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Besides retaining temperature well, it holds 16 ounces. A trim build means it easily fits in cup holders. Only drawback: Not dishwasher safe, but the top disassembles, making cleanup a breeze. Read More
With nearly leak-proof technology, the Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug now includes a smartly designed handle which sits at the top of the mug and doesn’t interfere with placement in car beverage holders, or bag pockets. Read More
Includes a stainless steel build and a handle, but it's a bit heavy and bulky, and while the lid's robust, it’s a two-handed effort to open. Read More
The original Contigo Autoseal won us over on an 8-hour car trip by keeping coffee piping hot from start to finish thanks to the double-wall vacuum insulation, and its nearly spill-proof Autoseal technology. Read More
The Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler is iced coffee's perfect companion. At 16 ounces, this spill-resistant tumbler keeps drinks icy for hours at a time. Read More
Updated August 29, 2023
Whether your beverage of choice is water, hot coffee, or an iced latte, most of us rely on some kind of rejuvenating beverage to get us through the day.
Since our days are often punctuated by meetings, errands, stressful commutes, and/or kids soccer games, our hot and cold drinks frequently accompany us wherever we go. So beyond a water bottle, what's the best way to keep your drink of choice at its perfect temperature? Enter: the best travel mugs and tumblers.
Portable and generally easy to clean, travel mugs and tumblers get bonus points if they can fit in your car's cup holder. We shopped around and bought popular travel mugs and tumblers from brands like Stanley, Contigo, Hydro Flask, Yeti, and old favorite Thermos. We then tested and scored them keeping in mind things like spillage, heat retention, and ease of care.
The best travel mug we tested is the cult-favorite Zojirushi SM-KHE48 (available at Amazon for $28.72) —it is a standout in multiple areas. If your a coffee devotee, try the best travel mug for hot beverages Thermos Stainless King (available at Amazon), an OG and the travel mug that had the best heat retention of the ones we tested.
However, there are many great travel mugs and tumblers in our guide—read on to find your fave!
When it comes to retaining temperature (which is the most essential function of a travel mug), the Zojirushi is an absolute beast.
Our top pick is such a well-insulated mug that if you leave coffee in it overnight, it’s still steamy the next morning! It performs just as admirably with cold beverages. In addition to its stellar temperature retention, it also holds 16 ounces. The trim build also allows it to seamlessly slip into cup holders and bags.
The only drawback to the best travel coffee mug we’ve tested is that it can’t go in the dishwasher. Although it’s not dishwasher safe, the top can be disassembled, which makes cleanup a breeze.
It’s especially attractive thanks to a slim, streamlined shape and slick, steel finish, in colors such as champagne gold, lavender-pink, emerald, cherry, and smoky blue. For 24 hour heat retention, the Zojirushi is the best travel mug.
Excellent temperature retention
Easy to carry
Not dishwasher safe
This leak-proof travel mug from Contigo has a convenient handle for easy carrying.
The Contigo Autoseal is the best travel mug with a handle. The handle’s design sits cleverly at the top of the mug near the lid, so it doesn’t interfere with placement in car beverage holders or bag pockets.
It also promises to keep hot beverages hot for 5 hours and cold beverages cold for 14 hours, although we find that it exceeds expectations in both cases. Hot beverage temperatures dropped only slightly after 6 hours, and cold drinks retained a chill overnight for about 16 hours. You can thank the addition of double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel for that, as well as patented Autoseal technology, that renders it virtually leak-proof and spill-proof.
You do have to hand wash the bottom half of the mug, but the top can be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher, and its inner mechanism can be loosened (but not detached) so you can get into those hard-to-clean crevices.
Excellent temperature retention
Includes a handle
Autoseal technology guards against leaks
None that we could find
For piping hot coffee from 9-to-5, go with the Thermos travel mug.
After all these years, you still have to give it up to Thermos, the true OG of the travel mug market. This particular product has all of the practical functionality expected of the venerable brand, such as a durable stainless-steel build and an actual handle. Its vacuum insulation keeps coffee steamy through your entire 9-to-5; in fact, has the best heat retention of all the travel mugs and tumblers we tried, even beating out our Best Overall pick, the Zojirushi. It’s one of the best insulated tumblers we’ve ever seen.
While this stainless steel mug is well-constructed, it’s also heavy, and the handle is too bulky. While the locking lid is appreciably robust and keeps it leakproof, it’s a two-handed effort to flip it open.
