Best travel mugs 2024: Jump Menu
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Zojirushi
3. Best leakproof: Contigo Luxe
4. Best design: Chilly's Series 2
5. Best luxury: Fellow Carter
6. Best for cold drinks: Stanley Quencher
7. Best with sustainable credentials: Klean Kanteen
8. Best stainless steel: De'Longhi
9. Best ceramic: Frank Green Ceramic
10. Best glass: KeepCup Glass
11. How to choose
12. How we researched
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 overall
This tops most buying guides because it has so much to offer: excellent insulation, sleek design, leak-proof features, and a non-stick interior. The only thing it isn't? Cheap.
The best leakproof
The simple button which opens on the side of this cup makes it feel almost automated. It's easy to use with one hand and has never leaked in any expert tests.
The best design
This comes in a range of colors and each one is beautiful. The sleek design is leak-proof and will keep your coffee warm for hours. However, it's not dishwasher safe.
The best luxury
This is the mug loved most by coffee experts. It even comes with a guard to stop ice cubes from falling into your face when drinking, but you'll have to wash it by hand.
The best for cold drinks
Iconic and incredibly popular, this Stanley boasts capacity and color options. It's easy to hold and insulates well, but is probably too big for a flat white.
The best for sustainability
Crafted from 90% recycled stainless steel, this ergonomic mug scores top marks for sustainability and style. However, it only keeps coffee hot for four hours.
The best stainless steel
This is the mug I've been using for nearly a year. Its insulating capability is incredible and the capacity is more than enough for a generous cup full. However, it looks a little utilitarian.
The best ceramic
If you want to swerve more metallic flavors in your coffee, this is a colorful, compact, ceramic-lined option. It's triple-insulated and leak proof.
The best glass
Ergonomically replicating the paper coffee cup experience, this beautiful glass travel mug looks and feels like luxury. It won't keep your coffee warm for hours though.
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
Buy it if
✅ You drink one handed: this is slim and easy to open
✅ You will carry this in a bag: it's leak-proof
✅ You need insulation power: this stays warm for hours
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don't like cleaning: this isn't dishwasher safe
❌ You're on a budget: this is more expensive than other models
❌ You drink espressos: this is too big for smaller drinks
The bottom line
🔎 Zojirushi Stainless Steel: this is the best mug on test. It keeps coffee hot (or cold) for hours, if not days. You can use it one-handed too, so it should be no surprise that this is 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 leakproof travel mug
Buy it if
✅ You drink on-the-go: this can be used one-handed
✅ You need a fully sealed bottle: it's fool-proof and leak-proof
✅ You're on a budget: this is reasonably priced
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want color options: these cost a little more
❌ You take small sips: there might be some pooling between sips
❌ You drink espressos: this is too big for smaller drinks
The bottom line
🔎 Contigo Luxe Autoseal: this is packed with leak-proof, fool-proof features. It's easy to operate with just one hand, but the coffee can pool a little.
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 travel mug for design
Buy it if
✅ You like color options: this is beautiful
✅ You want can-sized coffee: this is compact
✅ Will use this in the car: it fits cup holders perfectly
Don't buy it if:
❌ You like big coffee drinks: this is quite small
❌ You're not a keen cleaner: this isn't dishwasher safe
❌ You need day-long insulation: this will keep drinks warm for up to four hours
The bottom line
🔎 Chilly's Series 2: the curved edges and colorful options offered by Chilly's make these the most beautiful travel mugs on the market. They're can-sized though, so not made for big or frothy coffees.
After great success with their iconic water bottles, Chilly's travel mugs are some of the most coveted on the market. The range of color options and softly curved edges make this comfortable to hold and easy to fit into cup holders. It's a beautiful, petite alternative to paper cups.
In reviews people say that this will keep coffee warm for over four hours. If you've poured boiling water into your cup, you need to keep the drinking hole open until it cools a little, which isn't ideal when you're in a hurry.
Even though this isn't microwave or dishwasher safe, it's easy to wash; the smooth lining is really easy to wipe clean. The outside doesn't scratch easily either, which is unusual for this style of travel mug. The colorful options are normally easy to scuff, but almost no customer reviews commented on any wear-and-tear. If you do damage your mug, these cups come with lifetime warranty anyway. They're made to love and made to last too.
The best luxury travel mug
Buy it if
✅ You like color options: this offers almost every hue
✅ You drink iced coffee: this has a special filter
✅ This is a gift: you can personalize it
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need capacity: this is only 12 oz (there's a 16 oz option though)
❌ You prefer sip options: you have to drink from a wide mouth
❌ You're on a budget: this is relatively expensive
The bottom line
🔎 Fellow Carter Everywhere: this scores full marks for form and function. Available in a range of colors, it's particularly clever with iced coffee.
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
Buy it if
✅ You want capacity: this is huge
✅ You drink iced coffee: this keeps ice cool and has a useful straw
✅ You want color options: this comes in every shade
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a leak proof cup: this will spill
❌ You like small drinks: this is too big and clunky for them
❌ You don't use straws: that's the way to drink from these
The bottom line
🔎 Stanley Quencher: possibly the most iconic thermal cup on the market, the Stanley is perfect for keeping iced coffees cool. It's guaranteed for life and has a huge capacity. My only issue is that this isn't 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
Buy it if
✅ You want a cup shape: this has a lovely handle
✅ You're eco-conscious: this is crafted with recycled materials
✅ You want color options: this comes in a range of hues
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a leak-proof cup: this will leak over long periods
❌ You need capacity: this is on the small side
❌ You're clumsy: this can scuff
The bottom line
🔎 Klean Kanteen Rise: the eco-credentials on this cup are incredible. They make this cup feel as good as it, well, feels. If you leave it on its side overnight it might leak a little.
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
Buy it if
✅ You like big servings: this has a huge capacity
✅ You'll use this daily: it's really durable
✅ You will drink from this all day: it's a great insulator
Don't buy it if:
❌ You have a lot of sharp objects in your bag: this scratches easily
❌ You like smaller servings: this is big and bulky
❌ You're on a budget: this is quite expensive
The bottom line
🔎 De'Longhi: the perfect balance of style and function, this is an incredible insulator and doesn't leak any metallic taste into your drink. It will scratch over time though.
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
Buy it if
✅ You want customizable options: this has color, feature, and size options
✅ You want one-hand operation: this is compact and effective
✅ You don't like metallic tastes: this is lined with ceramic
Don't buy it if:
❌ You like big coffee cups: this only goes up to 16 oz
❌ You're clumsy: this can scratch and doesn't have a handle
❌ You're on a budget: there are cheaper options
The bottom line
🔎 Frank Green Ceramic: petite and chic, this neat travel mug is perfect if you're always on the go. It's more fragile and subject to scuffing, but can be used with one hand.
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
Buy it if
✅ You like coffee shop cups: this is like an upgrade on all the features
✅ You want natural aesthetics: this looks organic
✅ You don't like metallic tastes: this is lined with ceramic
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want one-hand operation: this is fiddly
❌ You need good insulation: this won't work for long periods of time
❌ You're clumsy: this could smash (and it's not leak proof)
The bottom line
🔎 KeepCup BrewCork: this is a luxury take on your everyday coffee cup. It's splash-proof, but not leakproof and not the best insulator either.
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.
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