Best Travel Mugs in the UK 2022 Buyer’s Guide
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If you are commuting or hiking, a reliable travel mug makes it easier to enjoy your favourite beverages like coffee or black or green tea, while also saving money and reducing waste. There are many factors you should consider when searching for the best travel mug- BPA free, resistant to rust and corrosion, made of high quality and durable food-grade 18/8 stainless steel, better drinking experience no metallic taste, does it fit in a car cupholder, Stay sweat and condensation free.
Since disposable mugs are wasteful and regular at-home mugs aren’t practical to take on the go, a steel travel reusable coffee mug will make sure that your beverage is at the perfect temperature (hot or cold!) — no matter how long ago you made it.
Since there are so many types of travel cups on the UK market, We evaluated the best thermal coffee mug to find out which are actually worth buying.
Our top 5 brands include leak-proof picks you can rely upon in your bag, insulated options for nature lovers caught in the coldest environments, and cool designs that showcase your personality with every sip.
What we looked for in a Travel Mug
- Good Value for money
- Effectiveness
- Style
- Design and functionality
- Innovation
- Leaks
The Best Travel Mugs to Buy in the UK 2022
Technical Details ComparisonÂ
| Brands | 1.
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| Capacity | 480ml | 470ml | 450ml | 473ml | 450ml | 360ml | 350ml | 470ml |
| Double Wall Stainless Steel | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Heat Retention | Hot 6+hr and Cold 12+hr | Hot 5+hr and Cold 12+hr | Hot 5+hr and Cold 9+hr | Hot 7+hr and Cold 10+hr | Hot 10+hr and Cold 12+hr | Hot 6+hr and Cold 6+hr | Hot 6+hr and Cold 12+hr | Hot 10+hr and Cold 24+hr |
| Leak-proof | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Item Weight | 355g | 340g | 340g | 370g | 360g | 172g | 250g | 380g |
| BPA free | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Material | Stainless steel with non-slip rubber base | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel with silicone rubber base |
Our Recommended Travel Mug Review
1. Sophie & Jasmine London Travel Mug Review
After considering all the features, quality and price, we found that this British brand Sophie & Jasmine London is the absolute best travel mug for keeping drinks piping hot for long periods of time. It features impressive thermal-retention abilities and has a thoroughly leak-proof, locking lid.
Compared to similar mugs in the market, this one is slick in design and is a bit slimmer and more comfortable to drink out of. This coffee mug comes in 3 different colours and it contains 480ml. An attractive cool design that’s minimalist yet eye-catching in its simplicity. Insulated double-wall stainless steel mug that stays cool to the touch, so your hands never get burned. Perfect for coffee, green or black tea and hot water.
Spillproof & leakproof seals and a simple click mechanism to open & close that we trust to keep your belongings dry. Just close the lid, and you’re guaranteed that the top won’t pop open when you don’t want it to. OneTouch click opens & closes hands-free with just one finger and the lock is closed for peace of mind when taking in a bag.
This BPA Free steel mug has continued to dominate the competition in our heat-retention tests. It will keep your drink for more than 6 hours and cold for more than 12 hours. The most important feature of this reusable coffee cup is that you can open and close the lid with one hand which is easy to drink from when you are driving. This feature makes it a unique design.
These mugs are also well constructed and It has got an easy-to-grip design that fits perfectly in your car cup holders. You can sip in style while you’re driving on the way to your office and home. It has been designed to bring a better drinking experience with no metallic taste.
Another important function is the special non-slip rubber base to maximise stability and minimise accidents. Also, the body is made of high-quality and durable food-grade 18/8 stainless steel which is non-magnetic and has excellent resistance to rust and corrosion and won’t grow mould.
Is it Leakproof?
It is hard to get a leakproof travel mug no matter what every company claims. But this company promises that every British family receive sustainable products with 100 % customer satisfaction. In any case, if you are unsatisfied or received any faulty item, simply contact them; they will issue you a Full Refund or Replacement Product within 30 days of receipt of delivery. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
Cleaning Instruction:
For Regular Cleaning: Please hold the hole of the lid from where you drink under the hot water tap while clicking on and off for some time.
