Skip to main content

The 8 best travel mugs for coffee on the go

Enjoy every sip, no matter where you are

Travel coffee mug
Taryn Elliott / Pexels

Like most Americans, you probably demand — nah, need — your morning cup of joe to get you going. Once that cuppa is done, though, you’ll probably also want to take some more with you. A mid-afternoon macchiato or latte or a post-lunch pour-over pick-me-up is almost always a good idea.

The thing is, if you put it in any old coffee mug, it’s going to get cold (or warm if it’s cold brew coffee) by the time you want it. If you want your Americano or latte to last long enough for you to enjoy, it’s time to step up your coffee game with a legit travel mug that is insulated and won’t spill.

Recommended Videos

Whether you want your coffee while you’re on the subway or after the dreaded weekly check-in meeting, these best travel coffee mugs are the best for on the go. They’ll keep your coffee hot (or cold) and will help you not spill all over yourself. You can thank us later with a double shot (of espresso).

Best for tech lovers: Ember Travel Mug

The Ember Travel Mug on a desk.
Ember

The Ember Travel Mug is touted as “The World’s First Temperature-Controlled Mug.” Time magazine recognized it as one of “the best inventions of the year” and, as far we’re concerned, it should win a Nobel Prize. Ember’s mugs look like any other traditional travel mug, but the ace up its sleeve is a built-in dial in the base, allowing allowing coffee drinkers to fine-tune their beverage to just the right temperature (between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Bluetooth-connected Ember app even allows drinkers to name their mugs and adjust the temperature setting remotely. The embedded battery will maintain the desired temp for up to two hours or all day with the included charging coaster.

Buy at Amazon

Pros Cons
Keeps your coffee at the perfect temperature at all times Pricier than other travel coffee mugs

Best for modern-day Vikings: Goat Story Goat Mug

Goat Story Goat Mug
Goat Story

The Kickstarter-born Goat Mug from Goat Story taps a certain primal chord. Sure, it’s a mug that’s practical (you can easily bike to work and not worry about spillage), sustainable (it’s made of BPA-free polypropylene), and easy to use (remove the leather holder and use it as a stand to keep your cup level on your desk). It’s a bad-ass, Viking-inspired fashion accessory and conversation piece. Pick between colors: Brown, hemp, marsala, west, east, or jet black — plus a real or faux leather strap.

Pros Cons
BPA-free construction, six color choices Not the ideal shape for everyone

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

Best for no-nonsense coffee drinkers: Yeti Rambler 20-ounce Tumbler

Yeti Rambler Tumbler
Yeti

Yes, the king of extreme coolers makes equally extreme travel coffee mugs. The Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce  Tumbler will keep your morning java piping hot from the moment you drudge out of bed all the way through the end of your day. It’s over-engineered with double-wall vacuum insulation and kitchen-grade stainless steel. These mugs are dishwasher safe and come with the Yeti MagSlider lid that uses magnets to keep your beverage on lockdown. Plus, it’s available in nine sizes, from 10 ounces to one gallon, so take that, Trentas.

Buy at Amazon Buy at Yeti

Pros Cons
Huge color selection No spill-proof mechanism

Best for French press enthusiasts: Espro Travel French Press, 12 ounce

Espro double-walled travel French press mug
Espro

Using a French press is one of the easiest ways to brew coffee with rich flavor. If you’re into French press coffee rather than drip coffee and you’re traveling for an extended period of time, a French press travel mug is the perfect gift to yourself. The Espro P1 is your portable mobile cafe. It’s a stainless steel design and can brew your coffee in just four minutes.

Pros Cons
Fast brewing, available in four colors Requires manual coffee brewing process

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

Best for java-loving sophisticates: S’well Bottle Traveler

S'well travel mugs
S'well

For coffee drinkers who appreciate thoughtful design in everything they own, including their lowly commuter mug, S’well has you covered. It comes in different colors and designs — from plain to patterned — and boasts a handsome, perfectly contoured exterior to fit your hand. The wide mouth means it’s versatile enough to accommodate hot beverages or a chilled cold brew with ice.

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

Pros Cons
Triple-layered and vacuum-insulated to keep coffee hot as long as possible Only has a screw-off top, no sip lid

Best for daydreaming desk jockeys: Ello Campy Stainless Travel Mug

Ello Campy water bottles
Ello

If your mind drifts toward the outdoors no matter where you are, Ello’s Campy Travel Mug promises to add a bit of campfire chic to your desktop. The stainless steel travel mug features a backcountry-inspired, blue-and-white flecked ceramic design and a soft, comfortable cork-inlaid handle. The vacuum-insulated shell promises to keep your joe hot for five hours and your cold drinks chilled for a full 24 hours. Bonus: It’s also one of the most affordable travel mugs on this list.

