You no longer need to open an app to change the temperature on Ember’s Mug 3. A button on the bottom cycles through five presets, from 125°F to 145°F in 5°F steps. The third-generation smart mug is also the first in Ember’s lineup that can go on the top rack of a dishwasher, though it still isn’t microwave-safe.
Ember introduced its first smart mug in 2016 to tackle a familiar problem: getting distracted for a few minutes and returning to lukewarm coffee or tea. The Mug 3 can maintain your chosen temperature for up to three hours on a single charge, and a new sliding lid is designed to help prevent spills.
The reviewer who tested the mug used the on-mug controls more than any other feature. While reading in bed with tea and their phone across the room, they appreciated being able to adjust the temperature without getting up. The button also gives users who have reported connectivity or pairing problems with the Ember app another way to change the setting.
There’s a catch: the button sits on the bottom of the mug, so you’re reaching underneath a cup of hot liquid. The reviewer found it hard to press, often tilting the mug and pushing down firmly to get a response. Their verdict: on-mug adjustment is useful, but the button needs to be easier to reach.
For more precise settings than the five presets allow, you’ll still need the Ember app. Once you pair the mug with your phone over Bluetooth, you can select drink-specific presets or create your own for a hotter or cooler drink. Ember recommends 136°F for black coffee, 132°F for green tea, and 142°F for lemon water.
The Mug 3 comes in two sizes. The 10-ounce model costs $129 and is available in black, white, and stainless steel. The 14-ounce version costs $149 and comes in eight colors: sage green, lavender, powder blue, salt blue, sandstone, white, black, and matcha green.
Ember also introduced the Tumbler 2, which replaces both the Travel Mug 2 and the original Tumbler in its lineup. The new 16-ounce model has a slimmer, taller shape intended to fit standard car cup holders and is available in black for $179. The Travel Mug 2 will remain available until supplies run out.
Both new products are available from Ember’s website, Target, and Amazon.
