Best Insulated Tumblers of 2025
Insulated Drinkwear for Hot and Cold Beverages
July 5th, 2025
Home > Gear Reviews > Hiking
Finding the right drinkware can be a journey, especially as we travel, work, and adventure outside. When searching for tumblers, which many of us use for beverages hot and cold, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the hundreds of options on the market. Do you want an insulated tumbler for your morning coffee commute, or do you want an aesthetic companion for your work day that will help keep you hydrated throughout the day–or both?
While trying to answer these questions we can also run into the ever-looming issue of overconsumption, filling our cupboards with tumblers that we’ve tried and ultimately shelved.
In my personal search for the best tumblers for a variety of uses, I have fallen prey to over-purchasing, and have too many travel mugs and tumblers that I’ve bought because they were cute, trendy, or from a brand I trusted. Without doing any research, I bought tumblers that leaked when my coffee fell, mugs that got my tea cold even when they claimed they wouldn’t, and other items that didn’t work for my lifestyle in one way or another.
In the interest of sustainability, and buying the correct item the first time, we tested tumblers and mugs in a variety of settings, all in the hopes that this guide will help you find what works best for you and your needs.
We create reader-supported, mission-driven objective gear reviews that are independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission — without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Comparison table
| WATER BOTTLE | TREELINE AWARD | HOT OR COLD? | SIZES AVAILABLE? | FITS IN CAR CUPHOLDER? | DISHWASHER SAFE? | WEIGHT | MATERIALS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owala Free Sip Stainless Steel Tumbler | Best overall Read why |
Hot & Cold | 40 oz | Yes | Yes, top rack | 1 lb 0.7 oz | BPA Free Plastic powder coated, Stainless Steel insulation |
| Simple Modern Classic | Best affordable Read why |
Hot & Cold | 20, 24, and 28 oz | Yes | Yes, top rack | 20 oz: 11.5 oz | Double walled 18/8 stainless steel, lid and straw are BPA-free plastic |
| Stanley Iceflow Flipstraw Tumbler | Best outdoor Read why |
Cold | 14, 20, 30, and 40 oz | Yes | Yes, top rack | 1 lb | 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free plastic |
| Purist Mover | Best for cold drinks Read why |
Cold | 18 oz | Yes | No | 12.2 oz | 316 Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel |
| Owala Smooth Sip Slider | Best for hot drinks Read why |
Hot & Cold | 12 oz and 20 oz | Yes | Lid only, hand wash cup | 20 oz: 12.15 oz | BPA, lead, and phthalate free plastic, stainless steel insulation |
| Stanley Quencher Pro Tour Flipstraw | Best with straw Read why |
Hot & Cold | 14, 20, 30, 40, 64 oz | Yes | Yes | 1.21 lbs | Double walled 18/8 stainless steel, lid and straw are BPA-free plastic |
| Yeti Rambler Travel Mug | Best with handle Read why |
Hot & Cold | 20 and 30 oz | Yes | Yes, recommended lids on top with gaskets and magnetic sliders in the utensil basket | 1.20 lbs | 18/8 Stainless Steel, BPA Free plastics |
The winners
Best overall insulated tumbler: Owala FreeSip Tumbler
Materials: BPA Free Plastic powder coated, Stainless Steel insulation
Weight: 1 lb 0.7 oz
Available sizes: 40 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top rack
What we liked: Lockable lid, excellent insulation, comfortable handle
What we didn’t like: Only one size option
I am new to using Owala products, only trying their bottle and tumbler for recent testing. That being said, I’ve seen them all over retail stores and online as they have been surging in popularity for at least two years. As I tested the Owala FreeSip I couldn’t help but compare it to the Stanley Flowstate, which I own two of in the same size as the Owala. After several weeks of near daily use, I can confidently say that the Owala FreeSip is my new daily use tumbler, and it sits far and above the Stanley in performance.
The Owala comes in a 40-oz size, which I solely use for my daily water intake. The bottle is large: tall with a slightly narrowed base to fit in most car cupholders (it fits in our Subaru, Jeep, and an old Silverado’s cupholders!). The slim design is so good that it even fits when crammed next to its sister bottle, the Owala FreeSip Sway.
