Contigo Thermos Review: Eliminating Leaks And Spills


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contigo thermos

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Mornings can be hectic. Between trying to get everything ready and yourself out the door in time for work, sometimes coffee has to wait for the drive in. It’s times like these when a high-quality spill-proof travel mug can really shine and make the difference between a great day and one with a coffee stain down the front of your shirt. We conducted this Contigo thermos review to help you decide if the Contigo Luxe Autoseal travel mug lives up to its hype.

Comparison Table

[amazon box=”B07N3BXRD8,B01BTX6R76,B00EPGMZZS,B004VFHKUS” template=”table”]

Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

With stainless steel construction and a dishwasher safe one-piece lid, the Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug is designed for the long haul. You will have peace of mind knowing that your Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated travel mug is backed by a lifetime warranty against defects. Its sturdy design can withstand drops and tumbles without affecting the seals or locking design.

It has a stainless steel exterior for easy handling and a specially designed sealing lid that works with the touch of a button. So, go ahead, drop it into your briefcase as you walk into the office without fear that your laptop will emerge with a sticky coffee coating.

Whether you are looking to keep something hot or cold, the Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug has you covered. It will keep 16 ounces of liquid hot for up to five hours and cold for up to 12. A nice bonus is that the exterior does not get too hot even when filled with fresh coffee or sweat when teeming with ice water.

Product Specs

Contigo upped their game with the Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug. It is made from stainless steel wrapped in a non-slip silicone sleeve. The lid automatically seals and opens with the touch of a button, making it a truly one-handed travel mug.

A generous 16-ounce capacity means you’ll have enough coffee to last all the way through your commute. Plus, since it keeps hot drinks hot for up to five hours, you can still have some left over for a mid-morning break.

The entire lid is designed as a single unit that is top-rack dishwasher safe. Simply open the lock, unscrew the lid, and drop it into the dishwasher to get even tough to reach parts clean. The mug itself is also top-rack dishwasher safe for easy clean up, although some people may prefer to wash it by hand.

Pricing

Travel mugs range in price depending on features and things like how long they will keep your beverages hot or cold. Any of the mugs in this Contigo thermos review are available for between around $20 and $30. When you think of how many $5 coffees each one can replace, they quickly become a bargain even at the higher end of that price range.

Contigo Thermos Review: How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

  • Zojirushi SM-SC48 Stainless Mug
  • CamelBak Forge 16oz Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug
  • Thermos Sipp 16-Ounce Drink Bottle

Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

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Ease of Use

One-handed operation, a non-slip exterior, and its dishwasher safe lid make the Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug incredibly easy to use. Simply push a button and the seal opens for you to easily take a sip. A locking mechanism means you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks even if the mug gets tipped over or dropped.

Design Quality

We really liked the rugged durability of the Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug. Don’t let the designer exterior fool you, this fashionable travel mug is made to last no matter what you throw at it. The one hand operation and locking lid are great design features that were truly appreciated.

A lid that can go in the dishwasher is fairly standard in travel mugs, but the Contigo’s one-piece construction means you won’t lose any small parts. And we were pleasantly surprised that the body of this travel mug is top rack dishwasher safe.

Zojirushi SM-SC48 Stainless Mug

[amazon box=”B01BTX6R76″]

Zojirushi mugs are consistently rated as some of the best travel mugs available today. They utilize a special thermal technology that allows very good temperature regulation with a lightweight and thin-walled design. They will keep drinks hot or cold for up to six hours.

All inside surfaces of the SM-SC mugs have a non-stick coating so there is never a metallic taste even with acidic coffee drinks. It also makes cleaning the cup body a breeze. The lid comes apart so there are no hard to reach spots during cleaning.

Ease of Use

This is a simple and easy-to-use travel mug. It features true one-handed operation since there are no buttons to push while you are actually drinking. A simple sliding lock mechanism keeps the lid securely in place when you aren’t drinking. Once it is unlocked, the lid flips open to reveal the drinking spout.

The slim design of the cup’s body mean it is easy to grasp and fits comfortably in even smaller hands. Its lightweight construction means carrying it isn’t a chore.

Design Quality

The manual lock keeps the Zojirushi SM-SC’s lid firmly attached even when it is jostled and dropped. A simple latch opens the top so you can easily access the drinking spout. Air vents allow for a steady flow of your favorite beverage.

The body shape and size of the Zojirushi SM-SC mug may be a deal breaker for some people. This is especially true if you use a pour over brew method or like to infuse tea directly in your travel mug. The mouth opening of just over one and a half inches will not accommodate most pour over systems or infusers. Its tall, thin body can also be somewhat awkward in cupholders, and may actually tip out of shallow ones.

We really like the BPA-free plastic and stainless-steel construction of the Zojirushi SM-SC travel mug. There are several small parts to the lid of this travel mug that we feel could cause problems with frequent use and cleaning. It is warrantied to retain heat at the stated levels for five years from purchase.

CamelBak Forge 16oz Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

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CamelBak created the Forge travel mug to do double duty. It works wonderfully as a travel mug for your daily commute but isn’t afraid to slide into a bottle holder or even clip onto your backpack for a morning on the trail. It will keep 16 ounces of liquid hot for more than six hours, so you can enjoy a steaming cup of coffee once you crest the next ridge.

Ease of Use

This may be the easiest travel mug to use in our Contigo thermos review. For occasional sipping, you can use the drink lever to open the top. The lever can also be locked in the open position if you will be drinking more frequently.

The loop handle makes it very easy to carry, or even to clip onto a pack if you are on the move. It fits well in most cup holders and has no flip open lid to obscure your view while drinking.

Design Quality

We like the stainless-steel insulated body of this mug and its impact resistant lid. It comes apart easily for cleaning and there are no hard to reach places for your drinks to get trapped.

If anything does go wrong with your CamelBak Forge mug, it is covered by a lifetime warranty.

Thermos Sipp 16-Ounce Drink Bottle

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If you want your coffee burn-the-inside-of-your-mouth hot, then the Thermos Sipp may be the perfect travel mug for you. All joking aside, this attractive mug retains heat better than most other mugs available. So, if it’s going to be a while before you get to enjoy your coffee or you tend to add cold creamers, then this is a great choice.

It holds 16 ounces of liquid in a slender and stylish design. This mug fits well in most cupholders, and, despite its slim profile, it doesn’t rattle as much as some other ones.

Ease of Use

Its one-hand operation earns the Thermos Sipp four stars for ease of use. If you prefer to use your travel mug in the car, be aware that the open lid may obscure your view a bit. Also, the locking mechanism can make drinking form the Sipp slightly awkward.

Design Quality

The lid and body are easy to clean and stain resistant. It loses some design quality points for its flimsy lid design. You must open a flip lid for every sip. It secures with a metal ring latch, which is a weak spot in construction. This can be overlooked if you really want to keep your drink hot for more than 12 hours, because the incredible insulating properties of the Thermos Sipp will easily do that.

Conclusion

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Image via Unsplash

After carefully considering the models in this Contigo thermos review, our overall rating for the Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug is 4.2 stars.

The Contigo Luxe AUTOSEAL Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug is a solid choice for those looking for a long-lasting and well insulated travel mug. Of the four models in our Contigo thermos review, we feel confident that this one will keep your morning coffee securely contained whether in your cupholder or laptop case.

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