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Those who commute to work or spend a lot of time on the road will agree that the best travel mugs are worth their weight in gold. But what exactly makes a “good” travel mug? And how can you pick from the hundreds of options out there?

Some of the most important features to look for in a travel mug include double-walled insulation, as well as the ability to keep drinks hot or cold depending on your needs, says Kathryn Anderson, founder of the travel and wellness site Coffee & Mascara. Anderson also recommends looking for travel mugs with a straw, which can be removed when drinking something hot but used when drinking iced coffee or poolside cocktails at a resort — and, the reusable straws are a perfect accessory for being a more sustainable traveler.

If you’re planning on moving around with your travel mug, you’ll want leak-proof capabilities. “Look for mugs with a secure lid and a reliable sealing mechanism,” says Andrew Kuttow, blogger at RVCampGear.com. Of course, the right size for your mug depends on personal preferences and the type of journey you’re planning. “Some people prefer a larger capacity for long trips, while others might want something more compact for easy portability.”

These are just some of the features to look for in the best travel mugs, but there are others. Before you choose a travel mug for your most important drink of the day, read on to learn which ones we recommend.

Editor Favorite

Stanley tumblers are a cult favorite — and for good reason. The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate is perfect for travelers, as it's got an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to take on the go. Plus, the straw has a silicone seal to prevent spilling, which makes it easier to stay hydrated while you're touring a new city, on a road trip or traversing through the airport. Once you try a Stanley tumbler, you'll find it hard to go back to any other mug.

Editor Favorite

Yeti’s Rambler Travel Mug holds 30 ounces and comes in 15 different colors, including black, seafoam and harvest red. This mug stands out for many reasons, including its leakproof lid that uses dual-slider magnet technology to stay in place. The lid also rotates with ease, making this mug perfect for right-handed or left-handed drivers. Plus, like all other Yeti products, this travel mug prioritizes heat retention (and cold), thanks to its incredible insulation.

Kuttow says the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is one of his favorite travel mugs due to its incredible heat retention. "Whether you're sipping on hot coffee or iced tea, the Zojirushi's vacuum insulation technology does an excellent job of keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours," he says.?


The mug is also ideal for drivers and car riders who want to customize their mug based on size and style. You can order this mug in two sizes: 12 ounces or 16 ounces. You can also choose from nine different colors that range from champagne gold to lavender pink. More importantly, this mug boasts a stainless steel interior and exterior as well as vacuum insulation that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours. It’s also BPA-free, and its lock-tight lid makes it easy to transport.

The BrüMate Toddy XL holds up to 32 ounces of your favorite beverage, and its incredible insulation keeps your drink hot or cold for hours. This travel mug is fully leakproof, and its BevLock Technology works to help prevent spills. While on the expensive side, the BrüMate Toddy XL is so well made that it comes with a lifetime warranty. Get this mug for yourself or as a gift for the coffee lover in your life.
What do you get the coffee lover who has it all? Some upscale coffee grinders? A Nespresso for home? How about the 18-ounce Ello Magnet Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug? This mug is affordable to give as a gift for the traveler in your life, yet it comes with features like superior insulation for maximum heat retention, leakproof technology and a sleek matte black finish. This travel mug is also BPA-free and the lid is dishwasher-safe.
The Hydro Flask brand is known for its stellar insulation and prowess when it comes to keeping drinks hot or cold, but the company offers more than water bottles. The Hydro Flask Tumbler keeps 22 ounces of coffee or tea piping hot, yet it also fits in your car’s cup holder. (It also comes in 16 ounces and 32 ounces.) The mug is made of stainless steel, and it’s BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. The narrow, stylish design also makes this tumbler easy to hold when you’re on the go.

This 24-ounce travel mug from Haushof comes with all the bells and whistles but for a reasonable price. The product itself is made of stainless steel that is double-wall vacuum-insulated, and the flip lid with a wide mouth creates the perfect sipping port. This mug is not only affordable, but it’s BPA-free and comes in 11 different colors including black, navy blue, pink and seafoam green.

Anderson says her favorite travel mug is an Arctic Tumbler. It holds 20 ounces or 30 ounces of liquid depending on which size you prefer. This specific mug helps keep drinks hot or cold based on your needs, and it comes with its own straw you can use when you need to. Even better, it comes in 15 stylish colors that let you customize your mug's look based on your personal tastes. While not the least expensive mug on our list, Anderson said part of the reason she gave this one a try was due to its reasonable cost.

