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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
If you often find yourself heading to the microwave to reheat your morning java, there could be a better solution. While a quick nuke certainly does the trick, it can take away coffee’s original flavor, leaving you with a less-than-desirable cup. Another option is a mug warmer. These convenient heated coasters can keep liquids warm for several hours, allowing you to enjoy your cup of joe throughout the day without interruption.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur who wants the latest gadget with all the bells and whistles or someone who longs for something basic, there are a number of options available on the market to suit every preference.
Here are the best coffee mug warmers.
Best Overall
Kin Element Mug Warmer and Lid Set
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Amazon
Auto shutoff
Adjustable heat settings
Extra-long cord
Stylish design
No rim on coaster for stability
Only available in black
Users hardly notice this sleek and subtle mug warmer in their homes—until they take a delicious sip of hot coffee, that is. It has three temperature settings that range from 104 to 140 degrees. To alternate between settings, simply touch the front-facing sensor. The sensor also changes color to denote if the temperature is high, medium, or low.
While this model needs to be plugged into an outlet like most warmers, the 72-inch cord is longer than average and should reach any side or coffee table. The brand throws in a unique touch with a dishwasher-safe silicone mug lid, which provides extra temperature insulation for coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. The item also an automatic shutoff after five minutes of inactivity for safety.
One possible drawback is that the warmer's surface is totally flat, whereas some models out there have rims to give mugs extra stability. For the most part, though, it's easy to safely place a mug on the Kin warmer without fear of spilling. On the contrary, the lack of rim makes the surface slightly larger, accommodating bigger mugs. The base measures 4.5 inches total in diameter, but the actual heating part is 4 inches.
Price at time of publish: $35
Dimensions: 4.5 x 1 inches | Cord Length: 72 inches | Power: 18 watts
Best Budget
Home-X Coffee Mug Warmer
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Amazon
Budget price
Easy to use
Rim adds stability
No versatility
Short cord
This affordable option is easy to use, even while traveling. The heating plate measures 3.5 inches in diameter and has an on/off switch with a bright red light indicator on the plate. In terms of design, it’s very simple, with a plain exterior and a spot for the mug (you can only use ceramic or glass) to rest. It's also simple to clean with just a wipe from a sponge or cloth.
Appropriate for its low price, the Home-X is pretty low on features: It has no temperature control or auto-off. The cord is a comparatively short 42 inches, and it's made of pretty lightweight materials. Thanks to the value, this is a warmer you could take on a trip and easily replace if you forget it in the hotel room.
Price at time of publish: $10.98
Dimensions: 5.6 x 7 x 1.5 inches | Cord Length: 42 inches | Power: 17 watts
Best Splurge
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2, Metallic
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Amazon
Heating element is part of the mug itself
Long battery life
Easy-to-use app
Modern minimalist design
Expensive
Ceramic coating is delicate
This sleek and futuristic gadget isn't so much a mug warmer as a mug that warms itself. Where most models are just a base that heats up your own mug, Ember incorporates the heating element and controls into the mug itself. Our home tester loved the Mug2's minimalist design and found its 90-minute battery life more than enough to enjoy a long, leisurely, steaming mug of coffee or tea. (She tested the 10-ounce model; the larger 14-ounce model has slightly less battery life, but still an impressive 80 minutes.) The mug has just one simple LED light that changes color—white when it's reached temperature, green when it's fully charged, and red when the battery's low—and it charges on a slim coaster that's barely wider than the mug itself.
Besides a power button on the bottom of the mug, the Mug2 is entirely app-controlled, and our tester found the app seamless to connect and simple to use. You can set the mug temperature to anywhere from 120 to 145 degrees, with presets for different beverages as well as a personalized preset you can program with your own daily hot-beverage routine. The app also includes a steeping timer with presets for various types of tea, and it can even connect with your phone's health app to track how much caffeine you're consuming. The apps that come with many "smart" kitchen devices are buggy and hard to use, but our tester found the exact opposite with the Ember app, which is intuitive and just kind of works without you having to learn how to use it.
The main issue our tester had with this mug is its material. The Mug2 is available in several colors and looks gorgeous, but it's not dishwasher safe and has to be washed by hand. (It's also not safe to use in the microwave, which will fry the interior electronics and could start a fire.) The ceramic coating is quite delicate; the manual says to avoid using metal implements, and our tester's model was badly scratched by just one session of stirring with a metal spoon.
