The Top 5 Best Travel Mugs for Coffee in 2024

I’ve been working from home for a while now, so I only tend to use my travel mugs on weekends or when I’m taking my dog on a mid-morning hike. But when I did work in an office, I took my coffee from home every single day. And over the years, through much trial and error, I’ve found what I believe to be the absolute best travel mugs for coffee.

In this guide, I’ll provide detailed, hands-on reviews of my top five picks and help you decide which is the right one for you. I’ll also include a buyer’s guide that covers everything you need to think about when choosing a travel mug, from size and insulation to leak resistance and ease of cleaning. Let’s dive in!

The Top 5 Best Travel Mugs for Coffee On the Go

1. Yeti Rambler 20oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler — Best Overall
2. Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Bottle — Most Leak-Proof
3. MiiR Flip Traveler — Most Sustainable
4. The CamelBak Forge Flow 20oz — Premium Option
5. KeepCup 16oz Brew Cork Reusable Coffee Cup — Nicest Design

1. Yeti Rambler 20oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler — Best Overall

I know putting a Yeti travel mug first is a bit cliché, but I just can’t help it—I adore this mug, and it has been my favorite travel coffee mug for years now. I still reach for it all the time, whether I’m brewing a cup to sip while I’m driving or packing some coffee to go on a weekend adventure.

The Rambler comes in tons of fun colors and sizes, but I like to stick to the 20oz version. It provides the perfect capacity for my typical morning coffee without being bulky or cumbersome to carry. Tumbler size matters, and it’s a personal thing, so make sure to stick around until the buyer’s guide for some help on how to pick the right size travel mug.

The double-walled stainless steel construction is virtually indestructible. It keeps hot drinks hot for 6+ hours and iced drinks cold all day long. The plastic lid pushes into place to form a nice seal, although it is FAR from leak proof. The sip cover is magnetic, too, which makes cleaning it a breeze, and the way it slides and clicks open and closed is really satisfying.

As is the case with most Yeti products, this is made from super durable stainless steel, and it has a double wall and a vacuum seal for outstanding insulation. The cup stays cool to the touch even when filled with piping hot coffee, and it’ll hold temperature for hours on end.

And if you’re traveling to and from work, note that all standard Yetis fit nicely in standard car cup holders.

In terms of cons, it’s not completely leakproof if flipped upside down or dropped, though I’ve never lost more than a few drops even after knocking it over. If you drop it, though, the lid is going to fly off, and you’ll have coffee everywhere.

2. Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Bottle — Most Leak-Proof

If an ultra leak-proof design is your top priority, I would strongly recommend the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle. I’ve tossed this thing into a backpack while on a hike, dropped it from waist height, and even thrown it in the trunk on bumpy dirt roads—not a single drop spilled.

The leakproof performance comes from the secure flex cap lid, which creates an airtight seal around the mouth of the bottle. The key is that the lid screws on to complete a solid seal, and the top of the lid then twists open and closed. When closed, it compresses a rubber gasket that creates a perfect seal.

It does take two hands to open and close, so it’s not quite as convenient as other options if you’ll be drinking on the go. But that seal makes it absolutely spill-proof.

Like all Hydro Flasks, it keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. That makes it ideal for anyone on the go all day long. The powder coating on the outside prevents slippery condensation from making it more easily droppable. And it comes in a wide array of colors in 12oz, 16oz, and 20oz for some customizability.

For the coffee drinker looking for battle-tested leakproof performance, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle is my top recommendation. Just be prepared to use two hands when operating the lid.

3. MiiR Flip Traveler — Most Sustainable

For the eco-conscious coffee drinker, it’s hard to beat the MiiR Flip Traveler. This 12oz, 16oz, or 20oz double-walled stainless steel mug keeps drinks hot or cold for 9+ hours. And while it’s not totally leakproof because of its convenient pop-top sip cover, it does come close.

But what really sets it apart is Miir’s commitment to sustainability.

The company donates 5% of revenue to trackable projects around the world that aid communities in need. To date, they have granted over $4.1 million to fund non-profits in over 25 countries. How cool is that?

The tumbler itself performs admirably. The press-in lid creates a tight seal and the copper insulating layer provides ample insulation. A sliding drink opening makes sipping easy while preventing massive spills.

My only complaint is that the lid can be tricky to fully dry after hand washing. But MiiR’s social mission more than makes up for any small downsides.

When it comes to combining performance with global impact, MiiR leads the way. They also go to great lengths to reduce the impact of their manufacturing and shipping by using 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard in their packaging and by having 75% of their factories entirely running on solar power. Amazing.

