Whether you’re gearing up for a super busy day or relaxing after a long one, you can always count on a good cup of joe to make things right. But what if you have places to be and people to see and can’t stop to visit your local barista? You brew it at home, fill up one of your favorite insulated coffee mugs and hit the road, right?
Whether you’re gearing up for a super busy day or relaxing after a long one, you can always count on a good cup of joe to make things right. But what if you have places to be and people to see and can’t stop to visit your local barista? You brew it at home, fill up one of your favorite insulated coffee mugs and hit the road, right?
Wait, you say you haven’t found a favorite insulated mug yet? Today we have a list of some of the best coffee mugs that will keep your coffee hot or cold, save you money and help you stay on top of your day.
These insulated mugs also make a wonderful gift for the coffee lovers in your life.
Ready to see what I’m talking about? Let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
- At a Glance
- How Does It Work?
- Materials
- Size
- Are They Good for the Environment?
- 10 Best Insulated Coffee MugsContigo 16 oz (473 ml) Handled Travel Mug With AutoSealYETI Rambler 14 oz (415 ml) Stainless Steel Mug with MagSlider LidZojirushi 12 oz (355 ml) Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated MugSwig Life 18 oz (532 ml) Travel Mug with HandleBrumate Toddy 16 oz (473 ml) Insulated Coffee Mug with HandleEllo Mesa 12 oz (355 ml) Double Wall Ceramic Travel MugRTIC 20 oz (591 ml) Travel Mug with HandleEllo Jane 18 oz (532 ml) Ceramic Travel Mug With HandleBodum 15 oz (443 ml) Insulated Travel MugHydro Flask Coffee Travel Mug
- Cleaning
- The Bottom Line
- FAQ
Best Insulated Coffee Mugs at a Glance
Below is a list of the top 10 insulated coffee mugs available on Amazon. We’ll look at each one in depth so you can make an informed decision.
Spill and leak proof lid
Left and right hand friendly
Keeps coffee hot for 5 hours – cold for 15 hours
Keeps coffee hot for six hours – cold for 24 hours
Dishwasher safe
Customizable lid
Lightweight
Resistant to spills
Durable exterior
Fits car cup holders
Over 40 colors available
Non slip silicone base
100% leak proof lid
Left and right hand friendly
No slip base
Microwave safe
Top rack dishwasher safe
Lifetime limited warranty
Lots of colors available
Airtight closure
Fits car cup holders
Dishwasher and microwave safe
Classic ceramic mug feel
Limited lifetime guarantee
Available in BPA free plastic and stainless steel
Silicone grip
Spill resistant lid
Durable design
Fits car cup holders
Three sizes available
How Do Insulated Coffee Mugs Work?
Some of the best travel mugs have a double walled design, which gives your drink – and your fingers – an extra layer of insulation.
Better quality cups are vacuum insulated, rather than using foam between the walls or leaving it as empty space. The best quality cups have a copper plating inside the vacuum.
In this case, the word vacuum means the absence of air. To do this, manufacturers use a machine to suck out all the air in the space between the inner part and the outer wall and then seal the mug.
It works like this: temperatures like heat and cold use radiation, convection, or conduction in order to travel. Your cup’s overall structure is specifically designed to keep the temperature inside constant for a longer time, since heat and cold can’t escape so easily.
The double wall reflects the temperature of the liquid inside the filled cup, the lack of air blocks the temperature from transferring.
Materials chosen for the lid slow the escape of heat or cold from your cup.
The result is your hot drinks stay hot and your cold drinks stay cold for hours on end, and you don’t have to worry about burnt or frozen fingertips.
Of course, your drink’s temperature will eventually change because of the temperature transfer via the lid over time and while you’re drinking.
What Materials Make Up Insulated Coffee Mugs?
Insulated coffee cups are stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or a combination of those materials. For example, several of the mugs mentioned in this article have a stainless steel body construction with plastic, BPA free lids.
