8 Best Travel Mugs For Coffee reviewed

If you don’t want to be disappointed by expensive to-go coffee, why not make coffee at home with a coffee maker and take it with you?

Of course, you can’t just choose to use water bottles and expect everything to be fine. What you need is a good coffee travel mug. Here are the top picks for the best travel mugs for coffee.

Reading: Best coffee travel mugs 2014

Best Coffee Travel Mug: Top 8 Picks

What you need from a travel coffee mug may be very different from what your friend or colleague needs. Below this list, we have some tips to help you choose the right travel coffee mug for your needs. but for now, here’s an overview of our favorites.

The Stanley Classic One-Handed Travel Mug is a reliable choice for nature lovers. This stainless steel travel mug has a thermal lid and can keep tea or coffee warm for hours, making it perfect for long walks.

This insulated stainless steel travel mug resembles the classic full-size stanley thermos, but is more portable. the largest size is 20 ounces, which should satisfy even the thirstiest of coffee drinkers. the larger the size, the better the thermal insulation: the 20oz mug promises to keep drinks hot for 9 hours, while the smaller (12oz) retains heat for a relatively modest 4.5 hours.

the stanley classic comes with a leak and spill proof lid, which means you can put it in your backpack without worrying about ruining your change of clothes. It’s also good for driving, as it’s easy to drink with one hand.

read our full review of the stanley classic travel mug.

the contigo autoseal west loop is a stylish vacuum insulated tumbler/travel mug that can brighten up any morning commute, no matter what your mode of transportation is. the stainless steel mug with you west loop can keep your drink hot for up to 5 hours.

However, the main attraction of this stainless steel mug is the design of the lid. It doesn’t get any better than this: The West Loop has an easy-clean lid that helps prevent spills and leaks. The lid automatically seals once closed, and the cup can be easily stored in your bag, allowing it to double as a water bottle for trips to the gym. it can be fully opened for cleaning and is dishwasher. it is designed to fit the cup holder of an average car. Since you only need one hand to open the lid, it’s also a good option for drivers.

This travel tumbler is available in 16-ounce and 20-ounce capacities.

the camelbak forge is one of the best travel coffee mugs for cyclists. This double-walled stainless steel tumbler is vacuum insulated and will keep your drinks hot for a long time. Even as a 16-ounce mug, the Forge is still compact. It has a finger loop, which makes it easy to carry on bike trips.

The forge has a well-designed lid that is easy to open with one hand. after use, it can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. It also has an “impact cap” on the bottom that prevents damage if you drop the cup, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it while moving. a great way to transport hot or cold coffee, fast.

read our full camelbak forge review.

the contigo snapseal byron is basically a more affordable alternative to the west loop (although it has most of the same features). With a leak-proof lid and vacuum insulation that promises to keep your drink hot for 7 hours, it’s a bargain at the price.

Overall: The snapseal is a decent mug with an attractive price and a lifetime guarantee.

Glass coffee mugs are all the rage right now, and you can stay on trend with this keepcup travel mug. Although it may intuitively seem that the glass and the cups do not go well together, the portable cup has a handle made of cork.

the keepcup is made of tempered soda lime glass, which is an environmentally friendly option as it is easily recyclable. the lid is made of polypropylene plastic and is splash-proof. the keepcup was designed to reduce takeaway cup waste. it’s a barista standard cup of coffee, and the target demographic is people who regularly get their caffeine fix at a coffee shop.

Read our full keepcup review.

the zojirushi sm-sa60-ba vacuum insulated travel mug is a good all-rounder that will satisfy the most demanding users. It is available in three different sizes and a variety of colors, all of which have the same characteristics. has a great spill-proof & lockable lid, which means you can safely carry it in your bag and can be used with one hand.

Thermal insulation is good enough for even the longest rides. your hot coffee will stay piping hot for a long time.

The 1-inch lid opening is larger than many other travel mugs, which means it’s more convenient to pour if you want to drink from your own cup. With a nonstick coating on the inside, the zojirushi is a breeze to clean. the lid, made of plastic, can be completely removed for thorough cleaning.

Although it can be expensive, the five-year warranty speaks volumes about its durability.

read our full review of the zojirushi travel mug.

the campy ello has the nostalgic vibe of old-school speckled camping clothes with a cork-lined handle (some of us never get over the trauma of burning our fingers on a stainless steel mug). piping full of hot coffee). will keep your hot or cold coffee at the desired temperature: piping hot for up to six hours and iced coffee cold for hours, even up to 24! it’s more like a large cup of coffee, which is great.

the spill-proof slider lid allows you to carry it in your hand without spilling. but we do not recommend keeping it in your backpack or briefcase.

at 3″ wide, the wide mouth campy is easy to get your hand or brush to clean, but can fit snugly in smaller car cup holders. hand washing cup is recommended; lid can be washed in the dishwasher.

