Buying guide for Best self-stirring mugs

Filed under “Things You Never Knew You Needed” is the self-stirring mug. This is the perfect solution for coffee drinkers who want to keep their sugar, creamer, or syrup well mixed in their dark roast, or for cocoa, where the chocolate is constantly settling to the bottom of the mug. Whatever your beverage of choice, this mug can mix it up. Hard-core coffee and tea drinkers can also cut down on the number of spoons they go through every day.

Self-stirring mugs contain a mechanism — an impeller or paddle — in the bottom. This mechanism, activated by a button, stirs up your coffee, tea, smoothie, protein shake, or cocktail. From size and durability to features such as lids, handles, and the stirring mechanism itself, there are several elements to consider when shopping for a self-stirring mug.

Due to their stirring mechanism and batteries, many self-stirring mugs are larger than traditional mugs, which could be an issue if you plan to travel with them.

Key considerations

Size

Self-stirring mugs can vary considerably in size, with mugs generally ranging from 8 to 16 ounces. While a larger mug can hold more of your favorite beverage, it can also be more difficult to take on the road.

Durability

Some self-stirring mugs are prone to cracking or can otherwise break easily. For others, the stirring mechanism can suddenly fail. You can avoid some of these problems by going with the mug with the highest percentage of stainless steel that you can find. As durability can be hit-or-miss with these mugs, we recommend that you spend some time reading through the comments section of each mug to find any problems.

Insulation

Some self-stirring mugs can keep a beverage hot or cold for a short time, while others can do the job for several hours. If you like to extend your coffee- or tea-drinking experience as long as possible, look for a well-insulated self-stirring mug.

Power

Most self-stirring mugs are powered one of two ways: disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Disposable batteries: These are usually in the form of two AA or AAA batteries. These mugs are very convenient as long as you keep a supply of batteries around. If your mug doesn’t come with batteries, add these to the overall cost.

Rechargeable batteries: You won’t need to keep buying batteries, but you will need to have a USB port handy. If this is the way your mug operates, be sure it comes with a recharging cord.

When researching self-stirring mugs, we consider durable portable options that can be reliably sealed for use away from home.

A few of the self-stirring mugs we evaluate look almost exactly like an everyday coffee cup, but a little larger.

We appreciate self-stirring mugs that come in different designs or colors. With this feature, every member of your household could potentially have their own personalized cup.

We look for self-stirring mugs that are dependable and effective with a reasonable battery life.

We review compact self-stirring coffee mugs as well as models big enough to hold multiple servings of coffee, tea, or your favorite herbal infusion.

We give extra consideration to self-stirring mugs with enough insulation to keep your drink hot or cold as long as possible.

We give bonus points to self-stirring mugs that take rechargeable batteries because you don’t have to spend money on disposable batteries for this type of cup.

A dependable ergonomic handle and solid construction are two features we pay close attention to when researching self-stirring coffee mugs.

Some of the self-stirring mugs we review are powerful enough to keep blended drinks like protein shakes and smoothies creamy and consistent.

We value a quality self-stirring coffee mug that’s powerful enough to blend creamer and sugar into coffee without causing spills or splashes.

Features

Design

Colors and graphics: Self-stirring mugs sport a variety of different graphic designs, from the obvious (“Self-Stirring Mug”) to a wide range of themes and colors. Some sellers and manufacturers offer a choice of color options, and some mugs are transparent, so you can watch the stirring as it happens.

Material: These mugs are usually made of a combination of food-grade plastic and stainless steel. As noted above, in general, the more stainless steel and the less plastic, the more durable and long-lasting the mug.

A self-stirring mug is a unique gift idea for coffee and tea drinkers.

Components

Mechanism: The stirring mechanism is an impeller or paddle inside the mug. It’s operated by a button that’s usually located on the handle. These buttons often work as a simple switch: push it once and the stirring mechanism spins, push it again and it stops. Some mugs have a magnetic stirring mechanism that you can remove for easy cleaning.

