , and Namisha Parthasarathy, co-founder of the coffee subscription service Aramse , provided their valuable knowledge and perspective.

How Does The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug Compare?

Unsurprisingly, to anyone who already knows and loves Zojirushi’s kitchen appliances (like their exceptional rice cookers , for example), this stainless steel mug performed very favorably when compared to the other travel coffee mugs I tried. Like the MiiR Flip Traveler , it was lightweight and easy to hold (but easier than the MiiR to operate the lid). Similar to my overall favorite mug, the Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Coffee Tumbler , it kept liquid safely inside the bottle and was splash-resistant, even when I was drinking from it. But on the insulation front, it bested all of the other travel coffee mugs at keeping drinks hot and cold for the longest. Several of the travel coffee mugs I tried out were unpleasantly wide or had a finish that felt slippery and insecure in my hand. But the Zojirushi mug was slim and easy to hold.

How I Tested The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

I put 14 different travel coffee mugs and tumblers to the test over the course of 10 days in search of the very best, and I was happily surprised to see how strong and diverse the category is. There are travel mugs for your morning brew, ones designed specifically for iced coffee and even travel mugs that let you take an afternoon cappuccino on the road with you. But while there isn’t a single set of criteria that applies to every travel coffee mug, I kept the following things in mind while determining the best.

The most important criteria, to me, were how each travel coffee mug or tumbler felt in my hand, and how pleasant they were to drink from. This criterion is subjective, of course, and will be different for everyone. But I looked for coffee mugs that were slim and as simple to hold with one hand as with two. I also noted whether the mugs felt slippery or secure. On the drinking front, I gave top marks to the coffee mugs with spouts or tops that provided smooth, splash-free streams of liquid or, in the case of iced coffee tumblers, that had sturdy, easy flowing straws.

Insulation was also an important factor in my testing process, though not every travel mug that made my best-of list even promised great insulation. In the case of the glass KeepCup Brew Cork Reusable Coffee Cup , the focus was less on insulation and more on providing a stylish, functional and sustainable alternative to a disposable paper cup. But for the mugs and tumblers that did promise insulation, I filled them with nearly boiling hot coffee (and iced cold brew, in the case of my cold insulation tests) and tested the liquid’s temperature several times throughout the day with a digital thermometer.

Ease of cleaning was a third primary category for my testing. The majority of the travel mugs and tumblers on the market today are made from stainless steel (sometimes coated with ceramic) or glass rather than plastic, which means they all do a pretty good job of washing clean with soap and water. But to test them, I poured in coffee and let them sit for many hours before attempting to wash them—either by hand or, when applicable, in the dishwasher. After cleaning, I gave the mugs and tumblers a little sniff to see if any lingering stale coffee aroma was left behind.

Should I Buy A Travel Coffee Mug?

Despite being a product tester and reviewer for Forbes Vetted, you will not often find me telling someone they should definitely buy any particular product. So much depends on a person’s individual lifestyle, cooking style or daily habits. But I feel fairly comfortable recommending that most people should own at least one travel coffee mug, if not two. Whether you are a daily coffee consumer or you have a fondness for herbal tea, a good travel mug lets you integrate your beverage of choice into your on-the-go life. There are mugs, like the Zojirushi Stainless Mug , that keep drinks hot and cold for many hours. There are travel mugs, like the Yeti Rambler Stackable Cup , that safely and stylishly cradle a cappuccino or other espresso drink. And there are tumblers, like the Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler , that have a straw, making them the perfect vessel for iced tea and other frosty drinks. Whatever your coffee consumption style, there is likely a travel mug right for you.

What Is The Ideal Temperature For Hot Coffee?

Every person has their own preferences when it comes to coffee. My husband, for example, will only drink his coffee hot to the point of scalding. I, on the other hand, am perfectly fine with a warm cup of coffee and often prefer to drink it iced. According to a study conducted with volunteers by the University of Texas at Tyler, the temperature sweet spot for hot coffee drinking is 136 degrees Fahrenheit, though the ideal range goes from approximately 120 to 140 degrees. Many travel coffee mugs are insulated to help keep the hot coffee inside hot for an extended period of time, but not all insulated cups work as well as others. To keep your coffee piping hot, look for a travel coffee mug like the Zojirushi Stainless Mug that has superior double-walled, vacuum insulation.

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• Best overall
• Best with a carry loop
• Best flip-top travel mug
• Best spill-proof
• Best large-capacity

What to look for

• Temperature retention

How we tested

The best travel mugs, tested and reviewed.

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We can't decide what's worse for a morning commute: coffee going cold or going all over your clothes. Any mug with a lid that you can carry from place to place is technically a travel mug, but the best travel mugs keep your iced or hot beverage to temperature, won't leak all over your bag, and are easy to keep clean.

We put a dozen of the best travel mugs to the test, evaluating each for how well it retained temperature, how easy it was to clean, and most importantly, how nice it was to drink from. After more than eight months of testing, the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug stood out as the clear winner, keeping drinks to temperature for hours longer than any other mugs we tested. Our other favorites include a large capacity Yeti Rambler that holds 26 ounces of coffee, tea, or anything else you need to travel with in bulk.

Our top picks for travel mugs

Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug - See at Amazon The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug keeps both hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.

Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid - See at REI The Hydro Flask Coffee is comfortable to drink from and easy to tote around on your next adventure thanks to its strong rubber carry loop.

Best flip-top: Miir Travel Tumbler - See at Amazon Pair an easy-clean lid with 5 hours of hot and cold temperature retention and you get the solid performance of the Miir Travel Mug.

Best spill-proof: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug - See at Amazon The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug opens with the press of a button and automatically seals itself shut so you won't have to worry about whether you remembered to close it.

Best large-capacity:  Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap - See at Amazon If a single cup of coffee simply won't cut it, the Yeti Rambler 26-oz. Bottle has more than enough room to keep you fueled up, and the HotShot Cap makes it go down easy.

Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug

Pros: Best temperature retention by far, lid is easy to clean, leak-proof locking lid, one-handed operation, five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation

Cons: Not dishwasher safe, won't fit large ice cubes, will rattle around in cupholders

It's rare that we at Insider Reviews come across a product that is so head and shoulders above the competition that it's without a doubt the best overall pick; there's almost always a shortcoming or a caveat. But the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug is, hands down, the best travel mug you can buy, and we've got the data to back it up.

According to our test, the Zojirushi kept coffee hot for five hours longer than the next-best mug and kept ice frozen for an hour and a half longer than second place. Les Shu, Insider Reviews senior guides editor who helped me with secondary testing, found that it kept liquids hotter far longer if you don't open the lid as often.

The lid flips open to reveal a sizeable drinking spout that regulates liquid well, whether you're pouring it into a cup or your mouth. When closed, a switch at the base of the lid locks it shut so you can confidently toss it in your bag.

The lid disassembles into two plastic pieces and two rubber gaskets, so you can get into all the nooks and crannies as you clean it. It's a skinny mug too, so you'll want to invest in a good bottle brush. Because it's so skinny, you may have trouble fitting large ice cubes into it. It may also rattle around in your car's cupholder. But we're being nitpicky here.

If you want the best travel mug to keep your coffee hot the longest and provide the best drinking experience, this is your pick. Zojirushi also offers a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation, so if your mug loses its ability to retain temperature, Zojirushi will replace it.

Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

Pros: Rubber carry loop, comfortable to drink from, lid disassembles easily, dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty

Cons: Retained coffee smell, rubber loop may not be durable enough for attaching to packs

As much as I love the Zojirushi mug, it can get annoying to carry it around if you're roaming around bag-free or just don't have anywhere to stow it. The Hydro Flask Coffee helps mitigate this problem with the addition of a sturdy rubber carry loop. While walking around with it, I primarily held onto the loop with one or two fingers.

The Hydro Flask also provided one of the nicest drinking experiences of all the mugs we tested. The lid mechanism is simple, the liquid flows well, and there's no large lid mechanism to get in the way while you're drinking. When closed, the lid reveals a red square so you can quickly see that your mug is sealed. The lid disassembles into three plastic pieces and one rubber gasket.

We did find that the stainless steel retained some coffee smell after repeated use, so you may want to dedicate this mug to one type of beverage.

While the lid system does a good job of keeping it sealed, it does require two hands to open. If you're jostled while the lid is open, you might encounter a small spill. This was a rare occurrence, but drivers and commuters may want to keep this in mind.

This was a tough call in our best travel mug with a carry loop  The Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide actually beat out the Hydro Flask in both temperature tests, albeit by small margins, and we like the metal carry loop for durability. But the Klean Kanteen lid is difficult to disassemble for proper cleaning, and the metal carry loop is uncomfortable if you're carrying it by hand. The Hydro Flask just offered a nicer drinking experience. 

Best flip-top: Miir Travel Tumbler

Pros: Simple lid is easy to clean, stays leak-proof even after repeated use

Cons: Too large for some cupholders, handwash only, won't keep ice frozen for very long

We disqualified more than one travel mug simply due to their exceedingly complicated lid mechanisms. A lid that's too hard to disassemble and clean will discourage you from washing it properly which can lead to mold growth. Flip-top lids are often one piece and the most simple, so mold has nowhere to hide.

The best flip-top travel mug we tried was the Miir Travel Tumbler. (We did love the S'well Commuter, but it's no longer available for purchase.) It was competitive in both our hot and cold temperature retention tests, despite the thinner construction that makes it easier to fit in cupholders. 

The flip-top was is slightly stiff and lies almost flush with the lid, so it's not the easiest to open. However, it preserves the benefit of the flip-top by being a breeze to clean.

Best spill-proof: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

Pros: Automatically seals when not in use, dishwasher-safe, lifetime warranty

Cons:  Hand may get in the way while drinking, middling temperature retention

Even the most leak-proof mug is going to spill if you knock it over while the lid is open. If you know you're prone to spills or simply have too many important papers on your desk at any given time, do yourself a favor and invest in a mug that's totally klutz-proof.

The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Mug automatically seals when not in use, helping to retain temperature as well as ensure all your coffee stays where it's supposed to. To drink, you simply press and hold down the button on the lid which depresses the stopper in the spout and lets liquid flow. Upon releasing the button, the stopper raises back up to seal the spout. 

The Stanley performed admirably in our temperature tests — firmly middle of the pack. The lid mechanism is a bit complicated, with buttons and springs, so you'll want to regularly disassemble it and get into the nooks and crannies with a brush to ensure it doesn't harbor mold, especially around the metal spring. It disassembles into two pieces with a simple twist.

The main disadvantage to this mug is also its main draw — you have to press the button to drink. The button is positioned on the back of the lid, so you may find your own hand gets in the way of drinking, especially if your hand is larger. The button is also why this is one of Les Shu's favorites, who has been using it nonstop since early 2019.

Best large-capacity: Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap

Yeti 26-oz. Rambler Bottle

Yeti hotshot cap.

Pros:  Offered in larger sizes than any other mug we tested, retains heat very well, dishwasher safe, very sturdy build

Cons: Retains cold poorly, HotShot lid sold separately, HotShot lid gives no visual indication that it's open, definitely won't fit in cupholders

The Yeti Rambler Bottle comes in smaller 12-oz. and 18-oz. offerings, but the unique 26-oz. model is what caught our eye for best travel mug testing. Most of the travel mugs we recommend come in multiple sizes, but they all max out at 20 ounces. If you're used to guzzling large amounts of your beverage of choice, and you can't be bothered with a refill, you'll want a travel mug to match your habits.

The Rambler Bottle comes with what Yeti calls its Chug Cap — think classic soda bottle top with a large-handled lid that twists all the way off. It's great for water, iced coffee, and other cold drinks, but if hot beverages are your main priority, you'll want to buy the HotShot Cap which is sold separately.

Senior Guides Editor Les Shu and I were split in our feelings on the HotShot. He appreciates the inner wall and the tight lock that keep spills at bay, while I was disappointed that it gave no visual indication that it was open or closed.

If by some chance, 26 ounces isn't enough coffee to get you going in the morning, Yeti also offers a huge 36-oz. Rambler Bottle .

Temperature retention: The most important factor in our tests is the key element of the best travel mug: does it keep your hot drink hot and your iced drink cold? The only way to know for sure if to test the mugs like we did, but you can also look for words like vacuum sealed and double-layer walls.

Lid type: All lids should be relatively spill-proof, but there are different style choices like those with carry-loops, flips tops, or screw tops. If you want to use your travel mug with one hand, choose a flip-top lid or one that opens with a button. Additionally, if you plan on using a carabiner to clip your bottle to a backpack, look for a carry loop.

Size: One consideration is how much coffee or tea you want to transport and how heavy a mug you're willing to carry. Those going through two or three cups of coffee each morning should go for a 16- or 24-ounce travel mug, but keep in mind that it's bound to be hefty. Additionally, car commuters will benefit from slimmer bottles that are more likely to fit in cupholders. 

Our temperature retention test results

In order to test the best travel mugs, we established several criteria we hoped each of our top picks would meet. Our initial testing period lasted one month, but we are still testing long-term durability in case issues arise. 

Temperature retention : To test heat retention, we filled each mug with water heated to 136 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for hot beverages according to a study by the University of Texas. We then tested the temperature hourly and noted change. Once the temperature dropped 25 degrees, we deemed the beverage too cold to drink and ended the test. To test cold retention, we filled each mug with 45-degree water straight from the refrigerator. We added three ice cubes and timed how long the ice remained frozen.

Leak test: We filled each travel mug with water and turned it upside down and shook it for a total of 30 seconds. We performed this test once at the beginning of our testing period and again at the end to ensure each mug stayed leak-proof even after repeated use.

