A lazy morning sipping a cup of well-made coffee can be a real moment of zen. Unfortunately, most weekday mornings aren’t so tranquil. If you’re on the go and need your morning coffee to go with you, you need a good reliable travel coffee mug. But which cup, tumbler, or carafe is best for toting your caffeine fix?
The best travel coffee mugs
We’ve continued to add to our existing tests to give you the ins and outs of over two dozen popular and top-rated travel coffee containers. Take a look below at our top recommendations for every kind of commuter—whether that means slipping your coffee into your messenger bag to enjoy at the office, sipping it while in transit, or popping a cup in your car’s cup holder for your drive into work. We looked at both aesthetic and practical aspects, from slim, modern design to leakproof lids and whether they were easy to clean. Read on for the pros and cons of everything we tested.
The best travel coffee mug to toss in your bag: Zojirushi
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug
This price represents the 12-ounce size. Click through for more options.
Why we love the Zojirushi
Of all the travel mugs we tested, there are only a few we’d feel comfortable tossing into a bag with our laptop or favorite book, and of them all, this one was the absolute best at keeping our coffee hot. After five hours the hot coffee we poured in was almost too hot to drink. We didn’t try pouring boiling water in the cup, but wouldn’t be surprised if we could cook a few ounces of pasta in it.
That excellent heat retention is due to the Zojirushi’s vacuum-insulated, double-walled stainless steel. Though it sounds like a beast, this travel mug is actually relatively lightweight and has a super-slim design that fits perfectly in your hand or bag. It also looks really nice, a definite plus for a mug you'll be carting around everywhere.
And you never have to worry about coffee spilling inside your bag or briefcase because the spout cap has a pretty serious sliding lock on the top that when engaged makes it impossible to open or spill. Shake, rattle, roll this thing—it's not going to leak any hot drinks on you or whatever else you’re carrying. The lid also comes apart for easy hand washing.
What we don't love about the Zojirushi
The Zojirushi coffee tumbler isn’t dishwasher-safe, which is true of many vacuum-insulated vessels. And, this was the slimmest travel mug we tested (the opening of all three sizes is just 1⅝ inch) so if you want to clean it with friction, you’ll need a soft bottle bottle brush. That kind of cleaning shouldn’t be necessary often since the inside has a non-stick coating. We weren’t able to find any kind of documentation on what that coating actually is but it probably is nothing to worry about as the issues with nonstick cookware are around exposing it to direct, high heat or scratching it with metal utensils, neither of which are likely in a coffee cup. The super-slim design also means this mug may rattle around in a car cup holder, and the 20-ounce size is too tall to fit under our Nespresso VertuoPlus spout (you’d likely run into the same issue with other single-serve coffee makers). Finally, sipping from the Zojirushi is slightly more awkward to drink from than many of the other mugs we tried, but it’s a small price to pay for such incredible heat retention and the peace of mind that comes with having a truly leak-free travel mug to use for hot drinks on the go.
The best dishwasher safe travel coffee mug to toss in your bag: Brumate
Brumate Nav
This price represents the 22-ounce size. Click through for more options.
Why we love about the Brümate Nav
If you own a dishwasher, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to use it. So if you’re looking for a spill-proof, leak-proof travel mug that you don’t have to handwash at the end of the day, we recommend the Brumate Nav. This tapered, tumbler-style mug is just as secure as the Zojirushi, though the “BevLock” lid uses a slider to lock a flip-top spout cover into place. And even when it’s not locked, this mug won’t leak; the lock just provides an extra layer of security in case the flip-top were to catch on something strong.
We accidentally turned our testing up to eleven one morning when we dropped this mug—full of piping hot coffee—while trying to shuffle small kids out the door. The lid was closed, but not locked, and we didn’t lose a single drop or burn any toddlers.
The insulated stainless steel body can keep coffee hot (though not quite as hot for quite as long as the Zojirushi) and we appreciate that the BPA-free clear plastic lid allows us to look inside the cup.
What we don’t love about the Brumate Nav
The Brumate doesn’t retain heat nearly as well as the Zojirushi, but if you consume your coffee within an hour or two, it’s more than sufficient. The product description says it will keep hot drinks hot for three hours, but we only experienced that kind of heat retention when the mug was full, and stayed that way, for the entire three hours. We’d also love to see this mug in a 16-ounce size.
The best travel coffee mug for the car: Yeti Rambler with Magslide Lid
Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Tumbler with Magslide Lid
This price represents the 10-ounce size. Click through for more options.
