How to choose a good thermal mug: parameters and rating of the best models

What to choose: thermal mug or thermos

Some people confuse a thermal mug with a small thermos. But it's not the same thing. The thermos is aimed at long-term preservation of the temperature of the contents. And for a thermal mug, not only this parameter is important, but also ease of drinking.

To drink tea from a thermos, you will have to remove the stopper and pour the liquid into the mug. Agree, it is impossible to do this in a car or on the run.

Thermo mugs are designed for comfortable use of the product. There is no need to remove the lid, just open the liquid supply system and you can drink directly from the container. They are ergonomically shaped to make them easy to hold with one hand.

With the same capacity, thermoses are larger and heavier.

If you are wondering: a thermal mug or a thermos - which is better to buy, then it all depends on the intended operating conditions.

1. For hiking and long trips, the second option is better. It retains the temperature longer and probably won’t leak. There is also enough volume for several people.
2. If you need a device for coffee on the way to work or for a snack while studying, then the glass wins. It is lighter, more compact and more convenient.

By the way, a good thermal mug will be an excellent gift for a traveler.

Why is a thermal mug better than a thermos?

Although a thermal mug and a thermos have the same purpose - to maintain the temperature of the poured liquid - they are not exactly the same thing. They are distinguished by their internal structure and design.

The thermal mug is ergonomic and designed to be comfortable to hold and drink from. Most of them can be opened with one hand. However, the time to maintain temperature in a thermal mug without additional heating is on average 5-6 hours, which is slightly less than in a thermos.

In order to drink coffee or tea from a thermos, you will first have to open the cap and pour the drink into a glass, which is not always convenient. In addition, with the same volume of liquid, a thermos is always superior to a mug due to its internal structure.

Design

The thermal mug itself is made in such a way that the liquid cools down little by little and can be drunk without getting burned. There are accessories that can maintain temperature for no more than half an hour. Others are designed for 5-6 hours. How much heat it retains depends on the design and materials.

The main heat loss occurs through the neck and lid. The lid is specially made hollow to make the container lighter. But the flatter it is and the wider the neck, the worse the insulating ability.

The best insulation is demonstrated by models with double walls. They have an outer shell and an inner bulb. The outer surface does not heat up, so you won’t get burned.

If there is no air between the walls, then the thermal insulation properties of the products are the highest. For objects without a vacuum, heat is transferred from the inner wall to the outer wall and cooling takes about 2 hours.

Outwardly, they are no different from each other, so carefully study the characteristics.

Some copies have handles. They can be made of plastic or in the form of a regular fabric or silicone strap.

The first ones are convenient for stationary objects. But you shouldn’t buy them for walking, as they are heavier and take up more space. Options with a strap are suitable for these purposes. They can be clipped to a backpack or carried in your hand, worn on your wrist.

So what is the difference then, and how not to make a mistake in choosing?

The functional task of the products is one - to maintain the temperature of the liquid. And this task is also achieved in the same way - with the help of a layer of air between two layers of material. You can distinguish these two similar products by the material from which they are made.

The inner layer of thermal glasses is always made of plastic, while the outer part can be made partly or entirely of stainless steel as a decorative element. The thermocup handles are also plastic, even if the outer body is metal. It is the material that explains the difference in price: thermal glasses are less resistant to mechanical damage and are able to maintain the temperature of a hot drink for 2-3 hours.

The inner layer of thermal mugs is made of stainless steel, while the outer side of the thermal mug can be made entirely of metal or with silicone inserts. Such cuffs allow you to hold the mug without any problems even with wet hands. Thanks to vacuum insulation, drinks stay hot for 5 hours and cold for up to 12 hours. And the metal body is resistant to damage and falls. Such accessories can actually “get off with a light scratch” under mechanical stress.

The most important thing for any mug is the lid. This should make your mug truly airtight. To check this, just pour water into a mug, close the lid and shake.

As a result, a thermal mug is suitable for a trip to work, a short walk or a break, and if you are going on a long trip, it is better to take a thermal mug with you and enjoy a hot or cold drink throughout the trip.

Varieties

There are many types of devices that perform similar functions, but still differ from each other. Let's look at the most popular device categories.

Heating vessels are bought for cars, because they work from the cigarette lighter. With their help, you can heat a drink to 70 degrees, and some can even boil water.

