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Best travel mugs 2024 – for insulated, leak-proof coffee

These are the best travel mugs on they market. They'll keep your coffee hot, iced lattes cold, and won't spill a drop.

Huskee coffee cups in different sizes, in black and cream
(Image credit: Huskee)

The best travel mugs, also known as reusable coffee mugs, offer so much more than a simple way to keep your coffee hot (or iced coffee cold). Billions of single-use  travel mugs end up in landfill every year. Travel mugs offer a more sustainable way to consume coffee. Lots of cafes even reward re-usable cups with money off your order, so, as you can see, these simple mugs are worth every cent.

There’s more to it than that though. As a former barista, I’ve made coffee in a huge array of travel mugs. You can tell you a lot about a person from their cup choice. From fashionable Stanleys and colorful Chilly's cups to luxury glass KeepCups and functional Thermoses, your travel mug comes close to a personality trait.

I use my travel mug everyday and I take it everywhere with me. I know how important it is to have an appropriate capacity, leak-proof features, unparalleled insulation, and easy storage options. Plus, it needs to be able to fit under the brew heads of all the best coffee makers on the market. So, after years of observation and hours of research, these are the travel mugs that I can wholeheartedly recommend.

The quick list

The best travel mugs on the market 2024

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best travel mug overall

1. Zojurushi Stainless Mug

The best insulator which can keep coffee warm for hours (if not days)

Specifications

Capacity: 16 oz
Dimensions: 2.75 x 8.63 inches
Materials: BPA-free plastic and stainless steel
Microwave safe: Yes
Dishwasher safe: No

Reasons to buy

+
Range of color options
+
Excellent heat insulation
+
Lightweight
+
Can use with one hand

Reasons to avoid

-
Relatively expensive

Hard as I tried, I couldn't find a travel mug to knock the Zojirushi off top spot. It ticks all the boxes for a sleek, insulating mug and then some. It keeps your drink at the right temperature for hours on end. It has the best longevity of all experts' tests.

The simple and slick design is available in a range of color options. It's deceptively light, easy to hold, and will sit neatly into car cup holders as well as ones you might pick up from your local café, too. 

Lots of users praised the lid-locking system and the fact that you can use this with one hand. Even though it's easy for you to unlock when you want a sip, it's almost impossible to accidentally open in your bag. Nobody experienced any accidental leaks in their bags, even in more extreme expert tests.

The non-stick inside is easy to use, which is good because this isn't dishwasher safe. It's also expensive in the context of travel mugs, but it comes with a five year warranty, so will be your coffee companion for years.

The best travel mug for design

3. Huskee

Sustainable, beautiful, unbeatable

Specifications

Capacity: 8 oz
Dimensions: 4 x 4 inches
Materials: Coffee husk
Microwave safe: Yes
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek design
+
Sustainably made
+
Lid becomes saucer
+
Great insulator
+
Dishwasher safe

Reasons to avoid

-
Not leak proof

This isn't an advert for Huskee, but it might as well be. The B-Corp brand repurposes coffee husks to make a range of different coffee products and one of my favorites is their travel cup.

You can see that it's beautifully designed. The slim, modern aesthetic is effortlessly attractive. I showed this to an engineer and they admired it for a full hour, marvelling at the technicalities behind it. As someone who isn't an engineer, but a lover of beautiful things, I still appreciate the aesthetics of this. The grooves look good and they're comfortable to hold, even with boiling hot coffee inside. 

That's not the end of it though. The neat lid detaches and transforms into a saucer for the Huskee. So, if you want to sit down and sip, you can lift it off any surfaces that might need protecting. I'm not even finished after that. It doesn't spill easily, it's nice to sip from, and it keeps coffee warm for hours. I'm not even finished after that. It's dishwasher and microwave safe. The only reason you might not get this is if you put your coffee cup in your bag, full of coffee, and you don't want any spillages. Aside from that, this is a must-have.

The best leakproof travel mug

3. Contigo Luxe Autoseal Travel Mug

Simple and stylish, this won't ever leak

Specifications

Capacity: 16 oz
Dimensions: 2.91 x 8.35 inches
Materials: Stainless steel
Microwave safe: Yes
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Can operate with one hand
+
Good color range
+
Easy to clean
+
Excellent value
+
Leakproof features

Reasons to avoid

-
Some pooling between sips

There's no travel mug I'd trust more with hot drinks than the Contigo. The smart, auto-seal function locks at the back of the bottle, keeping it sealed against the range of object it might bump into in a work bag.

