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Having a good coffee thermos means that you can enjoy your coffee on the go, whether it be commuting, camping or hiking. Most of us have had experiences with thermoses in the past, the trouble with the majority of thermoses is that they don’t retain their heat for long.
However, with so many products available on the market right now, it can be quite difficult to find a good quality thermos that’s worth its price and built to last. A little bit of research will ensure that you get a thermos that lives up to its name.
If you’re interested in purchasing a thermos, this article includes everything you need to know. We’ve even rounded up a list of 8 best thermoses and how to choose the right one.
Coffee Thermos Reviews
Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle
11 used from $21.17
The Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle is a tough and durable thermos made of stainless steel with the ability to keep your coffee hot (or cold) for up to 24 hours. This thermos comes with a leak-resistant lid so you can carry it around in your backpack without worrying about the contents spilling out.
The Stanley thermos is designed with a wide mouth to help with easy pouring and the lid doubles as an 8 oz cup which is highly convenient when you don’t have access to a mug. Made of BPA-free materials, it’s free of chemicals and perfectly safe to drink from.
It’s also compact in size with a stylish exterior. The handle is flexible and built to be as inconspicuous as possible, making this a travel friendly thermos.
The Stanley is built for life, as the company offers a lifetime warranty. At its attractive price point, this is an excellent option for a range of purposes. No wonder the Stanley is one of the most highly rated coffee thermoses on the market.
Features:
- Rust resistant construction
- 24 hour hot or cold retention
- Easy to use – pour through stopper
- Versatile design – use lid as cup
- Different size options as per your requirements
- Insulated lid
- Lifetime warranty
Thermos Stainless King 68 Oz Vacuum Insulated Beverage Bottle
The Thermos Stainless King is a reliable insulated bottle. The thermos is made of stainless steel for enhanced durability and to prevent breakage. This makes it an excellent choice for a range of outdoor activities as it’s tough enough to handle rough wear.
The Stainless King holds 68 oz (2 liters) of coffee and maintains the temperature up to 24 hours. It’s cool to the touch, making for comfortable handling. This bottle features a retractable handle that makes it easy to carry and it also has a twist-and-pour stopper that allows for easy pouring.
You get three colors to choose from – midnight blue, matte black and stainless steel. The bottle is also easy to clean as it’s dishwasher safe. This removes the extra effort you have to put into cleaning your thermos, reducing bad smells, tastes and keeping the product hygienic.
However, the Stainless King is rather bulky and not the most portable of thermoses so if you want something more lightweight this might not be the right choice for you. The thermos also needs to be cleaned out well after each use or it tends to have an unpleasant smell.
Features:
- Leak proof construction
- 3 colors to choose from
- 24 hour hot or cold retention
- Wide mouth – suitable for soups
- Lid doubles as a serving cup
- Uses vacuum insulation technology
- BPA free materials
EcoVessel PERK Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee & Tea Travel Bottle
The EcoVessel PERK is a basic, no frills thermos at an affordable price point. It comes with triple insulation to keep your coffee hot for up to 8 hours or cold for up to 36 hours, which evens out its capabilities. The stainless steel construction and well-thought out design ensures long-lasting use.
The bottle has a push-button lid making it easier to access the contents especially when you’re busy driving or walking. The push-button features an integrated lock to prevent leakages and a removable strainer which is useful if have infusions, tea or ice in your drink. You won’t have to worry about choking.
Although this bottle may not be as sleek and stylish as our other options, it does its job well and is an ecofriendly option. It also offers over 10 color options to choose from.
Features:
- Leak proof construction
- Over 10 colors to choose from
- Keeps drinks hot for up to 8 hours and cold for up to 36 hours
- Removable strainer
- Stainless steel construction
- Spill-free easy push lock
Zojirushi SM-SA60-BA Stainless Steel Mug
Here’s a classy, sleek and stylish thermos you can use to take your coffee with you whenever you’re on the go. The Zojirushi is one of the most highly-rated and popular thermoses on the market, with good reason.
This Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug comes in a variety of colors and features a flip lid which makes for easy drinking. It’s thoughtfully designed with a flop-open lid, wide opening, lightweight and compact. It also comes in several different colors and sizes.
Made of BPA-free plastic and stainless steel, it’s a lot easier to clean than most other thermoses. The lid completely comes apart, so you can clean even those hard to reach areas which get discolored and downright gross after long time usage. The interior of the product has a non-stick coating, which also adds to ease of cleaning, as food and other contents don’t tend to stick to it.
The downside of this product is the high price. Other than that, it looks great and designed to keep your coffee hot for hours.
