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The Best Tea Infuser Travel Mug (And Why Real Tea Lovers Need One)

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

I can hear my better half, Steve, now: “Do you really need a dedicated travel tea mug? Can’t you brew a cup of tea and then use any ol’ travel mug to take it on the go?”

Yeah, babe, you could. (And he probably knows what’s coming next.) But I like to have the right tool for the job, and there is good reason to be particular when it comes to a travel tea mug.

Sure, I could place loose tea leaves in a single-use paper steeper or basket steeper and use my favorite travel coffee mug for the job , but travel tea mugs are made with built-in tea steepers (ones that allow you to tightly close the lid while your tea steeps), which means no waste and a hotter finished brew. Plus, coffee mugs tend to take on coffee flavor over time. A dedicated travel tea mug helps keeps a serious tea drinker’s tea tasting pure and clean.

In my quest for the best travel mug to take my cuppa on the road, I sought out a leak-proof model that ranked high in the heat retention department . I also wanted a mug that was easy to grip and to drink from. And because it’s nice to have stylish gear, one that looked good, too. Here are my winning picks and how I tested:

The Very Best Tea Infuser Travel Mug: The Tea Spot Everest Tea Tumbler

The Everest’s double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel insulation kept 22 ounces of tea hot and fresh tasting, and its screw down BPA-free top was terrifically leak-proof. I fell hard for its rugged adventure-meets-urban-chic look, and had a hard time deciding which of its four stylish colors I liked best.

The Everest also won my vote for smart design and functionality with an innovative screw-top and sipping mechanism that stay connected to the mug while you drink (which means when you remove the part of the lid that allows you to drink your tea, it won’t go tumbling down a cliff, through a subway grate, or down between that impossibly narrow space between the seat of your car and your cup-holding console).

The stainless steel steeper basket on this model provided ample room for water and tea leaves to mingle as my tea steeped, and its small holes kept fine leaves from passing into my tea, making a clean and full-tasting brew. The easy to grip exterior is much like that of the popular Hydro Flask water bottle so, if you’re a Hydro Flask fan , you’ll likely love The Tea Spot Everest, too.

The Everest fit well in a tote bag and was also comfortable to carry on the outside of a backpack, using a carabiner clip . And, like all of the travel tea mugs I tested, it can be used for iced tea as well as plain or infused fruit (aka spa) water.

Everest Tea Tumbler

The Next Best (aka Runner Up) Travel Tea Infuser Mug: The Tea Spot Voyager Tea Tumbler

The Voyager, also by The Tea Spot, won my runner-up vote. At 16-ounces, it’s a smaller mug than the Everest but that’s where most of the differences end. This mug kept my tea hot and fresh for 6 hours, and is fitted with the same type of high quality stainless steel steeper basket as the Everest. Its smartly designed leak-proof lid has a comfortable, easy to drink from sip-cup style and doesn’t require removing to use—simply press down on a pop top to drink, then press it again to lock the top into spill-free mode. With its sleek metallic, glossy finish and no loop handle (for carabiner or finger hold), this model is stylistically more ‘urban’ than ‘adventure’, but also, according to highly-rated reviews for both products, a bit more vulnerable to scratches than the Everest. It’s easy to grip and carries well in a tote bag or pocket of a backpack or gym bag.

The Tea Spot Voyager Tumbler

Other Brands I Tried:

Zojirushi travel mug with tea filter shocked me and my editor when this mug didn’t win over my other contenders. Though this darling brand of the product review world took the gold in our best travel coffee mug test and kept my tea even hotter than its competitors at 6 hours, it is designed with a problematic steeping mechanism. To use this mug, you place loose tea leaves inside and add hot water. A filter fitted at the top of the mug blocks the leaves from flowing out while you drink your tea, but, as any true tea drinker knows, for however long you travel with your tea, the tea continues steeping. So, whether we’re talking a few minutes post-ideal steep time or several hours, you’ll be drinking an over-steeped brew (not tasty!). (One reviewer on Amazon noted that tea leaves can be put into the strainer basket, steeped with the mug turned upside down, and then removed. But the basket is so small that, though this works with some tea leaf types, it allows neither ample space for leaves to mingle with water while steeping, nor enough room for large loose tea leaf varieties to steep.) The top, which is made up of multiple and functionally unclear parts (a pain to both wash and keep track of), must be entirely removed to drink the tea, which makes it awkward if not impossible to safely drink from on the go. Used as a canteen-style tea-steeping vessel (to pour tea from as soon as it’s steeped) or to keep tea that’s brewed in a bag or independently from and then transferred to the mug incredibly hot for over 6 hours, this is a great product, but as an on-the-go tea mug, it doesn’t cut the mustard.

The four remaining models I tested, the Uendure Glass Infuser Travel Mug , the Lotus Glass Tea Tumbler , the Pure Zen Tea Tumbler , and the Sacred Lotus Love Sacred Glass Tea Infuser Tumbler were constructed of glass and sell in the $25 to $28 range. None of them (even with easy-to-grip insulating neoprene sleeves complete with nifty loops for carrying) had heat retention capability that came anywhere close to that of my winning contenders, and, though they were sexy looking, they were too fragile for true on-the-go usage. (A note that came with one of the models warned that the glass “may break if you drop it, knock it, or bang it with a metal spoon”.) Their open top lids made for challenging drinking on the go. So, while these might be stylish for drinking at a desk (though you’ll have to watch your keyboard if the mug gets knocked over), they’re too fragile and not practical for real on the go use.

How I Tested

I brewed loose black tea in seven leading travel tea mugs. After brewing the tea, I removed the tea basket and took the temperature of each mug’s tea using a digital thermometer . I closed the lids tightly, then measured the temperature of each tea again after 1 hour, 4 hours, and 6 hours, recording the change in temperature at each interval.

In the breaks between temperature takes, I rolled my tightly closed filled travel tea mugs on the floor; turned them upside down, and gave them all a good shaking around to test for leaks. I took a look at how many parts came with each model and how easy they were to clean. I also considered sipping mechanism design, steeper basket quality (did the basket allow ample room for proper steeping), overall durability, and style.

The Takeaway:

The company Tea Spot makes the best tea infuser travel mugs—models that brew a great cup of tea and are easy to take on the go. Buy the Everest Tumbler for slightly larger capacity and a more rugged, outdoor-adventure-ready design. Buy the Voyager for a smaller travel tea mug that's perfect for urban commuters.

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The best travel mug you've ever had. Seriously.

Perfect Flavor & No Mess

Stop infusion of loose leaf tea anywhere, anytime with a quick push of the innovative tea press.  

100% Leakproof  

Everything in your bag is safe, thanks to the threaded cap, domed-filter, and industrial seal.

Stays Hot or Cold  

Busy? No problem. Superior double-walled insulation keeps your beverage hot or cold all day. Your drink is ready when you are.

No Splashes

In the car, walking, or down to the last drop, get the perfect sip every time thanks to integrated flow control.  

Premium Materials  

Materials that are good for you, made to last. Constructed with medical-grade stainless steel and Eastman Tritan™ (BPA and bisphenol-free).

