Updated: 3/4/23– Let's be honest here. Often times for us coffee lovers, we care just as much about the mug we drink out of as the coffee we drink. Coffee mugs are a way for us to express our personalities. Whether you're around others or just by yourself, there's a simple and pure joy that comes from sipping a warm brew out of your favorite mug. And plus, the coffee tastes better. In light of this, we've put together a list the ultimate list of the best coffee mugs that are certain to bring a smile to any coffee lover.
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Below is our full list of some of the best coffee mugs you'll find on the market. These uniquely stylish coffee mugs make for excellent conversation starters. More importantly, each one has the potential to express a different aspect of your inner coffee lover.
1. Luxury Handbag Mug
Starting of our list of super creative coffee mugs is one that's almost too creative for its own good. This coffee mug was designed as a luxury handbag. When placed on its side, the coffee mugs handle looks an elegant gold-trimmed purse handle. We love the extra attention to detail that was paid to this work of art. This set comes with a saucer designed in a similar handbag style along with an accompanying spoon. Offered in a variety of colors
2. BellaCups Elegant Mountain and Sea Mug
BellaCups makes some of the most intricate and magnificent coffee mugs we've ever seen. They qualify as more than just vessels for coffee. They are exquisite works of art made from the finest quality ceramics available. These mugs can be used for coffee or steeping tea.
Being that they're gallery-worthy mugs, these are most certainly considered premium mugs. If you want to splurge on your coffee-loving friend or coffee-loving self, this is the coffee mug for you.
3. Custom Wooden Mug
In stark contrast to the luxury handbag coffee mug that came before it, this classic 6 oz custom wooden mug is all about simplicity. It's made of 100% natural rubber wood and carved by hand to accentuate the design's smooth curves. It's perfect for the coffee lover who travels, hikes, camps, or simply appreciates the classy and earthen design of this wooden mug.
4. Carafe Mug
This could easily be the coffee lovers official mug. Drinking out of a coffee pot is what we coffee lovers often joke about…or secretly fantasize about. But now you can actually do it without overdosing on caffeine! Coffee lovers will fall in love with this mug as it looks like a real coffee carafe. Now this coffee meme can be a reality.
5. Floating Coffee Mug
Easily one of the classiest and coolest mugs on this list. This floating coffee mug is both practical and visually-elegant. With its built-in “coaster”, you don't have to worry about scorching your table top or leaving condensation behind. And most importantly, it looks amazing!
6. Appa Avatar Coffee Mug
Ok, we here at Best Quality Coffee happen to be huge fans of the classic TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Mind you, this is different than Avatar the movie directed by James Cameron. Anyways, if you're a fan of the television series, you'll appreciate this Appa mug which is a marvel to behold. It's design is intricate and a grand depiction of Appa's character. We love the fact that he even has his tongue sticking out. This is a must for any fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender. This is an officially licensed 11oz mug.
7. Wavy Coffee Mug
The Wavy Bear coffee mug is well…darn right one of the cutest and coolest coffee mugs we've seen. This transparent mug shows off a brilliant design that will warm the hearts of any coffee drinker. You can actually choose from an assortment of animals from dogs and cats to ducks and pandas! This resistant and lightweight Wavy Mug is made of high-quality borossilicate glass and is drop safe, compact, and easy to handle.
8. Creature Cups
These are one of the most popular unique coffee cups around and for good reason. With Creature Cups, the surprise is on the inside. Each cup has an intricately carved animal or creature inside of it. Choose from a wide variety of options from dogs, foxes, and cats to whales, sharks, and even lobsters.
9. Medieval Coffee Mug
Drink your coffee as King Arthur would have…assuming he drank coffee. This custom medieval is made of high quality resin, and individually hand-painted and polished. A 13 oz capacity means you'll be able to enjoy plenty of coffee in medieval style.
10. Golf Lovers Mug
Nothing brings people together like coffee….or golf. If you're a coffee loving golfer, this is the perfect unique coffee mug for you. This set comes with an 11oz mug, 1 golf shaped pen, and 1 mini golf ball. You can now drink your coffee while practicing your game!
11. Donut “Mmmmmm” Mug
This iconic donut coffee mug will likely bring back memories about good ole' Homer Simpson and his donut obsession. This brightly-colored donut mug makes a great conversation starter. It also serves as a constant reminder that donuts and coffee go together!
12. Double Wall Espresso Glass
This double wall espresso glass is the epitome of elegance. Its impressive design insulates heat and keeps your espresso hotter for longer. As an added bonus, you can also see how much espresso is left in your glass…so you can then quickly remedy the problem.
13. Canon Camera Lens Mug
Any photographer who also loves coffee should absolutely own this mug. This mug is an accurate replica of Canon's poular EF 24-105mm zoom lens. The level of detail on this replica is astounding as it even comes equipped with movable switches. Its exterior is made of food-grade PVC and its interior is made from stainless steel.
14. Control + Alt + Delete Mug
Are you a computer geek or know of one? These Control+Alt+Delete coffee mugs are the perfect gift. This mugset comes with 3 sturdy, dishwasher safe plastic cups. Take your coffee geekdom to the next level with one of the most unique coffee mugs available.
What to consider when buying the Best Coffee Mugs?
Beyond stylistic preferences, there are many practical things to consider when buying a coffee mug.
