​There are a lot of brush kits on Amazon at this point, so feel free to shop around.  This is the one I have, and it has a range of brush sizes that work with any bottle.

It's worth noting that some bottles with wider openings like YETI's Rambler tumblers may be wide enough for your hand to fit, so you may not actually need a brush kit like this (see the cleaning section below for more details).

Hydro Flask

• The only option reviewed for this list that includes a handle, but it's a good one
• Comfy, flexible 3-finger design that rotates out of the way so it's not cumbersome

​As mentioned before, this list did not include many popular mugs with side-mounted handles because those are more difficult to travel with (not cupholder friendly)

YETI's Magslider is a relatively simple design that does a lot of things very well.

​It's a slider-style lid, and you simply push the slider back and forth to close the sip opening.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

​Of all the travel mugs I tested, this one is the easiest to clean because the slider is magnetic, the rim seal is easy to remove and put back on, and there are no hidden or hard-to-reach spots.  Most people won't even need a brush and can handwash it for deep cleaning with just a sponge (it's also dishwasher safe).

It's also very durable, partially because YETIs seem to be more dent-resistant than many competitors, but also because the slider is magnetic.  This means it avoids problems like with Weto Weto or Owala's SmoothSip where the plastic connections with the slider might chip or break over time.

Couple these benefits with YETI's popularity as a brand (particularly for men), and there's a reason why YETI's Magslider is one of the most popular gift options.

YETI Magslider's only real downsides are the high cost and that they're leak-resistant, not fully leak-proof.

Owala is the trendiest bottle brand on the market today.

​It's a slider-style lid, and you press down on the back side of the slider then push it backwards to open it.  The lid is explicitly dishwasher safe, but the bottle is handwash recommended to preserve the finish (though technically it's dishwasher safe too).

Like their FreeSip lid on their popular bottles, the drinking spout is ergonomic so it feels strangly good to sip from.  It's also raised, to the middle of the lid is less likely to bump against your nose when taking a sip.

Disassembling the lid for cleaning is pretty simple, but it can take some getting used to.  Just open the slider completely, pull up on the slider to pop it off, then you can twist the seal to remove it.  If you're having issue twisting the seal, give it a nudge to move it completely to the "open" position and you should be good.

The external lid threads also make cleaning the rim seal much easier compared to recessed seals that are harder to remove or put back into place.

Owala SmoothSip's main downside is that the slider is more difficult to open and close than other options like YETI's Magslider and you may find your finger slipping off the slider, especially if you just washed your hands.  Though in my experience, you get used to it and opening and closing this tumbler gets easier over time.

Zojirushi's travel mug has the best insulation by a significant margin, so if keeping your drink hot or cold is a priority, this is your best choice.

​It has a spring-loaded lid cover that opens by pressing a button on front.  The bottle and lid are not dishwasher safe.

Zojirushi has a lot of other great things going for it.  For a complex lid, it's incredibly well-designed for thorough cleaning and ease-of-use.  The lid cover goes over the spout to keep it cleaner throughout the day.  Also, the spout pops out so you can clean around it more easily, and the spout seal is also easily removable.

The lid cover includes a lock, and it's all very easy to use with one hand.  That along with the lightweight and narrow body makes this one of the easiest bottles to use for many people.

Zojirushi's main downsides are that the finish scratches easily and the bottom is more prone to denting if dropped compared to more durable options like YETI's Magslider.  The lid cover is also quite bulky, which can block your view more when driving, and while it's well-designed and easy to take apart, the lid still consists of many parts and surfaces that make cleaning more of a chore.

Fellow's Carter Move travel mug is one of the more attractive options on the market because of the aesthetic, minimalist design.  But besides the sleek look, it also has a range of other features that make it stand out.

It's a standard lid that you screw on-and-off to use, and it also comes with a splash guard that snaps into the rim and helps prevent spills.  The bottle and lid are not dishwasher safe.

This is one of the best travel mugs I've seen if you're goal is to avoid plastic contact with your mouth or drink because the rim is stainless steel as well as the bottom of the lid.  The splash guard handle has a bit of plastic, but you can use the bottle without the splash guard if you'd prefer.

Fellow Carter Move's main downside is that it's not a great travel mug for driving and commutes.  The standard lid is one more thing to juggle and potentially drop, leading to a dirty lid or worst-case causing a distraction.  And while the splash guard helps, this bottle still has the fastest flow and is most likely to accidentally splash in your face.  It's also not tapered and is one of the wider options I tested.

Hydro Flask's Flex Sip is the only option from this list that includes a handle, but it's a really good one because it's Hydro Flask's classic, comfortable 3-finger design.

It has a twist-style lid where you turn the top to open and close the sip opening.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

Hydro Flask designed this lid so it's relatively easy to disassemble for cleaning.  It involves a few parts and requires decent hand strength, but at least the parts are all a good size and durable (MUCH better than Frank Green).  Here's our Youtube Short that shows how it works.

Hydro Flask Flex Sip's main downside is that it has internal threads and the rim seal is recessed and difficult to remove and put back on for deep cleaning.

Stanley's Aerolight Transit is a jack-of-all trades travel mug that does a lot of things well without any major benefits or drawbacks.