Don't forget to measure the diameter of the cup holder in your car before purchasing.

Another separate group is children's samples. They are distinguished not only by their cheerful design, but also by their small format, rubberized bottom and the presence of a non-spill sippy cup.

There are special facilities for tea. In their design, they provide a special mesh into which the tea leaves are poured.

You may have heard of a mug called Tumblr. In essence, this is a “lightweight” version of a thermal mug. It has a smaller volume and, as a result, weight. But the heat in the tumblers lasts no more than 3 hours.

A pleasant bonus is the original design of such devices: they are often complemented with an unusual print. And some even provide the opportunity to insert your own picture or photograph and get a truly unique accessory.

Elena Sviridova, Art of Tea

I have been working in the tea industry for five years. Participated in a variety of projects - from popular network organizations to private tea houses. Accordingly, I have been drinking tea for a long time and often from everything that comes to hand - thermoses, ceremonial dishes, glasses, including thermal mugs.

Thermal glass Illusion

A simple and convenient option for a walk. The volume is small, I poured the tea I had already brewed at home into a mug and drank it on the way to work (to-go format) or while walking after a working day. In general, the mug works like a thermos - it retains heat for a long time, but to preserve the taste, I recommend using it for no more than four hours (according to my observations, this is the maximum time to preserve the original taste of the drink). Separately, I note that the glass holds the temperature very well - if you pour hot tea and drink without unscrewing the lid, you can get burned. Therefore, if you are going to drink it right away, for example, on the way to the office, it is better to cool it to the desired temperature in advance.

An important point that I didn’t really like: it was inconvenient for me to drink while opening the special valve - little drink pours out, and the surface that comes into contact with the lips is not protected - it is touched by the hands. But it closes tightly, you can carry it in your bag and be sure that the tea will not spill.

Thermocup No Leak

The classic combination of black and white: strict and elegant. The steel body is coated with white paint. It was not possible to understand the reliability of the coating after several days of use, but so far no scratches have appeared. The mug is not big and not small, but just enough to be comfortable to hold and compact in your bag. The coating of the mug is tactilely pleasant, not glossy, not very easily soiled, comfortable to hold in your hand - the feeling of a reliable, expensive thing. The button is equipped with a safety sliding mechanism to prevent the lid from opening accidentally. On the one hand, this is very convenient and practical, on the other hand, the fuse moves downwards, towards the button press. Sometimes this leads to the fact that by pressing the button not quite accurately, you can instead of opening the lid, on the contrary, block the button. Not critical, but when one hand is occupied with a heavy bag, it can be a little annoying.

This mug is comfortable to drink from! I think thanks to the sippy cup mechanism. Leaving aside all the previous lyrics, I can say that the mug holds heat well. The tightness is at the level, there are no drops or etching. If you want to drink tea while walking in the nearest park, it is better to brew the tea separately and pour it into a mug at a temperature that is acceptable for drinking. If you brew tea with boiling water directly in a mug, then after three hours the temperature will only drop to 70 degrees, which is not entirely comfortable, and you can get burned.

Thermocup Malaren

An interesting option for those who love active recreation - the mug has a special handle that can be hung on the handlebars of a scooter or bicycle. I found this find useful. A voluminous and stylish mug - I would take it with me on a hike or on a trip to nature. Even in style it resembles camp utensils. The case is pleasant to the touch and gives the impression of a reliable item. Keeps warm for a long time. I think it can be used as a thermos for boiling water. Drinking from it is not as convenient as we would like - the valve prevents a sufficient amount of drink from pouring out. But for brewing directly in a glass - just right! The brew doesn't stick in your mouth; if you throw in a small amount of tea, the drink turns out smooth and balanced. My recommendation is to use it as a convenient camping thermos.

Materials

The body and flask are made of the following materials.

1. Ceramics are usually single-layer samples. They cannot hold liquid cold or hot for a long time, they are quite heavy and break. But I would like to note their beautiful appearance. Therefore, they can be recommended for use at home or in the office, i.e. where constant transportation is not required.
2. Plastic is a budget option with a huge range of colors. Plus it's lightweight. But it is also quite fragile, scratches and absorbs odors. This means that if you pour tea inside after coffee, you will probably detect a coffee aroma.
3. Glass - just like ceramics, these are often single-layer products. The inner flask is also made from glass. It holds the temperature the longest, but breaks if accidentally hit.
4. Stainless steel is the right choice. It is not afraid of mechanical damage and does not absorb odors. But the price for such copies is higher. They also cannot be used to place acidic products: compote, juice, etc. The metal oxidizes and the taste of the drink changes.

