Hot beverages and dawn patrol go together like surfboards and waves. Photo: Jody Marcon//The Inertia

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Nothing hits better in the morning than a steaming mug of coffee or tea. If you plan to be out at first light, you’ll want to bring your favorite hot beverage to go so you can sip en route. And, if your activity is going to be a chilly one (like a morning surf or ski), you’ll want a mug that’s going to keep your beverage warm so you can thaw out afterward. Cue an insulated coffee mug. We got our hands on a wide array of the best insulated coffee mugs, and have spent the last few years taking them on daily adventures. Below are our favorite coffee mugs we tested this year.

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Editor’s Note: We updated this guide in December 2024 with a new pick (the Owala SmoothSip Slider), updated links, and improved navigation.

The Best Insulated Coffee Mugs of 2024

Best Overall Insulated Coffee Mug: YETI Rambler 20 Ounce Travel Mug
Runner Up Best Insulated Coffee Mug: Klean Kanteen TKWide 20 Oz
Best Budget Insulated Coffee Mug: RTIC Road-Trip Travel Mug
Best Lid Design: Owala SmoothSip Slider
Best Insulated Coffee Mug for Paddling: BOTE MAGNETumbler
Most Versatile Insulated Coffee Mug: CamelBak MultiBev
Best Insulated Coffee Mug for Camping: Hydro Flask 24 oz. Coffee Mug

Jump To More Coffee Mugs We Love

Best Overall Insulated Coffee Mug

YETI Rambler 20 Ounce Travel Mug ($38)

Pros: Ultra-tough, double-wall vacuum insulation
Cons: Too big for some cup holders
Weight: 1 lb 2.7 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

YETI’s Rambler 20-ounce travel mug is as tough as they come. The mug is made from 18/8 stainless steel, features double-wall vacuum insulation that will keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold, and it’s dishwasher safe. The mug includes the Rambler Stronghold Lid that is ultra-leakproof, featuring a twist-on upgrade with dual-sided magnet technology, so it’s extra secure. Available in seven eye-catching colors, YETI’s Rambler is a mug that’s going to get the job done for years to come. If 20 oz isn’t what you’re looking for, YETI has lots of other styles and sizes, all equally as awesome.

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Runner-Up Best Insulated Coffee Mug

Klean Kanteen TKWide 20 oz ($35)

Pros: Cross between a mug and a water bottle, narrow design
Cons: Narrow design makes it a little harder to clean
Weight: 15.8 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Klean Kanteen’s TKWide is like a cross between a coffee mug and a water bottle, meaning it’ll keep your beverages hot and sealed. Made from BPA-free 18/8 stainless steel, the bottle will keep drinks hot for up to 17 hours and iced for up to 63.

Not only is the lid leakproof, but it also features an internal thread design that works to increase thermal performance. We’re big fans of the narrow water bottle style of this mug because it’s easy to pack and it fits in a wide variety of cup holders. You also can’t beat Klean Kanteen’s commitment to the environment for peace of mind when online shopping. The TKWide finished just behind the YETI Rambler because it’s not quite as durable and is a little trickier to clean.

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Best Value Insulated Coffee Mug

RTIC Road-Trip Travel Mug ($20)

Pros: Sleek design, fits in most cup holders, ceramic-lined
Cons: Keeps drinks almost too hot, heavy
Weight: 19.2 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The RTIC Travel Mug has everything you could want in an insulated coffee mug while still being affordable. The design is sleek and slim and has a high handle, so it fits in most cup holders. There are tons of color options, and it comes in two different sizes, which is much appreciated.

The design of the travel mug is super similar to the RTIC Insulated Tumbler: double-wall insulation, stainless steel construction, and a screw-on closure lid to prevent leaks and spills. The travel mug works well for both hot and cold drinks, and with the way the insulation is designed, you don’t have a sweaty exterior when drinking cold drinks. We really appreciate the handle for drinking while in transit. It does get in the way of some cup holders, but, as we mentioned, it works well with most. Like the tumbler, it keeps drinks super hot, so be careful when sipping.

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Best Lid Design

Owala SmoothSip Slider ($23)

Pros: Excellent pressure-sealed lid, reliably leak-proof
Cons: Squared-off shape makes good for holding, bad for fitting in cupholder
Weight: N/A
Dishwasher Safe: Lid (hand-wash cup)

Owala has been making waves in the water bottle world with an innovative lid system. Now, the brand has updated its SmoothSip insulated mug with a slider system to more easily and effectively seal hot beverages in your mug, while still making drinking a breeze.

