We Tested the Best Coffee Thermoses So You Can Stay Caffeinated On the Go

Best Overall

Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Bottle

$45 at Amazon Orig. $51 $48 at Walmart $45 at Target

A popular thermos, especially for people who love the outdoors, is the Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle. Its durable stainless steel is designed to withstand the wear and tear from all kinds of adventures. Plus, it's backed by Stanley's lifetime guarantee. It's available in five different sizes, starting at less than 1 quart and working up to 2.5 quarts. We tested the 1.5-quart model and gave it an overall positive review.

The lid has two parts—a stainless steel cup and plastic stopper—that successfully kept it from leaking during our testing process. One downside to the lid, however, is that it's not easy to sip from while walking unless you eschew the rubber stopper and only cover the lid with the stainless steel cup. Note that the 1.5-quart model is too large to fit in a cup holder (which is expected given its large capacity).

As far as temperature retention goes, Stanley claims that the 1.5-quart model keeps drinks warm for 40 hours and cold for 35 hours without ice. Our testing corroborated the first claim, as we filled the thermos with hot coffee and, 40 hours later, found it still drinkable and warm (note that we first rinsed the thermos with nearly boiling water to preheat the material before adding coffee). When testing cold drinks, however, we used refrigerated coffee without ice and found that the temperature warmed up slightly over 35 hours. The coffee remained suitable to drink, though, which is why we still recommend the item.

As far as cleaning goes, the opening of the thermos was too small for us to clean the inside by hand, but this is a non-issue in most cases because the item is dishwasher safe.

Capacity: 0.6, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 quarts | Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.9 x 14.1 inches (1.5-quart model) | Color Options: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Thermos Vacuum Insulated Compact Beverage Bottle

$28 at Amazon Orig. $26 $22 at Walmart

A few of the main details we look for in coffee thermoses are convenience, reliability, and affordability. Combine all three and you get the Thermos Vacuum Insulated Compact Beverage Bottle. Whether it's for yourself or a gift for someone else, this classic thermos gets the job done and looks good doing so.

After testing the item firsthand, we found that it lives up to the brand's claim of keeping coffee hot for 12 hours and iced coffee cold for 24 hours. Both cups of coffee tasted just as good after that time had elapsed, too. One quick tip: Fill the thermos with hot water for a couple of minutes before your coffee is ready. Doing this will preheat the material and ensure your coffee stays hot longer. (This holds true for any stainless steel coffee thermos.)

Another observation we noted is that the thermos' two-part lid is easy to open and close, but will take longer than thermoses with a one-part lid. There are pros and cons to this. On one hand, it prevents any leaks, even after we shook the thermos upside down. On the other, it's not ideal for commuters, as the lid is not designed to be opened while driving. There also isn't any indication that this thermos is dishwasher safe, so we cleaned it by putting a drop of dish soap inside and rinsing it with hot water.

Capacity: 16, 25 and 32 ounces | Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 10 inches (16-ounce model) | Color Options: No | Warranty: 5-year limited

Best Value

Contigo West Loop Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug

$32 at Amazon Orig. $23 $17 at Target $29 at Wayfair

The Contigo Autoseal West Loop is an unbeatable value pick that's available in dozens of colors and four sizes. The brand says it keeps coffee hot for seven hours and iced coffee chilled for up to 18 hours, and we found this accurate after testing it. The coffee retained high heat for three hours and was still warm after the seven-hour mark. Ice water remained very cold past the 20-hour mark too, even though the ice cubes melted after 12 hours.

One of the few criticisms we have after testing is that the thermos isn't the easiest to clean, as only the lid is dishwasher safe. The lid is easy to use overall though; it has a simple button to open and close. It's also spill-proof, which is a big plus.

Capacity: 14, 16, 20, and 24 ounces | Dimensions: 3.5 x 7.8 inches (16-ounce model) | Color Options: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited

Best Commuter

Contigo SnapSeal Travel Mug

Orig. $17 $16 at Amazon View on Walmart $15 at Target

If you like sipping hot coffee during your morning drive, walk, or ride, try the Contigo Byron Travel Mug with SnapSeal Technology. The thermos is available in three sizes: 16, 20, and 24 ounces. The 20-ounce model is designed to keep coffee hot for seven hours and cold for 18. When we tested this firsthand, we found both figures to be accurate. The drip coffee we poured in was hot and drinkable when we checked it again, and the cold coffee was still tasty, even without ice.

The Byron also has a one-of-a-kind lid that, according to our testing, is convenient while walking and easy to use while driving. It even fits in a standard cupholder. Thanks to the brand's SnapSeal technology, the Byron mug is completely leakproof; there won't be any spills whether you're on a crowded subway or throwing the thermos in a backpack.

One drawback to this otherwise highly-rated product is that the stainless steel body is hand-wash only, yet the lid opening is too small to fit your hand inside. Instead, a long, non-abrasive bottle brush is recommended. And the Byron still works like new after we've owned and used it for four years. The exterior is scratched in places, but the lid opens and closes smoothly and continues to prevent even the slightest leak.

Capacity: 16, 20, and 24 ounces | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 8 inches (20-ounce model) | Color Options: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited

Runner-Up, Best Commuter

Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug

Orig. $30 $25 at Amazon Orig. $31 $25 at Walmart View on Target

The Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler is everything you could want in a commuter mug. The sliding lid is easy to open while driving or walking. It can be purchased with or without a handle depending on your preference. It's large and durable, but slim enough to fit in most cupholders (especially when purchased without a handle). Tea lovers can even enjoy the mug because it has a built-in hook for tea bags.

