We Tested 5 Different Travel Mugs for Coffee and Tea — The Winner Was Not What We Expected

Before the pandemic, a travel mug was as much a part of my daily commute as my car and purse. I’d make my coffee at home, pour it into a mug, and look forward to when I’d finally sat down at my desk and sip my coffee as I skimmed through my inbox.

Even with all the luxuries that working from home offers, I still miss my little morning ritual and have started to use my travel mug again for my morning coffee. My commute is much shorter, but I still fill up my mug and bring it (all the way) upstairs. I forgot how much I loved sipping on still-hot coffee hours after I poured it.

Which, got me wondering: What is the best travel mug for keeping coffee or tea piping-hot? To find out, I tested five popular models. They were all great, actually, but I do have a favorite of the bunch.

First, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and recorded its temperature (179ºF). Then, I poured one cup of coffee into each of the mugs, added their lids, and took the temperature of the coffee once every hour, using an instant-read thermometer. I wanted to see how long the mugs could hold the coffee above or at 135ºF, which is a hot-yet-drinkable temperature (coffee begins to become tepid below 130ºF). I also evaluated how comfortable it was to hold and drink from the travel mugs, how they fit in my car’s standard-size cup holders, and how easy they were to clean.

All of the travel mugs I tested did a great job! And they are all good options if you’re looking to keep coffee hot for two hours or less. That said, there was one particular model that kept coffee for way longer.

The ratings: Each mug received a rating, with 1 being our least favorite and 5 being the best. Like the rest of our showdowns, this one considered the final performance results, ease, and price. Keep reading — along with the rating, you’ll find more detailed notes.

• Heat retention: 3 (106ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 4
• Price: 4 ($27.95)
• Overall: 4

The 20-ounce All Around Tumbler from Hydro Flask lost heat the fastest of all the mugs because the lid lacks a closure where you’d sip. However, it was still at 140ºF after an hour, so if you’re looking for a mug for a short commute or to keep near your work-from-home desk, this is an excellent option. It has a securely fitting lid that’s easy to drink from, as well as a grippy, pebbly textured exterior. Because of its wide mouth, it’s also easy to clean.

• Heat retention: 3.5 (113ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 3.5
• Price: 4 ($32.28, originally $41.99)
• Overall: 4

S’well’s travel mug did well in terms of heat retention and the coffee was at 133ºF after two hours. Its lid isn’t as secure as other models, but it’s still easy to drink from and has a slider that’s a cinch to open and close. Plus, it’s pretty darn nice to look at.

• Heat retention: 3.5 (111ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 4
• Price: 4 ($32.95)
• Overall: 4

Corkcicle’s Classic Tumbler was on par with the S’well in terms of heat retention (the coffee clocked in at 130ºF after two hours). It’s a little slick to hold, but it has flat sides that add grip. Its slider lid is secure and easy to open and close, and its open-mouth design makes it a cinch to clean.

• Heat retention: 3.5 (111ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 5
• Price: 4 ($35)
• Overall: 4

The YETI Rambler has heat retention that was similar to the other models (the coffee was 131ºF after two hours), but it was a stand out in many other ways. Its lid has a thicker lip, which controls the flow of coffee with each sip, ensuring you don’t get too much at once. It has an incredibly easy-to-use slider lid and is comfortable to hold. If you’re looking for a slightly different style but with the same performance, YETI also has travel mugs that have handles and locking mechanisms on their lids, to prevent accidental spills and make them even more travel-friendly.

• Heat retention: 5 (139ºF after four hours)
• Ease of use: 4.5
• Price: 4 ($38.49, originally $53.50)
• Overall: 5

This mug from Zojirushi kept my coffee hot for hours and hours. It has a locking lid, an easy-to-drink-from spout, and a slim profile that you can comfortably wrap your whole hand around. It has a smaller opening, so it does require a bottle brush to clean it (but I think everyone should have one on hand anyway). If you want a mug that keeps coffee hot — and I mean hot — for an extremely long time, this is it.

Do you have a favorite travel mug? Tell us about it in the comments!