Travel mugs are one of the things you should never forget while traveling. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also has a positive impact on the environment. With hundreds of different brands coming up year after year, which one should you buy and which one should you skip? In this article, I compiled the 8 best travel mugs you can get your hands on in 2021.

Each of us has different preferences, so I won’t just give you my personal favorite. Instead, I’ve listed 8 high-quality travel mugs that thrive on different features. I will leave the decision on which travel mug is the best up to you according to your personal preferences and requirements. Therefore, this list is not arranged in any specific order.

#1 YETI Rambler Tumbler

If you’re looking for something to fill with your morning coffee and keep it hot while you drive or walk around a new city, this travel mug is made for that. One thing to note, however, is that the lid is not leakproof. So be careful in throwing it in your bag with liquid in it. Magnetic MagSlider Lid makes it convenient to take a sip without having to open the whole lid. Duracoat colors are able to withstand harsh environments without scratching or flaking.

  • Capacity: 20 oz. (600 ml)
  • Weight: 0.8 lbs (360 g)
  • Good vacuum insultation
  • Fits on most cup holders
  • Easy to clean
  • Dishwasher safe

#2 Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug

Stanley has been making incredibly tough water bottles for over a century. This travel mug is made to take on an adventure, it is built of tough stainless steel and is able to take on a beating. It can keep hot drinks hot for up to 9 hours and cold drinks for a whopping 40 hours. It also has a leak-proof lid, so you don’t have to worry about throwing it in your bag with your clothes. If you’re someone who enjoys short hikes and trails, the Stanley Classic Mug is for you. Trigger action lid makes it convenient to drink from. Thanks to its superior thermoregulation capability hot drinks stay warm for up to 9 hours and cool drinls for up to 40 hours.

  • Capacity: 16 oz. (475 ml)
  • Weight: 0.6 lbs (270 g)
  • Indestructible built
  • Superior thermoregulation capacity
  • Slim body makes it easy to hold with one hand
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Car cup comptatible

#3 JURO Tumbler

So far I’ve mentioned mugs from huge brands, some even in business for centuries. But those mugs come in with huge price tags too. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly mug capable of doing most things those giant brands can do, it’s the JURO tumbler. They claim to be able to keep hot drinks hot for up to 6 hours, and cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Not bad for a mug half the price of its bigger competitors. The JURO tumbler comes with two lids: a tight-seal flip lid and a convenient slider lid. Bonus: the mug comes with a cleaning kit and a reusable straw.

  • Capacity: 20 oz. (600 ml)
  • Weight: 0.8 lbs (360 g)
  • Good insulation capacity
  • Incl. two lits, cleaning kit, and straw
  • Best budget option
  • Dishwasher safe

#4 Hydro Flask 

Hydro Flask is definitely one of the more popular mugs for younger generations because of its modern design and pop colors. Aside from its looks, it also thrives on performance. This particular design is made with coffee lovers in mind making it fit seamlessly in most coffee brewing systems. If you like trying out coffees from different places and at the same time want to reduce waste, the Hydro Flask is perfect for you. Straps on the lid make it easy to bring along. The Flexi lid makes drinking convenient. The mug is leak-free, however, be careful not to forget to close the flip.

  • Capacity: 20 oz. (600 ml)
  • Weight: 0.8 lbs (360 g)
  • Superior thermoregulation
  • Modern design
  • Flexi lid (convenient drinking) with straps
  • Leak-free
  • Dishwasher safe

#5 Contigo Luxe Autoseal

If you’re more concerned about spilling stuff inside your bag and being right on budget rather than the thermoregulation capabilities of the mug, the Contigo Luxe Autoseal is the best for you. It has a 100% spill-free lid technology that gives you peace of mind when packing it with liquid in your bag. It does, however, have a shorter 5-hour heat-retention and 12-hour cold retention capability. Nonetheless, it’s still a great option, especially when you’re on a tight budget.

