Buying guide for best travel mugs
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When I want to take a beverage on the go, not just any travel mug will do. The one that goes along with me must keep my favorite drinks cold or hot for hours, and prevent them from spilling or leaking. I also appreciate a sippable opening and a handle or grip that feels comfortable. A size that holds just the right amount for me is essential, too, as well as no-fuss cleaning.
Considering these key points before purchasing a travel mug makes it easy to find a user-friendly model that you’ll use time and again. If you need help finding your travel-mug match, BestReviews can help.
Our team spent hours analyzing dozens of travel mugs to find those worth recommending to our readers. The Owala SmoothSip Slider tops our list because it features double-walled stainless steel construction that keeps drinks at temperature for hours and has a unique sliding lid that prevents spills and leaks.
Editors' picks
Owala SmoothSip Slider
Editors' Favorite
Capacity: 20 oz | Dimensions: 3.25” W x 8.51” H | Weight: 0.79 lb | Dishwasher-safe: No
The Owala SmoothSip Slider is the complete package when it comes to travel mugs. Made of stainless steel, it’s durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily commutes. Its double-walled vacuum insulation also makes it perfect for all-day sipping because it can keep beverages hot for six hours and cold for up to 24 hours.
But as its name might indicate, the SmoothSip Slider’s most unique feature is its slider lid. The mug has a seamless spout that makes sipping everything from coffee to water easy, but it has a sliding cover that makes it completely leakproof. And while the mug itself isn’t dishwasher-safe, the lid is, so cleaning it is a breeze.
We also love the size of this mug. It holds 20 ounces, but its slim, compact design allows it to fit in most car cup holders and backpack side pockets and beneath most coffee makers. It weighs less than a pound empty, so it’s easy to carry. Available in more than 10 colors, it’s BPA- and phthalate-free, too.
Contigo Byron 2.0 Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Best Bang for the Buck
Capacity: 20 oz | Dimensions: 3.15" W x 8.47" H | Weight: 1.3 lb | Dishwasher-safe: No
The Contigo Byron 2.0 proves that a travel mug doesn’t have to be expensive to keep drinks cold or hot when on the go. This versatile mug can hold up to 20 ounces of your favorite beverage and maintain a satisfying temperature for hours. In fact, the double-wall construction can keep hot drinks hot for up to seven hours and cold drinks cold for as long as 18 hours.
This travel mug has a grip for stability when carrying it from place to place. It’s designed to fit most vehicle cup holders, so you can confidently travel with it in your car. We also like that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Made of stainless steel, this affordable option is BPA-free. While you’ll have to wash the mug by hand, this is an easy task to do by using warm water and mild dish soap. However, the lid can be placed on the top shelf of the dishwasher for quick cleaning.
Yeti Rambler 20-ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid
Best for Heat Retention
Capacity: 20 oz | Dimensions: 4.8” W x 7.4” H | Weight: 1.19 lb | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Like most of our other favorite travel mugs, the Yeti Rambler 20-ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid is made of 18/8 stainless steel, which doesn’t dent easily. This allows it to hold up well to drops and bumps without showing signs of wear and tear. But coffee and tea drinkers will probably be most impressed by its double-wall vacuum insulation, which allows it to keep beverages hot for hours, so your last sip will be just as warm as your first.
This travel mug also features Yeti’s Stronghold lid, which leaves it fully leakproof when engaged. The lid twists on and off and has a dual-slider magnet closure that ensures your coffee doesn’t spill if the mug is bumped or dropped. It rotates in either direction, too, making it perfect for both right- and left-handed drinkers.
We also love the Rambler’s 360-degree welded handle because it provides a firm grip on the mug to avoid accidents in the first place. The mug is also compatible with most car cupholders to ensure you get your caffeine fix on the way to work.
Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug
Tested Choice
Capacity: 16 oz | Dimensions: 3" W x 7.5" H | Weight: 12.32 oz. | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
The first thing that caught our attention when we tested the Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug is its sleek, modern design. This along with the fact that it weighs less than a pound make it a popular option to take beverages on the go. We also appreciate that it keeps drinks cold for 12 hours, or hot for 24 hours for enjoying to-go beverages the way you like them.
