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Short answer: These two are very close. Both are 16 oz, 9 oz and $39.99 at Zojirushi’s US store. Pick the SM-SHE48 if you want a half-inch shorter mug with a slightly higher 6-hour rating (158°F vs 154°F) and an anti-splash lid release. Pick the SM-KHE48 for its wider range of colors.
How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and product pages (starting with Zojirushi’s SM-SHE page and SM-KHE 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.
In Japan, flip-lid “mugs” like these are what most commuters carry. Zojirushi US sells two 16 oz flip-lid models at the same price, so here is what separates them.
This comparison is not based on hands-on testing. Everything below comes from the manufacturers’ official product pages, linked at the end. If a spec isn’t published, the article says so instead of guessing.
Quick Comparison Table
| Spec | Zojirushi SM-SHE48 | Zojirushi SM-KHE48 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 8-5/8 in | 2-5/8 x 2-7/8 x 9-1/8 in |
| Weight | 0 lb 9 oz | 0 lb 9 oz |
| Heat retention* | 187°F @ 1 hr / 158°F @ 6 hrs | 187°F @ 1 hr / 154°F @ 6 hrs |
| Cold retention* | 46°F @ 6 hrs | 48°F @ 6 hrs |
| Opening | 1-5/8 in | Not listed (fits full-size ice cubes) |
| Lid features | 2-step release, air vent on mouthpiece, safety lock | Safety lock |
| Colors (Zojirushi US) | Vivid Orange, Matte Black (SM-SHE48ZA: White, Red, Stainless) | Smoky Blue, Champagne Gold, Black, Lavender Pink, Stainless, Deep Cherry, Emerald |
| Zojirushi US store price | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Made in | Thailand | Thailand |
*Zojirushi measures heat retention starting with 203°F (95°C) water and cold retention starting with 40°F (4°C) water, both in a 68°F (20°C) room.
Key differences at a glance
- Heat rating: Zojirushi rates the SM-SHE48 at 158°F after 6 hours, 4°F above the SM-KHE48’s 154°F.
- Height: The SM-SHE48 is 8-5/8 inches tall, half an inch shorter than the 9-1/8-inch SM-KHE48.
- Lid: The SM-SHE48 adds a 2-step lid release that keeps condensation from flicking off, plus an air vent for smoother pouring.
- Colors: The SM-KHE48 comes in more colors, while the SM-SHE48 comes in orange and black, with a separate SM-SHE48ZA version in white, red and stainless.
- What stays the same: Both hold 16 oz, weigh 9 oz, cost $39.99 and have a flip-open lid with a safety lock and a stopper that comes apart for cleaning.
The 4 Differences That Matter
1. Heat and cold ratings
Slightly better on the SM-SHE48: 158°F versus 154°F after 6 hours, and 46°F versus 48°F cold, measured the same way.
2. Drinking feel
Zojirushi says the SM-SHE48’s air vent lets drinks flow out smoothly without gushing, and its 2-step release stops condensation from being flung off as the lid opens.
3. Size
Same footprint, but the SM-SHE48 is half an inch shorter, which can matter under a car console lid or in a small bag.
4. Colors
The SM-KHE48 has seven colors on Zojirushi’s page. The SM-SHE48 has two, plus three in the SM-SHE48ZA version.
What’s the same
Same 16 oz capacity, same 9 oz weight, same 2-5/8 x 2-7/8 inch footprint, same $39.99 price, same SlickSteel interior and safety lock, and both are made in Thailand.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the SM-SHE48 if you:
- Want the slightly higher heat rating
- Like the vented, anti-splash lid
- Want a shorter mug
Choose the SM-KHE48 if you:
- Want a specific color
- Already own KHE parts
- Want the familiar classic model
The View from Japan
We didn’t find the SM-SHE or SM-KHE names on Zojirushi Japan’s site. Japan’s current 480 mL flip-lid model is the SU-BA48, launched in September 2025. Zojirushi rates it at 74 °C or above after 6 hours and says its seamless stopper, with the gasket built in, means only two parts to wash.
Japanese owners of the SU-BA48 on Zojirushi’s official store mostly praise its light weight and dishwasher-safe, two-part design. That suggests easy cleaning, more than a few degrees of heat, is what Japanese buyers now prioritize. (Third-party reviews of a related Zojirushi mug, not our own testing.)
If a cheaper leak-proof commuter mug appeals, see Zojirushi SM-VH48 vs SM-KHE48.
Zojirushi SM-SHE48 vs SM-KHE48: Frequently Asked Questions
Which keeps coffee hotter, the SM-SHE48 or SM-KHE48?
Zojirushi rates the SM-SHE48 at 158°F after 6 hours, versus 154°F for the SM-KHE48.
Are they the same price?
Yes. Both are $39.99 at Zojirushi’s US store.
How wide is the SM-SHE48’s mouth?
Zojirushi lists a 1-5/8-inch opening.
Is there a 20 oz SM-SHE?
Yes. The SM-SHE60 holds 20 oz and is $43.99 at Zojirushi’s US store.
Check current listings
Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.
Related comparisons
- Zojirushi SM-KHE36 vs SM-KHE48: 12 oz or 16 oz Travel Mug?
- Zojirushi SM-VH48 vs SM-KHE48: GoCafe or Classic 16 oz Mug?
- Zojirushi SM-KHE48 vs SM-VA60: Which Travel Mug to Buy?
- Zojirushi SU-BA36 vs SU-BA48: 12 oz or 16 oz Seamless Mug?
Sources
- Zojirushi, Stainless Mug SM-SHE48/60 (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/smshe
- Zojirushi, Stainless Mug SM-KHE36/48 (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/smkhe
- Zojirushi US online store: SM-SHE48 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/smshe48
- Zojirushi US online store: SM-KHE48 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/smkhe48
- Zojirushi Japan: SU-BA mug specs (zojirushi.co.jp): https://www.zojirushi.co.jp/syohin/bottle_tumbler/bottle/su-ba/
- Zojirushi Direct (official Japanese store): SU-BA48 owner reviews: https://www.zojirushi-direct.com/item_review.html?ITEM_CD=SUBA48_HM
Specs checked October 2026. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before buying.
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