It is clearly designed with busy coffee drinkers in mind. The narrow neck is easy to grip in just one hand. When you want to take a sip, you can safely open it, again with one hand. All you have to do is press a button. It's remarkable. The only issue some people had with this ultra-slim design is that it might be too slim for some cup holders.

Most importantly, it will keep your coffee hotter than hot. Reviewers mentioned popular brands such as Yeti and S'Well, saying the Contigo is much better. Even though some customer reviews said that the lid gets hot, I found some experts who had tested and measured this feature using proper equipment. The lid didn't even reach lukewarm and the drink inside stayed piping hot. The evidence speaks for itself.

The Contigo is reasonably priced too, so this scores top marks almost across the board. The only complaints I can find online are that colorful options cost a little more. Plus, when sipping from the lid, this opening is slightly small, so you might end up with the coffee pooling in the lid between sips.

The best luxury travel mug

4. Fellow Carter Everyhwere

This is the one the industry experts reach for

Specifications

Capacity: 11.5 oz
Dimensions: 3 x 5.7 inches
Materials: Stainless steel and ceramic
Microwave safe: No
Dishwasher safe: No

Reasons to buy

+
Chic range of colors
+
Ergonomic design
+
Ice filter 
+
12 hours heat retention
+
Wide mouth

Reasons to avoid

-
Thin lip isn't for everyone

Available in a range of soft, pastel colors and classic monochromes, the Everywhere mug is a must-have. Aside from the comfortable, curved aesthetics, this is functionally flawless. That's why all the experts love it.

Reviewers confirm that this keeps drinks hot for up to twelve hours and can keep ice rattling around for up to 24 hours, which is incredible. The wide mouth design might put iced coffee drinkers off, but this comes with a neat sieve to stop ice cubes falling onto your face when you're sipping the final drops of your iced lattes. Even better, the thin lip feels delicate to drink from (although not everybody likes this feeling).

You might expect this to be lined with traditional stainless steel, but it's not. Fellow opted for a less absorbent, more neutral ceramic lining. This doesn't leech any metallic notes into your drink, so you can enjoy your coffee flavors at their fullest. 

My only word of warning is that when it comes to the clean-up, be careful. This is hand wash only. You have the potential to ruin one of the best mugs on the market by throwing this in the dishwasher.

The best travel mug for iced drinks

5. Stanley Quencher

An iconic design which helps you hit hydration goals

Specifications

Capacity: 40 oz
Dimensions: 3 x 5.7 inches
Materials: Stainless steel and ceramic
Microwave safe: No
Dishwasher safe: No

Reasons to buy

+
Fits cup holders
+
Excellent insulation
+
Easy sip straw
+
Lifetime guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-
Too big for small drinks
-
Might not use straw for hot drinks
-
Not leak proof

Stanley's iconic Quencher is everywhere. Whilst the form is quite functional, social media has imbued it with an reputation for industrial-chic rather than very practical camper for whom it was designed. 

The cups are available in a range of candy-like colors and unique finishes, all with a huge 40 oz capacity. If you'll use your travel mug to hit your hydration targets, this is the surest way to do it.

It's easy to see why people love it. The neat straw is nice to sip from and the cup's body is easy to hold. If you don't drink your iced coffee straight away, ice will rattle around, frozen solid for the whole day. 

My only question is, who wants a hot coffee through a straw? I tried it and it was all a bit strange. Plus, this isn't leak proof, so there's no chance of putting this in your bag with your laptop and phone. 

The best way to transport it is in a cup holder or your hand. It is spill proof and the slim design sits securely in cup holders and consoles.

The best travel mug for eco-credentials

6. Klean Kanteen Rise

A classic cup shape crafted from sustainable materials

Specifications

Capacity: 14 oz
Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.82 inches
Materials: Recycled steel
Microwave safe: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Made with recycled materials
+
Excellent insulation
+
Range of color options
+
Mug-like design
+
BPA and lead free
+
Lifetime warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited capacity
-
Not totally leak proof
-
You're clumsy (this scuffs)

Klean Kanteen makes the most environmentally conscious travel mug on the market. Any plastic they use is BPA-free, the insulation is lead-free, and 90% of the steel is post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel. If that's not something to feel good about, I don't know what is.