Why we love the Yeti Rambler with Magslide Lid
If you like to take your coffee in the car, you might not need a truly leak-proof mug. But you still need something to prevent sloshing and splashing when you inevitably encounter a pothole or other rough road. And, of course, a travel mug for the car must be able to keep your coffee hot even on brutally-cold mornings.
Yeti’s tumbler-style Rambler mug meets all of our requirements for a car-friendly coffee mug, and then some. The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink hot for hours, the slim base fits comfortably in a car cup holder, and the Magslide spout cover is really easy to open with one hand while driving (it’s easiest if you slide it open while it’s still in the cup holder).
This mug is also incredibly easy to clean as all three parts are dishwasher safe. The little magnetic slider stays securely put until you pop it off from the underside of the lid.
What we don't love about the Yeti Rambler with Magslide Lid
It isn’t leak-proof (though it doesn’t claim to be). Other than that there’s not much we don’t love about this mug. But some coffee drinkers may find the size options limiting. The 10-ounce is perfect for an 8-ounce pour-over, a small latte, or a couple shots of espresso, but the next size up is 20-ounces and that may feel too big if you just want to commute with a cup of coffee. We’d love to see this mug offered in a 14-ounce or 16-ounce size, too.
How we tested travel coffee mugs
For weeks we conducted unofficial testing, adding these mugs to our regular coffee-vessel rotation. When it came time for the official testing, we filled all of the mugs with piping hot water and let them sit on our desks for five hours. We then sipped from each to determine if they had retained heat. Next, we put the containers through a stress test, shaking them and tipping them up and down to see if anything leaked. Finally, we took some brisk walks to mimic the frantic conditions of a morning commute, coffee mug in hand. We did not preheat the mugs by filling them with hot water first—we figured the typical user would not do this and we wanted to see how well each mug retained heat without this step.
The Zojirushi is the only insulated vessel we’ve tested that (just barely) fits into the ridiculously slim side pocket of a standard Fjallraven Kanken backpack.
What we looked for
Does it leak?
Obviously, a travel mug needs to be spill-proof, but mugs that will travel in a bag also need to be completely leak proof. To test the seal on each mug, we filled them with hot coffee, closed the lids according to the manufacturer’s directions, and shook them vigorously while turned upside down.
How well does the mug retain heat?
One of the most important considerations was temperature retention, so we looked at how well the mug kept coffee hot over the course of a few hours. We lined up the mugs and tasted them side by side after five hours to see which one was the hottest.
How easy is it to completely seal?
If a mug was marketed as leak-proof, we looked at how hard or easy it was to engage its leak-free function. Mugs that are too hard to seal are more likely to malfunction when you’re running out the door in a hurry.
Is it easy to hold and drink from?
We didn't want a travel coffee mug that was too heavy or unwieldy, as this would make it more difficult to carry around while commuting. We also considered how much you had to maneuver your mouth while drinking.
Is the travel mug easy to clean?
If a mug wasn’t listed as dishwasher safe, we looked at how easy it was to get all parts—including the nooks and crannies of the lid—thoroughly clean with hand washing.
Does it look good?
Yes, these mugs are utilitarian vessels meant for keeping hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold, but let’s not pretend looks don’t matter. These are accessories as much as they are tools.
Does it come in multiple sizes?
Personal preference dictates what size coffee cup you’ll need, and if you make yourself an 8-ounce latte every morning, a 20-ounce travel mug is going to be too big. So we looked for mugs that offered a range of sizes—including mugs big enough for those who do like to chug 24 ounces of coffee on the way to work.
Does it fit into a car cup holder?
For car commuters, a base that’s too wide is a deal breaker. So we looked at whether or not these mugs were slim enough to fit into standard car cup holders.
Other travel coffee mugs we tested
Yeti Rambler Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid
Yeti Rambler Travel Mug with Stronghold Lid
Why it didn't win
We love this bigger Yeti Rambler mug for most of the reasons we loved our top pick for the car, and it even has a handle and a more leak-resistant (though not leak-proof) lid. But the smallest size is 20-ounces and it’s just big enough that it’s not guaranteed to fit in every car cup holder. Plus, unless you’re planning to hit the road with an entire French press-worth of coffee, a 20- or 30-ounce capacity is overkill for your morning commute.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Some
Leakproof: No
Sizes available: 20 ounces, 30 ounces
Yeti Rambler Mug
Why it didn't win
Yeti's most mug-shaped Rambler has the best size selection of the whole Rambler collection and the two smaller sizes (10 ounces and 14 ounces) are stackable. But because it's mug-shaped, it won't fit in a car cup holder. And because it has the Magslider lid, it's not leak proof, either. While this one is generally good for camping, the handle is pretty basic and not very comfortable to hold—especially if the 24-ounce size is full of hot coffee.
