Yahoo Lifestyle This Hydro Flask Travel Mug Is Great for Iced Coffee Drinkers
- 1/22
This Hydro Flask Travel Mug Is Great for Iced Coffee Drinkers
We updated this article in February 2023 to ensure the information reflected current prices, features and more. Our top picks, based on testing notes from the Good Housekeeping Institute, remain the same.
For many of us, coffee is a constant companion — and that means you'll want a trusty travel mug as you head out the door. Whether you prefer a piping hot cup from your drip coffee maker or single-serve coffeemaker, a refill at Starbucks or a dose of joe from your cold brew coffee maker, your travel coffee mug should handle it all without leaking. Fortunately, there's tons of options out there, including stainless steel coffee thermoses to keep your beverages cool and ones with straws for easy sipping.
Over the years, the pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab have tested 45 different travel mugs for hot and cold temperature retention, durability, resistance to leakage, ease of use and more. In our most recent tests, we called in samples of the latest travel mugs and used them both in the office and on our commutes to see how well they held up. We noted how they felt, how they traveled and, unavoidably, how they held up when dropped. Ahead, we rounded up the best travel coffee mugs based on picks that performed well during testing or come from brands that we trust.
Our top picks:
Read on for more information on our testing process as well as for tips on what to look for when shopping for a travel coffee mug. For more ideas on what to fill your cup with, check out these coffee recipes to make at home.
amazon - 2/22
1) 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Mug
Zojirushi
amazon.com
$28.91
Zojirushi's travel mug with a locking lid opens with the push of a button but won't leak or spill (even in a backpack). It will keep hot coffee hot — in fact, the brand is so confident that it offers a five-year warranty on heat retention. Iced coffee fans will appreciate that the mouth is large enough to handle big ice cubes for that extra chill. Our tester noted that the vacuum-sealed lid keeps water cold all day: "I always grab it from my backpack and think, 'There's no way this could still possibly be cool anymore,' and I'm always pleasantly surprised." We also like the slim design, which is easy to grip and fits nicely into backpacks or totes. It comes in several colors and a 12-ounce version.
Zojirushi - 3/22
2) Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
JURO
amazon.com
$13.79
This stainless steel mug is a great affordable option, especially considering its large 20-ounce size. What's more, it claims to retain the temperature of your coffee for up to six hours. Online reviewers like that it fits easily into car holders and won't sweat when filled with ice. The tumbler includes two lids: The featured slider lid as well as a flip-style lid, so you can choose which you prefer for the beverage you're drinking. It also comes with a reusable straw and a straw cleaner, though we found the straw was short and inconvenient to use.
Juro - 4/22
3) Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug
Stanley
amazon.com
$25.00
Stanley has been in the thermal carafe game since 1913. This travel coffee mug delivers the company's insulated design and also includes a push-button "trigger action" lid that keeps the mug sealed unless pushed. We liked that it means the spout stays closed when you're not hands-on. Our pros did note that it requires some level of strength and dexterity to hold the button while sipping. This mug is available in several colors (even camo!) and in a 20-ounce size.
Stanley - 5/22
4) Sedona Stainless Steel Thermal Tumbler
Avana
amazon.com
$36.09
This 10-ounce travel mug from Avana is perfectly sized for espresso-based drinks, but it's also available in 20-ounce and 30-ounce versions. Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou likes that the simple two-piece design is easy to clean because the lid is just one solid piece, unlike many other lids. This is particularly helpful if you like coffee drinks with foam, like latte beverages, that can gunk up lids over time. The contoured mouthpiece makes sipping easy, but it doesn't seal closed, so watch out for leaks. The double-walled insulated construction keeps drinks hot or cold and helps prevent condensation from collecting on the outside.
Avana - 6/22
5) Good Grips 16-oz Travel Coffee Mug with Leakproof SimplyClean Lid
OXO
amazon.com
$29.95
We love when kitchen gear comes apart for a thorough cleaning, but would rather skip the guesswork that can follow when it's time to reassemble. The OXO travel coffee mug with SimplyClean lid solves this pain point: The four-piece lid is color-coded, numbered and etched with assembly instructions. It's easy to take apart and clean by hand (or in the dishwasher), and simple to put back together for your next cup. Never mind, it's also comfortable to hold. The mug comes in four other colors as well as a 20-ounce size.
