Ember smart mug review-is it worth it? Is it non-toxic?

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Hot Coffee is a MUST in my household

If there is one thing (ok, one of many things) my husband cannot understand about me, it is how long it takes me to drink my morning cup of coffee. If we are being completely honest, I fully admit that I am guilty as charged. I am not one of those people who get up, pour my cup, slam it, and go about my day. I LOVE slow mornings. If this is you, I hope that this Ember mug review speaks to you.

My coffee is enjoyed hot, no matter the weather. There is nothing worse to me than lukewarm coffee. I was that mom continuously microwaving my hour-old coffee multiple times, until we ditched microwaves due to their negative health attributes. 

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*Taylor(TheCleanLivingNurse) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Picture of Ember temperature control smart mug

The Ember temperature control smart mug

My coffee soon became very sad and cold, with no microwave to heat it up, and the only way to keep it warm was to add more hot coffee to the mug. If you add more coffee, though, that means you have to add more cream, unless you are a black coffee drinker (which I am not.)

In desperate times, when even the coffee in the pot was not that warm anymore, I would boil up some water in the tea kettle and add hot water to my coffee. I know, I know, you’re probably saying, Taylor, just drink your coffee when it’s hot! However, you moms know how hard it is to keep a cup of coffee hot.

I have used insulated mugs to keep my coffee warm, but there is just something about drinking out of a to-go mug at home that bothers me. I had kept seeing this Ember mug all over social media, with influencers telling me how great this heated mug was. It turns out the Ember mug has been around since 2014. I just didn’t think I needed another “thing.” I have truly been trying hard to be minimalistic in my home lately, and something really has to wow me for it to stay in my house.

This past Christmas, however, I told my husband I wanted one. He gladly accepted and bought me one as a Christmas gift. All I have to say is, I don’t know what I was waiting for. This thing is MAGICAL. I was finally able to keep my hot beverage hot for long periods, and I could control the temperature from an app on my phone. The first sip I took from the ember cup I knew I could never go back. 

Wait, What is the Ember Mug?

The Ember Mug Charges on the plate

Have you heard about those temperature control mugs? The Ember tumbler is a mug that keeps hot drinks hot without having to be in a mug with a lid to keep them warm. It looks just like a coffee mug, but it will keep your drink the perfect temperature for typically up to 80 minutes. It is a major upgrade to the standard coffee cup at home. The Ember Mug is minimalism perfected. With clean lines, a matte finish, and a discreet LED display at the base, it looks more like a premium piece of decor than a tech gadget.

How does the Ember mug work?

The Ember mug is a battery-powered mug that sits on a charging plate to charge. When it is fully charged, pour your coffee, tea, or whatever beverage of your choice into the mug. Open up your Ember app and turn the mug to your temperature of preference. When the Ember mug is running out of battery life, the LED light at the bottom of the cup will turn from white to red.

The liquid will stay surprisingly warm for a while even after the battery has run out. (Yes, it is sad that I even take long enough to drink my coffee, and that the battery goes out)

Where Ember truly shines is in its smart functionality. The mug connects to your smartphone via the Ember app (iOS & Android), where you can:

  • Set your preferred drinking temperature
  • Name your mug
  • Customize presets for different drinks
  • Track caffeine intake
  • Receive notifications when your drink hits the perfect temperature

It’s also smart enough to know when it’s empty or when you haven’t used it in a while, entering sleep mode automatically to conserve battery.

It can also utilize preset temperatures to save specific temperature settings for different espresso drinks, green tea, lemon water, and herbal tea

If you are a tea drinker, the Ember app also has a tea timer feature that allows you to set an alarm for the perfect brew time.

What is the battery life of an Ember Mug?

As stated, Ember mug battery life usually lasts about 80 minutes after it has been fully charged on the charging coaster. This is usually PLENTY of time for the average coffee drinker (sometimes not enough for me though) Several factors can come into play though with battery life, such as; pour temperature of your beverage, temperature of surrounding environment, the desired temperature, and the temperature of the liquids being added to the beverage like milk. Obviously, if you want your beverage at the max 145 degrees, it’s going to go through the battery faster than having your beverage at 93 degrees. 

