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Matt Jancer

The Best Travel Mugs to Keep Drinks Hot or Cold

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Miir Travel Tumbler on purple backdrop

Best Overall Miir Flip Traveler (16 Ounce) Read more

Hydro Flask Coffee Mug with Flex Sip Lid

Runner-Up Hydro Flask Coffee Mug With Flex Sip Lid (16 Ounce) Read more

Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Mug

A Close Third Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Mug (16 Ounce) Read more

a long play coffee mug

A Classy Paper Cup Replacement KeepCup Brew Cork (12 Ounce) Read more

If it isn't wine or whiskey, you shouldn't be drinking it at room temperature. Even river water on a warm day of hiking is refreshingly cooler than the ambient air temperature. Lukewarm coffee is a great way to get your whole day off to rough start, and nobody daydreams about relaxing by the pool with a tepid glass of 70-degree water by their side.

Lucky for you, everybody seems to be selling a vacuum-insulated bottle, mug, or tumbler these days. Most of them are perfectly capable, too. It's rare to run across one that's a total failure at its one job, but it's also rare to find one that truly stands out. Here are the best travel mugs that impressed us, and some of the rest.

Updated December 2023: We've moved the Yeti Rambler to honorable mentions, as well as added the KeepCup Thermal, Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler, and GSI Outdoors Glacier 15-Fluid-Ounce Camp Cup. We've also updated pricing and availability throughout.

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Best Overall

Miir makes one of my favorite stainless-steel water bottles , and its insulated travel tumbler doesn’t disappoint. It has a tough powder coating with a flip-top lid that is absolutely leak-proof. I couldn’t get one drop of liquid to escape, no matter what I did to this tumbler. It’s narrow enough to fit any cupholder or backpack bottle holder, and it feels tough enough to survive years of abuse.

Hydro Flask’s powder coating is one of the toughest I have come across on a beverage container. Whenever I can foresee some serious abuse happening to a coffee mug on a trip, I take a Hydro Flask. I’ve yet to dent or scratch one through routine carelessness. Without a cupholder in my car, my Hydro Flask lived on the floorboards, rolling and crashing around with every maneuver, and it still held up. The pebbled texture is grippy, so you won’t fumble it like a stick of hot butter if your hands get wet or greasy.

A Close Third

Narrow openings are fine for water, in my opinion, but for hot beverages, I like having a wider gap so I can take a big gulp. You’re less likely to burn your mouth on hot drinks when you can slurp, too. The TKWide’s Cafe Cap is like drinking from a regular to-go coffee cup, rather than a water bottle.

All the colors have matte powder-coated finishes, which are more scratch-resistant than the brand’s smooth powder-coated finishes. That said, I haven’t found them to be as tough as Hydro Flask’s powder coating, and the uncoated stainless-steel ring on the bottom of the mug is pretty easy to scuff up.

A Classy Paper Cup Replacement

The Brew Cork is greater than the sum of its parts. Its double-walled, insulated version is meant to replicate and replace paper coffee shop cups. It’s fun to drink out of. Many other tumblers’ lid openings are blocky or mash your nose, but the KeepCup is ergonomically on point. It’s not the best for road trips, nor the best for keeping a ton of coffee hot for hours, but I highly recommend the LongPlay if all you want is a reusable cup to cut down on single-use waste and keep your drink warm long enough for you to actually drink it. That said, the lid is a bit dribbly. While the interior and lip are glass—no metallic off-tastes here—the exterior shell below the rubber grip is plastic.

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Miir Climate Plus travel mug

An Eco-Friendly Option

It doesn't fit a typical car’s cupholder, but if you like an insulated mug that resembles an actual cup more than a pack of Lifesavers standing on end, the Climate+ is for you. It has the solid build quality and tough powder-coated finish we’ve come to expect from Miir, in a package that has less of an impact on the environment. Miir says that the Climate+ uses no new plastic (the lid is 100 percent recycled and recyclable), and its insulation uses 25 percent less stainless steel than traditional insulated mugs. It’s also completely BPA-free.

Image may contain Coffee Cup and Cup

Camp Classic

The blue enameled steel camp cup is a piece of Americana that hearkens back to black-and-red flannel shirts and war-surplus Army tents. Like all the tumblers on this list, it’s vacuum-insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold ones cold. Its screw-on plastic lid, with a sliding lever for sipping, is leak-proof enough. If you leave it upside down for more than a few seconds or shake it, it’ll drip, but we couldn’t get it to leak by knocking it onto its side.

The handle is plastic to avoid conducting heat from hot contents, and the inner part of the handle is lined in cork. The Campy isn’t enameled—it’s just painted to look like it—but it pulls off the effect well.

Fellow coffee mug

For Coffee Purists

Instead of a tiny sippy hole, the Carter’s screw-on cap reveals a wide tumbler that lets you breathe in your coffee’s aromas as you drink. The opening is 69 millimeters wide, so you can use most manual coffee brewers, such as an AeroPress or Hario pour-over , directly on it. That’s too wide for many cars’ cupholders, but it’s plenty stable, and you won’t have to worry about tipping it over on a desk. My average-size hands had no issues, but some buyers with smaller hands might find it difficult or uncomfortable to hold.

The interior is ceramic-coated, so you don’t get any metallic flavors, and the thin metal lip is curved like a cabernet glass. Its textured matte exterior coating is tough and held up as well as the mighty Hydro Flask’s coating. It's been completely leak-proof too. You’ll have no concerns throwing it into your laptop bag completely full.

a stainless steel snowpeak mug

For Camping

When traveling, I want to pack light. Snow Peak’s gorgeous insulated titanium camp mug is less than 4 inches tall, weighs only 4.2 ounces, and has foldaway handles to make it even smaller. Its 450-ml capacity equates to slightly more than 15 fluid ounces. As someone who finds washing mugs to be an interminable hassle, this is the easiest one to travel with—just refill, rinse, and carabiner it to the outside of your bag. You can also buy a lid separately .

HydroFlask Cooler Cup

Tumblers and travel mugs are generally designed for you to pour your chosen beverage into, but what if you just want to slam a can in there? These kinds of insulated drink holders are particularly useful when I'm out and about, drinking a canned soda or beer, and there's no nearby recycling bin immediately nearby to toss the empty can into.

The Hydro Flask displaced the Yeti Rambler Colster because, yes, it's designed to keep an entire beverage can cool, but if you feel like pouring one out and drinking directly from the tumbler, you can do that too. Just remove the collar, and now you've got a handsome, stainless steel rim to sip from. The collar fits over the bottom of the can to stabilize it too, so you won't lose it. This is the 12-fluid-ounce version that fits a standard beer, soda, juice, or wine can. There's also a 16-fluid-ounce Tallboy Cooler Cup for $28 if you're feeling particularly thirsty.

a red contigo portable coffee cannister

Honorable Mentions

We run through so many travel mugs, and not all of them are winners. These are a few we like, just not as much as the ones above.

Contigo Luxe Autoseal for $36 : What makes the Contigo “automatic” is a button on the side of the lid that opens the sippin’ hole. There’s a lock to prevent the button from opening the hole too. With or without the lock activated, the Contigo never leaked a single drop. Of all the tumblers and bottles I’ve tested, this is the easiest to reach down and quickly use one-handed. You don’t want to mess with latches while you’re piloting a wheeled missile down the road. Some buyers have complained that the metal lid gets too hot, but I filled up the Luxe Autoseal with scorching, molten coffee, and the lid barely even got lukewarm, so consider that myth busted.

KeepCup Thermal for $33 : The answer to those who like the KeepCup LongPlay's ergonomic shape and paper-cup-imitating feel but long for a cup that can keep their coffee warmer for longer. The Thermal is, like most of the vessels in this guide, vacuum-insulated stainless steel that insulates against heat loss or, in the case of cold beverages, heat gain. It shares the Brew Cork's slightly dribbly lid, although it loses some of the novelty of the Brew Cork's glass.

Miir Camp Cup for $28: Miir's insulated coffee mug doesn't fumble any crucial details. It doesn't leak, it insulates hot and cold drinks just fine, and the coating is as tough as any Miir. But it's up against tough competition, and for the same money the Hydro Flask Mug is a bit nicer. The Miir lacks the stainless steel rim, and the transparent plastic lid feels a little cheaper.

Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler for $35 : With its soft, pastel colors and chunky handle, the All Around Travel Tumbler seems to be crying out, “Hold me!” The rounded handle is comfortable to hold, which is important in an 18.4-ounce mug loaded with up to 32 fluid ounces of drink. Like most Hydro Flask products, it comes with the same bomb-proof powder coating that resists scratches and chips like a nuclear fallout shelter, with the addition of a straw poking through its lid. There's also a 40-fluid-ounce version for $40 .

GSI Outdoors Glacier 15-Fluid-Ounce Camp Cup for $20 : Not too easy to find at retailers, unless you count Backcountry's limited selection of two colors, this is an insulated version of GSI Outdoors' classic camp cups. It's awfully simple, particularly the incredibly basic lid, but it's more than a little endearing. There's a brushed stainless steel version and, my favorite, a "blue speckle" that imitates the classic enameled blue camp cups of past generations, although both of these colors are plain steel. Other colors come in a more durable-seeming pebbled coating.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug for $29 : Zojirushi's classic 16-ounce travel mug is a favorite around these parts. The stainless-steel interior is BPA-free and has a wide-mouth opening to accommodate ice cubes. The lid locks to avoid accidental spillage, and I accidentally left hot tea in it for 18 hours and found it still hot when I cautiously opened it again. It’s also small enough to fit in my jacket pocket on chilly morning walks. It’s not my preferred mug for daily use, simply because the lid has three separate parts—a mouthpiece, a gasket, and a lid—that are deeply ridged and hard to clean. I also need a bottle brush to wash the interior.

Rambler Stackable Pint Glass for $22 : Never mind the fact that Yeti calls it a glass when there's no glass—this insulated cup holds 16 fluid ounces, which is the capacity of a typical tall drinking glass. The best aspect of these is that they stack, so you can keep a bunch in your pantry without taking up much room. It comes with Yeti's durable powder coating, too, making them among the toughest options out there.

Hydro Flask Mug for $28: This style of mug has become increasingly common. The Hydro Flask Mug merges a durable powder-coated, vacuum-insulated construction with the traditional, handle-sporting shape of a diner or camp mug. Hydro Flask does it better than most. The stainless steel rim makes it nicer to sip from than competitors' mugs, and it comes with Hydro Flask's usual drip-proof lid and bomber-tough powder coating that is nearly impossible to scratch. But it is more at home on a desk than at a campsite or in a car's cupholder, which it can't fit into.

Owala FreeSip for $28 : Drinking from the FreeSip while wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet (by tilting the helmet up slightly and sipping from under the chin bar) was surprisingly easy, thanks to the built-in straw on this mug. If you've got mobility or pain issues that make tilting your head a hassle, this mug is a solid performer. It's easy to grip too, with its flattened sides, which can come in handy for those with reduced hand dexterity.

OtterBox Elevation for $30 : At 8.5 inches tall, the Elevation 20 looks a lot bigger than it is. It has a copper lining to maintain your beverage’s perfect temperature, and the clear press-on lid has a locking mechanism. You can also switch it out for a straw lid or a French press lid if you’re in a hurry. It comes in a variety of stunning ombre hues.

Purist Mover for $48 : Ever empty a stainless-steel bottle of one beverage and fill it up with a different one, only to notice that the taste of the first drink lingers? The Purist has applied a thin layer of glass over the interior of the Mover, which keeps this taste transfer from happening. You can down a mug full of coffee and then fill it with herbal tea without risking a coffee aftertaste. I didn’t experience leaks from the Element top, but a high number of customers have reported their Purist lids leaking over time. I’ll keep using the Purist and update this page with information on how it performs over the course of the year.

S'well Traveler Tumbler for $30 : S’well boasts that its tumblers are triple-walled, but we’re not convinced that has much real-world benefit over a normal double-walled tumbler. What really sets the S’well apart are its designs. There are 12 finishes, from plain colors and bare stainless steel to elaborate patterns, such as blue marble and faux wood, and a slide-open lid so you don’t have to pop it off every time you want a swig of coffee.

Stanley Classic Vacuum Pint for $26 : Stanley’s vacuum pint includes a press-on lid with a deeply pebbled exterior that’s reminiscent of classic flasks, and also hard hats and construction sites. Although it’s billed as a 16-ounce pint, Stanley has added a few extra ounces to accommodate foam (or splashing hot coffee), and the lid comes with a slide-in metal bottle opener if you like to go immediately from work to happy hour.

a Beast stainless steel travel mug next to it's packaging

Avoid These Travel Mugs

We’ve tested a great many tumblers, and not all are winners. These aren't anywhere near as good as our picks above.

Greens Steel Beast 20-Ounce Insulated Tumbler : Greens Steel’s Beast tumbler has nearly 14,000 positive reviews on Amazon and is, at least for me, one of the top hits when I search Amazon for an insulated tumbler. But the rubber seal around the lid is thin and easily comes out of place. I was ready to write the Beast off when it was leaking like a sieve, but after I adjusted the seal, it was reasonably leak-proof. Sometimes it dribbles, sometimes it doesn’t, depending on whether the seal stays put when you’re attaching the lid. The exterior color coating is not as durable as the Klean, Hydro Flask, Yeti, or Fellow. It did come with a regular metal straw, a thick metal milkshake straw, and a cleaner brush.

Stanley Adventure Vacuum Quencher : It's not that it's a bad tumbler, but rather that I don't see the point. Yes, it has the typical Stanley bombproof powder coating and build, and it does a fine job of keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold, but the chief feature is just … a straw. It pokes out of a hole in the lid without sealing to the opening's sides, so it's not spill-proof if you're using the straw, even though there's a lid on it. You can close the lid, but you have to remove the straw and put it somewhere. It doesn't flip down conveniently or anything. “Insulated tumbler with a reusable straw thrown in” seems like an afterthought of a product.

Snow Peak Kanpai 500-ml Bottle : Unlike most of Snow Peak’s line of camping and backpacking gear, the Kanpai is stainless steel, not titanium, and it’s not made in Japan. It’s a double-walled, insulated stainless-steel tumbler with a glossy finish, and it comes with three lids, for some unnecessary reason. There’s a white screw-on lid that needs to be removed every time you want a drink, and a black version of the same lid. The third lid—one with a sipping hole that can be closed with a sliding latch—leaks if the Kanpai tips over. It took damage in a mere 3-foot drop when it was empty, landing on its rim, which flattened. A steel bottle, especially one with no liquid in it, should be able to survive that without battle scars.

Toaks Titanium Double Wall 450ML Cup for $40: More often than not, I champion Chinese-made Toaks gear as an affordable source of titanium camp cookware compared to Japanese-made Snow Peak and Evernew and Thai-made MSR, which tend to be more expensive. But this mug is only $10 less than the Snow Peak mug we recommend above, and it's finishing is rougher.

coffee mug travel best

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The Best Travel Mug

Four different travel mugs next to each other.

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

coffee mug travel best

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

coffee mug travel best

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.

coffee mug travel best

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, how we 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 update to this guide. 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 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.

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 and have wider mouths for you to add ice cubes. Many also have straws for you to sip 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.

To determine which travel mugs to test, we look for mugs that advertise the following qualities:

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. During our tests, we use the mugs daily, evaluating them for simple enjoyability.

  • 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).

A blue Zojirushi SM-SF Stainless Steel Mug.

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.

An open lid on the Zojirushi mug.

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.

The Zojirushi mug laying on its side.

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.

A white Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug.

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.

A close-up of the cap of a white Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug.

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 keeps drinks hot long enough. 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.

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 .

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.

A GSI MicroLite 500 Flip travel mug.

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.

An MiiR 360 Traveler.

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, as well as 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 promise of the battery-powered Ember Travel Mug 2 is that it allows you 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, and 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

coffee mug travel best

Trey French

Trey French is a staff writer at Wirecutter covering outdoors gear. A trail runner, backcountry skier, and long-distance backpacker, he has reviewed gear for Treeline Review and advised wilderness travelers on lightweight backcountry equipment at Katabatic Gear. He resides in California’s Eastern Sierra, where scenic desktop backgrounds are born.

coffee mug travel best

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

A CamelBak Podium water bottle.

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.

Six of our favorite mugs shown side by side.

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.

A collection of different types of water bottles laid flat on a surface.

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!

Two photos of the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug in illustrated polaroids.

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.

Best travel coffee mugs in 2024 — tested and rated

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

The best travel coffee mugs displayed together on an outdoor railing

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

Whether you want to ensure your coffee stays warm throughout the morning, or your iced tea remains cool in warm conditions, you'll need one of the best travel mugs. 

And while it might seem simple enough, the task of choosing out of tons available, can be tricky. You'll need to find the right travel coffee mug to suit your needs and lifestyle. Consider what material you'd prefer? Durable materials range from steel, aluminum and plastic, to even ceramic. Other things to think about include how heavy it is to carry, heat retention, and overall style. 

Finally, how much are you willing to spend? The best coffee travel mugs range from $15 to $35, though there are more advanced types with their own battery that cost $185.

To help you decide, we’ve found a great selection of the best travel mugs to suit any lifestyle and budget right now.

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.

How we test

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.

How to choose the best travel mug

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. 

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Steven Asarch

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 12 Very Best Travel Mugs

Cut back on waste and enjoy a better cup of coffee..

Portrait of Emma Wartzman

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.

What we’re looking for

Most of these travel mugs come in various sizes, and obviously that’s an important feature to pay attention to when buying. 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

MiiR Flip Traveler

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

KeepCup Reusable Coffee Cup

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

Fellow Carter Move Mug + Splash Guard

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

Zojirushi Stainless-Steel Mug

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

Yeti Rambler Mug

Volume: 10 to 24 ounces | Lid type: Slide lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Steven Sadoff, founder of New York City’s Ground Support , has many travel mugs (including the MiiR and the Fellow above), but he turns to his Yeti when he wants a handle. He says he finds this feature 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

MiiR Insulated Camp Cup

Volume: 8 to 20 ounces | Lid type: Slide lid | How to clean: Hand-wash recommended

Recommended by multiple experts, MiiR also makes a sweet travel mug that mimics an actual handled mug. 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

Hydro Flask Coffee With Flex Sip 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, it was named our best-overall bottle because so many people — including myself — sing its praises). The materials and build that keep liquid cold also keep liquid hot, as Strategist editor and avid coffee drinker Maxine Builder can attest to. She particularly likes the model with a Flex Sip lid. “It’s a lot easier to manipulate on the go and actually keeps the hot coffee in there,” she says. The other advantage of this lid is the addition of a hook, which means I can carry it with one finger while I walk my dog in the morning.” Best of all, if you already own a Hydro Flask, you can buy the new lid separately and just replace your old one. The company says it’s dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended — though both my boyfriend and I have been putting our own Hydro Flasks in the dishwasher for months now with no damage.

Best no-leak travel mug

Kinto Travel Tumbler

Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa loves his Kinto Travel Tumbler because of its double-lid system, which prevents leaks. You take both 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. It stays extra-secure, Rellosa 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

Kinto To-Go Tumbler

Volume: 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

Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Cup

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

Oneisall Glass Tea Infuser

Volume: 7 ounces | Lid type: Twist-off lid | How to clean: Dishwasher safe

Daniela Titiun, tea sommelier and author of Tea Cachai , tried many different glass tea mugs before landing on one she calls “the smartest system” for its game-changing tea-brewing mechanism. Normally, she explains, 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 get bitter. The Oneisall, however, 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

Firebelly Tea Stop Infusion Mug

Volume: 16 ounces | Lid type: Sip lid | How to clean: Hand-wash recommended

Like the model above, this travel mug (which was gifted to me by the brand) 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

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Our experts

• ​​ Haley Boyd , designer and sustainability enthusiast •  Maxine Builder , Strategist editor • 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 • Michael Phillips, director of content and copy at Blue Bottle • 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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The 10 Best Travel Mugs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Easier on your wallet and the environment

coffee mug travel best

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

A trusty travel mug is a must-have for those who are always on the go. Not having to stop for a drink, whether it's coffee, iced tea , or water, saves you time and money, and it cuts down on paper and plastic waste. We tested some of the best options on the market right now, putting them through a series of trials over several days—carrying them around in a bag, seeing if they fit in car cupholders, assessing their temperature retention—before rating each one on size, design, insulation, and overall value.

How We Tested

  • What to Look For

Types of Travel Mugs

Why trust the spruce eats, best overall, contigo west loop vacuum insulated travel mug.

  • Effectiveness 5 /5
  • Functionality 5 /5

Effective autolock and anti-spill lid

Can be locked and unlocked with one hand

Keeps drinks hot/cold for hours

A little wide for smaller hands

Plastic lid seems prone to breakage

If you’re looking for a solid, leak-proof travel mug that will keep your coffee hot for up to seven hours, look no further. The Contigo mug is my number one pick for many reasons, the first of which is the “Autoseal” lid. Unlike other travel mugs that have a sliding lid, which is prone to leaks, the Contigo lid has a push button that opens the vacuum seal when you’re ready to drink and closes again when you release the button. (This means you can also use it with one hand.) I was able to carry it around in a bag all day without any leakage. Just keep in mind that this means the lid isn’t interchangeable with any of your other travel mugs.

In addition to hot drinks like coffee or tea , this vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug will keep drinks cold for up to 18 hours depending on whether you buy the 12- or 20-ounce version. You can also choose between seven different colors, so everyone in the family can keep their mug straight.

One of the few drawbacks is that the mug is fairly difficult to clean. If you’re washing the Contigo by hand, be prepared for a bit of an inconvenience as it comes with very specific washing instructions. The lid is dishwasher-safe, but the bottle itself is hand wash only.

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 10, 16, 20, or 24 ounces | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Dimensions: 3 x 9 inches (20-ounce model)

Stanley Classic Travel Mug

  • Design 4 /5
  • Insulation 3 /5

Highly durable

Great for commuters

Body is hand wash only

Faint plastic smell first few uses

Stanley is a century-old name known for its array of durable mugs, thermoses, and more. In fact, the company patented all-steel vacuum flasks in 1913. That top-grade technology is bottled into the sleek and simple design of the Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug today. You can purchase the item in three sizes—12, 16, and 20 ounces—as well as five different colors.

I tested the 16-ounce model firsthand and confirmed that it lives up to the brand's claims about temperature retention. Hot coffee stayed warm and drinkable for seven hours, cold coffee lasted 10 hours without ice, and ice water remained refreshing for more than 30 hours. With that in mind, temperature retention varies slightly depending on the size of the mug you buy.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the trigger-action lid is completely leakproof. No water escaped even after I shook it upside down over my sink. It's rare to find a mug with a lid as convenient as this one that is also safe to throw in a bag or backpack. It's excellent for hiking, and because it fits in cupholders, it's viable for commuters, too.

The item is backed by Stanley's lifetime guarantee. The company claims the bottle can withstand everything from a 4,000-foot drop to a -70 degree windchill. The best part? This lifelong companion is affordably priced, making it one of the top value-for-money options on the market.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12, 16, or 20 ounces | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Dimensions: 2.9 x 8.9 inches (16-ounce model)

Best for Hot or Cold

Zojirushi stainless steel mug.