For Deep Cleaning: Take a bowl and soak the lid in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. You can also add white vinegar and baking soda. This travel mug lid has an open/close mechanism, so set it to “open.†This will help soften and loosen whatever may be clinging to the lid.
Finally rinse under warm tap water, opening and closing the lid to ensure all the soap gets washed away.
2. Contigo West Loop Autoseal Review
While the Contigo’s outward appearance is pretty standard for a travel mug, there are a handful of welcome features hidden within.
Contigo West Loop stainless steel coffee travel mug, have lids to prevent drips and spills and are usually designed to keep liquids hot for much longer than a standard mug.
The coffee mug is a double-walled vacuum insulated, meaning that it’s comprised of two layers of steel and the space between the layers has been voided of air leaving an empty channel that doesn’t conduct heat well. That’s why it will not burn your hand.
The company claims the mug can keep drinks hot for 5+ hours which is not bad. We tested it and the Contigo performed even better than promised.
The mug’s most sophisticated features are hidden in the lid, though. Rather than having a flip-top, there is a small hole with auto-seal technology. This means the hole stays closed unless the user presses and holds the lid’s button.
The company claims it’s easy to clean. They said its dishwasher-safe lid hinges open completely for easy cleaning. It provides easy and convenient one-handed drinking for both left- and right-handed users and it will fit most car cup-holders:
3. 720°DGREE Travel Mug “PleasureToGo“ Review
An eye-catching travel mug for every coffee and tea enthusiast. This brand 720°DGREE mug can become an ideal companion for daily commuters or avid hikers. It has an elegant, minimalistic design and is made 100% free from BPA materials.
It is built using food-safe stainless steel that leaves no residual taste or smells when you drink your favourite beverage. The mug boasts a durable, matte finish that really shines when the light falls on it.
Speaking about the interior, the mug has a double-wall design with an extra copper layer to keep your drinks hot for up to 5 hours and cold for up to 9 hours. So, no matter whether you prefer your beverages super hot or icy-cold, this is one of the best leakproof coffee travel mugs.
The only part that is made without the use of metal is the lid – it’s constructed from durable plastic and silicone. You can effortlessly open it with just 1 click, which is particularly handy for those individuals who often drink on the go. The lid is completely leakproof and the mug can be safely thrown into your hiking backpack without worrying about leakage.
If you want to ensure the maximum life span, wash by hand. Overall, the 720°DGREE mug seems to be well-constructed and sturdy enough to take day-to-day commuting knocks. Comfortable drinking and effortless cleaning are guaranteed.
4. Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug Review
With double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps your hot drink hot or your cold drinks cold, the 473ml Stanley Trigger Action mug has a leakproof design and a trigger-action, push-button lid.
Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your favourite tea, coffee or other hot drinks hot for 7+ hrs.—or chilled beverages cold for up to 10+ hrs.
Everything is made with BPA-free material with 18/8 stainless steel so this can take a beating. It will fit in most car’s cup holders so it can ride along on your daily commute.
Trigger-action, push-button lid makes this reusable coffee cup spillproof and easy for one-handed use. Leakproof design lets you throw this in your work bag without worrying about it.
Since 1913, Stanley has promised to provide rugged, capable gear for food and drink, built to last a lifetime. Wide-mouth tumbler opening makes washing by hand a breeze. All components are also dishwasher-safe to make cleanup easy.
5. Milu Thermo Mug Review
This brand MILU has designed an innovative thermal mug that has a lot to offer.
Our Milu thermal mug has absolutely convincing inner qualities and will enrich your everyday life. They use durable, high-quality and rustproof 18/8 stainless steel. This material is easy to clean, odourless, tasteless and completely harmless to health. Their lid is made plastic-free from BPA, so an all-around active contribution to your health.
This mug will keep soothing tea and coffee warm for up to 10 hours long also cool for up to 12 hours. 450ml capacity and the size is flexible for handbags, school bags or cup holders in the car. One-Click closure, the lid is easy to close/open at the touch of a button and is still 100% leak-proof.
