Is there a difference between a coffee cup vs. mug?
Yes, there’s plenty. I always thought the 2 terms were interchangeable.
Aren’t all coffee cups the same, and coffee mugs are travel mugs?
I was so wrong. It’s almost embarrassing.
How many coffee mugs or cups do you have in your kitchen right now? 10, 20, none?
I want to talk about the differences between the 2 coffee vessels and what they’re used for. I’m also going to share my top picks for each kind of drinkware with you.
Coffee Cup
What qualifies as a coffee cup?
Is it because it has the traditional handle, so you don’t burn your hands?
What makes that different than a teacup?
These are all valid questions. I believe what makes a coffee cup a coffee cup it’s something you’re probably not going to leave the house with because it’s going to spill on you or in your car or break. It doesn’t make sense for travel.
So a coffee cup is a coffee cup because it has no lid?
Not exactly. The Oxford Dictionary defines a coffee cup as a thin handled cup that is wider at the top than the bottom and may or may not have a saucer. They’re usually made of ceramic or glass. They’re of the daintier variety of cups than their heavier mug brethren.
I have some coffee cups, but they’re not my go-to vessel for caffeine. It’s because I’m a cold brew or large latte kind of lady. I do think they have their place in the cabinet, though.
If I’m making Cuban coffee, espresso shots, or Moka pot coffee, then a smaller daintier cup is required. Many baristas prefer a coffee cup to show off their talents with pours and milk art when making drinks for dine-in customers. I wholeheartedly agree with this.
There’s nothing like sitting down at a quiet nook on a cold rainy day and piping hot cappuccino with a beautifully poured piece of artwork on top.
Coffee (Travel?) Mug
A coffee mug is probably what most of us drink out of. Traditionally a coffee mug is a heavier cup with a handle that’s the same width from top to bottom. This coffee vessel is larger and is a workhorse. It’s big, burley, and might make sense for travel. There’s nothing dainty about this cup. It certainly doesn’t;t have a saucer.
The coffee mug is what I gravitate towards at home and when I’m out and about. I want something that can hold a decent amount of liquid and function as a serving piece for cold and hot coffee drinks.
When I think of a coffee mug (vs. a coffee cup), I imagine a heavy (possibly scratched and chipped) cream ceramic mug filled with warm, diner coffee and too much table sugar. Is the coffee great? Probably not, but it’s comforting.
When thinking of a coffee mug, the other image that comes to mind is a travel coffee mug. Something insulated, with a lid, and possibly metal. This is my mug of choice for my coffee. This is for a few reasons:
- It makes my coffee travel friendly because of the lid and possible ergonomics. If the travel coffee mug is spillproof, then even better.
- It keeps said coffee drink at the temperature it intended to be enjoyed. Iced coffee, this mug keeps it icy cold. Hot latte or pour over, this mug keeps it hot for hours. I’m not a fan of room temperature coffee, are you?
- It’s big. This travel mug is better because it can hold the caffeine I want (need) for whatever adventure I’m on.
- Bonus points if it fits in my cup holder in my car and whatever bag I have on me.
As you can see, I find a coffee mug (especially of the traveling variety) superior to the coffee cup. I have to go with the mug when it comes to the coffee cup vs. coffee mug battle. But this is just an opinion.
This brings me to my next point, where you drink your coffee makes a difference when considering coffee cup vs. coffee mug.
Where Do You Drink Your Coffee?
It only makes sense to look at where your drink your coffee and what type of coffee when deciding between a coffee cup vs. mug. Let’s look at what the 2 coffee vessels are good and bad at, shall we?
Coffee Cup:
Pros:
- It has a handle to keep your hands safe.
- It can be delicate and dainty. There’s an aesthetic to them.
- It might have a saucer. The saucer can be laced on top to keep your coffee warm or under the cup to make it more steady.
- Great for espressos, latte art, smaller coffee brewing techniques.
