We all know what it feels like to spill hot coffee on our twig and berries when driving the car, right? Not only is this excruciatingly painful but it can also be potentially to both you and others dangerous due to the risks of causing a car accident. Why even take the risk of trying to take a sip of hot coffee in the first place unless you can be sure that the mug that you’re using is designed to be used when traveling?
To protect your crown jewels a little more and to give you a functional solution to enjoying your coffee when traveling, we have come up with the best 20 travel mugs that money can buy. Among our list, you will find thermos style mugs, mugs that can be operated with one hand, and mugs that will adequately fit the cup holders in your car or backpack.
We have personally tested each of these (and many other) products as well as studied the many reviews given to them from other customers to establish whether they are worth your investment.
Admittedly, during our strenuous testing of these travel mugs, we ended up consuming copious amounts of coffee and are have only just recently come down from crawling the walls of the Men’s Gear office. It was a fun ride for all concerned but the powers that be have now decided that enough is enough and will fire anyone that gets within 10-feet of any of the coffee machines on site.
So, interested to learn more about what the best coffee travel mugs can do for you? Or perhaps you’re just looking for the perfect companion for your latest lunchbox for men? Whatever the reason, we’re sure you will find exactly what you’re looking for.
Contigo is renowned for having the best seals in the business and at this price you’re getting nothing but the ultimate in value. This outperforms travel mugs twice its price!
As the only travel mug in our reviews that will cool your coffee to an acceptable temperature before you drink it, there was no competition when it came to our premium choice.
Customizable with the different lids available for purchase, great temperature retention abilities, and solid all-around performance – this is the best for overall value!
We thought it would be a good idea to start off with one of our favorites on this list in the Contigo AUTOSEAL Transit Stainless Steel with Blue Travel Mug. Contigo is widely renowned to be one of the best brands when it comes to thermos flasks and travel mugs and in our opinion, this is one of their top models.
Designed for those of you that might like to enjoy a hot drink when driving and thus need to be able to operate it with one hand, this is one of the best-insulated coffee mugs that money can buy. It’s actually decently priced when you consider the innovative AUTOSEAL technology that prevents any leakages and spillages and the fact that it will keep your coffee hot for up to five hours.
Throw in the fact that you have four attractive designs to choose from and it comes with a limited lifetime guarantee and you have yourself a splendid little drinks companion for when you’re on your travels.
Ello Cole is another brand that you’re going to see more of in this list and these guys are generally known for their stylish designs and their ability to be used when on the go. Basically, if you’re somebody that commutes a lot by car and needs to be able to have access to some hot coffee served up in a well-designed mug, this is one of your better options right now.
Vacuum insulated, this stainless-steel thermal mug will keep any hot beverage at a hot temperature for a good five hours and any cold beverage cold for an even better 10 hours. Additionally, this well-designed travel coffee mug is dishwasher safe, free from all BPA and BPS, and also has an anti-leak lid.
Decently priced, fits most cup holders and most importantly, serves the purpose it was designed for well. Certainly, worth a look if not among the very best insulated coffee mugs on this list.
Looking a little more kettle than travel mug, the Stanley Adventure Tough-to-Tip Admiral’s Mug does at least have some logic attached to its madness and the hint can be found in its name. the idea is that the wider bases make it far more difficult for it to tip over. Its design alongside a non-skid footpad makes this thing almost impossible to knock over.
Let’s face it, how many times have we accidentally knocked over a mug of coffee or glass of water over on our desk when working? How many keyboards have we got through in the space of a year?This will be almost impossible to do with the Tough-to-Tip and even if it was, the leak-resistant flip lid will prevent any spillages anyway.
Admittedly, this will not be everybody’s cup of tea (or coffee) due to it not being a good size and shape for cup holders but for those of you that do most of your drinking in the office, this should definitely be a thermal mug that you consider. As for its hot and cold retention, you will get four and six hours respectively.
Coming in at a similar price to the Stanley Adventure above is a travel mug that is perhaps a little more travel-friendly rather than simply being difficult to knock over. This 14oz thermal mug will keep any hot liquids nice and hot for up to 5 hours and anything cold nicely chilled for up to 12 hours.
That is all made possible due to the double wall vacuum insulated stainless steel that the travel mug is made from and the airtight leak and spill proof lid on top.Featuring a rather cool design that can be availed in two different colors, you also get to brag to your friends and colleagues about how your shiny new travel mug makes their dated thermos flasks look just that…dated!
