It’s one thing to brew a perfect cup of coffee, but it’s another thing to serve the perfect coffee and keep it at the right temperature. Coffee is brewed at near boiling temperatures, but us humans don’t drink it that hot (I sure as hell hope no one does). That’s where a heated mug can be useful. A heated mug does more than just keep your coffee warm—it actually helps to maintain the proper temperatures that bring out the most flavors from your favorite brew. According to some sources, much of the flavors are best experienced at 120-140 F. This is very consistent with the heat settings of my Mainstays Heated Coffee Mug, which has settings for 135-145 F. And it sure is nice having to visit the microwave a few times, because I will wait for my coffee to cool down, then forget about it, and heat it up! Heated coffee mugs used to be pricey, but the Mainstays Heated Mug is barely over $25.

What do you get at this price? A lot. The heated mug has a built-in battery that is charged by the non-slip coaster, providing up to 2 hours (allegedly) of heating when not powered by the coaster. There are 3 temperature settings: 135, 140, and 145. The power button is right at the bottom of the mug—and thankfully, the bottom is also non-slip. Just be aware that it gets really hot down there when charging. The charging contacts are ingeniously designed, allowing for rotating the mug 360 degrees. Most importantly, the mug is splash resistant—this is vital for cleaning! As it is an electrical appliance you absolutely should not submerge it in water. Pro tip: You should absolutely utilize the lid to seal in heat, which would probably help a bunch with battery life.