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Learn & WatchSubmitWe independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.Morning Coffee Looks Better in the Best Clear Coffee Mugs
Published: 20 Nov 2023As much as you love storing those hefty coffee mugs from company tours, a good chunk of the real coffee experience lies in its presentation. Clear coffee mugs offer a clear view of your beverage. You can watch the layers of your coffee settle or simply observe it spill down from the brewing machine. Made with double-walled glass, these mugs can withstand extreme temperatures and are therefore shatter-proof. The extra layer of air between the walls provides extra insulation so that your coffee stays hot/cold for extended durations. If you regularly drink iced coffee, these glass coffee mugs can transform your whole experience! Upgrade your coffee mug collection today – we’ve got a couple of top-class clear coffee mugs of 2023 to end your quest with the best!
Show contentsBest Clear Coffee Mugs Worth Considering in 2023- Tervis Double Walled Insulated Tumbler - Best Overall
- COAWG Glass Tea Cup - Runner-Up
- Libbey Crystal Coffee Mug - Contender
- Arc International Luminarc Bolero Mug - Honorable Mention
- QAPPDA Clear Coffee Mugs - Also Consider
Buyer’s Guide for Finding a Clear Coffee MugBuyer’s Guide for Finding a Clear Coffee Mug
Our selection of the top-rated coffee mugs has been brought about after a careful review of all available products in the market and the features they offer. However, one does not shop for coffee tumblers every other day! We want you to make an informed decision. For this very reason, we have prepared for you a thorough guide on all the important things to consider before you make your purchase!
Types of Clear Coffee Mugs
Glass
Clear coffee mugs made with glass appear more pristine than other types of coffee tumblers. The mug itself can be recycled and the beverage is visible – so you can look at your coffee layers and relish it with all the more craving!
What makes them comparable to ceramic mugs is their ability to let go of the taste and odor of previously held liquids. Unlike metal cups, clear coffee cups are easy to handle and sip from as they do not conduct heat. This also allows your beverage to remain hot/cold for longer periods.
However, glass tumblers are evidently more fragile than their fellow counterparts.
Acrylic
More affordable than glass mugs, acrylic ones come at a much better price. If you are someone who is always on the go and almost always rush through your morning coffee, the impact resistance of acrylic mugs will give you an upper hand when compared with other counterparts.
However, acrylic tends to absorb flavor so unless you are using the mug for only one type of beverage, you will taste hints of flavor from the previously poured liquids. Staining is also pretty common in this type of mug therefore, high maintenance is required to keep their appearance intact.
Plastic
Much like acrylics, transparent plastic coffee mugs are also on the affordable side of the spectrum. Since they are shatter-proof, they tend to last longer and are preferred for everyday use. Plastic tumblers are known to retain high-temperature liquids. However, you should always check before buying if the mugs are microwave safe or not.
Things to Consider When Buying a Clear Coffee Mug
Size
It is imperative that you check the height of the coffee cup you are purchasing. Any height higher than your coffee sprout will render your cups useless. It will only add to the hassle of shifting your coffee from one mug to another. A regular-sized mug extends to 4-inches – so if your coffee machine is anywhere below that, you will struggle to force it in place.
Price
Price is a crucial factor when buying clear coffee mugs, especially those made of glass. The prices of clear cups stretch over a wide range so you should know why you are paying the extra dollar when there is an available alternate with a lesser price. If you go a little too down the price range, you may end up with a low-grade mug.
Size of mug set
A single mug may only be best for yourself or as a gift. So unless you’re opting for a personalized mug for yourself, we would recommend you to buy a set of 4 to 6 mugs so you can serve your family and friends too if they decide to drop by!
Design
This one is completely a personal preference. If you are someone who likes to keep it minimal, the classic clear mugs will work best for you. However, if you wish to add a bit of energy to your kitchenware, you can opt for tinted, printed, or even engraved ones.
Handle
In the pursuit of a perfect mug, we often tend to overlook handles. You only realize this once you are actually drinking out of a cup with either really round and narrow handles or ones with hard uncomfortable edges. Handles play an important role in your overall comfortable!
Resilience
Clear coffee mugs are included in delicate kitchenware. Coupled with an inferior quality product, you may just be spiling your money down the drain. We’d recommend that you buy a high-quality mug, be it plastic or glass.
Glass is known to be more perishable than plastic but boasts premium quality – thick glass can withstand a higher amount of impact too! So make sure you purchase coffee mugs made out of a material that’s durable enough to stay scratchless and stainless!
Other Factors to Consider
Borosilicate glass
This material is best suited for clear coffee glass mugs, making them extremely durable and user friendly. Borosilicate is composed of a mixture of silica and boron trioxide and its most outstanding feature is its high heat tolerance. So if you are planning on purchasing glass mugs, borosilicate material should be your top pick.
Double-walled structure
Double-walled coffee tumblers are designed to incorporate air between two walls. This pocket of air provides insulation for the liquid contained and contributes to a generously shaped mug.
The added extra wall gives strength to withstand impact. We, therefore, suggest you opt for a double-walled design while purchasing coffee cups.
Microwave and dishwasher safe
If your coffee mug is both microwave and dishwasher safe, it ultimately increases its life span. Not only is the risk of distorting the shape while reheating your liquid in a microwave eliminated, but you also get a crystal clear view of your beverage after each wash.
