Our Staff’s Favorite Mugs

Kinto Unitea Cup 15 ounce ($9 at the time of publication)

In seventh grade I decided my entire personality would be based on drinking tea out of oversize, clear glass mugs. (I must’ve seen this in a movie or something.) For weeks I begged my mom to drive me around hunting for one, before we finally found some at Pier 1 Imports. Thirty years later I still love a big glass mug. And though we have often recommended drinking tea and coffee out of Bodum’s Pavina Double Wall Glasses, I also love these delicate beauties from Japanese brand Kinto. They’re thin, stunning, simple, and affordable enough to replace if they break (because, trust me, glass mugs break often). They’re also available in a 12-ounce and 17-ounce size, and Kinto’s shipping was lightning-quick. I especially love the version that comes with a matching glass strainer, for a true tea-lover nirvana.

Pottery Barn Mason Stoneware Oversized Latte Mug ($10 at the time of publication)

These stoneware mugs are absolutely enormous, holding 25 ounces (most oversize mugs we’ve seen hold around 15 ounces). They come in black or white, and they’re dishwasher- and microwave-safe. And if you’re just buying single mugs, you can pick them up at your local Pottery Barn; the sets of four are available only online. You could eat a bowl of pasta out of these or just be really serious about your morning latte.

IKEA Dinera ($2 at the time of publication)

Everything about IKEA’s Dinera mug works for us—the Scandinavian take on a diner mug (more on those below), the bargain price, and the three muted color choices. “I am very picky about my mugs,” said Michael Hession, Wirecutter’s head of photography and video. After lengthy searches for the perfect mug, he found the Dinera while browsing at IKEA. “It has beautiful proportions, looks modern without making a fuss about it, [and] it’s the perfect size for me, at 10 ounces.” And since they’re so inexpensive, if you break one, it’s not a big deal.

Hasami Mug (starting at about $25 at the time of publication)

Japanese ceramics company Hasami has been making porcelain items for more than 400 years, and the Hasami Mug is a Wirecutter favorite. We like that no matter which colors you choose, the pieces always look like a set when they’re placed together. The mugs are also stackable, along with the company’s sugar pots and milk pitchers. Staff writer Katie Okamoto also has the tea pot. And Katie recently discovered that the flat lid happens to be the perfect warming spot for a chocolate chip cookie. We also like that Hasami’s porcelain is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Our staff has a soft spot for old-school American diner mugs, whether they’re plain classics or souvenirs bought from a favorite coffee shop. First made by the company Victor to survive rough seas on US Navy ships during World War II, the original mugs are pretty indestructible. Diner mugs have evolved over time, from new companies and with new designs. Yet the basics we love are the same—a weighty mug that holds 8 to 12 ounces of liquid and is made with thick ceramic (originally porcelain) to help insulate drinks. My personal favorites are from my childhood diner in New Jersey, the Tick Tock Diner. You have to buy those small gems in person (if you’re ever in the neighborhood). But below we list some other diner mugs you can order.

Highwave Classic Cafe Mug ($10 at the time of publication)

If you like the feel of a heavy, sturdy diner mug, we love the stoneware Highwave Classic Cafe Mug. It weighs a little over 19 ounces when empty and holds 10 ounces of liquid, and it’s a slightly updated version of the diner classic. My Highwave has survived several drops onto my kitchen floor, with just a loud, ringing thud. It’s the last mug in my cabinet I’m worried about breaking. I tend to nurse my hot drinks all day, long after they’ve gone cold, and this one keeps liquids hot for a surprisingly long time. Available in two colors—bright white (for a modern look) or the iconic off-white shade—this mug is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. A set of four will set you back less than $50.

Bubby’s Pie for Breakfast Doodle Mug ($12 at the time of publication)

What’s more fun than a diner mug from a pie shop? Bubby’s in New York City offers three designs from doodles sketched by owner Ron Silver, but the Pie for Breakfast mug is our favorite. If you can’t get that mug, we have plenty of other suggestions from restaurants and coffee shops. Consider diner mugs from Old City Coffee in Philly; Leelanau Coffee in Glen Arbor, Michigan; Carolines Coffee Roasters in Grass Valley, California; and Café Du Monde in New Orleans. Staff writer Katie Okamoto has a mug from Hart’s in Brooklyn, New York. And software engineer Jacob Baker is a fan of East Pole’s From Atlanta mug. “My partner and I have about 20 more mugs than we need,” he said, but this one, from his favorite coffee shop, is his go-to. “I have considered buying another one, just to have a backup!” We also can’t get enough of the bowl-shaped coffee mug from Junior’s in New York (even though it doesn’t have the classic diner-mug shape). This one is making us crave the diner’s famous cheesecake and a cup of joe.

Secondhand, vintage diner mugs (prices and availability vary)

“I’m a fan of the super-heavy vintage diner mugs you can find on eBay,” said senior staff writer Tim Heffernan. Victor, Shenango, Ventura, and Rego are the most common makers. And if you prefer vintage mugs, it’s not too hard to find sets, mostly in brown or off-white. “My Venturas weigh 19.5 ounces empty and 26.5 when as full as you’d ever dare,” he said. Why does Tim love them? “Because on cold mornings, if you fill them with boiling water for a few minutes before dumping it and adding your beverage, they absorb the heat and keep the beverage—and your hands—warm for a good hour,” he said. “Also you can drop them onto hard tile and they won’t break.”

Sometimes we find companies that make seasonal or limited-series mugs, and we want to collect them all. For my husband, that means getting Starbucks You Are Here mugs everywhere he goes, or receiving them as gifts from traveling friends and family. Below we list our favorites mugs for starting your own collection or sharing with your favorite people.

Emma Bridgewater ½ Pint Mugs ($35 at the time of publication)

In the midst of the pandemic, when supervising editor Daniela Gorny and I both discovered The Great Pottery Throw Down on HBO Max, we fell in love with Emma Bridgewater’s pottery. Our weekly meetings are probably now a 40/60 split of work talk and mug talk, especially when a new line is announced. Many of the mugs (and bowls, plates, jugs, and other assorted lovelies) are limited-edition models, so you have to get them when you can. I collect Emma Bridgewater’s chicken mugs, and Daniela’s aiming to collect all the flower themes. “This snowdrop mug [pictured above] is on my wish list!” she said. The half-pint size is great for morning coffee, but the company also has larger cocoa mugs. My daughter also has a small personalized mug, perfectly sized for kids, and it has become her favorite for hot chocolate. The pottery is easy to mix and match for a casual, English-cottage-style collection in your cupboards.

Vietri Maccarello Mug (about $40 at the time of publication)

Vietri was founded in the 1980s by an American family inspired by a trip to Italy. The company is woman-owned, the pieces are still made by Italian artisans, and they’re absolutely delightful. “I treated myself to the Maccarello Mug,” said editor Gabriella Gershenson. “It’s big and beautiful. The painted mackerel pattern is soothing to look at, and the glaze has a nice, slick finish.” We want the matching jug, too. We also love the Campagna and Wildlife mug collections. “My only complaint is that the fish are painted on just one side, so I have to angle the mug in a certain direction to enjoy them,” Gabriella added.

Le Creuset Mug ($20 at the time of publication)

I’d been coveting the Le Creuset stoneware mugs for a while, and when I finally got one, it did not disappoint. Le Creuset may be known for its enamel-coated cast-iron Dutch ovens (and I love mine deeply). Yet the surprise star of my Le Creuset life is a set of the company’s ramekins, which someone gave me in 2007 and have been an indestructible presence ever since, retaining heat perfectly for melting butter or warming up pancake syrup. These mugs are made from the same stoneware as the ramekins (which don’t have a scratch or a chip on them). After getting my first Le Creuset Mug, I think they’ll be just as fun and durable in the kitchen. So many colors, and so nice to hold! I can see myself collecting the full rainbow over time, or giving one as a bright, happy gift to friends, my daughter’s teachers, or even in a gift swap here at work.

