When you’re shopping around for the best glass coffee mugs, it’s important to consider what makes a mug great instead of settling on one that looks nice but has flaws you won’t notice until you’ve had your coffee. Here are six things to consider when looking for the best glass coffee mugs available.
The standard glass coffee cup is made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass. Heat-resistant glass is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, so it can also be used in a microwave or dishwasher without shattering. A regular glass mug, on the other hand, must be hand washed and should never be put in a dishwasher, since extreme heat may lead to cracking. Glass mugs are also breakable if dropped; they should always be handled with care.
Many coffee mugs are shaped like a traditional coffee cup. However, they’re not quite as large as many people expect them to be. Look for insulated coffee glass cups with larger handles if you prefer something that feels substantial in your hand. A handle that feels well-made can also make it easier to hold onto your mug once you’ve added hot beverages like coffee or tea into it. If the handle is made of wood or ceramic, then it's possible that it'll absorb some of the heat from the drink and feel even warmer than usual.
The truth is, not all glass mugs are created equal. Depending on how they’re made, there can be huge differences in durability and heat retention. In some cases, a glass mug may crack or break when you pour hot liquid into it. When considering glass coffee mugs, don’t just look at price: pay attention to brand reputation and what people say about their products online. The brand shouldn’t matter as much with something like paper cups, but having a reputation for quality certainly helps when it comes to something more expensive like insulated coffee glass cups.
While you may not think a coffee mug’s appearance matters all that much, it’s an important factor. If you don’t want your logo or message coming off as tacky, select a mug in colors that are appealing and well-coordinated. For example, white mugs have historically been associated with medical practices and more recently many offices have transitioned to black mugs because they seem more modern. But consider also whether your business sells its products online or offline—color/print is less of a concern if everyone who sees your business is browsing your website.
Although it might be tempting to try and find a bargain by purchasing an extremely cheap coffee mug, it’s important that you think about quality before price. If you buy a product that can’t withstand daily use and normal wear and tear, then chances are that it won’t last as long as one made of higher-quality materials. And in some cases, cheaper items simply break more easily than better options—and when they do, they usually just get thrown away. Over time, buying high-quality glass mugs will end up being less expensive than replacing those cheaply made ones over and over again!
The first thing you should consider when looking for a new coffee mug is its handle. Some glass mugs have a standard handle, while others have handles made from wood or another material. If you’re going for style and looks, consider buying a stylish mug with an interesting handle design. If convenience is your priority, go with something more traditional.
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Choosing the right coffee mug can have a dramatic impact how you enjoy your coffee. To many manual coffee brewers drinking coffee is more than just a daily habit, it is a ritual. A favorite coffee cup is part of that ritual. For me there is nothing better than having a thick, ceramic diner style coffee mug to drink coffee out of in the morning (and afternoon and night…).
While most coffee mugs are chosen rather serendipitously (gifts, random purchases at coffee shop and tech conference swag), there are a few things to consider if you are actively looking for a new favorite coffee mug.
In this post, I will be discussing the various things you should consider when on the hunt for a vessel to hold your precious manually brewed coffee as well as recommending a few of my favorite mug and cup designs to point you in the right direction.
I would love to hear from you guys about what you look for in a coffee cup and where your favorite mug came from. Let me know if there are mugs that should be on my list.
What you like to drink your coffee out of will be different for everybody. There are no right or wrong answers to personal coffee cup preferences but here are a few things to consider.
While shape, design, color and material all deserve their own category for consideration, they also fall under the broader category of aesthetic appeal.
How a piece of coffeeware looks should be a major factor when choosing a coffee mug. As they say. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and you should have a coffee mug that brings you joy (The Life-Change Magic of Tidying Up… anyone?).
Whether is it a witty saying, a nostalgic design or a mug that deserves its own series of Instagram posts, your first and foremost consideration for a favorite mug should be whether you like the way it looks or not.
Similar to aesthetics, function is a larger category that touches some of the smaller categories. Think about the settings and circumstances you enjoy your coffee in and what you look for in a cup of coffee.
Are you primarily drinking coffee on the go? Maybe look into a travel thermos or a mug that will fit into your car’s cup holder. Looking for a Travel Mug?-Some Travel Mugs Worth Considering (also check out the Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug).
Looking for a mug to take camping? Think about durability and how well it works with your coffee outside brewing method.
Are you a busy parent that can’t be bothered with hand washing your dishes? Look for a coffee cup that is durable, keeps your coffee warm and is dishwasher safe.
The shape of a coffee cup is a major part of its appeal but there is more to shape than surface considerations.
Look for a mug that fits into your hand and is comfortable to drink out of. This will of course look different for everyone but think about how you like to hold your mug (cupped in two hands, by the handle, or ???). The shape of a coffee mug should meet that ritual.
Along with other factors, the shape of a coffee mug can also affect how coffee will taste (yes coffee can taste different out of different vessels) and the general functionality of a coffee cup.
The Lino, by notNeutral, was designed with taste and function in mind. Every detail down to a place to rest your thumb was meticulously designed with user comfort in mind.
The shape of a coffee cup will have a big impact on its functionality and if it is right for you. A giant coffee mug will not be a good fit for someone who drinks small cups of coffee, a tall skinny mug will not be ideal for a klutz (like me) and a shallow mug with a large mouth would be less than ideal for someone who likes their coffee warm but does not drink it very fast.
The color of you coffee mug might seem to fit solely into the “Coffee Mug Aesthetics” category and for the most part, it does. As I mentioned above, you should choose a coffee mug that you like the look of.
However, it is worth mentioning that there has been some research suggesting the color of you coffee mug can also affect how you perceive a coffee to taste. A study done in 2014 found that people tasted coffee differently when they drank it out of a white mug.
I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in this but it is interesting none-the-less and worth noting.
The material your coffee mug is made out of can impact everything from how your coffee tastes, to heat retention, and how you should care for it.
Ceramic coffee mugs are the most popular choices but you can also find coffee mugs made of glass, enamelware and even stainless steel.
What’s the difference between Porcelain Mugs and Ceramic Mugs? Technically speaking, porcelain is a type of ceramic but in most cases, when someone talks about a ceramic mug, they mean that it is not porcelain. Porcelain mugs have thinner walls and can be translucent or opaque. Ceramic mugs are generally thicker, better for heat retention, and more durable.
Ceramic is my go-to material, although I do enjoy the aforementioned porcelain Lino mug. Most ceramics can be thrown in the dishwasher, are pretty durable and are quite pleasant to drink coffee out of.
I am personally not a fan of enamelware or stainless steel in a daily coffee mug. I don’t like the experience of drinking out of either and the metal mugs make the coffee taste a little different.
Glass is a fine choice for a mug but again, I don’t prefer it. This is mostly a preference based on aesthetics.
I’m always on the look out for unique coffee cups. Whether it’s a vintage mug from a thrift store or cool merch from a favorite roaster. Here are the mugs I’m into right now. I’d love to add more to the list, contact me or comment below if there are ones I am missing out on.
Cover photo by Ken Englert