The Owala SmoothSip Slider has a tight, screw-on lid (with gasket) and a push-to-slide pressure sealing button on top. This opens and closes the drinking spout, and we found it worked super well. The cap kept our hot coffee from leaking at all, and drinking was comfortable, with a very subtle flow so as not to burn our mouths. The squared-off shape of this mug makes it easy to hold (it lacks a handle), but it doesn’t fit as snugly in most car cupholders due to the shape.

We tested the 12-ounce version, which worked well enough for a small cup of joe, but we recommend the 20-ounce for added capacity and versatility. All in all, the Owala SmoothSip Slider doesn’t quite top our list, but we found the lid system to be our favorite.

Best Insulated Coffee Mug for Paddling 

BOTE MAGNETumbler ($40)

Pros: Built-in magnet on the bottom, comes with a straw
Cons: Heavy
Weight: N/A
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The coolest thing about the BOTE MAGNETumbler?  It has a built-in magnet at the bottom and is compatible with BOTE stand-up paddle boards, so you can securely bring your coffee out on the water with you. Incredible!

The BOTE MAGNETumbleris a beast of a mug. At 32 ounces, it can hold a lot of liquid but is on the heavier side. The top of the tumbler is wide, but the bottom narrows out, so it still fits well in a cup holder despite its size. The lid has a sliding lid that comes with a straw, which we found useful when opting for cold beverages.

Most Versatile Insulated Coffee Mug

CamelBak MultiBev ($52)

Pros: Multi-use, lots of color options
Cons: A little heavy
Weight: 9.3 oz
Dishwasher Safe: No

Camelbak’s MultiBev is the ultimate do-all beverage container: It’s a water bottle and travel mug in one. Available in ten different color options, the bottle is made from 18/8 stainless steel and features a powder coat finish with a non-slip silicone base. You can use the MultiBev as a traditional water bottle or you can remove the bottom cup portion and pour out some tea to sip on. The lid is leakproof and when you’re finished, the entire bottle is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

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Best Insulated Coffee Mug for Camping

Hydro Flask 24 oz Coffee Mug ($33)

Pros: Double wall insulation, candidate for Hydro Flask’s trade-in program
Cons: Lid isn’t entirely leakproof, doesn’t fit in some cup holders
Weight: 11.2 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Not listed

Available in five different colors, the Hydro Flask coffee mug features TempShield double-wall insulation and is constructed from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel, so it’s durable and will keep your coffee hot for hours. The lid is sealable but isn’t entirely leakproof, and fitting it in some cup holders can be a challenge. It’s better suited for camping or enjoying once you’re already set up on the beach. In an effort for sustainability, Hydro Flask offers a trade-in program where customers can trade in any unwanted stainless steel products to be recycled and receive a $5 promo code.

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More Coffee Mugs We Love

Another Great Lid Design

Purist Maker Mug ($38)

Pros: Scope top lets you drink from any side, spill-proof
Cons: Not dishwasher safe
Weight: 9.28 oz
Dishwasher Safe: No

The Purist Maker Mug is an epically portable coffee mug. Available in four different colors, the mug features a scope top, which lets you drink from any side. When the lid is closed, the mug is spillproof, so you don’t have to fret about spilling coffee all over your clothes or the inside of a backpack. The double-wall vacuum ensures that drinks stay hot for 12 hours or cold for 24, and the interior glass finish ensures your beverage doesn’t take on a metallic taste. Unfortunately, the mug isn’t advertised as dishwasher safe — we haven’t had any issues, but using the dishwasher could shorten the lifespan of your mug.

Miir Travel Tumbler ($27)

Pros: 3D double-wall insulation, good price
Cons: A little small
Weight: 15.8 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

If you tend to drink your coffee or tea in small doses, this compact tumbler is a great choice. The simple design has everything you need in a travel mug: 3D double-wall insulation, a leakproof travel lid, and a durable hardshell finish. Available in three colors and offered at an affordable price, the Miir Travel Tumber is a solid medium-tier choice.

GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug ($13)

Pros: Super lightweight, great for travel
Cons: Not very insulated
Weight: 3.5 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Not recommended

The GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug is a great lightweight mug for traveling and backpacking. Weighing in at 3.5 oz, it’s super portable for trips where every ounce counts. Made from recyclable clear polypropylene, the mug features a spill-resistant top, sealable spout, and a cloth-wrapped foam sleeve for grip and insulation. While this mug doesn’t offer as much insulation or spill resistance as other options, it’s lighter and more packable. To ensure the Infinity Mug lasts as long as possible, you’ll want to wash it by hand.

