Ello Campy Stainless Steel Travel Mug Review (2024)

We purchased the Ello Campy 18oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

When we first saw the Ello Campy Stainless Steel Travel Mug, we knew we had to try it out. Not only is it ridiculously cute, but it’s also the darling of hundreds of online reviewers.

To see what all the fuss is about, we used the Ello Campy to carry our drinks for several weeks, noting how long it kept things hot or cold, as well as how easy it was to clean. Read on to see if we recommend this mug!

Design: Vintage-inspired with a few quirks

The 18-ounce Ello Campy Travel Mug is inspired by vintage camp cups, with its cute cylindrical form and speckled pattern, which comes in several colors. However, the sleek design is actually hard to hold except via its handle, which is lined with cork—a detail that we liked. Not only does it look cool, but the cork is comfortable and provides cushioning for your hand. All in all, we think the simple design of this mug will appeal to those with more minimalistic or vintage tastes.

The mug’s leak-proof lid works simply—it’s just a slider that opens and closes with a seal on the inside. It works smoothly, but it doesn’t come apart, which makes cleaning a bit tricky.(More on that in a minute.)

There were a few things we didn’t love about the design of the Ello Campy, though. First of all, there isn’t any kind of padding on the bottom of the mug, which makes it more prone to wear and tear, including the paint scratching off. Additionally, the mug doesn’t fit well in car cup holders due to its handle.

Performance: Good but not great

While we love the look of this mug, it simply doesn’t work as well as other high-end travel mugs. We tested it on a super-cold 20 degree day with hot coffee, and it kept the coffee hot for about five hours. While it’s not the best we’ve seen, it will still work for a commute or day at the office. This mug works great for keeping liquids cold, though—it managed to keep our ice water cold for over 20 hours.

Unfortunately, within three weeks of use, the blue paint on the outside of the Campy mug started to scratch off. We were pretty disappointed, as the scratch takes away from the mug’s appearance. After that happened, we were more careful when handling the mug to avoid additional further damage.

Material: Stainless steel and BPA-free lid

The body of the mug is made from stainless steel, and the lid is made out of plastic—specifically BPA-free TPE and polypropylene. The metal walls are vacuum insulated, which helps to give the cup its temperature-regulating abilities. All of this is fairly standard for most travel mugs you can buy today.

Cleaning: The lid causes trouble

Thankfully, the travel mug’s cleaning process is simple. It’s not dishwasher safe, but hand washing it isn’t hard considering there aren’t any tight nooks and crannies for residue to hide.

The lid, however, is a different story. The slider tab doesn’t come off, making it difficult to fully clean dried-on coffee stains. While a good soak or brush can solve this problem, we thought it was more difficult than it needed to be. You can put the lid in the dishwasher if you want, though.

Price: Not too shabby

The Ello Campy 18oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug retails for around $18, which we think is a fair price, especially if you like the look of it. However, there are similar-priced options out there that perform better in terms of durability and temperature regulation.

Competition: Get a to-go mug that does more

Bubba Envy Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw: Are you looking for something that performs well with hot beverages and cold drinks like smoothies and milkshakes? The Bubba Envy Tumbler is an affordable pick, and it comes with a removable, winged plastic straw. It fits perfectly in cupholders—there’s no handle getting in the way—and it keeps liquids cold or hot almost as well as the Ello Campy Travel Mug. The only downside is that the lid doesn’t close, so it’s more prone to spills.

Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Travel Mug: If you want to keep your morning coffee hot all day long, the Thermos Stainless King Travel Mug is a worthwhile purchase. It worked the best out of the three mugs we tried, keeping coffee hot for seven hours when placed outside on a 20-degree day. While cleaning the lid is a bit of a hassle, it seals well and its handle is thoughtfully designed for extra comfort. However, it’s also worth noting that the handle on this mug isn’t compatible with car cup holders, either. While the price is a little higher—generally around $25—we think it’s worth it for the quality you’ll be getting.