Just because you’ve got places to go and people to see doesn’t mean you’ve got to keep your coffee in a flimsy paper cup. It’s actually pretty easy to take your favorite homebrew on the road with you without destroying the planet. In fact, any one of the ceramic travel coffee mugs below will get the job done much better – no disposable cups or quick coffee shop drive-thrus needed.
Just because you’ve got places to go and people to see doesn’t mean you’ve got to keep your coffee in a flimsy paper cup. It’s actually pretty easy to take your favorite homebrew on the road with you without destroying the planet. In fact, any one of the ceramic travel coffee mugs below will get the job done much better – no disposable cups or quick coffee shop drive-thrus needed.
Not sure where to start looking for a travel worthy ceramic coffee mug? Sorting through endless coffee mug options may give you a headache, but don’t worry, we’ve already done the hard work for you.
Whether you’re looking for a new coffee mug to pair with a super automatic espresso machine or the next great gift for the coffee lover in your life, here are some of our favorite ceramic travel coffee mugs to take on-the-go.
Best Ceramic Travel Coffee Mugs at a Glance
Check out our top seven picks for the best ceramic travel coffee mugs you can find on Amazon, and we’ll get into the nitty-gritty details of each one below.
Easy to clean
Microwave-safe
Holds more coffee than some mugs
Strong paladin clay
Keeps your drinks hot or cold for two hours or longer
Multiple color options
Double-walled construction
Gorgeous design
Leak-proof bamboo lid
Unique design
Extremely portable
Dishwasher safe
Includes protective sleeve to prevent burns
Microwave safe
Multiple color choices
Multiple patterns and designs to pick from
Holds lots of coffee
Includes a coordinated gift box
Dishwasher safe
Won’t leach or cause a smell
Easy to grip
How Do Ceramic Travel Coffee Mugs Work?
If you’re a coffee lover (or just live with one), chances are you’ve got a cabinet filled with at least a few ceramic mugs. Ceramic mugs tend to be the most popular choice when you’re enjoying that cup of joe at home. They lack the metallic taste that comes with stainless steel cups, but a standard ceramic cup isn’t very convenient to take on the road with you.
This is where owning a ceramic coffee travel mug can come in handy. Many ceramic mugs feature double-wall insulation, so there are two layers to keep your drink hot. They also keep your hands from burning off when you’re trying to drink.
Some ceramic mugs may even feature an extra heat band to make the cup easier to grip if there’s no handle. Talk about convenience!
Whether there’s a heat band or not, one feature you’ll find on most ceramic travel mugs is a sliding lid. Sliding lids allow you to open and close the lid whenever you want. That way, there’s less worry about accidental spills.
You’ll also find that the best ceramic travel coffee mugs use lead-free materials. Nobody wants their morning coffee to land them at the doctor’s office for lead poisoning.
I know it sounds crazy in this day and age, but some ceramic mugs still include lead or cadmium in the glaze. For this reason, we recommend sticking with travel mugs that explicitly state they’re lead and cadmium-free.
What Size Travel Coffee Mug Is Best?
Like most things, ceramic travel coffee mugs come in all shapes and sizes. But, how do you know which size is the right one? There’s no-one-size-fits-all answer here, and the best travel mug typically depends on how much caffeine you’re looking to consume.
While there are travel cups capable of holding up to 64 ounces (1.9 liters), you’ll find that most ceramic travel mugs come in a 10, 12, 16 or 20 ounce (300, 350, 475 or 600 milliliter) size. Keep in mind that a single cup of coffee is about five ounces (150 milliliters), so you’re only going to be able to transport up to four cups in a travel mug.
But, if you’re looking for something that will easily fit into your cupholders, a smaller 10 or 12 ounce (300 or 350 mililiter) travel cup is ideal – especially if you only need a little caffeine to get you going in the mornings.
Sixteen and 20 ounce travel mugs will certainly fit more coffee if need be, but they may not always fit into cup holders.
