Bringing your own stainless steel travel cups can provide many benefits. First of all, you don’t have to spend money to buy bottled water or drinks. In addition, by purchasing travel cups for smoothies or travel cups for tea, you’re also making a great contribution to reducing plastic waste! Furthermore, portable cups like Stojo collapsible travel caps are generally compact and packable, so they won’t take up too much space in your backpack.
In this article, we’ve curated a list of some of the best stainless steel travel cups around. So in case you have no idea which one to get or which will work best for you, our summary might help a little. Without further ado, let’s get started!
How to Choose The Best Stainless Steel Travel Cups
Before we get into the reviews, you might want to know how to properly choose stainless steel travel cups. What kind of quality should you expect, when you’re looking for travel cups for smoothies or travel cups for teas. These factors are important since you obviously don’t want to end up having a leaky or completely unusable glass in your backpack.
After going through hours of investigation and research, we’ve finally been able to draw conclusions regarding some important aspects to keep in mind when looking for portable stuff like the Stojo collapsible travel cups. Keep reading to find out more.
Insulation
First of all, you need to check if the cup has the proper insulation. Most stainless steel travel cups are designed to keep your drink warm or cold for a couple of hours. This means they should have an air compartment between the two layers of insulation, which in turn will keep your coffee or tea toasty all day.
And in case you need something more specific, we’ve got a great list of the 13 best rated coffee mug warmers. They’re equipped with a special electric mechanism to ensure your cup of joe stays lukewarm all day long!
Spill-Proof Lid
Another important thing to consider is the lid. Whether it’s travel cups for smoothies or travel cups for tea, you need to make sure that they won’t soak your clothes and essentials. That’s why we always recommend picking cups with vacuum-sealed lids and screw-on caps.
Size
Last but not least, think about how big a cup you can carry. Portable chalice like the Stojo collapsible travel cups are packable, so they won’t take up too much space in your backpack or suitcase. And if you’re traveling in your own car, you might want to check if the cups will fit the cup holders. See if they’re the right shape and size.
Are Stainless Steel Mugs Safe?
Yes. We can confidently say that almost all stainless steel mugs out there are safe. According to data, a stainless steel cup doesn’t contain any toxic substances that may negatively affect your system or reduce your health.
Is It Better to Drink from Glass or Stainless Steel?
In terms of safety, glass is often considered the better option. However, most people prefer stainless steel cups because of their insulation. It allows you to have your drink cold or hot for a longer period of time.
And speaking of heat retention, did you know that we have a list of the 13 best travel coffee mugs? These portable cups are designed to give you the best coffee experience while on the go. Some of them even feature a solid insulation system to keep your Java warm for a longer period of time.
Can Stainless Steel Rust?
As the name implies, stainless steel will never rust. It won’t have any stain on its surface. This is due to interactions between the elements that make it up, which include manganese, silicon, carbon, or even nickel.
Ember Travel Mug
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The Ember Travel Mug is perhaps one of the most advanced stainless steel travel cups we’ve ever come across. Can you imagine, this thing has its own temperature regulator! That means you can keep your drink at a specific level of warmth. While this makes the cup more expensive than other similar products, we think it’s totally worth it.
According to Ember’s official statement, this portable mug can maintain a consistent temperature for up to three hours. Amazingly, you can do all the settings directly via the built-in display or through a mobile application! If you’re looking for something portable and sophisticated, this 12-ounce mug is definitely not to be missed.
What We Love
Come with built-in temperature controller
Pros:
- Stainless steel
- Touch display
- App-controlled
- Auto sleep
Cons:
- It’s a bit pricey
Hydro Flask Mug
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Coming in 12 ounces, the Hydro Flask Mug is a compact cup that can keep your Java toasty for up to six hours. And if it’s a cold drink, you can have it fresh for almost the whole day! While these claims are debatable, you definitely won’t get any poor performance from this product.
With a splash-resistant press-in lid, we could imagine the Hydro Flask Mug would be a great alternative to travel cups for smoothies or travel cups for tea. Not to mention that it has Honeycomb Insulation, which works great for trapping air inside the cup. So whenever you’re planning to go on a camping or beach trip, this stainless steel cup should be in your backpack.
Need something specifically designed for outdoor use you say? Well, you’re in luck because we have a list of the 13 best camping mugs! Make sure you check them out for some of the greatest cups for your next adventure.
What We Love
Promises hot or cold drinks for up to a full 24 hours
Pros:
- TempShield insulation
- 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Insulated lid nests
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It has big brand print on the side
MiiR Insulated Cup
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If you can’t get your hands on the Stojo collapsible travel cups, the MiiR Insulated Cups will make an awesome substitution. This compact stainless steel cup boasts solid double-wall insulation. It claims to work great in preventing the outside of the cup from getting too hot while minimizing condensation.
