Anyone who enjoys coffee on the go knows the numerous challenges and demands of the perfect travel mug. These range from leak-proof and drip-proof to heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe, as well as easy handling. Last but not least, the coffee should retain its true character after some time, taste good, and not be masked by metallic notes. In search of the perfect thermal mug, travel mug, or to-go cup, we tested 12 different mugs.
The Test Criteria
The evaluation of the to-go cups was divided into taste-related and technical criteria. These have been refined through community feedback and working with the travel mugs.
We focused on the following criteria:
1. The influence of the container on taste
2. The tactile sensation
3. The drinking experience
We tested all 12 to-go cups over a period of two hours. We tasted them 10 minutes after pouring, after 30 minutes, after one hour, and after two hours.
Taste and Mouthfeel
We evaluated both the taste – divided into flavor and off-taste – as well as the tactile sensation, split into mouthfeel and aftertaste. We also recorded how pleasant it was to drink from the individual cups.
Since some of the containers are also intended to be enjoyed without a drinking lid, such as the Loveramics Nomad or the KeepCup, we decided to taste all to-go cups both without and with a drinking lid. This resulted in some models performing worse in the 'without drinking lid' category since they are not designed for that either. Conversely, there were also cases where the drinking lid significantly impaired the drinking experience.
Is the Temperature Constant?
Furthermore, we measured the temperature in the container over 2.5 hours. This has no impact on the overall rating, but could influence the purchase decision depending on individual preferences.
For the test, we filled all thermal mugs with 200 ml of water at an initial temperature of 94°C and immediately measured the temperature. Surprisingly, all test objects lost between 7 and 18 degrees in the first few seconds. It's important to mention that all mugs were not pre-warmed.
The thermal mugs specifically developed for coffee perform pleasingly best in terms of temperature retention over time. The Kinto Travel Tumbler, Carter Fellow Move, and the Iris Go are still over 62 degrees hot after two hours. Our Kaffeemacher Cup and the FLSK are also in the upper middle range.
As expected, the more cup-like products could not retain the temperature for long. However, it should be noted that these are designed more for quick drinking and not for longer trips.
The Tested Travel Mugs
Our 12 test mugs can be broadly divided into two groups.
- Leak-Proof To-Go Cups
- Non-Leak-Proof To-Go Cups
This division has no impact on taste and tactile sensation, but helps you choose a suitable thermal mug according to your personal needs. The following table summarizes the most important basic data.
Leak-Proof To-Go Cups
Emsa Travel Mug Classic (360ml), CHF 23.20 / 24.52 €
The Emsa Travel Mug Classic looks like a typical all-purpose stainless steel thermal mug and doesn't win any beauty prizes. On the outside, the mug is covered with a rubber coating that retains temperature well. You open the mug simply by pressing a button (Quick-Press) in the center of the lid, but this feels somewhat awkward to me. With the twist closure and Quick-Press, it is 100% leak-proof and its shape is also optimal for longer car drives. The thermal mug can be easily disassembled and is dishwasher-safe.
To drink from the Emsa Travel Mug Classic, you have to tilt it extremely. With hot liquid, this raises concerns about burning. And a few drops may remain in the groove next to the very high drinking rim.
Sensorically and in terms of temperature, the thermal mug ranks in the middle tier. With 85.35°C immediately after pouring, it belongs to the upper half of the tested objects. After 2.5 hours it still maintains 53.15°C and ranks in the middle range. This is actually surprising, as one would expect better insulation due to the tight seal.
In terms of taste, it doesn't quite convince and ranks in the bottom third. Already after 30 minutes, a distinctly metallic taste emerges and the coffee takes on a harsh and scratchy aftertaste. To the Emsa mug*.
Kaffeemacher Cup (250ml), CHF 29.90
Our Kaffeemacher cup by Aladdin is dishwasher-safe and can be transported worry-free in a backpack thanks to the double leak-proof seal. The double-walled stainless steel provides good insulation and the durable powder coating ensures a firm grip. Due to its shape, the thermal mug is versatile and fits both next to the car's cup holder and in a bike's drinking device. The drinking opening of the mug is small and the closure doesn't really please me.
In our comparison, our mug unfortunately didn't perform very well. While it has its fans, sensorically it simply couldn't keep up with the best. In terms of temperature retention, it still performs well in the front with 86.63°C immediately after pouring and 56.85°C after 2.5 hours.