The 7 Best Ceramic Travel Coffee Mugs
For ice cold and piping hot coffee alike, here are the seven best ceramic travel coffee mugs to keep with you on-the-go. We pitted them against each other, but there was only one clear winner in the race! You’ll have to wait until the end to find out who took home the gold.
Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Coffee Mug
PROS
- Easy to clean
- Microwave-safe
- Holds more coffee than some mugs
CONS
- May not retain heat as long as some travel mugs
- The base is a bit wide
- May not fit all cup holders
The $14.99 Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Coffee Mug offers a lot of value for your money. Holding up to 16 ounces (475 mililiters) of coffee when you’re on-the-go, this ceramic travel mug is completely BPA free.
Plus, if you’re worried about iced coffee or cold drinks ruining your wooden coffee table or antique desk, there’s a built-in coaster on this cup.
Not to mention, the slider lid ensures that you won’t spill a drop. You can slide the lid open when you’re ready to drink, and when you’re done, sliding it closed also prevents your coffee from losing heat too quickly.
Although this ceramic cup is a little heavier at just over a pound, it’s got a nice, sturdy handle on the side. That’s more than we can say for some of the other ceramic travel cups you’ll find on the market.
The Ello Jane mug is also easy to clean. Once you’ve finished your morning fix with this ceramic mug, you don’t have to worry about washing it by hand like you might with some mugs. It’s completely safe to pop in the dishwasher, no scrubbing needed.
Mora Double Wall Ceramic Coffee Travel Mug
PROS
- Strong paladin clay
- Keeps your drinks hot or cold for two hours or longer
- Minimalist design
- Multiple color options
CONS
- Not as lightweight as other mugs
- The lid can be tricky to fasten
- No handle
The Mora Double Wall Ceramic Coffee Travel Mug is a durable choice that’ll last longer than you think at $20.99. With a splash resistant lid, you won’t have to worry about spilling in the car or on your favorite shirt.
This is also a double-walled ceramic mug, which not only makes the cup more durable but will prevent you from burning yourself with steaming hot coffee. In addition to using two layers of ceramic, this mug uses paladin clay, a high-quality clay that’s 20% tougher than some of the competitor products you’ll find on the market.
Speaking of that paladin clay and ceramic, it’s completely lead-free and all-natural. So there’s no concern about lead getting into your system or making you sick from lead poisoning.
Soma Insulated Ceramic Mug
PROS
- Double-walled construction
- Stylish design
- Great color options
- Leak-proof bamboo lid
CONS
- Not dishwasher safe
- Rather pricey
Featuring double wall insulation and a premium leak-proof bamboo lid, the Soma Ceramic Mug has to be one of the most attractive options on my list.
Sure, you’ll have to shell out $29.79 for this beauty, but it’ll be money well spent.
The Soma Ceramic Mug has a 12-ounce (350-milliliter) capacity, and its slim, streamlined design makes it ideal for travel. Speaking of design, this ceramic mug won a Design Lab Vessels Award in 2018, so it definitely comes with the right credentials.
Available in three different colors, each featuring a two-tone matte finish, the Soma Insulated Ceramic Mug is gonna have you sipping coffee in style no matter where you end up.
Nova Ceramics Reusable Coffee Cup
PROS
- Unique design
- Extremely portable
- Dishwasher safe
CONS
- Doesn’t hold as much coffee as some travel mugs
- No handle
The Nova Ceramics Reusable Coffee Cup includes a gorgeous design at just $23.99. Plus, if you want to add a little color to your morning, this ceramic reusable mug features a variety of color options.
Not only is the mug’s appearance eye-catching, but it’s compact too. With no bulky handle and only 12 ounces (350 milliliters) of capacity, this travel mug is the definition of portable. It easily slides into most cup holders, and it weighs less than a pound. Tugging this travel mug around shouldn’t give you the workout that some heavier ceramic coffee mugs do.