Yeti Rambler with Hotshot Cap
Yeti Rambler with Hotshot Cap
Why it didn't win
With the addition of the Hotshot lid, Yeti’s versatile, durable insulated Rambler water bottle becomes a (mostly) leak-proof travel mug for coffee, tea, and other hot or cold drinks. The Hotshot lid, when twisted to the open position, allows you to drink from any spot along the rim. We say it’s “mostly” leak-proof though, because if it’s not closed tightly enough, it is possible to shake some drops out of this mug when turned upside down—and we don’t love that it allows for that kind of user error. You can also buy the Hotshot cap separately, which is a great way to get even more out of a Yeti Rambler bottle you already own. Well, as long as you make sure to close it really well.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Most
Leakproof: Mostly
Sizes available: 12 ounces, 18 ounces
Stanley Classic One-Hand Vacuum Mug
Stanley Classic One Hand Vacuum Mug
Why it didn't win
We can't help but love this vintage-inspired Stanley travel tumbler—but definitely not for coffee. It does a good job of keeping hot drinks hot, but after weeks of testing, we will only ever use it for ice water because following every single sip, a significant amount of whatever liquid is inside accumulates on the top of the supposedly leak-proof trigger-activated spout cover. When that liquid is coffee, you risk leaving little coffee stains everywhere you go. The slim design is really nice to hold and this tumbler fits in every cup holder we tried, but it’s kind of annoying to have to hold down the trigger the entire time you’re drinking. If you’re a Stanley stan, try the brand’s Aerolight bottle.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: No
Sizes available: 16 ounces, 20 ounces
Stanley AeroLight Transit Bottle
Stanley AeroLight Transit Bottle
Why it didn't win
The Aerolight features a strong, snap-in-place flip lid that gives us confidence in its ability to stay closed inside a backpack. Similar in some ways to the Zojirushi—a slim profile, excellent heat retention—the downside to the Stanley Aerolight is that the sealing locking mechanism is embedded in the lid, meaning that it in order to get it fully clean you have to open it up, throw it in the dishwasher and hope for the best. While it’s not easy to operate one handed—the flip top requires a good shove to pop and another to lock in the open position—but it’s possible with some practice.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces, 20 ounces
Warranty: Limited lifetime on material and manufacturing defects and thermal performance degradation.
Miir 360 Traveler
MiiR 360 Traveler
Why it didn't win
For a careful user this is an excellent mug to use on mass transit since it can be opened one-handed and sipped from comfortably on any side. The 12-ounce is small enough and feels pleasant enough to hold while clinging to a subway pole. However, when it comes to tossing this tumbler into a bag, that 360-degree push-top spout makes us nervous. Not because it failed and opened on its own, but because the indicator line that shows whether it’s open or closed, described by the brand as “subtle,” is a bit too subtle for our liking, especially in the darker colorways. At a glance, it’s hard to know whether this thing is open or closed and it would be all too easy to toss an open Traveler in your bag. Also, if you take a sip and shut the lid too quickly, the liquid you didn’t drink may not flow back down all the way, leaving the possibility of a little residual spillage. While it is dishwasher safe, the lid mechanism does not disassemble in any way to ensure complete cleaning (the website recommends using a small brush to get inside). It is a stylish cup that kept liquid hot all morning though. So if you’re confident in your ability to keep track of its lid status, you’ll be happy.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes, but not residual drip-proof
Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces
Warranty: Limited lifetime on manufacturing defects.
