The Best Coffee Mugs Our Editors Love
Le Creuset
Most daily coffee drinkers have a very particular morning routine. Whether it's pouring the maximum volume of coffee as soon as possible or brewing a carefully calculated espresso with premium grounds, the right coffee vessel is essential to complete the process. To take full advantage of whichever pour-over, carafe, or percolator you use we recommend getting the right mug to complement (or even level up) your coffee-sipping style.
These days there are more options than ever for coffee enthusiasts, but it does take a good amount of digging and testing to find the right fit. We've taken the liberty of researching and testing a variety of vessels with regular use. From insulated tumblers to self-heating smart mugs, these are the best coffee mugs our editors love.
Best Overall: Crate & Barrel Hue
Best Insulated: Yeti Rambler Stronghold
Best with Lid: W&P Porter Mug
Best for Travel: Miir Travel Tumbler
Best Large: Sweese Stackable Mugs
Best Stoneware: Le Creuset
Best Smart Mug: Ember Smart Mug 2
Best Glass: Joco Reusable Coffee Cup
Best Artisan: East Fork "The Mug"
Factors to Consider
Material
The best material to use for coffee cups depends on the situation. Insulated stainless steel mugs will perform the best in the way of heat retention, and won't shatter when dropped or crack while being transported. Ceramic and porcelain coffee mugs won't retain flavors or smells. Stoneware and bone china have the most longevity when properly cared for, and glass looks sleek in any setting. Silicone sleeves or double-walled construction will help with both gripping and insulation. Some coffee drinkers are happy with stainless steel interiors, while others would rather avoid the metallic taste for their favorite brew.
Volume
How much coffee do you really drink in one sitting? Typically coffee cups are around 12 ounces, with variable options of up to 30 ounces for the large travel mugs. If you tend to drink half and leave the rest while running around getting things done in the morning, opt for a smaller 10 or 11-ounce size. If you're a regular two-cup drinker and know you'll be pouring a third before you're out the door, try an oversized mug or large travel tumbler. If you drink iced coffee, odds are you'll need a bigger cup to hold both the ice and the coffee itself.
Features
Pay attention to how the mug is constructed, including both the width and the handle size if you'll be holding on to it for a long period of time (watching sports or waiting for the bus to arrive). Any nifty add-ons can be nice if you want a lid or an airtight travel option. Also, keep a lookout for the washing instructions; some great mugs require more care for keeping them clean, while others are dishwasher-safe.
Best Overall: Crate & Barrel Hue Mug
Pros: This lightweight mug is classic and functional and looks great on any table.
Cons: Since it isn't insulated, the mug may not be ideal for slow sippers or busy individuals who don't want to microwave their mug multiple times every morning.
From hot coffee to mug cakes and everything in between, Crate & Barrel's Hue mug looks great and does it all. The 4-inch diameter is wide enough to house plenty of marshmallows on hot cocoa or foam on a latte, and it won't topple over easily if you bump it on the table. The hand-glazed porcelain is lightweight, fairly stackable (I have a set stacked in twos in my cabinet currently), and the handle is a fine size for big and small hands. Neither boiling water for tea nor piping hot black coffee raise the temperature of the handle.
With four tonal color options, it's easy to mix and match a full set that looks great on a table or visible shelving. These mugs are good to go in the dishwasher, the microwave, and the oven up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The price also makes it easy to justify owning several, and the hand-crafted construction has natural variations that strike a happy medium between natural and modern style. If you're interested in a full matching collection, there are also trendy low bowls and plates to match in the Hue line.
Material: Porcelain
Diameter: 4 inches
Height: 3.25 inches
Volume: 11 ounces
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: Yes
Best Insulated Mug: Yeti Rambler Stronghold Mug
Pros: It's the most durable and best insulated mug you'll find that also travels well in cupholders.
Cons: The higher price makes it a bigger investment, and some coffee drinkers might not love the stainless steel interior.