Royal Copenhagen Alphabet Mug ($105 at the time of publication)

These porcelain mugs are a definite splurge, but imagine the look on your loved one’s face when they unwrap one. Royal Copenhagen has been making Danish finery since 1775, and some of the company’s original prints are still in production. The Scandinavian designs are clean yet elegant, subtle but with a twinkle (the Blue Fluted Mega mugs are also charming). We think these Royal Copenhagen mugs are wonderful as wedding and housewarming gifts, or just to make someone smile. You can collect the whole alphabet. The company’s mugs and cups can be mixed and matched, so an ornate alphabet mug looks right at home alongside a simple white cup. We’ve also seen these on sale for around $85, so keep an eye out for those deals.

Taylor & Ng Elephants Animates Mug (about $10 at the time of publication)

“When I was a little kid, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house, and I never understood why my grandma would laugh when I requested to drink from these mugs,” said staff writer Dorie Chevlen. “Years later I took a closer look and finally got it.” She said her grandmother bought the mugs when she started a job as a sex educator. “No small feat for a mother of three kids in the 1960s!” Dorie said. She and her sister bought a set identical to their grandmother’s when they moved into an apartment together in New York. The mugs are still made by the same company. “Just like her, we delight in offering cups of coffee to guests in these slyly sexual vessels, awaiting their delighted—or horrified—responses.”

Franca Finca Tatas Mug ($45 at the time of publication)

At first glance, these mugs by Jazmin de la Guardia and Sierra Yip-Bannicq appear to have a simple abstract design. But keep looking, and suddenly it’s clear—tatas everywhere. The designers, who own the design studio and ceramics store Franca in New York City, are taking preorders for these handmade porcelain pieces (which will take three to four weeks to ship). The company has fans at Wirecutter—the women designed the debossed T mug, in The New York Times’s store, which is about the same size, shape, and material. “I am notorious for not finishing my mug of coffee or tea,” said supervising editor Marilyn Ong of the T mug, “so I love smaller cups that, for me, are juuuust right.” She said she thinks the Tatas mug will be similarly lovely (and a little more mischievous).

District of Clothing Cup of Ambition Mug ($14 at the time of publication)

Black-woman–owned District of Clothing is all over my Instagram feed with empowering memes and the Trust Black Women T-shirt, which founder Dionna Dorsey created. I ordered this Cup of Ambition vessel—inspired by icon and national treasure Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5”—as soon as I saw it. It’s the cup I reach for when I’m tackling a giant to-do list, when I’m on a tough deadline, or when I just need a reminder that I’ve got this.

Just Funky Golden Girls Stay Golden Coffee Mug ($20 at the time of publication)

I couldn’t tell you why I was scrolling Target’s site late one night last year looking at Golden Girls merchandise, but I was. And I found this incredible mug and ordered it immediately (along with two sets of Golden Girls Mad Libs). Everything about it—the sunny color, those four magnificent ladies smiling out at me, the 20 ounces of tea it holds—makes me smile, especially when I have to function early in the morning against my will. This mug is technically not dishwasher-safe, but I’ve run it through dozens of times (it now has a small chip on the rim). And it’s still one of my favorite mug purchases ever. I hope to use it to raise a glass to Betty White, the last surviving Golden Girl, when she turns 100 in January 2022.

We love supporting small pottery businesses, and Instagram is a treasure trove of potters selling their creations. Scrolling #handmademug is a good place to start, and if you want to shop local there’s probably also a hashtag for that. I’ve used #seattlepotter and #pnwpotter to find artists near me in Washington, either online or at local craft markets (and this is the perfect time of year for them). Potters on social media use a few different methods to sell their mugs online. Some announce shop updates ahead of time for limited-edition items, which often sell out in minutes (senior editor Christine Ryan had marked her calendar for a recent drop, in late November, of speckled mugs from Milwaukee-based Lolly Lolly Ceramics, which tend to sell out quickly.) Some let you sign up to receive email notifications when they restock popular items. And still others offer pre-orders for favorite designs. A few just post what they’ve made on Instagram, and you can message them if you’d like to buy something. So even though not everything you see below is always in stock, it’s worth following the potters you like so you can grab one next time. These are our favorites, and they use a mix of these selling methods.

