There's something special about drinking your morning coffee (or tea or hot cocoa) out of your favorite coffee mug every morning. It's one of the coziest and most satisfying parts of the day. If you're in search of the best coffee mug or set of coffee mugs for your household, we're here to help you on your quest. In this guide, we'll introduce you to the best coffee mugs by material, features, and more.

Best Coffee Mug Materials

Your coffee mug's material will determine its capacity for heat retention as well as its durability. The best coffee mugs will be long-lasting, dishwasher-safe, and temperature-resistant. Coffee mugs in different materials can also look drastically different from each other, so keep that in mind as you browse.

Ceramics

Ceramic coffee mugs of all kinds are renowned for their durability and resistance to temperature . These mugs won't break if they go from hot to cold or vice versa. They're also dishwasher-safe.

Ceramic: When you think of a classic coffee mug, you probably think of a ceramic mug. Made of kiln-fired clay, ceramic mugs are hard and decently durable, but they will likely break if dropped on a hard surface, like a tile or hardwood floor. Ceramic is known for its heat retention capabilities – a ceramic mug will keep your drink evenly warm. Many ceramic mugs are glazed and nonporous, meaning they won't imbue your drink with any of their own flavor. Glazed ceramic mugs tend to be a bit more durable than their unglazed counterparts. They're also a breeze to clean.

Porcelain China: Denser than basic ceramic mugs, porcelain mugs are hard and smooth. Because of their density, porcelain china mugs can be made thinner than ceramic mugs. Their thin walls render them elegant but delicate. Porcelain china mugs are great if you're looking for a lovely, graceful coffee-drinking experience and you aren't too concerned with durability.

Bone China: Stronger than porcelain china coffee mugs, bone china coffee mugs are regarded as some of the highest-quality china mugs available. Super hard, smooth, and lightweight, bone china mugs can give you a refined, elegant look to which other ceramics can't be compared.

Earthenware & Stoneware: Earthenware is still quite porous after it is fired, so it must be glazed. Stoneware is also typically glazed to make it look more decorative. Some earthenware mugs can be a bit brittle, while most stoneware mugs are prized for their durability and resistance to chipping.

Glass

You might not think that glass would make a good coffee mug material, but indeed it does! Glass mugs actually do have heat-retention capabilities, especially if they are double-walled. They aren't as durable or temperature-resistant as ceramic, so opting for a glass mug might mean sacrificing some quality in the name of style.

Plastics

Cheap and durable, plastic mugs are a favorite of quaint breakfast diners. Over time, plastic mugs absorb the flavors and colors of the drinks within them. This can make identifying different coffee flavors difficult. If you're a coffee connoisseur, we don't recommend you use a plastic mug.

Melamine: Melamine is upheld as the best plastic option for dishware. Hard, durable, dishwasher-safe, and inexpensive, melamine coffee cups are a decent alternative to real ceramic coffee mugs. Melamine mugs are often made to resemble ceramic mugs, so you won't have to sacrifice looks for durability. These mugs aren't considered microwave-safe. They remain cool to the touch when their contents are hot.

Acrylic: Not quite as durable as melamine, acrylic mugs are best if you want to drink your morning coffee out of a novelty cup.

Metals

If you're looking for a durable, heat-retaining coffee cup that won't break when you drop it, look for a metal coffee mug. Just remember not to put it in the microwave!

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel coffee mugs are gaining popularity as some of the most durable, temperature-resistant coffee mugs available. These mugs don't have the classic look of ceramic mugs, but they're stylish in their own right. Stainless steel mugs are often available as portable tumblers or lightweight campfire mugs because of their ability to withstand being dropped.

Enameled: Enameled coffee mugs are metal mugs that are coated in a thin but hardy layer of durable porcelain enamel. As some of the most break-resistant mugs around, enameled coffee mugs are incredibly popular among campers. They can withstand being heated and dropped and are easy to hand-wash.

Bamboo

Bamboo mugs are made from a mixture of bamboo fibers and melamine. Bamboo is lauded as an eco-friendly material, but the introduction of melamine does complicate its clean reputation. Bamboo mugs are some of the newest coffee mugs out there, so there's still much to be learned about their safety and efficacy.

Best Coffee Mug Sizes

Your coffee mug's capacity will determine how much coffee you'll be able to drink in one setting. Depending on your source, a single cup of coffee is between 4 oz. and 6 oz. without any additional ingredients. With cream, milk, sugar, and other additives, a full cup of hot coffee, an iced coffee with ice, or a foamed latte could more comfortably fit in an 8–20 oz. mug. Double servings can fit in mugs that can hold 12 oz. to over 20 oz. If you'd like your coffee mug to double as a soup receptacle, opt for a larger capacity.

Extra-Small/Demitasse: Less than 5 oz.

Small/Teacup: 6–8 oz.

Standard: 8–12 oz.

Large: 12–20 oz.

Oversized: Over 20 oz.

Best Coffee Mug Features

There's more to a coffee mug than its material and size!

Handles: You won't have to worry about burning your hands if you go with a coffee mug that has a built-in handle. The thicker and larger the handle, the more comfortable the mug will feel in your hand.

Stackable: Concerned about storage space? Stackable coffee cups nestle nicely atop each other for easy, secure storing.

Footed: Perched atop a charming little platform, footed coffee mugs have a cute, classic look to them. Some coffee cups have broad feet that make them look like elegant little teacups.

Double Wall: Double-wall coffee cups are the next best thing in stylish coffee drinking. Most often glass, these mugs have an interior cup that is suspended inside of an exterior cup. Between these two cups is a pocket of air that insulates the drink within the mug. Double-wall coffee mugs are great if you'd like to protect your hands from the heat of your drink. They're also great for preventing condensation from forming on the outside of your iced coffee, which can leave a watermark on your furniture.

Dishwasher-Safe: Make sure your coffee mug won't be a hassle to clean by narrowing your search to include only dishwasher-safe options.

Microwave-Safe: Are you a fan of microwave mug meals? Do you like being able to rewarm your hot drinks at a moment's notice? Shop microwave-safe coffee mugs to ensure that yours can safely go in the zapper.