The Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug is our best travel mug which is available in a multitude of colors. It has an auto seal button that serves as a lid lock to prevent the top from being pushed accidentally while traveling and it greatly prevents spills and leaks. It is currently available in 16 oz, 20 oz and 24 oz sizes. The lid has an easy to clean design and is made from genuine stainless steel so it is guaranteed to last for years of travelling. It is able to keep beverages cold for 12 hours and hot for 5 hours and does not contain any BPA. The lid is also safe to use on the dishwasher.
Top Pick: Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Our step-up pick is the RTIC 30 oz. Tumbler and it measures 30 oz and available in other versions for a variety of prices. It keeps hot beverages hot when needed. The stainless steel is a 18/8 and is super strong and durable and cold drinks and ice can be kept cool for up to 24 hours. It uses a vacuum insulation that is double wall and retains the maximum temperature which also insulates your hands from the cold and is able to fit a lot of cup holders due to its narrow and tall design.
The budget pick is the BlenderBottle Classic Loop Top Shaker Bottle and it measures 28 oz in its capacity. It is also safe to use in the dishwasher and is free from phthalate and BPA and is also available in 28 oz and 32 oz. It comes with an ergonomic flip cap, a patented loop top as well as a spout that has a tapered design and is ideal for making shakes, smoothies and even batter for pancake. The stainless steel is of surgical grade 316 and has a patented mixing system.
A Little Background
A travel mug is a very convenient way of carrying your coffee to work, especially if you work on an office and need to stay awake. It could also be a great travel companion if you often go to places and need a cool drink even under the wrath of the blazing sun and need ice that will not melt.
What makes a travel mug special is that it has a double wall insulated feature that keeps the temperature as constant as possible for long periods of time. For instance, it will keep your coffee hot for hours and keep your iced cold drink cool for hours. Most cars also have a cup holder that will be the safe haven for your travel mug so you can drink on the go.
How We Picked
In terms of picking the best travel mug, we chose from the various criteria:
What do the reviews say about the travel mug? Know if the travel mug has a bad reputation or good reputation on review sites and weigh down its pros and cons.
How about the price of the travel mug? A lot of travel mugs are not too expensive but will need to be in great quality and not contain harmful chemicals and have safety features.
How much can the travel mug hold? Most travel mugs will be on 20 oz, 28 oz or some other size that you will need daily or as needed.
Does the travel mug contain harmful chemicals or is it free from all that? Make sure that the travel mug is free from BPA, phthalates and similar foul odor and harmful substances to keep your drink fresh.
Can it hold up the drink without spilling? A good travel mug will have a super sealed locking mechanism that keeps your drink in and not spill even for a bit, even when you put it on a bike.
How long can the travel mug keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold? Most travel mugs will keep hot coffee up to 3 to 5 hours and keep it cool for 12 to 24 hours.
What is the material used for the travel mug? Most ideal travel mugs will be made from complete stainless steel due to its mechanism of keeping the thermal aspect of the travel mug for coffee and tea use as well as for drinks with ice.
Our Pick
Top Pick: Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug
The Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug is our best travel mug and is able to keep beverages cold for 12 hours and hot for 5 hours. The lid has an easy to clean design and it is available in a multitude of colors. In addition, the lid is also safe to use on the dishwasher.
As for its safety mechanism, it has an auto seal button that serves as a lid lock to prevent the top from being pushed accidentally while traveling and it also does not contain any BPA. Its revolutionary design greatly prevents spills and leaks. The travel mug is available in 16 oz, 20 oz and 24 oz sizes. As for the material, it is made from genuine stainless steel so it is guaranteed to last for years of travelling.
The Contigo Autoseal Mug is an ideal travel buddy. With regards to the construction, the mug has a vacuum insulated design. It is definitely perfect for commuters or any person on the go. For the design, the lid has a pivoting action that allows it easier to clean and the auto seal lid has a one-touch mechanism that is patented.
For your convenience, its no-spill design allows you to overturn and shake the mug and it won’t spill any leak. For its holding capacity, at 16 ounces, it is able to hold for 5 hours of hot drinks and 12 hours of cold drinks. In fact, most car cup holders can accommodate to the size of this travel mug as well as single serve brewers.