On top of that, you will not have to worry about a hasty wash damaging your cup edges.
Best Clear Coffee Mugs Worth Considering in 2023
1Tervis Double Walled Insulated Tumbler
– Best OverallThis Tervis tumbler is a plastic mug with an optimum capacity of 16 fluid ounces. The carefully curated double-walled design offers high-level insulation and keeps the trickling of water on the surface at bay so that you savor your coffee for long. Made with BPA-free material, the mug is not only shock-proof but is also able to instantly lose odor or taste on every wash. The tumbler boasts an ideal size with a handle that offers a comfortable grip. One thing to be mindful of though; the plastic retains coffee line marks and the tumbler is overall a bit difficult to clean.
Pros- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
- Made with shock-resistant, BPA-free plastic
- Classic 16 oz fluid capacity
- Available in 4 different colors
Cons- Can retain beverage marks that may be hard to clean
2COAWG Glass Tea Cup
– Runner-UpThe delicately crafted European-style COAWG Glass Tea Cup is embellished with an enamel flower handle. The floral printed glass makes this cup perfect for a gift or for adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen. Composed of pure glass, the cups are free from lead, barium, or other toxic metals. Although best used for tea, the mug is designed to serve coffee, milk, soda water as well.
It comes with a complete money-back guarantee. So if the glass comes cracked or shattered, you have the option to get it replaced without any extra charges. However, the glass is not crystal clear and coffee beans oftentimes remain stuck at the bottom.
Pros- Handmade with European style
- Environment friendly with no lead
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Easy to clean mug
Cons- The coffee beans have the tendency to stick to the bottom – making it annoying to clean the mug
3Libbey Crystal Coffee Mug
– ContenderThe Libbey Crystal Coffee Mug can stand the test of time with its everlasting design. With a capacity of 16 ounces, the mug is shaped to have a solid exterior. Despite the sturdy outlook, the handling of the mug is effortless.
It is available in a pack of 6, the glass construction offers complete transparency to the beverage poured, and is perfect for serving hot chocolate, soup, coffee, etc. The fine quality glass used in the composition makes the mug dishwasher and microwave safe. However, the glass tends to crack when the liquid poured has an extremely high temperature.
Pros- 13 fluid oz capacity
- The mug is lead-free
- Has a crystal clear design, featuring a rounded handle
Cons- The glass may end up cracking at very high temperatures
4Arc International Luminarc Bolero Mug
– Honorable MentionThis one is a contemporary glass mug design, made of high-quality hypoallergenic glass. You can buy these clear coffee mugs as a set of four. Each mug has a generous capacity of 14 fluid ounces. Plus, the crystal clear glass allows the perfect visibility of the beverage poured!
The mug is ideal for serving tea, coffee, and hot cocoa. The wide handle and bottom make the glass mugs comfortable to handle and drink from. However, the bottom part stores water which can make it difficult to drain the mug completely. Also, the mugs are relatively heavy than most of their counterparts.
Pros- 14 fluid oz capacity
- The glass is crystal clear, allowing complete fluid visibility
- The mugs are dishwasher safe and easy to handle
Cons- The rim is prone to chipping
5QAPPDA Clear Coffee Mugs
– Also ConsiderThese QAPDA coffee cups come in a set of 8 pieces with a capacity of 15 fluid ounces each, offering optimum caffeine relishes. The wide base offers extra support to the mugs and prevents them from toppling over. The smooth rim and edges coupled with a thick handle add to the user-friendly experience of these mugs.
Made with top-quality glass, these cups do not retain marks, taste, or smell and are highly resistant to impact. The glass used in the composition is lead and BPA-free. However, the rim tends to chip off easily.
Pros- 14 fluid oz capacity
- The cup has 3-inch wide topple-free bottom and smooth edges
- Made up of BPA-free glass
Cons- Not dishwasher safe
Coffee Mugs FAQ
Q: How much does an average-sized glass coffee mug cost?A: Generally, the price of a glass coffee mug ranges between $12 to $30. You should not be paying more than that unless your mug is coming with some added features like gift packing or engraving. Prices may also differ depending upon the size, material, and shape of the cup. Ceramic cups are cheaper while glass mugs are more expensive than their counterparts.
Q: How do I know my coffee cup is lead-free?A: The best way to find out is to clink a metal utensil, such as a spoon or knife, against the mug. If it drags into a ring, there is a high possibility of incorporation. A lead-free material makes a brief and muted sound when tapped.
Q: What should be the ideal height of my coffee mug so that it fits into my coffee machine?A: Most coffee machines come without any information regarding the measurements of the cup they can fit. You will just need to work a little extra and measure the distance between the machine sprout and the bottom to figure out the right height of the coffee mug that can sit on your machine. Ideally, your coffee cup should be lower than 12-inches in height.
Q: Is it safe to pour boiling water into a coffee mug made of glass or plastic?A: Yes, it is safe to add boiling water to your coffee mug. To avoid shattering, place a stainless steel spoon in the cup before you pour the hot liquid in. The spoon will absorb the thermal impact directly.
The Cuisine Review Team’s in-depth guides and product reviews are designed to help you pick the best products for a beautiful and professional-grade kitchen and dining room. The Cuisine Review Team curates this content, and Cuisine’s editorial staff is not involved. Cuisine at Home is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Please contact aimperiapt@gmail.com for all inquiries regarding articles or product testing.Related Reviews