best travel mugs for iced coffee

17 Best Travel Coffee Mugs for Hot and Cold Drinks

Commute with your coffee under control.

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We updated this article in February 2023 to ensure the information reflected current prices, features and more. Our top picks, based on testing notes from the Good Housekeeping Institute , remain the same.

For many of us, coffee is a constant companion — and that means you'll want a trusty travel mug as you head out the door. Whether you prefer a piping hot cup from your drip coffee maker or single-serve coffeemaker , a refill at Starbucks or a dose of joe from your cold brew coffee maker , your travel coffee mug should handle it all without leaking. Fortunately, there's tons of options out there, including stainless steel coffee thermoses to keep your beverages cool and ones with straws for easy sipping.

Over the years, the pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab have tested 45 different travel mugs for hot and cold temperature retention, durability, resistance to leakage, ease of use and more. In our most recent tests, we called in samples of the latest travel mugs and used them both in the office and on our commutes to see how well they held up. We noted how they felt, how they traveled and, unavoidably, how they held up when dropped. Ahead, we rounded up the best travel coffee mugs based on picks that performed well during testing or come from brands that we trust.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Travel Coffee Mug

Zojirushi 16-ounce stainless steel mug.

Best Value Travel Coffee Mug

Juro stainless steel vacuum insulated tumbler.

Best No-Spill Travel Coffee Mug

Stanley classic trigger action travel mug.

Read on for more information on our testing process as well as for tips on what to look for when shopping for a travel coffee mug. For more ideas on what to fill your cup with, check out these coffee recipes to make at home .

Zojirushi's travel mug with a locking lid opens with the push of a button but won't leak or spill (even in a backpack). It will keep hot coffee hot — in fact, the brand is so confident that it offers a five-year warranty on heat retention. Iced coffee fans will appreciate that the mouth is large enough to handle big ice cubes for that extra chill.

Our tester noted that the vacuum-sealed lid keeps water cold 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." We also like the slim design, which is easy to grip and fits nicely into backpacks or totes. It comes in several colors and a 12-ounce version.

This stainless steel mug is a great affordable option, especially considering its large 20-ounce size. What's more, it claims to retain the temperature of your coffee for up to six hours. Online reviewers like that it fits easily into car holders and won't sweat when filled with ice. The tumbler includes two lids: The featured slider lid as well as a flip-style lid , so you can choose which you prefer for the beverage you're drinking. It also comes with a reusable straw and a straw cleaner, though we found the straw was short and inconvenient to use.

Stanley has been in the thermal carafe game since 1913. This travel coffee mug delivers the company's insulated design and also includes a push-button "trigger action" lid that keeps the mug sealed unless pushed. We liked that it means the spout stays closed when you're not hands-on . Our pros did note that it requires some level of strength and dexterity to hold the button while sipping. This mug is available in several colors (even camo!) and in a 20-ounce size.

Avana Sedona Stainless Steel Thermal Tumbler

This 10-ounce travel mug from Avana is perfectly sized for espresso-based drinks, but it's also available in 20-ounce and 30-ounce versions. Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou likes that the simple two-piece design is easy to clean because the lid is just one solid piece, unlike many other lids. This is particularly helpful if you like coffee drinks with foam, like latte beverages , that can gunk up lids over time. The contoured mouthpiece makes sipping easy, but it doesn't seal closed, so watch out for leaks. The double-walled insulated construction keeps drinks hot or cold and helps prevent condensation from collecting on the outside.

OXO Good Grips 16-oz Travel Coffee Mug with Leakproof SimplyClean Lid

We love when kitchen gear comes apart for a thorough cleaning, but would rather skip the guesswork that can follow when it's time to reassemble. The OXO travel coffee mug with SimplyClean lid solves this pain point: The four-piece lid is color-coded, numbered and etched with assembly instructions . It's easy to take apart and clean by hand (or in the dishwasher), and simple to put back together for your next cup. Never mind, it's also comfortable to hold. The mug comes in four other colors as well as a 20-ounce size.

Hydro Flask Flex Sip Lid Coffee Flask

Hydro Flask has a huge following when it comes to water bottles — in fact, we named the brand our best stainless steel water bottle — and we're fans of its coffee mugs (called coffee flasks), too . GH Lab tests found that its stainless steel, vacuum-insulated body kept drinks hot and cold for hours, and it was quite leakproof. Hydro Flask also offers a separate wide-mouth lid , which can be handy for cold beverages. (The included lid twists to open and close.) But, be careful drinking hot beverages with a wide mouth as it can spill easily. It's available in a range of colors as well as 16- and 20-ounce sizes , and the little handle helps make it easier to transport.

SMRTMUGG Heated Coffee Mug

This SmrtMugg travel mug — rated our best self-heating travel mug — has built-in heat technology to keep coffee hot. Its large battery on the bottom — the manufacturer claims a 10-hour battery life — kept coffee hot (above the target temp of 135˚F) for the full four hours of our Lab tests . Once you get the hang of the controls at the bottom of the mug, the clear digital readout is helpful in setting the temperature and turning off the mug. This travel mug also aced our leak tests. Our tester noted that while the push-button lid is easy to use, the edge of the button can bump your lip while drinking.

S'well Stainless Steel Traveler

This sleek 16-ounce bottle has been redesigned to fit more comfortably in your hand. Though we have not tested this model in the Lab, our pros appreciate that i ts large size and wide mouth can easily fit ice cubes , which makes it a great choice for frequent iced coffee drinkers. We have also found other S'well products to be good at maintaining temperatures. It seals shut and is leakproof; plus, it will keep your drinks cold (or hot!) all day. The S'well comes in a ton of color options as well as 12-ounce and 20-ounce sizes.

Contigo Luxe Autoseal Vacuum-Insulated Mug

This coffee mug from Contigo is super comfortable in your hands, and it has a unique locking feature that makes it leak- and spill-proof. When you want to sip (or chug) your coffee, just press the button to release the seal. During your commute, you can lock the button so you don't accidentally press it while on the go . It's also completely dishwasher-safe, even the lid. One tester did note that with hot beverages, the lid can feel too hot to handle.

YETI Rambler Mug with Lid

This popular Yeti mug looks just like a traditional coffee mug, but it's designed to keep your drinks hot or cold and comes with a lid to prevent unnecessary spills. The sturdy and comfortable handle is large enough for even wide hands. It's available in a dozen different colors as well as sizes from 10- to 30 ounces. Another bonus is that when you buy from the Yeti site, you can customize your product with a short text, a monogram or a logo. Our tester found that the lid slides open easily but noted that it's not leakproof. The brand has also introduced the Rambler Stronghold lid , which screws on (rather than presses in), which we're actively testing in the Lab.

Fellow Carter Everywhere Travel Mug

This little cylinder makes a statement, with testers loving how compact it was. The sleek stainless steel shell contains a ceramic liner intended to keep your coffee free of metallic flavors. The screw top reveals a wide mouth that you can sip from any angle and is large enough for adding ice . It comes in seven additional colors as well as a smaller, 12-ounce size.

W&P Porter Ceramic Mug with Protective Silicone Sleeve

Papantoniou likes that the inside of this travel mug is easy-to-clean porcelain, which generally helps to prevent buildup over time that can negatively impart flavors . She also noted that it keeps coffee "nice and hot right off the bat." It includes a simple shape and a silicone sleeve for a comfortable non-slip grip. It comes in several colors and a couple of terrazzo prints . It's also available in a 16-ounce size.

Starbucks Classic Green & White Traveler Tumbler Coffee Mug

Starbucks fans will appreciate that they can purchase this mug online rather than solely in the stores. The ceramic mug is easy to use — the lid just pops into place and is surrounded by a rubber seal to help keep it (and the coffee) in place — and easy to clean . "It keeps coffee warm like a standard ceramic mug would, and the lid helps to keep things a little warmer for longer," our tester says. "I like that it's not scalding hot like in a metal mug, so I can enjoy my coffee without burning my mouth." The 12-oz size is perfect for refills of Starbucks tall drinks.

STOJO Collapsible Travel Cup with Straw

Stojo's collapsible coffee cup makes it possible to travel light while avoiding single-use plastics. The brand impressed our pros with its other collapsible offerings — the Collapsible Bowl won a 2021 Kitchen Gear Award . Similarly, this travel cup is well designed: The cup includes a heat sleeve that provides a structured grip for the squishy silicone cup, and the 16-ounce size includes a straw (which is great for iced coffee or if you prefer to bring your own cup to fountain machines). The collapsed cup is just two inches in size. It's both microwave and dishwasher safe, with 8-ounce , 12-ounce and 24-ounce sizes.

MiiR Flip Traveler

With a 4.8-rating on Amazon, this stainless steel thermos comes in a slim design and an easy-to-open lid. Though we have not tested this pick in the Lab, we like its focus on giving back: T he bottom of each travel mug is printed with a "Give Code" that you can enter at Mirr's website for details on the brand's corporate giving , which is funded through every purchase. The Flip Traveler is available in several colors and 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes .

JOCO Glass Reusable Coffee Cup

This glass bodied Joco mug has a colorful silicone lid and a matching thermal sleeve. It's microwave (and dishwasher!) safe, which makes it a great option if you like to reheat your coffee throughout the day. Since the glass is clear, it's easy to see how much coffee you have left — and hit your preferred shade when you add your creamer. Take note that the lid does not seal shut, so while it might be handy for car commuting, this isn't one that's great for tossing in your bag.

Zoku Instant Iced Coffee Maker

For iced coffee fiends, this mug is for you. Get your cuppa in flash: Simply store the inner core of the mug in the freezer, then slip the frozen cup into the protective plastic sleeve and pour in hot coffee. Our tester found that the travel mug will chill your coffee rapidly without watering it down with ice cubes. (The brand actually uses the same concept for its ice cream maker .) Slide in the lid with the provided straw, and you're ready for undiluted iced coffee — though you can add ice if you prefer. One caveat is that the freezable core holds only 11 ounces, which some might find too small.

