Truly, This is the Best of all Possible Mugs
March 12, 2015 2:13 PM Subscribe
My work is buying every employee their own mug. So tell me what is best in mugs.
Only three constraints:
-The mug must be purchasable online
-It must be less than $30
-It will be for in-office use, so travel characteristics are largely irrelevant. (I looked at previous mug questions on AskMe, but pretty much all of them were specifically for travel mugs.)
Only three constraints:
-The mug must be purchasable online
-It must be less than $30
-It will be for in-office use, so travel characteristics are largely irrelevant. (I looked at previous mug questions on AskMe, but pretty much all of them were specifically for travel mugs.)
I think what is best in office mugs is having one you like, as to color or design or weight. How about getting a coupon code for a couple of sites like Etsy or Zappos and letting people get what they would like?
posted by bearwife at 2:16 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by bearwife at 2:16 PM on March 12, 2015
This is ver broad. What kind of statement, if any do you wish the mug to express? Do you want it to be traditional or are you looking for more advanced technology? How personalized can it be? What material is preferred? Glass, ceramic, dainty porcelain?
posted by jadepearl at 2:18 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by jadepearl at 2:18 PM on March 12, 2015
I have a feeling you're over thinking this. Hit up the Ikea web site or something, pick the color you want, enter the quantity, press "order".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:21 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:21 PM on March 12, 2015
Despair.com has de-motivational mugs and the pessimist's mug with a "this glass is now half empty" line. The floating mug is cool, but not currently available.
posted by Sophont at 2:23 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Sophont at 2:23 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
What do you plan on drinking in the mug? Personally I drink my tea from a Mr. Tea mug made by this guy. Looks like it's currently only available as part of The Ultimate Tea Lover's Set
posted by Four Flavors at 2:23 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by Four Flavors at 2:23 PM on March 12, 2015
Is keeping your drink hot for hours important? Or being tip-proof? Or having an extra-large capacity? There are various mugs that have those features. If you're looking for a regular ceramic one, go with whatever makes you smile. (Like, say, hunks.)
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:28 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:28 PM on March 12, 2015
Depends on what's in the mug. Tea in thick-edged mugs, for instance, is terrible (at least good tea).
Otherwise, in order:
Volume: not too big (or the beverage gets cool before you managed to get it down) - not too small (because hmmm BEVerage)
Holdability: some mugs want to turn downwards while you hold them no matter how tight your grip. Matter of how the handle is shaped.
Drinkability: see above re. thick-edged. There's a limit to thickness or you'll start to drool (or: some will).
Balance: heavier bottom is nice, wide bottom nicer, especially around computers (don't ask how I know).
Fragility: none.
Design: timeless (I once put an espresso mug that looked like an overflowing espresso mug into an anonymous gift heap. It was meant as a joke! But I saw the guy's face, who got it. He didn't laugh).
posted by Namlit at 2:31 PM on March 12, 2015
Otherwise, in order:
Volume: not too big (or the beverage gets cool before you managed to get it down) - not too small (because hmmm BEVerage)
Holdability: some mugs want to turn downwards while you hold them no matter how tight your grip. Matter of how the handle is shaped.
Drinkability: see above re. thick-edged. There's a limit to thickness or you'll start to drool (or: some will).
Balance: heavier bottom is nice, wide bottom nicer, especially around computers (don't ask how I know).
Fragility: none.
Design: timeless (I once put an espresso mug that looked like an overflowing espresso mug into an anonymous gift heap. It was meant as a joke! But I saw the guy's face, who got it. He didn't laugh).
posted by Namlit at 2:31 PM on March 12, 2015
This is entirely about personal taste.
- glass wall mugs show everybody what you're drinking
- metal mugs can transfer heat and make the lip hot to drink out of.
- mugs that are dark inside are good for beverages with milk but make it hard to judge the color of tea or coffee.
- mugs that are white inside accumulate tea stains over time.
- large mugs get cold before I finish them.
- small mugs have to be filled more often.
There is no one-size-fits-all perfect mug.
posted by aimedwander at 2:32 PM on March 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
- glass wall mugs show everybody what you're drinking
- metal mugs can transfer heat and make the lip hot to drink out of.
- mugs that are dark inside are good for beverages with milk but make it hard to judge the color of tea or coffee.
- mugs that are white inside accumulate tea stains over time.
- large mugs get cold before I finish them.
- small mugs have to be filled more often.