Hot or Iced  

Keep it hot, or add ice to the press chamber for refreshing iced tea you can take with you.

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"The grip is comfortable, 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."

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Over 95% 5-Star Reviews

Great For Travel

"I am a tea snob of many years, and I've tried a lot of travel steepers, but nothing comes close to this!"

Design Is Next Level

"I've never had a travel mug like this, and it's absolutely going to level up my tea game." Read more about review stating Keeps tea warm all day!

Keeps Tea Warm All Day!

"I'm surprised this unique tumbler isn't being praised all over the internet. Its stop-infusion tech works like magic. "

"I finally had time to drink my tea during my l Read more about review stating Keeps tea warm all day! ast hour of work. It tasted so fresh, warm, and comforting. I am using this travel mug from now on!"

Best Travel Tea Press

"Your tea leaves get to brew and unfold directly in the hot water, giving you full flavor. The mug is really substantial, fits well in the hand. And your tea is HOT."

Love This Mug

"Love the look of this travel mug, but also keeps my drinks warm and cold for a long time! Didn’t have any issue with leaks either. It is worth the price."

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How do I make tea in the Stop-Infusion Travel Mug?

It's simple. Here's what to do:

• Remove the tea press.
• Add your loose leaf tea – 1 tbsp. for hot tea, or 2 tbsp. for iced.
• Add hot water to the lower fill line for iced tea, or the upper fill line for hot tea.
• When your tea has steeped, push the tea press all the way down to stop infusion. You can do this anywhere!
• If you want iced tea, add ice to the chamber of the press before pushing down.

Is the Stop-Infusion Travel Mug made of safe materials?

We believe in quality first, and that goes for the materials we use. The travel mug itself is constructed from medical-grade stainless steel. The tea press is made using Eastman Tritan™ which is BPA and Bisphenol-free.

What makes the Stop-Infusion Travel Mug so special?

Ever tried to steep tea on the go in a regular travel mug? Scooping out a tea bag or straining tea leaves is a hassle and makes a mess. We're not about that, and we bet you don't love it either.

With a simple push down on the tea press, you can stop the infusion of your tea. That means perfect flavor, never oversteeped.

Another innovation – because why stop at one – is the ability to add ice to the press for iced tea. Game-changer.

We also added stratgeic holes along the upper perimeter of the press to control the flow of liquid. So whether it's a sudden stop or trying to get those last few sips, you won't get splashed in the face.

Add in premium materials, double-walled insulation, and big style points, and this travel mug just might become your most prized possession.

What's the deal with your Money-Back Guarantee?

We take the risk out of your purchase. Try out our Stop-Infusion Travel Mug, and if you don't love it, get in touch with our team within 30 days. We'll help you solve any issues or questions you're experiencing, or we'll refund you.

When can I expect my order?

Get excited, because we're getting it to you fast. Expect 2-day shipping on most orders. We'll stay in touch throughout the order and delivery process so that you can track your new travel mug to your door.

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"Beautiful travel mug. DOES NOT SPILL. Love this."

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"Easy to clean, has a great texture and the no-slip bottom makes work days tea-friendly for me." Read more about review stating Keeps tea warm all day!

"The best infuser mug I’ve ever used! I absolutely love that this mug lets me trap my loose tea at the bottom of my mug. This is perfect for a day on the go! "

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We believe in quality first, always, and that includes the materials we use. The travel mug itself is constructed from medical-grade stainless steel. The tea press is made using Eastman Tritan™ which is BPA and Bisphenol-free.

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The 16 Best Travel Mugs to Keep Drinks Hot or Cold on the Move

Good travel mugs are leakproof, durable and stylish. The best ones go even further.

By Hayley Helms and Jack Seemer

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

Travel mugs deserve due diligence. You might be tempted to grab whatever mug you see on sale, only to realize later that it leaks or has terrible thermal properties.

Good travel mugs are simple to use, leakproof, durable and stylish. The best ones also fit easily in a cupholder (with some exceptions) and keep your coffee hot or cold for hours on end. These picks do all that and more.

Every product is independently selected. Learn more about our testing methods.

Best Overall Travel Mug

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Flex Sip Lid Travel Mug

• Fits in standard cupholder
• Dishwasher-safe
• Large variety of color options
• Lifetime warranty
• No extra bells or whistles
• $25 at Amazon $35 (29% off)

Hydro Flask’s double-wall, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel water bottles are known to keep beverages cold or hot all day long, and the same goes for its coffee mugs.

The Wide Mouth Mug keeps cold drinks chilled for a whopping 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for 12 hours. The variety of colors and sizes Hydro Flask offers is wide, the flexible carry handle is comfortable to grip and makes it easy to strap to any pack and the lifetime warranty is sweet.

Best Upgrade Travel Mug

YETI Rambler 20 Ounce Tumbler

• Sturdy design
• Dishwashe-safe
• $35 at Amazon

Yeti is pretty firmly ensconced as the cooler king . No big surprise then that the company makes some pretty damn good mugs, as well.

This double-wall vacuum-insulated option keeps your beverage as hot or cold as you like while also looking good and standing up to the elements. The no-muss Magslider lid makes it even more travel friendly.

Best Budget Travel Mug

RTIC Travel Coffee Mug

• Top-tier insulation
• Comes in multiple sizes
• Hand-wash only
• $23 at Amazon

Rtic makes top-of-the-line coolers , so it’s understandable the brand also crushes the hot beverage game — with style to spare.

Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps each sip toasty, and the 16-ounce capacity ensures there will be plenty such sips.

Brand to Watch

SMMT Outdoor Serpa Tumbler

• Easy to clean
• Doesn't fit cupholders
• $42 at SMMT Outdoor

Created by former Nike execs and located in Park City, Utah, SMMT Outdoor specializes in elevating outdoor gear, and its Serpa Tumbler is no exception.

The leak-proof lid separates into two components — the durable plastic sipping lid and a magnetic base, which doubles as a coaster when sipping lid-free.

The Serpa can hold 16 ounces, and it is shorter and stouter than other insulated mugs. It doesn’t fit in car cupholders (which is a shame) but it’s chic design and ability to keep drinks at their optimal temperatures will probably inspire you to have it in-hand, anyway.

Best Large Travel Mug

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

• Large handle makes carrying easy
• Compatible with all cup holders
• Heavy when full
• $45 at Amazon

Thanks to TikTok, Stanley’s humble Quencher has gone from standard issue to red-hot over the last couple years. If you’re seeing one in practically everyone’s hand, it’s not just the effect of social media: the bottle is that good.

The 40-ounce capacity with cup holder compatibility is spill-proof, easy to drink out of thanks to its reusable straw and easy to grip thanks to its extra-large handle. It’s easy to clean since it’s dishwasher safe, and it comes in a variety of colors.

And, yes, it keeps your drinks at just the temp you want — four hours for warm drinks, and 11 hours for cold beverages.

