5 Best Travel Mugs (2024), Tested and Reviewed

Nothing beats a A hot sip of coffee in the morning is faster than expected, only to be met with warm disappointment. Insulated travel mugs can keep your drinks at the ideal temperature, whether you’re traveling, hiking or just sitting at the table. There’s a wide world of stainless steel mugs, bottles and tumblers out there, but here are the ones we think are worth carrying.

Be sure to check out our guides on the best coffee subscriptions, the best coffee grinders, the best espresso machines, the best portable coffee makers, the best aeropress coffee makers, and how to make better coffee at home.

Updated November 2024: We flagged picks that confirm the use of lead and added information about how we test. We also updated the links and prices.

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Since we’ve started testing reusable water bottles and travel mugs, we’ve discovered that some brands use lead soldering to seal their insulated bottles. While exposure is unlikely, we still believe it’s an unnecessary risk, especially since many of our top picks use secure sealing methods. We’ve flagged any brands that have confirmed their use of lead and will continue to update this list as we hear from others.

The Stanley Cup
Contigo Lux Auto Sales
The Yeti Rambler
Outerbox Elevation

To test these bottles, we filled each with cold water and hot coffee, then left them both in indirect sunlight and with the AC running inside. All of them kept their promised insulation times, keeping cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. Then again, it’s rare to run across an insulated bottle that’s a complete failure at one of its functions these days. But other than that, it’s rare to find a travel mug that stands out. We looked for features that make or break the experience — leakproofing, exterior coating, and cap design.

Note: While all of these bottles can handle cold drinks, you may prefer a reusable water bottle or tumbler (especially if you’re an iced coffee drinker).