Klean Kanteen has mimicked the traditional cup shape with an ergonomic, easy to hold handle. It's available in a range of nature-inspired tones, a tribute to the planet, which the company puts at the forefront of its goals.

In expert tests, this kept coffee hot for up to seventeen hours and could keep ice cold for over 58 hours. That's some seriously impressive credentials. When you want to start sipping, the stopper lifts off and out of the way so there's no chance of you bumping your nose with some coffee. The only drawback of this easy stopper is that it's not completely leak proof. Whilst this passed the handbag test carried out by most expert testers, when one person left it on its side overnight, some coffee leaked out. 

This comes with a 'Strong As Steel' lifetime warranty, so you know this is a good investment. Although, watch the powder-coated outside. It is beautiful, it will scuff if you throw it around too much. 

The best stainless steel travel mug

7. De'Longhi Travel Mug

An everyday essential, perfect for big drinks

Specifications

Capacity: 24 oz
Dimensions: 3 x 6 inches
Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
Microwave safe: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Huge capacity
+
Really durable 
+
Easy to wash

Reasons to avoid

-
Too bulky for some
-
Scratches easily

I use the De’Longhi travel mug and trust it with my life. In the past, I’ve had more soup, coffee, tea, and water spills in my bag than I (and my bank balance) would like to admit to. In nearly a year of using the De’Longhi, I’ve not had one drop leak into bag. 

With an impressive 24 oz capacity, this is perfect for frothy coffees and big servings. If you're more of a flat white or espresso drinker, this will be clunky and oversized. However, if you're like me and you enjoy a bigger cup than average, you'll be grateful for the De'Longhi's capacity.

The insulating power of this is incredible. I've burnt my tongue more times than I care to admit to with this. In fact, just today I made a chai tea, left the lid off, and forty minutes later, still burnt my tongue trying to drink out of this. If it wasn't so impressive, I think I would find this annoying.

The leak-proof seal is easy to open up, although you couldn't do this with one hand. When I'm sipping from the De'Longhi, the seal never falls back onto my face, but if the rubber seal touches my nose, it leaves a coffee mark. Turns out, that's not just me being clumsy. A number of reviewers have found the same, so keep a mirror nearby to make sure you're not walking around with a spot of coffee on your face.

Having used this for a while, I've noticed that the lid warms up when I pour my coffee in. If this wasn't such a ridiculous insulator, I would think it was a fault with the cup. It has also scratched over time: I put keys and plugs in my bag, so it's no surprise, but it has only enhanced the very functional aesthetic of the De'Longhi.

The best ceramic travel mug

8. Frank Green Ceramic

A chic ceramic option, which delivers perfect flavors

Specifications

Capacity: 8-16 oz
Dimensions: 4 x 3 (for 8 oz)
Materials: Stainless steel, ceramic
Microwave safe: No
Dishwasher safe: No

Reasons to buy

+
Push-button lid
+
Triple-wall vacuum
+
Ceramic-lined
+
Can use with one hand
+
Leak proof
+
BPA free

Reasons to avoid

-
Scratches easily

I love these eye-catching travel mugs. They're available in an array of pastel and natural colors as well as a range of sizes (from 8 to 16 ounces) and you can choose between a sip, button opening lid, or a straw lid. If you're looking for a very specific combination of size and style, you'll find it here.

The sleek, can-shaped cup is perfect for everything from handbags to car cup holders. These look delicate and elegant, but they're really durable. The main body is crafted from premium stainless steel and the other features are either BPA-free plastic or stain-free ceramic. A ceramic lining isn't unique to the Frank Green travel mug, but this is the best way I've seen it done. Reviewers all say it's easy to clean and has no trace of any metallic flavors either. 

When the build quality was really put to the test, it more than excelled. Nobody online struggled with any leaking issues. Even the button-opening lid passed the handbag test in expert reviews. Whilst it seals well, you can still unlock and drink from this with one hand, perfect for those who are always on the go.

Customer reviews all praised the triple-walled vacuum, which keeps drinks insulated, hot or cold, all day long. I actually really struggled to find criticisms beyond the fact that this can scratch, but that was in tests when this was quite literally thrown onto the sidewalk. Some reviewers felt limited by capacity (which is easily solved by sizing-up) and price, which is no more than the other models in this guide. 

