Ember Mug 3: 10 oz vs. 14 oz Compared

Ember is giving its smart mug a more practical update with the Ember Mug 3. The third-generation model adds temperature adjustment directly on the mug, top-rack dishwasher compatibility, and an included sliding lid. Available in 10 oz and 14 oz sizes, it focuses on reducing the small inconveniences that can make a connected coffee mug feel more complicated than it needs to be.

The choice between the two sizes comes down to capacity, color selection, and price. Both get the same headline upgrades, so buying the larger version does not unlock a different temperature-control system. The more useful question is how much coffee or tea you normally pour, and how long that drink tends to sit beside you.

Temperature Control Without Reaching for Your Phone

The biggest usability change is the ability to adjust temperature on the mug itself. Pressing the power button underneath the Mug 3 cycles through five presets: 125, 130, 135, 140, and 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Previously, changing the drinking temperature required opening the Ember app, according to the company’s description of this update.

That makes a routine adjustment more direct. If you want a different setting for your afternoon tea than your morning coffee, your phone no longer has to be part of the process. The selected onboard temperature also syncs with the app, keeping the two control methods connected.

There is a trade-off in that simplicity: the mug’s physical controls offer five fixed settings in five-degree increments. Ember has not described a continuously adjustable onboard control. The button is also on the bottom rather than beside the handle, a placement worth considering if you expect to change settings frequently while drinking.

Dishwasher Cleaning Addresses Everyday Maintenance

Mug 3 is now top-rack dishwasher-safe, thanks to changes in materials and manufacturing. Ember says it retains the stainless steel construction and FDA-compliant, ceramic-reinforced interior and exterior coating used in earlier mugs.

For an everyday drink container, easier cleaning is a meaningful improvement. A smart mug still has to fit into the less glamorous part of the coffee routine: dealing with yesterday’s cup before making today’s. Being able to place it on the dishwasher’s top rack removes a separate cleaning chore.

The qualification matters, though: Ember specifically identifies top-rack dishwasher use. That should not be read as unrestricted placement anywhere in the machine. The announcement also does not detail dishwasher-cycle restrictions or long-term coating durability, so those remain things to check in the care instructions rather than assume from the headline.

The Included Lid Helps Stretch Time Between Charges

Every Mug 3 includes a sliding sipping lid designed to help prevent spills and retain heat. Ember claims the mug can maintain a drink at its selected temperature for up to three hours on a single charge with the lid.

The practical benefit is easy to understand: keeping more heat inside the cup reduces the heating work needed to maintain temperature. That makes the lid useful for anyone whose coffee gets interrupted by meetings, household tasks, or a long stretch of focused work.

However, “up to three hours” is a manufacturer claim, not a tested result here. The announcement does not provide separate battery figures for the two capacities or explain the conditions behind that maximum. It therefore does not establish that either size lasts longer than the other.

Likewise, a lid that helps prevent spilling is not necessarily leakproof. Ember does not describe Mug 3 as suitable for carrying loose in a bag, so the included lid should be treated as a sipping accessory rather than proof of sealed travel-mug performance.

Ember Mug 3 10 oz vs. 14 oz: Which Size Fits?

The 10 oz model suits smaller servings and drinkers who prefer refilling their cup instead of starting with a larger pour. Its three finishes are black, white, and a new stainless option. That stainless model is specifically listed for the smaller capacity in the announcement.

The 14 oz model adds four ounces of capacity, making it the more natural fit for larger coffee or tea servings. It also offers eight color options, including sage green, lavender, powder blue, salt blue, sandstone, and matcha green alongside black and white. The extra capacity is useful only if it matches your usual serving; it does not bring additional announced control features.

For existing owners, the upgrade centers on simpler controls and cleaning. For newcomers, the appeal is maintaining drinking temperature through a slow morning. Ember launched Mug 3 on September 16, 2026, with the 10 oz priced at $129 and the 14 oz at $149. Both are available through its website, with Target online and in-store sales starting September 27 and Amazon availability planned for October.