The 10 Best Travel Coffee Mugs

An 21 Min Read
Travel Coffee Mug

Whether you are a frequent traveler, commuter, or student who has to take coffee on the go, you need to have a proper way of carrying your caffeine fix. And in most instances, this means having the best travel coffee mug.

Travel coffee mugs are small and portable mugs that are insulated to make it easy and convenient to carry your coffee.

Besides allowing you to carry coffee for later consumption, these mugs can also help you save cash as you will not need to buy expensive brews from coffee shops.

Also, with the travel coffee mugs, you get to make coffee just how you like and carry it instead of being forced to take the substandard or wanting quality brews in cafes.

Given the global popularity of coffee, there are all kinds of travel coffee mugs out there that differ in everything from size and shape to thermal insulation capability. And to help make buying one easier, here we review 10 top-rated travel coffee mugs and show you how to choose one.

The 10 Best Travel Coffee Mugs

1. Zojirushi SM-KHE48PV

With durable stainless steel construction and a tightly fitting lid, this top-rated travel coffee mug is designed to make it easy to carry coffee and will keep it hot for many hours.

Its uniquely designed lid also includes a safety lock that will prevent accidental pouring when in transit. And with the wide mouth opening, pouring coffee into the mug should be super easy.

The interior of the travel coffee mug is also equally durable and sanitary, and it is highly polished to make it more resistant to staining.

Coffee lovers will also love the fact that it comes in a more compact and space-saving design to ensure it will take up little room in your bag, and will fit most cup holders.

When compared to other travel coffee mugs on our list, this is the priciest model, but the good news is that it is still fairly priced given its quality and the fact that it is still under the $50 mark.

Pros

  • Great for hot and cold brews
  • Durable stainless steel construction
  • Wide mouth opening
  • Compact, space-saving design
  • Sanitary interior and slick exterior finish

Cons

  • Relatively more expensive
  • Can be a pain to clean

2. Yeti Rambler Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

A heavy-duty and highly durable stainless steel travel mug like this one by Yeti will ensure that you have a reliable way of carrying coffee for many years to come.

It features double-wall insulation to ensure your coffee remains hot for many hours, and it will also be perfect for carrying cold beverages.

Also, the no-sweat design makes the mug more comfortable to use, and it also includes a spacious handle that will fit almost any adult hand for a comfortable grip.

With the Duracoat color finishing, this coffee mug is also designed to be peel, fade, and scratch resistant to maintain its aesthetic appeal for a long time.

Given that this coffee mug is quite wide, it might not fit the cup holders in many cars, but carrying it around should still not be a big challenge as it does not take up a lot of room.

Pros

  • Spacious and comfortable handle
  • Highly effective insulation
  • No sweat design
  • Dishwasher-safe for effortless cleaning
  • Scratch, peel and fade-free finish

Cons

  • Will not fit many cup holders
  • The lid design can allow some heat to escape

3. Contigo Autoseal West Loop Vacuum Travel Mug

For modern travelers and commuters who have to go through busy subways and walk through crowded streets, this Contigo mug will make carrying coffee a breeze.

It is a well-built vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug that can keep coffee hot for up to 5 hours. Its design is made for user convenience as it can easily fit most car cup holders and will allow for easy one-handed drinking.

The travel mug also includes a fantastic lid with an Autoseal lock that will be very useful in preventing spills and leaks. This lid is also dishwasher-safe to make cleanup a breeze.

The lid opening for drinking does not have a lip which makes it easy to dribble a few drops after drinking, and it is also quite small. However, despite not being perfect, it only takes some getting used to.

Pros

  • Commuter-friendly design
  • Completely leak and spill-poof lid
  • Simple one-handed drinking
  • Easy clean lid

Cons

  • The lid opening for drinking needs improvement
  • Highly visible fingerprints

4. Contigo SSH100B01

There are several things that make this Contigo mug one of the best-insulated travel coffee mugs, but its relatively smaller price tag is what will impress many coffee lovers.

For such a small price tag, the 20-ounce capacity is just amazing and many users will also love the Thermalock vacuum insulation as it will keep the coffee hot for up to 7 hours.

Also, this mug includes a SnapSeal lid that is designed to make it leak and spill-proof and the size and design of the mug will fit most cup holders and allow for convenient one-handed drinking.

Cleaning up this mug after use is also quite simple given that the lid is dishwasher safe and hand washing the body will also not take a lot of effort.

This travel mug is one of the largest and bulkiest on our list, but given that it also has the largest capacity, this should not be a deal breaker, and this is more so for those who want to carry more coffee.

