The search for the perfect travel mug
Sadly, the search for the perfect travel mug continues. I had hoped that I had found the ultimate in form and function with the Brugo mug, but alas, this was not the case. Luckily though, the Contigo Extreme is about as close to perfection as it comes, so I will be satisfied for now.
Brugo Mug 
The Brugo mug was a bit of a disappointment. This mug claims it has the ability to be spillproof and to regulate the temperature of the liquid on a per sip basis so that it it at the perfect drinking temperature. Note: I was only able to test this mug for about an hour (see below).
- Upon testing, the mug passed the temperature regulation claim with flying colors. You tip the mug to allow some of the liquid to enter the “temperature control chamber,” where it is instantly cooled to a lovely, hot, but not scalding temperature. The rest of the liquid stays a nice hot temperature for a decent amount of time. Sadly though, this is about where the positives end.
- The mug relies on the user aligning the lid so that a bit of plastic interlocks with another bit on the miug. Unfortunately, within an hour of owning the mug, I managed to misalign the interlocking pieces in such a way that it became impossible to open the mug. Huge design flaw. Their website refers to aligning “hash marks” on the lid and mug. This would have been a much better design (far less prone to user error), but the interlocking plastic allowed me to render the mug useless.
- I also found that any claims to be spillproof were false, even using the loosest definition of spillproof. The website and manual indicate that when the lid dial is in the “locked” position it should be spillproof and caution the user that the temperature control chamber should be emptied after putting the mug into the locked position. Originally I thought that it might be leakproof. I tested this by setting the lid dial to the locked position, emptying the temperature control chamber and holding the mug upside down. The mug steadily leaked fluid. Next I figured that spillproof meant that it wouldn’t leak if you knocked the mug over. So, I once again I set the lid dial to the locked position, ensured that the temperature control chamber was empty, then knocked the mug over and gently rolled it over a few times. There was definitely fluid leaking from both the mouth opening and the lid dial itself.
Contigo Autoseal
The Contigo Autoseal has a great concept behind it, a self sealing lid. You press the “autoseal” lid to drink and release and the lid is locked and the mug is leakproof. Unfortunately, it ended up having a few too many other small design flaws for me to go with it. Overall though, it performs MUCH better than the Brugo mug. Note: I was able to test this mug for weeks.
- I noticed a lot of minor spillage - from the autoseal button, from the air vent, from opening the unit when it is full of hot liquid. Contigo specifically claimed that the mug eliminated steam spray, but I encountered it every time I first used the mug after filling it with hot liquid. The autoseal button also had slight leakage, as did the air vent. The mouth opening always retained a couple of drops of liquid which would often leak as well.
- iI found it hard to vent the fluid to a tolerable temperature. Hot coffee is usually too hot to drink. The unit keeps the fluid at that temperature for so long that you need to find another way to cool it off (a strength and weakness). I attempted to solve the problem by venting the liquid by holding down the autoseal button. Continuing to hold the mouthpiece open by holding down the autoseal button is just impractical. The only recourse you have is to remove the lid. I have tried to remove the lid immediately after filling the unit with hot (scalding) coffee. If I attempt to remove the lid without venting the unit first then the coffee spills over and out onto your hands. OUCH. Otherwise, leaving the mug sitting on your desk without a lid is a risk in itself (watch out keyboard!).
- The mouth opening in the lid is awkward to use. It is hard to find the opening without looking at the mug and you have to tilt your head pretty far back before fluid will actually come out. If there were a slight depression above the hole it would be easier find the hole and use it.
- The lid comes off and goes on a lot easier than the Contigo Extreme (see below).
- The lid is so weird on the inside that i have no idea how to clean it. Either I have never been able to clean it well enough or the lid absorbs flavor because after switching to tea my coffee was tea flavored for about 3 refills.
- The autoseal button is poorly designed for practical use - because the unit has no handle, I have tucked it under an arm or on top of a pile of stuff I was carrying and have accidentally pressed the button and had the unit leak. if the button were flush with the unit it would be a lot more difficult to accidentally activate the autoseal.
Overall though, these are minor design flaws. For someone who sits at their desk and doesn’t move around much, this is a great mug. Not having a handle and the inherent problems with the autoseal button caused me to think twice about filling it and throwing it into my bag on the way to work.
Contigo Extreme
This mug is the Cadillac of travel mugs.
- Truly leakproof. I have had my mug for about 4 years now and the lid has only now started to fail. This only occurs when I fill the mug with hot liquid and shake it. Easy enough fix since they sell replacement lids, just haven’t gotten around to ordering mine yet.
- Super cool handle with carabiner. Having a handle is infinitely useful in my opinion. Having a carabiner makes it even more useful. Now you can fill the mug up, clip it to your backpack and get going.
- Keeps liquids hot for a long time. Of course, you need to flip open the mouthpiece in order to vent the fluid to cool enough to drink. Leaving the mouthpiece open is a bit of a risk, but in my 4 years with the mug, I’ve been able to catch the mug before any real spillage has occurred since the mug isn’t fully open.
