It was a typical morning. I was scrambling to get the kids off to school and I set my travel mug on the roof of my car. I know now that was a big mistake. It was when I finally got the kids buckled in and breathed a sigh of relief. I closed the door, and then it happened.
My travel mug dropped from about 5 ft and smacked onto the concrete. I watched my coffee spill out along with my chances of having a good day. The lid had completely broken off. I turned the broken mug upside down and tried to shake any remaining liquid into my mouth.
Not one drop could be salvaged. I cursed the gods and contemplated calling out of work, but I eventually pulled it together and moved on with my day.
Shopping For A New Travel Mug
Needless to say, I am now in the market for a new travel mug. I don’t expect a travel mug to be completely indestructible but I am looking for a replacement mug that will be strong enough to withstand minor drops and bumps and maybe an occasional drop from the height of a car roof. I’m also looking for a cup that won’t leak when I’m on my way to work if I throw it on my passenger seat or in a bag. It also needs to keep my coffee hot enough to burn the devil’s tongue.
Basically, the things I’m looking for in a travel mug are durability, a leak-proof seal, hot holding, size and of course, price. I’m always looking for a bargain and want to get the most value for my money.
My previous two travel mugs were Contigo. One of the mugs lasted about a week and the push button mechanism broke. It was pretty leak proof while that mechanism was working, but one is fell apart it leaked like crazy. The second mug lasted about a year until it fell off the roof of my car and was prematurely destroyed. I’m sure it would have held up a while longer if that hadn’t have happened.
Durable Travel Mugs
There really is nothing more devastating than dropping your travel mug and having its precious contents spilled all over the place and having no time to remedy the situation. Being forced to face a day with no coffee is inhumane, and no one should have to go through that. This is why durability is the most important factor I’m considering while looking for a replacement. I really want a coffee mug that can withstand a few bumps and bruises.
Travel Mug Size
The next criteria that I’m looking for in a perfect travel mug, is size. Not only does it need to hold at least 2 cups of coffee, but it also needs to fit in my car’s cup holder. I’ve had a few mugs that didn’t quite fit, and they would tip out while turning or making a sudden stop. Anyone that has driven with me before can tell you that sudden stops happen pretty frequently. No need to make the commute more dangerous by having a coffee mug tumbling around and getting wedged under the brake pedal.
Hot Holding
Let’s be honest. I don’t need the travel mug that keeps coffee hot the longest. 3 or 4 hours is good for me, and it probably won’t even last that long. Point is, I don’t need anything that claims to keep beverages hot for 24 hours. I’ll take a few sips on my drive to work and likely finish the rest within the first hour of arriving at my desk. I would like it to maintain the temperature during that time though.
A Travel Mug that Doesn’t Leak.
I want to be able to toss my mug in my passenger seat when I’m in a hurry, and not have to worry about coffee dripping all over my interior.
Based on the above criteria I’ve narrowed it down to Zojirushi. This is my number one pick for a replacement travel mug. Click the link below to learn about the product. It is an affiliate link, so if you use a link to make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. If you have used this mug before, or decide to buy one, let me know what you think in the comments. Your feedback will help other readers make decisions too. Also, let me know if you found a different travel mug that you love.
Zojirushi
- HEAT RETENTION – Vacuum insulated stainless steel will keep your beverage hot or cold for hours. Some reviews actually complain that this mug keeps their coffee too hot, and they need to transfer it to another cup before they can drink it.
- Leak Proof – There is a lid that covers the sipping area. This will help keep the mouthpiece nice and clean. The lid is also equipped with a safety lock that prevents the lid from accidentally popping open. It also makes use of double gaskets to help prevent leaks.
- Size – It’s available in 12 16 and 20-ounce sizes and also fits in most cup holders
- Added Bonus – All sipping areas completely disassemble for easy cleaning. You won’t have to deal with those hard to clean nooks and crannies that you have with some travel mugs.
