The Best Travel Mugs and Tumblers

The Best Travel Mugs and Tumblers

A reliable travel mug can thwart that dreaded, lukewarm, flavorless middle zone and help you savor your beverage, whether you’re on the road to work or crammed into a train seat. Mugs should fit in cup holders and be easy to carry. They should also be insulated and, ideally, leak-proof.

The best travel mugs are durable and easy to clean, and they should be compatible with either hot or cold drinks. Many are made of stainless steel and vacuum insulated, which is key to keeping beverages at their optimal temperature for hours on end. The best mugs for hot drinks retain temperatures for six to eight hours, while the top tumblers in our recent test kept ice water at its frosty peak for up to two days.

Whether you’re looking to save money by skipping the coffee shop, reduce your reliance on disposable plastics, or both, a great travel mug is a necessity. During a multiweek process, we tested and reviewed dozens of coffee mugs and tumblers to determine which were the best. We looked at insulation, durability, the ability to prevent spills, and other factors, then ranked the top picks.

We tested mugs and tumblers of all shapes and sizes, from the budget-friendly to the premium brands that you see in retail stores. The top travel mugs held a minimum of 16 ounces and insulated drinks well enough to keep them at their ideal temperature for at least six hours, while remaining lightweight and easy to carry in a bag or backpack. They were also leak-proof and easy to use with one hand, which is important if you’re driving or commuting on public transit.

Some of our favorite mugs are available in multiple colorways, and they’re easy to personalize with an inscription or image. Others are sleek and minimal in appearance, like the Kinto. Emma Laperruque, who uses the mug she bought from a local retailer for her daily commute, loves the matte color coating, and she notes that it “hasn’t chipped or scratched in any way, even when it’s been dropped or banged around.”

Other features we look at when ranking the best travel mugs include lid style, which may be an important consideration depending on how you drink and where you go. Mugs with flip lids, thumb-sliding lids, push-button lids, or straw lids are all available, and each offers its own benefits for a specific drinking experience. Users who prioritize durability or want to prevent spills should consider the tightness of the lid and how easy it is to open and close with one hand. Some lids are also easier to clean than others; you might have better luck with a model that’s dishwasher safe or comes with a product warranty.

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