The best ceramic travel mug

9. KeepCup Reusable Tempered Glass Mug

A luxury upgrade form your daily single-serve cup

Specifications

Capacity: 6-12 ox
Materials: Tempered glass, cork
Microwave safe: Yes (not sleeve)
Dishwasher safe: Yes (not sleeve)

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable cork sleeve
+
Feels premium
+
Organic aesthetic
+
Range of sizes and tops
+
Perfect single-serve capacity
+
Can see inside

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best insulator
-
Not leak proof

For a long time, this was my go-to travel mug. It's actually still my partner's favorite. I put it down to the organic materials and natural aesthetic, but he says it's because of the features. Either way, the KeepCup deserves a lot of love.

These tempered glass cups follow the silhoutte of the average, single-serve coffee cup. However, KeepCup has used tempered glass and recovered cork in the place of non-recyclables, leaving you with a beautiful coffee cup aesthetic. Being able to see inside is a blessing if you've made a fun drink, such as matcha, but a curse if you've got sediment at the bottom of your coffee cup.

The cork band is nice to hold, but it sits quite tightly on the cup. If you're clumsy, pulling the sleeve or the splash-proof sipper lid off can feel like playing with fire. I always worry I'm going to drop and smash it. That's why you also shouldn't put this in your bag. Whilst it won't splash coffee out of the lid, it will leak, so you should only sit it in coffee cup holders or your hand. 

If you're looking to keep your coffee hot all day, this won't do the job. The glass will keep it warm for about an hour, but any longer than that and this might need to see the microwave. It's also quite heavy (because it's glass) and even if it's empty in your bag, you still need to be careful not to smash it.

How to choose the best travel mug for you

All of the options in this buying guides make excellent travel mugs. Different ones suit different people and these are the features you need to think about:

Capacity
If you like a big cup of coffee, you'll be looking for a cup with a capacity of more than 16 oz. If you prefer a smaller serving, or even espresso, you'll want a cup that's closer to 6 oz. I'd always recommend looking for a little extra room just in case you have some frothy coffee and need extra room for foam.

Material
Most of these will be made with stainless steel and plastic, but it's important to look deeper into the credentials. Some plastics are BPA-free, some stainless steels are recycled, and, some are also lead-free. If you don't like a metallic taste in your coffee (not many people do), you might want to look for ceramic, glass or non-stick coatings inside your cup, because these won't absorb flavors as much.

Insulation time
Most of these cups will be able to keep your coffee warm all day long. However, some do a better job than others. The KeepCup, for example, only extends the time that your coffee will be warm for to up to an hour, whereas other models could keep ice solid for days.

Leak-free features
This is one of the most important features of a travel mug. If you're often in a hurry and want to be able to throw your travel mug into your bag, completely fuss free, you want to be sure that it won't leak or accidentally unlock and empty hot liquid all over your valuables. 

Sip method
Some people like to sip from a straw, some like a small sip opening, some like a wider mouth. There's no better option, but there's definitely one for you. I've included at least one of each in this guide so that you can select your favorite.

Price and warranty
These cups all sit around a similar price point. I've selected premium models because they come with guarantees, ranging from five years to a lifetime. Whilst the ones with lifetime guarantees are expensive, you're buying one cup, which you can have replaced for the rest of your life. That seems like an unmissable offer to me.

How we researched these travel mugs

Travel mugs have a range of variables, all of which need to be taken into careful consideration. When I was researching the best travel mugs, I already had a good idea of which I would put on this list, but I double and triple checked my data against other experts and customer reviews. 

I’ve read hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces written about these travel mugs, from Amazon to other trusted review sites. I’ve collated them with my experience to give you the comprehensive list you see here. I've researched every feature, from insulation and composition, to thermal times and any leak-proof features. If you need to know anything about these travel mugs, I'll have read about them and relayed them here, to you.

Laura Honey
eCommerce Editor

Laura is our eCommerce editor. As a fully qualified barista, she's our expert in all things coffee and has tested over thirty of the best coffee makers on the market. She has also interviewed Q-Graders and world-leading experts in the coffee industry, so has an intimate knowledge of all things coffee. Before joining Homes & Gardens, she studied English at Oxford University. Whilst studying, she trained as a master perfumer and worked in the luxury fragrance industry for five years. Her collection of home fragrance is extensive and she's met and interviewed five of the world's finest perfumers (also known as 'noses'). As a result of this expansive fragrance knowledge, she always puts quality and style over quantity and fads. Laura looks for products which have been designed simply and with thoughtful finishes.