Some mugs use magnets to open and close the lid for drinking. YETI mugs are a good example of this design choice.
Sometimes you can also find a brand made with other materials, such as glass or copper, like the Zojirushi mug below.
It has an aluminum or copper lining inside its walls to reflect heat and keep your drinks hot and sip worthy throughout the day.
What Size Insulated Coffee Mugs Are Best?
In general, the best size for travel mugs are 12-14 oz (355-415 ml). That’s big enough for a medium to large coffee at your local coffee shop. It’s also suitable for times you want to bring a bit more of your hot beverage with you than the 8 oz (236 ml) standard mug size.
If you use a single serve coffee maker, those sizes are the biggest cups likely to fit under the pour spout of the machine. Many coffee makers in this style also have a removable platform to help you fill your cup.
Of course, it’s a personal preference on what style or size you’d like to carry. Some mugs can get as large as 64 oz (1892 ml)! At that point, coffee drinking is probably more of a sport than a hobby.
Are Insulated Coffee Mugs Good for the Environment?
Reusable double walled travel mugs are perfect for people who want to be environmentally conscious or reduce their carbon footprint. Over two million paper coffee cups are thrown out each day, not to mention plastic stir sticks and lids.
Also, using reusable cups and tumblers reduces the need for trees to manufacture the paper and cardboard single use cups you get from your local coffee shop. Lowering our environmental impact on forests is always a good goal for preservation.
By brewing your java at home and sporting your favorite insulated mug, you’ll generate less trash and waste, and you can feel great about doing your part in protecting the environment.
The 10 Best Insulated Coffee Mugs
Here are ten of our favorite mugs to keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold while you’re at the office, at home or while running errands.
Contigo 16 oz (473 ml) Handled Travel Mug With AutoSeal
PROS
- Keeps coffee hot for up to five hours, cold drinks chilled for up to 15 hours
- Great for left and right handed people
- Lifetime guarantee
CONS
- Limited color choices
- The lid is dishwasher friendly, but the cup itself is hand wash only
The $32.29 Contigo Travel Mug is terrific for people who are always on the go. The lids are leak and spill proof, even when the mug is filled up, thanks to the AutoSeal design. Just push a button for easy drinking and get the perfect swig from either side of the cover!
After the last drop is gone, toss it in your bag without worrying about making a mess.
YETI Rambler 14 oz (415 ml) Stainless Steel Mug with MagSlider Lid
PROS
- Vacuum insulated stainless steel
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher friendly
- Keeps beverages hot for up to six hours and cold for up to a day
CONS
- Expensive compared to similar mugs
- Does not fit car cup holders
- Not leak proof
These YETI coffee cups are some of the most popular mugs on Amazon.
Boasting a durable outer finish in several colors, the $41.29 YETI Ramblers have a BPA free lid with a magnet based slider that can swap out for personalization. Not only that, because the slider is magnetic it makes cleaning the lid a breeze.
It’s great for relaxing and reading in your favorite spot, or pulling a late night or early morning on a project. A hot drink or cold beverage won’t make the outside sweat a drop, so it’s safe to sit on your antique wooden desk.
Zojirushi 12 oz (355 ml) Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug
PROS
- Lightweight, just 6 oz when empty
- Cup holder friendly
- Drinks stay hot up to six hours, cold stays cold up to fifteen hours
CONS
- Hand wash only
- Two step lid may be clumsy on a road trip
Zojirushi Insulated Coffee Mugs are also engineered for top notch temperature control. They include an extra layer of copper or aluminum inside the walls to reflect heat and a BPA free lid that’s resistant to spills. The lid also features a lock to help keep your clothing liquid free.
At $25.99, it’s an excellent choice for outdoorsy folk who will carry their mug for a long time or people who have trouble holding heavier items.
