Here’s an accessible mug review. This post explores the pros and cons of a CURVD® brand mug with a very wide handle. I share my thoughts and a loved one’s experience to write this overview.
An Accessible Mug Can Be Helpful
Someone I love mentioned to me that they sometimes have a hard time holding mugs due to swelling and mobility issues with their hands. They said it can be very uncomfortable holding a regular mug–they can’t get their fingers comfortably through regular-sized handles. So, that makes it hard for them to avoid spilling hot tea or coffee. Not a pleasant experience for them, to say the least.
This relative’s challenge sent me on a mission to find an accessible mug that could work better for them. After reading about many different options, I bought (for full price–this post is NOT sponsored) the CURVD® 12 ounce “Ergonomic Coffee Mug,” featuring a “large handle for comfortable grip.” It’s time to review this accessible mug.
CURVD Mug Specs
- Volume: If you fill it reasonably below the top, it holds 12 ounces (340 grams) of liquid. If you filled it to the very brim, it would hold 15 ounces. But, for obvious reasons, 12 is recommended.
- Size: 4.2″ (105mm) tall, 3.3″(85mm) diameter
- Weight: 15.6 ounces (442 grams) empty. Adding 12 ounces of tea or coffee adds about 12.5 ounces. When containing 12 ounces of liquid, that brings the total weight up to about 1.75 pounds (794 grams).
- Materials: Ceramic. The company claims: “No Cadmium & No Lead Used in the Ceramic.” Although I chose their white mug, the CURVD website has other colors. At the time I am writing this, it is also available in blue, pink, green, and (in the 18 oz size) black.
- Care instructions: Listed as dishwasher and microwave safe, the manufacturer claims the handle is “heat-resistant” when microwaving. I found this to be true when I tested it at home in my microwave. Although I tested it by bringing water to a boil in the mug, I didn’t keep the microwave running after that. So, please exercise caution and carefully test this for yourself.
My Thoughts on This Mug
I like the design and sleek appearance of the glaze of the white CURVD mug I ordered. I enjoyed wrapping my hands around the mug, my fingers through the wide handle.
I was worried this mug would be too heavy. If a mug is too light, however, I read that it can be easier for some folks to knock over. Interestingly, CURVD claims that “[u]nlike traditional mugs, this ergonomic design evenly distributes the weight of your beverage, reducing strain on your joints and muscles. ” So, I wondered how my family member would feel about the weight of this mug.
User’s Experience
No accessible mug review would be complete without the end user’s experience. Here’s what she shared after about a month of using the mug.
My relative liked the look of the mug. She also appreciated that although the handle stays cool, the mug is good at keeping liquid hotter for longer than the more delicate mugs she otherwise uses.
She liked how her fingers could fit more easily through the handle of this accessible mug.
The downside, she said, is the weight. It’s as I expected. If her hands are really bothering her, the mug is uncomfortably heavy. So, she finds she’s using it on days when her hands aren’t at their worst. She enjoys using it on those days. Her spouse actually likes the mug, too!
Bottom Line for This Accessible Mug
This mug may or may not work for folks looking for an accessible mug. It depends on the kind of hand/strength and other physical issues involved. On days with more inflammation and sensitivity, it was too heavy for my loved one.
Finding the right accessible fit takes some trial and error. If weight isn’t an issue, this mug is well worth trying.
The wide handle is plus in many situations. A wider range of folks can slide their fingers through it and around the mug. Happily, the handle also stays cool (in our experience) while your hot beverage stays hot.
Although she wants to keep the CURVD mug, I’ll keep looking for an accessible mug that my loved one can use on the days when her hands are flaring up. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Please share them in the comments.
Check out another post on my blog about accessibility and tea: