The 8 Best Insulated Coffee Mugs for Coffee Lovers

If your years-old thermos has seen better days, perhaps it's time to consider upgrading. Buying the best insulated coffee mug means looking for one that's not only portable, but one that also keeps the coffee or tea stored inside at the perfect temperature.

On top of that, insulated coffee mugs are useful for holding other food items, so they are perfect for anyone with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle, says Kristi Ruth, RD. "An insulated coffee mug is good for keeping cold things cold and hot things hot," she says. "They can be used for hot or iced coffee or tea, hot chocolate, smoothies, juices, wine, soups, and more."

Thankfully, there are plenty of insulated coffee mugs to choose from with different features that make them great. But when there are so many products out there, you'll want to pick the one that works best for you.

We spoke to five registered dietitians and two other food and nutrition experts who shared their picks for the best insulated coffee mugs. Along with their input and experience, we chose the products on this list based on the following criteria:

• Durability
• Material
• Performance (how long your hot beverages actually stay hot)
• Special features

"This mug from Yeti not only holds 20-ounces of liquid, but it has a cupholder-compatible base and a handle for easy transport," says Tiana Glover, RD. "The lid is very secure and is resistant to spilling, so no worries about getting coffee all over your car seat. Finally, it's made with stainless steel, has double-wall vacuum insulation and is dishwasher safe. Basically, it's everything you'd ever want in a travel mug and more."

"I love this mug because it has an interchangeable straw lid and flip lid," Glover says. "It also has a wide variety of color options, and is thin and tall, making it perfect for cup holders. Moreover, this mug is particularly great if you love iced coffee — it can keep liquids cold for a total of 24 hours."

We're not going to ask or suggest a reason that you (or someone close to you) is prone to spills. Regardless of the "why," just know that this coffee mug has your back. It's spill-proof design will help you avoid messes and cleanup.

"Tall mugs can get knocked over easily, so the wider base that this mug has will lessen the chance for spills," Ruth says. "Plus, BruMate has designed this mug with a handle, so it's easier to grip and hold as you sip." And on top of that, the tight-fitting lid is leakproof.

This unique insulated coffee mug from Camelbak is especially great for travelers. It actually comes with two separate pieces — a bottle and a removable cup.

"This travel cup is rather large — the bottle portion holds over 20 ounces of liquid and the cup holds 16 ounces — so it's great to use if you're going to be out for a long trip," says Morgyn Claire, RDN. The come-apart design is especially great for pouring out a bit of your drink to share, and it's tall and sleek to fit into cupholders or backpack side pockets.

"This stainless steel insulated coffee mug will keep hot beverages hot for up to 14 hours," says neuroscientist, author and nutrition expert Dr. Nicole Avena, PhD.

"The cup can hold up to 16 ounces of liquid, equivalent to a large coffee from your favorite coffee shop. It also has a lid made for easy sipping and optimal temperature regulation of your hot beverage."

"Hydro Flasks are made with double-wall insulation to regulate beverage temperatures," Avena says. "Hot drinks can stay really hot for six to 12 hours. The flex cap lids are built to assist with beverage temperature regulation and have an easy-carry handle."

The Hydro Flask also comes in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as different lid options if you prefer drinking beverages such as iced coffee or tea through a straw.

While your little one may not drink coffee, this insulated mug can hold much more, like tea, hot chocolate and even soup. Plus, the mug can easily double as a coffee cup for you when you need one, too.

"I like the Healthy Human Cruiser Tumbler because it's food-grade stainless steel and fits in most cup holders," says Kaleigh McMordie, RDN, LD. "They come in lots of fun colors, and even in a cute 12-ounce size, which is perfect for kids. I've been putting mine through the dishwasher for years and it's held up beautifully."

The insulated mug from Stanley also comes in a variety of different colors at a fairly low price. And don't let the price tag fool you — this coffee mug is as functional as it is affordable, and you can rely on it to keep your drinks hot for up to seven hours, while cold drinks stay cold for up to 10 hours.

"This mug keeps your warm liquids nice and hot for a long period of time," says Colleen Christensen, RD. "Thanks to this coffee mug, I don't feel like I need to guzzle my coffee while it's still hot."

The cup is manufactured using 18/8 stainless steel, meaning it's extremely durable. It's also BPA free and has a spill-resistant cap. The lid has a push button that opens the mouthpiece on top for easy, one-handed sipping.

Before you add an insulated coffee mug to your cart, there are some factors you'll want to consider first.

Before you choose any insulated coffee mug, consider what features the mug has to offer first, according to Ruth. After all, if you are going to use it every day, you might as well make sure it suits your wants and needs.

"Some key features to take into consideration include: how long the mug keeps hot beverages hot, if it fits in a cup holder, if it's rust-resistant, whether or not it has a handle, a non-slip bottom, and a leak-proof lid," Ruth says. "Also ask yourself if it is lightweight and dishwasher safe, if those are characteristics you're looking for."

Equally essential is evaluating your cup's materials, says Sarah Anderson, NP. "Some plastic materials have toxins that can leach into the liquid you're drinking. Toxins like BPA — a known endocrine disruptor — have been linked to hormone imbalance and infertility."

Anderson also suggests avoiding drinking from cups with disposable plastic lids that contain polystyrene. "Polystyrene has been linked to effects on the central nervous system and is a suspected carcinogen," she says.

Stainless steel is Anderson's top material choice. "It is great at keeping the contents hot for longer periods of time, and is safe to drink from," she says. "Plain glass coffee mugs are a great option, as are double-wall insulated cups."