Innovative Lid Design

Miir 360 Traveler

• Sleek and sophisticated design
• Pricey per ounce
• Only available in smaller sizes
• $28 at Miir

If you’re constantly on-the-go, sometimes it can be a pain to take the time to sip out of one tiny little opening in your travel mug lid. You want options! And Miir offers them with its 360 Traveler.

The unique pop-up design of the lid allows for sipping anywhere around the rim — no thinking required. It’s spill proof, sleek and easy to use.

The lid can be a little annoying to clean, but that’s not anything new in the world of insulated mugs and bottles.

Most Versatile Design

CamelBak MultiBev Water Bottle & Travel Cup

• Easy to share beverages
• Can also store dry goods
• Too tall for daily use
• $40 at Amazon $52 (23% off)

If you’re looking for a travel mug that can do more — and are willing to shell out for it — CamelBak’s Red Dot Design Award-winning innovation is your play.

The insulated 22-ounce bottle features a removable, lidded 16-once cup you can use to reduce waste at a coffee shop, stash snacks and even use to share some of your precious rocket fuel with a friend, if you’re feeling generous.

Best Travel Mug for Long Journeys

Ember Travel Mug 2

• Keeps drinks at a specific temperature for three hours
• Not for cold drinks
• Requires setup
• $120 at Amazon

If you’re the type to let your coffee or tea go cold, just to microwave it and let it go cold again, then the Ember 2 should be on your radar.

Yes, other insulated mugs and bottles can keep your favorite drink semi-hot for up to six hours. But Ember’s keeps your coffee, tea or other hot beverage at the same exact temperature for three hours.

Classic Travel Mug

Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug

• Comfortable handle
• White lid stains easily
• $18 at Amazon

If you love to get outdoors, this backcountry-inspired travel mug looks just like the ceramic mugs that used to be everyone’s go-to for camping.

The sliding leak-proof lid keeps things hot and secure for up to five hours. We recommend pairing this mug with some easy-to-make camp coffee like Kuju’s pour-over grounds or Alpine Start’s instant coffee.

Best Travel Tumbler

CamelBak Horizon 10 Ounce Rocks Tumbler

• Fits easily in your hand or pack
• Non-slip silicone base
• Won't hold a standard 12-ounce can of beer
• $16 at Amazon $19 (16% off)

Camelbak’s small-but-mighty 10 ounce tumbler is perfect for keeping drinks — alcoholic or not — chilled and ready for sipping at a moment’s notice.

The double-walled insulated stainless steel is powder-coated for a sweat-free finish: use this for your afternoon cocktail this weekend, and you won’t get those annoying drops rolling off every time you raise your glass to take a refreshing sip.

CamelBak’s non-slip silicone pad on the base keeps things upright and steady, and its tumbler-style lid slides open into three different positions, so you can find the flow that works for you.

Best Travel Mug for Bike Rides

Velo Canteen

• Fits standard bottle cages
• Only holds 13.5 ounces
• $45 at Velo

For the cyclist that enjoys a quality brew but doesn’t want to pour it into plastic — or simply refined riders that want a beautiful, functional bottle to complement their kit — it doesn’t get much better than Velo’s Stainless Steel Canteen.

It fits in a standard cage, works on and off the bike and double-walled stainless steel keeps warm drinks warm for hours on end.

Best Snap-Lid Design

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug

• Comes in two-dozen colorways
• Multiple sizes available
• Cold retention is short
• $26 at Amazon

Offered in two-dozen attractive hues, Zojirushi mugs are renowned for their quality. This one keeps beverages hot for up to six hours, and there’s a five-year warranty on the heat retention, so you’re essentially getting five years of steaming java in one purchase.

Best Travel Mug for Iced Coffee

Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide 16 oz Travel Mug

• Some of the best thermal retention on the market
• Appearance is pretty plain
• $33 at Amazon

This vacuum-insulated bottle gives you loads of liquid refreshment options. But simply using the included leak-proof Café Cap and carrying handle, you can tote hot coffee for an impressive 14 hours — or iced coffee for a mind-blowing 47.

An Aesthetically Pleasing Design

Swell Teakwood Traveler

• Triple-layer vacuum insulation
• Comes in three sizes
• Not real wood
• $40.00 at swell.com

The 16-ounce version of this distinctive-looking option will keep your coffee steaming for a a generous 12 hours thanks to stainless steel and triple-walled insulation.

If the wood finish isn’t your style, there are several other colors and patterns to peruse.

An Old-School Design

Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug

• Lid can open with one hand
• Classic stylng
• May be too old-school for some
• $25 at Dick's Sporting Goods

Stanley’s been at it for more than a century, with consistent quality you can trust.

This mug combines timeless good looks with reliable 18/8 Stainless Steel and double-wall vacuum insulation to ensure hours of toasty joe.

It’s easy to drink while driving, too, thanks to the push-button lid you can trigger with your thumb.

Best Travel Mug for Tea

Thermos Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Travel Tumbler

• Has thousands of positive reviews
• Built-in tea hook
• Not the most durable design
• $22 at Amazon $28 (21% off)

This fan-favorite has over 8,000 Amazon ratings and a 4.6-star average. The vacuum insulation will keep coffee or tea hot for up to five hours, while the built-in tea hook handily suspends tea bags and most loose leaf infusers.

Related Topics

The Best Leak-Proof Travel Mugs for Taking Hot (and Cold) Drinks on the Go

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Whether you're embarking on your morning commute or headed on an East Coast road trip , you should have one of the best travel mugs in hand. Finding one you like means you can skip the routine stop at the coffee shop (or at least say no to the disposable cup), cut back on single-use plastics, and keep your drinks at an ideal temperature (with some, for hours and hours at a time). Ahead, we've rounded up Condé Nast Traveler editors' personal favorites—from brands like Hydro Flask, Yeti, Corksicle, Stanley, and more. With insulated, leak-proof, and easy-to-carry options in the mix, there's a mug in here ready for a spot in your cup holder or tote bag .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler

The 20-ounce version of Hydro Flask’s All Around Tumbler has been my go-to lately, both at home and on the commute to work. It keeps coffee warm for a few hours, so if I’m sipping slowly I don’t have to bother with reheating it, and does its job in keeping iced coffee cool, too. It has the type of lid that you can push back and forth to open or close, and the opening is wide enough to easily fit a reusable straw. I don’t drive, but the mug's size seems very cupholder-friendly, too! — Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

Stanley Classic Trigger Action travel mug

Stanley makes the best classic mugs (the company has been around since 1913 after all). The brand is known for its iconic insulated steel thermoses, which promise hours-long insulation for hot drinks and durability for wherever you’re taking your beverage— hiking , camping , thrown in the back of your car on a road trip , you name it. The original green color has a delightfully retro vibe as well. — Megan Spurrell, senior editor

Stojo collapsible travel cup, 16-ounce

The main reason I adore my collapsible Stojo cup is its clever design that makes it incredibly easy to carry around. I’m not kidding when I say that when folded down, my 16-ounce cup turns into a disc that fits into my jacket pocket. It’s also light enough to drop into a travel backpack or a sling bag when you go hiking. I use mine for everything from coffees and smoothies, and when dry, for snacks and berries. Don’t expect an insulated mug with this one: It keeps a beverage warm (or cool) for long enough for you to drink it, but isn’t a double-walled metal cup. However, it has helped me cut down on a ton of waste when traveling, and might I add is cute-looking, too. — Arati Menon, global digital director

Read a full review of the Stojo cup.

