The Best Coffee Mug Warmers You Can Buy Online

Nov 06, 2024

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Say goodbye to lukewarm sips.

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Real Simple / Catherine Cox

Coffee drinkers know the importance of a cup in the morning. Especially in the winter, a hot mug of coffee (or tea!) just hits different. An unexpected lukewarm sip, however, is pretty disappointing, and popping it in the microwave just cooks it more—read: burnt. Opting for a mug warmer will keep your drink's temperature and taste fresh until the last sip.

We tested 16 models over a month, evaluating their performance, design, and ease of use. While some didn't impress us much, others became fixtures in our morning routines. For expert insight, we spoke with Olivia Laskowski, the marketing lead at Partners Coffee, and Adriana Uriostegui, a brewing trainer at Talitha Coffee. Read on for our favorites, including warming plates, smart mugs, and travel-friendly models for your commute.

It maintained the perfect level of consistent heat—hot enough to enjoy, but not too hot to drink.

It takes a while to fully charge, and the plate is not compatible with other mugs.

This mug earned fives across the board for its design, performance, and ease of use. After a month of using it every morning, we were amazed by its effectiveness—it kept every drop of our coffee hot.

When it comes to mug warmers, this one is super intuitive. It operates with just one button and has three indicator lights to show the heat setting: warm, hot, and piping. The front of the mug has a charging light bar so you always know how much battery is left.

While the brand says the mug can keep your beverage hot for up to four hours, we found that on both the lowest and highest settings, it maintained our coffee’s temperature for about an hour. That said, we loved that it provided consistent heat during that time, keeping our coffee hot but not so scalding that we couldn’t drink it. Plus, it comes with a lid, making it perfect for on-the-go sipping.

It’s worth noting that the plate is designed to charge the specific mug rather than heat itself, so it isn’t compatible with other mugs. Also, since the warmer isn’t dishwasher safe, you’ll need to hand wash it. However, we think its effectiveness is worth the extra care.

Capacity: 14 ounces | Power Source: Battery, corded electric warming plate | Heat Duration: Up to 4.8 hours with lid, 2.1 hours without | Temperature Control: Yes | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

You can adjust the plate’s temperature by the degree, and it maintained our coffee’s heat and taste for three hours.

It doesn’t have auto shut-off, and the stainless steel has a slight metallic taste.

Effective mug warmers often come with a hefty price tag, but this set from Cosori is a real steal. While other options offer general temperature controls, this warmer allows you to adjust the temperature to the exact degree, ranging from 77°F to 230°F, by pressing the up or down buttons.

We especially loved the memory function—if you unplug the warming plate, it remembers your last setting when you plug it back in, helping you find that perfect sweet spot. Our coffee stayed consistent in both temperature and taste as we drank and maintained its heat for three hours. (The manufacturer claims it can last up to eight hours, but we didn’t take that long to finish ours.)

Since the included mug is stainless steel, we did notice a very slight metallic aftertaste. If that bothers you, the plate is compatible with pretty much any mug, though the heating might not be as effective. There’s also no auto shut-off feature, but the ceramic plate never felt dangerously hot. It also has a black slip-resistant rubber sleeve to ensure a secure grip.

Capacity: 17 ounces | Power Source: Electric | Heat Duration: 8 hours | Temperature Control: Yes | Auto Shut-Off: No

This mug kept our coffee piping hot until the last sip, and you can control its temperature through the Ember app.

You’ll have to remember to charge it after each use.

You can tell this smart mug is high quality just by looking at its modern, sleek design. You can adjust the temperature using the Ember app, which has different light settings that indicate whether the battery is low, the mug is heating up, or if it has reached its target temperature. We were a bit confused by the power button, though—the mug seemed to go to sleep mode once it was empty, but it lit back up as soon as we touched it.

During testing, we were amazed by the mug’s heat duration. Even those of us who are slow drinkers found that it kept our coffee piping hot until the very last drop—in fact, our final sip was just as hot as the first. Once we took it off the coaster, the mug was able to maintain its battery for an hour and a half (10 minutes longer than the manufacturer said). Just keep in mind that you’ll need to charge it for a couple of hours after each use or stay by the coaster for all-day warmth.

In addition to retaining heat, the mug also maintained a consistent taste. Plus, it was never hot on the exterior or handle, so we felt safe touching it. Our only complaint is its size—at just 10 fluid ounces, it might not be great for those looking for an extra caffeine boost (though there is a 14-ounce version). Overall, this pick is great for coffee drinkers, slow sippers, and tech lovers alike.

Capacity: 10 ounces | Power Source: Battery, corded electric warming plate | Heat Duration: 80 minutes | Temperature Control: Yes | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

The heater is built into the mug, making it ideal for on-the-go use.

The battery life decreases if you like the temperature hotter than 135°F.

We’re big fans of the Ember Smart Mug 2, but its design isn’t the best for travel because it only lasts about 90 minutes off the charging plate. The Ember Travel Mug 2, however, has a heating component built right into the mug. You can activate the display screen by touching the Ember logo, and the Ember app lets you customize the temperature and select presets based on the specific beverage you’re drinking. It even includes Apple’s ‘Find My’ technology in case you misplace it.

