Travel Mugs: Hot or Cold On-The-Go

The popularity of single serve coffee makers along with the recycle, reuse, reduce renaissance have combined to produce a slew of travel mugs that promise to keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold for even longer.

They are most commonly of the stainless steel vacuum insulation variety with a plethora of looks to appeal to a range of customers from the fashion conscious to the rugged outdoors personality. While they might be offered in different sizes, there is typically a size between 12 to 16 ounces to fit under single serve coffee makers and allow users to brew directly into the to-go mug of their choice. They are usually car cup holder friendly as well, leaving little excuse for a daily disposable coffee cup. The more pricey vacuum insulated models will also keep foods like soup hot for hours, not to mention any other warm drink like tea or hot chocolate. Add to that a lock function for spill-proof transport and the excuses for disposables have virtually eroded – unlike Styrofoam, which never will.

Aladdin Stainless Steel Insulated Mug

Aladdin’s new Stainless Steel Insulated Mug is available in a 12- or 16-ounce size that allows you to simply twist and sip. The easy-to-use swivel lid has a twist tab to open that twists back to close. Double wall insulated stainless steel keep drinks warm and hands cool. Both sizes are car-cup friendly, so you can take them to go. The 12-ounce size is single-serve coffee brewer compatible, allowing you to brew your favorite drinks right into your mug. The Stainless Steel Insulated Mug from Aladdin is dishwasher safe and available in Marina, Fern, Berry, or Tomato colors.

Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Travel Mug and Tea Infuser

The AUTOSEAL travel mug features Contigo’s patented no-spill technology with a lid that’s a snap to clean, along with a removable tea infuser designed specifically for tea enthusiasts on the go. Thermal insulation keeps warm beverages hot for up to five hours with the 16-ounce size, and up to seven hours with the 20-ounce, as well as cold beverages chilled for up to 12 and 18 hours respectively. A new “lock” feature prevents the AUTOSEAL button from accidentally being pushed. The 16-ounce size conveniently fits under most single-serve brewers and in most car cup holders. Contigo’s new on-the-go Tea Infuser fits any AUTOSEAL West Loop travel mug, offering an easy brewing solution for bagged or loose leaf teas.

Suggested Retail Price: 16-ounce $20.99, 20-ounce $24.99, Tea Infuser $9.99

Reduce Divot Insulated Tumbler with Single Cup Brewer Compatibility

Reduce™ presents the 13-ounce Divot Tumbler, a fun and colorful new look for its Fire + Ice collection of insulated beverage bottles. Designed for compatibility with single cup brewers, this trendy tumbler keeps coffee at the perfect serving temperature for up to six hours. It can also keep water, juice and other icy drinks cold. It fits into standard car cup holders, offering the ultimate in hot or cold insulation – whatever your drink of choice. The flip top snaps open and shuts quickly and easily, preventing spills. This reusable tumbler is an eco-friendly alternative to buying costly beverages in disposable packaging that end up in landfills.

Suggested Retail Price: $14.99

Stainless Steel Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Travel Flask by rove

Get high fashion and superior function in this 18-ounce Stainless Steel Travel Flask from the rove® Diamond Collection. The diamond pattern stainless steel exterior lights up any occasion with a high fashion look, while the stainless steel double wall vacuum insulation keeps your drink hot for eight hours, and your cold drinks chilled even longer. A push button locking lid provides sure, sophisticated sipping for this leak-proof, BPA-free and eco-friendly reusable travel flask.

SIGG Thermo Collection

The Thermo collection adheres to SIGG’s sleek Swiss aesthetic and is offered in four sizes and multiple colors. The two smaller size models, .3-liter and .5-liter, come equipped with a tea filter for loose leaf aficionados. The tea filter pops out easily for those who prefer coffee or hot chocolate. The two larger models, .75-liter and 1-liter, have adjoining cups for coffee or soup. The hot/cold bottles are constructed from top quality stainless steel that is odor and taste neutral and will keep your beverage warm for up to eight hours and cool for up to 20 hours.

Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 – $24.99

TWIZZ by neolid

TWIZZ by neolid is an innovative insulated travel mug. Its patented closure system allows TWIZZ to be sealed without a lid because a twisting membrane makes it safe and spill free. Close the TWIZZ with the included straw in it, and you’re ready to go; the straw is tightened and nothing spills around it. Insulated, it will keep your drinks hot for two hours and cold for six hours. TWIZZ has a 12-ounce capacity, is BPA free and available in a range of 19 colors.

Eggplant Insulated Coffee Mug

U•Konserve’s 16-ounce insulated stainless steel coffee cup keeps coffee or tea hot, and iced drinks chilled for hours. The new food-grade silicone lid is durable, heat-resistant, and a healthy alternative to plastic for covering hot beverages. Made from 18/8 stainless steel. Tested BPA free, PVC free, phthalate free and lead free.

Suggested Retail Price: $16.95

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mugs

Made of high quality stainless steel and featuring advanced vacuum insulation technology, the SM-SA Stainless Mugs from Zojirushi keep beverages at the optimum hot or cold temperature for up to six hours. The tight fitted flip-open lid locks to prevent spills, and also helps retain the temperature. With a new lightweight and compact design, the new Stainless Mug takes up minimal space while maximizing capacity. The SM-SA mugs will be available in June with 12, 16 and 20 ounce capacities to quench every size thirst.

Suggested Retail Price: $40/$45/$50 respectively

This story was originally published in the April 2015 issue of Kitchenware News, a publication of Oser Communications Group.