An insulated tumbler lets you savor your beverages throughout the day, keeping the temperature right where you want it, whether you’re drinking hot coffee, iced tea, or anything in between. In addition to maintaining a consistent temperature, insulated tumblers prevent condensation and can reduce waste, since you’ll be less likely to discard a drink that’s just as warm or icy as the minute it was first poured.
There are different types of insulated tumblers available: Plastic versions, which typically use air or foam between the vessel’s inner and outer walls, can maintain beverage temperature between 2 and 6 hours. Vacuum-insulated metal models, which rely on an airless gap between the inner and outer walls, are capable of maintaining a consistent beverage temperature for up to 16 hours.
While an insulated tumbler might just become your favorite mug to use at home, thanks to a leak-proof lid and an easy-to-grab handleless design, these versatile containers make great travel mugs. So read on to find out what factors and features to look for and why the following models are considered among the best insulated tumblers you can buy.
- BEST OVERALL: CIVAGO 20oz Tumbler with Lid and Straw
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bubba Brands Envy Insulated Tumbler
- BEST FOR COFFEE: YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler, Stainless Steel
- BEST FOR WINE: SUNWILL Insulated Wine Tumbler with Lid
- BEST FOR BEER: Coleman Brew Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler
- BEST STAINLESS STEEL: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Mug
What to Consider When Choosing The Best Insulated Tumbler
An ordinary glass or mug filled with your favorite beverage is likely to “sweat” as the temperature of the contents changes. This condensation feels wet and clammy in your hand and can create permanent rings on furniture. Insulation prevents condensation and maintains the temperature of your drink—a win-win. Keep the following features in mind as you shop for the best insulated tumbler.
Size
The perfect size of an insulated tumbler depends on the amount of beverage you hope to have with you, and whether you’ll use it for hydration, hot drinks, beer, or wine.
- If the intent is a stylish to-go cup for water, a larger size of about 20 ounces or more should supply the hydration you need at the temperature you like.
- For hot beverages, a standard large ceramic mug holds about 12 ounces. Drinks in an insulated tumbler stay hotter for longer so users can pour a bigger coffee in the morning and nurse it for hours instead of chasing refills through the day.
- Beer drinkers should consider beer bottle sizes. Typical beer bottles hold about 12 ounces and pints hold 16 ounces. At a minimum, an insulated tumbler for beer should be big enough to hold the contents of a beer bottle.
- For wine drinkers, a standard pour is about 5 ounces. Since wine needs air to “breathe” and hold aromas, insulated wine tumblers need extra space above the pour so you can truly enjoy the bouquet and taste.
Spout Stopper
Many insulated tumblers have a screw-down spout stopper lid. This lid design helps maintain the drink temperature as it prevents heat from entering or exiting. The spout stopper design has an opening to sip your drink or to insert a reusable straw, depending on your preference. This drinking hole may affect your experience: If you take little sips, a smaller opening is a non-issue, but those who tend to gulp or drink quickly might prefer a tumbler with a wider mouth. Also look for stopper designs that incorporate a small air hole in the lid opposite the sip hole to ensure that drinks flow out smoothly; otherwise, the drink may pour slowly or stop and create a mess when air enters the container.
Base Diameter
The base diameter determines if the tumbler will fit in the space you’ll tend to keep it most often. A wider base stabilizes a tumbler so it’s less likely to get knocked over, but it may not fit into cup holders you typically use. Many insulated tumblers are tapered at the bottom to fit cup holders, but remember that the cup holders in your car, baby stroller, and backpack side pocket may all have different dimensions. To avoid choosing a tumbler that’s too wide or too narrow, take diameter measurements of possible tumbler storage locations such as cup holders.
Design
The design of insulated tumblers includes two layers of material—typically stainless steel, glass, or plastic—with insulation in between to eliminate condensation and prevent heat or cold from escaping. Vacuum insulation tends to maintain beverage temperature for the longest amount of time. The separation between the dual layers also makes the outside of the tumbler cool to the touch, no matter how hot the beverage is inside. A tumbler, by definition, lacks a handle, unlike traditional mugs and thermoses. Some insulated tumblers come with straws and most offer various color and pattern choices to suit a host of aesthetic preferences.
Our Top Picks
Selecting the best insulated tumbler for your lifestyle boils down to the features you prefer. The best size and diameter base fits nicely inside the cupholders you plan to use. The insulated design optimizes the temperature of your drinks for longer periods. All the considerations detailed above went into these top picks for some of the best insulated tumblers in assorted categories.