It also comes with a free cleaning brush.
6. Zojirushi SM-SC36 Stainless Steel Travel Mug Review
This travel mug from Zojirushi model SM-SC36 capacity 340 Grams hits almost every mark and is one of but best but expensive travel mugs. The stainless steel vacuum-insulated double walls keep your drinks hot for more than six hours, and its tough design is virtually unbreakable and strong yet still light to carry. They have a special manufacturing technique to make the body ultra-lightweight and compact.
The cleaver design flip-open lids are designed to release and hold, then flip open. This 2-step lid release allows condensation on the lid gasket to fall back into the travel mug instead of splattering. You can completely disassemble the lid for easy and thorough cleaning. Also, the safety lock prevents the lid from opening accidentally if you keep it inside your bag.
The air vent on the mouthpiece allows the drink to flow out smoothly, without gushing or overflowing. The non-stick coated inside makes cleaning very easy. Also, the wide-open mouth will help to drop ice easily.
7. Le Creuset Stainless Steel Travel Mug Review
This stylish eye-catching 350 ml leak proof insulated travel mug from Le Creuset also ticks all the right boxes to be one of the best ones on the list but it’s a bit expensive too comparing the other brands on the list. Its double-walled and vacuum-sealed design will keep your drinks stays piping hot during your journey and throughout the day.
It has a handy silicone ring at the base to keep it stable on the table and the vacuum-sealed will prevent unwanted spillages. It comes with heat-resistant lids but make sure to keep liquid below the screw-top thread line and the lid locks securely to prevent any leaks. Also, the flip-top is secured in the open or closed position only after it clicks into place.
Make sure to clean with warm water and mild soap. Wash and dry thoroughly after each use. They suggested hand wash only.
8. Thermos 185198 Direct Drink Flask Review
This travel mug is for those looking to add a pop of colour to their day and it is one of the best-insulated travel mugs that keeps coffee hot the longest hours. This Drink Flask has changed the way we use a travel mug. Designed with travel in mind, this mug is ideal for everyday use for people on the go. The clever drink flow spout enables you to flip the lid and drink directly from the bottle one-handed. It allows maximum temperature retention – keeps hot for 10 hours and cold for 24 hours.
You can use this mug as a traditional Flask, travel mug in the car or sports bottle. The locking top ensures that it’s leak-proof. You can choose different colours to allow you to mix up your style. It’s a perfect companion for the daily commute or your weekend adventures. Created with the Thermos® quality and performance you can rely on and with a 5-year guarantee.
How to Choose the Best Travel Mugs for Coffee or Hot Drinks
When shopping, there are a few important factors you should keep in mind:
1. Is it double-wall insulated?
You should buy insulated mugs that can keep your drinks hot or cold for much longer periods of time. Most of the top-rated brands on the market have steel or glass interiors. Some options are also double-walled (or double-insulated), meaning there is an air pocket between the two layers of insulation to keep your drink hot and prevent the cup from overheating.
2. How long does a travel mug stay hot or cold?
A travel coffee mug should retain your beverage hot or cold temperature for as long as its specs advertise, so look for mugs with the longest heat and cold retention times. Many reasons can affect the length of time mugs can keep your beverage hot or cold. The most effective material for mugs has proven to be stainless steel.
3. Does it have a spill-proof lid?
If you keep your reusable coffee mug in a bag or cup holder, its lid shouldn’t leak. The best reusable coffee mugs should have two sealing mechanisms: the first will cover the sipping port and the second locks the lid into place to prevent it from being jostled open. With some mugs, you have to hold down a button to open the sipping port for drinking, so it seals automatically when you let go.
This auto-sealing mechanism prevents spills if you knock over your mug. Arguably one of the most important features of travel mugs is a leak-proof lid.
