Guides · Sep 5, 2026

Choosing a daily mug

A daily mug is the most-used object in most kitchens, and the easiest to choose badly. Here is what we'd check, whether you buy from us or anyone else.

Capacity first. A standard cup of coffee is eight ounces, but most people pour more, and a mug filled to the brim is hard to carry. Our Dune mug holds twelve ounces to the top, which leaves room for a real cup plus milk.

Then the handle. Hold the mug empty and see how many fingers fit. Two-finger handles look elegant but get tiring with a full mug. We size ours for three fingers with a thumb on top, which keeps the weight close to your hand.

The rim matters more than people expect. A thick, blunt rim feels clumsy on the lip. A very thin one chips. We throw ours slightly rounded and a little thinner than the wall, and glaze right over it so it is smooth.

Last is weight. Stoneware is heavier than porcelain, and a good mug has some heft without being a brick. The Dune mug weighs about 0.8 pounds empty. Thicker walls also hold heat longer, which is the other reason people stop using their thin mugs.

Pick the glaze last. Fog white shows the coffee line; speckled buff hides it. Either way, the right mug is the one that feels right before you've looked at it.