No More Stale Coffee! These Mug Warmers Keep Drinks Hot All Day Long

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Nothing beats that first cup of coffee in the morning. A fresh pour from the coffee maker will get you caffeinated, warm, and ready to face the day ahead. But alas, coffee doesn’t stay hot. At some point, you’re going to reach for that freshly made java, and it’ll be lukewarm — or even worse, completely cold.

Now that's one surefire way to put a damper on your day. However, a mug warmer could be a great fix for your mornings by making every sip feel warm and fresh like it was just poured. They're easy to keep around at home or in the office, and also make terrific gifts for friends, co-workers, and new parents who are just learning the dread that accompanies no sleep and crappy, cold coffee. Help them all out with one of these.

The Best Mug Warmers

• Best Overall: Vobaga Coffee Mug Warmer

• Best Budget: Wenvinda Coffee Warmer with Cover

• Best Splurge: Ember Tumbler Mug Warmer

• Best Value: OHOM Ui 2 Mug and Warmer Set

• Best for Gifting: OHOM Ui Artist Collection Mug Warmer

What to Consider

Type

There are basically two types of mug warmers — standalone heated surfaces that look like small hot plates, like our pick for best overall, or sets with a self-heating mug included, like the Ember. The hot plate-style mug warmers are usually the simpler and cheaper option. You may not get many bells and whistles with them, but you’ll be able to use the ceramic mugs that you already own and love without an additional costly purchase.

Mug warmer sets are a bit fancier. They comprise a heating pad and an insulated mug that coordinates and fits perfectly with it. These sets generally look a lot nicer than the standalone mug warmers — however, they will be more expensive, and the mug that comes in these sets may not be dishwasher-safe.

Features

Automatic shut-off, temperature control, app connectivity, oh my! Mug warmer sets and standalone warmers can offer a variety of features that go beyond just keeping your drink at the right temperature. If you’re looking for something tech-savvy, opt for a set that doubles as a wireless charger or has a touch-control interface. If you’d rather have a more straightforward design, a simple hot plate with an indicator light and an on/off switch will be a quick and easy start to your morning.

Heating Duration

Slow coffee drinkers could benefit from a mug warmer that has an extended heating duration. Many warming plate mug warmers will stay on as long as they’re plugged in (or reach their automatic shut-off time), while self-heating mugs may need to be recharged after a couple of hours. We’ve selected mug warmer models that range in heating duration, with some staying powered up for up to 8 hours. Consider your average drinking habits and whether or not your cup of joe needs a quick boost or all-day warmth for lasting flavor.

How We Selected

We stand by from our hours of editor testing for these best mug warmers, sharing our opinions and familiarity with each to help you pick the top one for your needs.

We also talked with Ty Neil, founder of Unknown Entity Coffee. His deep knowledge and enthusiasm for roasting helped put in perspective why hot coffee and mug warmers are so beneficial — and beloved.

“We are influenced by an environment of people who take their coffee hot, like in media and culturally. How many TV shows or movies have you seen where New Yorkers request their coffee black and hot?” Neill quips but raises a good point, traditionally Americas do prefer a piping hot cup of joe. It’s ingrained in us, and we have to agree. Having a mug warmer like any on this list can assist in making that bean dream come true.

Neil expressed that, when coffee is hot, our experience drinking it is all the better. “The dissolution of solids is what provides body and flavor to our coffee and this process is amplified when steeped in hot water," he explained. In other words, "you can really experience these aromas best when everything is nice and hot.” Having coffee at the right temperature can make all the difference in taste and connection.

We here at Best Products want to make sure each sip is an exceptional caffeinated adventure. To that end, we spent hours with our coffee and our warmers, evaluating for heat production, ease of use, convenience, and any potential flavor issues that may arise from using these warmers. These are our favorites.

Coffee Mug Warmer

Investing in a mug warmer doesn’t mean committing to a device that’s an eyesore at your desk, and this affordable and simple Vobaga unit is proof of that. Don’t let the simplicity scare you, by no means does that mean low quality. This is one of Amazon’s best sellers, and after testing it out, we can see why.

This design comes in a few different colors, but we’re partial to the dreamy blue hue. The hot plate operates with just one button, allowing you to toggle among three different heat settings, from 105 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. It's simple to use and gets the job done every time.

After 4 hours of continued use, the auto-shut-off feature gets to work and the power button will flash red until the warmer cools down to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Though a mug doesn’t come included, we like the freedom of using whatever mug we have clean at the moment. We did notice, however, that the warmer works best with thin-walled, flat, or concave-bottom cups.

If you want to pick the best mug possible, Neil pointed out that you'll best experience all the aromas a batch of coffee has to offer "in larger open mugs, as the aromas interact with your nose.”

Selecting this best overall made something Neil said stand out, “There is something about the first cup of coffee in the morning. The first sip and a few seconds of peace and quiet. These are moments I wake up and actually look forward to.” Coffee can be so personal, and we believe Vobaga’s mug warmer will become a favorite for you, too.

Coffee Warmer with Cover

This affordable mug warmer is incredibly user-friendly with its three temperature settings (131, 158, or 176 degrees Fahrenheit) and numerous auto-off timers that can be programmed between 2 or 12 hours for your all-day sipping enjoyment. While it doesn’t glow red while in use, you’ll know the heat is on by the illuminated temperature indicator.