Pros

  • Larger capacity coffee mug
  • Easy one-handed drinking and clean-up
  • Leak-proof lid
  • Relatively more affordable
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • A little bulkier
  • Lid design takes some getting used to

5. SharkNinja CF12MUG

Besides being able to keep your coffee hot, a good travel mug should also look cool. And if appearances matter a lot to you, this SharkNinja mug is one of the coolest coffee travel mugs you can get.

It is also a well-built double-wall Tritan plastic coffee mug that will keep your coffee hot for many hours and will also be useful for carrying cold beverages.

The mug is also easy and comfortable to use thanks to its large and ergonomic handle that makes it easy to hold. And given that it is both dishwasher and microwave-safe, it will also be more convenient for users.

With the 2-ounce measurement markings on the coffee mug, you can also measure your beverages easily. Also, this mug is designed to be completely condensation-resistant.

While the Tritan material might feel quite sturdy, it is still more fragile than stainless steel. But if you take good care of it and handle it with a little extra precaution, it should still last long enough.

Pros

  • Effective double-walled insulation
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Large and ergonomic handle
  • Condensation-resistant

Cons

  • Material is still quite fragile
  • Smaller capacity

6. Bubba Brands 20090

If you carry coffee on your daily commute, a durable stainless steel travel mug with double insulation like the Buba Hero Elite will be a perfect choice. This is because it is not only highly rugged but also effective in keeping coffee hot for up to 6 hours.

The travel mug also features a ceramic-coated interior that will help ensure that your coffee maintains a great taste and will also make cleanup easier.

Also, the mug comes with a leak-proof lid to prevent accidental pours, a comfortable textured grip to make it easy to grab and go, and will also include a silicone base to prevent it from slipping when you place it somewhere.

This travel mug might be a little too tall to fit under some coffee makers for those who prefer to brew directly into it. However, a little tilt is often all it takes to brew into it from most coffee makers.

Pros

  • Ceramic coated interior
  • Secure and leak-proof lid
  • Skid-proof silicone base
  • Easy to clean up
  • Comfortable textured grip

Cons

  • A little too tall to fit some coffee makers

7. Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug

Stanley’s Classic vacuum mug combines high-quality construction with durable material to ensure that you not only get a  travel mug that does the job well but also something that will last for a long time.

The double-wall stainless steel body construction and thermal lid are designed to keep coffee hot for up to 6 hours and maintain cold beverage temperatures for an impressive 24 hours.

Many users will also love that it includes a handy push-button valve on the lid that will make one-handed drinking possible and the fact that it is completely leak-proof and fully packable.

Another thing that makes this a perfect on-the-go coffee mug is that it will easily fit most car cup holders, and the lid is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

The slow dispensing spout flow can be a shortcoming for some coffee takers, but it still comes with many advantages such as minimizing the likelihood of spilling a few drops of coffee.

Pros

  • Easy one-handed drinking
  • Fully packable design
  • Completely leak-proof lid
  • Dishwasher-safe lid for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Slow dispensing spout flow
  • The push button valve can be unwieldy

8. Ello Campy Stainless Steel Travel Mug

By combining an aesthetically appealing vintage style with top-notch thermal insulation, the amazing Campy travel mug by Ello is what you get.

It has a capacity of 18 ounces which is quite decent and sufficient for many people who carry coffee on the go, and its efficient insulation can keep it hot for up to 5 hours.

The lid is also completely leak-proof and comes in a slider design to make it easy to open and close. Also, the lid is dishwasher-safe to make it easier to clean up, and it is BPA and BPS-free to make it a safer product

The plastic handle might be a turn-off for some users, but the good news is that it is quite comfortable for the hand and well-secured to the cup for long service life.

Pros

  • Spacious and comfortable soft touch handle
  • Completely leak-proof lid
  • Aesthetically appealing vintage style
  • Safer BPS and BPA-free materials
  • Relatively more affordable

Cons

  • Handle is plastic
  • Slower drink flow

9. Corkcicle C2116DBO

A statement-making travel mug like this one is the kind that you will never want to leave behind, and besides its impressive look, it is also highly effective in keeping coffee hot.

What makes it great for carrying coffee is that unlike most other travel mugs it is triple-wall insulated which is often more effective than double-wall insulation.

Also, the travel mug includes a crystal-clear and shatterproof lid with a nice slider to allow for one-handed drinking.