To protect your hands from any burning hot liquid inside, there’s also a heat band that wraps around the cup. When it comes to avoiding spills, the silicone lid on this cup seals on – and doesn’t change the fact that this mug is still dishwasher and microwave-safe.
WP Porter Ceramic Mug
PROS
- Includes protective sleeve to prevent burning
- Microwave safe
- Multiple color choices
CONS
- Not completely leak-proof
- No way to lock the sliding lid
At just $28.17, the W&P Porter Ceramic Mug is a sustainable, splash-resistant alternative to flimsy paper cups.
Not only do you get to kick single-use plastic and paper cups to the curb with this ceramic travel coffee mug, but you’ll also get a portable option that’s stylish too.
There are multiple color choices to pick from, and the stylish design doesn’t come at the expense of being microwave safe. While it’s not completely leak-proof, the tight lid uses a sliding top to prevent spills when you’re out and about.
And, unlike some ceramic travel coffee mugs, it’s lined with soft silicone on the outside, so the cup is easy to grip. One important thing to note about this travel cup is that it’s not naturally insulated. Your coffee will cool at a regular pace, but if you’d like to keep your drinks even hotter, you can fill the mug with boiling water first. Then, replace the water with piping hot coffee. This is what better restaurants do to ensure your coffee comes to the table nice and hot.
The W&P Porter ceramic coffee mug is available in both a 12 ounce and 16 ounce size.
Cypress Home Garden View Flowers Ceramic Mug
PROS
- Multiple patterns and design options
- Larger cup
- Includes a color coordinated gift box
CONS
- Doesn’t insulate hot beverages as well
- Handle feels a little flimsy
For those coffee lovers who never feel like they can get enough coffee in their cup, you won’t want to miss the Cypress Home Ceramic Mug at $19.99. Holding up to 17 ounces (500 milliliters), this ceramic travel coffee mug has a larger capacity for coffee than most of the mugs you’ll find on this list.
Along with its durable ceramic construction, this stylish mug also includes a sliding lid to limit accidental spills when you’re not drinking. When it comes time to clean the cup, just pop it onto the top rack of the dishwasher, and you’re all set.
Ello Ogden Ceramic Travel Mug
PROS
- Dishwasher safe
- Won’t leach or cause a smell
- Easy to grip
CONS
- Not totally leak-proof
- The sleeve can be a little tight and difficult to remove
At only $14.99, the Ello Ogden Ceramic Travel Mug includes plenty of handy features that’ll make it easier to take your coffee on the go.
There’s an easy slider lid, a design that won’t smell or leach into your drink, and a built-in coaster to prevent ugly water rings.
Perhaps the best part of this ceramic travel coffee mug has got to be the silicone boot that covers the bottom portion of the cup.
While the boot acts as a coaster, it also insulates your drink, keeping it hot for twice as long as some other mugs. There isn’t a handle on this mug. Still, with the textured design of the boot, you won’t have to worry about losing your grip on this cup.
Add to that the fact that it’s dishwasher safe and you’ll see yet another reason this might be a contender for the best ceramic travel coffee mug.
How Do You Clean Insulated Coffee Mugs?
Even the best ceramic travel coffee mugs can require a gentle touch when it comes to cleaning. You’ll notice that not all of the ceramic mugs listed above are dishwasher safe. Some might be fine to pop with the rest of your dirty dishes, but others can chip, crack, or split if they’re not completely dishwasher safe.
Not to mention, putting ceramic cups with double-walled insulation into the dishwasher can sometimes lead to water seeping between the layers. Yikes!
Whether the construction of the insulated mug requires you to handwash it or you’re just looking to remove a few stubborn coffee stains, here’s a quick guide on how to hand wash your insulated ceramic coffee cups.
Take apart your travel mug by removing the lid, heat bands, silicone sleeve or any other removable parts of the cup.
Set your lid and other removable parts off to the side, and gently rinse out your cup with warm water and an unscented dish soap.
Try to avoid getting too much water on the outside of the cup while you wash as this can lead to water seeping between the layers of your double-walled insulation.
