Stainless Steel Travel Mug: Contigo Mug Review
We’ve written a ton about stainless steel water bottles; but as the school year approached I began to consider how I was going to transport tea to school. We had previously gotten rid of all of our BPA-infused travel mugs. So, I explored my options.
Contigo was kind enough to send a few of their travel mugs for review. Here are my thoughts.
The Best Stainless Steel Travel Mug?
I would venture to say that the Contigo mug is the best stainless steel travel mug there is. It has honestly revolutionized my life.
Why?
It’s leak proof.
Totally 100% leakproof.
So leakproof that I put it in my laptop bag (next to my laptop) filled with hot tea. I’m not much of a risk-taker, and honestly it took me awhile to trust my Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Spill Proof Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Not only does the mug not leak when I travel with it, it also is spill proof when I knock it over.
BPA Free
Besides the BPA-free stainless steel travel mug, Contigo also sells BPA-free plastic. I use this to heat up water in the microwave at school to make my tea. (Probably not the best idea to put plastic in the microwave, but it works.)
Insulated
Did I mention it’s double walled and vacuum sealed? During October, when we had unseasonable cold weather and snow, I filled my Contigo travel mug with tea heading off to school. Two hours later (after waiting for the bus outside for a good while) the tea was still warm. (I love using my Contigo for tea, but if you’re looking for a tea specific travel mug check out Eric’s post.) It wasn’t piping hot, but warm enough to comfortably drink.
Kids Sippy Cups
Contigo also makes their autoseal cups for kids!
Downsides to the Stainless Steel Travel Mug
My only negative thought about this mug is that it does retain smell/taste. If you don’t wash it out right away it can really smell; we had to use a vinegar soak in it one after leaving coffee in it for a few days.
Also, since Kimberly drinks coffee and I drink tea, we’ve found that even with a good washing it still maintains the smell taste just slightly. So, I would recommend that if you drink multiple hot beverages you get two — use one only for coffee and the other only for tea. Alternatively, you could remember to wash it out every night and not leave it in the car for a week…
Would I Recommend It?
I would highly recommend Contigo’s Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Here’s what Contigo’s website says about their mugs:
AUTOSEAL® Stainless Steel Travel Mug (Vacuum Insulated)
Never spill another drop! 100% spill- and leak-proof travel mug uses exclusive AUTOSEAL® technology to prevent accidental spills. Press the AUTOSEAL® button to sip, and release the button to automatically seal. This self-sealing lid technology is combined with a double-wall, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel mug, providing exceptional temperature retention. Beverages stay hot for 4 hours or cold for 12 hours.
Benefits:
- Patented AUTOSEAL® lid is 100% leak-proof and 100% spill-proof.
- Drinking made easy! Press to sip. Release to seal. The AUTOSEAL® Stainless Steel Mug automatically seals between sips to ensure no spills.
- Vacuum-insulated technology keeps beverages hot for 4 hours, and cold for 12 hours.
- Contoured body makes this travel mug easy to hold and easy on the eyes.
- The AUTOSEAL® Stainless Steel Mug will hold up to 16 oz. of your favorite beverage and fits most standard car cupholders.
- Constructed with a double wall and stainless steel inside and out for maximum travel mug performance.
- BPA free.
Specs
Volume: 16 oz.
Weight: 0.8 lbs.
Dimensions: 3.6”L x 7.9”H x 3.3”W
With go-anywhere style and convenience, this thermal mug features AUTOSEAL® technology for 100% spill- and leak-proof performance. Double wall construction helps retain beverage temperature and prevents external condensation.
You can buy your Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug
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Is the lid closure really cleanable? I take my coffee & tea with cream and I’ve found that many of the ‘no spill’ lids have nooks & cranies that can’t be properly cleaned.
@Jones It takes some scrubbing, but it generally gets pretty clean for me.
Are these travel mugs phthalate free as well as BPA free?
Thanks!
V.
@Vanessa Good question. I’m not entirely sure; if there were any phthalates, they would likely be on the outside in the grip part.
Where is this product made? I am looking for one made in USA.
As I have yet to find any stainless steel mugs made in the US I am pretty sure it’s made in China.
Almost everything is made in China these days, even when U.S. companies have their names on the products. I am unaware of any that are still made here. I believe there is one brand that comes from Spain and the actual manufacturing is done in Spain.
@BillyO I haven’t heard of the brand that’s made in Spain. I’ve checked every lead and all stainless steel travel mug products seem to be made in China.
I was leaning towards getting one until I found out here that it’s made in China…
Not to disparage the quality of Contigo’s product, but it seems like the claim of 100% leak proof is optimistic. I mean, it’s one thing to spill a little when you are biking or hiking or whatever, but to risk your laptop? Yikes!
Guess I’ll have to test it myself!
