Our portable tea activiTEA sports a stainless steel infuser, tough borosilicate glass, and double-walled construction to keep your tea warm for hours.
Customers use these reviews to describe their experience with ActiviTEA, including design, materials, size, ease of use, cleaning, durability, and how it works in daily tea preparation. Browse the full review history page by page to compare setup notes, care tips, and favorite ways customers use this piece.
I have been using the activiTEA for about a year and love it. I made the mistake of taking it camping and it got some rough use cracking the glass. I had to order another immediately. I started out inverting it to brew, but found that laying it on its side brewed the tea a bit faster. Either way it does a fine job.
I like that everything, including the infuser, can be taken apart to clean. It's light but doesn't feel too flimsy and has a width similar to a restaurant glass that holds about the same amount as a medium sized mug. The metal bit being called an 'infuser' is a bit of a misnomer because it doesn't function as one - this isn't the deep net type but more suited for the oldskool method where filtering happens after steeping. So, place the tea in the main body of the tumbler with water, and use the infuser to strain the leaves out as you drink or pour into a cup. I was able to drink straight from the tumbler with no problems. The body did warm up from escaping heat but the double walls kept it from being uncomfortable. My water stayed hot for about an hour and though it lost heat after, it still remained hot for long enough that it's perfect for slow drinkers like me. I had no problems drinking finer teas like rooibos or mate once they settled to the bottom of the tumbler while steeping. My only issue is with steam condensation - sometimes hot water would pool to the lid and then when the tumbler is tilted, the hot water will escape out from under the lid and down the side. I'm not sure how this can be designed around or what causes it exactly, because it doesn't happen all the time. It's easily remedied just by waiting a short period before putting the lid on.
I use this every morning to brew my first tea of the day. I put the tea in the basket and turn it upside down to brew. When it's finished, I turn it right side up to take to work with me. I generally drink the tea out of a mug rather than from the bottle. As mentioned by others, small particles will pass through the basket.
I really enjoyed the activiTEA when I bought it --- it was convenient for carrying tea to class and kept tea hot for as long as I needed it. However, it turns out that the mug is rather fragile. I accidentally knocked it over onto its side and it developed a significant crack just from that. Several days after that, the mug sheared apart completely when I tried to unscrew the lid. I liked the mug design, but I expected the glass to be tougher.
A little smaller than I expected, but it's very stylish. However, when I first poured hot tea into it, the glass cracked. I'm very disappointed, but the second one I bought didn't have that problem.
I absolutely LOVE this thermos type tumbler. It allows me to brew my tea while on my way to work then drink it as I wish. It also holds the leaves out of the water when turned right side up so I can brew multiple cups without having to refill the infuser.
This is a definitely a nifty device. But there is a slight design issue the basket is to shallow to actually brew the tea and the strainer has too wide holes to not get floaters.
I was looking for a while on Amazon for a clear thermos before I decided I didn't like any that I saw. I then came to Adagio, and since I trust them, I knew this would be good.
This little device is gorgeous, and going to get me through quite a bit of college. <3 Thank you, darlings.
I bought this because I loved the idea of it and because it looks fantastic. (It's tough to tell from the photo, but the top ring on the outside of the cap is brushed aluminum.) The activiTEA makes a good cup of tea, and keeps it nice and hot for a long time, but the reality is that it leaves a little to be desired as far as functionality goes.
The things I would change about it would be to redesign the infuser (make it longer, make the holes smaller, and make it to be more easily removed after brewing), and make it possible to remove the strap from the lid - as it is now, the strap gets soaked when the cap gets washed.
I love this and I love making tea with it! So much space for tea to open up!
So far so good! It works pretty good for me to bring to my classes, especially in the morning. Tips for use: rip a coffee filter in fourths, and place one of the pieces on top of the built in filter, then add the tea leaves. A lot less leaves will get in your tea this way. Also, when adding water, add it straight to the cup, then twist on the infuser and lid. Then tip it upside down.
UPDATE: The cup shattered when I poured hot tea into it.
