The perfect cup of coffee is had hot or in a delish iced version, especially when all you really need is a good cup or a tall glass of coffee. When you’re on-the-go, your at-home mugs and disposable cups aren’t the best for taking your coffee along with you. The best travel coffee mugs are your saviors in such scenarios, making sure that your coffee stays hot or iced, no matter how long ago it was brewed or whipped up. It ensures that you actually have your perfectly-made coffee, and don’t have to dump it when you get to your destination because it’s gone cold or watery.
When it comes to coffee mugs for travel, personal, emblazoned mugs and brands are pretty much secondary. Aspects like whether it fits in the car’s cupholder, whether it is easy to handle and doesn’t leak, and whether it keeps the coffee hot/cold long enough are more important. There are also choices for whether one wants to sip their coffee or drink it out of a straw. Moreover, Javaphiles also have a plethora of options for coffee mug material, like ceramic travel coffee mugs or stainless steel or even bamboo mugs.
Coffee lovers are totally spoilt for choice when it comes to the best coffee gadgets and accessories for them as they hit the road. If you are someone who measures out your life with coffee spoons, here’s fueling your agenda further. Check out our well-curated list of 13 best travel coffee mugs for the Javaphile in you.
How to Find the Right Coffee Mug?
Insulation
It doesn’t matter whether you have a plastic, stainless steel, glass or ceramic travel coffee mug or whether you drink your coffee hot or cold. The idea of the ideal travel coffee mug is to make sure that the coffee if insulated enough to maintain its temperature over time.
Size
Today, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing the size of the travel mug you want. However, there are certain aspects you need to keep in mind while choosing the size of your coffee mug. For those who drive, check the size of the drink holders in your car. If you’re bringing your travel coffee mug on a bike ride or a walk, a lighter, smaller one makes more sense.
Lids
No one wants their coffee spilling all over them. The lids of some travel coffee mugs are more spill-proof than others with vacuum-insulated lids or excellent locking features. This is a great option for those who simply want to toss their travel mugs into their bags and take off. For those who love sipping their coffee, there are great options with more traditional lids too.
Handles
Handles are a completely personal choice. For instance, handles are excellent reference points in a darkened vehicle and ensure that you don’t spill your coffee. Handles are also great for picking up cups that have become wedged in the holder. There are others who want to hold the coffee mug in both hands sans a handle. There are even options for add-on handles that can be mounted for keeping both options at hand.
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug
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The classic coffee travel mug from Zojirushi is an absolute favorite with coffee lovers. The mug definitely wins the ‘hottest for longest’ award, with the coffee remaining hot for up to as long as six hours. What’s more, it’s perfect for cold coffee lovers too as its mouth is wide enough to accommodate ice cubes.
The mug boasts a stainless-steel, BPA-free interior with a non-stick coating, ensuring that it stays stain-free and odorless. The travel mug is not only lightweight but also features a compact, sleek design that is small enough to fit comfortably in your jacket pocket, your hand, or the cup holder in your car. It is available in three different sizes, 12, 16, and 20 oz. and in seven colors too.
What’s more, if you move around a lot and need a mug that’s absolutely spill-proof, the Zojirushi one has you covered. The lid has three separate parts, a gasket, a mouthpiece, and a lid. The mug features a two-step release process which ensures that the hot/cold condensation doesn’t hit your face and avoids messy splashes too. Plus, the mouthpiece’s air vent ensures a smooth flow of coffee into your mouth.
Pros
- Vacuum-insulated body.
- five-year warranty.
- Value for money.
- Excellent heat/cold retention.
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe.
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Contigo Luxe Autoseal
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One of the best travel coffee mugs to hold on this list is the Luxe Autoseal from Contigo. Not only is the mug extremely comfortable to hold one-handed, but it also keeps the coffee hot, hot, hot.
One of the most distinguishing features of the Contigo Luxe Autoseal is the one-of-a-kind locking feature ensuring that it is spill and leak-proof. The mug is ‘automatic’ in the way that there’s a button on the lid’s side that, when pressed, releases the seal and opens the sipping hole. Also, one can lock the button so as to not accidentally press it while commuting. This is a blessing for those who drive older cars that don’t feature cupholders. If that wasn’t enough, the travel coffee mug is even dishwasher-safe, lid and all.