  • Design 5 /5
  • Insulation 5 /5

Easy-to-hold design

Fits in most cupholders

Excellent heat retention

Locking mechanism prevents leaks

Plastic parts feel breakable

Hand wash only, many pieces to clean

While most of the mugs on our list work well for hot or cold beverages, they are generally better at one or the other—but that’s not the case with this mug from Zojirushi. It retains drink temperature for at least six hours, no matter if you take your coffee hot or iced. Our experience with the mug was even better than the company advertises: Coffee was warm enough to drink nearly 12 hours after brewing.

Available in 12 and 16 ounces, the Zojirushi mug also wins points for design and easy drinking. The flip-top cap not only helps keep the mug from leaking, but it also keeps the drinking spout protected and clean. The cap includes a lock to keep it from coming undone in your bag, as well.

Cleaning this model is a bit harder than some of the others (a specially designed bottle-cleaning brush is recommended). Several different pieces need to be cleaned thoroughly to avoid staining and mildew buildup. The plastic sipping piece and rubber gasket on the lid can be popped out easily and cleaned separately, though.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12 or 16 ounces | Weight: 0.56 pounds | Dimensions: 2.625 x 2.875 x 9.125 inches (16-ounce model)

Best High-Tech

Ember travel mug 2.

Touchscreen display 

Battery lasts up to three hours

360-degree leak-proof lid

Extremely expensive

Only 12-ounce capacity

Just like many other travel mugs, the sleek Ember Travel Mug² will keep your drink hot throughout your morning commute, but it stands out by using smart technology and a high-tech design. This second iteration of the Ember Travel Mug is lighter and more streamlined than its predecessor, mainly because instead of a manual dial, it features a touch-sensitive control panel.

The mug is "smart" because you can use the panel to control and set its temperature or link the mug to the Ember app via your smartphone. The app essentially serves as a temperature gauge for the mug, notifying you when the set temperature has been reached. This is a nice feature because it eliminates the possibility of burning your mouth.

The Ember Travel Mug²'s best design feature is the lid: It only needs a push to open, is leak-proof, and lets you sip from any side of the mug. Furthermore, the mug's design is ergonomic. It's wider at the top than the bottom and is coated with a matte finish, making it easy to grip and comfortable to hold.

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12 ounces | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Dimensions: 3.14 x 7.9 inches

Best Budget

Copco acadia travel mug.

 Amazon

Safe in both microwave and dishwasher

Colorful grip

Fits in cupholders

Can stack inside each other

Can't put in bags

Prone to staining

Hole in lid can't be closed

This 16-ounce travel mug works for both hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold brew , and it comes at a budget price. It's designed with a double-wall construction to keeps drinks at their temperature for longer than a non-insulated cup; however, it’s not made for all-day temperature regulation like some stainless steel mugs. I found hot coffee to be lukewarm just two hours after brewing. The good news is that the mug is microwave-safe, so you can easily reheat drinks should they cool off.

Another advantage of this mug is how easy it is to clean. It's dishwasher-safe, and the lid opening is large enough to clean the inside by hand should you choose to do so. The lid seals closed with a simple quarter-turn. There’s a small opening for drinking, but there’s no cover for the hole, so you can’t toss the filled cup in your bag. The cup portion is white, but you can choose from a variety of colored bands, so you always know which one is yours. The bands also serve as coffee collars to protect your hands from scorching temperatures while adding extra grip. There's nothing fancy to this mug, but it's dependable.

Material: BPA-free plastic | Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: 0.4 pounds | Dimensions: 3.66 x 6.78 inches

Best With Straw

Bubba envy insulated tumbler.

  • Design 3.5 /5
  • Insulation 4.5 /5

No sweating

Lid seals tightly

Fits in car cupholders

Keeps drinks cold or hot

Can't close hole on lid

Hand wash only

Prefer iced coffee ? Then a travel mug that has a straw might suit your palette more. This model fits in most cup holders and can keep your drink cold for up to 12 hours. You can use the removable plastic straw with the Tritan lid or not, depending on your preference. The one design flaw, however, is that there is no way to completely seal the lid since the hole doesn't include a cover or flap.

The cup is made of stainless steel, so it will repel stains and odors, meaning your lemonade won't taste like yesterday's coffee. The mug even has a lifetime guarantee, so you know it will last. If you’re looking for a durable travel mug that’s designed to hold both hot and cold beverages, the 24-ounce Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler is a solid option at a price you can afford. While the mug is large and doesn't have a handle, it's surprisingly easy to hold because of indents that circle the cup.

The Spruce Eats / Rebekah Joan

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 18, 24, or 32 ounces | Weight: 0.8 pounds | Dimensions: 3.62 x 3.93 x 10.54 inches (24-ounce model)

Best Handled

Thermos stainless king travel mug.

Comfortable to hold

Lid is hard to clean

Doesn’t fit in all car cup holders

Thanks to the vacuum insulation of most travel mugs, a handle is no longer really a necessity to keep your hand dry from condensation or to prevent it from getting burned, but if you prefer to drink from a handled mug, this version from Thermos is the right pick for you.

Available in five different colors, this 16-ounce mug will keep beverages hot for up to five hours or cold for up to nine hours thanks to the double-wall stainless steel construction. The lid has a “DrinkLock” seal, which opens when you press the lever to the left or right. During testing, there were no spills and coffee stayed hot for longer (even on chilly days). The one drawback (if you even consider it one) is that this mug must be washed by hand.

Tea drinkers will also want to consider this mug since it has a built-in tea hook that accommodates most tea infusers and makes it easy to remove them from the mug. It comes with a five-year limited warranty in case there is an issue.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Dimensions: 3.3 x 4.9 x 7.8 inches

Best Design

S'well traveler mug.

Multiple sizes and many colors

Great temperature retention

Price varies, can be expensive

Lid isn't ideal for commuting

The S’well Stainless Steel Traveler Mug is inarguably one of the best-designed travel mugs on the market today. Thanks to S’well’s high-end, triple-wall technology, you can rest assured that your drinks will maintain their ideal temperature for hours on end. I found that it performed exceedingly well. Coffee stayed hot for 12 hours and, after adding refrigerated coffee without ice, it was still cold 30 hours later.

This mug topped others in the design category because it is cupholder-friendly and available in 17 different color options as well as three sizes: 12, 16, and 20 ounces. The Traveler is completely leakproof and can be trusted in your bag or backpack. Just keep in mind that the lid can't be unscrewed with one hand, so you'll need both hands free if sipping on the go. Also, it's not dishwasher-safe, so to clean it, you can either put a drop of dish soap in and rinse with hot water or use a long bottle brush.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 12, 16, or 20 ounces | Weight: 0.8 pounds | Dimensions: 3.3 x 9.3 inches

Best for Easy Cleaning

Yeti rambler 20 oz tumbler.

  • Size 4.5 /5
  • Design 4.5 /5

Dishwasher safe

Magnetic lid slides easily

Multiple color options

Not leakproof

The Yeti Rambler comes in three sizes—10, 20, and 30 ounces—and each option is stylish, durable, and easy to clean. I own the 20-ounce model and appreciate that I can nearly get my hand to the bottom of the tumbler thanks to its wide rim. With a sponge or bottle brush in hand, I'm able to clean every nook and cranny. The Rambler is also dishwasher safe if you're not in the mood to wash it by hand.

I take this travel mug in the car a lot because it fits in my cupholders and can be sipped with one hand. There's a toggle on the lid, which Yeti calls a Magslider, that's effortless to open with your thumb. One of the only downsides is that the lid isn't leakproof, so I don't throw it in my hiking backpack or messenger bag.

Like most Yeti products, the Rambler effectively keeps drinks hot for around 10 hours or cold for close to 20. It's also sold in more than 10 colors from neutrals to vibrant hues, so you can find one that suits your style.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 10, 20, or 30 ounces | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Dimensions: 3.5 x 6.6 inches

Best Large Capacity

Bubba classic insulated desk mug.

Budget price

Lightweight despite size

Too big for cupholders

Lid has a hole you can't close

This 52-ounce mug is what you'll want to take to the pool, beach, or camping since it holds enough water for several hours. It’s also great for office workers who don’t want to keep running to the water cooler to refill smaller bottles. Of course, the drawback with a mug of this size is that it won’t fit in your cupholder, so this pick is better for non-drive time.

For those who intend to drink hot beverages out of this mug, it doesn't quite have the heat retention that the brand claims. When filled more than halfway full with hot coffee, it was lukewarm less than three hours later. The mug did perform better when tested with cold drinks, however. With refrigerated coffee poured into the mug without ice (as the amount of ice may vary for customers), the coffee was still cold 12 hours later. Another testing observation to note is that the lid opening seemed a little wide, and it was easy to spill when drinking.

As an added bonus, the Bubba 52-Ounce Desk Mug is incredibly durable and can handle being dropped or tossed around in the trunk of your car. The wide, comfort-grip handle feels very sturdy, too.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 34 or 52 ounces | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Dimensions: 7 x 10 inches (52-ounce model)

We highly recommend the Contigo Autoseal West Loop because its sleek, durable, and easy to sip on the go thanks to its button-activated lid. As an alternative, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is similar in price and quality, and it performed well in our testing process. You can't go wrong with either one.

To help you make an informed buying decision, we tested some of the most popular travel mugs on the market right now. We evaluated key areas, including size, design, insulation, and value, and then provided additional insights about what we liked and disliked about each mug. Our testing process helps us stand behind and recommend all the travel mugs to appear on this list.

Other Options We Tested

  • Yeti Rambler Mug : Yeti makes a number of reliable travel mugs—not to mention the brand's beloved coolers—but the Rambler mug has too many shortcomings for us to recommend it, starting with its poor insulative properties. The hot coffee we brewed lost temperature rapidly in the mug and, because it's made with stainless steel, it couldn't be reheated in the microwave. Additionally, the lid is not leakproof, which is a feature that's easy to find in a number of other travel mugs out there.
  • Ello Campy Travel Mug : The Ello Campy Mug is a stylish, large-capacity option that many customers may enjoy, especially those into the outdoors. While it doesn't have any major defects, it didn't quite make the cut for this list. We found that the paint can chip easily and that it's tricky to clean. On top of that, it's too large to fit in many car cupholders.

What to Look for in a Travel Mug

It doesn’t matter if you’re drinking coffee , tea, or water—every sip from your travel mug should be smooth and easy. That’s why it’s important to figure out the lid style that best suits you. Some of the top options include flip lids, thumb-sliding lids, push-button lids, twist lids, and straw lids. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Customers who prioritize durability or preventing spills, for instance, should choose a more secure style, like a twist lid. Others who want to seamlessly drink from their mug while on the move may prefer a lid that can be opened with one hand. Luckily, lid style does not affect price, so every option should be on the table when you start looking for a travel mug. Many brands also sell lids individually so that users can have multiple options at their disposal.

Temperature Retention

All too often we take a sip of coffee and find it’s gone lukewarm. A reliable travel mug can thwart that dreaded, flavorless middle zone and keep your coffee at the ideal temperature for hours, no matter if it’s hot or iced. Vacuum-insulated mugs, which are typically made from stainless steel, offer the best performance when it comes to temperature retention, while plastic and silicone are the least effective materials. When buying, think about the type of coffee you drink most often (hot or iced) as some mugs are better designed for one or the other.

The length of time that a mug keeps drinks hot or cold is often listed in its product details, but keep in mind that this figure is often based on the item being preheated or precooled before use. We also asked Graham Nearn of the Stanley brand what temperature range the company defines as "hot" and "cold." He told us that when Stanley says a drink stays hot for a certain amount of time, the liquid must be between 140 to 203 degrees; for a drink to be considered cold, it has to fall between 39 and 50 degrees.

 The Spruce Eats / Cheyenne Elwell

Travel coffee mugs come in a variety of sizes. The average capacity is around 16 ounces, though the range extends far on either side of that. Some are no bigger than a regular at-home coffee mug; others are large enough to keep you caffeinated the entire day. Brands often manufacture the same mug in multiple sizes, so if a specific one catches your eye, you can likely find it in a size you love. Customers interested in larger mugs should see if it is microwave-safe or able to retain heat well; otherwise, they may be sipping a lot of cold coffee. Finally, for those who plan on taking their mug in the car, check out customer reviews or product details to ascertain if a mug can fit in your cupholders.

While most travel mugs are made from stainless steel, options are far from limited when it comes to material. Other possibilities include plastic, glass, silicone, ceramic, and bamboo. This choice naturally affects a mug’s aesthetic, as well as larger factors like price, durability, how the item is cleaned, how long it retains heat, and whether condensation appears on the outside. What factors are most important to you? If you want a budget-priced mug that can go in the microwave, plastic is likely the best material for you. If durability and heat retention are higher priorities, you may want to stick with the stainless steel route. Also keep in mind the downsides that certain materials have. Plastic mugs, for instance, can stain and retain coffee odors, while some stainless steel mugs may unfavorably alter the flavor of your coffee.

If you sift through a list of travel mugs, you will likely come across the phrase "18/8 stainless steel." This denotes a type of stainless steel made from 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel.  Graham Nearn  of the Stanley brand says 18/8 stainless steel is often used for drinkware because it's "food-grade, durable, and resistant to corrosion."

Leak-Proof vs. Spill-Proof

Whether walking to class, embarking on a long hike, or heading out for the daily commute, it’s easier to transport a mug if it can be kept inside a bag; that’s where leak-proof travel mugs come in handy. They prevent even the slightest drop from escaping into your bag, no matter what. Make sure to read customer reviews beforehand, however, as some items advertised as leak-proof may not actually be up to the task. There is also a difference between leak-proof and spill-proof. Mugs labeled as spill-proof only prevent major spills from occurring; they are not safe to store in bags since they can still leak.

Taking a travel mug’s design into consideration involves two different paths. First, you can think about the item’s shape or silhouette. Do you want a mug with a handle? Or one thin enough to slide into a bag or backpack? Second, design also involves the many colors and patterns found on the outside of a mug. There is an array of options, from fun and playful to chic and striking, that can convey your personality with every sip.

Not only are most travel mugs affordable, they also help customers save money by cutting down on daily trips to the coffee shop. The only type likely to break the bank are electric travel mugs. Other than that, budget picks are widely available both in-store and online. Some mugs cost as little as a bag of coffee beans. Size does generally impact price, however, as larger mugs tend to cost more than smaller ones, even if they are the same model. Expect plastic mugs to be the cheapest option, while glass, stainless steel, and ceramic are all slightly more expensive. 

When picturing a travel coffee mug, most envision a tall, tapered item similar to a reusable water bottle, but there are actually many options designed to look exactly like the mugs we use every day at home. Items in this category provide the feel and comfort of a regular coffee mug but with added heat retention and the luxury to take your joe on the go. Because they are smaller in capacity than most travel mugs (usually around 12 ounces), they are also slightly more affordable. Unfortunately, coffee-mug-style travel mugs aren’t leak-proof and don’t fit in cupholders because of their handles.

Portable Coffee Maker

Truly defining on-the-go coffee, there is a category for travel mugs that additionally function as portable brewing devices. They allow users to make coffee and drink it all from the same bottle. This is certainly a less common variety, but it’s still worth consideration, especially for frequent travelers and campers. The majority of portable coffee makers work like French presses. Aptly named “travel presses,” they immerse coffee grounds in water and then push them to the bottom of the mug via a built-in plunger. The second most common type of portable coffee maker utilizes a pour-over brewing method instead.

Well known for their smooth exterior, tumblers are the most popular subcategory of travel mugs. They never have a handle and the body usually tapers to a narrow base, both of which make them cupholder friendly. Tumblers can be used for both hot and cold beverages, but they are especially popular for iced coffee. Many have straw lids for easy sipping. Customers may be familiar with tumblers in other types of drinkware, as they are also used for cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, and general home use.

The Spruce Eats / Suzie Dundas 

What is a vacuum-insulated mug?

The phrase “vacuum-insulated” pops up all over the place when searching for travel mugs. It’s also commonly used with another phrase: “double-walled.” Both labels denote that a travel mug is built with two different layers, an inner wall and outer wall, and that the space between the layers is partially evacuated of air, creating a vacuum. This design allows drinks to retain their temperature for a longer period of time because they are less exposed to outside air.

Can I make my travel mug retain temperature longer?

We all want the most out of our products, and this one small tip goes a long way: preheat or pre-cool your travel mug before use. Taking a few extra minutes to let hot or cold water sit in your mug will prime the material for better temperature retention. You can pour hot water from the tap or even boil it for an added boost of heat, all while your coffee is brewing.

How do I clean my travel mug?

Before cleaning, consult the product details or instruction guide to see if the item is dishwasher-safe. This is a common benefit of glass and plastic travel mugs but not stainless steel. If your mug isn’t dishwasher-safe, don’t worry. Cleaning is still quite easy. A simple daily cleaning only requires scrubbing with dish soap and a sponge or gentle brush. Avoid using steel wool brushes and harsh household cleaners on stainless steel mugs. For a more thorough job, allow a solution of vinegar and baking soda to soak inside the mug for several minutes, then rinse and clean with dish soap before using.

Can I add milk to my coffee if it’s in a travel mug?

Most brands advise against putting milk or creamer in thermoses unless it's for a brief amount of time. Bacteria can develop when dairy products are stored at warm temperatures, especially if the travel mug isn't properly cleaned. Graham Nearn of the Stanley brand echoed this thought, telling us: "We don’t recommend putting milk or dairy products in Stanley vacuum bottles or food jars for extended periods of time, as bacteria growth can occur at certain temperatures."

This piece was written by  Derek Rose , the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He has owned or tested a number of the items on this list, including the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug , the Copco Insulated Travel Mug , the S'Well Traveler Mug , and the Bubba 52-Ounce Insulated Desk Mug .

Graham Nearn , the Senior Vice President of Product Creation & Design for PMI Worldwide, was interviewed for this piece. He oversees the Stanley brand, which has manufactured vacuum flasks and more since 1913.

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  • What to Buy

The 9 Best Travel Coffee Mugs, Tested and Reviewed

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

coffee mug travel best

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Our top picks

Our Favorite

Factors to consider, other travel coffee mugs we tested, our expertise.

Food & Wine / Hydro Flask

There’s nothing like sipping a freshly brewed cup of coffee (or an icy nitro cold brew ) first thing in the morning — if you have the luxury to savor that cup before your day gets busy. For those of us with little to no time to spare, a travel coffee mug is an absolute essential. You may not be able to drink your coffee while relaxing in your favorite local coffee shop, but you will have super-hot or ice-cold coffee to fuel you through your jam-packed day.

The problem is finding a travel coffee mug that keeps the flavor of your favorite brew intact without any metallic aftertaste. Paper and plastic cups don’t come close to the efficiency, sustainability, and temperature control a durable travel coffee mug offers. We tested more than 25 travel coffee mugs, paying close attention to insulation, design, and size. We also spoke to some die-hard coffee drinkers to get their expert opinions on the best travel coffee mugs, from ceramic mugs to stainless steel tumblers. Read on to discover our editor-tested and approved picks.

Best Overall

Yeti rambler 20 oz tumbler.

Pros: 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.

Cons: 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 steaming hot or bitter 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. 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
  • Dishwasher safe: Yes

Best Insulated

Hydro flask wide mouth flex sip lid bottle.

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

Cons: 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.

Ello Campy Travel Mug

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

Cons: 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 that this mug wouldn't be useful. And under $20, it can't be beaten for value.

  • Volume: 18 ounces 
  • Dishwasher-safe: Lid is dishwasher-safe, body is not

Food & Wine / Fran Sales

Best Splurge

Kinto day off tumbler.

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

Cons: 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 (even when holding upside-down and shaking from side to side), and a slim body that's 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 
  • Dishwasher-safe: No

Best for Car Travel

Bubba envy insulated tumbler.

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

Cons: 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 kept 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

Food & Wine / Megan Soll

Best Leakproof

Contigo autoseal west loop vacuum.

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

Cons: 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.

Food & Wine / Bailey Fink

Best Collapsible

Stojo collapsible coffee cup.

Pros: This compact mug is great for backpacking and travel, or a single-serve drink while on the go. Plus, the sleek design comes in a range of colors.

Cons: It’s not insulated. 

If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight, and convenient travel mug, the Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw delivers on all fronts. We noted that the leakproof abilities are great, with an easy-to-use tab that creates a tight seal. Pair that with the mug’s sleek design, and you’ve got a winning combination. Whether you’re drinking coffee or a smoothie, simply remove the heat sleeve when you’re done, open the tab, and collapse it down. 

The downside is the Stojo isn’t insulated, though we found it was able to keep an ice-cold drink under 60°F for up to four hours. Because this mug is recommended for camping, the quick cooling time can be an advantage, so you're not sitting around waiting for boiling water to cool.

  • Volume: 16 ounces 
  • Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Best Wide Travel Mug

Fellow carter everywhere mug.

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

Cons: 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.

Food & Wine / Bridget Degnan

KeepCup Glass Cup

Pros: This mug is compact, transparent, and lightweight.

Cons: This travel mug is not fully leakproof and cleaning can be difficult as the cork band is tough to remove.

Anyone in the market for a small glass mug might be pleased with the KeepCup Reusable Coffee Cup. Though we appreciated the mug’s overall look, we were disappointed with some aspects of its performance. During testing, liquid dripped out of the mug’s center lid. It wasn’t excessive, but enough that we would be upset if it was coffee dripping on a white dress, for example.  

The good news is this mug retained temperatures for longer than we expected, given its glass construction. But with cold liquids, the mug began to excessively sweat. The only spot where you can hold the mug while it has something hot or cold inside is by the cork band, which is cute aesthetically but makes for difficult hand-washing.

  • Lid type: Push-on, push-off lid
  • Dishwasher-safe: Lid and cup are dishwasher-safe; cork band is not

Food & Wine / Mary Hodes

We tested 26 popular, top-rated travel coffee mugs. Over the course of 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.

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.

“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.”

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 )

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

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

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler with Locking Flip Lid ($34 at Amazon )

RTIC Outdoors Travel Mug ($35 at RTIC )

Kinto Travel Tumbler ($27 at Amazon )

What Didn’t Make the List:

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug ($25 at Amazon )

Simple Modern Insulated Thermos Travel Coffee Mug ($19 at Amazon )

Brumate Highball ($25 at Brumate )

Swig Life 18oz Travel Mug with Handle and Lid ($40 at Amazon )

Brumate Toddy Bundle 16oz. Travel Mug Set ($70 at Brumate ) 

Klean Kanteen Wide Recycled Insulated Mug ($33 at Klean Kanteen )

Ello Cole Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($18 at Amazon )

Ember Temperature Control Travel Mug ($180 at Amazon )

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.

