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Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12 oz Review

The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz makes drinking coffee one-handed a breeze. Although, it can be difficult to vent hot drinks.

Our Verdict

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  • Trigger-action is easy to use one-handed
  • Insulation keeps hot drinks hot and cold drink cold
  • Made of durable materials
  • Have to unscrew cap/hold trigger to vent hot drinks
  • 12oz capacity is not ideal for water
  • Lid is harder to clean than others we've tested (it is dishwasher safe though)

Technical Details

Weight (lb)

.68 lb (0.3 kg)

7.4 in x 2.9 in x 2.9 in (18.8 x 7.4 x 7.4 cm)

Notable Materials

Stainless Steel

Manufacturing Country

Warranty Information

The Stanley Promise

Full Review

If your morning routine always starts (and ends) with a hot cup of joe, you’ll be pleased to meet the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz. Of course, you can use it for other beverages like tea, lemonade, or apple juice (carbonated drinks are not recommended). But we’ve found it to excel most as a portable coffee mug—keeping that liquid gold warm all morning whether we’re at work or on the go.

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz with Coffee

We’ve been testing the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz for about three weeks with mostly good things to report.

Let’s get to it.

Features & Usage

Stanley has been around for a long time—since 1913, to be exact—and we appreciate the way their Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz marries classic design with modern functionality. Especially with the Hammertone Green colorway we’ve been testing with. We’re digging its earthy vibe that reminds us of campsites, the smell of pine, and simpler times.

At the time of this review, this bottle is also available in four other different colorways—some of which have a more sleek, modern aesthetic if that’s more your style.

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Logo

The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is made with durable 18/8 stainless steel that doesn’t hold onto coffee smells or stains. It also touts double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps your coffee or tea hot all morning. Stanley claims it’ll keep drinks warm for up to five hours, and we’re happy to report that this has been a pretty accurate estimate during our testing. It’s done a great job of keeping our java warm enough to savor all morning.

It will also keep drinks cold if you’re in the mood for iced coffee or water. That said, at 12oz, we’ve found the capacity to be a little too small to use as a water bottle. If you’re looking to carry more water and want to stay in the Stanley realm, perhaps check out the Stanley Classic Easy Clean Water Bottle 25oz .

And, weighing in at .68 lbs (or roughly 10.8 oz) empty, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is relatively lightweight. Now, it’s not ultralight by any means but it is lighter than some other insulated stainless steel bottles we’ve tested of the same size. ( The YETI Rambler 12oz Bottle With HotShot Cap , for example, weighs 16 oz empty.)

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Lid Off

The thing that sets this Stanley mug apart, we think, is its trigger-action lid. With a push-button that stays sealed until you press it, it’s great at preventing leaks if (let’s be honest, when ) it falls over. To get the liquid flowing, you just push down on the trigger button, tip, and enjoy. It’s so easy you can do it with one hand. (This mug makes anyone a coffee-drinking pro.)

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz in Backpack

We’ve been tossing this mug into our packs, turning it in every direction, knocking it over (both on accident and on purpose), and we haven’t had any leaks so far—the lid stays sealed. Obviously, this is a pro as you don’t have to worry about spills. But we’ve also found it to be a con too—it’s difficult to let that piping hot coffee vent, unless you remove the lid completely. Every now and then we get a sip of coffee or tea that’s almost too hot. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but sometimes it’s a tongue-burner.

Thanks to this lid, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz is becoming one of our favorites we’ve tested so far. It may sound small, but not having to fuss with twisting or removing a lid is super convenient—you can grab a sip quick and easy with one hand. This feature really shines while driving (or sitting on the couch swiping through Pack Hacker Instagram stories). And its leak-resistance means you should be safe to keep this thing on your desk near your precious tech (we have been anyway).