However, the mouthfeel and taste leave something to be desired, ranking it in the lower half. The coffee in the thermal mug doesn't noticeably deteriorate over time, but it starts off only in the middle tier. To the KM Cup
Iris Go (200ml), CHF 45.00 / 45.00 €
The Iris Go surprises with an unusual look, as unlike all other thermal mugs in the test series, it has no removable lid. The closure fits snugly against the stainless steel rim when unscrewed. To close it, you simply screw the closure back on.
For some of our test team, drinking from this soft rubber rim requires some getting used to. However, drinking coffee from this large opening is very cup-like. Small downside: When closing it, a bit of coffee or milk sometimes remains on the closure, which can then drip into your bag or dry on.
We conducted the leak test without the separately available cover. According to the manufacturer, it is leak-proof even without the cover. In our test, however, a few drops did leak, so we would only transport the Iris Go standing upright in a backpack, not tossing it.
The double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel cup is 100% recyclable, which is a major plus in terms of sustainability. The aforementioned cover protects the closure from contamination, which is much more hygienic depending on the cup's intended use.
With 84.48°C immediately after pouring the coffee, the Iris Go ranks in the middle of the initial temperatures. Although the temperature still reaches 62.11°C after 2.5 hours, making it the third hottest mug at the last measurement, unlike others with this high temperature retention, it has less negative impact on taste and mouthfeel. Although the coffee in the Iris Go does become flatter and more characterless over time, it shows less off-taste.
The Iris Go scored very well across all levels and wins our test series!
On the manufacturer's recommendation, we tested additional models regarding tightness. These are generally leak-proof. However, with hot beverages, slight moisture can occur at the top when screwing the closure shut, which can lead to a few drops. The additionally available lid prevents dripping into the bag.
After testing additional models, we moved the mug into the leak-proof to-go cup category.
FLSK Coffee Cup (350ml), CHF 39.00 / 39.00 €
The generous and twice-award-winning (German Design Award Special 2022, Green Product Award Winner 2022) FLSK Coffee Cup is pleasant to hold and has an elegant look. The safety closure, the Flip Lid, closes the drinking opening and can also be fixed at the top of the lid so it doesn't get in the way when drinking. A vacuum layer between the stainless steel walls is meant to slow heat loss, while the copper coating additionally supports this effect.
With 84.67°C immediately after pouring and 54°C after 2.5 hours, the thermal mug remains consistently in the middle range of all test products throughout the temperature measurements.
The small opening regulates the drinking flow but also holds back the milk foam. Without the lid, the mug offers a pleasant drinking experience, but with the lid through the small opening it didn't convince us. Nevertheless, flavor, texture, and aftertaste remain consistently good throughout the entire measurement period, which gives the FLSK Coffee Cup third place in the end.
Kinto Travel Tumbler (350ml), CHF 39.00 / 37.50 €
The very elegant Kinto Travel Tumbler is made for coffee and tea and is among the favorites of many coffee professionals and aesthetes. The test team immediately perceives it positively in terms of appearance. Its distinctive Japanese design impresses with minimalism and functionality. An intermediate floor holds back ice and herbs (for tea), while the drinking stopper additionally regulates the beverage flow.
The drinking stopper is an attachment for the stainless steel insulated mug and therefore doesn't take up space at the bottom, unlike the Fellow Carter Move, for example. This allows the mug to be filled to the top. When unscrewing the lid, the drinking stopper sometimes comes along, which is a bit cumbersome. Due to its narrow shape, the Kinto Travel Tumbler also fits perfectly in small hands and fits both bike and car cup holders.
In this insulated mug too, a vacuum between two stainless steel walls prevents heat transfer. Of all the tested mugs, it loses the least temperature and still maintains 65.89°C after 2.5 hours. However, this also means it's very hot at the beginning, which can raise concerns about burning.
Sensorically, however, the thermal mug unfortunately cannot convince and therefore ranks last. On one hand, we perceive the drinking experience as not positive. The plastic edge feels uncomfortable and the relationship between the diameter of the opening and the depth of the drinking edge means you bump your nose on the upper rim. On the other hand, the coffee gets a relatively quick metallic taste from the prolonged heat exposure and even a vegetable-like, herby, harsh aftertaste by the end.
To the Kino Travel Mug at Kinto or Amazon*.
Fellow Carter Move (355ml), CHF 42.00 / 45.00 €
The Fellow Carter Move Mug impresses with its clean design and was specifically developed for coffee. The ceramic inlay is meant to prevent off-flavors, such as a metallic taste. Along with the Kinto Travel Tumbler, the Fellow Carter Move is among the most popular travel mugs in our community. The snap-in splash guard allows convenient "on the go" drinking despite the large opening and protects against spilling. With the twist closure, the mug is 100% leak-proof.
The Fellow Carter Move is double-walled vacuum-insulated and thus prevents rapid heat and cold loss. Specifically, this means it loses 10°C immediately after pouring and ranks eighth place with 83.83°C. Over time, however, it loses very little and keeps the beverage the second longest hot at 65.3°C.
If you consider only mouthfeel and taste without taking drinking experience into account, the mug ranks 4th in the overall standings. As with all thermal mugs, the quality of the coffee declines somewhat over time and a slight bitterness develops. Nevertheless, body and acidity remain pleasantly balanced. If you include the drinking experience in the rating, however, the Fellow Carter Move drops to eighth place. We perceive the metallic edge and the splash guard differently among all three of us, but neither good nor bad.
To Fellow Carter Move at Fellow or Amazon*.
Kaffeeform Weducer Cup (250ml), CHF 19.90 / 15.88 €
The Weducer Cup presents itself as a sustainable alternative to conventional mugs and visually resembles a classic disposable to-go mug. The brown color seems awkward at first glance and not very aesthetic. But this impression changes, as the mug is made from recycled coffee grounds from Berlin cafés and roasters, which also explains the color. Furthermore, there are no petroleum-based raw materials involved, which shows that the team at Kaffeeform is taking a forward-looking approach. The Weducer Cup is light yet robust and features a disposable-like drinking lid and a leak-proof closure.
Due to the double outer shell, the beverage stays warm but not hot. The Weducer Cup is therefore better suited for short distances or quick consumption. Even immediately after pouring, the temperature is only 80.3°C, ranking it with the Loveramics Nomad and KeepCup in the last places of the measurements. However, this doesn't have to be negative, as the beverage is ready to drink quite quickly. It is therefore recommended to drink the coffee in the first few minutes after brewing, as at the last measurement the temperature was only 30.16°C.
Sensorically, the mug starts off in the good middle range but falls to the last places already after 30 minutes. The coffee doesn't develop a metallic or other off-taste, but it becomes flat, dull, and dry over time.
To the Kaffeeform Weducer Cup.
Non-Leak-Proof Travel Mugs
Yeti Rumbler (296ml), CHF 23.00 / 25.00 €
The Yeti Rumbler is a classic American travel mug made of stainless steel in the mid-price range. According to the manufacturer, this version is ideal for espresso. The mug is pleasant to hold since the metal is temperature neutral and doesn't get hot, and features double-walled vacuum insulation. The MagSlider in the lid is a simple slider that, at least when new, moves easily and seals well. However, it is not leak-proof and is therefore better suited for straight or slightly bumpy transport than for a backpack. Due to its features, it is a good companion for car rides.
The Yeti Rumbler impresses with its insulation. It loses the least temperature immediately after pouring 94°C hot water and still reaches 87.43°C, which represents the smallest loss in the test. Even after 150 minutes it measures 59.18° and thus ranks in the upper third in terms of temperature retention throughout the entire measurement period.
Drinking through the small opening is rather inconvenient for mixed drinks like cappuccino and flat white, as it holds back all the milk foam. However, it is not recommended to drink without the lid, as the mug's edges are quite rough. Sensorically, the thermal mug performs well initially, but develops a musty, metallic off-taste after about an hour. Additionally, the coffee loses more and more aroma and becomes flat.
To the Yeti Rumbler at Amazon*.
Asubo Ultimate Mug (355ml), 18.90 CHF / 17.70 €
This cup-like to-go cup looks multifunctional and outdoor-ready. I would love to drink soup out of it. But: The Asobu Ultimate Mug is specifically made for coffee and surprises sensorically. Without the lid, it feels like you're drinking from a regular cup. With the splash-proof slide-lock closure lid, the opening is definitely smaller, but the drinking experience remains surprisingly good.
