On Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, there’s no special tier for coffee, which means that the famed psychologist was an idiot. Coffee is the fuel that the world runs on, and should have been included along with life and liberty in the Bill of Rights as an item that is utterly inalienable. Even if the founding fathers couldn’t see it from under their powdered wigs, we hold this truth to be self-evident: coffee is necessary for work and existence to continue. To facilitate that, we need a receptacle to carry it. We need a grail to hold our nectar of existence. We need an insulated commuter cup that can keep our hots hot and our colds cold for those rare days when we wanted our bean brew on ice. We require the 14 best travel mugs.
Update: They can also hold tea, whatever that is.
LifeSky Insulated Travel Coffee Mug
If all you can put together for your mug is a sawbuck, then LifeSky is your sole option. While the insulation isn’t amazing, and putting it into a bag can be dicey, it does a fine job of opening and shutting on command, keeping things hot for awhile, and minimizing spills. For the money, it’s great, just don’t expect minor miracles. Purchase: $10
Contigo Autoseal West Loop
Modern mugs all have the ability to prevent most average spills but securing against leaks or using flip-top lids, but the West Loop goes a smart step further. Slight pressure must be applied to the tab on the side in order for the spout to stay open. Should you release it, as you would if it were dropped, it re-seals so you can’t douse your keyboard or your work clothes. Purchase: $18
Contigo Extreme Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug
While you’ll only get about 4 hours worth of really excellent heat retention, the Extreme has a few other facets that make it worthy of note. The large handle prevents the clumsy from scalding their precious laps, the attachment tab on the top lets it hang from a bag or belt, and the unusual insulation seems to do better with cold beverages, which can survive closer to 12 hours without losing their bitter bite. Purchase: $18
Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Insulated Bottle
One of the most trusted names in water bottles has finally turned the beat around when it comes to travel mugs. Formerly they suffered from endless leaks that made them less than ideal. The new cap can take hours in a pack without dropping a drip, and the titular wide-mouth makes both drinking and refilling a simple pleasure. Purchase: $20
Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle
Ranging in size from 16 oz. to a pair of quarts, this is the road trip jolt jug that cross-country commuters need on hand. Capable of keeping things hot or cold for nearly a full day, and allowing ice to last and last, it’s impossible to use on the go, but when you can sit, sip, and savor, then it’s a miracle worker. Purchase: $20+
OXO Good Grips Double Wall Travel Mug
A triple set of silicone rings at the top prevent leaking, which is even more impressive when compounded with the bombproof construction. Stainless steel all around, even if this takes a top-down tumble onto hard tile from a full story, it will bounce back without a drop lost or a dent to be found. If you’re a fumbler, you’ve found your mug. Purchase: $22
Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel Vacuum Travel Mug
The real appeal of the slim and slender Bodum mug was the silicone on the sides and top which provide a satisfying grip and an easy sipping mechanism that will never jolt into your teeth. Dishwasher safe for quick cleaning, double-walled insulation, and a brash look with bright colors make this one good for those who prefer style to size. Purchase: $23
Thermos Stainless King
A bit of a double-edged buy, the tough-as-hell body, good looks, and effective insulation all made the King a winner that kept the heat in for 7-8 hours. Conversely, the more traditional build allowed for easy spilling when open, and poor single-handed operation for sipping on the fly. Better for going in a pack for later or staying in place than commuter use. Purchase: $25
Zojirushi New Stainless Steel Mug
Easy to clean thanks to a teflon interior, you also won’t get any strange flavors in your beverage however scalding it is when it goes in. Coffee that goes in piping hot will come out the same way, losing only a few steps after 8 hours, meaning your irish coffee can wait until you’re done with work. Purchase: $25
Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug
A sexy old-guard vacuum bottle, the Stanley is fun and easy to use with a single mitt, allowing for quick deployment in the field. It’s showing a little age, as it won’t keep your liquids steaming for more than about 4-5 hours, and the nifty cap that comes apart for easy cleaning also tends to wear away over time, bringing the good times to a close after years (or even months). Purchase: $28
Thermos Stainless Steel Commuter Bottle
Thermos has long been the leader in making mugs that can keep temperatures contained, but their new commuter bottle takes it to new highs, or lows. Even after twelve hours of sitting, hot liquids were still hot, not lukewarm, all while the outside remains forever cool to the touch. Purchase: $30
YETI Rambler Tumbler
A big dog at 20 or 30 oz. the Rambler is meant for long hauls where you’ll be sipping all day. Capable of handling hot or cold, this brings the security we’ve come to expect from Yeti coolers right into the cup holder. A handle on this might be nice, but splitting hairs over such a work of art is hardly worth the time.
Buy nowCozyna Insulated Travel Mug
For car commuter use, the Cozyna is a perfectly lovely companion, with a simple one-handed locking mechanism that is easy to snap open and shut without needing to eyeball it. On the flip side, that same locking mechanism works largely because it sticks out from the cup, which means bike commuters who put it into a bag are in for a wet start to their morning. Purchase: $33/Pair
Snow Peak Titanium 350 Kanpai Bottle
Employing a notion that more manufacturers could stand to adopt, the Kanpai has a set of lids that alter how it operates. A cold lid facilitates locking in cold, a hot lid doing what you’d expect, and a sippy lid for when you want to drink on the go. Temperature dropoffs after 5-6 hours were almost negligible, so while it bears a weighty investment, that titanium isn’t just for show. This is science done right. Purchase: $51
