These options may cost more than the many standard travel mugs currently on the market, but after ten or so coffees you’ll have broken even thanks to the savings at your local coffee shop.
So if you’re looking for a travel mug that keeps drinks hot for hours, refuses to leak and can be operated with one hand, read on for our best buys.
Buyers’ guide
Travel mugs vary in price from a couple of quid up to £30, and generally speaking you get what you pay for. Those who only need a travel mug for occasional use can make do with a standard option for under a tenner, but those who want to use it everyday for outdoor activities or their commute to work will want something that promises to perform in terms of heat retention, spill protection and robustness.
Look out for features such as autoseal, lockable lids and being easy to clean, as these are what set the best travel mugs apart from the cheaper options. If you need a mug that keeps drinks hot (or cold) for longer, then you’ll need a double-wall vacuum-insulated option, preferably constructed in stainless steel.
Again, you will always pay more for stainless steel, but it’s worth it if heat retention is a priority for you. If you have a tendency to drop things, it’s wise to choose a mug that is easy to grip If you can’t quite allow yourself to part with over £20 for what is essentially a coffee cup, then opt for the next best composition, but ensure the mug is double-walled.
Should you be travelling by car with your mug, ensure you find a travel mug that fits a regular drinks holder and can be operated with one hand. Travel mugs generally come in two sizes, around 360ml and around 470ml. The large options are perfect for carrying water or soup, but if it’s only ever going to be tea or coffee, you may want to get the smaller option, which fits better in your hand and under single-serve coffee machines.
Camelbak Forge Vacuum Travel Mug 473ml: Best for features
Price when reviewed: £30
This travel mug may have a high price tag but (we think) it’s worth every penny. It keeps drinks hot for six hours thanks to a double vacuum-insulated stainless steel wall. The one-handed, intuitive self-sealing cap makes it easy to drink on the go.
It’s also proved itself impressively watertight. Slightly frilly features include the strangely dubbed “aroma bowl”, which, according to the manufacturer, allows for “superior drink interface”. This basically means you can test your drink’s temperature by allowing a small amount to be released.
The easy-clean cap puts function back to the fore, however, as it simply pulls out to be rinsed under the tap. This makes it perfect for non-fussy users happy with a quick rinse. It also features a plastic cap underneath to minimise the ill effects of a breakage to the main body of the mug. The finger loop is surprisingly handy too for when your hands are full.
Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Double Wall 470ml: Best for heat lovers
Price when reviewed: £24.95
If you need to keep a drink hot for eight hours, look no further. Of all the mugs on this list, the Thermos option retains optimum temperature for the longest.
This is thanks to its vacuum-insulated, stainless steel wall that stays cool to the touch even after boiling water is poured into it. According to the manufacturer, drinks will stay hot for five hours and cool for nine, but consumer reviews on Amazon claim drinks stay hot for far longer, even eight hours or more. It also features a slow flow option, which proves pretty handy when your coffee is still steaming hot after a few hours. The lockable seal makes it ideal for long train journeys without any worries about spillages;a nice additional touch is the teabag holder.
The only real drawback is that it doesn’t fit into all standard car drinks holders, a considerable compromise given the price.
Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Travel Mug 470ml: Best for long commutes
Price when reviewed: £21.79
If you’re looking for a travel mug that has some frills but promises no spills, then this surprisingly clever travel mug may be your new best friend. In their locked positions none of the mugs on this list will leak, but this travel mug has the added advantage of having the best autoseal. Liquid is only released when your finger presses the button, so if you drop it mid-sip, it would seal up, without you losing even a droplet of precious early-morning coffee.
Its easy-to-clean lid features no loose parts and it can keep drinks cool for an impressive 12 hours. Of every mug on this list, it’s the best looking too.
This is a great choice for those with a bumpy journey to work... or butterfingers.
Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug 473ml: Best for multitaskers
Price when reviewed: £22.19
The famous hardware firm were actually one of the first companies to come up with insulated travel mugs. When Stanley started in this sideline, the company wasn’t considering 21st-century commuters, it was thinking about builders, mountain climbers and wild campers. As a result this classic, retro-inspired offering from Stanley is about as rugged as you can get. Available in a hammertone black or army green, the rust-proof stainless steel finish certainly looks the part if you like a bit of industrial chic. The most outstanding feature on this mug is its one-handed function in the form of a push button lid, which allows users to drink while using their other hand, whether it’s using your phone or operating a pickaxe. The Stanley Classic One Hand is the best choice for multitaskers.
Zojirushi SM-SA 360ml Travel Mug: Best all-rounder
Price when reviewed: £24.99
The Zojirushi SM-SA hits nearly every mark and is a great all-rounder. Its stainless steel vacuum-insulated walls keep drinks hot for more than six hours, and its tough design is virtually unbreakable, yet it’s light to carry. The mug also features a unique SlickSteel corrosion-resistant interior, a wide opening for filling and a slim design for fitting into all drinks holders. It’s also available in a choice of colours including cinnamon gold and pearl pink, as well as in a 480ml option. The only flaw of this otherwise-perfect travel mug is the fiddly lid system.
Of course, the mug is only leak-free when closed, and due to the difficulty of opening it, many users are likely to keep it open, thus increasing the likelihood of a spill. But once you’ve conquered the lid, this travel mug couldn’t be better for robustness, temperature retention and style. A great choice for those who like a bit of colour.
