7 Best Non-Toxic Mugs and Travel Mugs
Travel mugs have become an indispensable accessory for anyone who is always on the go. But if you regularly store hot liquids in your travel mug, then you should invest in a non-toxic mug that can keep up with your traveling demands!
What are the best non-toxic mugs and travel mugs? The best non-toxic travel mugs are made from high-quality materials and are vacuum-sealed because a better seal leads to better temperature control! You should also opt for a travel mug that is the right size and has a grippy exterior which can significantly lessen the chance of you dropping and breaking the mug!
Read below to learn more about non-toxic travel mugs, how they maintain their internal temperature, and a guide on how to pick the best travel mug for daily use.
Travel Mugs Basics
Travel mugs have revolutionized how we consume beverages while on the go. There was a time when people were bound to their homes or coffee houses when they wanted their favorite beverages – not to mention, they also had limited time to enjoy their drink before the beverage lost its temperature and texture.
The invention of insulated mugs changed all of this for the better! The first insulated mug was created in 1904 by a couple of scientists that miniaturized and commercialized vacuum insulation technology.
This tech allowed them to create bulky and heavy containers called thermoses which could regulate the temperature of the beverage inside for hours instead of minutes.
However, as time went on and technology evolved, so did the humble thermos! The 90s saw a huge boom in industrialization and as a result of this, manufacturers started to develop new and better ways to create portable thermoses that were made from lighter and more durable materials.
Unfortunately, due to limited resources and technological barriers, the earlier thermoses were usually made from toxic materials. But these materials only posed a threat when the bottle was damaged or had been used repeatedly over a long period of time.
Needless to say, as people became more health conscious, the demand for “clean” thermoses grew which prompted manufacturers to develop better and safer travel mugs.
Today, there is a huge market for non-toxic travel mugs and thanks to modern production techniques, you can purchase differently designed mugs with various features!
How Do Travel Mugs Work?
Travel mugs use several layers of insulating material to keep hot items hotter and cold items colder for longer. These mugs exploit a very basic principle where if you separate a body of liquid from the outside environment, you can slow down the time it takes for the internal temperature to normalize.
The inside of any high-quality travel mug is made from three layers that interfere with the heat-transferring process. The first layer is made from glass, which is a poor conductor of heat. This prevents the liquid from transferring heat through conduction.
The second way a travel mug maintains the temperature of liquids is by separating the inner glass chamber with the help of a vacuum seal. The inner glass chamber sits comfortably inside and is separated from the rest of the bottle using a vacuum which further prevents heat leakage via convection.
The final method uses a silver coating around the last layer of the travel mug. This layer prevents the bottle from radiating heat, which is also why high-quality travel mugs remain cool to the touch regardless if you add hot or cold liquids to the travel mug.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Non-toxic Travel Mug
Before we dive into the recommendations, let’s first take a look at how you should pick the right mug for your personal use. To make things easier, we have divided this guide into different sections, each section will discuss an important feature that a travel mug must have to be fit for typical use.
Here is what to look out for:
- Build Quality
- Grip and Convenience Features
- Size
Build Quality
Travel mugs are available in several different qualities. The cheaper ones not only use low-quality materials but also cut corners when it comes to manufacturing techniques. For example, many cheap travel mugs aren’t properly vacuum sealed which can significantly impact the insulating property of the mug.
A weak vacuum will also likely result in the bottle getting hot to the touch as the heat radiates outward through the outer layer of the bottle.
We recommend going with a stainless-steel travel mug that is designed to withstand the temperature and pressure inside the bottle without cracking or leaking harmful chemicals.
Please keep in mind that cheap travel mugs usually contain toxic materials which can potentially leak into your beverage. Remember, since these bottles keep hot liquids hot for longer, the prolonged heat may cause the bottle to deteriorate over time.
This might not have a big effect on the flavor of the beverage, but it will likely cause it to become contaminated with plastics or heavy metals which can cause harm to your body.
If you do tend to enjoy your hot beverage throughout the day, then we highly recommend that you go with a bottle that is made from 100% non-toxic, food-safe, and plastic-free materials.
Some manufacturers sell plastic tumblers but these products hardly ever perform as advertised and can be cumbersome to use. Not only this but if you drop the bottle a couple of times, it will likely develop cracks or worse, begin leaking micro-plastics into your beverage.
Grip and Convenience Features
A sturdy grip seems like a no-brainer feature but you would be surprised by just how many brands overlook a simple textured gripping to save a few dollars. Think about it, thermoses carry a glass container on the inside which can easily shatter if the bottle falls – even from waist height.
When you are out and about, dropping your mug on a rough surface is very likely, especially if you want to gift the mug to younger kids who are prone to dropping things.
A simple textured grip is all it takes to reduce the chances of the mug slipping from your hands!
You should also look out for other convenience-based features like a no-spill lid or a detachable straw. These features aren’t necessary for most travel mugs but they are nice to have when you are on the go.
Most travel mugs feature an easy-access slit for sipping your beverage. This can also make it easier to maintain the temperature of the beverage since you would be opening a tiny part of the mug rather than the entire lid which can cause heat to escape.
Some travel mugs also come with an easy-grip handle that can come in handy if you are an avid tea or coffee drinker.
A travel mug with a dedicated handle is great for people who want a more natural and familiar container for drinking their favorite beverages.
We also suggest that you go with a travel mug that best speaks to your style. Travel mugs are available in multiple designs and colors!