Adding to that, you can also buy an optional tea infuser with this travel mug for tea on the go. Do remember that you should always place the lid on the top rack of the dishwasher. Also, when using with hot or boiling water, allow it to cool for 3 minutes or so before placing the lid and do remember to only fill it within the line.
As for the travel mug’s capacity, at 20 ounces, it is able to hold for 6 hours of hot drinks and 18 hours of cold drinks. The Contigo Travel Mug weighs 0.75 lbs and the dimensions of the travel mug are 3 inches by 7 inches by 3 inches.
This mug is available in various colors such as raw stainless steel color, watermelon red, violet, grayed jade, Monaco blue, latte brown, polar white, radiant orchid pink, SS and Monaco blue and white as well as matte black. Do know that this mug is not suitable for cleaning with bleach, abrasives, chlorine and of course, you shouldn’t use it in the microwave or freezer. However, it can be washed by hand in 10 minutes under hot and soapy tap water using a mild detergent.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
Perhaps the only known issue with the Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug is the problem of the paint peeling off. While the travel mug can be easily flipped over and not spill even when dropped to the floor, it might tarnish the paint job, which can be a turn off for some, but not a big deal if you only want to get a spill-free travel mug.
Step-up Pick
RTIC 30 oz. Tumbler
Our step-up pick is the RTIC 30 oz. Tumbler which uses a vacuum insulation that is double wall and retains the maximum temperature which also insulates your hands from the cold. This mug is able to fit a lot of cup holders due to its narrow and tall design. As for the material, the stainless steel is an 18/8 and is super strong and durable.
The travel mug measures 30 oz and available in other versions for a variety of prices. As for its capacity, cold drinks and ice can be kept cool for up to 24 hours and it keeps hot beverages hot when needed.
As for its convenient design, the travel mug is quite easy to clean and is also safe to use for the dishwasher. In addition to that, the lid is made with shatterproof material and crystal clear design.
When it comes to coffee and tea, hot drinks remain hot up to 5 hours of storage and as for the size, it weighs only 1.5 lbs. This travel mug is also available in can cooler, lowball with lid, 20 oz, 20 oz with 48 tumblers, splash proof lid, 30 oz with 30 tumblers and 30 oz splash proof lid.
Budget Pick
BlenderBottle Classic Loop Top Shaker Bottle
If you are into making shakes and such and want to choose from a multitude of vibrant colors, you would want the BlenderBottle Classic Loop Top Shaker Bottle which is our budget pick. It is truly ideal for making shakes, smoothies and even batter for pancake. As for the material, stainless steel is of surgical grade 316 and has a patented mixing system.
For its design, it comes with an ergonomic flip cap, a patented loop top as well as a spout that has a tapered design. For the size, it measures 28 oz in its capacity and it is very safe to use in the dishwasher and is free from phthalate and BPA. In addition, it is also available in 28 oz and 32 oz.
The mixing on the BlenderBottle Bottle can be done easier due to its wide mouth design. In addition to its neat features, the markings are all embossed to measure milliliters and ounces so that it does not come off easily. Adding to the appeal of the travel mug, the lid has a screw on design that keeps it secured.
Also worth nothing is the fact that it has a flip cap and carrying loop design. As for its mixing mechanism, it uses a wire whisk inside the bottle and can even work on thick ingredients. It is a budget friendly travel mug to consider.
To avoid inconvenience, the flip cap has a StayOpen feature that does not sit on your nose as you drink. It has a guaranteed leak proof design that makes it an ideal travel mug. In terms of design, the BlenderBottle Classic Shaker Bottle is available in a multitude of colors such as aqua, blue, black, clear black, clear blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, full green, full orange, full red, full purple, full pink, aqua and frosted white. It will most definitely fit most cup holders.
Best Classic Handle Design Travel Mug
Bubba Brands Classic Insulated Travel Mug
The Bubba Brands Classic Insulated Travel Mug is super durable construction that has an ergonomic handle design that is equipped with a soft touch grip. The capacity of the travel mug measures 34 oz. It has a design that keeps away from sweating and maintains the temperature of the drinks, whether hot or cold and the mug does not include BPA.
On its inside, it has a foam insulation that is dual wall that works to keep its rightful temperature. For your preferences, it is available in black, royal purple, black realtree and brown chevron color designs. However, it is not recommended for use in a microwave, like most travel mugs made from stainless steel.