There is no one-size-fits-all perfect mug.
posted by aimedwander at 2:32 PM on March 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
You could find a potter to make custom mugs.
posted by Sophont at 2:35 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Sophont at 2:35 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Do you actually want to drink hot beverages out of your mug?
NO: Get whatever glorious, beautiful, funny mug you like. Put it on a pedestal, put pens in it, wear it as a hat. As long as it delights you as an object, go for it.
YES: Get a style that you think you will enjoy drinking out of. If you're like most people, anything that isn't chipped will do. If you're like me, you might find, for example, that tea tastes better when drunk from a mug or cup with a relatively thin lip. (It doesn't have to be bone china: a decent mug like this one is quite fine.) If you've always wanted some gorgeous, perfect drinking experience, you can now get it, courtesy your boss, for up to $30. Go nuts!
posted by maudlin at 2:37 PM on March 12, 2015
NO: Get whatever glorious, beautiful, funny mug you like. Put it on a pedestal, put pens in it, wear it as a hat. As long as it delights you as an object, go for it.
YES: Get a style that you think you will enjoy drinking out of. If you're like most people, anything that isn't chipped will do. If you're like me, you might find, for example, that tea tastes better when drunk from a mug or cup with a relatively thin lip. (It doesn't have to be bone china: a decent mug like this one is quite fine.) If you've always wanted some gorgeous, perfect drinking experience, you can now get it, courtesy your boss, for up to $30. Go nuts!
posted by maudlin at 2:37 PM on March 12, 2015
I have an 18 ounce Ugly Doll mug. It is enormous and adorable and fulfils 100% of my mug requirements.
posted by phunniemee at 2:46 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 2:46 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Buy one of these (it's a few bucks over your budget, but oh well) and bring your own real coffee cup from home for everyday use. Your colleagues will be so jealous!!
posted by Elly Vortex at 2:48 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Elly Vortex at 2:48 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
How puerile is your work environment?
I like colour-changing mugs but you generally have to hand-wash them otherwise the effect fades over time.
posted by GuyZero at 2:48 PM on March 12, 2015
I like colour-changing mugs but you generally have to hand-wash them otherwise the effect fades over time.
posted by GuyZero at 2:48 PM on March 12, 2015
Honestly a lot is personal taste. I like one that's big but not huge, medium-thick sides.
I love The Bloggess so I got one of her mugs on Zazzle. Plus when people ask me about it I link them to the piece that inspired it.
So I say get a mug that fits your own personal interests. Love Star Wars? Get a Star Wars mug. Or whatever.
posted by radioamy at 2:52 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I love The Bloggess so I got one of her mugs on Zazzle. Plus when people ask me about it I link them to the piece that inspired it.
So I say get a mug that fits your own personal interests. Love Star Wars? Get a Star Wars mug. Or whatever.
posted by radioamy at 2:52 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I got my sister a big WORLD'S OKAYEST SISTER mug. You should get WORLD'S OKAYEST BOSS, WORLD'S OKAYEST SYSOP, WORLD'S OKAYEST PROJECT MANAGER etc for everyone.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 3:00 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 3:00 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I love one vessels porcelain tumblers. They keep my coffee hot, they have a lid to protect my keyboard and desk against spills, they are easy to clean, they have a bunch of cute designs and they are a small, environmentally conscientious business. Technically you are supposed to hand wash to protect the designs on them, but I've run mine through the dishwasher quite a bit and it's holding up just fine.
posted by HMSSM at 3:21 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by HMSSM at 3:21 PM on March 12, 2015
One of my favorite mugs: good capacity, retains heat well, lip is not too thick, comes in nice colors for work.
posted by gudrun at 3:28 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by gudrun at 3:28 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
This mug is the best mug.
I know you say it's to be used at work and travel isn't important, but:
1) I have this mug in front of me. I put coffee in it at 7:30 this morning. It is now 3:30, and the coffee is still hot.
2) I have a second mug that's for non-coffee beverages. I usually pour a glass of ice water at around 7:00 p.m. When I wake up at 6:00 the next morning, there is still ice in it.
3) If you snap the lid shut, it does not leak. Ever. I toss it in my bag with other things and, whoa, no leakage!
It is designed primarily to travel, but I believe the above qualifications make it attractive as a sit-on-the-desk mug when you sit at your desk all damn day like I do.
posted by mudpuppie at 3:32 PM on March 12, 2015 [4 favorites]
I know you say it's to be used at work and travel isn't important, but:
1) I have this mug in front of me. I put coffee in it at 7:30 this morning. It is now 3:30, and the coffee is still hot.
