More categories
More categories

Smart Shopper is reader supported. When you shop our picks, we may receive a commission.

The best travel mugs for bringing warm & cold beverages along with you

Whether you are commuting to work or traveling, having a quality coffee travel mug will elevate your journey. Choose from our expert selections.

Published Oct 02, 2023
5 min. reading time
Collage of 3 travel mugs against a blue background

Often times, mornings are a rush and you may not have time to slowly enjoy your coffee or tea while having breakfast. Even still, you shouldn’t have to miss out on sipping a warm or cold beverage before your day starts. 

And that’s where owning a travel mug comes in handy.

With the right one, you can savor your morning cup of joe while on the go. And you won’t have to make a pitstop at your local coffee shop for a takeaway drink that often comes in a bad-for-the-environment plastic cup. 

From leak-proof options to grande-size mugs, we’ve got you covered. Start browsing and find the best coffee travel mug for your lifestyle. 

Read more: Make cafe-style coffee at home with the best espresso machines

Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug in bronze against an off-white background
Best overall
Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid
$38 at YETI
Klean Kanteen 16-Ounce Rise Tumbler in yellow
An eco-friendly option
Klean Kanteen 16-Ounce Rise Tumbler
Contigo Huron Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug in black
Top budget pick
Contigo Huron Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug
$10.98 at Amazon
32 oz All Around™ Travel Tumbler - Goji with a handle and straw in white
Best with handle
Hydroflask 32-Ounce All-Around Travel Tumbler
$39.95 at Hydro Flask
  • Dimension: 4.8 W x 7.4 H in.

  • Weight: 1.2 pounds

  • Capacity: 20 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Leak-resistant

  • Cup holder compatible

  • Dishwasher safe

  • Higher price point

  • Some reviewers say the cup is heavy

Whether you’re commuting to work or adventuring outdoors, this coffee thermos by Yeti is a heavy-duty cup you can count on. It comes with a leak-resistant lid and an easy-grip handle, making it convenient to carry.

Its double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink hot or cold and it’s made of kitchen-grade stainless steel that’s rust-free and puncture-resistant. We also love that it’s dishwasher safe so you don’t have to do the extra cleaning. 

Given its functionality and top-grade materials, it’s the best coffee travel mug on our list.

An eco-friendly option

  • Dimension: 3.28 W x 6.5 H in.

  • Weight: 10.3 pounds

  • Capacity: 16 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Made from 90% recycled steel

  • Keeps cold for up to 23 hours

  • BPA free

  • Not leakproof; it’s spill-proof

  • Only keeps drinks hot up to six hours

Klean Kanteen is a family-owned company that focuses on creating sustainable products. In line with its values, the brand created this coffee tumbler from 90% post-consumer recycled steel.

We love that it keeps cold drinks cold for up to 23 hours so there’s no need for those additional ice cubes when you’re braving the outdoor heat. 

It also has a thin rim for comfortable drinking and an impact-resistant base to keep your travel mug in good condition for the long term. With five earthy colors to choose from, you’ll love bringing this mug with you anywhere you go.

  • Dimension: 3.15 W x 7.21 H in.

  • Weight: 9.9 pounds

  • Capacity: 16 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Leak-proof lid

  • Budget-friendly

  • Mug needs to be hand-washed

Want to enjoy your drinks on the go — but don’t want to spend too much? Go for this travel coffee mug from Contigo Huron.  

Its double-wall stainless steel insulation keeps hot drinks warm for up to six hours and it has a leak-proof lid, making it perfect for tossing in your work bag or backpack.

However, it’s important to note that while the lid is dishwasher safe, the mug itself requires handwashing, so it may be handy to have a bottle brush at home. Regardless, this is still one of the best-valued insulated coffee mugs on our list.

  • Dimension: 3.15 W x 11.5 H in.

  • Weight: 1.15 pounds

  • Capacity: 32 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with a straw

  • BPA-free

  • Large capacity

  • Not microwave-safe

Keep yourself hydrated when you’re traveling with this 32-ounce tumbler from Hydro Flask. Whether you love your drinks hot or cold, this tumbler will keep your drink at just the right temperature wherever you go. Plus, it comes with a flexible straw for easy sipping.

We also love its sturdy ergonomic handle that makes it easy to carry around. And the fact that it’s made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel, you can enjoy your bold French press coffee without any flavor transfer from the tumbler.

