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RTIC 20oz Travel Mug vs RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler

Both are 20 oz RTIC double-wall tumblers, so the real split is the interior and the lid. The Travel Mug uses a bare 18/8 stainless interior and a flip-top lid with a viewing window, which suits hot coffee and tea on the move. The Essential uses a ceramic lining that keeps drinks tasting neutral and adds a silicone base and a leak-resistant screw lid, which suits cold drinks and people who dislike a metallic tang. Owners of both rate the insulation and build highly; the Essential has the larger review base and the higher rating.

  • Choose the RTIC 20oz Travel Mug if you mostly drink hot coffee or tea and want a flip-top lid you can open one-handed in the car.
  • Choose the RTIC Essential 20 oz Ceramic Lined Tumbler if you care about taste, drink iced coffee or water, and want a lid that seals tighter and a base that won't clank.

Prices

  • RTIC 20oz Travel Mug: $13.79 at RTIC Outdoors (last seen Nov 4)
  • RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler: $17.97 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Difference: the RTIC 20oz Travel Mug is $4.18 cheaper than the RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler at the latest prices (Nov 4 and Nov 12)
RTIC
RTIC 20oz Travel Mug

RTIC 20oz Travel Mug

$13.79at RTIC OutdoorsChecked Nov 4
See all prices and details
Visit RTIC Outdoors
Pros
  • Flip-top lid opens one-handed and has a window to check liquid level
  • Dishwasher safe, including the lid on the top rack
  • Slim mug shape with an easy-grip, no-sweat body
  • Holds cold drinks up to 24 hours
Cons
  • Stainless interior can leave a metallic taste in coffee or acidic drinks
  • No silicone base, so it can clank on hard surfaces
  • Lid is leak-resistant, not fully leak-proof
RTIC
RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler

RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler

4.5(2,431 ratings)
$17.97at WalmartChecked 4 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Ceramic lining keeps drinks tasting clean and is easy to wipe out
  • Leak-resistant screw lid with double threading
  • Silicone base protects surfaces and quiets set-downs
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 2,431 ratings
  • Cupholder friendly
Cons
  • Ceramic lining scratches if you use metal or hard plastic straws or utensils
  • Hand-wash care, not dishwasher safe
  • Hot drinks hold for up to 6 hours, shorter than the cold hold
  • Taller body at 7.48 in

What separates them

RTIC 20oz Travel MugRTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler
Interior liningBare 18/8 stainless steelCeramic lining over 18/8 stainless
Taste and smellCan pick up a metallic note with acidic drinksCeramic keeps flavor neutral and cleans easily
Lid typeFlip-top with shaded viewing window, leak-resistantScrew lid with double threading and leak-resistant tab
Hot drink holdKeeps hot drinks at serving temperature; no hour figure givenUp to 6 hours hot
Cold drink holdUp to 24 hours coldUp to 24 hours cold
BaseEasy-grip base, no-sweat exteriorBuilt-in silicone base plus no-sweat exterior
CleaningMug and lid dishwasher safe, lid on top rackHand-wash recommended; metal or hard utensils can scrape the ceramic
Height and fit6.5 in tall, slim mug shape7.48 in tall, 0.75 lb, cupholder friendly

Price history

$22.98$13.79
Nov 4Nov 12
  • RTIC 20oz Travel Mug: lowest $13.79 on Nov 4 at RTIC Outdoors; $22.98 on Nov 6.
  • RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler: lowest $17.97 on Nov 12 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

RTIC 20oz Travel Mug

  • RTIC OutdoorsNew

    Availability unknown

    $13.79Checked Nov 4
    Visit RTIC Outdoors
  • Lowe'sNew

    Availability unknown

    $18.98Checked Nov 4
    Visit Lowe's
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $22.98Checked Nov 6
    Visit Amazon
  • Iconic ImprintNew

    Availability unknown

    $28.99Checked Nov 4
    Visit Iconic Imprint

Also available at

  • LunveroCheck price at Lunvero
  • BrewennaCheck price at Brewenna
  • GlobalPrep KitchenCheck price at GlobalPrep Kitchen

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 6 stores and price history →

RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $17.97Checked 4 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $22.98+ $6.99 shippingChecked 4 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Iconic ImprintNew

    In stock

    $25.99+ $27.70 shippingChecked 4 h ago
    Visit Iconic Imprint
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $17.97Checked 4 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 3 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecRTIC 20oz Travel MugRTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler
Height6.5 in7.48 in
MaterialStainless Steel, 18/8 Stainless Steel—
SubtypeTravel Tumbler—
TypeMug—
DurabilityStrong stainless steel construction—
Set SizeTwo-piece—
Count1—
Dishwasher SafeYes, Keep lids in the top rack to prevent damage—
Freezer SafeYes—
SizeNo information—
Holiday ThemeHoliday—
Event ThemeBack To School—
Show all 27 specsShow fewer specs
SpecRTIC 20oz Travel MugRTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler
PatternSolid Color—
ShapeMug-shaped—
StyleSlim design—
EmbellishmentLaser etched—
TextureMatte—
UseHot beverages, Cold beverages—
Age RangeAdults—
Typical UsersTravelers—
ThemeOutdoors—
actual_color—Black

What reviewers say

RTIC 20oz Travel Mug

Owner feedback on RTIC drinkware is generally positive, with insulation and build quality the most common praise. Complaints tend to center on lids that seep when tipped and on cleaning the flip-top mechanism.

What people mention
  • InsulationPraisedOwners say ice and hot drinks hold temperature for hours, close to RTIC's 24-hour cold claim.
  • Lid leakageCriticisedBuyers report the flip-top lid seeps when the mug is tipped or carried in a bag.
  • BuildPraisedThe 18/8 stainless body feels sturdy and holds up to daily use and drops.
  • CleaningMixedThe lid is dishwasher safe on the top rack, but the flip-top parts take extra effort to clean.

RTIC Essential 20 oz Leak-Resistant Lid Ceramic Lined Tumbler

  • 4.5 / 52,431 ratings

Questions and answers

Which is better for hot coffee?
The Travel Mug. Its flip-top lid is easier to open one-handed and it is built around hot drinks. The Essential holds hot drinks up to 6 hours and warns to open the lid carefully with hot liquids.
Which keeps drinks cold longer?
They tie. Both are rated up to 24 hours cold with double-wall vacuum insulation.
Does the ceramic lining really change the taste?
Yes, for many drinkers. Ceramic prevents the metallic taste and smell that bare stainless can give coffee and acidic drinks, and it wipes clean more easily.
Which is easier to clean?
The Travel Mug. It and its lid are dishwasher safe, with the lid on the top rack. The Essential's ceramic lining should be hand-washed and kept away from metal or hard plastic utensils.
Is the Essential worth stepping up to over the Travel Mug?
If you drink iced coffee, water or tea and dislike a metal taste, yes. If you want a dishwasher-safe mug for hot coffee in the car, the Travel Mug fits better.
Will either fit a car cupholder?
The Essential is listed as cupholder friendly at 7.48 in tall. The Travel Mug is slimmer at 6.5 in, which suits most cupholders, but RTIC does not list it as cupholder friendly.

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color—Black
Capacity—20 Ounces
Weight—0.75 lb
Insulation—Double-Wall Vacuum-Sealed Insulation
Cupholder Friendly—Cupholder Friendly Design