How we test travel coffee mugs

When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab test travel coffee mugs, they use thermocouples to track the temperature of the liquid inside the mug over time. Many of the mugs on this list were tested at home over months (even over commutes) to assess their durability, ease of use and temperature retention.

Our pros also evaluate the mugs for stability, cleanability and comfort of both holding and drinking. They test whether the mug is easy to open and close, and they drop each mug to assess its durability. To test for leaking, our pros roll the mug around on its side as well as turn it upside down and shake it vigorously.

How to find the best travel coffee mug for you

✔️ Material : Many travel coffee mugs are stainless steel, though our list also includes porcelain, glass and silicone options. Double-walled construction is common with stainless steel mugs, and that can help keep your beverage hot or cold longer. Other materials may not be insulated. If you opt for a glass mug, consider borosilicate glass, which is tempered to prevent shattering with hot liquids and can be more durable if dropped. Porcelain mugs are generally easy to clean, and because the material is nonporous, the mug is unlikely to develop odd flavors. Silicone is a great lightweight option, but it can get warm if it does not have a heat sleeve.

✔️ Lid : Some lids are more spill-proof than others. Our Lab experts particularly love the locking feature on the Contigo Luxe Autoseal Vacuum-Insulated Travel Coffee Mug , which adds a level of safety if you plan to toss your mug in your bag. Lids that screw on are also often leak-resistant. Those who prefer a more traditional-style mug with a handle may find that slider lids are common; evaluate those for leaking, as some are prone to dribbles (or worse). Note that spill-proof lids often require more care to clean.

✔️ Washability : Check to see if the mug is dishwasher-safe. If it needs to be washed by hand, make sure you can thoroughly clean it with a sponge or bottle brush .

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Sarah Wharton is the Senior Editor and Analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She tested several of the newest additions to this list as well as led the recent test of heated mugs. She's written about all kinds of kitchen gear as well as coffee advice like how to make a cappuccino and how to make an iced latte .

Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou oversees all testing of kitchen gear, including products like coffee grinders , coffee makers , espresso machines and Nespresso machines . She has tested almost all of these travel mugs and is constantly rotating through an assortment in her daily travel mug use. She is also the lead judge in the Good Housekeeping Institute's forthcoming Coffee Awards .

Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).

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

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

Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler

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

Stanley Classic Trigger Action travel mug

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

Stojo collapsible travel cup, 16-ounce

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

Read a full review of the Stojo cup.

Stanley Aerolight Transit bottle

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

Yeti Rambler stackable mug

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

Snow Peak Milk bottle

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

Zojirushi stainless steel mug

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

Hydro Flask bottle with Flex Sip lid

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

Martina Thornhill Okay cup

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

Kinto travel tumbler

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

Yeti Rambler lowball

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

Corkcicle classic tumbler

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

Miir Climate+ Tumbler

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

Hydro Flask stainless steel travel mug

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

OtterBox Elevation wine tumbler

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

Hay Sowden travel cup

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

W&P Porter mug

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

Simple Modern travel coffee mug

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

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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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.

Update on October 1, 2024:  Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

What we’re looking for

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

If you prefer a mug with a handle, I recommend this Yeti option. Steven Sadoff, founder of New York City’s Ground Support , has many travel mugs (including the MiiR and the Fellow above), but he finds the handle on this one 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

MiiR also makes a sweet travel mug that mimics an actual handled mug, and it also came recommended by multiple experts. 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, I named it our best-overall bottle). Here, the Flex Sip lid makes it especially easy to use on the go, keeping your coffee contained as you drink. Plus you can dangle the mug with one finger from the looped handle. If you already own a Hydro Flask, you can buy the lid separately and just replace your old one. The company says it’s dishwasher safe, but handwashing is recommended — though my boyfriend and I have been putting our own Hydro Flasks in the dishwasher for months now, and there hasn’t been any damage.

Best no-leak travel mug

Volume: 12 and 17 ounces | Lid type: Screw top double lid | How to clean: Handwash recommended

This tumbler has an extra-secure double-lid system to prevent leaks. You take both lids 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. Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa loves this feature, he 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: 8.5 and 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

Often, tea-brewing 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 turn bitter. But not with this tumbler. Daniela Titiun, tea sommelier and author of Tea Cachai , tried many models before landing on the Oneisall, which she says has “the smartest system.” It 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 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 • 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 • 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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7 Best Travel Coffee Mugs for Hot and Cold Drinks of 2024

Sometimes you don’t always have the luxury of enjoying your favorite beverage from home. Though fairly simple, travel mugs are a convenient investment when you need to take your coffee or tea on the go.

While a travel mug might seem like a straightforward purchase, not all of these products are built the same. The best travel coffee mugs should be comfortable to hold, convenient to use, and effective at maintaining the temperature of your beverage for several hours. We found the BrüMateNav to tick all these boxes, naming it our pick for the best overall travel mug.

Table of Contents

• Best Travel Coffee Mugs
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

BrüMate Nav  »

Leakproof BevLock lid

Keeps drinks hot for 6+ hours or cold for 24+ hours

Cupholder-friendly

Large capacity option

Dishwasher-safe

Lifetime warranty

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or want a practical gift for a coffee lover , BrüMate’s Nav travel coffee mug stands out as a worthy choice. It blends sleek design with durability and excellent temperature regulation.

The Nav keeps your drink hot for six or more hours and cold for 24 or more hours and because it’s well-insulated, it doesn’t make your hand hot or cold while holding it. Though it’s expensive for a travel mug, each BrüMate mug comes with a lifetime warranty.

The cupholder-friendly mug is available in both 25- and 35-ounce sizes, offering the option for exceptionally large capacity. Its leakproof BevLock lid relies on a threading system to let you drink from eight sipping positions. Its MagFlip lid uses a magnet to lock the lid open and in place while you drink, and the lids are compatible with straws.

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug  »

Vacuum-insulated

Handwash recommended

Shouldn’t be used for carbonated beverages

Ello’s Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug is a budget-friendly option sporting a vintage, camp cup-style design. The 18-ounce travel mug is suitable for both hot and cold beverages. Because it’s made from vacuum-insulated stainless steel, it keeps drinks hot for up to five hours and cold for up to 20 hours with ice.

The handle, which features cork inlay, is soft to the touch, making the mug versatile and convenient to carry. It also has a leakproof slider that is easy to open and close. Customers have pointed out that the mug does not get hot on the outside when it’s filled with a hot beverage.

The Campy is made for both hot and cold drinks, though Ello says to avoid using it for carbonated beverages. You also shouldn’t freeze or microwave it. While only the lid of the Campy is dishwasher-safe, the mug is easy to disassemble for handwashing.

It comes in seven colors and fits snugly in a cupholder. The mug is also available in an 11-ounce model, but it’s worth noting that the smaller size will not fit in a car cupholder due to the placement of the handle.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug  »

Vacuum insulation

Keeps drinks hot or cold up for 6 or more hours

Corrosion-resistant SlickSteel finish

Only available in a few colors

If maintaining your beverage temperature is a top priority, Zojirushi’s Stainless Steel Mug stands out for its excellent insulation. The mug promises to keep beverages hot or cold for up to six hours, though according to customer reviews, it retains heat or cooling for even longer.

The travel mug comes in 12- and 16-ounce models, meaning it fits easily into a backpack , tote, or work bag , and most, if not all, car cupholders. The mug has a wide-mouth lid that flips open at the push of a button and a sliding safety lock when you want to keep the lid closed.

Made from BPA-free plastic and sanitary 18/8 stainless steel, the mug is lightweight, durable, and safe. Its SlickSteel finish repels stains and resists corrosion. Zojirushi provides a five-year warranty on its stainless steel vacuum heat retention products.

HydroFlask 20 oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid  »

Leakproof Flex Sip Lid

Double-wall vacuum insulation

Suitable for hot and cold drinks

Wide mouth opening for ice cubes

No larger capacity option

Difficult to disassemble for cleaning

Margaret Nyamumbo , founder of Kahawa 1893 Coffee, names this HydroFlask a top choice for a leakproof option. The mug is double-wall vacuum-sealed to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours. It has a wide mouth opening when you remove the lid, making it easy to fill it with ice cubes for cold beverages. Nyamumbo also appreciates the versatile handle and sporty design.

The mug is made from durable stainless steel with a powder coating that comes in a variety of colors and doesn’t sweat. It’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe, though many reviewers pointed out that disassembling the lid for cleaning can be time-consuming.

HydroFlask offers custom color options and engraving of text, graphics, or uploaded images. HydroFlask backs all of its travel coffee mugs with a limited lifetime warranty that protects against manufacturing defects.

BrüMate Müv  »

Sturdy handle that is cupholder-friendly

Sleek, functional design

Wide range of color options

Straw not included

For coffee drinkers on the go who like having a sturdy, secure handle, BrüMate’s Müv is a smart choice. Similar to the Nav, the Müv is well-designed and fits comfortably in your hand, either when you grip the handle or the mug itself. And while some mug handles get in the way of the cupholder, that’s not the case with the Müv.

The lid uses BrüMate’s leakproof OctaLock threading system that enables you to drink from one of eight positions. Its MagFlip lid has a magnet embedded that locks the lid open and in place while you sip. Though the Müv does not come with a straw, it is compatible with straws.

The Müv keeps drinks hot for upwards of six hours or cold for upwards of 24 hours. It comes in 25- and 35-ounce sizes as well as various colors. Like all of BrüMate’s travel coffee mugs, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty that protects against defects.

Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Tumbler  »

Keeps drinks cold for up to 11 hours

Includes a straw

Available in a wide range of colors and sizes

Not suitable for hot beverages

Not spill-proof

The Quencher H2.0 Tumbler is a smart choice for iced coffee drinkers (or just to use as a water bottle ) because it keeps drinks ice cold for up to 11 hours. The tumbler comes in five sizes, ranging from 14 to 60 ounces, all of which feature a rotating lid with three positions: one for sipping, one to use with a straw, and one to cover the top to prevent spills.

All sizes except for the 60-ounce model fit in your car cupholder; both the 30- and 40-ounce models have handles for convenient carrying. All sizes are available in dozens of colors and Stanley even offers the option to customize your tumbler with text, graphics, or a monogram.

The Quencher H2.0 Tumbler is made from BPA-free recycled stainless steel and has double-wall vacuum insulation. The travel mug is dishwasher-safe and includes a reusable straw. Every Stanley travel mug comes with a lifetime warranty that helps bring you some peace of mind that your purchase is protected, considering this mug is on the pricey side.

Ember Travel Mug 2  »

Precise temperature regulation

Touch display

3-hour battery

Leak proof lid

Small capacity

The Ember Travel Mug 2 is essentially a portable mug warmer . Its innovative technology lets you customize and control the precise temperature of your hot beverages.

By using the touch display, you can program it to maintain your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate anywhere between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit for up to three hours. It’s powered by an internal battery, but when placed on its charging coaster, it can keep the contents heated all day. It’s even able to sense automatically when to turn on or off.

The smart mug pairs with Apple’s Find My feature, which allows you to easily locate it on a map in the Find My app on your Apple device. You can also pair it with the free Ember app to adjust settings and create custom presets for different types of beverages. The app can also notify you when your beverage reaches your preferred temperature.

Though the mug requires handwashing, the leakproof lid is dishwasher-safe.

The Bottom Line

Travel coffee mugs vary by shape, size, and features. As you shop, consider the mug’s capacity, materials, dimensions, and insulation capability – these features will indicate whether it’s the best option for your lifestyle.

Ultimately, we think BrüMate’s Nav will make the best overall choice for most travel mug users’ needs because of its thoughtful design, effective insulation of both hot and cold beverages, varying capacities, and limited lifetime warranty.

Things To Consider When Buying Travel Coffee Mugs

Size and Capacity

According to Erin Doern, head of product development for Free Rein Coffee, popular sizes for travel mugs range between 16 and 30 ounces. “If you prefer iced coffee, you might want a slightly larger tumbler to accommodate ice,” Doern advises.

For those who plan to take their mug on a long morning commute, Doern recommends choosing a travel coffee mug large enough to hold your full morning coffee. “Alternatively, if you prefer refilling more often throughout the day, a smaller tumbler may be more suitable,” she says.

If you intend to use your travel coffee mug in the car, double-check that the model you choose is designed to fit cupholders. Some large-capacity coffee mugs have wide bottoms that are not cupholder-friendly, and smaller coffee mugs with handles may not fit either.

Insulation 

Research has shown that people tend to prefer drinking hot coffee at a temperature of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter how hot or cold you like your drinks, a good travel mug should be able to retain their temperature for as long as possible – that’s where the insulation features come into play.

Insulation will vary by construction and materials. According to Nyamumbo, stainless steel is most effective at insulation, as it’s typically the material found in double-walled, vacuum-insulated coffee mugs.

“In double-walled, vacuum-insulated tumblers, air is removed between the two walls to minimize heat transfer, keeping your beverage hot or cold for up to 24 hours,” explains Doern.

Leak Prevention

If you plan to carry your travel mug in a backpack or work bag, look for a design that prevents leaks. Keep in mind that leakproof is not always the same as spillproof – the former typically refers to mugs that won’t leak while the lid is sealed, while the latter might describe mugs that prevent splashes while you’re drinking from them.

“Key features for leak prevention include a well-designed lid with secure locking mechanisms, such as snap-on or screw-on closures and rubber or silicone seals,” says Doern. “Additionally, consider models with spill-proof designs, such as flip-tops and locking lids.”

While straws can be handy for sipping, keep in mind that travel coffee mugs or tumblers with straws are often more prone to leaks than those without straws because there’s no easy way to seal them shut.

Doern also recommends prioritizing models with easy-to-clean components because they are often more likely to be leak-resistant or leakproof than those that are more difficult to disassemble and clean.

The type of beverage you prefer can determine which lid type best suits your needs. “For hot drinks, you want a sipping mechanism that prevents spilling and also traps the liquid without exposing it to cold temperatures,” says Nyamumbo. “For iced drinks, you want a lid that can control the movement of ice. Built-in straws or straw-compatible lids give you flexibility.”

If you like drinking both hot and iced beverages, look for a lid that has a sipping mechanism and minimizes the heat from escaping, but can also accommodate a straw. This gives you the option to use one mug for hot or cold beverages instead of buying two different travel mugs.

Some brands offer swappable lids for an additional price, allowing you to change out the lid type based on your beverage. For example, one lid might have a flip-up straw and another might have a wide mouth opening or sport top.

Handle or No Handle

While the choice between a handle or no handle mainly comes down to personal preference, there are still a few practical considerations to take into account.

“Portability and comfort are key factors to consider when choosing a tumbler with or without a handle,” says Doern. “Mugs without handles are generally more compact, making them easier to fit into car cupholders, backpack pockets, or tote bags. On the other hand, tumblers with handles can be easier to carry and more comfortable to grip, especially if you’re juggling other items.”

If you do opt for a travel mug with a handle, Nyamumbo recommends one that’s placed higher up on the mug so it can still fit a cupholder. If you’re able to shop in person, try picking up a few different travel mugs so you can compare the comfort in your hand.

How We Chose the Best Travel Coffee Mugs

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we researched and compared dozens of options to create this list of the best travel coffee mugs. To inform our search, we sought the expertise of coffee professionals, including Erin Doern, the head of product development for Free Rein Coffee , and Margaret Nyamumbo of Kahawa 1893 Coffee .

We then narrowed down the selection after considering the most important factors like design, capacity, cleaning and care, and insulation period. We also combed through numerous real-life customer reviews. We found that a good quality travel coffee mug should be comfortable to hold and convenient for your lifestyle, keeping your preferred beverage at your preferred temperature for many hours.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Our contributors and editors bring years of experience testing and recommending the best products for every area of the home. Nina Derwin , the author of this piece, has covered a wide assortment of home goods and kitchen products for 360 reviews, including cookware sets , couches , and robot mops . Additionally, she has vetted home products for publications like Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, and Better Homes & Gardens. Nina has spent more than a decade curating the decor and furniture in her Brooklyn apartment to reflect high quality, sustainability, and versatility.

This piece was edited by Victoria Sheridan , a Home Goods Editor for 360 Reviews specializing in furniture, kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies. She has worked in the product review space since 2019.

One of the best reasons to purchase a travel coffee mug is that it keeps your coffee hot much longer than a standard coffee mug. According to Doern, when you’re shopping for a travel coffee mug, “look for one with a vacuum-insulated double-wall exterior to maintain your coffee’s temperature longer.” Other materials like silicone, glass, or plain stainless steel won’t retain heat as long, nor will they be as effective at preventing heat transfer from the beverage to your hand.

Travel coffee mugs are usually best suited to hot coffee and tea, but compatible drinks will vary depending on the mug’s exact construction and materials.

“Stainless steel, copper, and ceramic linings prevent flavor transfer, allowing you to use it for any type of beverage,” says Doern. Plastic, on the other hand, is prone to staining and retaining odors and flavors, so you’d likely only want to use it for one kind of beverage.

Different travel mugs will require different cleaning methods depending on their materials. Many travel mugs are dishwasher-safe while others are handwash-only. In some cases certain components of the mug are dishwasher-safe while others require handwashing.

A good rule of thumb when cleaning your travel coffee mug is to use a soft sponge and gentle dish soap to handwash. When in doubt, review the cleaning and care instructions for your specific model to determine the best way to clean it between uses.

About Our Team

Nina Derwin

Contributor

Victoria Sheridan

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

Best travel coffee mugs in 2024 — tested and rated

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

Best overall

Best budget and durable

Best with handle

Best heavy duty

Best color selection

Best smart travel mug

Best for heat retention

Best for sustainability

Most secure

Best mug design

Best ceramic

How we test

How to choose.

If you're on a morning commute, traveling or camping, you'll need one of the best travel mugs. These are essential for keeping your coffee warm, or your iced tea cool in warm conditions. 

And while choosing a travel mug might seem easy to do, it can be tricky to know which one is suitable for your lifestyle. First, you'll need to consider what material you'd prefer? Durable materials range from steel, aluminum and plastic, to even ceramic. Also, if you'll be on the move, you'll need to know heavy it is to carry, heat retention, and overall style. 

Finally, what's your budget? The best coffee travel mugs range from as little as $15 to $35. Or if you want to splurge, you could invest in more advanced types with their own battery, costing around $185.

Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work and found a great selection of the best travel mugs to suit any lifestyle, need and budget.

The quick list

Here's a quick overview of the best travel coffee mugs you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews.

The MiiR Flip Traveler is equipped with a double wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel body that holds 16 fluid ounces of liquid. It comes with a secure lid on top that flips out when you need to drink and locked in. It's lightweight and you can choose from nine, vibrant colors. Read more below

Stanley is known for their rugged design and durability, and this travel mug is a great choice for the outdoors. Made from stainless steel, it holds 16 ounces. What's more, the lid has a unique trigger system that lets you sip by just pressing the button, making it leak-proof.

Read more below

If you're always on the move, and need a mug with a handle, this Hydro Flask is well-designed.  With a capacity of 20 ounces, this is incredibly durable yet lightweight to carry around. It also comes with a Flex Sip Lid that turns counterclockwise to open the seal.

