Ember launches Mug 3 with physical controls and extended battery life
The third-generation smart mug adds on-device temperature adjustment and three-hour battery endurance, priced from $129 to $149.
What happened
Ember released its Mug 3, a temperature-controlled smart mug featuring a physical button on the base that cycles through five preset temperatures from 125°F to 145°F in five-degree increments, eliminating the need to use the smartphone app for basic adjustments. The mug can maintain desired temperature for up to three hours on a single charge and is top-rack dishwasher-safe. It comes in two sizes: a 10-ounce model ($129) available in black, white, and stainless steel and a 14-ounce version ($149) in eight colors including sage green, lavender, powder blue, salt blue, sandstone, white, black, and matcha green. The app still offers Bluetooth pairing with preset temperatures for specific beverages and custom temperature creation. Ember simultaneously introduced the Tumbler 2, a 16-ounce tumbler with a slimmer design for car cup holders, available in black and priced at $179, replacing both the Travel Mug 2 and original Tumbler.
Context
Ember first introduced smart mugs in 2016 to address the common problem of drinks cooling too quickly when users become distracted. The Mug 3's physical controls address reported connectivity and app-pairing issues users have experienced. The on-device button represents a practical shift toward physical interfaces for a device typically used in settings where phone access may be inconvenient. The dishwasher-safe feature and improved battery life represent quality-of-life upgrades that expand the product's everyday usability.