Alternatives to Mepal and Kambukka: 5 popular
reusable travel mugs

Mepal and Kambukka are well-known names if you’re looking for a reusable travel mug. But they’re far from the best choice for everyone. If you look a little further, you’ll find brands that score higher on everyday ease of use, are more practical for on the go, or simply offer a fairer price.

We’ve compared five alternatives side by side: Retulp, Flaske, Stanley, Hydro Flask, and Dopper. Honestly evaluated based on insulation, ease of use, leak-proofness, and price.

A travel mug for on the go has different requirements than a regular thermos. It starts with the dimensions. Does the cup fit under your coffee maker at home? Most machines have between 10 and 14 centimeters of space. Not all cups fit there, and that’s something you only discover once you already have the cup at home.

Then there’s insulation. With a travel mug, it’s not about your coffee still being hot after eight hours. What matters is that you have a comfortable drinking temperature while on the go. A mug that keeps coffee at a drinkable temperature for 30 minutes is more than enough for most users.

Dishwasher safety makes a big difference in practice. A travel mug that you have to wash by hand every day quickly loses its convenience. Not all mugs in this category are dishwasher-safe, so this is a criterion worth considering.

Leak-proof design is essential if the cup is going in a bag or bike pannier. And finally, there’s
durability. A travel mug that lasts for years and has replaceable parts is always better than a cheap one you’ll have to replace after a year.

Mepal is a reliable and affordable Dutch household brand that manufactures its cups in Europe. The Ellipse insulated mug scores well for leak resistance and is widely available at supermarkets and online stores. Still, there are reasons to look further. The exterior finish can peel off in the dishwasher with heavy use, so hand washing is sometimes recommended. And if you’re looking for a travel mug that fits under your coffee maker, is truly dishwasher-safe, and will last for years without visible damage, you’ll quickly find that Mepal has limited options to offer.

Kambukka scores high on ease of use thanks to the smart 3-in-1 lid on the Olympus thermos cup. The mug is easy to clean and widely available through Dutch retailers. Where Kambukka falls short is in value for money for those who don’t use all the lid’s features. Furthermore, production takes place outside of Europe. For those looking for a travel mug that also fits under their coffee maker, or one that simply feels more durable in daily use, it’s worth looking elsewhere.

The Retulp Travel Cup is a 275 ml reusable travel mug made from heavy-duty PP material and manufactured in Europe. In 2023, it was rated the best alternative to
disposable cups in an independent LCA environmental test. The cup is specifically designed to fit under virtually any coffee maker, so you can fill it right at home before you leave.

The locking mechanism can be operated with one hand, and the drinking opening is designed to keep your nose clear while drinking. Even with very hot beverages, no additional cup sleeve is needed. The cup keeps coffee or tea at a comfortable drinking temperature for up to 30 minutes, is dishwasher-safe (including the lid), and can withstand the daily bumps and stresses of heavy use. With every purchase, Retulp donates 1,000 times the cup’s capacity in clean drinking water through Made Blue to people without access to drinking water. Retulp is also part of Social Enterprise Nederland and supports WWF as a Business Supporter.

Pros
• Fits under virtually any coffee maker
• Dishwasher-safe, including the lid
• Vandal-proof and unbreakable in daily use
• Tested Best in LCA Environmental Test
• Can be operated with one hand
• Manufactured in Europe

Key Considerations
• Keeps coffee hot for a shorter time than fully stainless steel double-walled cups
• Fewer color options than lifestyle brands

Our verdict
The Retulp Travel Cup is the most practical travel mug for everyday use at the office and on the go. The combination of European manufacturing, coffee-maker compatibility, dishwasher safety, and shatterproof design makes it unique in its category.

In addition to water bottles, Flaske also offers tumblers in their signature style, available in more than 50 color combinations. The cups are made of double-walled stainless steel and keep drinks hot for a long time. Production takes place outside of Europe. For those who want to make a personal statement with their travel mug, Flaske offers the widest color selection of all the brands in this comparison. Individual engraving is available, making the brand a popular choice for gifts.