Ease of use and cleaning : We wanted to test how easy each mug was to drink from while on the go. We noted how easy each mug was to operate with one hand. We also noted how well the liquid flowed out of each and whether or not they fit in standard car cupholders. We took into account how easy each mug was to clean. Many of these mugs have complex lids that can harbor mold if not properly sanitized. If lids were too complicated, difficult to disassemble or reassemble, or began to show signs of mold even after what we thought was a thorough cleaning, the mug lost major points.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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The Best Travel Mugs of 2024

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Zojirushi SM-KHE48

Excellent temperature retention

Easy to carry

Not dishwasher safe

BrüMate Era 40 oz.

Fantastic temperature retention

Spill-proof lid

Easy to clean

Can't use without straw

Contigo Handled Autoseal Travel Mug with Easy-Clean Lid

Includes a handle

Autoseal technology guards against leaks

None that we could find

Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug, 16 oz.

Vacuum insulation keeps drinks warm

Difficult to open its lid

Contigo Autoseal West Loop, 16 oz.

Long-lasting temperature retention

Nearly leak- and spill-proof

Lid difficult to clean

Updated March 29, 2024

Whether your beverage of choice is water, hot coffee, or an iced latte, most of us rely on some kind of rejuvenating beverage to get us through the day.

Portable and generally easy to clean, travel mugs and tumblers get bonus points if they can fit in your car's cup holder. We shopped around and bought popular travel mugs and tumblers from brands like Stanley, Contigo, Hydro Flask, Yeti, and old favorite, Thermos. We then tested and scored them keeping in mind things like spillage, heat retention, and ease of care.

However, there are many great travel mugs and tumblers in our guide—read on to find your fave!

When it comes to retaining temperature (which is the most essential function of a travel mug), the Zojirushi is an absolute beast.

Our top pick is such a well-insulated mug that if you leave coffee in it overnight, it’s still steamy the next morning! It performs just as admirably with cold beverages. In addition to its stellar temperature retention, it holds a respectable 16 ounces. The trim build also allows it to seamlessly slip into cup holders and bags.

The only drawback to the best travel coffee mug we’ve tested is that it can’t go in the dishwasher. Although it’s not dishwasher safe, the top can be disassembled, which makes cleanup a breeze.

It’s especially attractive thanks to a slim, streamlined shape and slick, steel finish, in colors such as champagne gold, lavender-pink, emerald, cherry, and smoky blue. For 24-hour heat retention, the Zojirushi is the best travel mug we tested.

The Era tumbler is unbeatable with its cold retention and spill proof design.

BrüMate’s Era is an exceptional answer to the trendy 40 oz. tumbler. With a balanced design and built-in straw, there’s a lot to love about the Era tumbler, but the lockable lid design is what sets it apart from the rest.

The top of the tumbler slides to lock and unlock. When unlocked, you can sip freely. When locked, it’s totally spill-proof, but you can’t sip from the straw. The inside of the tumbler is insulated stainless steel. and the straw comes in two parts, the bottom half is stainless steel and slides into the lid, while the lid itself has a silicone straw attached to the top.

Beyond its impressive spill-proof design, it also has incredible temperature retention. It keeps drinks very hot, so they stay steamy. Plus, ice cubes don’t melt after hours in the BrüMate Era.

BrüMate Era’s tumbler is superior to the popular Stanley tumbler because it offers better insulation, keeping drinks hot and cold for longer, and is reliably spill-proof, while the Stanley has quite a bit of leakage.

The biggest downside to the Era tumbler is that you can’t use the tumbler without the straw, which makes it difficult to use with hot liquids. The Era tumbler is available to pre-order now, so there will be some delay between when you purchase and when it arrives.

This leak-proof travel mug from Contigo has a convenient handle for easy carrying.

The Contigo Autoseal is the best travel mug with a handle. The handle’s design sits cleverly at the top of the mug near the lid, so it doesn’t interfere with placement in car beverage holders or bag pockets.

It also promises to keep hot beverages hot for 5 hours and cold beverages cold for 14 hours, although we find that it exceeds expectations in both cases. Hot beverage temperatures dropped only slightly after 6 hours, and cold drinks retained a chill overnight for about 16 hours. You can thank the addition of double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel for that, as well as patented Autoseal technology, that renders it virtually leak-proof and spill-proof.

You do have to hand wash the bottom half of the mug, but the top can be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher, and its inner mechanism can be loosened (but not detached) so you can get into those hard-to-clean crevices.

For piping hot coffee from 9-to-5, go with the Thermos travel mug.

After all these years, you still have to give it up to Thermos, the true OG of the travel mug market. This particular product has all of the practical functionality expected of the venerable brand, such as a durable stainless-steel build and an actual handle. Its vacuum insulation keeps coffee steamy through your entire 9-to-5; in fact, has the best heat retention of all the travel mugs and tumblers we tried, even beating out our Best Overall pick, the Zojirushi. It’s one of the best insulated tumblers we’ve ever seen.

While this stainless steel mug is well-constructed, it’s also heavy, and the handle is too bulky. While the locking lid is appreciably robust and keeps it leakproof, it’s a two-handed effort to flip it open.

This sleek and sexy mug won us over instantly by keeping our coffee super hot (150°F) from start to finish, although its “stay hot/cold” pledge is slightly less than that of the handled version.

Like all Autoseal models, it also stands firm against spills and leaks, with its impenetrability further underscored by a button lock lid (which, it bears mentioning, is tough to effectively clean).

But hey, it’s pretty! Not only does a gracefully curved shape make the Contigo especially attractive, but it also provides a comfy grip and allows it to easily fit into a cup holder or bag.

The Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler is your iced coffee's new best friend.

While we also love the 40-ounce Stanley tumbler for the days when you need to tote around a lot of liquid at once, we think the 16-ounce Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler is a better all-around choice for bringing with you on a walk around the neighborhood.

It lacks a handle like Stanley offers, a trade-off for being smaller and more lightweight, making it easier to manage. We also love that this insulated travel mug includes a hard straw, which has a notch underneath the lid that keeps it from sliding around when you take a sip.

It is spill-resistant, though not completely leakproof when turned on its side or upside down. The tumbler's sturdy design does a good job of staying upright and it also fits in most cup holders. It comes in six different colors and you can pay a little extra to personalize it with your name.

This Fellow tumbler isn't dishwasher safe, so you'll need to take the time to clean it by hand.

Keeps drinks ice cold

Spill-resistant

Fits in most cupholders

Hand wash only

Thermos does it again with this absolutely sleek model from its Guardian Collection. This travel mug doesn’t have a handle to break up its flow, but it is still comfortable to hold and easy to manipulate one-handed, with a slide-to-open lid.

We appreciate the 5-year warranty and love that it’s dishwasher safe. It also has great temperature retention, although the 5-hour hot, 14-hour cold promise is less than that of Thermos’ Stainless King (temperatures stayed relatively stable until those times, but dropped quickly after that).

Includes 5-year warranty

Dishwasher safe

Good temperature retention

Lacks a handle

The Stanley Quencher is ultra popular, and it totally lives up to the hype.

The Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler is the one everybody wants. And to be honest, there’s not much this Stanley tumbler can’t do. It's made from BPA-free stainless steel and features double-wall vacuum insulation that excels at keeping drinks at temperature all day long. In fact, in our tests, this was the only tumbler that kept ice cubes from melting after several hours—and our iced drinks got progressively colder over time.

Our hot drinks lost some heat after 30 minutes, but the liquids were still piping hot. The lid design on this large travel mug features a rotating cover with three options: one for a straw opening, one for a drink opening, and one to fully cover the opening. We like this design over the previous Stanley tumblers because it is less prone to leaking.

Like the Hydro Flask tumbler, the Stanley tumbler holds up to 40 ounces and can be heavy to transport when full. The design of the handle features an ergonomic comfort grip to help make carrying easier, but it’s still a beast.

The cup is larger on top and narrower on the bottom and we found that it fits into most car cup holders. The only problem is that the handle may get in the way of the second cupholder, depending on your layout.

In short, if your tweens (or you) are desperate for this trendy tumbler, its function is just as good as its form.

Large capacity

Fits in cup holders

Keeps drinks cold

Has comfort grip handle

Prone to leaking

The Atlin tumbler seems custom-designed for holding 30 ounces of cold beverages, though it also handles hot drinks quite well. Especially considering it comes with an accompanying stainless-steel straw.

(Double bonus: An adorable teeny steel cleaning brush, which makes washing up easy. It’s also dishwasher safe). And boy, does it keep those bevies icy. Iced coffees stay chilled even after sitting in a car cup holder for hours.

The top doesn’t lock, and a solid pound of steel isn’t ideal for toting uphill—or any distance, really, over flat terrain, so when it comes to actually traveling, we wouldn’t choose to use this one.

Holds 30 oz.

Comes with a stainless steel straw

Lid doesn't lock

Size is a little big for travel

Without question, the Acera is the most attractive travel tumbler we’ve tested. The hexagon design with gold bees and crystals is more like a work of art than a travel mug. This particular design comes in five colors and holds just over 12 ounces. However, we’ve got a few bones to pick.

The ceramic tumbler features double wall insulation. In our tests, we found that it performed better at keeping cold liquids chilled versus heated liquids hot. During our 30-minute heat retention test, with the lid on, the tumbler lost 40 degrees. While it was still hot enough to drink, this isn’t a tumbler you can count on for long term heat retention.

Additionally, when filled with a hot liquid, the outside of the mug becomes hot to the touch over the course of our tests, and we couldn’t pick it up for more than a few seconds at a time.

While everyone’s budgets are different, the cost for this travel tumbler is higher than most—and certainly any in our guide by a long shot. The MSRP is $188—enough to buy yourself a coffee maker, a bag of coffee, and our favorite travel mug. It comes nicely packaged in a mint green gift box, making for a nice gift if you want to spend it on a friend or loved one.

Finally, the tumbler is hand-wash only, making it more of a challenge to clean than others in our guide. It also is quite delicate, so it’s possible it could chip or break easily if dropped or bumped against another hard surface.

While this tumbler is absolutely gorgeous, it’s very hard to justify the high price point, especially given its performance with hot drinks and delicate design.

Attractive design

Good cold retention

More expensive than others

Hot to touch with heated drinks

A fun option for fancy pants commuters, the Bobble has a French press built right in. Simply place your preferred grounds in the bottom of the copper canister, insert a stainless-steel tumbler fitted with a micro-filter, pour in some hot water, and wait three minutes or so for those coffee grounds to steep. Top with the silicone lid, and you’re good to go.

But be wary of spillage, as that supposedly lockable top has a bit of a funky fit. And while you can technically leave out the filter interior and just use the outer canister for hot or cold drinks, the press is really more of a one-trick pony.

Built-in french press

Lid doesn't fit perfectly

Designed with backpackers and campers in mind, this cup is super lightweight at 3.5 ounces, while still holding an impressive 17 ounces of liquid.

The sealable lid fits snugly and latches tightly (which benefits its ability to retain temperature), and a ballistic cloth-covered cozy and tarpaulin handle makes it comfortable to hold while guarding the BPA-free, non-leaching polypropylene interior canister against crawling critters and dirt.

It even doubles as a measuring cup, which makes it ideal for measuring out the exact amount of water required to rehydrate a dehydrated backpacking meal. Downsides are that it’s a bit tricky to wash because of that fabric sleeve, which also runs a risk of slipping off—and leaving your cup lost for all time on a trail.

That insulation is also more for keeping your hands protected than the contents of the mug warm (or cold). So, don’t expect temps to stay stable during the length of a hike.

Tight sealing lid

Great temperature retention

Doubles as a measuring cup

Can be difficult to clean due to cloth sleeve

Copco’s Acadia is designed to look like a standard, paper coffee cup (albeit one made of reusable BPA-free plastic), which, depending on your aesthetic, can be cute (or not so much). A textured, non-slip sleeve is much more effective at shielding your hands than the cardboard ones.

The Copco is both microwave and dishwasher safe, which is more than you can say of your average bodega cup.

Yet despite boasting double-walled insulation, it’s not great at maintaining temperature—and hot coffee cools a bit within the hour. And though its quarter-turn lid sealing design (may) be enough to keep your computer safe—we wouldn’t trust it for a second in a backpack pocket, and most definitely not actually placed inside of a bag.

Microwave and dishwasher safe

Has a textured non-slip sleeve

Made from reusable BPA-free plastic

Poor temperature retention

Lid design isn't great for travel

Given the large size, it can be a bit difficult to hold when full, but the handle makes this easier (though it lacks a comfort grip like the Stanley tumbler has). It also fits in most standard size cup holders.

One gripe we have is that the lid on the Hydro Flask tumbler is not as secure as others in our guide. It does not screw into place, like the Stanley tumbler. Therefore, if you drop it or it tips over, the lid may pop off, resulting in a spill.

Because of the included plastic straw and lid design, which features a flexible, built-in straw in the top portion, you don't want to use it with hot liquids. However, when paired with cold liquids, the straw is easy to drink from.

We wish the built-in straw extended all the way down into the cup and didn't stop at the lid, so it could be one collective piece. In its current state, a separate straw attaches to the underside of the lid, which is just one more thing to keep track of.

Lid does not secure

Temperature regulation not as impressive as others

Yeti benefits from a great deal of brand loyalty. And we’re not immune to its appeal. But with so many travel mug options on the market, we don’t quite see the upsides of this one—unless you like really cold beverages over long time frames.

The plastic top (which is hard to remove) doesn’t actually close, either. So, there’s no way to keep liquids from sloshing out of the perennially exposed opening.

Premium insulation

Powerful magnet lock feature

Doesn’t fit in cupholders

Not leak proof

How We Tested

Three testers have taken on travel mugs and tumblers for this guide. Freelance food writer Sarah Zorn tackled our original batch, and she, like many busy professionals, almost exclusively functions on coffee. She maintains that she often mainlines it when scuttling back and forth on the subway or hunched over a computer. As such, having a mug that keeps her drink hot or cold while tapping at keys for extended periods of time is of utmost importance to me.

We alternately filled each mug with hot and cold beverages, measuring the temperature to start, and then checking it again every 30 minutes or so for the course of two hours.