Owala FreeSip Tumbler
Like the FreeSip Sway, the FreeSip Tumbler sports the FreeSip Spout, which comes with a larger spout for chugging and a smaller spout that is connected to the straw for sipping. I tend to solely sip from it so I didn’t have to pick up the bottle entirely, but I appreciate the added feature for those who might prefer to fully tip the bottle back instead of using the straw.
The spout opens with a fairly large button which is easily pressed with one finger, and it can be locked with a small locking mechanism at the back of the spout. The FreeSip Sway has the same exact lid, and I love the ability to lock the lid closed so that I don’t have to worry about the button being accidentally opened and water leaking everywhere. I greatly appreciate when brands produce gear that has features I never knew that I needed until I tried them, and the locking mechanism of the FreeSip Spout is one of those features.
The insulation is triple-layered, and it kept my water cold through a 12-hour day of working with youth outdoors in 90-degree weather. The handle is very easy to fit my large fingers through without any issues, and it doesn’t protrude from the bottle so much that it’s obtrusive or easy to knock over, which is a testament to the tumbler’s design because it is tall and widest at the top.
Overall, the FreeSip Tumbler from Owala is our best overall tumbler, with an adorable array of colors that are muted, jewel toned, and earth toned for a wide array of aesthetics. I expect to use it for a very long time.
Best affordable insulated tumbler: Simple Modern Classic Tumbler
Materials: Double walled 18/8 stainless steel, lid and straw are BPA-free plastic
Weight: 20 oz: 11.5 oz, 24 oz: 12.49 oz, 28 oz: 14.04 oz
Available sizes: 20, 24, and 28 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, top rack
What we liked: Comes with straw lid and leak proof flip lid, aesthetic and sleek look
What we didn’t like: Straw lid is not leakproof
There is a lot to be said for gear that is made with simplicity in mind. While I am generally searching for tumblers and bottles made with extra features, there is a power creating drinkware that is solid yet simple, fulfilling the basic needs of most consumers at an approachable price. The Simple Modern Classic Tumbler, which we tested in the 24-oz size, is a dependable tumbler that fulfills several different needs with a design that is comfortable to drink out of and use.
Simple Modern Classic Tumbler
Simple Modern’s Classic Tumbler is a great companion for working from home or the office.
I say that this tumbler fulfills different needs because it comes with two lids: the Flip Lid and the Straw Lid. The Flip Lid is leakproof, double-wall insulated, and dishwasher safe. When drinking tea, coffee, or other warm drinks, one would use the Flip Lid. The Straw Lid is for colder drinks, and while it isn’t leakproof it is splash proof, and is also double-walled insulated and dishwasher safe. While some, including myself, use one tumbler for hot drinks and another for cold, the Simple Modern Classic Tumbler functions as two bottles in one: it can be used for morning coffee or tea with the Flip Lid, washed, and then used for daytime water intake with the Straw Lid.
The insulation in the bottle is also very strong, much stronger than I would expect at the price point. Our morning coffee, which was poured at 6 AM, was still hot at noon. Cold drinks stayed cold all day, with afternoon cold water overnight. It is important to note though that the cold insulation does not perform as well when the Straw Lid is in use, as it provides a way for air to enter and escape the bottle. I still found drinks cold in the morning when they had been poured the evening before, so the insulation performance is only slightly lessened.
With Simple Modern’s Classic Tumbler’s versatility, excellent insulation, and slender design for easy carrying and traveling, choosing it as our Best Affordable Insulated Tumbler was an easy decision.
Best for outdoor adventures: Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler
Materials: 18/8 stainless steel, BPA-free plastic
Weight: 1 lb
Available sizes: 14, 20, 30, and 40 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
What we liked: Excellent insulation, easy to carry handle
What we didn’t like: Not 100% leakproof according to some users (although we had no issues)
I have tested many Stanley bottles over the years, and have come to expect well-constructed bottles that provide strong insulation. The Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler is no exception, and it is a bottle that I’ll turn to for a variety of uses both indoors and on the trail or at the campsite.
