Tip

How to choose the best thermal mug and water bottle

How to choose the best thermal mug and water bottle

Author

Joel Campbell

18/11/2022

A water bottle or thermal mug is an essential accessory for trips and walks, yet choosing one can be quite a challenge for many. Thousands of models, shapes, and brands don't make the search any easier that's precisely why we've decided to put together a concise guide to help you make up your mind! How do you pick the ideal thermal mug or bottle that will serve you well for years to come?

What to look out for when choosing a thermal mug

When you opt for a thermal mug, you generally hope it'll serve you faithfully for years, brightening up chilly commutes or evening strolls. That's why its quality of craftsmanship is so crucial when on the hunt for the perfect mug, you should always pay close attention to it. For instance, the material the accessory is made from matters a great deal. The best choice is undoubtedly stainless steel mugs. They keep drinks at temperature much longer than those made from other materials, and what's more they are easy to keep clean and don't absorb odours. So, you can happily use such a mug for tea, coffee, or hot chocolate without a second thought. In plastic thermal mugs, the drink loses its temperature more quickly, and they are also less durable than their stainless steel counterparts.

pink thermos
yellow bottle
pink thermos
yellow bottle
Built Insulated mug midnight blue

£15.57

Built Insulated mug midnight blue

Built

3 variants

-10%
Aroma To Go 2.0 Organic Insulated mug navy blue
-20%
Recharge Anytime Insulated mug mustard with infuser

£33.90£42.38

Recharge Anytime Insulated mug mustard with infuser

Viva Scandinavia

6 variants

-10%
Hot Thermos love lavender special edition

£30.16£33.51

Hot Thermos love lavender special edition

Design Letters

3 variants

-10%
Iso To Go Organic Nature Nutcracker Insulated mug

Whether the drink poured into the mug stays warm for a long time is also incredibly important so, before buying a specific model, it's worth finding out how long it retains its temperature. The presence of a seal is also a very important consideration and if a mug has one, it must be completely watertight. Otherwise, your bag or car cup holder will soon be 'bathed' in coffee or tea... A seal is an excellent way to keep the drink in the mug not only does it prevent the container from leaking, but it also ensures its contents stay hot for longer.

For many people on the lookout for the ideal thermal mug, the presence of a handle also matters. In many situations, it makes carrying the accessory and drinking from it much easier. When choosing a mug with a handle, however, it's always worth checking that it's securely attached. Some thermal mugs are also fitted with a special non-slip ring, which protects hands from getting burnt and ensures a firm grip. Another important aspect is the mug's capacity if you want to sip your favourite coffee or herbal infusion for a good part of the day, it's better to opt for those with a capacity of 500, or even 700 ml. However, if you just want to have tea with breakfast at work, a 300 ml mug might suffice. For accessories like thermal mugs, it's also incredibly important that they are free from harmful substances such as bisphenol A. If you're keen for the container to hold a large amount of your favourite drink, it's best to go for a good quality tea thermos with a larger capacity. This is an ideal choice for a longer journey or an excursion with a larger group.

hands
duet
hands
duet

and what to consider when choosing a water bottle?

Buying a water bottle isn't rocket science either similar to choosing a thermal mug, it's worth taking a closer look at certain details of the container. In this case, the material the bottle is made from also plays a big role, as does how long it keeps drinks hot or cold. We typically use water bottles for cold water, but some namely thermal bottles can be treated just like a mug or a thermos. Thermal models also ensure that cold drinks don't warm up too quickly.

So, if you want to buy an accessory that will maintain the desired water temperature, it's best to go for a thermal bottle especially one made of stainless steel. However, if you're after a classic, decorative bottle, you can opt for a glass one or a lighter plastic variant. What's more, when searching for the ideal water bottle that will make drinking comfortable, it's worth examining its neck. Depending on your preference, you can choose a model with a narrow or a much wider neck. When selecting a bottle, you should also remember to opt for models free from substances toxic to health. It's also worth paying attention to functionality among water bottles, you can even find models with an infuser, perfect for tea leaves, herbs, or flavour-enhancing fruits.

water bottle
rosemary
water bottle
rosemary

Not just quality, but style too!

When it comes to thermal mugs and water bottles, their quality is, without a shadow of a doubt, paramount. However, when seeking that perfect model to accompany you on your way to work, on strolls, or during holiday adventures, it's also worth considering its design. The better an accessory looks, the more pleasure it brings to use! The mugs and bottles available in the FormAdore range delight with a variety of shapes and colours. Amongst the products from dozens of brands, everyone is bound to find something to their liking. Lovers of colourful, flowery patterns will fall head over heels for the offerings from 24Bottles or Quokka, while fans of minimalist, pastel accessories will find their match among products from brands like Eva Solo, Viva Scandinavia, or Villeroy & Boch.

carabiner
grooves
carabiner
grooves

For fans of classic, durable mugs for special tasks, there are models from the Stanley brand, perfect for camping trips, among other things. You can even find a thermal mug for... beer amongst them! With Christmas mug lovers in mind, the Koziol brand has created a special line with winter, festive designs a brilliant idea for a Christmas present! No matter what kind of mug or bottle you're looking for, in such a wide assortment, it's impossible not to find your dream model. When searching for one of these accessories, it's also worth taking a look at the bkr brand its glass bottles in spiky silicone sleeves immediately catch the eye!

Thermoses and bottles for the little ones

When talking about thermal mugs, bottles, and thermoses, we mustn't forget our youngest users. After all, every drink tastes even better in a colourful, ergonomically shaped container with a fairy-tale motif! FormAdore hasn't overlooked offerings for children among them, you'll find models with Moomin motifs from brands like Stelton, Rig-Tig, and Muurla, or adorable children's bottles from 3 sprouts featuring animal graphics. Design Letters thermal bottles with an extra straw allow toddlers to perfectthe alphabet, and those with a sweet Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol design from Koziol immediately bring a smile to their faces! You'll also find a great dinosaur-themed children's thermos among Zwilling's offerings, while little animal lovers will be taken with water bottles from 24Bottles. Thermal mugs and bottles are ideal for nursery, school, or outings and in some cases, they can even highlight the little ones' interests.

3 Sprouts Water bottle owl

£10.84

3 Sprouts Water bottle owl

3 sprouts

7 variants

-10%
Koziol Bottle 425 ml Peppa Pig

£11.18£12.42

Koziol Bottle 425 ml Peppa Pig

Koziol

shipping in 24 h

Carrie Insulated mug 500 ml Moomins grey-blue

£30.95

Carrie Insulated mug 500 ml Moomins grey-blue

Stelton

Dispatch within 2 working days

Loop Thermal bottle 500 ml coral

£33.32

Loop Thermal bottle 500 ml coral

Joseph Joseph

4 variants

Bottles and thermal mugs make for excellent gifts for Christmas or birthdays, for example. They're spot on for travel enthusiasts, office workers, or people who work outdoors. A good coffee or tea mug or thermos is just the ticket in such cases! FormAdore is a veritable treasure trove of unique models that will tickle the fancy of many. The tips above will certainly help everyone who enjoys an aromatic coffee or herbal tea find the perfect accessory to last them for years!

A veritable treasure trove of thermoses and bottles

To make your search for the ideal thermal mug and water bottle easier, we've gathered them all in one place. You'll find all our treasures here!
Phil Anywhere Water bottle

£17.54

Phil Anywhere Water bottle

Palomar

10 variants

moomins
tent
moomins
tent
Joel Campbell
J
Joel Campbell
a globetrotter, coffee addict and wine lover. His interest is mainly set in between cultural and culinary habits. He writes about all aspects related to food and drinks esthetics.