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Is the Ember Mug worth it on Black Friday? Yes, if you drink tea at a desk and keep coming back to a cold cup. And this year there's a twist: Ember released the Mug 3, so the Ember Mug 2 is already marked down before Black Friday even starts.
I use an Ember at my desk, and I still think it's borderline magic. I step away for an hour, sit back down, and my tea is exactly the temperature I left it. Here's what goes on sale, which model to buy, and what a good Black Friday price looks like.
Yes. Ember has discounted its mugs for Black Friday in past years, both on its own site and through retailers like Amazon. The deals usually show up the week before Thanksgiving and run through Cyber Monday.
2026 is different in one helpful way. The Ember Mug 3 just launched, so the Mug 2 has already dropped well below its old price. If you've been waiting for a deal on the classic Ember, it's basically here now, and Black Friday could push it lower.
In Canada, Ember runs a separate store at ca.ember.com with its own Black Friday page, so check it alongside Canadian retailers.
The Mug 3 fixes the three things people complained about most with the Mug 2:
My take for tea drinkers: if your mug lives on its coaster at your desk, the battery and dishwasher upgrades matter less than you'd think. A discounted Mug 2 is the better value for most people. Buy the Mug 3 if you hate hand washing, walk away from your desk with your tea, or just don't want another app.
Which size? The 10 oz holds a typical cup of tea and stays hot a little longer off the coaster. The 14 oz fits a big mug or a refill, which is what I'd pick for long work blocks.
1. Ember Mug 2, 14 oz: the best value
Price range: about $100 to $150. Check for current prices.
The mug I'd buy for a desk tea habit. It holds your tea between 120°F and 145°F all day on its coaster. It's already marked down from its old price, and anything under about $90 is a great Black Friday buy. The 10 oz version is usually about $10 less. Check price on Amazon.
2. Ember Mug 3, 14 oz: the upgrade
Price range: about $125 to $150. Check for current prices.
Dishwasher safe, buttons on the mug, a sipping lid in the box and up to 3 hours off the coaster. New products rarely get big first-year discounts, so under about $125 is a good deal. It also comes in 10 and 16 oz. See the Mug 3 on Amazon.
3. Ember Tumbler 2, 16 oz: for tea on the move
Price range: about $150 to $180. Check for current prices.
The new Tumbler fits a car cup holder, goes in the dishwasher, comes with two lids and sets the temperature with a button on the bottom, 125°F to 145°F. Under about $150 is a good price. Check price on Amazon.
4. Original Ember Tumbler, 16 oz: the sleeper deal
Price range: about $110 to $180. Check for current prices.
Same 16 oz size and about 3 hours of battery, but hand wash only. Now that the Tumbler 2 is out, the original has dropped a lot. If you want volume and don't mind hand washing, this is the sleeper bargain of the bunch. You can find it here.
Want my full review of using one for tea every day? Blog: Is the Ember Mug Worth It for Tea?
Deal sites love a big "percent off" badge. Here's the simpler test I'd use: buy when it hits these numbers.
| Model | Regular range | Great Black Friday price |
|---|---|---|
| Mug 2, 10 oz | about $90 to $130 | under about $80 |
| Mug 2, 14 oz | about $100 to $150 | under about $90 |
| Mug 3, 14 oz | about $125 to $150 | under about $125 |
| Tumbler 2, 16 oz | about $150 to $180 | under about $150 |
| Original Tumbler, 16 oz | about $110 to $180 | under about $110 |
Prices change by the hour during deal week, so always check the current price before you buy.
Skip it if you finish your tea in ten minutes, mostly drink iced tea, or already have a thermos you love. The Ember keeps hot tea hot. It won't rescue a cup that's already gone cold.
For a much cheaper fix, a good insulated tumbler like the MiiR 16 oz keeps tea warm for hours, just without the exact temperature. And the rest of my desk setup is in Blog: The Best Tea for Work and Blog: Best Mini Kettle for Working From Home.
When do Ember Black Friday deals start?
Usually the week before Thanksgiving, and they run through Cyber Monday. Thanksgiving is November 26 this year, so watch from about November 19.
What temperature should I set for tea?
Start around 135 to 140°F and adjust to taste. Brew your tea at its proper temperature first, then pour it in. My guide to brewing temperatures: Blog: Why Is My Tea Bitter? It's Time and Temperature.
Is the Ember a good gift?
One of the best for a tea drinker who works from home. More ideas in Blog: Christmas Gifts for Tea Lovers.
Homework: decide on Mug 2 or Mug 3 now, set your target price from the table above, and buy the moment it hits.