Gray Lane Ceramics In Nature Mugs (prices vary)

Canadian potter Erin Seeley’s tree mugs are the favorite handmade mugs in my house right now. I bought a pair of them this fall during one of her very popular shop updates (I did indeed mark my calendar so I wouldn’t miss it). My husband is developing a taste for matte-finish mugs, and he’s now a fan of the simple, modern designs from Gray Lane Ceramics. The mugs are understated and earthy, they hold a generous 16-ounce cup of coffee, and they fit in perfectly in our woodsy farmhouse. Shipping is not cheap, but if you’re starting a collection and want something modern and special that works for everyday use, set your alarm for her next update.

Mt. Washington Pottery Facet Carved Mug (about $75 at the time of publication)

The Facet Carved Mug from Mt. Washington Pottery is a favorite with supervising editor Daniela Gorny. “I got a pair of these as a housewarming gift, and they’ve become some of my favorite mugs,” she said. The size and shape of the handle works for how she drinks coffee. “I usually just grab the mug like a cup instead of from the handle, and the small loop is perfect for a couple of fingers to wedge through.” Even though these mugs are dishwasher-safe, Daniela hand-washes them. And that’s probably a good rule of thumb for most handmade mugs, if you want them to last for years and years. You can usually check the site to see if there are any mugs for sale; the shop also sells its mugs through various stockists and at local craft fairs, if you’re in the Los Angeles area.

Under the Tree Earthy Blue Glaze Mug (about $95 for two at the time of publication)

Small production mugs can be expensive, but they can also create long-lasting memories, as well as a special fondness for the maker. “It’s 21 years old. It’s art. It’s a time and place connection,” said senior staff writer Lauren Dragan of the mug she bought decades ago from the artists at Under the Tree when she lived in Ithaca, New York. “They made it with clay sourced from the creek where I lived. So I’m literally holding a piece of that time and place.” The shop is still going today, and some of its mugs are available online. This earthy blue-glaze pair isn’t the same as Lauren’s, but we love the big, rounded shape.

Amelia Wrede Davis Field Tumbler ($40 at the time of publication)

The Amelia Wrede Davis Field Tumbler’s colors and glazes change from time to time, but the design itself doesn’t seem to. “I love the little thumbprint mark instead of a handle,” said updates writer Nena Farrell. The tumbler style can make the cup hot to handle at first, but it holds a respectable 14 ounces. “It makes my morning cup of tea feel like a splurge in a cool coffee shop,” Nena said. Her version isn’t speckled, “but I’m heavily considering adding a speckled one to my collection.”

Sublime Pottery Mugs (prices vary)

I recently bought a stein-sized mug from Sublime Pottery (mine is 27 ounces, but each mug is slightly different), and I cannot stop looking at it. The color and details in the glossy, rainbow-hued surface are so pretty that I can’t decide whether to drink tea from it or display it on a shelf. The company releases new items every few weeks, and they sell out fast—so fast, in fact, that the website has an entire page of instructions for how to navigate restocks. These mugs are a splurge, especially for the larger sizes, but the glazes are too gorgeous to pass up.

Okay Cup by Martina Thornhill (about $55 at the time of publication)

Martina Thornhill’s ceramic Okay Cup is styled to look like a coffee-shop to-go cup, and it’s got a pretty big following. “[They’re] so popular that she has to sell them on monthly pre-orders now,” said Wirecutter photo editor Rozette Rago. They arrive with a silicon lid and heat band to protect your hands. And “they come in the prettiest color combinations,” Rozette said.