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Zojirushi SM-KHE48 vs Tiger MMJ-A048: Which 16 oz Travel Mug?

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Short answer: These are close twins: both are 16 oz one-hand flip-lid mugs rated at 154°F after 6 hours. Choose the Tiger MMJ-A048 for the lightest carry (about 6.7 oz vs 9 oz). Choose the Zojirushi SM-KHE48 for more colors and Zojirushi’s published 5-year US/Canada insulation warranty.

How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications (starting with Zojirushi’s official product page and Tiger USA’s official MMJ-A page), all listed under Sources below. We don’t run hands-on tests, and if a spec isn’t published, we say so. Last updated: October 2026.

Check price: Zojirushi SM-KHE48
Check price: Tiger MMJ-A048

I live in Japan. Zojirushi and Tiger are the two big Osaka names in vacuum bottles, and these are their 16 oz one-hand mugs.

I haven’t tested these side by side. Everything below comes from the manufacturers’ official pages, linked at the end. If a spec isn’t published, I say so instead of guessing.

Quick Comparison Table

Spec Zojirushi SM-KHE48 Tiger MMJ-A048
Capacity 16 oz / 0.48 L 16 oz / 0.48 L
Dimensions (W x D x H) 2-5/8 x 2-7/8 x 9-1/8 in 2.60 x 2.83 x 8.58 in (6.6 x 7.2 x 21.8 cm)
Weight 0 lb 9 oz About 0.19 kg (about 6.7 oz)
Heat retention, 1 hour 187°F 186°F or more (86°C)
Heat retention, 6 hours 154°F 154°F or more (68°C)
Cold retention, 6 hours 48°F 47°F or less (8°C)
Lid Flip-open with safety lock One-push open with one-hand lock
Mouth width Not listed (Zojirushi says it fits full-size ice cubes) About 4.3 cm (1.7 in)
Interior 18/8 stainless, SlickSteel finish SUS304 (18/8) stainless, Super Clean Plus finish
Colors (US) 7 colors 4 colors (Blue Black, Passion Pink, Snow White, Clear Stainless)
Made in Thailand China
US warranty listed 5-year thermal insulation warranty (US/Canada) Not listed on the product page

Zojirushi rates heat retention with 203°F (95°C) water in a 68°F (20°C) room. Tiger’s MMJ-A048 page doesn’t state test conditions; Tiger’s manual for its export MMJ-A1 series uses the same 95°C water and 20°C room.

Key differences at a glance

  • Weight: The Tiger MMJ-A048 weighs about 0.19 kg (6.7 oz), roughly 2 oz less than the SM-KHE48’s 9 oz.
  • Height: The Tiger is about 8.6 inches tall, while the Zojirushi is 9-1/8 inches.
  • Heat retention: Both are rated at 154°F after 6 hours; the Zojirushi lists 187°F after 1 hour and the Tiger 186°F or more.
  • Colors and origin: The Zojirushi comes in 7 colors and is made in Thailand, while the Tiger comes in 4 colors and is made in China.
  • Warranty: Zojirushi lists a 5-year US/Canada thermal insulation warranty, while Tiger’s product page lists no warranty term.
  • What stays the same: Both hold 16 oz, have a one-hand flip lid with a lock, and use 18/8 stainless steel with a polished, stain-resistant interior.

The Differences That Matter

1. Weight

Tiger lists the MMJ-A048 at about 0.19 kg, roughly 6.7 oz. Zojirushi lists the SM-KHE48 at 9 oz. Tiger credits its spinning process, which thins the stainless inner shell, for the low weight.

2. Size

The footprints are almost identical (2.60 x 2.83 in for the Tiger, 2-5/8 x 2-7/8 in for the Zojirushi). The Tiger is about half an inch shorter, at 8.58 inches versus 9-1/8 inches.

3. Heat and cold ratings

This is a draw on paper. Both list 154°F after 6 hours. After 1 hour, Zojirushi lists 187°F and Tiger 186°F or more, and cold ratings are 48°F (Zojirushi) and 47°F or less (Tiger).

4. Colors, origin, and warranty

Zojirushi offers the SM-KHE48 in 7 colors, makes it in Thailand, and lists a 5-year thermal insulation warranty for products used in the US and Canada. Tiger USA lists 4 colors and China as the producing country, and its product page doesn’t state a warranty term.

What’s the same

Both hold 16 oz, open with one hand, lock shut for carrying, and use 18/8 stainless with a polished interior that each maker describes as stain-resistant.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Zojirushi SM-KHE48 if you:

  • Want a wider choice of colors
  • Value a published 5-year US/Canada insulation warranty
  • Want a mug Zojirushi says fits full-size ice cubes

Choose the Tiger MMJ-A048 if you:

  • Want the lightest 16 oz mug of the two
  • Want a slightly shorter bottle for a small bag
  • Plan to carry sports drinks (Tiger Japan says that’s OK)

Tiger USA lists the MMJ-A048 on its product site, but it isn’t sold in Tiger’s own US online store, so check that a listing is new stock from a reputable seller.

The View from Japan

In Japan, Tiger sells this mug under the same model number, MMJ-A048, as part of its SAHARA MUG line of lightweight “Yume Jūryoku” (dream gravity) bottles. Tiger Japan lists the same 0.48 L capacity, 68°C or higher after 6 hours, 0.19 kg weight, and 4.3 cm mouth, plus a removable drinking spout and a fully washable body thanks to a laser-welded base. Tiger Japan’s manual site also lists a newer MMJ-A2 series (MMJ-A362/A482/A602).

Japanese reviewers on Kakaku.com rate the MMJ-A048 highly, often praising its light weight, heat and cold retention, one-hand operation, and easy cleaning. Complaints include paint that chipped sooner than expected and a lid hinge that broke after a drop (one reviewer was able to order a replacement part). (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)

Deciding between Zojirushi sizes instead? See SM-KHE36 vs SM-KHE48.

SM-KHE48 vs Tiger MMJ-A048: Frequently Asked Questions

Which keeps coffee hotter, the SM-KHE48 or the MMJ-A048?

On paper they tie. Both are rated at 154°F after 6 hours. After 1 hour, Zojirushi lists 187°F and Tiger lists 186°F or more.

Which is lighter?

The Tiger MMJ-A048, at about 0.19 kg (6.7 oz) versus 9 oz for the Zojirushi SM-KHE48.

Do both have a one-handed lid?

Yes. The SM-KHE48 has a flip-open lid with a safety lock, and the MMJ-A048 has a one-push lid with a one-hand lock.

Can I put sports drinks in them?

Tiger Japan says sports drinks are OK in the MMJ-A if you clean it right after use. Zojirushi’s SM-KHE page doesn’t mention sports drinks.

What happened to the Tiger MMZ-A501?

An earlier version of this page compared the MMZ-A501, which Tiger Hong Kong lists as discontinued. The MMJ-A048 is the 16 oz Tiger mug on Tiger USA’s site.

Check current listings

Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.

Check price: Zojirushi SM-KHE48
Check price: Tiger MMJ-A048

Sources

Specs checked October 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.

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