Ember Mug 3 Review: A Smarter Smart Mug With On-Device Temperature Controls

As nights get chillier, a cup of tea becomes a more regular habit. The only thing better than a warm drink on a cozy fall evening is one that actually stays warm. That’s the pitch for Ember’s new Mug 3, the third generation of the company’s temperature-controlled smart mug, built to hold your drink at the right temperature for as long as you’re sipping. What Ember Is Solving Ember introduced its first smart mug in 2016 to fix a problem familiar to most coffee and tea drinkers: you get distracted for a few minutes and come back to a lukewarm cup. The Mug 3 keeps that core idea and adds several practical upgrades. The Biggest Change: A Temperature Button You no longer need the app to adjust your drink’s temperature. A button on the bottom of the mug cycles through five presets, starting at 125°F. Each press raises the temperature by five degrees, up to a maximum of 145°F. This was the feature the reviewer used most. With a phone often across the room while reading in bed, adjusting the drink without getting up is a small but real convenience. It also helps users who have reported connectivity or pairing problems with the Ember app. There is one complaint. The button sits on the bottom of the mug, an odd choice when the cup is full of hot liquid, and it isn’t easy to press. The reviewer often had to tilt the mug and press down firmly to get a response, and wishes the button were easier to reach. App Controls Still Available For those who prefer their phone, the Ember app still offers plenty of customization. After pairing over Bluetooth, you can pick presets based on what you’re drinking. Ember recommends: Black coffee: 136°F Green tea: 132°F Lemon water: 142°F You can also create custom presets if you like your drinks hotter or cooler than the recommendations. Other Upgrades A sliding lid designed to help prevent spills Up to three hours of temperature control on a single charge The first Ember mug that is top-rack dishwasher-safe (it is not microwave-safe) Sizes, Colors and Pricing The Mug 3 comes in two sizes: 10-ounce: $129, in black, white and stainless steel 14-ounce: $149, in eight colors, including sage green, lavender, powder blue, salt blue, sandstone, white, black and matcha green New Tumbler 2 Ember also launched the Tumbler 2, which replaces both the Travel Mug 2 and the original Tumbler. The 16-ounce model has a slimmer, taller design meant to fit standard car cup holders. It comes in black for $179. The Travel Mug 2 stays available until supplies run out. All of the new products are available on Ember’s website, at Target and on Amazon.