All jokes aside, Keurig is a big name in coffee appliances and you will have very little complaints about the quality of their latest travel coffee mug. In fact, we cannot find many either apart from the lid being a little on the difficult side to clean.
Designed more to be used as a camping mug rather than something to keep your coffee hot for numerous hours during the day, the Yeti Rambler Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug would make an excellent companion when out in the wilderness.
Not much bigger than a standard mug, where this stands out is in its durability. It is rust-proof, scratch-proof, fade-proof, puncture-proof, and will not peel. A sturdy lid and the kitchen-grade stainless steel construction will also keep your coffee in the cup and any foreign objects nearby from making their way inside.
We have to admit that these look the part as well, a stylish design that absolutely exudes masculinity. If there was anything that could make you feel more than the man you already are when enjoying outdoor activities, then it is certainly the Yeti Rambler Mug. Hell, this thing is so tough you could probably knock a beer unconscious with it when called upon.
Now, this is what we’re talking about! Sometimes the best coffee travel mugs and thermos flasks can be a little too good at retaining heat. How many times have you taken a sip only to burn your lips so that you perform that well-known lip-dance? Each and every time you want to take a hit of your coffee, you have to go through pain to do it!
Well, with the innovative yet admittedly expensive LEXO Burnout Temperature Regulating Travel Mug, you will never have to worry about mouth burning coffee ever again. Within minutes of pouring your hot coffee into the BURNOUT, a portion of the heat is transferred from the coffee into a heatzorb layer within the wall of the mug. That heat is then used to keep your coffee at your now drinkable heat.
It almost sounds too good to be true but we have to admit that their technology works like a charm. It will even keep your ideal temperature for many hours so that you will be able to enjoy the perfect temperature coffee for the whole day.
Another smart looking coffee mug with lid is the Corkcicle Tumbler-Classic Collection Travel Mug. In fact, with more than 40 different designs, it would be fair to say that this is easily the most fashion-conscious travel mug of the lot. Choose the one that suits your style the best and you can look as good as your coffee tastes throughout your daily routine.
Made from stainless steel, this travel mug will keep the heat in your hot drinks for up to three hours and the cold in your cold drinks for a very impressive nine hours. Furthermore, with a 24-ounce volume, you’re getting a lot of cup and daily coffee for your money.
This travel mug is a little more expensive compared to some others albeit not by that much but with the added size and the huge selection of colors and styles, it’s probably worth that little bit of extra investment.
Not content with being the pioneers and the kings of the Thermos Flask, Thermos has also dipped their toes into the similar waters of travel mugs. Their SK1000AG4 is actually a very high-quality 16oz stainless steel travel mug and one that is more than worthy of a place on our list of the best-insulated coffee mugs.
The first thing you’ll notice with this travel mug is how durable it not only looks but actually is. It also has a very manly design which will surely go down a treat with most of you on here. As for how well it holds heat and cold, you will get 7 hours and 18 hours respectively which is very good compared to other travel mugs on this list.
Sometimes it’s best to stick with the tried and tested brands when buying products and while there are some other great mugs, for peace of mind, you’ll never go wrong with a Thermos.
If we had to pick our overall favorite on this list which considers price, performance, design, and everything else, the Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask is the one we’d go for. Actually, we did go for it as we picked it as our Editor’s Pick for the very reasons above.
It has some mind-boggling features such as being highly durable, slip-free, scratch-resistant, BPA-free, and more importantly, that it can keep your piping hot coffee exactly that for up to 6 hours. Prefer cold drinks, then this will keep them chilled for a full 24 hours! A double insulated wall is what’s behind that performance and they’re so confident int heir product that it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Throw in a dozen different colors to pick from and the ability to purchase new lids to customize your Hydro and you have a product that is as close to perfect as you’re going to get – especially when you consider its actually very competitively priced.
For the budget conscious (tightwads) among you that don’t want to spend much more than it would cost you for a single Starbucks coffee on a travel mug, we actually have a very impressive product that belies its cheap price. That is the 16oz Rubbermaid Leak Proof Flip Lid Thermal Bottle.
This thing actually performs just as good as many travel mugs that are twice its price and while it might look as “cool” it will fit practically any cup holder, keep your coffee hot for up to five hours, and has an effective leak-proof lid. Those core essentials make it an ideal travel mug for your car or bag at a very affordable price.
