Whether you’re a serious coffee drinker, or just a casual user of caffeine, few things can energize your day like a good cup of coffee.
The coffee mug is the vessel we use to take our daily cup of java to go, and most of us just don’t change it. We go through our day, drink our coffee, and it then gets packed into a bag and stuffed into a desk drawer. And there it stays, until it’s used the next day.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug | Best Overall |  |
| CamelBak Hot Cap Travel Mug | Budget Pick |  |
| Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT Coffee Brewer | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Pros:
- Double-layered stainless steel
- No-leak lid
- Dishwasher safe
- Transparent side allows you to see the contents inside
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty
- Price-friendly
This mug from Zojirushi is arguably one of the best travel coffee mugs you can buy. It’s also one of the most popular ones in the market, with more than 9,000 reviews on Amazon and an impressive 4.5-star rating. The Zojirushi is double-layered stainless steel which is good to keep your drink at a preferred temperature for longer.
Many customers were surprised at how lightweight the mug is, while still being very sturdy. It also keeps drinks at the desired temperature for quite a while.
There’s also an additional insulating layer inside the lid to keep drinks hotter longer, and the lid itself also features double-layered stainless steel inside and out for maximum temperature retention.
2. Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Vaccuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Pros:
- Double wall vacuum insulation
- Leak-proof automatic seal
- Easy to clean
- Travel-friendly sizes
Cons:
- Grounds can get caught beneath the lid
- Hard to press the button on the lid
- Shouldn’t be placed in the dishwasher
One of the most popular travel coffee mugs on the market is definitely the Contigo travel mug. The 16 oz. mug is smaller than some of the other travel coffee mugs, but it offers the same double-wall vacuum insulation that many other popular models do.
The Contigo travel mug is also very spill resistant and easy to clean, making it a highly sort after item for many people who drink a hot beverage on a regular basis.
The large buttons on the top make it easy to press, even while wearing gloves or mittens.
3. Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug Sports Bottle
Pros:
- It is at ease gripping with large handle and no sweat exterior
- The lid of the mug features AUTOSEAL technology, which allows you to drink without twist and push
- There is no condensation and you can keep your coffee hot for up to four hours
- It is 100% BPA and dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Larger size makes the mug harder to carry around in your car
- The lid of the mug, once opened, is difficult to secure back on
- Once the mug is open, you have to hold the lid down with one hand, which can be a nuisance
- The lid is heavier than the mug
The Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug has been on the marketplace for quite a while now and it is known for its functionality and convenience. It is a multifunctional travel mug, a coffee mug, a wine mug, and a cocktail mug.
4. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug
Pros:
- Great for long term use
- Heat retention is incredible
- Very easy to clean
- Double-walled stainless steel looks nice and keeps heat in
- It is a large size that fits well in hand and is easy to grip
- Very durable to the low temperatures on winter days
- The lid is leak-proof and stays that way.
Cons:
- May not fit in most car cup holders
- The lid may be too tight for some people
- It is vacuum insulated which may be too much for some people
- The lid can be difficult to take off
The Stainless Steel Insulated Mug features double-walled stainless steel construction that creates an air-seal to retain your beverage of choice’s temperature for a long time.
It is 20-ounces and has a leak-proof top and tight fitting lid lock that are hard to come by. It can be designed in a variety of colors and can certainly be found in different sizes to meet almost all your needs.
This mug holds everything from soup to tea, to beer. It’s known to keep your drinks hot for about five hours. That makes it perfect for the driver who likes a hot cup of coffee or tea and likes to have their drink with them while on the road.
5. Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT Coffee Brewer
Pros:
- Can brew up to 9 cups of coffee
- Hot plate to keep coffee warm for up to 2 hours
- Pours without dripping
- Can brew directly into a travel mug
- Low cost
Cons:
- Can be hard to clean
- Not for cold brew
The Technivorm Moccamaster is an innovative drip coffee maker that is hip (get it?) to the latest consumer beverages trends and stylish in its design. The hot plate allows you to keep your coffee nice and hot for up to 2 hours. The hot plate is particularly useful if you are on the road and need to refresh your coffee as you drive.
Although some people complain that it is difficult to clean, most people who love it are willing to overlook this since the coffee it makes is so delicious that using a paper filter puts it above almost all other drip coffee makers.
If you love a great cup of coffee, and who doesn’t, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better drip coffee maker for the price.
6. Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug 12 oz
Pros:
- Easy to clean thanks to the removable stainless steel filter
- Thermos– double wall vacuum insulation technology helps to protect the temperature of hot liquids for up to 5 hours– up to 240 hours for iced drinks
- The leak-proof lid may be locked via the side latch switch to keep the lid securely closed during transit
- The cup also comes with a a convenient carrying loop to aid in transportation
- Heat resistant up to 100°C
- Made from a recyclable food safe stainless steel
Cons:
- The one-piece lid design may be a deterrent for some users
- Won’t fit in the water bottle holders of most standard cars
The Stanley Classic travel mug rose to fame when it proved to be the best vacuum mug for keeping coffee hot for hours at a time. This one-piece steel mug is also very versatile in other ways that make it an attractive mug for travel.
7. Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Travel Mug
Pros:
- High quality Stainless design
- Durable, stays hot for a long time
- Keeps liquids hot for up to 5 hours
- Keeps liquids cold for up to 12 hours
- Easy to clean
- BPA free
- Not dishwasher safe (Do not immerse the product in water, hand wash only)
This cup is perfect for those who like to take their morning cup of coffee on the go. It is a vacuum insulated mug and is very user friendly. This cup will remain hot until you have finished your coffee or tea.
The stainless steel is also great for keeping your drink cold. You can fill this thermos and expect it to remain cold all day. It is also gentle on the hands, as some of the other mugs tend to feel a little rougher.
You will also appreciate the style and ease of use when you are in a hurry, as this cup comes with a no spill easy drink lid that allows you to drink on the move without spillage.
8. CamelBak Hot Cap Travel Mug
Pros:
- Highly insulated cap will keep coffee warm for several hours.
- It’s also leakproof.
Cons:
- Storage isn’t very good.
0.6L – The CamelBak travel mug is one of the most popular ones available, and comes with a fairly low price tag. It’s also a good-looking mug, which makes it the perfect choice for office coffee drinkers.
We’re impressed with how well this travel coffee mug works. The only drawback that we’ve almost come across is the small number of color options. But chances are, you’ll be able to find a color option that suits your personality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best travel coffee mugs?
If you love traveling and coffee, but hate the taste of stale, burnt coffee, then this section is for you. These are the 7 best travel coffee mugs of 2019 that keep your favorite beverage hot for hours on end.
Travel mugs are great if you like to have coffee on the go or for long car drives. The best ones are easy to clean, have a locking lid to prevent spills and to keep smells in, keep your drink hot for hours, and are ideal for both hot and cold beverages.
We’ve tested hundreds of travel mugs over the years and these are some of our favorite options:
Based on our experience, these are some of the best travel coffee mugs on the market today:
What is the best travel mug to keep coffee hot?
A good travel coffee mug will keep the temperature of your coffee at or around the same temperature for a long period of time. Ideally, the cozy should have a separate section to keep the coffee warmer longer—but it’s not an absolute must.
If you’re the type of person who drinks your coffee over an extended period of time, like 30 minutes or more you should go with a mug that has an insulated sleeve. That way, you will be able to enjoy warm drinks for a longer period of time. We know you’re on the run and you’re probably actually reading this paragraph anywhere other than at home, so it’s a no-brainer that you want to keep your coffee hot as long as possible. You want to minimize your down time.
Why does coffee taste different in a travel mug?
It’s true, the taste of your coffee can change from cup to cup and, just like the taste of tea, the temperature of your coffee is the most significant contributor to it’s flavor. No matter which brewing method you are using, the temperature of the water is critical to the quality of coffee you get out of it. Coffee that's served too hot will taste bitter while coffee that isn't hot enough won't activate the full flavors from the bean. It’s all about the Goldilocks temperature: not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
In addition to temperature, the other main difference between how coffee tastes from a cup to cup is about the brewing time. If you brew the coffee too long it will taste bitter. If you brew it too little, it won't have enough flavor notes.
Conclusion
We hope you find this guide helpful in finding a high-quality travel coffee mug that will last for years, even as you use it daily, on the go. Does it really keep your coffee hot for hours? Do the lids leak? Is it easy to drink from and easy to get in and out of your cup holder? At the end of the day, a travel mug should help make your life easier. Whether you’re a commuter, business traveler, or just someone who needs a better way to take their drink from morning through evening, this guide is for you.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug | Best Overall | |
| CamelBak Hot Cap Travel Mug | Budget Pick | |
| Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT Coffee Brewer | Upgrade Pick | |