8 best mug warmers for keeping drinks at the perfect sipping temperature

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

We use apps for everything, so why not your mug? Doing so with this smart device gives you total control over the temperature of your drink and it will even notify you when it is perfect for sipping via both the app and the LED indicator on the mug itself. The app is simple to use and has many features, including allowing you to set the temperature you prefer best between 50C and 62.5C, personalising the colour of the LED, tracking your caffeine consumption and keeping your mugs’ software up to date. Plus, it works with Apple and Android devices.

The black mug we reviewed has a 295ml capacity but it is also available as a generous 414ml model for those who like a bigger hot drink, and it also comes in white. It has a fantastic mouthfeel because it is super smooth and not too thick, thanks to the ceramic coating over its stainless-steel core, and it stays cool to the touch no matter how hot your drink is.

The mug² will keep your beverage at the optimum temperature for hours if left on the charging coaster, but it can be removed and taken anywhere in the home or office for 1.5 hours of battery life. It also knows when to turn itself on when a hot liquid is poured in and off when empty. This smart mug is at the higher end of our price scale, but it packs in plenty of features, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.

Best: Mains-powered mug warmer

Rating: 7/10

If you don’t want to worry about charging a device, this mains-powered coaster-style mug warmer is an excellent choice. The stylish black design features a glass top with plenty of space for even giant mugs and a touch-activated light-up switch. The numbers on the control panel – one to five – show the temperature setting to allow you to choose the one that suits you. The range is between 35C and 100C, but we would question why it would need to go so high because no one is going to drink boiling tea or coffee. We were impressed by how quickly this mug warmer heated up and that it uses a gravity sensor to switch itself off when a cup is removed – but keep it out of reach of children who could burn themselves on the hotplate.

Best: Self-heating mug

Rating: 8.5/10

Take one look at this fine bone china mug and you’ll see just that, an attractive 325ml mug. But concealed within is smart technology that means you’ll never again have to drink tea or coffee at anything other than the ideal temperature. In the core of its base is tech that waits for your drink to reach that scientifically proven perfect 60C to 65C point – you will know when it gets there because the light bar on the front of the mug will stay bright red – and then keeps it there for an hour in two half-hour heat cycles. And when you take your last sip, it intelligently powers off.

This is a beautiful mug to drink from because of its fine bone china construction and it never feels too hot to handle because the base stays cool even during heating. It comes with its own coaster, on which it charges wirelessly, and amazingly, the mug is dishwasher safe too. It is the most expensive we tested, but it is a worthy buy if you refuse to drink tea from anything other than china.

Best: Stylish mug warmer

Rating: 8/10

The gorgeous design and quality of this durable mug warmer belie its reasonable price tag. It looks super stylish, with a coloured metal warming plate that is framed by a pillow-like trim made from matte silicone and features an LED screen at the front. Two buttons are concealed within the raised circular border and displayed as arrows for increasing and decreasing the heat intensity of the hot plate with a simple push. The temperature ranges from 55C to 75C in 10C increments and this gadget can even heat drinks that are below the temperature you choose – but we found it takes a while to warm up tepid beverages, so we don’t recommend trying to get cold drinks to 75C, or you’ll be waiting longer than you’d probably like. The Samnate mug warmer is available in green, pastel pink and an adorable pink design with bunny ears. It comes fitted with a US plug, but a UK mains adapter is included in the box.

Best: For fun

Rating: 7.5/10

Let sleeping, erm, bears lie, especially if they are keeping that cup of tea you’ve forgotten about toasty. This mug warmer certainly has the fun factor and almost mimics a mini taxidermy rug. It is made from silicone and sturdy enough for daily use. The device is USB powered and it heats up quickly, maintaining a temperature of up to 70C. We particularly like that it can be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge if there are any spillages to keep your mug warmer clean and fresh.

Best: Budget buy

Rating: 8/10

The price of this gadget shows that a mug warmer is never out of reach on any budget. It is ideal for those looking for a no-nonsense heated coaster that will reliably keep drinks warm but not too hot. The design is simple yet attractive, with a pretty convincing wood-effect trim around the silver metal hotplate. It keeps a constant temperature of 55C and evenly heated our mugs, as promised. It also features a non-slip base for safety. We like the simplicity of just plugging this in when you need it and taking it out when you’re done – no fiddling with switches required.

If you can’t bear to leave your feline friend while you go to the office, this cat mug warmer will at least keep their likeness close by throughout your working day. It is made from silicone, feels high-quality and features cute details, including a pink heart-shaped nose and white whiskers. It warms up quickly and reaches a max of 65C while plugged in to maintain the ideal drinking temperature. And because it is USB powered, this charming mug warmer will be your purrfect desk companion.

Best: For music fans

Rating: 7.5/10

Lovers of music and all things retro will flock to this cool (or should we say hot) mug warmer. It is a simple plug-in-and-go USB device that keeps drinks warm at a toasty 70C for as long as it is powered. The design is excellent fun, looking exactly like a miniature vinyl, and it is made entirely from silicone, so there’s no risk of stickers peeling off over time. And just like the other full silicone gadgets in our roundup, it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth or sponge when it is not plugged in.