2) I have a second mug that's for non-coffee beverages. I usually pour a glass of ice water at around 7:00 p.m. When I wake up at 6:00 the next morning, there is still ice in it.
3) If you snap the lid shut, it does not leak. Ever. I toss it in my bag with other things and, whoa, no leakage!
It is designed primarily to travel, but I believe the above qualifications make it attractive as a sit-on-the-desk mug when you sit at your desk all damn day like I do.
posted by mudpuppie at 3:32 PM on March 12, 2015 [4 favorites]
I'm a fan of the fucking coffee mug but my wife wouldn't let me buy one to take to work. I would enjoy suggesting that my boss buy it for me, though.
posted by fedward at 3:43 PM on March 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by fedward at 3:43 PM on March 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
The Floating Mug @Sophont mentioned is beautiful and is available on Amazon.
I personally very much enjoy my sriracha mug, but I desperately want a Big Hug Mug. A friend of mine has an incredible hulk mug that gets a lot of laughs.
posted by OrangeDisk at 3:57 PM on March 12, 2015
I personally very much enjoy my sriracha mug, but I desperately want a Big Hug Mug. A friend of mine has an incredible hulk mug that gets a lot of laughs.
posted by OrangeDisk at 3:57 PM on March 12, 2015
If I was to be given a mug, all I would ask for would be that it hold more than 10oz and look decent. I like the latte mug shape, though I don't drink lattes.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:00 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by SemiSalt at 6:00 PM on March 12, 2015
Back in January (can't find the post) someone directed us to loose teas at www.adagio.com
The site has a great porcelain mug with top/coaster lid and a handy tea infuser for $19. Many colors, the red/barn and sky/blue are particularly nice. The mug works great for loose tea, tea bags, coffee, hot chocolate -- the lid keeps the liquid hot while the tea steeps or while you're ruminating. I love that the lid becomes a coaster -- no more tea bags on the table. Dishwasher safe, can't beat the price. Nice shape and easy to hold.
We have two, and I think they would be cool for the office. Would like to thank the original poster!
https://www.adagio.com/teaware/porcelain_cup_and_infuser_barn.html
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 6:00 PM on March 12, 2015
The site has a great porcelain mug with top/coaster lid and a handy tea infuser for $19. Many colors, the red/barn and sky/blue are particularly nice. The mug works great for loose tea, tea bags, coffee, hot chocolate -- the lid keeps the liquid hot while the tea steeps or while you're ruminating. I love that the lid becomes a coaster -- no more tea bags on the table. Dishwasher safe, can't beat the price. Nice shape and easy to hold.
We have two, and I think they would be cool for the office. Would like to thank the original poster!
https://www.adagio.com/teaware/porcelain_cup_and_infuser_barn.html
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 6:00 PM on March 12, 2015
Conan! What is good in life?
A mug.
posted by bile and syntax at 6:49 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
A mug.
posted by bile and syntax at 6:49 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Mighty Mug!
I got one as a gift and it's great. It seriously does not tip over, which is invaluable if your desk gets crowded throughout the day. And the way it stays up is really neat!
posted by AV at 6:52 PM on March 12, 2015
I got one as a gift and it's great. It seriously does not tip over, which is invaluable if your desk gets crowded throughout the day. And the way it stays up is really neat!
posted by AV at 6:52 PM on March 12, 2015
Dang, fedward beat me to it.
posted by mon-ma-tron at 7:01 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mon-ma-tron at 7:01 PM on March 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Lovely, keeps your hand warm - make sure you get the one made for your handedness.
posted by vitabellosi at 7:43 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by vitabellosi at 7:43 PM on March 12, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggestions. Just to be clear, I am not buying mugs for other people, I am being bought a mug of my choice by my employer.
posted by firechicago at 8:13 PM on March 12, 2015
posted by firechicago at 8:13 PM on March 12, 2015
My favorite mug (mugs, actually - a gift from my mom) came from Greenbridge Pottery in Catonsville, Maryland. They have an Etsy store. I also have a bowl from them, purchased in the mid-90s and my favorite bowl ever - like, demanded-to-get-to-take-it-with-me-when-I-went-to-college-so-my-mom-had-to-buy-a-new-one loved. Their spiral stoneware mugs are lovely and not cheap, but under $30. I love how they retain heat, and how they feel in my hand. They're exactly the right thickness, exactly the right curve on the lip, and the spirals let your fingers fit around them just so. I enjoy the glazing (mine are blue, with many subtle color variations), and I like the way the spiral continues into the center of the mug, where it's just a little raised; it's just this nice aesthetic detail that I appreciate every time I finish a cup. If you like hand-thrown pottery, and you like mugs that don't have straight sides, you should get this mug.
