9 Best Travel Mugs For Coffee in 2021 (Reviewed)

Travel coffee mugs are the most useful and most practical thing you can buy to save money on coffee and contribute a positive impact on the environment.

However, with hundreds of different brands coming up with improved versions of travel mugs, all claiming to be revolutionary, it’s getting harder and harder to choose.

Note that there’s no one best mug for everyone. Some of them are the best at one thing and not so much on the other. We all have different preferences and uses. However, I’ve picked 9 of the best from a list of hundreds and highlighted their best features so you can make an informed decision according to your preferences. And in the end, I decided on my final verdict based on what I want with my mug.

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How I picked the mugs on this list

For this list, I went over pages of product listings on Amazon.com, read reviews and comments before picking my top 9. Then, I researched them individually and found out where they were good at and where they need improvement. Some of these travel mugs, I own myself.

I handpicked this list based on:

Durability – I only picked mugs that are made of high quality stainless steel

Insulation – Though all of them have the same vacuum insulation technology, some have better thermoregulation properties than the rest. For this list, I only went with the best ones that can keep the heat for at least 5 hours.

Convenience – Some designs are better in terms of the flow of the liquid from the bottle to your mouth, the portability, the shape, and how it fits cup holders.

Taste – There are some lids that produces an aftertaste when heated. There’s one on this list that failed in taste but still managed to make it to this list because of its other notable features. All of the mugs reviewed here are dishwasher safe and toxic-free.

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9 Best Travel Mugs at Glance

• Hydro Flask – Best overall
• YETI Rambler 14 oz – Best in function
• Contigo Luxe – Best spill-proof
• Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug – Best in value
• Stanley Classic Trigger Action – Best in quality
• Juro Tumbler – Best budget
• Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler – Best in insulation
• Coffee Gator All-in-One Travel Mug – Best for freshly brewed
• MIRA 20 oz Travel Mug _ Best alternative with handle

(Skip to the final verdict)

Hydro Flask 20 oz Travel Mug

If you’re looking for a balance between design, usability, and durability this mug sits at the top of the list. The Hydro Flask has risen in popularity among the younger generation because of its sleek, modern design and pop colors coupled with its incredible performance.

It could keep your coffee ice-cold for at least 24 hours or piping hot (the kind of hot that still produces steam) for up to 12 hours. It also has a temperature-transfer-resistant feature so you don’t have to worry about it being too hot or producing moisture.

The flex straps also became one of the most notable features because it makes it easier to carry around everywhere.

What I like about this mug

• Great insulation: up to 12 hours hot and 24 hours cold
• Duracoat colors won’t scratch or peel
• Leak-proof Lid
• Flex strap makes it easy to carry
• The hydro flip lid makes drinking on-the-go hassle-free.
• Lots of color options

Consider the cons

• Very expensive

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YETI Rambler 14 oz Mug

This mug my personal favorite on this list simply because I like drinking my coffee the way I drink it in a regular mug. It’s perfect for my morning coffee while looking at the beautiful mountain views whenever I rent a resthouse in the mountains.

This mug, however, falls short on insulation, spillage, and portability. The standard lid is secure but you can’t expect to fill it with coffee, put it inside your bag and go trekking. The best use for this travel mug is to take it empty, make coffee somewhere then fill it up and enjoy long-lasting hot coffee.

What I like about this mug

• One of the most durable mugs out there
• The design is just like a regular ceramic mug but with insulation properties
• The Duracoated color is scratch and peel proof.
• A full-loop triple grip handle means you can drink your coffee anywhere just like how you drink it at home

Consider these cons

• Mediocre insulation
• Not leak-proof
• Does not fit in cup holders
• Expensive

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Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL 16 oz Travel Mug

The thing I like the most about this travel mug is its sophisticated auto seal feature. It feels very secure and I’m confident that it won’t ruin the insides of my bag when I throw it inside during my commute.

It does, however, have a few notable flaws I’d like to point out. (1) it’s not heat transfer resistant. Meaning the lead can feel too hot to hold and (2) Its insulation is not that great. It has an average thermoregulation time of 5 hours for hot drinks and 12 hours for cold. It might not seem much, but if you’re an all-day coffee drinker like me, it could matter.

This, however, is perfect for those who are more concerned with the budget (it’s $10 cheaper than some of its competitors) or those who want to make sure that their bottle stays 100% spill-proof.

What I like about this mug

• The 100% spill-proof lid is highly reliable
• Its slim body makes it easy to hold one-handed
• Fits in most cup holders
• The removable bottom holder makes it easy to clean

Consider these cons

• Can get hot to hold
• Paint can chip off over time
• Short insulation period: only approximately 5 hours for hot drinks and 12 for cold

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Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

We all know that most things made in Japan are of high quality. This travel mug stands by that reputation.