The best insulated mug, the best stainless steel mug, and the best camping mug are one and the same: the Yeti Rambler. Yeti products are famously "over-engineered" to hold temperatures for hours, and the brand's coffee mugs are more than up to that task. Unlike many other insulated mugs, Yeti's cup and lid are both dishwasher-safe.
I've used the 20-ounce version, and it's the right balance of volume and being slim enough to grip. The lid's slider prevents heat from escaping, and the handle is wide enough to hold while wearing gloves (great for campers and those in colder climates). While the standard Rambler mug lids are not leakproof, the new Rambler with a "Stronghold" lid holds up against leaks (and the mug's higher handle placement fits standard cupholders). Both mugs come in several color options, so it's as good for getting one yourself as it is for gifting.
Material: 18/8 stainless steel
Diameter: 3.5 inches
Height: 7.42 inches
Volume: 20 ounces (also 30 ounces)
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: No
Best Mug with Lid: W&P Porter Mug
Pros: The sleek design is comfortable to hold, easy to clean, and the lid keeps coffee warmer longer than classic mugs.
Cons: It doesn't have a handle and isn't as durable as stainless steel.
For something sleek and perfect for both home and car travel, the Porter ceramic mug is a smart buy. It has a silicone sleeve to protect your hands without a cumbersome handle but is still dishwasher-safe. It will retain heat but won't absorb flavors and doesn't resort to stainless steel (good for those who dislike the metal with their morning brew). The company also offers personalizationโanother great feature for giving it as a gift.
I've used the Porter mug for three years, and the cup looks as it did on the day I got it (the light blue has not stained or cracked). I opt for it over classic handled mugs and insulated tumblers almost every time. For someone who is prone to spills, the lid is a great extra assurance and keeps my coffee hot for longer. The Porter series has great bundles (like the mug, the wine tumbler, and water bottle) that make great gifts, too.
Material: Ceramic and silicone
Diameter: 3 inches
Height: 4.4 inches
Volume: 12 ounces (also 16 ounces)
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: Yes
Best Travel Mug: Miir Travel Mug
Pros: The leak-free, double-insulated design makes it easy to toss in a bag while on the go.
Cons: Hand-washing is recommended, so anyone who prefers fuss-free cleanup might prefer a different mug.
The Miir is a favorite for coffee drinkers who are always on the move. It's a perfect fit for cup holders, and the top is wide enough to be ice cube-compatible for iced drink enthusiasts. The key feature is the ultra-leakproof top, made of BPA-free materials, as well as the double-walled insulation that will keep hot coffee at the right temperature for hours.
The angled lid makes it easier to sip without tilting your head back while you're walking or driving, and the leakproof design means you can toss it in your bag or backpack without fear of spills. The mug comes in several colors and it comes in three sizes from 12 ounces up to 20 ounces. It does require hand washing, so if you're planning on using it daily be sure to factor that in.
Material: 18/8 medical grade stainless steel
Diameter: 2.5 inches
Height: 8 inches
Volume: 16 ounces (also in 12 ounces or 20 ounces)
Dishwasher-safe: Hand wash recommended
Microwave-safe: No
Best Large Mug: Sweese Stackable Mug Set
Pros: Fast drinkers will love the large volume for coffee but also for soups, cereals, and mug cakes.
Cons: The extra-large handle and size might be ungainly for small hands, and it takes up more cabinet space.
For large servings of coffee, we like Sweese's 19-ounce cup. The full set is inexpensive and easily stacks in the cupboard or on the counter. The lead-free, chip-resistant porcelain is freezer-safe, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe. The porcelain material makes it slightly lighter than stoneware and allows for a smoother and more delicate finish. The mugs come in six different colors but all have white interiors, making it easier to see if they're clean. For a big, sturdy mug on a budget, Sweese is the right move.
Material: Porcelain
Diameter: 4 inches
Height: 4.7 inches
Volume: 19 ounces
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: Yes
Best Stoneware Mug: Le Creuset
Pros: It's easy to wash, super durable, and also comes in many classic colors.
