Photo:
Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
If there’s one thing I can count on in the mornings, it’s that my cup of tea will get cold before I’ve finished drinking it. Maybe I got distracted by work tasks on a busy Monday or started an impromptu cleaning spree on the weekend. On more than one occasion, I’ve left a freshly steeped oolong in the kitchen and simply forgotten about it. Life happens.
By the time I catch up to my mug, the contents have become lukewarm and entirely less appealing. What’s more, I don’t own a microwave, so a cup that gets cold tends to stay that way. It’s not ideal, especially if I’ve spent precious time making a hot matcha latte or timed out a pot of French press coffee.
I figured I couldn’t be the only one with this problem—and it turns out, I’m not. There are so many different options available for mug warmers, from high-tech wireless cups to simple hot plates with a single function. To help sort through them all, I tested a handful of top-rated brands, using each one in my home and office to check for attributes like efficiency, safety, ease of cleaning, and value. These are the best mug warmers I found.
Our Top Picks
- My Top Pick: OHOM Ui 3 Self-Heating Mug Set
- Best Budget: Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer
- Best Splurge: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
- Best Temperature Range: Cosori Coffee Mug Warmer
My Top Pick
OHOM Ui 3 Self-Heating Mug Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$98 at Amazon
$98 at Nordstrom
$99 at Williams Sonoma
Why It’s Great: Sleek design; handmade mug; doubles as a phone charger; small footprint; mug is dishwasher safe
Grain of Salt: Warmer is only compatible with OHOM mugs; pricey; mug is small
Everything about this mug warmer is thoughtfully designed and convenient, from the handmade ceramic mug to the sleek warming plate that doubles as a wireless phone charger. The dishwasher-safe mug comes in several colors that range from inky black to a soft, organic apricot color, and all of them have a white interior—a big plus if you steep green tea or like to go off color while adding milk to coffee.
I love that the warming plate is sleek and small, so it doesn’t take up too much space on the desk or counter. OHOM says the flat design is inspired by the shape of basalt river rock, adding a natural aesthetic that blends right into the surface it’s sitting on.
There’s no precise temperature control, but the plate is programmed to keep drinks hot at approximately 130°F. There’s also a matching ceramic lid to increase the temperature further. In tests, my drink went from 177.4°F to 146.4°F in 15 minutes before settling on 134°F—where it stayed for the next 45 minutes. The pad turns off automatically if the mug goes untouched for an hour.
Since it relies on electromagnetic energy, the warming plate only works with the OHOM mug included in the set. However, the brand offers additional mugs so you can rotate them throughout the day (or if you accidentally break the original one). I’m hoping that someday they’ll offer larger mugs since the 12-ounce size is a bit small for me. If you want to expand your collection even further, there’s a range of other self-warming gadgets that are compatible with the warming pad, including an adorable teapot, a soft diffuser, and a stylish fondue pot.
Although the price tag is steeper and the mug itself only holds 12 ounces, the phone charger feature really adds to the value—especially if you plan to keep it on your desk. It’s the perfect combination of performance, design, and versatility. Plus, it makes a really great gift.
The Details: 4.5 x 4.5 x 3.75 inches; keeps drinks at 130°F; mug is dishwasher safe
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
Best Budget
Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer
PHOTO: Amazon
$40
$26 at Amazon
Why It’s Great: Easy to use; works with any mug; small footprint
Grain of Salt: No power button
The problem with some of the pricier mug warmer options is that they are only compatible with the included mug. That means if you want to use your favorite mug that’s already in the cupboard, you’re out of luck. The Bestinnkits coffee mug warmer solves this problem.
There are no bells and whistles—simply plug it in and place any mug on top. The gravity induction feature automatically turns on as long as the mug is at least 12.8 ounces. Whereas other warmers have temperature-specific controls, this one has one automatic temperature setting of 131°F. In tests, the liquid came down to temperature pretty quickly, moving from 174.7°F to 145.5°F in 15 minutes before settling on a comfortable 134°F.
The only qualm I have with this mug warmer is that it doesn’t have an off switch. However, I found a workaround by plugging it into the power strip I use for my work computer and monitor that I turn off at the end of the day. This way, there’s no worry about the mug warmer turning on accidentally while I’m not around.
The Details: 5.12 x 5.12 x 1 inches; keeps drinks at 131°F
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
Best Splurge
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
PHOTO: Amazon
$150
$110 at Amazon
$130
$100 at Target
$98 at Wayfair
Why It’s Great: Built-in battery; available in several colors; connects to an app; larger capacity
Grain of Salt: Expensive; battery doesn’t last very long
I have to admit, the idea of spending over $100 on a futuristic heated coffee mug with a built-in battery and a dedicated phone app seemed a bit excessive—but after using the Ember Mug 2 for a few weeks, I get it.
The Ember mug is a great option if you often find yourself on the move in the mornings or throughout the day. I can take my mug along while hanging out with my dog in the yard or leave it in the kitchen while doing a load of laundry, and my coffee will still be at the perfect temperature when I come back to it.
