When it comes to roadside cuppas, picnic lunches or warming soup on a winter drive, what’s more iconic than a Thermos? This tried-and-true brand has released its new Icon Series, and we put three items through their paces to see if they live up to the 121-year-old Thermos legacy.
Few brands have earned their place in Australian travel culture quite like Thermos. After more than a century in business, it’s one of those names that has become synonymous with the product itself — you’re not going to hear someone ask, “Where’s the vacuum flask?” when scrounging around the boot. Nope. It’s always “the Thermos”, whether it has the brand logo to back it up or not. Whether it’s a school sports day, a camping trip or an adventure across the Nullarbor with your van in tow, chances are someone’s brought along a Thermos.
When Thermos announced its new Icon Series, I was curious to see how these updated designs would hold up against the classic models I’d used growing up. The new range promises a mix of modern design, practicality and everyday toughness, with insulated food jars, travel mugs and tumblers, and beverage bottles available in sleek new colours.
For this review I got to test three of the new products — the 710ml Food Jar, 470ml Travel Mug and 1.2L Beverage Bottle — to see whether they live up to the heritage and hype.
What’s new about the Thermos Icon Series?
The Thermos Icon Series keeps the fundamentals that made the brand famous: stainless steel bodies, double-wall Thermos vacuum insulation tech and that reassuringly solid feel. But there are also a few smart upgrades that make this range stand out.
First up is the colour range, with Granite (black), Glacier (light blue) and Sunset Pink available across most of the products, while the large 1.2L Beverage Bottle and massive 1.9L Water Bottle are available in Granite and Matte Stainless Steel. These new colours offer a nice point of difference to the rest of Thermos’ lineup, and the matte finish gives them a classic yet contemporary look and helps disguise fingerprints and scratches.
Another big standout is the Griptec™ non-slip bases and handles, which prevent slips and spills. The non-slip base has been particularly handy with the travel mug and food jar at my work desk, ensuring they’re quiet, stay put and don’t get knocked over too easily.
The new Thermos Icon Series range features Griptec™ non-slip bases
Everything is top-rack dishwasher safe (very convenient if you’re using them regularly) and each product comes with a five-year warranty on the vacuum insulation.
The Icon Series is designed to be versatile, and on paper there’s a lot to like. But how did they perform?
Thermos Icon Series 710ml Food Jar — $69.99
First up is the 710ml Food Jar. It’s compact yet surprisingly roomy, measuring 9.91cm wide and 18.54cm tall. It will fit neatly into your camping gear or work bag, won’t take up too much space in the cupboard at home, and holds enough for one or two people.
Thermos Icon Series 710ml Food Jar in Sunset Pink
Like the rest of the range, it has a high-quality stainless-steel body and Griptec™ non-slip base. The lid can double as a serving bowl, and it comes with a fold-out stainless-steel spoon that tucks into it a storage compartment on the pressure relief stopper — a feature not available in the same size food jar in the Thermos Stainless King range.
Thermos rates the Food Jar to stay cold for 24 hours and hot for 10 hours, making it suitable for everything from workday lunches to overnight trips.
My test involved filling it with hot potato and leek soup, which I measured out using an average-sized bowl. I was pleasantly surprised it only filled the food jar around halfway, which is why I extended the capacity to two people in a pinch (depending on the food you’re storing). Straight from the pot, the temperature measured at 77°C. A bit over three hours later, it was around 65°C on my initial test — warm enough for a satisfying lunch, but I might have gotten a higher reading if I’d stirred it properly as the soup was hotter around the edges and near the base. Filling the jar completely would also help with the heat retention.
I haven’t tested it with any cold items yet, but I expect it would yield similar results and look forward to putting it to the test as Melbourne’s weather warms up.
It’s a good-sized Food Jar and the addition of the spoon to this size is very convenient
The design is easy to clean, with minimal grooves and a wide mouth that makes getting a sponge in easy.
All up, it’s a well-made, modern upgrade from Thermos’ classic Food Jars. And while you might query the price tag, remember, you’re paying for the quality and longevity that comes with the Thermos name.
Key features:
- Colours: Sunset Pink, Gracier, Granite
- 9.91cm (w) x 9.91cm (d) x 18.54cm (h)
- Rated 24hrs cold / 10hrs hot
- Griptec™ non-slip base
- Top rack dishwasher safe
- High quality 18/8 stainless steel
- Five-year warranty on Thermos™ vacuum insulation technology
Thermos Icon Series 470ml Travel Mug — $74.99
This one quickly became my most-used of the three. As someone who has a cup of tea in hand more often than not, the Icon Series Travel Mug ticks a lot of boxes. It fits neatly in standard cup holders, the Griptec™ moulded handle makes it easy to manage while driving and it feels sturdy without being heavy.
Thermos Icon Series 470ml Travel Mug in Granite
The first time I tested it was on a cool Melbourne morning, and I quickly noticed the lack of warm-hand feel that I usually get with my standard keep-cup. And while this felt like a negative on a 9-degree morning, it only took half a moment to realise that this is, in fact, a sign of good insulation, with the heat staying where it should be.