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YETI Rambler Tumbler ($35)

Pros: Magnetic lid, lots of color options
Cons: Not fully leakproof
Weight: 12.7 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

YETI makes the best mugs we’ve ever tried, which is why its products appear on our list twice. The YETI Rambler Tumbler has a sleek design with a reliable lid that uses magnets to add extra protection (although it’s still not 100% leakproof). The mug comes in a bunch of color choices and is made from 18/8 stainless steel and features double-wall vacuum wall insulation. This mug is dishwasher safe and keeps drinks hot or cold for an insanely long time. However, we had to give the top spot to the YETI Rambler 20 Oz. Travel Mug ($38) because of the handle, which we found super useful while in transit.

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RTIC Essential Insulated Tumbler ($19)

Pros: Big but fits in a cup holder, solid lid
Cons: No handle
Weight: N/A
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

We’ve known for a while that RTIC makes nice coolers, but only recently learned that they make insulated mugs as well. And darn good ones. The RTIC Essential Insulated Tumbler is made of 18/8 stainless steel and is nice and big, but it still fits in a cup holder. The mug comes in 20, 30, and 40-ounce options. The lid on the Tumbler is super well made and secure, so you don’t have to worry about spills. The Tumbler keeps drinks warm, almost too warm, so make sure and do a temperature check before sipping or take the lid off for a bit to cool.

The only thing the RTIC Insulated Tumbler lacks is a handle, but at $19, it’s a pretty incredible mug. That lack of a handle is what had us choose the RTIC Road-Trip Travel Mug above as the Best Value option—for about the same price it gets a nice upgrade.

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Snow Peak Titanium Double Wall Mug ($65)

Pros: Folding handle, extremely lightweight
Cons: Pricey, doesn’t fit in a cup holder
Weight: 5.1 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Snow Peak makes awesome, high-quality camping gear, but it doesn’t come cheap. At $65, the Titanium Double Wall Mug is nice but the most expensive mug on our list. The mug is definitely a camp-style mug with no lid and a side handle. As such, it doesn’t keep drinks hot (or cold) as long as a sealed mug, but the double-wall design helps keep drinks warm for a while.

The mug is super lightweight, and the handle folds in for packing, which is nice for camping and backpacking. The titanium ensures that the mug is as durable as it comes, and it won’t break or ding easily. For cold drinks, we also really enjoyed Snow Peak’s Stacking Mugs.

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GSI Glacier Stainless Steel Camp Mug ($16)

Pros: Lightweight, affordable
Cons: Doesn’t fit in a cupholder
Weight: 7 oz
Dishwasher Safe: N/A

At 7 ounces, the GSI Glacier Stainless Steel Camp Mug is lightweight, making it a great mug for adventures. Sporting a traditional coffee mug design, the Glacier is too wide to fit in most cup holders and best suited for car camping. The mug has double wall insulation and a lid, so it keeps beverages warm but not as warm as, say, one of the YETI mugs. The website doesn’t state whether the Glacier is dishwasher safe, but we’ve been washing it in the machine for months with no issues. The wide design makes it easy to clean if you prefer to do it by hand. The mug is nice and durable and backed by a lifetime warranty.

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YETI Rambler Vacuum Wine Tumbler ($25)

Pros: Unique shape feels good to hold
Cons: No handle
Weight: 8 oz
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Okay, we know the YETI Rambler Vacuum Wine Tumbler has wine in the name, but we’ve been using it for coffee and tea for the past year and love it. The unique shape is different than any other insulated mug we’ve tried, and we love the way it feels in our hands.

There’s no handle, but we found we didn’t mind. The stainless-steel construction means this tumbler is durable and the exterior is designed to prevent sweating for those days when you opt for a cold beverage. The lid features magnet technology, which makes for easy opening and closing and prevents spilling. And surprisingly, the Rambler did fit in our car cup. The compact design is easy to pack and holds a normal mug size of coffee.

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RTIC Essential Coffee Cup ($16)

Pros: Heavy duty lid, option to personalize
Cons: Heavy
Weight: N/A
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The RTIC Essential Coffee Cup is a great option for camping or everyday use. The weight isn’t specified, but it’s heavier than some of the other mugs we’ve tested, so it’s better suited for camping at home than for backpacking. The insulation is functional, almost too functional, and will keep your coffee hot for hours. We recommend removing the lid if you wish to cool things down more quickly.