1. Best Coffee Mugs: Size
A coffee mug's overall size is an obviously important factor to consider. The standard coffee mug size is 8 to 12 ounces while an espresso cup is 2-3 ounces. Large coffee mugs can hold 16 or more ounces. It's likely that the picture on the right is more than 16 ounces 🙂
When we talk about size, this includes height, width, and overall diameter. It's all about how much of that magic brew you want to be able to hold. Personally, the best coffee mugs for me are the largest ones.
2. Best Coffee Mugs: Material
When shopping the best coffee mugs you'll also want to consider the material. The material of a coffee mug can have many different effects….some more obvious than others. Typically, coffee mugs will made from ceramic, porcelain, metal, or glass.
Durability
To begin, there's the issue of durability. Metal mugs are considered the durable of all the materials. At the same time, metal conducts heat very well so even the best coffee mugs that are metal will need some kind of heat-resistant handle.
Heat Retention
Ceramic coffee mugs, on the other hand, are known for their excellent heat retention, making them ideal for hot beverages. If your biggest priority is to keep your coffee the hottest for the longest period of time, I'd recommend going with a vacuum-insulated mug or thermos. Even the best coffee mug will keep your coffee hot but for so long.
Aesthetics
Glass mugs look more elegant in my opinion and personally, I enjoy being able to see my coffee as I drink it. I would personally recommend going with double wall espresso or coffee mugs which have excellent insulation. Because they are double walled, the outside of the glass remains cool while the inside layer remains hot. The downside is that glass is not very sturdy or durable and is typically more expensive.
If glass mugs aren't your cup of tea…or coffee, ceramic mugs offer a wealth of different options to choose from. In fact, most stylized mugs will be made out of this material.
Taste
Believe it or not, the material of a coffee mug or cup can influence taste. For example, paper cups often transfer a “paper / woody” taste into a coffee that's undesirable to say the least. It's something you'll want to experience. Glass, ceramic, and stainless steel mugs do not transfer any unwanted flavors because they are considered a “non-reactive” material.
3. Best Coffee Mugs: Handles
Handles can be an overlooked factor when shopping the best coffee mugs. Find a handle that feels natural when gripped. Some handles look cool but are simply not practical. Consider the size of the handle and whether it's too small, too large, too wide, or too narrow. What's important is to find something that feels comfortable in your specific hands.
4. Best Coffee Mugs: Dishwasher and Microwave-safe
Unfortunately, I've placed the wrong mug into the dishwasher before. The result was that all of the mug's precious design faded off like a fleeting dream. As a general rule, ceramic mugs are dishwasher-safe. Porcelain mugs on the other hand should be hand washed only.
How do you know if your coffee cup is microwave-safe? The short answer is that it will say so. Look for a label placed at the bottom of the mug. If you don't see anything there, it's to assume that the mug is NOT microwavable.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffee Mugs
What are the benefits of ceramic mugs?
The benefits of ceramic mugs are numerous. They are durable, provide excellent insulation, and don't pick up any weird smells or tastes. Ceramic mugs are also standard everyday drinking vessels because they tend to stay hotter for longer, are relatively affordable, and can be found in a large variety of shapes and sizes. Additionally, ceramic mugs are easy to clean, typically microwave and dishwasher-safe, and are the material of choice when decorated with intricate designs. Furthermore, they are stain resistant and won't leave a lingering plastic taste in your coffee (never a good thing). Finally, ceramic mugs can be recycled, making them a great eco-friendly choice.
Are coffee mugs microwave-safe?
Yes, coffee mugs are generally microwave-safe but as mentioned above, you should always check. Many are made from either borosilicate or ceramic, which can withstand the heat of the microwave without degrading or affecting the flavor of the beverage.
Plastic composites are said to be microwave-safe, although they do the poorest job of retaining heat. Personally, I wouldn't recommend microwaving anything that is plastic.
Are coffee mugs dishwasher-safe?
As with the “microwavability” of coffee mugs, you'll need to check the labeling to determine whether a mug is dish washer safe. Ceramic mugs are usually safe to put into the dishwasher. However, handmade mugs often need to be hand washed, and some mugs with metal components cannot be placed in the microwave or dishwasher. Additionally, certain travel mugs may need to be washed by hand, regardless of the material. It is best to check the product specifications of the coffee mug before purchasing to ensure that it is dishwasher-safe.
Best Coffee Mugs of the Year: Final Thoughts
And thus concludes are extensive but non-exhaustive list of some of the best coffee mugs for sale right now. As has hopefully been made clear in this article, it's important to consider what you value most when choosing a coffee mug that fits your style.
We also hope that some of the tips above will assist you in your decision-making process. When you drink coffee, it's not just about the coffee. It's about the experience and drinking from unique coffee mugs is a meaningful part of that. As the saying goes within the coffee world, be sure to “Espresso yourself”! If even after reading this guide on the best coffee mugs you still feel a little lost, see if you can get some inspiration from Apollo Box mugs or BellaCups. They literally have some of the most well-crafted and creative coffee mugs we've ever come across.
Let us know if you have a favorite mug that wasn't on this list.
Pro Tip: If you're making coffee for more than one person or plan to drink multiple cups of coffee yourself, consider buying a coffee airpot and coffee carafe. Airpots and carafes will help keep your coffee fresh and hot for extended periods of time.
I want a creature mug!
They’re very cool and stylish. I have a Fox one myself 🙂