4. The CamelBak Forge Flow 20oz — Premium Option

If you’re seeking more of a premium sipping experience from your travel mug, check out the CamelBak Forge Flow. With its dual-walled stainless steel construction, vacuum-sealed insulation, and innovative cap design, this feels and looks like a travel mug that costs way more than it does.

The angled drinking spout makes for easy, drip-free sipping, which is really nice if you’re sipping your coffee while driving or focusing on work. The powder-coated exterior prevents it from getting slippery when condensation forms, and it just gives the travel mug a super high-end look.

The lid screws into place to form a tight seal, and the stainless steel body stands up nicely to everyday abuse.

My favorite aspect is the innovative cap that makes one-handed operation a breeze. There’s a small toggle on the back that you simply push to the side to open and let the coffee flow out. When you let it go, the sip cover clamps shut to provide a really nice seal that’s nearly leakproof.

With soft-touch finishes and eye-catching color schemes, the Forge Flow looks great too. If you want a more refined drinking experience from your travel mug, this is an excellent option.

5. KeepCup 16oz Brew Cork Reusable Coffee Cup — Nicest Design

Sometimes you want your travel mug to be more than just a utilitarian container—you want it to show off your style. That’s where KeepCup shines. The Brew Cork is aptly called a “reusable coffee cup,” as it’s more of a cup than a travel mug. It’s designed not for ultimate durability but to let you sip your coffee in style.

The cups are made from borosilicate glass, providing chemical resistance and thermal shock protection. The glass is double-walled, too, which provides outstanding insulation. A band of cork or silicone surrounds the body, providing grip and insulation, as well as an attractive look. The plastic lid creates a secure seal.

While glass is admittedly not as rugged as stainless steel, KeepCups still hold up nicely to daily use, and the glass is high-quality. The simple, clean aesthetic dresses up any beverage.

This isn’t a travel mug that’s going to be ideal for tossing in a backpack, but it’s a great option if you’re just heading to work. For the design-focused coffee drinker seeking a travel mug that turns heads, KeepCup is a wonderful combination of form and function.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Travel Mug for Your Coffee

When selecting a travel mug for your daily coffee on the go, there are a few key factors to consider that will affect portability, convenience, performance, and longevity. Here’s an in-depth look at what to evaluate.

Size/Capacity

One of the most important decisions is choosing the right size tumbler for your needs. Travel mug sizes generally range from 12oz to 16oz on the smaller side up to 20oz to 24oz for larger, high-capacity options.

I personally find a 20oz travel mug to be the sweet spot. It’s enough for 1 to 2 servings of coffee, plus room for milk or ice if you need it, without being bulky or cumbersome to carry.

Take into account your typical coffee drinking habits when out and about. There’s no universally perfect size, so you should go with what suits your lifestyle and coffee preferences. For example, maybe you love drinking iced coffee and need some extra room for ice and milk, or you enjoy mixed coffee drinks that require varying amounts of steamed milk. The ideal latte cup size is going to be different than the right travel mug size for, say, black drip coffee. You should choose a size that can accommodate however much coffee, milk, creamer, ice, and other additives you plan on using.

And don’t feel like you need to get the biggest possible mug if you won’t utilize all that capacity. The more headspace you have above your coffee in your mug, the faster your coffee will cool down, so optomize based on the volume you normally drink.

Material

When it comes to mug materials, stainless steel is hands-down the best option for durability, insulation, and maintenance. High-quality stainless steel is practically indestructible, and it will almost always last far longer than glass, plastic, or ceramic. It won’t chip, crack or shatter if dropped, and it does an excellent job retaining temperature, provided it’s double-walled and vacuum sealed. Stainless steel is also non-porous and won’t retain odors or stains over time.

If viewing your beverage is important, glass and clear plastic allow you to watch the coffee level decrease. But they scratch more easily and are much more prone to breaking. They also will absorb coffee oils over time, making them hard to keep clean and limiting their lifespan. Ceramic mugs are gorgeous, but they also absorb oils and odors, and they chip and crack fairly easily.

For a rugged, go-anywhere mug that can withstand being tossed around, stainless steel like Yeti Ramblers and Hydro Flasks are the way to go. Just avoid thinner stainless mugs that dent easily. Opt for 18/8 or 18/10 food-grade stainless steel at a minimum.

Insulation Ability

To keep coffee scalding hot for hours at a time, you need a mug created specifically for insulation. The best options use double-walled stainless steel travel mugs with a vacuum seal between the layers. This thermos-like construction provides excellent heat and cold retention that can keep coffee hot for 12+ hours.