Best ceramic option

  • Dimension: 3.5 W x 5.5 H in.

  • Weight: Not specified

  • Capacity: 16 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Microwave-safe

  • FDA compliant

  • Splash-resistant lid

  • No insulation

  • No handle

If you’re looking for chic ceramic mugs to complete your aesthetic, look no further. This w&p Ceramic Travel Mug makes a great coffee cup for commuting in style. Also, its splash-resistant lid makes it perfect for bumpy rides and its silicone sleeve makes it easy to grip.

However, it’s important to remember that this is not an insulated cup, so it won’t keep your coffee warm for long. That said, it’s microwave-safe so you can pop it in the microwave to reheat.

Top choice for iced drinks

  • Dimension: 5.1 W x 8.3 H in.

  • Weight: 1.5 pounds

  • Capacity: 35 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with reusable straw

  • Dishwasher-safe

  • Rust-resistant

  • Not compatible with hot beverages

  • Higher price point

Are you a big fan of iced coffee? Then you’ll love this Yeti Rambler 35-ounce mug. Made with a double-wall vacuum insulated, it’ll keep your iced drink cold even on the hottest of days. Plus, it comes with a reusable straw so you can sip easily to stay hyrdated and cool. 

It’s designed to fit in most cup holders and it’s rust-resistant and BPA-free, making it one of the best travel coffee mugs for icy drinks. When it’s time for a wash, simply load the mug into the dishwasher.

Top pick for car rides

  • Dimension: 3.03 W x 7.48 H in.

  • Weight: 1.5 pounds

  • Capacity: 16 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Includes snap-in splash-guard lid

  • Leak-proof seal

  • Fits in cup holder

  • No handle

  • Will have to twist open lid to drink

This Carter Move Mug is made with coffee makers and drivers in mind. Not only does it fit most car cup holders but its snap-in splash guard allows you to drink without spillage. It also has a thin lip, which mimics a cabernet glass, so it can deliver a robust coffee flavor with every sip.

Coffee lovers will love its ceramic lining that ensures a brew free from any transferable odors or unpleasant tastes. It’ll also fit most standard drippers so you can brew directly from your coffee machine into the travel mug.

Best collapsible option

  • Dimension: 2.4 W x 5.5 H in.

  • Weight: Not specified

  • Capacity: 16 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Dishwasher safe

  • Comes with reusable straw

  • Not insulated

Collapsible travel mugs are great for toting along while running errands. Why? You can carry it along in your purse or backpack — and it’ll be ready to use when you do choose to stop off at a coffee shop. Or, if you bring your own coffee from home in the morning, you can simply collapse it down into its compact state and store it in your work bag for a hands-free commute home at the end of the day.

The cup is made from food-grade silicone that is LFGB Certified (a higher and stricter standard than the FDA), so you can enjoy your drink safely at any temperature. The only downside is that it’s not insulated so your hot drink will cool down at a standard rate.

Best leakproof design

  • Dimension: 4.2 W x 8.15 H in.

  • Weight: Not specified

  • Capacity: 32 ounces

Pros & Cons
  • Leakproof

  • Non-slip base

  • Complaints of lid being hard to remove

If you have a bumpy commute or are taking part in an adventurous hike, you’ll appreciate this leakproof thermal cup from Brumate. Its BevLock Leakproof Lid is designed to seal tightly and prevent spills, no matter how rough your ride is.

It can also keep iced drinks cold for more than 24 hours and hot water warm for up to six hours, making it the perfect mug for taking along on trips or longer excursions. It fits most cup holders and with a generous 32-ounce capacity, you can enjoy your favorite beverage from morning to night, at the temperature you like.

Which travel mugs are our favorite?

All the travel mugs on our list will change the way you enjoy your morning beverage but if you’re still on the fence about which to buy, we’ve narrowed it down to our favorite two: 

  • Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid With a large capacity, an ergonomic handle and great insulation, this travel mug will be your new best friend for enjoying drinks on the go.

  • Carter Move Mug Whether you’re stuck in traffic or on a road trip, this mug will make drinking coffee on the road easier and more enjoyable. With this, you don’t have to worry about spills, hence why it’s one of our favorites. 


Did you like this article? For more great deals and shopping ideas, find us now on your favorite social networks: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!


Prices updated on 10/02/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

Afina Najib Professional Headshot
Written by
Afina Najib

A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.

Specialized topics