The 5 Best Travel Coffee Mugs – Reviews & Buying Guide

When you need to travel, you want a good coffee holder to make sure your morning coffee doesn’t spill all over you. Using a travel coffee mug is the way to make sure you and not your clothes drink your coffee.

You could choose one of the best coffee thermoses on the market, but a travel mug will make you look like the sophisticated white-collar worker that you are. A travel mug is convenient, easier to carry and use.

best coffee thermos

You can’t go wrong when you use one of the best of the best. It pays to use the best equipment available even if it is for your coffee. Coffee is expensive, so you want to use the best container possible to make sure you get all that rich coffee flavor in each sip.

We liked the Atlin Tumbler Travel Mug. Continue to read to find out why we made that selection.

Reviews of the Best Travel Coffee Mugs

Position

Product

Capacity

BPA-Free

Editor’s rati​ng

#1

30 ounces

Yes

#2

22 ounces

Yes

#3

16 ounces

Yes

#4

16 ounces

Yes

#5

16 ounces

Yes


Simple Modern 22oz Slim Cruiser Tumbler with Straw & Closing Lid Travel Mug

This double-walled and vacuum sealed insulated travel mug holds up to 22 ounces of your favorite hot beverage. To take a sip of coffee to wake up you can either flip its lid and sip or protect yourself from spills by using one of the 2 included straws.

The lids and straws are BPA and toxin free as well as dishwasher safe. Then the mug is made out of stainless steel and comes with a powder coating to make it look good in your hand or car. The stainless steel will not rust and all you will taste is coffee or your favorite hot beverage.

Using this travel mug in your car will be simple and convenient. It is designed to fit most cup holders and its spill proof construction should keep your coffee inside where it belongs. The mug comes in several colors You should be able to find one to match your personality or color preference.

What We Liked

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    22-ounce capacity
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    Double wall insulation
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    Flip top lid

What We Didn't Like

  • May not keep drinks cold
  • Lid does not fit tight
  • A little slippery to grasp

Atlin Tumbler Travel Mug

Made from 100 percent stainless steel., this 30-ounce travel mug hold smore than enough coffee to wake you up on your way to work. Its grip friendly design works with your hand, so you do not lose control of the mug as you hold it.

The manufacturer uses 2 layers of insulation to make sure your hot beverages stay hot and your cold beverages stay cold. The cup is almost 8 inches tall, but that doesn’t stop it from fitting in most cup holders in vehicles today.

A see-through lid allows you to monitor how much coffee you have. You can see when you are in need of a refill. The lid is made of toxin free plastic and it is weatherproof. Even if you place this cup and lid in the dishwasher you will not need to worry, it is dishwasher safe and BPA-free.

A straw and a straw cleaning brush are included in your purchase of this travel mug.

What We Liked

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    Stainless-steel construction
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    Overall design
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    30-ounce capacity

What We Didn't Like

  • A little fragile
  • Doesn’t hold the heat
  • Gasket seal issues

Zojirushi SM-KHE48BA Stainless Steel Mug

This 16-ounce travel mug is made of stainless-steel and comes in a variety of colors. You should be able to find one that suits your color preferences. Plus, the stainless-steel construction means that the mug is BPA and toxin free.

Then the vacuum insulation is designed to make sure your cold beverages stay cold and your hot stay hot for hours. You should be able to make it work without tasting lukewarm coffee.

Also, the stainless-steel construction means that this travel mug is durable and strong. Not only will it fit into most cupholders, but it will stand up to the beating your traveling brings its way.

The flip top lid is easy to use, and its locking system makes sure that you do not have any spills as you drive to your destination. The cup measures approx. 3 x 2.5 x 9 inches and its size ensure that it will fit comfortably where you put it.

What We Liked

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    BPA and toxin free
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    Locking system
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    Durable and strong

What We Didn't Like

  • Contaminate issues on rubber parts
  • Quality construction issues
  • Small capacity

Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Travel Mug

The brand name Thermos is a respected and reputable name in the thermos and travel mug industry. They have been making these products for generations. This 16-ounce that reputation. It is also very durable and strong.

Made from stainless-steel you can expect it to hold up to the wear and tear of travel life. Also, its plastic lid will keep your coffee inside the cup as you make your way to work and back. A dial on the cup spins to open or close the drinking opening. The dial also helps keep the lid leakproof.

The handle and cup stay cool to the touch when you pour your hot liquid inside. It also does not get in the way when you place this travel mug inside a cupholder. The travel mug tapers down so that it will fit most vehicle cupholders.

One thing you need to be aware of is that this travel mug is hand wash only.