This travel mug is recommended to be washed only by hand and it is also available in 18 oz. As for variations, there are other models of this 34 oz mug out there in various colors such as navy, turquoise, pink, orange and plum. For its size, the Bubba Brands Travel Mug weighs 14.4 oz and has a height of 9 inches and the inside is made from sturdy plastic.
In addition to that, this travel mug supports a tall straw and as for its top, it has a push-in style lid. This convenient travel mug keeps your drinks hot for about 3 hours. In addition to that, its anti-sweating feature keeps your hands warm and dry even when the temperature of the mug is at extremes.
All in all, the Bubba Classic Travel Mug is applicable for travelling and / or school and work use and stays on the counter or desk due to its nonslip wide base and it is also backed by a lifetime warranty.
Travel Mug with French Press
Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel French Press Mug
If you want a French press travel mug, you might want to try the Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel French Press Mug which is safe to use in the dishwasher and comes with a built-in plunger. For its design, the lid has a spill resistant design so you do not have to worry about drinks in the office or while at the bus.
On its convenience, you can easily brew coffee or tea due to its French Press design. For the material, the stainless steel is vacuum sealed and has a double wall design that is intended to keep the temperature of your drinks constant, e.g. hot when hot, cold when cold, for long hours. In addition to that, the grip is made from silicone and has a nonslip design that is available in various colors such as black, white, and red and green.
The Bodum French Press Mug has a capacity of 0.45 liters (15 oz). For the size, the travel mug weighs 0.9 lbs. Over all, it allows you to easily mix ground coffee and / or loose leaf tea on the go.
Best White Colored Travel Mug
Tiger MMY-A048-WP Stainless Steel Travel Mug
The Tiger MMY-A048-WP Stainless Steel Travel Mug has a capacity of 16 oz (0.48 L) but also available in a smaller 12 oz. In addition to its features, you can put big ice cubes due to the wide mouth design. In terms of organization and neatness, the clean finish will keep away most stains and odors from staying in the travel mug.
It has a vacuum insulated stainless steel interior to keep the drinks hot and cold for up to 8 hours. Also with regards to its convenience, the lid has a very easy 1-push drinking mechanism. Also, it is very compact and light weight so you can store it in any compatible bag.
In terms of design, it is also available in brown, red agate and clear stainless. For the size, the travel mug weighs 0.5 lbs and stands at 8 inches. It is generally 20 percent lighter than previous models of the travel mug. For its safety, the mouthpiece does not contain any BPA and it has a safety lock feature so that it does not accidentally open up to spill your drinks.
How effective is it? Well, it retains its hotness for 1 hour at 187 degrees F and for up to 6 hours at 154 degrees F and it retains its coldness at 46 degrees F up to 6 hours. All in all, the Tiger Travel Mug is ideal for travelling, sports or everyday use.
Best Tea Infuser Travel Mug
Oxford Eve’s Tea Infuser Glass Tumbler
If you want a classic and environmental tea infuser, then you know you want to get the Oxford Eve’s Tea Infuser Glass Tumbler. This tumbler has a very authentic design and finish because of its eco-friendly lid made from genuine bamboo and it also has a glass tumbler design.
The travel tumbler mug comes in handy with a loose leaf strainer made from high quality stainless steel and in addition, it also comes with neoprene sleeve. It has a 12 oz capacity and it is very clean and safe due to its environment friendly design. For safety purposes, the inner lining is made from silicone and does not contain any plastic material in the travel mug, making it ideal for those who like to drink from natural and authentic designed mugs.
It is also ideal for fruit drinks and shakes. The neoprene sleeve protects the tumbler further and also keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cool. Generally, the Oxford Eve’s Tea Tumbler works both as an infuser for tea and for fruits and also worth nothing is that the basket infuser is also detachable for your convenience.
Being ideal for home or office use or any travel or on the go situation, the Infuser Glass Tumbler is very safe to use on the dishwasher and it is very easy to clean. The travel mug has a weight of 14.5 oz and it can fit on most car cup holders. It is backed by a 45-day warranty. Overall, this is the most ideal tea tumbler for those who need their daily dose of tea on the go.
