Imagine it’s Monday. You’re short on time and low on sleep. Caffeine is calling your name. The coffee maker signals that your first cup of coffee is finally ready. As you sit down at the kitchen table to take your first sip you suddenly realize you’ll never have time to enjoy your coffee at home. The train leaves in 7 minutes and you can’t be late for your 9:00 AM meeting. That’s where the Zojirushi travel mug comes in.
The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug let’s you take your favorite drinks with you on the go and keep them at the perfect temperature for literally hours on end.
Now let’s find out what makes the Zojirushi the ideal travel mug for your daily commute, at the gym, and everything in between.
6 Requirements For The Perfect Travel Mug
The perfect travel mug needs to meet at least 6 requirements.
- It should look good.
- It should be vacuum insulated to keep drinks piping hot and icy cold.
- It should never leak.
- It should disassemble fully and clean up easily.
- It should have rock-solid build quality.
- It should feature a great warranty.
The Zojirushi checks all of these boxes and more. Here’s why.
Ergonomic Design And Minimalist Style
The Zojirushi travel mug features the perfect mix of function and style. Crafted with stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, it’s strong, slim, and lightweight.
True to its minimalist design and functionality, the Zojirushi was designed for one-hand use. Its flip-up top opens with ease and closes securely with a solid “click.”
As good as the Zojirushi looks and feels, it pours your favorite drinks even better.
The spout easily accommodates ice cubes and is a pleasure to drink from thanks to a built-in air vent which allows beverages to pour smoothly. That means you’re much less likely to spill hot coffee all over your favorite dress shirt.
Outstanding Heat And Cold Retention
This is where the Zojirushi travel mug truly shines.
It’s double walled and vacuum insulated, meaning your drinks stay really hot and really cold for the entire day.
How does it do it? This is what Zojirushi had to say:
Vacuum means the air between the outer and inner layers of stainless steel has been removed to create a vacuum insulation. It blocks heat from transferring through air (conduction). Zojirushi vacuum insulation also features a copper or aluminum layer tightly wrapped around the outside of the inner stainless steel layer. This copper or aluminum layer reflects heat (radiation), further minimizing the temperature change of your drink. Lastly, heat is blocked from escaping through the opening (convection) with a tightly closed lid.
So here’s how this plays out for your benefit.
Science tells us that the ideal brew temperature for coffee is between 195 and 205 degrees. According to Zojirushi’s specs, coffee kept in the Zojirushi travel mug for 1 hour measures in at 189 degrees. After 6 hours, it’s 160 degrees. Those specs alone are impressive, but they don’t tell the whole story.
For example, a few days ago I was in a hurry to get to the office for a 8:00 AM call and forgot my Zojirushi in the cup holder of my car. That night at around 7:00 PM I went back to my car for the drive home. My coffee was still hot, just as hot as the first sip I took 11 hours earlier. I’m convinced that Zojirushi’s specs are “conservative,” to say the least. The thermal retention is almost too good.
The Zojirushi travel mug is also excellent for iced coffee, tea, and other chilled drinks. It will keep your beverages at a brisk 46 degrees for at least six hours. I find that cold beverages stay cold for much longer than six hours, even overnight. Especially when you add in a few ice cubes.
A quick note for all of the parents out there. I recently discovered that the Zojirushi is the perfect travel mug for keeping your child’s milk ice cold for hours on end. It’s been a lifesaver for my family on road trips and long flights.
Related: 3 Easy Ways To Make Great Coffee At Home
Leak-Proof Cap
Yet another impressive feature of the Zojirushi travel mug is its leak-proof cap.
Not only does the Zojirushi close airtight, it also has a built-in safety lock to ensure the mug won’t unexpectedly flip open and spill all over your backpack, briefcase, bag, or purse.
All you do is close the lid, slide the tab to the left, and let the Zojirushi safety lock do the rest.
3 Colors And Sizes To Choose From
The Zojirushi travel mug comes in 3 different colors and 3 convenient sizes: 12-ounce, 16-ounce, and 20-ounce. No matter what color or size you choose, all are designed with the same level of precision.
I own the 16-ounce version and find that it’s the perfect size for me. It holds two cups of coffee to help get me energized in the morning and plenty of ice-cold water to keep me hydrated during my workouts.
For specifics, the 16-ounce version is 2.6 inches wide, 2.7 inches deep, and 8.6 inches long. And it weighs in at just 8 ounces. So it’s compact and lightweight. Perfect for everyday use.
Moreover, if your daily commute involves driving you’ll be happy to know the Zojirushi travel mug will fit easily in your car’s cup holders.
Rock-Solid Durability
The Zojirushi is a well-built and durable travel mug.
I’ve used mine on a near-daily basis for almost 4 years. I’ve dropped and knocked it over more times than I’d like to admit and it still shows virtually no signs of wear. A small mark here or there, but that’s it.
The Zojirushi travel mug is truly a “buy it for life” item.
Quick And Easy Cleanup
It’s incredibly quick and easy to clean the Zojirushi travel mug. In about 2 seconds flat you can fully disassemble the mug to keep it looking and smelling like new.
All I do to clean the Zojirushi is use a little dish soap and water and let it dry overnight. And unlike many other travel mugs, I have yet to notice any coffee stains on the inside of the Zojirushi.
If you’re OCD about cleaning or just forget to clean your Zojirushi for a few days (or weeks), simply use a quality bottle brush to keep the inside looking as clean as the day you bought it.
5-Year Warranty
Zojirushi is a stand-up company. That’s why it’s been around for more than 100 years. It provides a five-year warranty on its travel mugs.
Personally, I’ve had my Zojirushi mug for nearly 4 years and in that time I’ve had absolutely zero complaints. But it’s still nice to know that just in case something goes wrong, Zojirushi stands behind its products.
Final Thoughts On The Zojirushi Travel Mug
To sum up, the Zojirushi travel mug doesn’t have any competition because it’s truly in a league of its own. It will keep your hot beverages hot and your cold beverages cold, just like it should, for years to come. It’s hands-down the best insulated travel mug I’ve ever owed. Get yours today and enjoy the easiest way to drink hot and cold beverages on the go.
All the best,
JD
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