Related Articles

The 8 Best Travel Mugs for Caffeinating on the Go

We got our hands on several popular travel mugs to find out if they’re worth the hype. These are our favorites among those we tested.

a group of coffee cups and cans

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

These durable, portable mugs are typically made of stainless steel, with built-in insulation so your last sip of coffee is as warm (or as cold) as the first. Their lids are designed to prevent splashing or spills, so you can throw the travel mug in a backpack or slide it in a car’s front console without worrying about a potential mess.

Many of the best travel mugs we recommend are ideal for camping or hiking in addition to everyday carrying. Most are dishwasher-safe or stack for easy storage, and won’t set you back more than $30. Considering they’re reusable and maintain your drink’s temperature, they’re worth considering even if your daily commute it from the kitchen to your home office. Whether you’re keeping warm by the campfire or sipping tea on the train, wrap your hands around one of these editor-tested travel mugs.

The Best Travel Mugs

  • Best Overall: Yeti Rambler Stackable Mug
  • Best Value: CamelBak Horizon Tumbler
  • Best Leakproof Lid: Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle
  • Best Coffee Maker Combo: Espro P0 Ultralight Single Serve French Coffee Press
  • Best Exterior Insulation: Hydro Flask Insulated Travel Portable Coffee Tumbler

What to Consider

Most of the travel mugs on this list are made with stainless steel. Steel is great for long-term durability, holding up well to drops, scratches, and continuous washing. Flavors and odors don’t stick to steel either. Once you finish your drink and rinse out the mug, you won’t taste your last cup of tea lingering in the background for the rest of the day.

Some stainless steel mugs have a slight metallic taste to them. If you’ve got sensitive tastebuds, consider a mug with a ceramic coating on the inside. This replicates the neutral flavor profile of a classic mug you use for coffee at home.

Travel mugs are typically insulated to keep your drink hot or cold for the duration of your trip. Most have double-wall construction, with two layers of metal inside and out. The pocket of air in between prevents temperature transfer, so even if you’re drinking piping hot coffee, your hand doesn’t feel a thing.

Many of the travel mugs we recommend come in multiple sizes, usually from six ounce to 24 ounces or more to double as your water bottle. Despite large capacity, most are designed to fit into a car cupholder or the side pocket of a backpack.

Additional Features

Some travel mugs come with handles while others do not. Handles on a mug are great for holding them while on a walk or hike as well as for storage. Instead of packing your mug into your backpack where it takes up valuable storage space, clip it on by the handle. Travel mugs with handles typically don’t fit easily in a cupholder. This is a major drawback for commuters who want a coffee cup for their drive to work.

Travel mugs almost always come with lids, but these vary in quality. Some prevent splashes and major spills by simply covering the top of the mug. They press on and often have a thin rubber ring around the perimeter to help keep them on the mug, though they won’t be completely sealed. So if you drop your mug, liquid is bound to spill out.

Other travel mugs come with thicker, screw-on lids that completely seal your drink inside. These protect your drink from spilling when they are dropped, but are typically much larger than a press-on lid and are more tedious to clean.

How We Tested

Each travel mug we tested was evaluated based on their performance in every day situations from morning commutes to walking outdoors. We paid close attention to heat retention, drink flavor, splashes or spills with the lid on, and ease of cleaning. Each travel mug was dropped several times from standing height to ensure durability. For those with press-on lids, we also paid attention to how securely the lids stayed on during a drop.

For mugs we didn’t personally test out, we compared key specs such as size, material, and insulation. We also researched across multiple online publications and read through customer reviews.

YETI Rambler Stackable Mug

Rambler Stackable Mug

This travel mug from Yeti impressed us with its durability, convenience, and practicality. The stainless steel construction holds up well against drops, and the double-wall insulation kept my coffee hot for hours.

The bottom of the mug is slightly thinner than the rest of the body. Because of this, the mug stacks perfectly into other Yeti mugs for easy storage when not in use.

The press-on lid isn’t completely leakproof, but it does come with a slider to cover the mouth hole when you aren’t drinking. While this won’t prevent a leak if you drop your mug, it certainly keep coffee from splashing out as you walk.

The slightly larger than average 14-ounce capacity was a small but noticeable detail for anyone who likes a full cup of joe, creamer, and sugar. The 12-ounce mugs require the slightest sacrifice while this Yeti gives you all the space you need.

CamelBak Horizon Tumbler

Horizon Tumbler

Without the classic mug handle, this tumbler from CamelBak is built for the commute. While a handle is great for walking and hiking, this travel mug fits into your car cupholder without the cumbersome handle getting in the way.

The travel mug also has a silicone based which provides a solid base that keeps the mug steady when in motion. Like most of the travel mugs on this list, the CamelBak is make of stainless steel.

However, the steel is powder-coated so when you take a sip of your tea, you taste the tea, not the metallic lingering flavor of your cup.

Fellow Carter Everywhere Travel Mug

Carter Everywhere Travel Mug

Coupled with a ceramic-coated interior to stave off any odors, tastes, or smells from the cup, this Carter mug is great for getting that home-mug experience even if you can’t be at home. The wide opening also lets you brew coffee straight into the mug using a pour-over coffee maker or an Aeropress while camping or hiking.

The twist-locking lid of this reusable cup is leakproof to ensure no messes occur in transit and the double-wall insulation keeps your coffee hot for hours.

It doesn’t fit into a standard cupholder and the wide mouth may be hard to sip while driving or on the subway, but if you need something to transport coffee, this ensures it’s hot (and not all over your bag) when you arrive at your destination.

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle

Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle

If you want a leakproof container for your coffee, this tumbler from Hydro Flask is your answer. The screw-on lid has a twisting top that seals the bottle closed when you aren’t sipping. Twist it open to grab a sip, twist it closed, and your bottle won’t leak even if it’s dropped on the ground.

Both the lid and body are dishwasher-safe, so don’t worry about scrubbing coffee stains out of the crevices and corners of the relatively tall bottle.

While it doesn’t have a handle, this travel mug comes with a carrying strap on the top of the lid. Combined with the leakproof lid, you can hook the bottle to the outside of your backpack filled to the brim and not lose a drop.

Espro P0 Ultralight Single Serve French Coffee Press

P0 Ultralight Single Serve French Coffee Press

Make your coffee fresh and take it to go with this portable French press from Espro. With double filter design, all the grit and sediment from your coffee grounds is kept at bay, so your fresh cup is as smooth as any you could make at home.

Unscrew the leakproof lid and you’ll have hot coffee to sip all day long. The French press feature also works well for tea. Simply swap out your coffee grounds for loose leaf tea, and the mechanism is just as effective.

Instead of carrying along a cup of drip coffee from my house, I get fresh pressed coffee that's smoother, and frankly, tastier than anything my regular machine can make. I love it so much that I sometimes use the Espro at home just for its double-filter press.

Hydro Flask Insulated Travel Portable Coffee Tumbler

Insulated Travel Portable Coffee Tumbler

Another option from Hydro Flask, this travel mug gives you the the same sensation as your favorite mug at home. Instead of grasping your hands around the cold metallic exterior of many other travel mugs, the Hydro Flask has a soft to the touch coating.

While it won’t warm up your hands like a ceramic mug, it won’t cool them down, like other travel mugs. For all the cold mornings by the campgrounds, the last thing you want to do is wrap your hands around a frigid metal mug.

The travel mug also comes with a press-on lid with a slider for the mouth opening. It leaks if you drop it, but it keeps the coffee from splashing around as you walk.

Zojirushi Stainless Travel Mug

Stainless Travel Mug

For heat retention that lasts all day, the travel mug from Zojirushi is built to handle it. The double-wall insulation keeps the heat, while the variable sizes mean the mug can double as a thermos for soup too.

The leakproof lid has a flip top that locks in place, keeping liquids secure when closed. The lid also disassembles into four different pieces, so you can better clean each part of it and prevent mold buildup.

The interior of the mug has a nonstick coating that prevents residue from caking up the corners of the bottle. All you need to clean it out is some soapy water and a dish brush.

Klean Kanteen Insulated Camp Mug

Insulated Camp Mug

Made out of 90 percent recycled steel, this travel mug from Klean Kanteen offers the same insulation as other options on our list but with a much smaller environmental impact. The recently climate neutral company created the mug using post-consumer recycled steel, meaning it would have otherwise entered a landfill.

Beyond this, the mug comes with a unique design etched into the side. The mountains and forestry on the side of the mug add help the mug stand out among its otherwise neutral-colored contemporaries.

The press-on lid is perfect for reducing splashes, but the open mouth does leave something to be desired. While it minimizes coffee splashes, expect a few drops to slip out on a bumpy commute.

Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling . He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website .

Headshot of Danny Perez

Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.

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Best Insulated Travel Mugs

Top cups that keep coffee hot, won’t leak or spill, and are easy to clean

CR testing insulated mugs

An insulated travel mug lets you take your favorite drink, hot or cold, anywhere you go. And a good one feels like it was designed with your routine, and even you, in mind. It slips effortlessly into a cup holder and opens easily so that you can sip safely while keeping your eyes on the road. You arrive with a drink that’s still hot and appealing.

Unless you don’t. An insulated travel mug can also feel like a piece of over-engineered junk that leaks tepid coffee onto your lap and clutters your cupboards, collecting dust.

“One of the most interesting findings in our testing was that some of the really well-known brands, including Yeti and Starbucks, fell short of the competition,” says Bernie Deitrick, CR’s test engineer in charge of evaluating travel mugs. “In certain cases, we’d find that the mug would be beautifully designed and styled but would have something like a flimsy plastic lid that would allow the heat to escape, or liquid to spill.”

We run our tests to give you data-based comparisons. And with something like an insulated travel mug—which will live in your grip day after day—we realize that only you can decide what makes it great, whether that’s a leakproof design or one that fits in the slimmest of cup holders. Know that every mug here keeps drinks hot for at least a few hours; we sincerely hope that’s plenty long enough for your commute.

Read on for ratings and reviews of the 10 mugs we tested from Bubba, Contigo, Ello, Starbucks, S’well, Takeya, Thermos, Yeti, and Zojirushi. They’re listed below in order of their temperature retention score—how long they keep liquids hot.

You’ll also find details on how CR tests insulated travel mugs .

coffee mug travel best

CR’s take: This slim mug is in a league of its own in terms of pure performance. It keeps drinks hot for an astonishing 13½ hours—6 hours longer than the closest competitor, earning a top rating of Excellent for temperature retention. The screw-on cap is easy to clean, with two removable gaskets. Our testers found the mug easy to open with one hand: Simply press a button on the side and the lid pops up so that you can drink out of the plastic spout. You can also lock the lid, a nice feature if you have young kids who are the type to tinker with a mug filled with scalding hot coffee. The slender design of the mug means it fits in cup holders in a variety of cars.

Specs: 16-ounce capacity, leakproof, cup holder-friendly, plastic interior, smooth lip, replaceable lid and gaskets, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Amazon , Target , Zojirushi

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 16-ounce capacity, leakproof, cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior, replaceable lid and gaskets, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Amazon , Bed Bath & Beyond , Home Depot , Kohl’s , Thermos , Walmart

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 17-ounce capacity, leakproof, cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior, smooth lip on cup, replaceable lid and gaskets, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Amazon , Bed Bath & Beyond , Best Buy , Takeya USA , Target

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 16-ounce capacity, leakproof, not cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior, replaceable lid, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Amazon , Bed Bath & Beyond , Swell.com

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 20-ounce capacity, leakproof, cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Amazon

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 16-ounce capacity, leakproof, cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior, smooth lip on cup, one-handed opening.

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 20-ounce capacity, leakproof, cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior.

Buy at: Amazon , Bed Bath & Beyond , Best Buy , Target , Walmart

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 16-ounce capacity, leakproof, requires large cup holder, stainless steel interior, smooth lip on cup, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Ello , Macy’s , Walmart

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 20-ounce capacity, cup holder-friendly, stainless steel interior, smooth lip on cup, replaceable lid and gaskets, one-handed opening.

Buy at: Ace Hardware , Amazon , Dick’s Sporting Goods , Lowe’s , Yeti

coffee mug travel best

Specs: 52-ounce capacity, plastic interior.

Buy at: Amazon , Bed Bath & Beyond , Sears , Walmart

How CR Tests Insulated Travel Mugs

We test how well insulated travel mugs keep drinks hot or cold, whether they resist spilling and leaking, and how easy they are to clean. We also grade mugs on convenience, including whether they fit in cup holders in a variety of cars and whether you can open the sipping mechanism with just one hand, which is crucial when you’re driving.

For the temperature retention test, we filled each mug with boiling water (212° F) and immediately screwed or pressed each lid back on. Then our testers opened each mug at set intervals to take the temperature of the water inside until it dropped to 140° F—better known as lukewarm.

We also tested each mug to see whether it could keep cold drinks cold as well as hot drinks hot. “We found that mugs that were well-insulated did a great job with keeping liquids either hot or cold,” Deitrick says.

For our leakproof test, we filled each with water and shook each mug from multiple angles, noting whether any liquid escaped.

To rate how easy mugs are to clean, we filled each mug with a mixture of hot coffee and creamer, and sloshed the contents to saturate the inside of the lid. We drained and opened the mugs, and then let them dry overnight. Then we cleaned each one as directed, assigning points to those that were easy to clean and subtracting from those that had hard-to-clean nooks or gaskets in their lids that retained soils even after a thorough scrubbing. All except the Yeti Rambler and Bubba Classic required using a bottle brush.

Each mug in our test had at least one silicone gasket, and some had as many as three. Over time, they can wear out, and many harbor foul odors. So we removed each gasket that could be removed—some can’t—to see how easy it would be to clean beneath it, and then replaced it. We also noted whether a manufacturer offered replacement gaskets or lids, which will, on occasion, spare you the need to replace an entire mug. After all, our aim is to help you find a product that lasts, and that keeps you happy.

Paul Hope is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports and a trained chef. He covers ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens, as well as grills, drills, outdoor power tools, decking, and wood stains. Before joining CR in 2016, he tested kitchen products at Good Housekeeping and covered tools and remodeling for This Old House magazine. You’ll typically find him in his old fixer-upper, engrossed in a DIY project or trying out a new recipe.

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The Best Travel Coffee Mugs, Whether You Walk, Ride, or Drive

By Wilder Davies and Emily Farris

Best Travel Coffee Mugs

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We take our recommendation for the best travel coffee mugs very seriously. The working world (ours anyway) runs on caffeine, and for many coffee drinkers, that need has to be satisfied on the go. So a good travel coffee mug—one that’s easy to hold, doesn't leak, and keeps hot coffee hot and iced coffee cold—is a must.

coffee mug travel best

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug

Image may contain: Steel, Bottle, and Shaker

Brumate Nav

coffee mug travel best

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Tumbler with Magslide Lid

To find the best travel mugs available right now, we tested more than 20 popular and top-rated options in a variety of shapes and sizes. Below, you’ll find our top picks for commuters of all kinds, followed by the details of how we tested and what we looked for. To learn the pros and cons of all the other mugs we tested, keep reading.

The best travel coffee mug to toss in your bag: Zojirushi

Of all the travel mugs we tested, there are only a few we’d feel comfortable tossing into a bag with our laptop or favorite book, and of them all, this one was the absolute best at keeping our coffee hot. After five hours the hot coffee we poured in was almost too hot to drink.

That excellent heat retention is due to the Zojirushi’s vacuum-insulated, double-walled stainless steel. Though it sounds like a beast, this travel mug is actually relatively lightweight and has a super-slim design that fits perfectly in your hand or bag. It also looks really nice, which is a definite plus for a mug you'll be carting around everywhere.

And you never have to worry about coffee spilling inside your bag or briefcase because the spout cap has a pretty serious sliding lock on the top that, when engaged, makes it impossible to open or spill. Shake, rattle, roll this thing—it's not going to leak any hot drinks on you or whatever else you’re carrying. The lid also comes apart for easy hand washing.

The Zojirushi travel tumbler isn’t dishwasher-safe, which is true of many vacuum-insulated vessels. This was the slimmest travel mug we tested (the opening of all three sizes is just 1⅝ inch) so if you want to clean it with friction, you’ll need a soft bottle bottle brush . That kind of cleaning shouldn’t be necessary often since the inside has a non-stick coating. We weren’t able to find any kind of documentation on what that coating actually is but it probably is nothing to worry about as the issues with nonstick cookware are around exposing it to direct, high heat or scratching it with metal utensils, neither of which are likely in a coffee cup. The super-slim design also means this mug may rattle around in a car cup holder, and the 20-ounce size is too tall to fit under our Nespresso VertuoPlus spout (you’d likely run into the same issue with other single-serve coffee makers ). Finally, sipping from the Zojirushi is slightly more awkward to drink from than many of the other mugs we tried, but it’s a small price to pay for such incredible heat retention and the peace of mind that comes with having a truly leak-free travel mug to use for hot drinks on the go.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes, very Sizes available: 12 ounces , 16 ounces , 20 ounces Warranty: 5 years

This price represents the 12-ounce size. Click through for more options.

The best dishwasher safe travel coffee mug to toss in your bag: Brumate

If you want a spill-proof, leak-proof travel mug that you can also stick in the dishwasher at the end of the day, we recommend the Brumate Nav. This tapered, tumbler-style mug is just as secure as the Zojirushi, though the “BevLock” lid uses a slider to lock a flip-top spout cover into place. And even when it’s not locked, this mug won’t leak; the lock just provides an extra layer of security in case the flip-top were to catch on something strong.

We accidentally turned our testing up to eleven one morning when we dropped this mug—full of piping hot coffee—while trying to shuffle small kids out the door. The lid was closed, but not locked, and we didn’t lose a single drop or burn any toddlers.

The insulated stainless steel body retains heat well (though not as well as the Zojirushi) and we appreciate that the BPA-free clear plastic lid allows us to look inside the cup.

The Brumate doesn’t retain heat nearly as well as the Zojirushi, but if you consume your coffee within an hour or two, it’s more than sufficient. The product description says it will keep hot drinks hot for three hours, but we only experience that kind of heat retention if the mug is full, and stays that way, for the entire three hours. We’d also love to see this mug in a 16-ounce size.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces , 22 ounces , and 32 ounces   Warranty: Limited lifetime

This price represents the 22-ounce size. Click through for more options.

The best travel coffee mug for the car: Yeti Rambler with Magslide Lid

If you like to take your coffee in the car, you might not need a truly leak-proof mug. But you still need something to prevent sloshing and splashing when you inevitably encounter a pothole or other rough road. And, of course, a travel mug for the car must be able to keep your coffee hot even on brutally-cold mornings.

Yeti’s tumbler-style Rambler mug meets all of our requirements for a car-friendly coffee mug, and then some. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink hot for hours, the slim base fits comfortably in a car cup holder, and the Magslide spout cover is really easy to open with one hand while driving (it’s easiest if you slide it open while it’s still in the cup holder).

This mug is also incredibly easy to clean as all three parts are dishwasher safe. The little magnetic slider stays securely put until you pop it off from the underside of the lid.

Aside from the fact that it’s not leak-proof, there’s not much we don’t love about this mug. But some coffee drinkers may find the size options limiting. The 10-ounce is perfect for an 8-ounce pour-over, a small latte, or a couple shots of espresso, but the next size up is 20-ounces and that may feel too big if you just want to commute with a cup of coffee. We’d love to see this mug offered in a 14-ounce or 16-ounce size, too.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: No Sizes available: 10 ounces , 20 ounces , 30 ounces Warranty: 5 years

This price represents the 10-ounce size. Click through for more options.

How we tested travel coffee mugs

For weeks we conducted unofficial testing, adding these mugs to our regular coffee-vessel rotation. When it came time for the official testing, we filled all of the mugs with piping hot water and let them sit on our desks for five hours. We then sipped from each to determine if they had retained heat. Next, we put the containers through a stress test, shaking them and tipping them up and down to see if anything leaked. Finally, we took some brisk walks to mimic the frantic conditions of a morning commute, coffee mug in hand. We did not preheat the mugs by filling them with hot water first—we figured the typical user would not do this and we wanted to see how well each mug retained heat without this step.

What we looked for

Obviously, a travel mug needs to be spill-proof, but mugs that will travel in a bag also need to be completely leak proof. To test the seal on each mug, we filled them with hot coffee, closed the lids according to the manufacturer’s directions, and shook them vigorously while turned upside down.

One of the most important considerations was temperature retention, so we looked at how well the mug kept coffee hot over the course of a few hours. We lined up the mugs and tasted them side by side after five hours to see which one was the hottest.

If a mug was marketed as leak-proof, we looked at how hard or easy it was to engage its leak-free function. Mugs that are too hard to seal are more likely to malfunction when you’re running out the door in a hurry.

We didn't want a travel coffee mug that was too heavy or unwieldy, as this would make it more difficult to carry around while commuting. We also considered how much you had to maneuver your mouth while drinking.

If a mug wasn’t listed as dishwasher safe, we looked at how easy it was to get all parts—including the nooks and crannies of the lid—thoroughly clean with hand washing .

Yes, these mugs are utilitarian vessels meant for keeping hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold, but let’s not pretend looks don’t matter. These are accessories as much as they are tools.

Personal preference dictates what size coffee cup you’ll need, and if you make yourself an 8-ounce latte every morning, a 20-ounce travel mug is going to be too big. So we looked for mugs that offered a range of sizes—including mugs big enough for those who do like to chug 24 ounces of coffee on the way to work.

For car commuters, a base that’s too wide is a deal breaker. So we looked at whether or not these mugs were slim enough to fit into standard car cup holders.