Many tumblers are not suitable for the outdoors, lacking leak-proof lids or straws, bulky handles that don’t fit in hiking pack side pockets, or generally being too small in capacity for use outdoors when a kitchen sink isn’t readily available. The Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw is a tumbler that is designed for both indoor and outdoor adventuring, with capacity options large enough to keep you hydrated on day hikes and a lid and handle that are suitable for the wear and tear of the outdoors.
Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler
I tend to prefer bottles without straws, but the straw was removable and easy to clean which won me over quickly. The flip straw mouth opening is comfortable to drink out of, and I didn’t notice any unpleasant plastic flavors as I sipped. I was also impressed with Stanley’s sustainability practices, as all IceFlow Tumblers are made in part from recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, sparing waters of plastic waste. Per Stanley’s website, nearly 100 pounds of waste is prevented from entering our waters per every 1,000 IceFlows that are manufactured.
The IceFlow Tumbler is our pick for outdoor adventuring mainly because of the comfortable handle, which I carried on many dog walks and short hikes without any pain or discomfort in my hands. The handle can be folded down in either direction, making it lower profile and not easily bumped into or knocked over.
My second reason for choosing the IceFlow for outdoor adventures lies in the lid, which I found to be leakproof after tossing in the backseat and holding upside down on several occasions. That being said, there are customer reviews that state that they experienced leaking with their Stanleys. This could be due to not closing the FlipStraw entirely, or due to design flaws in the lids that I haven’t encountered yet.
All in all though, my own experience makes me feel confident in tossing the bottle in my backpack on a hike or laying it on my paddle board as I move through the water.
Best insulated tumbler for cold drinks: Purist Mover 18 oz
Materials: 316 Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel
Weight: 12.2 oz
Available sizes: 18 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: No
What we liked: Glass lining, easy to travel and carry
What we didn’t like: Would prefer a few extra ounces (20 or 22)
Upon first usage of the Purist Mover 18 oz, I was skeptical. Like the Simple Modern Classic Tumbler, the Purist Mover is a tumbler without obvious bells and whistles. It is one continuous shape, with a slightly tapered bottom.
My skepticism was soon dissolved as I drank further. This is because of the inner lining of the Purist, which is glass-lined in an effort to stop contaminants from entering beverages and eliminating metallic taste or lingering flavors.
I have never struggled with drinking from stainless steel bottles, but I know that some do, and the Purist Mover might be the answer for those who don’t like to taste or touch metallic bottles but still want strong insulation. The glass lining is not noticeable, nor does it make the bottle feel easy to break. I drop-tested it from about four feet over my gravel driveway, and the bottle remained intact. I would not advise testing the Mover’s durability in a drop test that is high off the ground, but the bottle feels as strong as it should be for most uses.
Purist Mover 18 oz
For cold drinks, the Mover performed strongly, keeping my water cold from my initial 6am pour to 10pm when I emptied the cup for the evening. Insulation is affected by the lid design, so choosing a lid that requires the contents of the bottle to be fully exposed to the air (like the element lid which comes with purchase and is a lid that opens entirely by being screwed off and on), will yield liquids that get to room temperature more quickly than with other lids.
The Mover is part of Purists offerings which include the 10- oz Maker, the 25- oz Traveler, and the 32- oz Founder. All of the bottles look similar but have slightly different but generally cylindrical designs. They are bottles that seem best suited for those who prefer clean and minimalist design. The Mover’s color options are also sleek, with more muted and earth toned colors such as Clay, Bone, and Drift (which looks like Black).
The Purist Mover 18, and the entire line from Purist, are bottles that look great and are high quality–excellent for those looking for a cleaner tasting bottle without compromising on insulation.
Best insulated tumbler for hot drinks: Owala SmoothSip Slider
Materials: BPA, lead, and phthalate free plastic, stainless steel insulation
Weight: 20 oz: 12.15 oz, 12 oz: 5.92 oz
Available sizes: 12 oz and 20 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Lid only, hand wash cup
What we liked: Comfortable brushed outer coating, leakproof design
What we didn’t like: Slide component doesn’t remove for cleaning, drinks get cold quickly with slider unlocked
I have owned my Owala SmoothSip Slider in the 12-oz size long before I began testing items for this guide, so it has been used nearly daily for over 6 months. In that time, it has quickly become my favorite tumbler for coffee, tea, and any other hot beverage I use with it.
