Regardless of where you wake up, coffee or tea are great ways to ensure you’re ready to take on the day. Sometimes, jetlag gets to you, or you spend too much time on the town the night before; regardless, you don’t want to waste your time traveling.
To drink a warm beverage, you need something to put it in. This list will cover every kind of travel mug imaginable, from models you can take to the backcountry to those that will warm your hands while exploring a new city on mid-winter break. If neither of those is your style, we’ve planned multiple stops in between! Hopefully, at the end of the journey, you’ll be ready to purchase the best travel mug for you.
We’ve teamed up with REI since it’s a great place to start searching for gear, whether it’s clothing, a new bag, or other travel essentials. You can get even more from the store with an REI Co-op Membership, including an average of 10% back annually on eligible purchases, free shipping, and a generous return policy. Members also get access to the Re/Supply store, where you can choose from returned gear that’s been thoroughly inspected. Or, trade in your used items for other members to enjoy!
- Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid
- REI Co-op Graphic Camp Mug
- YETI Rambler 12 oz Bottle with HotShot Cap
- Purist Collective Maker 10 oz Mug
- Sea to Summit Delta Light Insulated Mug
- GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug
- Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug 12 oz
- Zojirushi Stainless Mug (SM-KHE48)
- Lykka Kvarting Insulated Coffee Mug
- Chilly's Series 2 Coffee Cup
- Snow Peak Kanpai Bottle 350ml
Best for: Relaxed Travelers
Why We Like It: The handle makes it easy to take just about anywhere
What You Should Know: The lid doesn’t vent very well
If you are looking for a travel mug that can do it all and then some, look no further than the 12 oz Coffee Mug from Hydro Flask with the Flex Sip Lid. The insulation is stellar, so your drink will stay hot (or cold) all day long. Due to the size of the mug, it isn’t heavy either, so it won’t weigh you down. Plus, the Flex Sip Lid creates a complete seal, so you don’t have to worry about it leaking if your journey takes a walk down the wild side.
We dig the handle on this thing—you can carry the mug with it, attach it to a carabiner, or stow it on a hook in a public bathroom, so you don’t have to set it on the grimy floor.
If you like a giant coffee in the morning, the downfall of this model is that it only holds 12 ounces of liquid. However, if you’re a one-cup kind of person, this might be the best travel
Best for: Sustainable Travelers
Why We Like It: Lots of fun colorways to choose from
What You Should Know: The handle stops it from fitting in some cupholders
Let’s be honest; who doesn’t love a fun graphic? REI has a load of mugs with unique artist prints on them, and we dig the colorful models we’ve got on hand. Whether camping with the family or loading up for a road trip, you’ll get a kick every time you take a sip from this mug.
Once you’ve found a print that works for the vibes you’re trying to project, pour your hot drink of choice and start your day. Depending on the cupholders in your car, the handle might get in the way or take up two instead of one. The top isn’t as rugged as others on this list, but look at how cute it is!
If you aren’t going offroading and want a taste of home, this travel mug is for you.
Why We Like It: Keeps your drink hot or cold all day long
What You Should Know: Not enough capacity to hold a day’s worth of drink
When it comes to drinking coffee, we’re all different. Some folks like to guzzle a cup down as soon as they wake up and are set; however, some enjoy sipping all morning long. If you fall into the latter, the YETI Rambler Vacuum Bottle might be your best travel mug.
As far as perks go, the YETI will keep your drink hot or cold all day long, no matter where the road takes you. In addition to stellar temperature control, this mug is durable and looks sleek on the trail or in the office.
When you return from your trip, toss it in the dishwasher and use it again the next day!
Best for: Professional Travelers
Why We Like It: Is lined with glass on the interior to ensure no metallic taste
What You Should Know: At just 10 ounces, it’s smaller than a reguar cup of coffee
If you want your travel mug to look as fancy as the espresso you drink every morning, the Purist Maker Mug might be just what you’re looking for. The exterior is sleek, fits into the palm of your hand, and won’t call extra attention to your caffeine addiction.
However, the most unique design choice is on the interior. This travel mug is crafted from stainless steel, but there’s a thin layer of glass on the interior to ensure the metal doesn’t taint the taste. After all, your coffee should taste just as you want, whether commuting to work or exploring an early morning meat market.
The Scope Top makes sipping easy—unscrew it slightly, take a drink, and tighten it up again. It’s just 10 ounces, which might not work for heavy coffee drinkers.
Best for: Frugal Travelers
Why We Like It: Extraordinarily lightweight
What You Should Know: Has an outdoorsy or backpacking look
If saving weight is at the top of your to-do list, look no further than the Sea to Summit DeltaLight Insulated Mug! This thing is incredibly light, coming in at just 2.8 ounces, and can be used for a handful of things other than coffee.
The lid is crafted from silicone to save weight and be more flexible—and there’s a small slip hole so you can drink on the go. The insulation sleeve is removable, so you can pack it inside the mug when you aren’t using it. The mug can double as a food container if you need a place to stow a non-liquid snack. If you need to measure something, there are volumetric markings on the interior to help ensure you’ve measured the right metric or imperial amount of water for your coffee. Once you’ve finished, it’s small enough to fit in a large sling or rain jacket pocket.