Features:
- Compact and easy to use
- Over 10 colors to choose from
- Lid completely disassembles for easy cleaning
- Wide opening for easy filling
- Air vent on mouthpiece makes for smooth liquid flow
- Safety lock to prevent accidents
- Nonstick interior
Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask
If you’re looking for a thermos that’s compact and designed for tea or coffee, look no further than the Hydro Flask. It comes in 3 popular sizes and several colors, giving you more options. The product uses TempShield insulation, which keeps your coffee hot for up to 6 hours and cold beverages for up to 24 hours while eliminating flavor transfer between uses.
This flask features a Hydro Flip lid for easy use, but there’s also quite a selection of other caps like the Straw Lid or the Flex Cap which are both compatible with the coffee flask. In other words, there’s a lid for every way you like to drink your coffee.
It’s also made of BPA free materials and durable pro-grade stainless steel. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, plus the lifetime warranty gives you peace of mind. However, if you want a bottle that keeps your coffee hot for longer than 6 hours, this one isn’t for you.
Features:
- 3 popular sizes to choose from
- Compatible with different lid choices
- Keeps drinks hot up to 6 hours and cold up to 24 hours
- BPA and phthalate free
- Stainless steel construction
MIRA Insulated Reusable Water Bottle
If you want an attractive bottle that also does a great job at keeping your drink hot or cold, then the MIRA is going to tick all your boxes.
The MIRA Insulated Water Bottle is designed to keep your coffee hot for up to 12 hours and ice-cold for up to 24 hours. It comes in a large range of colors and patterns, allowing you to choose exactly what you want.
The key features of this bottle include its power-coated, rust-proof exterior, secure lid to prevent spills and stainless steel construction which repels any flavors lingering in the bottle. The wide opening makes it easy to put in ice or chunky soup. The MIRA is made of non-toxic materials. It’s easy to carry and as it doesn’t condense or transfer heat to the exterior, it’s safe and convenient to handle.
The durable, sturdy and high-quality product weighs 15.2 ounces and is available in several different sizes from a mini 12 oz cup to a 40 oz capacity to suit your preference. The bottle doesn’t have a lid or a handle, so it’s not the best option for heavy-duty outdoor activities.
Features:
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Several sizes to choose from
- Several colors and patterns to choose from
- Stainless steel construction
- Non-toxic materials
- No-spill design
- Wide mouth for easy filling
Thermos 16 Oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler
2 used from $29.99
This super stylish tumbler from Thermos is perfect if you’re just looking for a straightforward option to hold your hot or cold beverage. It comes with no extra frills but has everything you need from an insulated tumbler.
The Sipp Thermos has the capacity to hold up to 16 oz of liquid, keeping it hot for 5 hours or cold up to 9 hours. Crafted from durable stainless steel, the tumbler is BPA-free and has a built-in tea hook for tea bags or loose-leaf infusers.
Featuring a leak-proof lid with a push-button allowing for one-handed operation, the Sipp Thermos tumbler is made to withstand the toughest of conditions. Its sleek appearance makes it a popular and highly rated choice among many coffee lovers.
Features:
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Several colors to choose from
- Keep drinks hot for 9 hours and cold for 14
- Easy to assemble and use
- Leak-proof lid
- Push button for easy use with single hand
- In-built hook for tea and infusion bags
Simple Modern 22 oz Summit Water Bottle
The last product on our list is the Simple Modern 22 oz Summit Water Bottle designed with double-walled exterior. This is vacuum sealed between the walls to prevent it from sweating or getting too hot or cold to the touch.
This thermos is available in many attractive colors and patterns. In fact, the Simple Modern has almost 60 design options, allowing you to truly customize your bottle.
This spill-resistant thermos features a stainless steel lid and a leak proof flip lid that’s perfect for drinking coffee or tea. It’s rust and corrosion resistant, so you can maintain its look for longer. It’s also top-rack dishwasher-safe which means there’s no hassle of having to wash it by hand.
Features:
- Almost 60 patterns to choose from
- Vacuum and copper coated insulation
- Stainless steel construction
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- No condensation or heat transfer
- Dishwasher safe
- Keeps beverages hot or cold for hours (but length not specified)
Tips for Choosing a Coffee Thermos
A thermos is a double-walled water bottle that looks just like any regular water bottle but comes with a special purpose: it retains the temperature of whatever you put inside it. Thermoses can be extremely useful for people who commute daily and want to take their coffee with them when they’re on the go.
Making sure you buy the right coffee thermos is essential since it’s a product you probably plan on using a lot. When choosing one, look for a thermos that’s reliable and easy to use, with the right size and capacity.
Here are a few things to look out for when choosing the right coffee thermos to ensure you get the best product for your money’s worth.
1- The Size and Volume
Before you buy your coffee thermos, think about what size and volume you need. Perhaps you’re someone who likes to sip and savor your coffee all day long. If so, don’t go for the smallest one on the market.