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz in Cup Holder

Plus, the lid is easy to take apart when in need of a wash. Just untwist the top lid, turn the handle underneath the lid, and pull. The inner piece should come right out. Then throw all three pieces of the mug in the dishwasher (yeah, it’s dishwasher safe) and voila—it’s ready for the next use. We’ve also been washing the mug by hand, however, the lid is not as easy to clean this way as others we’ve tested. There are some small spaces inside the cap that are a little difficult to reach. It’s not a deal-breaker, especially since everything is dishwasher safe, but it’s something to note.

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Cap Apart

Something else we want to note is that there’s no handle on the outside of this mug. So you can’t clip it to your pack with a carabiner or hook it around a finger if your hands are full but you can’t not bring the coffee. It also keeps the profile of this mug sleek. And since it’s highly leak-resistant, you can toss it in a water bottle pocket—or directly inside your pack—when needed.

As far as durability is concerned, everything is looking good. Like we said at the beginning of this review, we’ve been testing the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz every day for about three weeks now—mainly to savor our daily dose of coffee. And there are no scratches or dents to report. We haven’t dropped it down any rocky cliffs, but it’s held up well to normal, daily use.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

  • Trigger activated lid lets you control the flow of liquid
  • Lid seals when not in use to prevent links and splashes
  • Made of sturdy stainless steel

We’ve been loving the trigger cap on this! It’s great for one-handed coffee drinking. This is especially great while driving. You can just pick it up and drink. Other coffee thermoses still have a small opening that hot coffee can splash up through and this just eliminates that problem.

Still loving it, but the lid has been a little hard to clean. We had luck getting in there with a q-tip to clean the tight spaces.

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Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 12 oz

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Stanley AeroLight Transit Bottle (20 oz)

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Stanley classic trigger action travel mug review.

Apr 11th, 2021

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  • Price $25 on stanley1913.com
  • Weight 16 oz (0.45 kg)
  • Dimensions 2.9L x 2.9W x 10H in

No matter how much of a travel enthusiast you are, you'll be sure to miss home as time passes on the road. But, what do you really miss about home? Your family? Of course. Your friends? Sure. But what many seem to overlook is what you are looking for in these people or things you miss.

Familiarity.

Things that you do without thinking daily suddenly become difficult when you travel. Things like taking public transport, having basic conversations, or paying for meals feels like trying to beat Dark Souls on hard mode. Sometimes, even a shot of familiarity provides the comfort you need to keep going in situations like these.

This is where the Stanley Travel Mug comes in.

stanley travel mug review

The comforting feel of smooth steel as you reach for your hot coffee is a familiar cool touch but strangely comforting. You take a sip as you stare out of your Airbnb at the haphazard roads of Hanoi, where you watch pedestrians escape death nonchalantly. You feel at ease since it's a handfeel you've gotten used to.

The sense of familiarity is something I can appreciate. Whether it's my trusty Synik 30 or my OTHERWARE Pebble , familiarity in an unknown land gives me a sense of belonging and peace, however fleeting.

I've reviewed packable bottles like the Matador Packable Water Bottle and the Vapur Anti Bottle . and even a bottle that purifies water like the GRAYL GEOPRESS Purifier . However, it's important that while its appearances can be deceiving, the Stanley Travel Mug is not a bottle but a mug.

The Stanley Vacuum Flask, which was invented in 1913, is the stuff of legends. So, it's natural to expect the same old-school aesthetics as the rest of Stanley's products. While the legacy green color, the color synonymous with the Stanley brand, is available, I went for the black one as always. The other color options are red, white, and blue.

While the black bottle is sleek, the oil from your hands does transfer onto the matte surface. Although, it's not noticeable unless you look up close.

stanley travel mug review

There is also a stainless steel part towards the top of the mug that I wished could be black. Another small detail is an edge across the middle of the bottle, with the bottom half of the bottle just a tinge wider than the top, for no apparent reason.

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But no one likes ads, so I got rid of them. If my articles helped you, I ask for your support so I can continue to provide unbiased reviews and recommendations. Every cent donated through Patreon will go into improving the quality of this site.

or buy me coffee

On the front of the mug, there's the updated “winged bear” logo. The original Stanley logo has a unique old-school vibe, but the updated logo is more modern without losing the brand's essence. For the black version, the logo is subtly applied to the body of the bottle. The logo on the black one is a printed-on grey and feels seamless even though it's smack front and center.