Another thing to love about the MiiR Insulated Cups is the press-fit lid. Apart from being splashproof, it’s also completely dishwasher safe. It’s no wonder this tiny cup is one of the most sought-after products on Amazon. It’s sleek, simple, and just works. We recommend checking it out if you can.
What We Love
Solid double wall insulation, works great in minimizing condensation
Pros:
- Thermo 3D double wall vacuum
- High quality 18/8 medical grade stainless steel
- Press-fit lid
- Hold 12oz
Cons:
- Some say the joints are prone to rust
Bubba Classic Desk Mug
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The Bubba Classic Desk Mug is yet another stainless steel travel cup worth owning. Based on what we’ve read, this 52-ounce container can maintain heat for up to four hours straight. While it’s not the best you can get from a travel cup, it’s definitely not a bad thing at all. We can imagine Bubba would be great for a short camping trip or a quick weekend getaway!
We’ve always loved products with small details and this is where the Bubba Classic Desk Mug really shines. If you look closely, the handle has a built-in bottle opener. So when you want to open a can of beer, you can keep it fresh for the next few hours!
What We Love
A lovely 52 ounce mug with a built-in bottle opener in the handle
Pros:
- BPA-free
- Large capacity
- Dual-walled polyurethane insulation
- Tough and durable construction
Cons:
- Some complained about the strange odor after unboxing
YETI Rambler
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The YETI Rambler is definitely not something you think of when you talk about travel cups for smoothies or travel cups for tea. But trust us, this 20-ounce tumbler will work just as well. Despite the fact that you can only get toasty drinks for a maximum of 4.5 hours, that doesn’t seem to stop YETI from becoming one of the most popular travel cups around.
Most users love the lid, which makes use of a satisfying sliding mechanism. Apart from that, the mug is completely dishwasher safe. If you, like us, hate the idea of hand washing, this travel cup is a godsend!
What We Love
Features a lid with a cool sliding mechanism
Pros:
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable coat of color
- 18/8 stainless steel body
Cons:
- Cold drinks will only last for 1-2 hours
Ello Campy Mug
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As much as we love Stojo collapsible travel cups, they’re so popular that they’ve become quite rare and hard to find. Luckily, we managed to find a few alternatives that turned out to be just as great. Ello Campy Vacuum Travel Mug is one of them. It’s shaped like a traditional cup, with a maximum capacity of up to 16 ounces.
According to the official Ello page, you can expect your drink to stay warm for up to five hours after being poured into this compact cup. As for cleaning, the mug is claimed to be easy to wash by hand. Or if you demand a more modern solution, you can just throw it in a regular dishwasher!
What We Love
Shaped like a traditional cup, keep your coffee toasty for five hours
Pros:
- Perfect for commuting
- Car cup friendly
- Comfortable handle
- Leak-proof
Cons:
- The lid feels less durable
Contigo Snapseal Mug
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Coming with a capacity of 20 ounces, the Contigo Snapseal Travel Mug will be the perfect companion to start your day. It’s also pretty affordable, priced at around 14 bucks. This makes them one of the cheapest stainless steel travel cups around. If you’re not planning on spending a lot on your new cup, this product would be an excellent choice.
The Contigo Snapseal Travel Mug will be great for boosting your mood, as it can keep your Java toasty for up to 5.5 hours. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean the product doesn’t come without any flaws. After testing, we realized that the lid is quite difficult to open. In addition, the complicated design makes this portable cup not easy to clean.
And speaking of travel cups, did you know that there are cups specifically designed for infants? You can check out our list of the 13 best baby sippy cups for travel. They’ll come in handy when you plan to go on a family trip and bring your kids along.
What We Love
Affordable, a great product to start your day
Pros:
- Snapseal lid technology
- Drinks stay hot for 5-7 hours
- Easy one-handed drinking
- Stainless steel body
Cons:
- Hand wash only
S’well Stainless Steel Bottle
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Thanks to its stainless steel body and solid insulation, the S’well Commuter Bottle can keep your drink at the desired temperature for up to 6 hours. This is what makes it one of the most popular travel cups for smoothies and travel cups for tea among travelers. Especially for those planning to do a short getaway.
For the insulation system, S’well uses an impressive three-layer design. It’s claimed to be able to keep cold drinks fresh for up to 24 hours maximum! Furthermore, you also get a leak-proof lid here. Unfortunately, the gasket part isn’t replaceable. So you have to buy the whole top if it’s damaged or starts to smell.