It has a plunger-style (or lever-action) lid, and you pull up on the lid cover to drop down the seal.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

Transit has good insulation, only trailing Zojirushi and Fellow and ranking similarly to YETI's Hotshot.  It also has a lightweight construction and narrow design that makes it easy to hold.  The lid doesn't take up much space or block your eyesight, just make sure to push the lid cover/lever all the way until it snaps back into the lid so it doesn't bump up against your nose when taking a sip.

Stanley Aerolight Transit's main downside is that the lid can be tricky to deep clean if you prefer to remove all of the seals.  The lid cover/lever is removable and that helps drop down the plunger seal more so the silicone seal is easy to remove, but it's a tight fit and tricky to put back on.

Simple Modern's Voyager is one of the best options for driving and would be a top-tier bottle if not for one glaring issue, but first we'll look at the positives.

It has large button that you push to open and close the seal, and it worked reliably with a lot of testing.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

You can also sip from any side, so you don't have to worry about lining up your mouth with a spout.  This along with the narrower design compared to other tumblers makes this a great option for when you're driving.

It also comes with a grip-pad ring on the bottom to prevent scratches.

Simple Modern Voyager's only real downside is a big one.  The lid is very bulky and not meant to be disassembled, making it nearly impossible to manually deep clean with brushes.  You'll rely on the dishwasher or soaking it with soap or Bottle Bright tablets, and then make sure it has time to properly air-dry.  But the fact that you can't disassemble it to check everywhere for mold or other buildup is a major drawback.

YETI's Hotshot is essentially their standard Rambler bottles but with their Hotshot lid.

It's a twist-to-open lid, and you're able to sip from any side.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

The lid is fairly easy to deep clean because you just twist the middle part until it pops out, and there are just two durable pieces involved.

YETI Hotshot has two main downsides. First is the overall weight and bulkiness compared to many other travel mugs without a handle to compensate, which makes it not a great option for driving or making it easy to bring with you.

Second is how you have to cram your fingers into a tight space to twist the lid opened and closed.  It's a pretty snug fit that requires some decent finger strength, and popping out the middle piece for deep cleaning takes even more effort.  This makes it a poor choice for most people with limited finger strength due to conditions like arthritis.

Worth noting is that YETI seems to be moving away from their "Hotshot" lid by taking the same design, rebranding it as the "Commuter" lid, and pairing it with a tumbler-style bottle similar to YETI's Magslider.  That last change makes it a better overall product, particularly for driving.

Healthy Human's Cruiser is one of those travel mugs that doesn't try to do too much, and that makes it a decent option primarily for at-home use.

It has a press-fit lid with a permanent opening, so the lid is not intended to be leak-resistant or proof.  The bottle and lid are not dishwasher safe.

The main draw is that each Cruiser comes with a stainless steel straw, making it a great option for avoiding plastic contact with your drink, particularly for iced coffee.  The straw also comes with a silicone end to avoid that stainless steel taste some people experience.

Besides that, the rim is also stainless steel so you can sip there and avoid plastic contact, though that assumes you aren't using the plastic lid.

Healthy Human Cruiser's main drawback as mentioned is how you can't close it, so you're one accidental bump away from the tumbler tumbling off a desk and spilling your drink.

Contigo's Byron is a budget-friendly option from a big-name, classic brand that can be serviceable for a daily-use travel mug.

It has a plunger-style (or lever-action) lid, and you pull up on the lever on top of the lid to drop down the seal.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

The bottle includes a stainless steel bottom to prevent scratches, which is a good thing because the black finish scratches off very easily.  There's also a silicone grip around the middle of the bottle to keep your grip from slipping.

Contigo Byron's main downsides are that it has unremarkable insulation, the paint scratches easily, the lever action lid is not able to be fully disassembled for deep cleaning, and the interior lid threads make the rim seal more difficult to remove and replace for deep cleaning.

The lever-action lid also has a tight fit.  While good to prevent accidental opening, this can make it more difficult to open one-handed and you may need to turn the bottle first to line it up a certain way, particularly if you're driving.  And when you do that, you'll also likely find yourself pressing the palm of your hand against the sip opening and making that part more dirty.

Weto Weto is the least-expensive option reviewed and is a capable travel mug.  It maintains a high ranking on Amazon because it's a budget-friendly alternative to YETI's Magslider in particular.

It's a slider-style lid, and you simply move the slider back and forth to open it.  The bottle and lid are both dishwasher safe.

Overall the design is quite simple and this travel mug is decent at most things, so it can be a good option as an every day mug.

Weto Weto's travel mug does come with a few significant drawbacks though.  I noticed visible moisture building up under the slider during regular use and cleaning.  However, the slider is not meant to be removed, and the small plastic connections can chip if you force the slider out of the lid.

​Also, the lid did not leak during my intial testing, but it started leaking after the drop test.  Not much, but it was dripping consistently possibly because the bottle or lid warped slightly.

Frank Green's travel mug was easily my least favorite option tested.

A few positives are that the push-button lid is a good concept when it works, and the bottle itself has a nice sleek, minimalist design.  The lid is dishwasher safe, though the bottle is handwash recommended (likely to preserve the finish).

However (deep breath)....

• The button did not work consistently, often getting stuck and seeming to depend on how I pressed the button, like how many fingers I used and where exactly I pressed it.
• The lid is ridiculously complex to disassemble and reassemble, involving 7 different parts (many of which are very small plastic parts that could easily be broken or lost).
• The very thin metal rim may dent or warp more easily if dropped.
• It's the most expensive option, at least in the US.