(10 minute read) Which Stanley is the Best Bottle?Stanley just released their Protour lid, but is it good and how does it compared to Stanley's other tumblers, the Quencher and Iceflow? This post will help you find the best bottle for you so you don't waste your hard-earned money and you can make an informed decision. We'll look at the main differences between Stanley's Quencher, IceFlow, and ProTour bottles, including which ones are:
Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It really helps, so thank you! Video: Which Stanley is the Best?We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. The Big Picture
Which Stanleys are Leak-Proof?One of the most common complaints about Quencher is that it leaks like crazy, even when you have it set to closed, which has led to a lot of damaged electronics and unintended baths over the years. The good news is, and we've confirmed it here, the Protour lid is leakproof. The IceFlow bottle also uses a similiar flip-up spout, so it's leak-proof too. Just make sure you close the spout completely both both. So if you're looking for a leak-proof bottle, avoid Quencher and go with IceFlow or ProTour. Which Stanley is Easiest to Clean?Most straw lids are notoriously difficult to clean because they always have some kind of seal under them that's difficult to get to without damaging the lid. Quencher avoids this problem altogether. The straw comes out easily, and you can pinch these prongs to remove the dial to clean underneath it. Iceflow's flip-up spout is not removable to my knowledge, so you have to rely more on cleaning tablets, soap baths, and small brushes to clean it the best you can. Protour has a removable spout and this removable seal underneath. It's a little more difficult to pop out the spout than the directions make it sound, but it can be done. You angle it at about 45 degrees like this, then pull it out. I've done it a few times and the spout has loosened up a bit, but it still fits together and works nicely. The seal is a bit of a pain to get back into place, but you can use the straw to push it through. Overall for cleaning, Quencher is definitely the easiest, Iceflow is the worst, and Protour is somewhere in the middle, though it should get easier the more you do it. Which Stanley Has the Best Insulation?I did a standardized hot water test to compare the bottles relative to each other. I use wireless thermometers and measure the amount of time it takes the hot water to drop from 165 to 150 degF then average two tests for each bottle. The results showed the Quencher and Protour are essentially the same, while Iceflow is roughly 35% better. Insulation works similarly for both hot and cold drinks, so these rankings should also apply if you're using ice water too, which is how the vast majority of people use these bottles. I'll be doing a big ice test shortly, so follow our YouTube channel to see that video when it posts. Overall, if insulation is your most important factor, Iceflow is the best option. Which Stanley is Easiest to Use?The answer to this question is more based on your own personal preferences, but here's a good rule-of-thumb. Iceflow's top-mounted handle can be more comfortable for longer durations, so it might be a better choice for hiking. Quencher and Protour have the same side-mounted handle, and this can be better for more casual everyday use, like around the house, at work, or when driving and doing errands. The bottles all weigh roughly the same for a given size, so there's not a major difference there. But it's worth considering the bulkiness of the bottle too, and Iceflow's rotating handle certainly helps limit the overall size. And for taking quick sips, the Quencher is the best choice because you don't have to flip up a spout. Overall, each of these bottles is pretty easy to use. I wouldn't say one is really better, so think about how you'll use it most often and decide based on that. Which Stanley is More Durable?![]() When it comes to durability, none of these bottles really stand out from the others. They're all made with stainless steel which will dent and scratch if you drop it, and they all have plastic parts that can break. If durability is your most important factor, consider getting a bottle boot or carrying pouch which doubles as a protective sleeve. Or it honestly could be worth looking at a brand like YETI because their bottles are made with a thicker steel that can resist dents more easily. But as far as the Quencher, Iceflow, and Protour go, there's not a major difference here.
Are Stanley's Lids Interchangeable?nd if you're wondering whether the lids are interchangeable, there's good news good news and bad news. The good news is that the Quencher, Iceflow, and Protour lids are all interchangeable. Just make sure you get it for the same size bottle because for example a 30oz lid won't fit with a 40oz one. The bad news is only the Quencher and Iceflow lids seem to currently be available by themselves. The new Protour lid is not available individually yet, at least not from Stanley (though you can find similar lids from other knockoff brands). Which is the Best Stanley Tumbler?These three bottles play an interesting game of rock-paper-scissors. Quencher is easier to clean and is popular, but it leaks. IceFlow doesn't leak and is better for hikes, but it's more difficult to clean. ProTour is easier to clean than IceFlow but not Quencher. This is one scenario where it's hard to pick a best bottle because each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each person has his or her own priorities. But for my money, ProTour seems to be the best all-around option because it solves two of the most glaring issues of the Quencher leaking and the IceFlow being difficult to clean. For those reasons, I'd choose ProTour over Quencher or IceFlow. How to Buy a Stanley TumblerIf you're in the market, here are links to each bottle. Big "thank you" if you use one to buy! We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you, and it really helps our channel.