The mug connects to an app on your phone, so you’ll need to pair it first. It features several handy tools like recipes and user posts, as well as timers for steeping and exact temperature controls. It will even send you a notification when your drink has reached its optimum temperature.
In tests, the battery lasted for about two uses—or a total of 80 minutes—on a single charge. However, if you leave it on the charging pad, it will work all day. The mug is on the heavier side to account for the wireless battery, but it’s still comfortable to drink from. I also love that the material doesn’t feel hot to the touch when you hold it. When I compared the actual temperature of the liquid to the set temperature, it was only off by about 0.2°F, even after checking every 15 minutes for an hour. If you prefer a smaller mug, save a little money and storage space by opting for the 10-ounce version.
The Details: 3.46 x 4.6 x 4.5 inches; 120°F to 145°F temperature range; mug is hand wash only
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
Best Temperature Range
Cosori Coffee Mug Warmer
PHOTO: Amazon
$30 at Amazon
Why It’s Great: Precise temperature control; stainless steel construction; includes power button; can be used with any mug
Grain of Salt: Stays hot for a long time after using
Cosori makes one of my favorite electric kettles, so I was curious to see how the brand’s mug warmer compared to the competition. This one has more of an industrial feel with a brushed stainless steel construction and customized LED temperature control directly on the heating plate.
The warmer maintains temperatures between 77°F and 195°F, though I found that it kept the internal liquid temperature around 30° less than the set temperature in tests. Cosori does state that the temperature on the display shows the temperature of the actual heating plate rather than the temperature of the liquid in your mug, so you should set the display higher than what you want for your beverage.
In terms of safety features, it has pressure sensor technology that only activates the heating element with cups weighing at least 10.4 ounces to prevent accidental activation. As a default, the heating plate automatically holds its temperature for 10 minutes before turning off once the mug is removed. It will also turn off automatically after eight hours.
This coffee mug warmer gets hot—very hot—and because of that, it tends to stay hot for a little longer than others after it’s been turned off. When I finished my cup and switched the mug warmer off, it still felt hot to the touch for a good 20 minutes. If you’re someone who likes their coffee or tea really warm, this classic hot plate is a good choice. If you have children who are tall enough to reach the desk or pets who like to jump and walk across the counter, maybe choose a different model.
The Details: 5.39 x 4.29 x 0.71 inches; 77°F to 194°F temperature range
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
PHOTO: Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
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Our Takeaway
The OHOM Ui 3 Self-Heating Mug was the best-performing mug warmer in tests and offered additional perks like a phone charging feature, a small footprint, and an overall thoughtful design that added to its value. For a budget-conscious pick that can be used with all types of mugs, the Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer is also an efficient choice.
About Our Tests
Over the course of a month, I incorporated each of the mug warmers on this list into my daily routine. I used them on workdays and weekends, paying close attention to performance, design, and safety features with a range of beverages from coffee to green tea. I also wanted to test the accuracy of the mug warmer’s set temperature, so I used my favorite instant-read thermometer to compare. After the testing period, I rated the mugs on the following attributes:
- Performance: Does the mug warmer actually maintain the set temperature?
- Versatility: Is there a wide temperature range available, or does the mug warmer only offer one temperature? Is it wireless? Does it have an app?
- Ease of Use: Is the mug warmer intuitive to use? If applicable, is the included mug dishwasher safe or hand wash only?
- Safety: Does the mug warmer feature an automatic shutoff? Does it have an off switch, or does it need to be unplugged when not in use? Does the warming plate stay hot for an extended period after use?
Allrecipes / Katherine Gallagher
Common Questions
Are mug warmers worth it?
If you’re a big coffee or tea drinker and always seem to find yourself coming back to the kitchen to reheat your cup in the microwave, a mug warmer is definitely worth it. Especially if you prefer delicate teas that require specific temperatures, like green tea or oolong, or if you like pour over coffee for the same reason. In any case, nuking your beverage in the microwave can take away from the flavor and cause it to turn bitter or acidic. Some coffee warmers are programmed to keep your beverage at around 130°F, while others allow you to set your ideal serving temperature.
Are mug warmers safe?
If you’re concerned about safety, look for a mug warmer with an auto-shutoff feature. Even though many models have power buttons, you should always unplug a mug warmer while it’s not in use. Remember to place your mug warmer on an even, flat surface to prevent spilling, and use caution when moving the warming plate since some models cool off slower than others.
Can you use a mug warmer with any mug?
A wireless mug warmer, like our Best Splurge pick, will have a battery built into the mug itself. Some use electromagnetic energy to pair the warming plate to a specific mug, while others are usable with practically any type. In tests, thinner mugs with flat bottoms worked best when it came to universal mug warmers. Either way, be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions to see which type of mug your warmer is compatible with.
Why Take Our Word For It?
Katherine Gallagher is an editor for Allrecipes who focuses on kitchen gear and product reviews. She has over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry and drinks at least one cup of tea per day—though she also sipped on coffee while testing mug warmers for this article.
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