Cons: Not ideal for travel and won't keep drinks warm for very long.
Le Creuset's reputation precedes it, and one of the brand's best-selling items is the stoneware mug. It's sturdier than almost any other ceramic or stoneware mug out there, and the density prevents cracking (even under the heat of a broiler; it's oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit). It won't stain or scratch from metal utensils, and it's nearly nonstick for easy cleanup. The mug has a generous capacity, retains heat, and feels great to hold.
The mug has signature ridges and the brand logo along the bottom and comes in several of the classic Le Creuset hues. Coffee drinkers should be wary of the versions with extra art detailing or brand collaborations, since those are not microwave nor dishwasher-safe.
Material: Stoneware
Diameter: 3 inches
Height: 3.5 inches
Volume: 14 ounces
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: Yes
Best Smart Mug: Ember Mug2
Pros: It keeps coffee or tea at the optimal temperature and has an app to make the heat even more precise.
Cons: The mug is not dishwasher or microwave-safe, and it does need to be charged regularly.
Tech fanatics will likely enjoy the Ember mug. The cup is able to keep drinks hot and even heat cold ones, when needed. The element is all controlled with your smartphone to keep it at the exact temperature you prefer, with an app that includes presets for your favorite drinks. The charging coaster provides an hour of battery life, and the cup is safe to hand wash (and can be submerged up to 1 meter deep).
After receiving the Ember as a Christmas gift, I can definitely see the charm in having hot coffee the entire way through slowly sipping my classic brew. I can also see how forgetting to charge it makes for a rather expensive mug with no insulation, and that hand-washing might not be ideal for every household. But once I worked out I could use the charger as a coaster at my desk, the mug is perfect, and I'd still recommend it as a gift to any coffee or tea drinker.
Material: Stainless steel with ceramic coating
Diameter: 3.3 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Volume: 10 ounces (also 14 ounces)
Dishwasher-safe: No
Microwave-safe: No
Best Glass Mug: Joco
Pros: This easy-to-hold mug comes in sizes fit for classic coffee drinks, with a lid that makes sipping easier.
Cons: Glass isn't quite as insulated as other materials, and there is the risk of dropping it.
If you're someone who is particular about vessel sizes for cappuccinos and lattes, this is the option for you. Joco's borosilicate glass can handle piping hot liquids and thermal shock, and it comes in several different sizes, from a 4-ounce espresso cups to 16-ounce long coffee mugs. The measurements are barista-certified, which will delight your local coffee shop when you bring it in for a refill, or your particular family member when you give it as a gift.
The Joco lid is an ergonomic design, meant to make it easy to sip without tipping your head back, which is great while you're walking or driving. The cup and lid are easy to toss in the dishwasher, and the silicone sleeve makes it comfortable to hold while the coffee is hot. I've had a "terra cotta" pink once for two years, and it hasn't stained or deteriorated after many microwaves and runs through the dishwasher.
Material: Borosilicate glass
Diameter: 3.4 inches
Height: 5.3 inches (with lid)
Volume: 12 ounces (also in 4, 8, or 16 ounces)
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: Yes
Best Artisan Mug: East Fork
Pros: Unique and stylish, it's also hardy enough for the dishwasher.
Cons: The volume is closer to 10 ounces, and it's a significant investment for a mug that stays at home.
Those truly in-the-know for the stoneware game know about The Mug. Regularly on waitlists and continuously coming out with fresh pieces, East Fork Pottery created the quietly famous vessel with a rustic minimalism worthy of many dream kitchens. Something about this cup just feels comforting. East Fork's dinnerware is both pretty and unique, with natural variations in every batch.
East Fork's signature neutral colors are handmade in their Asheville, NC factory with regional lead-free clays. There are natural variations in all pottery pieces, making each piece and set unique. The Mug comes in white eggshell, creamy panna cotta, earthy morel, deep orange amaro, dark blush rococo, and the darkest "black mountain."
Material: Stoneware
Diameter: 3.1 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Volume: 12 ounces
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Microwave-safe: Yes