Durable
Vacuum insulation keeps drinks warm
Bulky
Difficult to open its lid
This sleek and sexy mug won us over instantly by keeping our coffee super hot (150°F) from start to finish, although its “stay hot/cold” pledge is slightly less than that of the handled version.
Like all Autoseal models, it also stands firm against spills and leaks, with its impenetrability further underscored by a button lock lid (which, it bears mentioning, is tough to effectively clean).
But hey, it’s pretty! Not only does a gracefully curved shape make the Contigo especially attractive, but it also provides a comfy grip and allows it to easily fit into a cup holder or bag.
Comfy grip
Long-lasting temperature retention
Nearly leak- and spill-proof
Lid difficult to clean
The Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler is your iced coffee's new best friend.
While we also love the 40-ounce Stanley tumbler for the days when you need to tote around a lot of liquid at once, we think the 16-ounce Fellow Carter Cold Tumbler is a better all-around choice for bringing with you on a walk around the neighborhood.
It lacks a handle like Stanley offers, a trade-off for being smaller and more lightweight, making it easier to manage. We also love that this insulated travel mug includes a hard straw, which has a notch underneath the lid that keeps it from sliding around when you take a sip.
It is spill-resistant, though not completely leakproof when turned on its side or upside down. The tumbler's sturdy design does a good job of staying upright and it also fits in most cup holders. It comes in six different colors and you can pay a little extra to personalize it with your name.
This Fellow tumbler isn't dishwasher safe, so you'll need to take the time to clean it by hand.
Keeps drinks ice cold
Spill-resistant
Fits in most cupholders
No handle
Hand wash only
Thermos does it again with this absolutely sleek model from its Guardian Collection. This travel mug doesn’t have a handle to break up its flow, but it is still comfortable to hold and easy to manipulate one-handed, with a slide-to-open lid.
We appreciate the 5-year warranty and love that it’s dishwasher safe. It also has great temperature retention, although the 5-hour hot, 14-hour cold promise is less than that of Thermos’ Stainless King (temperatures stayed relatively stable until those times, but dropped quickly after that).
Includes 5-year warranty
Dishwasher safe
Good temperature retention
Lacks a handle
The Stanley Quencher is ultra popular, and it totally lives up to the hype.
The Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler is popular—and for good reason. Earning a top spot as the best large capacity tumbler in our guide, there’s not much this Stanley tumbler can’t do. It's made from BPA-free stainless steel and features double-wall vacuum insulation that excels at keeping drinks at temperature all day long.
In our tests, this was the only tumbler that kept ice cubes from melting after several hours—and our iced drinks got progressively colder over time.
Our hot drinks lost some heat after 30 minutes, but the liquids were still piping hot. The lid design on this large travel mug features a rotating cover with three options: one for a straw opening, one for a drink opening, and one to fully cover the opening. We like this design over the previous Stanley tumblers because it is less prone to leaking.
Like the Hydro Flask tumbler, the Stanley tumbler holds up to 40 ounces and can be heavy to transport when full. The design of the handle features an ergonomic comfort grip to help make carrying easier, but it’s still a beast.
The cup is larger on top and narrower on the bottom and we found that it fits into most car cup holders. The only problem is that the handle may get in the way of the second cupholder, depending on your layout.
In short, if you need a tumbler that holds a lot of liquid, this one from Stanley is the best.
Large capacity
Fits in cup holders
Keeps drinks cold
Has comfort grip handle
Prone to leaking
The Atlin tumbler seems custom-designed for holding 30 ounces of cold beverages, though it also handles hot drinks quite well. Especially considering it comes with an accompanying stainless-steel straw.
(Double bonus: An adorable teeny steel cleaning brush, which makes washing up easy. It’s also dishwasher safe). And boy, does it keep those bevies icy. Iced coffees stay chilled even after sitting in a car cup holder for hours.
The top doesn’t lock, and a solid pound of steel isn’t ideal for toting uphill—or any distance, really, over flat terrain, so when it comes to actually traveling, we wouldn’t choose to use this one.
Excellent temperature retention
Holds 30 oz.
Comes with a stainless steel straw
Lid doesn't lock
Size is a little big for travel
Without question, the Acera is the most attractive travel tumbler we’ve tested. The hexagon design with gold bees and crystals is more like a work of art than a travel mug. This particular design comes in five colors and holds just over 12 ounces. However, we’ve got a few bones to pick.
The ceramic tumbler features double wall insulation. In our tests, we found that it performed better at keeping cold liquids chilled versus heated liquids hot. During our 30-minute heat retention test, with the lid on, the tumbler lost 40 degrees. While it was still hot enough to drink, this isn’t a tumbler you can count on for long term heat retention.
