You rely on a good travel mug to get you through a busy day. Whether it’s morning rush hour traffic or that 3 PM slump, you need something durable enough to keep you hydrated, or caffeinated, at all times!
How do you pick the right travel mug? What should you keep in mind? Fill up your cup, and let’s get started!
What Are the Best Travel Mugs?
Are you looking for a new travel mug? The best option will check all the boxes when it comes to:
- Size
- Material
- Lid Type
- Insulation
- Look
All of these factors are important to consider when choosing a travel mug. Ultimately, it should fit your lifestyle and what works best for your needs.
How Many Ounces is a Standard Travel Mug?
The average travel mug will fit about 16 ounces. However, you’ll find options that go as high as 64 ounces, as small as 8 ounces, and just about every size in between.
The handy chart below breaks down some of the most popular ounce sizes for travel mugs and compares them to the size of soda containers. This helps you get an idea of how much drink can be stored inside.
The larger you go, the more you can expect to fit in your mug. For instance, the 12 ounce mug would fit one can of soda, while the 64 ounce mug would hold almost all of a 2-liter bottle.
It’s important to know and understand the difference so you don’t go thirsty throughout the day! You should look for a travel mug that’s big enough for you.
Which is the Best Material for a Travel Mug?
Travel mugs are usually made from aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic. Metal is the best insulator, meaning it will keep temperature for both cold and warm drinks.
Still, that isn’t to say plastic is a bad choice when it comes to taking your drinks on-the-go. Take a look at the pros and cons of each material in the chart below.
Plastic
Pros:
- Most affordable option
- Light and easy to carry
- Usually dishwasher safe
Cons:
- May retain odors that could affect taste
- Risk of leaching, especially with mugs that contain BPA
Metal
Pros:
- Offers better insulation than plastic
- Vacuum-sealed options keep temperatures even longer
- Less likely to leach chemicals
Cons:
- More expensive than plastic
- Feels heavier to carry
If you’re on a budget, plastic may be the way to go. Do you want something well-insulated? Cough up the extra dollars and invest in a stainless steel or aluminum option instead. There’s no wrong choice, it just depends on your needs.
What Are the Different Lid Types for Travel Mugs?
The lid is what makes your travel mug portable. There are different ways that it attaches to your mug, such as screwing on or suctioning to the inside. You’ll also find different styles that change how you access your drink.
How the Lid Attaches to Your Mug
First things first, let’s discuss how the lid actually fits onto the mug. There are a few different styles that include:
Snap-On
- Spill-resistant
- Rubber gasket that suctions to the inside of the mug
Screw-On
- Spill-resistant
- Slide lock to hold the lid in place
Press-On
- Secures to the top of the mug
- No rubber gasket underneath
Thermos Cap
- Screws onto the mug
- No opening to drink from on the top
Bottle Cap
- Screws onto the mug
- Rubber gasket underneath
- No opening to drink from on the top
Handled Cap
- Screws onto the mug
- No opening to drink from on the top
- Handle for carrying
Attached Cap
- Screws onto the mug
- Is not removable
- No opening to drink from on the top
How You Take a Drink
Now let’s talk about the drink’s opening. You have different ways to take your sip, including:
Thumb Slide
- Use thumb to open and close the hole
Sip-Through
- Small opening for you to drink through
Flip Top
- Top flips up to allow you to drink
Rotate Lock
- Spill-resistant
- Rotate to open and close the hole
Press Button
- Spill-resistant
- Push button to open and close the top
Straw
- Removable straw that fits into the top
Dual Purpose
- Cap unscrews to become a mug
The lid is just as important as everything else when choosing a travel mug. You want something that’s easy to use and is completely leak-free. Pick a style you don’t mind sipping from all day!
How Long Do Travel Mugs Keep Drinks Insulated?
Your travel mug can keep your drink hot for an average of about 4 hours. Cold drinks will stay cold for an average of 13 hours. The exact length of time for each mug, though, depends on how it’s made.
Below you’ll see a breakdown of five different travel mugs and how well they keep temperature throughout the day.
Stainless steel with screw-on lid
Plastic with press-on lid
Aluminum with copper vacuum insulation
Stainless steel with vacuum insulation
Aluminum with snap-on lid
How long do cold drinks stay cold?
How long do warm drinks stay warm?
*DISCLAIMER: Timeframes could vary based on the product, type of drink inside, and climate. The chart depicts an average in room temperature using cold or hot water.
You don’t want to take frequent trips to the microwave or freezer. The best travel mugs are the ones that hold temperature for as long as possible. This is especially true if you have a long day ahead.
What Are the Most Stylish Travel Mugs?
Most people carry around a simple silver travel mug with a fitted lid. If you want to stand out, try going for a trendier look. Here are some stylish options:
Iridescent
The iridescent trend took off like the speed of light. The vibrant purples and blues were inspired by mystical unicorns, adding a magical touch to your travel mug.
Neon
Turn heads with a cool neon travel mug. It’s sure to add a bright spot to your morning, especially if you’re feeling extra groggy.
Marble
Perhaps no look is trendier than clean white marble. This look is all the rage for home décor, but is especially sophisticated on a good travel mug.
Copper
Many travel mugs have a metallic touch, but copper is a more unexpected look. It won’t cost you too many pennies to try this style!
Speckled
Are you not quite ready for polka dots? Give the speckled drinkware craze a try. It adds a bit of personality to your typical travel mug.
Bling
A sparkly lid turns a boring travel mug into one with a bit more pizzazz. You’ll shine bright like a diamond!
Woodgrain
If you want to go for a polished look, try a woodgrain travel mug. Just don’t let it collect dust in your kitchen cabinet!
Gradient
It can be hard to decide on just one color. A gradient travel mug fades from light to dark tones for a super trendy look.
You want to find a travel mug that’s big, keeps temperature, and has a good lid. Stylish looks are just icing on the cake!
Which Travel Mug is Right for You?
The travel mug you choose is a matter of preference, but it doesn’t hurt to have some handy advice. Here are the main takeaways of what you should look for when shopping:
Large Size
You want your travel mug to be big enough to hold your beverage, whether it’s piping hot coffee or ice cold water.
Metal Insulation
A travel mug made from aluminum or stainless steel will hold temperature the best. Bonus points if you find something that’s vacuum-sealed!
Spill-Resistant Lid
Turn your travel mug upside-down to check for any leaks. You want to be able to seal it tight and close the hole you sip from.
Stylish Look
Your travel mug reflects your personality. Find something that has a cool color or nifty design on the front.
You want your travel mug to be reliable and last for years. After all, you’re probably going to carry it around every single day. Take some time to pick the right one for you!
Try a Custom Travel Mug
Travel mugs make awesome gifts, especially if they are customized with a unique logo or message. Are you a business owner looking for more brand recognition? Maybe you’re getting married and need wedding favors. Either way, custom travel mugs are the perfect choice! All it takes is a really cool design to make an impact.
Ready to get your custom travel mugs? Reach out to the team at Quality Logo Products®!
The Bottom Line
You can’t leave the house without a good travel mug at your side. The good news is you can never have too many! Bring a large, durable one to work and go with something stylish for the weekends. The sky’s the limit!
References
Advertising Specialty Institute. (2019). Global Ad Impressions Study. Retrieved from, https://media.asicentral.com/resources/Global-Ad-Impressions-Study.pdf
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