4. Is it big enough?
Some people prefer wider mugs that won’t rattle in cupholders, while others like slimmer mugs that take up less space in backpacks or bags. When buying a travel cup, it is also important to consider how much drink it can hold. If you intend to use your mug in your car, you should also consider the shape and size of the mug, and whether it will be able to fit inside a cup holder.
5. Is it dishwasher safe?
You might be wondering: are travel mugs dishwasher safe? 99% of mugs that you can buy in the UK are not safe. Most modern mugs have dishwasher safe lids, but the vacuum-sealed body is not dishwasher safe.
Some mugs are made with many small, intricate parts that can be difficult to clean around. If you think that you are not going to deal with hand-washing your cup, you should invest in one that is dishwasher safe.
As we said most of the travel mugs are generally not safe on dishwashers because of the vacuum seal that gives the travel mug its insulating properties. The high heat from your dishwasher can damage these vacuum seals. The damaged vacuum seal will cause your travel cup to lose its insulating properties, and it might cause a leak.
You got the option to choose the brand of coffee mugs that are safe in the dishwasher. Make sure to read the product listing page carefully if any company is claiming that their mug is safe in the dishwasher. Our experience is there are many brands; they claim that it is safe but the product loses its longevity or colour if you use a dishwasher regularly. Our advice is to hand wash it.
6. Is it easy to use?
A hood travel mug should be easy to use. Just imagine you’re going to be using your mug while driving or biking, you’ll definitely need at least one hand free, and probably both eyes. A good mug should be easy to both open and close and lock and unlock, with one hand.
7. Why handle-free travel mug is the best choice?
We recommend not to buy mugs with handles for few reasons. First, it’s unnecessary: with a vacuum-insulated double wall mug, you don’t need to worry about burning your hand on the mug’s body. Handles can add additional space and weight to a bag or backpack, and may also prevent a mug to fit into a car cup holder.
8. Is it BPA free?
Not only are BPA-free mugs better for the environment, but they are also much better for your body. Studies have found high amounts of BPA consumption to be related to many diseases. By drinking from products that contain BPA, you are eliminating the main source contributing to higher BPA levels in your body. For improved health and to decrease the risks of the health effects above, we recommend choosing BPA-free travel mugs.
How Travel Mug Keeps Your Drink Hot
A double-wall stainless steel travel mug tries to keep heat in by having two layers, one is smaller than the other, separated by a thin layer of empty space. The air is sucked out from that empty space between the layers and there is a seal that will prevent air from getting back in. Now the inner container has no air to transfer its heat onto. A vacuum is terrible at conducting heat. So, the heat stays inside the inner container, keeping your drink hot.
How to Clean Your Travel Mug in 2 Simple Ways
When you have that favourite travel mug and use it every day, you rapidly become attached to it and needing to find a different mug seems like abandoning an old one. The trouble is that your old one can sometimes become a bit dirty and even stinky or mouldy if you fail to give it the care that it needs. Also, the rubber ring that serves as a seal on some lids can also trap water and grow mould.
Consuming mould can be dangerous for us since some types of mould may cause serious and severe allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
Yes there are 2 simple and effective ways to safely and deeply clean it—and yes as we advised, skip the dishwasher:
1. With Soap
Take apart any pieces of the lid that you can. Soak them and the lid in warm dish-soapy water for 10 minutes. This will help soften and loosen whatever may be clinging to the lid. If the lid has an open/close mechanism, set it to “open.†Avoid cleansers or anything chlorine-based.
Using a clean sponge, wipe your mug and lid down with soapy water. Rinse them quickly under running water. Dry with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth.
2. With Vinegar or Baking Soda
If the soap doesn’t do the trick, here is another option to clean the coffee stains out of mugs with baking soda. Sprinkle about 1 tsp. baking soda on the stain and add a little water to make a paste. Scrub the stain with a soft sponge. The gentle, abrasive nature of baking soda will helps lift coffee or tea stains from the surface. Rinse the mug well to remove any remaining baking soda from it.
