We normally associate travel mugs with the need to keep our drinks hot. We are more used to other methods for cold drinks. Or we just put up with a plastic bottle and accept our drink will get warm soon. Nowadays, there are so many options for the best travel mug for iced coffee.
Just as a hot coffee doesn’t taste right cold, iced coffee is not pleasant when it goes warm. And it’s not just for coffee. Children’s fruit juices, our healthy smoothies, heck, even our wine needs to stay cold!
Carrying an ice-cold travel mug of water with you makes it more likely that you’ll drink enough water.
By the way, here’s a Mayo Clinic article on how much water you should be drinking.
Check out our related resources
One thing we can all agree on is that nobody likes coffee stains. To learn how to get rid of coffee stains, check our article on how to clean coffee stains from stainless steel mugs.
For more information also check out our buying guide to learn what is the best Travel Mug to buy.
Take your cold coffee along
When looking for a travel mug, there are various things to keep in mind. There are some benefits to having a travel mug that keeps drinks cold and hot. You can double the usage of your mug. For cold drinks, you need to consider how easy it is to carry them around with you. This is because you’ll probably have it with you all day.
In a hurry? Here’s our best tip:
Get the Iron Flask Travel Bottle. It has great colors and interchangeable lids. The 18/8 stainless steel means you won’t detect any smells or tastes from other drinks.
Another feature that you should consider is the size of the lid. Adding ice cubes will keep your drink even colder. But only if you can fit ice cubes in the lid!
While there are various sizes, here’s a list of some common travel mug capacities.
- 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
Table of Contents
In this article, we will look at 12 of the most popular travel mugs for keeping drinks cold. You can find specific details together with some advantages and disadvantages.
Comparison table:
| Product Name | Heat Retention | Cold retention | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermos Sipp | 5 hours | 9 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 3.5 x 3.5 x 8.3 inches (8.89 x 8.89 x 21.1 cm) |
| Zoku Teal Iced Coffee Maker | Not stated | Not stated | Stainless steel | 3.5 x 3.5 x 8.2 inches (8.89 x 8.89 x 20.83 cm) |
| The Coldest Water | 13 hours | 36 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 3.5 x 3.5 x 10.4 inches (8.89 x 8.89 x 26.4 cm) |
| Contigo Snapseal Bryon | 6 hours | 12 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 3.2 x 3.2 x 7.2 inches (8.13 x 8.13 x 18.29 cm) |
| Ello Campy | 5 hours | 10 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 12.1 x 8 x 17.6 inches (30.73 x 20.32 x 44.7 cm) |
| POP Design | 12 hours | 24 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.5 x 2.5 x 10 inches (6.35 x 6.35 x 25.4 cm) |
| Keurig Contigo | 5 hours | 12 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.5 x 3.5 x 7.8 inches (6.35 x 8.89 x 19.81 cm) |
| CamelBak KickBak | 4 hours | 8 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 7.1 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches (18.03 x 8.64 cm) |
| Iron Flask | 12 hours | 24 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 2.9 x 2.9 x 7.75 inches (7.3 x 7.3 x 19.7 cm) |
| Mira 40oz | 12 hours | 24 hours | Stainless steel Vacuum insulated | 10 x 4 x 3.9 inches (25.4 x 10.16 x 9.9 cm) |
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Thermos Sipp
Key Features:
- Cold for up to 9 hours
- 16-ounce capacity
- Eastman Tritan lid
- BPA free lid
- Leak-proof lid with
- One-hand operation lid
Thermos is a well-known brand for travel mugs and this product has a stunning design. It comes in 3 colors and has an extra-long handle. The tall long design means it will fit in a car cup holder.
The interior and exterior are both made of stainless steel. It has a Thermax double-wall vacuum insulation, ideal for keeping drinks cold for up to 9 hours. It will also keep drinks hot for up to 5 hours.
Whether you want to make hot or iced tea, there is a handy built-in tea hook. This prevents the string from falling into the tea. You can open the leak-proof lid with just one hand, so it is safe when you are driving.
Pros:
- Safe for dishwasher
- Works better than advertised
- Screw-on lid
- Leak-proof
- Good value for money
Cons:
- The lid is difficult to hand-wash
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Zoku Teal Iced Coffee Maker
Key Features:
- Turns hot drinks into iced drinks in 5 minutes
- 11-ounce capacity
- Stainless steel core
- BPA and Phthalate free
While it might not keep your drink cold for as long, it’s an excellent solution for making hot drinks cold. Once you wash up the travel mug, place the inner stainless steel container in the freezer. When you are ready to go out, pour hot coffee into the pre-chilled interior and put it inside the sleeve. Drinks will be cold in 5 minutes.