Stanley Aerolight Transit bottle

The AeroLight Transit bottle has become my new favorite mug to use on my morning commute to work. My tea is still piping hot even after my hour-long train ride. I keep it in my tote bag—along with my laptop and phone—and it never leaks. I've flipped this one completely upside down and nothing spills out, making it a reliable option to travel with. It's one-third lighter than Stanley's typical stainless steel, so it doesn't feel heavy in my bag either. I also appreciate how slim the bottle is—it's so easy to carry around. — Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor

Yeti Rambler stackable mug

When I'm traveling, the most essential ritual I preserve is my morning coffee. While I love nearly all of the Yeti drinkware options, this mug is perfect for coffee—both for its manageable 10-ounce size, as well as the side handle, which makes this especially easy when I'm on a road trip or a train. (This mug has come with me on camping trips in the Shenandoah Valley and Delaware Water Gap, on a road trip through the Appalachian Highlands, and a long drive between D.C. and New York City .) A fair word of warning though: The airtight lid and insulation work almost too well—coffee stays hot a long time, so I recommend you get it close to your ideal temperature before pouring it in. —Corina Quinn, former city guides director

Snow Peak Milk bottle

This is one of those gifts I have become deeply attached to—it was given to me about a year ago, when I was getting really into camping and the chic outdoor brand Snow Peak, and it’s since become a staple in my house. It has a beautifully minimalist design, is small enough to feel really portable (as in, it’s not a pain to have to tote home once it’s empty), and it never leaks. It’s no bargain, but given how much I use and love it, I think the math sort of works out in the end. — M.S .

Zojirushi stainless steel mug

“This mug is my favorite one ever because the lid has a lock feature that makes it completely leak-free. I can throw this in a travel tote and not worry about coffee dribbling all over. Plus the stainless steel interior keeps coffee extra hot for hours, but it doesn't burn your hands. In addition to my commute on the subway, I've taken this little wonder on train rides to upstate New York , and I've never spilled a drop.” —Jessica Puckett, senior editor, transportation and travel news

Hydro Flask 20 oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid

Another option from Hydro Flask worth noting is the 20-ounce bottle with a Flex Slip lid. It's large enough that I can bring plenty of iced coffee with me on the go, but it's still cupholder-friendly—very important for road trips. The double-wall vaccum insulation keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12. The carry-handle makes it easy to hold on long walks and the leak-proof lid is easy to open and close. I love the color options, especially this new purple shade. —M.K.

Martina Thornhill Okay cup

It’s not hyperbole to state that I’ve tried the lion’s share of travel mugs on the market. I drink a ton of coffee and I travel and drive a lot. I hate the way metal mugs make coffee taste—it’s so much better out of a ceramic mug. The Okay Cup from Portland, Oregon –based ceramicist Marina Thornhill is gorgeous, doesn’t leak, and doesn’t make your coffee taste like mud. It’s pricey, but a better long-term deal than always dumping the coffee you put in another mug and don’t actually drink. It’s constantly selling out, so put your name on the pre-order list—it’s worth the wait. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor

Kinto travel tumbler

If you’re a tea drinker like me or like your travel mugs to keep your hot drinks piping hot, be warned: this insulated mug gets me every time, keeping my teas at steaming, roof-of-mouth-burning temperatures for what feels like an impossibly long time. (And that’s a good thing in my book.) I prefer the matte exterior over the stainless steel for its added grip. I use it to commute with my tea (it doesn’t leak!) and on extra-long winter walks because I know it’ll stay warm the entire time. —Meredith Carey, former travel bookings editor

Yeti Rambler lowball

This mug is a thing in my house. My partner received one as a Christmas gift , only to find it missing every morning—truth be told, after I stole it once to use for hot coffee on my morning subway commute, I couldn’t go back to any other thermos. I personally love that this mug doesn’t have a handle, because it’s so insulated it never burns my hands, yet the coffee inside stays piping hot, and its shape is nice and easy to hold. When I’m done enjoying my hot drink on the go, it takes the least space possible in my bag , where it usually clangs around for the rest of the day until I make my way home (or back to wherever I’m staying). —M.S.

Corkcicle classic tumbler

This Corkcicle tumbler keeps my coffee hot on my subway commute, and is secure enough to sneak a couple of sips while standing on a crowded, moving train. There’s also something joyful about pouring my freshly brewed coffee into a pink vessel—how could I not be cheerful toting this cute mug around the office? Most often this mug has been my subway companion, though I have used it for road trips and early morning flights that require a caffeine boost before boarding. —Katie Henwood, former senior SEO manager

Miir Climate+ Tumbler

Lately when I want a compact option that won't take up much space in my backpack or tote after it's empty, I've been reaching for this sleek stainless steel tumbler from Miir. It's shatter proof, so I don't worry about dropping it or getting any dents. For an extra charge, you can even personalize it, making it a great gift for any traveler in your life. —M.K.

Hydro Flask stainless steel travel mug

This Hydro Flask mug checks all the boxes: It's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, has a leak-proof lid, carrying handle, and no-sweat matte finish, and comes with a lifetime warranty. You can use it as a thermos, a water bottle , or a coffee cup. Hydro Flask also has matching slings that let you carry your travel tumbler hands-free, helpful when biking, hiking, or just dashing through the airport. — Kristi Kellogg, contributor

OtterBox Elevation wine tumbler

Technically this is a wine tumbler, but more often, I use it for iced coffee. It keeps my caffeine cold, fits the extra-large ice cube I put into the bottom, and doesn’t leave rings on tables when I set it down. Plus, like all things OtterBox, it’s sturdy—I don’t have to worry about dinging or denting it when I inevitably drop or knock it over. Its smaller size means it’s also carry-on and backpack friendly. —M.F.

Hay Sowden travel cup

I don’t think there’s a chicer travel mug than this colorful one from Hay, which comes in pink, green, or gray, all with contrasting, two-toned lids. It puts all other thermoses to shame when it comes to design—but it’s also totally functional, with an insulated stainless steel exterior that keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for an impressive 24 hours. —M.C.

W&P Porter mug

This mug hits all the right marks: The silicone sleeve makes it easy to grip and quiet when placed down on a surface; the mouthpiece on the lid is easy to slide open and close; and it’s safe to put in the dishwasher and microwave. Plus, it just looks nicer than the rest of my logo-clad travel mugs. Most often I use it to sip coffee on my morning commute, but I have also brought it on longer train rides to D.C. and on flights as a vessel for oatmeal. —M.F.

Simple Modern travel coffee mug

One of my favorite reusable water bottles is from Simple Modern, so I had high hopes for its travel mug and it certainly did not disappoint. This stainless steel mug keeps my hot beverages hot for four hours and my iced coffee cold for up to 16 hours, so it's great for day trips and using at the office. It's dishwasher safe and the handle makes sipping on the go easy. The under $20 price tag is nice, too. —M.K.