The vacuum-insulated and copper-coated walls keep the temperature surprisingly high for a long time. This is all the more surprising since the slide closure closes the opening but still allows much heat to escape. Immediately after pouring, the mug loses 10°C and ranks in the middle range with 84.19°C. After 2.5 hours, the temperature is still 51.92°C, ranking it 8th place. Places 9-12 show only 42.92°C and less after the same period.
The ceramic coating on the inside is meant to prevent the transfer of off-flavors. The coffee remains surprisingly dense throughout the entire test period and retains a certain structure. Up to the last tasting, it has no off-taste and is still sweet and balanced. The Asobu Ultimate Mug surprises us all and ranks second in our final standings.
Loveramics Nomad (250ml), CHF 24.80 / 28.90 €
A beautiful cup made of double-walled porcelain in the Loveramics style. But the rubber lid and the tiny opening are a flop and greatly diminish the multisensory drinking experience. Because in addition to the fact that hardly any liquid comes out of the small hole, the coffee takes on the taste of rubber within milliseconds. Without the lid, however, it's a completely different experience. Drinking directly from the cup impresses both sensorically and visually across the board.
The Loveramics Nomad is also not intended for long travel. Despite the double-walled porcelain, it ranks second to last immediately after pouring with 80.01°C and reaches third place from last after 2.5 hours with 30.16° C.
Sensorically, it was an emotional rollercoaster. Together with the KeepCup, we rated the coffee from the Loveramics Nomad immediately after pouring the best in terms of taste and mouthfeel. And without the rubber lid it's a very pleasant drinking experience, which is why the cup would end up in third place. However, if you drink with the lid, the rubber off-taste immediately overpowers the coffee flavor.
Loveramics Nomad in Switzerland at the Kaffeezentrale.
Stanley Legendary Camp Mug (330ml), CHF 34.90 / 35.00 €
An incredibly trendy brand. It would be absolutely cool if this robust camp mug made of stainless steel, like the Asobu Ultimate Mug, were also fireproof. That way they could serve for coffee in everyday life and for campfires in leisure time. Visually, it appears much more hefty compared to a Kinto Travel Tumbler or a Fellow Carter Move and more resembles the Asobu Ultimate Mug in appearance. We're not entirely convinced of how practical this lid is in everyday life. Because it's more of a splash guard or protection against spilling rather than a real lid, as it can't fully close.
With double-walled vacuum insulation, the coffee stays warm in this mug too. Due to the mentioned opening in the lid, the coffee cools faster and is therefore not leak-proof. In the temperature measurement, the Stanley Legendary Camp Mug ranks in the lower range both at the beginning with 83.04° C and at the end with 42.92°C.
In terms of taste, the mug can't keep up either. Immediately after pouring, we see comments about metallic taste and slight bitterness. This doesn't improve over time and so the mug ranks 10th in the overall standings.
Stanley Legendary Cup at Amazon* or Stanley.
KeepCup (227ml), CHF 29.00 / 27.95 €
A beautiful glass cup with a clever cork rim, available in various designs, colors, and sizes. Thanks to the cork rim, the Keep Cup can be held well even though the glass itself gets very hot. Unfortunately, the massive plastic lid detracts from the overall appearance. The cover does protect against spilling, but is not leak-proof.
The glass draws a lot of heat from the coffee, so it only shows 76.01° C at the first measurement, while the glass itself reaches 60.3° degrees or 46.2°C after 15 minutes. For comparison: thermal mugs such as the Kinto Travel Tumbler show only about 25°C exterior temperature after 15 minutes.
With the KeepCup too, drinking through the small plastic opening is neither pleasant nor tasty, and any milk foam that may be present is held back. However, if you drink directly from the glass, it's quite fitting. In the first tasting without considering drinking experience, it therefore ranks second place. However, the positive properties decline quite quickly, so it ends up in the lower third after all. The KeepCup too is therefore a mug better suited for quick consumption.
To the Keep Cup at the company, the Kaffeegemeinde with logo, or Amazon*.
The Ranking
Who would have thought that the search for the perfect travel mug would be almost as difficult as the search for the perfect espresso? Our test series has shown: a travel mug is not just a travel mug. Between double-walled stainless steel, robust porcelain, and sustainable coffee grounds, there are worlds of difference—not only visually, but also in terms of heat insulation, taste, and drinking experience.