I bring my SmoothSlip with me on morning dog walks, trips to the garden, and for checking emails. On camping trips, it would be a great coffee mug due to how tough it is and how consistent the leakproofing is.
The stainless steel insulation keeps my coffee warm all day, which is a bonus for me because I tend to nurse my hot drinks. The slider lid is leakproof, a feature I am looking for in nearly every bottle I use. It is completely leakproof, as I’ve tossed it into a work bag with my laptop and carried through the metro on the way to the office without any incident. I’ve held the tumbler upside down, I’ve dropped it, and overall used it heavily and have never seen a single drop escape the top.
Owala SmoothSip Slider
The tumbler is easy to clean, with the silicone lining in the lid removable along with the slider and small inner piece that secures the slider. The spout itself is satisfying to drink from, with a wider yet narrow opening that fits easily in my mouth and doesn’t overpour, which is a great feature for hot drinks.
There is not much more one can ask for from Owala’s SmoothSip Slider. Carrying it is a comfortable experience, the leakproofing cannot be beat, and the insulation is strong. These features, along with the variety of cute color options, will keep me turning back to this mug again and again for all of my hot drinks.
Best insulated tumbler with straw: Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler
Materials: Double walled 18/8 stainless steel, lid and straw are BPA-free plastic
Weight: 1.21 lbs
Available sizes: 14, 20, 30, 40, 64 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
What we liked: Keeps drinks cold, commuter friendly, comfortable in hand
What we didn’t like: Heavy, Flip Straw isn’t always easy to open
The Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler is an improvement upon its sibling, the popular Stanley Quencher FlowState. The ProTour version comes with a fully leakproof ProTour Flip Straw lid. The built in straw is designed to flip up for drinking and snap shut when finished. When not snapped shut, the lid is not leakproof.
This tumbler is an all around useful and dependable bottle, with thick and durable outer materials and double wall vacuum insulation that keeps cold water icy for up to 9 hours. In our testing, ice remained intact for nearly a full working day, so the 9-hour claim from Stanley feels correct.
Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler
The spout is removable, making the bottle easy to thoroughly clean all parts, which is an important feature in tumblers with straws. The handle is large, which doesn’t feel obstructive on the 30-oz version but might feel too big in the 40-oz size. That being said, I have large hands and don’t have an issue with it, but I know that some might struggle if they have smaller hands.
Drinking from the spout and straw is effortless, without any off putting plastic taste from the spout. Unlike the Stanley FlowState, the Flip Straw is more low profile with the short spout, which I appreciated while commuting and traveling with it. Speaking of commuting, the bottle fits perfectly into cupholders.
The Flip Straw Tumbler is an improvement upon the Flow State, which I have loved for years but always wished was leakproof. With the leakproof lid and comfortable spout, the Flow State is an ideal bottle for work and most of what life brings outside of it.
Best insulated travel tumbler with handle: Yeti Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug
Materials: 18/8 Stainless Steel, BPA Free plastics
Weight: 1.20 lbs
Available sizes: 20 and 30 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, recommended lids on top with gaskets and magnetic sliders in the utensil basket
What we liked: Tough outer materials, keeps hot drinks warm through lots of temperature changes
What we didn’t like: Rambler Stronghold Lid is only leak-resistant, not leakproof, handle feels slightly too small
Yeti makes drinkware that I can depend on, and the Rambler series of products is my favorite of their offerings, with mugs and bottles that provide excellent insulation and quality construction that feels durable and truly lasts. I have so far found that to be true with Yeti’s Rambler 20-oz Travel Mug, a mug that fits in standard cup holders with a straightforward yet high quality design that makes it useful in a variety of travel and domestic uses.