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The Best Travel Mug

By Trey French and Anna Perling

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

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

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.

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 and 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 version this guide. He covers travel and outdoor gear, including thermoses , ice cleats , and thermal underwear . 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’ve done the following:

• 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.
• We watched a mass of online videos on what other professional and consumer reviewers had to say about travel mugs.

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 . They also have wider mouths for adding ice cubes. Many also have straws for sipping 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.

Here’s what we prioritized when deciding which travel mugs to test:

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:

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’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 .

It doesn’t keep drinks hot as long as our top pick does. 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.

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.

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.

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, and 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 battery-powered Ember Travel Mug 2 promises 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. 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

Trey French

I write about outdoor and travel gear. I test hiking socks, ice cleats, thermoses, and more things that make being outdoors more comfortable and fun.

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

This Inexpensive Water Bottle Is Meant for Cyclists, But It’s Great for Travelers, Too

The Camelbak Podium is affordable, lightweight, and perfect for packing.

Our Favorite Mugs

Our Wirecutter home team is passionate about the vessels they drink them out of. Here are the mugs we can’t get enough of.

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!

We’ve Recommended This Travel Mug for a Decade. It’s Still Going Strong.

Our longtime favorite travel mug keeps drinks piping hot, and the nifty locking lid makes it virtually spill-proof.

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Coffee & Tea

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

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

Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

The Winners, at a Glance

What we learned, the criteria: what to look for in a travel mug, our favorite 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.

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.

Editor's Pick

Yeti rambler 20 oz. travel mug.

This Yeti travel mug had a screw-on lid that didn't leak and good hot and cold retention. "I own a few of these Yeti mugs and use them all of the time," says associate commerce editorial director Riddley Gemperelin-Schirm . "The lid's slider smoothly opens and closes and I like that the tapered base fits easily into a car's cupholder."

Note: 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 .

• 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 and Yeti Rambler Tumbler ) 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.

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 mugs like these, 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
• PHOTO: Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

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

What we liked: "I have a huge problem with travel mugs that don't fit in a car's cupholder," Riddley says. "The tapered base on this Yeti easily fits into a cupholder and I like its wide, looped handle. It's easy to hold onto and its matte, slightly pebbly surface is non-slip." In my tests, the Yeti also had great hot and cold retention and didn't leak.

What we didn't like: The bulkier lip on this mug was less pleasant to drink from.

• Material: 18-8 stainless steel with plastic lid
• Dimensions: 2.75 inches diameter; 7.5 inches tall
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
• Stated capacity: 20 fluid ounces
• Weight: 1 pound, 2.375 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.
• 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 travel mug won't leak?

All of our favorite travel mugs (from Zojirushi, Fellow, and Kinto) are leak-proof. The Zojirushi features a flip-cap that locks, while the other two have screw-on lids that prevent accidental spills.

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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The 12 Very Best Travel Mugs

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

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.

Update on August 27, 2024:  Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

What we’re looking for

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you prefer a mug with a handle, I recommend this Yeti option. Steven Sadoff, founder of New York City’s Ground Support , has many travel mugs (including the MiiR and the Fellow above), but he finds the handle on this one 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

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

MiiR also makes a sweet travel mug that mimics an actual handled mug, and it also came recommended by multiple experts. 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

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, I named it our best-overall bottle). Here, the Flex Sip lid makes it especially easy to use on the go, keeping your coffee contained as you drink. Plus you can dangle the mug with one finger from the looped handle. If you already own a Hydro Flask, you can buy the lid separately and just replace your old one. The company says it’s dishwasher safe, but handwashing is recommended — though my boyfriend and I have been putting our own Hydro Flasks in the dishwasher for months now, and there hasn’t been any damage.

Best no-leak travel mug

Volume: 12 and 17 ounces | Lid type: Screw top double lid | How to clean: Handwash recommended

This tumbler has an extra-secure double-lid system to prevent leaks. You take both lids 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. Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa loves this feature, he 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

Volume: 8.5 and 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

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

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

Often, tea-brewing 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 turn bitter. But not with this tumbler. Daniela Titiun, tea sommelier and author of Tea Cachai , tried many models before landing on the Oneisall, which she says has “the smartest system.” It 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

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

Like the model above, this travel mug 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

Our experts

• ​​ Haley Boyd , designer and sustainability enthusiast • 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 • 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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WITCHES BREW Travel Mug 22oz

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FABOOLOUS Travel Mug 22oz

FABOOLOUS Travel Mug 18oz

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SUGAR SKULLS Travel Mug 22oz

SUGAR SKULLS Travel Mug 18oz

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SUGAR SKULLS Mega Mug 40oz

SWEET AND SPOOKY Travel Mug 22oz

SWEET AND SPOOKY Travel Mug 18oz

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PUMPKIN PATCH Travel Mug 22oz

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BELLA ROSA Travel Mug 22oz

BELLA ROSA Travel Mug 18oz

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DESERT CHILD Travel Mug 22oz

DESERT CHILD Travel Mug 18oz

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CHICKS DIG IT Travel Mug 22oz

CHICKS DIG IT Travel Mug 18oz

CHICKS DIG IT Mega Mug 30oz

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Attention all coffee and tea lovers!!! 📣☕️🍵📣 Our Stainless Steel Insulated Travel Mugs not only have convenient handles, but they come in a wide range of prints, colors, and sizes from 12oz - 22oz. Our cup holder-friendly Travel Mugs keep your drinks hot or cold for hours on end, keeping each sip good til the last drop! Shop our collection today.

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Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug Review

This durable travel mug will keep your coffee hot for hours

Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug

 The Spruce Eats /  Rebekah Joan

Keeps drinks hot/cold for hours

Comfortable to hold

Lid seals tightly

Lid is hard to clean

Doesn’t fit in all car cup holders

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty travel cup that will keep your morning coffee hot all day, the 16-ounce Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug was designed with you in mind.

Editor’s Note: We originally published our review of the Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug in 2020. Part of our product testing process involves revisiting past recommendations to make sure they’re still up to our standards, and this Thermos mug remains on our list of the best travel mugs because of its durability and stellar performance.

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We purchased the Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

Thermos is a household name for many people. Really, who hasn’t used one of their food containers to bring hot soup to work at one point or another? Because of the brand’s reputation for quality, we wanted to see if the Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Travel Mug has the same impressive heat retention abilities as other Thermos products. We put it to the test, using it as our daily to-go cup for several weeks—read on to see what we found. 

Design: Clunky in cupholders but easy to carry

The Thermos Stainless King has a double-walled, vacuum-insulated design that the brand claims will keep drinks hot for seven hours or cold for 18 hours, all while the outside of the mug stays comfortable to the touch. In general, it felt very durable, and we thought the mug was comfortable to hold either by its handle or with our hand around the cup itself.

As far as the lid goes, it has openings on either side, making it comfortable to use whether you’re left- or right-handed. All you have to do to open it is turn a little lever.

