When you walk out of the door in the morning you normally have your hands and head full. The first part of the day normally determines how the rest of the day is going to go. Let’s check out the best mug for keeping coffee hot, it’s an absolute must!
Coffee is known to give you a quick caffeine boost when you need it the most.
Not everyone has the chance or wishes to finish their coffee quickly. That’s why it’s great to choose a travel mug that you can take while keeping your drink hot. If you have a large travel mug, you may even want your drinks to stay hotter for longer.
Best Mug For Keeping Coffee Hot
Then there are other features to bear in mind. For example, the material your travel mug is made of. This will affect how easy it is to wash, how durable it is, or how it will preserve heat.
People are now looking for travel mugs that don’t have a negative effect on the environment, or on our health. As you will probably be driving with your travel mug, you must think about the ease of use too.
For more information, I’ve prepared a travel mug buying guide for you.
In a hurry? Here’s our best tip:
The Hydro Flask keeps hot drinks hot for up to 6 hours. It also features a great design with bright and vibrant colors.
There is a range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Our measurements are in fluid ounces, however, you can see the quick conversion rate before knowing how many cups of piping hot coffee to expect.
- 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup
- 16 fluid ounces = 2 cups
- 20 fluid ounces = 2.5 cups
- 30 fluid ounces = 3.75 cups
- 40 fluid ounces = 5 cups
These are some of the typical sizes for travel mugs. There are other variations but you can still get an idea from our guidelines.
Table of Contents
In this article, we are going to cover a range of the best travel mugs for hot drinks. You will find specific details and some of the pros and cons. You will also find the width of the base to check if it will fit in your car cup holder.
Comparison table
| Product Name | Heat Retention | Cold retention | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro Flask Travel Coffee | 6 hours | 24 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.9 x 2.9 x 6.3 inches (7.3 x 7.3 x 16 cm) |
| Klean Kanteen Insulated Cup | 4 hours | 20 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 3.5 x 3.5 x 6.2 inches (8.96 x 8.9 x 15.86 cm) |
| YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler | Unspecified | Unspecified | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 3.5 x 3.5 x 7 inches (8.96 x 8.96 x 17.78 cm) |
| Yeti Rambler 14 Ounce Mug | Unspecified | Unspecified | Unspecified material Vacuum insulated | 5 x 4 x 3.8 inches (12.7 x 10.16 x 9.7 cm) |
| Contigo Autoseal Transit | 4 hours | 12 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.8 x 2.8 x 8.2 inches (7.11 x 7.11 x 20.8 cm) |
| Copco Acadia | Unspecified | Unspecified | Plastic Double wall insulation | 3.7 x 3.7 x 6.8 inches (9.34 x 9.34 x 17.27 cm) |
| Zojirushi SM-KB36TM | 6 hours | 6 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.8 x 2.8 x 7.4 inches (7.11 x 7.11 x 18.8 cm) |
| Kinto Travel Tumbler | 6 hours | 6 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.8 x 2.8 x 6.8 inches (7.11 x 7.11 x 17.27 cm) |
| Otterbox Elevation 20 Tumbler | Unspecified | Unspecified | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 3.15 x 3.15 x 7.75 inches (8 x8 x 19.7 cm) |
| Ember Temperature Control | Customizable | Customizable | Stainless steel Ember | 3.1 x 3.1 x 8 inches (7.9 x 7.9 x 19.7 cm) |
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Hydro Flask
Key Features:
- Double-wall vacuum insulated
- 18/8 stainless steel
- Keeps drinks hot for up to 6 hours
- BPA free
- 12-ounce capacity
- Lifetime warranty
The Hydro Flask provides 1,5 cups of your favorite hot drink. It is made from quality stainless steel, which is easy to clean. It is a vacuum flask, the two layers trap heat in the middle, keeping the drink hotter for longer. This is one of the travel mugs that will maintain coffee hot the longest.
There is no flavor transfer so you don’t have to worry about changing the drink and tasting anything else.
It is both easy to use and a safe option. The lid easily flips open as well as the wide mouth flex cap, and a wide mouth straw lid. This makes it quite difficult to spill if you are in your car. The Hydro Flask is BPA-free and Phthalate free.
The outside of this flask has a powder coating that provides a slip-free grip. There are multiple colors to choose from. The base is 2.9 inches (7.36cm) wide. The price is very good seeing as it keeps drinks hot and cold (for up to 24 hours).