  • Capacity: 10 oz. (300 ml)
  • Weight: 2 lbs (900 g)
  • 100% spill-free lid
  • Slim body makes it easy for one-handed carry
  • Low budget choice
  • Car cup compatible

#6 Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug

Zojirushi travel mug originated in Japan. And just like most things made in Japan, they boast quality above all. This travel mug has a tight-fitting lid that prevents spills and leaks. Its pop up cap with lock allows you to drink directly from the lid and lock it when not in use so you can throw it inside your bag while on a commute. It also has a sleek and simple design making it stand out from the rest of the mugs. The pop up cap makes it easy to drink from while the lid lock and tight seal fitting prevent leaks and spills. Its slim body makes it easy for one-handed carry.

  • Capacity: 16 oz. (475 ml)
  • Weight: 0.6 lbs (270 g)
  • Sleek design
  • Pop up cap for easy drinking
  • Slim body makes it easy for one-handed carry
  • Lid lock and tight seal fitting

#7YETI Rambler

If you’re a big fan of conventional coffee mugs but hate the fact that it loses heat quickly, the YETI rambler is a good choice. It’s designed just like any regular mug with full-loop grips similar to the ceramic ones. The difference is the vacuum insulation which can keep your coffee hot for up to 6 hours.

  • Capacity: 14 oz. (400 ml)
  • Weight: 0.8 lbs (360 g)
  • Design of a regular mug
  • Good thermoregulation
  • Easy to clean
  • Dishwasher safe

#8 Thermos Stainless King

Last and definitely not least is the brand that owns the trademark of vacuum insulation technology upon where all insulated mugs lie upon. Despite its (to my taste) not so appealing curved body, the Thermos holds the best thermoregulation performance in this list. They claim to be able to hold hot and cold drinks for up to 24 hours. That’s great for anyone’s standard. That way, you could make 2 servings of coffee at once in the morning and enjoy a hot coffee in the afternoon without having to brew again. The half-loop grip makes it easy to drink from. As a leading brand, the Thermos mug is compatible with most cup holders.

  • Capacity: 16 oz. (475 ml)
  • Weight: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Best thermoregulation (in this list)
  • Half-loop grip for convenient drinking
  • Spill-proof
  • Dishwasher safe
Travel MugFeaturesSee on Amazon
Yeti Rambler TumblerHas a Magnetic MagSlider Lid to make it easy to drink without opening the lid. However, the lid is not leak-proof. Buy on Amazon
Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel MugIt is built with tough stainless steel that can take a beating. Has a trigger action and leak-proof lid. Can stay hot for up to 9 hours and cold for up to 40 hours. Buy on Amazon
Juro TumblerKeeps drinks hot for 6 hours and cold for 24 hours. Comes with a tight seal flip and slider lid. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly. Buy on Amazon
Hydro FlaskA popular option for the younger generation. Has a modern design and pop colorway. It is leak-free and has a strap that comes in handy when traveling. Buy on Amazon
Contigo Luxe Autoseal Spill-free and budget-friendly but have shorter heat retention. It can keep the drink hot for only 5 hours and cold for 12 hours. Buy on Amazon
Zojirushi Stainless Steel MugHigh-quality and a leak-proof lid. Slim and easy to carry. Buy on Amazon
Yeti RamblerDesigned like a regular mug with full-loop grips. Keeps drinks hot for up to 6 hours. Buy on Amazon
Thermos Stainless KingTrademark holder of the vacuum insulation technology. Has the longest thermoregulation out of all on the list. It can keep drinks hot for up to 24 hours. Buy on Amazon
Summary of the travel mugs.

About Kitty & Yogesh

Hoi! We’re Kitty and Yogesh, expats in the Netherlands. HollandDreams is a blog dedicated to traveling and living in the Netherlands. Together with our beagle dog Pépa, we travel across the country to explore exciting destinations and gather useful tips for travelers and expats.

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