Opting for the Most Suitable Travel Mug
Coffee, tea, as well as hot chocolate are common drinks. When you travel, a means of transportation is needed for each of these. What should be looked for in a travel mug? Ways to opt for the most suitable travel mug?
Here are four qualities to consider when looking for a travel mug:
Insulation Qualities
In general, metals retain consistent temperatures longer than plastic, and double-walled mugs will as well. Plastics can also retain odors and stains, which is less likely with metal mugs.
Size
Most travel mugs hold sixteen ounces and up, large enough for most needs. However, if you are planning to take the mug in the car, make sure the bottom is small enough to fit in your cup holder. Older cars tend to have smaller cup holders, and mugs with a chunky base will not fit.
The Lid
Does the lid close? Cheaper mugs have a hole for drinking and are not spill-proof. How spill-proof is it? The best travel mugs have some kind of locking device, complete with a seal, to intercept being knocked over and guard against car bumps. Does it require too much work to open? Some thermoses, for example, require that you unscrew the lid to drink, which is not safe when driving.
Style
Do you like the look of sleek stainless steel? Will a more utilitarian mug do? Other than looks, consider whether or not you would like a handle, but be aware that two mugs with handles may not fit side-by-side in a car’s cup holder.
Here are some recommended mugs:
Zak City Perk Belly Mug
This is a 14 ounce mug, and retails for $ 9. The wide base is stable, keeps drinks warm, and has a good lid, but is not useful for cold drinks.
Planetary Designs Tumbler Mug
This is a 16 ounce mug, and it retails for $ 18. It keeps hot and cold drinks at their particular temperature and is available in a variety of colors. The lid is looser than others.
Thermos Raya Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler
At 16 ounces, it will hold plenty, and retails for only $ 18. It contains useful rubber grips on the sides for good insulation. It is tall and the thin design can be tipped more easily.
Contigo AutoSeal Stainless Steel Travel Mug
This is another 16 ounce mug, which retails for $ 19.99. It has good insulation and a leak-proof lid. However, the lid is hard to clean.
So, which is the best travel mug?
The sleek Contigo AutoSeal Stainless Steel Travel Mug will keep hot drinks warm for hours and cold ones even longer. It has a no-spill lid and lives up to its AutoSeal name, resealing after you have taken a drink. The only drawback is that you must hold the release button while drinking, which is not much of an issue with today’s multitaskers.