Brumate Toddy and Toddy XL
Brumate Toddy
Why it didn't win
Brumate haș a series of leak-proof coffee mugs with handles called Toddy and these mugs have nearly all the same features we love about the Nav. But the reasonably-sized option (16 ounces) is too wide to fit into any cupholder. The two larger sizes (22 ounces and 32 ounces) have tapered bottoms and actually do fit into many cup holders, but most coffee drinkers will find they're otherwise just too big, in general.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Some sizes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 6 ounces, 22 ounces, 32 ounces
Klean Kanteen Wide Double Wall Mug with Leak Proof Café Cap 2.0
Klean Kanteen Wide Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle
Why it didn't win
Klean Kanteen is best known for its lightweight stainless steel reusable water bottles (and for tripping up our spell check every damn time) but the brand also makes a very nice double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel tumbler. In fact, it’s so nice it’s almost perfect. This mug has excellent heat retention, and the powder-coated body is durable, dishwasher safe, and covered by Klean Kanteen’s lifetime warranty. The tumbler’s wide mouth (wide for Klean Kanteen, anyway) is big enough to fit most ice cubes, and the bottle itself is slender enough to fit most cup holders. Unfortunately, you need to use two hands to open the leak-proof lid, which isn’t always conducive to drinking hot coffee while on the go.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces, 20 ounces
Oxo Good Grips Travel Coffee Mug With Leakproof SimplyClean Lid
OXO Good Grips Travel Coffee Mug With Leakproof SimplyClean Lid
Why it didn't win
We’re generally big fans of Oxo gear but the Oxo Good Grips travel mug we previously tested always leaked a little when tipped upside down. In 2023, we tested a newer model, which has what the brand calls a leak-proof “SimplyClean” lid. The mug comes in an array of pretty colors, all of the parts are dishwasher safe, and we found the lid to be truly leak free when properly assembled. However, the engineering required to get such a good seal is… a lot. Disassembling the lid for cleaning and reassembling it are each three-step processes—and the steps are so unintuitive that instructions, arrows, and numbers are actually embossed in various spots all over the three separate lid components (four if you count the removable gasket). After a few tries, it’s pretty easy to get used to how it all goes together, but coming from a brand that makes such user-friendly products, this leak-proof lid is more complicated than it needs to be. It’s also a little too easy to accidentally remove the entire lid when trying to open the spout.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 16 ounces, 20 ounces
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug
Hydro Flask Mug
Why it didn't win
We like that the short Hydro Flask coffee mug feels like a traditional mug, and this is the only “travel” mug we tested that comes in a 6-ounce size. Like all of Hydro Flask’s insulated products, this mug has great temperature retention and it’s also very durable thanks to solid construction. But because it doesn’t have a leak-proof lid or fit into a car cup holder, it’s definitely more of a “coffee on the front porch” mug or “hot toddy around the campfire” mug than an actual commuting mug. Another drawback? Unlike the brand’s powder-coated water bottles, Hydro Flask mugs are not powder-coated and therefore are not dishwasher safe.
Dishwasher safe: No
Fits in car cup holder: No
Leakproof: No
Sizes available: 6 ounces, 12 ounces, 24 ounces
Fellow Carter Move
Carter Move Mug
Why it didn't win
The problem with the Fellow Carter Move mug is that it just isn’t really a travel mug in the way we usually think about them. It’s a coffee transport device. And for that it’s quite good. We left coffee sealed in it for a full 24 hours at one point during testing and remained warm enough to enjoy. But the Move lid (Fellow also makes a Slide lid that is appropriate for taking in the car or the train, which we also tried) is a screw top that does require two hands to open, and the lip profile makes it feel essentially like sipping from a soda can. The included splash guard, a perforated metal insert, reduces splashing when jostled, but only when compared to a completely open top. If you hit a bump, it’s going to make a mess. It comes in 18 different colors and patterns and allows for personalization, making it a nice gift, and also has an optional, add-on straw-and-lid combination for your seasonal switch to iced coffee or cold brew. But ultimately we’d only recommend this configuration of the Carter cup as a coffee vessel, not a coffee cup. Check out the entry on the Carter Slide for an easier-to-drink from take.
Dishwasher safe: No
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 8 ounces, 12 ounces, 16 ounces
Fellow Carter Slide Mug
Fellow Carter Slide Travel Coffee Mug
Why it didn't win
The actual cup here is the same as the Fellow Move, a gorgeous ceramic-lined thermal mug that does a great job of keeping hot drinks hot. This swaps out the twist-off lid and splash guard for a slide-lock lid (the lid can also be purchased separately if you already own a Carter mug). The smooth sliding mechanism makes it easy to open and close the angled lid with one hand, and though it doesn’t actually lock like the Zojirushi does, it is leak-proof when closed. But the angle of the slide lid meant our testers’ noses got smashed up against it every time we took a drink, and because of a lip around the inside of the body, it’s hard to get every last drop of coffee out of this mug. Additionally, the ceramic-coated stainless steel interior is supposed to keep this mug from holding onto smells, but we found that after just one use, it was nearly impossible to get the coffee smell out the lid—so this isn’t a tumbler we’d want to use interchangeably as a coffee cup and a water cup.