Yeti Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug
I’ve used the Rambler most on my morning walks to my garden, which leads me down and up a small hill and through lots of uneven ground. While the Rambler Stronghold Lid is not leakproof, it is leak resistant and twists on, so I haven’t had spills beyond small leaks that stay within the lid. The Stronghold Lid, which is unique to Yeti’s Travel Mugs, features dual-slider magnet technology that further increases the leak resistance. The actual mechanism for opening the lid takes a moment to learn, and can be opened by pushing down on it with your finger and then sliding it back, which doesn’t always feel intuitive but does eventually become easy to maneuver.
The vacuum insulation kept my coffee warm through lunch and my water cold all day. For stronger insulation I would turn to my Owala SmoothSip, but the Travel Mug from Yeti fulfills most of my needs while on the go. My main gripe with the Travel Mug is the handle, which feels slightly small for my and my partner’s large hands. Those with smaller hands might not notice a difference though.
While I wouldn’t use Yeti’s Travel Mug in a setting where I need to not be worried about leaking (like in a backpack), I would bring it with me on most excursions, and it would be a great campsite companion for morning coffees around the fire.
Other insulated tumblers we tested
Yeti Rambler 16 oz Stackable Cup
Materials: 18/8 Stainless Steel, BPA Free plastics
Weight: 0.48 lbs (16 oz), 0.80 (20 oz)
Available sizes: 8, 16, 20, 30 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
What we liked: Compact size perfect for espresso and smaller drinks, easy to hold and drink from
What we didn’t like: Lid is only leak-resistant, not proof
Yeti’s Rambler line of products has many different size and design options to choose from. The 16-oz Stackable Cup is part of their line of travel cups that are insulated, durable, and easy to store together.
The 16-oz tumbler doesn’t have a leakproof lid, but the leak resistance was good enough for carrying around and driving without getting liquid everywhere. The tumbler itself looks smaller than it is, easy to hold and store which makes the tumbler exceptionally commuter-friendly. The MagSlider Lid is effortless to push open with a finger, which I appreciated when my hands were full and I wanted to sneak a drink of my espresso.
Overall, the 16-oz Rambler Stackable Cup is drinkware that is good for all around uses–as a morning coffee mug when traveling, a juice cup in the morning, or anything in between. It is versatile and simple to travel with as well.
Yeti Rambler 16 oz Stackable Cup
Materials: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.07 lbs
Available sizes: 18 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Hand washing recommended, but tumbler can be placed in dishwasher if filter is removed (avoid heated dry setting)
What we liked: Sleek design, could use a few extra ounces
What we didn’t like: Due to straw design, it is not leakproof. Straw can be difficult to suck water through
When first testing the LifeStraw Go Series Tumbler I was confused about how and where one would use this, as the design is more for work and home than the typical settings I envision using LifeStraw products, like when travelling internationally in places where safe water is not easily accessible, or while on short hikes when on-the-go water filtration is needed. I do see the utility in the Go Series Tumbler now though, especially considering that many people live in places where clean water is not accessible, even though everyone should be able to have it.
LifeStraw Go Series Tumbler
The Go Series Tumbler filters out contaminants, protecting against bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, parasites, microplastics, sand, dirt, and cloudiness found in tap water and ice. The carbon filter also reduces chlorine, odors, and organic chemical matter taste when drinking. I used the filter during a short walk to a spring nearby, and the water tasted cold and crisp. Like other filtration bottles, it does take some force to draw water through the filter, but I found this to get much easier after initial sips. The filter is long lasting as well, with a lifespan of up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 L) of filtration, or about five years of daily use.
I wish that this tumbler was slightly larger, at least 22 oz, which feels more justifiable when considering the fact that the tumbler costs $70, an investment for any tumbler.
Camelbak Thrive
Materials: Stainless Steel
Weight: 13 oz (20 oz size), 1 lb 1 oz (30 oz size)
Available sizes: 8, 16, 20, 30 oz
Fits in a car cup holder: Yes
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
What we liked: Leakproof
What we didn’t like: Lack of handle in the tumbler version
The Camelbak Thrive is a tumbler that fits easily into our every day lives during our testing period, and we predict that we will use it for a long time to come. The Thrive contains two rare features for tumblers: leakproof and strong heat retention. Typically we find tumblers to have one of these factors, but it’s unique to find both in a tumbler.