Additionally, when filled with a hot liquid, the outside of the mug becomes hot to the touch over the course of our tests, and we couldn’t pick it up for more than a few seconds at a time.
While everyone’s budgets are different, the cost for this travel tumbler is higher than most—and certainly any in our guide by a long shot. The MSRP is $188—enough to buy yourself a coffee maker, a bag of coffee, and our favorite travel mug. It comes nicely packaged in a mint green gift box, making for a nice gift if you want to spend it on a friend or loved one.
Finally, the tumbler is hand-wash only, making it more of a challenge to clean than others in our guide. It also is quite delicate, so it’s possible it could chip or break easily if dropped or bumped against another hard surface.
While this tumbler is absolutely gorgeous, it’s very hard to justify the high price point, especially given its performance with hot drinks and delicate design.
Attractive design
Good cold retention
Delicate
More expensive than others
Hot to touch with heated drinks
A fun option for fancy pants commuters, the Bobble has a French press built right in. Simply place your preferred grounds in the bottom of the copper canister, insert a stainless-steel tumbler fitted with a micro-filter, pour in some hot water, and wait three minutes or so for those coffee grounds to steep. Top with the silicone lid, and you’re good to go.
But be wary of spillage, as that supposedly lockable top has a bit of a funky fit. And while you can technically leave out the filter interior and just use the outer canister for hot or cold drinks, the press is really more of a one-trick pony.
Built-in french press
Lid doesn't fit perfectly
Designed with backpackers and campers in mind, this cup is super lightweight at 3.5 ounces, while still holding an impressive 17 ounces of liquid.
The sealable lid fits snugly and latches tightly (which benefits its ability to retain temperature), and a ballistic cloth-covered cozy and tarpaulin handle makes it comfortable to hold while guarding the BPA-free, non-leaching polypropylene interior canister against crawling critters and dirt.
It even doubles as a measuring cup, which makes it ideal for measuring out the exact amount of water required to rehydrate a dehydrated backpacking meal. Downsides are that it’s a bit tricky to wash because of that fabric sleeve, which also runs a risk of slipping off—and leaving your cup lost for all time on a trail.
That insulation is also more for keeping your hands protected than the contents of the mug warm (or cold). So, don’t expect temps to stay stable during the length of a hike.
Tight sealing lid
Great temperature retention
Doubles as a measuring cup
Can be difficult to clean due to cloth sleeve
Copco’s Acadia is designed to look like a standard, paper coffee cup (albeit one made of reusable BPA-free plastic), which, depending on your aesthetic, can be cute (or not so much). A textured, non-slip sleeve is much more effective at shielding your hands than the cardboard ones.
The Copco is both microwave and dishwasher safe, which is more than you can say of your average bodega cup.
Yet despite boasting double-walled insulation, it’s not great at maintaining temperature—and hot coffee cools a bit within the hour. And though its quarter-turn lid sealing design (may) be enough to keep your computer safe—we wouldn’t trust it for a second in a backpack pocket, and most definitely not actually placed inside of a bag.
Microwave and dishwasher safe
Has a textured non-slip sleeve
Made from reusable BPA-free plastic
Poor temperature retention
Lid design isn't great for travel
The Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler features double insulation and is made from pro-grade stainless steel. Its 40-ounce capacity allows you to drink from all day long, but in our tests, this tumbler doesn't keep drinks as cold as Hydro Flask water bottles. If you drink quickly, this won't be a problem, but if you want your liquids to stay chilled for more than several hours at a time, the Stanley tumbler in this guide is a better option.
Given the large size, it can be a bit difficult to hold when full, but the handle makes this easier (though it lacks a comfort grip like the Stanley tumbler has). It also fits in most standard size cup holders.
One gripe we have is that the lid on the Hydro Flask tumbler is not as secure as others in our guide. It does not screw into place, like the Stanley tumbler. Therefore, if you drop it or it tips over, the lid may pop off, resulting in a spill.
Because of the included plastic straw and lid design, which features a flexible, built-in straw in the top portion, you don't want to use it with hot liquids. However, when paired with cold liquids, the straw is easy to drink from.
We wish the built-in straw extended all the way down into the cup and didn't stop at the lid, so it could be one collective piece. In its current state, a separate straw attaches to the underside of the lid, which is just one more thing to keep track of.