What makes the Contigo so great is that it’s easy to grab without having to see it and can be picked up with one hand as well. What’s more, it’s not heavy on the pocket either.
Pros
- Inexpensive.
- Leak and spill-proof.
- Unique locking system.
Cons
- Lid might get a little warm sometimes.
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Yeti Rambler Stackable
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Are you someone for whom no amount of coffee is ever enough? Then it seems that the Yeti Rambler Stackable was designed especially for you.
The Yeti Rambler Stackable is basically two 16 ounce stackable mugs one over the other, which makes for one huge cup of coffee to keep you happy throughout the day. Available in a riot of colors ranging from navy to seafoam, the Yeti Rambler is ideal for hardcore coffee addicts who need to keep sipping on coffee for a few hours. Plus, it keeps the coffee hot, so what more could you want?
A robust strainless steel construction on the Yeti Rambler makes for easy handling and storing. The matte exterior makes for a firm yet easy grip and the sealed, transparent lid allows you to see the amount of coffee in your cup. Yeti also gives coffee drinkers the option of swapping the lid for a lid with a sliding magnetic closure or a straw lid, as they like it. However, the most important thing is that the travel mug is dishwasher-friendly, saving you the time and energy of having to clean it.
Pros
- Double-walled vacuum insulation.
- Available in a variety of colors.
- Transparent lid allowing to see into your cup.
- Excellent quantity.
Cons
- Some users have complained that when it is full, it becomes heavy.
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Hydro Flask Tumbler
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Hydro Flask has a bevy of mugs, flasks, and tumblers for die-hard coffee lovers to choose from to keep their brew perfect. The nifty Hydro Flask Tumbler is next to perfection, keeping your coffee hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to almost a day. This is possible due to the brand’s TempShield double-walled vacuum insulation system. The one-of-a-kind double-walled vacuum insulation protects and retains the temperature for hours, keeping your drink the way it was brewed.
Featuring a durable, BPA-free stainless steel inner construction, the Hydro Flask Tumbler also boasts a durable and chip-resistant outer metal exterior. It offers excellent durability no matter whether you drive around all day or whether you go running with your coffee cup in the morning. The screw-on Hydro Flip Lid seals well when it’s closed and is mighty easy for sipping as well. Users can choose from a variety of lids ranging from the brand’s signature wide-mouth straw lid to the wide-mouth flex cap.
The best part about the stainless steel construction, apart from the durability, is that it ensures no flavor transfer taking place. Moreover, its great size allows coffee drinkers to refill on-the-go and cut back on paper cups.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty.
- It comes in a variety of colors – watermelon, frost, olive, lemon, pacific, cobalt, graphite, white, and black.
Cons
- The Flex Slip lid might leak the contents a bit when turned upside down or on its side.
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Ember Temperature-Control Ceramic Mug
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If you’re a coffee lover who is a sucker for smart appliances, then you need to look no further than the Ember temperature-controlled ceramic travel coffee mug. For those who sip on their coffee rather than gulping it down, the Ember mug is life-changing.
The sleek Ember mug is not one of the best travel coffee mugs for nothing – it keeps beverages at pre-selected temperatures. The mug is compatible with an iOS app, where users can record and save preferred temperatures for a range of beverages. When the beverage reaches the desired temperature, users receive notifications on the Ember app, or if they have them, their Apple Watch. For that matter, the app can even be paired with the ‘Health’ app on the users’ iPhones for tracking caffeine intake.
Even though the name says otherwise, the mug actually has a stainless steel construction with a ceramic coating. A comfy handle makes it easy to be picked up, and the minimal matte white/black aesthetic is an excellent touch. When popped up on the charging stand, the mug takes about an hour-and-a-half to be fully charged for your beverage needs. A push-to-lock lid keeps the mug decidedly leak-proof. Furthermore, it keeps your beverage at a steady temperature for almost two hours.
Pros
- Ideal for smart-accessory users.
- Excellent for tracking caffeine intake for fitness freaks.
- Leak and spill-proof.
Cons
- The pairing/re-pairing could be a little dicey at times.
- Could be expensive for a travel coffee mug.
