Tech

10 Best Travel Mugs of 2023

1. BEST OVERALL TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

16-Ounce Stainless Steel Mug

Zojirushi 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Mug

PROS
  • Lid locks to prevent spills
  • Large mouth
CONS
  • Some user reviews noted that the interior may peel over time

Zojirushi’s travel mug with a locking lid opens with the push of a button but won’t leak or spill (even in a backpack). It will keep hot coffee hot — in fact, the brand is so confident that it offers a five-year warranty on heat retention. Iced coffee fans will appreciate that the mouth is large enough to handle big ice cubes for that extra chill.

Our tester noted that the vacuum-sealed lid keeps water cold all day: “I always grab it from my backpack and think, ‘There’s no way this could still possibly be cool anymore,’ and I’m always pleasantly surprised.”We also like the slim design, which is easy to grip and fits nicely into backpacks or totes. It comes in several colors and a 12-ounce version.

2. BEST VALUE TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler

JURO Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler

PROS
  • Budget friendly
  • 19,700+ five-star ratings on Amazon
CONS
  • Some may find the straw too short

This stainless steel mug is a great affordable option, especially considering its large 20-ounce size. What’s more, it claims to retain the temperature of your coffee for up to six hours. Online reviewers like that it fits easily into car holders and won’t sweat when filled with ice. The tumbler includes two lids: The featured slider lid as well as a flip-style lid, so you can choose which you prefer for the beverage you’re drinking. It also comes with a reusable straw and a straw cleaner, though we found the straw was short and inconvenient to use.

3. BEST LOCKING-LID TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Luxe Autoseal Vacuum-Insulated Mug

Contigo Luxe Autoseal Vacuum-Insulated Mug

PROS
  • Comfortable, sleek design
  • One-handed push-button drinking
CONS
  • Available only in 16-ounce size

This coffee mug from Contigo is super comfortable in your hands, and it has a unique locking feature that makes it leak- and spill-proof. When you want to sip (or chug) your coffee, just press the button to release the seal. During your commute, you can lock the button so you don’t accidentally press it while on the go. It’s also completely dishwasher-safe, even the lid. One tester did note that with hot beverages, the lid can feel too hot to handle.

4. BEST NO-SPILL TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

PROS
  • Defaults to closed to prevent spills
  • Lid comes apart for cleaning
CONS
  • Must hold button to sip

Stanley has been in the thermal carafe game since 1913. This travel coffee mug delivers the company’s insulated design and also includes a push-button “trigger action” lid that keeps the mug sealed unless pushed. We liked that it means the spout stays closed when you’re not hands-on. Our pros did note that it requires some level of strength and dexterity to hold the button while sipping. This mug is available in several colors (even camo!) and in a 20-ounce size.

5. EASIEST TO CLEAN LEAK-RESISTANT TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Good Grips 16-oz Travel Coffee Mug with Leakproof SimplyClean Lid

OXO Good Grips 16-oz Travel Coffee Mug with Leakproof SimplyClean Lid

PROS
  • Lid parts are numbered and include instructions
  • Easy to twist open and closed
CONS
  • One tester found the multi-piece lid difficult

We love when kitchen gear comes apart for a thorough cleaning, but would rather skip the guesswork that can follow when it’s time to reassemble. The OXO travel coffee mug with SimplyClean lid solves this pain point: The four-piece lid is color-coded, numbered and etched with assembly instructions. It’s easy to take apart and clean by hand (or in the dishwasher), and simple to put back together for your next cup. Never mind, it’s also comfortable to hold. The mug comes in four other colors as well as a 20-ounce size.

6. MOST STYLISH TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Carter Everywhere Travel Mug

Fellow Carter Everywhere Travel Mug

PROS
  • Simple, compact shape
  • Wide mouth
CONS
  • Some reviewers noted trouble with the seal

This little cylinder makes a statement, with testers loving how compact it was. The sleek stainless steel shell contains a ceramic liner intended to keep your coffee free of metallic flavors. The screw top reveals a wide mouth that you can sip from any angle and is large enough for adding ice. It comes in seven additional colors as well as a smaller, 12-ounce size.

7. BEST TRAVEL COFFEE MUG WITH CARRYING STRAP

Flex Sip Lid Coffee Flask

Hydro Flask Flex Sip Lid Coffee Flask

PROS
  • Easy to carry
  • Vacuum-insulated to keep drinks at temperature
CONS
  • Wide-mouth lid sold separately

Hydro Flask has a huge following when it comes to water bottles — in fact, we named the brand our best stainless steel water bottle — and we’re fans of its coffee mugs (called coffee flasks), too. GH Lab tests found that its stainless steel, vacuum-insulated body kept drinks hot and cold for hours, and it was quite leakproof. Hydro Flask also offers a separate wide-mouth lid, which can be handy for cold beverages. (The included lid twists to open and close.) But, be careful drinking hot beverages with a wide mouth as it can spill easily. It’s available in a range of colors as well as 16- and 20-ounce sizes, and the little handle helps make it easier to transport

8. BEST TRAVEL COFFEE MUG WITH HANDLE

Rambler Mug with Lid

YETI Rambler Mug with Lid

PROS
  • Great cup-style option
  • Lidded to prevent spills
CONS
  • Not suited for car cup holders

This popular Yeti mug looks just like a traditional coffee mug, but it’s designed to keep your drinks hot or cold and comes with a lid to prevent unnecessary spills. The sturdy and comfortable handle is large enough for even wide hands. It’s available in a dozen different colors as well as sizes from 10- to 30 ounces. Another bonus is that when you buy from the Yeti site, you can customize your product with a short text, a monogram or a logo. Our tester found that the lid slides open easily but noted that it’s not leakproof. The brand has also introduced the Rambler Stronghold lid, which screws on (rather than presses in), which we’re actively testing in the Lab.

9. BEST PORCELAIN TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Ceramic Mug with Protective Silicone Sleeve

W&P Porter Ceramic Mug with Protective Silicone Sleeve

PROS
  • Non-porous porcelain material won’t absorb flavors over time
  • Easy to clean
CONS
  • Only two sizes available

Papantoniou likes that the inside of this travel mug is easy-to-clean porcelain, which generally helps to prevent buildup over time that can negatively impart flavors. She also noted that it keeps coffee “nice and hot right off the bat.” It includes a simple shape and a silicone sleeve for a comfortable non-slip grip. It comes in several colors and a couple of terrazzo prints. It’s also available in a 16-ounce size.

10. BEST WIDE-MOUTHED TRAVEL COFFEE MUG

Stainless Steel Traveler

S’well Stainless Steel Traveler

PROS
  • Large opening for adding ice or sipping water or soups
  • Easy to clean
CONS
  • Use caution when drinking hot beverages from wide-mouth containers

This sleek 16-ounce bottle has been redesigned to fit more comfortably in your hand. Though we have not tested this model in the Lab, our pros appreciate that its large size and wide mouth can easily fit ice cubes, which makes it a great choice for frequent iced coffee drinkers. We have also found other S’well products to be good at maintaining temperatures. It seals shut and is leakproof; plus, it will keep your drinks cold (or hot!) all day. The S’well comes in a ton of color options as well as 12-ounce and 20-ounce sizes.

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