Other travel coffee mugs we tested

We love this bigger Yeti Rambler mug for most of the reasons we loved our top pick for the car, and it even has a handle and a more leak-resistant (though not leak-proof) lid. But the smallest size is 20-ounces and it’s just big enough that it’s not guaranteed to fit in every car cup holder. Plus, unless you’re planning to hit the road with an entire French press-worth of coffee, a 20- or 30-ounce capacity is overkill for your morning commute.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Some Leakproof: No Sizes available: 20 ounces , 30 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid

Yeti's most mug-shaped Rambler mug has the best size selection of all of the Rambler mugs and the two smaller sizes (10 ounces and 14 ounces) are stackable. But because it's mug-shaped, it won't fit in a car cup holder. And because it has the Magslider lid, it's not leak proof, either. While this one is generally good for camping, the handle is pretty basic and not very comfortable to hold—especially if the 24-ounce size is full of hot coffee.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: No Leakproof: No Sizes available: 10 ounces, 14 ounces, 24 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Yeti Rambler 24-Ounce Mug

With the addition of the Hotshot lid, Yeti’s versatile, durable insulated Rambler water bottle becomes a (mostly) leak-proof travel mug for coffee, tea, and other hot or cold drinks. The Hotshot lid, when twisted to the open position, allows you to drink from any spot along the rim. We say it’s “mostly” leak-proof though, because if it’s not closed tightly enough, it is possible to shake some drops out of this mug when turned upside down—and we don’t love that it allows for that kind of user error. You can also buy the Hotshot cap separately , which is a great way to get even more out of a Yeti Rambler bottle you already own. Well, as long as you make sure to close it really well.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Most Leakproof: Mostly Sizes available: 12 ounces , 18 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Yeti Rambler with Hotshot Cap

Brumate haș a series of leak-proof coffee mugs with handles called Toddy and these mugs have nearly all the same features we love about the Nav. But the reasonably-sized option ( 16 ounces ) is too wide to fit into any cupholder. The two larger sizes ( 22 ounces and 32 ounces ) have tapered bottoms and actually do fit into many cup holders, but most coffee drinkers will find they're otherwise just too big, in general.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Some sizes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 6 ounces , 22 ounces , 32 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Brumate Toddy

Klean Kanteen is best known for its lightweight stainless steel reusable water bottles (and for tripping up our spell check every damn time) but the brand also makes a very nice double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel tumbler. In fact, it’s so nice it’s almost perfect. This mug has excellent heat retention, and the powder-coated body is durable, dishwasher safe, and covered by Klean Kanteen’s lifetime warranty. The tumbler’s wide mouth (wide for Klean Kanteen, anyway) is big enough to fit most ice cubes, and the bottle itself is slender enough to fit most cup holders. Unfortunately, you need to use two hands to open the leak-proof lid, which isn’t always conducive to drinking hot coffee while on the go.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces , 16 ounces , 20 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Klean Kanteen Wide Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle

Klean Kanteen

We’re generally big fans of Oxo gear but the Oxo Good Grips travel mug we previously tested always leaked a little when tipped upside down. In 2023, we tested a newer model, which has what the brand calls a leak-proof “SimplyClean” lid. The mug comes in an array of pretty colors, all of the parts are dishwasher safe, and we found the lid to be truly leak free when properly assembled. However, the engineering required to get such a good seal is… a lot. Disassembling the lid for cleaning and reassembling it are each three-step processes—and the steps are so unintuitive that instructions, arrows, and numbers are actually embossed in various spots all over the three separate lid components (four if you count the removable gasket). After a few tries, it’s pretty easy to get used to how it all goes together, but coming from a brand that makes such user-friendly products, this leak-proof lid is more complicated than it needs to be. It’s also a little too easy to accidentally remove the entire lid when trying to open the spout.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces , 20 ounces

coffee mug travel best

OXO Good Grips Travel Coffee Mug With Leakproof SimplyClean Lid

We like that the short Hydro Flask coffee mug feels like a traditional mug, and this is the only “travel” mug we tested that comes in a 6-ounce size. Like all of Hydro Flask’s insulated products, this mug has great temperature retention and it’s also very durable thanks to solid construction. But because it doesn’t have a leak-proof lid or fit into a car cup holder, it’s definitely more of a “coffee on the front porch” mug or “hot toddy around the campfire” mug than an actual commuting mug. Another drawback? Unlike the brand’s powder-coated water bottles, Hydro Flask mugs are not powder-coated and therefore are not dishwasher safe .

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder : No  Leakproof: No Sizes available: 6 ounces , 12 ounces , 24 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Hydro Flask Mug

This 16-ounce stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug from Thermos is good, and most people would probably be content using it, but there's also nothing remarkable about it. It didn't keep our coffee hot nearly as long as the Zojirushi and though it has a leak-proof lid, it doesn't lock like the Brumate does. It’s also only available in one size (16 ounces). That said, the underside of the lid does have a built-in hook for tea bags and loose-leaf tea infusers, so if you're a tea drinker who likes to take your hot tea on the go, you’ll like that feature.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder : Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler

When we first tested the Fellow Carter mug, we tried the Move model —a gorgeous ceramic-lined thermal mug that does a great job of keeping hot drinks hot. Unfortunately, the twist-off lid required the use of both hands, which kept the Fellow Carter from taking a top spot. When we retested travel mugs in 2023, we were thrilled to find that Fellow had recently released a new model of the Carter mug with a slide-lock lid (the lid can also be purchased separately if you already own a Carter mug). The smooth sliding mechanism makes it easy to open and close the angled lid with one hand, and though it doesn’t actually lock like the Zojirushi does, it is leak-proof when closed. But the angle of the new lid means our testers’ noses got smashed up against it every time we took a drink, and because of a lip around the inside of the body, it’s hard to get every last drop of coffee out of this mug. Additionally, the ceramic-coated stainless steel interior is supposed to keep this mug from holding onto smells, but we found that after just one use, it was nearly impossible to get the coffee smell out the lid —so this isn’t a tumbler we’d want to use interchangeably as a coffee cup and a water cup.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Fellow Carter Slide Travel Coffee Mug

We wanted to love this beautiful powder-coated stainless steel tumbler from Kinto, a Japanese housewares brand. And for the most part, we did. The carry handle on the smartly-constructed top can be removed, revealing a thin circular opening that ensures controlled sipping. Liquid doesn’t pour out too quickly (no scalded tongue or ice cubes in the face) and when tightly sealed, it doesn’t leak. You can also remove the entire top of the mug, which makes pouring easy and makes the travel mug easy to clean. However, it’s impossible to open this mug one-handed. That, combined with its high price tag, kept it out of our top picks.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 17 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Kinto Day Off Stainless Steel Tumbler

The MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler got a lot of oohs and aahs during the unboxing phase of our test. It's sleek, bright, and incredibly comfortable to hold. And when you buy a mug, the brand gifts a portion of revenue to a charity project that's trackable via a code on the bottom of the mug. Hot drinks stay piping hot in this mug, thanks to what the brand calls “Thermo 3D Double Wall Vacuum Insulation Technology.” The locking flip lid is super-secure, too. Unfortunately, the way it’s designed makes it impossible to get the lid completely out of the way when drinking, which resulted in little spots of coffee on our testers’ noses with every single sip.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 12 ounces

coffee mug travel best

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler

S’well’s water bottles have a cult-like following so we were excited to try the brand’s sleek and simple vacuum-insulated travel tumbler. ​​It did a good job keeping our coffee warm for a couple hours, but it wasn’t noticeably better than most of the other mugs we tried. The stainless-steel and BPA-free plastic lid is actually leak-proof thanks to an airtight flip-top spout cover. However, it flips easily enough we’d be worried about it catching on something in a bag and opening up by accident. Also, as with the Miir above, our testers’ noses got pressed into the piece that flips back while drinking—especially as we got toward the bottom of our hot and cold drinks. This design flaw is less annoying on this mug than it is on the Miir, but it’s annoying nonetheless.

Dishwasher safe: No Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 oz

coffee mug travel best

Sip by Swell Stainless Steel Travel Mug

We can't help but love this vintage-inspired Stanley travel tumbler—but definitely not for coffee. It does a good job of keeping hot drinks hot, but after weeks of testing, we will only ever use it for ice water because following every single sip, a significant amount of whatever liquid is inside accumulates on the top of the supposedly leak-proof trigger-activated spout cover. When that liquid is coffee, you risk leaving little coffee stains everywhere you go. The slim design is really nice to hold and this tumbler fits in every cup holder we tried, but it’s kind of annoying to have to hold down the trigger the entire time you’re drinking.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: No Sizes available: 16 ounces , 20 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug

Ace Hardware

This vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel mug from Ello looks like the kind of old-school speckled enamelware you'd find in your grandparents' house (that’s a good thing). More importantly, it holds heat well and doesn’t leak, though we wouldn’t want to toss it into a bag with any electronics or white clothes. It’s slender enough to fit in some (but not all) car cup holders—and unlike most of the insulated travel tumblers we tested, it has a handle. Technically, this mug is dishwasher safe, but the brand recommends hand-washing, and we’d want to do that anyway since the inside of the handle is lined with cork. There’s also no way to clean with friction under the sliding spout cover. Still, for less than $20, this mug is a good budget pick, especially if you want a cute, leak-proof insulated mug with a handle. But price is often indicative of quality, and while we have yet to encounter any problems, customer reviews indicate issues with long-term durability, and upon closer inspection, we realized we could probably snap off the handle with very little effort. (Intentional damage would not be covered by Ello’s limited lifetime warranty , but accidental breakage might be.) If you want something that will hold up to everyday use, consider investing in something that’s more solidly constructed.

Dishwasher safe: Yes (top rack only, hand wash recommended) Fits in car cup holder: Maybe Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 18 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

Like the Ello Campy (above), the Ello Cole is a budget-friendly, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel tumbler with a leak-proof sliding spout cover. It holds heat well and all of the parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, though hand-washing the body is recommended. The Cole also has a cork accent, though on this mug, it’s a “built-in coaster,” which seems rather pointless since a well-insulated mug shouldn’t sweat. While we enjoyed testing this mug, we also worry about long-term durability after reading customer reviews—and the fact that there’s no way to deep clean under the slider lid is concerning, too.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Ello Cole Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

The West Loop mug with Contigo’s leak-proof Autoseal lid is very leak-proof, thanks to a lock switch on the top. But even after unlocking the sip lid, you still have to push pretty hard on the autoseal button on the side of the lid to open it enough to get a good swig. In theory, it’s a good system, but when you just want to take a drink of coffee, it’s pretty annoying, especially because the button isn’t very responsive; it often feels like you’re not pushing it hard enough. We also had a really hard time getting the coffee smell out of the lid, even after just one use.

Dishwasher safe: Lid only, top rack Fits in car cup holder: Most Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces , 20 ounces , 24 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Contigo Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

The Contigo Autoseal Transit Mug has some nice features that set it apart from the West Loop. There’s a permanently-affixed non-slip silicone textured sleeve and a silicone pad on the bottom, too. But it has Contigo’s Autoseal lid, and though the Transit mug’s push-button mechanism is slightly different from the lid on West Loop (and locks and unlocks by twisting the lid), it’s equally annoying to have to hold down a button as you drink.

Dishwasher safe: Lid only, top rack Fits in car cup holder: Most Leakproof: Yes Sizes available: 16 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Contigo Autoseal Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Our testers were divided on this collapsible silicone travel “mug.” It’s really more of a coffee cup to travel with than an actual travel mug, as it’s not insulated and the flip-top lid is more leak-resistant than leak-proof. But if you want something that takes up very little space when not in use, this is a decent option. Simply push down the cup from the top and it becomes about the size of a can of tuna. It also comes in lots of pretty colors and all of the parts are super easy to clean in the dishwasher. On the other hand, keeping track of all those parts (especially the support ring) can be kind of annoying.

Dishwasher safe: Yes Fits in car cup holder: Yes Leakproof: No Sizes available: 12 ounces , 16 ounces , 24 ounces

coffee mug travel best

Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw

The takeaway

If you want a travel mug that will keep your coffee piping hot (or your cold brew cold) for hours, the Zojirushi stainless steel mug has the best heat retention capabilities of any mug we tested. It’s also completely leak-proof so you can toss it in your bag without worry. The Brumate Nav , while not as great at retaining heat as the Zojirushi, has an equally-secure lid and the added benefit of being dishwasher-safe. For car commuters, we recommend the tumbler-style Yeti Rambler with the Magslide lid . Though not leak-proof, this dishwasher-safe, vacuum-insulated mug is pretty great at preventing spills while also keeping your morning coffee easily accessible—even while you keep your eyes on the road.

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Article updated on January 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM PST

The 7 Best Travel Coffee Mugs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We’ve rounded up all the best travel coffee mugs for on-the-go coffee, tea or any other hot beverage of your choice

Our Experts

coffee mug travel best

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Zojirushi travel mug in blue

Whether you choose to start your day with a freshly brewed coffee from home or you stop by your favorite coffee shop, a reusable travel mug is essential. A good travel mug will ensure your drink stays piping hot, allowing you to enjoy and savor it without having to rush to drink it before it goes cold. 

coffee mug travel best

Whether you choose to start your day with freshly brewed coffee from home or you stop by your favorite coffee shop, a reusable travel mug is essential. A good travel mug will ensure that your drink stays piping hot, allowing you to enjoy and savor it without having to rush to drink it before it goes cold. 

The right travel coffee mug will also allow you to express something of your personal style, and broadcast to the world that you are an environmentally and economically conscientious member of society. So, it pays to choose wisely when picking out a new portable coffee cup.

While a travel coffee mug isn’t necessarily a huge investment, they can cost up to the $45 mark, which can feel like a lot to pay. To help you to pick the right travel coffee mug and not feel like you wasted money, we tested several of the most popular travel coffee mugs to see which ones keep liquids hot longest, protect against leaks and feel nice to hold -- and look at. These are the seven best travel coffee mugs of 2024.

Best travel coffee mugs

Best overall travel mug, zojirushi stainless steel mug.

Admittedly, sometimes choosing the "best" model of a given product is a matter of extreme nuance, but in this case, it wasn't even close. Zojirushi's sleek travel mug was the top performer along every possible metric. After 5 hours, the liquid was still piping hot. The screw-on lid was infallible and yet easy to drink from, with a spring-loaded button that opens the lid, and a lock feature to prevent it from being jostled open when in the closed position. (Let it be a testament to my faith in these mechanisms that I put the Zojirushi full of coffee in an overnight bag along with my clothing for a train ride out of town.) Regardless of this additional measure of security, the slim design made it easy to operate one-handed while not risking control of the mug. For the aesthetically conscious, the Zojirushi stainless mug comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns.

Zojirushi travel mug in blue

A close second for under $30

Miir flip traveler.

Along the same metrics, the Miir Flip Traveler was the clear runner-up to Zojirushi. After 5 hours, it only had lost 10 degrees beyond what the Zojirushi had maintained, but this was a solid 10 degrees hotter than almost any other model on this list. Its screw-on lid also kept all the liquid inside the mug, even when given the roller coaster treatment. The "flip" mechanism is basically a plastic flap that covers and plugs into the opening for sipping. Because the modest flap is so successful at managing leaks, however, it wasn't as easy to actually flip open one-handed, but then again there's a lot less lid in your face when you go to take a sip. At half the cost of the Zojirushi, with several size and color options, this would be an excellent choice for those looking for a solid travel mug on a smaller budget.

Miir Travel Coffee Mug in Green

Best variety of sizes, colors and features

Yeti rambler.

Yeti is a trusted brand in insulation, making everything from large coolers to picnic wine tumblers . So it's no surprise that its travel coffee mug offering is also a worthy investment. Its Rambler series mugs are shatterproof, and double-walled, with a twist and press-on lid which includes a sliding piece to allow you a sip. 

While not as hot as the above models, the liquid in the Yeti was decidedly still quite warm after 5 hours. Overall, screw-on lids tended to be more leakproof in this lineup, so Yeti's lid wasn't perfectly so, though little more than a dribble escaped. (But I wouldn't be packing it among my clothing, just in case.) 

Yeti has the widest variety where size and features are concerned, however, offering hot mugs in 10, 14, 20, 24, and 30-oz options, in about a dozen colors, and being among the only brands here to offer travel mugs with handles. Yeti's 20-oz Rambler also offers a tapered bottom with a high handle, formatted perfectly for your car's drink holder.

Yeti Rambler

Best budget travel mug

Contigo west loop.

Good news for the travel-mug curious, or those with a tendency to lose things like travel mugs, Contigo's inexpensive West Loop model was also among the best performers on this list, and might be something you just find on the shelf at your local department store or pharmacy. Utterly leakproof, the West Loop was on par with heavy-hitters Yeti and S'well in its ability to keep coffee relatively hot. Its contour is also especially user-friendly, with a narrow neck that makes for both a solid grip and easy one-handed operation with an autoseal function that includes a button at the back of the bottle that reveals the opening for sipping on the lid. A locking mechanism on the lid keeps the hole closed even if the autoseal button gets bumped. Its colorful models are a little more expensive, but a basic black model will cost you little more than $15, making it one of the best value mugs on this list.

contigo mug

Best travel mug for espresso drinks

In the spirit of full disclosure, this KeepCup mug isn't intended for long-term insulation, nor is its simple press-on lid designed to be air tight, but just look at it! For those whose daily coffee beverages top out at 6 ounces, and aren't meant to be sipped indefinitely, this glass number is the perfect vessel for a cappuccino, or other espresso drink, with a built-in cork band to serve as a heat sleeve, and an attractive glass cup that still allows you to witness your foam art. Additionally, unlike all of the other models here, it is microwave safe, which is another good way to keep your coffee hot for multiple hours.

Keep Cup Mug

Best travel mug with top handle

Hydro flask flex sip.

According to legend, the first people to climb to the peak of Denali did so with only a cup of hot chocolate for sustenance. While this move isn't recommended, if your to-go coffee or other hot beverage is likely to be swinging from a backpack, Hydro Flask's model with a top handle is an ideal choice. Hydro Flask is another brand whose products are known for top-performing insulation, and in fact this Hydro Flask model was second to the Zoshirushi in terms of its ability to maintain temperature. The screw-on top creates nearly leakproof conditions. The upper part of the lid twists easily to reveal the slot for sipping, however this is also what makes it only nearly leakproof, as the twisting sip mechanism had a tendency to loosen the lid at the base somewhat. 

Hydro Flask Travel Mug in Blue

Best design

S'well tumbler.

The S'well line of tumblers look, feel and operate very similarly to the Yeti Rambler, even coming to within a degree of temperature variation after both 3 and 5 hours: not quite hot, but still quite warm, relying on double-walled insulation and a twist and press-on, vacuum seal lid. Also like Yeti, it is very nearly leakproof and perfectly easy to operate in one hand. While the S'well line of tumblers has far fewer size options than the Yeti, what it has in abundance is a large array of attractive designs, with several marble, geode, and wood finishes for a unique touch.

swell tumbler

How we tested travel mugs

A travel coffee mug must do at least 2 things extremely well: keep your coffee hot, and keep it from spilling all over your bag/car/desk. Additionally, matters of size, aesthetics, ease of cleaning, and one-handed operability may be factors to consider. Our list was assembled based on CNET's previous picks, those that have been well-vetted by other review sites and appear repeatedly on best lists, and best-selling and consistently highly-rated models at major retailers such as Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyondle and Target.

Most travel coffee mugs claim to keep liquids "hot" for about 5-6 hours. To test this, I filled each of the models here with 170-degree liquid and measured the temperature after both 3 hours and 5 hours. Lids for travel mugs tend to fall in 1 of 2 camps, either some sort of threaded, screw-on mechanism or else a plastic and rubber twist/press-on lid that creates a vacuum seal. To test for leakproofness, I repeatedly upended each mug while full, looking for even a hint of a dribble.

Best travel mugs compared

Travel mug faqs, are travel coffee mugs dishwasher-safe.

It is mostly recommended to wash travel mugs and their lids in the sink with warm, soapy water. Of the models listed here, only the Yeti and Contigo give their full blessing as being dishwasher safe. Miir suggests that its Flip Traveler is dishwasher safe, but with an asterisk, recommending sink washing as a better practice as to not ruin its exterior. Zojirushi, Keep Cup, Hydro Flask and S'well all are marked as not dishwasher safe.

Are travel coffee mugs good for the environment?

All of the travel mugs included here are BPA-free, which is a highly chemically processed form of plastic. To that degree they are environmentally safe, and to the degree which they reduce the number of paper, plastic, and styrofoam disposable cups, they are extremely good for the environment.

coffee mug travel best

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coffee mug travel best

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I Tested 15 Travel Mugs to Find the Best Ones for Coffee and Tea

My top picks from Zojirushi, Fellow, and Kinto are hot, hot, hot.

coffee mug travel best

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

The Winners, at a Glance

What we learned, the criteria: what to look for in a travel mug, the best travel mugs, the competition.

  • Why We're the Experts

Straight to the Point

Our favorite travel mug is from Zojirushi . It keeps coffee and hot beverages warm for a remarkably long time and has a locking flip lid. For coffee and tea enthusiasts, the Fellow Carter Move Mug has a thinner-edged lip that offers a better drinking experience. 

After working at a coffee shop right out of college, I stopped drinking caffeine. It was the inevitable result of having way too much of it (post-college, I did not understand moderation) and coming home with my hair, skin, and clothes smelling of it chronically. But years later, after getting married to a coffee enthusiast (some would say snob), I came back to my love of coffee.

Though I now work from home and can savor my coffee slowly out of a mug, my husband often needs to bring his second cup of coffee on the go. Coupled with the extensive camping and road-tripping we do, travel mugs of all sorts have started to accumulate in our kitchen cabinets.

This is all to say: A review of travel mugs is right up my alley. I set out to test 15 of them to see which ones retained heat and cold best, were comfortable and easy to use, didn’t leak, and offered the best drinking experience. 

The Best Overall Travel Mug

Zojirushi sm-sc48hm stainless steel vacuum insulated mug.

This travel mug is deceptively lightweight, yet still holds 16 fluid ounces of coffee or tea. It retains heat for a remarkably long time (longer than any other mug I tested). The lid not only opens up with a simple click of a button but also locks shut with a side switch, so you don’t have to worry about it accidentally opening. 

The Best Travel Mug for Coffee and Tea Enthusiasts

Fellow carter move mug.

Courtesy of Fellow

The Fellow Carter Move Mug is designed with coffee enthusiasts in mind. Its heat and cold retention was second only to the Zojirushi and the inner chamber of the mug is ceramic-lined for a neutral flavor. The thin lip of the mug made drinking coffee out of it a pleasure.

Another Good Travel Mug

Kinto day off tumbler.

The Kinto Day Off Tumber is another excellent option for coffee and tea lovers. The top has a looped handle that makes it easy to carry around and the inner lid has a built-in splash guard. It also retains heat and cold for an exceptionally long time.

If a temperature-controlled travel mug is what you're interested in (where you can set and hold the temperature for a prolonged period of time), then the Ember is the one to get. We tested temperature control mugs separately , but added our winner to this review as well for your shopping convenience.

  • Heat Retention Test One (without Lid): I filled each travel mug with 212°F boiling water, then left the lid off. I inserted a ChefAlarm 's probe (our favorite probe thermometer ) and set the alarm to 140°F to see how long it took for the temperature to drop. 
  • Heat Retention Test Two (with Lid): I filled each travel mug with 212°F boiling water, and then placed the lid on. I took temperature readings each hour to see how long it took for it to drop to 140°F.
  • Cold Retention with Lid: I filled each travel mug with 36°F cold water, and then put the lid back on. I placed the mugs in an oven with the light on, monitoring the temperature of the oven to keep it within 80 to 85°F, to simulate a warm day. I took temperature readings each hour to see how long it took for the water to reach 60°F.
  • Leak Test: I filled each travel mug with water and placed the lid back on. I vigorously shook the travel mug upside down to see how much it would leak.
  • Drinking Test: I filled each mug with 12 ounces of freshly brewed coffee , carrying it around the apartment and outside on walks and drinking from it to see how the user experience was.
  • Cleaning Test: After each test, I thoroughly cleaned the mugs and lids.

Screw Tops Didn’t Leak Like Pop Tops

The travel mugs I tested had two types of lids. One style screwed onto the mug’s body and the other popped on and had a rubber gasket that held the lid in place. The latter were easier to put on, as all you needed to do was push the lid onto the body. However, these mugs all leaked...some worse than others. 

Conversely, most of the screw-on lids I tested did not leak much, if at all as long as they were put on properly. The bottom line: Get a travel mug with a screw-on lid and double-check that the lid is properly aligned and seated to avoid leakage.