This travel mug holds 16 ounces and comes in a large selection of colors. Additionally, it’s made of insulated stainless steel with a ceramic coating that feels nice in the hand. These features make it a fun option that you’ll enjoy using.
Other stand-out features are the twist-on lid that won’t leak and splash guard that prevents messes when you drink. Made without BPA, this travel mug can also be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher for convenient cleaning.
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Best for Its Portability
Capacity: 16 oz | Dimensions: 2.75” W x 9.13” H | Weight: 0.56 lb | Dishwasher-safe: No
Despite its 18/8 stainless steel construction, the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug weighs just over half a pound empty, making it one of the lightest travel mugs on our list. That makes it easy to carry anywhere you need to go, so you’re never without your favorite beverage. Its stainless steel design also maintains the pure taste of your favorite drinks, so you don’t have to worry about any funny aftertaste or odors.
It features vacuum insulation to keep your beverages at temperature for up to six hours, and the flip lid offers an extremely tight seal that helps with heat retention. However, this mug is also ideal for cold drinks because it has a wide-mouth opening that lets you add full-size ice cubes.
We also love the Zojirushi mug’s slim, compact profile. It fits easily in most cupholders and can even be thrown in a handbag or backpack without taking up too much space. Its Slicksteel finish is completely BPA-free, too, and is corrosion-resistant for improved durability. You can also choose from eight colors, including bright pink and turquoise.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Sip Lid
Great Value
Capacity: 20 oz | Dimensions: 2.9” W x 9.1” H | Weight: 0.83 lb | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
If you want to preserve the taste of your favorite beverages, you’ll love the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Sip Lid. It’s made of 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel, which not only makes it highly durable but also prevents flavor transfer so your coffee, tea, water and other beverages taste completely pure. The stainless steel construction and double-wall vacuum insulation are also highly effective at keeping drinks at temperature. It keeps beverages hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours.
Unlike some of the other stainless steel mugs on our list, the Hydro Flask is fully dishwasher-safe. That’s because its exterior has a powder-coated finish, so the surface won’t suffer any damage, and its color won’t fade. You can choose from more than 20 colors, too, so finding a shade that matches the rest of your work or travel gear is easy.
The mug is also car-friendly, fitting in most cupholders with ease. It also has a flex sip lid designed specifically for drinking hot beverages, which leaves it completely leakproof when closed. The lid has a loop handle, too, so carrying it is easy even when your hands are full.
Contigo West Loop 3.0
Best for Car Commuters
Capacity: 16 oz. | Dimensions: 3.07” W x 8.26” H | Weight: 0.71 lbs. | Dishwasher-safe: No
Even if you have the bumpiest commute, the Contigo West Loop 3.0 ensures you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks on the way to school or work. It has a slim profile that fits in most car cupholders, keeping it secure while you drive. However, it also has an auto-sealing lid that locks between sips, so you don’t have to worry about leaks or spills in the car. The lid can be locked and unlocked with one hand, too, making it highly convenient for drinking on the go.
The West Loop 3.0 is made of stainless steel, making it highly durable and drop-resistant. It also features the brand’s Thermalock vacuum insulation to effectively control your beverage’s temperature. The mug can keep drinks hot for up to 11 hours and cold for up to 24 hours, so you can enjoy your favorite beverage all day.
Tea drinkers will also love that the West Loop 3.0 has a tea hook built into the lid, which makes it easy to retrieve your tea bag when it’s finished steeping. While the mug itself requires hand-washing, the BPA-free lid is also dishwasher-safe, making cleaning it quick and easy.
How we analyzed
Choosing a travel mug that keeps your beverages at temperature, stands up to wear and tear and prevents leaks and spills can be challenging. To help us identify the best travel mug, we consulted customer reviews from various online retailers to see which cups best fulfilled user expectations. Specifically, we analyzed which travel mugs offered the most durable design, kept drinks hot or cold for hours, fit easily in cupholders and bags, and minimized leaks and spills throughout the day. Ultimately, we considered more than a dozen travel mugs and chose the top models based on insulation, durability, lid design and portability.
Why buy a travel mug?
The first thing to consider is why you should buy a travel mug. Here are some of the top reasons why you might want one:
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It's environmentally friendly. Paper cups from the coffee shop pile up after a while. It’s far kinder to the environment to reuse the same cup over and over again. Most coffee shops will happily refill your reusable travel mug rather than give you one of their disposable cups.