Photo: amazon.com
CIVAGO’s 20-ounce tumbler is a versatile to-go cup with a thermal copper lining that keeps drinks at the right temperature for hours. Made of food-grade stainless steel in a double-wall vacuum design, this tumbler maintains beverage temperature without condensation or the hot-to-the-touch outer surface of non-insulated tumblers. This tumbler maintains hot or cold drink temperatures for hours.
A wide-mouth opening makes it quick and easy to fill and handwash the tumbler, while the tapered bottom allows it to fit in standard car cup holders. A BPA-free sliding lid and a reusable straw are part of the great design, so you can consume drinks in your preferred way. Plus, you can choose from a spectrum of colors, patterns, and finishes to express your individuality.
Photo: amazon.com
Bubba Brands’ stainless steel tumbler has a well-constructed option for to-go drinks, the convenience of easy cleaning, and a budget-friendly price. It boasts the double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel qualities of more expensive models, holds 24 ounces of liquid, and maintains the right temperature without condensation. Hot drinks stay piping hot for up to 6 hours and cold drinks keep their chill for up to 12 hours.
This to-go tumbler fits in standard car cup holders, and a silicone pad on the bottom keeps the tumbler from sliding on flat surfaces. The tumbler comes with a spill-proof BPA-free lid and a straw for any type of beverage from smoothies to lattes. Feel free to pop this tumbler into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Photo: amazon.com
Keep coffee hot for up to 6 hours with this YETI 20-ounce stainless steel tumbler. In addition to double-wall vacuum insulation, the tumbler features an innovative lid that employs magnets to keep the top shut, preventing heat loss and spills.
The insulated, no-sweat design keeps hands clean and dry, and the tumbler is sized to fit standard cup holders. Shatter-resistant construction withstands active use and even accidental drops. The tumbler comes in a host of cool colors and is dishwasher safe.
Photo: amazon.com
Wine drinkers are likely to toast SUNWILL’s stylish 12-ounce insulated wine tumbler. It’s made of unbreakable stainless steel, so it’s ideal for outdoor use, and boasts the rounded shape of a classic wineglass to help enhance flavor and aroma. Double-wall vacuum insulation makes this wine tumbler sweat proof, condensation-free, and able to keep white wine cool for up to 9 hours; if you use the tumbler for hot drinks, temperature will remain consistent for up to 3 hours.
The tumbler is leakproof, thanks to a silica gel o-ring, and there’s a BPA-free lid and straw for clean sipping. Wine tumblers are not meant for use in vehicles, so this model is not intended to fit car cup holders. Handwashing is recommended to keep the tumbler in pristine condition for years of use.
Photo: amazon.com
Keep beer ice cold even on a hot summer’s day with the Colman Brew Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler. Made with food-grade stainless steel and a vacuum insulated design to lock in temperature, the tumbler maintains refreshing coldness for up to 15 hours. The 20-ounce, no-sweat tumbler is a great choice for camping, tailgating, and other outdoor activities.
The tumbler boasts a built-in bottle opener on the bottom. The bottom also has a pad to cushion the tumbler when it’s set down and to avoid slipping. The slidable spout cover on the clear plastic lid makes enjoying a beer spill-free. Handwash only and with proper care, the tumbler can last for many years.
Photo: amazon.com
This sporty 16-ounce insulated tumbler from Zojirushi boasts well-designed vacuum insulation technology to prevent temperature changes of hot and cold drinks for up to 6 hours. Inner and outer layers of food-grade stainless steel keep beverages at the right temperature, and it has an additional layer of either copper or aluminum around the outside of the inner layer of stainless steel to reflect heat, which helps to slow the temperature change in your drink.
The top of the tumbler has a 1.5-inch opening that accommodates full-size ice cubes, yet its slender profile fits neatly into bags, car cup holders, and more. The mouthpiece has an air vent so liquids flow out smoothly, while a two-step yet, one-handed flip open lid lock prevents spills. The BPA-free tumbler is available in more than 20 designs and colors, and it disassembles for easy and thorough handwashing.
FAQs About Insulated Tumblers
If you have any lingering questions about choosing the best insulated tumbler, check out the answers here.
Q. What tumblers keep ice the longest?
Copper vacuum insulation keeps ice inside the tumbler for over 15 hours in some designs.
Q. Are stainless steel insulated tumblers good?
Yes. Stainless steel insulated tumblers typically have vacuum-sealed insulation, where plastic and other materials use foam or air insulation, which is not as effective or long-lasting.
Q. How do I clean my insulated tumbler?
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some insulated tumblers are dishwasher safe, and others should only be handwashed. When you wash it, ensure you’ve disassembled it completely to clean it as thoroughly as possible.
