That $60 heated mug tray I bought is either the best or worst purchase of my year

I picked up this heated mug coaster thing (you know, the one that keeps your coffee warm at your desk) for like $60 off Amazon, thinking it would save me from cold coffee grief. First day, I set my mug on it and forgot about it for an hour, came back and the coffee was actually too hot to drink, which I didn't even think was possible. But here's the thing - I spilled half of it trying to grab the mug because the base is super slick, and the cord is way too short unless your outlet is right there. Three days in, the coaster started making this weird buzzing noise too, so I unplugged it and now I'm just using it as a regular coaster. Should I send this thing back and try one of those fancy Ember mugs instead (even though they cost like $100 more), or am I just bad at hot beverage management? Has anyone else dealt with this heated coaster gamble?

2 comments

2 Comments

samthompson5d ago

Honestly, that buzzing noise is the part nobody's talking about enough. The short cord and slick base are annoying but manageable, but a buzzing heated coaster is basically a fire hazard waiting to happen. I had a space heater once that started making that same low hum and two days later it just died mid-use, no warning. So yeah, I'd send it back just for that alone. As for the Ember mug, my buddy got one and said the battery on the base dies after six months and then you're just stuck with a $100 regular mug. You're not bad at beverage management, you just bought a dud.

the_lucas4d ago

Did your buddy ever try getting Ember to replace the base under warranty, or did they just tell him tough luck?