Nextmug - Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug (Burgundy - 14 oz.)

I was skeptical after issues with the other major brand of heated coffee cups. The features on this cup actually work as described. When set to the "piping" hot mode, it really does keep your coffee very hot. The different heat settings and the on/off button seemed gimmicky, but work as expected and are a nice additional feature. The materials and construction of the cup feel substantial. The lid is a nice touch that seems to keep the heat in and help prevent spills. The true test will be longevity of the coating on the inside of the cup. All the cups from the other major brand would begin to peel on the inside within months of use. Their customer service would argue this was chipping due to use of a metal stirring spoon. Even with a plastic spoon, the coating would still peel off. I believe the peeling issue was due to the rapid change of temperature when pouring in the hot coffee in a cold cup. I will report back if this cup begins to peel.Update 1/23/2025: This cup is still working better than expected. The surface coating inside and out still looks new. The battery life for heating is more than adequate. The software (software in a coffee cup??) is simple but well though out. It seems to know when the cup is empty or has been sitting unused for too long and shuts off the heating to save battery power. It heats the coffee quickly to the desired temperature if you happen to pour in some less than hot coffee. I look forward to using it each morning.

No matter if I use this for tea or coffee, this cup works! Real easy to follow instructions, but you'll want to pay attention to it as I believe it has a shut off time. The button on the cup is easy enough to locate, but not so easy that a bump will press it. You'd have to locate it and press it to make sure it's on and on your desired drink temperature. There's 3 to choose from, I usually choose the second one because it keeps it at a hot enough temperature to make it feel like I'm drinking coffee fresh from the pot, or freshly made tea. If you work in an office setting to where this would be real handy for you, I'd recommend it. I'd even recommend it if you work from home!

I have an Ember and Nextmug. I’ve had the Ember over two years and the base broke. One of the tiny little spring-loaded nibs lost its springiness. A weakness in design if you ask me. But, the Nextmug uses the same little nibs. Their design is a little stronger in that one nib is right in the center of the cup-base. But still, a weakness in design that you cannot (and I stress CANNOT) get the baseplate wet.I’m not sure what happened to my ember, but I ended up making a solid nib out of solder for the one that lost its spring. It’s holding, but I’m not confident in it. I’m guessing at some point, the Nextmug base will do the same thing.That aside, the Nextmug is superior for a few reasons. One, it has a definitive on and off option. Where the Ember has a sensor to know when you’ve added liquid, it’s hit or miss. The Ember on/off switch is also inconveniently located underneath the cup. And it also is hit or miss. Where it gives you a tactile response that you’ve clicked it, it’s unclear most of the time what you’ve actually done. Sometimes a light comes on, sometimes not. Sometimes it’s blinking red, sometimes it’s solid red, green, white, blinking…The Nextmug on/off is located on the side (superior) and it’s easy to know when the cup is off (no lights) and which option you are picking.The Ember app? Garbage. It is unreliable. If it works, it’s fantastic. The trouble is that it rarely connects no matter what you do. When I went shopping for a replacement, I specifically looked for cups that did not have an app. “App” means IT developers, means more cost, and generally for a product like this, average developers (I mean, it’s a cup not an air-traffic control system). Plus, the Bluetooth chips they must use have to be the bottom of the barrel (aka, unreliable). Therefore, all the features that the app provided (heating options most notably), were useless to me.The Ember cup size (10 oz) was a little small. There’s now a 14 oz option, but the train had left the station!The Ember on/off button on the bottom of the cup, again, is a nuisance.And here’s something I didn’t think I would care for… the Nextmug lid! I have to say, it’s great! It helps keep the coffee warmer without using as much energy (longer charge when it’s away from the base). Also, it nearly erases evaporation. And, I’m not 100% sure, but the coffee seems to be much less bitter because of it. Maybe my imagination, but the coffee taste better from the Nextmug cup. Plus, no spills (or at least, less chance of splashing).The Nextmug light indicators where intuitive and having a button for “warm, hot, and piping” versus an app… Way to go Nextmug!Between the Nextmug and Ember, it was an easy decision for me. I’m still concerned about the little nibs losing their springiness… But, there you have it.