What We Liked

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    Made by Thermos
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    Dial open and close
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    Handle

What We Didn't Like

  • The small capacity
  • Some assembly required
  • Warranty issues

 Contigo AUTOSEAL Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug 16 oz

You can keep hot drinks hot for about 5 hours and cold drinks cold for about 12, when you use this 16-ounce travel mug. It comes with a spout cover lock to help keep your favorite beverage inside and off your clothes or car.

Also, to protect from accidents the mug has a no-slip sleeve that fits over the body of the mug. Plus, it has a no-slip bottom. The mug should stay where you put it. Then you just need to push a button to sip your coffee as you drive. One hand is all you need to use this travel mug with ease.

The lid is BPA-free and can be washed in the top rack of your dishwasher. The body of the mug must be hand washed. Like other travel mugs, this one is designed to fit in most vehicle cupholders.

What We Liked

  • check
    Push button access
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    One hand use
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    BPA free

What We Didn't Like

  • Some quality control issues
  • Drink opening poorly designed
  • Recessed opening

Who Should Use Travel Coffee Mugs?

Travel mugs are not for everyone. If you are not a commuter who likes to drink on their way to work, then spare yourself the expense and save your money. Travel mugs help you save money. They provide you with enough coffee, so you can avoid going to those expensive coffee shops.

If you do a lot of commuting or are a student, then a travel mug may be the right tool for you. You may need something to help you through those long driving or studying hours. Or if you go to different activities like festival or concerts, you may want a travel mug full of your favorite beverage to spare you more expense.

Or if you are restricted to your bed or do not want to travel to the kitchen at night, you can use a travel mug to make sure you have something cold to drink when you wake up or need to take a pill.

Why Use A Travel Mug Instead Of A Coffee Thermos

One reason is that they are convenient to use. They make your life a little simpler. Another reason is that they are handy. When you can’t stop and get another cup of coffee, these travel mugs are larger and hold more.

You do not have to waste time looking for more coffee or waiting for a new pot to be made. You can just open the lid and drink as you think or work.

A final reason why you should use a travel mug is that they prevent mess. They are supposed to be spill and leak free so that means you can spend your day on more enjoyable activities than cleaning your car or your clothes.

What To Look For In A Travel Coffee Mug

Like any product, to get the best of the best you need to know what to look for when you go shopping here are some items that you should keep in mind when you are out searching for a new travel mug:

  • Heat retention - how long does the mug keep your coffee hot
  • Cold retention - how long does the mug keep your cold beverage cold
  • Construction material - stainless-steel is best. This keeps your mug long lasting, strong and durable.
  • Insulation - double walled and vacuum insulation is best. That way you know your drinks will stay hotter longer.
  • Number of hands - one hand use is also the best way to use a travel mug. It makes driving and drinking a lot safer.
  • Lids - you need to make sure that the lid is leakproof and spill proof. Having the right lid will save you a lot of trouble in the long run

Some Handy Tips

In selecting your perfect travel mug, you should be aware of some simple facts to make sure you do not ruin it or your coffee drinking experience:

  • 1
    Coffee brewer - will your coffee maker fill your travel mug all the way up to where you want it? Some travel mugs are too tall to fit in single serving cup coffee makers.
  • 2
    Flavor transfer - plastic cups are notorious for this. You do not want to taste coffee when you place juice inside the travel mug. Make sure the cup does not transfer beverage flavors
  • 3
    Microwave use - stainless-steel travel mugs cannot be placed in the microwave. If this is important to you then it is best not to purchase a meta-travel mug
  • 4
    Cupholders - are they the right size and will the travel mug fit inside comfortably. You do not want the travel mug to be too tight or too loose inside the cupholder.
  • 5
    Pre-heat or pre-cool - to make sure your beverage stays hot or cold you should pre-heat or pre-cool your travel mug. This little action helps the travel mug maintain your beverages temperatures and you can enjoy your drink a lot better.
  • 6
    Cup Capacity - make sure you purchase the cup that holds the amount of coffee you want to drink. It is not smart to buy a 30-ounce cup when you only drink 8 ounces at any one time. Also, you do not want an 8-ounce travel mug when you drink 30 ounces at a time.

What We Found

As we did our research we found that people are loyal to certain styles of cups and certain brands. They won’t change even if there is a problem with their current travel coffee mug. Plastic or stainless steel does not matter. They go with the travel mug they like.

Conclusion

You may be satisfied with your thermos. It provides you with a large quantity of coffee or your favorite beverage to last you through the day. But they can also be hard to manage due to their size, heavier weight and cumbersome design.

Switching to travel coffee mugs may make your life a little simpler and easier to manage. These travel mugs are easier to carry, easier to handle and lighter. They are also easier to refill when you are in need of a coffee fix.

Using one of the best of the best is the smart way to travel with your favorite coffee. Go with the best travel mug for coffee to make sure your coffee experience is the best it can be.

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