Charger maker CIO offers the MugWarmerⅡ, a desk gadget that combines a heated mug for keeping drinks warm with a Qi2 wireless charger that tops up your smartphone simply by setting it down[1]. A project for the device launched on the Makuake crowdfunding service on November 20, 2024, with an early-bird price starting at 4,980 yen including tax[2]. Place the mug and it works as a warmer; place a phone or earbuds and it switches to a charger, making it a year-round product.
A Mug Warmer and Qi2 Charger in One
The MugWarmerⅡ consists of a dedicated mug with a built-in ceramic heater and a base unit that handles wireless power delivery[1]. The base measures 9cm by 11cm, about the size of a coaster, so it takes up little space on a desk[1]. The top of the base is slightly convex, so the mug sits neatly in place.
The base also automatically detects what is placed on it[1]. Set the dedicated mug and it enters warming mode; set a phone or earbuds and it switches to charging mode, so there is no need to select a mode by hand. It works as a mug warmer in cold seasons and as a compact wireless charger the rest of the year.
Keeps Drinks at 40–70°C in 1°C Steps, with App Control
The warming mechanism relies on a ceramic heater built into the bottom of the mug[1]. Power is sent wirelessly when the mug is placed on the base, and the heater warms the drink. Insulation is fitted between the heater and the base of the mug, so the outside of the base and mug stays relatively cool even while the heater is active[1].
The warming temperature can be set anywhere from 40 to 70°C in 1°C increments, and both the keep-warm timer and the auto-off timer can be adjusted in 1-minute steps[1]. Gyokuro green tea is best at 40–50°C, hot water at about 50°C, and coffee or black tea at about 60–70°C, so the range covers a wide variety of drinks[1]. The default setting is 55°C, and a dry-burning prevention feature automatically cuts power after 8 hours[1].
The touch panel on the base handles power, mode selection, and temperature adjustment, while a dedicated app lets you set timers and register favorite modes from your phone[1].
Up to 15W of Qi2 Wireless Charging, with MagSafe Attachment
The base unit is also a Qi2-compatible wireless charger[1]. It delivers up to 15W, starting to charge a Qi-compatible phone or earbuds the moment you set them down. With a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, magnetic attachment keeps the phone from shifting if your hand bumps it while working, so charging is less likely to be interrupted[1]. Note that the base is only a charger and is not a power bank[1].
Usability and Easy Maintenance
The mug has a stainless steel double-wall structure, which works with the ceramic heater to keep drinks warm efficiently[1]. The lid is designed so you can drink from any direction across 360 degrees with it still attached, reducing both the trouble of removing it each time and any dripping[1]. The surface has a semi-matte finish that resists fingerprints, and the top of the handle is flat for a more comfortable grip[1].
The dedicated mug has an IPX6 water-resistance rating and can be hand-washed under running water with a neutral detergent[1]. However, long soaking and dishwasher use are not supported, and bleach cannot be used[1]. The base unit is not splash-resistant, so it should be wiped with a damp cloth if it gets dirty[1]. CIO also notes that the mug requires the dedicated base to heat up and cannot be warmed by an off-the-shelf charger, and that a 15W PC USB port cannot supply the power needed for warming[1].
Summary
CIO's MugWarmerⅡ combines a ceramic-heated mug with a Qi2 wireless charger rated up to 15W, automatically switching between warming and charging based on what is placed on it. With fine temperature control from 40 to 70°C in 1°C steps, app operation, and an IPX6-rated washable mug, it is well suited to everyday use. For anyone who wants to keep a drink warm while also consolidating desk-side charging, it looks like a device worth considering.