Why Would You Use Travel Mug
Now that travel restrictions in the UK are slowly being lifted and offices, shops are starting to reopen, it’s time to start thinking about on-the-go essentials. Whether you plan on taking a vacation or your job recently announced a return to the office, a travel mug is a useful accessory that can help you stay hydrated (or caffeinated) on the road. You can also carry your lukewarm meal replacement shakes going to the gym. You can also use them as an alternative to insulated water bottles.
Investing in a reusable mug can also help you use fewer single-use coffee cups while keeping your coffee hot for a long time, which is generally better for the environment. Buying the right reusable cup could also mean the difference between having a hot drink for hours and settling for lukewarm coffee after just 30 minutes.
Nowadays, it is very easy and quick to buy coffee and other hot drinks from anywhere where in the UK. You can buy them from your local coffee shop, supermarkets, off licenced shops or filling stations. They can be simply put in either paper cups or disposable plastic containers. But have you ever thought of bringing your very own travel mug?
In the UK, some coffee shops started charging customers more to use disposable. They are doing this to actively encourage us to use reusable cups. But what are the reasons for this move towards reusable travel mugs rather than plastic throwaways?
It’s not only for environmental reasons, but it is also good for our health and wellbeing – and of course, in the long run, it is cost-effective. Sales of reusable coffee cups are soaring in the UK, retailers are reporting, as the government hints at a tax on disposable cups.
The benefits
✅ Your health: Drinking from a plastic mug is harmful to your health. While going out or staying at the workplace, many people use a lot of plastic mugs. The BPA in plastic will contaminate the drink.
✅ Our environment: We have been using so many plastic cups for a long time, unaware of their impact on the environment. When you enjoy your sip of coffee, just think about the planet we live on. A reusable travel mug is surely an environment-friendly option compared to disposable mugs.
✅ Save money at coffee shops: Many coffee shops in the UK, offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable coffee mug. If you’re a regular coffee drinker, you could save more than £100 a year.
✅ It’s convenient: Your travel mug will usually also keeps your drink at the right temperature for a long period of time compared to disposable mugs. When the travel mug is properly insulated, it keeps your drink hot for hours. The paper mug doesn’t offer much in the way of insulation, so your drink is likely to turn cold quickly, particularly when it’s chilly outside.
✅ Prevent leaks and spills: If you’re looking for something that you can carry in your bag without any risk of spills, you’re best off opting for a travel mug, as these are designed to be more leak-proof than reusable cups.
✅ Travel Mugs are cool: Eco-friendly mugs are very popular nowadays in the UK. At the office desk, at the park, at the supermarket, or any other place where you go, you can see various mugs. It’s not only trendy but also a statement piece.
To summarize, there are many benefits to using stainless steel travel mugs. They not only help you to protect our planet but also enable us to save money and make healthier choices.
Taking Advantage of Using Travel Mug for Discounts in Coffee Shops
Do you know some coffee shops in the UK that give you a discount if you bring your own travel mug for coffee? If you own a reusable mug or are about to make the switch, you are on the front line for the battle against single-use disposables. Owning a reusable travel mug is a quick way to eliminate a lot of disposable waste that isn’t usually recycled!
With plastic pollution building (literally), many coffee shops are encouraging customers to boycott single-use cups. They’re offering discounts for customers who use reusable cups instead.
Ultimately, the most cost-effective way to save on hot drinks is to carry your own mug. So we take a look at which cafes offer the best discounts, and how much money you could save with your own eco cup.
Pret A Manger: They give customers a 50p discount if they have a reusable cup.
Starbucks: In the UK, customers who bring their own cups to their store are offered a 25p discount on their drink.
Costa: They offer a 25p discount on any handcrafted drink in-store to everyone who chooses a reusable cup rather than a disposable one.
M&S café: A 25p discount for customers bringing reusable cups to its in-store café’s.
These are just some of the examples but you need to find out how much discount your favourite coffee shop offers. Just imagine on average if you save 25p per day that means almost £90+ savings a year.
Invest some money buying a good quality travel mug that can last for years (if they’re looked after properly), so you should get your money’s worth in the long run. The good thing is, you’ll be helping the environment from day one by using a travel mug.