0 Comments
(10 minute read) What is the Best Way to Clean a Stainless Steel Bottle?Big reusable water bottles can be difficult to clean, and in fact, many people still use disposable bottles for that very reason. But it's really not that bad if you're prepared, and in the long run reusable bottles are way better for the environment as well as your wallet. These are our recommended best practices and guidelines for cleaning your bottle, including:
Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It really helps, so thank you! Video: How to Clean Your BottleWe also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. Part 1: Are Stainless Steel Bottles Dishwasher Safe?Maybe you're wondering can you put stainless steel bottles in the dishwasher? It's a simple question, but an unfortunately complicated answer. Many bottles today are labeled as dishwasher safe, but in general I don't recommend it for three reasons. Reason #1: It's not always clear which bottles are dishwasher safe For example, regular Hydro Flasks ARE dishwasher safe, while their Trail Series bottles AREN'T. Even more confusing, older regular Hydro Flasks with a thinner metal band below the lid are NOT dishwasher safe. This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it can be difficult to know unless you look up the manufacturer's recommendations (which is highly recommended). Reason #2: Dishwashers are more likely to damage your bottle Even if the manufacturer says the bottle is dishwasher safe, cleaning it regularly this way can lead to more damage. Some bottle brands like Owala even say their bottles are dishwasher safe, but they recommend hand-washing. Any damage would most likely be cosmetic from your bottle banging into something else in the dishwasher and wouldn't make your bottle unusable, but cosmetic wear-and-tear is still not ideal. Plus, smaller parts commonly found with lids are more likely to fall through the racks and potentially drop onto the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher. Reason #3: Handwashing isn't (usually) difficult Yes, handwashing takes more time, but it's really not that bad once you get into the habit and have the right tools, like a brush kit and cleaning tablets. And in most cases it's necessary for deep cleaning anyways (see below).
Part 2: Which Bottles are Easiest to Clean?Not all bottles are created equal, and some are easier to clean than others. Factor #1: Mouth Diameter Narrow mouth bottles are more difficult to clean than their wide mouth counterparts. With bottles like the 25oz S'well shown below, I can't fit my big bottle brush so I have to rely on cleaning tablets and soap baths. But with others like a Stanley Quencher, you don't even really need a brush because you can fit your hand inside. If keeping your bottle clean is a priority, there's no doubt wide mouth bottles are an easier choice (in addition to making it easier to add ice). Factor #2: Lid Type A good rule-of-thumb is that chug-style lids and the most basic lids (twist all th way on-and-off) are easier to clean than straw lids and sip lids. Using YETI's lids as examples:
Factor #3: Pull Tabs Also, consider whether the seals have pull tabs that make them easier to remove. It's such a simple addition and we're always surprised more bottles don't do this. Unfortunately, bottles that have this feature don't seem to advertise it much, but two options I know that do include Owala (just their spout seal, but not the one between the lid and the bottle) and Takeya Actives (both the spout seal AND the lid seal). Part 3: What Accessories Help with Cleaning Bottles?Fortunately the main things you'll need are easy and cheap: warm, soapy water and a sponge. Beyond that, there are two accessories I almost always recommend getting with bottles like these. I mentioned them earlier, but I'll add them here again because I really do think they are great investments and are important to keep your bottle in tip-top (and safe) condition.
Money Saving Tip: Consider buying denture or retainer tablets like these. I've seen a bunch of people recommend this on my YouTube channel, and though I haven't tried it personally, the ingredients look very similar. And they're A LOT less expensive per tablet than Bottle Bright. I personally stick with Bottle Bright because I feel comfortable with the company (instead of an Amazon store brand I'm not familiar with), and they're really not that expensive in the grand scheme if you're just using them once per month, which leads into... Part 4: How Often Should You Clean Your Bottle?Having and easy-to-clean bottle and the best accessories doesn't matter if you don't clean your bottle. To prevent bacteria, grime, and mold from building up, you need to stay on top of your cleaning habits. Here is our recommende schedule.