Hands down, the best glass tumbler I've encountered. The double wall glass interior serves as an excellent insulator, and even black tea with water at a full boil isn't warmed uncomfortably like my previous stainless mug. The strainer itself seems to be everyone's common complain, as the mesh would be more practical for smaller teas, like darjeeling, or tisanes like yerba mate. I believe that the mesh would be a nice addition, or a nice extra, however I see the wisdom in having large enough holes for smooth and even liquid flow. A mesh may prove more difficult or unpredictable for actually drinking the tea, especially if it'd have to be rinsed out on the go. Still, I have been using this for a week, including a move to another apartment, and the glass has served me well. No residual taste either, which is awesome and worth the money easily.
I like my tea very strong, so using the recommended brewing method outlined on the box just didn't make a good cup of tea for my taste. I love the look of the ActiviTEA and will continue to use it, but will have to experiment more to create the best flavor out of their brewing method.
lovely, awesome, and neat. i use it more for holding tea i've already prepared, as opposed to steeping the tea in the infuser. i'd agree with others that the mesh for the infuser should be finer.
This just came in today, and man, is it great. I'd read the reviews and agreed that to really steep it, I had to turn it upside-down for a little while. (Word to the wise, make sure the lids are both on tight. This will save you some wasted tea and a few paper towels.) But all in all despite the hiccup, it's a really great product. I'm the type to make some tea, drink a little, then go off and forget it, but even a half hour later it's still pretty warm.This is great, and I can't wait to take some of my tea to work tomorrow morning.
I really, really like this. It's so much easier for loose leaf tea than a normal travel mug. And it keeps my tea warmer for longer. However, I do wish that the holes in the strainer were smaller. I had some tea leaves escaping while brewing. I also wish it held more tea, but I'm one of those people who uses huge mugs for tea, haha.
I was so excited when I finally had enough points to order this. I love it! =) What an awesome thing to be able to bring with you everywhere you go.
This thing is so cool, great design easy to use. I love the the size, make a nice cup of tea. Very well made.
The ActiviTEA is nice - BUT I never drink less then 16 oz. at a time. So, an 8 oz. brew is just a tease :P
Beautiful glass tumbler. I'm not planning on steeping in this, I just wanted a travel mug that was clear so I could show off the pretty color of my tea.
Update: broke within a week of purchase.
Works very well, makes it very easy to enjoy quality tea in class. Been using this daily, and haven't had a problem so far.
Love it! no issues with the dishwasher but it will stain after awhile. Great gift for someone
This tea container is great. You have to be careful w/ it as it is glass, but washing it is easy. It doesn't stain like plastic containers and I love that it has a nylon handle to make carrying it easier.
Great buy its worth the money!!! The tea is amazing and its great to be able to take it on the go.
I had been waiting for these to come back in stock for quite some time now. And was so excited when they arrived! Of course, be careful as they are glass. But they are double walled so they are sturdy and don't get too hot. With the infuser, I don't recommend using a tea that needs a lot of room to expand (like pearls) because the space is limited. Otherwise, these are beautiful, functional, easy to clean and use - AWESOME.
Great for on the go with the built in infuser to help make the tea.
This tea container is great. You have to be careful w/ it as it is glass, but washing it is easy. It doesn't stain like plastic containers and I love that it has a nylon handle to make carrying it easier. I have two and might buy a third!
Love the design, love the double glass, love the cap and strap.. hate the steeper. I never use it from the two I've owned. One unfortunately had a bubble in the inside glass where the two pieces meet.. so keep aware of that happening with yours as well.
It leaked, the filter didn't work properly, it was made of glass and broke when I dropped it!
I really wanted to like this - so despite the reviews, I bought it. sadly, it wasn't what I was hoping. The main problem is the infuser. It's a great-looking product though, so that's a plus.
The infuser holes are too big but I do use the infuser to hold back the ice when I drink iced tea. I like the look of it. I use it in place of a regular tea glass.
I love this and use it daily. My last one broke after a year of having it, so I had to replace it.
My son (who is 9) wanted this to take to school instead of a water bottle. He loves it and I love it. I borrow it pretty often.
