A coffee thermos is the ideal solution for those coffee lovers who need their coffee on the run. It means that on those hectic and rushed mornings when you pushed snooze one too many times, instead of skipping your morning brew, simply pour it into your thermos and you are good to go! A quick look and you will find thermoses in every shape, size and color! We have done a lot of research to bring you our list of the best coffee thermos for 2023.
What is a Thermos and how does it work?
A thermos is a double walled bottle, that usually has the air between the two walls sucked out during construction, which creates a vacuum. A thermos is designed to keep drinks hot by minimizing heat loss. The vacuum prevents heat loss via convection (through the air). The tight stopper prevents air entering or leaving. And the reflective lining prevents heat loss via radiation by reflecting it straight back. Basically, it means you can enjoy a hot drink hours after it was made.
What to look for in a Coffee Thermos?
If you look you will find coffee thermoses come in every size, shape and color imaginable! It can be a bit overwhelming knowing which one to go for, so we have compiled a list of things to think through before deciding what thermos to buy:
Size and Volume
The first thing to think about is when are you planning on using your thermos and what will you be using it for? How much coffee do you usually brew and consume? Is it to be used to keep coffee hot for that daily commute to work or are you taking it on your family camping trip? The use will determine which size you opt for. If it is just for yourself you might want one that is just a single cup size, whereas if the whole family will be using it you will need one with a larger capacity.
Heat Retention
How long are you needing to keep your drinks hot for? If you are looking for the best thermos for keeping coffee hot for a long time you will need a good quality double walled stainless steel coffee thermos, whereas if it just for that short commute you could opt for a cheaper plastic one.
If cold brew or iced coffee is more your thing, you will have to consider how long a thermos can keep cold drinks for. Most thermoses are better at keeping iced coffee cold than hot coffee hot.
Design
Thermoses come in all shapes and sizes so here are a few things to consider when thinking about buying one:
When it comes to thermoses there is no one size fits all. You need to work out what you are looking for before deciding which one to get. Below we have outlined what we think are the best coffee thermoses to suit various needs. We believe any of these options should work well.
Best Coffee Thermos
Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle
The Adventure Thermos
The Stanley Classic Vacuum bottle has been around since 1913 and has stood the test of time. We think this is the best thermos for coffee to take on that hiking or camping trip. The Stanley is a durable thermos made of vacuum insulated double walled stainless steel that can take a beating and still look good.
It comes in two colors: green or navy, and is available in multiple sizes (with or without a handle). The lid also doubles as a cup. Perhaps the best thing about the Stanley is that it comes with a lifetime warranty – so when the company says it is built for life you know they mean it!
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Thermos Stainless King 68 Ounce Thermos
The Family Thermos
With over 110 years in the industry Thermos has a reputation for producing durable, reliable and high quality products, and the Thermos Stainless King is no different. Able to hold a whopping 68 ounces or 2L of liquid this is the perfect family thermos.
Made of double walled, vacuum sealed stainless steel, this thermos is available in 3 different colors (Black, Blue or Stainless Steel). It features a handle on the side for ease of pouring, and the lid also doubles as a cup. It also has a handy twist and pour stopper so you don’t have to remove the stopper (and lose heat) to pour out your hot coffee. Thermos also offers a 5-year warranty on this thermos.
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Hydro Flask
The Modern Thermos
The Hydro Flask is a modern take on the classic thermos. It has a sleek and minimalistic design, and is available in a selection of bright, bold colors. If you are looking for a thermos for the 21st century this could be the one for you.
The Hydro Flask is made of vacuum insulated stainless steel and powder coated for grip and durability. The flask has a wide mouth making it easy to pour from and clean. It is also dishwasher safe (on the top shelf) which is always a bonus! There are a range of lids for the Hydro Flask including the Flex Cap, Flip Lid or Wide Mouth Straw Lid so you have the flexibility to choose a lid to suit you.
While the heat retention looks impressive on paper, in reality it will keep a coffee hot for more like 6 hours or cold for around 4 hours. While the heat retention is not as good as they claim, this is more than enough for the standard coffee drinker.