The bottle comes in two sizes, a 16oz and 20oz version. The one I am reviewing is the 16oz version. With the bottle in hand, the 16oz seems like the more reasonable size to be drinking from.

stanley travel mug review

The 16oz also fits well into water bottle compartments like the one on the TOM BIHN Synik 30 , which makes me think bigger isn't always better.

stanley travel mug review

The flask is a stainless steel double-wall construction and BPA-free. This means that it regulates the temperature of the liquid.

Although the flask is made in China, I have no problems with China-made goods after witnessing how little that matters on most of Outlier's clothing. I mean, iPhones are made in China. It all comes down to quality assurance, and Stanley's decades of experience shine through. I can feel the quality of the make and materials the moment you have them in your hands.

The stainless steel body of the bottle is impressively solid; even the grip strength of Alex Honnold would not be able to put a dent into it. It will likely hold up to knocks and bumps better than something like a Klean Kanteen bottle. I look forward to seeing it stand up to years, or even decades, of abuse.

Out of the two size options, I was glad I picked the 16oz one. The 16oz size felt comfortable and not awkwardly large to drink from. More importantly, a Venti iced coffee from Starbucks will fill it up perfectly, earning me a 20 yen discount for my eco-consciousness.

Even though the lid is well-shaped for drinking, I find myself naturally pouring the liquid into my mouth to reduce germ buildup on the lid rather than sipping from it. When pouring liquid into my mouth, I would release the trigger to stop the liquid even before returning it to its upright position.

I designed a thing.

Responsive image

I found a 100 year old company that would create these heirloom quality canisters for me. They are handmade and will keep your tea leaves, coffee beans or anything that you need dry for years to come.

or read review

stanley travel mug review

The lid has good flow control, preventing too much liquid from gushing out at once. The trigger action comes in the form of a button that's highly comfortable to press. It's also designed in a way that makes it hard for it to be accidentally pressed when in your bag.

The leakproof claim is impressive, and indeed, there hasn't been even a drop leaking from it so far. However, after drinking from the lid, you'll notice drops of liquid gathering around where the mouth is. While this is negligible if you are drinking H2O, you risk staining the insides of your bag with coffee and the like.

stanley travel mug review

While the stainless steel bottle doesn't hold onto coffee smells or stains, the lid is plastic; therefore, it will do so. It's important to clean it regularly. The cleaning of the bottle is effortless since the lid comes apart, resulting in no hard-to-reach places.

stanley travel mug review

Another reason you should clean it regularly is that there isn't an option of a cap. While the mug is leakproof, the mouthpiece will come in contact with various surfaces and atmospheres without a cap, increasing the risk of bacteria buildup. I thought it was a wasted opportunity since a cap will let you use it as a water bottle instead of just a mug.

While I don't normally drink hot drinks, I have found that the mug keeps drinks hot for around five hours and more. This is great for slow-drinkers who like to sip on something throughout the day.

The leak-proof, temperature-regulating Stanley Travel Mug is, without a doubt, a worthwhile option to sit on your desk in whichever city you find yourself in. However, if you are looking for something to drink from on the move, the lack of a cap makes it much less versatile than the other Stanley products.

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Review: this classic Stanley coffee press is a rugged and dependable caffeine companion

This device can make an acceptable brew with one secret hack.

By Joe Plenzler | Published Jul 16, 2021 8:08 AM EDT

  • The Gear Locker

Stanley classic travel press

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When I think of Stanley thermoses, I think of the people who built America — hardworking, blue-collar men and women like my grandpa Frank. He lived in a Polish-Catholic enclave in Toledo, Ohio, and worked at the Autolite factory. He and my grandma lived next to her sister Rose, who was married to my Great Uncle Jim, a former tank commander on D-3 at Normandy. I spent a considerable part of my childhood at my grandparents’ home, and remember my grandmother’s soft scrambled eggs and my grandpa’s Stanley thermos on the table, filled with piping hot black coffee, complete with its banged-up Hammertone Green patina and shiny silver screw-on cap and the memorable winged and crowned bear logo.  