This insulated coffee mug will keep beverages cold for an entire day, but we found it a little on the small side for cold drinks. The lid is heavy-duty and locks and seals to ensure there’s no spillage while you’re on the move. This mug is extremely well made and even has the option to personalize if you wish to give it as a gift.

Klean Kanteen Rise Mug ($33)

Pros: Fun handle design, base cap
Cons: Wide lid opening leaves more room for spilling
Weight: 10.9 oz.
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

The Klean Kanteen Rise Mug is a small, camp-style mug with a unique handle design. At 14 fluid ounces capacity, the Rise has enough room for a single cup of joe. The mug is made from 90% post-consumer recycled steel, and the vacuum insulation will keep your beverages hot (or cold) for hours on end. The unique handle design didn’t affect the function much, but we did think it made for a fun aesthetic.

The Rise is designed to be durable and features a cap at the base for extra protection should you drop it. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. Finally, the splash-proof lid opened halfway, which was much wider than the other mugs we tested. This wide lid opening makes liquids easier to spill, but it also makes it easier to add coffee or pull out your tea bag.

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Miir Camp Cup ($30)

Pros: Powder coating, leakproof lid
Cons: Smaller sizes don’t fit in a cup holder
Weight: 13 oz.
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

We’re not entirely sure what it is about the Miir Camp Cup, but it just feels good to drink out of it. The stainless steel design is hearty and the powder coating prevents scratching and feels good against the fingers. Available in four different sizes, this mug feels compact but still holds plenty of liquid.

The lid is leakproof, and the drinking spout slides open and closed with ease. The smaller sizes look more like camp coffee mugs and don’t fit in a cup holder, but the 20-oz version’s handle sits higher, so the mug fits perfectly. It’s a go-to for commutes.

CamelBak Horizon Tumbler ($16)

Pros: Non-slip silicone base, lots of color options
Cons: On the small side
Weight: 7.5 oz.
Dishwasher Safe: Yes

We know tumblers are meant for cold beverages, but we’re of the opinion that they double nicely for warm ones as well. At 7.5 ounces, the CamelBack Horizon Tumbler is lightweight and portable. The Horizon comes in a lidless version, but we prefer the model with the lid to prevent spilling. The Horizon fits well in a cup holder and features a non-slip silicone base, which helps prevent your beverage from accidentally getting tipped over. The finish toes the line between smooth and grippy, and the lid easily slides and locks into place. At 12 ounces, the Horizon is on the small side, but there are bigger models available as well.

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Insulated Coffee Mugs Comparison Table

How We Tested Insulated Coffee Mugs

We brought in the whole team to lend opinions and testing to our insulated coffee mugs guide. Rebecca Parsons is always on the go: running, surfing, paddling, hiking. You name it; she probably does it. And editor Nathan Lemin tested insulated coffee mugs at camp, cabins, and cross-country road trips throughout the year.

To fit all of her activities into a busy schedule, Parsons typically rises early, making her morning beverage to go. So, to test these mugs, she brought them along for the car rides to her adventures and also sipped out of them while typing away at home.

Lemin’s car, campsite, and let’s be honest, home, are typically covered in dog hair, melted snow, and tracked in trail dirt. He adventures year-round with an insulated coffee mug, from early morning trail runs to cozy camp breakfast by the fire. Whether taking these to the slopes or the trails, Lemin is looking for really tough and well-insulated mugs that seal out the cold (and dirt) and seal in black gold. His favorite designs were fully-sealed, leakproof, and easy to drink from.

A steaming beverage is perfect for a morning surf check. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Insulated Coffee Mugs Buyer’s Guide

While it may seem like a simple purchase, not all mugs are created equally. You could score a travel mug at the dollar store, but chances are it’ll leak and won’t keep your coffee hot for long. When looking for a mug, we want one that’s easy to clean, leakproof, sports sufficient insulation, and passes the car cup holder test.

Cleaning Insulated Coffee Mugs

There’s no better way to ruin your morning coffee than a mug full of gunk. When looking for a mug, we want one with a generous mouth, so it’s easy to get a sponge in there and keep it clean for many sessions to come. We also ideally want a mug that’s dishwasher safe. Look closely at your mug’s instructions, as sometimes the lid is dishwasher safe and the mug is not or vice versa.

