"Do you really need a dedicated travel tea mug?" That’s my husband, Steve, always questioning my need for specialized gear. And yes, while you could technically use any old travel mug for tea, for a true tea enthusiast, there’s a world of difference in using the right tool for the job.
Think about it: you could use a paper tea bag or a disposable infuser in your regular coffee travel mug. But dedicated travel tea mugs come with built-in infusers and leak-proof lids designed for steeping on the go. This means less waste and a hotter, fresher brew. Plus, let’s be honest, coffee mugs tend to hold onto coffee flavors. A dedicated travel tea mug ensures your delicate tea tastes exactly as it should – pure and clean.
My mission was clear: find the Best Travel Mug for tea. I needed a leak-proof design with excellent heat retention. Ease of use – comfortable to hold and drink from – was crucial. And, of course, a touch of style wouldn’t hurt. Here are my top picks and how I put them to the test:
Water pouring through a tea steeper in a travel mug.
The Top Pick: The Tea Spot Everest Tea Tumbler
The Tea Spot Everest Tea Tumbler emerged as the clear winner. Its double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel insulation kept a generous 22 ounces of tea piping hot and tasting fantastic. The screw-down, BPA-free lid proved to be impressively leak-proof. Beyond performance, I was immediately drawn to its aesthetic – a blend of rugged adventure and urban sophistication. Choosing from its four stylish colors was the toughest part!
Functionality is where the Everest truly shines. The innovative screw-top lid and sipping mechanism are ingeniously designed to stay connected to the mug while you drink. No more fumbling with loose parts or worrying about dropping the lid down a drain or between car seats.
The stainless steel infuser basket provides ample space for tea leaves to unfurl and mingle with hot water, ensuring a full and flavorful steep. The fine mesh of the infuser effectively kept even small tea particles out of my brew, resulting in a clean and satisfying cup. The exterior’s easy-to-grip texture is reminiscent of the popular Hydro Flask water bottle. So, if you’re already a fan of Hydro Flask, you’ll likely appreciate the feel of the Tea Spot Everest.
The Everest is conveniently sized to fit in a tote bag and also works well attached to a backpack with a carabiner clip. Like all the travel tea mugs I tested, it’s versatile enough for iced tea and even fruit-infused water.
Runner-Up: The Tea Spot Voyager Tea Tumbler
The Tea Spot Voyager Tea Tumbler earned my runner-up spot. At 16 ounces, it’s a bit smaller than the Everest, but otherwise, it shares many of the same excellent qualities. The Voyager kept my tea hot and fresh for an impressive 6 hours and features the same high-quality stainless steel infuser basket as the Everest.
The smartly designed, leak-proof lid has a comfortable, sip-cup style opening that’s incredibly convenient. No need to remove the lid to drink – simply press the pop-top to open and sip, then press again to seal it spill-free. With its sleek, glossy metallic finish and no loop handle, the Voyager has a more distinctly ‘urban’ feel compared to the Everest’s ‘adventure’ vibe. However, some user reviews suggest it might be slightly more prone to scratches than the Everest. It’s easy to hold and fits comfortably in a tote bag, backpack pocket, or gym bag.
Other Brands Considered
The Zojirushi travel mug with tea filter was a surprising contender that didn’t quite make it to the top. While Zojirushi is a highly respected brand, and their mugs took the top spot in our best travel coffee mug test, and this model kept tea hot for even longer than the competition (over 6 hours!), its steeping mechanism proved problematic.
The design requires you to place loose tea leaves directly in the mug and add hot water. A filter at the top is meant to prevent leaves from escaping while drinking. However, as any serious tea drinker knows, tea continues to steep as you travel. Whether it’s a few minutes or several hours past the ideal steeping time, you’ll end up with an over-steeped, bitter brew. One reviewer on Amazon suggested steeping tea upside down and then removing the basket, but the basket is quite small, hindering proper leaf expansion and water circulation, especially for larger leaf varieties. Furthermore, the multi-part lid is complex to clean and manage, and it must be fully removed to drink, making it awkward and potentially unsafe for on-the-go use. While excellent at keeping pre-brewed tea hot for extended periods, or for use as a canteen-style steeper (pouring tea out immediately after brewing), the Zojirushi falls short as a dedicated on-the-go tea mug.