@ Patty, unfortunately, like Stainless Steel Water Bottles, Stainless Steel travel mugs are impossible to find when they are made in the US. If you hear of a company that does, let me know
@ Bill, I’ve been using my mug for the entire school year and it really is leakproof. I do turn it upside down before I put it in my bag to double check that I’ve screwed it on all the way; but I’m truly amazed with Contigo’s product.
The USA doesn’t seem to know how to manufacture anymore. But some of the Thermos brand products are made in Malaysia (though not all, and it’s hard to find out which ones online). A Korean company call Jong Won makes some very neat insulated stainless steel sport bottles but I cannot find them.
For kids, rumor has it Nalgene’s children’s cups are made in USA but I cannot verify it.
Followup to my previous post. Jong Won’s manufacturing facility is in China.
Thermoserv (www.thermoserv.com) products are made in USA. Not quite comparable to the Contigo product line though.
Why all the hostility toward china? If they make better mugs, thems the breaks of capitalism.
Besides, their booming economy is precisely what’s pushing them closer and closer to democracy each year. Act as a world citizen, and lose that old-fashion patriotism stuff!
BTW these mugs look awesome.
Truly is the best mug I have ever used. Comfortable mouthpiece as well as the non leak-proof lid. It releases a hiss (and sometimes spits a little) when you first push the button to drink. The only time I have had a leak was when I put it in my bag and the release button was pressing against something. That did open the mouth piece and some coffee spilled so now I am very careful to put it in the bag (yes, sometimes with the laptop) and make sure that the button cannot accidentally be pressed . Just a word of caution….
Do none of you actually drink hot coffee? I just purchased one of these mugs because I know that it will keep my coffee hot with the vaccum bottle design. I tried to drink out of it and nearly scalded my tounge because of the horribly designed mouthpiece. Then I decided to pour it out into my regular travel mug so I tipped it and pressed the button (like I saw them do on HSN) and hot coffee SHOT out of the lid. Not only through the mouthpiece but also through the button! Oh, it may be drip proof but for hot beverages it’s certainly not spray proof. It may be perfectly fine for cold beverages but I’ll be surprised if there isn’t a recall on these because of the potential for scalding. I’m taking mine back.
@ Jay - Yes it truly does keep your coffee hot. I use it for hot tea (boiling water) but usually don’t end up drinking from the cup for 1-2 hours after I’ve poured it so it’s no longer scalding.
In terms of the shooting coffee - I always depress the button right after I fill the mug which releases the steam and prevents the issue you’re describing.
I saw on the amazon website (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RMGVU8?ie=UTF8&tag=adailyscoop-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001RMGVU8) that you can use a waterpik device to shoot water up into the vacuum mechanism to clean out the gunk that you can’t get to. There are other images below the picture of the contigo container. Check it out. Novel idea!!!
It is made in China, But the problem we have is that it is impossible to clean. We have tried by hand ,in the dishwasher, and all kinds of brushes. Nothing works ! I was just looking to see if had been recalled, when I ran across this site. Could not go on without posting a reply. I would not ever use this mug again ! It is not safe to use ! It is one of the worst thought-out ideas I have ever seen !
@ Mike Why do you say it’s unsafe to use? Is it because of where it’s made? Or because it’s difficult to clean.
I agree that it can be tough to clean. We usually just soak the top in some warm soapy water and that seems to do the trick pretty well.
But I like @ Jeanne’s waterpik idea! Thanks Jeanne!
I bought two sets of these mugs from Costco last year falling for their advertised spill proof feature; and that they keep hot and cold beverages for hours! While these mugs don’t spill if they tip over, they do not handle heat well! I’ve had several incidents of leakage with hot liquids (underneath the button where you push to open the sip part to drink. Worst of all, I have had several incidents of the lid popping open/off when filled with hot coffee!!! The first couple of times, I thought perhaps I had not turned the top on correctly/tight enough. Thus, I’ve learned to routinely double check after each closure. And just for “insurance,” I typically place it in a zip lock bag that I keep in my purse for that purpose.
This morning I had the “final” incident! From my short ride from home to the train station, it must have accumulated too much pressure. When I put my purse over my shoulder with the mug filled with hot coffee, I heard the top pop and coffee spilled out all in my purse and over my dress. Needless to say, I had to go home and redress for work.
I called Costco customer service this morning and confirmed that even though I no longer have the box nor receipt, I could return them to their stores!
So…I’m curious..it appears that nearly every reviewer raves about this product. Am I the only “lucky” person that has met this fate with this product??? I swear my IQ & EQ surpasses double digit; I’m passed mid-life; and I’m not blonde!!! Okay…okay….before you curse my name, have a sense of humor!!! As a matter of fact, I’m Chinese and should have known better than to purchase products made from my ancestors’ home town …
@ Anna - I’m glad to hear Costco let you return the product.
Question about the leaks - did you press the button once after filling it to let the steam out? It sounds like too much steam just built up in your cup - I can’t remember if mine came with directions or if I just figured it out on my own, but I would always depress the button once after filling and closing the mug; because there is no other way for the steam to escape unless you manually let it.