Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've used both the Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Backpack Bottle, Smoke Color and the Zojirushi mug and have compared them both. If you are somebody like me, who commutes a long way every day to get to work, and you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for coffee every day (Hey, two bucks a cup adds up!) then you need a mug that you can easily travel with, won't leak, and keeps coffee hot for long periods of time. These mugs both claim to be good travel mugs, and keep the liquids hot/cold for extraneous amounts of time. Let me break them down. First I'll go over the Zojirushi: PROS: -Slim figure, easily fits in cup holders -Easy to carry/grasp shape -Holds true to its claims, it really keeps liquids hot! -Easy to break apart and clean -Doesn't emit heat on outside to burn hands -Securely locks the lid -Top easily screws on CONS: -Small mouth -Difficult to clean inside -Lid springs open, but spring isn't strong enough to keep lid open. Will discuss later Now lets talk about the Thermos Nissan 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Backpack Bottle, Smoke Color: PROS: -Large mouth for easy sipping -Keeps liquids hot for good periods of time -Larger mouth allows for easier pouring of liquids inside it -Larger inside allows for easier cleaning -Easy grip shape, but a little more difficult to fit in cup holders CONS: -Lid does not lock securely enough. Will discuss later -Top is not 100% waterproof. -Top does not separate easily for cleaning Now let me discuss them both and give my final recommendation. Both mugs claim to keep liquids hot and cold for long periods of time. I found in my personal tests, along with tests done with other members of my family, that the Zojirushi actually keeps liquids hotter for longer. My hypothesis is that since the Nissan/Thermos has a larger opening and mouth, it allows for more heat to escape even though both mugs are made of basically the same material, stainless steel. I've also found that the Nissan/Thermos mug leaks. I've found this multiple times, and it seems there's an issue with the O ring inside the mug, it's just not enough. If you compare the O ring to the Zojirushi, you'll find it is made to fit a lot more snugly inside of the mug and is higher quality. Another issue is the locking lids. I've found the Zojirushi's lid locking device to be exceptional, it won't leak, period. The Nissan/Thermos lid relies on a ring to swing up to lock the lid, potentially allowing for just a slight amount of space for liquid to leak out (which also probably is why there's less heat retention). Speaking of lids, lets get to the opening of the lids. Both mugs allow for you to press a button and the top swings open. This is where the Nissan/Thermos lid shines. When you press the button, the lid opens fast with a strong spring that will keep it open, but will allow for easy closing. The lid also does not swing if you should move the mug, it's pretty securely held by the spring. The Zojirushi mug does the same thing, however they rely on a weaker spring to keep the lid open, and then there's a notch at the end which will "lock" the lid open if it goes far enough. Problem is if you happen to unlock the lid but go to take a swig from the mug, the lid will bop you on the nose because it isn't nearly as strong as the Nissan/Thermos. Both mugs do not emit heat on the outside of the mug, you'd never be able to tell if there was hot substances inside unless you opened it up which is good, it means they both attempt to keep the best amount of heat inside. Lets talk about cleaning. Both mugs have a slim design so it is a little difficult to clean inside them unless you have a brush. Where the Zojirushi shines is that you can disconnect the lid from the top of the mug and clean everything, but the Nissan/Thermos does not...or at least I haven't been able to figure it out easily. Overall my review will recommend the Zojirushi. The mug doesn't leak so I can fill it up and throw it in my bag to drink after I get off the train, it's easy to clean and retains heat a lot better then the other mug.