Temperature Ranking
During the tested 2.5 hours, the mugs performed differently. From the temperature measurements we can conclude that thermal mugs with double-walled stainless steel, with or without ceramic inlay, keep coffee warm for a long time. In comparison, to-go cups made of glass, porcelain, or coffee grounds fall short. Either the mugs were able to keep the temperature for a long time and then failed in taste and mouthfeel. Or they were sensorically okay but cooled down within a very short time.
Regarding temperature, I would like to note the following. Travel mugs where the coffee is already about 10°C below the original pouring temperature at the beginning have a negative effect on taste and mouthfeel. Generally, we can say that the longer the coffee stays in the mug and the longer it stays hot, the more the coffee quality deteriorates. Quick cooling of the beverage is therefore not inherently bad but depends on your personal requirements for a mug.
Taste, Mouthfeel and Aftertaste Ranking
All tested mugs changed the coffee over time. Certain mugs stripped the coffee of its character, making it taste flat, bitter, and unbalanced. Other to-go cups, on the other hand, produced an off-taste and gave the beverage a metallic, sometimes musty flavor.
The mouthfeel and aftertaste were also increasingly affected from minute to minute. Some mugs gave the coffee a rough, scratchy texture, while others left a bitter, harsh, long-lasting aftertaste.
Taste, Mouthfeel, Aftertaste and Drinking Experience Ranking
If we now add the drinking experience to the taste, mouthfeel, and aftertaste, the ranking changes by a few positions.
When it comes to drinking experience, we paid attention to how it feels to drink from this to-go cup. We tasted all test objects once without the included lid before tasting them several more times with the lid.
Some of the travel mugs were penalized quite heavily for their unpleasant and impractical lids or hard edges on the vessel itself. Overall, however, we can note that cups with large openings, whether with or without a well-designed lid, were more pleasant to drink from. Furthermore, a large opening allows all the foam to be drunk with milk drinks.
Travel Mug, To-Go Cup or Travel Mug?
Why are there so many names for a to-go cup? If you look around in everyday life, you encounter this practical travel companion under quite different names. Drinking cup, travel mug, thermal mug, or coffee to-go cup are just a few—but they all mean the same helpful coffee mug for on the go. The multitude of terms shows above all one thing: how popular and versatile this everyday helper has become.
In fact, almost every situation has its own name for the portable coffee mug. In the morning on the way to work, many use a commuter mug or car mug that fits perfectly in the cup holder. In the office, people appreciate hot coffee from an insulated mug or thermal cup that reliably keeps the contents warm. Those who travel a lot may have a robust travel mug or tumbler in their luggage—often simply called a travel mug in German—so coffee doesn't have to be missed at the train station or airport. And in the local café, people talk about the coffee to-go cup or coffee cup to go when ordering their drink for takeout.
There are also different terms when it comes to materials and sustainability. Many today opt for a reusable mug or eco-friendly mug to avoid disposable cups. Often these reusable mugs are made of high-quality stainless steel. Such a stainless steel mug is usually a double-walled vacuum mug that keeps beverages hot (or cold) for hours. Some simply call it a thermal mug, in reference to the classic thermos bottle.
Whether it's a thermal mug, travel mug, or coffee mug for on the go—in the end, only one thing matters: that it does its job well. What's crucial is that the beverage stays reliably warm (or cold), nothing leaks, and the mug is a reliable companion in every situation. After all, it's secondary what you call it—the main thing is that it serves its purpose.
Conclusion
So there is no perfect travel mug. Because all thermal mugs have in common that, contrary to some manufacturer claims, they absorb the taste of the beverage. So it's quite likely that the tea the next morning will smell like coffee—and vice versa.
Furthermore, most of these mugs are simply too large. Given that we pour between 25 ml for espresso and 150ml for a cappuccino to still be able to perceive the coffee itself, smaller sizes would definitely make more sense.
So the test is an ode to conscious enjoyment. The true art of coffee drinking lies in taking time and enjoying the coffee in peace. The best travel mug is therefore the one that reminds us to stop and take a break now and then. And when things do have to go fast, we can find the right mug with this test result, tailored to the specific need.
Further Links and Information
For the tasting, we used our filter coffee friend.
*The links marked with asterisks are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, it won't cost you more, but we get a small retention, which we invest in further test material.
