Top 10 Best Coffee Mugs
Choosing the best coffee mug, much like choosing the ideal coffee bean, is a personal process, but we can definitely throw out some great options that might tickle your caffeine fancy. There’s a rating system and everything, so you know we’re legit.
Quick Navigation
How Are We Rating These?
The scene must be set first:
It’s a slow Saturday morning. You’ve woken up early, totally refreshed, and no one else is awake. It’s a slow and quiet and cool, but neither warm nor cold. It’s a dream scene.
Based on this, there are three important factors for this cup: aesthetic, size, and functionality (i.e. microwavable, dishwasher friendliness, etc.).
When it comes to aesthetic, we’re looking for something beyond the plain white mug that is stereotypically assigned to drinking coffee. If the base is the same width as the top lip, then it’s a lame coffee cup.
Clay coffee mugs have become increasingly popular over the past few years, drawing coffee drinkers with their unique colors and textures, while funny mugs are a great way to express your feelings about work or coffee or mornings. On the other hand, having a cute, colorful set speaks volumes about how seriously you take your morning brew.
Where are you at in life? Are you looking for a single, perfect mug for your own dreamy mornings on the porch? Or are you here to get the ideal set to provide your whole friend group with a mug post a posh dinner?
Let’s take a look.
The Best Clay Mugs (Trendy Options!)
#1
Nicknamed the “Clay in Motion,” the idea of beach just rolls off this mug in waves. It comes in more than a dozen color combinations, so there’s a good chance you’ll find one you’d like to hold your java in.
Trendy & Artsy
AESTHETICS
Trendy and artsy. Shoutouts, in particular, go to “Island Oasis,” “Cobalt Canyon,” “Desert Sand,” and “Ocean Tide” which have a professional calming feel. The others edge into the maybe-my-niece-or-nephew-made-this-in-ceramics territory, which has its own appeal for some but preferably not from something purchased in a store.
20 oz.
SIZE
Ideal. Capable of holding 20 oz., the Clay in Motion mug won’t make you get up multiple times for your caffeine intake. Relax. Kickup your feet. You have plenty of brew to while away the wee morning hours.
Top Notch
FUNCTIONALITY
Top notch. Microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe, there’s no muss or fuss with this mug.
4.5 of 5 Stars
#2
This potbelly mug is another clay and painted option that has an artsy, sort of rustic feel. It comes in a variety of shades, is handmade, and has a thick and wide handle so you can get a good grip on this beaut.
Trendy & Rustic
AESTHETICS
Trendy and rustic. Coming in a dozen color combinations, there are options ranging from funky to minimalistic. Shoutouts to go to “Peacock Green/Gold,” “Navy Blue/Mango,” and “Sapphire Blue/White” for really rocking that curvy figure.
16 oz.
SIZE
Solid. The Uncommon Clay Potbelly Mug can hold up to 16 oz. coffee, which is a goodly amount to get going in the morning.
Top Notch
FUNCTIONALITY
Both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, making this is another no-fuss mug!
5 of 5 Stars
#3
This may be another Clay in Motion mug, but it’s got a fun and functional spin ideal for cooler months: it has a hand-warming pocket handle!
Funktastic
AESTHETICS
Funktastic. Okay, so sitting by itself it’s a little funky. It isn’t bad looking or anything, no, but it may bring forth a few questions, but only until you wrap your hands around it. Then it’s heaven because the little pocket on the side will keep your fingers toasty even when there’s a chill in the air!
14 oz.
SIZE
Good enough. At a solid 14 oz, there’s plenty of brews to drink and keep your fingers warm.
Top Notch
FUNCTIONALITY
Top notch. Microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe, this mug makes sure it’s easy to maintain. It’s also inclusive — you can get mugs with the warmer pocket to the left or the right!
4.5 of 5 Stars
The Funny, The Cute, and the NSFW Coffee Mugs
#4
This mug is a classed uptake on the “Don’t Speak!” coffee joke. Glass with bright white text, it also has a wide base and smooth rim for easy sipping. You can find several stand-out mugs of the same variety with different sayings, including Get Shit Done - Glass Coffee Mug.
Classy Cool
AESTHETICS
Classy cool. It may be under the funny section, but it also has something classy about it. The simple shape and the playful text really solidify this as a good option for a cool office mug.
13 oz.
SIZE
Good enough. It can hold 13 oz., which is decent for a novelty cup.
Solid
FUNCTIONALITY
Solid. The company states that it’s dishwasher safe, but it doesn’t say anything about microwave safe, so we’ll reserve judgment on that.
