Since 2008, Ecovessel has been committed to creating a cleaner, greener world for all.
This noble mission is reflected in the particulars of products like their best-selling Perk insulated travel mug, which is free of harmful chemicals, made entirely from recyclable materials, and built with an emphasis on sustainability.
But is it good enough to win the approval of savvy on-the-go coffee drinkers who need something practical as well as responsible? The answer is an only slightly qualified “yes.”
If this seems too classy for you, test out these other travel mugs!
Things to Consider Before Buying an Ecovessel Perk
The Perk is Ecovessel’s take on the now-ubiquitous low-profile, trendy travel mug.
Like other travel mugs, it’s designed for people who tend to take their java on the run. Unlike many other mugs, however, it has a lot to offer to those who consider preparing and enjoying beverages as more than just a mindless morning ritual.
Size-wise, the Perk’s compact construction, slim silhouette, and ace insulation make it a perfect companion for any number of outings, whether you’re on your way to the office, the gym, hot yoga, or your favorite hiking trail.
It’s also blessed with a few other special features practically guaranteed to win the hearts of thirsty people with things to do everywhere.
If you’re in the market for a new tumbler and want to make as informed a decision as possible, be sure to check out our list of top-rated travel mugs for the discerning javaphile.
The Lowdown
Ecovessel’s Perk travel mug is available in two different sizes: the sleek, spare 16oz., which holds a perfectly reasonable quantity of coffee, and the more capacious 20oz., which is certain to appeal to certified bean freaks like yours truly.
Both models are crafted from high-quality stainless steel inside and out, with a vacuum center and copper-lined inner layer to ensure maximum temperature retention.
The Perk also comes with a push-button locking lid, a built-in silicone “bumper,” and a removable strainer for loose leaf teas, along with fruit, ice, and other add-ins.
That’s quite a few selling points for a simple tumbler, but trust me when I say that there’s nothing superfluous about the Perk. It’s intelligently-designed, well-made, and extremely usable in all the ways that matter most.
Things We Like
- Available in two sizes
- Excellent insulation
- Convenient lid design
- High degree of versatility
- Built-in protection from dings, slides, leaks, and spills
Room for Improvement
- Push-button flip top sticks on occasion
- Flip top competes with face for space in upright position
Features and Benefits
There’s a lot more to the Ecovessel Perk than first meets the eye. Let’s do some unpacking, shall we?
TriMax® Triple Insulation
Ecovessel proudly proclaims that its proprietary TriMax® triple insulation construction keeps hot beverages hot for up to eight hours and cold beverages cold for up to 36 hours.
Sounds pretty good on paper, but what does it mean in terms of real-world performance?
For the most part, the Perk’s temperature-stabilization properties are a boon. Let’s say you make some coffee first thing in the morning, then head to work and immediately get so swamped that you’re unable to get to it until seven-and-a-half hours later. In this situation, you could still expect to find extra-warm coffee inside.
But what if, like any self-respecting connoisseur, you want to sample your coffee while it’s fresh? You’d better be prepared to wait because better insulation means a longer cooling time, and that could make things tricky depending on what you’ve got going on.
Superior insulation is a sword that cuts both ways, and that goes not just for the Perk, but for newfangled travel mugs in general. Even so, it’s better to have a thermos that overperforms than one that underperforms, and the Perk is definitely an overachiever in this particular regard.
Fortunately, this isn’t something you’ll have to worry about if you prefer your liquid drug of choice iced. In that case, Ecovessel has got you covered all day long.
Push-Button Locking Lid
If there’s one area where the Perk really excels, it’s its ingenious lid design.
Whereas the lids of most coffee thermoses contain some type of cover piece that opens and closes manually, often requiring you to stop what you’re doing and use both hands, the Perk features a push-button that sends the top springing up with, well, the push of a button.
With another subtle movement of your thumb, you can push the top back down and engage the built-in lid lock switch, sealing the mouth hole and making the tumbler impervious to accidental spills and leaks.
Thanks to sensible details like these, the Perk lends itself to effortless one-handed use. That’s no small thing if you happen to be using your other hand to text, steer a mountain bike down a heavily rutted slope, tote a briefcase full of important documents, or pet a cute dog (priorities, right?).
