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Coffee is a difficult beverage to transport. For one, holding a hot coffee can be difficult and even painful without proper protection. Secondly, coffee can cool down quickly, and if you’re busy at work or running errands, you might not have time to drink it all before it cools down.
Thankfully, a coffee thermos helps solve both of these problems. To help you find the right coffee thermos for you, the This Old House Review Team researched the best coffee thermoses on Amazon. Here are our favorite options.
Best Coffee Thermos Comparison
| Product | Size | Material | Heat Retention Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Classic Wide Mouth Bottle | 48 ounces | Stainless steel | 24 hours |
| Contigo AUTOSEAL Travel Mug | 20 ounces | Stainless steel | 7 hours |
| Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug | 16 ounces | Stainless steel | 6 hours |
| Thermos Compact Beverage Bottle | 16 ounces | Stainless steel | 12 hours |
| Zoku Instant Iced Coffee Maker | 11 ounces | Plastic | Not listed |
| Product | Size | Material | Heat Retention Length |
Most Durable: Stanley Classic Wide Mouth Bottle
Stanley Classic Wide Mouth Bottle
- $33.22
- $41.5
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Can keep contents hot or cold for up to 24 hours
- Has a leak-resistant, multi-purpose lid
- Comes in several colors
- Has a collapsible handle, making it easy to transport
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were satisfied with this thermos said that it had excellent heat retention, was well-designed, and had a large capacity. However, others who were not happy with this product said that it was prone to leaking, while some said it didn’t stay hot for as long as they anticipated.
Most Customizable: Contigo AUTOSEAL Travel Mug
Contigo AUTOSEAL Travel Mug
- $30.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has auto-seal technology that is leak- and spill-proof
- Drinks stay hot for up to seven hours or cold for up to 18
- Has a button that opens the mouth seal so you can drink with one hand
- Is dishwasher-safe
What Customers Are Saying
Those who were pleased with this thermos said that it was easy to drink from, was made with sturdy materials, and stayed hot for several hours. However, others who were not fully satisfied with this product claimed that it was difficult to clean, while several customers complained that the company did not honor their warranty.
Best Design: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
- $28.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has stainless steel vacuum insulation
- Features a safety lock to prevent accidental opening
- Has a corrosion-resistant surface that repels stains
- Is available in multiple sizes
What Customers Are Saying
Those who were pleased with this coffee thermos said that it was leak-proof, easy to drink from, and had excellent heat retention. However, others who were not as happy with this thermos said that the outer paint peeled, while others said it got damaged easily.
Most Versatile: Thermos Compact Beverage Bottle
Thermos Compact Beverage Bottle
- $19.99
- $25.99
- 24% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Is made from durable 18/8 stainless steel
- Has a convenient twist and pour stopper
- Is lightweight at less than one pound
- Comes in a number of different sizes
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were pleased with this product said that it was easy to carry, didn’t leak, and had a sleek design. However, others who left negative reviews for this product claimed that it occasionally rusted, while others claimed it did not keep drinks hot for as long as advertised.
Best For Iced Coffee: Zoku Instant Iced Coffee Maker
Zoku Instant Iced Coffee Maker
- $29.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Works with any brewing method, including drip, single-cup, and pour-over
- Includes a protective sleeve, lid, and colored straw
- Comes in multiple colors
- Is made with BPA- and phthalate-free materials
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this product said that it was durable, chilled beverages quickly, and had a stylish design. However, some who didn’t care for this product said that it was smaller than they expected, while others claimed it didn’t make their coffee as cold as they would like.
Buyer’s Guide
Before determining which coffee thermos is best for your needs, there are a wide variety of factors you should first think about. Read our buyer’s guide below to examine some of the biggest factors when buying a coffee thermos.
Size
The size of your coffee thermos helps determine how much coffee (or any other beverage) you can fit. Larger thermoses allow you to hold more coffee at once and can last for many hours throughout the day. Smaller thermoses, however, may be better for fitting in cup holders like the ones in your car and are easier to carry around.
One thing you should consider is if you have easy access to a refill. If you are making your coffee from home before you leave and don’t have a coffee maker at the office, a larger thermos may work better. However, if you can easily refill your coffee once you run out, then a small thermos that’s easy to carry is likely the smarter choice.
Heat Retention
Arguably the most important thing about a thermos is its ability to keep your beverage hot or cold throughout the day. Thermoses with double-wall sealing help keep the beverage at its desired temperature for longer as it doesn’t let heat escape from the bottle easily. Single-wall thermoses will keep your drink warm for a while, but don’t have the versatility of double wall-insulated vacuum sealing.
Material
Most coffee thermoses are made from stainless steel or other high-quality metals that help retain heat. Some thermoses are also made from materials such as plastic or glass. However, plastic bottles won’t retain heat as well as metal, and glass bottles are fragile and may be more expensive.
Lid Style
Coffee thermoses should also be functional and easy to drink from. Some thermoses will have pop-off lids that you can open and close like you would with a water bottle. Others have a button or trigger-action lid that slides open the mouth slot and allows you to sip when it’s held down. Thermoses don’t typically include straws, but if you’re using it for cold beverages like iced coffee, you can always add your own reusable straw to any twist-cap lid.
Other Ways To Keep Your Drinks Warm
A coffee thermos is a great tool to use to keep your coffee, hot chocolate, or tea warm all day long. However, there are also other ways you can heat up your drink or keep it from cooling off in the first place. Here are some of our top tips.
Microwave It
One obvious way to warm up your drink is to stick it in a microwave for a few seconds. While this can be an effective way to heat your drink, you may find that the flavor has been reduced, and it can be difficult to determine exactly how long to heat it.
Use a Mug Warmer
Mug warmers are devices that keep your coffee mug warm in between sips simply by placing the mug on top of it. Some mug warmers are battery-powered, while others need to be plugged into an outlet or USB.
Use a Cup Sleeve
Cup sleeves are a great way to both keep your drink warm and keep your hands protected as you drink from a hot cup. While cup sleeves will keep your drink insulated and warm for a short period, they aren’t as effective for a longer period of time.
Preheat the Cup
Another way to make sure your cup stays warm as you drink it is to heat it up in advance. Preheating your cup, either by microwaving it or boiling it with hot water, will keep the contents warm and also help bring out the flavors of your beverage.
Keep It Wrapped Up
Wrapping your mug in an item like a scarf or another piece of insulating fabric is a good way to keep your beverage warm by not letting heat escape. However, it may be difficult to drink with an item wrapped around your cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a thermos?
Some thermoses can be cleaned in the dishwasher after use, but it’s important that you check the individual product listings to see if it is dishwasher safe. For those that can’t be washed in the dishwasher, you should use warm water, dish soap, and a soft cloth to gently wipe down the outside.
How can you remove a coffee smell from a thermos?
Sometimes, when using a thermos, the smell of coffee might linger even after you’ve washed it. If you notice that is becoming an issue, you can use water and baking soda to rinse it out, which should solve the issue.
Can you add milk to coffee once it’s in a thermos?
Using milk or coffee creamer in a thermos is not recommended, as storing dairy products for an extended period of time at warm temperatures can lead to bacteria growth. However, if you drink the coffee quickly, adding milk to your coffee in a thermos should be fine, but you should rinse it out once you’ve finished.
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