Drink Buttons Were Annoying

Some lids, like the Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel and Stanley Classic Trigger , require pressing a button to drink from the mug. In theory, this seems like a great idea, as it only requires one hand and could prevent leakage. However, continually pressing a button for extended periods causes hand fatigue, especially if you have mobility or strength issues. This was especially noticeable with the Stanley mug, which had a stronger spring that required more pressure and strength to press.

Lid Design and Drinking Experience

Some lids (like the Camelbak , Yeti Rambler Tumbler , and Yeti Rambler Mug ) featured thick plastic lids with drink holes set slightly back from the edge. Drinking from them felt bulky and cumbersome. Other lids, like the Simple Modern Kona Collection , had a latch right near the opening, hitting my bottom lip as I sipped. My favorite travel mugs had thinner lid edges (like the Zojirushi and Fellow ) or rounder-edged lids (like the Kinto ), which felt more natural and pleasant to drink from. Both the Fellow and the Kinto also allowed you to drink from the mug in any direction, too.

Heat and Cold Retention

The travel mugs that had the best heat retention also, unsurprisingly, kept liquids cold longer as well. The Zojirushi blew every other mug away on both accounts, taking over 14 hours to drop from 212°F to 140°F and nearly 20 hours for 38°F water to warm up to 60°F. The second-best mug in these tests, the Fellow , took a respectable 10 hours to drop from 212°F to 140°F and 6 hours to go from 38°F to 60°F. The Kinto mug also took 10 hours to drop down to 140°F and 13 hours to get to 60°F. With these three mugs, you could carry around your coffee or tea and it'll stay hot or cold nearly all day.

On the flip side, some of the worse performing mugs, like the Hydro Flask and Corkcicle , dropped temperature alarmingly fast, from 212°F boiling to 140°F in just three hours and 38°F to 60°F in about eight hours. Most folks drink their coffee and tea within a few hours of brewing it, but if you prefer your coffee piping hot or you have a long commute, it’s nice to have a mug that'll go the distance.

Look for a travel mug that has a double-walled, vacuum-sealed body for the best heat and cold retention. Select a travel mug that has a screw-on lid. Pop-on lids are more convenient but leaked. Pick a travel mug that has a rounded or thinner lip for the most pleasant drinking experience.

And, finally, get a travel mug that's suitable for your lifestyle. If you are constantly on the road, look for a mug that's lightweight, easily opens up with just one hand, and fits in your car's cup holder. If you're a long-distance commuter on public transit, find a mug that retains heat exceptionally well and can be safely tossed into a bag.

What we liked : The Zojirushi retained heat and cold for a remarkably long time, longer than any mug I tested. The 212°F boiling water took a little over 14 hours to cool down to 140°F, while cold 36°F water took over 20 hours to warm up to 60°F. The flip-top was easy to use, with a simple button that popped it open. There’s a secondary latch that locks the lid, too.

The mug has a thin plastic lip and the lid comes apart into two pieces, which makes it easier to clean. The inside features a nonstick coating, preventing stains. Best of all, this slim travel mug is incredibly lightweight.

What we didn’t like: The heat retention of the mug is one of its best features. But it also means freshly brewed coffee takes a while to cool down to a drinkable temperature. If you plan on drinking the coffee from the travel mug immediately, make sure to let the coffee cool before pouring it in. Otherwise, you might scald your tongue with each sip. 

Also, the opening of this travel mug is narrower than other models. This made it more challenging to clean. (You’ll want a bottle brush for the task.) 

  • Material: Stainless steel with nonstick coating and BPA-free plastic
  • Dimensions: 2.625 inches diameter; 8.5 inches tall
  • Dishwasher-safe: No
  • Stated capacity: 16 fluid ounces
  • Fits in a car’s cup holder: Yes
  • Weight: 7 ounces

What we liked : The Fellow Carter Move Mug is great if you prioritize the coffee or tea-drinking experience. The interior chamber of the travel mug is ceramic lined, to help prevent any metallic taste that a cheaper stainless steel model might impart to your coffee or tea. The thin metal edge of the mug feels great on your lips and allows you to drink in whatever direction you pick the mug up from.

The mug features a removable “splash guard” insert that looks a bit like a sink drain. This prevents hot liquid from splashing outwards. The double-walled, vacuum-sealed body retained heat, taking over 10 hours to drop from 212°F to 140°F and 16 hours to rise from 36°F to 60°F.

What we didn’t like: The mug's lid requires you to unscrew it and you need two hands to do so. This also means you have a lid that you need to carry (or put down) when you're drinking. That said, Fellow does sell an optional slide lid (which I did not test).

  • Material: Stainless steel with ceramic interior coating
  • Dimensions: 3 inches diameter; 7.25 inches tall
  • Weight: 12.5 ounces

What we liked : The Kinto is a well-constructed, lightweight mug that retained heat and cold for fairly long, taking nearly 10 hours to cool 212°F boiling water down to 140°F and 13 hours for 36°F water to warm up to 60°F. The mug itself features a two-part top, one that screws onto the body and acts as a splash shield, and one that's a sealing lid with a looped handle.

The first splash shield offers a tapered lip and allows you to drink from all sides of the mug. Like the Fellow, this makes it a pleasure to drink from. The handle on top of the sealing lid is nice for carrying, too. 

What we didn’t like: Because the Kinto mug has two parts to the lid that screws onto the body, there is twice the chance of user error where you can misalign the threads and not properly screw on the lid. Like the Fellow, the Kinto lid screws on, which means it requires two hands to remove it. Unlike the Fellow, though, the lid does have a handle, so it's easier to wrap your fingers around it and hold on to it, allowing you to drink with one hand.

  • Material: 18-8 Stainless steel powder coated, with polypropylene and silicone
  • Dimensions: 2.75 inches diameter; 9 inches tall
  • Stated capacity: 16.9 fluid ounces
  • Weight: 10.5 ounces
  • Contigo Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug : Contigo makes reasonably priced travel mugs and this one does a good job retaining heat and cold. But the shape of the lid and its small opening meant coffee pooled on top of the lid between sips, which caused dribbling and spilling.
  • Hydro Flask All-Around Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid : The Hydro Flask travel mug lost heat the quickest of all the mugs I tested, and the pop-on lid leaked.
  • Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Tumbler : This Yeti Rambler had a pop-on lid that leaked and didn’t retain heat or cold very well.
  • MiiR Flip Traveler: This solidly constructed, lightweight mug was easy to use and retained heat and cold better than most of the mugs I tested. Unfortunately, it leaked a bit, no matter how much I tightened or screwed on the lid.
  • Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug: Unlike the Yeti tumbler we tested, this Yeti mug had a screw-on lid that didn’t leak. It also retained heat and cold for a respectable amount of time. But the thick plastic lid made drinking out of the mug less pleasant than our winners.
  • Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug : This Contigo mug did a decent job with retaining heat and cold, but having to hold down a button to drink was tedious.
  • Simple Modern Travel Coffee Mug : This mug lost heat and cold relatively quickly.
  • Corkcicle Commuter Cup : Unfortunately, this mug lost heat extremely quickly (in just over three hours).
  • W&P Porter Insulated Tumbler : I loved the feel of this tumbler and its colorful design. But the insulated tumbler lost heat relatively quickly and leaked terribly when turned upside down.
  • CamelBak Horizon Tumbler : The Camelbak tumbler did a poor job of retaining heat and cold. It also had a snap-on lid that leaked.
  • Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug : The rugged and durable mug felt like what your grandfather probably drank from as he backcountry hiked his way across the Rocky Mountains. It’s built to last a lifetime (and is backed with a lifetime warranty as well). And it did a good job retaining heat and cold. But it's slightly annoying to drink from since you have to push a button to sip. And when you did, the coffee flowed out very slowly.
  • Simple Modern Insulated Thermo s: This travel mug did a great job retaining heat and cold. But the small lid had a flip-top with a locking latch that protruded fairly high, bumping into my bottom lip.

How do you clean coffee or tea stains off of a stainless steel travel mug?

Sprinkle some baking soda (about one to two teaspoons) into the mug and add water to form a paste. Gently scrub with a damp cloth, soft sponge, or bottle brush. The mildly abrasive baking soda should remove the stains.

How do you maximize the heat and cold retention of a travel mug?

For hot beverages, warm up the inside of the travel mug by pouring hot water (it can from the tap) into the mug, letting it sit for a couple of minutes, and empty the mug. Then, add your coffee or hot beverage. For cold drinks, cool the inside by pouring in water and adding a few ice cubes, swirling the cubes around, then drain it and add the cold beverage.

What size travel mug is best?

For most folks, a 12- or 16-ounce travel mug is sufficient. If you're a hardcore coffee drinker or you travel a longer distance for work, a larger 20-ounce mug might be a better fit.

How do you clean a travel mug lid?

If your travel mug's lid disassembles, take it apart. Then soak the lid in warm, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and thoroughly rinse.

What is the best travel mug?

After testing, the Zojirushi travel mug came out on top, with a convenient flip-top and excellent insulation. But if you prioritize the coffee-drinking experience, the Fellow Carter Move Mug and Kinto Day-Off Tumbler are also excellent.

Why We're the Experts

  • Irvin Lin is a cookbook author, recipe developer, food writer, photographer, and ceramicist.
  • He wrote the cookbook Marbled, Swirled, and Layered , which was picked by the New York Times as one of the best baking cookbooks of 2016.
  • He runs a blog called Eat the Love , where he’s developed, photographed, and written recipes since 2010. Eat the Love was nominated twice for best food blog by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 2016 and 2022.
  • He has served as a judge for the 2021 IACP Cookbook Awards and served on the executive committee for the 2022 IACP Cookbook Awards. He currently serves on the 2024 Book Awards Committee for the James Beard Foundation.
  • He’s tested and reviewed hundreds of kitchen items including stand mixers and indoor herb gardens .
  • For this review, Irvin tested 15 travel mugs, evaluating their insulation, usability, and more to find the best ones.

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coffee mug travel best

7 Best Travel Mugs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We brewed and sipped many cups of coffee to find the best travel mugs for your needs.

coffee mug travel best

Related To:

coffee mug travel best

Our Top Travel Mug Picks

Best overall: yeti rambler 20-ounce travel mug, best budget: contigo vacuum insulated 24-ounce travel mug, best for heavy travel: hydroflask coffee flex-sip wide-mouth 20-ounce, best mug with handle: swig life 18-ounce tumbler with handle, best compact: simple modern kona 16-ounce coffee mug thermos, best for camping: yeti rambler 14-ounce mug, honorable mention: zojirushi insulated 20-ounce mug.

Tested by Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen

Having a go-to travel mug you love in your kitchen cupboard is the wardrobe equivalent of a goes-with-everything jacket. It’s dependable, durable and functional, and it expresses your personal style and lifestyle needs. Toting coffee or tea from home can save you money, whether you’re hustling on your morning commute, out for a morning hike or handling school drop-off. When you do stop for a cuppa, whether it’s at your neighborhood coffee shop or at the airport, a reusable travel mug can also help cut down on plastic and paper cup waste.

Most of us shop for travel mugs online, but we found there’s a lot to be said for being able to hold the mug in your hands and take a sip from it. These are a few things to look for when shopping for travel coffee mugs online while browsing product images, descriptions and manufacturer claims. We broke down a list of our favorite mugs we tested and what to look for the next time you’re investing in a new travel mug.

coffee mug travel best

Photo by: Layla Khoury-Hanold

Layla Khoury-Hanold

What to Consider Before Buying a Travel Mug

  • Size: Think about how much you need your travel mug to hold; 12 ounces is the equivalent of two standard cups of brewed coffee or tea. The average travel mug size is 16 ounces. Consider how much storage space you have and check listed measurements against the space between shelves in your kitchen cupboard. We found large mugs didn’t always fit in our cabinets. Finally, double check product descriptions to see if the mug will fit in a standard size cup-holder or backpack pocket.
  • Material: Mugs made from 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel tend to be the most durable. Some models have rubberized grips on the body and non-slip silicone finishes on the bottom which can be helpful for rushed mornings. Lids are typically made of plastic; latches or button closures can be made from plastic or metal.
  • Exterior Finish: Some of the models we tested had both lids and mugs that were dishwasher safe, but some manufacturers noted that only unpainted models are dishwasher safe. Look for manufacturer claims touting a durable, long-lasting coat or condensation-free finishes.
  • Lid Style: These can include flip lids, thumb-sliding lids, push-button lids and twist lids. If you need something leak-proof, opt for a twist lid. If you need to be able to operate and drink from your mug one-handed, a flip lid or push-button lid is a good bet. Note that mugs with slider-style lids can be tricky to clean, particularly if you take your beverage with milk products or sweeteners.
  • Leak-Proof vs Spill-Proof: If you’re planning to stash your mug in a bag, look for leak-proof claims and observe the construction. Does it have a twist-lid and/or latch- or button-closure? Do you need to press a button to take a sip? Spill-proof (or splash-resistant) means that it’ll keep liquid from sloshing out but isn’t up to the task of preventing leaks when mugs are stowed in a bag.
  • Cleaning: In addition to noting whether your favorite mug is dishwasher safe, you’ll want to note whether the lid parts come apart for thorough cleaning, including rubber gaskets and models with special sealing features. Lids can get moldy and smelly if not cleaned thoroughly. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to maximize performance and durability.

coffee mug travel best

How We Tested

We purchased 10 top-rated travel coffee mugs according to various online sites, reviews and bestseller rankings. We tested travel coffee mugs across a range of price points in a variety of sizes, from 14 ounces to 24 ounces. We also tested models with and without handles and different styles of lids, including thumb-sliding lids, push-button lids and twist lids.

First, we assessed the design and construction of the travel coffee mug. We noted what materials the body and lid were made of and whether the mug felt durable. To assess the mug’s measurements, we noted how many ounces of liquid the mug held and whether it easily fit in a kitchen cabinet. To evaluate the design, we tested to see if the mug fit in a standard-size cup holder and noted whether the lid locked or closed while not in use.

We observed if the mug came with a manual or paperwork to explain how to use the mug. We also noted if there were any assembly instructions or recommended steps prior to first use, such as washing and drying. We also reviewed the care and use instructions to determine if the mug was dishwasher safe and assessed how easy it might be to clean.

We also recorded any special claims, including leak-proof or spill-proof design, how many hours it promised to keep beverages hot for, no-sweat design, shatter-resistant or dent/drop resistant construction, non-slip silicone base and comfort grip handles. We also noted whether the mug came with a warranty and if so, how long it lasts and what is covered.

We conducted the food test in two parts, first a boiling water test and then a taste test.

For the boiling water test, we added 12 ounces (the equivalent of two standard cups of brewed coffee) of boiling water to the travel mug and noted the temperature using an instant-read thermometer and recording the temperature to a tenth of a degree. We then added the lid to the mug and checked the water temperature after 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, and 6 hours, with the lid on. (Depending on the design of the mug, some mugs required removing the lids to take the water temperature.) If a mug came with a claim to keep water hot for a longer period, such as 9 hours or 12 hours, we tested that too. We also noted each time whether the base of the cup was too hot or cold to handle — all of the mugs were easy to hold throughout the whole test.

For the taste test, we brewed coffee and added the coffee to the travel mug. When the liquid was cool enough, we took a sip through the lid. We noted any strange, metallic or plastic tastes. We waited 30 minutes and tasted the coffee again by sipping it through the lid. Again, we noted any strange or unpleasant flavors.

Here we noted whether any of the parts (mug body or lid parts) were dishwasher safe. Most of the travel mugs we tested had dishwasher-safe lids, but many of the painted bodies required hand washing. A couple of the most durable models were completely dishwasher safe. We also noted how easy the mugs were to wash and dry by hand, observing how easily the coffee washed away from the interior of the mug body as well as how easy it was to reach the bottom of the mug. Most manufacturers recommend hand washing parts in warm, soapy water and rinsing and drying thoroughly before storing, and advise storing the lid and body separately.

This article has been reviewed since its original publish date for accuracy, pricing and availability. We stand by our list of top travel coffee mug picks.

coffee mug travel best

The YETI Rambler won top marks for its durable 18/8 stainless-steel body construction, 6-hour heat retention and ease of cleaning. The manufacturer boasts its shatter-resistant construction and double-wall vacuum insulation and backs it all up with a five-year warranty. It comes in a variety of colors, finished with their proprietary DuraCoat color that also promises a no-sweat design. Both the lid and the body are dishwasher safe, no matter the color finish. This mug is a little wider than most, making it easy to wash up by hand. Those with smaller hands may find it challenging to drink from the mug one-handed for a prolonged period.

coffee mug travel best

This mug packs a lot of value for dollar. It was the least-expensive mug we tested, but is made from durable stainless steel and BPA-free plastic and has a capacity of 24-ounces, or the equivalent of four cups of coffee. We liked the addition of a rubberized grip on the exterior of the mug, making it easy to drink from one-handed. It also comes with an easy on-off lid and snap-close seal to prevent spills. Though it claimed to keep liquids hot for 9 hours, we found that it only kept boiling water hot for 3 hours. Because of its height, it doesn’t easily fit in a kitchen cabinet or when using a standard Keurig coffee maker. Only the lid and unpainted body are dishwasher safe. Painted body models are handwash only, and the narrow opening means you’ll need a long-handled brush to properly reach the bottom of the mug. This model comes with a limited lifetime guarantee.

coffee mug travel best

This durable travel mug is made from 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel and a BPA- and toxin-free plastic twist-open lid and strap. It kept liquids hot for 6 hours, a boon for long-haul flights or to take you from school drop-off to pick-up. The manufacturer claims that this model keeps liquids hot for 12 hours, though we noted during testing that by the 12-hour mark the temperature was merely warm. We liked the addition of the flex-strap handle attached to the lid which makes it easy to transport and comfortable to carry (you could even clip it into a carabiner on a backpack). It comes in a variety of colors, backed by the manufacturer’s color-last coating; you can also customize the design by choosing the color for the cap, strap and bottle. This model is dishwasher safe, though handwashing is recommended. We liked how easy it was to disassemble and reassemble the numbered lid parts and the rubber gasket slots right in. Because of the design and narrow opening, you’ll need a long-handled brush or sponge to properly reach and clean the mug interior. And because of its height, it doesn’t fit standing up in a kitchen cupboard or in a standard Keurig coffee maker. Overall, this mug was one of the most expensive models we tested, but its performance matches the price tag and buyers can rest easy knowing it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

coffee mug travel best

We loved that this travel coffee mug had a more traditional mug-like shape and comfortable handle, which is ideal if you like to feel like you’re drinking out of a real mug. It’s made from 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel, has a sturdy slide-lock plastic lid to prevent spills and a non-slip silicone base that’s also scratch- and noise-free when you put it on a countertop. It boasts triple-insulated technology that includes a double-walled, vacuum sealed and copper plated insulated mug. It lived up to its promise of keeping liquids hot for 3 hours; even after 6 hours it still registered a warm temperature. Note that you’ll need to wait a minute before putting the lid on the mug, or the lid will pop up likely because of the extra-hot temperature. The mug and lid are dishwasher safe on the top rack, but are easy to wash and dry by hand, too. If you need a mug that goes from commute to desk, or a good work-from-home coffee mug that’ll keep your beverage hot all morning, this is your best bet. We like the assortment of more than 40 unique colors and patterns, making this a great gift-giving option too.

coffee mug travel best

This mug delivers quality construction; heat-resistant performance; and a sleek, contemporary design in one compact mug. It’s made from 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel and feels sturdy yet lightweight. Its double-wall insulation promises to keep drinks at their optimal temperature and prevent condensation. After 6 hours, we noted that the liquid temperature was still very hot. We liked the angled sipping spout which allows the user to easily control the beverage flow. It has excellent leak-proof protection with a user-friendly twist-on lid and a lockable, push-button cover that snaps closed. Note that the push-button is located right under the sip opening, which may be cumbersome if you wear lipstick. This model is hand-wash only; because of the slim opening, it’s challenging to get to the bottom of the mug with a regular sponge. The rubber gasket under the lid easily removes but can be challenging to get back in (make sure you have it right-side up). This model also comes in a variety of colors and designs. It comes with a lifetime warranty. If you’re into doing good while you shop, this company also gives back more than 10% of its profit.

coffee mug travel best

This heavy-duty mug is made from durable, professional-grade 18/8 stainless steel and has a sturdy, proprietary magnet-sliding lid that is smooth to open and close yet spill-proof. The style and design remind us of a classic camping-style mug; in addition to using the mug to sip your morning coffee, it could easily double as a serving vessel for camp fare like baked beans and chili, or for ice cream sundaes and cocktails at home. The mug keeps liquids hot for 3 hours with the lid on; because of the wide mouth, it doesn’t retain heat as well as other mugs. The mug and lid are dishwasher safe though the wide opening makes the mug easy to wash and dry by hand. Take extra care when washing the slider-style lid by hand to ensure removal of stains and any build-up (particularly important if you take milk products or sweeteners with your coffee or tea). As with other YETI models, this mug is made with a no-sweat design, DuraCoat color and shatter-resistant construction, and comes with a 5-year warranty.

coffee mug travel best

Although this mug wasn’t one of our top picks, if you need to keep your beverage hot for a long period of time, this is your mug. During testing, it kept boiling water the hottest the longest; after 6 hours, the water was still very hot, registering nearly 145 degrees F. The heat retention performance is backed by a 5-year warranty.

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Best travel mug 2023: tried and tested travel cups from thermos, camelbak and more.

  • Danielle Amato

Best travel mug - Lead image

Want tough, leak-free mugs that keep coffee hot for hours? We're here to help with our best travel mug roundup

Well designed and well insulated, the best travel mug will keep hot drinks toasty and cool drinks ice-cold, while also staying leak-free. From classic coffee-shop cups to thermos-shaped designs, travel mugs come in all shapes and sizes. At first glance, travel mugs can seem expensive. If you’re thinking about using one on your commute, you might find it hard to justify spending what might be five to ten times as much as an Americano from your local coffee shop. However, walking out of your door already holding a coffee will save you many more pounds in the long run and you’ll avoid those annoying queues.

To help you make an informed decision about which travel mug is right for you, we’ve put together a short buying guide below. Our at-a-glance list will take you directly through to buy some of our favourites or you can scroll further to find mini reviews on a variety of models for every style preference and budget.

Best travel mug: At a glance

  • Best for hot drinks: Thermos | From £25
  • Best one-handed mug: Stanley Classic | From £30
  • Best plastic-free: Dualit Stainless Steel Travel Mug | £30
  • Most stylish travel mug: Contigo Autoseal Luxe | £27
  • Best all-rounder: Zojirushi SM-SA | £35

How to choose the best travel mug for you

How much do i need to spend.

Travel mugs vary in price, with the most costly coming in at over £30 and generally speaking, you get what you pay for. If you only need a travel mug for occasional use, you can make do with a standard option for under £10. However, if you want to use it every day for outdoor activities or on your commute, you’ll want something that promises to perform in terms of heat retention, spill protection and robustness.

What features should I look out for?

Look out for leak-proof extras such as autoseal and lockable lids, as well as easy-to-clean materials, as these are what set the best travel mugs apart from the cheaper options. If you need a mug that keeps drinks hot (or cold) for longer, you’ll need a double-wall, vacuum-insulated option, preferably constructed in stainless steel.

