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Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

Best Insulated Cup for Hot Drinks

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For hot coffee that stays hot, not just any cup will do... You need an insulated cup!
For hot coffee that stays hot, not just any cup will do… You need an insulated cup! The Thermos King Tumbler at Amazon.

What’s better than coffee in the morning? HOT coffee in the morning. It may sound obvious but I bet we’ve all been in the situation where you pour yourself a big mug of coffee or tea or even hot chocolate and halfway through it your drink is already cold.

What’s the verdict? I recommend the Thermos Stainless King Tumbler.

Well worry no more, an insulated cup will let you enjoy your beverages hot as long as you want to. But what makes an insulated cup the perfect place to put your coffee or tea?

Best Insulated Cups for Hot DrinksWhy We Like It
1. Contigo vacuum insulated stainless steel mug this model comes in 36 beautiful colors
2. Better for Your Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs this is perfect for those who want a more traditional cup
3. Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler this Thermos has a spill-proof lid and hook to hang tea bag if you’re drinking tea
4. YETI Rambler Tumbler the Yeti has a BPA-free and no-sweating design

What is an insulated cup?

Double wall cups, or insulated cups as we know them, have an inner and an outer wall for maintaining the temperature of what you put inside them. The inside wall is usually made of stainless steel (this is the one in contact with your drink) and the outer one can also be made of stainless steel or you can find it made of plastic, glass or other materials like ceramic. Ones with lids will keep your drink hotter longer, since you won’t have a huge heat escape at the top.

What’s the best one?

There are many great quality options on the market that are particularly made to keep your drinks at the perfect drinking temperature for you to enjoy.

But sometimes with so many options, you might get confused as to which ones are the best choice. So I did the hard work for you and got you a list of the best-insulated cups for hot drinks, with their characteristics, pros, and cons. Yes, you can thank me later.

Contigo vacuum insulated stainless steel mug

This mug keeps beverages hot for up to 7 hours. The vacuum system means that there is almost no air between the two walls and that makes it harder for the heat to leave the cup since there are no molecules to transfer it by conduction.

Contigo Autoseal West Loop Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug, 20 Oz, Stainless Steel

View on Amazon

Almost too hot

The Contigo folks even recommend letting your coffee cool down with the lid off because you might get burnt if you try it right after pouring it in your cup, that’s how good it is.

Leak and spill-proof

It comes with an AutoSeal button mechanism so your drink will not spill if your mug is upside down or rolling on the floor of your car (yup, been there done that).

So many cool colors

My favorite part? It comes in a bunch of beautiful colors, so I think the hardest choice is deciding which one. Also, there is a 16oz and a 20oz size for you to pick from.

Is this the one for you?

If you’re looking for a versatile option, this mug can also keep your drinks cold for up to 12 hours. Whether you are traveling, working or just living your everyday life this mug is will be your perfect companion.

Better for Your Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs

If you want a more traditional cup, this is actually what you might be looking for. It’s not a thermos but 2 mugs made of stainless steel that is also shatterproof and rust resistant. These mugs won’t break if dropped, so be assured you’ll be able to use these for years to come.

Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs Camping - Double Wall BPA free 13.5oz Metal Coffee Mug - Tea Cup Wide Handle, Fits Popular Coffee Machines - Shatterproof Set of 2 Cups with Laser Words Black & White

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Traditional mug shape

Because they don’t have a lid they are really easy to clean and are dishwasher safe too. The double wall construction keeps the coffee hot but prevents the outside from getting too hot to handle.

Clever way to tell them apart

They don’t come in any colors (plastic free, paint free, BPA free) but have the names of colors engraved on them so you know whose cup is whose (there are “color” combinations like blue and pink or black and white or purple and orange). Perfect for drinking at home, the office, for camping and much more.

Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler

You must have heard about the Thermos company before. It is a trusted name among travelers and adventurous people. It is the leading manufacturer of insulated products for more than 110 years, and one of the best products they offer is this Steel King Travel Tumbler.

Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Travel Tumbler, Midnight Blue

View on Amazon

Heat retention, durability and spill proof lid

This 16-ounce container will keep liquids hot for 5 to 7 hours. It has the same vacuum insulation technology I explained before and durable stainless steel interior and exterior. Also, you can count on the spill-proof system if shaken or turned upside down.

Tea hook

If you’re not just into coffee but also consider yourself a tea lover, this thermos has a handy feature. The built in tea hook for holding your tea bag or leaf infuser in place and prevents it from falling inside.

Here’s my rundown of the best Electric Tea Kettles for the Office

5 color options

It will fit in most car cup holders for your convenience when driving and you have 5 different colors to chose from. This mug is top dishwasher safe but very easy to hand wash too.

Should you get this one?

Can’t say enough good things about this Thermos. It’s a leading favorite for a reason. I think you’ll like using it for enjoying your hot beverages.

This post talks about the Best French Press for Tea

Lukewarm coffee no more! Get one of my recommended mugs and drink only hot coffee from now on.
Lukewarm coffee no more! Get one of my recommended mugs and drink only hot coffee from now on.

YETI Rambler Tumbler

Made of stainless steel and BPA free, your drinks will stay piping hot longer. This double-wall insulated tumbler keeps your beverage’s temperature no matter what.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler with Lid (Stainless Steel)

View on Amazon

No sweat!

It has a No Sweat Design for when cold drinks are in it and it won’t heat up on the outside and burn your hands when you enjoy your hot coffee.

Just need a cup of Joe for one?
Here’s how much Ground Coffee Is Needed to Make One Cup.

Pick a size

Both the cup and the lid are dishwasher safe and shatter resistant. It comes in a 20 and a 30-ounce version but there is also a 10-ounce low ball that’s more like the “Better For You” coffee mug, so you have plenty of options to chose from.

Is the Yeti your new cup?

YETI is well known for making durable insulation (coolers, etc) for people who are into the outdoors. If they are durable enough for a 3 day backpacking trip, they’re probably going to hold up to any abuse you put them through at the office. Very recommended.

Conclusion

There’s just no reason to take another sip of lukewarm coffee. With these options, one of them will keep your drink hot until the last drop. Personally, I’m a long time Thermos fan, my personal recommendation is for the Thermos Stainless King.

You might like this post about the best Espresso Makers for the money

Additional Resources

Kitchen Professor author
About the Author: Alexis DeAnda

Alexis DeAnda is a food fanatic, library card user, and cast iron hunter, in that order. She has been cooking for anyone that will taste it ever since her mom let her make doughnuts on Saturday mornings at the age of 7.

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