If you’ve got a scrubber, brush or a dish sponge, you can gently scrub the inside of your mug to remove stains and other dirt.
For any stains that might’ve made their way to the outside of the cup, a damp cloth is your best friend.
Once you’ve sufficiently scrubbed the inside of your cup, you can let it air-dry off to the side. Facing the lid is your next challenge.
Lids tend to be tricky to clean because they’ve got plenty of cracks and crevices that aren’t easy to get to with a regular sponge. If you don’t have a small cleaning brush, we recommend pulling out an old toothbrush for this part.
Dab a little unscented dish soap on your wet toothbrush, gently scrub your lid and then rinse it under warm water.
If there are still stains or odd smells lingering on your lid after you’ve scrubbed it, try soaking it in a solution of vinegar and baking soda for about 15 to 30 minutes.
Once your lid has soaked, you can give it another scrub with your toothbrush and rinse it off thoroughly. Do note that some lids might be scratched by the addition of baking soda. If you’re worried about this, just use vinegar.
For any other parts of your mug that might’ve gotten dirty, like a silicone sleeve, you can use a damp cloth to gently clean them.
Drumroll, please! And the Winner Is …
Like any race, there can be only one winner. In this race, the Ello Ogden Ceramic Travel Mug takes the prize for “Best Overall Ceramic Travel Coffee Mug!”
It’s an ideal size, has great color choices and a super cool – yet useful – textured sleeve. The only downside is that I’m torn between the deep purple and evening blue. But at $14.99, I may just get them both!
Which One’s Your Favorite?
You can’t beat the taste of fresh coffee in a ceramic mug. And, while you may not be able to take all your ceramic mugs on the road, a travel coffee mug is certainly up for the task.
With durable construction, stylish designs and double-walled insulation that keeps your drink warm in cup holders, there are plenty of reasons to make the switch to a ceramic travel coffee mug.
Ready to cut back on single-use plastic cups and avoid wasting time (and money) at the coffee shop? Check out the best ceramic travel coffee mugs we’ve got above, and pick up your favorite! Which one will you buy?
Do you own one of the insulated coffee mugs on this list? Please share any tips you have about how to care for them below.
FAQ
When it comes to keeping your drink warm throughout the day, not all ceramic travel coffee mugs perform the same way. A ceramic travel cup that’s not insulated won’t keep your coffee any hotter than a standard coffee mug. So ,you can expect the hot beverage to cool off within thirty minutes or less. That perfect temperature won’t last long, whether it’s coffee or tea, or some other drink.
For travel cups with a double wall vacuum, double-layer or insulation, your drink should be able to maintain its exact temperature for much longer. This usually means up to two hours or more. An insulated mug retains heat more efficiently, which is why it’ll keep your drinks hot or cold for much longer.
While a high-quality ceramic mug or ceramic lined travel mug can take some wear-and-tear, you’ll still need to handle it with care. Dropping your mug could cause it to chip or break. That said, silicone sleeves can add a little extra protection.
If you’re interested in something that’s super durable, stainless steel may be the better alternative for keeping your drinks warm. However, they will affect the flavor of the drink you have inside.
It can depend on the size of the tumbler (and your cup holder). But, as long as your ceramic travel coffee mug doesn’t have a handle, the answer is usually yes. Even some great mugs may still be a little too wide at the base. Typicaly, a 10 to 12 ounce cup will be the perfect size for most cup holders.
I love coffee! So, if it came to a choice between my favorite mug and the car … Well, let’s just say I might be tempted to splurge on one of those electric cars I’ve been eyeing! You know, for the environment.
If your best ceramic travel coffee mug has too many lingering coffee or tea stains, that can be an issue. We’ve already talked about soaking your lid to get rid of stains. But, for the actual insulated coffee cup, a little bit of warm water and baking soda is a great option.
Sprinkle some baking soda into your mug. Then, add some water until you’ve formed a thick paste. Finally, scrub the inside with a brush or sponge until the stains disappear.