It fits under a coffee machine maker. It can also hold just over a normal sized-mug of coffee. The lid is spill-resistant and has a straw. There are four colors to choose from, with matching straws.
You can’t put it in the dishwasher but it is stainless steel, which is easy to wash. It is BPA and phthalate-free. You know you won’t be harming your health when drinking from it.
It is really lightweight so there is no problem carrying it around with you.
Pros:
- Great for cold drinks
- No leaks
- Tested by athletes
- Lifetime warranty
- Dedicated customer service
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Words rub off after little use
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The Coldest Water
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 36 hours
- 32-ounce capacity
- Durable 18/8 Stainless steel
- Lifetime warranty
- BPA free
This travel mug is incredibly good at keeping your drinks icy cold for 36 hours. The screw-top lid is big enough to fit ice cubes in. Not only that, but it will also keep drinks hot for up to 13 hours. It is made from quality stainless steel with a double wall and vacuum seal.
The leak-free cap and extra-strong handle make it perfect for anyone. You can take it to work and still have cold drinks for the gym, or shopping afterward. It’s handy that it floats in water. This will encourage you to hydrate while in the water.
The bottle is incredibly durable. It has a rubber grip and the bottle never sweats. It is BPA-free and odor resistant. If you have iced tea, it won’t affect the taste of water later.
Pros:
- Great for cold drinks
- No leaks
- Tested by athletes
- Lifetime warranty
- Dedicated customer service
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Words rub off after little use
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Contigo SnapSeal Byron
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours
- 16-ounce capacity
- 1-piece leak-proof lid
- Lifetime warranty
This is another travel mug with a really nice design with 9 colors to choose from. There is an easy-grip sleeve to prevent burns. It fits nicely into standard-sized car cup holders. If you choose a color that is unpainted, you can put it in the dishwasher.
The Contigo is vacuum insulated and made from stainless steel. It comes with a BPA-free lid. Contigo clearly states that it is not suitable for the freezer or the microwave. The double-wall construction also prevents condensation on the outside.
With one hand, you can snap open the lid and close it again. It makes it easy to use. The lid is leak-proof but not recommended for putting in bags. The limited lifetime warranty covers material and workmanship, defective products, and replacements.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- No sweat marks on tables
- Durable
Cons:
- Lid difficult to open with wet hands
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Ello Campy
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 10 hours
- 16-ounce capacity
- Comfy carry handle
- BPA free leak-proof lid
- Lifetime Guarantee
The first thing you will notice is the original design. It looks like you are drinking from a normal mug. There are 5 colors and each one has a lovely sparkle finish. The information regarding the size seems to be wrong. It should be narrow enough to put in a cup-cup holder.
The lid is so thin you almost can’t see it. It screws on to prevent leaks, and it has a slide opening. The inside of the handle is made from cork for a soft touch.
The travel mug is stainless steel so it will be easy to hand wash. The lid can go in the dishwasher. It is BPA and BPS-free: You know you will be choosing the safer option.
Pros:
- Big opening for ice cubes
- Great value for money
- Easy one-handed use
- BPA and BPS free
Cons:
- It won’t fit in all car-cup holders
- Paint flakes easily
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POP Design
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours
- 17-ounce capacity
- 18/9 food-grade stainless steel
- No leaking
- No sweating
- Lifetime warranty
This travel mug will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for an impressive 12 hours. It is made from high-quality stainless steel. It is vacuum insulated, and double-walled. It’s perfect for those people who are out of the house all day.
It has a nice slim-line design with three modern colors. They have a powdered coating that is eco-friendly and scratch-resistant. The bottle is easy to hold, as there is no build-up of condensation on the outside. All bottles are BPA-free.
It comes with a narrow, screw-top lid. You will need two hands to use it and you won’t be able to put big ice cubes at the top. That being said, you won’t need ice cubes and they will get in a sports bag/handbag, and not leak.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Lifetime warranty
- Lightweight
- Feels sturdy
- Tight seal
- No leaks
Cons:
- The design makes it difficult to clean
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Keurig Contigo
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours
- 14-ounce capacity
- Vacuum insulated
- Double-wall stainless steel
- Keurig has its own brand of drinking capsules
This is quite a standard travel mug that keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours and hot for up to 5 hours. This is because it is vacuum insulated and double-walled. The stainless steel body should be hand washed.