The THERMOS Stainless King is a heavy duty mug, and holds heat incredibly well. It holds up to 16 ounces, and comes with a sturdy handle at the side, and vacuum-sealed, nozzle counter-clockwise lid. Bear in mind that it is heavy, but will keep your beverages hot.

The Yeti Rambler has a unique, stout design that offers enough room for your liquid inside. This can hold a 20 oz capacity, with a slide-up lid. Great for taking your cold or hot drinks on the go. Best of all, it's available in a whopping 34 colors, to suit your style. 

If you're after a smart mug to keep your drinks at a steady temperature, the Ember mug is a great option. It comes with an internal battery, and packed with handy features. Simply tap the center to reveal icons and set it to your preferred temperature.  

1. MiiR Flip Traveler

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

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

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

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

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

2. Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

Best budget and best durable

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

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

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

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

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

3. Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

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

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

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

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

4. THERMOS Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Yeti Rambler

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Ember Temperature Control Travel Mug

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

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

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

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

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

7. Teabloom

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

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

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

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

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

8. bioGo 16 oz Reusable Coffee Cups

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

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

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

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

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

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

11. Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Mug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How long will a travel coffee mug keep my drinks hot?

A typical, ceramic travel mug with a silicone lid can keep your drinks hot between one to four hours. While the mugs designed with advanced, insulated walls can maintain the temperature for even longer, up to eight hours.

During our tests, the Teabloom rated the best for heat retention, with hot drinks keeping a steady temperature of 126 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 10 hours. In addition, it can make make tea, coffee and more, right in the bottle. 

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

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The 16 Best Travel Mugs to Keep Drinks Hot or Cold on the Move

Good travel mugs are leakproof, durable and stylish. The best ones go even further.

By Hayley Helms and Jack Seemer

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

Travel mugs deserve due diligence. You might be tempted to grab whatever mug you see on sale, only to realize later that it leaks or has terrible thermal properties.

Good travel mugs are simple to use, leakproof, durable and stylish. The best ones also fit easily in a cupholder (with some exceptions) and keep your coffee hot or cold for hours on end. These picks do all that and more.

Every product is independently selected. Learn more about our testing methods.

Best Overall Travel Mug

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Flex Sip Lid Travel Mug

• Fits in standard cupholder
• Dishwasher-safe
• Large variety of color options
• Lifetime warranty
• No extra bells or whistles
• $25 at Amazon $35 (29% off)

Hydro Flask’s double-wall, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel water bottles are known to keep beverages cold or hot all day long, and the same goes for its coffee mugs.

The Wide Mouth Mug keeps cold drinks chilled for a whopping 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for 12 hours. The variety of colors and sizes Hydro Flask offers is wide, the flexible carry handle is comfortable to grip and makes it easy to strap to any pack and the lifetime warranty is sweet.

Best Upgrade Travel Mug

YETI Rambler 20 Ounce Tumbler

• Sturdy design
• Dishwashe-safe
• $35 at Amazon

Yeti is pretty firmly ensconced as the cooler king . No big surprise then that the company makes some pretty damn good mugs, as well.

This double-wall vacuum-insulated option keeps your beverage as hot or cold as you like while also looking good and standing up to the elements. The no-muss Magslider lid makes it even more travel friendly.

Best Budget Travel Mug

RTIC Travel Coffee Mug

• Top-tier insulation
• Comes in multiple sizes
• Hand-wash only
• $23 at Amazon

Rtic makes top-of-the-line coolers , so it’s understandable the brand also crushes the hot beverage game — with style to spare.

Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps each sip toasty, and the 16-ounce capacity ensures there will be plenty such sips.

Brand to Watch

SMMT Outdoor Serpa Tumbler

• Easy to clean
• Doesn't fit cupholders
• $42 at SMMT Outdoor

Created by former Nike execs and located in Park City, Utah, SMMT Outdoor specializes in elevating outdoor gear, and its Serpa Tumbler is no exception.

The leak-proof lid separates into two components — the durable plastic sipping lid and a magnetic base, which doubles as a coaster when sipping lid-free.

The Serpa can hold 16 ounces, and it is shorter and stouter than other insulated mugs. It doesn’t fit in car cupholders (which is a shame) but it’s chic design and ability to keep drinks at their optimal temperatures will probably inspire you to have it in-hand, anyway.

Best Large Travel Mug

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

• Large handle makes carrying easy
• Compatible with all cup holders
• Heavy when full
• $45 at Amazon

Thanks to TikTok, Stanley’s humble Quencher has gone from standard issue to red-hot over the last couple years. If you’re seeing one in practically everyone’s hand, it’s not just the effect of social media: the bottle is that good.

The 40-ounce capacity with cup holder compatibility is spill-proof, easy to drink out of thanks to its reusable straw and easy to grip thanks to its extra-large handle. It’s easy to clean since it’s dishwasher safe, and it comes in a variety of colors.

And, yes, it keeps your drinks at just the temp you want — four hours for warm drinks, and 11 hours for cold beverages.

Innovative Lid Design

Miir 360 Traveler

• Sleek and sophisticated design
• Pricey per ounce
• Only available in smaller sizes
• $28 at Miir

If you’re constantly on-the-go, sometimes it can be a pain to take the time to sip out of one tiny little opening in your travel mug lid. You want options! And Miir offers them with its 360 Traveler.

The unique pop-up design of the lid allows for sipping anywhere around the rim — no thinking required. It’s spill proof, sleek and easy to use.

The lid can be a little annoying to clean, but that’s not anything new in the world of insulated mugs and bottles.

Most Versatile Design

CamelBak MultiBev Water Bottle & Travel Cup

• Easy to share beverages
• Can also store dry goods
• Too tall for daily use
• $40 at Amazon $52 (23% off)

If you’re looking for a travel mug that can do more — and are willing to shell out for it — CamelBak’s Red Dot Design Award-winning innovation is your play.

The insulated 22-ounce bottle features a removable, lidded 16-once cup you can use to reduce waste at a coffee shop, stash snacks and even use to share some of your precious rocket fuel with a friend, if you’re feeling generous.

Best Travel Mug for Long Journeys

Ember Travel Mug 2

• Keeps drinks at a specific temperature for three hours
• Not for cold drinks
• Requires setup
• $120 at Amazon

If you’re the type to let your coffee or tea go cold, just to microwave it and let it go cold again, then the Ember 2 should be on your radar.

Yes, other insulated mugs and bottles can keep your favorite drink semi-hot for up to six hours. But Ember’s keeps your coffee, tea or other hot beverage at the same exact temperature for three hours.

Classic Travel Mug

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug

• Comfortable handle
• White lid stains easily
• $18 at Amazon

If you love to get outdoors, this backcountry-inspired travel mug looks just like the ceramic mugs that used to be everyone’s go-to for camping.

The sliding leak-proof lid keeps things hot and secure for up to five hours. We recommend pairing this mug with some easy-to-make camp coffee like Kuju’s pour-over grounds or Alpine Start’s instant coffee.

Best Travel Tumbler

CamelBak Horizon 10 Ounce Rocks Tumbler

• Fits easily in your hand or pack
• Non-slip silicone base
• Won't hold a standard 12-ounce can of beer
• $16 at Amazon $19 (16% off)

Camelbak’s small-but-mighty 10 ounce tumbler is perfect for keeping drinks — alcoholic or not — chilled and ready for sipping at a moment’s notice.

The double-walled insulated stainless steel is powder-coated for a sweat-free finish: use this for your afternoon cocktail this weekend, and you won’t get those annoying drops rolling off every time you raise your glass to take a refreshing sip.

CamelBak’s non-slip silicone pad on the base keeps things upright and steady, and its tumbler-style lid slides open into three different positions, so you can find the flow that works for you.

Best Travel Mug for Bike Rides

Velo Canteen

• Fits standard bottle cages
• Only holds 13.5 ounces
• $45 at Velo

For the cyclist that enjoys a quality brew but doesn’t want to pour it into plastic — or simply refined riders that want a beautiful, functional bottle to complement their kit — it doesn’t get much better than Velo’s Stainless Steel Canteen.

It fits in a standard cage, works on and off the bike and double-walled stainless steel keeps warm drinks warm for hours on end.

Best Snap-Lid Design

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug

• Comes in two-dozen colorways
• Multiple sizes available
• Cold retention is short
• $26 at Amazon

Offered in two-dozen attractive hues, Zojirushi mugs are renowned for their quality. This one keeps beverages hot for up to six hours, and there’s a five-year warranty on the heat retention, so you’re essentially getting five years of steaming java in one purchase.

Best Travel Mug for Iced Coffee

Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide 16 oz Travel Mug

• Some of the best thermal retention on the market
• Appearance is pretty plain
• $33 at Amazon

This vacuum-insulated bottle gives you loads of liquid refreshment options. But simply using the included leak-proof Café Cap and carrying handle, you can tote hot coffee for an impressive 14 hours — or iced coffee for a mind-blowing 47.

An Aesthetically Pleasing Design

Swell Teakwood Traveler

• Triple-layer vacuum insulation
• Comes in three sizes
• Not real wood
• $40.00 at swell.com

The 16-ounce version of this distinctive-looking option will keep your coffee steaming for a a generous 12 hours thanks to stainless steel and triple-walled insulation.

If the wood finish isn’t your style, there are several other colors and patterns to peruse.

An Old-School Design

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug

• Lid can open with one hand
• Classic stylng
• May be too old-school for some
• $25 at Dick's Sporting Goods

Stanley’s been at it for more than a century, with consistent quality you can trust.

This mug combines timeless good looks with reliable 18/8 Stainless Steel and double-wall vacuum insulation to ensure hours of toasty joe.

