The Best Coffee Thermos: 10 Products For A Caffeine Boost When You Need It Most


person holding vacuum flask filling cup

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​Using a thermos for your daily caffeine boost is a practical way to avoid single-use containers. The best coffee thermos will keep your hot drinks hot, and your iced mochas cool. You’ll also save a ton of money by making your coffee at home instead of shelling out ten bucks a day on a fancy frappuccino.

Product FAQ

​1. How Long Should the Best Coffee Thermos Stay Hot?

​Our best coffee thermos should ideally keep hot beverages hot for a minimum of four hours. Anything less than that probably isn’t worth much. That’s why it was a minimum requirement for our best coffee thermos list.

​2. What Keeps Coffee Hot in a Thermos?

​All the products on our list are double-walled. This means there is an extra wall or layer of material between the liquid and the outside of the thermos. Manufacturers create the double-wall thermos by sucking out all the air between the walls. This creates a vacuum. So, instead of requiring a thermos to make coffee hot, it will keep the coffee hot (or the cold drinks cold) by not allowing the heat to escape.

​3. What Materials Are Recommended for the Best Coffee Thermos?

​A good, dependable coffee thermos usually comes from four basic materials: plastic, steel, ceramic, or glass. According to some tests, plastic coffee thermoses cannot retain heat for more than an hour, while ceramic ones won’t even hold heat for 30 minutes. That’s why we don’t recommend ceramic or plastic. Besides not keeping anything warm, plastic and ceramic aren’t durable at all. They break easily. Our testers have left thermoses made from plastic and ceramic out of their testing.

Steel is less prone to picking up odors and stains. It’s also the best material for great tasting coffee since nothing leaches into the flavor. This is why we recommend this material with its insulation capabilities. Steel lasts longer and is easier to clean as well. If you feel you can sense a metallic taste, try pouring the coffee in a coffee thermos open to the air before drinking it. 

Regardless of how sophisticated (or not) your palate is, many people agree that a fully sealed and air-proof steel coffee thermos is the best option for most users.

​4. What If My Thermos Leaks?

​The great news is that most thermos manufacturers offer money-back guarantees. Before going that route, however, make sure you have the lid on tight. Make sure it is aligned properly, especially if there is a rubber ring on the inside of the lid. Sometimes it can slip and cause spillage.

​5. Can I Keep Food in My Thermos?

​You can keep foods in your thermos, like hot soup. But remember, food can quickly become unsafe to eat if it isn’t held at the proper temperature. Also keep in mind that if there is no liquid inside the thermos, the thermos won’t be able to maintain the temperature.

​6. Can I Put My Thermos in the Fridge?

​Yes, and in fact, it’s a great idea. For an extra chill, leave your thermos in the freezer for a few hours before filling it up with a cold beverage.

How We Reviewed

cup of coffee

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The best coffee thermos had to meet a number of requirements:

Temperature

The thermos must hold the temperature for hours, both cold and hot. We spent a lot of time running tests and timing different coffee thermoses to see how they retain heat. For example, we filled each thermos up with hot water and checked the temperature every half hour. This is how we were able to test a thermos’s overall performance accurately.

Size

A thermos is portable by nature, so we wanted to see how well each thermos traveled, how they each fit into standard cup holders, and how durable they were. Many coffee drinkers want something they can take with them to work or class. We checked to see which of these products were easily handled and carried about all day, using purses, backpacks, and more.

Spill-Proof

​The best coffee thermos must be 100% waterproof, can’t be easy to open on accident, and can’t leak, spill, or drip. We spent many hours testing these parameters by dropping, tilting, and tipping lots of different thermoses filled with liquid.

Overall Price Range

​The price range for the best coffee thermos is found between $10 and $45. All options are affordable, depending on your price range. These are reusable, so they save you a ton of money by decreasing purchases of wasteful paper cups.

What We Reviewed

man pouring on mug

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  • ​Thermos Vacuum Insulated 16 Ounce Compact Stainless Steel
  • ​Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Muga
  • ​Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle
  • ​Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle
  • ​Zojirushi SM-SA60-BA Stainless Steel Mug
  • ​Contigo 2034154 AUTOSEAL West Loop Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug
  • ​YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Tumbler With Lid
  • ​68 Oz Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee Carafe/Double Walled Vacuum Thermos
  • ​Zojirushi SM-KHE48XA Stainless Steel Mug
  • ​Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask

Thermos Vacuum Insulated 16 Ounce Compact Stainless Steel

[amazon box=”B00JFB2RA6″]

Features

One of the most efficient and functional models on our best coffee thermos list is this 16-ounce compact thermos. It maintains hot and cold temperatures for up to 24 hours because it is made with double insulation.