The standout feature of this one is its silicone cover that fits right on top of the hot plate while not in use. This can help prevent other people or pets from accidentally getting burned while the mug warmer is cooling down. Plus, it allows you to use the mug warmer as a coaster for iced drinks if you opt to sip a cold brew instead, and it can even be used for wax melts and candles.

Plus, we like that price point if you are a student or gifting to one. Think big picture with this little wonder. It packs a lot of heat for such a small item. It’s dependable and ready to keep all your liquids warm.

Tumbler Mug Warmer

The Ember Tumbler sets itself apart from similar products in that it’s a mug with a built-in warmer that can be used independently from its included coaster, which makes it perfect for travel. We are big fans of Ember and know they make quality items.

Though the internal battery makes the mug a bit clunky, it can last for about three hours without needing a boost. The coaster functions as the charger and doubles as a warmer, which helped keep my bev warm for much longer.

After a weekend of testing, writer Sheilah Villari says "I found tea, coffee, and hot chocolate stayed not just warm but very hot all day. And I do mean from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m." She adds that "running errands in chilly winds and driving rain made this the perfect comforting companion."

There are two lids included with the tumbler, one with a mouthpiece and one with a handle. The lid with the handle option makes the mug easy to transport without spillage.

"Being able to unscrew the lid (which was very secure), and still have toasty chai tea warmed me right up," says Villari. "This is probably one of the better portable mug warmers on the market, given its longevity for heat."

The Ember is also a smart device, so you can program it to the exact temperature you want via the Ember app. You can do this for multiple types of beverages, and even find recipes for new drinks to try. The luxury price tag might be something to balk at, but the tumbler is a worthwhile investment if you’re a religious coffee or tea drinker.

“I like to let the first cup of the day transport me to times I have experienced peace and clarity,” Neil gushed. “Back to enjoying a fresh cup of coffee on the Ybor strip.” That is a sentiment we can vibe with and very much what each sip with the Ember felt like to me.

Ui 2 Mug and Warmer Set

The Ui mug warmer set from OHOM comes with a sleek aluminum charging plate, which uses magnetic induction energy to heat the metallic layering on the bottom of the ceramic coffee mug to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. How’s that for science?

One of the coolest features is that the hot plate also doubles as a wireless cellphone charger and is super convenient for an office setting. And, no, it won't burn your phone when this setting is used.

It heats up very quickly, and we appreciate that the mug comes with its own lid to lock in the warmth of our favorite drinks. It also helps any paws from dipping into your drink, if you have a few curious furry friends with bad habits in your home. Cat lovers, if you know, you know.

Beyond function, it just looks really cool. This is absolutely a set for someone with style. There are lots of color options to match anyone’s aesthetic.

Disclaimer: The mug is made from ceramic and it gets pretty damn toasty, so it’s not the most ideal cup for cozying up with or wrapping both hands around.

Mug Warmer

Surviving a workday filled with meetings might mean a cup (or three) of caffeine. But you’ll never have to worry about drinking room-temperature coffee again with this handy mug warmer. Mr. Coffee has been around since the '70s, and you don’t become a recognizable brand with that kind of longevity without creating some iconic products. We definitely think their mug warmer deserves a spot in that legendary lineup.

It’s simple to operate, with an on/off switch and an indicator light when powered. The plate is easy to clean, and the warmer can accommodate mugs in a range of sizes and styles.

Senior editor Summer Cartwright has been using this device from Mr. Coffee for literal years, and it hasn’t failed her yet. “It's a game-changer at work and at home. So much so that I keep one at my desk and within reach in my living room,” she says. “I’m a slow coffee drinker and I used to dump out old brew and re-make batches over and over again. Now, I can sip at my leisure knowing my coffee stays warm.”

Mug Warmer

For a more advanced device, consider this high-tech stainless steel coffee warmer from Cosori. It features touch controls, a vivid and easy-to-read LED display, and a water-resistant warming plate.

If, like us, you need your coffee to be scalding, the heating element of the plate can go up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit. You can customize the temperature of your beverage to anywhere between 77 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit — and you can even adjust it to the exact degree. Beyond the heat that rivals Death Valley, being able to toggle warmth with ease is a perk too. The clear and bright display gets it extra points, to know just how hot that warmer will be definitely.

The warmer will automatically shut off after a long run time of 8 hours. The Corsi has one of the longer heating times on this list, which is a great selling point. There is also a memory function, so it’ll remember your preferred temperature before powering down so you don’t have to reset the controls with every single use. This is akin to finding the perfect shower temp and praying you get it right every time. Well, with Corsi you actually can get your dream temperature. No guessing game.

Ui Artist Collection Mug Warmer

Another OHOM selection, this mug warmer from the Artist Collection makes the perfect gift for the coffee drinker in your life. The design is gorgeous and the mug has a larger capacity than the Ui 2, which we found convenient for slower-pace coffee drinkers.

Besides keeping your favorite beverages at your preferred temperature, the warmer can also charge your cell phone and your wireless earbuds. A gift that is multifaceted with multiple ways to use it just adds to its value. Plus, it’s just a gorgeous mug warmer, and there’s nothing wrong with being pretty. Given this is also a solid and reliable warmer, that’s just like tasty cream in coffee, perfection.

The hot plate is very sleek and lightweight, and there is an indicator light that turns on and off when there is a cup on the surface. There are no two mugs exactly alike since they are handcrafted, so your giftee will get a cup that is uniquely their own.

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