Dishwasher safe: No
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces
Kinto Day Off Travel Tumbler
Kinto Day Off Stainless Steel Tumbler
Why it didn't win
We wanted to love this beautiful powder-coated stainless steel tumbler from Japanese houseware brand Kinto. And for the most part, we did. The carry handle on the smartly-constructed top can be removed, revealing a thin circular opening that ensures controlled sipping. Liquid doesn’t pour out too quickly (no scalded tongue or ice cubes in the face) and when tightly sealed, it doesn’t leak. You can also remove the entire top of the mug, which makes pouring easy and makes the travel mug easy to clean. However, it’s impossible to open this mug one-handed. That, combined with its high price tag, kept it out of our top picks.
Dishwasher safe: No
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 17 ounces
MiiR Flip Traveler
MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler
Why it didn't win
This MiiR Insulated Travel Tumbler got a lot of oohs and aahs during the unboxing phase of our test. It's sleek, bright, and incredibly comfortable to hold. And when you buy a mug, the brand gifts a portion of revenue to a charity project that's trackable via a code on the bottom of the mug. Hot drinks stay piping hot in this mug, thanks to what the brand calls “Thermo 3D Double Wall Vacuum Insulation Technology” (exactly how it is different from other double wall vacuum insulation technology we don’t know, but it does work well). The locking flip lid is super-secure, too. Unfortunately, the way it’s designed makes it impossible to get the lid completely out of the way when drinking, which resulted in little spots of coffee on our testers’ noses with every single sip.
Dishwasher safe: No
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 12 ounces
S’ip by S’well
Sip by Swell Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Why it didn't win
S’well’s water bottles have a cult-like following so we were excited to try the brand’s sleek and simple vacuum-insulated travel tumbler. It did a good job keeping our coffee warm for a couple hours, but it wasn’t noticeably better than most of the other mugs we tried. The stainless-steel and BPA-free plastic lid is actually leak-proof thanks to an airtight flip-top spout cover. However, it flips easily enough we’d be worried about it catching on something in a bag and opening up by accident. Also, as with the Miir above, our testers’ noses got pressed into the piece that flips back while drinking—especially as we got toward the bottom of our hot and cold drinks. This design flaw is less annoying on this mug than it is on the Miir, but it’s annoying nonetheless.
Dishwasher safe: No
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 16 oz
Thermos Icon Mug with Slide Lock Lid
Thermos 18-Ounce Icon Stainless Steel Mug with Slide Lock Lid
Why it didn't win
There’s nothing wrong with landing in the middle, and that’s exactly what this mug from the lunchbox brand of your childhood, Thermos did. It performed moderately in a five-hour heat retention test, but despite coming in 14 colors, it still feels like your dad’s commuter mug. We did like that it had a grippy rubber base to protect surfaces and provide a little extra stability when nudged. And the high-set handle meant it was still cupholder compatible while being easier to grasp at a stoplight. However, the slide-lock lid, like those on some of its Yeti counterparts, while a snap to clean (it literally snaps in and out) is not leakproof. It is, however, fully dishwasher-safe.
Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: No
Sizes available: 18 ounces
Warranty: 5 years
Thermos 16-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler
Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler
Why it didn't win
This 16-ounce stainless steel vacuum-insulated travel mug from Thermos is good, and most people would probably be content using it, but there's also nothing remarkable about it. It didn't keep our coffee hot nearly as long as the Zojirushi and though it has a leak-proof lid, it doesn't lock like the Brumate does. It’s also only available in one size (16 ounces). That said, the underside of the lid does have a built-in hook for tea bags and loose-leaf tea infusers, so if you're a tea drinker who likes to take your hot tea on the go, you’ll like that feature.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 16 ounces
Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug with Leak-Proof Slider Lid
Ello Campy Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug
Why it didn't win
This vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel mug from Ello looks like the kind of old-school speckled enamelware you'd find in your grandparents' house (that’s a good thing). More importantly, it holds heat well and doesn’t leak, though we wouldn’t want to toss it into a bag with any electronics or white clothes. It’s slender enough to fit in some (but not all) car cup holders—and unlike most of the insulated travel tumblers we tested, it has a handle. Technically, this mug is dishwasher safe, but the brand recommends hand-washing, and we’d want to do that anyway since the inside of the handle is lined with cork. There’s also no way to clean with friction under the sliding spout cover. Still, for less than $20, this mug is a good budget pick, especially if you want a cute, leak-proof insulated mug with a handle. But price is often indicative of quality, and while we have yet to encounter any problems, customer reviews indicate issues with long-term durability, and upon closer inspection, we realized we could probably snap off the handle with very little effort. (Intentional damage would not be covered by Ello’s limited lifetime warranty, but accidental breakage might be.) If you want something that will hold up to everyday use, consider investing in something that’s more solidly constructed.