Pros:
- Great for hot drinks
- Lightweight
- ideal for hikes or long journeys
- Drip-free
Cons:
- The liquid is left after every sip
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Klean Kanteen
Key Features:
- Double-wall vacuum insulated
- 18/8 stainless steel
- Keeps drinks hot for up to 6 hours
- 16-ounce capacity
- Extra durable
- Food-grade silicone lid
The Klean Kanteen has paid extra attention to the environment. The Klean Coat has been designed for maximum environmental health. It’s 4x more durable so you’ll be able to use the same travel mug for longer. The company has also thought about human health with BPA-free products.
The Climate Lock keeps hot drinks hot for up to 6 hours. You can also keep iced drinks cold for up to 20 hours. It comes with a splash-resistant tumbler lid. The good thing about Klean Kanteen is that all of their lids are interchangeable, so if you prefer, you can buy the straw lid set.
There are 7 colors to choose from. Each color has been selected based on natural colors found in the environment. The 3.08-inch (7.8cm) opening is wide enough to add ice. We don’t have the exact size for the base but it is smaller than the opening.
Pros:
- Great for hot drinks
- Drinks are hot for almost an hour
- Sturdy mug
- Well-priced
Cons:
- No closing on the lid
- Easy to spill drinks
- Not dishwasher safe
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Yeti 20oz Rambler
Key Features:
- Double-wall vacuum insulated
- 18/8 stainless steel
- 20-ounce capacity
- Slide-lip opening
- BPA free
- Durable coat
Yeti is one of the most popular names in the travel mug industry. The 20oz tumbler has a sleek design, including a no-sweat design to keep your hands dry. One of the best features is the Dura Coat. It doesn’t fade or peel, even when you put it in the dishwasher. There are multiple colors to choose from.
The over-engineering of the double-wall insulated tumbler is one of the best for keeping drinks hot and cold.
Unfortunately, they haven’t stated exactly how long the drinks remain at the desired temperature. It is also a very tough travel mug.
A nice feature is the MagSlider Lid. It easily slides open and keeps closed with the help of a magnet. The base of the Yeti tumbler is 2.75 inches (6.9cm).
Pros:
- Very durable
- Cool on the outside, hot on the inside
- Easy to use
- MagSlider Lid
Cons:
- The lid is not spill-proof
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Yeti 14oz Rambler
Key Features:
- Double-wall vacuum insulated
- 18/8 stainless steel
- 14-ounce capacity
- Durable coat
- Triple Grip handle
The design of this Yeti mug is not for cars. This is mainly because the handle won’t allow you to place it in the cupholder. It is excellent for camping or hiking. It is perfect for hot drinks as well as things like soup or hot oatmeal.
You can also use this when you are at home. Rather than use a traditional mug, the Yeti will keep your coffee hot while you are busy.
The Yeti 14oz Rambler has many of the same features as the 20oz rambler. It’s a vacuum mug, which is the best for both hot and cold drinks. It also has the Duracoat so the mug will last a long time, even with bumps and knocks.
There is also a huge variety of colors to choose from and you can put this mug in the dishwasher.
Pros:
- Good handle for drinking
- Dishwasher safe
- Rust-resistant
- Compatible with the MagSlide Lid
Cons:
- Expensive
- The lip of the mug is thick
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Contigo AutoSeal Transit
Key Features:
- Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated
- 16-ounce capacity
- Leak-Proof
- Spill-Proof
- Autoseal to lock the opening
Contigo is another brand well-known for its travel mugs. The 16-ounce mug has all the features you need. It will keep drinking hot for up to four hours and cold for up to 12 hours. Contigo’s travel mugs are BPA-free.
Probably the best thing about the Contigo mug is the auto seal button. The mug is firmly sealed until you push the button to flip open the lid. This also prevents spills.
The travel mug has a non-slip grip sleeve and bottom pad to prevent accidents. The base is 2.75 inches (6.9cm), just right for a standard car cup holder. There are four colors to choose from. People will appreciate the limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Functions well
- Great design
- Durable
- No spills
- Dishwasher safe lid
- Dishwasher safe body
Cons:
- Delicate lid
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Copco Acadia
Key Features:
- Double-wall insulation
- BPA free plastic
- 16-ounce capacity
- Microwave safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Quarter turn screw lid
This is a really good, bob-standard travel mug. It holds 16 ounces of fluid and has a secure screw-on lid to prevent spills. It’s a plain white mug. This might not be best for coffee stains but at least you can put it in the dishwasher.
The Copco is the first we have seen that can go in the microwave. This is a handy feature if you need to reheat things. There is a choice of 7 colors, and textured non-slip sleeves to easily hold the mug, Another positive is that is lightweight, adding to the ease of use.
The downside is that we don’t know how long it keeps your coffee hot. Then again, for the price, we can’t complain.
