When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
On-the-move coffee drinking is a tricky proposition, which is why we tested 20 coffee thermoses. The first thing a coffee thermos has to do is keep coffee from the best coffee maker hot or cold, as you like. The best coffee thermoses are easy to open and pour, don't spill, and are lightweight enough to carry around.
Our top pick is the Zojirushi Stainless Mug which has excellent heat retention and a spill-proof lid. If you're a little rougher on your belongings, the Yeti Rambler Bottle with HotShot Cap is double-walled to hold temperature and survive anything you throw at it.
Learn about how Insider Reviews tests and recommends kitchen accessories and appliances.
Our top picks for the best coffee thermoses
Best overall: Zojirushi SM-WR – See at Amazon
Most durable: Yeti Rambler Bottle and HotShot Cap – See at Amazon
Best commuter: Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid – See at Hydro Flask
Best large capacity: Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle – See at Amazon
Best smart: Ember Travel Mug 2 – See at Amazon
Best for travelers: Espro P1 – See at Amazon
Best overall
Zojirushi's SM-WR thermos is lightweight, spill-proof, and easy to clean (though it isn't dishwasher-safe).
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Great heat retention
- Not dishwasher-safe
Dependable, lightweight, and ergonomic, Zojirushi thermoses are our top picks for the best coffee thermoses. We originally tested the SM-WR thermos, but Zojirushi makes several similar models that suit most people's needs without becoming too cumbersome. We also like the Zojirushi SM-SA Vacuum Insulated Mug.
Zojirushi offers some of the best thermal and pressure technology in the kitchen space, so it's no surprise that their thermoses offer some of the best heat retention and sealing technology we've found.
A two-step opening mechanism ensures that it will not open whether it's jostling around on the floor of your car or upside-down in your backpack. It's also about as light as a water bottle. If you do decide to use it for something other than coffee, it won't weigh nearly as much as most of the other double-walled, stainless-steel, vacuum-sealed picks.
Zojirushi is a little on the pricey side, but the trusty lid, built-in silicone gasket for easy cleaning, excellent heat retention, and lightweight answer promptly for that.
The only downside we see with this model (among others) of Zojirushi's is that it's not dishwasher-safe. You also don't want to leave it soaking, which could cause the interior coating to react.
Most durable
Made from stainless steel and incorporating double-walled, vacuum insulation, the Rambler keeps drinks hot or cold for several hours at a time. They're also built to last and can go with you anywhere you want to take them.
- Extremely durable and drop-proof
- Dishwasher-safe, including the interchangeable lids
- Rust resistant
- Very heavy
Not only does Yeti's Rambler series of drinkware retain heat with the best coffee thermoses on the market, but you can do anything short of driving a truck over it with hardly more than a scratch.
True, they're heavy as heck, and you don't really want to go toting one around all day (at least not the larger-volume models). But whether it's keeping hot things hot or cold things cold, Yeti does its job and then some. The resilience of Yeti's line of drinkware may seem excessive, especially considering the weight. But that heavy-duty steel is precisely what keeps it from denting or shattering in rough-and-tumble situations.
The Rambler is also BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, as is the series of lids that fit it. (In addition to the included Hotshot Cap, there's the 5-Ounce Cup Cap, the Bottle Chug Cap, the Stronghold Lid, and the Magdock Cap.)
Yeti's Rambler is the model for the intrepid outdoor enthusiast or the car-based commuter who doesn't mind the extra weight. This thermos will easily last a decade or more, but again, it's not for everyone.
Best commuter
There are a variety of bright colors and smaller sizes if you don't like carrying heavy bottles.
- Red square indicates locking mechanism is engaged
- Easy to carry with integrated loop
- Simple and effective design that's easy to clean
- Need two hands to open
A coffee thermos is only good if you're willing to carry it, and while there are plenty of models with clips and rings, none are as lightweight and low-profile as Hydro Flask's Coffee. Whether you hang it from a finger or two or strap it to your pack or messenger bag, it does its job without needing a big hunk of plastic. A carabiner can come in handy with this model since it doesn't come with a clip.
Apart from the loop, the Hydro Flask is one of the most simple and effective of the best coffee thermoses. The lid twists open for drinking and disassembly, there are no funny mechanisms that require a pipe cleaner to sanitize, and the smooth rim is a delight to drink from.
We have found that Hydro Flask vessels tend to retain some smell after repeated use. To avoid strange-tasting water, designate this as just your coffee thermos.
Do note that the lid system, while reliable and easy to clean, requires two hands to open. Other models we recommend can be engaged with one hand. Small spills will happen if you stumble or fumble while the lid is in the open position — which is not hard to avoid, thanks to a small red square that shows when the lid is properly sealed.
Best large capacity
Available in 1.5- and 2-quart capacities, Stanley's Classic Legendary thermos lets you bring enough to share.
- Minimal stain and scent lingering
- Good heat retention
- Sturdy
- Heavy
No US-based thermos company is as instantly recognizable as Stanley. The brand was among the first to introduce double-walled, vacuum-sealed technology to the industry. Stanley's Classic Legendary Bottle holds heat and cold just as well as other top thermoses while staying affordable and nearly as reliable as the higher-tech, modern-day competition.
The larger model has a much heavier-duty handle that inspires as much confidence as the lid latches Stanley is known for, but it might be cumbersome. In any case, it provides a sturdy grip and facilitates safe pouring — which becomes imperative when you're working with two quarts of piping-hot liquid.