Cons:
- Breakable.
- Not travel friendly.
- Fussy.
- Doesn’t usually hold a larger amount of coffee.
- No insulation or cold coffee friendly.
Coffee Mug
Pros:
- Travel friendly
- Possibly spillproof/ leakproof.
- Able to hold more coffee.
- Cold and hot coffee friendly/ insulated.
Cons:
- Not suitable for latte art.
- Not great for guests (formal gatherings).
- It can be too utilitarian.
As you can see, choosing a coffee cup vs. a mug is a personal preference. It’s essential to look at what you want from your coffee drinking container. Hopefully, the list above helps make your decision.
Best Coffee Cup – Coffeezone Matte Ceramic Marble Coffee Cups with Wood Saucers Set
When looking for a good coffee cup, I want something special. And if I can find it in a set, then even better. I’m probably not making myself a fancy cup of coffee that requires a delicate work of art. I also like the idea of the saucer because if you’re going to do something, then I say do it full steam.
My choice for the best coffee cup is an aesthetically pleasing set to look at and is functional. This is why I chose the Coffeezone matte ceramic marble coffee cups with wood saucers set.
This set of coffee cups meets all my requirements for an excellent example of why you need to have at least one set of coffee cups. They’re beautiful to look at, functional, the right size for all your coffee cups needs, have saucers, and come in a set.
What sells me on this set is that it’s under $50.00, unique, and I’ll be using this for a long time because of its functionality and beauty. If this isn’t your kind of coffee cups et, Amazon has a ton of other options that will meet just about any design liking you might have.
You can buy the Coffeezone Matte Ceramic Marble Coffee Cups with Wood Saucers Set on Amazon for a lot less than they look. You’ll also get free shipping with your Prime membership too.
Bougie on a budget is always a win in my book.
Best Coffee Mug – Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug (Plus a Bonus)
I’m going to go ahead and share with you my everyday coffee mug. When I brew my morning coffee, this is the mug I always reach for. I even make sure it’s clean before I go to bed.
The Fellow Carter Move travel mug is a powerhouse of a travel coffee mug. It’s leakproof has a slim design that will fit in just about anything I want to throw it in. I can even put it in the inside pockets of my jackets. When I’m rushing out the door to get my 3 year old to school, I can drop it in my coat pocket and boogie with her on my hip.
It also is a decent size. Also, this travel mug holds up to 116 oz. of liquid with an impressive heat and cold retention rate. It keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours (whoa!) and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. I can’t say enough about this cup.
It’s a bit expensive and can’t go in the dishwasher (as most insulated travel coffee mugs can’t), but I think it’s worth every penny, maybe more. You can buy your own Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug on Amazon. They come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Bonus Coffee Mug – Fellow Big Jo’ Double Wall Ceramic Coffee Mug
If you’re looking for a more traditional coffee mug, then I’ve got a bonus pick for you. My favorite coffee mug that isn’t a travel mug (per se) is also a Fellow product. Their Fellow Big Jo’ Double Wall Ceramic Coffee Mug. It fits almost all of my requirements for a coffee mug, except it’s not leakproof or has a lid.
It’s heavier, utilitarian, on the larger sides, and it’s nice to look at. Again, with most Fellow products, you’re paying for the design and quality of their products. And this makes this seemingly simple coffee mug a bit pricier, but I promise you it’s worth it. You can buy a Fellow Big Jo’ Double Wall Ceramic Coffee Mug on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members.
Conclusion
Well, is the coffee cup vs. mug agreement settled?
I don’t think so. I wouldn’t even call it a head to head battle, to be honest. When choosing a drinking vessel for your coffee, it comes down to what you’re drinking, where you’re drinking your coffee, and what you like for said vessel to look like.
I hope you’ve learned some new things in this post about a coffee cup vs. mug. I’d love to hear what your go to coffee cup or mug is. Leave your thoughts in the comment below.