Thermos claims it’ll keep drinks hot for seven hours and cold for 22. While I didn’t measure it with a thermometer, I have put it to the test quite thoroughly. Apart from accompanying me through my work commute and into the morning, its most recent feat has been accompanying me on a 7–8-hour trip down the Mornington Peninsula. I made a cup of tea at around 8am and by around 3.30pm (after sipping throughout the day) it was perhaps not piping hot but still pleasantly warm.
The 360-degree drink lid means you can sip from any angle and it’s leakproof when closed, provided you don’t overfill it. There’s a max-fill line built into theAbide by the max fill line if you don't want spills stainless-steel interior, and filling about this will lead to leaks around the screw thread (learned this the hard way).
The 360-degree lid means you can drink from any side, and it’s leak-proof when closed
Abide by the max fill line if you don’t want leaks
Cleaning is easy, which is a big win in my book. The lid fully disassembles, with the outer ring, inner opening and closing mechanism and the rubber seal all coming apart, so you can easily get rid of any residue (very handy if there’s milk involved).
Overall, it’s a win in my book. While it might not be tucked into your hiking backpack, it’s everyday usability for work, road trips and picnics make it a great addition if you’re looking for a high-quality travel mug that will last you years.
Key features:
- Colours: Sunset Pink, Glacier, Granite
- 13.21cm (w) x 8.89cm (d) x 19.3cm (h)
- Rated 22hrs cold / 7hrs hot
- 360-degree drink lid
- Griptec™ moulded handle and non-slip base
- High quality 18/8 stainless steel
- Five-year warranty on Thermos™ vacuum insulation technology
Thermos Icon Series 1.2L Beverage Bottle — $89.99
This classic Thermos shape will be familiar to many: the tall flask with a cup for a lid and a slimline side handle. It’s iconic for a reason, and we probably all have memories of the Thermos being packed because we knew that all the cafes in those small out of the way towns would inexplicably close right when an afternoon cuppa was a must.
Thermos Icon Series 1.2L Beverage Bottle in Matte Stainless Steel
The new Iconic Series Beverage Bottle hasn’t changed much, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s just been subtly updated with a Griptec™ non-slip base and a matte finish that gives it a fresh look. Available in Granite and Matte Stainless Steel (as seen here), the latter does show more smudges than the coloured options, but that’s a minor trade-off.
Like the other variants of this classic Thermos, it features a twist-and-pour stopper that lets you pour without removing the cap entirely, a double-wall drink cup that can double as a serving bowl, and a rattle-free carry handle.
It has a twist-and-pour stopper so you don't have to open it entirely
Thermos rates it for 24 hours hot or cold. My test started at around 7am with freshly boiled water (100°C). By noon it was at 85°C, and by 8.30pm, 68°C — impressive, especially considering I was removing the lid entirely every hour for testing. I’d expect the heat retention to be even better if you’re only unscrewing the lid a small amount as required.
The classic Thermos design with a modern look
The 1.2L capacity works out to be around four average-sized mugs, so it’s great for couples or groups on the road. And while it took a moment of fiddling to get the right unscrew to gentle pour ratio, once I got the knack it was very easy to use.
But what really made this Thermos feel like a clever design (or perhaps just make me realise I’m behind on the times) is that the wide mouth means you can also use it as a large food jar instead of simply a way to transport hot water. This opens up the realm of transporting larger quantities of soup, stews or joining the popular hot-dog-in-a-Thermos hack at the footy.
This one’s a solid all-rounder. It’s durable, practical and has enough heritage charm to feel nostalgic without being outdated. If we’ve got to point out a downside, the only thing is that more quantity means more bulk, so it’ll take up more room in your camping setup and its height (29.72cm) may make it harder to store when not in use.
Key features:
- Colours: Granite and Matte Stainless Steel
- 11.43cm (w) x 9.91cm (d) x 29.72cm (h)
- Rated 24hrs cold / hot
- Twist-and-pour insulated stopper
- Double wall drink cup
- Wide mouth design for easy cleaning and to double as a food jar
- Griptec™ moulded non-slip base
- Rattle-free carry handle
- High quality 18/8 stainless steel
- Top rack dishwasher safe for added convenience
- Five-year warranty on Thermos™ vacuum insulation technology
Final thoughts
Thermos’ new Icon Series is a thoughtful evolution for a brand that’s already, well, iconic. The designs are familiar but refreshed, and the performance across all three products was as consistently solid as you’d expect from Thermos.
They’re not cheap as chips, and while you might be able to find lower-cost options elsewhere, Thermos backs its quality with long warranties and proven insulation performance. Plus, there’s free shipping in Australia for orders over $79. These are reliable, versatile products you can throw in your caravan or camping kit and trust to do their job.
That’s Thermos for you.
To find out more about the Thermos Icon Series, click here.
Thermos Icon Series Food Jar, Beverage Bottle and Travel Mug
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