While traveling with this mug in the car, we realized it doesn’t fit well in cup holders. The body fits snugly, but the handle gets in the way of it settling down. However, if your cup holders are connected, you can turn it so the handle is partially in the next cup holder—assuming the neighboring spot is empty. Either way, it makes it harder to get the mug out for a sip and increases the risk of spilling.

Thankfully, the handle is the only major design flaw we found with the mug, and if not fitting into a cup holder is a dealbreaker, you’ll be happy to know the brand also offers the Thermos Stainless King Tumbler without a handle.

Performance: Works well in extreme conditions

To test the mug’s heat retention, we made hot chocolate at 9 a.m. and took it to work with us. When we opened the Thermos Stainless King at 2 p.m., the drink’s temperature was still on the hot side of drinkable. We were impressed, but we also wanted to see how well the mug would retain heat in more extreme conditions, like for people who work outside.

The lid has openings on either side, making it comfortable to use whether you’re left- or right-handed.

To test this, we put boiling water into the cup and placed it in our car on a cold, 20-degree day. After seven hours, the liquid was still above 130 degrees, which is within the ideal temperature range for drinking coffee . We’re happy to say that this travel mug stands up to its claims and will keep your coffee hot for most—if not all—of your shift, even on a cold day.

As far as keeping liquids cold, we tested found that the Thermos Stainless King kept ice water refreshingly cold for almost 24 hours. The ice didn’t last that long, though.

Material: Durable stainless steel

This travel mug is made of vacuum-insulated stainless steel, and the lid is made of plastic. Its construction feels very durable, like it would survive a drop or two.

However, it’s worth noting that a few reviewers say the finish on the outside of the mug flaked after six months to a year of use. This wasn’t the case for everyone, though.

Features: Clever lid design

When we first looked at the lid on this Thermos travel mug, we were confused. It looks more complicated than most lids, but after inspecting it further, we realized the design is actually quite clever. Instead of a standard slider to open and close the drinking hole, this lid uses the brand’s “DrinkLock” sealing technology.

What does that mean? Basically, there’s a gasket around the rim of the lid that seals it, and below that is an additional disc that moves up and down as you open and close the lid. It forms a tight seal so that no liquid (or heat) passes through it, which means no spills, and your morning coffee stays hot for longer.

On top of that, the bottom of the lid also features a hook for tea bags or infusers. That way, you can brew your tea on the go and won’t have to fish around to get the bag out.

Cleaning: Quite the hassle

While the mug itself is easy to wash, the lid has to be taken apart for cleaning. All you have to do is disassemble a few parts and hand wash them. However, when you have to do it every day, it gets tedious quickly.

Although the travel mug is technically dishwasher safe (top rack only), the manufacturer recommends against putting it in the dishwasher to preserve the exterior finish. Thermos also suggests not leaving liquids inside the mug for more than 24 hours.

The bottom of the lid also features a convenient hook for tea bags or infusers.

Price: Worth it

The Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug costs $24.99, but it’s often on sale for less. Given the quality performance and construction of the mug, we think it’s a fair price, even if it is higher than other similar-sized options.

Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug vs. Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler and Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Stainless Travel Mug

If you’re looking for a travel mug that’s great for hot drinks and thicker beverages like smoothies, the  Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw  is a cheaper, worthy choice. You can often find it retailing for under $10, and it comes with a winged straw that’s great for stirring your drink. The downside is the Bubba Envy doesn’t have a leak-proof or sealed lid, but it does a decent job maintaining drink temperatures, and its 24-ounce capacity is significantly bigger than the Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug.

Want a travel mug with an outdoorsy aesthetic? The Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Stainless Travel Mug is it. This cup keeps drinks warm almost as well as the Thermos, and it’s a little bit bigger, with an 18-ounce capacity. The lid on this mug isn’t nearly as complicated, and the whole thing is much easier to clean. Plus, its cork-lined handle is extra comfortable, making this vintage-inspired, to-go cup a fashion-forward option.

A keeper. The Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug might be a little pricey, but it keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for longer, making it a worthwhile purchase, especially if you work outdoors or have a long commute.

• Product Name Stainless King Travel Mug
• Product Brand Thermos
• Price $24.99
• Product Dimensions 4.9 x 7.8 x 3.3 in.
• Product Number SK1000MBTRI4
• Colors Matte black, army green, rustic red, midnight blue, slate, and matte stainless tteel
• Materials Stainless steel and plastic
• Warranty Limited lifetime

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Tea to Go: 10 Best Ways to Travel with Tea

Published: Jul 28, 2021 · Modified: Feb 1, 2023 by Mary Ann Rollano · 3 Comments I independently review all recommendations. Some links may earn commissions to support this publication.

Tea to go. Enjoy great tea anywhere, whether you're an overnighter, away for the week, at work for the day, or on a picnic. Here are some of the best ways to travel with tea.

Do you dread not having your favorite loose-leaf tea when you're away from home? There's nothing more comforting than a cup of tea, especially when it's your favorite.

Tea drinkers who want to take their tea with them can easily do so with a few insights and the right gear. You can take your tea to the park with friends or use a portable tea infuser for taking a cold-brewed oolong on a hike or bike ride.

I will show you some of the best ways to travel with tea by taking your teaware and tea to go. There are many creative ways to take your favorite tea with you!

Here's what you'll need for tea in the park, at the beach, on a hike, or any place you may picnic.

• A thermos of hot water
• A sturdy teapot or gaiwan
• A padded carrier to prevent breakage
• Select a nice quiet spot and enjoy

If you need some travel teaware items, check these out:

Best Tea Infuser Mugs

I've used this tea infuser mug I bought from Tea Forte for years. It has a stainless steel infusing basket that sits inside and a lid that keeps the tea warm. The inverted top can then set the basket on to catch any drippings after the tea is finished steeping.

You can bring your favorite tea leaves to work and keep them stored in an airtight tin and use the hot water from the office coffee machine for steeping.

Another tea infuser travel mug I love is this steeping mug and infuser from The Tea Spot simply because of the beautiful design and generous size. It even has a steeping guide printed on the back. The mug is double-walled ceramic allowing for excellent insulation. I bought this tea travel mug set for my daughter, who takes it everywhere!

Best Electric Tea Kettle

The other option is to bring an electric kettle if you're going to be in one place for a while, such as an office. I like the Bonavita  or the Cuisinart model because they have variable temperatures and elegant designs. Bonavita does make less expensive models that you wouldn't mind leaving at work.

Best Travel Tea Tumbler

A quality traveler tea infuser tumbler is a must-have when you're taking tea to go. Most are well-insulated, making them perfect for hot or iced tea.

What to look for in a good tea infuser tumbler:

• Double-walled stainless steel to keep hot or cold for hours.
• A good seal that does not leak.
• A screw-on lid to survive accidental dropping or tossing in backpacks.
• A large stainless steel removable infuser.
• Easy to take apart and clean.

My daughter bought me a travel tea tumbler from Teavana, which has a built-in stainless steel infuser…it is the best thing ever. I bring this whenever I travel. I can even store tea inside the tumbler in a sealed bag while it's not being used. I highly recommend investing in a quality tea tumbler if you don't have one already. This tea thermos keeps my tea piping hot for hours.