- The only disadvantage this mug has is that the liquid stays hot, so you burn your tongue until it hits the right temperature.
Really, I dare you to suggest a better mug. Leave a comment and I’ll test the mug.
Filed under Random |7 Responses to “The search for the perfect travel mug”
Leave a Reply
Christine,
I work as an engineer at the company that makes the Contigo mugs that you reviewed in your search for the perfect travel mug. We are always looking for useful feedback on our products.
I’m happy that you enjoy the Extreme Mug. It has been a very popular product for us. For the user that prefers a travel mug with a handle, we believe that it is the best available.
Concerning your experience with the Autoseal Mug, I was disappointed to read that you had some leakage near the button. We have not found many instances of this in our product testing and customer feedback and I fear that you may have a defective mug. We would be glad to send a replacement.
Concerning your other perceived drawbacks of the Autoseal mug, I would like to explain some of the features and thinking behind this product.
Some of the drawbacks are inherent to a travel mug with no handle. In a automobile commuting situation (such as my commute), we have found the non-handled mug to be more convenient but we have also found that mugs with handles can be more convenient for people who walk with their mugs (especially the Extreme Mug which clips to one’s bag as you mentioned).
The paramount design challenge of a mug that opens at the push of a button is the pressure generated inside a sealed vessel containing hot coffee. This requires that the mechanism is designed such that any built-up pressure is released in a predictable and safe way. The solution in the case of the Autoseal mugs is that any built-up pressure on the inside of the mug is released through the vent holes toward the opposite end of the lid from the drink hole before the drink hole
opens. This pressure release can at times eject a small amount of steam or droplets but the lid is designed such that the droplets and steam are directed to the sides and away from the face of the user. Of course, if the user opens the mug upside down or on its side while there is hot coffee inside, more liquid can escape from the vent hole (and drink hole for that matter).
As long as the button is pressed while the product is held relatively upright, any liquid or vapor coming out of the vent holes should be minimal.
Concerning accidental pushing of the button, the button is actually designed to be flush enough to avoid this in many situations but there is always the possibility of accidentally pushing the button if the mug has random objects contacting it.
The Autoseal mugs also differ from most mugs in the interface with the users mouth. We wanted to create the most spill-proof mug for drinking while moving (in a car, bus, walking) so we used the same basic mouth interface that is used in many disposable coffee cups such as are used at Starbucks. This design provides a direct, spill proof, controllable path for the coffee into the user’s mouth.
The drawback to this design is that the coffee may be too hot for some users to drink this way. (I add a little milk to my coffee which cools it off enough before drinking.)
For these users, the Extreme mug (which has a lip in which the coffee can pool) may be the better choice.
As you mentioned the vacuum insulation used in the West Loop and Extreme can be a drawback for users who do not prefer their coffee very hot. We offer lower-priced plastic walled mugs and foam insulated mugs which have far less insulating performance but for high-performance insulation, vacuum can’t be beat.
As for your complaint that the drink hole is hard to find, in my experience, locating the button with the fingers usually provides enough position information to allow me to find the drink hole pretty easily. This may perhaps require a little user experience to get used to without having a handle on the product for reference.
Suffice to say that we believe that the Contigo Autoseal and Contigo Extreme mugs are both outstanding products that are at the top of their catagories. If you find better ones in your quest, please let me know.
For your leaky Extreme mug lid, we can send a
complimentary replacement.
Let me know your address and we will send it along with the replacement West Loop. What color do you prefer for the West Loop? (Blue, Black, or Silver)
thanks,
Steve Pinelli
Steve Pinelli
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Ignite USA
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE CONTIGO EXTREME TRAVEL MUG WITH THE HANDLE THAT CLIPS IS THE PERFECT TRAVEL MUG FOR SPILLAGE. WE HAVE A 1988 CORVETTE THAT HAS SHALLOW CUP HOLDERS AND THIS TRAVEL MUGS PREVENTS ANY LIQUID FROM SPILLING AND GETTING INTO THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.
Hello.
I love my Contigo Extreme mug. It is red and we have both styles. The lid is wonderful and coffee stays hot in either one. Unfortunately, mine fell off a hospital table while visiting a friend and the wonderful sealing lid broke. We tried to glue with quality glue, but to no avail. Could I get a replacement lid? Would you tell me how to order? Many thanks.
Sandra Friedrickson
Hi Sandra,
You can order replacement lids on eBay. The store is called the “Coffee Mug Outlet.”
http://stores.ebay.com/Coffee-Mug-Outlet
Just look for “Extreme Replacement Lid,” its only $5.00, well worth it.
Good luck with your mug!!
-Christine
im thinking about buying the Contigo Extreme (after i read your review :)) .Haven’t made up my mind though. I’d really appreciate it if u could test the Thermos Nissan 18-Ounce Stainless-Steel Insulated Travel Tumbler or the 20 oz. Tumbler Mugs from planetarydesign
Excellent idea Jen, I will contact them and let you know asap!
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting