Autumn is a full-time freelance writer based in the Pacific Northwest. Their love of coffee continues to grow through writing, having once been a barista at Portland’s best kept secret TOV, as well as west coast fave DUTCH BROS.
If you are a coffee lover, then you certainly don’t want to miss your cup of fresh hot coffee every day, especially when you are traveling. That is why I always bring my favorite mug—the Hydro Flask mugs—and even some ground coffee beans while traveling.
Are you looking for the best coffee travel mug? In this article, I will show the 9 best travel coffee mugs—aside from Hydro Flask—so you can still enjoy your hot beverage while you travel.
Keeping your coffee fresh and hot while you are on your feet can be quite challenging. Investing in a quality coffee travel mug will help keep your coffee warm, so you can enjoy a quick caffeine boost while you travel. Or store you coffee when you vist a coffee shop while travelling.
An ordinary coffee cup can’t really be enough to do this job. Some may event just use a water bottle—which one of my camp buddy used—and I totally not recommend it. Water bottles is made of plastic and not suitable for storing warm beverages. You should be using high quality container such as the Hydro Flask.
And if you are into a cold beverage, travel coffee mugs can also keep your iced coffee cold for a long period of time. And you can even add ice cubes to keep it cool longer.
With tons of options for travel mugs in the market, it can be hard to pick the mugs that will suit your needs. So, I did the hard work for you so you can just sit back and relax and choose that perfect travel coffee mug.
If you also want to make your own coffee while traveling, check out our list of the best travel coffee maker!
So let us get on the best travel coffee mugs list!
Table of Contents
The 9 Best Travel Mugs
S’well Stainless Steel Traveler Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulated Mug
The S’well coffee travel mug is an excellent beverage container for on-the-go persons. It has a 16-oz capacity that is quite enough to quench the thirst of both caffeine lovers.
The S’well will keep your coffee warm for long periods of time, thanks to its vacuum insulated coffee mug lined with copper lining for optimal heat retention. This travel coffee mug can keep your coffee warm for around 11 hours. For the iced coffee fanatic, your cold iced coffee will stay cold around 26 hours.
This coffee mug has triple sweat-free layers, so you can put it inside your bag without any worries of condensation. The mug is also leak-free so it won’t spill your coffee.
Pros:
Cons:
If 16 oz of coffee is enough to quench your thirst for caffeine, this S’well coffee mug is an excellent travel companion.
Contigo SnapSeal Byron Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Mug
The Contigo Snapseal Byron is able to hold about 16 oz of coffee, which is adequate for most coffee drinkers. This coffee mug is a perfect travel companion because of its leak-proof lid. You can put it inside your pack without any worries about your coffee spilling.
Also, the stainless steel mug ensures that the Contigo SnapSeal is durable enough to survive any journey.
The Thermalock vacuum insulation ensures temperature locking efficiency. This coffee travel mug keeps drinks hot for about 5 hours and cold drinks for 20 hours.
The SnapSeal lid makes this mug easy-to-use with one hand. This feature is an essential consideration, especially when you are commuting to work and you have coffee in one hand.
And above all, the Contigo coffee mug is sold in packs of 2. So, you have an extra coffee mug in case you lose one, have a spare mug for your partner to use, or give away the other mug as a gift.
Pros:
Cons:
The Contigo’s features are enough to consider it as one of the best travel mug. The savings you get in purchasing it in packs of two is another thing to take into account as well. If you need two mugs, this coffee mug is really a bang for your buck.
Juro Tumbler 20 oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler Coffee Mug
Another travel coffee mug to consider is the Juro Tumbler. This is a large-capacity coffee travel mug and is made of 100% stainless steel lined with vacuum insulated coffee mug.
What I like about this mug is that it offers two different types of lids; one a sliding lid, and the other a flip lid. You can interchange lids to your liking whatever is more convenient for you.
Both the flip lid and sliding lid fit tightly, so you don’t have to worry about accidental splashes or spills. The tight lid is good enough to prevent spillage from sudden movements or accidental drops. However, this coffee mug is not leak-proof, so you might want to avoid putting this coffee mug inside your bag.
