We Tested 5 Different Travel Mugs for Coffee and Tea — Here’s the Winner

I’ve been missing that little morning ritual and have recently begun to use my travel mug again for my morning cuppa. My commute is much shorter, but I fill up my mug and bring it (all the way) upstairs. I forgot how much I loved sipping still-hot coffee hours after I poured it.

Which, got me wondering: What is the best travel mug for keeping coffee or tea piping-hot? To find out, I rounded up five popular models and put them to the test. They were all great, actually, but I do have a favorite of the bunch.

First, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and recorded its temperature (179ºF). I then poured one cup of coffee into each of the mugs, added their lids, and took the temperature of the coffee once every hour, using an instant-read thermometer. I wanted to see how long the mugs could hold the coffee above or at 135ºF, which is a hot-yet-drinkable temperature (coffee begins to become tepid below 130ºF). I also evaluated how comfortable it was to hold and drink from the travel mugs, made sure it fit in my car’s standard-size cup holders, and how easy they were to clean.

I will say this: All of the travel mugs I tested did a great job! And they are all good options if you’re looking to keep coffee hot for two hours or less. That said, there was one model that kept coffee for way longer.

The ratings: Each mug received a rating, with 1 being our least favorite and 5 being the best. Like the rest of our showdowns, this one considered the final performance results, ease, and price. Keep reading — along with the rating, you’ll find more detailed notes.

• Heat retention: 3 (106ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 4
• Price: 4 ($29.95)
• Overall: 4

This model from Hydro Flask lost heat the fastest of all the mugs because its lid lacks a slider/closure. However, it was still at 140ºF after an hour, so if you’re looking for a mug for a quick commute or to keep at your work-from-home desk, this is an excellent option. It has an easy-to-drink-from, securely fitting lid and a grippy, pebbly textured exterior. Because of its wide mouth, it’s also incredibly easy to clean.

• Heat retention: 3.5 (113ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 3.5
• Price: 4 ($30)
• Overall: 4

This travel mug did pretty well in terms of heat retention and it was at 133ºF after two hours. Its lid isn’t as secure as other models, but it’s easy to drink from and has a slider that’s a cinch to open and close. Plus, it’s pretty darn nice to look at.

• Heat retention: 3.5 (111ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 4
• Price: 4 ($29.95)
• Overall: 4

This model was pretty on par with the S’well in terms of heat retention (the coffee clocked in at 130ºF after two hours). It’s a little slick to hold, but it has flat sides that add grip. Its slider lid is secure and easy to open and close, and its open-mouth design makes it a cinch to clean.

• Heat retention: 3.5 (111ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 5
• Price: 4 ($29.99)
• Overall: 4

This mug from YETI has heat retention that was similar to the other models (the coffee was 131ºF after two hours), but it was a stand out in many other ways. Its lid has a thicker lip, which controls the flow of coffee with each sip, ensuring you don’t get too much at once. It has an incredibly easy-to-use slider lid and is comfortable to hold. YETI also recently came out with travel mugs that have handles and locking mechanisms on their lids, to prevent accidental spills and make them even more travel-friendly.

• Heat retention: 5 (139ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 4.5
• Price: 4 ($32.20)
• Overall: 5

This mug from Zojirushi kept my coffee hot for hours and hours. It has a locking lid, an easy-to-drink-from spout, and a slim profile that you can comfortably wrap your whole hand around. It has a smaller opening, so it does require a bottle brush to clean it (but I think everyone should have one on hand anyway). If you want a mug that keeps coffee hot — and I mean hot — for an extremely long time, this is it.

This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: We Tested 5 Different Travel Mugs for Coffee and Tea — The Winner Was Not What We Expected