A daily cafe visit can leave a serious dent in your bank balance, and have a damaging effect on the environment. As a nation, we go through around three billion disposable coffee cups each year, and fewer than 1% of them are recycled in the UK. That’s because single-use cups, made from paper lined with polyethylene, are extremely tricky to recycle and can only be processed at a tiny number of specialised plants.
Enter the reusable coffee cup – the perfect answer for people looking to cut waste without having to kick the caffeine habit. Made from recyclable plastic, glass, or bamboo fibres, a reusable cup is sturdy, sustainable and way more stylish than a throwaway cup emblazoned with a coffee shop logo. It can save you money too, as many high-street chains offer discounts for customers who bring their own vessels.
If you're looking for a spill-proof design that keeps your coffee warm, your hands cool and your eco credentials in check, read on for our pick of the best reusable coffee cups for bean fans of all budgets.
How to buy the best reusable coffee cup for you
The first question is whether you want a travel mug or a reusable coffee cup. Travel mugs are designed to keep drinks hot or cold for hours on end during road trips and outdoor adventures; they tend to be made from stainless steel, and come with features like lockable lids and autoseals.
READ NEXT: Best travel mugs
Reusable coffee cups have more of the look and feel of a takeaway cup. They’re intended for immediate drinking, so they’re more simply designed from lightweight materials, with silicone or plastic lids and heat-proof sleeves to protect your hands while you sup.
What material should I choose?
Reusable coffee cups are typically made from recyclable plastic, glass, or bamboo fibres. While plastic is lightweight and durable, it may affect the flavour of your coffee: something to consider if you're a real coffee aficionado. Glass is the best option for those who want to focus on flavour, and it's really easy to clean. It's much heavier, though, and likely to break if it slips out of your hands. Cups made from bamboo fibres are biodegradable and dishwasher safe, but you can't pop them in the microwave if you need to reheat your brew.
What size should I go for?
Reusable coffee cups normally come in a range of sizes to suit different coffee consumption habits. A lot of them hail from the US or Australia, however, so it’s common to see volumes listed in fluid ounces. A 4oz cup such as KeepCup's XS holds 118ml of liquid – so it’s ideal for an espresso or piccolo – whereas Stojo's 16oz (454ml) Biggie cup is designed for long coffee drinks and smoothies. If you just want a regular mug-sized coffee, the 12oz (341ml) size should suit you nicely.
READ NEXT: Best coffee machines
The best reusable coffee cups to buy
1. Ecoffee cup: The best eco-friendly cup
Price: £9.30 (400ml)
Made from bamboo fibre, the world's most sustainable crop, the Ecoffee Cup leads the way in the environmental stakes. It’s fully biodegradable too, so once it reaches the end of its life you can crush it, soak it in boiling water and throw it on your compost heap (the silicone lid and sleeve are recyclable too). It does a great job of mimicking a shop-bought coffee cup as it feels like thick cardboard, but it's surprisingly sturdy and dishwasher-safe. There's a detachable stopper in the lid to prevent your drink from sloshing around and you can pick from a range of colourful designs and patterns.
Key specs - Volume: 400ml, Weight: 125g, Resealable lid: Yes, Dishwasher safe: Yes, Microwave safe: No, Material: Bamboo fibre (silicone sleeve and lid)
2. Stojo Pocket Cup: Best for on-the-go brews
Price: £10 (350ml)
This compact cup collapses into a nifty leak-proof disc that can be easily tucked away in your pocket or bag once you’ve finished your drink. Made from silicone, it's BPA free and fully recyclable – and, unlike bamboo, it's safe to use in the microwave as well as the dishwasher. The classic Pocket Cup has a 350ml capacity, but there's also a Biggie version that holds close to half a litre and comes with a reusable straw. Both cups come in a range of bright colours, standing 12.7cm tall when in use and just 4.4cm when collapsed. The handy heat sleeve makes it easy to carry steaming-hot drinks on the go, and also collapses neatly when you fold it up.
Key specs - Volume: 350ml, Weight: 150g, Resealable lid: Yes, Dishwasher safe: Yes, Microwave safe: Yes, Material: Silicone
3. KeepCup Original: The best all-rounder
Price: £10 (340ml)
Founded by former cafe owners, this Aussie brand brings together sustainability and style. Made from non-toxic BPA-free plastic, KeepCup’s fully recyclable lightweight cups come in five different sizes, ranging from XS (118ml) for espressos and macchiatos to Large (454ml) for lattes and lungos. There’s also a range of on-trend colours to choose from, like fennel, hibiscus and sumac – and each of the cup’s components (cups, lids, bands, lids and plugs) can be bought separately in different colours to create your own designs. There’s also a glass and cork edition made in Portugal using waste products from the manufacture of wine corks.
Key specs - Volume: 340ml, Weight: 90.7g, Resealable lid: Yes, Dishwasher safe: Yes, Microwave safe: Yes, Material: Plastic
4. Joco Reusable Glass Coffee Cup: Most stylish coffee cup
Price: £23 (340ml)
This satisfyingly chunky (but surprisingly lightweight) cup from Joco is made from non-porous glass, and is available in 6oz, 12oz and 16oz sizes – equivalent to 170ml, 341ml and 454ml. It fits neatly under most professional espresso machines and because it's made from borosilicate glass, it won’t affect the flavour of your coffee. For those who drink their coffee sweet, the cyclonic shape is also said to better distribute sugars and sweeteners, to prevent sugary gloop from accumulating at the bottom. The coloured heat-proof silicone sleeve is easy to grip and the splash-proof lid fits firmly onto the cup. Though not cheap, it’s a real connoisseur’s cup, and perfect for strolling between coffee shops, the office and home. Just bear in mind that it doesn't fit into standard cup holders.
Key specs - Volume: 340ml, Weight: 245g, Resealable lid: Yes, Dishwasher safe: Yes, Microwave safe: Yes, Material: Borosilicate glass (silicone sleeve and lid)
5. Bodum Vacuum Travel Mug: Best for keeping drinks hot
Price: £13 (341ml)
If you're going the distance with your coffee (or just want to sip it slowly throughout the morning), this sturdy travel mug by Bodum is a great choice. It's made from stainless steel and features a double wall for effective heat insulation. Hot drinks will keep their heat for a good few hours, and cold drinks will stay chilled for even longer – although beware that it's not entirely leak-proof. The slip-proof silicone band makes it easy to cart around, and it's designed to fit into most cup holders if you're taking it for a drive. Just note that it’s more like a flask than a cup, so it won’t precisely replicate that shop-bought coffee experience.
Key specs - Volume: 350ml, Weight: 331g, Resealable lid: Yes, Dishwasher safe: Yes, Microwave safe: Yes, Material: Stainless steel (rubber sleeve)
6. Simplr: Best reusable glass cup
Price when reviewed: £22.50 (360ml)
This sleek cup is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, and its durable double walled design ensures that drinks retain their heat. It's a highly practical design that will fit under most standard espresso machines, and it’s safe to use in both the microwave and dishwasher. The silicone drinking spout is pleasant to sip from too, and the wide silicone band keeps drinks hot and hands cool.
Key specs - Volume: 360ml, Weight: 381g, Resealable lid: Yes, Dishwasher safe: Yes, Microwave safe: Yes, Material: Borosilicate glass (silicone sleeve and lid)