It has a tight-fitting lid that prevents spills, leaks, and loss of heat which gives you the peace of mind that you’ll be able to drink your hot cup after a few hours. It also has a sleek and slim design like the Hydro Flask but doesn’t come with the price tag. If you’re looking for an alternative to the Hydro Flask, this is the one.

What I like about this mug

• Good heat retention: 6-8 hours on average
• Leak-proof Autoseal lid
• Sleek and modern design makes it perfect for any occasion
• Fits on most cup holders

Consider these cons

• Not scratch and peel resistant, the paint will chip off over time
• The lid can easily break when dropped
• Color options are boring

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Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

Stanley has been in business since 1913 and they are well known for their top of the line quality and unbreakable bottles. It is built for people who love getting into adventures and need a reliable bottle that can take a beating.

This trigger action travel mug highlights its durable build and good heat retention capability. It can keep hot drinks hot for at least 8 hours. However, some complaints of aftertaste brought about by the lid were noted.

Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a reliable travel mug you can take to high places without having to worry about breaking it, this mug is for you.

What I like about this mug

• Virtually indestructible backed with a lifetime warranty
• Great heat retention
• Great color options
• Trigger action lid makes it very convenient to drink from even when doing physical activities
• Slim body makes it easy to use with one hand

Consider these cons

• Has an aftertaste

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Juro Tumbler 20 oz

Don’t be fooled by its very cheap price because this travel mug has a punch to offer.

Unlike most mugs, this comes with two distinct lids. A flip lid that makes prevents spills and a more convenient slider lid. In addition, it comes with a free steel straw with a cleaner to help reduce waste.

This mug, however, falls short on the design. It has a very wide base that could be uncomfortable to hold with one hand and comes with no handle whatsoever for portability.

What I like about this mug

• Very affordable
• Comes with a tight seal flip lid and a more convenient slider lid
• Comes with a steel straw and straw cleaner to reduce waste and protect nature
• Good insulation keeps drinks hot for 6 hours or cold for 24 hours
• Wide mouth makes it easy to clean

Consider these cons

• Not easy to carry around

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Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler

The Thermos bottle company was founded in 1904 and was the first company to domesticate the use of vacuum insulation technology.

This particular bottle comes from the stainless steel collection and was made for adventure seekers and travelers. They are known for their slogan “Hot stays hot. Cold stays cold.” and stayed true to their word. This stainless tumbler is the leader in insulation boasting a heat retention capacity of up to 24 hours. With that said, you can expect to drink in a hot drinkable temp for the whole day with just one brewing.

What I like about this mug

• Superior insulation: up to 24 hours for both hot and cold
• Very durable
• Fits in most cup holders
• Heat-transfer-resistant feature protects your hands from burns
• The sweatproof design keeps the exterior dry even with ice inside
• Fits cup holders

Consider these cons

• The paint will flake over time
• Can easily get scratched
• Not so appealing design

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Coffee Gator All-in-One Travel Mug

This travel mug is for those who want to make and take their own freshly brewed coffee. It comes with an environment-friendly metal filter that helps get rid of paper filters for brewing. In addition, it has a decent insulation capabilities thanks to its mart copper lining that traps heat for a longer period of time.

What I like about this mug

• Freshly brewed coffee every time
• The paperless filter makes it more convenient to create coffee and provides a positive impact on the environment
• Vacuum insulation and copper lining keeps coffee hot longer than a regular mug
• Easy brewing of coffee
• Affordable

Consider these cons

• Not so portable design
• Decent insulation when compared to the others from this list

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MIRA 20 oz Travel Mug

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the YETI rambler 14 Oz, this is the one.

It has a decent heat retention capacity that could reach around 4 hours. Unlike the slightly better YETI (in terms of insulation and durability) without the very high price tag that comes with the brand, this also has a half loop handle which makes it fit perfectly on most cup holders.

Two things to note, however, is that (1) the design makes it usable for only right-handed individuals, and (2) it’s quite frustrating to drink from the lid because of the inconsistent flow of the coffee to your mouth.

What I like about this mug

• Very affordable
• Large capacity
• Half-loop handle allows it to fit in car cup holders
• Twist on the lid makes it spill-proof
• Larger than the YETI rambler

Consider these cons

• Mediocre insulation
• inconsistent coffee flow from mug to mouth
• Only 2 available colors and the other is white (so you’re left with this)

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The Final Verdict

When it comes to the overall performance, convenience, and style, the Hydro Flask 20 oz travel mug is the clear winner. Its modern design and pop color options look amazing, the kind of stuff you can post photos with. The insulation is just right that it allows me to enjoy an intermittent dose of hot coffee throughout the day. But my favorite feature really is the flex strap. It’s just so convenient especially when you’re traveling or walking around the city.

I hope this article helped you find the best travel mug for you. If you’re giving them as a gift, I suggest you check out our article on the best gifts for coffee lovers for some more ideas.