Price at time of publish: $129.95
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The Spruce Eats / Cheyenne Elwell
Capacity: 10 ounces | Dimensions: 3.25 x 4.2 inches | Weight: 14.5 ounces
"From the moment I poured my coffee into the mug, it stayed hot until I was finished about 60 minutes later." — Cheyenne Elwell, Product Tester
Best for Desks
Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer
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Amazon
Large surface for mug
Automatically turns on
Consistent temperature
Temperature isn't adjustable
Short cord
It's like something out of a movie set in the future: You walk into your office, put your mug down on this little glass puck, and it just heats itself up automatically. The gravity-activated switch on the Bestinnkits warmer is what makes it perfect for leaving plugged in at your desk, ready to go. It's also very slim, so it won’t take up a lot of room. You can even express your personality with several color and pattern options.
It doesn't have adjustable temperature, but this 19-watt mug warmer heats reliably to 131 degrees, and reviewers say it’s very easy to use. It's also waterproof as the heating plate is covered with a layer of thermal conductive glass and needs just a wipe-down after each use to keep it in good working condition. The cord is shorter than most at around 40 inches, so consider the distance from your outlet before purchasing.
Price at time of publish: $29.99
Dimensions: 1 x 5.2 inches | Cord Length: 40 inches | Power: 19 watts
Best Crocheted
Nandy's Nook Hand Crocheted Mug Wrap
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Amazon
Handmade and adorable
Easy-to-fasten button
Multiple colors
Won't fit all coffee mugs
Not as effective as electric warmers
This handmade wrap from Nandy's Nook is technically a mug insulator and can't actually increase the temperature of your coffee, but it's a sweater for your mug, and it's really cute. The cozy contraption, made of 100 percent acrylic yarn, wraps around the mug and connects in the front with a wooden button. Besides keeping the mug's contents hotter longer, it also protects the user's knuckles from being burned on a too-hot mug exterior. There are several color and button options available, with all measuring 10 inches in circumference and 3.75 inches in height.
Reviewers love it because it's well-made, and it makes for a great gift. Each item ordered comes with gift-ready packaging, too. In terms of cleaning, the maker recommends washing by hand and laying flat to dry, though it can be machine-washed and -dried.
Price at time of publish: $12.96
Material: 100 percent acrylic yarn with wooden button | Dimensions: 3.75 x 10 inches | Color Options: 8 colors
Best With Long Cord
Norpro Decorative Cup Warmer
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Amazon
Easy to use
Consistent temperature
Reasonable price
No auto shut-off
Temperature isn't adjustable
The Norpro coffee warmer is both functional and stylish. It has a heating plate that measures 3.75 inches, which is on the wider side to accommodate bigger mugs. It also includes an extra-long cord measuring 60 inches, allowing you flexibility as to where you can use it. There's a simple toggle switch on the cord to turn the warmer on, and there's an indicator light on the front to show when it's heating.
Another nice aspect of this mug warmer is its beautiful design. If you’re looking for something eye-catching, the base is made out of porcelain with a faux marble pattern. Unfortunately, that's the only design available, as opposed to other mug warmers that have multiple colors or patterns.
This is a 24-watt warmer, which is on the higher end for a heating coaster. Reviewers say that it keeps coffee hot for about three hours. The heating plate is nonstick and requires a simple wipedown after each use.
Price at time of publish: $19.99
Dimensions: 1.25 x 3.75 inches | Cord Length: 60 inches | Power: 24 watts
Best Design
Cosori Original Coffee Warmer & Mug Set
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Amazon
Adjustable temperature
Comes with coffee mug
Easy to use
Displays precise temperature
Large and conspicuous
Steel mug can get too hot
For the coffee aficionado, this mug warmer has a number of features that offer more customization than some other heating plates. Not only does it boast a sleek look with its brushed stainless steel finish, but it also has touch controls, an LED temperature display, and a water-resistant plate. Temperature settings are precise down to a single degree, and it has a wide range of 77 to 158 degrees. With 24 watts, this is one of the more powerful mug warmers out there.
As a bonus, the Cosori comes with a huge (17-ounce) stainless steel mug with a cool-touch handle and silicone slip-resistant sleeve that matches the base's look. Of course, it fits perfectly onto the warming plate, though you can also use your own ceramic, glass, or metal mug. The Cosori is fairly large, with a bold brushed-stainless look that will stand out on any countertop.
Price at time of publish: $39.99
Dimensions: 4.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches | Cord Length: 61 inches | Power: 24 watts
Best With Auto Shut-Off
Vobaga Coffee Mug Warmer
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Amazon
Three temperature settings
Available in multiple colors
Long cord
Difficult to clean
If you’re someone who easily forgets things, this coffee warmer comes with an automatic shut-off feature, which kicks in after four hours. Once the warmer powers down, a blue light will flash to warn users that the heating plate is still hot.