The Tea Spot Mountain Tea Tumbler

Now that Teavana is no longer, I looked for a replacement tea tumbler to recommend to my readers. As you know, I love The Tea Spot , and I came across their Mountain Tea Tumbler from their Steepware collection, which I love. It checks off all of my must-haves for a great tea tumbler.

This tumbler won the 2018 World Tea Award for the best tea brewing device - (non-electric).

The stainless steel basket infuser is larger than the Teavana one, so it's perfect for infusing larger whole-leaf teas. Another plus to the infusing basket is that it's large enough to add fruit pieces to flavor your tea or simply flavor water for a cold refreshing drink.

I much prefer the stainless steel-lined tumblers and the stainless steel infuser baskets. They're more durable and easier to keep clean. I'm not a fan of the plastic infuser baskets. They're harder to clean and stain too easily.

Food-grade stainless steel, glass, and porcelain are my first choices for any food or beverage because they are chemically inert. There's no need to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into your drink.

Best Glass Tea Tumbler

The urban glass tumbler from The Tea Spot is another of my favorites. I tend to use this for my cold-brew tea. I like the glass so I can see the cold tea infusions. The generous-sized stainless steel basket effortlessly infuses my favorite oolongs.

You can also use it for steeping hot tea since it's constructed of borosilicate glass. The stainless steel lids come off at both ends for easy cleaning. The cork sleeve and strap make this tumbler easy to hold and carry. The design is stylish and fits my car cup holders or bike beverage holders.

Best Travel Tea Set for Gong Fu Brewing

Taking a teapot, cups, and leaves can be a hassle when you're on the go, especially if you like to brew your tea gong fu style.

Generally, gong fu brewing uses more tea leaves than water, with considerably short brewing times. The process is repeated to extract the varying flavors released from the same tea leaves.

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This is a style of brewing that uses a small teapot of some sort. It could be a Gaiwan (guy wan), Yixing (ee shing) teapot, or small porcelain teapot.

A Gaiwan is usually made from porcelain, while a Yixing is unglazed and made from red or purple clay. This is purposeful. The clay absorbs the tea flavor over time and continues adding to the brewed tea's complexity. This is why dedicating Yixing to one type of tea is recommended.

OMyTea sells this delightful portable porcelain gong fu style tea brewing set all wrapped together in a convenient travel pouch. I highly recommend this tea set if you must have your tea gong fu style while traveling. How cute is this set??

Best Tea Filter Bags

I don't mind the hassle of bringing my tea, but I want to keep things simple. Bringing bagged tea is the simplest solution; if you choose that route, you have a few options.

• Buy a good quality bagged tea. I recommend several online retailers that carry quality bagged tea.
• Buying quality loose-leaf tea packed in sachets and placing them in a travel tin is the easiest way to make tea on the road.
• Usually, I will bring a good quality full-leaf tea in a pyramid bag from Adagio or The Tea Spot and brew my tea with whatever hot water is available from the hotel or café.
• You can also make your own bagged tea from your favorite loose-leaf tea.

If you want to make your tea sachets, the best ones I've found are made by Bstean tea filter bags. I like these because they are large and easily hold a healthy teaspoon of loose-leaf tea with room for the leaves to expand.

They come in two sizes and are made of unbleached natural paper, so there's no funny taste in your tea. The drawstring design is better than the fold-over flap style. I recommend buying the larger size for loose-leaf teas.

Best Travel Tea Sets

Zens Lifestyle makes clean, straightforward design teaware. Many of their products have won design awards. Their portable teaware is excellent to use on short trips. They have two different sizes. The smaller one is for individuals, and the larger set is for two people.

The Mobile Moon Tea Set is designed for traveling with a companion tea drinker. It makes an excellent little carrier for picnics. The teapot is made of borosilicate glass with two double-walled glass cups and a traveling case.

Zens's other product is a portable borosilicate glass travel tea set and tea infuser all in one. It comes with a 7.7-ounce teapot, a stainless steel infuser, and a double-walled cup packaged in a trendy little tote bag.

Zens Lifestyle makes beautiful products if you're looking for a stylish product for tea on the go. It's so easy to use the Zens Lifestyle portable travel tea set. The travel set allows you to infuse your tea in the upper chamber and, with a button, release the brewed tea through a stainless steel screen into the lower chamber glass cup.

Best Hot Water Thermos

Don't forget the hot water! THERMOS makes a large-capacity tumbler stainless steel vacuum insulated to keep liquids hot for 24 hours. The stainless steel exterior remains cool to the touch with hot drinks. The king-size holds 68 ounces - enough to keep you brewing tea all day!

Best Practices When Traveling with Loose Leaf Tea

• Only pack easygoing and simple-to-steep teas, like black teas or robust oolongs that can take boiling water.
• Choose pre-packaged or pre-fill your sachets with premium loose tea.
• Pack teas that use boiling point water since the hottest water available in hotels and cafés are boiling point temperature.
• Think twice before bringing teas requiring lower temperatures or pack a thermometer.
• Or leave the more delicate teas at home.
• Learn to live with premade teas on the go. (I know, know).

Can You Bring Tea on a Plane?

• In general, yes, don't worry.
• I've never had any problems with tea sachets in bags placed in my carry-on.
• You shouldn't have problems with dried food products as long as they are in sealed packaging.
• Customs officials don't care unless the declared goods' stated value is exceptionally high or it's an agricultural product. Dried and processed tea is an agricultural product. However, it's not a live agricultural product.
• To be safe, I would perhaps store the tea in a tea canister or bag instead of loosely in a ziplock sandwich bag, making it look like something else entirely. Until you smell it, of course!
• International travelers are permitted to bring without restriction any quantity of products composed solely of   tea leaves ( Camellia sinensis:  includes black tea, green tea, oolong, dark tea, white tea, and yellow tea). As with all agricultural products, you must declare the product at entry. Source

Forgo Tea to Go

Maybe you couldn't be bothered and have decided to just take your chances and not travel with tea. Truthfully, if you're traveling to a tea-drinking country, chances are you may find some excellent teas to try. Explore and drink whatever tea is available where you're going.

I have a friend who travels from England to the United States and always brings her tea. It's in the form of tea bags, which most Brits drink. But it is still so much better than the majority of black-bagged grocery store tea available here in the states.

On the flip side, when we traveled to Italy, I knew the chances of getting good tea were pretty slim. I was very excited when we came upon a specialty tea café in the Piazza Navona in Rome, but unfortunately, it was closed for renovations. As was the Trevi Fountain, an omen telling me I must return.

Instead, I discovered some excellent espresso, cappuccino, and red wine. My point is that a short time without your favorite tea won't hurt and may open a world of new beverage discoveries.

How do you take your tea to go?

What teaware do you find easiest to use on the go? Share your best tips for traveling with tea in the comments below.