Is Ember better than a Yeti?

I think if you are trying to go for the cozy, stay-at-home vibe with a coffee mug instead of a travel mug, yes, I believe Ember is better than a Yeti. Yetis are great, though, and we love ours for camping. Yetis, however, do not need to be charged, unlike the Ember mug. You can also buy a lid for the Ember mug separately. I have not bought one as I don’t feel the need for one, but I know a lot of people enjoy lids. 

What not to do with the Ember Mug

The Ember mug is not to be placed in the dishwasher at any time, as this could ruin the ceramic mug. It should be cleaned using a soft sponge or bottle brush, using gentle, non-toxic dish soap. 

Can Ember mugs go in the microwave?

No, Ember mugs should never be placed in a microwave.

Is Ember mug good for travel?

I use my Ember mug in the car all of the time, but they do make an Ember travel mug for those who love a mug specific for travel.

picture of Ember mug in a car

The Ember mug is my favorite during school drop off-no Starbucks needed!

What is Ember mug made of?

The Ember mug is made of durable stainless steel with FDA food-grade ceramic reinforced coating. 

Is the Ember mug non-toxic?

As you can tell from my blog name, I try to only utilize products that fall under the “healthy living, non-toxic” category. Obviously, I am not perfect, I still enjoy life, and I am not going to lose sleep if my mug isn’t rated “non-toxic.” however, I am pleased to report that Ember mug utilizes stainless steel and ceramic materials for their mug, which are in most cases deemed “non-toxic.”

What is the pricing of the Ember mug?

The Ember mug can run anywhere between $99 -$160, depending on any sales going on. It usually goes on sale during all of Amazon’s big sales.

Pros and Cons of Ember Mug

Pros:

  • Keeps liquids and coffee at the preferred temperature much longer than a normal mug
  •  Easy to charge
  •  Lightweight and easy to handle
  •  Many different colors
  • Three different sizing options:  6oz espresso, 14 oz, and 10 oz
  • Easy to clean
  • Customizable temperature settings to get to that exact temperature you want
  • Fits in my van cupholder

       

Cons:

  • Battery life seems to go down with heavy usage
  • Would like the battery to last longer than 80 minutes(Again, I take FOREVER to drink my coffee, for the average coffee drinker, this is probably just fine!)
  • Takes up space on the counter
  •  High price
  •  Not dishwasher or microwave safe

Who would the Ember mug be good for?

In my opinion, anyone! But especially a new mom. I wish I had had this mug with my firstborn when sleep wasn’t a thing at all, and I was constantly having to heat my coffee up in those early morning wake-ups. Is there anything better than a hot cup of coffee as a new mom? Even if you are a non-coffee drinker, this Ember smart mug is great for hot tea or a hot beverage of your choice.  This is a luxury item, a treat-yourself moment for anyone who’s serious about their hot drinks. For remote workers, coffee aficionados, or anyone who nurses a mug throughout the day, the Ember Mug quickly proves its value.It’s also a popular gift for birthdays, holidays, or corporate gifting, especially for the tech-savvy or hard-to-shop-for.

Are there cheaper options?

Yes, on Amazon, there are several cheaper off-brands. I have no say in whether they are good or not, but I would think they would be comparable.

Conclusion

The Ember Mug may not be something you deem a necessity as I once did, but once you’ve experienced your drink staying perfectly hot for over an hour without a microwave or trip to the kettle, it’s hard to go back. It’s a small luxury that elevates everyday moments — and in a world that’s always rushing, that kind of comfort is worth savoring. The mug itself is very good-looking in my opinion, not just another “mug.” If anything, add it to your next birthday, Christmas, or Mother’s Day list!

If you are looking to a clean coffee to try in your new Ember mug, check out my post on King reishi-infused coffee here!

About The Author

Taylor Moya RN, BSN IHP

Taylor is a registered nurse, wife and mom of 4 who learned about the power of clean and non-toxic living after her first daughter was born. Her goal is to help people make small, sustainable but yet super powerful changes to help them live the healthiest life possible.

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