How to keep your coffee warm at your desk (all day)

You pour a coffee, open your inbox, take a call, and twenty minutes later it's cold. Here are three ways to fix that, from free to fancy.

1. Put a lid on it (free to cheap)

Most heat escapes from the top of the mug. A lid, or any insulated mug with a lid, slows that down a lot. Pre-warming the mug with hot water before you pour helps too. This buys you extra time, but it won't keep a drink hot for hours.

2. Use a mug warmer plate (cheap)

A warmer plate sits on your desk and heats whatever mug you put on it. It's simple and inexpensive. The downsides: you don't get to choose the exact temperature, the mug only stays warm while it's on the plate, and thin or tall mugs don't heat evenly.

3. Get a heated smart mug (best)

If you're a slow sipper, a heated mug is the real fix. Our pick is the Ember Mug 3. You set the temperature on the mug (or in the optional app) and it holds it for you.

Ember Mug 3 Gear

A heated smart mug that keeps coffee or tea at your exact temperature, sip after sip

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What makes Mug 3 better than earlier Ember mugs:

• No app needed. Set the temperature with the button on the mug.
• Longer battery. Ember says over 3 hours with the included sliding lid, about 80 minutes without it, and all day on the charging coaster.
• Dishwasher safe. Top rack only, and let it dry before charging.

Which should you pick?

• You drink your coffee in ten minutes: a lid is all you need.
• You want warm coffee on a budget: a mug warmer plate.
• You sip for an hour or more, every day: the Ember Mug 3. It costs more, but it's the only option here that keeps your drink at the temperature you actually want.