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Are Ember Coffee Mugs Worth It? (**Critical Review**)

A coffee mug that keeps my brew the perfect temperature … that I can control through an iPhone app… Say what?

In a perfect world, I’d be excited for hot coffee that I can enjoy throughout my morning, even after my hectic morning routine.

But like pretty much everything else, I'm skeptical about the brand everyone is talking about: Ember.

Don’t get me wrong, I hate when good coffee goes cold, but is hot coffee worth the same price as my monthly phone bill? I wasn’t sure.

I tried the Ember Coffee Mug so you don’t have to. And for once, my lack of trust in new technology was for good measure.

I’m just not sold on Ember's "revolutionary" temperature control mugs. Here's why I think there are better temperature control coffee mugs out there (and I tell you what they are)...

What Are Ember Coffee Mugs?

Ember, the company that invented the "First Temperature Control Mug", has pretty big goals in mind for its products.

According to Ember, their goal is to give people the power of temperature. LOL.

Watch this video get a quick idea of the features that made Ember make news, literally:

Inventing a product that maintains the perfect temperature, Ember says that a person's preferred coffee temperature enhances the taste of coffee and will ultimately revolutionize the way that people eat, drink, and live.

The Jonas Brothers even invested in Ember Mugs.

A little dramatic, but I do appreciate a company that understands the importance of coffee.

Their mission embodies my “Coffee is Life” mantra, which I dig.

Ember Coffee Mugs are supposed to keep hot coffee your perfect temperature, so the last sip is just as amazing as the first.

The mug is connected to the Ember app that can be downloaded on most smartphones.

Users can use the app to set their preferred temperature.

I was surprised to find out that the mug doesn’t just keep your coffee at the set drinking temperature, but with the app, you can also customize different presets for different drinks, track your caffeine intake and set timers for steeping tea.

Also, just for fun, you can name your mug and customize the color of your mug’s LED light... So fetch.

The future is now, friends.

Types of Ember Coffee Mugs

Ember has 3 different types of mugs that all do the same thing: The Ember Ceramic Mug, the Ember Copper Mug, and the Ember Travel Mug.

The original mug, the Ember Ceramic Mug, comes in two sizes, 14 oz or 10 oz, and comes in black or white.

Ember’s Copper Mug only comes in 10 oz size.

Both mugs have a 1 hour battery life or can be kept on the coaster for a longer set temperature time.

For those of us who have morning commutes and want the coffee experience to last longer than an hour, Ember created the Ember Travel Mug.

It only comes in a 12 oz size but comes in either white or black.

It has a 2 hour battery life before you have to charge it on the charging coaster.

None of the mugs, or the coasters, are dish washer safe, so you have to wash them by hand. I really, really hate that. Seems super lame that I can have all these updated, nifty features for my mug, but I can't put it in the dishwasher. Eh...

How Do Ember Coffee Mugs Work?

According to the Ember website, each mug has a microprocessor controlled heating system.

Don’t worry, I didn’t know what that meant either.

Basically, it’s like an air conditioning and heating unit for your house, but for coffee.

The mug’s internal sensors analyze the temperature of the drink, and heat or cool the system to match the preferred temperature that a person sets on the smartphone app, which can range from 120°F to 145°F.

So that's cool: I can set my thermostat and my coffee mug in one fell swipe. 

How To Charge Ember Coffee Mugs

Depending on the mug, the battery life is 1 to 2 hours.

After the battery runs out, the coffee's temperature isn't monitored and it becomes a less fancy, very average mug.

The mugs need to be charged for the coffee to stay at the set temperature.

All the mugs come with a matching Charging Coaster. It looks just like a regular mug and coaster, but you’ll know that it’s cool and electronic.

It takes about an hour and a half for the mugs to be fully charged. To charge the mug, the coaster itself has to be charged or plugged in.

Personally, I didn’t have any problems with the coasters, but many people I've talked to, or that have reviewed the Ember Mugs, have complained about how their coasters broke after a few uses. That's a problem.

Are Ember Coffee Mugs Worth It?