Pros:
Cons:
The flip lid makes it difficult to finish the last drop, but you can use the sliding lid instead
The Juro tumbler is exquisite for on-the-go coffee lovers, and it makes your daily commute more enjoyable.
YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler, with MagSlider Lid
The Yeti Rambler, as claimed by its manufacturer, is over-engineered. Therefore, you are guaranteed a quality mug.
This is the only product on our list that utilizes magnets to keep your coffee from spilling or splashing, made possible with the MagSlider lid.
The Yeti Rambler can also compete with other products when it comes to keeping hot drinks. The double-walled vacuum insulation ensures that your coffee stays piping hot for hours.
Pros:
Cons:
If you are looking for a durable coffee travel mug that keeps your drink hot or cold while on the move, the Yeti Rambler is one of the top choices.
Extremus Temps Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler with 100% Leak-Proof Travel Coffee Mug Lid
The Extremus Temps travel mug can hold—not 16 oz—but 20 oz of coffee. That is already a good amount of coffee that can satisfy a regular coffee drinker. Also, the leak-proof lid makes it a perfect travel mug.
The triple-walled vacuum insulation is lined with copper for more efficient hot or cold temperature retention. Your hot beverages stay hot for around 12 hours, and your cold drinks remain good for 24 hours.
I also love the versatility of this mug as it comes with two different lid designs. The push-button lid is leak-proof, but the sipping lid only prevents splashes.
The DuraPowder color coating is thick, scratch-free, and doesn’t peel off. In addition, cleaning is super easy as this mug is dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
Cons:
The Extremus Temps travel mug doesn’t only feature a sleek design that stands out from other mugs, but it could also be one of the best travel coffee mugs.
Santai Living 2020 Travel Mug 500ml Premium Leakproof
I find the Santai Living 2020 travel mug a unique travel coffee mug product. Unlike a stainless steel mug, this product has a unique bamboo exterior design.
Therefore, the double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel mug interior is backed with bamboo exterior insulation. It means more efficient insulation that keeps your drink hot for 12 hours and about a whole day for cold beverages.
The Santai coffee mug is leak-free. So, you don’t need to worry about spillage if you throw this mug in your bag. The one-click open/close mug lid also makes it easy to use with one hand.
Santai Living can be a great gift idea for your friend or loved one who loves coffee as it comes with beautiful gift packaging.
Pros:
Cons:
The one-click open/close lid may malfunction at times causing leaks.
If you’re looking for a unique but functional coffee travel mug, the Santai Living 2020 is a top contender.
bioGo Cup, Rice Husk Fibre, BPA-Free, Double Wall Insulation Reusable Coffee Cup
Among the travel coffee mugs listed on this list, we find the bioGo travel coffee mug a bit interesting because it has an exclusive design. This 16 oz mug is made from rice husk bioplastic, so it is an eco-friendly mug. If you want to stay green while enjoying your cup of coffee, then the bioGo is the perfect coffee mug for you.
It is certified BPA-free, so you are guaranteed that it’s safe for your health. The pop-open mouthpiece makes it easy to sip without dripping.
The coffee mug is leak-free, so it is ideal for travel. You won’t have to worry about other things in your bag getting wet.
Pros:
Cons:
Not as efficient in keeping your coffee hot
The bioGo coffee travel mug has a great eco-friendly concept, but it will not keep your coffee piping hot for hours. It can still be an excellent coffee mug for short trips.
Copco Acadia Travel Mug, 16-Ounce
Another good coffee mug to consider is the Copco coffee travel mug. This mug is made of hard BPA-free plastic, so there’s nothing to worry about health hazard issues. It can store about 16 oz of liquid.
It has double-wall insulation so you can keep your coffee warm longer. The mug, however, is not leak-proof as the sip hole is open all the time. So if you generally put your mug inside a bag or luggage, then this mug is not for you.
It’s easy to hold though with the textured non-slip sleeve and it fits in any vehicle car cup holder. The mug is microwave safe and dishwasher-friendly, so cleaning is a breeze.