Finally, the Hydro Flask comes with a lifetime guarantee which is always a good sign, showing the manufacturer believes in their product. If you are looking for a beautiful, modern thermos, check out the Hydro Flask.
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Fellow Carter
The Coffee Snobs Thermos
The Fellow Carter Move Mug is a stunning thermos ideal for a commuter. Like all Fellow products, the Carter mug has a thoughtful and polished design. The mug is double walled vacuum insulated stainless steel, but with a ceramic coating inside. This ceramic coating gets rid of any metallic taste and keeps the interior free from oils and odors.
The Carter mug has been designed to be compatible with all standard pour over drippers and the Aeropress, allowing you to brew directly into the mug.
The mug has a twist locking lid with a leak proof seal to ensure it doesn’t leak. It also comes with a snap in splash guard to aid with drinking on the go. Finally, it has a carefully designed drinking lip, mimicking a Cabernet glass to ensure a pleasant drinking experience. Overall, a beautiful mug ideal for the specialty coffee lover.
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Thermos Vacuum Compact Thermos
The Portable Thermos
Another great model in the Thermos range is their compact thermos. This small and lightweight thermos is great for travel and easy to store away. Made of double walled stainless steel, it is available in 2 different colors (black or stainless steel). This thermos has a stylish, eye-catching design and is a high quality product coming with a 5-year warranty.
Like the King model it comes fitted with the easy twist and pour stopper and has a lid that doubles as a cup. This is an ideal choice to keep your favorite beverage close at hand.
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Contigo 16 Oz Autoseal Travel Mug
The Budget Thermos
The Contigo Autoseal Mug is perfect for the commuter who is looking for a travel mug that won’t break the bank. The Contigo is fitted with an autoseal lid, that automatically seals between sips, to eliminate spills and leaks.
This sleek mug is designed to fit in most car cup holders and to be used one handed, so is perfect to drink that morning brew as you navigate your way through traffic. The lid also has a lock button to prevent accidental spills. Made of double walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel it is available in 20 different colors so you are sure to find one to fit you.
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Ember Travel Mug
The Smart Thermos
The Ember smart mug showcases the latest in technology. It can be kept at any temperature between 120°F – 145°F (50°C – 62.5 °C) for up to 3 hours on the go, or all day when on the charging coaster. The mug is paired with an app on your smartphone, allowing you to control the temperature wherever you are.
The Ember mug itself is made from stainless steel with a ceramic coating. It comes with a leak proof lid, making it easy to drink from. The mug is safe to handwash, but not dishwash. This slightly OTT mug comes with an exorbitant price tag, so is really for the seriously committed coffee drinker.
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Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
The On-The-Go Thermos
The Zojirushi mug is another great contender for the commuter thermos, similar to the Contigo it is designed to be used on the go with a flip lid that is easy to drink from. It comes fitted with a lid lock to prevent accidental leakage. Once again, made of stainless steel vacuum insulation, it is available in 8 different colors.
The Zojirushi has a light and portable design, making it great for the commuter who wants a compact mug. Another great feature is that it is very easy to clean with a stopper that can be disassembled for cleaning. The Zojirushi comes with a 5-year warranty on the vacuum insulation.
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Thermos Stainless Steel Carafe
The Coffee Sippers Thermos
We all know coffee lovers who seem to have a cup of coffee in hand all day long. This is the thermos for them! Once again made by the reliable brand Thermos, this carafe is ideal for keeping a pot of coffee hot all day long. Designed for ease of use it comes fitted with a pour spout that opens with the push of a button and a handle for simple one-handed pouring. Made of double walled vacuum insulation, this stainless steel thermos will look good in any home or office. The carafe also comes with Termoses 5-year warranty on the vacuum insulation.
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Best Coffee Thermos- The Verdict
Well we hope this review has been helpful in highlighting the best coffee thermoses available. A thermos is the ideal choice to keep your favorite beverage close at hand wherever life’s adventures may take you. As you can see there are a huge range of coffee thermoses to fit every need so it really comes down to you and what you are looking for.
If you have an opinion on what is the best coffee thermos we would love to hear from you in the comments below! What thermos do you use? How long does it keep your coffee hot or cold for?
Happy Buying!
