Who would have imagined that someday, someone would make a guide on how to buy a travel cup? I mean, it’s just a container, right? Yes, only if you look at it in a certain way. But if you’re someone who can’t seem to gulp down an ounce of water if it isn’t chilled, or someone who considers their morning coffee as some sacred liquid to keep them sane throughout the day, then this guide is perfect for you! Now before we get to the specific points, it’s essential that you know beforehand how you plan to use your travel cup, as this will instantly refine your field of choice. Now let’s jump into the details..
Portability
All travel cups & containers have got their own unique features depending on the purpose of use. For occupied individuals, however, portability should be on top of the list when buying one. Most especially when driving, having the wrong travel cup can be much of a hassle with all the spill and leaks you get from it. We all want to spend our day on more fun activities than cleaning our car, don’t we? Hot tip! Check the cup holder in your car before you buy and get an appropriately-sized travel cup for it.
Construction material
Travel cups come in various materials, but for the most part, there are stainless steel ones and plastic ones. Durability wise, anything made from quality stainless steel can last you for years and generally they provide better insulation as compared with plastics. However, they’re also usually heavier, bulkier, and more prone to dents. Plastics, on the other hand, are typically lightweight and versatile. Not to mention they’re generally cheaper compared to their stainless steel counterparts. And although plastic bottles can withstand some knocks, they are not 100% durable. So keep this in mind before doing your purchase.
Insulation
Do you intend on using hot and cold beverages in your bottle? If so, an insulated bottle is for you. When buying a new one, you must be always on the lookout for features such as ‘double wall’ construction which basically means that it’s better for effective heat insulation. Cold drinks will stay chilled for longer hours, and hot drinks will keep their heat for a good few hours, too. Although some might benefit from this feature, there are also people that don’t have the need to maintain the temperature of their drinks for longer hours. If so, you can save a good deal of money, weight, and space by sticking with non-insulated.
Capacity
Once you’ve identified its usage, you’ll need to figure the right size bottle that matches with your preferred activity. Generally, men consume about 3.5 liters of water each day, while women drink about 2.7 liters. The numbers may vary depending on how active you are during the day, just make sure to heed your body’s request for water by drinking when you feel thirsty. Easy peasy! Also, for coffee-drinkers who still prefer to use single-use cups, having a reusable cup might not only give you the convenience of enjoying your fave coffee all day on a large cup… You’re also giving the planet a huge hug by greatly reducing the number of plastic footprints!
Overall design
Is it easy to clean? Does it have leak-proof seals? Is it easy to drink from? Whew, how complicated can buying a mere travel cup get? Aside from the things we’ve mentioned above you probably never imagined there would be a lot more to consider before buying one. But at the end of the day, it’s still about personal preference. Just go with the one that best suits you, your activities, and the one which gives you the most benefit. At the end of the day, it’s just a cup.
If you haven’t decided yet, have a look at our entire collection of these cool travel cups & containers and more over on our website at Hunting for George.