We also took each mug for a test run throughout an entire day, analyzing how comfortable they are to hold, how easy they are to drink out of, how snugly they fit into a backpack or car holder, how portable they are, how likely they are to spill when jostled or turned upside down, and how easy they are to clean—either in the dishwasher when possible, or using a bottle brush.

What Should You Look For In A Travel Mug?

Travel mugs should be comfortable to hold, effectively retain temperature, able to be safely stashed in a beverage holder or bag, and keep hot (or cold) liquids securely contained, so they don’t slosh all over your shirt. The same certainly can’t be said of flimsy, disposable, heat-leaching paper or Styrofoam cups.

Travel mugs should be well insulated—vacuum insulated stainless steel is preferred—so they can keep your coffee tasty and hot, from your first sip to your last (even if your mug ends up sitting on your desk all day). They should have securely locking lids, so they can be carried pretty much wherever or in whatever without incident; even inside your bag.

Why Buy a Travel Mug?

A reusable cup is much better for the environment than disposable ones. It's also a money saver over time—imagine how much cash you’d save, carrying your own coffee instead of buying it at a coffee shop day after day?

Unlike a regular coffee mug, a travel mug is also meant for, well, travel, whether you’re driving cross country, camping in the woods, or merely cramming yourself in a rickety train each morning on the way to work. Many will work whether you prefer hot or cold beverages.

How to Clean a Travel Mug

If you’re lucky, the whole darn thing can be thrown onto the top rack of a dishwasher, although this feature is rare. More often than not, you’re going to have to get a bit hands-on, especially with the lid. Even when it comes to the body of your travel mug or tumbler, there’s ample opportunity for water to leach between the layers of insulation, which can lead to mold.

Some travel mugs come with their very own mini brushes for accessing hard to reach places, although spare toothbrushes (reserved solely for this purpose of course) or even Q-tips can do the trick.

If you’d just as soon avoid soap, white vinegar and baking soda are both natural cleansers. Distill one tablespoon of vinegar in warm water, for a solution that’s excellent for soaking and scrubbing, or make a paste of equal parts water and baking soda, for attacking especially grimy spots.

More Articles You Might Enjoy

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the testers

Contributor

Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for Reviewed, Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.

Rachel Murphy

Editor, Home

Rachel Murphy is Reviewed's home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.

Samantha Mangino

Staff Writer, Home

Samantha Mangino is a self-proclaimed homebody. Conveniently she is a home staff writer at Reviewed, covering cleaning, appliances, furniture, and home furnishings and décor. She knows her way around a house and has tested everything from furniture, sponges, steam irons, to Legos. She’s always on the hunt for the latest internet trends and wants to help make your home cleaner and cozier.

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Matt Jancer

The Best Travel Mugs to Keep Drinks Hot or Cold

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

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.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com , full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

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.

Kathy Gilsinan

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. 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.

Nena Farrell

Medea Giordano

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The 8 best travel mugs: Does anything beat Yeti?

If you're a coffee drinker, then you know it's important to have the right coffee mug. And for people who are regularly on the go, a dependable travel mug is an eco-friendly, money-saving necessity. Luckily for you, we've researched dozens of the top travel mugs on the market to find our favorites. Keep reading to see the eight best travel mugs, what we like about them, and how you can choose the right one for you.

YETI Rambler

Best travel mug overall.

Features : 20 ounces | 35 color options | 18/8 stainless steel body

YETI is one of the most recognizable names in the world of travel mugs, and for good reason. Their products are known for their durability, which you can see as soon as you hold this product in your hand. This 20-ounce tumbler has excellent double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your drinks hot or cold. The lid includes a MagSlider, which is designed to further insulate the mug and prevent leaking. You can also trade out the magnetic slider for a straw and enjoy your beverages that way. 

This mug has nearly 140,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers say that it's easy to drink from, easy to clean, and durable. It's no surprise it ranks first. 

• Double-wall vacuum insulation
• Durable design
• Versatile -- use with magnetic sliding closure or a straw for hot and cold drinks
• Dishwasher safe
• Pricier than some competitors
• Lid may not be leak-proof

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Best on-the-go travel mug.

Features: 15 color options | 20-64 ounces | Keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 hours

If you want a travel mug that's easy to take with you on the go, check out the Hydro Flask. The handle makes this bottle easy to carry, and it has an attractive design. With its wide flex sip lid, this mug is still leak-proof according to Hydro Flask, and will keep your coffee hot for hours. As an added bonus, the company supports more than 100 environmental non-profit organizations and has donated $1.9 billion and more than 55,000 bottles.

When it comes to reviews, customers have plenty of good things to say. The product has more than 21,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers like that it makes a great gift, is easy to drink from, and is leak-proof.

• A portion of proceeds goes to charity
• Easy to take with you on the go
• Compatible with other Hydro Flask lids
• Some reviews complain of leaks
• Difficult to disassemble to clean

Zojirushi Stainless Mug

Best travel mug for heat retention.

Features: 8 color options | Vacuum insulated | BPA-free plastic

If you're looking for a travel mug that's going to keep your coffee hot, look no further than the Zojirushi Stainless Mug. It consistently ranks among the best mugs for heat retention, thanks to vacuum insulation. The company promises this mug will keep your beverages hot or cold for six hours. Additionally, it has a sleek design that fits in cup holders and can accommodate full-size ice cubes.

This product comes highly-rated by customers. With more than 19,000 reviews on Amazon, the mug has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers like that it's leak-proof, easy to drink from, and made of quality material.

• Leak-proof lid
• Excellent heat retention
• Sleek, lightweight design
• Sized for cupholders and ice cubes
• Not dishwasher safe
• Stains and scratches easily

Miir Travel Tumbler

Best travel mug for commuters.

Features: 12-20 ounces | 6 color options | Insulated Travel Lid

Anytime you have a conversation about the best travel mugs, MiiR will be one of the first names to come up. The MiiR Travel Tumbler keeps your drinks either hot or cold with double-wall vacuum insulation technology. It comes with a leak-free design, meaning you don't have to worry about spills when you're on the go. People also love the design of this travel tumbler, and it's compatible with your standard cup holder and regular ice cubes.

As far as customer reviews go, MiiR is a fan favorite. It has more than 300 reviews on the company's website, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

• Double-wall insulation keeps your drinks hot and cold
• Attractive design
• Spill-proof lid
• A portion of your purchase goes to charity
• Lid can be difficult to open
• Exterior scratches easily

Contigo West Loop Travel Mug with Autoseal® Lid

Best leakproof travel mug.

Features: 38 color options | 10-24 ounces | Push button for drinking

Contigo is practically a household name when it comes to travel mugs. This mug in particular is famous for its Autoseal® lid, which keeps your coffee hot for hours and ensures the lid is leak- and spill-proof. Pair the auto-seal with the vacuum insulation, and you can trust that your coffee will stay hot. It's designed to fit in your car's cup holder and under your home's single-serve brewer.

If we judge this mug simply by its reviews, then it's easy to see why Contigo is a household name. The mug has more than 110,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers like that it's leak-proof, easy to drink from, and durable.

• Affordable price
• Leak- and spill-proof lid
• Auto-seal lid
• Keeps drinks hot for 5 hours and cold for 12
• Difficult to clean, according to reviews

Ello Campy Water Bottle with Slider Lid

Best travel mug for camping.

Features: 8 color options | 18 ounces | Leak-proof slider lid

The Ello Campy Water Bottle is perfect for anyone who prefers a camp-style travel mug. It has a long handle, which makes it easy to carry no matter your hand size. It claims to keep drinks hot for 5 hours and cold for 10 hours. Its patented sealing slider is designed to prevent leaks and to make it easy to open or close one-handed.

This mug has more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers liked its lock feature, its easy-to-hold design, and its leak-proof lid.

• Keeps drinks hot for 5 hours or cold for 10 hours
• Handle makes it easy to carry
• Attractive and classic camp aesthetic
• Less convenient to cart around

KeepCup Reusable Coffee Cup

Best for replacing paper cups.

Features: 12 ounces | Tempered glass | BPA-free

Anyone looking for a glass travel mug will love the aesthetic of the KeepCup Reusable Coffee Cup. It's made of toughened glass and has a natural cork band. However, this mug won't keep your drink hot as long as many of the other products on this list. After all, it's designed to replace disposable cups you'd find at coffee shops (and for people who like the glass mug look). KeepCup is an environmentally-friendly mug, and the company donates revenue each year to help the environment.

This mug has over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, earning it a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers like its beautiful design and the fact that it's the same size as coffee shop paper cups.

• Aesthetically-pleasing design
• A portion of proceeds go to environmental causes
• Excellent disposable cup replacement
• Not leak-proof
• Doesn't keep drinks hot for long

Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug

Best travel mug for preventing spills.

Features: 8 color options | 12-16 ounces | Ceramic interior coating

The Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug has an eye-catching design. It will definitely keep your drinks hot or cold thanks to its vacuum insulation; Fellow claims the mug will retain heat for up to 12 hours and retain cold for up to 24 hours. Its unique design is made to prevent spills and leaks. In fact, it even has a snap-in splash guard for that very purpose, and its lid design does the rest.

This product has roughly 2,100 reviews on Amazon, earning an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. While it hasn't proven itself to as many people as the other brands on our list, customers love its sturdiness, the fact that it's leak-proof, and that it makes a great gift.

• Great for using while on the go
• Leak-proof lid and splash guard
• Retains heat for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours
• More expensive than other competitors
• Inconvenient to open on the go

What is the best travel mug?

The YETI Rambler is the best travel mug based on durability, design, insulation, and versatility.

Which travel mug is right for you?

Even though we've narrowed down the field, you still may have a challenging time choosing a mug. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you weigh your options:

• What sort of heat retention do you need? You might be someone who drinks your coffee first thing in the morning, and heat retention isn't as important to you. On the other hand, you may travel in the cold weather or drink your coffee later in the day, and then you might want a mug that has excellent heat retention.
• Where will you be bringing your coffee mug? Some people have their coffee mugs sitting safely in a cup holder or on their desk, while others like to throw it in their backpack to drink later. If you're going to be bringing your mug on the go, you'll want one that's leak-proof.
• Are you okay with hand washing your mug? Several mugs on our list aren't dishwasher-safe, meaning you'll be hand washing them after each use. If you can't stand the idea of hand washing your coffee mug, be sure to choose one that can go in the dishwasher.
• How important is design? Some people are only concerned with function, while others want something that's also nice to look at. There's no right answer, but knowing which is important to you can help you narrow down your choices even more.

How did we choose these travel mugs?

With so many travel mugs on the market, you may be wondering how we narrowed our list down to these options. First, we started by rounding up the most frequently purchased travel mugs on the market. 

From there, we compared them based on factors like heat retention, design, whether they leak, and more. We also aimed to find products that brought something new to an already-crowded market. Did they have a unique selling point, or were they simply a knock-off of another popular brand?

Ultimately, we aimed to find products that provide excellent quality with few downsides at a price point that's accessible to everyone.

Are travel mugs dishwasher safe?

Some of the travel mugs on our list can go in the dishwasher, but some must be hand washed in order to maintain their heat retention or leak-proof features.

Do ceramic travel mugs keep coffee hot?

Travel mugs that are made of ceramic material are excellent at heat retention and keeping your coffee hotter for longer.

Are there alternative travel mugs worth considering?

There are hundreds of travel mugs on the market, so the right mug for you may not be on this list. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

Ello Magnet Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Thermos stainless king vacuum-insulated travel tumbler, contigo snapseal byron stainless steel travel mug, zdnet recommends, the best portable power stations for camping: expert tested, the best travel vpns: expert tested, the best android smartwatches you can buy: expert tested.

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• What to Buy
• Glassware & Drinkware

The Best Travel Mugs for Hot or Cold Sips on the Go

Easier on your wallet and the environment

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Whether you drink coffee, iced tea , or water, a travel mug is a handy accessory that keeps you caffeinated or hydrated on the go. Owning a travel mug can also save money (no more need to stop at a coffee shop) and cut down on paper and plastic waste. Some people have a few different travel mugs for various occasions, like an extra-durable one for hiking and a cupholder-friendly option for driving to work. No matter where you're headed, we have a travel mug for you below, all of which we've tested ourselves and can recommend firsthand.

• How We Tested Travel Mugs

To help you make an informed buying decision, we tested more than a dozen of the most popular travel mugs on the market today. Every travel mug was tested for a minimum of one week, and some of them have been used by our staff members for several years. To review the travel mugs, our writers evaluated key areas, including size, design, insulation, and value, and then provided additional insights about what we liked and disliked about each mug.

We Observed:

• How easy the mugs were to clean: We made notes about how rigorous the cleaning process was for each travel mug. Some mugs were dishwasher-safe or only had a couple of parts to clean; others had multiple parts or lids so small that they were difficult to clean by hand.
• How durable the mugs were: Our testers gauged the durability of each mug by traveling with them and putting them in bags if they were leakproof. Some testers have owned mugs on this list for numerous years and, as a result, gave long-term durability insights.
• If any liquids leaked from the mugs: If a mug was labeled as leakproof, our testers shook it upside down over the sink to see if the claims were accurate.
• Design: Our testers rated each travel mug's design on a one-to-five scale. Factors that led to higher design scores included functionality, durability, and a stylish aesthetic.
• Insulation: After using a thermometer and stopwatch to measure drink temperature, we graded each mug on its degree of insulation.
• Value: Finally, we compared the performance of every travel mug to its retail price. Items that lived up to or outperformed their price received higher value-for-money ratings.

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

• What to Look For

Types of Travel Mugs

About our testers, why trust the spruce eats, best overall, contigo west loop vacuum insulated travel mug.