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It's convenient. If you like to make your morning drink at home but don't have time to consume it before you leave the house, a travel mug offers great on-the-go convenience.
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It could save you money. Considering the fact that a single beverage from a coffee shop could run you $5 or more, it makes economic sense to prepare your drinks at home instead of purchasing them while out and about.
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It helps maintain your beverage temperature. An insulated travel mug helps prevent your hot beverage from growing cold before you reach the bottom. The insulation also helps preserve the chill in your cold drinks.
Key features to consider
Material and build quality
Materials
The two most common travel mug materials are plastic and stainless steel.
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Plastic travel mugs tend to be more affordable, and most can be safely placed in a microwave.
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Stainless steel travel mugs look great, and coffee connoisseurs claim that a good cup of joe tastes much better out of stainless steel. Why? Some say that a plastic travel mug can give your coffee an unpleasant flavor.
Although less common, you’ll sometimes see a person with an all-glass or ceramic travel mug. However, these usually aren’t insulated or very durable since they can shatter if dropped.
Leakproof seal
If you don't want your drink to leak or dribble all over the place, look for a travel mug with a leakproof seal. This will allow you to carry it in a backpack or briefcase with the knowledge that the contents won't spill all over your belongings.
If you purchase a mug with a seal that isn’t leakproof, you may end up needing to purchase another lid separately.
Comfortable handle
Whether or not you want a handle comes down to personal preference. A well-insulated travel mug won't get hot on the outside when it has a hot liquid inside (or cold when it has a cold liquid inside), so a handle isn't needed to protect your hand. Even so, many people prefer to grip a handle when they sip from their mug. With most tumbler-style travel mugs, you have the option of buying a handle/holder separately.
Lid type
Travel mugs usually have a screw-on lid that makes them more leak-resistant, but you can also find some with lids that snap into place. If they have a tight enough seal, these mugs aren’t likely to leak, but a screw-on lid is your best bet to avoid accidents.
Most travel mugs have an opening that allows you to sip from them when the lid is in place. These are the most convenient options for drinking on the go, but choosing a mug with an opening that locks shut when not in use is essential, so you don’t have to worry about spills and leaks. You can also find some mugs with a fully closed lid without any opening for drinking. These are certainly the most leakproof mugs you can find, but you have to fully remove the lid to sip from them, so they’re not practical for those who want to drink their coffee or water on the go.
Our top picks: Material and build quality
- Owala SmoothSip Slider: Users praise this travel mug’s airtight seal and slide top that locks in place, ensuring it won’t leak. The durable stainless steel construction is another favorite feature because it resists dents even when users accidentally drop the mug.
- Contigo Byron 2.0 Stainless Steel Travel Mug: Another stainless steel option, this mug earns praise for its durability, as users have dropped it on rough surfaces like concrete without any obvious signs of denting or wear and tear.
- Yeti Rambler 20-ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid: This mug’s magnetic slide locks so securely in place that users claim they can turn it upside down without any water leaking out.
- Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug: This travel mug is a favorite of users who like to throw their cup in a bag or backpack because its locking lid prevents leaks or spills. Its stainless steel exterior is also highly durable and resists dents and scratches even when dropped.
- Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug: Our testers loved the leakproof lid and its ability to prevent spills as long as it's twisted on well.
Insulation and ease of cleaning
Heat retention
On average, a travel mug keeps hot liquids hot for somewhere between six and 12 hours and cold liquids cold for between eight and 24 hours. Even the lower end of these ranges would be more than sufficient for most people. If you want a travel mug that retains temperature for as long as possible, shop around for those with the best insulation.
Double-walled insulation
Travel mugs with double-walled insulation feature two layers of stainless steel separated by an air gap, which helps slow heat transfer. This allows the beverages inside to remain hot or cold for as long as possible. Mugs with double-walled insulation are usually pretty effective at keeping liquids at temperature, but if you want the best temperature retention, you’ll likely want a model with double-walled vacuum insulation.
Vacuum insulation
Travel mugs with vacuum insulation typically feature the same basic construction as double-walled models. However, while they have two layers of stainless steel, these layers aren’t separated by air. Instead, the air between the layers is removed, creating a vacuum. The vacuum is a poor conductor of heat, so there’s no heat transfer between the mug’s insulation layers. As a result, the beverage can retain its temperature for much longer than simple double-walled insulation alone.