The basic travel mug from RTIC Outdoors comes in two different sizes (16 ounces and 20 ounces) and 21 different colors at an affordable price. This travel mug features a slim design with an integrated handle that works well with the majority of cup holders. It’s double-wall vacuum-insulated for maximum heat retention. A screw-on, flip-top closure helps prevent spills, and the no-sweat exterior ensures the outside of your mug is always dry.

If you’re looking for a gift for your favorite outdoorsperson, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug could be a good fit. Among the color options, you’ll find a camouflage design, dubbed Country DNA. The mug comes in two sizes — 16 ounces and 20 ounces — and offers a push-button lid and a leakproof sipping port. This travel mug is perfect for anyone who frequently heads to the backcountry or a job site with their drink in tow. The mug is also dishwasher-safe, so you can have it ready for your favorite beverage when needed.
The Saint Laurent Travel Mug in Metal is the perfect option if you’re looking for a sleek, high-end liquid container to complement your spectacular style. This mug is made of stainless steel, and its handle-free design and designer name give it a more upscale look. With the capacity to hold around 300 milliliters (a little over 10 ounces) of coffee or your favorite drink, this on-the-go container is mostly for sipping.

The Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Autoseal Travel Mug has a unique look, and travel blogger Kevin Mercier says this is his go-to mug for trips since it's kept his drinks warm for up to seven hours or cold for up to 18 hours.?


"One of the stand-out features of the Contigo West Loop Vacuum is its autoseal technology, which prevents leaks and spills," Mercier says. "The autoseal lid is designed to automatically seal between sips, allowing me to drink my beverage without worrying about spills or leaks."


The West Loop Vacuum also has a wide mouth, making it easy to clean the interior and it is also dishwasher safe. This affordable mug's lack of a handle also makes it appear especially sleek. You can order this mug in two different colors and three different sizes: 16 ounces, 20 ounces or 24 ounces.

The Stanley Master Unbreakable Thermal Vacuum Bottle isn’t cheap, but it comes with upgraded features that mean a lot for regular coffee drinkers. This mug uses QuadVac insulation that can help keep up to 44 ounces of liquid at the ideal temperature (hot or cold) for days. In fact, warm drinks can stay hot for up to 40 hours, cool drinks can stay cold for up to 35 hours and ice can be kept for up to six days. A steel-lined stopper helps achieve zero plastic contact, its rubberized grip makes it easy to transport and it’s also dishwasher-safe. The Stanley Master Unbreakable Thermal Vacuum Bottle also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Nothing says heat retention quite like the Thermos brand. The Thermos Stainless King Vacuum-Insulated Travel Tumbler uses vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature retention, and it’s made of durable stainless steel inside and out. A built-in tea hook can even hold your tea bag in place, and this 16-ounce mug fits in most car-sized cup holders with ease.
Available in 12 colors and four different size options — 12 ounces, 16 ounces, 20 ounces and 30 ounces — this lightweight option from CamelBak offers double wall vacuum insulation. Not only will it keep your hot drinks warm, but it'll also keep your cooler drinks cold. The mug is dishwasher safe, so it's easy to clean after each trip.
If you’re looking for a travel mug that’s built for the outdoors, the Get Out and Go Series 20-ounce tumbler from RTIC Outdoors could be a good fit. This mug was crafted for hunters, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts who need their hot or cold beverage to stay that way. Not only is this travel container affordable, but it comes with features like double-wall vacuum insulation, an easy-grip base and a splash-proof lid with a comfortable sipping port.
If you need a travel mug that takes up less space when not in use, check out the Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup. While not technically a mug, this cup is ideal for travelers, including in the car. With the capacity to hold 12 ounces of liquid, the Stojo is made of silicone material that can handle both hot and cold drinks. It’s also safe for the dishwasher, leakproof and BPA-free.

The Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Autoseal Travel Mug has a unique look. It doesn’t have a handle, and its auto-sealed lid makes it appear especially stylish. This affordable mug is leakproof and spill-proof, and its vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot for five hours and cold drinks at their ideal temperature for up to 12 hours. You can order this mug in 15 different colors and three different sizes: 16 ounces, 20 ounces or 24 ounces.

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