• Effectiveness 5 /5
• Functionality 5 /5

Effective autolock and anti-spill lid

Can be locked and unlocked with one hand

Keeps drinks hot/cold for hours

A little wide for smaller hands

Plastic lid seems prone to breakage

If you’re looking for a solid, leak-proof travel mug that will keep your coffee hot for up to seven hours, look no further. The Contigo mug is my number one pick for many reasons, the first of which is the “Autoseal” lid. Unlike other travel mugs that have a sliding lid, which is prone to leaks, the Contigo lid has a push button that opens the vacuum seal when you’re ready to drink and closes again when you release the button. (This means you can also use it with one hand.) I was able to carry it around in a bag all day without any leakage. Just keep in mind that this means the lid isn’t interchangeable with any of your other travel mugs.

In addition to hot drinks like coffee or tea , this vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug will keep drinks cold for up to 18 hours depending on whether you buy the 12- or 20-ounce version. You can also choose between seven different colors, so everyone in the family can keep their mug straight.

One of the few drawbacks is that the mug is fairly difficult to clean. If you’re washing the Contigo by hand, be prepared for a bit of an inconvenience as it comes with very specific washing instructions. The lid is dishwasher-safe, but the bottle itself is hand wash only.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 10, 16, 20, or 24 ounces | Dimensions: 3 x 9 inches (20-ounce model)

The Spruce Eats / Tamara Staples

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas 

Stanley Classic Travel Mug

• Design 4 /5
• Insulation 3 /5

Highly durable

Great for commuters

Lid is hard to clean

Faint plastic smell first few uses

Stanley is a century-old name known for its array of durable mugs, thermoses, and more. In fact, the company patented all-steel vacuum flasks in 1913. That top-grade technology is bottled into the sleek and simple design of the Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug today. You can purchase the item in three sizes—12, 16, and 20 ounces—as well as five different colors.

We tested the 16-ounce model firsthand and confirmed that it lives up to the brand's claims about temperature retention. Hot coffee stayed warm and drinkable for seven hours, cold coffee lasted 10 hours without ice, and ice water remained refreshing for more than 30 hours. With that in mind, temperature retention varies slightly depending on the size of the mug you buy.

We were pleasantly surprised that the trigger-action lid is completely leakproof. No water escaped even after we shook it upside down over the sink. It's rare to find a mug with a lid as convenient as this one that is also safe to throw in a bag or backpack. It's excellent for hiking, and because it fits in cupholders, it's viable for commuters, too.

We've also used this mug frequently over four years and it shows no signs of slowing down. The item is backed by Stanley's lifetime guarantee. The company claims the bottle can withstand everything from a 4,000-foot drop to a windchill of -70 degrees Fahrenheit. The best part? This lifelong companion is affordably priced, making it one of the top value-for-money options on the market.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12, 16, or 20 ounces | Dimensions: 2.9 x 8.9 inches (16-ounce model)

Best for Hot or Cold

Zojirushi stainless steel mug.

• Design 5 /5
• Insulation 5 /5

Easy-to-hold design

Fits in most cupholders

Excellent heat retention

Locking mechanism prevents leaks

Hand wash only, many pieces to clean

While most of the mugs on our list work well for hot or cold beverages, they are generally better at one or the other—but that’s not the case with this mug from Zojirushi. It retains drink temperature for at least six hours, no matter if you take your coffee hot or iced. Our experience with the mug was even better than the company advertises: Coffee was warm enough to drink nearly 12 hours after brewing.

Available in 12 and 16 ounces, the Zojirushi mug also wins points for design and easy drinking. The flip-top cap not only stops the mug from leaking, it also keeps the drinking spout protected and clean. The cap includes a lock to keep it from coming undone in your bag, as well.

Cleaning this model is a bit harder than some of the others (a specially designed bottle-cleaning brush is recommended). Several different pieces need to be cleaned thoroughly to avoid staining and mildew buildup. The plastic sipping piece and rubber gasket on the lid can be popped out easily and cleaned separately, though.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12 or 16 ounces | Dimensions: 2.625 x 2.875 x 9.125 inches (16-ounce model)

Best High-Tech

Ember travel mug 2.

Touchscreen display 

Battery lasts up to three hours

360-degree leak-proof lid

Only 12-ounce capacity

Just like many other travel mugs, the sleek Ember Travel Mug² will keep your drink hot throughout your morning commute, but it stands out by using smart technology and a high-tech design. This second iteration of the Ember Travel Mug is lighter and more streamlined than its predecessor, mainly because instead of a manual dial, it features a touch-sensitive control panel.

The mug is "smart" because you can use the panel to control and set its temperature or link the mug to the Ember app via your smartphone. The app essentially serves as a temperature gauge for the mug, notifying you when the set temperature has been reached. This is a nice feature because it eliminates the possibility of burning your mouth.

The Ember Travel Mug²'s best design feature is the lid: It only needs a push to open, is leak-proof, and lets you sip from any side of the mug. Furthermore, the mug's design is ergonomic. It's wider at the top than the bottom and is coated with a matte finish, making it easy to grip and comfortable to hold. We wish it held more—12 ounces isn't a lot for many coffee drinkers—and we don't love the high price point, but you are getting a high-tech product so the cost makes sense.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12 ounces | Dimensions: 3.14 x 7.9 inches

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Best Budget

Copco acadia travel mug.

 Amazon

Safe in both microwave and dishwasher

Colorful grip

Fits in cupholders

Can stack inside each other

Prone to staining

Hole in lid can't be closed

This 16-ounce travel mug works for both hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold brew , and it comes at a budget price. It's designed with a double-wall construction to keep drinks at their temperature longer than a non-insulated cup; however, it’s not made for all-day temperature regulation like some stainless steel mugs. We found hot coffee to be lukewarm just two hours after brewing. The good news is that the mug is microwave-safe, so you can easily reheat drinks should they cool off.

Another advantage of this mug is how easy it is to clean. It's dishwasher-safe, and the lid opening is large enough to clean the inside by hand should you choose to do so. The lid doesn't have a cover, however, so you can’t toss the mug in your bag. Another downside is that the interior is prone to staining. We have owned the mug for nearly four years and it still works like new, but the coffee stains set in after roughly a year.

The cup portion is white, but you can choose from a variety of colored bands, so you always know which one is yours. The bands also serve as coffee collars to protect your hands from scorching temperatures while adding extra grip. There's nothing fancy to this mug, but it's dependable.

Material: BPA-free plastic | Capacity: 16 ounces | Dimensions: 3.66 x 6.78 inches

Best With Straw

Bubba envy insulated tumbler.

• Design 3.5 /5
• Insulation 4.5 /5

No sweating

Lid seals tightly

Fits in car cupholders

Keeps drinks cold or hot

Can't close hole on lid

Hand wash only

Prefer iced coffee ? Then a travel mug that has a straw might suit your palette more. This model fits in most cup holders and can keep your drink cold for up to 12 hours. You can use the removable plastic straw with the Tritan lid or not, depending on your preference. The one design flaw, however, is that there is no way to completely seal the lid since the hole doesn't include a cover or flap.

The cup is made of stainless steel, so it will repel stains and odors, meaning your lemonade won't taste like yesterday's coffee. The mug even has a lifetime guarantee, so you know it will last. If you’re looking for a durable travel mug that’s designed to hold both hot and cold beverages, the 24-ounce Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler is a solid option at a price you can afford. While the mug is large and doesn't have a handle, it's surprisingly easy to hold because of indents that circle the cup.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 18, 24, or 32 ounces | Dimensions: 3.62 x 3.93 x 10.54 inches (24-ounce model)

The Spruce Eats / Rebekah Joan

 The Spruce Eats / Rebekah Joan

Best Handled

Thermos stainless king travel mug.

Comfortable to hold

Doesn’t fit in all car cup holders

Thanks to the vacuum insulation of most travel mugs, a handle is no longer really a necessity to keep your hand dry from condensation or to prevent it from getting burned, but 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. During testing, there were no spills and coffee stayed hot for longer (even on chilly days). The one drawback (if you even consider it one) is that this mug must be washed by hand.

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 mug. It comes with a five-year limited warranty in case there is an issue.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 16 ounces | Dimensions: 3.3 x 4.9 x 7.8 inches

The Spruce Eats / Rebekah Joan

Best Design

S'well traveler mug.

Multiple sizes and many colors

Great temperature retention

Price varies, can be expensive

Lid isn't ideal for commuting

The S’well Stainless Steel Traveler Mug is inarguably one of the best-designed travel mugs on the market today. Thanks to S’well’s high-end, triple-wall technology, you can rest assured that your drinks will maintain their ideal temperature for hours on end. It performed exceedingly well when we tested it. Coffee stayed hot for 12 hours and, after adding refrigerated coffee without ice, it was still cold 30 hours later.

This mug topped others in the design category because it is cupholder-friendly and available in 17 different color options as well as three sizes: 12, 16, and 20 ounces. The Traveler is completely leakproof and can be trusted in your bag or backpack. Just keep in mind that the lid can't be unscrewed with one hand, so you'll need both hands free if sipping on the go. Also, it's not dishwasher-safe, so to clean it, you can either put a drop of dish soap in and rinse with hot water or use a long bottle brush.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12, 16, or 20 ounces | Dimensions: 3.3 x 9.3 inches

Best for Easy Cleaning

Yeti rambler 20 oz tumbler.

• Size 4.5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5

Dishwasher safe

Magnetic lid slides easily

Multiple color options

Not leakproof

The Yeti Rambler comes in three sizes: 10, 20, and 30 ounces. Some travel mugs are too small for a hand to fit inside or have multiple parts to clean. That's not the case with the Rambler. We appreciate that we can reach every nook and cranny of the mug with a sponge. The Rambler is also dishwasher safe when you're not in the mood to wash it by hand.

We've used the mug for more than two years and it's still going strong. We take it in the car a lot because it fits in cupholders and can be sipped with one hand. There's a toggle on the lid, which Yeti calls a Magslider, that's effortless to open with your thumb. One of the only downsides is that the lid isn't leakproof, so we don't throw it in our hiking backpack or messenger bag.

Like most Yeti products, the Rambler effectively keeps drinks hot for around 10 hours or cold for close to 20. It's also sold in more than 10 colors from neutrals to vibrant hues, so you can find one that suits your style.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 10, 20, or 30 ounces | Dimensions: 3.5 x 6.6 inches

Best Large Capacity

Bubba classic insulated desk mug.

Budget price

Lightweight despite size

Too big for cupholders

Lid has a hole you can't close

This 52-ounce mug is what you'll want to take to the pool, beach, or camping since it holds enough water for several hours. It’s also great for office workers who don’t want to keep running to the water cooler to refill smaller bottles. Of course, the drawback with a mug of this size is that it won’t fit in your cupholder, so this pick is better for non-drive time.

For those who intend to drink hot beverages out of this mug, it doesn't quite have the heat retention that the brand claims. When filled more than halfway full with hot coffee, it was lukewarm less than three hours later. The mug did perform better when tested with cold drinks, however. With refrigerated coffee poured into the mug without ice (as the amount of ice may vary for customers), the coffee was still cold 12 hours later. Another testing observation to note is that the lid opening seemed a little wide, and it was easy to spill when drinking.

As an added bonus, the Bubba 52-Ounce Desk Mug is incredibly durable and can handle being dropped or tossed around in the trunk of your car. The wide, comfort-grip handle feels very sturdy, too.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 34 or 52 ounces | Dimensions: 7 x 10 inches

We highly recommend the Contigo Autoseal West Loop because its sleek, durable, and easy to sip on the go thanks to its button-activated lid. As an alternative, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is similar in price and quality, and it performed well in our testing process. You can't go wrong with either one.

Other Options We Tested

• Yeti Rambler Mug : Yeti makes a number of reliable travel mugs—not to mention the brand's beloved coolers—but the Rambler mug has too many shortcomings for us to recommend it, starting with its poor insulative properties. The hot coffee we brewed lost temperature rapidly in the mug and, because it's made with stainless steel, it couldn't be reheated in the microwave. Additionally, the lid is not leakproof, which is a feature that's easy to find in a number of other travel mugs out there.
• Ello Campy Travel Mug : The Ello Campy Mug is a stylish, large-capacity option that many customers may enjoy, especially those into the outdoors. While it doesn't have any major defects, it didn't quite make the cut for this list. We found that the paint can chip easily and that it's tricky to clean. On top of that, it's too large to fit in many car cupholders.

What to Look for in a Travel Mug

It doesn’t matter if you’re drinking coffee , tea, or water—every sip from your travel mug should be smooth and easy. That’s why it’s important to figure out the lid style that best suits you. Some of the top options include flip lids, thumb-sliding lids, push-button lids, twist lids, and straw lids. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Customers who prioritize durability or preventing spills, for instance, should choose a more secure style, like a twist lid. Others who want to seamlessly drink from their mug while on the move may prefer a lid that can be opened with one hand. Luckily, lid style does not affect price, so every option should be on the table when you start looking for a travel mug. Many brands also sell lids individually so that users can have multiple options at their disposal.

Temperature Retention

All too often we take a sip of coffee and find it’s gone lukewarm. A reliable travel mug can thwart that dreaded, flavorless middle zone and keep your coffee at the ideal temperature for hours, no matter if it’s hot or iced. Vacuum-insulated mugs, which are typically made from stainless steel, offer the best performance when it comes to temperature retention, while plastic and silicone are the least effective materials. When buying, think about the type of coffee you drink most often (hot or iced) as some mugs are better designed for one or the other.

The length of time that a mug keeps drinks hot or cold is often listed in its product details, but keep in mind that this figure is often based on the item being preheated or precooled before use. We also asked Graham Nearn of the Stanley brand what temperature range the company defines as "hot" and "cold." He told us that when Stanley says a drink stays hot for a certain amount of time, the liquid must be between 140 to 203 degrees; for a drink to be considered cold, it has to fall between 39 and 50 degrees.