5 of 5 Stars
#5
Without coffee, most of us caffeine lovers would be up a creek without a paddle, particularly on a weekday. It’s basically a daily medication that helps us handle the very ‘peopley’ world out there—and it’s also what makes this mug so hilarious.
Hilarious
AESTHETICS
Hilarious. This mug is pure funny. Resembling a standard medication bottle, it recommends Mr. Java Joe Espresso, every day, as prescribed by Dr. Harold Feelgood.
12 oz.
SIZE
It’s okay. It maxes out at 12 ounces, which just feels like a tad too little to be a good prescription, but it does say “Repeat Until Awake and Alert.”
Subpar
FUNCTIONALITY
Subpar. It’s neither microwave or dishwasher safe as far as the company says. Personally, I own this cup and wouldn’t put it in the microwave, but I’ve chanced on the dishwasher. It emerged fine, but there’s no guarantee.
4.5 of 5 Stars
#6
There’s just something about color changing based on the temperature that’s endlessly amusing. Mimicking pixels, this cute heat-sensitive mug goes from sleeping to awake as you pour in some warm brew.
Subpar
AESTHETICS
It’s 50/50. The color-changing concept from asleep to awake, from black to turquoise, is adorable, but the cup itself is very standard. The base to lip ratio is identical, inherently making it subpar.
11 oz.
SIZE
Meh. It’s 11 ounces. It’s fairly weak when it comes to capacity, but depending on how much you like to drink that may be alright.
Subpar
FUNCTIONALITY
Subpar. The mug is handwash only—no microwave or dishwasher.
4 of 5 Stars
#7
Stylish and chic, this black and rose gold ceramic swan coffee mug is perfect for the fashionista in us all.
Stylish
AESTHETICS
Stylish. The scribble design is casual but classy and the rose gold handle contrasts interestingly with the black. Top it off with the striking choice to make the base color a matte black and the interior white and there’s nothing to not like.
16 oz.
SIZE
Solid. It can hold up to 16 oz., so you can definitely veg out on the couch and watch an episode or two of your favorite show before having to get up for a refill.
Subpar
FUNCTIONALITY
Subpar. It’s neither microwave- or dishwasher-safe, likely largely because of those rose gold accents, which is a terribly sad story.
4.5 of 5 Stars
#8
This mug looks so cheery at face value, but tip your head back to take a sip and be careful where you aim. I have to say this is a Not-Safe-For-Work (NSFW) mug, but it totally depends on where you work.
Hilarious
AESTHETICS
Hilarious. This mug is totally for the giggles. With an optimistic message upfront but a hand flipping the bird on the underside, it’s as inconspicuous as it is funny.
14 oz.
SIZE
Decent. It holds 14 oz. of the good stuff so you can comfortably sip for a good long while before refilling.
Top Notch
FUNCTIONALITY
Dishwasher & microwave-safe.
4.5 of 5 Stars
Coffee Mug Sets - The More Crew, the More Brew
#9
If you’re looking for a reasonably-priced set of four classy mugs, look no further. The Palermo Ceramic Mug Set comes with 4 cups made of ceramic earthenware.
Stylish & Trendy
AESTHETICS
Stylishly and trendy. Classic marble is always a chic choice and these mugs definitely take advantage of that. They have a rounded but simple shape and an easy-grip handle for optimal drinking prowess.
16 oz.
SIZE
Solid. They hold 16 oz., so to fill these puppies up you’ll have to make 2 pots—there’s something impressive about that.
Top Notch
FUNCTIONALITY
Top notch. Both dishwasher and microwave safe, you don’t have to have nightmares about cleaning up after having company.
4.5 of 5 Stars
#10
Getting that perfect color-coordinated set can be difficult when you’re eyeballing it or gathering them one by one. Luckily, collections like the Gibson Contempo Hues exists, which combines multiple colors in complementary hues made of stoneware.
Classic
AESTHETICS
Classic. The cups are simple, with just enough intrigue in their shape to make them not boring. They come in a variety of colors but all in hues that work well together. This set even comes with a nice tree to display them on, so the set gets some extra points for that.
15 oz.
SIZE
Solid. Each one can hold 15 oz. of the good stuff, so use a new one each day or invite over some friends to sip the brew with you.
Top Notch
FUNCTIONALITY
Top notch. Microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe, there’s no extra work involved.
4 of 5 Stars
In Conclusion
No matter where you’re at on your coffee journey, whether you need something funny for the office, picturesque for Instagram, or a set for the whole crew, there’s something out there for you.
Order some mugs and start enjoying your coffee in whatever style makes you happy!
We need to see bottoms. I’m looking for totally flat stone cup to use on coffee warmer.