There’s only one real caveat—the lid doesn’t always work as well as it’s supposed to.
Nine times out of ten, popping the Perk open is a quick and easy procedure. Come that tenth time, though, the top will stick, or you’ll have to use a little extra muscle to get it started. As you might imagine, this could have devastating consequences if you’re busy trying to pet a puppy.
The flip top also doesn’t retract as much as the ones on some tumblers, so you may find it playing pattycake with the tip of your nose while you gulp down your brew.
Still, these are small prices to pay for convenience in this day and age.
Removable Tea Strainer
For all the tea lovers (a.k.a. “traitors”) out there, Ecovessel has included a pull-out tea strainer.
Ordinarily, brewing loose-leaf tea in a travel mug requires you to employ a separate tea infuser. With this nifty little attachment, you just sift in your tea, add hot water, and place the strainer into the opening of the mug. Done deal.
This is one of my personal favorite features of the Perk. The small, unobtrusive strainer basket dramatically increases the utility of the mug, especially if you don’t already own a standalone infuser or are in the habit of adding things to your beverages that might otherwise get in the way.
For example, along with filtering loose-leaf teas, it can also keep things like fruit slices and ice cubes away from the opening of the lid.
Anyone who’s ever attempted to savor a complicated mixed drink in an ordinary tumbler knows just how frustrating it can be to have to battle a blocked mouth hole every time you take a sip. A removable strainer makes first-world problems like this a thing of the past.
And the benefits don’t stop there. The inclusion of this accessory could even conceivably allow you to convert your tumbler into a portable makeshift French press if you were the kind of mad scientist demented enough to dream up such a thing.
In short, the multi-functional advantages afforded by this single accessory make the Perk arguably the most versatile travel mug on the market.
Silicone Bumper
Another feature that sets the Perk apart from similar bottles is the silicone bumper encircling the bottom portion of the mug. It’s a small touch that makes a surprisingly big difference in several ways.
First, the soft yet resilient silicone skin has a noise-dampening effect when you place the mug on hard surfaces. This means no more clattering thuds threatening to break your focus or create a disruption in quiet environments like work and school.
Once the Perk is at rest, the grippy base serves to prevent sliding and other unwanted types of movement aside from those caused by earthquakes and poltergeist activity.
Additionally, the choice to include a shock-absorbing buffer enhances the mug’s overall durability by a considerable degree. It can be discouragingly easy to dent some steel travel mugs by simply setting them down too hard, and after a while, accumulated structural defects can diminish not only a mug’s aesthetic appeal but also its performance.
Ecovessel has anticipated such dents and dings. By doing so, they appear to be following through with their desire to give owners “the last bottle [they’ll] ever own.”
Alternatives and Conclusion
Pound for pound, the Perk insulated travel mug from Ecovessel is a great choice for both casual sippers and everyday diehards, regardless of where your wanderings might take you and your beloved beverages.
What makes this tumbler such a standout is its thoughtful design, which understands and accommodates the needs of dedicated coffee drinkers.
It also doesn’t hurt that the company behind it is doing so many good things, from their participation in 1% For the Planet to their practice of donating 5% of all online proceeds to various green nonprofits. As consumers, we should all be continually looking for ways to reduce, reuse, and respect the planet we call home. Ditch those plastic bottles.
If you don’t think the Ecovessel Perk is right for you, we recommend other products like the BURNOUT Temperature Regulating Travel Mug, TOMIC’s Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug, or the Stainless Steel Travel Mug by Zojirushi, all of which are in our top 3 for the new year.
BURNOUT’s stellar travel mug, for instance, makes use of smart temperature regulation technology that cools coffee to the optimum drinking temperature in minutes rather than forcing you to wait around all day until it’s safe to wet your whistle.
Likewise, both the TOMIC and Zojirushi bottles boast top-tier insulation, clever lid designs, and multiple size and style options, all within an affordable price range.
No matter which travel mug you end up going with to keep your drinks hot (or cold), we’re confident you’ll make the right call.
Happy Caffeinating!
Ecovessel Perk Review: The Steller Travel Mug For Everyone
Laptop in one hand and a paper coffee cup in the other = bad idea. Make life easier and keep your coffee hotter with the Ecovessel Perk!
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.5