Large capacity
Easy to clean
Fits in most cupholders
Lid does not secure
Temperature regulation not as impressive as others
Yeti benefits from a great deal of brand loyalty. And we’re not immune to its appeal. But with so many travel mug options on the market, we don’t quite see the upsides of this one—unless you like really cold beverages over long time frames.
This Yeti Rambler’s ability to keep a cold drink cold over time is outstanding and beat the rest of its competitors in our tests, with zero loss of temperature over 30 minutes. We also definitely like that it’s dishwasher safe.
Unfortunately, the Yeti Rambler’s shape and size detracts from its appeal. It doesn't really fit in cup holders or bags due to its chunky shape. We tested the 14-ounce Rambler, but the same can be said for its 10-ounce and 24-ounce varieties.
The plastic top (which is hard to remove) doesn’t actually close, either. So, there’s no way to keep liquids from sloshing out of the perennially exposed opening.
Instead, we’d recommend Yeti’s 20-ounce Rambler tumbler style, which can be expected to provide similar temperature retention yet offers a better shape and cup holder compatibility.
Premium insulation
Powerful magnet lock feature
Dishwasher safe
Doesn’t fit in cupholders
Not leak proof
Two testers have taken on travel mugs and tumblers for this guide. Freelance food writer Sarah Zorn tackled our original batch, and she, like many busy professionals, almost exclusively functions on coffee. She maintains that she often mainlines it when scuttling back and forth on the subway or hunched over a computer. As such, having a mug that keeps her drink hot or cold while tapping at keys for extended periods of time is of utmost importance to me.
Reviewed’s home editor Rachel Murphy tested our most recent batch of travel mugs and it's no wonder she's an expert on what keeps beverages at their best. When she's not testing smart home gadgets and garden hoses, she's dealing with four kids, including newborn twins. For her, hot coffee is an essential part of the day.
We alternately filled each mug with hot and cold beverages, measuring the temperature to start, and then checking it again every 30 minutes or so for the course of two hours.
We also took each mug for a test run throughout an entire day, analyzing how comfortable they are to hold, how easy they are to drink out of, how snugly they fit into a backpack or car holder, how portable they are, how likely they are to spill when jostled or turned upside down, and how easy they are to clean—either in the dishwasher when possible, or using a bottle brush.
Travel mugs should be comfortable to hold, effectively retain temperature, able to be safely stashed in a beverage holder or bag, and keep hot (or cold) liquids securely contained, so they don’t slosh all over your shirt. The same certainly can’t be said of flimsy, disposable, heat-leaching paper or Styrofoam cups.
Travel mugs should be well insulated—vacuum insulated stainless steel is preferred—so they can keep your coffee tasty and hot, from your first sip to your last (even if your mug ends up sitting on your desk all day). They should have securely locking lids, so they can be carried pretty much wherever or in whatever without incident; even inside your bag.
They should feel comfortable in your hand, which is largely subjective—some people prefer a handle, while others appreciate a slim bullet shape or ergonomic curve. Finally, they should make your life easier, instead of more difficult. This means, ideally, all or most elements of the mug are dishwasher safe, or otherwise simple to clean.
A reusable cup is much better for the environment than disposable ones. It's also a money saver over time—imagine how much cash you’d save, carrying your own coffee instead of buying it at a coffee shop day after day?
Unlike a regular coffee mug, a travel mug is also meant for, well, travel, whether you’re driving cross country, camping in the woods, or merely cramming yourself in a rickety train each morning on the way to work. Many will work whether you prefer hot or cold beverages.
If you’re lucky, the whole darn thing can be thrown onto the top rack of a dishwasher, although this feature is rare. More often than not, you’re going to have to get a bit hands-on, especially with the lid. Even when it comes to the body of your travel mug or tumbler, there’s ample opportunity for water to leach between the layers of insulation, which can lead to mold.
If your mug has a rubber seal, you’ll definitely want to pop it off and hand wash it, giving it a good scrub and rinse with soapy water. You can let the lid and body sit in soapy water as well, to allow the cleanser to reach all of the crevices before scrubbing and rinsing them out.
Some travel mugs come with their very own mini brushes for accessing hard to reach places, although spare toothbrushes (reserved solely for this purpose of course) or even Q-tips can do the trick.
If you’d just as soon avoid soap, white vinegar and baking soda are both natural cleansers. Distill one tablespoon of vinegar in warm water, for a solution that’s excellent for soaking and scrubbing, or make a paste of equal parts water and baking soda, for attacking especially grimy spots.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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Sarah Zorn
Contributor
Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for Reviewed, Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.
Rachel Murphy
Editor, Home
Rachel Murphy is Reviewed's home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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