First the bad. The infuser is basically worthless because the holes are too big and the leaves don't soak in the water unless you flip it over. I'm sure that's part of the design, but there's no way I'm gonna have freshly boiled water sitting next to my computer in an upside-down cup while I work.
That said, I still gave this a 4 out of 5 for two reasons. First, it looks awesome. Easily the most aesthetically pleasing container I've ever seen used for this purpose. Second, the insulation is incredible. It's completely transparent yet warm to the touch for even freshly boiled water.
The holes are way too big! Item didn't come with instructions. I'm still glad to have it.
I only had mine for a week because I left it in my bookbag, and my book bag ended up being dropped on the ground. So now it has this crack, so be careful with handling it! But it really was great when I used it for my tea. I had the paper filters, so I used that instead of the basket inside. I enjoyed using it for the bit of time that I had it!
I love this - it's a great way to take tea on the go. Really, the only thing I wish it would have included that it didn't was guidelines for use.
Overall, it works fabulously though. It keeps tea warm long (or cool, I can put it in the fridge for a single serve iced tea) and the built in infuser is a definite plus. I wish the strap weren't on the infuser lid, but c'est la vie.
Simply does not keep the tea hot for very long. Doesn't compare to insulated stainless. But won't spill!
I always had the problem of making a fantastic cup of tea and then realizing I need to leave for work. Carrying a mug full of tea while walking to work is not a good idea but the ActiviTEA is. I was beyond excited to get one. I've been experimenting with it since I received mine and I noticed a few flaws. The infuser is way too high, I tried flipping the bottle upside down to steep without having to fill it up to the brim, which seemed to work. I just made a mess in the process. Also I found the infuser holes to be a bit too big resulting in a couple of floaters. I wouldn't use anything with small pieces in this. Other than that I'm enjoying it immensely It's easy to clean, and pretty cool looking. I can see me using this at work and while I'm out and about. Worth checking out!
The glass itself is really nice, but I am very disappointed the stainless steel infuser does a poor job of keeping the tea leaves out of my tea. I hate when I get a tea leave chunk in my mouth. It would be better if there was a fine mesh/screen instead.
I love this! It's a bit small, but still very handy and durable. I don't quite understand what the grated lid is for as I brew my tea prior to putting it in this, but nonetheless, it's still great and very handy to take to work!
Great product. High quality, as expected. Makes a great gift.
Two complaints... The infuser basket should be much deeper so it actually extends down into the bottle. And the infuser should also have smaller holes so finer teas like rooibos don't sneak through. On the bright side though, it does keep you tea nice and warm (or cold for iced tea).
I loved this when I saw it online, but when I got and used it I was disappointed. It's easy to use, but if you over fill even a little you run the risk of burning your hand if you screw the top on and off while steeping, the strap is too small to get over my hand, the holes in the strainer are to big and the strainer it self is to shallow. All of the problems I seem to have with it can be easily fixed by a bigger strap, and a longer strainer with smaller holes or mesh. Over all I love the look of it, but that is almost eclipsed by how much of a pain in the butt it is to use!
It works nicely, but it breaks very easily, much more easily than a mug or tea cup. Mine shattered when I bumped it against a coffee table while attempting to put it down. I was not moving very quickly and it should have survived.
Please make a new strainer for this using the same mesh as the ingenuiTEA! This product would be perfect, but the holes in the metal strainer are too big and I get tons of floating tea in my cup. This is a shame after getting used to the clean cup from the ingenuiTEA.
Hands down, the easiest way to brew tea. I use it daily- and easy to clean too!
I love using my activiTEA because I'm a college student and it's the best way to keep hot, good tea around for when I want it.
This works well for on the go, but the strainer is awkward to me, in size and placement. I've actually been using my thinkgeek teastick to brew, then removing it and waltzing off happily with my activitea. I like the strap, and it doesn't spill (unless you're riding in the car about to sip and the driver hits a bump. Totally not anyone's fault, though!!), and it's easy to clean. Keeps my tea nice and warm! <3