Many users will also love that it has flat sides that provide an easy grip, a non-slip silicone base, and that it will fit the cup holders in most cars.

With the relatively thicker rim on this travel mug, drinking from it can be a little cumbersome as it feels like the liquid is spilling when it is not, but once you get used to it, this should be a non-issue.

Pros

  • Statement-making finish
  • More efficient triple insulation
  • Crystal-clear and shatterproof lid
  • Easy grip flat sides
  • Fits most car cup holders

Cons

  • Drinking from it can be a little cumbersome
  • A little too tall for some coffee makers

10. Ello Cole Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

Another stylish travel mug from Ello that will not only keep your coffee hot on the go but is also stylish and designed to fit most cup holders.

What makes it ideal for many cup holders is the built-in composite coaster base that has also been designed to protect surfaces.

The travel mug also includes a snug-fitting lid with an easy-to-use and leak-free slider that will also make one-handed drinking possible.

Given that it is also the second cheapest on our travel coffee mug reviews, with this travel mug you get a top-notch quality product without spending much.

The complexity of the lid design and mechanism can make this mug hard to clean as the dishwasher might not get to all those tight spaces, but a simple way to solve this problem is by finishing the cleanup in the sink with a small brush.

Pros

  • Stylish and attention-grabbing look
  • The base fits most vehicle cup holders
  • BPA and BPS-free parts
  • Easy to use and leak-free lid slider
  • More affordable

Cons

  • The lid is a little cumbersome to clean
  • The paint seems to wear quite fast

How to Buy the Best Travel Coffee Mugs

Getting a good travel coffee mug should not be hard as there are practically countless options in the market. But, to get the best one for you, here are some of the things to keep in mind when choosing a travel coffee mug.

1. Size

Size is one of the most important factors to take into account as you choose a travel coffee mug. When it comes to size, you need to consider how much coffee it can carry and its dimensions.

The right mug size will depend on how much coffee you want to carry on the go. However, a typical travel coffee mug can hold anywhere from 1 to 5 cups of coffee. But, many coffee drinkers seem to be comfortable enough with a 2-cup mug.

When it comes to the dimensions, you need something that is not too large or too heavy to ensure that it will be easy to carry. A mug that can fit a car’s cup holder will also be much better.

2. Retain Temperature Feature

Heat retention is another vital factor to consider as you choose a travel coffee mug because no one wants to drink cold coffee.

The right travel coffee mug for you is one that can keep the coffee hot enough for several hours as you commute.

The kind of insulation used on the mug is one of the key determinants of heat retention, and something with double-wall vacuum insulation will keep your drink hot for a long.

3. Durability

Given that you will be using the travel mug when commuting, the chances are that there will be accidental bumps into things and even occasional accidental falls. Hence, when choosing a travel coffee mug, you should make sure that it is durable enough.

Stainless steel makes some of the most durable coffee mugs for travel, and this is more so if it is double-walled as it will be almost indestructible.

There are also other materials like borosilicate glass and Tritan plastic that can also be highly durable and still keep coffee hot for a long.

But, besides having a high-quality material, the mug should also be well-built to ensure durability and double walls will always be better than single wall construction.

Also, check the quality of the handle and how it is joined to the cup because in many instances it is usually the weakest part of the cup.

4. Leak-Proof

You do not want to end up with coffee all over your clothes when on the go as this will not only leave you dirty but the hot coffee also has the potential to cause serious burns.

As you pick a travel coffee mug, you should make sure that it will be leak and spill-proof to prevent accidents.

The lid is the main determinant of whether the mug will be leak-proof or not, and a good mug will have a snug-fitting lid to prevent leaks. Others will even have two levels of sealing or a screw top for even better spill and leak protection.

5. Ease of Cleaning

Like anything else used to store and carry food, cleanup is an essential part of owning a coffee travel mug, so you also need to consider it when buying one.

The best-insulated travel coffee mug is one that does not take a lot of effort to clean. Something that is dishwasher-safe and is made from a material that does not stain easily will give you an easier time when it comes to cleaning up.

Also, any nooks and crannies on both the mug and lid should be easy to rich to ensure that you can easily do a thorough cleanup.

Conclusion

There is a wide assortment of travel coffee mugs in the market, so you can be confident that there is something out there that will make it easy to carry coffee on the go.

To find the best travel coffee mug, you only need to consider factors like heat retention, durability, size/capacity, and ease of cleaning.

With one of the mugs on our top 10 travel coffee mug reviews, you can be confident that you will have an effective way to carry your favorite coffee on the go.

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