The Ember Travel Mug 2+ is a smart mug that promises to keep your beverage at the perfect temperature for hours, while also offering the convenience of Apple’s Find My support. As someone who already uses the Ember Mug 2 at home, I was intrigued by the idea of upgrading to the Ember Travel Mug 2+ for my daily commute. However, after testing it out, I found that the experience fell short of my expectations.
One of the main drawbacks of the Ember Travel Mug 2+ is its small 355ml (12oz) capacity. As a tea drinker who likes a lot of tea, this was a significant downside for me. I found myself wishing for a larger capacity that would allow me to enjoy more tea on the go. That being said, the mug does connect seamlessly to the companion phone app and allows you to set and lock in your desired temperature, which is a convenient feature.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
One of the major issues I encountered with the Ember Travel Mug 2+ was its leakproof lid. While the company claims that the lid is leakproof, I found that even the slightest tilt of the mug caused liquid to seep through the closed mouthpiece. This made it impossible for me to simply toss the mug in my backpack’s side pocket and go about my commute. Instead, I had to hold the mug in my hand, which meant sacrificing my usual morning reading time. This inconvenience made the overall experience far from ideal.
Additionally, I suspect that the not-airtight seal around the mouthpiece has an impact on the mug’s battery life. While the Ember Travel Mug 2+ boasts the longest-lasting battery on any Ember mug yet, lasting up to 3 hours, I found that the battery drained more quickly than expected. I believe that the heating element has to work harder to maintain the temperature due to the imperfect seal, which may explain the shortened battery life. For someone like me who tends to sip their drink slowly, the limited battery life can be frustrating, as I often find myself only halfway through my tea when the battery dies.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
However, one redeeming feature of the Ember Travel Mug 2+ is its integration with Apple’s Find My network. As someone who has lost multiple travel mugs in the past, this feature provides peace of mind. The ability to locate the mug using the Find My app on my Apple devices ensures that I won’t misplace it, and if I do, I have a chance of finding it again. Given the premium price of the Ember Travel Mug 2+ – $199.95 / £199.95 / AU$300 – this feature is a valuable addition.
Despite its flaws, the Ember Travel Mug 2+ is a well-made, premium mug that could be a good investment or a thoughtful gift for a loved one. The bright and sharp display is visually appealing, and the automatic display shut-off helps conserve battery life. If Ember can improve the lid to ensure a leakproof seal, the next iteration of this mug could potentially be the best self-heating travel mug on the market.
In conclusion, while the Ember Travel Mug 2+ does deliver on its promise to keep your beverage at the perfect temperature, the overall experience falls short of expectations. The small capacity, leaky lid, and limited battery life make it difficult to fully enjoy the convenience of this smart mug. However, the integration with Apple’s Find My network is a standout feature that sets it apart from other travel mugs. Ultimately, my feelings about the Ember Travel Mug 2+ can be described as lukewarm.
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