The world runs on coffee, but that daily caffeine fix comes at a cost. A staggering 2.5 billion single-use coffee cups end up in landfill every year, which is bad news for the planet. While technically recyclable, the mix of paper and plastic in most disposable cups makes the process tricky.
Lowelle Bryan, a specialist at WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) explains that a lot of cups are made with paper that’s lined with plastic. The paper and plastic lining can’t be easily separated at a recycling mill, so, these cups need to go to a specialist recycling facility via dedicated cup recycling points.
That’s where the best reusable coffee cups come in. Not only do they offer a sustainable alternative to single-use cups, they also elevate your coffee ritual. Imagine ditching flimsy, heat-sucking disposables for a stylish, sturdy cup that keeps your brew hotter for longer. As well as feeling better about your enviromental impact, a reusable coffee cup can also save you money. Many coffee shops offer discounts for bringing your own cup, so, your reusable travel mug will pay for itself over time.
With this in mind, it’s best to choose a coffee cup you’ll actually want to use everyday, so make sure it will hold the size of coffee you usually order and consider whether you’ll benefit from an insulated coffee design – these tend to be leak-proof, so there’s no risk of your latte damaging your stuff during the morning commute.
We’ve tried and tested the best reusable coffee cups, from budget buys to chic designs, so you’re bound to find something to suit your taste and help you get your daily caffeine fix.
How we tested the best reusable coffee cups
We test all of our products in everyday settings to replicate how you will be using them. Products are rated on several criteria and, while these can vary depending on the type of product being tested, we take into consideration everything from performance to value to design and usability.
For this review, first and foremost, we prioritised practicality. We filled the cups with hot drinks and assessed them on quality and functionality, considering how comfortable they were to hold, and whether they kept our drinks hot. Any leak-proof claims were also put to the test in our bags and we even shook the cups vigorously, just to be sure. Any other environmental considerations such as recycled materials didn’t go unnoticed.
The best reusable coffee cups for 2024 are:
- Best reusable coffee cup overall – Circular&Co. reusable coffee cup: £15.95, Circularandco.com
- Best budget reusable coffee cup – Ecoffee Cup Waicara: £11.95, Ecoffeecup.com
- Best collapsible reusable coffee cup – Stojo cup: £18.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best reusable coffee cup for keeping drinks hot – Frank Green ceramic reusable cup: £26.99, Frankgreen.com
- Best glass reusable coffee cup – Keep cup: £23.95, Keepcup.com