Reviews photo

If you dig all-steel, double-walled vacuum bottles, we have William Stanley to thank. He invented the wonderfully rugged and efficient containers in 1913 and they’ve been keeping hard-working people stoked for more than a century. Prior to his innovation, thermoses were typically lined with glass, which was awesome until they broke and scattered deadly shards in your brew. (Note for Marines: Don’t eat glass. Crayons good. Glass bad.) So good ol’ Bill Stanley came up with the Char-Vac that packed charcoal dust between two stainless steel walls to create vacuum insulation. This method made the bottles heavier and a bit bulkier, but the tech lasted until Stanley opted to discontinue the Char-Vac and thicken the outer steel walls in 2009, which created a lighter bottle that wasn’t as rugged. So they introduced a Master Series in 2017 with a Quad-Vac design that delivered both performance and durability.   

Americans know Stanley makes a great thermos, but can the company make a great travel coffee press? Pour a cup of Joe, dear reader, and let’s find out.

Stanley classic travel mug French press

Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press, 16 oz

The 16 oz Stanley classic travel mug French press came in a no-frills recycled cardboard (yay!) shipping box. When I unscrewed the top lid, it revealed a leak-proof drink-through lid, and when I unscrewed the entire cap, I found a green plastic and stainless steel mesh plunger and set of instructions. I appreciated the simple, no extraneous bullshit introduction. And I loved that it didn’t have any single-use plastic packaging or marketing materials. The Stanley is made of quality 18/8 stainless steel (same as great razor blades), weighs 1.1 pounds, is 9.6 inches tall, and 3 inches in diameter. It has an integrated stainless steel carry loop and is car cup carrier-compatible. Stanley advertises that the French press will keep hot things hot for four hours, cold things cold for five hours, and iced things icy for 20 hours.

The Stanley classic travel mug French press

How we tested the Stanley classic travel mug French press

I established five basic criteria for evaluating the Stanley classic travel mug French Press:

  • Thermal efficiency – could it keep hot things hot and cold things cold as advertised?
  • Portability
  • Ease of use
  • Delivery – could it produce a delicious cup of coffee without silty or sludgy crap at the bottom of the cup?

I used it exclusively for a week to make my post-workout morning brew and tinkered with various coffee grinds, coffee and water ratios, water temperatures, and brew times. I always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a T on the first test, and then tinker to dial things in to get the best brew. 

The Stanley classic travel mug French press

Before we get into the Stanley’s performance, you need to understand a few things about French press coffee. First, the French press, or more properly cafetiere , requires an immersion technique, as opposed to drip brewers. (That crappy Mr. Coffee on your kitchen counter is, essentially, a drip brewer, and it sucks. So go sit in the corner and think about what you have done!) In the immersion technique, your coffee and water hang out in the same chamber for a while to extract the goodness from the coffee beans. You manually stop the extraction by pressing down on a plunger which pushes a filter, typically stainless steel mesh, through the vessel to separate the grounds from your beverage. In drip or pour-over brewing, moving coffee is poured through a bed of coffee and pulled by gravity through a filter and into a collection vessel. With immersion brewers, like the AeroPress or French press, you generally get a more full, round flavor. With drip brewing, you generally get a lighter brew with a bit more acidity and clarity.

Without overcomplicating it, brewing great coffee comes down to several key elements:

  • High-quality, properly roasted beans (fresh ground preferred)
  • Pure water (no chlorine!) 
  • The right grind for the technique (coarse to extra fine espresso)   
  • The right water to coffee ground ratio
  • The right water temperature
  • The right amount of brewing time to allow for proper extraction

There’s more to it, but I’ll stop there.