Dishwasher safe: Yes (top rack only, hand wash recommended)
Fits in car cup holder: Maybe
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 18 ounces
Ello Cole Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle with Slider Lid
Ello Cole Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Why it didn't win
Like the Ello Campy (above), the Ello Cole is a budget-friendly, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel tumbler with a leak-proof sliding spout cover. It holds heat well and all of the parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, though hand-washing the body is recommended. The Cole also has a cork accent, though on this mug, it’s a “built-in coaster,” which seems rather pointless since a well-insulated mug shouldn’t sweat. While we enjoyed testing this mug, we also worry about long-term durability after reading customer reviews—and the fact that there’s no way to deep clean under the slider lid is concerning, too.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 16 ounces
Contigo Autoseal West Loop Mug
Contigo Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug
Why it didn't win
The West Loop mug with Contigo’s leak-proof Autoseal lid is very leak-proof, thanks to a lock switch on the top. But even after unlocking the sip lid, you still have to push pretty hard on the autoseal button on the side of the lid to open it enough to get a good swig. In theory, it’s a good system, but when you just want to take a drink of coffee, it’s pretty annoying, especially because the button isn’t very responsive; it often feels like you’re not pushing it hard enough. We also had a really hard time getting the coffee smell out of the lid, even after just one use.
Dishwasher safe: Lid only, top rack
Fits in car cup holder: Most
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 16 ounces, 20 ounces, 24 ounces
Contigo Autoseal Transit Mug
Contigo Autoseal Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Why it didn't win
The Contigo Autoseal Transit Mug has some nice features that set it apart from the West Loop. There’s a permanently-affixed non-slip silicone textured sleeve and a silicone pad on the bottom, too. But it has Contigo’s Autoseal lid, and though the Transit mug’s push-button mechanism is slightly different from the lid on West Loop (and locks and unlocks by twisting the lid), it’s equally annoying to have to hold down a button as you drink.
Dishwasher safe: Lid only, top rack
Fits in car cup holder: Most
Leakproof: Yes
Sizes available: 16 ounces
Keep Cup Brew Cork
KeepCup Brew Cork - 12 Oz
Why it didn't win
The Keep Cup has a beautiful design and the cork grip ring makes it look unlike almost any other travel cup out there. And if all you wanted to do was bring as a reusable cup to enjoy a drink at the coffee shop it would be excellent. Unfortunately, as a travel mug it doesn’t work that well. It’s made of single walled glass, so it isn’t insulated, which wouldn’t be a deal breaker if you knew what you were getting into and planned to drink your coffee quickly. However, the lid also leaked regularly while we were drinking from it and we had more than a few shirts stained with coffee when we were done.
Stojo On-the-Go Collapsible Silicone Travel Cup
Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw
Why it didn't win
Our testers were divided on this collapsible silicone travel “mug.” It’s really more of a coffee cup to travel with than an actual travel mug, as it’s not insulated and the flip-top lid is more leak-resistant than leak-proof. But if you want something that takes up very little space when not in use, this is a decent option. Simply push down the cup from the top and it becomes about the size of a can of tuna. It also comes in lots of pretty colors and all of the parts are super easy to clean in the dishwasher. On the other hand, keeping track of all those parts (especially the support ring) can be kind of annoying.
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Fits in car cup holder: Yes
Leakproof: No
Sizes available: 12 ounces, 16 ounces, 24 ounces
Additional testing and reporting by Adam Campbell-Schmitt and Wilder Davies
Why should you trust Epicurious?
We’re home cooks just like you—and we bring a home cook’s perspective to all of our rigorous testing. But unlike you, we have an extra 10 hours a day to spend geeking out over kitchen tools because it is literally our job. We don’t only use our recommended products in controlled settings, we bring the best ones into our own kitchens to help us put dinner on the table on a Wednesday night for our families, or to throw a dinner party for 12. When we recommend a product, you should trust that we’ve used it—a lot—just like you will. Read more about our testing process and philosophy here.