It’s easy to drink while driving, too, thanks to the push-button lid you can trigger with your thumb.

Best Travel Mug for Tea

Thermos Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Travel Tumbler

• Has thousands of positive reviews
• Built-in tea hook
• Not the most durable design
• $22 at Amazon $28 (21% off)

This fan-favorite has over 8,000 Amazon ratings and a 4.6-star average. The vacuum insulation will keep coffee or tea hot for up to five hours, while the built-in tea hook handily suspends tea bags and most loose leaf infusers.

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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 and 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 version this guide. He covers travel and outdoor gear, including thermoses , ice cleats , and thermal underwear . 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’ve done the following:

• 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.
• We watched a mass of online videos on what other professional and consumer reviewers had to say about travel mugs.

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 . They also have wider mouths for adding ice cubes. Many also have straws for sipping 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.

Here’s what we prioritized when deciding which travel mugs to test:

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:

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’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 .

It doesn’t keep drinks hot as long as our top pick does. 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.

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, and 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 battery-powered Ember Travel Mug 2 promises 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. 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

I write about outdoor and travel gear. I test hiking socks, ice cleats, thermoses, and more things that make being outdoors more comfortable and fun.

Anna Perling

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

Further reading

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

by Christine Ryan

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

Our Favorite Mugs

by Jackie Reeve

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

How to Clean a Travel Mug or Water Bottle

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

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

by James Austin

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

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• What to Buy

The Best Travel Coffee Mugs, According to Our Tests

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

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

How We Tested Travel Coffee Mugs

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

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Travel coffee mugs are an essential part of the cupboard, especially for those of us with little time to spare in the mornings. While nothing can amount exactly to sipping a fresh brew from your favorite espresso machine , cold brew coffee maker , or local café, a travel mug can keep you fairly close to enjoying a similar experience while on the go. The drink may not be at its freshest, but you will have super-hot or ice-cold coffee to help keep you fueled throughout the day.

The problem is finding a cup that checks all the boxes: It keeps the flavor of your go-to coffee intact without any metallic aftertaste, controls the temperature of your beverage for long periods of time, and — possibly the most important aspect — fits into your cup holders. To find the travel coffee mugs that check these boxes and more, we tested more than 25 popular models, paying close attention to insulation, design, and size. We also asked some die-hard coffee drinkers their expert opinions on the best travel coffee mugs, including ceramic and stainless steel tumblers. Read on to discover the final picks tested and approved by our editors.

Best Overall

Yeti rambler 20 oz tumbler.

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

Be careful: The MagSlider lid isn’t leakproof.

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

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

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

Volume: 20 ounces | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Weight: 14.4 ounces | Dimensions : ‎3.5 x 6.6 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

• PHOTO: Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Ello Campy Travel Mug

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

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

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

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

Volume: 18 ounces  | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Weight: 5.28 ounces | Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 6.9 inches without handle, 4.4 x 6.9 inches with handle | Dishwasher-safe: Lid is dishwasher-safe, body is not

• PHOTO: Food & Wine / Fran Sales

Best Leakproof

Contigo autoseal west loop vacuum.

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

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

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

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

Volume: 20 ounces | Lid type: Pop-off lid | Weight: 8.8 ounces | Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 9 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Lid is dishwasher-safe, body is not

Food & Wine / Bailey Fink

Best Wide Travel Mug

Fellow carter everywhere mug.

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

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

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

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

Volume: 16 ounces | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Weight: 12.3 ounces | Dimensions: ‎3.39 x 6.18 inches | Dishwasher-safe: No

• PHOTO: Food & Wine / Bridget Degnan

Best Splurge

Kinto day off tumbler.

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

This mug is not dishwasher-safe.

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

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

Volume: 17 ounces  | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Weight: 10.6 ounces | Dimensions: ‎2.9 x 8.9 inches | Dishwasher-safe: No

Best for Car Travel

Bubba envy insulated tumbler.

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

This mug is not leakproof.

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

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

Volume: 24 ounces | Lid type: Pop-off lid | Weight: 13.1 ounces | Dimensions: ‎3.74 x 3.54 x 10.07 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Lid is top-rack dishwasher-safe, body is not

Food & Wine / Megan Soll

Best Insulated

Hydro flask wide mouth flex sip lid bottle.

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

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

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

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

Volume: 20 ounces | Lid type: Twist-on, twist-off lid | Weight: 11.6 ounces | Dimensions: ‎2.9 x 9.35 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

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

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

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

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

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

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

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

Leak-Proof vs. Spill-Proof

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

Care and Cleaning

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In early 2024, news broke of brands like Stanley and Yeti using lead in their vacuum sealing processes. The lead is sealed away and capped within the base of your mug or tumbler, out of reach from any consumables. As long as you're not hammering away at the base of your vacuum-insulated mug, the vessel will remain completely safe to use.

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

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

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

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

Strong Contenders

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug ($29 at Amazon )

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

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

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

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

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

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler with Locking Flip Lid ($33 at Amazon )

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

RTIC Outdoors Travel Mug ($17 at RTIC )

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

What Didn’t Make the List

In our tests, a few travel coffee mugs did not meet our expectations in terms of design, performance, and insulation. Some models like Klean Kanteen's leaked and spilled during our tests. We were also disappointed by the performance of the Ember mug and found that the smart controls took some time to get used to, and even then were ultimately awkward to use.

• Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience. She has written for Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, and more. For this piece, she used editor-tested insights and her research on top-rated travel coffee mugs.
• Dillon Evans contributed to this article. He is an Updates Writer at Food & Wine and a lifelong home cook and baker whose work can be found on EatingWell. An everyday coffee drinker, Dillon has tested various travel coffee mugs and often vouches for the superiority of the YETI Rambler.

Related Articles

The Best Travel Coffee Mugs That'll Actually Keep Your Drinks Hot

Coffee, tea, wine... whatever floats your boat.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Whether you're going on a long road trip or just commuting to the office , a hot (or iced!) cup of coffee is always the best co-pilot. (Okay, fine, we won't overlook the benefits of tea either .) Enter the perfect travel coffee mug. It's dishwasher-safe, leak-proof, and insulated so it'll keep your bev at the same temperature for hours. Fill these best travel coffee mugs up in the morning, then stash them in your work bag to do it all over again the next day.

YETI Rambler

This double-wall insulated tumbler from the trendy brand, YETI, keeps your drink hot (or cold). The best part? It's dishwasher-safe and comes in 20 different colors. 

Contigo Autoseal Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Although the actual mug isn't dishwasher safe, the lid is. It will keep your drinks hot for up to five hours or cold for up to 12 hours. 

Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask

The stainless steel, vacuum-insulated flask will keep drinks hot for up to six hours, and cold for an entire day. The extra large opening makes for easy drinking too. 

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

Who says travel mugs can't be chic? Unlike others out there, this design features a spill-proof safety lock that prevents the lid from accidentally opening. 

S'well Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Thanks to the ergonomic design, this mug is easy to grip when you're on the go. It was designed to keep beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for 17. 

YETI Rambler With Handle

Besides being dishwasher-safe, it's also scratch, peel and fade resistant. 

Corkcicle Tumbler

Make a statement with this neon yellow tumbler that keeps drinks cold for nine hours and hot for three. 

Thermos Travel Mug With Handle

This mug comes with a hook that holds teas bags or most loose leaf infusers. 

Simple Modern Slim Cruiser Tumbler with Straw & Closing

Because this travel mug uses vacuum insulation technology to keep your drink hot or cold for hours, there will never be condensation on the outside.

Zoku Stainless Steel Bottle

Instead of a handle, this travel mug features a soft climbing rope that's easy to remove when cleaning. 

Simple Modern Scout Coffee Mug Tumbler With Handle

The leak-proof flip lid comes in handy for those bumpy rides.

Tiger Corporation Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug

The narrow design makes it easy to carry by hand or place inside a cup holder.

As the Lifestyle Writer at OprahMag.com, I cover beauty, style, relationships & love, work & money, health, and food. When I'm not working, you'll find me watching Bravo, on the hunt for the perfect jeans and white tee, or taking my yorkie, Chloe, out for walks in Riverdale, New York.

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The Absolute Best Travel Coffee Mugs

These are the cups you can count on to keep your morning brew warm—and your iced drinks cold

Contributor, Buy Side from WSJ

Korin Miller is a contributor to Buy Side from WSJ.

Updated October 22, 2024, 4:31 PM EDT

Featured in this article

Yeti Rambler HotShot

Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug

Miir Flip Traveler

Ello Ogden Ceramic Travel Mug

Simple Modern Voyager Tumbler

Contigo Westloop 2.0

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

THERMOS Stainless King Travel Mug

YETI Rambler 14-ounce Mug

SOMA Ceramic Mug

The U.S. has a serious coffee habit: Three-quarters of American adults drink coffee , and of those, more than half sip the stuff on a daily basis. But taking your cup of coffee on the go has its challenges. Without the right travel mug, coffee can easily spill or lose its ideal temperature, which can make for a lousy commute. Choosing a mug that's up to the task is paramount. A quality one can even make a nice gift for the coffee lover in your life.

There are a lot of options on the market, from stainless steel creations with double-walled insulation to sleek ceramic mugs. While the view of what constitutes the perfect travel mug is somewhat individual, most of us want a durable cup that keeps drinks hot (or cold), doesn't leak, fits in the car cup holder and is easy to wash. We tested based on those criteria to round up the best models out there: Here are standout travel mugs that make it easier to caffeinate on the go.

Best overall travel coffee mug

Best travel coffee mug for serious coffee drinkers, best travel coffee mug with a handle, best travel coffee mug to keep coffee hot, best ceramic travel coffee mug, best iced coffee travel mug, best no-spill travel coffee mug, best dishwasher-safe travel mug, others you should know about, how we picked.

