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Short answer: Get the SU-BA48 (16 oz, $39.99 at Zojirushi’s US store) unless you need the smallest mug. It holds 4 oz more and is rated warmer after 6 hours (165°F vs 156°F) for just 2 oz more weight. Get the SU-BA36 (12 oz, $34.99) for a 6-5/8-inch mug that fits small bags.
How we compare: every spec in this article comes from official manufacturer specifications and product pages (starting with Zojirushi’s official product 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.
I live in Japan, where Zojirushi launched the SU-BA in September 2025 as its new flip-lid mug with a gasket-free “seamless” lid. Both sizes are now sold in the US.
I haven’t tested these side by side. Everything below comes from the manufacturers’ official product pages, linked at the end. If a spec isn’t published, I say so instead of guessing.
Quick Comparison Table
| Spec | Zojirushi SU-BA36 | Zojirushi SU-BA48 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 oz / 0.36 L | 16 oz / 0.48 L |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 2-5/8 x 3 x 6-5/8 in | 2-5/8 x 3 x 8-1/4 in |
| Weight | 0 lb 6 oz | 0 lb 8 oz |
| Heat retention* | 189°F @ 1 hr / 156°F @ 6 hrs | 190°F @ 1 hr / 165°F @ 6 hrs |
| Cold retention* | 46°F @ 6 hrs | 45°F @ 6 hrs |
| Opening | 1-5/8 in | 1-5/8 in |
| Lid | Leak-proof, gasket-free one-piece lid | Leak-proof, gasket-free one-piece lid |
| Dishwasher | Dishwasher-safe | Dishwasher-safe |
| Zojirushi US store price | $34.99 | $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
- Capacity: The SU-BA48 holds 16 oz, while the SU-BA36 holds 12 oz.
- Heat rating: Zojirushi rates the SU-BA48 at 165°F after 6 hours, 9°F above the SU-BA36’s 156°F.
- Size and weight: The SU-BA36 is 6-5/8 inches tall and weighs 6 oz, while the SU-BA48 is 8-1/4 inches tall and weighs 8 oz.
- Price: Zojirushi’s US store lists the SU-BA36 at $34.99 and the SU-BA48 at $39.99.
- What stays the same: Both have the gasket-free one-piece lid, Thermo-ring structure, 1-5/8-inch opening and dishwasher-safe design, and both are OK for sports drinks.
The 3 Differences That Matter
1. Heat at the 6-hour mark
165°F versus 156°F. The larger mug keeps coffee noticeably warmer by the afternoon.
2. Carry size
The SU-BA36 is a short 6-5/8 inches and 6 oz, small enough for a jacket pocket or small purse. The SU-BA48 is 8-1/4 inches, about the height of a standard drink bottle.
3. Colors
Zojirushi lists seven colors for the SU-BA48 (including Midnight Black and Bloom Pink) and five for the SU-BA36.
What’s the same
Same gasket-free one-piece lid that Zojirushi calls leak-proof when used as directed, same splatter-proof lid opening and safety lock, same Thermo-ring structure, same 1-5/8-inch opening, dishwasher-safe, sports drinks OK, made in Thailand.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the SU-BA36 if you:
- Want the smallest, lightest mug
- Drink one cup at a time
- Carry a small bag
Choose the SU-BA48 if you:
- Want coffee hot into the afternoon
- Want more colors
- Only want to carry one mug
SU-BA in Japan
Zojirushi Japan released the SU-BA on September 1, 2025, saying it improves cleaning, heat retention and compactness in its seamless-stopper series. Japanese ratings are 69 °C or above after 6 hours for the 0.36 L size and 74 °C for the 0.48 L. Listed weights are about 170 g and 200 g.
Owners on Zojirushi’s official Japanese store rate the SU-BA48 about 4.9 out of 5, praising its light weight, a two-part design that goes in the dishwasher, and colors. One traveler said the 480 mL size was the right fit for a small shoulder bag. A parent said their two-year-old could work the lock and lid alone. One reviewer wished for a 700 mL-plus version. (Third-party reviews, not our own testing.)
Want a car-friendly mug instead? See Zojirushi SM-VH48 vs SM-VH60.
Zojirushi SU-BA36 vs SU-BA48: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zojirushi SU-BA dishwasher safe?
Yes. Zojirushi lists it as dishwasher-safe.
Does the SU-BA have a gasket to remove?
No. Zojirushi describes a gasket-free one-piece lid.
Can I put sports drinks in the SU-BA?
Zojirushi says sports drinks are OK.
Which keeps coffee hotter?
The SU-BA48. Zojirushi rates it at 165°F after 6 hours, versus 156°F for the SU-BA36.
Check current listings
Prices and colors change often, so check the current listing before buying.
Related comparisons
- Zojirushi SM-SHE48 vs SM-KHE48: Which 16 oz Flip-Lid Mug?
- Zojirushi SM-VH48 vs SM-VH60: 16 oz or 20 oz GoCafe Mug?
- Zojirushi SM-KHE36 vs SM-KHE48: 12 oz or 16 oz Travel Mug?
- Zojirushi SM-VA60 vs SM-VA72: 20 oz or 24 oz Bottle?
Sources
- Zojirushi, Stainless Mug SU-BA36/48 (official): https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/suba
- Zojirushi US online store: SU-BA36 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/suba36
- Zojirushi US online store: SU-BA48 (official): https://store.zojirushi.com/products/suba48
- Zojirushi Japan: SU-BA launch news release (zojirushi.co.jp): https://www.zojirushi.co.jp/corp/news/2025/250805/SUBA.html
- 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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