Travel coffee mugs come in a variety of sizes. The average capacity is around 16 ounces, though the range extends far on either side of that. Some are no bigger than a regular at-home coffee mug; others are large enough to keep you caffeinated the entire day. Brands often manufacture the same mug in multiple sizes, so if a specific one catches your eye, you can likely find it in a size you love. Customers interested in larger mugs should see if it is microwave-safe or able to retain heat well; otherwise, they may be sipping a lot of cold coffee. Finally, for those who plan on taking their mug in the car, check out customer reviews or product details to ascertain if a mug can fit in your cupholders.

While most travel mugs are made from stainless steel, options are far from limited when it comes to material. Other possibilities include plastic, glass, silicone, ceramic, and bamboo. This choice naturally affects a mug’s aesthetic, as well as larger factors like price, durability, how the item is cleaned, how long it retains heat, and whether condensation appears on the outside. What factors are most important to you? If you want a budget-priced mug that can go in the microwave, plastic is likely the best material for you. If durability and heat retention are higher priorities, you may want to stick with the stainless steel route. Also keep in mind the downsides that certain materials have. Plastic mugs, for instance, can stain and retain coffee odors, while some stainless steel mugs may unfavorably alter the flavor of your coffee.

If you sift through a list of travel mugs, you will likely come across the phrase "18/8 stainless steel." This denotes a type of stainless steel made from 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel.  Graham Nearn  of the Stanley brand says 18/8 stainless steel is often used for drinkware because it's "food-grade, durable, and resistant to corrosion."

Leak-Proof vs. Spill-Proof

Whether walking to class, embarking on a long hike, or heading out for the daily commute, it’s easier to transport a mug if it can be kept inside a bag; that’s where leak-proof travel mugs come in handy. They prevent even the slightest drop from escaping into your bag, no matter what. Make sure to read customer reviews beforehand, however, as some items advertised as leak-proof may not actually be up to the task. There is also a difference between leak-proof and spill-proof. Mugs labeled as spill-proof only prevent major spills from occurring; they are not safe to store in bags since they can still leak.

Taking a travel mug’s design into consideration involves two different paths. First, you can think about the item’s shape or silhouette. Do you want a mug with a handle? Or one thin enough to slide into a bag or backpack? Second, design also involves the many colors and patterns found on the outside of a mug. There is an array of options, from fun and playful to chic and striking, that can convey your personality with every sip.

Not only are most travel mugs affordable, but they also help customers save money by cutting down on daily trips to the coffee shop. The only type likely to break the bank are electric travel mugs. Other than that, budget picks are widely available both in-store and online. Some mugs cost as little as a bag of coffee beans. Size does generally impact price, however, as larger mugs tend to cost more than smaller ones, even if they are the same model. Expect plastic mugs to be the cheapest option, while glass, stainless steel, and ceramic are all slightly more expensive. 

When picturing a travel coffee mug, most envision a tall, tapered item similar to a reusable water bottle, but there are actually many options designed to look exactly like the mugs we use every day at home. Items in this category provide the feel and comfort of a regular coffee mug but with added heat retention and the luxury to take your joe on the go. Because they are smaller in capacity than most travel mugs (usually around 12 ounces), they are also slightly more affordable. Unfortunately, coffee-mug-style travel mugs aren’t leak-proof and don’t fit in cupholders because of their handles.

Portable Coffee Maker

Truly defining on-the-go coffee, there is a category for travel mugs that additionally function as portable brewing devices. They allow users to make coffee and drink it all from the same bottle. This is certainly a less common variety, but it’s still worth consideration, especially for frequent travelers and campers. The majority of portable coffee makers work like French presses. Aptly named “travel presses,” they immerse coffee grounds in water and then push them to the bottom of the mug via a built-in plunger. The second most common type of portable coffee maker utilizes a pour-over brewing method instead.

Well known for their smooth exterior, tumblers are the most popular subcategory of travel mugs. They never have a handle and the body usually tapers to a narrow base, both of which make them cupholder friendly. Tumblers can be used for both hot and cold beverages, but they are especially popular for iced coffee. Many have straw lids for easy sipping. Customers may be familiar with tumblers in other types of drinkware, as they are also used for cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, and general home use.

What is a vacuum-insulated mug?

The phrase “vacuum-insulated” pops up all over the place when searching for travel mugs. It’s also commonly used with another phrase: "double-walled." Both labels denote that a travel mug is built with two different layers, an inner wall and outer wall, and that the space between the layers is partially evacuated of air, creating a vacuum. This design allows drinks to retain their temperature for a longer period of time because they are less exposed to the outside air.

Can I make my travel mug retain temperature longer?

We all want the most out of our products, and this one small tip goes a long way: preheat or pre-cool your travel mug before use. Taking a few extra minutes to let hot or cold water sit in your mug will prime the material for better temperature retention. You can pour hot water from the tap or even boil it for an added boost of heat, all while your coffee is brewing.

How do I clean my travel mug?

Before cleaning, consult the product details or instruction guide to see if the item is dishwasher-safe. This is a common benefit of glass and plastic travel mugs but not stainless steel. If your mug isn’t dishwasher-safe, don’t worry. Cleaning is still quite easy. A simple daily cleaning only requires scrubbing with dish soap and a sponge or gentle brush. Avoid using steel wool brushes and harsh household cleaners on stainless steel mugs. For a more thorough job, allow a solution of vinegar and baking soda to soak inside the mug for several minutes, then rinse and clean with dish soap before using.

Can I add milk to my coffee if it’s in a travel mug?

Most brands advise against putting milk or creamer in thermoses unless it's for a brief amount of time. Bacteria can develop when dairy products are stored at warm temperatures, especially if the travel mug isn't properly cleaned. Graham Nearn of the Stanley brand echoed this thought, telling us: "We don’t recommend putting milk or dairy products in Stanley vacuum bottles or food jars for extended periods of time, as bacteria growth can occur at certain temperatures."

The Spruce Eats / Cheyenne Elwell

• Cheyenne Elwell is a freelance writer specializing in food and coffee. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Insider, MSN, and her coffee blog BakedBrewedBeautiful.com.
• Suzie Dundas is a freelance writer and editor based in Lake Tahoe, California. Along with The Spruce Eats, her writing has appeared in Forbes, Fodor's, SkyLife Magazine, and Outdoor Sports Guide.
• Rebekah Joan is a writer and blogger located in Northwestern Pennsylvania. She has written for The Spruce Eats since 2019.
• Derek Rose has been The Spruce Eats' coffee and tea expert since 2019. His other work has appeared in Forbes, SPY, and Angi.

This piece was written by  Derek Rose , the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He has owned or tested a number of the items on this list, including the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug , the Copco Insulated Travel Mug , the S'Well Traveler Mug , and the Bubba 52-Ounce Insulated Desk Mug .

Graham Nearn , the Senior Vice President of Product Creation & Design for PMI Worldwide, was interviewed for this piece. He oversees the Stanley brand, which has manufactured vacuum flasks and more since 1913.

THE ZOJIRUSHI STAINLESS STEEL COFFEE AND TRAVEL MUG REVIEW

• Author: Julia Bobak
• Last Updated: March 30, 2024

Fact Checked

• Why Trust Homegrounds?

Julia Bobak

Julia is a west coast canada-based professional coffee specialist who has spent nearly a decade immersed in the world of coffee research and professional brewing. she loves trail running, rock climbing, coffee, food, and her tiny dog — and writing about all of them. she starts every morning with a fresh americano from her home espresso machine, or she doesn’t start it at all..

A lot of travel mugs don’t retain heat well and have flimsy lids. The Zojirushi thermos mug promises to take care of all those problems. Find out how well it performs in keeping your hot drinks hot and preventing accidental spillages in my Zojirushi travel mug review below.

• Keeps coffee hot for well over 6 hours
• Flip-open lid can be used with one hand
• Safety lock on the lid prevents spillage

Zojirushi’s mug keeps your beverage steaming for an astonishingly long time—long enough to survive terrible commutes and early-morning meetings. – Esquire

The Zojirushi Mug Review

Zojirushi started out in 1918 as a manufacturer of glass-lined vacuum bottles. Since then, they have expanded their portfolio to all kinds of kitchen equipment. But they continue making vacuum insulated mugs, and excellent ones at that. Let’s see how the Zojirushi travel mug performs.

How We Rated It

• Performance
• Value For Money

Design – 4.5/5

The Zojirushi Travel mug has a stainless steel body and a handy flip-open lid made of BPA-free plastic.

The mug’s inner surface has a non-stick coating, which ensures that it’ll stay odorless and stain-free even if you’re drinking milk-based coffee.

This lightweight travel mug features a sleek, compact design that fits comfortably in your hand or your car’s cup holder. It is currently available in a variety of colors and 3 different sizes (12, 16, and 20-ounces).

Performance – 5/5

Although keeping hot drinks hot (or cold drinks cold) is the main purpose of travel mugs, you’d be surprised at how many brands get this wrong! The heat retention guaranteed by Zojirushi’s patented vacuum insulation technology ( 1 ), however, is unparalleled.

The Zojirushi travel mug will keep your coffee hot (or your chilled drinks ice-cold) for well over 6 hours!

One user compared the Zojirushi mug against its competitors and proved that Zojirushi has the best heat retention. ( 2 ) Some users reported that the mug keeps their coffee so hot that they have to leave the lid open for a few minutes to get their beverage down to drinkable temperature.

This mug’s flip-open lid also has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. The lid opens by pressing the button on the front, and its 2-step release prevents messy splashes. The air vent on the mouthpiece ensures a smooth flow, so hot coffee doesn’t gush out and burn your mouth. But slide the top lever to lock position, and you can throw the mug in your bag without worrying about any leaks.

Like the Hydro Flask , this travel mug not dishwasher safe , the non-stick coating on the inside makes for easy cleaning. You can even disassemble the lid after a few uses for a deep clean.

Value For Money – 4/5

While it’s more expensive than some of our other travel coffee mugs , the Zojirushi is a meticulously-crafted product that is the result of a century of expertise in the field. ( 3 )

Zojirushi was established in 1918 as a producer of hand-blown vacuum bottles and has been a world leader in thermal products ever since.

Given its spectacular heat-retention capability, you can have piping hot (or ice-cold) drinks long after you thought it was possible. It can even be used for carrying boiling hot water if you plan to brew fresh coffee with a portable coffee maker. It also comes with a 5-year warranty on the vacuum-insulated body. ( 4 ) We feel that all these factors make the Zojirushi travel mug great value for money.

Things we liked:

Things we didn’t like:

Do Not Buy The Zojirushi Mug If…

You want a more durable option – If you are looking for features like one-handed operation and a leak-proof lid in a more durable body, check out the Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug or the Stanley Classic Thermos. The Vacuum Bottle version is like a tank, and with the convenience of one-hand operation, it’s probably the last travel mug you’ll ever need. The Stanley thermos , on the other hand, is a truly legendary classic.

You want a travel mug that matches your outdoorsy lifestyle – If you find yourself frequently on a trail or a biking trip, you might want a travel coffee mug you can take along with you. We recommend the CamelBak Forge. Its lid can be operated with one hand, and it has an impact cap on the bottom to prevent damage from accidental drops. It also comes with a finger-carry loop, so you can attach it to your gear. If you’re interested, you can read about it right here .

You want an eco-friendly travel mug – Some mugs, like the KeepCup Brew Glass and the Eco Vessel Perk, are designed to reduce environmental impact. The makers of these mugs promote reduce and reuse, and has made their travel mugs 100% recyclable. While the KeepCup might not be able to keep your coffee hot for very long, but it’s a far better choice than those disposable cups. How do these products serve their purpose?

The Verdict On The Zojirushi Travel Mug – 4.5/5

The Zojirushi thermos mug is a high-quality stainless steel product with a sleek and practical design. Its ability to keep your coffee hot for 6-plus hours and the flip-open lid with a safety lock makes it ideal for commuters as well as frequent travelers.

SEE ON AMAZON

We acknowledge that it’s on the expensive side, but if you want the best insulated travel mug, you can’t go wrong with the Zojirushi . No more shall you be plagued by the curse of lukewarm coffee!

• (n.d.). (2019, April 8). Design Explained – Our Superior Vacuum Insulation. Retrieved from https://www.zojirushi.com/blog/design-explained-our-superior-vacuum-insulation/
• Michael B. (2014, October 09). Coffee Travel Mug Heat Insulation Test Retrieved from https://youtu.be/W3-NVZB2kHM
• (2017, April 17). Zojirushi America Corporation Celebrates 30 Years In The U.S. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zojirushi-america-corporation-celebrates-30-years-in-the-us-300440364.html
• (n.d.). Stainless Mug SM-SE36/48/60. Retrieved from https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/smse

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The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs

Cut back on waste and enjoy a better cup of coffee..

In this article

• Best overall
• Best for cappuccinos
• Best for iced coffee
• Best for commuting
• Best with handle
• Best with replaceable lid
• Best customizable
• Best glass for brewing tea

When I walk into any coffee shop, I see at least a handful of people asking for their morning brew to be poured into their own reusable vessel instead of something disposable. And trust me: Baristas are more than happy to oblige. Every single one of the pros I talked to for this story said that not only are ceramic, glass, and stainless-steel options better for the environment, but they actually make your coffee tastier than paper or plastic. They’re also more convenient — I make my coffee and tea at home the vast majority of the time, but now, I pour it into one of the few reusable mugs I tested for this story whenever I want to take it with me on the go. Not only does that save money, but it keeps my drink hot or cold for longer. And I can sip some, throw it in my bag , and save the rest for later.

All the travel mugs on this list have temperature retention for at least a few hours, with the exception of three, which I’ve noted and explained. While all of them work well, if you’re going to invest in this long-term good habit, you want to find the one that best fits your coffee habits and, of course, aesthetic preference. Read on to help determine which reusable cup, mug, or tumbler is best for you. And if you’re in need of a water bottle , I’ve got you covered there, too.