$25 at Yeti

$25 at Amazon

The leakproof Yeti Rambler HotShot has impressive temperature retention and durability, making it great for nearly every coffee drinker.

• Doesn't leak
• Reliable heat retention
• Fits in most cup holders
• Dishwasher-safe
• Cap takes a moment to screw on
• Weight: 0.9 pounds
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Size: 12, 18 ounces

The Yeti Rambler HotShot performed well on every front. The stainless steel mug was one of the most durable cups we tested-it didn't break, dent or even scratch when dropped from 3 feet. It also kept our coffee hot: From the time we sealed the double-walled insulated mug to an hour later, the liquid's temperature dipped only 2 degrees.

Its unique "HotShot" cap unscrews from the center to allow coffee to flow out all around a hole, rather than through a narrow spout-so you can drink from any side. It also aced our spill test; it didn't leak at all, even after we flipped and shook it.

The spill-proof cap takes a little skill to open one-handed on the road, but it gets easier with practice. (Anyone using two hands will have no problem.) This pick comes in nine colors, with your choice of 12- or 18-ounce sizes. (Iced coffee fans may prefer the larger version.) Both the cap and body are dishwasher-safe.

$35 at Fellow

$35 at Amazon

Sleek and well-designed, this travel mug has a clever splash guard that keeps you from getting burned as you sip on the go.

• Attractive minimalist look
• Very good heat retention
• Vacuum-insulated
• Ceramic lining for truer flavor
• Not dishwasher-safe
• Weight: 0.7 pounds
• Materials: Ceramic, stainless steel
• Size: 8, 12, 16 ounces

Few travel mugs have a devoted fan base among serious coffee drinkers like the Fellow Carter Move . The mug isn't just ceramic-it's also made with double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel for impressive heat retention. The coffee's temperature only dropped 1 degree during our testing, which was the second-best result of the bunch.

The Carter Move mug has a BPA-free lid that screws on, creating a seal that didn't leak when we shook it upside down. We appreciate that it has a large opening that lets you breathe in the scent of coffee while drinking-along with a removable splash guard to lower the risk of getting a face full of coffee on the road. Another plus: It fits in standard cup holders.

But there were a few negatives that prevented the Carter Move Mug from being our overall top pick. It dented and chipped when dropped from 3 feet. It's also not dishwasher-safe. Overall, though, it delivers impressive heat retention and lets the pure taste of your brew come through.

$28 at Hydro Flask

If you prefer a travel mug with handles, the Hydro Flask Mug is a standout, with a comfortable grip and lid that’s easy to open with one hand.

• Large comfortable handle
• Lid is easy to take on and off
• Weight: 0.5 pounds
• Size: 6, 12, 24 ounces

Travel mugs with handles come with certain challenges: Larger sizes don't fit easily into a cup holder, and the mugs take up extra room in your bag. But if you prefer a handled option, the Hydro Flask Mug is our recommendation. It has double-walled vacuum insulation and promises to keep coffee hot for up to six hours-it lost 3 degrees in an hour during our testing. It also survived our drop test, emerging without a ding, scratch or missing handle.

The mug has a special press-in lid that's easy to secure, along with an opening that's simple to open and close one-handed-a perk for drivers. Iced coffee fans will appreciate that the opening is large enough to fit a straw.

One downside is the mug is not 100% leakproof. While the lid stayed intact when we flipped it upside down and shook it, a small amount of coffee seeped out. So, you wouldn't want to toss it into your bag before it's completely empty. Larger sizes don't fit into standard cup holders, but do rest securely on top. It's also not dishwasher-safe. As far as mugs with handles go, though, it makes a solid desk-side or walking companion.

$33 at Amazon

$33 at Miir

Need your drink to stay warm on a long commute? The Miir Flip Traveler outperformed all other mugs when it came to heat retention.

• Excellent heat retention
• Very secure BPA-free and leakproof lid
• Slim circumference doesn't hog much space in bags
• Flip opening snaps shut so you can drink and keep on moving
• May rattle in some car cup holders
• Weight: 0.6 pounds
• Size: 12, 16, 20 ounces

The Miir Flip Traveler is a heat retention beast. In our testing, it was the only model that didn't lose a single degree of heat after an hour. This double-walled insulated travel mug keeps hot coffee at your preferred temperature, along with a small opening-good for leakproofing and heat retention-that secures via a flap and gives a satisfying snap once it's firmly in place. Worth noting: That flap also stays put once it's open, so you don't need to deal with it flopping in your face as you sip.

The Flip Traveler passed our leak test-it didn't spill a drop-making it a good option to toss into a backpack or bag, and it didn't scratch or dent when dropped from 3 feet. It's also slim enough to secure in most bike water-bottle holders. While the lid is top-rack dishwasher-safe, the mug itself has to be washed by hand. Another small quibble: We found that the mug's slim circumference means it may rattle around in your car cup holder.

$30 at Amazon

A pretty ceramic option that is dishwasher-safe, the Ello Ogden impressed us with its easy operation and comfortable grip.

• Easy to grip
• Doesn't hold the flavor of previous drinks
• Microwave-safe
• Not leakproof
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Materials: Ceramic, silicone
• Size: 16 ounces

Ceramic travel coffee mugs like the Ello Ogden are neutral in flavor-meaning they don't retain the taste of previous coffees. Of all the mugs we tested, this lower-price ($15) mug was the most comfortable to hold (that's thanks to a silicone sleeve with a geometric pattern that is easy to grip).

It also has a lid that's simple to secure, and a drinking spout that easily slides open and shut for one-handed operation. We liked the way this mug felt against our mouth.

Ceramic travel mugs typically don't hold heat as well as their stainless steel double-walled- insulation counterparts, but the Ello Ogden still keeps the coffee warm, with the contents dropping 6 degrees in an hour. The mug is also microwave-safe, so you can reheat your drink at the office.

It fits in most cup holders and can be tossed into the dishwasher. One issue is it's not leakproof. When we held it upside down and shook it, coffee flowed out, making this a poor choice for throwing into your bag or holding on a bumpy train. If you want a companion for your car commute that gives you the pros of sipping from a real ceramic mug, it's a great option.

$18 at Amazon

Consider this lightweight tumbler with a flip top if you care most about keeping your iced coffee completely cool.

• Lightweight
• Excellent cold retention
• Included straws
• Lid needs to be tightly secured to be leakproof
• Weight: 0.4 pounds

While you can use Simple Modern's Voyager Tumbler for cold or hot drinks, it shines as an iced coffee mug. The Voyager Tumbler retained its cold temperature after an hour of being sealed and the ice didn't look melted. It also comes with two reusable bisphenol-A-free straws that slide easily into the opening.

The flip-up drinking spout cover can be snapped into place when you're not ready to drink, and the screw-on lid provides excellent leakproofing-when it's firmly tightened. Failure to screw it on hard enough will result in leaks, as we discovered in our leak test. The tumbler is lightweight-so it's not heavy when filled with ice-and comes in a range of colors and sizes. While it did scuff slightly during our drop test, it wasn't to the extent most people would notice. The mug, which is dishwasher-safe, should fit comfortably in most cup holders.

$27 at Amazon

$ 30 save $ 3

$40 at Walmart

The rugged Contigo Westloop 2.0 features multiple safeguards to prevent leaks, and we found it didn’t spill a drop—even when flipped upside down.

• Backup leak protection
• Comfortable grip
• Cup holder compatible
• Slightly cumbersome to use (you have to press a button to drink)
• Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Size: 16, 20, 24 ounces

The Contigo West Loop 2.0 passed our leak test with flying colors. The mug is a fortress with multiple features that prevent coffee from sneaking out. To drink from it, you press an Autoseal button on the lid. For added protection when the mug is in your bag, there's a lock button you can press to keep the Autoseal button from activating if it's accidentally touched.

It's also impressively durable: It didn't scratch, chip or leak when dropped from 3 feet. It is vacuum-insulated and lost just 3 degrees during our temperature test. Its design with a slight inward curve around the neck makes it simple to carry; the shape also fits neatly into most cup holders. The downside of its being so well-sealed is it can be a bit tricky to open: It took some repeat use to get into the habit of pressing the Autoseal button every time we wanted a sip (thankfully, the mechanism is easy to work one-handed). Another consideration: The body of the mug isn't dishwasher-safe, though the lid is.

$25 at Dick's Sporting Goods

A slender mug with a secure cap with a huge range of color options.

• Extensive color selection, including patterns
• Need to press a button to drink
• Weight: 0.8 pounds
• Size: 16, 20 ounces

Stanley is known for its supremely useful products, and the brand's Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug lives up to that reputation. This tall mug has a sturdy stainless steel frame and it didn't dent, scratch or chip in our drop test. It also didn't spill during our leak test. It fits in car and bike cup holders. This stainless steel mug has impressive heat and cold retention: It lost only 1 degree of heat after an hour. Our iced coffee was still cold to the touch after 48 hours. The entire bottle-lid and body-can be tossed into the dishwasher. Keep in mind that, like the Contigo West Loop 2.0, you'll need to push a button every time you want to sip from it, a small inconvenience. But if you're searching for an easy-care pick that will keep your hot and cold beverages at the right temperature, this is your mug.

Great under-$25 option

$ 30 save $ 5

$25 at Walmart

The Thermos Stainless King Mug is a sturdy, lower-price option that only lost a few degrees in heat after an hour. And it passed our leak test. It isn't perfect, though-the lid is complicated to reassemble after you take it apart to put in the dishwasher, and the large handle isn't compatible with all car cup holders.

Great if you need a giant mug

$30 at Dick's Sporting Goods

$30 at Yeti

$50 at Amazon

The Yeti Rambler Mug has a lot going for it, including being leakproof, dishwasher-safe and simple to open and close for sipping. It also has impressive heat retention. One issue with this 14-ounce model is it's too big to fit in most cup holders.

