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A travel coffee mug must do at least 2 things extremely well: keep your coffee hot, and keep it from spilling all over your bag/car/desk. Additionally, matters of size, aesthetics, ease of cleaning and one-handed operability may be factors to consider. Our list was assembled based on CNET’s previous picks, those that have been well-vetted by other review sites and appear repeatedly on best lists, and best-selling and consistently highly-rated models at major retailers such as Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target.
Most travel coffee mugs claim to keep liquids “hot” for about 5-6 hours. To test this, I filled each of the models here with 170-degree liquid and measured the temperature after both 3 hours and 5 hours. Lids for travel mugs tend to fall in 1 of 2 camps, either some sort of threaded, screw-on mechanism or else a plastic and rubber twist/press-on lid that creates a vacuum seal. To test for leakproofness, I repeatedly upended each mug while full, looking for even a hint of a dribble.
Best travel mugs compared
| Zojirushi Stainless Mug | Miir Flip Traveler | Yeti Rambler | Contigo West Loop | Keep Cup | Hydroflask 16 oz | S’well Tumbler | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes, ounces | 12, 16, 20 | 12, 16, 20 | 10, 14, 20, 24, 30 | 16, 20, 24 | 6, 8, 12, 16 | 12, 16, 20 | 10,16 |
| Lid type | Screw top | Screw top | Twist/press on | Screw top | Press on | Screw top | Press on |
| Leakproof | Yes | Yes | Mostly | Yes | No | Yes | Mostly |
| Dishwasher safe? | No | Yes* | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Price | $29 | $28 | $35 | $23 | $32 | $35 | $30 |