It’s also BPA-free, will resist stains and odors, and has a flip lid that can be operated by one hand.
Now, in terms of style, there are not many that can touch the S’well Stainless Steel Travel Mug even if it does look a little like a large salt & pepper shaker. There are three sizes and thirteen different styles to choose from with the teakwood being our own particular favorite.
Priced somewhere in the middle compared to most on our list of the best travel mugs, we feel that this is just about right. It performs fantastically to retain heat for a good 12 hours and cold for up to a day. Additionally, it carries some impressive features such as an ergonomic no-sweat grip, a well-designed wide mouth design which allows the easy adding of ice, and a durable design that will keep your drink safe when on your travels.
Summing up, this is an excellent coffee travel mug and one that should be right near the top of your list of considerations.
Another one travel mug that represents great value for money is the Bubba HERO XL Travel Mug. Costing the same as mugs almost half its size, this mug has a capacity that will allow 30 ounces of your preferred refreshment. On top of that, it will keep it hot or cold for 7 and 21 hours respectively.
Buyers will also be happy to know that for the little they have spent; they’ll be given a lifetime guarantee. That’s always a nice touch and when paired with impressive features such as sturdy and attractive design, an easy-clean lid, and its ability to fit most cup holders, this works out to be an excellent travel coffee mug at a great value.
There are four different colors in black, green, silver, and blue to choose from too. We prefer black but all of them look great if we’re honest.
As the name might suggest, this has been designed to look and act more like a large mug than a flask but it still holds a solid 16 ounces. That is more than enough to keep you hydrated with your favorite hot or cold tipple for a good few hours. Probably better for cold drinks it will keep its temperature for 4.5 hours it will still keep your hot drinks hot for a good 2.5 hours.
We feel that because of its durable build quality, D-ring clip, and the fact that it’s rust-resistant and leak-proof, that this is more for those of you that like outdoor activities rather than just traveling. It has been designed to be able to take the rough and tumble of the outside world.
When you weigh everything up, this is a mug that we think is more suited to a nice cold beer when sat in front of a campfire somewhere. Still, coffee is certainly an option for when that hangover comes the next day!
You might have noticed that each and every one of the best travel coffee mugs on our list has so far been constructed of stainless steel. Well, bucking the trend is the Ello Aspen Ceramic Travel Mug which is well-priced and can hold a solid 16oz of your favorite drink. It might not have the temperature retention of some of our other travel mugs but if you wanted something that looks great, holds a decent-sized cup of coffee, and is from a respectable brand, then this is the mug for you.
Among the other nice little touches with the Ello Aspen is the splash-resistant lid, and a base made from real bamboo that’s designed to protect any surfaces that you might set your mug down on. Sure, you might want something else if you value your coffee hotter for longer but this would be ideal those cozy nights next to a fire when camping or out in the yard for a barbeque.
While the RTIC Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler is never going to win many awards for its aesthetics, in terms of performing its primary function of keeping your coffee hot or water cold, it actually does its job very well. Many reviews have claimed that it holds heat for up to 10 hours which is very impressive and having tested the tumbler ourselves can confirm that it kept us in coffee for a good evening of reviewing.
We have to admit that we liked the functional design of the mug as the lower half of the mug fits the hand perfectly while the top half branches out to give you more capacity for your hot cup of coffee. As for the lid, this automatically springs open when you twist it and will keep the contents protected and hot when closed.
This is the second travel mug from Ello that we’ve reviewed and this one shares the same brash yet aesthetically pleasing styles of the first. The Ello Campy Travel Mug comes in four different colors and looks like a sleek, slender and tall coffee mug more than anything else. It will hold 16-ounces of the drink of your choice and keep cold for 10-hours or hot for 5-hours.
Incorporating a leak-proof slider lid, this BPA and BPS-free travel mug will ensure that your nether regions are left unscathed while at the same time giving you a stylish way to enjoy your ‘still’ hot mug of coffee. Furthermore, the Ello can be operated with one hand so that you can keep one hand on the steering wheel and both eyes on the road.
Easily one of our favorite travel mugs and certainly one that is popular with buyers is the Zojirushi SM-SA60-BA Stainless Steel Mug. Just one look at this thing tells you that you’re getting superior build-quality but it’s once you start to dig into its other benefits that you truly realize what a great product this is.
