The 5 Best Travel Mugs

When you're on the go, travel mugs are a great way to bring your favorite drink along. These special cups typically seal tightly, helping to prevent leaks. They also are designed to help keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold. They're perfect for coffee, tea, or even smoothies. Most travel mugs fit into the cup holder of a car, so you can have a safe place for it to sit while you're driving. If you're ready to purchase a travel mug, here are five of the best ones you can find.

Contigo 72952 Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

Thermalock Vacuum Insulation

Your drinks will stay hot for up to nine hours thanks to this special vacuum insulation.

Best Overall

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With a comfortable, textured grip, this travel mug is easy to hold. The lid seals tightly, creating a leak-proof cup. You can easily drink with one hand, since all you need to do is pop the lid up. However, you will need to remember to snap it back down after use to reseal it. Thanks to the special Thermalock vacuum insulation, your drinks will stay hot for up to nine hours, and cold for up to 21 hours. These specs make it perfect for an all-day mug. The lid can be washed in the dishwasher, though you need to wash the body by hand. You can select from over a dozen different color options. With three different sizes available (16 oz, 20 oz, 24 oz), you’re sure to find the perfect combination for your needs.

Pros

Several color options
Available in three sizes
Thermalock vacuum insulation

Cons

Must snap the lid shut after drinking to ensure it seals

YETI Rambler Tumbler, Vacuum Insulated with MagSlider Lid

Rugged DuraCoat Coating

You won't have to worry about the paint chipping off on these travel mugs.

Best Color Options

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This travel mug has so many great features. It’s made from 18/8 kitchen-grade stainless steel and BPA-free. This mug features a No Sweat design that will help keep your hands dry. The outside of the cup is covered in a rugged DuraCoat. It’s a coating that helps keep your mug looking new even after multiple uses. It holds up well to normal wear and tear. There are so many color options available, so you can find one that you love. The double-wall vacuum insulation will help keep your drinks the right temperature for hours. This mug is simple to open and close, and it utilizes magnets in this process. When you’re done drinking, you can load the cup and lid in your dishwasher.

Pros

Lots of color choices
Durably made
Solid DuraCoat coating

Cons

The lid is not leak proof

Zojirushi SM-SA60-BA Stainless Steel Mug

Lid Disassembles for Cleaning

This stainless steel travel mug has a safety lock to keep it from accidentally opening.

Best Lid Design

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You won’t have to worry about this travel mug leaking. The lid features many great features, including a safety lock to keep it from opening when you don’t want it to. The lock is easy to slide, so you can turn it on and off without a struggle. There is a two-step process to drink, which keeps condensation from splattering. You simply release and hold the button, and then flip the top. On the lid you’ll also find an air vent that prevents your beverage from gushing. Instead, it’ll flow smoothly from the mug right into your mouth. When you’re ready to clean the lid, it completely disassemble so you can give it a thorough cleaning. This keeps anything gross from building up on the inside. The nonstick coating on the inside also helps ensure you get it clean. You can select between sixteen colors and three sizes (12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz).

Pros

Vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot for hours and hours
Easy to clean
Safety lock to keep it from leaking

Cons

The flip lid might be in your face when you’re drinking, depending on how you hold it

Juro Tumbler 20 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

A Simple Travel Mug

An inexpensive travel mug that'll keep your drinks the right temperature for hours.

Best on a Budget

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You don’t have to spend a fortune on a travel mug. This one is budget friendly, and works as expected. It’s simple, but definitely gets the job done. The mug is made from high-quality stainless steel. It features double-walled insulation to help keep your hot drinks hot for up to six hours. It’ll keep drinks colder for even longer. You get two lids with this mug, so you can select the one you like best. One is a Slider Lid, that’s easy to use for small sips. There’s also a Flip Lid, which has a tight seal to help prevent spills. In addition, you receive a steel straw and straw cleaner to use with your mug. This mug is BPA free, and dishwasher friendly.

Pros

Comes with two lids and a steel straw
Budget friendly
Dishwasher safe

Cons

The straw is short and doesn’t reach the bottom of the cup, so you may prefer to use your own straw

North Stainless Steel 5-Piece Tumbler Set Travel Mug

Large, 30 oz size

This travel mug holds a lot of coffee.

Largest

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You aren’t just buying a travel mug with this set. It comes with four great accessories as well. You’ll receive the stainless steel mug that holds a whopping 30 ounces of your favorite drink. You also get a sliding lid, a removable handle, a steel straw, and a straw cleaning brush. It’s everything you need to enjoy your hot or cold drinks while on the go. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps hot drinks hot for about six hours. Cold drinks will stay cold for up to 24 hours. The lid is transparent, so you can easily see how much liquid is left. The handle slides on, and rests securely on the mug when installed properly. You can also use this without the handle if you prefer. Though this travel mug is large, it has a tapered design. That means it fits inside standard cup holders.

Pros

Large size
Comes with a removable handle and straw
Tapered design so it fits in cup holders

Cons

The handle slides if you don’t put it on correctly

Frequently Asked Questions

Are travel mugs dishwasher safe?

Some travel mugs can safely be washed in the dishwasher. However, even dishwasher safe mugs could get scratched by other items in the dishwasher. It’s essential to leave a little space between them and other items. Always read the owner’s manual for your specific mug, because you can ruin a mug in the dishwasher if it is not designed to go in there. Regardless of how you clean it, you do want to ensure you get the lid completely clean to avoid buildup. Some lids need soaked to get them clean.

Can I put cold drinks into my travel mug?

If you prefer to drink iced coffee or other cold drinks, travel mugs are still for you. They aren’t only for hot beverages. The insulation on most travel mugs helps keep your drink cold for quite a long time. So fill it up in the morning and drop some ice in. You’ll be amazed at how much of your ice is left hours later.