We gave the Stainless King an outstanding review—the mug stands up to its claims and will keep your coffee hot for most, if not all, of your shift, even on a cold day. The interior and exterior steel also prevent any annoying condensation.

We love the DrinkLock Technology, which allows the lid to form a tight seal so no liquid (or heat) passes through it. Keep in mind that the lid should be disassembled and washed by hand.

Capacity: 16 ounces | Dimensions: 4.9 x 3.3 x 7.8 inches | Color Options: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited

Best Carafe

Cresimo 68 Oz Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee Carafe

Orig. $39 $30 at Amazon $45 at Walmart

There's plenty of coffee to go around with the Cresimo Thermal Coffee Carafe. Its 68-ounce capacity makes it a worthwhile pick for small business owners, avid hosts, and more. The classic stainless steel design with a black-accented cap matches everything from kitchen décor to conference rooms and even formal settings.

When we tested the item, we found that the vacuum insulation kept coffee hot for 12 hours and iced coffee cold for a full 24 hours. It also has a comfortable handle and an easy-to-use, no-spill spout. The pouring is slower than expected, but this will help you and your guests avoid making a mess.

Unfortunately, we found it difficult to get the last couple of ounces of coffee out, the spout continues pouring for a second even after you release the trigger, and the lid opening is too small to clean inside the carafe by hand, so you will need a long brush to get all the nooks and crannies.

Capacity: 68 ounces | Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 10.8 inches | Color Options: No | Warranty: 1 year

Best Large Capacity

Stanley Classic Easy-Pour Growler

$57 at Amazon $80 at Walmart View on Opticsplanet.com

The Stanley Classic Easy-Pour Growler is a 64-ounce vacuum-insulated container that's great for camping, hiking, hunting, and more. Hugely popular and just plain huge, the item is leakproof, dishwasher safe, and backed by a lifetime warranty. The growler still looks brand new after we've used it for four years and taking it on numerous hikes and camping trips. It's available in three colors and has a handle that makes pouring easier.

After testing the growler, we were impressed by its heavy-duty design and the length of time it was able to keep drinks at their ideal temperature. Coffee stayed warm (though, not piping hot) for 18 hours, and iced coffee remained cold for a whopping four days even though the ice cubes melted over that time. The clasp-style lid takes a little finger strength to open, but that just demonstrates how sturdy and well-built the item is.

While the growler is completely leakproof, it may be too large for tossing in smaller hiking backpacks. As a result, you may want to attach it to your bag with a carabiner. When it comes time to wash it, the opening is too small to fit a hand inside, but fortunately the growler is dishwasher safe, so it’s still very simple to clean.

Capacity: 64 ounces | Dimensions: 6.48 x 4.92 x 11.57 inches | Color Options: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime

Best Design

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Flex Sip Lid Bottle

Orig. $33 $25 at Amazon View on Walmart $39 at Walmart

There are so many thermoses on the market that will keep your coffee hot and won’t spill,​ yet they have a ho-hum, metallic design. If you're looking for something a bit more fun, try the Hydro Flask, which still has all the benefits of a classic thermos. You can buy one of these vacuum-insulated stainless steel coffee or beverage bottles in many colors, including Pacific, Carnation, Rain, and Olive. The sleek cylindrical design, matte-colored steel, and minimalist cap give the Hydro Flask one of the coolest looks on the market. (And despite the word "flask" in the title, it's not a beer or spirits flask.)

While our testing process confirmed that this thermos keeps drinks hot for six hours or cold for four, we were disappointed by the lid design—it is surprisingly difficult to take the entire lid off when filling the thermos as it feels a little bit sticky. Even sliding it open to take a sip wasn't very smooth.

The pros are that it's cupholder friendly, generally safe to place upright in a backpack (it only leaked after being shaken upside down), and can be cleaned in a dishwasher on the top rack, though we were able to fit a sponge into the mug and reach all parts. Hydro Flask also guarantees the item for life, and we still have the mug after four years. It's not the travel mug we use most often, as we typically use a larger mug, but it's held up remarkably well and shows no signs of slowing down.

Capacity: 12, 16, and 20 ounces | Dimensions: 7.76 x 3.31 x 3.07 inches (16-ounce model) | Color Options: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime limited

Best High-Tech

Ember Travel Mug 2

Orig. $200 $89 at Amazon Orig. $200 $165 at Walmart View on Ember.com

Now you can keep your coffee hot through the morning with smart technology. The Ember Travel Mug² uses both app connectivity and a sleek, high-tech design to do so—and makes sure nothing spills or leaks in the process. You can use the thermos' touchscreen panel to control its temperature, or you can do so by pairing it with the Ember app on your smartphone. The panel can be particularly useful when you're driving and don't want to pull out your phone.

We found that the thermos could keep our drinks hot for up to three hours and that the battery lasts for about as long. Another standout feature (one that is also convenient for driving) is the thermos' lid: It is leakproof, only needs a push to open, and gives you a 360-degree drinking experience, meaning you can essentially sip from any side of the mug. Keep in mind that with all the technology does come a higher price tag.

Capacity: 12 ounces | Dimensions: Mug is 3.14 x 7.9 inches and base is 5.63 x 3.88 inches | Color Options: No | Warranty: 1-year limited