The vacuum sealed insulation performs well. Camelbak claims that the Thrive can keep cold beverages cold for 14 hours and hot for 7 hours, and I found this claim to be true in our time testing it. I work remotely, in a time zone two hours ahead of me, so I am often making coffee early in the morning and will drink it through the morning hours. Often, my coffee gets cold during this time. With the Thrive, I can pour coffee at 6:45AM and drink it at noon, where it is still warm (not steaming hot, but still warm). Iced tea in the Camelbak stayed cold throughout the day, and I went to bed not noticing that it had lost any of its chill.
I am also hard on the tumblers I use, throwing them in the cupholder of the ATV I ride some mornings out on our property, or sticking them in the dirt as I work in the garden. Many tumblers are not leakproof and not suitable for more than carrying from the kitchen to office, but the Thrive is durable and completely leakproof. I have tipped the bottle over, dropped it, tossed it, and still have yet to lose any liquid.
The Thrive’s build is also thoughtful yet simple- comfortable to carry in hand with a minimally tapered design for easy carrying. The lid sports a sliding mechanism that can be slid up with a finger if your hands are full. I appreciate that the lid itself is see-through, making it easy to see how much I have left as I drink. The Thrive tumbler from Camelbak is simple, yet made with intention that results in a tumbler that checks all of my boxes, from high quality insulation to complete leak proofing.
What to look for in an insulated tumbler
Insulation performance
To keep drinks warmer and colder for longer periods of time, choose insulated bottles made with double-wall stainless steels, which are made to insulate between the two layers of the bottle and prevent heat transfer. Many insulated tumblers can keep drinks cold for long periods of time, and hot drinks warm for many hours. Insulation performance in a tumbler is also largely dependent upon the style of lid being used, so tumblers with straws are more susceptible to melting ice than those that are fully sealed, for example.
Material
Every tumbler in this guide is made from BPA-free plastic and stainless steel, with the exception of the Purist Mover, which includes a glass lining to minimize flavors (and other benefits). Choosing a tumbler with BPA-free plastic, which is largely standard in the industry at this point, will result in a bottle that is more pleasant to drink from and healthier in the long term. I recommend choosing a tumbler that uses stainless steel insulation for performance and quality.
Lid design
As I mentioned above, lid design for your tumbler can play a crucial role in how the insulation performs, so choose a tumbler with a lid or spout that can be easily opened and closed. Some lids have magnet sliders, some have button closures, and some unscrew–all are largely up to personal preference.
My favorite lid I have tested belongs to the Owala SmoothSip Slider, with a mouth opening that is slightly lipped and feels ergonomic to drink from. I particularly like the sliding mechanism, which opens and seals the mouth opening with ease. When choosing a tumbler, look for a lid that can be closed without much force, is leakproof (ideally), and comfortable to drink from.
Size and capacity
When it comes to water bottles I tend to prefer larger sizes, with their higher capacities helping me to stay hydrated throughout the day. With tumblers, especially when being used for hot drinks, I prefer smaller sizes. Not only do smaller sized tumblers hold less coffee, which I don’t personally drink much of every day and would waste trying to find in a 24-oz tumbler, they are also more efficient for traveling and packing. For tumblers being used for daily water intake, I prefer to use at least 24-oz and up in capacity.
While tumblers vary widely in size and capacity, I generally recommend considering how and when the tumbler would be used most. For those who work from home or car camp, a larger and more cumbersome tumbler is not an issue, but those who travel daily for work might appreciate a smaller size and capacity.
Durability
Like any piece of gear, it’s important to choose a tumbler that will last through it all. No tumbler design can prevent routine wear and tear, but it can be helpful to choose bottles with thick insulation, strong coating, or tough BPA-free plastic to prevent cracks or breaks.
I recommend being intentional about the straws that you may use with your strawed tumblers, as some straws are flimsy and break easily. Silicone straws can be very difficult to destroy, especially when compared to glass straws. I personally prefer straws made with thick, BPA-free plastic, and I have yet to have any break across a variety of different brands and makers that we tested.
