There are two types of coffee drinkers: Those who enjoy to slowly sip their coffee and enjoy every last bit of it, and those who like to get their fix by gulping it all down real quick (while probably burning their tongues).
If you’re the type who likes to slowly sip your coffee, you’ve probably faced the same problem most of us have: cold coffee. There’s nothing worse. And while you might be okay drinking lukewarm or cold coffee, the beverage is best enjoyed hot!
We’ve searched high and low for the best ideas and gadgets that will help your brew at that nice and hot temperature for hours.
Best Ways to Keep Your Coffee Hot:
1. Mug Warmer
A mug warmer is a coaster-like device that you place your cup of coffee on top. They’re usually connected to a power outlet or a USB input and keep your coffee hot for as long as they’re connected.
This is by far the easiest, cheapest and most convenient way to keep your coffee hot. It can be moved around, can heat continuously for long periods and heats most cup sizes!
Perfect For: This is perfect for an office or a desk where it will likely remain until the end of time. Mug warmers are really useful but aren’t too great if you’re trying to keep your coffee hot on the go.
Here are our top picks for Mug Warmers:
Below $10: Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer
Below $20: Norpro Decorative Cup Warmer
Above $25: COSORI Coffee Mug Warmer
2. Scarf or Thick Fabric
If you’re sitting there right now, and are looking for a fast, easy and cheap way to keep your coffee warm today, then this is probably as good as it’s going to get. Adding an extra layer of insulation between your cup and the outside world can actually do a pretty good job of keeping your cup warm for long periods. But if you’re looking for a long term solution, you’ll probably have to make a small investment in something more reliable.
Perfect for: This method purely exists for those who are A) very cheap B) very lazy or C) desperate to find an immediate solution.
3. Thermos
This is the oldest one in the book. A thermos is basically just a double-layered steel bottle with a vacuum between the inner and the outer layer. What makes this a great option for the slow sipper is that it’s relatively cheap, can keep your coffee hot for up to 24 hours and will probably last you a lifetime!
Perfect For: A thermos is an ideal solution for those looking for a simple, portable container for their coffee. Also good if you’re looking to store more than just a cup worth of coffee (think coffee for a group!)
This is our top recommendation for a thermos – it’s durable, affordable, comes in many size options and has a lifetime warranty:
Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Bottle
This tough thermos boasts a 24 hour heating and cooling capability along with a 5 day ice preserver. It has an anti-leak lid which means you can put it in your bag with no stress and comes in different sizes depending on what you need.
4. Immersion Heater
Using an immersion heater is another great way to keep your coffee hot for long periods. It’s cheap, portable and easy to use. While it does need to be connected to an electricity source, its small size and simple use functions make it a stress-free way to keep your coffee hot.
Perfect For: Since they’re roughly the same price as mug warmers, immersion heaters would probably only be useful for those that are looking for something slightly more portable and don’t need to be placed on a flat surface.
Nopro 559 Electric Immersion Heater
This is a very basic tool to keep your coffee hot. Just connect it, dump it in your cup and let the heating begin.
5. Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker
This is a coffee brewer that doubles up as a coffee warmer. Instead of heating cold coffee, you can just get yourself a thermal carafe coffee maker which keeps coffee warm as soon as it drips into the carafe. However, if you’re not already using something like a percolator, this is a great way to eliminate the risk of burning your coffee while trying to warm.
Perfect For: Great for anyone that drinks coffee in the same place every day and has enough room (and money) for a new coffee maker.
6. Use Cup Sleeve/Mug Cozy
If you’re looking for a cute, simple and environmentally friendly way to keep your coffee warm, go for the cup sleeve. They come in all shapes and sizes and do a surprisingly good job. Also, they’re very cheap, so you can buy a few and alternate them depending on your mood on any given day. And if you’re looking for something a little bit more personal, you can even make your own!
Perfect For: This is a great option for someone who’s looking to only spend a couple of dollars on an always-warm-coffee solution that’s both cozy and cute.
Here are some great cup sleeves:
Great for Disposable Cups:
Cozy Reusable Coffee Sleeve Cup
Great for Mugs:
Crochet Mug Cozy in Cream
7. Smart Mug
In the age of smartphones and smart TVs (and even smart blinds!), we have now the smart mug. Ember has created a sleek, battery-powered smart mug that keeps your coffee hot for up to 1.5 hours per charge, or all day when placed on it’s charging pad. The best thing about it? You can download an app and set your temperature, customize presets, receive notifications and more.
Perfect For: The Ember Smart Mug is ideal for those who are looking for a beautifully designed product with an adjustable temperature setting. If you’re willing to spend a little extra and get this product, it’s sure to make you happy.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug
The Ember smart mug is one of the only of it’s kind. What’s great about this product is that it will keep the temperature of your drink at the exact level you’d like it to be.
8. Travel Mug
This is basically just an insulated mug with a lid. There are so many different travel mugs out there, that you’ll probably find one that suits you perfectly; from color to size to features. You can even find electric travel mugs that not only keep your coffee hot and protected from the outside world but actively heat the mug when it starts to cool down.
Perfect For: This one’s pretty self-explanatory. If you like to travel or are looking for the best mug for commuting, then a travel mug will be the best choice.
Yeti makes some great thermal mugs and you can pick up a great one for less than $30:
Below $25:
YETI Rambler 14 oz Mug
Below $30:
YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler
9. Pre-heat Your Cup
Another cheap and reliable way to extend the warmth of your coffee is to just preheat the cup you’re using. This is very common among baristas, especially when making any espresso-based drink. Many espresso machines even keep cups warm while they’re stacked. Try to heat your coffee cup with boiling water rather than using a microwave because microwaves will heat the entire cup (including the part you hold) whereas boiling water poured into the cup will only heat the inside.
Perfect For: If you’re looking for a quick solution to a problem you face every day, this could be it. Wherever there’s hot coffee, there’s hot water – so you can just use that water to extend the heat of your coffee.
Final Thoughts
There are tons of options out there when it comes to finding the best way to keep your coffee hot. Which one you choose entirely depends on your needs, wants and price range.
Whichever you choose, you can be sure that you’ll have a cup of joe that’s just a little bit warmer.
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