What we’re looking for

Most of these travel mugs come in various sizes, and obviously that’s an important feature to pay attention to when buying. Eight or 12 ounces is on the smaller side; both are good for standard cappuccinos or cortados or if you don’t consume all that much coffee or tea. Twenty ounces is pretty big, useful if you’ll be toting your drink around all day without the chance for refills. And then, of course, 16 ounces is somewhere in between.

The type of lid on your travel mug can make a fairly big difference in how you experience drinking. Some have bigger openings, some smaller. Some snap shut; others twist open and close. This can come down to personal preference — meaning the literal mouthfeel of each one. But it’s also important to consider when and how you’ll be using your travel mug, whether that’s commuting by train or car, sitting at a desk, or running errands around your neighborhood.

How to clean

Some travel mugs on this list are dishwasher safe; others need to be cleaned by hand. Take note if that’s an important factor for you.

Best travel mug overall

Volume: 12 to 20 ounces | Lid type: Flip lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

The MiiR Travel Tumbler is my personal favorite travel mug. I own the smallest size (12 ounces) and love the compact build and sleek shape. I find the grip itself to be secure, too, and slim enough to fit in one hand. The whole lid screws on tight; I’ve never experienced any leaking. It’s especially easy and comfortable to sip from, thanks to the small piece on the lid that flips up and reveals a hole that allows a stream steady enough to get a good mouthful but not so wide open that it spills when I tilt the mug back. This is even the case with iced coffee; the cubes never obstruct the opening or cause uneven flow (though if you mainly drink it this way, one of the larger sizes might be a better choice).

The temperature retention is fantastic, too; I’ve had coffee stay hot — not just warm, but piping — for six hours. Jerad Morrison, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, explains that this is thanks to the double-walled interior, which also means it’s never too hot or too cold to hold on the outside. “It’s stainless steel, so it washes really easily,” Morrison says, “and doesn’t hold on to any flavors.” Will Pratt, founder and owner of Tandem Coffee Roasters in Portland, Maine, agrees that its material makes it a breeze to clean — and that if you have one, you can even just throw it in the dishwasher. “Coffee has sticky oils that leave residue, and there’s nothing worse than a mug that holds that flavor over time,” he says. The final bonus, as mentioned by Morisson, is that it fits into cup holders in both cars and bikes, which “is not always the case.”

Michael Philips, director of content and copy at Blue Bottle , recommends Miir’s standard tumbler . Like the travel model above, the body is made from the same material, slightly tapered towards the bottom, so it still feels good in the hand and fits in cup holders, Philips says. The clear lid “gives you a chance to see what you’re drinking,” he says, and “does a great job stopping sloshes from getting out and onto your hands.”

Best travel mug for cappuccinos

Volume: 12 and 16 ounces | Lid type: Flip lid | How to clean: Hand-wash only

KeepCup was also mentioned by many of our experts, and in my own testing, I liked it, too. The lid here functions pretty much the same as the MiiR, which means you can sip from the hole or take the whole thing off. Both make for comfortable sipping. But I will note: while there’s a small silicone tag that fits into the sip hole to seal it, it isn’t perfectly leak-proof, meaning this isn’t a mug I would casually throw in my bag. But it’s very nice for taking on walks or bringing coffee-shop brew home.

I was initially nervous the glass would be delicate, but it’s thick and feels sturdy, with a wide cork ring around the perimeter so I can grip without my fingers getting too hot. The glass body also means that there’s not as much heat retention going on as some of the others. (And for Ryan Fisher, director of coffee and roasting at GoodBoyBob Coffee in Santa Monica, California, that’s actually a benefit instead of a problem: The glass gets his coffee to the exact temperature he likes quickly.)

KeepCup was also praised by coffee pros who say its size and shape works well on their side of the counter, too. The small glass vessels were designed by two former baristas in Melbourne, Australia, making it easier for people like Joanna Lareau, coffee manager at Stumptown , and Samya Said, former barista training manager at Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea , to do their jobs. Both Lareau and Said say that having a wide mouth and inner slope allows baristas to pour amazing coffee art. Lareau also notes that the small size fits cortados and cappuccinos well. “Some reusable cups are so big they don’t fit into the espresso machine,” she says.

Best travel mug for iced coffee

Volume: 8, 12, and 16 ounces | Lid type: Twist-off lid | How to clean: Hand-wash only

Fellow is generally a favorite brand among industry folks (I’m a big fan of their electric kettle in particular). As with all their products, the travel mug has a streamlined look. Even though you can’t throw it in the dishwasher, Morrison says the stainless steel interior makes it easy to clean. And it retains hot and cold temperatures with the best of them. But the coolest feature of all? “There’s a small guard insert at the top,” Morrison says, “so if you’re drinking iced coffee, the cubes don’t fall back onto your face when you get towards the bottom.”

Best travel mug for commuting

Volume: 12 and 16 ounces | Lid type: Flip lid | How to clean: Hand-wash recommended

The Zojirushi, which was also a top pick for reusable water bottles , comes with a lot of the same perks as many others on this list — namely fantastic temperature control and a slim, sleek, and lightweight body. We’ve been recommending it since 2016 in large part because the water bottle keeps drinks at the same temperature as they were when you initially filled it. “One time, I made coffee early one winter morning and brought it to work in my Zojirushi. When I got to the office after walking through freezing temperatures and snow, the coffee was too hot,” wrote Laura Perciasepe in her review of this Japanese mug . “I put an ice cube in it like a philistine.”

But according to tea consultant Sara Shacket , its most impressive quality is that it’s completely airtight. “It really doesn’t leak,” she says. “I’ve used it during many commutes on the subway, thrown in my bag, and was never worried. Same if I was hiking on a trip. It could be upside-down and it wouldn’t leak.” Cookbook author and recipe developer Carla Lalli Music , who owns multiple Zojirushi models, echoes this sentiment, saying, “It has the most bustproof cap in the biz.” Ilana Glazer likes her so much, she brings it onstage, in large part because it’s “so sleek in its design and so quick to open and close.”

Best travel mug with a handle

Volume: 10 to 24 ounces | Lid type: Slide lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Steven Sadoff, founder of New York City’s Ground Support , has many travel mugs (including the MiiR and the Fellow above), but he turns to his Yeti when he wants a handle. He says he finds this feature particularly convenient when he’s driving because even though it doesn’t fit in a cup holder, he can easily grab it and sip with control. “It makes for a pretty comfortable drinking experience,” he says, “especially as you get close to the end of your coffee.” The same applies when he meets friends for a coffee outside because “you can gesticulate wildly without spilling.” Aside from the handle, he appreciates that the mug seals incredibly tightly, keeps liquid hot for hours, and is dishwasher safe. Rhiannon Giddens is another fan , saying that Yeti bottles keep liquid “hot or cold for a millennia.”

Best less expensive travel mug with a handle

Volume: 8 to 20 ounces | Lid type: Slide lid | How to clean: Hand-wash recommended

Recommended by multiple experts, MiiR also makes a sweet travel mug that mimics an actual handled mug. Em Orendorff, former manager at Intelligentsia Coffee , likes it because “it’s shaped just like the mugs we use in the café (short and wide with a great handle), so it’s a breeze for baristas to make your drink in it as well as easy to clean and to drink out of.” Caleb Chauncey, former barista at East Pole Coffee Co. in Atlanta, likes that its insulated interior keeps drinks warm or cold for long periods of time, and it keeps a consistent temperature on the outside too. “It won’t burn your hand if you have a hot beverage inside, and it won’t sweat when you have a cold one,” he says. To me, it seems like the perfect camping companion. It’s also worth noting that it comes in the largest range of sizes of any of the mugs we’ve listed.

Best travel mug with a replaceable lid

Volume: 12 to 20 ounces | Lid type: Twist-off lid or sip lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Hydro Flask is another go-to for water (in fact, it was named our best-overall bottle because so many people — including myself — sing its praises). The materials and build that keep liquid cold also keep liquid hot, as Strategist editor and avid coffee drinker Maxine Builder can attest to. She particularly likes the model with a Flex Sip lid. “It’s a lot easier to manipulate on the go and actually keeps the hot coffee in there,” she says. The other advantage of this lid is the addition of a hook, which means I can carry it with one finger while I walk my dog in the morning.” Best of all, if you already own a Hydro Flask, you can buy the new lid separately and just replace your old one. The company says it’s dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended — though both my boyfriend and I have been putting our own Hydro Flasks in the dishwasher for months now with no damage.

Best no-leak travel mug

Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa loves his Kinto Travel Tumbler because of its double-lid system, which prevents leaks. You take both off to fill the bottle, then twist in the first one that has a few holes around the perimeter to sip from, and then add the fully closed screw top over that. It stays extra-secure, Rellosa says, because there are no small flip-up or sliding parts that can open by accident. Once, he had to stuff it into his backpack while traveling and thought he was going to open it to find coffee stains on his clothes , but everything inside stayed clean and dry. Plus, “the actual lid where you drink from and makes contact with your lips never touches the exterior of your bag, or wherever you’re stashing it,” Rellosa says. Julia Shaw, director of marketing at NYC’s Devoción Coffee , is another fan. She says the bottle keeps liquid hot or cold for a long time and has an “elegant” aesthetic appeal.

Best travel mug with open hole lid

Volume: 12 ounces | Lid type: Sip lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Kinto’s To-Go Tumbler has a very small but always-open sip hole, which means it’s best suited for when you’re sitting at a desk or on a walk holding the tumbler in your hand. This means your drink will stay hot for about an hour and cold for several hours, but it’s not going to retain its temperature all day long. That said, it’s still a favorite of a couple of our experts. For ​​ Haley Boyd , a designer and sustainability enthusiast, this is mostly because of the aesthetic. “It’s an attractive, simple shape in a solid color without a huge logo, which is surprisingly hard to find,” she says. But for Noah McKeown, general manager at Go Get Em Tiger in Los Angeles, who uses his nearly every day, it’s more than just looks. “I like the small-hole sip lid,” he says. “I think the flow-out of it is really nice. It never spills, but you still get a lot of the coffee aromatics out of it.”

Best customizable travel mug

Volume: 12 and 16 ounces | Lid type: Button lid or straw lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Not only does this ceramic-lined mug hit the mark on functionality, but it allows you to customize way beyond size. You choose between a lid with a button-release or a built-in straw and then pick from a bunch of pretty, muted tones, either making it monochrome or designing it so that the body, lid, and button are all different colors.

It’s super effective, too. I tested a button-release version: While you unscrew the lid fully to fill the vessel, you press down on a circle flush with the top that opens another much smaller hole to sip from. This releases a slow and steady stream of liquid when you tip the mug back. Even when I was walking around with it, I never had to readjust how I was holding or maneuvering it, and no amount of turning it upside down or jostling led to any leaking. And the temperature retention (for both hot and cold drinks) is great — my coffee stays hot for about four hours, and last summer, I could hear ice clinking around after that same amount of time when I was out and about on a hot day.

Best glass travel mug for brewing tea

Volume: 7 ounces | Lid type: Twist-off lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Daniela Titiun, tea sommelier and author of Tea Cachai , tried many different glass tea mugs before landing on one she calls “the smartest system” for its game-changing tea-brewing mechanism. Normally, she explains, tumblers have a metal insert that’s filled with tea leaves and steeped in water. That means that once the appropriate amount of time has passed, you either have to remove the strainer — which can be impractical, if you’re on the go — or just leave the leaves inside, which can cause your drink to get bitter. The Oneisall, however, functions by dividing the vessel in half with a filter. One side houses the leaves; the other, the water. This allows you to turn the bottle upside down to infuse and then right side up when you’re ready to unscrew and sip. (There’s a helpful video on the product page.) While the glass means this mug is non-insulating, the double walls help retain heat for about an hour, and at only seven ounces, it should be easy to finish by then. Plus, as Titiun notes, you can easily re-brew for a second time with the same leaves.

Best stainless-steel travel mug for brewing tea

Volume: 16 ounces | Lid type: Sip lid | How to clean: Hand-wash recommended

Like the model above, this travel mug (which was gifted to me by the brand) brews tea without an infuser sitting in your water — but instead of the flip method, it has a more traditional tea press that you push down once the steep time is over (similar to a French press ). The grip is comfortable, so I often take it with me on late-afternoon walks, and the twist-off lid is extremely tight. It hasn’t ever spilled, even when jostled in my tote bag . There are small sip holes around the perimeter of the top of the infuser so you can drink from any angle, all while the flow of liquid is slow and controlled. Finally, because of the stainless-steel insulation, it stays at temperature for hours; when I brew it before I go upstairs for the evening, it’s still hot when I drink from it before bed.

Some more travel vessels we’ve written about

Our experts

• ​​ Haley Boyd , designer and sustainability enthusiast •  Maxine Builder , Strategist editor • Caleb Chauncey, former barista at East Pole Coffee Co. • Ryan Fisher, director of coffee and roasting at GoodBoyBob Coffee • Joanna Lareau, coffee manager at Stumptown • Noah McKeown, general manager at Go Get Em Tiger • Jerad Morrison, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee • Carla Lalli Music , cookbook author and recipe developer • Em Orendorff, former manager at Intelligentsia Coffee • Michael Phillips, director of content and copy at Blue Bottle • Will Pratt, founder and owner of Tandem Coffee Roasters • Jeremy Rellosa , Strategist writer • Steven Sadoff, founder of New York City’s Ground Support • Samya Said, former barista training manager at Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea • Sara Shacket , tea consultant • Julia Shaw, director of marketing at Devoción Coffee • Daniela Titiun, tea sommelier and writer of Tea Cachai

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Today’s Top Clicked

My Family Fights Over Who Gets to Use This Travel Water Bottle

Even my 3-year-old ditched her sippy cups for it.

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I don't have that problem any more, now that I exclusively use a stainless steel Zojirushi travel mug . I've tried other trendy travel bottles and mugs, and none of them work as well. The vacuum-sealed lid of the Zojirushi mug makes it so water stays fresh-from-the-fridge cold — even if I've been out on the go all day. I always grab it from my backpack and think, "There's no way this could still possibly be cool anymore," and I'm always pleasantly surprised.