Again, you will always pay more for stainless steel, but it’s worth it if heat retention is a priority. If you have a tendency to drop things, it’s also wise to choose a mug that’s easy to grip. If you can’t quite allow yourself to part with over £20 for what’s essentially a coffee cup, opt for the next best composition, but ensure that the mug is double-walled.

Does it matter which size of mug I buy?

If you’ll be travelling by car with your mug, ensure you find a travel mug that fits a regular drinks holder and can be picked up with one hand. Travel mugs generally come in two sizes: around 360ml and around 470ml. The large options are perfect for carrying water or soup, but if it’s only ever going to be tea or coffee, you may want to get a smaller size, which fits better in your hand and under single-serve coffee machines.

READ NEXT: The best lunch boxes to buy

The best travel mugs you can buy in 2023

1. thermos: best travel mug for hot drinks.

Best travel mug - Thermos

It also features a slow flow option, which proves pretty handy when your coffee is still steaming hot after a few hours. The lockable seal makes it ideal for long train journeys without any worries about spillages; a nice additional touch is the teabag holder. The only real drawback is that it doesn’t fit into all standard car drinks holders – a considerable compromise given the price.

Key details – Size: 470ml; Materials: Stainless steel

Image of Thermos 101834 Stainless King Travel Mug, Matt Black, 470 ml

Thermos 101834 Stainless King Travel Mug, Matt Black, 470 ml

2. stanley classic: best one-handed travel mug.

coffee mug travel best

The most outstanding feature on this mug is its one-handed function in the form of a push-button lid, which allows users to drink while using their other hand, whether it’s browsing on your phone or operating a pickaxe. The Stanley Classic One Hand is the best choice for multitaskers.

Key details – Size: 470ml; Materials: Stainless steel, plastic

Image of Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 0.47L / 16OZ Nightfall ? Leakproof Cup | Hot & Cold Thermos Bottle | Vacuum Insulated Tumbler for Coffee, Tea & Water | BPA Stainless-Steel Travel Flask

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 0.47L / 16OZ Nightfall ? Leakproof Cup | Hot & Cold Thermos Bottle | Vacuum Insulated Tumbler for Coffee, Tea & Water | BPA Stainless-Steel Travel Flask

3. dualit stainless steel travel mug: best plastic-free travel mug.

Best travel mug - Dualit Stainless Steel

Aside from its eco credentials, this travel mug has plenty of deft design touches which make it a worthwhile buy. Its slim, minimalist design is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to pop into a backpack, tote, or handbag, while still boasting a generous 500ml capacity. Its well-insulated interior meant that, in our tests, it kept drinks hot for up to 7 hrs, or cold for up to 12 hrs, just as advertised. Finally, the removable spill barrier controls the flow of liquid from the mug, making for easy drinking while out and about, and the leak-proof lid proved extremely effective in transit.

Key details – Size: 500ml; Materials: Silicon, stainless steel

Image of Dualit Travel Mug - 500ml Capacity - 5 Layer Insulation - Hot & Cold Beverages on The go - Leakproof Premium Sustainable Stainless Steel Travel Mug with Sip Barrier

Dualit Travel Mug - 500ml Capacity - 5 Layer Insulation - Hot & Cold Beverages on The go - Leakproof Premium Sustainable Stainless Steel Travel Mug with Sip Barrier

4. contigo autoseal luxe: most stylish travel mug.

coffee mug travel best

In testing, the Luxe kept our drinks hotter for longer than three hours in many cases and chilled for up to ten, though the temperature did drop during this time. We think it’s a decent price for a travel mug that will last you for years. Moreover, its slick design and impressive leak-proof features make it well worth the price.

Key details – Size: 360ml; Materials: Stainless steel

Image of Contigo Luxe Autoseal Travel Mug, Stainless Steel Thermal Mug, Vacuum Flask, Leakproof Tumbler, dishwasher safe, Coffee Mug with BPA Free Easy-Clean Lid, Stainless Steel, 360 ml

Contigo Luxe Autoseal Travel Mug, Stainless Steel Thermal Mug, Vacuum Flask, Leakproof Tumbler, dishwasher safe, Coffee Mug with BPA Free Easy-Clean Lid, Stainless Steel, 360 ml

5. zojirushi sm-sa: best all-round travel mug.

coffee mug travel best

The mug is only leak-free when closed, and due to the difficulty of opening it, many users are likely to keep it open, thus increasing the likelihood of a spill. But once you’ve conquered the lid, this travel mug couldn’t be better for robustness, temperature retention and style. A great choice for those who like a bit of colour.

Key details – Size: 600ml; Materials: Plastic, stainless steel

Image of Zojirushi Stainless Steel Non-Stick Vacuum Travel Mug - 600 ml, Red

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Non-Stick Vacuum Travel Mug - 600 ml, Red

6. s’well: best for hot and cool beverages.

coffee mug travel best

Key details – Size: 485ml; Materials: Stainless steel

Image of S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle - 17 Fl Oz - Onyx - Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulated Containers Keeps Drinks Cold for 36 Hours and Hot for 18 - BPA-Free - Perfect for The Go

S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle - 17 Fl Oz - Onyx - Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulated Containers Keeps Drinks Cold for 36 Hours and Hot for 18 - BPA-Free - Perfect for The Go

7. camelbak forge: best travel mug for features.

Best travel mug - Camelbak Forge

It’s also proved impressively watertight. Slightly frilly features include the strangely dubbed “aroma bowl”, which, according to the manufacturer, allows for a “superior drink interface”. This basically means you can test your drink’s temperature by allowing a small amount to be released.

The easy-clean cap puts function back to the fore, however, as it simply pulls out to be rinsed under the tap. This makes it perfect for non-fussy users happy with a quick rinse. It also features a plastic cap underneath to minimise the ill effects of a breakage to the main body of the mug. The finger loop is surprisingly handy too for when your hands are full.

Key details – Size: 500ml; Materials: Plastic, stainless steel

Check price at Go Outdoors

8. Contigo Autoseal West Loop: Best travel mug for commutes

coffee mug travel best

Its easy-to-clean lid doesn’t have any loose parts and it can keep drinks cool for an impressive 12 hours. It’s also one of the best-looking mugs out there. This is a great choice for those with a bumpy journey to work… or butterfingers.

Key details – Size: 470ml; Materials: Plastic, stainless steel

Image of Contigo West Loop Autoseal Travel Mug, Stainless Steel Thermal Mug, Vacuum Flask, Leakproof, Coffee Mug with BPA Free Easy-Clean Lid, Stainless Steel, 470 ml

Contigo West Loop Autoseal Travel Mug, Stainless Steel Thermal Mug, Vacuum Flask, Leakproof, Coffee Mug with BPA Free Easy-Clean Lid, Stainless Steel, 470 ml

INSIDER

The best travel mugs, tested and reviewed

Posted: September 26, 2023 | Last updated: September 27, 2023

<p>Prices are accurate at the time of publication.</p><p class="headline-regular financial-disclaimer">When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews">Learn more</a></p><p>We can't decide what's worse for a morning commute: coffee going cold or going all over your clothes. Any mug with a lid that you can carry from place to place is technically a travel mug, but the best travel mugs keep your iced or hot beverage to temperature, won't leak all over your bag, and are easy to keep clean.</p><p>We put a dozen of the best travel mugs to the test, evaluating each for how well it retained temperature, how easy it was to clean, and most importantly, how nice it was to drink from. After more than eight months of testing, the <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=f1f74c5033e22ab07adfa2c1ee03ba9e562a50a6bb34d90b3f87a90d00139fe8&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB00HYOGTTG&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug</a> stood out as the clear winner, keeping drinks to temperature for hours longer than any other mugs we tested. Our other favorites include a large capacity Yeti Rambler that holds 26 ounces of coffee, tea, or anything else you need to travel with in bulk. </p><h2>Our top picks for travel mugs</h2><p><strong>Best overall: </strong>Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug - <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=f1f74c5033e22ab07adfa2c1ee03ba9e562a50a6bb34d90b3f87a90d00139fe8&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB00HYOGTTG&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">See at Amazon</a><br>The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug keeps both hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.</p><p><strong>Best with a carry loop:</strong> Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid - <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=5b2a0c015934e4662294fd1191cfbfd9d0fcbf5ce00dbdb6e3490d2fd69a8260&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avantlink.com%2Fclick.php%3Ftt%3Dcl%26mi%3D10248%26pw%3D184534%26ctc%3D%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.rei.com%252Fproduct%252F169962%252Fhydro-flask-coffee-with-flex-sip-lid-20-fl-oz&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">See at REI</a><br>The Hydro Flask Coffee is comfortable to drink from and easy to tote around on your next adventure thanks to its strong rubber carry loop.</p><p><strong>Best flip-top:</strong> Miir Travel Tumbler - <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=8e3f7b7cafb54f3bd2d283b9aa1c8ecaf9ab5d827ae36e495fad9a7d25332022&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07GQ4ZLW6&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">See at Amazon</a><br>Pair an easy-clean lid with 5 hours of hot and cold temperature retention and you get the solid performance of the Miir Travel Mug.</p><p><strong>Best spill-proof:</strong> Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug - <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=c37e4d9b3b3b0d3ec426279bb849df79a2a208c11114fc3ad6967917dd36243b&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB07L6N2641&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">See at Amazon</a><br>The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug opens with the press of a button and automatically seals itself shut so you won't have to worry about whether you remembered to close it.</p><p><strong>Best large-capacity:</strong> Yeti Rambler Bottle with <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=305e0e84360824aadab6df1d0123e0487041a7edeb4e0e4693e703326b82b11b&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB07G3BW24T%2Fref%3Das_li_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26tag%3Dbiipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20%26camp%3D1789%26creative%3D9325%26linkCode%3Das2%26creativeASIN%3DB07G3BW24T%26linkId%3D40c44af7d64c60aaffa3eb0f771d3417&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">HotShot Cap</a> - <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=eaec19672b5084064981308e3f80ba7f790d79e4f1a455313700e65d993e7529&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB0842S56G8&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">See at Amazon</a><br>If a single cup of coffee simply won't cut it, the Yeti Rambler 26-oz. Bottle has more than enough room to keep you fueled up, and the HotShot Cap makes it go down easy.</p><div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-travel-mug">Insider</a></div>

Prices are accurate at the time of publication.

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

We can't decide what's worse for a morning commute: coffee going cold or going all over your clothes. Any mug with a lid that you can carry from place to place is technically a travel mug, but the best travel mugs keep your iced or hot beverage to temperature, won't leak all over your bag, and are easy to keep clean.

We put a dozen of the best travel mugs to the test, evaluating each for how well it retained temperature, how easy it was to clean, and most importantly, how nice it was to drink from. After more than eight months of testing, the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug stood out as the clear winner, keeping drinks to temperature for hours longer than any other mugs we tested. Our other favorites include a large capacity Yeti Rambler that holds 26 ounces of coffee, tea, or anything else you need to travel with in bulk.

Our top picks for travel mugs

Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug - See at Amazon The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug keeps both hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.

Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid - See at REI The Hydro Flask Coffee is comfortable to drink from and easy to tote around on your next adventure thanks to its strong rubber carry loop.

Best flip-top: Miir Travel Tumbler - See at Amazon Pair an easy-clean lid with 5 hours of hot and cold temperature retention and you get the solid performance of the Miir Travel Mug.

Best spill-proof: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug - See at Amazon The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug opens with the press of a button and automatically seals itself shut so you won't have to worry about whether you remembered to close it.

Best large-capacity:  Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap - See at Amazon If a single cup of coffee simply won't cut it, the Yeti Rambler 26-oz. Bottle has more than enough room to keep you fueled up, and the HotShot Cap makes it go down easy.

<div class="bi-product-card"><div class="product-card-options"><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HYOGTTG?th=1"><span>$25.99 FROM AMAZON</span></a></div></div></div></div><p><strong>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HYOGTTG?th=1" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored">Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug</a> keeps both hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.</strong></p><p><strong>Pros:</strong> Best temperature retention by far, lid is easy to clean, leak-proof locking lid, one-handed operation, five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation</p><p><strong>Cons:</strong> Not dishwasher safe, won't fit large ice cubes, will rattle around in cupholders</p><p>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HYOGTTG?th=1" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored">Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug</a> is, without a doubt, the best travel mug you can buy. Yes, that's a bold statement, but we've got the data to back it up.</p><p>Based on our test, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HYOGTTG?th=1" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored">Zojirushi</a> mug was able to keep coffee hot for 14 hours, which was an impressive five hours longer than the next-best mug we tested. And it's not just for hot beverages either. It kept ice frozen for seven hours — which was a solid hour and a half longer than the next best mug.</p><p>Beyond its insulation features, it also features a spring-loaded, push-button lid that flips open to a well-sized drinking spout. When closed, it's leak-proof, and it even has a handy switch at the base of the lid that locks it shut so you can confidently toss it in your bag.</p><p>The lid easily disassembles for a thorough cleaning, though unfortunately, you will have to do that by hand. Zojirushi also offers a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation, so if your mug ever loses its ability to retain temperature, Zojirushi will replace it. — <em>Jen Gushue</em></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-travel-mug" rel="noopener">Check out our guide on the best travel mugs</a></strong></p>

Best overall: Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug

  • Heat retention: 14 hours
  • Ice retention: 7 hours
  • Leak-proof:  Yes
  • Lid style:  Locking spring-loaded push-button flip top
  • Dishwasher safe: No

Pros: Best temperature retention by far, lid is easy to clean, leak-proof locking lid, one-handed operation, five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation

Cons: Not dishwasher safe, won't fit large ice cubes, will rattle around in cupholders

It's rare that we at Insider Reviews come across a product that is so head and shoulders above the competition that it's without a doubt the best overall pick; there's almost always a shortcoming or a caveat. But the Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug is, hands down, the best travel mug you can buy, and we've got the data to back it up.

According to our test, the Zojirushi kept coffee hot for five hours longer than the next-best mug and kept ice frozen for an hour and a half longer than second place. Les Shu, Insider Reviews senior guides editor who helped me with secondary testing, found that it kept liquids hotter far longer if you don't open the lid as often.

The lid flips open to reveal a sizeable drinking spout that regulates liquid well, whether you're pouring it into a cup or your mouth. When closed, a switch at the base of the lid locks it shut so you can confidently toss it in your bag.

The lid disassembles into two plastic pieces and two rubber gaskets, so you can get into all the nooks and crannies as you clean it. It's a skinny mug too, so you'll want to invest in a good bottle brush. Because it's so skinny, you may have trouble fitting large ice cubes into it. It may also rattle around in your car's cupholder. But we're being nitpicky here.

If you want the best travel mug to keep your coffee hot the longest and provide the best drinking experience, this is your pick. Zojirushi also offers a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation, so if your mug loses its ability to retain temperature, Zojirushi will replace it.

<div class="bi-product-card"><div class="product-card-options"><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=81f47ae2c5eb1047d5ccfc65eb2466f2895b33d01a185bcd6f7a2fb959435a1a&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickssportinggoods.com%2Fp%2Fhydro-flask-flex-sip-16-ozbottle-19hflu16zwdmthcffhyd%2F19hflu16zwdmthcffhyd%3Fsku%3D21465358&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$24.71 FROM DICK'S SPORTING GOODS</span></a></div><div class="product-card-deal">Originally $32.95 | Save 25%</div></div><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://www.rei.com/product/169962/hydro-flask-coffee-with-flex-sip-lid-20-fl-oz"><span>$26.19 FROM REI</span></a></div><div class="product-card-deal">Originally $34.95 | Save 25%</div></div></div></div><ul><li><strong>Heat retention: </strong>5 hours</li><li><strong>Ice retention: </strong>4.5 hours</li><li><strong>Leak-proof: </strong>Yes</li><li><strong>Lid style: </strong>Twist</li><li><strong>Dishwasher safe:</strong> Yes, on top rack</li></ul><p><strong>Pros:</strong> Rubber carry loop, comfortable to drink from, lid disassembles easily, dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty</p><p><strong>Cons:</strong> Retained coffee smell, rubber loop may not be durable enough for attaching to packs</p><p>As much as I love the Zojirushi mug, it can get annoying to carry it around if you're roaming around bag-free or just don't have anywhere to stow it. The Hydro Flask Coffee helps mitigate this problem with the addition of a sturdy rubber carry loop. While walking around with it, I primarily held onto the loop with one or two fingers.</p><p>The Hydro Flask also provided one of the nicest drinking experiences of all the mugs we tested. The lid mechanism is simple, the liquid flows well, and there's no large lid mechanism to get in the way while you're drinking. When closed, the lid reveals a red square so you can quickly see that your mug is sealed. The lid disassembles into three plastic pieces and one rubber gasket.</p><p>We did find that the stainless steel retained some coffee smell after repeated use, so you may want to dedicate this mug to one type of beverage.</p><p>While the lid system does a good job of keeping it sealed, it does require two hands to open. If you're jostled while the lid is open, you might encounter a small spill. This was a rare occurrence, but drivers and commuters may want to keep this in mind.</p><p>This was a tough call in our best travel mug with a carry loop  The <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=ebdbb7dc7c9aac58681223c9a3e4bc4de587a8a7a332b499f7b50c4996215c7a&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB07NRCGYY6%2Fref%3Das_li_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26tag%3Dbiipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20%26camp%3D1789%26creative%3D9325%26linkCode%3Das2%26creativeASIN%3DB07NRCGYY6%26linkId%3Df8a2a1bca55e4dda79e5e67d795f901c&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide</a> actually beat out the Hydro Flask in both temperature tests, albeit by small margins, and we like the metal carry loop for durability. But the Klean Kanteen lid is difficult to disassemble for proper cleaning, and the metal carry loop is uncomfortable if you're carrying it by hand. The Hydro Flask just offered a nicer drinking experience. </p>

Best with a carry loop: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

  • Heat retention: 5 hours
  • Ice retention: 4.5 hours
  • Lid style:  Twist
  • Dishwasher safe: Yes, on top rack

Pros: Rubber carry loop, comfortable to drink from, lid disassembles easily, dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty

Cons: Retained coffee smell, rubber loop may not be durable enough for attaching to packs

As much as I love the Zojirushi mug, it can get annoying to carry it around if you're roaming around bag-free or just don't have anywhere to stow it. The Hydro Flask Coffee helps mitigate this problem with the addition of a sturdy rubber carry loop. While walking around with it, I primarily held onto the loop with one or two fingers.

The Hydro Flask also provided one of the nicest drinking experiences of all the mugs we tested. The lid mechanism is simple, the liquid flows well, and there's no large lid mechanism to get in the way while you're drinking. When closed, the lid reveals a red square so you can quickly see that your mug is sealed. The lid disassembles into three plastic pieces and one rubber gasket.

We did find that the stainless steel retained some coffee smell after repeated use, so you may want to dedicate this mug to one type of beverage.

While the lid system does a good job of keeping it sealed, it does require two hands to open. If you're jostled while the lid is open, you might encounter a small spill. This was a rare occurrence, but drivers and commuters may want to keep this in mind.

This was a tough call in our best travel mug with a carry loop  The Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide actually beat out the Hydro Flask in both temperature tests, albeit by small margins, and we like the metal carry loop for durability. But the Klean Kanteen lid is difficult to disassemble for proper cleaning, and the metal carry loop is uncomfortable if you're carrying it by hand. The Hydro Flask just offered a nicer drinking experience. 

<div class="bi-product-card"><div class="product-card-options"><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=8e3f7b7cafb54f3bd2d283b9aa1c8ecaf9ab5d827ae36e495fad9a7d25332022&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07GQ4ZLW6&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$32.99 FROM AMAZON</span></a></div></div><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://www.miir.com/products/flip-traveler?variant=40344621744202"><span>$27.95 FROM MIIR</span></a></div></div></div></div><ul><li><strong>Heat retention:</strong> 5 hours</li><li><strong>Ice retention: </strong>5 hours</li><li><strong>Leak-proof: </strong>Yes</li><li><strong>Lid style: </strong>Flip-top</li><li><strong>Dishwasher safe: </strong>Yes</li></ul><p><strong>Pros:</strong> Simple lid is easy to clean, stays leak-proof even after repeated use</p><p><strong>Cons:</strong> Too large for some cupholders, handwash only, won't keep ice frozen for very long</p><p>We disqualified more than one travel mug simply due to their exceedingly complicated lid mechanisms. A lid that's too hard to disassemble and clean will discourage you from washing it properly which can lead to mold growth. Flip-top lids are often one piece and the most simple, so mold has nowhere to hide.</p><p>The best flip-top travel mug we tried was the Miir Travel Tumbler. (We did love the S'well Commuter, but it's no longer available for purchase.) It was competitive in both our hot and cold temperature retention tests, despite the thinner construction that makes it easier to fit in cupholders. </p><p>The flip-top was is slightly stiff and lies almost flush with the lid, so it's not the easiest to open. However, it preserves the benefit of the flip-top by being a breeze to clean.</p>

Best flip-top: Miir Travel Tumbler

  • Ice retention: 5 hours
  • Lid style:  Flip-top
  • Dishwasher safe: Yes

Pros: Simple lid is easy to clean, stays leak-proof even after repeated use

Cons: Too large for some cupholders, handwash only, won't keep ice frozen for very long

We disqualified more than one travel mug simply due to their exceedingly complicated lid mechanisms. A lid that's too hard to disassemble and clean will discourage you from washing it properly which can lead to mold growth. Flip-top lids are often one piece and the most simple, so mold has nowhere to hide.

The best flip-top travel mug we tried was the Miir Travel Tumbler. (We did love the S'well Commuter, but it's no longer available for purchase.) It was competitive in both our hot and cold temperature retention tests, despite the thinner construction that makes it easier to fit in cupholders. 

The flip-top was is slightly stiff and lies almost flush with the lid, so it's not the easiest to open. However, it preserves the benefit of the flip-top by being a breeze to clean.

