Best Tea Cups

This is the smallest of the infuser cups here at 12 oz, which suits one steady serving of loose leaf rather than a mug to linger over. The double-wall ceramic body is meant to keep the outside easy to hold, and the extra-fine stainless steel basket rests on the ceramic lid once steeping is done, so nothing drips on the counter.

Owners report that the strainer does its job, that loose tea is simple to steep and that the basket rinses clean. They also describe it as a good present for tea drinkers. Heat reports run in two directions: owners describe tea staying hot, and they also point out how cool the cup stays in the hand. A common complaint is durability, with cracking or breakage when hot water goes in, so we'd treat this as a cup for careful handling rather than a rough-and-tumble desk mug.

Step up from the Tea Forte Noir Ceramic KATI Tea Cup and you gain 2 oz, for 14 oz in all, plus a handle that is easy to hold. The extra-fine stainless steel infuser and ceramic lid follow the same routine: steep under cover, then park the basket on the lid. The matte stone blue finish is aimed at gift buyers, and owners say the color matches the photos.

Owners report that the cup keeps brewed tea warm, that the lid helps hold the temperature and that the handle stays cool in use. They also say it brews loose leaf well, including finely ground leaves, and that the lid works as a rest for the strainer. A common complaint is size: the cup turns out smaller than buyers expected, so check the stated 14 oz against the mug you use now.

At 16 oz, this mug lands just above the Sweese Ceramic Tea Cup 15oz and two ounces short of the MALACASA Ceramic Tea Mug 18 oz, which makes it the middle choice among the larger infuser mugs. It comes with a ceramic lid and a loose leaf infuser, and the listing states it is safe for the microwave, dishwasher and oven.

The glaze is the selling point. The maker describes it as lead-free and lab-tested, and calls the crystallized finish scratch-resistant, so utensil marks should be less of a worry on a mug that gets daily use. The Liquorice color has a rustic matte look. We'd point everyday drinkers who want a sturdy-feeling mug toward it, with the caveat that these are the maker's own claims.

The two extra ounces over the MORA Ceramics Medium Tea Mug 16 oz take this to 18 oz, the largest capacity on the page, and the listed weight is 1.5 pounds. A fine-mesh stainless steel infuser handles small leaves, herbal blends and blooming tea, and the ceramic lid keeps the steep warm, then serves as a coaster for the basket. The mug and lid are listed as microwave and dishwasher safe, and a 12-month warranty covers manufacturer defects.

Owners report liking the speckled khaki design, the generous size for a big mug of tea, the way the fitted lid holds heat and how easy the mug is to use and clean. A common complaint is durability: the mug chips very easily, which matters for something that goes through the dishwasher and onto a desk every day.

Skip the strainer and this is a different kind of tea cup: a handmade glass cup with 3D butterfly and red rose enamel work, a handle and a matching spoon, listed at 11.3 oz. Anyone steeping loose leaf in the cup will want the Sweese Ceramic Tea Cup 15oz instead, since this one is built around looks and presentation. The listing says it works for warm or cold drinks and that the glass is free of lead and barium.

Owners report that it is beautifully made, that recipients love the look, and that the matching spoon and coaster are a nice addition. On strength, owners describe it holding up to daily use, while a common complaint is that it breaks quickly and does not feel sturdy. Another common complaint is that it turns out smaller than expected.

Choose this over the MALACASA Ceramic Tea Mug 18 oz if you would give up three ounces for a cup with a handle designed to stay cool. The extra-fine stainless strainer, ceramic lid and lead-free natural glaze make it a complete loose leaf setup, and it is listed as microwave and dishwasher safe and comes in a gift box.

Owners report that the cup looks like its photos, that the colors are appealing, that the lid keeps tea hot for longer and that the handle stays comfortable. They describe it as easy to use with loose leaf and herbal teas, and easy to clean, with a basket that lifts out simply and a dishwasher cycle that works. The one limit the listing states is that the strainer suits leaves but not tea powder, so powdered tea needs a different vessel.

Each cup holds 6.9 oz, far less than the Sweese Ceramic Tea Cup 15oz, and there is no infuser or lid, so these are for tea poured from a pot or brewed elsewhere in the Japanese style. The exterior is unglazed and polished to a matte finish, the interior has a glossy glaze, the base is flat, and the listing says the cups go in the microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher. Four cups arrive in a gift box. Shoppers who want a full service with a pot and saucers should look at tea set brands instead, because this is a set of four cups.

Owners report good quality, a pretty look and a size that suits small servings of tea or coffee, and they note it works with oolong and jasmine. The edge is comfortable to drink from. On heat, owners report that the cups never get uncomfortably hot in the hand, while a common complaint is that they get too hot and then cool down quickly.