The mouth is large enough to handle big ice cubes for that extra chill, and the design of the mouth makes it so I can chug the water down as fast as I want to, without experiencing the annoying glug-pause-glug-pause-glug-pause that sometimes happens with other bottles.

What's more, my 3-year-old daughter likes using it, too. The lid locks down tight, so she can't spill it and it doesn't leak in our backpack, b ut opening it is simple enough so that she can unlock it herself (it's one toggle-switch) and flip up the lid with the push of a button. Now, when we go to the playground, while all the kids are sitting with their Hello Kitty sippy cups , she rolls up with this sleek stainless-steel tube like a boss.

How much do I love this water bottle? When I left mine at a playspace in a fit of "mom brain," I immediately opened up my Amazon app and bought another. And then after thinking about it a minute, I performed the Herculean task of getting my kid to put her shoes back on and went back to the playspace to retrieve my original one because I couldn't part with it.

I personally don't use it for hot beverages, because iced coffee is one of life's greatest pleasures, but many of the nearly 6,000 five-star Amazon reviewers say it keeps coffee hot the same way it keeps my water cold.

If you comb the reviews, you can find a bunch of people who even did their own science experiments, reporting the temperature of their coffee after one hour, five hours, etc. "I left the Zojirushi on the counter overnight and 24 hours later it was 89 degrees F," says one reviewer (who noted the coffee usually starts at 113 degrees — not too bad for a whole day). Most of the few bad reviews (3% overall) mention the mug leaking, which is something I can't say I've experienced despite keeping mine in a backpack that gets jostled as I run after a preschooler on a playground.

So now, all my other travel bottles and mugs sit collecting dust, and my family all shares the two Zojirushi water bottles we have. Sharing is a small price to pay for chuggable cold water on a hot, sunny day.

Get One in Every Color

Emerald Green

Stainless Steel

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} The Good Stuff

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The best travel mugs, tested and reviewed

Posted: September 26, 2023 | Last updated: September 27, 2023

Prices are accurate at the time of publication.

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We can't decide what's worse for a morning commute: coffee going cold or going all over your clothes. Any mug with a lid that you can carry from place to place is technically a travel mug, but the best travel mugs keep your iced or hot beverage to temperature, won't leak all over your bag, and are easy to keep clean.

We put a dozen of the best travel mugs to the test, evaluating each for how well it retained temperature, how easy it was to clean, and most importantly, how nice it was to drink from. After more than eight months of testing, the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug stood out as the clear winner, keeping drinks to temperature for hours longer than any other mugs we tested. Our other favorites include a large capacity Yeti Rambler that holds 26 ounces of coffee, tea, or anything else you need to travel with in bulk.

Our top picks for travel mugs

Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug - See at Amazon The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug keeps both hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.

Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid - See at REI The Hydro Flask Coffee is comfortable to drink from and easy to tote around on your next adventure thanks to its strong rubber carry loop.

Best flip-top: Miir Travel Tumbler - See at Amazon Pair an easy-clean lid with 5 hours of hot and cold temperature retention and you get the solid performance of the Miir Travel Mug.

Best spill-proof: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug - See at Amazon The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug opens with the press of a button and automatically seals itself shut so you won't have to worry about whether you remembered to close it.

Best large-capacity:  Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap - See at Amazon If a single cup of coffee simply won't cut it, the Yeti Rambler 26-oz. Bottle has more than enough room to keep you fueled up, and the HotShot Cap makes it go down easy.

Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug

• Heat retention: 14 hours
• Ice retention: 7 hours
• Leak-proof:  Yes
• Lid style:  Locking spring-loaded push-button flip top
• Dishwasher safe: No

Pros: Best temperature retention by far, lid is easy to clean, leak-proof locking lid, one-handed operation, five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation

Cons: Not dishwasher safe, won't fit large ice cubes, will rattle around in cupholders

It's rare that we at Insider Reviews come across a product that is so head and shoulders above the competition that it's without a doubt the best overall pick; there's almost always a shortcoming or a caveat. But the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug is, hands down, the best travel mug you can buy, and we've got the data to back it up.

According to our test, the Zojirushi kept coffee hot for five hours longer than the next-best mug and kept ice frozen for an hour and a half longer than second place. Les Shu, Insider Reviews senior guides editor who helped me with secondary testing, found that it kept liquids hotter far longer if you don't open the lid as often.

The lid flips open to reveal a sizeable drinking spout that regulates liquid well, whether you're pouring it into a cup or your mouth. When closed, a switch at the base of the lid locks it shut so you can confidently toss it in your bag.

The lid disassembles into two plastic pieces and two rubber gaskets, so you can get into all the nooks and crannies as you clean it. It's a skinny mug too, so you'll want to invest in a good bottle brush. Because it's so skinny, you may have trouble fitting large ice cubes into it. It may also rattle around in your car's cupholder. But we're being nitpicky here.

If you want the best travel mug to keep your coffee hot the longest and provide the best drinking experience, this is your pick. Zojirushi also offers a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation, so if your mug loses its ability to retain temperature, Zojirushi will replace it.

Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

• Heat retention: 5 hours
• Ice retention: 4.5 hours
• Lid style:  Twist
• Dishwasher safe: Yes, on top rack

Pros: Rubber carry loop, comfortable to drink from, lid disassembles easily, dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty

Cons: Retained coffee smell, rubber loop may not be durable enough for attaching to packs

As much as I love the Zojirushi mug, it can get annoying to carry it around if you're roaming around bag-free or just don't have anywhere to stow it. The Hydro Flask Coffee helps mitigate this problem with the addition of a sturdy rubber carry loop. While walking around with it, I primarily held onto the loop with one or two fingers.

The Hydro Flask also provided one of the nicest drinking experiences of all the mugs we tested. The lid mechanism is simple, the liquid flows well, and there's no large lid mechanism to get in the way while you're drinking. When closed, the lid reveals a red square so you can quickly see that your mug is sealed. The lid disassembles into three plastic pieces and one rubber gasket.

We did find that the stainless steel retained some coffee smell after repeated use, so you may want to dedicate this mug to one type of beverage.

While the lid system does a good job of keeping it sealed, it does require two hands to open. If you're jostled while the lid is open, you might encounter a small spill. This was a rare occurrence, but drivers and commuters may want to keep this in mind.

This was a tough call in our best travel mug with a carry loop  The Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide actually beat out the Hydro Flask in both temperature tests, albeit by small margins, and we like the metal carry loop for durability. But the Klean Kanteen lid is difficult to disassemble for proper cleaning, and the metal carry loop is uncomfortable if you're carrying it by hand. The Hydro Flask just offered a nicer drinking experience. 

Best flip-top: Miir Travel Tumbler

• Ice retention: 5 hours
• Lid style:  Flip-top
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Pros: Simple lid is easy to clean, stays leak-proof even after repeated use

Cons: Too large for some cupholders, handwash only, won't keep ice frozen for very long

We disqualified more than one travel mug simply due to their exceedingly complicated lid mechanisms. A lid that's too hard to disassemble and clean will discourage you from washing it properly which can lead to mold growth. Flip-top lids are often one piece and the most simple, so mold has nowhere to hide.

The best flip-top travel mug we tried was the Miir Travel Tumbler. (We did love the S'well Commuter, but it's no longer available for purchase.) It was competitive in both our hot and cold temperature retention tests, despite the thinner construction that makes it easier to fit in cupholders. 

The flip-top was is slightly stiff and lies almost flush with the lid, so it's not the easiest to open. However, it preserves the benefit of the flip-top by being a breeze to clean.

Best spill-proof: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

• Heat retention: 6 hours
• Ice retention: 4 hours
• Lid style: Auto-sealing push-button

Pros: Automatically seals when not in use, dishwasher-safe, lifetime warranty

Cons:  Hand may get in the way while drinking, middling temperature retention

Even the most leak-proof mug is going to spill if you knock it over while the lid is open. If you know you're prone to spills or simply have too many important papers on your desk at any given time, do yourself a favor and invest in a mug that's totally klutz-proof.

The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Mug automatically seals when not in use, helping to retain temperature as well as ensure all your coffee stays where it's supposed to. To drink, you simply press and hold down the button on the lid which depresses the stopper in the spout and lets liquid flow. Upon releasing the button, the stopper raises back up to seal the spout. 

The Stanley performed admirably in our temperature tests — firmly middle of the pack. The lid mechanism is a bit complicated, with buttons and springs, so you'll want to regularly disassemble it and get into the nooks and crannies with a brush to ensure it doesn't harbor mold, especially around the metal spring. It disassembles into two pieces with a simple twist.

The main disadvantage to this mug is also its main draw — you have to press the button to drink. The button is positioned on the back of the lid, so you may find your own hand gets in the way of drinking, especially if your hand is larger. The button is also why this is one of Les Shu's favorites, who has been using it nonstop since early 2019.

Best large-capacity: Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap

Yeti 26-oz. rambler bottle, yeti hotshot cap.

• Heat retention: 9 hours
• Ice retention: 3 hours
• Lid style: HotShot is twist-lock, Chug Cap is twist-off

Pros:  Offered in larger sizes than any other mug we tested, retains heat very well, dishwasher safe, very sturdy build

Cons: Retains cold poorly, HotShot lid sold separately, HotShot lid gives no visual indication that it's open, definitely won't fit in cupholders

The Yeti Rambler Bottle comes in smaller 12-oz. and 18-oz. offerings, but the unique 26-oz. model is what caught our eye for best travel mug testing. Most of the travel mugs we recommend come in multiple sizes, but they all max out at 20 ounces. If you're used to guzzling large amounts of your beverage of choice, and you can't be bothered with a refill, you'll want a travel mug to match your habits.

The Rambler Bottle comes with what Yeti calls its Chug Cap — think classic soda bottle top with a large-handled lid that twists all the way off. It's great for water, iced coffee, and other cold drinks, but if hot beverages are your main priority, you'll want to buy the HotShot Cap which is sold separately.

Senior Guides Editor Les Shu and I were split in our feelings on the HotShot. He appreciates the inner wall and the tight lock that keep spills at bay, while I was disappointed that it gave no visual indication that it was open or closed.

If by some chance, 26 ounces isn't enough coffee to get you going in the morning, Yeti also offers a huge 36-oz. Rambler Bottle .

Our temperature retention test results

How we tested

In order to test the best travel mugs, we established several criteria we hoped each of our top picks would meet. Our initial testing period lasted one month, but we are still testing long-term durability in case issues arise. 

Temperature retention : To test heat retention, we filled each mug with water heated to 136 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for hot beverages according to a study by the University of Texas. We then tested the temperature hourly and noted change. Once the temperature dropped 25 degrees, we deemed the beverage too cold to drink and ended the test. To test cold retention, we filled each mug with 45-degree water straight from the refrigerator. We added three ice cubes and timed how long the ice remained frozen.

Leak test: We filled each travel mug with water and turned it upside down and shook it for a total of 30 seconds. We performed this test once at the beginning of our testing period and again at the end to ensure each mug stayed leak-proof even after repeated use.

Ease of use and cleaning : We wanted to test how easy each mug was to drink from while on the go. We noted how easy each mug was to operate with one hand. We also noted how well the liquid flowed out of each and whether or not they fit in standard car cupholders. We took into account how easy each mug was to clean. Many of these mugs have complex lids that can harbor mold if not properly sanitized. If lids were too complicated, difficult to disassemble or reassemble, or began to show signs of mold even after what we thought was a thorough cleaning, the mug lost major points.

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The 10 best travel mugs and tumblers for drinks on the go

Whether you’re on vacation or commuting daily, a travel mug can help you stay hydrated (or caffeinated) on the go. Studies say that trading in single-use cups for a reusable one can also benefit the environment. Plus, buying the right one could mean the difference between having a hot drink for hours and settling for lukewarm coffee after just 30 minutes.

SKIP AHEAD: How we picked the best travel mugs | The best travel mugs to shop in 2023 | How to shop for a travel mug

Selected. Our top picks

select These Amazon travel mugs keep your coffee hot all morning long

How we picked the best travel mugs.

To find the best travel mugs, we consulted an expert and prioritized the following criteria based on her advice:

• Style/Lid type: We chose a range of different options, including mugs that are best for tea infusion, cup holders, single-serve coffee machines and more. All of the lids are also either leak- or splash-proof — a must according to Sahara Rose De Vore, founder of The Travel Coach Network . “With traveling, there’s a lot of bumps in the road,” she says. “You want something that, when it tips over, it won’t spill right away.”
• Materials: A travel mug’s material will determine its durability and how easy it is to clean. De Vore prefers stainless steel mugs because they’re sturdy and don’t require rigorous washing.“I usually don’t find a dishwasher while traveling,” she says.
• Temperature Control: The travel mug’s ability to keep drinks hot or cold in transit is one of the most important factors. We chose options that can maintain one temperature for multiple hours, so your drink always tastes fresh.

The best travel mugs to shop in 2023

Never drink a cup of lukewarm anything again — we rounded up the best travel mugs and they include expert-recommended picks, top-rated bestsellers and Select staff favorites.

Best overall: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

This bestselling mug is made to keep your beverages hot or cold for hours through a vacuum-insulated design, according to the brand. The air between the layers of stainless steel is removed, which prevents the temperature from transferring and changing, says Zojirushi — the tight-sealing lid also helps to maintain temperature, and has a safety lock to prevent spills during your commute. Along with its stainless steel exterior, the mug is also made of BPA-free plastic, and is corrosion- and stain-resistant. It’s available in eight colors, including Lavender and Emerald, and top-rated, with a 4.7-star average rating from over 23,810 Amazon reviews.

