All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Aside from their general shape and ability to hold hot drinks, the best mugs for coffee have very little in common—and that’s a good thing, because there are so many different ways to enjoy a cup of coffee, cappuccino, latte, or other espresso-based beverage.
Sure, you want a mug that feels nice to hold and maybe one that looks good on open shelving, but size and material are equally important considerations depending on how quickly or slowly you enjoy your morning joe. For example, if you’re a slow sipper, a thick or insulated mug will help keep your hot drink warmer longer, and you might even want to consider a smaller vessel you can refill a few times instead of letting your coffee get cold in an oversized mug. On the other hand, if you chug your caffeinated beverage of choice like it’s water, a big mug is probably the way to go, and insulation is a moot point. And for those who have a tendency to set down their drink and forget about it for a while, I’ve also recommended a smart mug that will hold a hot drink at a specific temperature for up to 90 minutes.
So whether you’re a slow sipper, a champion chugger, or you like to take your joe to go, here are the eight best mugs for coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, and other hot drinks.
Most ergonomic coffee mug: Notneutral Lino Porcelain Mug
This coffee mug doesn’t look like anything special, but it was designed with input from baristas to enhance the overall coffee-drinking experience. The thick porcelain offers some degree of insulation and the body is ever so slightly tapered to allow you to smell the aroma of the coffee with each drink. It’s also sturdy and wide enough to support a pour-over coffee dripper if you want to brew right into your mug. The handle has a flat top that’s flush with the rim of the mug—a move intended to allow for more ergonomic mug holding. For me, it was very comfortable to hold, though I usually hold my mug with two fingers; a friend with larger hands who usually holds his diner mugs with three said it felt too cramped but quickly adjusted to a two-finger hold.
Nice touch: Rios, the design collective behind Notneutral, partners with artists and coffee shops for custom and limited-edition versions of this mug.
Great for: Coffee aficionados, pour-over enthusiasts, anyone who talks about coffee the way oenophiles talk about wine
Size(s): 10 oz., 16 oz.
Material(s): Porcelain
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Best smart mug: Ember Mug 2
The Ember Mug is a smart coffee mug that keeps drinks at a consistent temperature (the range runs from 120º to 145º, controlled via a companion app) for up to 90 minutes. It can sense whether there’s liquid inside and stops heating when there’s not, and it recharges on a corded base the size of a saucer. That’s a lot of technology for a coffee mug, and I put off opening and setting up my Ember 2 because I believed I consumed my morning (and afternoon and early-evening) lattes quickly enough that I didn’t need a pricey mug to keep them warm. And boy, was I wrong! It turns out that I wasn’t chugging my coffee as quickly as I thought—I’d just gotten used to it cooling down with every sip. I also have ADHD and two small kids, so on occasion, I’ll make myself a latte only to get distracted for 10 or 15 minutes before returning to my disappointing, tepid drink. But with the Ember Mug I can leave it for an hour and still come back to hot coffee. Visually, the Ember 2 is simple with clean lines and it’s nicely weighted thanks to a sturdy stainless steel core and the technology embedded in its base. The matte ceramic coating is pleasant to touch and easy to clean (a good thing since this mug is hand-wash only) and while the handle isn’t the most comfortable I’ve tried, it’s sturdy and ergonomic enough for the amount of time I spend holding hot beverages.
Nice touch: If you want to extend the heat-retention beyond 90 minutes you can put the filled mug on its charging base.
Great for: Overwhelmed parents, forgetful remote workers, anyone who nurses their morning coffee
Size(s): 10 oz., 14 oz.
Material(s): Stainless steel, ceramic-reinforced coating
Dishwasher safe: No
Microwave safe: No
A practically perfect traditional coffee mug: Le Creuset Vancouver Mug
Le Creuset may be best known for its iconic enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens, but the cookware brand also offers a wide range of ceramic stoneware dinnerware. The Vancouver is just one of many Le Creuset stoneware mugs available for purchase, but it’s perhaps the most popular—and for good reason. Though it has a classic French country look, it’s substantial and sturdy with a heft and balance that more closely resemble an old-school diner mug. The heft is a product of the thick, high-quality stoneware that supposedly helps to retain heat, but I didn’t notice that it kept my coffee warm longer than similarly thick ceramic mugs. Like Creuset’s other offerings, it’s designed for durability with a nonporous glaze that protects the stoneware from chips, scratches, and stains.
Nice touch: It’s sometimes difficult to drink from thick ceramic mugs without dribbling a little, and the lip of the Vancouver is tapered and turned out for easy sipping.
Great for: Coffee drinkers and tea drinkers who like a classic look, Le Creuset collectors
Size(s): 14 oz.
Material(s): Stoneware, glaze
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Best wide-mouth mug: Haand 10-oz. Short Mug
Don’t be fooled by the name. This glazed porcelain mug may be shorter than similarly sized mugs, but it doesn’t look or feel small. With a moderate 10-oz. capacity, “wide” is a more accurate descriptor and its diameter (4") and practically straight sides create an expansive mouth that allows you to smell your coffee with every sip. The stocky stature also makes it much harder to tip over than slim mugs, and the flat-topped handle is a comfortable place to rest your thumb. The porcelain walls are fairly thin compared to other mugs I tested, but if you’re worried about retaining heat, this mug begs to be cupped with both hands, and that can help a little. Because Haand’s offerings are hand-made, each mug is perfectly imperfect, and the protective matte glaze gives the illusion of a delicate porous material while it dutifully protects the porcelain—even in the dishwasher.