Test 1: Thermal efficiency. Per Stanley’s instructions, I put 4 tablespoons (56 grams) of coffee into the vessel (seems like a lot, I know!), filled the mug (about 450 grams) with hot water just off the boil (195 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit), let the coffee brew for six minutes (seemed way too long), plunged, tasted, took a temperature reading, and screwed on the cap. At time (T) = 0 minutes, the surface temperature of the liquid was 175 degrees Fahrenheit. I checked the temperature four hours later with my laser thermometer, and the temperature was 130 degrees Fahrenheit, a loss of 45 degrees. During that time, I used my thermometer to detect where the greatest heat loss was coming from and found it was at the point where the stainless steel met the plastic cap. No surprises there. While 130-degree coffee isn’t exactly hot, it wasn’t an unpleasant temperature to drink, but the flavor of the coffee was way over-extracted, bitter, and unpalatable.

The Stanley classic travel mug French press

Next, I put cold water into the vessel. At T=0, the water was 44.4 F. Five hours later, I measured it at 61.7F, a gain of 17.3 degrees. It was cool, but not cold. Not so impressive.

Lastly, I removed the plunger basket, filled the vessel with ice, measured it, and screwed on the cap. At T=0, the temperature was 30.9F, and at T=20 hours, the temperature was 31.5F — impressive!

Finding: The Stanley Classic French press adequately meets their 4-, 5-, and 20-hour marks, and excels at keeping iced things cold, which is odd for a coffee press that’s supposed to keep coffee hot. Better design of the cap to container interface could improve the thermal retention of the product.

Test 2: Portability. If you’ve read my reviews, you know I’m always looking for lighter, more effective, and cheaper gear to take on long-distance backpacking trips. At 1.1 pounds (500 grams), the Stanley Classic French Press Travel Mug is way too heavy for me to carry in a backpack for several days. I would, however, take it on trips — whether camping or on travel — where weight isn’t an issue. It fit nicely in the cupholder of my truck and in the pocket of my leather briefcase/laptop bag. I didn’t find the stainless steel carry loop to be terribly useful, but some folks like to clip things to the outside of their packs so they can swing and bang, and that’s your prerogative, but I can’t stand it. (Rant over). 

Test 3: Ease of use. Mechanically, French presses are Marine-proof. With only two essential parts, they’re simple and don’t require a lot of dexterity to properly manipulate. While I wish the plunger basket had a beefier gasket to reduce the number of grinds slipping by into the brew, it was a snap to clean up afterward. 

Test 4: Capacity . An average cup of coffee is about eight ounces or so, and the Stanley packs 16 ounces or two cups. That’s worth carrying. 

Test 5: Delivery. Most baristas recommend a coffee to water ratio of about 1:16 (60 to 70 grams per liter), a fairly coarse grind, and a four-minute brew time for French press brewing for best effects. The recipe from Stanley was, “Add approximately 2 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee per 8 oz of hot water (approximately 200F or 93C).” First off, don’t measure in tablespoons. It’s too inaccurate. Use grams and weigh your stuff for consistency. It really helps to buy a digital food scale to assist with accurate measurement. They’re cheap and worth it. Two tablespoons of coffee are about 10.6 grams. One fluid ounce of water is 29.6 grams or so. The Stanley recipe calls for 21.2 grams of coffee per 473.6 grams of water or a ratio of 1:22, which is a bit light. A 1:16 ratio would put us at 30 grams or so for 473 grams (16 ounces) of water. The Stanley-recommended recipe result was ok but not spectacular. After I sealed up the lid and let the coffee sit for four hours, the temperature was warm but not hot and the taste was bitter. Leaving the coffee sitting on the grounds over-extracted the grinds and made it undrinkable. Gross.

I played around with the coffee and water ratios. The coarser grind at a 1:16 ratio (30 grams) and a four- to six-minute brew tasted much better. I also tried a medium fine grind at 22 grams and cut the brew time from four to two minutes and achieved a much better brew. 

The beauty of the French press is that you are in control of the extraction and can experiment to achieve a brew to your preferred taste.