Lid: Standard on self-stirring mugs is a lid that seals tight so liquid won’t spill when you take the mug with you. The lid also helps to lock in heat or cold, keeping your beverage fresher longer. The lid usually has some form of locking hole for drinking through or inserting a straw into.

Handle: In addition to holding the stirring-mechanism button, the handle provides the primary way to hold the mug. The best handle is sturdy and comfortable with a nonslip grip.

Self-stirring mug prices

Inexpensive: Self-stirring mugs that cost less than $12 tend to be smaller in size and battery-powered. The designs here are usually simple (the mugs that say “Self-Stirring Mug” are often found here), and the insulation is minimal.

Mid-range: In the $12 to $20 range, you can find a variety of sizes and designs. While most of these run on disposable batteries, some are charged via USB. These mugs tend to be better insulated and more durable than lower-priced mugs.

Expensive: Self-stirring mugs that cost over $20 typically offer the largest capacity and the best insulation. The quality is much better as well, including mugs that will still be stirring away long past the point where cheaper mugs have you reaching for a spoon. Some of these mugs are charged via USB and some run on disposable batteries. 

Tips

• Consider how you’ll charge the mug while traveling. If you plan to travel with your self-stirring mug, consider your access to a USB port before choosing a mug that’s charged via cable. If you don’t have ready access to a USB port (in your car, for example), then a mug that uses disposable batteries might be a better option.
• Don’t store your self-stirring mug in extreme temperatures. Leaving it in a hot car or storing it in the freezer can damage the wiring.
• Use the mug for mixed drinks. A self-stirring mug can also be used to mix up alcoholic drinks. We recommend that you add the ice cubes after you’ve mixed the drink.
• Don’t leave liquids in your self-stirring mug for a long period of time. Leaving coffee or other beverages in the mug overnight can gum up the stirring mechanism, making it harder to both use and clean. It’s best to pour out the beverage when you’re done with it and rinse out the mug if you don’t have time to properly clean it. Also, store your washed mug upside down so water doesn’t pool around the stirring mechanism.
• Look for a warranty. Self-stirring mugs in general tend to have a short life span. You can protect your investment by choosing one with a decent warranty (12 months is average for those manufacturers who offer one).

One way to prolong the battery life of your self-stirring mug is to remove the batteries from the mug when you aren’t using it.

FAQ

Q. Are these mugs dishwasher safe?

A. Unless the manufacturer explicitly states that they are, you can assume that your self-stirring mug is NOT dishwasher safe. These mugs contain a motor and some form of battery. Placing one in a dishwasher or even soaking it in water will probably ruin it.

The recommended cleaning method for most of these mugs is to add a bit of mild soap and warm water to the mug and then push the button so the stirring mechanism does the work for you. You can use a cloth to scrub off any stains. Be sure to fully rinse the mug after cleaning, taking care to keep water away from the battery compartment as much as possible.

Q. How portable is a self-stirring mug?

A. While they are all portable, some self-stirring mugs are better suited to travel than others. Smaller, lighter mugs are not only easier to carry around, but they usually fit more easily in car cup holders. Some larger self-stirring mugs taper toward the bottom, which helps them to fit into cup holders. You should also note how the mug is powered and either stock up on extra disposable batteries for the trip or verify that you’ll have access to a USB port.

Q. My self-stirring mug stopped working. Is there an easy fix?

A. While some self-stirring mugs do have some longevity issues, there are fixes you can try if yours dies.

Replace the batteries. This is the easiest fix. The batteries might simply be dead. Try replacing or recharging them.

Check the battery cover. Be sure that the batteries are firmly in place and installed correctly and that the battery cover is securely closed.

Check the stirring mechanism. Sometimes the stirring mechanism gets clogged. Try carefully cleaning around it so that it turns easily.

Dry the inside of the mug. Moisture of any kind can quickly kill these mugs. If you suspect water might have gotten inside your mug, you can try the old wet cell phone trick: place the mug into a container of rice and leave it for 24 hours.