For all the time we spend thinking about the best coffee maker or the best tea kettle, we might forget one crucial piece of equipment: the humble mug. Whether it contains the day's first cup of coffee or before-bed chamomile, the best coffee mugs are comfortable to hold and can survive drops, spills, and endless refills.
The best coffee mugs are subjective. Consider buying a few types to reduce dishwashing and give yourself or your guests options. We looked at durability, heat retention, dishwasher safety, and price to find the best coffee mugs. Our favorite ceramic option is the Le Creuset Coffee Mug, a classic piece that is chip-resistant and comes in 20 colors. A more modern option is the Bodum Double-Wall Bistro Mug. These mugs are lightweight, minimalist, and worth a look.
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Here are the best coffee mugs
Best ceramic: Le Creuset Mug - See at Amazon
Best set: Serami Classic Diner Mug (Set of 4) - See at Amazon
Best glass: Bodum Double-Wall Bistro Mug - See at Amazon
Best travel: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug - See at Amazon
Best smart: Ember Temperature Control Ceramic Mug 2 - See at Amazon
Best travel for brewing: Espro Travel Coffee Press - See at Amazon
Best ceramic
Le Creuset's mug is a classic piece of kitchenware that will last through many cups of coffee, trips through the dishwasher, and spins in the microwave, thanks to its thick stoneware construction.
What we like
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Le Creuset has been a giant in the cookware industry for nearly a century. It's also a favorite among the Insider Reviews team. We love Le Creuset's mug for its aesthetic. It's available in many colors, all of which have that signature Le Creuset ombré and three stripes at the bottom. But more importantly, we appreciate its durability.
The mugs are made of thick stoneware, a type of ceramic fired at a high temperature with glass added for strength. They are coated with Le Creuset's standard high-quality enamel glaze that prevents scratching and resists staining. Other mugs often acquire a permanent brown ring on the inside if you let your coffee sit for too long but not these.
The thick stoneware is resistant to chips and cracks, and while it's not drop-proof by any means, an occasional bump off a desk or a fall onto the carpet likely won't spell doom for your Le Creuset mug.
Though Le Creuset has a reputation for its high price tag, their mugs are relatively affordable if you're just buying a couple. If you're going to buy a full set, you might find yourself running up a significant tab, but Le Creuset does offer a more affordable set of four. — Jen Gushue
Best set
This set of four Serami Classic Diner Mugs will last you nearly forever thanks to their extra thick chip-proof construction, inspired by the classic diner design. Plus, they won't break the bank.
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If you prefer to have a matching set of mugs to keep your kitchen looking clean and organized, we recommend this set of four Serami Classic Diner Mugs.
Inspired by the classically designed mug found at your local greasy spoon, these mugs are made of heavy-duty ceramic, designed to withstand all kinds of clanking and dropping. By no means are they indestructible, but if they can withstand being tossed into a bus tub of dirty dishes, they can survive your kitchen.
The thick ceramic also helps to insulate hot beverages. According to Thermtest Industries, an organization dedicated to the measurement of thermal conductivity, ceramic is one of the best materials for your mug. It holds onto heat well, maintaining the temperature of your coffee rather than letting heat escape.
The only downside to this mug is its small capacity at just 11 ounces, one ounce less than a Starbucks tall coffee. If you've ever had a cup of coffee at a diner, you'll understand that these mugs need to be refilled often. Though, you could always use it as an excuse to get up from your desk and give your brain a break while you refuel. — Jen Gushue
Best glass
Durable and lightweight, the 10-ounce Bodum Double-Wall Bistro Mug keeps drinks warm and can go in the dishwasher and microwave.
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Bodum makes the best French press, and it also has impressive glass coffee mugs. The Double-Walled Bistro Mug is made of borosilicate glass, which is more resistant to temperature changes than standard glass. It's less likely to break if you drop an ice cube in your hot coffee, for example.
Glass is a nonreactive material, making it a good choice for those who don't want the taste of their cup interfering with their coffee or tea. These mugs are also lighter than thick ceramic mugs.
The Bodum glass mug has a double-walled construction that not only keeps hot drinks warm, but also keeps the outside of the mug cooler and easier to hold. While not shatterproof, the glass holds up well to dings and is safe for both the dishwasher and microwave. It's also oven safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
For those who prefer iced coffee, the double wall also limits condensation so you don't leave a ring on your table. The mug is available in a few sizes: 5 ounces, 10 ounces, and 15 ounces.
Best travel
The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug keeps hot and cold drinks at enjoyable temperatures for hours longer than the competition, and its lockable lid ensures it's truly leak-proof.
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The Zojirushi SM-SE Travel Mug is, without a doubt, the best travel mug you can buy. Yes, that's a bold statement, but we've got the data to back it up.
Based on our test, the Zojirushi mug was able to keep coffee hot for 14 hours, which was an impressive five hours longer than the next-best mug we tested. And it's not just for hot beverages either. It kept ice frozen for seven hours — which was a solid hour and a half longer than the next best mug.
Beyond its insulation features, it also features a spring-loaded, push-button lid that flips open to a well-sized drinking spout. When closed, it's leak-proof, and it even has a handy switch at the base of the lid that locks it shut so you can confidently toss it in your bag.
The lid easily disassembles for a thorough cleaning, though unfortunately, you will have to do that by hand. Zojirushi also offers a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation, so if your mug ever loses its ability to retain temperature, Zojirushi will replace it. — Jen Gushue
Best smart
Nothing ruins the coffee experience like a cup going lukewarm too fast. The Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 eliminates the problem by keeping a drink at the optimal temperature.
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Ember is an electronic coffee mug and coaster that keep your liquids at the ideal temperature for as long as you're drinking them. If you remove the mug from the coaster it will still keep your beverage hot for up to an hour; keep it on the coaster and it will stay warm for as long as it's full. The coaster is also a charging station for the mug.
The mug can detect the amount and temperature of the liquid inside, and it knows when you've finished your drink, at which point it will shut itself off. You can adjust the temperature (in either Fahrenheit or Celsius) and create presets for different drinks using the Ember app.
According to Les Shu, Insider Reviews guides editor, the mug is brilliant at keeping coffee or tea hot but not so hot that it isn't drinkable. It's durable, but it's definitely not dishwasher safe, due to all its internal tech. The app works well, though your phone needs to be nearby if you wish to make any settings adjustments. One disappointment he noticed is that if a drink is left in the cup for too long, the milk develops a film on the surface.
The major downside is the price, which is steep for a mug. Some customers also complained about the inside of the mug breaking down quickly, but Ember does have a 30-day money-back guarantee that should take care of any initial quality issues. Ember also offers a 14-ounce version and a travel mug. — Erin Mayer
Best travel for brewing
Brew your coffee on the go with the Espro Travel Coffee Press, the travel mug with a French press built in.
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Have you ever wished you could brew coffee from your travel mug? The Espro Travel Coffee Press is exactly what the name suggests: a travel mug that has a French press mechanism under the lid.
But the product is actually multi-functional and can be used as both a French press and to make pour-over coffee with an additional paper filter. There's also a tea strainer filter available if you're a loose-leaf tea drinker.
Not only can you brew and sip on the go, you know you're getting a quality cup of coffee with the Espro P1. Thanks to a secure seal and micro-filter that prevents grounds from entering your brew, the Espro is the best travel French press we tested. It's also top-rack dishwasher safe. The one con we found is that the French press apparatus does make it difficult to add any dairy or sweetener. — Erin Mayer
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@bjinnox.com.