Volume: 12 oz or 16 oz | Lid type: Sip lid

Best for single-serve coffee machines: Klean Kanteen Rise Mug

Klean Kanteen Rise Mug

This mug keeps drinks hot or cold for hours using a Climate Lock vacuum insulation technology, according to the brand. Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin loves that it’s short enough to fit under her single-serve coffee machine, and how it keeps her coffee hot during morning runs —“when I return to it, my coffee is still piping hot,” she says. She also says the flip and sip lid creates a tight seal with no leakage.

Volume: 14 oz | Lid type : Flip and sip

Best mug with a handle: Brumate Era

Brumate Era

This dishwasher-safe mug has a comfort grip handle and regulates temperature for hot, cold and carbonated beverages, according to the brand. It also has a removable stainless-steel straw, and can keep ice intact for over 24 hours, according to Brumate. De Vore says this mug is “definitely leak-proof”, and that the slim, cup holder-friendly design fits easily into her backpack pockets. It also comes in 12 vibrant colors, including Dark Aura , Blue Agave and Sage .

Volume: 40 oz | Lid type: Straw lid

Best for cup holders: Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

This vacuum-insulated, dishwasher-safe mug is one of Yeti’s bestsellers, and is great for both cold and hot drinks, according to the brand. Malin is a big fan of Yeti, and owns a number of its products, which she says are “pretty indestructible.” “I especially love the Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug because it perfectly fits inside car cup holders, which was essential when I was driving to grad school every day,” she says. She also loves the lid — “the mug comes with a sippy-cup style lid that never leaks, and I bought the straw version of the mug for iced coffee.”

Volume: 20 oz | Lid type: Sip lid

Best for tea infusion: Firebelly Stop-Infusion Travel Mug

Firebelly Stop-Infusion Travel Mug

This stainless steel travel mug was designed with tea lovers in mind — once you remove the inner tea press, you can add tea leaves, fill the mug with hot water and steep for your desired amount of time before simply pushing down on the tea press to stop the infusion. It’s 100% leak-proof, and has double-wall vacuum insulation to keep tea hot for hours, along with a tapered lip design, so tea flows evenly from any angle, according to Firebelly. Although not dishwasher-safe, the mug can be easily disassembled for hand washing, and is also available in five colors, including Mer, Saumon, Noir and Foret.

Volume: 16 oz | Lid type: Sip lid

Best for cold beverages: Camelbak Horizon 20-Ounce Straw Tumbler

CamelBak Horizon Tumbler

For those who prefer to sip from a straw, this tumbler has a non-slip base and is vacuum insulated to keep drinks cold for up to 14 hours, according to Camelbak. This is Malin’s favorite mug for cold beverages like iced coffee and smoothies. She’s especially fond of the straw lid —“there’s a little silicone seal around the straw that holds it in place and makes sure liquid does not spill or splash out of it,” she says. She also likes that the mug’s design isn’t bulky, and easy to wrap her hand around.

Volume: 20 oz | Lid type: Straw lid

Best splurge: Ember Travel Mug 2

Ember Travel Mug 2

If you're picky about the temperature of your drinks, it may be worth investing in the Ember Travel Mug 2. Though it’s pricier than the other options on this list, it’s the only one that allows you to control and adjust the heat of your beverage with a built-in touch display and a mobile app. According to the brand, the smart mug can maintain the specific temperature of your drink for up to three hours (it works all day if you keep it on the charger coaster). The Ember Travel Mug is also available with or without Apple’s “Find My” feature, and has a 4.1-star average rating from over 1,790 Amazon shoppers.

Volume: 12 oz | Lid type: Sip lid

Other top-rated travel mugs

Miir insulated coffee cup.

MiiR Insulated Coffee Cup

This highly-rated stainless steel travel cup has double-wall vacuum insulation to prevent condensation and keep the outside of the mug from overheating. The press fit lid is dishwasher-safe and splash-proof, and can also be switched out for other compatible Miir lids, according to the brand. It’s available in eight different hues, including Spark, Cascara and Thousand Hills, and has a 4.6-star average rating from more than 670 Amazon shoppers.

Volume: 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, or 20 oz | Lid type : Slider lid

Ello Campy Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

With a cork-lined handle and sealing slider lid, the Ello Travel Mug more closely resembles a traditional mug. This stainless steel mug is vacuum-sealed to keep beverages hot for up to five hours, and cold for up to 20 hours with ice, according to the brand. All parts of the mug are also BPA-free, and while the mug should be hand washed, the lid is dishwasher-safe. It’s also available in seven glossy colors, like Georgia Peach and Frost.

Volume: 18 oz | Lid type: Slider lid

Hydro Flask 12-Ounce Coffee Mug

This stainless steel mug features Hydro Flask’s signature TempShield insulation, designed to keep beverages hot for up to six hours and cold for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. It's insulated for optimal temperature control and comes with a splash-resistant press-in lid. The mug also has a 4.4-star average rating on Hydro Flask, and must be hand-washed with warm water.

Volume: 12 oz | Lid type: Slider lid

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How to shop for a travel mug.

When shopping for a travel mug, there are a few important questions to consider:

• Is the mug insulated? Insulated travel mugs can keep your drinks hot or cold for much longer periods of time. Most of the top-rated options on the market have stainless steel or glass interiors. Some options are also double-walled (or double-insulated), meaning there is an air pocket between the two layers of insulation to keep liquids hot and prevent the cup from overheating.
• Does the mug have a spill-proof lid? Arguably one of the most important features of a travel mug is a leak-proof lid. When you buy a reusable cup, look out for ones with vacuum-sealed lids and screw-on caps.
• How big is the mug? When shopping for a travel mug, it’s important to consider how much liquid the mug can hold. If you intend to use your mug in the car, you should also consider the shape and size, and whether it will be able to fit inside a cup holder.
• Is the mug dishwasher-safe? Some travel mugs are made with many small, intricate parts that can be difficult to clean around. If you don't want to hand-wash your cup, make sure the one you're buying is dishwasher-safe. Please note that some insulated travel mugs are made with several silicone gaskets, which can be difficult to clean — especially if they aren’t removable.

Meet our expert

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Sahara Rose De Vore is the Founder and CEO of The Travel Coach Network , where travel coaches can get certified through their ICF-accredited program. Sahara has traveled to 84 countries, is a published author and TEDx speaker, and was named one of 2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel by TravelPulse.

Why trust Select?

Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed a travel expert  for guidance on what to look for when shopping for travel mugs and cups. She also consulted Select staffers for shopping recommendations.

Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

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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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Stanley The Flowstate Quencher H2.0 Tumbler

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Best Travel Coffee Mugs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We’ve rounded up all the best travel coffee mugs for on-the-go coffee, tea or any other hot beverage of your choice.

Our Experts

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What's the best travel coffee mug?

Travelers need mugs that keep their drinks piping hot. If you're one of them, you should get a travel coffee mug that would allow you to enjoy and savor your beverage without having to rush to drink it before it goes cold. Whether you choose to start your day with a freshly brewed coffee from home or you stop by your favorite coffee shop, you're going to appreciate a good reusable travel mug. We've tested several of them and the $29 Zojirushi stainless steel is our pick for best travel coffee mug for 2024.

While a travel coffee mug isn’t necessarily a huge investment, it can cost up to the $45 mark, which can feel like a lot to pay. To help you pick the right travel coffee mug and not feel like you wasted money, we tested several of the most popular travel coffee mugs to see which ones keep liquids hot longest, protect against leaks and feel nice to hold -- and look at. These are the seven best travel coffee mugs of 2024.

Best travel coffee mugs

Best overall travel mug, zojirushi stainless steel mug.

Admittedly, sometimes choosing the "best" model of a given product is a matter of extreme nuance, but in this case, it wasn't even close. Zojirushi's sleek travel mug was the top performer in every possible metric. After 5 hours, the liquid was still piping hot. The screw-on lid was infallible and yet easy to drink from, with a spring-loaded button that opens the lid, and a lock feature to prevent it from being jostled open when in the closed position. (Let it be a testament to my faith in these mechanisms that I put the Zojirushi full of coffee in an overnight bag along with my clothing for a train ride out of town.) Regardless of this additional measure of security, the slim design made it easy to operate one-handed while not risking control of the mug. For the aesthetically conscious, the Zojirushi stainless mug comes in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns.

A close second for under $30

Miir flip traveler.

Along the same metrics, the Miir Flip Traveler was the clear runner-up to Zojirushi. After 5 hours, it only had lost 10 degrees beyond what the Zojirushi had maintained, but this was a solid 10 degrees hotter than almost any other model on this list. Its screw-on lid also kept all the liquid inside the mug, even when given the roller coaster treatment. The "flip" mechanism is basically a plastic flap that covers and plugs into the opening for sipping. Because the modest flap is so successful at managing leaks it wasn't as easy to flip open one-handed, but then again there's a lot less lid in your face when you go to take a sip. At half the cost of the Zojirushi, with several size and color options, this would be an excellent choice for those looking for a solid travel mug on a smaller budget.

Best variety of sizes, colors and features

Yeti rambler.

Yeti is a trusted brand in insulation, making everything from large coolers to picnic wine tumblers . It's no surprise that its travel coffee mug offering is also a worthy investment. Its Rambler series mugs are shatterproof, and double-walled, with a twist and press-on lid which includes a sliding piece to allow you a sip. 

While not as hot as the above models, the liquid in the Yeti was decidedly still quite warm after 5 hours. Overall, screw-on lids tended to be more leakproof in this lineup, so Yeti's lid wasn't perfectly leak-proof, although little more than a dribble escaped. (I wouldn't be packing it among my clothing, just in case.) 

Yeti has the widest variety where size and features are concerned, offering hot mugs in 10, 14, 20, 24 and 30-oz options, in about a dozen colors, and being among the only brands here to offer travel mugs with handles. Yeti's 20-oz Rambler also offers a tapered bottom with a high handle, formatted perfectly for your car's drink holder.

Best budget travel mug

Contigo west loop.

Good news for the travel-mug curious, or those with a tendency to lose things like travel mugs, Contigo's inexpensive West Loop model was also among the best performers on this list and might be something you just find on the shelf at your local department store or pharmacy. Utterly leakproof, the West Loop was on par with heavy-hitters Yeti and S'well in its ability to keep coffee relatively hot. Its contour is also especially user-friendly, with a narrow neck that makes for both a solid grip and easy one-handed operation with an auto seal function that includes a button at the back of the bottle that reveals the opening for sipping on the lid. A locking mechanism on the lid keeps the hole closed even if the auto seal button gets bumped. Its colorful models are a little more expensive, but a basic black model will cost you little more than $15, making it one of the best value mugs on this list.

Best travel mug for espresso drinks

In the spirit of full disclosure, this KeepCup mug isn't intended for long-term insulation, nor is its simple press-on lid designed to be airtight, but just look at it. For those whose daily coffee beverages top out at 6 ounces, and aren't meant to be sipped indefinitely, this glass number is the perfect vessel for a cappuccino, or other espresso drink, with a built-in cork band to serve as a heat sleeve and an attractive glass cup that still allows you to witness your foam art. Additionally, unlike all of the other models here, it is microwave-safe, which is another good way to keep your coffee hot for multiple hours.

Best travel mug with top handle

Hydro flask flex sip.

According to legend, the first people to climb to the peak of Denali did so with only a cup of hot chocolate for sustenance. While this move isn't recommended, if your to-go coffee or other hot beverage is likely to be swinging from a backpack, Hydro Flask's model with a top handle is an ideal choice. Hydro Flask is another brand whose products are known for top-performing insulation, and this Hydro Flask model was second to the Zoshirushi in terms of its ability to maintain temperature. The screw-on top creates nearly leakproof conditions. The upper part of the lid twists easily to reveal the slot for sipping, this is also what makes it only nearly leakproof, as the twisting sip mechanism tended to loosen the lid at the base somewhat. 

Best design

S'well tumbler.

The S'well line of tumblers looks, feels and operates very similarly to the Yeti Rambler, even coming to within a degree of temperature variation after both 3 and 5 hours: not quite hot, but still quite warm, relying on double-walled insulation and a twist and press-on, vacuum seal lid. Also like Yeti, it is very nearly leakproof and perfectly easy to operate in one hand. While the S'well line of tumblers has far fewer size options than the Yeti, what it has in abundance is a large array of attractive designs, with several marble, geode and wood finishes for a unique touch.

How we tested travel mugs

A travel coffee mug must do at least 2 things extremely well: keep your coffee hot, and keep it from spilling all over your bag/car/desk. Additionally, matters of size, aesthetics, ease of cleaning and one-handed operability may be factors to consider. Our list was assembled based on CNET's previous picks, those that have been well-vetted by other review sites and appear repeatedly on best lists, and best-selling and consistently highly-rated models at major retailers such as Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target.

Most travel coffee mugs claim to keep liquids "hot" for about 5-6 hours. To test this, I filled each of the models here with 170-degree liquid and measured the temperature after both 3 hours and 5 hours. Lids for travel mugs tend to fall in 1 of 2 camps, either some sort of threaded, screw-on mechanism or else a plastic and rubber twist/press-on lid that creates a vacuum seal. To test for leakproofness, I repeatedly upended each mug while full, looking for even a hint of a dribble.

Best travel mugs compared

Travel mug faqs, are travel coffee mugs dishwasher-safe.

It is mostly recommended to wash travel mugs and their lids in the sink with warm, soapy water. Of the models listed here, only the Yeti and Contigo give their full blessing as being dishwasher safe. Miir suggests that its Flip Traveler is dishwasher safe, but with an asterisk, recommending sink washing as a better practice to not ruin its exterior. Zojirushi, Keep Cup, Hydro Flask and S'well all are marked as not dishwasher safe.

Are travel coffee mugs good for the environment?

All of the travel mugs included here are BPA-free, which is a highly chemically processed form of plastic. To that degree, they are environmentally safe, and to the degree that they reduce the number of paper, plastic and styrofoam disposable cups, they are extremely good for the environment.

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