<div class="bi-product-card"><div class="product-card-options"><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=9306da790ecbf233832bb33f9e3ae955a6c6bdde86d4f293edf95b16bf0bd246&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB07L6N2641%2F&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$23.62 FROM AMAZON</span></a></div><div class="product-card-deal">Originally $25.00 | Save 6%</div></div><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://www.stanley1913.com/products/classic-trigger-action-travel-mug-16-oz?variant=34150901317691"><span>$25.00 FROM STANLEY</span></a></div></div></div></div><ul><li><strong>Heat retention: </strong>6 hours</li><li><strong>Ice retention: </strong>4 hours</li><li><strong>Leak-proof: </strong>Yes</li><li><strong>Lid style: </strong>Auto-sealing push-button</li><li><strong>Dishwasher safe: </strong>Yes</li></ul><p><strong>Pros:</strong> Automatically seals when not in use, dishwasher-safe, lifetime warranty</p><p><strong>Cons: </strong>Hand may get in the way while drinking, middling temperature retention</p><p>Even the most leak-proof mug is going to spill if you knock it over while the lid is open. If you know you're prone to spills or simply have too many important papers on your desk at any given time, do yourself a favor and invest in a mug that's totally klutz-proof.</p><p>The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Mug automatically seals when not in use, helping to retain temperature as well as ensure all your coffee stays where it's supposed to. To drink, you simply press and hold down the button on the lid which depresses the stopper in the spout and lets liquid flow. Upon releasing the button, the stopper raises back up to seal the spout. </p><p>The Stanley performed admirably in our temperature tests — firmly middle of the pack. The lid mechanism is a bit complicated, with buttons and springs, so you'll want to regularly disassemble it and get into the nooks and crannies with a brush to ensure it doesn't harbor mold, especially around the metal spring. It disassembles into two pieces with a simple twist.</p><p>The main disadvantage to this mug is also its main draw — you have to press the button to drink. The button is positioned on the back of the lid, so you may find your own hand gets in the way of drinking, especially if your hand is larger. The button is also why this is one of Les Shu's favorites, who has been using it nonstop since early 2019.</p>

Best spill-proof: Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

  • Heat retention: 6 hours
  • Ice retention: 4 hours
  • Lid style: Auto-sealing push-button

Pros: Automatically seals when not in use, dishwasher-safe, lifetime warranty

Cons:  Hand may get in the way while drinking, middling temperature retention

Even the most leak-proof mug is going to spill if you knock it over while the lid is open. If you know you're prone to spills or simply have too many important papers on your desk at any given time, do yourself a favor and invest in a mug that's totally klutz-proof.

The Stanley Classic Trigger Action Mug automatically seals when not in use, helping to retain temperature as well as ensure all your coffee stays where it's supposed to. To drink, you simply press and hold down the button on the lid which depresses the stopper in the spout and lets liquid flow. Upon releasing the button, the stopper raises back up to seal the spout. 

The Stanley performed admirably in our temperature tests — firmly middle of the pack. The lid mechanism is a bit complicated, with buttons and springs, so you'll want to regularly disassemble it and get into the nooks and crannies with a brush to ensure it doesn't harbor mold, especially around the metal spring. It disassembles into two pieces with a simple twist.

The main disadvantage to this mug is also its main draw — you have to press the button to drink. The button is positioned on the back of the lid, so you may find your own hand gets in the way of drinking, especially if your hand is larger. The button is also why this is one of Les Shu's favorites, who has been using it nonstop since early 2019.

<h3>Yeti 26-oz. Rambler Bottle</h3><div class="bi-product-card"><div class="product-card-options"><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=e84b41ccad2439cb5062382871b215ff7e8798caee27f2d99206d9ca5f442f01&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB0842S56G8%2F&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$39.98 FROM AMAZON</span></a></div></div><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=e870d09c99457bfe9828c3c1f29926294995df5ed79dbc9ccead4e2b5773d742&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yeti.com%2Fen_US%2Fdrinkware%2Frambler-26-oz-bottle-with-chug-cap%2FYRAMCC26.html&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$39.99 FROM YETI</span></a></div></div></div></div><h3>Yeti HotShot Cap</h3><div class="bi-product-card"><div class="product-card-options"><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=7b93f3bb413b716e2b4ee62f81f691ed54df24db1d5d21fc86208f3b3c1472cd&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB07G3BW24T&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$12.98 FROM AMAZON</span></a></div></div><div class="product-card-option"><div class="product-card-button"><a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=d6988e6f6a756daba74e96cba171e97fdcf34fd34266cfebfdb35695390a7409&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yeti.com%2Fen_US%2Faccessories%2Frambler-bottle-hotshot-cap%2F21070100004.html&utm_source=msn_reviews"><span>$12.99 FROM YETI</span></a></div></div></div></div><ul><li><strong>Heat retention: </strong>9 hours</li><li><strong>Ice retention: </strong>3 hours</li><li><strong>Leak-proof: </strong>Yes</li><li><strong>Lid style: </strong>HotShot is twist-lock, Chug Cap is twist-off</li><li><strong>Dishwasher safe: </strong>Yes</li></ul><p><strong>Pros: </strong>Offered in larger sizes than any other mug we tested, retains heat very well, dishwasher safe, very sturdy build</p><p><strong>Cons:</strong> Retains cold poorly, HotShot lid sold separately, HotShot lid gives no visual indication that it's open, definitely won't fit in cupholders</p><p>The Yeti Rambler Bottle comes in smaller 12-oz. and 18-oz. offerings, but the unique 26-oz. model is what caught our eye for best travel mug testing. Most of the travel mugs we recommend come in multiple sizes, but they all max out at 20 ounces. If you're used to guzzling large amounts of your beverage of choice, and you can't be bothered with a refill, you'll want a travel mug to match your habits.</p><p>The Rambler Bottle comes with what Yeti calls its Chug Cap — think classic soda bottle top with a large-handled lid that twists all the way off. It's great for water, iced coffee, and other cold drinks, but if hot beverages are your main priority, you'll want to buy the HotShot Cap which is sold separately.</p><p>Senior Guides Editor Les Shu and I were split in our feelings on the HotShot. He appreciates the inner wall and the tight lock that keep spills at bay, while I was disappointed that it gave no visual indication that it was open or closed.</p><p>If by some chance, 26 ounces isn't enough coffee to get you going in the morning, Yeti also offers a huge <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biipgf_051517_best-travel-mugs-20&h=fb85d22bdd909f1bf5aba1aa9e35a85d49705b2e196916662eaa5218633572a7&platform=msn_reviews&postID=61b8efc6f2a36b1ac9f41c50&postSlug=guides%2Fkitchen%2Fbest-travel-mug&site=in&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FYETI-Rambler-Bottle-Insulated-Stainless%2Fdp%2FB09X8X64PM&utm_source=msn_reviews" rel="noopener">36-oz. Rambler Bottle</a>.</p>

Best large-capacity: Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap

Yeti 26-oz. rambler bottle, yeti hotshot cap.

  • Heat retention: 9 hours
  • Ice retention: 3 hours
  • Lid style: HotShot is twist-lock, Chug Cap is twist-off

Pros:  Offered in larger sizes than any other mug we tested, retains heat very well, dishwasher safe, very sturdy build

Cons: Retains cold poorly, HotShot lid sold separately, HotShot lid gives no visual indication that it's open, definitely won't fit in cupholders

The Yeti Rambler Bottle comes in smaller 12-oz. and 18-oz. offerings, but the unique 26-oz. model is what caught our eye for best travel mug testing. Most of the travel mugs we recommend come in multiple sizes, but they all max out at 20 ounces. If you're used to guzzling large amounts of your beverage of choice, and you can't be bothered with a refill, you'll want a travel mug to match your habits.

The Rambler Bottle comes with what Yeti calls its Chug Cap — think classic soda bottle top with a large-handled lid that twists all the way off. It's great for water, iced coffee, and other cold drinks, but if hot beverages are your main priority, you'll want to buy the HotShot Cap which is sold separately.

Senior Guides Editor Les Shu and I were split in our feelings on the HotShot. He appreciates the inner wall and the tight lock that keep spills at bay, while I was disappointed that it gave no visual indication that it was open or closed.

If by some chance, 26 ounces isn't enough coffee to get you going in the morning, Yeti also offers a huge 36-oz. Rambler Bottle .

coffee mug travel best

Our temperature retention test results

<p>In order to test the best travel mugs, we established several criteria we hoped each of our top picks would meet. Our initial testing period lasted one month, but we are still testing long-term durability in case issues arise. </p><p><strong>Temperature retention</strong>: To test heat retention, we filled each mug with water heated to 136 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for hot beverages <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305417907002550?via%3Dihub=#!" rel="noopener">according to a study</a> by the University of Texas. We then tested the temperature hourly and noted change. Once the temperature dropped 25 degrees, we deemed the beverage too cold to drink and ended the test. To test cold retention, we filled each mug with 45-degree water straight from the refrigerator. We added three ice cubes and timed how long the ice remained frozen.</p><p><strong>Leak test: </strong>We filled each travel mug with water and turned it upside down and shook it for a total of 30 seconds. We performed this test once at the beginning of our testing period and again at the end to ensure each mug stayed leak-proof even after repeated use.</p><p><strong>Ease of use and cleaning</strong>: We wanted to test how easy each mug was to drink from while on the go. We noted how easy each mug was to operate with one hand. We also noted how well the liquid flowed out of each and whether or not they fit in standard car cupholders. We took into account how easy each mug was to clean. Many of these mugs have complex lids that can harbor mold if not properly sanitized. If lids were too complicated, difficult to disassemble or reassemble, or began to show signs of mold even after what we thought was a thorough cleaning, the mug lost major points.</p>

How we tested

In order to test the best travel mugs, we established several criteria we hoped each of our top picks would meet. Our initial testing period lasted one month, but we are still testing long-term durability in case issues arise. 

Temperature retention : To test heat retention, we filled each mug with water heated to 136 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for hot beverages according to a study by the University of Texas. We then tested the temperature hourly and noted change. Once the temperature dropped 25 degrees, we deemed the beverage too cold to drink and ended the test. To test cold retention, we filled each mug with 45-degree water straight from the refrigerator. We added three ice cubes and timed how long the ice remained frozen.

Leak test: We filled each travel mug with water and turned it upside down and shook it for a total of 30 seconds. We performed this test once at the beginning of our testing period and again at the end to ensure each mug stayed leak-proof even after repeated use.

Ease of use and cleaning : We wanted to test how easy each mug was to drink from while on the go. We noted how easy each mug was to operate with one hand. We also noted how well the liquid flowed out of each and whether or not they fit in standard car cupholders. We took into account how easy each mug was to clean. Many of these mugs have complex lids that can harbor mold if not properly sanitized. If lids were too complicated, difficult to disassemble or reassemble, or began to show signs of mold even after what we thought was a thorough cleaning, the mug lost major points.

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coffee mug travel best

5 Best Lead-Free Travel Mugs

coffee mug travel best

Shop this list of lead-free travel mugs to eliminate any risk of exposure to lead. Each of these options have their own unique features.

Angelica Wilson

Published Mar 18, 2024

Earlier this year, it was found that a popular travel mug brand uses lead in its manufacturing process. However, that brand is not alone. Several brands of travel mugs still use lead to make their cups . Fortunately, there are lead-free travel mugs on the market.

While there’s a high chance you won’t be exposed to the lead in a travel mug, the impact of the exposure isn’t worth the risk. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. Over time, high levels of lead exposure can lead to increased blood pressure, hypertension, decreased kidney function and reproductive issues in adults.

What Types of Travel Mugs are Lead-Free?

In general, ceramic and borosilicate glass travel mugs are lead-free. However, some ceramic glazes may contain lead, according to a post by the Food and Drug Administration . Borosilicate glass is a food-safe material that is both BPA- and lead-free, making it the perfect mug to purchase to avoid lead exposure. It is critical to determine if the travel mug is made with borosilicate glass or regular glass. Some manufacturers use lead to help melt glass before molding it into shape. 

A few mug brands that create stainless steel products, like Owala and Hydro Flask, also don’t use lead in their manufacturing processes.

  • Best Adjustable Lid: Owala 40 oz Stainless Steel Tumbler
  • Best Dishwasher Safe Mug: Hydro Flask 32 oz All Around Travel Tumbler  
  • Best Leak-Proof Mug: BLACK + BLUM 11 oz Glass Travel Cup
  • Best Microwave Safe: United By Blue 10 oz Insulated Stoneware Travel Mug
  • Best Straw Options: Tronco 40 oz Glass Tumbler with Handle

Best Adjustable Lid

Owala’s stainless steel tumbler.

coffee mug travel best

Owala’s Stainless Steel Tumbler is a lead-free travel mug with an adjustable tab on the lid. When closed, you can use the included  straw to take hands-free sips. This tumbler is double wall isolated, so the outside won’t get wet as it keeps your drink cold. Grab yours in one of six colors. 

Best Dishwasher Safe Mug

Hydro flask’s all around travel tumbler.

coffee mug travel best

Hydro Flask’s All Around Travel Tumbler is another stainless steel travel mug that is completely dishwasher safe. The durable lead-free travel mug also comes with a unique splash-resistant lid and straw. Once locked in place, you won’t have to worry about a little bump causing your drink to splash all over the place. Shop it in 14 colors.   

Best Leak-Proof Mug

Black + blum’s glass travel cup.

coffee mug travel best

BLACK + BLUM’s Glass Travel Cup is a lead-free travel mug that’s leak-proof. The lid of this cup features a locking straw that eliminates the chances for leaks and spills when closed. Beneath the silicone surface, this cup is made of borosilicate glass, which is naturally lead-free. Shop this travel mug in four colors.   

Best Microwave-Safe

United by blue’s insulated stoneware travel mug.

coffee mug travel best

United By Blue’s Insulated Stoneware Travel Mug is made of microwave-safe, lead-free ceramic. The body of the cup is double wall isolated, so that your hands won’t feel the heat or chill of your drink. The hand-painted travel mug also comes with a closable spout lid.

Best Straw Options

Tronco’s glass tumbler.

coffee mug travel best

Tronco’s Glass Tumbler is another lead-free travel mug that comes with two different straws. The borosilicate glass tumbler includes a slender straw for sipping on drinks like iced coffee or water. There’s also a wider straw that can handle bubble tea and smoothies. It comes with a non-slip silicone sleeve that fits around the bottom half of this lead-free travel mug. 

Our editors love finding you the best products and offers! If you purchase something by clicking on one of the affiliate links on our website, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 

7 Best Front-Loading Washing Machines of 2024, Tested by Cleaning Pros

These are our favorite front loaders for a deep clean.

6 best frontloading washing machines, according to cleaning experts

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Machines with a front door (rather than top lid) get props for energy efficiency, lower water use and ease of stacking with dryers. Plus, they often excel in our Good Housekeeping Institute 's Home Care and Cleaning Lab tests.

Our top picks:

TWINWash High Efficiency Smart Front-Load Washer

Best Overall

Lg signature twinwash high efficiency smart front-load washer.

UltraFresh Vent System Smart Front-Load Washer

GE UltraFresh Vent System Smart Front-Load Washer

Smart Front Load Washer/Dryer Combo

Most Innovative

Ge smart front load washer/dryer combo.

Front Load EcoTub Compact Washer

Best Eco-Conscious

Beko front load ecotub compact washer.

Bespoke Smart Front-Load Washer

Samsung Bespoke Smart Front-Load Washer

Smart Electric Single Unit WashTower

Best Stacked Washing Machine and Dryer Set

Lg smart electric single unit washtower.

Front Load Washer with QuickIntenseWash Option

Best Compact

Miele front load washer with quickintensewash option.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has a long, proud history of testing washers and other appliances for more than a century, since back when primitive washing machines were housed in rounded wood cabinets and others were secured to the floor so they wouldn't "walk" across the room. To help you improve laundry days , we evaluated 18 of the latest models in our most recent Lab tests. We run dozens of wash cycles to assess everything from cleaning performance and stain removal to the machine’s gentleness, water and energy consumption, specialty cycles, ease of use and much more.

After you’ve reviewed our front-loading picks, scroll down for info on how we test, whether a front or top loader is best for you and shopping guidance. For additional shopping pointers, check our lists of the best washing machines , top-loading washing machines and clothes dryers .

If you have a large family and do heaps and basketfuls of laundry, consider this mega machine with a capacity of 5.8 cubic feet. We were impressed with its smart features, such as remote operation via the app, compatibility with Amazon's Alexa speaker, a child lock and SenseClean technology, which automatically adjusts water levels and wash time for optimized performance.

Use the sleek, intuitive control panel integrated into the door to choose from 14 wash programs, including delicates, speed wash, permanent press and more. It's pricey, but it has nice extras like the ability to select from five soil levels and four spin cycles to customize each cycle. LG washers have performed well in our previous hands-on tests and this model's predecessor worked hard for years and years in our Lab without a hiccup.

If your household generates constant laundry — or you want the flexibility to do a smaller load when needed sometimes— add the LG SideKick Pedestal Washer (purchased separately). This bonus top loader is installed underneath to give you a grand total of 6.8 cubic feet (and make an already tall machine even taller).

This GE not only capably aced our extensive Lab tests, but it features helpful shortcuts and extras. The wash cycles were speedy and effective, removing stains thoroughly in both warm and cold water. The SmartDispense bulk liquid detergent dispenser holds up to 32 doses and automatically measures the right amount based on cycle.

Use built-in Wi-Fi to connect to smart devices and start or stop the machine without leaving your couch. We also like the wash-and-dry option to launder and air-dry smaller loads without having to move them to the dryer.

Best of all, this model's UltraFresh Vent cycle helps protect against the lingering, musty smell caused by water puddling inside , a common problem with front-loading washing machines . You can choose the unique venting feature to dry the interior and door seal after a wash load. Though this cycle takes eight hours, we found the drum and door seal were moisture-free afterward. Some reviewers said they wished the washer were a bit quieter, but its features make up for that.

The new GE Profile two -in-one washer and dryer is a major timesaver that revolutionizes the way you do laundry , so much so that we gave it a Good Housekeeping Cleaning & Organizing Award . Instead of spending a lot of time going back and forth to switch the wash, you can put in a load, then set it and forget it until it's clean and dry.

In Lab tests, we found that the washer cleaned well and the ventless dryer with heat pump technology was efficient and gentle. A normal wash-and-dry cycle took about two hours total.

The app and controls were easy to use and the model occupies about the same space as a single machine. It performed well in our tangling tests, keeping shirts and sheets from getting tied up in knots. Like our other favorites, this uses Microban technology to help keep the machine fresh and clean while preventing the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

At 4.8 cubic feet, it holds a sizable load (although not the largest). While it is one of the pricier options on this list, you get both a washer and dryer, and the space-saving design is worth it if you live in a smaller place.

This model won a GH Sustainable Innovation Award for its RecycledTub manufactured from 60 repurposed plastic water bottles . With 15 unique cycles including pet care, a steam function and app connectivity, the Beko EcoTub with child lock is comparable to larger models with its options, offering a great value. In Lab tests, the display controls were easy to navigate and neither cleaning performance nor fabric care was compromised by the tub's recycled materials.

We love that when you're in a hurry, this model can do a quick wash cycle in cold water in just 28 minutes, which is more cost-conscious than a full hot-water cycle. But the washer's capacity is only 2.3 cubic feet, making it most suitable for small families and cozy spaces. Its compact size also makes it a great choice for large families looking to install a second washer at home.

This Samsung model runs quietly, cleans effectively and has impressive smart extras. The feature that stood out to our Lab experts: OptiWash detects soil levels and adjusts automatically to add more time or more detergent when needed. The Brushed Navy color looks modern and sleek but the washer also comes in stainless steel if you prefer .

We found the Samsung SmartThings app easy and fun to use. You can schedule wash cycles, receive alerts when the laundry is clean and remotely stop or start the wash. After a few uses, the machine remembered our favorite cycles. We like its large capacity and auto-dispense system that holds up to 20 doses of detergent and fabric softener.

If you don't have much space, consider stacking the matching dryer on top. You can set it up so the dryer can be operated from the washer's control panel, so you don't have to reach. If you change your mind, or your laundry room design, the washer and dryer can be installed side-by-side. Some online reviewers reported that it can be hard to find repair services for Samsung appliances.

To use space efficiently in an apartment, condo, small house or even deep closet with water and power connections, we like the LG WashTower washer-and-dryer set. Most front-loading machines can be stacked, but this tops that. It is one unit with the control panel conveniently located in the middle where it's easy to reach.

The tower is equipped with features to access via the ThinQ smart device app and uses AI technology for sensors that customize wash and dry cycles based on detected fabric texture and load size. You can receive alerts when the wash is done.

In the Lab, we found the unit easy to load and unload. Cycles were fast, gentle and effective and you can choose a steam option to freshen up lightly worn items. After almost two years of regular use, we've never noticed a musty odor and the dryer still performs as well as when it was brand new.

The 4.5-cubic-foot washer capacity should be big enough for most families. One drawback: If the washer or dryer fails and can't be fixed, you will have to replace both.

At 24 inches wide, this compact model from a high-end brand fits in small spaces yet performs in a big way, with 25 wash programs . We especially liked QuickIntenseWash. In our Lab rounds, this faster cycle — which completes in 49 minutes — capably erased stains on our test swatches. It's great when you're in a hurry and need to wash a soccer uniform or top and still get to the field or office on time.

The model features TwinDos Automatic Detergent Dispensing, a two-phase liquid detergent dosing system, which the company says saves 30%, on average on detergent use versus manually adding it. If you live in a small home, condo or apartment, we think this is a worthy investment. Miele also makes a matching 24-inch dryer to complete the set.

How we test front-loading washing machines

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We've been in a constant round of testing washing machines in our Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab since the first one hit the market in 1907. We base our reviews on rigorous industry standards set by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).

a stain swatch with 6 stains placed on a load of sheets in a front loading washing machine

To grade the cleaning power of each washing machine, we use stain swatch strips with six pre-marked sections (pictured here): An unstained (or control) sample, sebum (body oil), carbon black (mineral oil), blood, cocoa and red wine. We carefully place the strips in the same place on each load and use the same liquid detergent across the test, running each machine three times.

After the wash cycle, we air-dry the strips and measure the stains remaining, using DigiEye technology, to calculate a stain removal index. We also check specialty cycles, such as bulky bedding or speed wash, to see if they perform to our expectations and verify that any sanitizing cycle hits a high enough temperature for the required amount of time to adequately kill germs on fabrics. In our tangling tests, we wash items likely to get twisted, such as shirts and sheets, to see if they emerge knotted up or separate.

Next, we evaluate gentleness of the machines by washing cotton swatches that come with five pre-cut holes. After a wash cycle, the holes are frayed, and the more fraying, the more damaging the cycle.

We recently tested six new washing machines, bringing our total up to 18, and counted over 1,000 frayed threads ! We also check the water and energy usage of each model and score how easy it is to open and close the door, load in a set amount of laundry and use the control panel. We then evaluate the owner's manual — something many buyers like to keep for years and years — for clarity and completeness.

What to look for when shopping for the best front-loading washing machine

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Be informed about the latest washing machine options, but don't get lured into paying for a model with more fancy features than you need, our Lab experts say. Here's what's important to know:

✔️ Capacity: Some drums are smaller and more compact, while others can handle jumbo loads. Standard capacity is around 3 to 4 cubic feet and should comfortably hold a queen-sized comforter, while extra-large capacity is about 5 cubic feet or more and should be able to hold multiple comforters, pillows or sleeping bags. Before you buy, double-check the maximum capacity so you don't end up with a washer that's too small for the average size of your loads.

✔️ Energy Star certification: An Energy Star rating means a washer is more energy-efficient than the minimum guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A lower rating helps conserve electric water heater use and water, both of which power washing machines, thus trimming your utility bills. New government Energy Department standards starting in 2028 will update energy-efficiency requirements for residential washers and dryers, helping both consumers and the planet.

✔️ Smart features: Many new washers now have built-in Wi-Fi so you can connect them to compatible, timesaving apps on your smartphone. This perk lets you start or stop the washer from other rooms as well as get notifications on when the cycle stops.