Tea for Beginners Start Here >>

More Learning About Tea

About Mary Ann Rollano

Mary Ann is a nurse turned award-winning tea specialist creating recipes and writing stories where tea, wellness, and nature meet. Newsletter

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Rita Stewart

February 26, 2019 at 7:44 am

I was gifted with a lovely travel tea set from my sister a few years ago. One of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received, particularly as a lover of tea! https://ilegacybuilder.com/thoughtful-gifts-tea-for-me/

Mary Ann Rollano

March 03, 2019 at 1:29 pm

The travel tea sets do make perfect gifts! Thanks, Rita.

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The 11 Best Travel Mugs to Keep Your Coffee Hot

Say goodbye to lukewarm coffee once for all.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

When we think of items everyone and anyone can benefit from, coffee travel mugs are at the top of the list. Whether you’re rushing out the door on your morning commute, going for a road trip, taking a hike , heading to a sporting event, or just about anything else, a durable thermos to keep your hot beverages warm and cold beverages chilled will come in handy. Even if you’re staying at home all day and want to continuously sip on hot tea, you will get joy and use out of an insulating mug.

While this item is so widely appreciated (and usually taken for granted), that doesn’t mean all of the options on the market perform the same. Any hardcore coffee drinker knows the disappointment that comes from sipping your daily cup of Joe, only to find out it has turned lukewarm. To narrow down the overwhelming travel mug options available for you to shop, we have tested a ton of top brands, like Yeti and Contigo, to confidently present you with the best coffee thermoses out there.

From the best travel mugs to keep your coffee hot for hours, to other more modern thermos styles with a reusable straw, there's an option for everyone's budget and needs. Keeping in mind insulation levels, leak proof lids, thermos design details, and washability, we guarantee these travel mugs won't disappoint.

S'well Stainless Steel Tumbler

You've seen S'well blow up over the last decade. They have products in every major department store. We knew S'well "made it" when other brands have been knocking off their signature designs. Suddenly carrying a travel bottle with that S'well logo turned into a status symbol in gyms, offices, classes, and more. While the brand offers travel mugs in a variety of colors and prints, we love this not-so-flashy, quality coffee thermos for daily use.

It's ergonomically friendly to hold, fits in your cup holder, and is super lightweight for throwing in your bag once you are done sipping. It's simple, stylish, and easy to handle, checking off everything you want in the best coffee mug. Just make sure every S'well bottle your purchase has their authentic seal to ensure it's not a fake. But you'll quickly find out the hard way when your coffee turns cold after 8 hours.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

We deem the Zojirushi Stainless Steel mug the best value on this list. For under $20, you can get a top-rated coffee thermos that will keep beverages hot or cold hour hours. It has stainless steel vacuum insulation with a safety lock to prevent the lid on this travel mug from opening on accident. (You can even tip this upside down without spills.) The wide mouth opening accommodates full-sized ice cubes that will keep them solid for the bulk of your day.

Yeti Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

This wouldn't be a best travel mug roundup without the iconic Yeti Rambler. Outdoor enthusiasts and seasoned tailgaters know that this thermos lives up to all the hype. On even the coldest days, Yeti's rambler will help keep you warm by serving steamy liquid for hours on end.

This product has well over 40,000 rave reviews, so if you don't believe us, there are plenty more that will stan this mug. It's shatter-resistant, cup-holder compatible, and dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. The lids are interchangeable, but this once comes with a magnetic slide closure to avoid outside contact on the surface where your mouth lies. This also makes opening and closing a breeze so you can quickly sip on the go, without having to untwist a vacuum seal top.

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Travel Mug

After thorough testing, there is no travel mug that keeps coffee hot quite like a Hydroflask. And we mean piping hot—even after leaving hot coffee in a freezing car for 8 hours. This thermos won't actually fit in your car cupholder, but the vacuum seal top and flex handle is comfortable to carry on hikes, walks, and errands. It's on the chunkier side, but if your top priority is uncompromising temperature regulation, look no further.

Stanley Stay-Hot Titanium Multi-Cup

We know, the price point is high on this top travel mug, but if you have the money to spend, you're going to quickly fall in love. And if you're a big outdoorsy guy, you're going to want to consider this investment.

This Stanley coffee thermos is like magic. It's a new product on the market that uses the innovative materials to make it light as a feather. It's a basic design but can be used for both a mug and koozie (it can fit a beer can,) while promising durability and hours of temperature regulation. There's nothing worse than a travel mug or coffee thermos weighing you down on the trail, and Stanley's latest advances solve that problem.

Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug

We vote the Contigo Autoseal thermos as the best travel mug to use in the car. It fits nice and snug in all car cup holders, and can open and close it's sip compartment with ease. Plus, it delivers on the spill-proof, leakproof promise. Usually with a vacuum seal top, it's a process to unlid and sip, but Contigo figured out how to solve this problem, so you don't have to think twice about coffee spills while on the road.

Corkcicle 24oz Tumbler

Corkcicle's popular prints, funky colors, and pop culture collaborations— Star Wars fans, you're going to want to see this —have swept through department stores, boutiques, gyms, and the internet. They are on the more stylish side of things when it comes to the market of travel mugs with functionality following right behind.

The brand's 24oz tumbler is perfect for everyday use. Aside from color, it's a straightforward and simple body design, sleek enough to carry and clean without any fuss. It features a subtle nonslip grip and bottom, which is actually extremely beneficial to anyone with butter fingers.

Bodum Travel Mug

A good travel mug is one that gets incorporated into your daily routine. It's a lot easier to do that when your thermos is nice to look at. This sleek metallic coffee mug from Bodum will elevate your car cup holder or work desk situation. It might not be the most durable option on the list, but it brings enough function to the table with an attractive, minimalist design.

Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Travel Tumbler

It's probably the travel mug your parents used on repeat to sip out of at all your soccer games as a kid. They might even still have one as an heirloom, as it was one of the first thermal mugs on the market. It can be used for hot ciders, teas, coffees, and soups, and the brand still remains relevant.

We love it because it has an inner hook for your tea bag. Even with scalding hot liquid inside, the outer remains cool to the touch. The Drinking Lock features a vacuum seal making this leakproof and durable. It fits perfectly under your Keurig or single serve coffee machine, making life easier when you're having a late start to the day.

Simple Modern Classic Insulated Tumbler with Straw

Whether you're an iced coffee addict, or just like to sip on ice cold drinks all day, you'll quickly become hooked over this internet sensation of a cup from Simple Modern. We can't explain it, but something about this travel cup just makes you want to keep drinking whatever liquid you have inside. While it comes with two different interchangeable lids: a flip lid and a straw-id for versatility, we prefer the latter for cold beverages on ice.

• Vacuum insulated • Fits most cup holders • Hot for 5 hours • Cold for 20 hours • Dishwasher safe

MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler

MiiR is another household name is the travel mug space. Even though this coffee thermos looks more luxe and delicate, it's surprisingly durable. And while some stainless steel travel mugs can leave a slight metallic aftertaste, you won't have that problem here. Your morning coffee will still be piping hot by the afternoon. When sealed, the leakproof lid can handle bumpy commutes, even in your backpack.

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