Personally, I like the idea of Ember coffee mugs. Ember creates a pretty coffee-lover product, which the does the job of keeping my coffee hot, and the app is easy to use.

But do I think the Ember mug is worth it?

No. At something like $150, the price point is way too high for a travel mug that only lasts about an hour before you have to charge it again. 

I also can't put it in the dishwasher. That's a thing.

And many people complain that the charging plate is fussy.

While the cool tech factor would be great for say, your office desk, the Ember mug didn’t WOW me – it was just okay. 

There are plenty of travel mugs now that maintain the temperature of hot (and cold) coffee for HOURS, without the need for a charge.

And when I invest in a product, especially one that describes itself as revolutionary, I really want it to impress me, and the Ember Coffee Mug just didn’t.

So, is cold coffee just inevitable? Should all of us hot coffee drinkers just accept our cold coffee fates?

Of course not, hot mugs!

I felt determined, so I found 4 other smart mugs, or smart mug replacements, that are just as good, if not better because they won't break the bank.

Best Temperature Regulating Coffee Mugs

Here are my top picks for the best temperature regulating coffee mugs money can buy:

  • Durable
  • Travel friendly
  • Long battery life

Personally, I like the look of this travel mug, but it may be too bulky for some.

The battery life is great, and the coffee maintains the set temperature that I set on the app or on the actual mug.

It shows the temperature, which is nice.

This travel mug holds up to 16 oz. of liquid, which is the largest smart mug that I found, perfect for my caffeine addiction needs.

Pros:

  • Temperature control through the app or the actual travel mug.
  • Coffee stays the set temperature all day!
  • 16 ounces.
  • Easy to use.

Cons:

  • It is a bit bulky.
  • The company only has the travel mug, rather than a regular ceramic mug.
  • Only good for traveling
  • Also durable
  • Has a nice, modern look to it

This electric travel mug really is only good for traveling.

You can’t use it in the house or at the office because it has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter port in your car. So, it's great for long car rides, but not everyday.

Also, you can't control the temperature, it just keeps the coffee at a set temperature.

I do like the sleek, all black look of this travel mug, and it’s easy to use. It didn’t wow me, but for the price, I liked it.

Pros:

  • It’s great for traveling.
  • Great price and durable product.
  • Easy to clean.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t keep coffee hot if the travel mug isn’t hooked up.
  • You can’t control the temperature.
  • Only good for traveling
  • Also durable
  • Has a nice, modern look to it

This electric travel mug really is only good for traveling.

You can’t use it in the house or at the office because it has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter port in your car. So, it's great for long car rides, but not everyday.

Also, you can't control the temperature, it just keeps the coffee at a set temperature.

I do like the sleek, all black look of this travel mug, and it’s easy to use. It didn’t wow me, but for the price, I liked it.

Pros:

  • It’s great for traveling.
  • Great price and durable product.
  • Easy to clean.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t keep coffee hot if the travel mug isn’t hooked up.
  • You can’t control the temperature.
  • Great price
  • Simple to use
  • Good for home or office
Sale

This temperature regulating mug set was easy to use and has a nice look, but you can’t control the temperature.

It automatically sets at 131℉.

It’s not cordless, and there’s no lid, so you can’t travel with it. This Ember mug look-alike is only for the home or the office.

The sleek, all black set looks great and can make any coffee drinker feel a little more sophisticated.

Pros:

  • Great price.
  • Sleek design.
  • Very easy to use.

Cons:

  • You can’t control the temperature.
  • No app, so no cool features.
  • Not cordless and no lid.

Cheaper than the Ember Travel Mug, but still durable, the Cauldryn Coffee Travel Mug is my top pick. 

I like the sleek, all black design, and the easy-to-use options that come with the app and the mug.

I feel high-tech and hip with this travel mug, and I’m super happy with my temperature controlled coffee that stays delicious for hours.

So the exciting thing is, this is just the beginning for the Smart Mug industry. And Ember is going to keep improving as many other brand pop up that can do the smart mug thing.

I'm still waiting for the day when my "smart" travel mug can refill itself...

A girl can dream, can't she?

Get brewing.

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