About.com Rating

November 27, 2013

I recently tested two products from Contigo® - an insulated tumbler you can shake and a stainless travel mug you can't spill. Read more to see how they performed.

Contigo AutoClose™ Shake & Go Tumbler

Product Description:

• 100% Leak-proof shaking and mixing
• Ideal for iced coffee, iced tea, powdered beverages and water enhancers
• Double-wall construction keeps beverages colder, longer; sweat resistant

• Fits under most single-serve brewers
• Includes reusable straw
• Durable, shatter-resistant
• BPA-free Tritan™ repels stains and odors
• Top-rack dishwasher safe
• Available in various colors in 16 oz or 20 oz
• MSRP: $12.99 (16 oz); $14.99 (20 oz)
• Find at Target, Meijer or where Contigo products are sold
• Learn more from the manufacturer

There's a good variety of insulated tumblers on the market but the Contigo has something others do not - a complete sealing mechanism, so you can shake it however you want and you won't get a leak.

I found this a great way to blend ingredients or get the ice cubes circulating. Then add the reusable straw and enjoy. But don't shake it with the straw onboard; there's a slight gap and you will get a leak. As I found out, it's extremely tough to resist shaking this tumbler.

With a double wall construction, it keeps beverages hot or cold longer than the average single-wall tumbler. You also get less condensation which is really nice. Ice even lasts much longer. Two hours after making an iced coffee, ice cubes were still fairly large.

The gap around the straw is minimal, so that helps too, keeping contents cold or hot. How long it will keep icy beverages cold depends of course on the local temperature. This tumbler could also be used for hot beverages too.

The lid applies quickly and the tumbler is easy to clean, but I’d recommend washing or rinsing it immediately after use. It is dishwasher safe, but top rack only. This product seems very durable and is competitively priced. It’s a great tumbler for those on the go.

Contigo AUTOSEAL® West Loop Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Product Description:

• Patented AUTOSEAL® lid automatically seals between sips to eliminate spills, leaks
• Easy, one-handed use with no caps or spouts
• Double wall vacuum insulated stainless steel keeps beverages hot for 4 hours; cold for 12 hours
• Fits most single-serve brewers
• Fits car cup holders
• Lid is top rack dishwasher safe
• Available in variety of colors; 16 oz or 20 oz capacity
• Find at Target, Meijer or where Contigo products are sold
• MSRP: $20.99 (16 oz); $24.99 (20 oz)
• Learn more from the manufacturer

This is a very nice looking travel mug that feels comfortable in the hand. And I do like the way it seals between sips, so if you drop it in the vehicle, it doesn't leak. However, that first sip of freshly brewed coffee or tea, is extremely hot so caution is advised. Those who like very hot beverages, would love this travel mug. I had to wait a bit before drinking comfortably.

After one hour, coffee was still hot; at two hours it was better than warm. This mug would be awesome when ice fishing. Hot beverages usually tend to feel hotter from a stainless mug than a plastic one, but the double wall thermal construction combined with the AUTOSEAL, helps to keep contents warm or cold even longer.

The leak and spill proof design is surely notable. That is, as long as the screw-on lid is properly applied. If you can see the (stainless) threading, it’s not on tight enough. Add downward pressure on the lid and tighten another turn. Then you're good to go. That means you can take this mug anywhere, in the boat, vehicle or enjoy hot coffee while doing yard work and so on. The 16 oz mug does fit a Keurig® single serve brewer (drip tray removed).

The press-and-hold single handed function to open the AUTOSEAL so you can drink works fine for us. This is very different than the usual mug drinking set-up. And I do love how it seals the mug after each sip and release. However, those with problem hands could have an issue applying pressure to release the seal to drink.

Overall, I do love this travel mug - its auto-seal design and how it keeps contents hot or cold longer than our current stainless mug. If you want the lid to keep working well, wash or rinse immediately after use. See product brochure for complete care and use instructions.

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