On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who enjoys a single serve, there’s no use in buying something with a large capacity that’s too bulky.
It’s important to consider how much coffee you’d need to carry around with you so that you can choose the size and the volume of your thermos based on your needs.
2- Insulation
Thermoses with vacuum insulating technology are far better than they used to be for keeping your coffee hotter for longer.
Check out the heat retention and shelf life of your thermos which is important especially if you want one that’ll keep your coffee warm all day long instead of for a few hours. Some products feature double-walled stainless steel construction that adds the benefit of preventing your bottle from sweating.
3- The Delivery System
This is one of the most important features to consider when choosing your thermos. The last thing you’d want is to be spilling hot coffee all over you while you’re on the commute to work so think about the delivery system of the beverage.
If you prefer, you can go for a thermos with a detachable drinking cup that doubles as a lid. This is convenient since you don’t need to worry about searching for cups.
Some thermoses come with a sipping hole, or adjustable mouthpiece and some even have a simple twist-and-unscrew lid. Think about what you prefer which would make it easy for you to operate, seal and store your thermos especially while you’re travelling.
4- Leak Proof/Spill Proof
These features are not 100% guaranteed in any thermos so it’s a good idea to check this before you buy one or you might just end up with coffee all over the inside of your bag.
Make sure that you go for a product which you know has been drop-tested and comes with a proper, leak-proof seal before you buy it.
5- Materials and Construction
Consider the materials used for construction. Ensure that the thermos is made of BPA free plastics and non-toxic materials.
How to Care For and Maintain Your Thermos
Here are some simple tips you can follow to maintain your thermos and keep it clean. This will keep it functioning at its best and lasting longer.
- Don’t overfill your thermos. Make sure there’s always enough space to fit the stopper properly.
- Don’t heat up your thermos in the microwave as these bottles are typically made of stainless steel.
- When cleaning, rinse with warm water if you haven’t used the bottle in a while.
- Submerging the thermos in water can make water leak in between the liner and the bottle, so avoid doing so.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach to clean the thermos since it can damage the steel weld.
Easy Ways to Clean Your Thermos
If you don’t clean your thermos properly, it can end up smelling bad and tasting weird. If you don’t have a bottle brush, you’ll find that it’s hard to get into the bottom of the bottle to clean it adequately. But there are other ways to clean a thermos and they don’t require a bottle brush.
- Tea Bags – You can use tea bags to clean your thermos. Put the tea bag inside the thermos and add some boiling water to it. Fill up the bottle and leave the tea bag overnight. Throw away the bag and the water the next morning. Typically, this should result in a clean and sparkling thermos.
- Baking Soda – This is another natural product to clean your thermos with. This is an affordable and easy method of cleaning your thermos. Simply mix 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of baking soda with warm water and let it sit in the bottle for a few hours. Then scrub and rinse well.
- Vinegar – This is another great way to clean thermoses and to get rid of the smell that tends to linger inside them. It removes soup and coffee stains easily and the usage is simple. Just mix vinegar with ice cubes or some warm water and shake it for a couple of minutes. Then scrub the inside of the bottle with a brush and rinse.
- Dishwasher – Some thermoses are safe to wash in the dishwasher but check if this is the case before you put the bottle in the dishwasher, to avoid damaging your thermos. Dishwashers are excellent ways to clean thermoses because they sanitize the bottle at high temperatures. It’s a good idea to give the thermos a rinse before putting it in to remove any particles that may be there.
- Soap and Water – Using a mild soap or detergent and water is the easiest way to clean the thermos. Simply put some soap in and fill the bottle halfway with water. Close the bottle with the lid and give it several good shakes to ensure that the solution removes particles and reaches all parts of the interior. If you can disassemble the lid and other components, that’s excellent as it allows you to remove gunk that can gather in those areas.
- DO NOT USE BLEACH – Using bleach to clean your thermos is a sure fire way to damage the product. Bleach is harsh and hazardous to thermoses, as it can strip the materials. Use one of the safer options listed above to clean your thermos without damaging it.
Cleaning and maintaining your thermos is the best way to increase its durability while also ensuring that it’s germ-free and safe to drink from. Taking reasonable care of your thermos ensures its longevity and makes the most of your investment.
The Bottom Line
A thermos allows you to enjoy your coffee, tea or other hot beverage, while your on the road. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and styles, to suit different applications.
Whether you’re looking for a basic tumbler to keep your coffee hot while you commute, or for a heavy-duty thermos that’ll keep your drink hot or cold for over a day, there’s a product out there for you.
Hopefully, the list of best coffee thermoses above will give you an in-depth idea of the best thermos for you. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a mug warmer to keep your coffee hot for longer in your mug, check out our roundup reviews on the best mug warmers here.