Leakproof

We’ve all been the person who walked into the office with coffee stains down their shirt — thank you, cheap mug. A good mug is leakproof, meaning it’s not going to spill on you, no matter what. It’s important to note, though, that a mug isn’t a water bottle, and if you tip it fully upside down, even the best of the best mugs will likely leak. The Owala SmoothSip Slider and Purist Maker Mug are the only mugs we feel are truly leakproof on our list, though most of the designs like the YETI Rambler 20 Ounce Travel Mug are pretty confidence-inspiring in all but the most extreme cases.

Best Overall Insulated Mug

The YETI Rambler 20 oz. Travel Mug is the ultimate insulated mug. Made from 18/8 stainless steel, the mug features double-wall vacuum insulation and an ultra-leakproof lid, and it’s dishwasher safe.

Price: ($38)

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Insulation 

Many mugs claim to be insulated but don’t live up to those claims. We want a mug that will keep our coffee warm for the better half of the morning, if not all day long. Many of the mugs on our list utilize double-wall vacuum insulation. In short, double-wall vacuum insulation means there’s a gap between the inner and outer layers of stainless steel.

The vacuum seal prevents air from getting between the two layers, which allows hot drinks to stay hot and cold drinks to stay cold.

Some of the insulated mugs we tested. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Materials

Material choice in your insulated coffee mug is important for taste, durability, and even insulation. Most of the mugs on our list utilize 18/8 grade stainless steel, which we found to be the best material when it comes to serious insulation. 18/8 stainless steel is made from 18% chromium and 8% nickel, the combination of which is extremely durable and resistant to oxidation and corrosion. When it’s coupled with double-wall vacuum insulation, it does wonders in keeping drinks warm.

On the other hand, you should steer clear of mugs made solely from aluminum. Aluminum doesn’t insulate well, meaning your drink won’t stay hot (or cold) for very long.

Cup Holder Test

Nothing is more frustrating than a mug that just won’t fit into any of the cupholders in your vehicle. If you’re trying to drive, corral the kids, and jam out to your favorite radio station, it’s a difficult balancing act with a mug in hand. We always make sure our mugs will fit into the car cup holder because life is about choosing your battles.

YETI mugs are reliable, and they have fun customization options. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Other Insulated Coffee Mug Considerations

Size

You’ll want to consider how much coffee or tea you drink before purchasing your mug. If you’re a three-cup-of-coffee type of person, you’ll want to get a bigger mug. If you’re a one-and-done type, a smaller mug will do the job. Luckily, most mugs offer a few different size options, so if you’re dead set on a brand, you will likely be able to find a size that is right for you.

Weight

Most times, you’ll be traveling with your insulated mug, so you probably don’t want something that’s too heavy. Insulation adds a little bit of weight. But more heavily insulated mugs like the YETI Rambler 20 Oz Travel Mug tend to weigh more but keep your drink warmer longer, whereas mugs like the GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug are lighter but not as well insulated.

If you’re simply driving to the office, weight probably isn’t as big of an issue, but if you plan on taking your mug on a multi-day trip through the backcountry, then weight is definitely something worth considering.

We love it when a mug is dishwasher safe, like the YETI Rambler 20 Oz Travel Mug. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Dishwasher Safe

If you’re anything like us, you throw everything in the dishwasher and call your cleanup done. Most brands list on their website whether or not the mug is dishwater compatible. If it’s something that’s important to you, it might be worth checking before you purchase.

Flavor Absorption

Nobody likes drinking out of a mug that tastes like what it held previously. Earl Grey with a hint of yesterday’s coffee? No thanks. Some mugs absorb flavor, which is not ideal. Materials that are least likely to absorb flavor include stainless steel and ceramic. Ceramic isn’t typically a great option when you’re on the go (it can be fragile), making stainless steel our go-to. That said, some mugs like the RTIC Road-Trip Travel Mug have a thin ceramic lining on the inside to help ward off bad flavors while maintaining the durability of a steel build.

The YETI Rambler Vacuum Wine Tumbler feels good in the hands. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Easy to Hold

You know that feeling when a mug sits nicely in your hand and just feels good? That’s what we’re after. Some mugs have a handle, while others have a grippy surface to prevent accidental drops. It all comes down to personal preference, so consider your favorite style before purchasing. Handles can be helpful for holding and carrying but, depending on the design of your car’s cupholder, may prevent your mug from fitting properly.

Lid Design

The design of the lid is important to consider.  Most insulated coffee mugs have a sealing lid complete with a little opening to drink through. If you’re able to fully close this opening between sips, it will help prevent spilling and keep your drink warmer. In rare cases, a lid will have to be fully removed for drinking, which is not as ideal for a life on the go.

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Editor’s Note: Also check out our guide to the Best Water Bottles. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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