Advantages
• Over 50 color combinations
• Custom engraving available per cup
• Double-walled stainless steel, keeps drinks hot for a long time

Points to Consider
• Stainless steel is heavier to carry and shows visible damage more quickly when bumped
• Manufactured outside Europe
• Not all models fit under standard coffee makers
• Leak resistance varies by model

Our verdict
Flaske is the choice for anyone who wants to make a statement with their travel mug. Check if the model
fits under your coffee maker.

Stanley’s Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is a tried-and-true model for people who drive many kilometers every day. The push-button lid makes it ideal for driving: it can be operated with one hand while you’re behind the wheel. The insulation keeps coffee hot for 7 hours. Larger sizes are available for those who need more than a small espresso. A lifetime warranty makes it, in theory, a one-time purchase. It’s manufactured outside of Europe.

Pros
• Keeps drinks hot for 7 hours
• Push-button lid: one-handed operation
• Large sizes available

Points to Consider
• Stainless steel is heavier to carry and gets damaged more easily if dropped than PP
• High initial cost
• Manufactured outside Europe

Our verdict
Stanley is the choice for anyone who takes a large cup of coffee with them in the car every morning. Its insulation has
proven to be excellent. For light daily commuters, there are more practical and lighter options.

Hydro Flask travel mugs are popular among people who also use their mug on the trail or at the gym. They’re durable, provide excellent insulation in both high and low ambient temperatures, and come in vibrant colors. The price is higher than that of comparable brands, availability in the Netherlands is more limited, and production takes place outside of Europe.

Pros
• Excellent insulation even at extreme temperatures
• Resistant to impacts and drops thanks to its coating
• Stylish outdoor design

Points to Consider
• Stainless steel is heavier to carry and shows visible damage more quickly when bumped
• More expensive than comparable brands
• Limited availability in the Netherlands
• Manufactured outside of Europe

Our verdict
Hydro Flask is the choice for the active coffee drinker who takes their travel mug on the go. For
office use, there are equally good options for less money.

Dopper is probably the most recognizable brand for reusable drinking products in the Netherlands. The thermal version keeps coffee hot and is leak-proof. For anyone looking for a compact and lightweight travel mug from a widely known brand, Dopper is a logical first choice. Production takes place outside of Europe.

Advantages
• Widely available and highly recognizable
• Compact and lightweight
• Leak-proof

Points to Consider
• The stainless steel thermal version is significantly more expensive than the basic model
• Stainless steel is more prone to dents and scratches if dropped than PP
• Travel mugs are manufactured outside of Europe

Our verdict
Dopper is a good first step for anyone looking to make a conscious start. If you also want a travel mug that’s
dishwasher safety, check out Retulp.

There’s no single “best” travel mug. But there is a best choice for your situation.

• Do you want a travel mug that fits under your coffee maker, is dishwasher-safe, and
can withstand the rigors of daily use? Choose the Retulp Travel Cup.
• Want the most stylish mug from dozens of colors? Flaske.
• Do you drive every morning and want to keep one hand on the wheel? Stanley Trigger-Action.
• Are you an outdoor enthusiast who drinks coffee in extreme conditions? Hydro Flask.
• Are you looking for a compact and lightweight cup brand that everyone knows? Dopper.

Which travel mug keeps drinks hot the longest?

Fully double-walled stainless steel cups keep coffee hot the longest. Stanley keeps it warm for 7 hours, Flaske for up to 12 hours. The Retulp Travel Cup keeps coffee at a comfortable drinking temperature for 30 minutes, which is more than enough for most people who drink coffee on the go. For extreme outdoor conditions, Hydro Flask performs the best.

Which travel mug fits under a coffee maker?

Not all travel mugs fit under a standard coffee maker. The Retulp Travel Cup is specifically designed to fit under most coffee makers, which makes it unique in this comparison. Always check the height of your coffee maker and the mug’s dimensions before ordering.

What’s the advantage of PP over stainless steel in a travel mug?

What’s the advantage of PP over stainless steel for a travel mug?
PP material is lighter than stainless steel, unbreakable, and won’t get damaged if dropped or bumped. Stainless steel cups can get dented or scratched with daily, heavy use. The Retulp TravelCup is made of heavy-duty PP, making it virtually indestructible for daily use, while also being dishwasher-safe and manufactured in Europe.

Want a reusable travel mug that fits under your coffee maker, is dishwasher-safe, and can withstand daily wear and tear? Check out the Retulp Travel Cup at shop.retulp.com.