Dishwasher-safe vs. hand-wash only
Some travel mugs are especially easy to clean because you can just toss them into the dishwasher. These are typically models with simple double-walled insulation. However, if you opt for a mug with vacuum insulation, you’ll have to hand-wash it. That’s because the high temperatures inside your dishwasher can damage the mug’s insulation and seals, reducing its ability to keep your beverages hot or cold.
Our top picks: Insulation and ease of cleaning
- Owala SmoothSip Slider: This travel mug scores major points for its vacuum insulation, which can keep drinks cold or hot for hours. And even though its body requires hand-washing, users find it extremely easy to clean because it has no nooks or crannies where residue can build up.
- Contigo Byron 2.0 Stainless Steel Travel Mug: Users are impressed with this mug’s insulation because it keeps coffee and tea hot for hours. While the lid is dishwasher-safe, the body must be hand-washed.
- Yeti Rambler 20-ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid: According to users, this mug’s double-walled vacuum insulation can keep coffee piping hot for up to four hours or water icy cold for up to 24 hours. Its lid is also dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning all its grooves much easier.
- Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug: Some users find that this mug’s insulation is almost too effective, as their coffee stays so hot that they need to add an ice cube to bring it to a drinkable temperature.
- Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug: According to our tester, this mug’s insulation can keep coffee and tea hot for up to two hours before it begins to cool, and the exterior doesn’t get too hot to the touch. It must be entirely hand-washed.
Size and portability
Size
You might assume the most important aspect of a travel mug’s size is how much coffee or water it can hold, but its dimensions can play a big role in how travel-friendly it really is. If you commute by car, you’ll want to be sure that your mug fits in your car’s cupholders. Fortunately, many brands indicate whether their mugs are compatible with most cupholders.
Additionally, if you want to carry your mug in a handbag or backpack when traveling by plane or train, a slim, streamlined design is usually the best option.
Capacity
The size you choose depends on what you plan to carry in your travel mug, how much of it you drink and how long you want it to last. A 10-ounce mug would be perfect for someone who just wants a single cup of coffee. A 30-ounce mug would be more suitable for someone who fills their travel mug in the morning and enjoys sipping from it all day. (This is where a cup with good insulation comes in handy!)
Our top picks: Size and portability
- Owala SmoothSip Slider: This travel mug fits perfectly in most car cupholders and backpack side pockets, so it’s definitely commuter-friendly.
- Contigo Byron 2.0 Stainless Steel Travel Mug: This mug also fits most car cupholders and backpack pockets.
- YETI Rambler 20-ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid: While this cup fits most car cupholders, some users find its handle somewhat small, especially if you have larger hands.
- Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug: Users love this travel mug’s slim, compact profile, noting that it fits well in car cupholders, backpack pockets and even most handbags.
- Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug: Like most of our other top travel mugs, this model fits most car cupholders and backpack pockets. Our tester found it to be the perfect size and weight and easy to take on the go in a bag.
FAQ
How much do travel mugs cost?
A. Travel mugs are one of those products where paying a bit more will get you a more durable item from a brand you know and trust. If you want the highest-quality travel mug, mugs in the $40 price range, such as the Yeti Rambler, provide superior heat retention and look stylish, too. However, you can get a perfectly good travel mug for around $15, though it may come from a brand you've never heard of before.
We wouldn't recommend spending below $10 on a travel mug. It probably wouldn’t be insulated or designed very well, and you'd likely need to replace it sooner than if you'd shelled out an extra five or 10 bucks in the first place.
Q. Are all travel mugs BPA-free?
A. All of the top picks in our product list above are BPA-free. However, not all travel mugs on the market are BPA-free.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has covered home, kitchen and lifestyle products for BestReviews for over seven years. She has written more than 100 articles on air fryers, carpet cleaners, water bottles and more. She never leaves home without her Contigo insulated travel mug, which she relies on to keep her water ice-cold all day.
Jennifer Manfrin has been writing for BestReviews for nearly a decade. She specializes in products for pets, fitness, home and gardening as well as kitchen appliances that make life easier.