Great if you prize design

$28 at Amazon

$ 30 save $ 2

$30 at Walmart

A beautiful option with a ceramic body and bamboo lid, the Soma Ceramic Mug passed our leak test. But it didn't retain heat as well as our top ceramic choice, the Ello Ogden , and it's fragile-more so than the Ogden, which has a protective silicone sleeve. It's also not dishwasher-safe.

I have tried and tested travel mugs for years in my work as a shopping writer. I've also taken coffee on the go for nearly two decades (after picking up the habit in college), and my chef-husband and I have a cabinet full of travel mugs between us. For this article, I interviewed experts including Matt Woodburn-Simmonds, co-founder of Home Coffee Expert ; Adam Edmonsond, a coffee specialist at Masters of Coffee ; and Scott Rao , a coffee consultant and author of " Everything but Espresso ."

Each travel coffee mug was filled with coffee at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, sealed and left on a counter at room temperature. Temperatures were then tested using a kitchen thermometer after an hour. Travel coffee mugs designed for cold drinks, including our Simple Modern winner, were filled halfway with ice cubes and checked after an hour for temperature and ice contents. Temperatures were also tested at a later time to verify company claims. The mugs were put through real-world conditions, including carrying them in a bag; flipping them upside down and shaking them to test for leaks; dropping them from a 3-foot height to check for durability; and fitting them into cup holders. Mugs that are rated dishwasher-safe were put through a wash cycle three times. Elements like grip, design and mouthfeel were also evaluated. Our criteria included:

• Ease of use : We looked for flip and screw tops, a comfortable grip and the ability to easily fill the mug, secure the lid and sip on the go.
• Leakproofness : We assessed how vulnerable each product is to spilling and leaking. In a perfect world, you want a mug that never leaks; this factor is particularly important if you throw your mug into your bag or onto your car's back seat.
• Temperature maintenance : The Specialty Coffee Association recommends brewing coffee between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. But coffee is "never that hot" when we drink it due to contact with grounds and air exposure, says Scott Rao , coffee consultant and author of " Everything but Espresso ." Research has found that the ideal temperature for a cup of hot black coffee is between 136 and 151 degrees. More precisely, a range of 154.4 to 158 degrees is ideal, because it won't get cold quickly.
• Cup holder compatibility : If you're on the road regularly, you want a travel coffee mug that works well in your car. We assessed whether each model fit in a standard car cup holder.
• Weight . Travel mugs are designed to be used on the go, so they shouldn't weigh you down. We considered the weight when finalizing our selections.
• Ease of cleaning : Some travel coffee mugs can be washed in the dishwasher; others must be partly, or fully, hand-washed. We noted the models that require hand-washing.
• User-friendly design features : Travel coffee mugs have a range of features, including a splash guard, handle and special grip. We noted particularly innovative aspects.
• Flavor transfer : Some travel coffee mugs absorb flavor-and that can impact the taste of your coffee over time. Adam Edmonsond, coffee specialist at Masters of Coffee , recommends looking for materials that "do not absorb odors or affect the aroma and taste," including stainless steel and ceramic. However, he says ceramic is considered the gold standard.

Our experts

• Adam Edmonsond, coffee specialist at Masters of Coffee , a for-profit group that offers coffee certifications in Huntington Beach, Calif.
• Matt Woodburn-Simmonds, a coffee expert, former sommelier and co-founder of Home Coffee Expert based in Windermere, England
• Scott Rao , a Boulder, Colo.-based coffee consultant and author of " Everything but Espresso "

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Do you prefer iced or hot coffee? Here's how to choose a travel mug based on your answer

One of the worst things about commuting to work or always being on the move? Taking a drink of your coffee only to find out it’s lukewarm, or going in for a big gulp of water only to realize it's now hot. Fortunately, travel coffee mugs and tumblers are a great way to keep hot drinks steamy and iced drinks chilly all day long.

The Shop TODAY team consulted a few java experts to learn how they choose their travel coffee mugs and grab a few more tips for the road . Plus, we rounded up some of their favorite mugs, in addition to ones that shoppers and our editors can't get enough of. Keep scrolling or use the links below to learn more.

What to look for | Best overall | Best value | Best for commutes | Best for hot drinks | Best for cold drinks | Best with straw | Best with handle | Best paper cup alternative | Best for camping | Best personalized | Best collapsible | Best large-capacity | Prettiest color options | Best French press | Best smart | FAQs | How we chose | Meet our experts

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What to look for in a travel coffee mug.

While there are several things for you to consider in your search for the right travel mug, our experts recommend prioritizing the key points below:

The No. 1 thing experts agree should be taken into consideration is the way you plan on using your travel coffee mug.

In the case of morning walks with his dog, Michael Phillips , the director of content and copy at Blue Bottle, likes a mug that isn’t too large and holds around 6 ounces, “with a lid that is easy to sip from but also can deal with the sloshing of a walk that will invariably involve my dog darting after the occasional bird.”

For long hikes , he looks for one that has a sealable lid that will safely sit in his backpack; if he’s driving, he looks for one that fits in his car's cup holder.

Other factors you might consider as you think about use cases include the level of insulation, capacity, grip, lid design, leakproof or spill-proof features, one-handed sipping, ease of cleaning, and more.

Functionality

In addition to the ways you plan to use your travel mug, functionality really depends on the type of coffee you prefer to drink.

“If you’re making your coffee at home and commuting to your office, or maybe you’re taking your coffee to the gym and maybe you want hot coffee, I would say you want something that doesn’t spill, is easy to hold. … Something where, the way you sip it, you can hold it with one hand [and] you don’t have to screw off the lid or move something around,” advises Caroline Bell , co-founder of Café Grumpy.

Construction

Regardless of what you’re using your travel mug for, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Look for something that’s made of more durable material, such as stainless steel or ceramic. Additionally, some materials may impart a metallic aftertaste in your drink, so keep this in mind, as well.

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Best travel mug overall, yeti rambler tumbler with magslider lid.

Rambler Tumbler with MagSlider Lid

Capacity: 20 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: MagSlider | Leak-proof? No | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 32

It's no surprise that one of the most well-known portable cooler brands out there makes a tumbler that can withstand any kind of commute.

This Yeti travel mug not only features a thick stainless steel body and a durable Dracut outer for extra grip, but it also comes with its signature magnetic sliding lid that's not only dishwasher-safe, but will also help keep your drinks protected from temperature loss.

Best value travel mug

Magellan outdoors throwback powder coat tumbler.

Double-Wall Insulated Tumbler

Capacity: 30 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: Sipping hole | Leak-proof? No | Dishwasher-safe? Lid only | Colorways: 8

This insulated tumbler has a double-wall, vacuum-insulated design that will keep drinks your preferred temperature for a long time. Plus, it has a condensation-free, powder-coated exterior for easier grip and to keep your hands dry.

In terms of quality, just take it from one verified reviewer who rated this pick a perfect five stars: "I poured [some ginger tea] in around 9 p.m., and by 6 a.m., it was still very warm." Just note that several reviewers say this option better at keeping hot drinks hot than maintaining cold drinks' temperature.

Best travel mug for commutes

Camelbak forge flow travel mug.

Forge Flow Travel Mug

Capacity: 16 oz. | Insulation: Vacuum | Lid type: One-handed drink lever, free-flow lock | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 10

Bell likes this stainless steel travel mug for commuters who drink hot coffee. She also calls out a number of its features, including the leakproof lid that keeps your drink from spilling, its ability to retain heat (echoed by reviewers) and its compact size.

According to the brand, this mug is ideal for the person on the go due to its self-sealing one-handed drink lever and free-flow lock button, which easily opens to allow your coffee to cool quickly. Long-time Forge mug users say this updated model works even better at keeping their coffee hot, though others docked a star or two because of the slight tendency for their drinks to pool a bit on the lid.

Best travel mug for hot drinks

Oxo strive insulated tumbler with sliding lid.

Strive Insulated Tumbler with Sliding Lid

Capacity: 20 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: Sipping hole (fits straws) | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 12

Associate SEO editor Kamari Stewart was on the hunt for a travel coffee mug when she was gifted this stainless steel one from the brand. After using it for several months, she was very impressed with not only its capacity, but also how long it kept her coffee hot.

"I would make coffee before I left for work around 7 a.m., and it would still be hot enough to the point where steam was coming out well into the afternoon. It was amazing!" she raves.

Best travel mug for cold drinks

Created cold cup.

Capacity: 16 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall | Lid type: Twist-on | Leak-proof? Yes (when not tipped over) | Dishwasher-safe? No | Colorways: 6

If you prefer iced coffee in the morning, Bell likes this stainless steel cup with a built-in straw. The brand promises it'll fit in your cup holder and advises against microwaving or freezing it (so make sure your coffee is at the optimal temperature before pouring it in).

While a brand rep tells us that these should not be washed in the dishwasher, because it might weaken the mug's insulation properties, "top rack might be okay, as long as there isn't a hot dry cycle," they add.

Best travel tumbler with a straw

Simple modern classic insulated tumbler.

Classic Insulated Tumbler

Capacity: 24 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: 2 lids (straw and flip) | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? No | Colorways: 24

With a near-perfect average rating from more than 34,000 Amazon shoppers, this insulated tumbler from Simple Modern checks off all the boxes. There's a lot to love about it off the bat, starting with its two lid options (an insulated straw and flip lid), ability to fit in most cup holders, 20-plus color options and four available sizes.

In other words, as summarized perfectly by one reviewer, "Not to be dramatic, but I would die for this cup."

Best travel mug with a handle

Brümate toddy leak-proof insulated coffee mug.