What We Love
Solid body, great insulation, perfect for tea or smoothies
Pros:
- Triple-layer insulation
- Wide mouth opening
- BPA-free
- 18/8 premium food-grade stainless steel
Cons:
- The lid’s gasket isn’t replaceable
W&P Porter Travel Mug
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The W&P Porter Travel Mugs may not be the Stojo collapsible travel cups, but these ceramic products will handle your hydration needs just as well. Coming in a 12-ounce package, these reusable cups from W&P Porter are available in a variety of cute pastel tones. They feel good in your hand and are extremely easy to wash. Just put them in the dishwasher and voila! The cups will look new again.
As for the material, the W&P Porter Travel Mug is crafted from strong ceramic with a matte silicone wrap. It’s completely BPA-free and safe for your drinks. Most of the users said they didn’t experience any weird metallic aftertaste while using this mug. So if you still don’t have a clue as to which stainless steel travel cups to get, this one is going to be great.
What We Love
Crafted from strong ceramic with matte silicone wrap and BPA-free
Pros:
- Premium food-grade material
- Protective silicone sleeve
- Available in fun pastel colors
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- It’s not completely leak proof
RTIC Coffee Mug
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Despite being branded as coffee mugs, RTIC Travel Coffee Mugs are actually a great alternative to travel cups for smoothies or travel cups for tea. They have dependable handles, perfect for when you want to tote your cup around. Thanks to its double-wall insulation, this portable mug can keep drinks warm or cold at the desired temperature for almost five hours.
You’ll be guaranteed to find exactly what you need since the RTIC Travel Coffee Mug is available in three different sizes. Pick between the 12, 16, or 20-ounce models, depending on your situation. Priced at only about 16 bucks, these cups are definitely a no-brainer.
What We Love
Double-wall insulation, plus a sturdy handle if you want to tote the cup around
Pros:
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
- Maximum temperature retention
- Perfect steel handle
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- The lid could be better
Corkcicle Coffee Mug
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The Corkcicle Coffee Mug is a robust mug that will make a great addition to your travel gear collection. It boasts a shockproof lid and a built-in slider. This way, no matter what liquid you put in it will stay where it is. As for temperature retention, Corkcicle claims this triple-insulated mug can keep drinks hot for up to three hours maximum.
Another thing to love about these stainless steel travel cups is the colors and patterns. There are lots of interesting options to choose from, including the popular fair isle holiday edition. It’s no surprise that the Corkcicle Coffee Mug stole the show by being included in Oprah’s list of favorite items for the 2020 edition.
Speaking of water containers, they’re absolutely vital when you’re out in the wild. In fact, managing the water supply is one of the keys to a successful outdoor adventure. And for that, you might want to check out our list of 13 best canteens for survival.
What We Love
Triple-insulated mug that can trap heat for up to three hours
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle
- Easy to grip
- Shatterproof
- Silicone bottom
Cons:
- The outside layer chips easily
Snow Peak Stainless Steel Mug
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The Snow Peak Stainless Steel Mug would be great for those looking to pack lightly. This beautiful 4-inch high travel cup only weighs about 4.2 ounces. It also boasts a titanium-insulated chamber to keep your drink warm or cold all day long.
For its capacity, the Snow Peak Stainless Steel Mug can hold approximately 450 ml of liquid. Aside from being lightweight, this cup is also extremely easy to clean. This is a feature that many people overlook, but it’s actually quite vital when you don’t have access to a dishwasher or sink. All you have to do is refill, rinse, and hang the cup on your backpack’s hook or carabiner.
What We Love
Weighs only about 4.2 ounces, great for those planning to pack lightly
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Made of ultralight stainless steel
- Double-walled insulation
- compact
Cons:
- We’re still working on it!
Stojo Collapsible Travel Cups
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Finally, we come to the main star of the show! Stojo Collapsible Travel Cups will come in handy when you don’t have too much luggage space left. It’s made of sturdy material and boasts a stylish design. While these cups aren’t exactly made of stainless steel, they’re actually pretty okay. The silicone works great in retaining heat and you won’t get any burning sensation in the palm of your hand.
Again, Stojo Collapsible Travel Cups are great when you want something that’s compact and don’t take up much space in your backpack. With just a single push, you’ll have these cups the size of a mug lid. And if that wasn’t enough, they’re also easy to clean!
What We Love
A collapsible cup that won’t take up much space in your backpack
Pros:
- Made from food-grade silicone
- Handles hot and cold
- Dishwasher safe
- Compact and leak-proof
Cons:
- Straw isn’t included