Pros:
Cons:
The Copco Acadia coffee travel mug is a cheaper option. It does keep your coffee hot, but not that long. This travel mug would be just perfect for short walks or commuting to work.
Stanley Classic Twinlock Travel Mug with Steel
If you are looking for the king of leak-free coffee mugs, then you have found it. The Stanley Classic Twinlock travel mug could be your ultimate leak-free travel mug. It features a twin action cam-locking lid that no matter how rough your travel, your coffee, or any other beverages stays securely stored inside.
The stainless steel double-wall insulation guarantees to keep your hot or cold beverages fresh for a long period of time. It is dishwasher-friendly, so cleaning is quick and easy.
Pros:
Cons:
Lid has some durability issues and is difficult to clean
Do you want a travel mug that is spill-proof and packable? The Stanley Classic Twinlock might be the one you’re looking for, and it is backed with a lifetime guarantee, so it is one good thing to consider.
Buyers Guide For Coffee Travel Mugs
Type of Travel
With a lot of choices out there for traveling mugs, you should make share that your travel mug meets up with your expectations. Not all travel mugs are created equal, especially when it comes to the ability of the travel mug to store liquid. Your coffee spilling, leaking, or splashing is a common problem when traveling with a cup of coffee in hand.
These problems can be easily solved with the help of a quality coffee mug. Before picking one, you should determine how you would use your coffee travel mug. Is it either just holding your coffee or beverage during walks, storing beverage securely in your bag, or keeping your beverage fresh for long periods of time?
If you are traveling and intend to pack your coffee travel mug with your things, you have to get a 100% leak-free travel mug. On the other hand, if you are using the mug for your daily travel to the office or during your walks, a spill-proof travel mug would do. And if you want to keep your coffee fresh throughout the day, you should pick a coffee mug with superb heat retention capabilities.
Another thing to consider is the coffee mug size and if it fits in most cup holders.
Ease of Use
To sip coffee from a travel mug while walking or while on a commute can be difficult, especially when you’re holding some other things with the other hand. Therefore, consider a travel mug that can be easily held and use with just a single hand.
This is entirely optional but doing so will make you a bit comfortable especially in times when you are holding a coffee mug in one hand and also holding something with the other hand.
Efficiency in Temperature Retention
Another essential factor is the efficiency of temperature retention. You don’t want to sip a lukewarm coffee, do you?
So, before purchasing a coffee travel mug, determine how long you would want to keep your drinks hot. You might consider a travel coffee mug that can keep coffee piping hot for at least 3 hours.
Travel Coffee Mugs: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best mugs for traveling?
Although the best coffee mugs will be based mostly on a user’s preferred specification, we consider all the mugs we presented in our list as the best of the best. However, we can’t help but recommend a few that we think are the cream of the crop.
We want to recommend the Contigo Snapseal Byron mugs for functionality and affordability as it is sold in packs of two.
If you’re looking for a gift item, the Santai Living 2020 is the perfect travel mug for gifting. It has unique features, and it comes in a beautifully-designed box.
Lastly, we can’t help but love the Extremus Temps for giving the best value for your money.
Do ceramic travel mugs keep coffee hot?
Ceramic travel mugs do keep your coffee warm and work just like their stainless steel counterparts. They are also double-walled and vacuum insulated coffee mug to keep coffee piping hot for hours.
However, most ceramic travel mugs don’t come with a screw-on lid that will help prevent leaks, which is crucial when you are traveling. Meanwhile, ceramic travel mugs may be ideal for short trips.
However, travels pose more risks of breakage on ceramic mugs. Hard bumps and accidental fall may chip, or shatter a ceramic mug, especially when containing hot coffee, so it’s an essential consideration if you go on camping.
So for traveling purposes, you will need a coffee travel mug that is durable, has a lid to keep your coffee from spilling, and is able to retain the temperature to keep your beverage hot or cold. Travel mugs listed above can certainly accomplish the said feat easily.
What are your favorite coffee travel mugs on this list? Do you have your preferred coffee travel mug that you take with you on your travels? What do you think are the best coffee travel mug that is great for traveling? We love to hear your thoughts. Jot them down in the comments below.
Happy traveling!