Also look for mugs with insulated lids, ideally designs with a fully closable sip cover. This prevents heat from escaping through the lid while drinking. Screw-on lids tend to be the best for insulation than sliding/press-in lids because they tighten over a rubber gasket to create perfect seals.

High-end mugs like Yeti and Hydro Flask boast 8 to 12 hours of heat retention. Lesser quality mugs may keep coffee warm for 1 to 2 hours max. So consider how long you need your coffee to stay hot when out and about.

Leak Resistance

For everyday use, most standard mugs with a press-in or sliding lid offer enough spill resistance to avoid major messes. But if keeping the contents fully secured is a top priority, you’ll want to opt for a travel mug with a screw-on lid that clamps down tightly to create an airtight seal.

Screw-on lids are the only ones that offer close to 100% leakproof performance. But the tradeoff is you’ll need two hands to securely twist them on and off each time you take a sip.

If that sounds annoying for your purposes, go with a mug that offers a decent seal while still allowing convenient one-handed drinking, like the MiiR Flip Traveler. Just know that no sliding lid will be completely spill-proof when tossed in a bag or dropped.

One-Handed Drinking

For the ability to sip while driving or drink easily on the move, the ability to open and drink from your mug with one hand is crucial. Seek out mugs with flip lids, push-button openings, spouts, or magnetically sealing lids.

These allow you to flip, press, or slide the opening to drink without having to screw off a top. The CamelBak Forge is great for one-handed sipping thanks to the innovative cap design. Just keep in mind the more convenient the one-handed operation, the less leakproof the mug will be.

Easy Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning, simpler is always better. Look for mugs with the fewest parts possible, as well as pieces that are clearly meant to separate for quick cleaning. Being able to throw all the parts in the dishwasher is a major plus, too, so I always look for dishwasher-safe travel mugs.

Pay special attention to any tiny crevices, straws/mouthpieces, and gasket areas that can harbor residue. Look for smooth, non-porous materials without lots of ridges and recesses.

And pay attention to the material. Plastic holds odors and stains over time. Stainless steel is easy to scrub clean and won’t absorb anything. But even stainless steel mugs develop gunk if not washed regularly, so get in the habit of a quick wash after each use.

Wrapping Up: Yeti Is Still the King of Travel Mugs

If I had to pick just two of the best travel coffee mugs, I would go with the Yeti Rambler for its balance of durability, performance, and convenience, and the Hydro Flask for its uncompromising leakproof design.

But any of the mugs above are excellent options depending on your priorities. Just keep in mind how you plan to use it, whether that’s mostly in the car, outdoors on adventures, or sitting at your desk at the office.

No matter which you choose, a good travel mug is one of the best investments you can make as a coffee lover. There’s nothing better than taking your favorite brew with you wherever the day leads.

When it comes to finding the perfect travel mug for your coffee, think about size and capacity, durability, ease of use and cleaning, insulation, and leak resistance. Consider your habits and lifestyle and choose accordingly. With the right mug, you can enjoy delicious coffee wherever you roam. Happy sipping!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop my coffee from cooling down too quickly in a travel mug?

To retain heat longer, preheat your mug with hot water while you brew your coffee. After pouring it in, snap the lid closed to lock in steam and limit air exposure. Avoid lifting the lid unnecessarily, and sip from a small mouthpiece instead of removing the whole lid if possible. An insulated lid also helps regulate temperature, and screw-on lids tend to be the best for insulation purposes.

Can I put cold drinks in a stainless steel travel mug?

Absolutely! In fact, travel mugs for coffee tend to maintain cold temperatures even better than they maintain hot ones. Their vacuum insulation works both ways. Just make sure to pre-chill it with ice water first before adding any cold coffee or beverage. A narrow mouth also improves insulation for cold liquids.

What’s the best way to clean the lid on my travel mug?

Remove every component of the lid, take apart any pivot points or assemblies, and scrub each piece with a bottle brush and mild soap. Soak any straws, gaskets, or silicone mouthpieces in warm soapy water if buildup occurs. Rinse and air dry fully to prevent mold or odors. Deep clean the lid regularly to avoid permanent gunk. If you have a dishwasher-safe travel mug, you can always get a deep clean by tossing the individual parts in the dishwasher.

Can I put a stainless steel travel mug in the dishwasher?

Most stainless steel mugs these days are dishwasher safe, but read the manufacturer guidelines. Manufacturers often recommend handwashing for any mug with plastic parts or rubber gaskets, but I’ve cleaned both in the dishwasher for years without any issues. Avoid harsh detergents. Use the top rack only, and let the mug fully air dry before reassembling to prevent moisture trapping.