Oxo - 7/22
6) Flex Sip Lid Coffee Flask
Hydro Flask
amazon.com
$28.59
Hydro Flask has a huge following when it comes to water bottles — in fact, we named the brand our best stainless steel water bottle — and we're fans of its coffee mugs (called coffee flasks), too. GH Lab tests found that its stainless steel, vacuum-insulated body kept drinks hot and cold for hours, and it was quite leakproof. Hydro Flask also offers a separate wide-mouth lid, which can be handy for cold beverages. (The included lid twists to open and close.) But, be careful drinking hot beverages with a wide mouth as it can spill easily. It's available in a range of colors as well as 16- and 20-ounce sizes, and the little handle helps make it easier to transport.
Hydro Flask - 8/22
7) Heated Coffee Mug
SMRTMUGG
amazon.com
$119.99
This SmrtMugg travel mug — rated our best self-heating travel mug — has built-in heat technology to keep coffee hot. Its large battery on the bottom — the manufacturer claims a 10-hour battery life — kept coffee hot (above the target temp of 135˚F) for the full four hours of our Lab tests. Once you get the hang of the controls at the bottom of the mug, the clear digital readout is helpful in setting the temperature and turning off the mug. This travel mug also aced our leak tests. Our tester noted that while the push-button lid is easy to use, the edge of the button can bump your lip while drinking.
SMRTMUGG - 9/22
8) Stainless Steel Traveler
S'well
walmart.com
$34.95
This sleek 16-ounce bottle has been redesigned to fit more comfortably in your hand. Though we have not tested this model in the lab, our pros appreciate that its large size and wide mouth can easily fit ice cubes, which makes it a great choice for frequent iced coffee drinkers. We have also found other S'well products to be good at maintaining temperatures. It seals shut and is leakproof; plus, it will keep your drinks cold (or hot!) all day. The S'well comes in a ton of color options as well as 12-ounce and 20-ounce sizes. Note: These sizes are currently low in stock or out of stock, respectively..
Swell - 10/22
9) Luxe Autoseal Vacuum-Insulated Mug
Contigo
amazon.com
$29.99
This coffee mug from Contigo is super comfortable in your hands, and it has a unique locking feature that makes it leak- and spill-proof. When you want to sip (or chug) your coffee, just press the button to release the seal. During your commute, you can lock the button so you don't accidentally press it while on the go. It's also completely dishwasher-safe, even the lid. One tester did note that with hot beverages, the lid can feel too hot to handle.
Contigo - 11/22
10) Rambler Mug with Lid
YETI
amazon.com
$30.00
This popular Yeti mug looks just like a traditional coffee mug, but it's designed to keep your drinks hot or cold and comes with a lid to prevent unnecessary spills. The sturdy and comfortable handle is large enough for even wide hands. It's available in a dozen different colors as well as sizes from 10- to 30 ounces. Another bonus is that when you buy from the Yeti site, you can customize your product with a short text, a monogram or a logo. Our tester found that the lid slides open easily but noted that it's not leakproof. The brand has also introduced the Rambler Stronghold lid, which screws on (rather than presses in), which we're actively testing in the Lab.
YETI - 12/22
11) Carter Everywhere Travel Mug
Fellow
amazon.com
$35.00
This little cylinder makes a statement, with testers loving how compact it was. The sleek stainless steel shell contains a ceramic liner intended to keep your coffee free of metallic flavors. The screw top reveals a wide mouth that you can sip from any angle and is large enough for adding ice. It comes in seven additional colors as well as a smaller, 12-ounce size.
Fellow - 13/22
12) Ceramic Mug with Protective Silicone Sleeve
W&P Porter
amazon.com
$24.00
Papantoniou likes that the inside of this travel mug is easy-to-clean porcelain, which generally helps to prevent buildup over time that can negatively impart flavors. She also noted that it keeps coffee "nice and hot right off the bat." It includes a simple shape and a silicone sleeve for a comfortable non-slip grip. It comes in several colors and a couple of terrazzo prints. It's also available in a 16-ounce size.
