Travel coffee mugs are the best way to move about with your favourite beverage in your hand, and stay alert or hydrated.
However, with so many options on the market, it can be hard to find the product that is right for you.
In this article, we break down everything from multipurpose hot and cold mugs to the handiest spill-proof lids on the market.
If you’ve made a commitment to eliminate disposable cups in your life, here’s a guide to help you find the reusable coffee mug that best meets your specific needs.
Our top pick: Contigo Westloop Autoseal Mug
Pros: Leakproof Autoseal lock, commuter-friendly design, easy-to-clean lid, fits most cupholders, BPA-free
Cons: Would benefit from a non-dribble lip, metallic finish shows fingerprints
The Contigo Westloop Autoseal Mug is our pick for the best travel coffee mug in Australia.
This good-looking mug is durable, vacuum-insulated, BPA-free, and made of stainless steel.
Besides keeping coffee hot for up to five hours, the lid has a patented Contigo leakproof Autoseal lock. You can also pop it in the dishwasher after use.
The lid opening is sometimes prone to dribbles because it doesn’t have a lip. However, the 16 ounce/500ml Contigo comes in a range of beautiful colours, and also keeps drinks cold for 12 hours.
Runner Up: Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Cup
Pros: Looks great, premium materials, triple-wall vacuum insulation, ceramic liner
Cons: Expensive, lid requires taking apart to clean
This is a beautifully designed travel cup made from premium-materials. It has a multi-award winning push button lid that is easy to use one-handed and a durable stainless steel base.
The ceramic liner will keep your beverage tasting better than any other cup on the market because it doesn’t interfere with the flavours in your drink.
The triple-wall vacuum insulation will keep your beverages hot or cold for hours so they stay at the temperature you want them to.
The cup is spill-safe and leak-resistant, so you can take it anywhere. It also fits in all standard cup holders so makes a good option for your daily commute or weekend road trip.
Upgrade pick: Fellow Carter Vacuum Mug
Pros: Minimalist design, stainless steel, BPA-free plastic lid, inner ceramic coating
Cons: Expensive
Fellow, who specialise in beautiful and high-quality coffee equipment, are well known for their minimalist designs, which are both functional and visually appealing.
The Fellow Carter is one of our favourite travel mugs because of both its great design and its performance. It looks awesome, is a pleasure to drink from, and can maintain the temperature of both hot and cold drinks for up to 12 hours.
The watertight vacuum feature on this mug ensures that the contents never spill and it comes in three different colours with a compact design that fits almost anywhere.
Best value: UZMIS Reusable Travel Mug
Pros: Insulated, leak-proof, food-grade stainless steel, rubber bottom, affordable, three colour options
Cons: Not suitable for backpacks
This affordable travel mug is a great product for anyone who wants to take their coffee on the go.
It’s double-walled vacuum insulated, meaning it will keep your drink hot or cold for hours. It’s also leakproof, so you don’t have to worry about your coffee spilling when you’re not paying attention.
The lid flips open for easy one-handed operation, and the rubber sole on the bottom means it won’t damage your table or other surface. It also fits in most car cup holders.
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Pros: Wide-mouth opening to ensure no drips or spills, classic compact design, slick, steel finish and interior, flip-top lid
Cons: Expensive
No one does classic minimalism like Zojirushi. This mug comfortably carries 375ml of beverage and keeps it hot or cold on the go.
The stainless steel interior is sanitary and easy to clean and the design is compact and light for transport in cars or hands. Zojirushi has innovated the wide-mouth opening to ensure no drips or spills.
This design is promoted as a travel espresso mug, and the tightly fitted flip-top guarantees a hot drink with a serving of style every time.
Thermos Stainless King Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug
Pros: Stainless steel, tough, keeps both hot and cold for hours
Cons: Check it fits your cupholder
This durable 500ml travel tumbler nearly outshines every other product in its class in terms of durability and heat retention.
The midnight blue exterior is striking enough to turn heads on public transport. It has a hardy vacuum insulated design, and that means whether its full of ice cubes or boiling water, it won’t burn your hand.
Add a condensation-free walled outer and a tight-sealing leakproof lid, and you won’t mind having to wash it by hand. For the money, this mug is aces.
Contigo SnapSeal Byron Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug
Pros: Cold for 18 hours/hot for 7 hours, cool colour choices, no leak guarantee
Cons: Reports of it being difficult to sip from the lid
This 710ml capacity mug is vacuum-insulated, stainless steel exterior, and fits most cupholders. The lid is dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
The Contigo comes with a lifetime warranty and helpful after-sale customer service.
The best feature is the snap seal, 1-piece leakproof lid designed to make it easy to clean and feel free to chuck it in the dishwasher (the mug itself has to be washed by hand). You’ll know it’s closed because of the reassuring “snap” sound it makes.
Travel Coffee Mug Buyer’s Guide
Travel coffee mugs are for anyone who has to hit the ground running in the mornings. Commuters and students couldn’t make it to work on time without one. The best thing about travel coffee mugs is that they are meant to last a lifetime, so take that into account when considering budget and design.
Size:
You know best what volume of coffee you like to drink in the mornings, so choose the right size travel coffee mug. Next come the mugs’ dimensions:
- It needs to fit into your hand without slipping
- It should fit into the cupholder in your car
- Have a sturdy handle if it gets heavy when full
Remember the mug will be full when you leave home, so include that extra weight when making your selection.
Temperature:
Can the travel coffee mug retain heat effectively? Any mug able to keep drinks hot or cold will usually have double vacuum insulation.
Durability:
Mugs made for travel must be able to withstand the occasional accidental drop. One of the best materials for travel mug durability is stainless steel, especially if it’s double-walled.
You should also consider materials such as Tritan plastics and borosilicate glass. Make sure the handle is as robust as the rest of the mug.
Leakproof And Spill-Proof:
Stains and piping hot coffee burns are to be avoided at all costs. The lid on a travel coffee mug must be of the highest quality for it to be the perfect fit and prevent leaks. Look for ones that have two level of seals or a purpose-made screw-top
Easy Clean:
When you come home from a hard day’s work, the last thing you want to have to think about doing is standing at the kitchen sink to wash your mug by hand.
The best travel mug is one that can be put in the dishwasher, and doesn’t stain or retain odours.
Materials:
If you watch what you store your drinks in, be sure to keep an eye out for BPA-free plastics.
Verdict
With the wide range of travel coffee mugs available on the market, you can be sure one of these products will suit your needs.
For our money, nothing can beat the convenience of a mug you can put in the dishwasher completely.
This is why the Contigo Westloop Autoseal Mug is our number one travel coffee mug.