The lid, however, can go in the dishwasher. And it is made from BPA-free plastic. It twists on to seal tightly and not leak. There is a push-button lid for easy opening, making this travel mug usable with one hand.
What is nice about Keurig is that they have their own brand of hot drink capsules. You can buy tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and others. You can make tea or coffee with one of their K-pods, fill your travel mug with ice and pour your drink in.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- Smart design
- Good function
- No leaks
Cons:
- None
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CamelBak KickBak
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 8 hours
- 20-ounce capacity
- 18/8 Stainless steel
- Splash-proof BPA lid
The CamelBak tumbler is made from quality 18/8 stainless steel. This makes it durable and it won’t absorb other tastes or odors. It is double-walled to help maintain the temperature and prevent condensation on the outside.
The plastic lid is both BPA and BPS-free. It can be placed in the dishwasher but the main body is best hand-washed. The lid is splash-proof to save embarrassing drips on clothes.
It has a dual flip lid for easy use. You can also choose between the large opening and the smaller opening.
The travel mug comes in a range of colors, each with an ergonomic grip. It will fit into most standard car cup holders. It has a very good price.
Pros:
- Different colors
- Easy to hand-wash the body
- Easy to hand-wash the lid
- Comfortable drinking lip
Cons:
- Not leak-proof
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Iron Flask Travel bottle
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours
- 18-ounce capacity
- 18/8 stainless steel and BPA-free plastic lids
- Double-walled for no sweat
Your drinks will stay cold for up to 24 hours and also stay hot for up to 12 hours. It is made from quality stainless steel and very easy to hand wash with soapy water. You won’t smell or taste flavors from previous drinks.
We love the choice of lids. There is a pull-up lid, a flip lid, and one for straws (it comes with 2 straws). This means that there is a lid to suit everyone. All Iron Flasks have a 2.75-inch (6.98cm) opening so the lids are interchangeable.
The lids are BPA-free and screw top, there will be no issues with leaking drinks. There are 8 colors to choose from. The outside of the bottle is powder-coated and the Iron Flask logo is engraved.
All this makes this Iron Flask one of the best options for a travel mug. If you aren’t happy, Iron Flask offers money back or a replacement.
Pros:
- Great interchangeable lids
- Powder coating – easy to hold
- Durable
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Only the 18-ounce model fits car cup holder
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Mira 40oz bottle
Key Features:
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours
- 40-ounce capacity
- 18/8 stainless steel
- BPA-free plastic lid
- The durable coating is sweatproof
- Screw top leak-free lid
This travel bottle is vacuum insulated with a copper lining and 18/8 stainless steel outer lining. Drinks will stay cold for 24 hours and it also keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours. It’s super durable and it won’t break or rust.
The lid has a pop-cap opening. You can buy other types of lids if you prefer. All lids are BPA and phthalate-free. It is also leak-proof because it screws on tightly. There is a wide-mouth opening for large ice cubes.
There are multiple colors with the powdered coating. The travel bottle won’t sweat or slip in your hands. The great thing is that with such high capacity, you will have enough cold drinks for the whole day, or to share.
Pros:
- Great price
- Good liquid capacity
- Two colors or marbled effect
- Large opening for ice cubes
Cons:
- Plastic that holds the lid breaks easily
- Doesn’t fit in all car cupholders
Wrap-up
If you are looking for a bargain travel mug to keep drinks cold, POP Design has all the right features. It will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. It is made from high-quality stainless steel so you know it will last a long time.
At the same time, it is BPA free and won’t affect your health. The color choices are slightly limited, which is probably not an issue for many. The fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty is an added bonus.
For those who’re out of the house for hours, or spend hours on the road, we’d recommend The Coldest Water. With 36 hours of cold drinks and 13 hours of hot drinks, you can’t go wrong. It is our favorite choice for athletes.
All-round, the top-rated mug for iced coffee is the Iron Flask. There are several bright colors to choose from like black or white. We love the interchangeable lids.
Hot drinks will stay hot for up to 12 hours and cold drinks for up to 24 hours. The 18/8 stainless steel means you won’t detect any smells or tastes from other drinks, and it is durable.
If you didn’t find the product you are looking for, check out our review on Travel mugs to keep your coffee hot.