The Stanley classic travel mug French press

And here’s the #ProTip: Don’t ever leave the coffee resting atop the grinds in the French press. Doing so will over-extract the grinds over time and leave you with a bitter-tasting coffee. A quick hack to improve the performance of the Stanley is to brew it, pour it into another container, remove the basket plunger, rinse out the grounds, pour the coffee back in, twist on the cap, and hit the road. It only takes 20 seconds or so, achieves a better-tasting coffee, and, damn it, you’re worth it!

Another #ProTip: Coffee grind size and brew time are related. Coarser grind equals less surface area which requires more brew time to extract the coffee. Finer grind equals more surface area which requires less brew time to extract the coffee.

What we like about the Stanley classic travel mug French press

I’ve got a soft spot in my cold, black heart for Stanley. They make rugged products that have served generations of blue-collar workers like my grandparents. The Classic Travel Mug French Press is (fairly) thermally efficient, portable, easy to use, has sufficient capacity, and I was able to produce a solid cup of coffee with it after a few trials and tweaks. I loved the design aesthetics and ergonomics as well. It felt good in my hand, had a cool-looking winged bear logo, and brought back some fond childhood memories. The plastic basket plunger was easy to manipulate. I would like to see a more robust gasket on the plunger filter basket, but the gasket and stainless steel mesh filter did a better-than-average job of keeping grinds and grit out of the brew when compared to other French presses I’ve used. And the Stanley was a snap to clean up afterwards. It’s a well-designed French press at a nice price. At $35, this is a well-built value purchase, and I’ve seen a lot of overpriced stainless steel double vacuum products out there these days.

The Stanley classic travel mug French press

What we don’t like about the Stanley classic travel mug French press

I’d like to have experienced better heat retention over time. I measured a 45-degree drop over four hours, and that’s not that great. Was the coffee still warm? Yes. Hot? Not so much. While it performed great with keeping iced beverages cold over 20 hours, this is supposed to be a hot coffee carrying device. A better cap-to-metal body interface is needed as that is where I measured the most heat loss with my laser thermometer. I also thought the coffee recipe in the instructions was off. I’m a big fan of award-winning coffee expert James Hoffman’s technique and 1:16 ratio recommendation . 

The Stanley Classic Travel Press is a good buy in my book for those who are looking for a cool coffee travel mug. It’s hefty, so I won’t be taking it on my next 60-plus mile multi-day Appalachian Trail trek, but I will be tossing it in my kayak or in my climbing pack for my next trek to the crags. Heck, I’d even take it along on day hikes, too. 

Saved rounds

I wanted to make sure I was being fair with the heat loss observation, so I replicated the tests. I filled the vessel with hot water, measured it to be 187F with a kitchen thermometer, waited four hours and remeasured. The T=4 hours time was 142F, a drop of 45 degrees.

FAQs about the Stanley classic travel mug French press

More questions? Here’s Task & Purpose’s additional brief.

Q. How much does the Stanley classic travel mug French press cost?

A. MSRP for the Stanley classic travel mug French press is $35 at Walmart .

Q. Is the Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press dishwasher-safe? 

A. Absolutely! And it’s a snap to rinse out by hand too. 

Q. What’s the body made of? 

A. The body is made of 18/8 stainless steel and the cap is made of BPA-free plastic.

Q. Does the Stanley classic travel mug French press have a warranty? 

A. Yep. It’s a lifetime warranty, my friend.

Got questions? Comment below & talk with T&P’s editors

We’re here to be expert operators in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, tell us we’ve gone full FUBAR. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram .

Joe Plenzler is a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1995 to 2015. He is a backcountry expert, long-distance backpacker, rock climber, kayaker, cyclist, wannabe mountaineer, and the world’s OK-est guitar player. He supports his outdoor addiction by working as a human communication consultant, teaching at the College of Southern Maryland, and helping start-up companies with their public relations and marketing efforts.

Joe Plenzler

Joe Plenzler is a communication consultant, leadership coach, and backcountry expert. He writes about leadership, communication, and also reviews outdoor equipment. When he’s not running his company, he is often found climbing mountains or hiking the Appalachian Trail. He is an Eagle Scout, 20 year combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and graduate of the U.S. Contact the author here.

