If you’re not accustomed to using them, coffee thermoses can seem awkward to carry around at first, but they are handy devices and can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Imagine this scenario: you’re running late to work and have prepared yourself a nice cup of coffee that you just realized you might not be able to have. If you don’t have a thermos, there are two possible outcomes. You’re either going to burn your tongue trying to finish it hastily, or you’ll be forced to see the sink enjoy it.
How do you avoid this? If you had a thermos, you could easily take the beverage with you instead of wasting a perfectly drinkable cup of coffee or having to spend on one at a Starbucks later. This is but one in a million scenarios where thermoses can be useful. Whether you’re going camping in the woods, or trekking in the mountains, a good thermos can last you through a lifetime of experiences, and we’re going to help you select the best one you can get to keep your coffee warm. We’ll go over the essential factors you need to think over before purchasing a thermos, and list five of the best options out there.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Thermos?
Are you going to be filling up that thermos first thing after waking up, every day of the week? Or are you the kind of person who needs coffee on the odd days you didn’t catch enough sleep? Your answer to these questions is perhaps the most determinant of what type of thermos would suit your needs.
There are three main factors that you need to consider before buying a thermos: the size, the insulation, and the design. If you fall in the first category of coffee drinkers, chances are you’re going to need a big thermos. The dual utility of these containers is that they are quite handy on trips involving large groups. Different materials insulate beverages with varying levels of efficacy. While stainless steel is the best option, infrequent drinkers can get away with purchasing tin or plastic.
Thermoses are insulated in various ways. You can find both foam and vacuum insulated containers, as well as single and double-walled ones that keep your coffee warm for that much longer. Lastly, you want your thermos to look fashionable enough to be seen drinking from it. Some brands do compromise on this aspect in favor of better function, but if your thermos permanently sits on your desk at the office, you might want one with an appropriate design.
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug, 20-Ounce, Black
The Zojirushi Stainless Steel thermos is one of the most versatile choices on this list. It has a sleek design available in 12 colors, with capacities of 12, 16, or 20 ounces. It retains heat for very long periods of time (averaging around 6 hours), even under conditions of extreme cold. Its lid contains a safety lock that helps avoid any accidents, while the entire assemblage can be easily cleaned. Perhaps the only drawback of this pick is that it isn’t dishwasher safe, and can sometimes emit a funny plastic smell. This isn’t one for long trips either. But these are minor inconveniences for a terrific, all-round product.
What We Liked
- Easy to hold
- Leak proof
- Great material quality
What We Didn’t Like
- Breaks easily
Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle 1.1QT Hammertone Green
If you’re looking for a cheap, but massive thermos to take on adventures, the Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle is the one for you. As the name suggests, it has a pretty ‘classic’ look, which is to say that it has aged a bit. But what it loses out on visually, it more than makes up for in utility! Its stainless steel interior can keep coffee warm for as long as 32 hours, and cold for 120 hours. The capacity can range anywhere between 16 ounces to 2 quarts— that’s two whole liters. The model is available in several colors that can mask the old look, but this isn’t a thermos suited for daily commutes.
What We Liked
- Leak proof
- Perfect for traveling
- Easy to hold
What We Didn’t Like
- Cap fell off
Contigo Autoseal Chill 24 OZ W, 24 Ounce, SS Monaco
As the first entry on this list, the Contigo Autoseal West Loop Mug is a good option for the morning office-goer. Its matte colors on stainless steel make it ideal for daily carry, and its automatic seal is excellent at preventing leaks and spills in your car, or on the subway. This model keeps coffee warm for up to 5 hours, and cook for around 12. It comes in three sizes: 16, 20, and 24 ounces. It might not keep your coffee as hot as some other models, but it is nevertheless an attractive pick.
What We Liked
- Easy to drink from
- Easy to hold
- Leak proof
What We Didn’t Like
- Does not hold temperature
Vremi 17 oz Thermos Water Bottle Travel Mug – Insulated Stainless Steel
This thermos comes with an infuser and was intended to carry tea, but the product can be used just as well for coffee, or any hot liquid. Its minimal design and small capacity are ideal for the occasional drinker who needs a buzz in the morning. The stainless-steel-make fits easily into most car cup holders and comes with double-wall insulation that can keep coffee warm for reasonably long. The design comes in four different colors: black, blue, pink, and red.
What We Liked
- Quality product for the price
- Easy to hold
- Quick to clean
What We Didn’t Like
- Tight lid comes loose easily
Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask – Multiple Sizes & Colors
This compact thermos can fit under any coffee machine, and can quickly be tossed into most bags. The Hydro Flask thermos provides double-walled insulation that lasts up to 6 hours for warm beverages and 24 hours for cold ones. It comes in more sizes than many of its competitor models, being available in 4 different volumes: 12, 16, 18, and 20 ounces. One key benefit of this model is that its stainless steel doesn’t reek of coffee after usage. However, one of the lids has frequently been faulted for not being leakproof, so don’t be too liberal with handling this thermos.
What We Liked
- Keeps temperature in bottle
- Easy to clean
- Quality for the price
What We Didn’t Like
- Reports of leaking
