What if, in addition to controlling your home's light bulb or robot vacuum cleaner, you could also control a mug from your phone? That's precisely what Ember has been proposing for some time now with its smart mugs , an accessory that might seem unnecessary at first glance but could become the best friend of those who regularly drink coffee or tea (and always want it at the perfect temperature, of course). After drinking more than two (and three, and four…) coffees from one, I think it's time to share my experience. Sit back and read on.
Your drink always hot with your smartphone
The first thing you'll love about the Ember mug in person is its design. It's beautiful and attractive, with rounded lines that invite you to pick it up and hold it. Its polished ceramic finish makes it quite pleasant to the touch. As for its dimensions, it looks like an ordinary mug, but its weight tells a different story: it weighs a hefty 410 grams —not including the drink, of course. Regarding its capacity, it's practically the same as a standard mug, so you won't have any problems pouring yourself a good cup of coffee or tea.
And if it looks like a mug and acts like one… where's the secret to its operation? Well, it's in its base, where the system that keeps your drink warm and connects to your phone is located. That's where you'll start your Ember for the first time, by pressing the button on the bottom and waiting for a blue indicator that lets you know it's ready to pair with your phone. You'll need to have an app installed on your phone, available for Android and iOS , which will allow you to configure your mug and get it ready to use.
It works perfectly and never fails. It instantly detects if it contains liquid, and its temperature sensor is very accurate, continuously measuring the internal temperature and maintaining the liquid at the desired level within a range of 50 to 62,5°C. The interface is very simple and intuitive, and you can even receive alerts on your phone when the temperature has reached the target (although you can also check it using the LED on its base).
Beyond this, you can also set timers to know when to remove the tea bag and even create profiles so you don't have to select a number on the meter, but simply tap on a number and know that it should be set to Green Tea mode at 59º (the recommended drinking temperature) or Cappuccino mode at 56º. If you use an iPhone, there's a very interesting extra feature: the Ember app syncs with iOS Health, allowing you to track your caffeine intake (and record it in your data summary within Apple's comprehensive health solution).
As for its battery, it can last for about an hour (although this estimate will vary depending on the operating temperature, of course). It has a plate-shaped charging base; simply place the mug on it to initiate contact.
What did I like most ? How well it works and how efficient it is at syncing with the mobile app (seriously, it's instantaneous). What did I like least? You have to be careful that the bottom connectors are perfectly dry before placing it on the charging base. I also wasn't too convinced by the white version, because it tends to stain more easily (that's what happens with tea and coffee), so if that's something that bothers you, I recommend going for the black version.
Is it worth your purchase?
Given that this mug costs €99,99 and is clearly just a geeky indulgence, it's worth considering whether it's worth the investment. The product presents a rather original idea , boasts fantastic build quality, and perfectly fulfills its purpose: keeping the beverage at a specific temperature. It also features a tea timer and integrates with iOS Health.
Even so, and as I discuss in the video at the beginning of this article, the Ember mug is still a genuine indulgence, completely unnecessary, and only truly appreciated by people who drink a lot of coffee or tea and value keeping their beverage at the right temperature— it's a surefire gift for someone like that. It does its job perfectly; it's up to you to decide if it's worth it.
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