CR Staffers' Favorite Cups, Mugs, and Water Glasses

If you’re a staunch believer that a hot beverage should be consumed from a generously sized mug, we have you covered. “If you want to drink your coffee out of a big ’ol beautifully glazed cup that makes you feel like you’re writing the Next Great American Novel (when you’re really just signing into your remote job for the day), this one’ll do it,” says home and tech writer Justin Krajeski. “I’m not a fan of small drinking products, and this mug’s oversized look and capacity are perfect for me. It’s handcrafted in Vermont, too, so you have something interesting to say when you have guests, and they ask.”

Senior writer Angela Lashbrook recommends these mugs from Heath Ceramics. “It feels substantial, will last a lifetime (I have Heath dinnerware and cups I’ve inherited from my grandmother), and has a classic look. It’s also designed and made in the U.S. It’s pricy but a hundred million percent worth it.” Bonus: They also make for great gifts. 

I purchased this set of mugs nearly a decade ago, drawn by their clever design. Coincidentally, writer and editor Danielle Claro is a fan for the same reason. "I love these mugs from Canvas Home. They’re ceramic (though they have the look of tinware), and they’re just the right size and weight. Super cozy, full of tea in the morning. And they’re sturdy, so if someone moves too fast in the kitchen (not naming names here or looking at anyone in the mirror), they tend to survive.”

Most people look for mugs that will keep a brew warm for as long as possible. I seek the opposite: a mug that could chill my morning coffee down to the ideal temperature for me to gulp it down swiftly before the day’s start. I bought these Ferm Living mugs on a whim, purely for aesthetic reasons, and have never looked back. It’s become a mainstay for morning coffees and evening teas, and best of all, it looks great through my glass door cabinets. 

Investigative journalist Paris Martineau is, in her own words, obsessed with this double-walled mug that looks like a mini Chemex coffee maker. “It is both chic and functional as it keeps your hands at a reasonable temperature even when the coffee is hot! I no longer use a Chemex, but I love my mugs,” she says. 

“I swear by the Duralex Picardie glasses,” says baby and health reporter Jessica Waller. She owns them in two sizes and loves them for their durability and the fact that they’ve stayed crystal clear even after years of use. “Made in France, they have a simple shape that’s timeless, and they’re stronger than regular glass, which means I can use them with my young kids and not worry so much about breakage or chipping,” says Waller.

And this isn’t the first time we’ve been recommended the Picadrie glasses. They’re the glassware of choice for several chefs and restaurateurs to boot. 

Krajeski loves a generously-sized vessel for water and other drinks. “These Bormioli Rocco Bodega Maxi glasses are clean-looking and durable in my experience,” he says, “I bought a set of 12 of them two years ago, and they’ve been a fantastic addition to my kitchen. They’re casual, and you can throw anything in them, from water to wine.” And if a 17-ounce glass isn’t your cup of tea, don’t fret; they also come in two smaller sizes. 

If simplicity is more your speed, a good old-fashioned Mason jar is a great choice. Senior communications specialist Elmer Guardado is a fan of the versatile vessel, which is perfect for drinking water and for food storage as well. “You can slowly build a collection for free by saving glass jars and lids from pasta sauce, jams, etc.,” he adds. 

I’ve long sung the praises of these stackable glasses from CB2. Sheer versatility aside, they’re ultra-thin and yet surprisingly durable. I own them in various sizes and use them for water, wine, cocktails, and more. They’re the glasses I’d buy again and again, and even after owning them for nearly a decade, they’re still in great condition. 

For those who prefer a more traditional wine glass, these Riedel varietal glasses are not to be missed. Marketing’s Billy Jones calls them the perfect all-purpose wine glass, with an ideal balance of delicate yet durable crystal that complements floral wines, as they are designed for. They also work well for sparkling wines, rosés, mixed beverages, and more. “They’ve got a nice weight, classy feel, and have a great overall aesthetic for any table from holiday feasts to backyard cookouts,” says Jones. “The only downsides are the cost, hand-washing necessary (or I would not recommend using a dishwasher), and delicacy of the crystal—they should be handled with relative care, but any decent stemware should be.”

Anna Silva, associate director of experience optimization, loves this stackable mug version for its ability to keep a midday tea hot for hours—you can thank its ceramic lining for that. 

Similarly, associate director Talib Nichiren prefers this 10-ounce Lowball version, along with a slightly smaller insulated tumbler from Miir for his quick coffee-on-the-go days. “The Miir is small and fits in my bag and my hand while commuting on the subway. The Yeti is perfect for long meetings and poolside sitting. Both keep my drinks hot and cold,” says Nichiren. 

Senior web editor Paul Eng tried the full gamut of insulated mugs before settling on the BruMate Müv. It fits perfectly under his Aeropress coffeemaker, is easy to clean, and its double-walled insulation keeps his brew hot for hours and ice cubes intact for just as long. But the best part is it’s leakproof. “The lid has eight ‘locking lugs’ that secure it to the cup and align the sip/drink slot in one of eight various positions (relative to the handle). And the sip/drink slot is also covered by a locking flip lid that has a rubber seal,” says Eng. “I’ve had piping hot fresh brew in this mug, locked the lid, and then had it flipped upside down in my hand while juggling a million other things while rushing out of the house. Not a drop of precious coffee leaked!”

A travel mug that can be easily toted to and from the office is a necessity for many of my colleagues. Senior research associate Tess Mader Yanisch prefers this Contigo travel mug for its ability to keep drinks warm for a long time and its screw-on lid with a leak-proof locking mechanism. “I’ve had mine for a long time, and I love it,” says Yanisch. “It’s a bit hard to wash thoroughly–every now and then, I have to take a tiny brush and clean out the screw tracks on the lid–but regular washes are easy (the locking mechanism kind of flips out for cleaning), and the lid is dishwasher-safe on the top rack.”

Senior writer Jodhaira Rodriguez uses this Oxo mug for her daily tea and lauds it for keeping her brew hot so well that she sometimes has to take the lid off to let it cool enough to drink. As a bonus, the lid can be completely disassembled, making cleaning even easier. 

Easy to wash and lightweight, Created’s insulated Cold Cup is another must-have for Rodriguez. “I travel with this cup when I have to commute to the office, and I make a breakfast smoothie,” she says. “There are days I haven’t had a chance to finish my smoothie until lunch time, and it is always still a comfortably cool temperature.”

Krajeski owns the FreeSip in two sizes–24 ounces and 40 ounces–one for outside the house and one for inside. “I love a water bottle. I’m probably the most hydrated person I know, and my water bottle(s) is (are) the reason for that,” he says. “The Owala FreeSip’s lid is super easy to pop open, and it connects to a straw that reaches into the bottle. You never have to lift the water bottle to drink out of it, which is, frankly, miraculous to me.”

Valerie Pedrozo, associate director of data governance, has had this Takeya water bottle for years, in an eye-catching hot pink hue. It keeps her iced water cold all day and fits perfectly in a cupholder. “It’s already dented from all the drops it has endured, but I wouldn’t replace it for anything (not even with the Stanley I received for Christmas),” she says. “It’s not too large that it’s cumbersome to carry around. The screwcap is attached, so I don’t have to worry about losing it or dropping it.”

Different glasses can serve individual purposes, so it’s only natural that someone can have a handful of preferred vessels. Present company included. I have several [favorites] because I work with three to four drinks on my desk at one time, says Rodriguez. This water bottle is the latest addition to her lineup. “It has a metal straw, is so cute, keeps my water cold all day, and is easy to hand wash because it has a wide opening that allows me to fit my hand inside.”