Toddy Leak-Proof Insulated Coffee Mug

Capacity: 16-32oz. | Insulation: BevGuard (triple insulation) | Lid type: Twist-on locking lid | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Lid only | Colorways: 28

Brümate doesn't just make incredible can coolers and koozies — they also make quality insulated tumblers, too!

This toddy-style mug is made with patented BevLock Technology to ensure a leak-free trip all the way to your destination. With more than 157,000 five-star reviews on the brand's website, it's clear plenty of shoppers are pretty satisfied with this feature, as well.

Best alternative to a paper coffee cup

Keepcup glass brew cork.

Glass Brew Cork

Capacity: 16 oz. | Insulation: No ( tempered glass ) | Lid type: Press-on sipper lid | Leak-proof? No | Dishwasher-safe? Yes (see care instructions ) | Colorways: 6

If you're taking a quick break from work and heading to your local coffeeshop (which may offer a discount if you bring your own reusable cup), Bell likes this tempered glass style from KeepCup. It's designed using industry-standard sizing, meaning it'll likely fit under your favorite barista's coffee machine.

We also like this option's modular parts that fit across KeepCup's line, so if any of them get damaged, it'll be easy to replace. Plus, the cork band is made from the waste of wine cork production in Portugal, according to the brand — so you can be doubly eco-friendly.

Best travel mug for camping

Stanley legendary camp mug.

Legendary Camp Mug

Capacity: 12 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: Press-on Titan | Leak-proof? No | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 10

Can't get your hands on the viral Stanley Quencher tumbler ? This smaller travel mug from the brand might just be just as satisfying to drink out of. Looking more like an actual coffee cup, this 12-ounce sipper features a press-fit Tritan lid and vacuum-insulated double walls.

It also comes with a Built For Life warranty, and over 95% of shoppers give it glowing reviews on the brand's website.

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Best customizable travel mug, rtic travel mug.

Capacity: 16-20 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: Screw-on flip-top | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 19

This highly rated stainless steel travel mug holds more than enough coffee to get you through the morning commute. The cup has an integrated handle, plus a screw-on, flip-top lid to prevent spilling during bumpy car or train rides. Plus, we like the no-sweat exterior and tall base for easier grip.

Reviewers not only love it for the heavy-duty quality, but also for the personalization options available.

Best collapsible travel mug

Capacity: 16 oz. | Insulation: No | Lid type: Screw-on lid with sliding closure (plus straw) | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 21

Stojo's 16-ounce travel cup, made from food-grade silicone, is perfect for those with limited space in their hands (or bag) during the day.

While this mug isn't constructed to be vacuum-insulated, a brand representative noted the following under the product's Q&A section on Amazon: "Our cups were made to move with you on-the-go and at home, and insulate hot and cold beverages just as much as (or a little more than!) a disposable cup would. If you use your cup for cold or iced drinks on a hot day, it will sweat."

This mug is also completely dishwasher-safe (and even microwave-safe!), and it's collapsible for easier carrying when you're not sipping the day away.

Best large-capacity travel mug

Reduce mug tumbler.

Mug Tumbler

Capacity: 40 oz. | Insulation: Double-wall vacuum | Lid type: Screw-on 3-way lid | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colors: 1

Are you the sort who relies on multiple cups of coffee to keep you going throughout the day?

Reduce's 40-ounce stainless steel tumbler is right up your alley. It comes with a three-in-one lid and straw, as well as the SoftSit no-slip bottom, so you can sip your drink with ease and not fear spilling it on yourself.

Other nifty highlights include interior measurement markings so you can track your hydration, as well as its double-wall vacuum insulation that the brand says will keep your drinks cold for up to 34 hours. Plus, all of this tumbler's parts are dishwasher-safe.

Travel mug with the prettiest color options

Corkcicle tumbler.

Travel Tumbler

Capacity: 16 oz. | Insulation: Triple | Lid type: Sliding, shatter-proof | Leak-proof? No | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 6

The Corkcicle stainless steel, triple-insulated tumbler comes in several colors, but we find the Unicorn Magic option to be pretty dreamy for its glittery, opalescent finish. Plus, it's designed to keep cold drinks frosty for over nine hours and warm beverages piping hot for over three hours, according to the brand.

Other noteworthy features that make this one of our top picks include its no-slip silicone bottom and shatter-proof clear lid.

Best travel French press

Espro p0 ultralight double walled vacuum insulated coffee french press.

P0 Ultralight Double Walled Vacuum Insulated Coffee French Press

Capacity: 16 oz. | Insulation: Double-walled vacuum | Lid type: Double-silicone seal with 2 mesh filters | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? Yes | Colorways: 9

Coffee aficionados, this option's for you! This stainless steel tumbler from Espro is actually a travel French press — just fill it up with coffee and water, plunge, and enjoy.

The brand says that thanks to its patented brewing technology — namely its dual micro-mesh filters — you'll be able to get grit-free, barista-quality cup of joe in as little as four minutes. Plus, it includes a lid cover that doubles as a handle, which you can hook to your travel pack if you wish.

Best smart travel mug

Ember travel mug² temperature-control smart mug.

Travel Mug² Temperature-Control Smart Mug

Capacity: 12 oz. | Insulation: None | Lid type: Screw-on, leak-proof, push button | Leak-proof? Yes | Dishwasher-safe? No | Colorways: 1

Pretty much every coffee lover is already familiar with the highly coveted Ember temperature-control smart mug . While the brand already had a travel mug with similar technology, they recently took it to the next level with this version that's compatible with Apple Find My, so you'll always know exactly where to find it.

This upgraded version is only available in black, but both versions have a built-in battery that lasts up to three hours when off the charging coaster. The latest model also boasts a new touch display that makes it easy to increase and decrease the temperature, according to the brand.

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Questions about travel mugs, answered by experts, what size travel coffee mug should i buy.

While there’s no right answer, our experts agree that you can’t go wrong with a travel coffee mug with a capacity of between 12 and 20 ounces. Phillips likes to stay on the smaller end of the spectrum, with mugs that hold 12 ounces at most, for freshness’ sake.

Josey Markiewicz , the senior director of coffee quality and experience at La Colombe, says it also depends on whether you drink hot or cold beverages, because you have to compensate for ice. He recommends 16 to 20 ounces for cold beverages, or 12 to 16 ounces for hot beverages.

Similarly, Bell says 16 ounces is ideal because it works for both hold and cold coffee. “I feel like that’s a good go-to. Not too small, not too big,” she says.

Does the material of a travel mug impact the taste of the coffee?

While there’s no definitive yes or no answer, each expert we spoke with feels like there’s a correlation between the material and the cleanliness of your travel mug, which can then impact the taste of your coffee.

To avoid the potential for your morning (or afternoon, we don’t judge) cup of joe to be ruined, they recommend choosing a classic stainless steel or glass container that’s easy to clean. Markiewicz says it’s a matter of cleanliness over material when it comes to taste.

Are there any features people should avoid in travel coffee mugs?

Bell recommends avoiding double-walled coffee mugs where you can take an insert out and put something in between the walls. She says they can be harder to clean; instead, stick to a simple two-piece mug.

Markiewicz says he avoids lids that just pop in and out, because they have a higher risk of coming out and potentially spilling your beverage. He also avoids straws that are attached to the lid. “[They] seem like a good idea at first, then there’s no good way to clean them. Or they just get funky because coffee is acidic, and it’ll eat away at plastic,” he explains.

And while it might be tempting, Phillips suggests avoiding overly large travel mugs. “Getting too large of a travel mug only encourages making too much coffee at once that will still warm, yes, but also degrade in flavor, well before you finish it,” he says.

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Do you have any tips for cleaning travel coffee mugs.

Markiwicz recommends hand-washing your mugs and avoiding strong detergents, which might get stuck inside the cup and affect the taste of your coffee.

To get a really deep clean, Phillips likes to use Cafiza , which he calls a “proper coffee cleaner.” He puts a little in the mug, adds the hottest-temperature water possible, and then lets it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it and rinsing it out.

“It’s easy enough and critical enough, in my opinion, to do this type of deep clean after every couple of uses,” he adds.

Can I put my travel mug in the microwave/fridge/freezer?

It ultimately depends on the material of your travel mug. For example, if they’re glass, they can probably go in the microwave or fridge, but Markiewicz says you shouldn’t put them in the freezer. Or, for stainless steel, they can go in the fridge or freezer, but probably not in the microwave.

In order to avoid the need for this at all, Markiewicz says your drink should be at the temperature you want it to stay at before putting it in your travel mug.

“I wouldn’t want to cool a coffee down in a thermos in the freezer. Let the coffee cool at room temperature before throwing it over ice,” he advises.

Phillips and Bell recommend abiding by the directions that come with your specific mug for best results.

What is the difference between a travel coffee mug and a thermos?

Realistically, there isn’t much of a difference. The words are often used interchangeably, and the key difference is that a thermos is much larger than your typical coffee mug and has a screw top you pour into a second cup, whereas tumblers have a lid you can drink directly through, says Markiewicz.

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How we chose the best travel mugs.

To narrow down our list of the best travel mugs for various occasions, Shop TODAY quizzed three coffee experts on their favorite mugs and what features they look for when shopping. We also tapped coffee lovers of all kinds among our staff for their go-tos, in addition to scouring dozens of verified customer reviews, star ratings and bestseller lists. Lastly, we kept the following characteristics in mind in our search for the top travel mugs: affordability, ease of use and cleaning, design, and functionality.

Meet our experts

Caroline Bell is the co-founder and co-owner of Brooklyn-based coffee shop Café Grumpy.

Josey Markiewicz is the senior director of coffee quality and experience at La Colombe Coffee Roasters.

Michael Phillips is the director of content and copy at Blue Bottle, a specialty coffee roaster with locations in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Japan.

Kamari Stewart is an Associate Editor for Shop TODAY.

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