Ideal Travel Mug for BMW Vehicles
BMW Travel Mug with Black Band
If you are a car enthusiast or own a BMW, you might want the BMW Travel Mug with Black Band which has a capacity of 14 ounces. For its safety, the top has a slide lock feature mechanism. In terms of functionality, the tumbler is double wall insulated to keep your drinks hot or cold.
For its material, it is made from stainless steel and weighs 0.55 lbs. On its design, the BMW Travel Mug lid has a press-on mechanism and it has a convenient black band for ergonomic nonslip gripping.
2-Pack Travel Mug
Contigo Byron Stainless Steel Travel Mug
The Contigo Byron Stainless Steel Travel Mug comes with two travel mugs for the price of one. For its safety, it is 100 percent free from BPA. For its material build, it is made with stainless steel that has a vacuum insulated feature to keep drinks hot and cold as needed.
This travel mug has a capacity of 20 oz and on its effectiveness, it can hold drinks hot for as long as 7 hours and keep them cold for as long as 18 hours. The mug will fit a lot of standard car cup holders or single serve brewers. As for its cleaning and maintenance, the lid is safe to use on top rack dishwasher.
The Contigo Steel Travel Mug is very ideal if you intend to share with someone else for having a travel mug. The package weighs 1.7 pounds overall and the lid has a SnapSeal design which has a one piece leak proof design.
As for the measurements, the height of the mug is about 7.5 to 8 inches and it does not leak at all due to its superb design. In addition to that, this travel mug can hold up ice all day, making it ideal for outside ventures with biking or hiking. It is also great for one handed use. The colors come in blue and violet and it also comes in gunmetal and grayed jade colors.
Best Travel Mug for Kids
Contigo Autospout Striker Kids Water Bottle
Perfect for kids going to school or on a field trip, the Contigo Autospout Striker Kids Water Bottle’s valve has a spill proof design to leave you worry free. This travel mug is capable of one handed drinking and has an easy opening due to its one touch button mechanism.
It is readily available in a multitude of colors such as electric blue, navy, sapphire, pinks and reds and other colorful designs for children. The travel mug weighs 0.35 lbs and has a height of 7 inches.
Cleaning is no issue because the Contigo Autospout Bottle is very safe to use on the dishwasher’s top rack. As for its quality and safety, the travel mug is made with Tritan material and thus, this makes it 100 percent BPA free and also has a high resistance to impact and does not give off a foul odor or retain stains. In terms of design, it is indeed very easy to hold and comfortable to grip. Overall, the Contigo Autospout is ideal drinking travel mug for kids going to school.
The Competition
The other travel mugs that did not make it to our big list of ideal travel mugs are not too unique or do not have enough features that make them great for traveling or for home and office use. It is important in a travel mug to not spill your coffee or drink and make sure it retains the same temperature. Ergonomic designs and eco-friendly materials are also very important.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some of the advantages of using a travel mug?
A: A travel mug is great for consuming coffee on the go and does not spill due to the build of the travel mug. In addition, it keeps the coffee or tea drink hot for hours or cold ice for long hours of time. Also, it can be used for a lot of other beverages and not just coffee or tea. On top of that, the travel mug makes a great gift for clients, co-workers or for family and friends.
Q: What are some of the pointers in choosing a great travel mug?
A: According to WikiHow , one should make sure it is double wall insulated so that none of the heat or ice will ever escape from the mug for long hours of time and make sure it is definitely all stainless steel in its material. As a warming, do not buy travel mugs with plastic liners as they can alter the taste of your tea or coffee so make sure they are made from stainless steel as well.
In addition to that, if you intend to use the travel mug for your car, make sure it fits the cup holder. For safety, the lid must be super secure to keep the drink from spilling over, preferably a lid with safety lock features. Last but not the least, you should choose an appropriate size depending on your needs.
Q: Any tips on cleaning up a travel mug?
A: According to the article from Good Housekeeping , a mix of 2 tbsp of baking soda and vinegar can be great cleaning material mixture for the travel mug. Also as a safety precaution, you should make sure the travel mug is completely rinsed off and dried before using and refilling with your preferred drink.
Wrapping It Up
As a whole, the Contigo Autoseal Stainless Steel Travel Mug is our best travel mug ideal for school or office use as well as for hiking and biking across the mountains. Whether you want a hot cup of coffee or tea or you want to keep yourself hydrated with a cool juice, you can depend on this travel mug to get you going throughout the day.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.