Ember Mug 2 vs. ionMug

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The Champion

Ember Mug 2

The Challenger

ionMug

Ember offers a range of high-tech smart mugs, the Mug 2 is its solution to keep your coffee at the perfect temperature while you're sitting at your desk.

Shop Ember

Pros

Free companion app
Auto shut off
Up to 1.5 hours battery life
LED indicator
20°F - 145°F temp range
Available in a range of colors
Scratch-resistant coating
Push notifications
Programmable via app
Charging coaster

Cons

Hand wash only
Can only adjust temp via app
No lid

The sleek ionMug is a rechargeable, self-heating mug with durable stainless steel construction and a handy spill-proof lid to help keep the heat.

Shop ionMug

Pros

Anti-spill lid
Auto shut off
Stays hot for three hours
Indicator light
Three preset temps
Available in three colors
Stainless steel construction

Cons

Hand wash only
Can't customize temp
No companion app

Vital Statistics:

Spec Check List	Ember Mug 2	ionMug
Companion App	Yes	No
Auto Shut-Off	Yes	Yes
Anti-Spill Lid	No	Yes
Indicator Light	Yes	Yes
Temperature Range	20°F - 145°F	Three Presets
Push Notifications	Yes	No
Programmable	Yes	No
Heat Timer	1.5 hours	Three hours
Finish	Scratch-Resistant	Stainless Steel
Charging Coaster	Yes	Yes

I'm a serial coffee reheater — the amount of times I trek to the microwave to zap my coffee back to life means I know it starts to taste weird after around the third time.

If you're a fellow serial reheater, then we have a savvy solution that will save your microwave a ton of work. Self-heating smart mugs will keep your hot drink at a tasty temperature for longer, giving you more time to finish the cup.

There's one we think is worthy of deskspace...

Why the Ember Mug 2 Has a Dedicated Spot On My Desk

Ember's temperature control tech has seen it become one of the leaders at the high end of the smart mug marketplace. The secret behind good coffee is science — the variety of beans, the type of grind, the temperature of the water you add to the coffee — and the temperature at which you drink it. Using the companion app, the Ember Mug 2 lets me choose my preferred temperature, anything between 120°F and 145°F.

So Why is Ember Mug 2 a Winner in My Books?

The Ember Mug 2 just edges past the ionMug thanks to its

Smart Functionality,
Excellent Connectivity,
More Affordable Price Tag.

While we wish the Ember option came with a lid, you can't beat the ability to "control" your coffee cup via the companion app. As well as set a precise temperature level (compared to only three presets on the ionMug) the Ember app allows me to create customized presets for my favorite drinks, and receive notifications when my beverage's desired temperature is reached.

The Ember app can send you alerts when your coffee is ready.

The Ember's battery life, 1.5 hours for the 10 oz mug and 80 minutes for 14 oz mug, is decent, but where it really shines for me is with the ability to place it on the bundled charging coaster which means you can enjoy continual, all-day warmth, saving those trips of shame to the microwave.

This mug features an LED indicator light that gives you a visual cue that your drink has reached the temperature you want. When your coffee has nearly been drunk, you can rest assured the mug's automatic sensor will kill the heat when the mug is empty, or after two hours of inactivity. Thanks to its scratch-resistant coating and its IPX7 rating this can be safely hand washed.