Is the Mug Chomp the Ultimate 3D Printed Coaster?

Author Byline: By David Miller / Last updated on August 16, 2025

Hey everyone, David Miller here.

Let’s talk about my desk. It’s a battlefield. On one side, you have my ever-growing collection of coffee mugs – the wide-bottomed ceramic beast for Monday mornings, the slender travel mug for when I'm running late, even a giant soup mug for chilly afternoons. On the other side, a sad collection of coffee rings staining the wood I swore I’d protect. I’ve tried normal coasters, but they’re always the wrong size. It’s a small, dumb problem, but it drives me crazy.

Then, scrolling through the maker community online, I saw it: the Mug Chomp. A 3D-printed, self-adjusting coaster that promised to grab any mug I threw at it. The engineer in me was intrigued; the skeptic in me was, well, skeptical. Is this just a clever gimmick, or is it the genuinely brilliant, functional print my desk has been crying out for? I fired up my 3D printer to find out.

Is the Mug Chomp the Ultimate 3D Printed Coaster?

My in-depth review of the Mug Chomp self-adjusting coaster. I 3D printed this viral design to see if it's a genius solution or just a gimmick. Here's the truth.

GO TO CULTS3D

The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

Stop what you're doing and go print this. The Mug Chomp isn't just a coaster; it's a masterclass in functional design and one of the most satisfying desk accessories you can make yourself.

Our Rating Breakdown

• Printability & Design: 9.5/10 (Ingeniously designed for support-free printing, making it accessible for almost any printer.)
• Functionality: 9.0/10 (The mechanism works flawlessly and is incredibly satisfying, though it can be sensitive to print quality.)
• Durability & Practicality: 8.5/10 (Solid when printed in the right material, but be mindful of using basic PLA with piping hot mugs.)
• "Wow" Factor / Value: 10/10 (For the cost of a few cents of filament, you get a fantastic project, a conversation starter, and a perfect solution to a common problem.)

Overall Score: 9.3/10✨✨✨✨✨✨

Key Specifications at a Glance

• Project Type: 3D Printable Digital File (STL)
• Filament Used for Test: eSUN PLA+ (Grey)
• Estimated Print Time: ~5-6 hours at standard settings
• Supports Required: No
• Assembly Required: Yes, simple snap-fit (no tools or glue)
• Key Feature: Iris-style mechanism automatically adjusts to mug size

Unboxing and First Impressions

For a 3D print, "unboxing" is the moment you pry the finished parts off the print bed. I printed all the pieces in one go, and the first thing I noticed was the clever design—no supports needed whatsoever. That's a huge plus, saving time and cleanup.

The parts felt solid. Assembly was a five-minute affair, like a simple puzzle. You slot the "chomper" arms into the base, place the top ring on, and twist it to lock. The magic happens when you first press down on the center. The six arms slide inward with a smooth, satisfying thwump. My first impression? This isn't some flimsy toy. It feels robust, well-toleranced, and brilliantly engineered.

Putting It to the Test: Real-World Performance

A clever mechanism is one thing, but how does it handle a full, steaming mug of coffee on a Tuesday morning? That’s the real test.

I brought the Mug Chomp to its new home on my desk and began the gauntlet. First up, my daily driver: a standard ceramic mug with a 3.5-inch diameter. I placed it down, and the chompers snapped into place, gripping the base securely. No wobble. I gave it a nudge – it was stable. Success.

Next, my wife's narrow, insulated tea tumbler. I was sure this would be too small. Nope. The mechanism adjusted perfectly, centering the tumbler and holding it just as firmly. The real test was my giant, oversized soup mug. It barely fit, but as the weight of the mug pressed the center plate, the arms retracted just enough to let it sit flat, perfectly centered.

The action is what sells it. It's not just a passive coaster; it’s an active participant. That little bit of mechanical feedback every time you put your drink down is weirdly addictive. It turns a mundane action into a tiny, satisfying event. It also keeps the mug perfectly centered, which means no accidental tips from setting it down on the edge of a traditional coaster.