Additionally, this thermos is made of stainless steel, so you won’t get any weird tastes seeping into your coffee. Its compact design includes a thermal lid, so you can pour the coffee and wait for it to cool. It has an extra safety plug so you can rotate and serve. This thermos will also prevent the coffee from cooling while you are using the cup. With its handy handle, you can take it anywhere.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Muga

[amazon box=”B00HZI5XBG”]

Features

​The Contigo West Loop thermos was our favorite for transportation. It easily fit into all kinds of cup holders and sat sturdily on top of desks and counters. The autoseal technology makes sure no heat escapes and also makes it spill-proof. This thermos isn’t too big to pick up and carry if you have small hands. At the same time, it’s big enough to hold 16, 20, or 24 ounces of liquid. This thermos is perfect for someone who works long days and wants the convenience of coffee at the push of a button.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle

[amazon box=”B0019DADKY”]

Features

This very popular model cannot be beat. Out best coffee thermos list couldn’t be complete with the Stanley Classic Vacuum bottle. It easily keeps your coffee (or tea, or soup) hot for 24 hours. If you want to keep something cold, it will keep liquid cool for up to 120 hours. It’s the perfect thermos for a picnic, camping, or hiking long trails.

Even though it’s large, it is surprisingly light and portable. It comes with a thermal screw cap that doubles as a cup.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

​Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle

[amazon box=”B0017IHRNM”]

Features

​As one of the most spill-resistant thermoses on our best coffee thermos list, the Thermos Stainless King has developed an exclusive technology. With this innovative design, users won’t ever have to worry about spills, drips, or drops. You can simply press a button, drink, and go. It automatically closes between sips or when you stop drinking. It is very useful for drinking coffee in the car or when walking. This thermos holds a whopping 40 ounces.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

Zojirushi SM-SA60-BA Stainless Steel Mug

[amazon box=”B00HYOGUM2″]

Features

The Zojirushi coffee thermos is one of the best coffee thermoses we have tried for short or long trips. It keeps drinks hot for a very long time, with its vacuum insulation. It’s compact and portable: perfect for on-the-go coffee drinkers.

This thermos comes in 12, 16, or 20 ounces. There are also 12 colors to choose from: black, cinnamon gold, clear red, coral pink, matte blue (our favorite), matte gold, pearl pink, silky black, slate gray, turquoise blue, new clear red, and finally, the classic stainless finish.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

Contigo 2034154 AUTOSEAL West Loop Vaccuum-Insulated Travel Mug

[amazon box=”B00HZI5XNO”]

Features

The best coffee thermos for those who need anti-spill technology at an affordable price should look at Contigo’s Autoseal thermos. This thermos keeps hot beverages hot for up to four hours, and cold drinks will stay cold for up to 12 hours.

This is another thermos that comes in a few different sizes for a customized experience. You can purchase a 16, 20, or 24-ounce version of the Contigo thermos. There are also more colors available with the Contigo than any other brand, so there’s truly something for everyone with this particular travel mug.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Tumbler With Lid

[amazon box=”B00JP9AJC6″]

Features

​The YETI Rambler is a highly rated thermos and one of the best coffee thermoses on the market today. This thermos is perfect for the coffee drinker who is tough on their equipment. The 20-ounce tumbler is made from a stainless steel body and double-wall insulated to keep drinks hot or cold all day.

One of the best features of this YETI thermos is the no-sweat design. Your hands will stay dry, making sure you’ve always got a secure grip on your drink. This prevents hands from getting too cold or too hot. Additionally, there is no need to use a coaster with a tumbler that doesn’t sweat.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

68 Oz Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee Carafe/Double Walled Vacuum Thermos

[amazon box=”B01F8P78IS”]

Features

This enormous carafe made our list for best coffee thermos because of its size and its portability. This double-walled vacuum thermos is made to be used throughout the day without needing a refill. It’s the perfect thermos to keep at your desk all day long or share with friends and family on vacation.

The carafe has a large mouth design for easy pouring, and the handle is perfect for carrying it around with you. This thermos is super easy to clean and comes with a one-year satisfaction guarantee.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

Zojirushi SM-KHE48XA Stainless Steel Mug

[amazon box=”B00GY0REZO”]

Features

The new Zojirushi thermos is the best coffee thermos for those who want a unique experience with a product that is quickly gaining in popularity. The Zojirushi allows users to drink without having to look, using its patented lid-locking mechanism. The size of the lid has been reduced over the years to improve the comfort for drinkers continually.

Cleaning is easy since it boasts a non-stick interior that avoids odors and stains. The lid can be removed for a thorough cleaning. Our team loved the compact design and the sleek, elegant look of this thermos.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask

[amazon box=”B01ACAURJQ”]

Features

The Hydro Flask is one of the coolest looking thermoses we have on our best coffee thermos list. We even love the cute logo on their mugs. A Hydro Flask is perfect for hiking in the hot summer because it will keep water cold for up to 24 hours. Of course, it also keeps coffee hot for up to 6 hours as well.

This thermos is made of premium grade stainless steel and is BPA free. We loved the lifetime warranty offered by Hydro Flask; and even better, they donate 5% of your purchase to the charity of your choice.

  • ​where to buy

Amazon

The Verdict

assorted-color ceramic canister on beige wooden rack inside room

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​​​The Zojirushi (SM-KHE48XA Stainless Steel Mug) is the clear winner on the best coffee thermos list. Our team of experts ran many tests on temperature, spillage, and more. It’s lightweight and stylish. It survived many accidents and trips through the dishwasher and seems it is no worse for the wear. There has been no decrease in performance no matter how often we’ve used it, dropped it, or cleaned it.

​Because of this, we will continue to recommend the Zojirushi SM-KHE48XA Stainless Steel Mug to anyone who wants a dependable, durable, portable, and stylish coffee thermos.

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