Ease of cleaning
Tumblers often come with many small parts, from straws to mouth openings to magnet sliders. These parts, which can contribute to useful features in a bottle, can be the most difficult to clean. Choose a tumbler with components that are removable. Many of these can be washed in the utensil drawer of your dishwasher, but check in advance. When in doubt, hand washing and soaking small components is always a dependable way to keep them clean.
Grip and portability
When it comes to grip, look for tumblers with outer coatings that aren’t slippery. Nobody enjoys dropping their morning coffee, so I also recommend looking for tumblers that are designed with ergonomics and real-world application in mind, Many, like Yeti’s Travel Mug, have a smaller area on the bottom for easy grip and for a sturdy cup holder fit.
When it comes to portability, nothing is more portable than a leakproof tumbler, which can be tossed in a work bag while traveling. Second to leakproofing is for a tumbler to have a well designed handle, which can be handy when traveling in hand or for being clipped to a travel bag. Tumblers with handles and extra grips can also be more accessible for people with disabilities.
Sustainability
Choosing a tumbler made with the environment in mind is much easier than it looks, especially as more brands embrace the use of recycled materials. The body of every Stanley Quencher is made with BPA-free plastic and 90% recycled stainless steel, for example.
Along with recycled materials, one can practice sustainability in their tumbler-purchasing decisions by simply choosing a tumbler that works for them and using it until it is no longer functional. By not replacing our bottles and tumblers before they’ve given out from wear and tear, we are contributing to less waste and overconsumption. Being intentional in our purchasing practices supports a world where we can buy what we need when we need it, instead of letting things gather dust on shelves or sit in landfills.
Care and maintenance tips for tumblers
Most tumblers are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is always recommended for keeping them in their best shape and preserving insulation quality, especially if they have powder coating that could chip in the dishwasher. Some tumblers are dishwasher safe but only for the lid and other small components, so make sure to check the care instructions.
For daily washing, scrubbing with your usual dish soap, warm water, and a non-abrasive sponge will prevent stains and odors. Make sure to use a straw cleaner with soap to clean out and rinse the straws, which are often overlooked and can harbor nasty bacteria or even grow mold if not properly cared for.
Letting a bottle soak overnight (lid off) with dish soap, warm water, and baking soda can be done for deeper cleans. Many companies now sell tablets that can be dissolved in water for cleaning stainless steel tumblers if you prefer to use those. For the straw bite valves and other small components, make sure to soak and scrub those in the cleaning solution as well.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep tumblers going for longer, and prevent the gross smells and bacteria that can hide in the crevices of our frequently used but infrequently cleaned bottles (it happens to the best of us!).
How we researched and tested
We tested the tumblers in this guide over the course of several months, using them daily for morning coffees, afternoon teas, water, lemonades, and many other drinks in between. We took insulated mugs outside to test their ability to keep liquids cool even in the bright sun, and on cool days they were taken outdoors to test their insulating ability with warm liquids.
We tested our tumblers in a variety of outdoor temperatures- from cold 35° mornings to hot afternoons in the sun to determine the tumblers abilities to keep liquids cold or hot. All hot liquids were poured at an initial 180-200° for tea and coffee.
All tumblers that were marked dishwasher safe were run per instructions, which typically meant that lids and other small components were placed in the utensil drawer while the tumblers were placed on the top rack.
We researched how consumers have reviewed and responded to these bottles in their own experiences. We also used expert media including Outdoor Gear Lab and Wirecutter/New York Times to see how other testers and reviewers felt about the bottles, in addition to our testing.
Lastly, I am someone who always has a bottle in hand, and my lived experience as a youth worker and outdoor educator–essentially someone who is always on the run—informed this guide.
About the author / Why you should trust us
I am a hiker who believes that all bodies and identities deserve to find themselves outside. I have worked and lived in outdoor education and program spaces, leading backpacking and camping trips for young people and have logged hundreds of miles over the years. I've hiked the Sea to Summit Trail, sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Lost Coast Trail.
As someone who is always busy and moving around, I depend upon tumblers and water bottles that are solidly built to keep me hydrated and energized, so I am intentional in what I choose to use. I now live in Southern Idaho, where I spend most weekends adventuring around the Sawtooths, Western Wyoming, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
You can read more on their author page.
