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When it comes to the ideal temperature of my drinks, I have a strong preference, and that preference is “hot.” I'll consume just about any beverage as long as it’s scalding: wine, water, cold brew (yes, you can do that). It’s a wonder I still have taste buds. On the other hand, I hate tepid drinks as much as that Dr. Seuss character hates green eggs and ham: I will not drink lukewarm coffee, Sam I Am. So when I get halfway through my mug of hot whatever and it’s already room temp, find me either pouring it down the drain or hanging out by the microwave, constantly reheating my sad partially drank drink.
The Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug was designed for overzealous people like me. Made of stainless steel with a ceramic coating, this heated coffee mug lets you regulate the precise temperature of your drink with a Bluetooth connection and the Ember app on your phone. Welcome to the future.
Yes, these here are pricey cups. But think of all the cold coffee that will no longer go to waste! The smart mug sits on a saucer that doubles as a charger, which is included with the Ember ceramic mug but also available separately in case you want one for every room. Leave your cup of coffee on the charging coaster and it’ll stay hot indefinitely, or you can walk around with it—to meetings, to the bathroom, to show off your steaming hot beverage to your neighbor—while the self-heating mug takes care of the rest. The battery life of the Ember, indicated by a little LED display, will keep your bev at the desired temperature for over an hour before needing to recharge.
The white 10-ounce Ember mug I have (it's also available in a 14-ounce version) washes easily and has stood up to turmeric, chaga mushroom powder, and hibiscus-based drinks in addition to hot coffee and espresso drinks. It also comes in black ceramic and a range of metallics—just don’t put any of them in the dishwasher. Ember makes a 12-ounce heated travel mug too, so if a normal insulated thermos isn't keeping that very last drop of matcha hot, it might be worth the admittedly steep price.
Lastly, I will note that this heated coffee mug's max temperature setting is 145 degrees Fahrenheit (the lowest is 120), and though that’s safer for my mouth, it’s just not quite as hot as I like the drinking temperature of my liquids. But, you know, that’s probably for the best, since hanging on to these few remaining taste buds is important for both my pleasure and my job.
This article was originally published in 2019 and was updated by MacKenzie Chung Fegan in 2022.