What Real Users Love (The Pros)

• Genius Self-Adjusting Mechanism: The iris-style clamp is the star of the show. It’s a simple, elegant solution to the problem of varying mug sizes.
  • Why this matters to you: You'll never have to search for the "right" coaster again. One coaster truly fits all.
• Brilliant Print-in-Place Design: The creator, grizzie17, did an incredible job designing this for 3D printing. No supports means a cleaner print and less hassle.
  • Why this matters to you: It's an easy, reliable print that saves you time and filament, even on a budget printer.
• Incredibly Satisfying & Fun: I can't overstate this. The tactile feedback and mechanical action make it a joy to use. It’s a functional desk toy.
  • Why this matters to you: It adds a small moment of delight to your day and is a fantastic conversation starter for anyone who sees it.

Common Complaints & Potential Deal-Breakers (The Cons)

• PLA's Heat Sensitivity: Standard PLA plastic can deform around 60°C (140°F). A scalding hot mug straight from the microwave or Keurig could potentially soften the plastic over time.
  • Why this matters to you: For peace of mind with very hot beverages, you should print this in a more heat-resistant material like PETG, ABS, or at least a high-quality PLA+.
• Print Quality is Key: If your printer isn't well-calibrated, the tolerances on the moving parts might be too tight or too loose, leading to a sticky or wobbly mechanism.
  • Why this matters to you: You need to ensure your printer is dialed in to get that perfectly smooth action shown in the videos.

Is It Built to Last? Durability and Long-Term Value

Unlike a store-bought product, the durability here is in your hands. But the design itself is inherently robust. It’s made of thick, chunky parts. The mechanism relies on simple, sliding physics, with no tiny gears or fragile pins to snap.

Its long-term value is off the charts for two reasons. First, compared to a $10-15 "premium" coaster from a store, this costs about $1 in filament. Second, and this is the beauty of 3D printing, if it ever breaks? You just print another one. It’s the ultimate right-to-repair. This coaster is, in theory, immortal. As long as you have the file and a printer, you have a coaster for life. That’s a value proposition a traditional product can't match.

Best Alternatives (The Competition)

While the Mug Chomp is unique, there are other great 3D printable coaster options if its mechanical style isn't for you.

1. The Honeycomb Coaster: A classic, elegant design that is purely aesthetic. It prints fast and looks great, connecting together to form a larger mat.
2. The "Voronoi" Coaster: A more organic, computer-generated pattern that looks incredibly modern. It’s all about style.

Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the Mug Chomp actually work as advertised?
   Absolutely. The self-adjusting mechanism works smoothly and reliably, centering and gripping a wide range of mug and cup sizes.
2. What is the best filament to print the Mug Chomp with?
   For everyday use with warm mugs, a good quality PLA or PLA+ is fine. If you regularly drink piping hot beverages, I highly recommend PETG or ASA for better heat resistance.
3. Is the Mug Chomp hard to assemble?
   Not at all. It's a simple, tool-free assembly that takes less than 5 minutes. The parts are designed to snap and lock together.
4. Does the design require supports to 3D print?
   No, and that's one of its best features. It's designed to print perfectly without any support structures, making it an easy and clean print.
5. Can it hold very heavy mugs?
   Yes. The base is wide and the mechanism is strong. It easily handled my heaviest, fully-loaded ceramic mugs without any sign of strain or instability.
6. Where can I get the file for the Mug Chomp?
   The official design by grizzie17 is available on Cults3D. It's a premium file, but in my opinion, it's worth every penny for the quality of the design.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

Remember my desk, the one plagued by coffee rings and a hodgepodge of wrong-sized coasters? That problem is officially and delightfully solved.

The Mug Chomp is more than just a coaster. It's a fantastic weekend project, a conversation starter, and a testament to the incredible things you can create with a desktop 3D printer. It takes a mundane, everyday object and elevates it with brilliant engineering and a touch of fun.

If you own a 3D printer, this is a must-print. It's functional, satisfying, and a perfect example of how 3D printing can solve real-world problems, no matter how small. Highly, highly recommended.

Call to Action

Go on, give your coffee mug the hug it deserves. You won't regret it.

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"We hope this in-depth review helps you make a confident choice! To continue your research, check out some of our other popular guides:"

• The Gridfinity System Review: Did I Finally Organize My Workshop?
• I 3D Printed a Mechanical Keyboard: A Maker's Honest Diary
• 5 Functional 3D Prints That Actually Improved My Home Office
• Are 3D Printed Headphones a Gimmick? The Head(amame) Review
• Why Every DIYer Needs a Bambu Lab Printer: My Brutally Honest Take
• The Best PLA+ Filament for Projects That Last: A Data-Driven Test

"Now I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions I didn't cover. I read every single one."