Sure, it’s a little pricey but when you consider how compact and lightweight it is, how easy it is to clean thanks to its lid that can be disassembled, and the one-handed operation that it allows, you will quickly accept that it’s worth it. This is without even mentioning a safety lock that prevents it from opening when it shouldn’t and of course, the excellent temperature retention that it delivers.
Now, if you’re after something that is more of an everyday mug for you to use, the Oxo Good Grips Mini LiquiSeal Travel Mug is more than worth a look. It will hold a full cup of coffee and keep its heat for a good few hours and will not lose a drip unless you wanted it to thanks to its highly effective anti-leak/spill lid that is protected by three silicone seals.
Once you’ve decided that you do want to take a swig of your coffee, simply press the button on the top of the lid you can now drink from the cup. A single press once more will close it back up and prevent anything from getting in or your coffee from getting out.
Designed mainly for those of you that want a single-serve travel mug that will fit your home coffee maker, this might not be for those of you that require a bit more than just a single cup of coffee. That said, we loved how well this performed and how well it’s obviously been designed.
The penultimate travel mug in our reviews is another that has been getting glowing reports from customers since its creation. The first impressions that most of you will have about the Klean Kanteen Coffee Mug is that it’s very smart looking. Well, prepare to be even more impressed as this mug will keep your 20 ounces of coffee hot for up to 14 hours in total. That’s longer than many in our reviews so far and is a big reason for its popularity.
It doesn’t stop there however as the lid is also worth a good few points as well. It has been designed to be leak-proof as you might expect with any top-quality travel mug but what we particularly like is that it can be taken apart so that it can be properly cleaned. The only thing left to do is to decide which of the thirteen colors to choose from!
Ready for the last swig of coffee and the last review of the 20? We don’t blame you; you probably needed a full gallon of coffee just to get through it all! That said, we ‘re going to finish things up with another good quality travel mug, this time from Vremi.
This mug stands tall, comes in four bright colors and will certainly grab your attention from the pictures above. It will hold 17oz of liquid which is enough for two good cups of coffee, has an airtight lid that will ensure no spills or leaks, and because it has no handle, will fit in most cup holders.
If you like the odd cup of tea as well as coffee, you might also be sold on the fact that it comes with a tea diffuser that will enable you to make a brew when on the go. A nice feature that just adds to the overall excellence of this product.
We do know that many of you will be thinking that aren’t travel mugs technically just watered-down versions of thermos flasks? Well, yes, we guess they are really as generally, they will not hold as much liquid, we not retain the heat for as long, but are designed instead to be more portable, for use when driving, and to fit cup holders.
Travel mugs are usually one of two things. They are either have a slim design that makes them ideal for cup holders or they are essentially a mug shape with a wide bottom that makes them difficult to tip over. What they will usually share in common is their ability to retain heat or cold, provide anti-splash and spill features, and to be durable enough to cope with the rigors of the outside world when traveling.
What to look for when buying a travel mug?
To sum up what you should be looking for from a travel mug in our own humble opinion, take a look few our four quick tips below:
Steel all the way – There is a reason why most of the travel mugs on our list are made of stainless steel, it’s better than plastic in almost every way. It is more durable, has better temperature retention properties, and it looks better.
Portability is key – These are travel mugs, after all, so you don’t want anything too big, heavy, or awkwardly shaped. Your mug should be able to fit in your cars cup holder or at the very least have anti-slip and skid features on its base.
Always go for a good lid – While the stainless-steel construction is what allows your coffee travel mug to stay hot, this would all be worthless if you have a poor lid. You want a lid that is leak-proof, can be opened with one hand, and will not break easily.
Bigger is not always better – Face it, if you wanted something that could keep your coffee hot for a long time and can hold lots of it, you’d just buy a Thermos flask. A travel mug that’s too big goes against its own purpose. It needs to be portable, fit cup holders, and offer one-handed operation.
Those are the four key considerations you should be making which can then be followed up with things like appearance, cost, warranties, reputation, brand, and anything else that you consider important.
Long Lasting Hot and Frothy Joy
Found the ultimate travel mug for your coffee yet? Well, to be honest, if you didn’t find one from our extensive list, we don’t hold out too much hope for you. Each of the products above has been tested stringently and while there were some others that were close to making the grade, these are the ones that we consider to be the very best travel mugs on the market right now.
Oh and by the way, if vacuum insulation is something that interests you, how about checking out our list of the best coolers with wheels? Coffee is great but there does come a time when a cold beer or two is in order. In fact, one or four have been set aside for us on completion of these reviews! Adios!
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