I'm not affiliated with them in any way, I just grew up near where their shop is based. Normally I mostly like my dishware to be functional first & foremost, but there's something about their stoneware that... speaks to me, I guess?
Anyhow, I love these mugs more than I love any other object in my kitchen, and I I'm mostly a function-first kind of person when it comes to cookware and the like.
posted by deludingmyself at 8:48 PM on March 12, 2015 [4 favorites]
I'm not affiliated with them in any way, I just grew up near where their shop is based. Normally I mostly like my dishware to be functional first & foremost, but there's something about their stoneware that... speaks to me, I guess?
Anyhow, I love these mugs more than I love any other object in my kitchen, and I I'm mostly a function-first kind of person when it comes to cookware and the like.
posted by deludingmyself at 8:48 PM on March 12, 2015 [4 favorites]
I've owned Contigo mugs for years and love them, but as others have said, it depends a lot on your preferences.
For me, the fact that it keeps drinks hot for hours is great when I get busy, and the seal has saved my life/dignity/clothes/caffeine supply more times than I can count. I know you said being able to travel isn't a big issue, but for me, running from meeting to meeting I can carry it in my elbow or piled on top of computer/notebooks (or, let's be real, drop it or knock it over) without worrying about spilling.
posted by jameaterblues at 9:59 PM on March 12, 2015 [3 favorites]
For me, the fact that it keeps drinks hot for hours is great when I get busy, and the seal has saved my life/dignity/clothes/caffeine supply more times than I can count. I know you said being able to travel isn't a big issue, but for me, running from meeting to meeting I can carry it in my elbow or piled on top of computer/notebooks (or, let's be real, drop it or knock it over) without worrying about spilling.
posted by jameaterblues at 9:59 PM on March 12, 2015 [3 favorites]
I have a Snow Peak mug. Thin lip, doesn't impart taste, keeps stuff warm or cold for a long time, more or less indestructible, and it gives people the mistaken impression that I'm going to spend my lunch break, like, ice climbing or something.
posted by box at 5:06 AM on March 13, 2015
posted by box at 5:06 AM on March 13, 2015
To me, the two most important things in a mug are size and weight. At work, I want something heavy & secure enough so that I'm not worried I'll accidentally knock it over. And I want something small enough that my coffee stays hot till it's gone. The mug I've had for a couple of years checks both those boxes - it's a mug from the Fat Witch Bakery. It is very similar in shape and size to a regular diner mug, like this: Retro Planet Diner Coffee Mug.
posted by lyssabee at 6:38 AM on March 13, 2015
posted by lyssabee at 6:38 AM on March 13, 2015
A Cornish mug!!! Made in Cornwall, UK! Elegant and timeless!
posted by Sijeka at 7:30 AM on March 13, 2015
posted by Sijeka at 7:30 AM on March 13, 2015
Heath Ceramics are gorgeous and made in USA. Just looking at their Studio Mug in French Gray or Indigo Slate takes me into a zen zone.
posted by rada at 8:57 AM on March 13, 2015
posted by rada at 8:57 AM on March 13, 2015
I have the wicked awesome Zojirushi stainless steel mug. It is basically a time machine, since it loses literally no heat for hours on end.
If you make good coffee and dole it out over a long stretch then this is perfect. If, on the other hand, you can refill whenever you want, then get one of those heavy, handmade pottery ones. My sister bought me one and I love it…but is stays at home since I have to travel a bit to get more coffee here at work. *shrug*
posted by wenestvedt at 1:00 PM on March 13, 2015
If you make good coffee and dole it out over a long stretch then this is perfect. If, on the other hand, you can refill whenever you want, then get one of those heavy, handmade pottery ones. My sister bought me one and I love it…but is stays at home since I have to travel a bit to get more coffee here at work. *shrug*
posted by wenestvedt at 1:00 PM on March 13, 2015
« Older Help me Weill away the hours with things like Kurt... | Passport & cards temporarily out of my hands -... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by BostonTerrier at 2:16 PM on March 12, 2015 [4 favorites]