I Couldn’t WFH Without This $16 Coffee Mug Warmer (It’s Changed My Mornings!)

I’ve never been a morning person. When I was a teen, my mom used to wake me up by banging on the wall next to the stairs leading to my bedroom because I, more often than not, would hit snooze on my alarm clock. And even now that I’m a mom to two young kids who like to wake up at the crack of dawn, nothing’s changed. The only thing that gets me through the first few hours of the day is a cup (or two) of coffee. 

I only have two requirements: It must be drip, and it has to be HOT. I try to drink it quickly, but that can be tricky when getting two kids ready for school and out the door. I used to rely on warming it up intermittently in the microwave, but it never quite tasted the same. Then I discovered the joys of a coffee mug warmer — and now I use it every morning. 

This handy little device keeps my morning coffee piping hot. I keep one plugged in on my desk, and another in the kitchen at all times. It maintains your coffee at a warm drinking temperature. The best part: It comes with three temperature settings. Simply tap the button to toggle between them until you find what’s ideal for you. 

I also enjoy the smart safety feature that turns off the warmer automatically after four hours. Usually I’m done with my coffee well before then, but it’s nice to know that it’s built in just in case I forget to turn it off. It’s also easy to clean — just wipe the cooled flat surface with a dry cloth. Plus, it’s portable! I’ve actually carried one with me when I go visit my parents, and plug it into their kitchen when I arrive. (I’ve even caught my mom using it too.)

• Choose a thin-walled ceramic mug with a flat bottom. This ensures that the mug has good contact with the warmer, which will keep your coffee hot. Avoid glass or plastic mugs, as they’ll come in contact with the hot surface. 
• Use it to keep tea, warm cocktails, and any other beverages you want hot. It’s not just for coffee! I drink a lot of tea in the winter, and it keeps my cup nice and warm. The same goes for a warm cocktail (I love a hot toddy in the evening when the temperature dips). A quick note: Don’t use it to heat up cold drinks; it will take a long time to reach your ideal temperature. 
• When you’re not using it to keep your drinks hot, try it as a candle warmer. Use it to heat up your favorite candle, and fill any room with a gentle fragrance. I love this secondary feature because I don’t like keeping lit candles with young kids running around. 

Buy: VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer, $16.14 (on sale!) at Amazon