Lid

In reviews of thermal mugs you can often read that they leak. And this happens most often through the lid, in the area of ​​the hole from which you are supposed to drink.

It is also important to consider the ease of opening and closing such a device. There are three mechanisms.

1. Screw - a regular twisting element. It closes the neck and prevents even a drop from leaking out. But such a system cannot be called comfortable to use. You won’t be able to open the device with one hand, and you won’t be able to do it with lightning speed either. There is a risk of getting burned by the hot steam that will come out of the container.
2. Latch - a latch that opens with a quick movement. It is not able to provide complete isolation. A situation is likely when it accidentally opens while moving, getting caught on some object.
3. The button is the most reliable option. To drink from such a container, you need to press a special button that opens the valve. Similar models are more expensive. Another drawback: it is quite difficult to thoroughly rinse such a part.

There are products that do not need to be sealed at all. These are specimens with soft silicone and plastic caps with a non-closing drinking hole. They are intended strictly for vertical use and cannot be carried in a bag.

Thermal mug opening mechanisms

It is the lid that determines the feasibility of the purchase. Therefore, pay attention to the O-ring so that it fits perfectly to the body. Lids are usually made of PVC-coated plastic, which does not contain harmful substances. They are hollow inside so that the drink cools faster. A high-quality cover can withstand impacts on asphalt.

Latch

It refers to a valve that is located at the top of the lid. The tail clings to the side and reliably protects against leaks. Under the latch there is a hole from which you can drink.

This is a common option (convenient to drink on the go), but unreliable - the latch can open at the most inopportune moment and flood everything nearby. Opens with one hand using a bottom-up motion. Structurally, on the back side there is a silicone seal (similar to a headphone tip) located on the opening mechanism, which can be washed or replaced if necessary.

To choose a high-quality latch and avoid spontaneous opening, you should take a closer look at how tightly it fits to the lid.

Swivel mechanism

The practical system lies in screwing the lid. The rotating mechanism tightly closes the thermal cup without the slightest gap. The only inconvenience is that you have to unscrew it every time you need to drink.

The lid is without valves, made like in thermoses. The rubber seals are removable for washing. It is not convenient for drivers to use this product on the road, as it requires two hands to open. But you can safely offer a container with a rotating mechanism and a metal body to children: notebooks and books will not be spilled with tea. Schoolchildren of any age will appreciate the reliability and simplicity of the design and are guaranteed to tighten the cup after use.

Volume

When choosing a thermal mug, focus on how you plan to use it:

• 200-300 ml – enough for one-time use, or to pour tea in the office or at home;
• 300-500 ml - you can treat your friends or have a couple of snacks on your own.

The larger the thermal glass, the longer the temperature of the contents remains. However, keep in mind that the larger the capacity, the larger and heavier the vessel will be. Think about whether it will always be convenient for you to take such a load with you.

Brands

The safety of the accessory and guaranteed service life can only be ensured by well-known companies that value their reputation. Among them there are both foreign and domestic. I will name the TOP 10 most popular manufacturers.

1. Thermos is a brand that first introduced containers with isothermal properties in 1904.
2. Zojirushi is a Japanese company with good quality products.
3. TIGER is another company from Japan that produces the best products for active travel.
4. Arktika is a leading domestic manufacturer.
5. Stanley is an American brand that offers a 100-year warranty.
6. Emsa is a German manufacturer with global reach.
7. STARBUCKS – tumblers of various configurations.
8. Tefal - inexpensive and reliable vessels from the French brand.
9. LaPlaya - compact and stylish devices from Germany.
10. Bergner is an Austrian company that produces practical and attractive containers.

Online stores for purchasing

There are usually no problems with buying the product you like: the devices are sold in many stores. Some of the online platforms include:

• MirCli – you will surely find a suitable copy among 260 options;
• Aliexpress – a search for the query produces more than 215,000 results;
• Best Kitchen - about 300 models in stock;
• Eldorado – 71 products for different purposes;
• Citylink – 27 offers of various devices;
• Holodilnik – 34 products from well-known manufacturers;
• All Tools - a huge selection of 328 offers.