Pros:
- Not for extremely hot coffee
- Good quality
- Well priced
- No leaks
Cons:
- No cover for the opening
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Zojirushi SM-KB36TM
Key Features:
- Stainless Steel
- Vacuum Insulated
- 12-ounce capacity
- Tight fighting lid
- Safety lock
- Non-stick interior coating
The Zojirushi travel mug comes in 4 striking colors. Its overall design is very attractive. The vacuum insulation allows hot drinks to remain hot for up to six hours. It will also keep drinks cold for up to 6 hours.
The lid has an extra tight-fitting. This stops unwanted spills and also prevents heat from escaping. The safety lock is useful. It will stop you from accidentally opening it when you are traveling.
The stopper in the lid pulls apart. This, along with the non-stick interior makes it very easy to clean. The base is 2.8 inches (7.11cm) wide. Our only concern is that it is on the pricey side.
Pros:
- Stunning design
- Ideal size for bags
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Leaks over time
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Kinto Travel Mug
Key Features:
- Double-wall vacuum insulated
- 18/8 stainless steel
- 12-ounce capacity
- BPA free
- The cap allows you to drink from any angle
This travel mug has space for about 1,5 cups and will stay hot for up to 6 hours. If you want to use it for cold drinks, they will stay cold for 6 hours too. The stainless steel body has a powder coating to prevent burns. There don’t appear to be many color options.
This is a strong travel mug. The combination of stainless steel and powder coating means it will last a long time without getting damaged or rusting.
Kinto is proud of its simple lid design. It is a simple lid that allows you to drink from any angle as you would from a standard mug. The base is 2.76 inches 7.01cm).
Pros:
- Sturdy design
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Hot drinks remain at 65°C/149°F for up to 6 hours
Cons:
- Expensive
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Otterbox Elevation Tumbler
Key Features:
- 100% stainless steel
- 20-ounce capacity
- Internal copper lining
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Being 100% stainless steel, it will last for a very long time, regardless of what you put it through. Not only is it vacuum insulated, but it also has a copper lining.
Copper is excellent at keeping your drinks hot and cold. There is no information to say exactly how long your coffee will stay hot.
It comes with a standard lid with a flip-top opening. The good thing is that the lids are interchangeable so you can choose one that suits you. There are 9 colors, and some of those are very eye-catching. The base is 3.15 inches (8.0cm) wide.
We liked the fact that it doesn’t sweat. This means you won’t have to put up with annoying sweat rings when you put down your mug. For a larger-sized travel mug, it is well priced.
Pros:
- Flip-top lid
- Easy to use when driving
- Keeps drinks hot
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Cons:
- Too heavy
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Ember Temperature Control Mug
Key Features:
- Smart mug, controlled by your mobile phone
- 12-ounce capacity
- Set the preferred temperature
- Comes with a charging coaster
We had to include one smart mug on our list. This is the perfect option for anybody who wants complete control over their drink. From an app on your phone, you can set a temperature between 49°C (120°F) and 62.7°C (145°F). You can also customize settings and receive notifications. If you don’t want to set the temperature from a mobile, you can do it from the cup directly.
The charging coaster runs on a Lithium battery, which is included. This gives you 2 hours of charging time. It can’t get damaged when you wash it because it is IPX7 rated. The ceramic coating reduces scratching and the lid is leak-proof.
The base of this travel mug is 3.1 inches (7.87cm). It only comes in black at the moment. Even so, it is a very stylish travel mug. As you can imagine, it has a high price!
Pros:
- Great for tech-savvy people
- Controls the temperature of hot drinks
- Ability to set temperature
Cons:
- No lifetime warranty
Wrap-up
If you don’t mind spending a pretty amount of money, the Ember travel mug is a luxury to own. Never again will you have to pick up your drink and be disappointed by the wrong temperature. Even though it has all the latest technology, other features like a leak-proof lid make it easy to wash.
Yeti are great brands and we know they work well to keep drinks hot. It would’ve been nice to have more information on the exact number of hours. The 14-ounce mug would be great for any frequent camper.
The overall top-rated mug for hot coffee for us is the Hydro Flask. This company has a great balance of style and technology. The vacuum insulation keeps hot drinks hot for up to 6 hours. You have the added bonus of cold drinks staying cold for up to 24 hours. The colors are bright and attractive, and the mug is lightweight. Best of all, they are BPA, phthalate, and toxin-free!
Here’s a Mayo Clinic article on some benefits of drinking coffee.
To better keep and enjoy your travel mug, check out how to clean coffee stains from your stainless steel mug.
If you didn’t find the product you are looking for, check out our review on Travel mugs to keep your drink cold.