Put plain and simple, the Sea to Summit DeltaLight Insulated Mug is the best travel mug for those looking for an option that can do many unique things. However, some might not dig that it looks outdoorsy.
Why We Like It: Has an easy to use handle that folds away when not in use
What You Should Know: Not the sleekest design we’ve seen
If you enjoy a rugged adventure now and then, the GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug will get your coffee where you need it to go. It comes in at 3.5 ounces and has a spill-resistant topper with a sealable spout.
There’s a cloth insulation sleeve that looks and feels a bit like a drink koozie with an added handle that makes holding onto the mug easy. Or, while in the car, fold the handle down, so it fits into your cupholder. Once you finish your drink, leave the spout open and attach the mug to the exterior of your travel backpack or daypack with a carabiner to dry.
The GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug isn’t the most stylish model we’ve come across; however, its ruggedness and modularity give it a leg up in the race for the best travel mug for outdoor adventurers.
Why We Like It: The trigger is easy to manipulate, even with one hand
What You Should Know: The cap can be difficult to clean
Stanley is an industry standard in the United States regarding rugged travel mugs. First crafted by William Stanley Jr. in the 1910s, the company made its name manufacturing bottles for the U.S. Army during World War II. You can’t get much more rugged than that!
Drinking coffee on the way to work or while camping requires less durability, but the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug treats all trips the same. The Trigger-Action top is easy to open, even with just one hand, so that you can sip your coffee with a briefcase or a fishing pole in the other arm.
We’ve found the cap challenging to clean, especially without a proper brush, so do a thorough job before you leave for your trip. You can get by with quick cleans until you return!
If you’re looking for a standard 12-ounce offering that can hold up to anything you throw at it, look no further than the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug.
Best for: Full-time Travelers
Why We Like It: Slim profile works for those with smaller hands
What You Should Know: Not dishwasher safe
Many popular mugs are hard to hold if you have smaller hands—especially once you reach the 16-ounce threshold. Folks with small manus might have to choose between the best travel mug and one that fits in their hand, which is a bummer.
Enter the Zojirushi Stainless Mug. This offering is taller than you might expect a 16-ounce mug to be, but it’s thinner around the base, so those with small hands can grab it quickly. That isn’t the only reason we like it, however.
The Zojirushi looks sleek and has a locking lid and gasket to prevent leaks. A plastic mouthpiece helps with pouring, too, although it does tend to dribble a little.
Whether you’re looking for something that fits in your hand or a travel mug with a locking lid, the Zojirushi is an excellent shout.
Why We Like It: Heat exchange technology keeps your hands warm or cold depending what you have stowed inside
What You Should Know: Can leak heat, cooling or warming your drink prematurely
Are your hands constantly cold in the winter and warm in the summer? Besides eating more leafy greens to promote blood flow, the Lykka Kvarting Insulated Coffee Mug is here to help.
This travel mug utilizes heat exchange technology to transfer the temperature of the inside of the mug to the outside, so your hot coffee will warm up your hands in the winter, and your iced latte will keep your hands or cheek cold in the summer. However, there are a few caveats.
The heat exchange technology requires a chemical reaction to work correctly, so you need to shake the mug to activate, and it only works for a few seconds. If the contents are extraordinarily cold or hot, it can be shocking for your hands, so be careful where you put the mug!
If you want to ensure your hands stay comfortable, the Lykka Kvarting Insulated Coffee Mug might be your best travel mug!
Why We Like It: An extraordinarily leak and odor proof design
What You Should Know: Not dishwasher safe
For those who want to take the taste of their favorite coffee with them everywhere—but not the smell or leaks—the Chilly's Series 2 Coffee Cup is a worthy option. It keeps both at bay with a unique locking design.
While ordering, you can pay a little extra to have something engraved into the bottle, so you know which travel mug belongs to you or to give it as a gift to a friend or family member. Or, show off your personality with one of the infinite color or design combinations.
The mug isn’t dishwasher safe, so you must hand wash it. It’s a small price to pay for a travel mug as unique as this one; odds are, your hotel in Paris won’t have a dishwasher anyway!
Why We Like It: Comes with three caps for different use cases
What You Should Know: The insulation works so well it can keep your coffee at a dangerous temperature for a long time
If you like to drink different things in different ways from your travel mug, the Snow Peak Kanpai Bottle is the right option for you. There are three lids, so you can choose the one that best matches the drink you’re sipping or meets the vibe of the day you’re having.
Plus, this bottle utilizes double-wall technology to keep your drink hot or cold and isn’t heavy to weigh you down. The three lids can be a lot to keep track of, and the insulation works so well that your coffee might be hotter than expected. However, when used properly, those aren’t necessarily cons.
Whether you’re crossing the city of the globe, the Snow Peak Kanpai Bottle is an excellent shout for the best travel mug out there.
So whether you want something rugged for the trail or a mug to traverse the concrete jungle with, we think you’ll find the best travel mug for you somewhere on this list. No matter what’s on your itinerary, check out REI before packing. Members get great perks like free shipping and great deals on gear! Happy travels!
