looking for the perfect large desk mug

February 2, 2011 4:53 PM

There's been a few great threads on travel mugs, but what I need is the perfect large desk mug.

My desk is in a narrow, high-traffic area, and I live in fear of my drink being spilled and ruining the not-cheap equipment I need to keep on my desk. I'm hoping to find a lidded desk mug that will allow me to drink tea to my heart's content without fear of catastrophe.


requirements:
-very stable, hard to knock over
-easy to drink from one-handed
-at least 18 fl. oz.
-keeps things reasonably hot for at least an hour or two
-handle, preferably an open handle
-no weird taste
-easy to wash (i.e. not a lot of fiddly parts)
-not too expensive (under $30 preferred)


don't care:
-whether it fits in a cup holder
-if it's dishwasher friendly
-if it's microwavable
-appearance or materials


Any and all recommendations very much appreciated!

posted by TayBridge to food & drink (10 answers total)

This one? Or google up for wide-base mug.
posted by GuyZero at 5:03 PM on February 2, 2011

Make sure the handle doesn't protrude too much. Saves room, keeps it from being pushed around or pushing other items around.
posted by variella at 5:45 PM on February 2, 2011

OK, this isn't a mug, but it has saved my ass - this will keep your mug from flipping over! Meet the Spink.
posted by analog at 5:56 PM on February 2, 2011

I used to have a wide-base mug like GuyZero linked to, only in ceramic (similar to this, with a rubber tread on the bottom so it wouldn't slide around either). It could be a little hard to clean, but it never tipped over.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:35 PM on February 2, 2011

I use something like this at work because, well, I'm a dork who tends to tip over "normal" mugs. I found mine at a local craft fair but they are also commercially available in a variety of materials (ceramic, plastic, stainless steel, etc.).
posted by labwench at 6:43 PM on February 2, 2011

This (or something that looks just like it) is what I have. Works perfectly.
posted by AwkwardPause at 7:25 PM on February 2, 2011

I love my Contigo coffee cup. It's got a vacuum wall so it stays hot for around 5 hours or so. Plus you can drink one handed, and it seals itself when you aren't drinking. Pretty cheaply found on Amazon.
posted by msbutah at 8:22 PM on February 2, 2011

Oh, crap, I just lost my whole response. Grrr.

Came here to suggest to this mug from Aladdin. I got mine at Target a long time ago, but even though the website said it was out of stock I just saw them (marked down, I think!) at my Target last week. It looks likes Amazon has it too, and it's well below your price limit.

I can say with certainty it meets your needs, except that at 16 oz it's a few ounces short of what you wanted.I'm a huge spazz AND I talk with my hands, and the only times I've knocked it over is when I make some sudden movement that sends it flying. ANd even then it doesn't spill too much. You can drink out of it without assuming some awkward sipping face like some other mugs I've tried. I drop it all the time (empty) and it unfazed. I think the key is that the design is weighted really well and doesn't even budge if you knock your hand into it.

It's the only mug I drink from unless I go out. If you can live wiout those extra two ounces i'd definitely give it a try!
posted by Room 641-A at 11:14 PM on February 2, 2011

You could find a local potter and have one made to your specifications.
posted by peeedro at 9:14 AM on February 3, 2011

I have a mug like this, with grippy rubber on the bottom. It's rock solid, all but impossible to tip over, and I think the small mouth keeps my coffee/tea hot longer than mugs with a big wide opening.
posted by xedrik at 4:18 PM on February 3, 2011