It’s hard to escape the fact that everything is getting more expensive. One way to save is to buy quality products that don’t break and need to be replaced every year. That’s what caught my eye about the Contigo brand and, specifically, the Byron Travel Mug. It’s got over 28,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, but a recurring theme about bad lid design popped up as I read through the user reviews. So, wanting to find out for myself, I purchased a 16-ounce Contigo Byron Travel Mug and decided to put its claims to the test. I wanted to see if it was really leakproof, durable, and could keep beverages hot for six hours, or cold for 12.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.15 inches wide x 3.15 inches deep x 7.21 inches high.
- Weight: 10.2 ounces.
- Volume: 16 ounces (Also comes in 20 oz and 24 oz variants).
- Dishwasher safe: Not recommended.
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime.
- Price: $15.99.
Pros
- Good insulation.
- Lightweight.
- Sturdy body construction.
Cons
- Tippable.
- Complaints about the lid design.
Contigo Byron Travel Mug
What I Like About the Cognito Byron
Excels at keeping temperature
I mostly use my Cognito Byron Travel mug to transport cold water when I’m out and about. It hasn’t failed me yet: Every time I take a sip, the water is crisp and, at least, cool. But, I wanted to get some more scientific data, so I busted out my iButtons wireless thermometers. I filled my Byron with 115°F water, dropped in an iButton, and waited 12 hours. In a room that was 65°F, the water dropped 2°F for the first six hours, then the cooling accelerated to 3.3°F for the next six. In my expert opinion, the average commuter or hiker will be completely satisfied with this travel mug’s performance.
This is a graph generated from the wireless thermometer inside a Contigo Byron
The body is well-made
According to Cognito’s website, the Byron’s lid is made from Eastman Tritan, a BPA-free super-durable plastic. The interior is made from food-grade stainless steel. All in all, the Byron is built solidly. I put it through its paces over the course of several weeks, stuffing it in backpacks, traveling with it on crowded subways, and dropping it a few times on asphalt. After all that, it remains fully functional.
The Byron’s interior is all steel.
Cognito also claims that this mug is leakproof. I put that to the test by filling it with water and knocking it off some tables like a cat. The claim, like this travel mug, held water. It took multiple falls onto hard ground and got away with only cosmetic damage.
What I Don’t Like About the Cognito Byron
The shape and exterior design are not the best
The Byron mug measures roughly 83 millimeters (3.26 inches) at the widest point at the top and tapers to 67.5 millimeters (2.65 inches) at its base. The general shape and the smooth stainless steel bottom make the Byron more prone to wobble. I also found the metal base noisy: It rings like a bell if you drop it onto a desk or accidentally on the floor.
Taper and bare steel bottom of the Byron makes it less stable than some competitors.
Lots of complaints about the lid
I read through hundreds of owner reviews on Amazon, Coleman, and Cognito’s website. Issues with the lid proved to be the most common complaint: People talked about how the anti-leak seal fell out after a time ranging from months to years. A less common complaint was the lid cracking from impacts.
I have not experienced any of these issues, but I’ve only owned my Cognito travel mug for about a month. In theory, problems with quality control should be covered by the limited lifetime warranty, but since I haven’t experienced any issues, there’s been no opportunity to put it to the test.
Contigo Byron Travel Mug
Who I Think Would Benefit From Owning One
For a travel mug that’s selling for less than $15, at the time of writing, the Contigo Byron is worth the money. I took it out of the box, and it did as advertised: It kept my water cold to and from work, it didn’t leak, and it held up to the rigors of being dropped and tossed about.
I think there’s a legitimate concern about the quality control of the lid, but the fact that the limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturer defects cuts down on my fears of being stuck with a dud.
In my expert opinion, the Contigo Byron is for anyone who wants a moderately priced travel mug that’s well insulated and willing to keep it stowed away in a bag or on a flat table most of the time.
