Ember Mug 2 Review: Keeps desk coffee perfect — but only at a desk

By Editorial Team | April 2026

Our pick: Ember Mug 2

Ember Mug 2 — £134.95

If you sip slowly at your desk and hate reheating half-drunk coffee, the Ember Mug 2 solves that single, annoying problem better than anything else we tested. It wins because it actually keeps a full 14 oz cup at a precise drinking temperature while you're working — not just warm enough to tolerate.

Our score: 7.9/10

Why it works:

• Precise temperature control: set any temperature between roughly 120–145°F (50–62.5°C) in the Ember app and the mug actively maintains it, so your first sip tastes like your last.
• Practical desk power: the included charging coaster provides indefinite temperature control while docked; the internal battery keeps a full 14 oz cup hot for up to 80 minutes off the coaster, which covers most meetings.
• App and sensors matter: the Ember app saves presets, pushes firmware updates and controls LED colour; motion and thermal sensors wake and sleep the mug to save battery.

The honest trade-off: it’s made for desks — the 80‑minute off-dock battery and hand‑wash-only body mean it’s not a good choice if you need a leakproof travel mug or dishwasher convenience.

If that sounds like the solution you want, buy the Ember Mug 2 here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ember-Temperature-Control-Smart-White-Battery/dp/B08J955MX2?tag=tomisindev-20

Best upgrade: Ember Travel Mug 2+

Ember Travel Mug 2+ — ~£164.99

Paying more gets you a travel-ready Ember that keeps fluids at an exact temperature for longer and adds a leakproof, push-to-open lid and a cupholder-friendly shape. The Travel Mug 2+ is the Ember answer for commuters: same temperature control and app features, but advertised battery life up to around 3 hours and a lid that won’t spill in transit.

Worth it if: you regularly take hot drinks on the move and want Ember accuracy plus spill protection.

Best budget pick: VSITOO S3 (or similar third‑party smart mug)

VSITOO S3 — ~£65

For roughly half the price you get a smart, app‑controllable heated mug that promises similar temperature settings and a shorter but usable battery life. It’s not as refined as Ember — expect cheaper materials, smaller app ecosystems and less reliable long‑term support — but it delivers the core benefit (hot, drinkable coffee without constant microwaving) at a much lower cost.

Worth it if: you want the idea of a temperature‑controlled mug without the Ember premium and can tolerate uncertain long-term durability.

How we chose

We focused on the things that actually change the daily experience: temperature accuracy and range, real off‑dock battery life, capacity, whether the mug works indefinitely when docked, cleaning/durability (dishwasher vs hand wash), and app functionality. Recommendations are based on Ember’s specs and hands‑on testing results, vendor specs for alternatives, and current user feedback.

Frequently asked questions

Will the Ember Mug 2 keep my coffee hot all day? No — the 14 oz Mug 2 will maintain your set temperature for up to about 80 minutes on its internal battery. Left on the charging coaster it will keep the drink at the chosen temperature indefinitely.

Is £134.95 a fair price for this mug? If you drink slowly at a desk and value exact temperature control plus app features, yes — it’s priced where other precision smart mugs sit. If you need long off‑dock heat or a dishwasher‑safe, leakproof travel option, the Travel Mug 2+ (higher price) or cheaper non‑smart insulated mugs are better value.

Can I put the Ember Mug 2 in the dishwasher? No — Ember publishes an IPX7 rating for brief submersion and hand washing, but the mug is hand‑wash only and should not be placed in a dishwasher.

Verdict (short): Buy if you work at a desk, sip slowly and want your 14 oz cup kept at a precise drinking temperature; skip if you need all‑day off‑dock heat, dishwasher convenience or a leakproof travel mug.