If you have fond memories of cooking outdoors with old enamel pots, pans and dishes, the campy will put a smile on your face. now if it only came with the smell of a campfire…

We confess: the ability to whip up a fresh French press pot and take it with you is something we’ve loved over the years. The espro travel coffee press does this and more. its insulation guarantees that the espro will keep the brewed coffee hot for 4 to 6 hours.

the espro has double microfilters in the plunger. each is 9 to 12 times finer than the average French press, which works better at trapping fine sediment. If that’s not enough, Espro’s paper filter press coffee method gives you the option of brewing a cup with the clean taste of pour-over coffee. slip a paper filter between the double microfilters before pressing, and the oils and sediment will be trapped. this thing essentially functions as a cross between a french press and an aeropress.

And lastly, the manufacturer has instructions on how to use the espro to make cold brew. the only thing it can’t do is drink your coffee for you.

read our full espro travel press review.

how to choose a good travel coffee mug

A good cup of coffee can really brighten your day. it’s a small luxury to be able to prepare coffee the way you like it and enjoy it on the go. It’s also much more affordable than regular takeout in the long run, and it’s better for the environment.

Consider a few key factors when choosing between the different types:

must have excellent heat retention

good insulation is a key asset in a travel coffee mug. Just like a good thermos, the best travel mugs are well built and can keep your beverages hot or cold for hours. while a flimsy coffee mug will struggle even on shorter trips. many good travel coffee mugs use the same working principles as full-size thermoses, including vacuum insulation (1, 2) (read more about how it works here).

but not everyone needs extremely high heat retention. If you just want a travel mug of coffee for a short trip or Sunday picnic, there’s no reason to invest in an expensive double-walled thermos.

Key takeaway: Consider your personal needs and preferences when making your choice.

must be 100% leak/spill proof

not negotiable. You need a flip top lid for easy drinking on the go, but it needs to be 100% leak proof. Some of the cheaper options aren’t spill-proof or leak-proof, which means you can’t carry them in your bag.

Travel drip cups are often designed as mini thermoses, with a screw top or similar. While you may need both hands to drink, you don’t need to keep them upright at all times. the choice depends on your travel style.

We kept asking us to check the hydraulic flask, but it did not meet the requirements. Sure, the thermos is a vacuum-insulated travel mug, but it’s less than average insulated (less than 4 hours) and the lid doesn’t latch, meaning you can spill hot or cold coffee everywhere (you even get indicates on the thermos website). so it’s not a good travel mug of coffee, is it?

Key takeaway: Consider the convenience of drinking on the go versus the need to prevent spills and leaks.

what size is right for you?

How much coffee do you need to get you going in the morning? If you’re the type to make an entire cup of coffee and drink it before noon, you’ll probably be frustrated with a small travel mug. The Yeti Rambler, for example, is a huge mug, but it’s not travel-friendly (so you’ll see that in our article on coffee mugs, not this one).

on the other hand, if you like to drink more modest amounts of coffee, a large thermos will be inconvenient to take on the go.

Key takeaway: Look for the “sweet spot” in size and volume.

how easy is it to clean?

Travel coffee mugs are often difficult to clean completely, but you don’t want to throw them away due to stains or odors from old coffee. If you use your travel coffee mug regularly, it might be a good idea to get a mug made from a material that doesn’t stain easily. the possibility of machine washing can also be an advantage.

You can verify that the stainless steel used is at least grade 304 (18% chrome and 8% nickel). Beyond chemical composition, the degree of polish (or a coating) will determine how stain resistant it will be and how easy it will be to clean.

Key takeaway: If you plan on using it daily, get one that’s easy to clean.

will the distance last?

If you’re into the great outdoors, you’ll want a travel mug that can take a few knocks. Materials like plastic can lose their ability to retain heat if their surface is scratched or worn.

Key takeaway: Buy something suitable for the stress of your commute or commute.

how does it affect the taste of your coffee?

Finally, don’t ignore taste. yes, the material of your mug can affect the perceived flavor of your beer. the color of your cup can influence the taste of your coffee. but it is all a matter of perception. a study by van doorn, et al. (biomed central 2014) supports the view that cup color can influence the consumer’s multisensory coffee drinking experience (3). the research team wanted to find out if drinkers’ perception of coffee would be influenced by the color of the cup (clear, white or blue) in which it was served.

the verdict: what is the best travel mug?

All of the travel mugs included in this list are solid choices. the final choice depends on your personal preferences. however, considering both features and affordability, the contigo autoseal west loop is the best portable coffee mug for most users.

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The closest competitor on the west loop is the zojirushi sm-sa60, which loses points for its high price.

For those looking for the most affordable option, the Byron Snapseal is also a decent option, but be aware that the cap design isn’t as good as the West Loop.