This coffee warmer has three temperature settings for warm, warmer, and hot drinks: 104, 131, and 149 degrees. The 20-watt device also has a waterproof design that helps to protect it from the occasional spill. The heating plate measures 3.5 inches, which should accommodate most cup sizes, and the cord measures 59 inches, which is on the longer side.
The only inconvenience that some reviewers have found is that the indented surface, which helps to hold the mug in place more securely, is more difficult to clean than a flat-top surface. It's not safe to rinse the unit under running water, and a sticky spill inside the rim might be tough to wipe out with just a damp sponge.
Price at time of publish: $30.99
Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches | Cord Length: 59 inches | Power: 20 watts
If you're looking for an affordable and dependable way to keep your coffee hot, you can't go wrong with the Kin Element Mug Warmer, which has automatic shutoff and multiple temperature settings. For simple, effective warming on a small budget, go for the Home-X Mug Warmer.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. One of our home testers also put one of the models featured above through its paces in a formal test and review.
What to Look for in a Coffee Mug Warmer
Features
Besides just warming the contents of a mug, many warmers extend their functionality by offering multiple temperature settings and help guarantee safety with an auto-off switch that turns the heating element off if there's no mug on the base or after an extended amount of time. There are cordless warmers that only need to be plugged in to charge and fancy units that you can control via phone app.
Design
If you've got an eye for style, you'll probably want to consider how this piece will look with the rest of your decor while sitting on the desk or counter for several hours. Some mug warmers offer many options for colors and pattern to match decor, while others are compact and designed to be nearly invisible.
Care
The ease of care for a new kitchen gadget is another consideration. How easy is it to keep clean? Is it made of delicate materials that break easily? Most of these devices can be simply wiped down with a clean damp cloth after use and dried immediately.
Size
The main thing you need to consider with size is whether the warmer will accommodate your favorite mug. That's simply a matter of comparing the size of the heating area with the size of the vessels you plan to use with it. But you should also consider the size of the whole unit; mug warmers typically don't take up a lot more space than the mugs they warm, but some fancier models are a bit larger.
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The Spruce Eats / Cheyenne Elwell
FAQs
Are coffee mug warmers worth it?
If you are serious about your coffee, the answer is yes. If you tend to drink your coffee over the course of several hours, get distracted easily, and/or have a habit of microwaving it to heat it back up, a warmer is a great solution. Coffee warmers also keep the coffee tasting fresh in addition to keeping the temperature consistently hot. Furthermore, they come at a number of price points, which can help you find the right one for your budget. Coffee mug warmers make a great gift for the serious coffee lover in your life.
Are mug warmers a fire hazard?
Many of these warmers have an auto shut-off feature and/or the ability set the coffee to a specific temperature. Exercise common sense and don't leave the item unattended for long periods of time, and definitely don't leave it plugged in if you have to leave the house. If you are at all concerned about a fire hazard, buy one that automatically shuts off.
What's the best temperature for coffee?
Coffee comes out best when brewed between 195 to 205 degrees, says Peter Giuliano, Chief Research Officer at the Specialty Coffee Association and Executive Director of the Coffee Science Foundation. As far as the ideal temperature for drinking coffee, people generally prefer it somewhere around 140 degrees. You'll notice that coffee mug warmers often have wide ranges on either side of this figure; some go as low as 90 degrees, others as high as 160. That's to ensure that every users can select a temperature to fit their preference.
Do mug warmers work with any mug?
Many will work with ceramic, glass, or metal mugs, but some of the brands we profiled here come with their own specifically designed proprietary mug. Just make sure to check to product manual to confirm which materials it supports.
What else can you do with a mug warmer?
Besides keeping coffee hot, a mug warmer can also melt candles to give the room a lovely scent without an open flame. Choose a candle in an appropriately sized glass or ceramic vessel that's safe to use with your warmer, and that's really all there is to it.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Cheyenne Elwell regularly brews coffee at home. She has been using the Ember Mug for over a year and also owns a coffee blog in which she writes about brewing tips, hacks, and new products, making her an expert in this category.
This piece was updated by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. Derek has written for the Spruce family of sites since 2019.
Jason Horn, who also updated this roundup, is a commerce writer for The Spruce Eats. He tends to drink his morning coffee slowly, and a mug warmer is useful when that cup becomes his afternoon coffee.
Sources
Peter Giuliano is the Chief Research Officer at the Specialty Coffee Association and Executive Director of the Coffee Science Foundation.
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