What’s the best reusable cup to dodge the 25p ‘latte levy’ with?
We score them out of five for heat retention after an hour, taste, ease of use, leakage and weight – to give a total out of 25
REUSABLE cups will be the future for coffee drinkers, who could be charged 25p every time they use a disposable one.
MPs are calling for the “latte levy” to improve recycling rates – and say that if it fails to do so they will seek a total ban on throwaway cups.
We chuck away 2.5billion disposable coffee cups a year – but how will their replacements fare?
Here, we test out a range of reusable cups, costing from £1 to a hefty £30. Are they easy to use and will they keep your brew hot?
We score them out of five for heat retention after an hour, taste, ease of use, leakage and weight – to give a total out of 25.
Starbucks Reusable Travel Cup To Go Coffee Cup, £1
CHEAPEST of the bunch but has flaws.
It cannot be fully closed so will not go in your bag for later. It also means your coffee goes cold quickly.
On the plus side, the material does not affect the taste – but it is better to spend more for a leak-proof cup.
Heat retention: Not so hot, 2
Taste: Brilliant. Same as disposables, 5
Ease of use: Perfect, 5
Leakage: Spills everywhere, 0
Weight: Light. Easy to carry to work, 4
Total: 16
Designers Guild Travel Cup, House of Fraser/Amazon, £16
WITH its flowery pattern, this is the travel mug for the style conscious.
Shame it is not particularly practical.
Although it closes, it does leak from the fastening.
It also makes the coffee taste a bit metallic – never a good thing.
Heat retention: Warm after 45mins, 3
Taste: Metallic and gross, 2
Ease of use: Good as disposables, 4
Leakage: Lots of leaking going on, 1
Weight: On the heavy side, 2
Total: 12
KeepCup Cork Brew Reusable 8oz Glass Coffee Cup/Travel Mug, John Lewis, £19
HIPSTER cup with a hipster price tag.
Boasts it is the first travel mug of barista standard.
Fits under a coffee machine and has a nifty open and close function – but it will weigh you down.
Heat retention: Cold in half an hour, 1
Taste: Great. No plastic or metal, 4
Ease of use: Very easy and no drips, 4
Leakage: No spillage, 4
Weight: Heaviest of all. Not practical, 1
Total: 14
Bodum Travel Mug, Plastic, Amazon, £12
COMES with a helpful grip and clean design.
But overall this plastic mug is very impractical.
It loses heat fast, makes the coffee taste awful and leaks exceptionally easily if not bolt upright.
One of our least favourites.
Heat retention: Cold in 30mins, 2
Taste: Bitter, unnatural and plastic, 1
Ease of use: Fairly easy to use, 3
Leakage: Spills at a slight angle, 1
Weight: Substantial for plastic, 2
Total: 9
Grunwerg Pioneer Vacuum Insulated Drink Pod Mug with Handle, Tesco £11.99
CUTE design and comes in lots of colours.
But it is not one for on-the-go as you have to take the lid fully off.
More for going camping than for travelling to work.
Heat retention: Superb, 4
Taste: Slight metallic edge, 3
Ease of use: Not one for on-the-go, 1
Leakage: Absolutely leak-proof, 5
Weight: Hefty but could be worse, 3
Total: 16