Nice touch: Subjectively speaking, Haand’s Short Mug is the most stylish coffee mug I tested and it’s available in a variety of colors and hand-crafted patterns that would fit into any modern kitchen.
Great for: Aesthetically motivated coffee drinkers who like to cup their coffee mug with both hands
Size(s): 10 oz.
Material(s): Stoneware, glaze
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
An excellent handmade mug: East Fork Small Mug
East Fork’s pottery—which is handmade in Asheville, North Carolina—has a passionate following and the brand’s rustic, sturdy coffee mugs grace the desks of many Epi editors. Usually, the buzz is about the often-sold-out 12-oz. flagship offering simply named The Mug. There’s also a 16-oz. version called The Big Mug, but I’m partial to the 8-oz. Small Mug, which can comfortably hold six or seven ounces of coffee. It’s nicely weighted and like all of East Fork’s mugs, the ceramic is thick (about a quarter inch). Thick ceramic can help a bit with heat retention, though most of the heat is lost through the open top, and in theory, the smaller capacity means you’ll drink your coffee before it has enough time to get too cold. Because the whole mug stands just a little over three inches, the rounded handle can feel a little cramped, but this is just the kind of mug you’ll want to cup with both hands anyway.
Nice touch: East Fork’s pottery comes in a variety of colors, and because it’s so popular, certain sizes and shades regularly sell out. However, the entire East Fork aesthetic is so cohesive that you could mix and match all of the brand’s colors in various sizes and it would still look like a well-considered collection.
Great for: Pottery enthusiasts, East Fork collectors, coffee drinkers who like to refill their cup throughout the day
Size(s): 8 oz.
Material(s): Ceramic
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
A super-lightweight glass mug: Hay Borosilicate Mug
Until recently, my experience with glass coffee mugs has been limited to double-walled options that have the unfortunate combination of being both bulky and fragile, and thick tempered-glass mugs that weigh as much as their ceramic counterparts. But the straight walls of these modern glass mugs from Hay are thinner than tempered glass, and at just .25 lb., an empty mug feels more like a piece of delicate glassware. Though they’re incredibly lightweight and unlikely to survive a fall from the counter, the thin borosilicate glass is resistant to temperature changes and thermal shock so they won’t shatter if you pour piping hot coffee into them. Speaking of temperature though, because the glass is so thin, drinks won’t stay hot in these for long, so they’re probably not great for people who like to nurse their coffee.
Nice touch: These mugs are sold in sets of two and they come in seven fun colors.
Great for: Anyone who appreciates a postmodern aesthetic, or a super-lightweight option that isn’t as bulky as other double-walled glass coffee mugs
Size(s): 10 oz.
Material(s): Borosilicate glass
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
A great spillproof coffee mug: Brümate Toddy
If I’m taking coffee to go, I regularly reach for my Brümate Nav, a slender, spillproof insulated tumbler that fits into a car cup holder. But when I want a leakproof option to use at home, the Brümate Toddy is my go-to. The 16-oz. insulated stainless steel Toddy is modeled after a classic coffee mug with a wide base and a thin but roomy handle, and the brand’s proprietary “BevLock” lid simply does not leak when properly engaged. Though this mug doesn’t retain heat quite as well as the best travel coffee mug, it does a great job of keeping hot drinks hot (and cold drinks cold) for more than an hour.
Nice touch: Many double-wall insulated mugs and stainless steel travel mugs can’t go in the dishwasher, but all parts of the Brümate Toddy are dishwasher-safe. This mug is also available in 17 different colors, finishes, and patterns.
Great for: Clumsy coffee drinkers, coffee drinkers with kids or pets in the house, coffee drinkers on the go
Size(s): 16 oz., 22 oz., 32 oz.
Material(s): Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic (lid)
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: No
Most durable mug: Yeti Rambler 6-oz. Stackable Mug
I won’t lie: I was initially drawn to these insulated stainless steel mini mugs from Yeti because they’re cute. And stackable. But because the “latte” I make at home is technically closer to a Gibraltar (a double shot of espresso with two ounces of steamed milk) they’re also the perfect size for my morning drink, as well as small servings of coffee. At just 3" tall, they fit under the spout of most espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers, their weight is nicely balanced, and like all of Yeti’s mugs and water bottles, they’re virtually indestructible. But parent buyers beware: Since they’re so small and durable, your kids might co-opt them for hot chocolate. (Note: I also tested the four-oz. version, which doesn't have handles. Those are good for espresso and cortados but a little too small to be considered a coffee mug.)
Nice touch: The Magslider lid from a 10-oz. Yeti Rambler tumbler fits on this mug if you want to take it to go.
Great for: Anyone who’s short on cabinet space, coffee and espresso drinkers who want a seriously compact travel mug, families with kids who want their hot chocolate out of a “real mug”
Size(s): 6 oz.
Material(s): Stainless steel, ceramic, powder coating
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: No
Looking for the best travel coffee mug? We tried vacuum insulated mugs from Fellow, Hydroflask, Contigo, Thermos, Miir, Stanley, and other top brands. Head this way to read all about our top picks.