Swig Life 18 oz (532 ml) Travel Mug with Handle
PROS
- Lots of colors and designs to choose from
- Non slip silicone base
- Fits most car cup holders, even with handle
CONS
- Doesn’t keep your beverage hot as long as some others
- Not spill or leak proof
The $32.91 Swig Life Insulated Coffee Mug is one of the prettiest on this list. It’s top rated on Amazon and comes in an assortment of colors and designs, perfect for matching your outfit or your personality.
Stylish good looks aside, these stainless steel insulated coffee mugs will keep your coffee piping hot for up to 3 hours.
Brumate Toddy 16 oz (473 ml) Insulated Coffee Mug with Handle
PROS
- Durable outer coating
- Several colors to choose from
- Silicone base to prevent damage to furniture
CONS
- Expensive compared to some others
- Not cup holder friendly
- Hand wash only
If you’re looking for a stainless steel mug that you can toss into your bag once you’re done, this 100% leak proof double walled coffee mug has the winning combination of style and versatility.
The leak proof cover on the Brumate Toddy is double threaded, too, so it doesn’t matter whether you’re left or right handed. It’s a great mug for hot coffee at your desk, watching TV or relaxing at the campsite.
At $47.26, the Brumate Toddy is the most expensive insulated mug on our list. Its claim to fame is that you can turn it completely upside down without losing a drop of coffee.
Ello Mesa 12 oz (355 ml) Double Wall Ceramic Travel Mug
PROS
- Microwave safe
- Top rack dishwasher friendly
- Great for iced coffee, too
CONS
- Not vacuum insulated
- Breakable
- Outside can get very hot
These mugs by Ello are your favorite hot drink vessel in travel form! With its splash resistant slider lid, it’s a lovely – not to mention stylish – addition to your workspace.
While the $14.99 Ello Mesa Ceramic Insulated Coffee Mug won’t keep your drink hot as long as a stainless steel mug, they are an excellent choice since they fit well in your car’s cup holder.
RTIC 20 oz (591 ml) Travel Mug with Handle
PROS
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Splash proof lid
- Airtight when closed
CONS
- 90 day warranty
- The screw top lid is troublesome for left handed people
- Hand wash only
Like some of the previous mugs in this review, RTIC Insulated Travel Mugs are vacuum insulated. This prevents condensation from building on the outside of the mug.
The handle placement, along with the insulation features, make this coffee mug a great choice for road trips.
RTIC travel mugs keep your drinks hot for up to five hours and cold for up to 24 hours. This temperature rating makes them a great choice for people who spend a lot of time on the road.
These RTIC mugs are available for $27.95 on Amazon, where you’ll enjoy a wide range of color choices to brighten your day.
Ello Jane 18 oz (532 ml) Ceramic Travel Mug With Handle
PROS
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Won’t absorb smells, stain resistant
- Friction fit lid adjusts for lefties or righties
CONS
- Doesn’t keep your beverage hot as long as some others
- Not vacuum insulated
- Not leak proof
As the second of the Ello ceramic insulated coffee mugs on this list, you’d have trouble finding another travel mug that channels the same cozy, at home feel as these.
Shaped like a standard mug with a sturdy handle and splash proof lid added to the cup, the $14.99 Ello Jane Ceramic Insulated Coffee Mug will quickly become your favorite mug for home and on the go.
Bodum 15 oz (443 ml) Insulated Travel Mug
PROS
- Available in BPA free plastic and stainless steel
- Silicone grip
- Spill resistant lid
CONS
- Plastic version is not vacuum insulated
- Can be messy if you’re adding cream or sugar
- Not leakproof
Bodum is a name we all know. I’m partially mentioning this one to contrast it with the Bodum Travel Press. Why? Well, because when you brew coffee in a French press, leaving wet coffee grounds in the bottom for more than four minutes will over extract the coffee. Over extracted coffee tastes bitter and sour. Check out my article on how to use a French press for more information on this topic.
The $15.99 Bodum stainless steel insulated coffee mug, on the other hand, is a great buy! It’s vacuum insulated and will keep hot coffee for hours.