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

Pros Cons
Leak-proof sealing slider, great for cold drinks Requires hand washing, cannot be reheated in microwave

Best for sustainable coffee drinkers: Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler

Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler
Klean Kanteen

Made from certified 90% post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel, the 16-ounce Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler is a solid choice for a sustainable travel coffee mug. The Climate Lock insulation is perfect for hot or cold drinks, coffee, cocktails, water, and more. The tumbler fits in most cupholders and comes with a splash-proof flip lid. Plus, this best travel coffee mug’s earthy color and ergonomic design make it feel great in the hand.

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart

Pros Cons
Keeps liquids hot for 6 hours, cold for 23 hours (iced) Only available in 16 ounces (may be too large for smaller cups of coffee)

Bonus travel mug for espresso: Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine

Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine
Outin

While technically a portable espresso maker, the Outin Nano Portable Espresso Machine also serves as a travel coffee mug. Equipped with a coffee cup, enjoy a deliciously brewed espresso on the go with this easy 2-in-1 brewer. Whether you’re headed out camping or want a stronger cup of coffee on the go, this product goes beyond a travel mug.

Buy at Amazon

Pros Cons
Can brew over 200 cups of espresso on one single charge Only for espresso, requires brewing on the go
Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
What is Gibraltar coffee? The trendy espresso drink you need to try
Where and how this tiny espresso drink began
gibraltar coffee

Found only at select coffee shops is the Gibraltar coffee -- a coffee menu item that will leave you saying, "What is that?" based on its name alone. This specialty coffee originated in San Francisco at Blue Bottle Coffee but has since spread to small coffee shops worldwide. I'd describe this coffee as similar to a Cortado, yet these two drinks have unique differences.

When I first saw a Gibraltar coffee at a coffee shop, I knew I needed to learn more about what this coffee was all about. I chatted with Gibraltar coffee expert Vadym Granovskiy, an expert in coffee Artistry, expertise and mentorship, and TEDx Kyiv Speaker, to learn everything about the Gibraltar coffee -- from how it's made to how it was invented. Granovskiy is especially inspired by the story behind the accidental invention of Gibraltar coffee, drawing inspiration as a coffee lover himself. In his free time, he loves to experiment with new coffee and espresso beverages.

Read more
Luckin Coffee opens in NYC, bringing its Starbucks rivalry to the U.S.
The first two U.S. locations of this Asia-based coffee chain are now open
Luckin Coffee

Starbucks appears to have a new rival in town in the U.S. market. The first two US locations of China's fastest-growing coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, are now open in NYC. Luckin' Coffee opened two NYC locations yesterday: Greenwich Village near the NYU campus and NoMad. Founded in 2017, Luckin' Coffee has taken off across China, catering to younger guests in China, Singapore, and Malaysia. The chain has over 24,000 locations across Asia but has entered the U.S. market. The chain is known for its simplified menu and "bare-bones" stores, which accept only cashless payments and mobile orders.
For the launch of the first two U.S. locations, Luckin announced steep promotions such as $1.99 drink deals and 50% off beverages for the grand opening, as well as free tote bags for the first guests to enter the store. The menu at this Asia-based coffee shop offers everything U.S. coffee and tea drinkers are used to, from cold brew coffees to matcha drinks to flavored lattes. The menu also includes a small selection of light bites and pastries. Per the brand's website, Luckin Coffee uses only the finest Arabica coffee beans that are sourced directly from renowned coffee-producing regions. Other menu specialty coffees include the Apple Fizzy Americano and Pomelo Americano.
Though Luckin may only have two U.S. locations at the moment, rumours suggest the brand plans to expand quickly in the U.S. market. With low prices and an app-based model, the chain can keep prices low and could soon become a strong competitor for Starbucks.

Read more
Do coffee pods expire? Here’s what the pros say
When to toss coffee pods from your pantry
coffee pods

The convenience of coffee pods is undeniable — with no dosing, scooping, or mess, coffee pods deliver a fast and easy way to get your caffeine fix without the hassle. Yet all coffee pods, from the Nespresso Vertuo pods to the standard K-Cups, contain regular ground coffee inside the casing (even though you can't see it). With that in mind, do coffee pods have an expiration date? I know I've wondered this question before, especially after pulling out bags of K-Cups from my pantry that've seemingly been there for ages. Let's break down the answers to everything you've wondered about "Do coffee pods expire?"
Do coffee pods expire?

Drew Pond, Co-Owner of Stone Creek Coffee, gives us the short answer we probably already knew: yes, coffee pods expire. "They're not Twinkies. Most are stamped with a “best by” date about 8 to 12 months out, but let’s be clear: that’s not a magic number. The flavor starts to fade way before that if you're not using the right pods or storing them correctly. Coffee is full of delicate oils, compounds, and aromatics that fade over time, especially in single-serve formats," he says.

Read more