The lid blends seamlessly into the mug’s body and opens with a press in the center. Just note that when we warmed our coffee and left the mug closed for a while, it splattered when we opened it. The size might also be deceiving—while the tall design looks like it could hold 16 ounces, it actually only accommodates 12 ounces.

The mug kept our drink at the desired temperature from top to bottom, from start to finish. Even after an hour, it felt like we had just poured a fresh cup of coffee. It maintained a consistent temperature, wavering only a degree or two, and the taste stayed equally fresh.

The brand promises three hours of battery life if you start with hot liquid and set the temperature of 135°F. If you set the temperature a bit cooler, the battery will last longer, and if you set it hotter, the battery will decrease slightly.

Capacity: 12 ounces | Power Source: Battery, corded electric warming plate | Heat Duration: 3 hours | Temperature Control: Yes | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

Each mug warmer on this list was tested in our own homes, where we incorporated it into our daily routines. We drank our coffee and tea per usual, paying special attention to whether or not the warming device was able to keep the liquid hot. We also noted if there was a change in taste, because mug warmers are supposed to keep your coffee fresh, not cook it further. For products that promised warmth off their chargers, we kept track of how long the battery lasted (and if that matched up with what the brand said).

Ohom Ui Self-Heating Mug Set: This mug is one of the most stylish options we tested. We just wish there were more than one temperature setting.

Vsitoo S3pro Smart Mug 2: This smart mug can keep liquids warm or cold for up to eight hours on a single charge, and it has a light bar that indicates temperature. However, we noticed that the taste of our beverage changed slightly over an extended period.

Real Simple / Catherine Cox

When buying a mug warmer, consider your mug’s size, shape, and material. While some mug warmers, like the Ember Mug 2, include a specific cup that’s compatible with the warming base, other options are a bit more versatile.

If you prefer to be able to use your own mugs, Laskowski says most warmers will work with glass, ceramic, metal, or enamel. She recommends ceramic mugs specifically, as they tend to retain heat better. “Some plastic mugs are safe on the warmer, too, but I'd probably avoid pairing a warmer with plastic the same way I'd avoid microwaving most plastic,” she says.

“Mug warmers come in a range of sizes—with some bases able to accommodate mugs up to 6 inches in diameter,” Uriostegui says. “There’s a mug warmer for every mug size, even those that may be oversized.” Mugs can have a capacity ranging from as small as 6 to 16 ounces or more. Make sure to consider your beverage needs and how often you’re willing to refill.

While all mug warmers are designed to keep your beverage hot, some come with additional features for an enhanced experience. According to Laskowski, the two most important features to consider are temperature control and automatic shut-off.

Some mug warmers offer more general temperature settings, like our overall best pick, the Nextmug Self-Heating Mug, which has three levels: warm, hot, and piping. On the other hand, our best value pick, the Cosori Original Coffee and Mug Warmer, lets you adjust the temperature to the exact degree.

If you tend to be forgetful, you might want to prioritize the auto shut-off feature, which automatically powers the device off after a set amount of time, reducing potential safety risks.

Many coffee mug warmers come with lids, making them convenient for on-the-go use. However, if traveling is your main focus, you’ll want to opt for a travel-specific mug like the Ember Travel Mug 2. It has built-in heating technology, so you won’t need to carry around a warming plate to use it.

Real Simple / Michael Navarro

For people who take time savoring their daily cup of coffee, a mug warmer is a must-have desktop or countertop appliance. It can retain your drink’s freshness, flavor, and aroma by keeping it at an optimal drinking temperature, between 130°F and 150°F.

Coffee mug warmers vary by price, and generally, the more features you have, the higher the price will be. “High-end coffee mug warmers featuring internal heating sources, temperature-control settings, and auto-off functionality can run upwards of $130,” Uriostegui says. “At the other end of the spectrum, consumers can pick up a perfectly serviceable pad-based warmer for as little as $10.”

If you have a few different mugs in your rotation, a warming plate is a better choice since it’s usually compatible with various cups. However, it isn’t as portable because you’ll likely need to be near an outlet to use it. On the other hand, a warming mug with built-in technology is great for travel, but you’ll need to stick to that specific cup at all times.

Yes! While some coffee mug warmers are designed for home use, others are travel friendly. When shopping for a portable option, look for a mug to prevent spills on the go. You’ll also want to choose one with a larger capacity to reduce the need for refills, and consider going for a design without a handle so it fits more conveniently in cup holders.

This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Real Simple. As an avid coffee drinker, she looks forward to her morning cup every day. Although she does prefer iced coffee, she understands just how important that perfect brew can be.

To compile this list, we tested 16 coffee mug warmers to find which ones were the best. We also spoke to Adriana Uriostegui, a brewing trainer at Talitha Coffee, and Olivia Laskowski, the marketing lead at Partners Coffee, for expert advice on finding the best coffee mug warmer for you.