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Otterbox Elevation 20 Tumbler (CU)
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Stay refueled all day long with the Otterbox Elevation 20 Tumbler. This steel chalice of sorts keeps hot coffee hot and cold coffee cold, making for quite the coffee arsenal in your kitty.
This coffee mug holds as many as 20 ounces of liquid, which means lesser trips to your local coffee shop for refueling. A tight, flip-top lid stays snapped shut in place and makes the bottle beautifully drip and spill-proof, especially when you’re in a rush. However, patrons also have the option of purchasing extra lids to suit their fancy. There’s the thermal lid for those cold camping mornings, the French Press lid for the coffee lover, and even a shaker lid for those into cold brews.
For those who like to make a style statement with their coffee mug, you have 11 colors to choose from. Even when it’s full, the tumbler doesn’t feel heavy to carry. Moreover, its design makes if fittable into most car cupholders.
Pros
- Extremely durable.
- Many customization options for sizes (10/16/20 oz.), lids, and colors.
- Completely sweat-resistant from top to bottom.
Cons
- Not as temperature-controlled as its other peers.
Contigo SnapSeal Byron Travel Mug
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If you’re a fan of going back to the basics when it comes to a travel coffee mug, then the Contigo’s SnapSeal Byron mug is perfect. This snap-top mug is simple to use, durable and doesn’t break the bank either.
The SnapSeal Byron from Contigo keeps your coffee hot almost an entire work-day, up to six hours. It’s not only easy to drink from but is also leak and spill-proof. Plus, it sits beautifully snugly into most car cupholders. The coffee mug boasts a nice circumference, is neither too big nor too small, and can be held easily with one hand due to its rubberized grip. A plain, stainless steel construction makes it easy for users to carry this snap-top mug in their bags.
Apart from being easy to clean, the SnapSeal Byron is also available in two colors and is a great travel coffee mug for a hassle-free experience.
Pros
- Easy to clean.
- No leak guarantee.
Cons
- Some users have reported it a little difficult to drink out of.
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Bodum Tea & Coffee Press
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The Tea and Coffee Press from Bodum is one of the most versatile and best travel coffee mugs in its class. Life is a whole lot better with the Bodum Tea & Coffee Press by your side, especially when you’re in a rush.
Made of double-walled stainless steel construction, the nifty mug your brew hot/cold for many hours. The inner walls are BPA-free and don’t transfer the flavor to your favorite brew. The mug is beautifully spill-proof thanks to the lid that sits snugly atop the tumbler. A plunger system that is included in the lid allows you to enjoy a freshly-brewed French-Press coffee in all its glory.
If that wasn’t enough, the Tea and Coffee Press from Bodum can hold up to 15 oz. of liquid, which means you can literally keep sipping your coffee/tea for hours. The vibrant non-slip silicone grips make holding your on-the-go coffee all the more better.
Pros
- Gives the full flavor of the coffee.
- Spill and leak-proof.
- Keeps the coffee hot for hours.
Cons
- None.
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Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug
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One of the best ceramic travel coffee mugs out there is the lovely Everywhere Mug from Fellow Carter. Featured in two sizes (12 and 16 oz.) across three colors – matte white, matte black, and matte grey, the mug is a blessing in disguise for those who need to be fueled while running around for work and errands.
A matte-textured exterior and an aromatic wide mouth make drinking coffee from the Carter a multi-sensory experience. The mug’s inner walls are coated with ceramic that makes your coffee taste just as good as when you brewed it. A stainless steel sipping tip with a distinct taper makes drinking out of the Carter extremely comfy. Plus, it takes all the guesswork of scalding coffee hitting your tongue, letting you know exactly when the coffee with surge into your mouth.
Apart from the above, the Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug also features a double-walled vacuum seal keeping your brew cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. Furthermore, the leak-proof seal on the lid allows you to rush anywhere without worrying about spilling its contents.
Pros
- True taste ceramic coating that doesn’t transfer the flavor.
- Drinkable, tapered lip.
- Aromatic wide mouth.
- Keeps brew hot/cold for a long, long time.
Cons
- Some users have said that its a bit difficult to use while driving.
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Ello Campy Stainless Steel Travel Mug
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The stainless steel travel mug from Ello Campy is leak-proof, insulated, and stylish to boot, and will survive everything from your bike ride to your morning commute.
The vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug from Ello retains heat extremely well for a long time. Hot drinks stay hot for 5 hours, while cold drinks stay cold for as long as 8-10 hours without getting diluted. A nice, old-world design keeps the mug traditional without looking dated. A simplistic yet elegant white stainless steel exterior with an inbuilt cork coaster keeps its operation simple overall. The mug is also amazingly spill-proof, no matter how it is tossed and turned around.
To top it all, the mug is dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time and energy washing this one.
Pros
- 100% leak and spill-proof.
- Value for money.
- high-quality materials and a well-designed exterior.
Cons
- Some users mention that durability is an issue.
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Klean Kanteen 20. oz Tumbler
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The Klean Kanteen 20 oz. Tumbler is one of the best travel coffee mugs due to its sleek design, versatility, performance, and wide mouth. A stainless-steel finish, excellent texture, and shape round off what is a great product.
The Klean Kanteen 20. oz Tumbler has is nicely hefty and durable without being heavy. Users have called the tumbler absolutely magical for its ability to retain heat as well as the cold, depending on the kind of brew one puts in it. A black press-on lid makes it easy for one to drink their brew with a simple snap. The vacuum-insulated stainless steel interior keeps the coffee hot for up to 10 hours can comfortably sip coffee for the entirety of your workday without it going cold.
If that wasn’t enough, the nifty tumbler is scratch-resistant, despite having a stainless steel exterior. It is known as the Klean Coat Finish, which is not only chip-proof but environment friendly as well. What’s more, it is also compatible with a straw lid and comes with cages and metal straws for attaching the bottles to your bike.
Pros
- Value-for-money product.
- Robust and durable.
- A host of accessories available.
Cons
- Mouth opening isn’t that wide.
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S’Well Traveler Mug
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The nifty and gorgeous looking traveler mug from S’Well is, well, swell! Its shape is reminiscent of that of an iconic cola beverage, but with a wider mouth and neck. This is perfect for those who prefer drinking iced coffee, and wish to add ice to their drink easily. Plus, its also easy to add thick smoothies or hot coffee without worrying about spilling, and stir easily too. What’s more, it keeps your beverage at the perfect drinking temperature as well.
Designed from high-grade, BPA-free stainless steel, the S’Well Traveler Mug boasts a triple-walled construction, thus ensuring maximum insulation. It also means that the exterior of the mug won’t be coated with condensation either. The travel mug is successful in keeping hot beverages hot for 12 hours, and cold ones cold for as many as 24 hours! Apart from being available in a variety of designs, the mug is also available in three sizes – 12, 16, and 20 oz. ones. It’s also available in a wonderfully offbeat variety of colors, like Montana Blue and Pink Topaz. If all this isn’t impressive enough, all S’Well bottles support a whole range of charities and are environment-friendly as well.
Pros
- Shiny, good-looking texture.
- Excellent quality of construction.
Cons
- Some users had issues with heat-retaining abilities for more than a few hours.
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Joco Glass Reusable Coffee Cup (CU)
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The best, most foolproof way for your coffee mug to remain scratch-resistant ifs if its a glass one. The Joco Reusable Coffee Cup is one such product. Designed from very solid thick glass, the coffee cup stands the test of time and is a fabulous addition to your hectic morning routine.
The cutesy-looking cup from Joco does get very hot when it is first filled with coffee glass, but the glass has a trick up its sleeve – literally. The included thermal silicone sleeve is perfectly soft for you to hold the cup comfortably.
Joco’s range of coffee cups has three different sizes that are quite different from those of other brands. The cup has three size options, namely 8, 12, and 16 ounces. So, it is perfect for those who prefer their coffee quantities on the lesser side. What’s more, users can choose from a gamut of 20 whopping colors, including taupe, mint blue, olive, and vintage blue. The cup is made from BPA-free material which doesn’t transfer flavors to your coffee. An anti-splash ergonomic design makes sure that the liquid doesn’t spill and the thermal silicone sleeve provides excellent grip and protection as you sip your beloved beverage.
Going a step further, users can also purchase a whole range of lids and sleeves to mix and match according to their liking.
Pros
- Comfy to hold.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
- Nice, stylish appearance.
Cons
- Doesn’t keep drink hot for long.