Everyone loves a caffeinated beverage, and sometimes you need to bring it with you on the go, but using disposable cups are inconvenient, wasteful, and don't keep your drink warm. We recommend investing in a travel mug. They are sustainable, stylish, practical, and keep your drink as hot or cold as you made it. Since there’s such a wide variety of different travel mug options on the market, we’ve put together the perfect guide you need to purchase the best travel mug for you!

How to Choose a Travel Mug

Considerations

Type of Material: Whether it’s made of stainless steel, plastic, glass, or aluminum, your travel mug can be insulated. This is what will help maintain the temperature of your beverage regardless of its surroundings. Most materials also have an effect on the way your beverage tastes, because each material reacts differently with brewed beverages such as coffee and tea. For instance, plastic absorbs flavors, while steel imparts flavors, making the type of material a crucial factor while purchasing the best travel mug. To learn more, read our Choosing a Material section below.

Type of Travel Mug: Once you pick your choice of material, the next step is to pick the style of travel mug that best serves your purpose. Each type of travel mug has distinctive features and is designed to hold a certain kind of beverage. The three types include: mugs, tumblers, and tumblers with a straw. To learn more, read our Types of Travel Mugs section below.

Choosing a Material

Glass

One of the biggest pros of getting a glass travel mug is that it tends to maintain the purest flavor of your beverage, because it doesn’t absorb any kind of taste or add any kind of odor. It’s also known to be one of the more convenient options because it’s dishwasher-safe. Glass tumblers are popular for being used at home or kept at a workplace because they look aesthetic and professional. However, it's important to remember that glass can be fragile.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is one of the most commonly used materials for travel mugs. It’s the best for temperature-sensitive beverages and can maintain your liquid’s temperature for hours without the need of external insulation. Stainless steel is made of chromium, which functions like a protective layer, so it’s also a highly durable choice and will last for years. You don’t have to worry about it breaking or getting damaged. Finally, it’s the most sustainable choice because it can be 100% salvaged during recycling – reducing waste and adding it to the list of best travel mugs.

Plastic/Acrylic

Plastic is another popular choice, because it’s the most economical option. It comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs, making it very versatile. Reinforced plastic is known to be durable and is commonly used at sporting events because it’s the perfect combination of cheap but heavy duty. However, it’s best used for colder beverages and water because plastic tends to absorb flavor when holding hot beverages.

Ceramic

Ceramic tumblers don't absorb or impart any flavor from your beverage, so the taste remains pure. It’s one of the best travel mugs because it feels like a real coffee cup with a silicon or plastic lid. Finally, it’s also microwave-safe and super easy to hand-wash.

Types of Travel Mugs

Travel Mugs

This is the best kind of travel mug because they can hold hot or cold beverages. Because they are often made of stainless steal, ceramic, or aluminum, they can hold a temperature for hours. They usually come with a sliding lid, making it very easy to drink while on the go. The handle helps you have a firm grip on the cup without burning your hand or causing any inconvenience.

Travel Tumblers

Travel tumblers are usually made of plastic. While it can hold both hot and cold beverages, they are more often used for cold beverages such as iced coffee, iced tea, water, juices, and soda.

Tumblers With a Straw

If you’re someone who primarily drinks cold beverages, tumblers with a straw are the best option for you. They are usually made of BPA-free plastic or steel and come with a convenient straw, which is also reusable. This tumbler is handle-free, making it fit perfectly in the cup holder in your car.