Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2, 10 oz

Plenty of dads have microwaved the same cup of coffee three times before lunch. The Ember Mug 2 heats itself instead. Pick a temperature between 120°F and 145°F and the mug holds it, for up to 80 minutes on its battery or all day if it sits on its charging coaster. Out of the box it’s set to 135°F, and it remembers the last temperature used, so the app is optional. Pair it with the Ember app to set the exact number and save presets.

It also knows when to quit. The mug wakes when it senses movement or liquid and goes to sleep when it’s empty or after two hours without use, so it isn’t warming an empty cup all afternoon. The coating is scratch resistant, and it’s rated IPX7, fully submersible up to a meter, so a wash in the sink won’t hurt it.

This is the clearest kind of upgrade to something he already uses every day, for the dad whose coffee always goes cold while he’s busy talking, reading the paper or fixing something.

The catch: it’s hand wash only, and it’s a lot to spend on a mug. The all-day warmth depends on the coaster, so it works best at a desk or a kitchen counter where the coaster can stay plugged in.