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stanley travel mug review

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 20 oz –Leak Proof + Packable... › Customer reviews

Customer reviews.

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 20 oz –Leak Proof + Packable Hot &amp; Cold Thermos – Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler for Coffee, Tea &amp; Drinks – BPA Free Stainless-Steel Travel Cup

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 20 oz –Leak Proof + Packable Hot & Cold Thermos – Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler for Coffee, Tea & Drinks – BPA Free Stainless-Steel Travel Cup

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

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Which Drinkware

Stanley Travel Mugs - Review Of The Number One For Keeping Coffee Hot

In my tests to find out which travel mug keeps coffee hottest , Stanley travel mugs rank at the top with the Stanley Transit Bottle in the number one spot!

The Stanley travel coffee cup and insulated thermos bottle have long been iconic, with a reputation for their durability and ability to keep drinks hot or cold. In this Stanley travel coffee cup review I look in depth at the Stanley Aerolight and Stanley Trigger Action travel mugs. 

Photograph of Stanley travel mugs, the 12oz trigger actions mug, 16oz aerolight transit mug and 16oz trigger action travel mug.

What We Like

What we don't like.

  • High performance in insulation tests
  • Slim designs fit car cupholders and are comfortable to carry
  • 100% Leak Proof
  • Dishwasher Safe
  • Lifetime Warranty (Limited)
  • Lid cleaning is not as simple as some other travel mugs

Stanley Aerolight Transit Bottle Review

Photograph of Stanley aerolight bottle for trop travel mug.

See my full review of the Stanley Aerolight here. 

Stanley Trigger Action Travel Mug Review

Stanley classic trigger action 12oz.

Photograph of 12oz Stanley Trigger Action travel mug in hammertone finish.

Stanley Classic Trigger Action 16oz

Photograph of 16oz Stanley Trigger Action travel mug.

Just like the Stanley Aerolight, the Stanley Classic Trigger Action travel mug is another great Stanley travel coffee cup. The insulation performance is pretty close to the Aerolight and can win if you use the Aerolight with its drinking lid open for long periods. The Trigger Action has the advantage of retaining heat equally as well even when you’re sipping from the mug as very little air will enter through the trigger action drinking hole. 

Since the temperture retention performance is closely matched, the main differences between the Aerolight and Trigger Action are:

  • The Trigger Action allows for one handed opening/drinking, two hands are needed with the Aerolight. 
  • The Trigger Action lid comes apart a lot more easily for cleaning but it has some spots which are still hard to clean thoroughly. 
  • The Trigger Action travel mug exterior coating/color options have different finishes. Hammertone color options have a textured glossy enamel like finish. Some of the other color options have a powder coated finish and others have a smooth glossy or matte finish. These finishes on the Trigger Action mug feel more robust and durable than the Aerolight finish. 
  • The 16oz Aerolight is 4oz lighter than the 16oz Trigger Action mug. The Trigger Action is also slightly taller and wider but it will still fit in most cup holders. The Aerolight is just a little more compact overall for packing in a handbag for example. I find the Trigger Action mug has a bit more of a masculine look, but both mugs are stylish.
  • Per the Aerolight, we have found the Trigger Action mugs to be completely leak proof after using for many months. One thing to be careful of though is that you don’t accidentally press on the trigger and let a little bit of water escape. I’ve seen a few occasions were a little bit of water dripped out of the drinking hole as the water had been released but was sitting inside the lid until it was turned upside down. 

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Lid

The lid on the Trigger Action mugs has a small drinking spout on top and a button opposite which you press to slightly open the spout. The spout only opens whilst the button or trigger is being pressed and as soon as you release it the lid is sealed shut again. There is no mechanism to lock the lid into an open position on this mug, which some people may prefer. 

The lid is sized and shaped so that you can grip around the lid and press the button at the same time, allowing for one handed lifting and drinking. I’ve found this most useful when out on a walk or shopping for example where two handed operation can be awkward and cumbersome. 