Other models we tested didn't have such robust handles, if any. Once thermoses reach the 1.5-to-2-quart size, a handle becomes appreciated, if not required. The smaller model's handle sits more flush, folding almost flat on a series of small hinges.
Finally, the Stanley Classic Legendary comes in the same 18/8 stainless steel and BPA-free plastic materials that pricier brands like Yeti use, but Stanley's product is priced about $20 cheaper. Plus, by our tests, it's every bit as leakproof.
Best smart
Having a smart mug that keeps itself warm with a heating pad is life-changing. Gone are the days of lukewarm brews, now you can keep your cuppa as warm as you choose without needing to reheat.
- Touch-enabled LED temperature array and control
- 360° lid opens with one finger
- Personalized monogramming available (at an extra cost)
- Charging plate required (not compatible with universal USB chargers)
- No lid lock
For the tech-forward person on the move or someone office-bound, the self-heating Ember Travel Mug 2 might be worth the splurge.
The built-in LED touchscreen controls the temperature of your beverage between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit (50-62.5 Celsius). There's probably no other way to keep the temperature of your beverage so constant for so long.
Ember also maintains an application that allows you to create presets for your favorite beverages, if you like your latte at one temperature and your Americano at another. While three hours of battery life may not sound like a long time, it also has an "auto-sleep" function, and you can cheat by leaving the battery off at first while your beverage is freshly hot.
While the thermos itself is not dishwasher-safe, it can withstand one-meter submersion in water, so spillage and wet counters need not be feared.
Best for travelers
Brew your coffee on the go with the Espro Travel Coffee Press, the travel mug with a French press built in.
- Lets you brew coffee on the go
- Little to no sediment seeps through filter
- Can make pour-over coffee
- French press makes it hard to add milk or sugar to coffee straight into the mug
- Doesn't entirely stop brewing
French-press coffee drinkers who like their coffee black might consider Espro's P1 Travel French Press. We have tried half a dozen of these types of models over the years, and this one is the most travel-friendly.
There are two main drawbacks to this or any other travel-friendly French press model. First, brewing doesn't entirely stop inside the P1, but thanks to the micro-mesh filters and silicone gasket, it comes pretty close.
Second, because the plunger runs through the lid, heat retention isn't generally as good as with lids that don't have holes running through their center. But four hours of hot coffee is still better than other travel French presses offer.
Cleaning the P1 is much more pleasant than cleaning traditional coiled filters. Scrub the filters inside and out, and you're done: no hidden inner workings to harbor bacteria or mold exist. Overall, being leakproof, commuter—and day-bag-friendly, admirably keeping out grit, and mostly preventing over-steeping makes the P1 the most worthy investment in this category.
What to look for in a coffee thermos
Coffee thermoses are meant for use on the go and, therefore, need to be sturdy and reliable. No one wants to find their coffee cold during a long meeting or open their backpack to a massive spill. A good thermos retains temperature, doesn't leak, and is easy to carry.
Temperature retention: A thermos should keep iced or hot coffee as close to the original temperature as possible for multiple hours. Double-walled or vacuum-sealed thermoses are the best at retaining temperature but can be heavy.
Leakproof: Whether you're tossing it in a backpack or riding a crowded bus, your thermos should be well-sealed and virtually leakproof. The lid is often the culprit of leaks; look for a lid that automatically locks when not in use or has a latch instead of a slide that can loosen over time.
Weight: Since they're meant to be traveled with, coffee thermoses need to be comfortable to carry around by virtue of a lightweight construction or a handy carrying loop. If your thermos doesn't have a loop, consider getting a carabiner clip.
How we test coffee thermoses
Temperature: We tested temperature retention every two hours (previously, we tested hourly for our guide to best travel mugs) starting at 136 degrees Fahrenheit, the optimal temperature for hot beverages according to this study by the University of Texas. Once temperatures fell below 110 degrees, we stopped testing. Ultimately, the more you open your thermos, the faster it will cool, which will more likely be the determining factor regarding how long your coffee stays hot..
Leaks: We filled each thermos with water and flipped it, shook it, and rolled it around for at least 30 seconds. Any leaky bottles were immediately discounted.
Ease of use and cleaning: Even if a thermos offered great heat retention, if they required heavily involved disassembly and reassembly, and/or weren't dishwasher-safe, we took this into consideration. We don't want to spend our precious time disassembling thermos lids to rid them of bacteria.
Long-term testing: Working parts fail, smells develop, and gaskets get dingy. We are continuing to test our top picks over time to appropriately address any issues we encounter. We'll also be continuing to test other models that we were unable to test during previous rounds.
Coffee thermos FAQs
How do I clean a thermos?
The best coffee thermos may or may not be dishwasher-safe. Warm water, dish soap, and a soft (non-bristled) sponge are best for handwashing, but check the manufacturer's instructions. There may be gaskets or other parts that require removal.
How do I kill bad smells in my thermos?
Water and baking soda will do the trick, but as with warm, soapy water, it's best not to leave it soaking for too long.
What can I put in my thermos?
Dedicate each thermos, mug, or water bottle for one purpose. They can take on the smell and residue of coffee, tainting your water, tea, or wine. Milk can leave a rank smell, and carbonated beverages can destroy the thermos lining.