✔️ Cycle options: Do you wash a lot of lacy bras and delicates? Silks? Bulky items? Look for a model that offers a variety of cycles as well as customization options, even sensors that detect and adjust to fabric and load size.

✔️ Detergent dispensing: Some front loaders now have dispensers that do the math for you, automatically sensing the right amount of detergent for each load. With some models, you can pour in a whole bottle so you don't have to measure every time.

✔️ Warranty: Check online, in store or by calling the manufacturer to find out how many years of use the company warranty covers, and read the fine print.

What's the difference between a front-loading vs. top-loading washing machine?

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Front-loading washing machines perform a bit better in our Cleaning Lab tests, but both types work so well that you probably wouldn't notice a difference in your laundry. It's about personal preference. But know these facts:

  • A front-loading washing machine is most energy-efficient, using the least water. Clothes tumble in a small pool of water. A front loader can handle big, bulky items, like comforters and sleeping bags.

In tight spaces, a front-loading washing machine can be stacked with a matching dryer in a closet, bathroom or any narrow area with water and utility connections and venting. (But in our tests, non-venting dryers now rival the performance of vented ones.)

A downside: Water can puddle in the door gasket, dispensers and drum, leading to mold and odors. You need to clean and dry those parts and leave the door ajar. Some models are built to help stop mold, such as our Best Value GE UltraFresh Vent System Smart Front-Load Washer.

To avoid back strain when loading and unloading, consider adding a pedestal to raise the machine, if the company has one. It makes the door easier to reach and provides storage space for laundry products.

  • A top-loading washing machine is more traditional. The water drains down and out, so the washer is less likely to develop mold and odors than a front loader is. Still, it’s a good idea to clean the washing machine , especially the tub and dispensers, about once a month.

Newer, high-efficiency top loaders clean very well and are energy-efficient even though they use more water. Models with agitators in the center may be less expensive, but use the most water and are a little less gentle on fabrics. Single-dose detergent packs are more likely to dissolve fully in a top-loading machine.

A drawback: Some top-loading machines are so deep that reaching in to grab the last sock can be challenging for shorter consumers.

Do washing machines in designer colors cost more?

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Yes, washing machines, dryers and other major appliances in stylish hues do cost more, often at least several hundred dollars more, than original, basic white ones (though maybe not some of the fancier modern whites from high-end labels). Newer colors include Candy Apple Red, Forest Green and Champagne.

You can trace the trend to 1955, when GE rolled out colorful kitchen appliances in Petal Pink, Canary Yellow, Cadet Blue, Turquoise Green and other "Mix-or-Match" colors, then followed up with Avocado (1966) and Harvest Gold (1968). The company said color was "a critical factor for fashion-conscious consumers."

My washing machine has a self-cleaning cycle. Will that keep it fresh for years?

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A self-clean cycle is designed to help keep your machine fresh for years, but only if you use a special washing machine cleaner. Washers with self-clean cycles typically come with a sample of tablets or powder to help remove odor-causing residues, soap scum, fabric softener buildup and grime inside the pump, valve, tub, drum, agitator, filter and hose.

The cleaners can generally be used with top and front loading machines, including High-Efficiency (HE) models. Many makers of both washing machines and the cleaners advise running this cycle monthly or after every 30 washes. Look for products in multi-packs online and in stores.

How long will a washing machine last?

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If you care for your washing machine the right way, it should last for at least 10 years.

  • Use the right detergent. For example, High-Efficiency (HE) washers require an HE formula. (Pay attention to dosing directions.)
  • Keep the drum clean and don't overload a washer so much that it shakes, quakes and even moves a little from its original spot. This is a signal that you are overstuffing it, and could affect ongoing performance.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Carolyn Forté has been testing washers, dryers and other laundry room essentials, like laundry detergents and stain removers, for more than 40 years in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She often consults with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits. She also researches and writes our laundry how-tos and personally tests or oversees all testing done for the Cleaning Lab's product guides.

Contributing writer Alice Garbarini Hurley has written about home, food, health and style for decades, since she was 22, for magazines including Seventeen , Good Housekeeping , Coastal Living and Brain & Life . Once every summer vacation on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, armed with quarters and detergent, she goes to the Orleans Coin-A-Matic laundromat to wash the week's laundry and well-used beach towels in top-loading machines.

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How I Travel: José Andres Thinks Spain Is Best in Winter

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All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Chef José Andres is a busy man. Aside from overseeing over two dozen restaurants and releasing his Longer Tables podcast and Substack, this month alone he is releasing a new cookbook— Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon —and debuting a new show on Prime, Dinner Party Diaries with José Andrés . When he chats with Condé Nast Traveler, it’s between calls as the founder of his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen , which is currently fighting to deliver food and aid to Gaza. It’s understandable, then, that his idea of a vacation has changed as he’s gotten older (and his empire larger).

“My present answer may be more boring… I like to go to a place and not move,” the chef and humanitarian says. These days, his family goes to the same places over and over. “My body wants repetition: going to the same bakery, the same coffee place, where you have mundane conversations about non-important things. Establishing those relationships with the local people is what [I] give more value to.”

Andrés seems fundamentally incapable of mundane conversation, of course. Below, the chef discusses his recent encounter with a mandarinfish in Micronesia, the beauty of a Spanish beach in mid-winter, and how a single bite can transport you.

Why he’s so fascinated with the food of Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey:

For me, it's because I grew up in Spain, on the other side of the Mediterranean, where the same ingredients were done in such a different way. In Spain, we love chickpeas, but we make them very differently than Lebanon and Greece do. It’s fascinating! We love zucchini, we love tomatoes, but in Spain we’d make a gazpacho. We have the same ingredients—like olive oil!—but at the end it’s so different. This is the beauty, for me. So close and so far. His approach to airplane food: Obviously, if I'm upgraded to first and flying on Emirates or Air France, and they have caviar, I'm not going to say no to that. It doesn't occupy much space in your stomach, it doesn't have many calories, and it's not bad with a glass of good Champagne.

If I'm with United or Delta , I try not to eat. Sometimes I order the food if I see something new that looks interesting, even though nothing really surprises me anymore. But I will order only to see it. I will even tell the [flight attendant], “I only want to see it,” and they will look at me, like, “You want to see it? Well, we need to give it to you.” And I say, “But if you need it for somebody else, I don't want to take it!” It becomes a very funny conversation. You cannot take the professional chef out of the traveler, you know?

How he spends his flight time: The plane is a perfect time to catch up with a book—I read manga—or movies. If I am on Air France , it’s my moment to catch up with the best French movies, which I sometimes have a hard time finding on any other platform. The French make great movies. I just watched Marguerite's Theorem . And then, I am a very bad player, but I play mahjong.

His mind-blowing recent travel experience with Pristine Seas, an initiative by a group of scientists and conservationists working to study and protect the ocean: I go scuba diving sometimes, and I have friends on the Pristine Seas of National Geographic. I sit on the board, and as a board member, you can go see them when they’re on a mission. I just came back from Palau , where I was able to [photograph] a mandarinfish, which to me was one of those things I’ve dreamed of all my life and thought I’d never do. I took a photo of one of the most beautiful, fascinating fishes in the world! How his three adult daughters keep him on top of food trends: I'm giving up on trying to be in the know, because it's really exhausting. As you grow older, you just go to the places where you already feel comfortable. Now my daughters are the ones pushing, “We are going here,” and “We are going to this place where the reservation is impossible ,” and “Daddy, we need your charm.” They use me. I don’t know if I can deliver!

Why he recommends seeing Spain in the off seasons: Everybody goes in summer, but Spain is so beautiful in fall and winter. Yeah, it’s going to be cold, it’s going to be rainy in the mountains, it’s going to be snowy. But the beauty of the waves breaking on the rocks when the beach is yours? You own it. The sun comes and the colors go into blues and white, and in less than an hour you are in the mountains; in less than an hour you are in a little fishing village, or a place where they make amazing sheep’s and cow’s cheese. People need to change the seasonality of when vacation happens, because we inundate places and we are all there on the same day.

Change your life routine to the low season whenever you can. The sequence of life makes everybody more free in the summers, if you have children. But I tell everybody, change the routine. Go to the place where you feel you are a local, where you are not surrounded by tourists. Because the most powerful thing [about traveling in the off season] is that everybody’s taking care of you. The adventure should be about being in that place with its people—having the chance to talk to the bartender. Even if you don’t speak the language, you can just use Google Translate! I know it’s a little bit of a push, but to me, the [best] thing is to get the feeling that you belong to a place.

Why he’ll never be done traveling to Asia—or anywhere: I was fascinated with Cambodia , the food and history. I was fascinated with Singapore , with Japan. I mean, I love Asia. China is so big! China, you would need an entire lifetime to visit every place. They have more different types of pasta in China than the days you have in a year. Obviously, everybody knows Spain is the love of my life, but the more I travel in Spain, the more I realize I know nothing. And the States—even Maryland and Virginia, which I know very well? Holy cow, it never ends.

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Where he hasn’t been that he’d like to see: So many! Australia and New Zealand. I've been to a few countries in Africa—South Africa, Ivory Coast, Morocco —but the Sub-Saharan, central part of Africa is very high up on my list. Believe it or not, I used to have one of the biggest Chilean and Argentinian wine lists in America, and I’ve never been to Chile or Argentina. They’re very high in my book for their natural beauty. I don’t want to go for just two days, [but] it’s very hard to block out two weeks. I want to go to the South Pole, on a mission adventure. I got the opportunity to be on a research ship to the South Pole in my Navy days, but I didn’t take it. Where he stays for long weekends near home in Washington D.C.: Sometimes just going out in my city is a mini vacation. Even going to a restaurant is a vacation, that’s the way my wife and I always saw it. We love to go to the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia—the inn that reinvented inns in America, with [chef-owner] Patrick O’Connell. We use that beautiful inn and restaurant as an anchor to be in the countryside, see wineries and history all at once. Or we go to Saint Michaels and Easton in Maryland to eat crabs and oysters and visit all the beauty.

His approach to food culture in difficult times: I have a hard time separating work from vacation, even humanitarian work. Sometimes it happens that in the middle of the chaos, even after a hurricane and total destruction, you find a place where a woman is managing to make tamales. You say, “But José, this is no vacation.” Well, you can have a vacation in a bite.

I was in Lebanon after the explosion that destroyed Beirut [in August 2020]. There was a lot of destruction and suffering, but World Central Kitchen’s teams were doing an amazing job. There was not much more I could do myself. I’d never been to Lebanon before and I promised the owner of a winery, Chateau Musar, that one day I would visit, and I never did before he died . It’s a guy I got to know, coming to my restaurants, and I had his wines [stocked]. I drove out to the winery during the pandemic and they said, “Sorry, we don’t allow visitors right now.” I said, “You don’t understand, I promised the owner!” Then I was able to go in, and taste the wine from the barrels he had said he was keeping for me.

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From Montana to the US Virgin Islands, these are some of Vrbo’s dreamiest vacation rentals

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From tiny homes to all-inclusive resorts , travelers today have more options than ever for where to stay on vacation. 

Vrbo highlighted some of its most remarkable U.S. properties Wednesday in its third annual Vacation Rentals of the Year list.

“What stands out to me is the variety in this year’s Vacation Rentals of the Year — from cool places with game rooms for kids to wine caves for grown-ups, at nightly rates ranging from $550 to (over) $3,000,” Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, said in a statement. “What’s new and makes it even better is that when you book any of these properties, you earn OneKeyCash back that you can use on your next vacation. No other major player does that.”  

The nine homes were chosen from more than 2 million Vrbo properties . Among other criteria, Vrbo said all of this year’s picks have:

  • A 4.9 or higher star rating 
  • Positive guest reviews  
  • Standout amenities and spaces for spending time together with friends and family 
  • Premier Host status  

Here are Vrbos 2024’s Vacation Rentals of the Year.

Are vacaton rentals cheaper than hotels? It depends on your trip

1. Sedona, Arizona – “ Palatial Paradise Estate ” 

2. big sky, montana – “ fire lookout towers ” , 3. inlet beach, florida – “ paradise found ” , 4. austin, texas – “ toro canyon ", 5. glen ellen, california – “ villa montebella ” , 6. sand lake, michigan – “ sandy lakehouse ” , 7. epworth, georgia – “ miracle creek retreat ”, 8. winchendon, massachusetts – “ copley’s lakefront cottage ” , 9. st. john, u.s. virgin islands – villa cin cin ”.

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15 Travel-ready Spring Tops That Will Pair Perfectly With Anything in Your Suitcase — From $12 at Amazon

These wrinkle-free shirts, oversized button-downs, and pretty blouses are perfect for travel.

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Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

Does anything beat springtime in Paris? Perhaps springtime in Vienna? Wherever you choose, odds are you’ll get a mixed bag temperature-wise during this transitional season. The trick is packing spring travel outfits that accommodate finicky weather, letting you enjoy cool evenings, midday heat, spring showers, and everything in between. And if they pack up small and tend to emerge from your suitcase wrinkle-free , all the better — no travel steamer required.

Thanks to the Amazon Big Spring Sale Event that's running through March 25, we found an impressive lineup of spring tops that are marked to seriously low prices. Read on for the best deals on spring tops you'll find in the sale, including a best-selling safari shirt , the perfect white button-down that requires no ironing, and a few pretty tops featuring one of spring’s hottest trends: puff sleeves . 

And I’ve saved the best for last: each one of these blouses, tees, and lightweight sweaters is less than $32 right now. In fact, they start at just $12, and they’re all so highly rated by tough customers that they’re worth every penny.

J.ver Wrinkle-free Button-Down Dress Shirt

Amazon’s number-one best-selling button-down is a true winner: a crisp, tailored blouse that resists wrinkles and comes in classic white and dozens of other colors. The cotton-blend top even has three percent spandex for the perfect touch of stretch that keeps you comfortable on business trips and beyond. “This blouse is a professional powerhouse,” wrote a fan. “The wrinkle-free feature is a lifesaver — no more frantic ironing before meetings.”

Liyohon Mock Turtleneck Top

Looking for something fashion forward that can bridge the gap between winter and spring? A mockneck turtleneck is just the thing for spring. This one comes in more than 30 colors, too, and it packs up without wrinkling, so it’s the ideal travel companion. One five-star reviewer said the top is not only "very flattering" but there were also "no wrinkles." Oh, and it's nearly 50 percent off in the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

BTFBM Boho Ruffle Short Sleeve Mock Neck Top

Bring on the spring flowers! The puff sleeve is in full effect with this BTFBM Boho Shirt , a standout in the happiest floral pattern this side of Holland’s famous tulip fields. It’s lightweight, flowy, figure-flattering, and easy to dress up or down. When you want to look cute and feel comfortable, this blouse comes through. “Beautiful shirt. I love the material, it's very flowy and it doesn't wrinkle unlike my other work shirts which I have to iron all the time,” wrote one reviewer.

Newchoice V-Neck SleevelessTank Top

If you anticipate some heat at your spring destination, this Newchoice V-neck is the perfect sleeveless top to pack for a bit of a dressed-up look. Pair it with leggings, jeans, slacks, or shorts, then head out to dinner looking like a million bucks. The lightweight layer comes in more than two dozen colors and patterns, including this classic white that will go with absolutely anything in your travel wardrobe.  One shopper wrote, “Wore this on my trip to Maui. Loved it. Washes very easily. Very flattering.”

Dokotoo Waffle Knit Shacket Jacket

It’s all about layers in spring, when temperatures can vary and you need to be able to peel off or unbutton jackets as the day warms up. This comfy-as-can-be oversized button-down is the perfect layer — button it for chillier mornings, unbutton it throughout the day for some air, and use it as a cover-up at the beach; the sky is the limit. It’s a must-have piece , according to shoppers. One five-star reviewer said, “This is a lightweight material that is perfect for topping off any outfit…Because of the knitting, the material is lightweight and I do not overheat while I walk around my house; it is also very comfortable and very cute.”

Merokeety V Neck Ruffle Short Sleeve Blouse

With a playful ruffle sleeve that will flutter in the spring breeze, this effortless piece packs a lot of style into one versatile top — and according to reviewers, it’s also wrinkle-resistant and “great for travel.” Pair it with skirts, jeans, shorts, you name it, and head out to your walking tour or dinner out looking your best with minimal effort. Reviewers love how flattering it is and how easy the top is to care for — just throw it in the washing machine, and go.

Amebelle Women's 3/4 Sleeve Tie Front Chambray Top

Every traveler needs a chambray top in their travel capsule wardrobe. No other piece is quite as versatile as this neutral number, considering it can pair with bottoms of any kind or color and can easily work double duty as a light jean jacket (but lighter) to throw over a dress or matching set. One traveler who packed the top for their Italy vacation called it one of their “ best buys ” for the trip, saying, “It is soft, light, goes with everything, doesn’t wrinkle, takes up very little room in luggage or backpack, goes over sundresses, T-shirts, [and] camis.” It also came in handy for many situations: “Going into a cathedral and need to cover your shoulders? No problem pull it out. In a museum or on a plane and it gets cool? Got ya covered.”

Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Lightweight V-Neck Sweater

You’ll want to include some long-sleeve tops in your spring suitcase, but they’ve got to be lightweight enough that they don’t become a burden to lug around during the hottest part of the day. This Lightweight V-Neck Sweater from Amazon Essentials is the perfect featherweight layer that also rolls up small in your tote. It comes in tons of colors and patterns, but this camel shade is so stylish and versatile. One customer invested in two and wrote, “They are so comfortable, wear really well, look great when traveling (which I do a lot), and hold up during washes.” Plus, if you buy two or more you can save five percent.

Wiholl Pocket Tee Top

A loose, flowy tee is one of those travel wardrobe staples that’s a suitcase space-saver simply because it’s so versatile and easy to pair with different bottoms. You can’t go wrong with a classic black-and-white stripe, and this Wiholl T-shirt even has a pocket, which comes in handy pretty much always. “Love this shirt so much I bought two,” wrote a happy shopper. “ The material is quality, doesn’t wrinkle easily, doesn’t wear quickly, [has] soft fabric, and [is] comfortable.”

Chicgal Women's Floral Print Puff Sleeve Kimono Cardigan Coverup

With more than 41,000 five-star ratings, Amazon’s best-selling swimwear cover-up is so much more than that. This versatile top is so easy to dress up and down for trips that it’s worth its weight in outfit options: throw it over a tank for visits to museums or religious buildings, over a dress for nights out, and more. Travelers have already taken to Amazon to rave about how good it is for their trips, with many saying it “ did not wrinkle .” Bonus: It takes up practically zero space in a suitcase. Take it from this traveler, who called it “ a perfect travel accessory ”: “It takes up a tiny amount of room (with no added weight) in a suitcase and can convert day wear to evening wear in a matter of seconds. I now own five of these cover-ups and am very pleased with all of them.”

Jessie Kidden UPF 50+ UV Sun Protection Safari Shirt

I’ve been on safari in Kenya and on a Jeep tour through Sintra in Portugal. Both times, I wished I had a safari shirt to see me through long hours in an open vehicle in the open sun. Then I found this one by Jessie Kidden . Aesthetically, it’s perfect, especially in light or dark khaki. But it also has UPF 50+ sun protection built in, and it’s moisture-wicking, so it performs like a dream. Even if you’re not going on an actual safari, this top is ideal for boat trips, cookouts, and even hikes. “I couldn’t have survived a three-week trip to Africa without this shirt. I wore it on every safari. Just washed it, and it looks brand new,” wrote a traveler.

Merokeety Puff Short Sleeve Sweater

The puff sleeves are at it again with Amazon’s number-one best-selling pullover by Merokeety. Its pointelle design adds subtle flair, and its lightweight viscose blend makes it the perfect transitional top. “I love this sweater,” exclaimed a happy shopper. “It’s extremely comfortable and soft. Fits perfectly and is very flattering to my figure.” 

Luranee UPF 50+ Long Sleeve 1/4 Zip Pullover

This cute half-zip pullover by Luranee is built for sporty outings thanks to its built-in UPF 50+ sun protection and quick-dry construction. Whether you’re sweating up a storm or anticipating an actual storm, this is the top you want to be stuck in. “I had to catch a quick flight to Florida and needed something that was smart looking, comfortable, easy-care (wash and re-wear), and quick to arrive at my door. This top hit every mark. I received many compliments,” wrote an active traveler.

Opna Short Sleeve Moisture Wicking Athletic Shirt

If you plan to be extra active on your trip or tend to sweat easily, swap a regular T-shirt for one that’s moisture-wicking and built for adventure. The Opna Athletic Shirt looks as unassuming as your everyday V-neck tee, but it’s made of a soft polyester that pushes perspiration to the surface, where it evaporates instead of making you feel sweaty all day. “I wore this for a five-day thru-hike recently, and I am absolutely in love with it... It kept me warm on the rainy days and cool on the sunny ones,” wrote one of more than 14,000 people who gave it five stars. Buy two or more and you can save 9 percent.

Hanes Women's Sport Cool Dri Polo Shirt

Coming in at just $12 thanks to an on-site coupon, Amazon’s No. 1 best-selling polo shirt is built for travel. The Hanes Women's Sport Cool DRI Polo Shirt is moisture-wicking, quick-dry, and made of a material that allows for comfortable movement. All you need is a sink and cold water to give this top a quick rinse and wear it again tomorrow. One of more than 13,000 five-star customers wrote , “was traveling and had only packed long sleeves, but the convention center was hot. Ordered this and prayed for the best. To my surprise, it fit perfectly, was breathable, and now I want it in every color.”

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  17. 18 best travel mugs 2023 for hot and cold drinks

    18 of the best travel mugs for taking your hot — or cold — drinks on the road By Holly Johnson , CNN Underscored 3:30 PM EDT, Thu October 26, 2023

  18. Best travel mug 2023: Tried and tested travel cups from Thermos

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  19. The Best Travel Mugs for Coffee and Tea 2023

    Travel Mug: Corkcicle 16-Ounce Classic Tumbler. Heat retention: 3.5 (111ºF after four hours) Ease of use: 4. Price: 4 ($32.95) Overall: 4. Corkcicle's Classic Tumbler was on par with the S'well in terms of heat retention (the coffee clocked in at 130ºF after two hours).

  20. The best travel mugs, tested and reviewed

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  27. Elektrostal to Moscow

    Find the travel option that best suits you. The cheapest way to get from Elektrostal to Moscow costs only RUB 120, and the quickest way takes just 39 mins. Find the travel option that best suits you. Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads.

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  29. Best 15 Paving & Driveway Contractors in Elektrostal', Moscow ...

    Search 8 Elektrostal' paving & driveway contractors to find the best driveway and paving contractor for your project. See the top reviewed local driveway & paving contractors in Elektrostal', Moscow Oblast, Russia on Houzz.

  30. Nizhny Novgorod to Elektrostal

    Find the travel option that best suits you. The cheapest way to get from Nizhny Novgorod to Elektrostal costs only RUB 1789, and the quickest way takes just 5½ hours. Find the travel option that best suits you. ... Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world.