Photograph showing the top of the Stanley Trigger Action travel mug, showing the drinking top located on the lid top.

Like the Stanley Aerolight, the Trigger Action lid is a bit harder to clean than some other travel mugs. This might not be too much of a concern if you plan to use it for only black coffee or water, or if you always rinse soon after you’re finished drinking. Dismantling the lid is pretty intuitive but I’ve added some instructions at the end of this review. 

Stanley Travel Mug Insulation Performance

Promo code for stanley.

There a few ways to get a discount on Stanley products, some require a promo code and some don’t.

  • If you sign up to the Stanley Newsletter you can get 10% discount on your first order. This is a nice discount if you are planning to buy a few products. You’ll receive a promo code from Stanley in your inbox to use at the checkout. 
  • If you are an active service member you are eligible for the Stanley military discount. The discount is typically 20% but may not apply to all items. Sometimes Stanley run special events where even higher discounts are provided. Students, teachers, nurses, first responders and hospital workers are also eligible for Stanley discounts. You can verify your eligibility for discount on the Stanley website. 
  • Stanley sometimes put items into sale, for example this 16oz Trigger Action mug is now less than half price. 

Stanley Travel Mug Warranty

Stanley are one of the few travel mug brands that provide a lifetime warranty. The warranty is however limited to the stainless steel part of the mug and covers defects as well as any deterioration in the thermal performance. I think that gives good peace of mind when purchasing a Stanley travel coffee cup, you won’t end up with a product that doesn’t work as well a year or two later.

Normal wear and tear are not covered as expected, so you cannot claim for dents or scratches that might develop over time.

Testament to Stanley’s quality and durability I have never yet had to make a warranty claim. I have read a lot of user reviews for Stanley products before purchasing and only saw positive experiences with Stanley warranty and customer service. 

Stanley Travel Mug Specifcations

How to dismantle and clean the stanley trigger action lid.

The leaflet which comes with the Stanley Trigger Action mug includes some good instructions for cleaning the trigger action lid. I’ve included a picture of the instructions below for reference and some photographs of the dismantled lid.  

Photograph of Stanley's instructions for dismantling and cleaning the Trigger Action mug lid.

As you can see there are some nooks and crannies to clean around. I use a tooth brush to scrub around the inside fo the lid and around the spring. I remove the gasket as well as the small black piece at the end of the spring. These remove and refit easily. 

IMAGES

  1. Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Review (2 Weeks of Use)

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  2. Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press (Review) 2021

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  3. Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Review

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  4. Stanley CLASSIC TRAVEL MUG Reviews

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  5. Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press (Review) 2021

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  6. The NEW Stanley Mug

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COMMENTS

  1. Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12oz Review

    Pros. Trigger-action is easy to use one-handed. Insulation keeps hot drinks hot and cold drink cold. Made of durable materials. Cons. Have to unscrew cap/hold trigger to vent hot drinks. 12oz capacity is not ideal for water. Lid is harder to clean than others we've tested (it is dishwasher safe though) Check Price at Amazon.

  2. Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug Review

    The leak-proof, temperature-regulating Stanley Travel Mug is, without a doubt, a worthwhile option to sit on your desk in whichever city you find yourself in. However, if you are looking for something to drink from on the move, the lack of a cap makes it much less versatile than the other Stanley products.

  3. Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press (Review) 2021

    Reviews. Review: this classic Stanley coffee press is a rugged and dependable caffeine companion. This device can make an acceptable brew with one secret hack. By Joe Plenzler | Published Jul...

  4. Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Stanley Classic Trigger Action

    Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 20 oz –Leak Proof + Packable Hot & Cold Thermos – Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Tumbler for Coffee, Tea & Drinks – BPA Free Stainless-Steel Travel Cup at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users.

  5. Stanley Travel Mugs

    The Stanley travel coffee cup and insulated thermos bottle have long been iconic, with a reputation for their durability and ability to keep drinks hot or cold. In this Stanley travel coffee cup review I look in depth at the Stanley Aerolight and Stanley Trigger Action travel mugs.