Hydro Flask Coffee Travel Mug
PROS
- Keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours
- Fits under most single user coffee maker spouts
- Limited lifetime warranty
CONS
- Expensive compared to similar brands
- Lid may be tricky to clean
This travel mug from Hydro Flask is excellent for hot or iced coffee and tea. It has a fun loop style handle that you can attach to a clip on your backpack or bag. Or, you can just carry your drink comfortably throughout your day.
Available in three sizes, 12 oz (355 ml), 16 oz (473 ml) and (20 oz (591 ml) so that you can choose your favorite size and color combination. The exterior finish is a durable soft touch coating, and double walled insulation will protect your hands from the heat inside.
The 12 oz version of the Hydro Flask Coffee Travel Mug sells on Amazon for $32.95.
How Do You Clean Insulated Coffee Mugs?
The foolproof way to clean your travel mugs is to disassemble what you can, use warm water and mild dish soap to hand wash all the parts, rinse well and allow it to air dry.
If you have trouble getting in the nooks and crannies, there are several types of bottle brushes that will help you reach the depths of your mug.
For stainless steel mugs that are stained, or even worse, have a rust smell, a good stainless steel cleaner, as recommended by the manufacturer, will do the trick. Be sure to follow all directions!
With that said, the best insulated coffee mugs are at least partly dishwasher friendly. For example, most lids can go in the dishwasher, but because of special finishes or the way a cup is made, the cup part cannot handle the extreme heat or pressure. Or, perhaps water has a way of getting between the walls of the cup when in a dishwasher.
Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular kind of mug.
The Bottom Line
You can find an insulated coffee mug for any lifestyle or coffee lover, whether that’s you or a person on your gift list.
Stainless steel mugs outshine the other cup materials in keeping your beverage hot and overall durability.
Ceramic, double walled mugs are the closest thing you’ll get to your favorite hot coffee or tea cup at home, but are heavier and can break easily.
Overall, our favorite from this list is the Contigo Travel Mug . For a price of $32.29, it will keep your favorite cold or hot beverages at the proper temperature for hours, ready for the perfect sip. That said, there are lots of good options in this list, so go for the one you like best!
Save some time and money at the coffee shop and feel good about cutting down on single use plastic waste each day. Go ahead and grab your new favorite insulated coffee mug and get to brewing!
FAQ on Insulated Coffee Mugs
Insulated coffee mugs are special drinkware designed to keep your drink hot or cold for hours. You can find insulated coffee mugs with or without handles, and the covers are mostly press-on or screw-tight styles with a sip opening instead of a straw hole. Most are made of stainless steel, ceramic or plastic.
The best coffee mugs are the double walled, vacuum insulated kind. In general, they can keep your drink hot anywhere between three to six hours, depending on the type of mug you’re using.
The answer is sometimes. It depends on the type of mug you’re using. Yeti Ramblers, for example, are dishwasher friendly. The Ello Mesa insulated mug is top rack dishwasher safe. On the other hand, the Contigo brand is hand wash only, except for the lid, which can go in the dishwasher. Always check the packaging of your mug for recommended cleaning instructions.
Absolutely! Stainless steel insulated coffee mugs are not only good at keeping your coffee hot; they can keep your iced coffee frosty cold. Although you may want a larger tumbler style cup for all the ice cubes and coffee goodness! You can also use a plastic or ceramic coffee mug, but avoid putting icy cold coffee in a fresh from the dishwasher hot cup. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on safety.
You sure can! Cold brew coffee will stay icy cool in your insulated mug for up to 15 hours, depending on which brand of cup you use. If you have the proper cold brewing setup, you can even brew right in your mug!
Stainless steel insulated coffee mugs may give off a metallic taste if not cared for properly. If your mug is plastic, it could absorb the flavors of coffee over time. Since smell does indeed affect your sense of taste, it may make your morning coffee seem “off.” Be sure to choose a good mug and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on care.
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.