W&P Porter - 14/22
13) Classic Green & White Traveler Tumbler Coffee Mug
Starbucks
amazon.com
$32.45
Starbucks fans will appreciate that they can purchase this mug online rather than solely in the stores. The ceramic mug is easy to use — the lid just pops into place and is surrounded by a rubber seal to help keep it (and the coffee) in place — and easy to clean. "It keeps coffee warm like a standard ceramic mug would, and the lid helps to keep things a little warmer for longer," our tester says. "I like that it's not scalding hot like in a metal mug, so I can enjoy my coffee without burning my mouth." The 12-oz size is perfect for refills of Starbucks tall drinks.
Amazon - 15/22
14) Collapsible Travel Cup with Straw
STOJO
amazon.com
$19.95
Stojo's collapsible coffee cup makes it possible to travel light while avoiding single-use plastics. The brand impressed our pros with its other collapsible offerings — the Collapsible Bowl won a 2021 Kitchen Gear Award. Similarly, this travel cup is well designed: The cup includes a heat sleeve that provides a structured grip for the squishy silicone cup, and the 16-ounce size includes a straw (which is great for iced coffee or if you prefer to bring your own cup to fountain machines). The collapsed cup is just two inches in size. It's both microwave and dishwasher safe, with 8-ounce, 12-ounce and 24-ounce sizes.
Stojo - 16/22
15) Flip Traveler
MiiR
amazon.com
$34.95
With a 4.8-rating on Amazon, this stainless steel thermos comes in a slim design and an easy-to-open lid. Though we have not tested this pick in the Lab, we like its focus on giving back: The bottom of each travel mug is printed with a "Give Code" that you can enter at Mirr's website for details on the brand's corporate giving, which is funded through every purchase. The Flip Traveler is available in several colors and 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes.
Miir - 17/22
16) Glass Reusable Coffee Cup
JOCO
amazon.com
$24.00
This glass bodied Joco mug has a colorful silicone lid and a matching thermal sleeve. It's microwave (and dishwasher!) safe, which makes it a great option if you like to reheat your coffee throughout the day. Since the glass is clear, it's easy to see how much coffee you have left — and hit your preferred shade when you add your creamer. Take note that the lid does not seal shut, so while it might be handy for car commuting, this isn't one that's great for tossing in your bag.
Joco - 18/22
17) Instant Iced Coffee Maker
Zoku
amazon.com
$29.99
For iced coffee fiends, this mug is for you. Get your cuppa in flash: Simply store the inner core of the mug in the freezer, then slip the frozen cup into the protective plastic sleeve and pour in hot coffee. Our tester found that the travel mug will chill your coffee rapidly without watering it down with ice cubes. (The brand actually uses the same concept for its ice cream maker.) Slide in the lid with the provided straw, and you're ready for undiluted iced coffee — though you can add ice if you prefer. One caveat is that the freezable core holds only 11 ounces, which some might find too small.
Zoku - 19/22
18) Stainless Steel Travel Coffee and Tea Press
Bodum
amazon.com
$26.94
This Bodum travel coffee mug doubles as an on-the-go French press. It comes in two versions: plastic double wall and stainless steel. Just note that this type of travel coffee mug isn't leakproof, so keep it in an upright position. For a similar option that doesn’t include the French press attachment, consider the Bodum 3.5 L Travel Mug. It’s one of Kitchen Appliance Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou's favorites.
bodum - 20/22
19) 12-Ounce Butterfly Meadow Thermal Travel Mug
Lenox
amazon.com
$19.95
Another favorite of our kitchen appliance pros, this pretty porcelain cup feels just like a real coffee mug with its silicone lid. It's microwave safe and easy to wash, according to Papantoniou, but the brand recommends hand washing it. If birds aren't your style, it also comes in other designs — you can even get matching bowls and plates!
lenox - 21/22
20) Luxe 16 Ounce Coffee Mug Triple Insulated Stainless Steel Cup wi
Corkcicle
amazon.com
$36.65
The shatterproof lid on this mug includes an easy-t0-use built-in slider to slip open when you want a sip — without cooling off the whole cup — and to slide close when you want to prevent spills. The brand claims that it keeps drinks hot for up to three hours, thanks to its triple-insulated design. It comes in several different colors and patterns, so we can see why it was one of Oprah's Favorite Things for 2020.
Corkcicle - 22/22
24)
Unlock exclusive content and money-saving deals with our all-access membership program. LEARN MORE
Hearst Owned
