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Looking for a leak-proof design with good value and style in mind? These are the best travel mugs for tea, reviewed! Get yourself on track with a reliable, and decent looking mug that won’t break the budget, or spill all over your seat! We’ve all been there, and I hear ya’! Scorching hot, leaky paper cups. Cheap and unreliable plastic mugs and the classic repurposed coffee mug. The coffee taste just doesn’t go away, does it? Now’s the time to give yourself a well-deserved upgrade into something a lot more practical.
The Best Travel Mug for Tea Reviewed
I’m going to go through a number of travel mugs purposefully designed with the tea drinker in mind to see which is the most practical. This will of course be in terms of value for money, design and functionality. If you’re looking for a stylish travel tea mug, one that’s quite rugged, or one with lots of capacity, you’ve found the right place. So, what goes into a good tea tumbler anyways?
What to Look for in a Travel Mug for Tea
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there. If you’re as fortunate as to not have experienced a cup of tea spilling on your lap, count yourself lucky! I’ve had this particular horror occur on more than one occasion and I can sincerely attest to how terrible it really is. (Luckily I’m still here to tell the tale!) Being a somewhat more casual tea drinker, I’ve been through it all. It couldn’t possibly have been that bad, you’re thinking to yourself. Let me elaborate.
Taking tea on-the-go was a hard fought battle before the luxury afforded by these state-of-the-art, purpose built tea travel mugs became much more en vogue. You kind of just ‘made do’, a lot of the time. Granted I wasn’t big into drinking loose leaf teas, so I wasn’t as destitute as many others in this department. You’d grab whatever you could, whether it was unsustainable Dixie paper cups, repurposed coffee mugs or even the old ceramic mug in the cupholder trick. (Weirdly less likely to spill than the paper cup, sometimes!)
The point is, you either had to settle for something that wasn’t insulated, spoiled the taste of your brew or didn’t really work much at all. You risked losing your precious cup of tea to the elements, your own clumsiness and the break pedal. That’s why these travel mugs come to me as such a saving grace. Let’s review some of them, shall we?
Pure Zen Tea Tumbler with Infuser
Purley for fun, let’s dive into the upper echelons of what goes into a really well-made travel mug for tea. Featuring a totally leak-proof design, this Pure Zen tea travel mug is made from double-walled glass and stainless steel. Right off the bat, you’re looking at something that’s great to take with you on the go, and makes a great impression on your desk or in the car. And if that’s something that’s important to you, you’re in luck! Even the neoprene cover has a nice look to it.
To be truly leak-proof is a big advantage for a tea travel mug like this one. It’s what sets them apart from ordinary travel mugs, a surprising number of which aren’t even insulated. There’s nothing worse than pouring a to-go mug of tea only to find out that it’s scorching hot on the outside. On top of that, a couple of hours later and you’ve got a mug of cold tea. This will maintain the temperature of your brew, without scorched fingers!
Moving on, this model is the first on our list to include an interior stainless steel infuser. Thankfully however, this has become rather standard across most models nowadays. This way, you can brew your tea when you’re out and about, or enjoy a second cup of tea as long as you’ve brought the leaves! The ultra-convenient stainless steel infuser in the bottom of the mug in this case is very simple to operate. It’s removed by opening the bottom of the mug, which is another advantage this mug can lay claim to. Infusers at the bottom of a travel mug will do their job much more effectively than one’s hanging from the top. The inherent issue with the latter, is that you mus always have a certain amount of boiling hot water in the mug in order to have any chance at your tea brewing.
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Practical steel infuser
- Neoprene slipcover
Cons:
- Full glass body runs the risk of smashing, of course
- Lower capacity than some
Ello Jane Ceramic Travel Mug
Quite a clear departure from our previous model, the Ello Jane ceramic tea travel mug with a slider lid might just be what you’re looking for. You’re met with a tea mug with 18ozs of capacity, providing a modest amount of brew to kick off your day! For me, the weight and design of this mug is really appealing. You’ll immediately notice the large ceramic handle, common in most desk mugs and of course kitchen mugs. This thing prioritizes comfort in a major way; in my personal opinion, tea mugs are more enjoyable when they’ve got a nice handle to lift them. Quite possibly less practical for driving, although more useful for once you’ve reached the office. (Or, if home is your office!) While we’re on the topic of drinkability, you’ll also notice the slider lid.
I’m glad these are making a comeback! It’s much more comfortable to sip from as opposed to a trigger-lid, or a screw-off top. Totally BPA free, dishwasher safe, and leak-proof, this mug is a great contender for the best travel mug for tea.
Pros:
- Slider lid
- Handle
- Silicone base cozy
Cons:
- Impractical for driving
Contigo Autoseal West Loop, 16oz
The new classic in hot beverage transportation is the iconic Contigo. You’ve probably seen these just about everywhere by now, and for good reason too! They’re incredibly reliable, and they get the job done quite well. That is to say, they might not be the best for style or tea capacity, but they’re a staple that’s worth joining the conversation. This version of the well-known West Loop model comes with a handy dandy stainless steel infuser. This clips on to the top of the inside of the mug, providing you with the ability to brew your favorite loose-leaf tea on the go!
It’s gained great acclaim among coffee drinkers for its thoughtfully designed trigger-lid, automatic sealing lid. Genuinely, this is my personal best travel mug for drinking in the car flat out. It’s slightly ergonomic, and the raised edge of the lid combined with the button-press seal is unbeatable. You could drop it on your lap mid sip, and you’d probably only lose a drop, if that. If you’re a tea drinker who demands lots of ruggedness, you’re on the right track.
Pros:
- Totally dependable
- Leak and spill proof
- Infuser included
Cons:
- Infuser is relatively small in volume
- Stainless steel interior holds heat well, but requires constant cleaning
Ello Ogden Ceramic Travel Mug
This is Ello’s second entry in our tea travel mug reviews and that’s no mistake whatsoever. They’re mugs combine a respectable amount of practicality, style and design. Quite frankly they’re totally functional. The Ogden is no exception. The first thing you’ll notice which I’m totally head over heels for is the diamond shaped recessed design on the silicone cover that goes around about 2/3r’ds of the mug. It’s excellent as a grip, but also provides a comfortable way to drink from the mug. Instead of its counterpart’s slider lid, this one is an open friction fit lid. Basically that means it has a small opening to drink from, and fits in by pushing into the top of the mug. Overall, a great design as long as you’re not too worried about spilling it!
Pros:
- Friction fit lid goes on easily
- Silicone design is very practical
Cons:
- Susceptible to spilling, not suitable for driving
Original Bamboo Tumbler with Tea Infuser
This tea tumbler is definitely a standout, and for one simple reason. The exterior is totally bamboo! I’ve got to say, it isn’t the least bit practical as far as I can tell, but it sure looks cool. Leaf Life’s tea travel mug is a great piece if you want something that’s both functional and incredibly stylish. This mug will look great on your desk, as well as in the cupholder. But how does it hold up against the previous models we’ve discussed? It features an insulated stainless steel interior that does a great job at keeping temperature. However, the twist-on lid is a bit of a disadvantage to drinking on-the-go. A lot of those opinions vary from person to person, of course! Depending on how or where you’re commuting to, this might not matter at all!
Pros:
- Sleek bamboo design
- Stainless steel interior
Cons:
- Small volume infuser
- Lid isn’t practical for driving
With all of the choices available out there, hopefully you’ve found exactly what you were looking for without having to make any compromises. Did any of these travel mugs for tea make it to your personal best? Let me know how the search is going and don’t forget to pass this along for the other tea drinkers in your life!