The most common color for travel mugs is black but we recommend that you switch it up and go with bold colors to stand out!
Don’t worry about chipping off the color either! High-quality travel mugs use premium-grade colors and advanced coloring technology to ensure that the bottle maintains its color for longer without it fading or scratching.
Size
The size of the mug will depend on your preference. Most travel mugs are designed with a 400 ml capacity but others can go up to 700 ml or 24oz. If you love drinking Venti or Trenta cups from Starbucks then we highly recommend that you go with a large travel mug.
Most high-quality mugs are designed with a 24oz capacity, which should be enough for most people. Even if you don’t drink too much at a time, it’s a good idea to go with a larger capacity mug to future-proof yourself.
You don’t have to worry about the extra weight of the mug either! Our picks for high-quality mugs below account for the size and weight of the mugs as well.
This means that you can easily carry a 24oz travel mug without worrying about it weighing you down when you are on the go!
7 Best Non-Toxic Mugs and Travel Mugs
Now that you know all about travel mugs and their features, it’s time to look at a few recommendations. Here are our picks for the best non-toxic travel mugs on the market!
Product | Best Feature | |
1. | Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug | A simple and convenient travel mug. Can keep cool drinks cold for up to 20 hours and hot for up to 7 hours! |
2. | HAUSHOF Stainless Double Wall Travel Mug | The perfect travel mug for road trips. Built with a double-insulating layer and can fit any cupholder with ease. |
3. | IRON FLASK Nomad Tumbler | A sleek and stylish travel mug that is designed for long-term use. Comes with a detachable straw for easy access. |
4. | EcoMozz 20oz Tumbler | An extremely simple and easy-to-use tumbler. Great for traveling and stylish too! |
5. | Takeya Traveler Insulated Coffee Mug | A travel-friendly mug that can maintain the temperature of your favorite beverages for up to 12 hours. |
6. | MOMSIV 12oz Travel Mug | A grippy travel mug made with a combination of stainless steel and silicone. Easy to use and great for long trips! |
7. | Mayim Large Travel Coffee Mug | An excellent travel mug for anyone looking for a familiar mug design. Comes with a handle and a range of cool colors! |
1. Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug
This travel mug is for people who want an easy-to-use and lightweight travel mug for multiple types of beverages. The Contigo West Loop travel mug is made from high-quality stainless steel which can withstand everyday use.
It’s also designed to store cold beverages for up to 20 hours without them getting warm, even on a bright sunny day! The bottle is made from three insulating layers which help it keep its internal temperature steady for longer.
2. HAUSHOF Stainless Double Wall Travel Mug
If you love ergonomic travel mugs that can fit your car’s cupholder then we highly recommend this double-walled travel mug!
It’s made from a combination of high-grade stainless-steel as well as silicone which gives it an excellent grip. You don’t have to worry about handling this bottle because it also comes with an attached handle that has an ergonomic design.
It is free of toxic materials and can be used repeatedly without fail. We love its simple design and recommend it to people who love long road trips.
3. IRON FLASK Nomad Tumbler
Don’t you just hate it when travel mugs cause spills and splashes whenever you open them while on the go?
Well, you can consider that problem solved with this unique and well-built tumbler. It is designed with a splash-proof opening that will keep your beverages inside the container – at all times.
It’s made from non-toxic materials and also comes with a detachable straw. The straw makes it easier for you to sip your beverage while on the go without worrying about spills. It can fit in any cupholder and is designed to last a very long time.
4. EcoMozz 20oz Tumbler
Looking for a simple tumbler that can help you take your hot or cold beverages without being overbearing? Then this is the container to get! It is designed to be super simple with just an easy-fix cap that seals the beverage securely.
The bottle can hold up to 20oz of liquid and is designed with a double-walled vacuum that is guaranteed to maintain the temperature of your beverages for longer. It is available in multiple colors and is built without any dangerous plastics or toxic materials!
5. Takeya Traveler Insulated Coffee Mug
Not only does this tumbler come with a convenient hook that you can use to secure the bottle on your travel bag, but it is also built to keep your beverages hot or cold for a full day!
The bottle is made from stainless steel and can hold up to 17 ounces of liquid which is perfect for people who want a simple, portable, and lightweight bottle that can fit any cupholder. The best thing about this travel mug is its size.
Its size is perfect for most coffee machines and you can make a fresh cup of coffee straight in the mug without wasting time!
6. MOMSIV 12oz Travel Mug
Looking for a simple and sleek travel mug? Then check out this convenient and durable tumbler! It’s built with a combination of high-grade silicone and stainless steel which makes it super durable for everyday use.
This travel mug can hold up to 12oz of any beverage and also features an easy-access lid on top that can enable you to enjoy your coffee without worrying about any hot spills. The side of the mug also sports a grip while the bottom features a non-slip base. You can choose from over 12 different colors!
7. Mayim Large Travel Coffee Mug
Sometimes simple is the best way to go! This travel mug is designed to be familiar and highly useful for anyone who loves traveling. It is built with non-toxic materials and stainless steel that give it extra durability.
It also features a convenient and ergonomic handle on the side which makes it very easy to use while driving or while you are on the go! It can also hold up to 30oz of liquid which makes it perfect for people who always get a Trenta cup at Starbucks.
The lid is a leakproof pop cap that secures the contents of the bottle without you having to worry about spills or splashes while opening or closing the lid.