Keep up with this cleaning schedule, and you should be fine and will keep your bottle in great (and safe) condition. Just don't be afraid to adjust this schedule as-needed. For example, if you drink from a questionable water source when traveling, then give it a good wash after. Or if you notice stains or smells from coffee, go ahead and use a Bottle Bright tablet early. When in doubt, clean it out. Part 5: 4 Mistakes I'd Avoid with Cleaning BottlesIf you've been paying attention, I've already mentioned the three things I'd avoid doing:
But the fourth is very important. #4: Whatever you do, don't use bleach to clean your stainless steel bottle. Yes, bleach would clean your bottle, and it's probably not a huge deal in very dilute concentrations. But it's also very toxic so it's risky if you don't wash it all out by mistake. And for stainless steel in particular, it can damage the material and lead to potential corrosion or pitting in the steel. Just keep up with your cleaning schedule, use Bottle Bright or denture tablets, and you should be fine. Hope this helps, and happy hydrating!
What is the Most Ridiculous Water Bottle?The water bottle industry is incredibly competitive, which leads to many brands looking for sometimes ridiculous ways to set themselves apart. But as with any new innovation, sometimes you get an iPod, and other times you get a Google Glass. So with each bottle in this video, I'll rate them as:
And don't worry, because there's something for everyone on this list, whether you want to be impressed or get a laugh. And whether you want something for a child, signifcant other, or just new for yourself. Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! Video of the Most Ridiculous BottlesWe also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap and see some of the bottles in action! #10: Owala (Crazy Colors)Let's start at number 10 with one bottle you may have heard from recently, Owala. They've really made a name for themselves within the last year or two, and a big reason is because of the FreeSip lid, which is a combination straw and chug spout. But the real eye-catcher is the colors, which are straight up ridiculous. It's like walking walking into a paint store, they ask what color you want, and you say yes. But, it's clear this is something a lot of people love, and you've even seen that influence spread to other brands like Stanley and Hydro Flask who in the past had more traditional color options. They do have an all-black option I'd prefer and I can recognize that other people love the funky colors, and I also can appreciate the lid design. From a functionality standpoint, it's honestly my favorite straw lid right now. So for those reasons, I'm calling Owala ridiculously cool. Price: $32.99 for a 32oz #9: FlasKap (Hidden Flask)At number 9 is FlasKap, and Don Draper would be a fan of this one. It looks like a regular 32oz bottle, but in reality it's a 26oz bottle with a separate 6oz one inside. The lid lets you choose whether you drink from the main bottle, the smaller one, or mix both together. It's pretty clear what the intended use case is, so if you're out enjoying golf, a tailgate, or the beach and want to be a little more discreet about your beverage choices, this is a good option. I'm also going with ridiculously cool on this one. Price: $58.48 for a 32oz #8: Litflask (Detachable Bluetooth Speaker)At number 8 is Litflask, which was on Oprah's favorite things list for 2024. It has a built-in but detachable bluetooth speaker, so it's one to consider if you're a fan of music. Apparently it can connect to other Litflasks, so you could make your own little surround sound concert. It even has a microphone so you can call someone, and if you'd told me 10 years ago someone could call you through your bottle I'd have called you crazy. The speakers are kind of cool, but the calling option seems unnecessary. For me this one's just ridiculously OK. $99 for a 20oz #7: air up (Scent-Based Flavors)Most times when you add flavor to water, you either add fruit or some kind of sweetner like how Cirkul's flavor pods work. Air up is different. They also have pods that go in the lid, but instead of releasing artificial sweeteners that you taste, they release a scent when water passes through the pod whenever you take a sip. There's a very clear scientific link in you brain between what you smell and what you taste. It's the same reason why you don't taste anything if you pinch your nose when you're eating. So while this bottle doesn't use technology in the traditional sense, I'm including here because of the cool science behind how it works. But at the same time, I've seen a lot of reviews about how it's not the best drinking experience. With a combination of bad reviews but a cool concept, I'll settle for ridiculously OK. $49.99 for a 22oz #6: Hidrate Spark Pro (Hydration Coach)Number 6 is Hidrate Spark Pro, and if you're a fan of data and tracking progress, this is a good option because it's basically a hydration coach. It connects to an app on your phone, and it has a built-in sensor that knows when you take a sip. This lets you more easily track your fluid intake throughout the day, and there are whole bunch of LED lights that flash on and off with reminders whenever you haven't had a drink in awhile. I'm certainly a fan of improving hydration habits, but I'm personally not sure about hooking my bottle up to a tracking app. For me, this is just ridiculously OK. $56 for a 21oz #5: LARQ (UV Sanitizing)Number 5 is one I've shown before, and that's LARQ. The thing this bottle has going for it is a built-in UV light in the lid, and you can easily charge and use the UV light to quickly sanitize your bottle from bacteria and viruses. This bottle really made a splash in 2021 when it was on Shark Tank and received the highest valuation of any company up to that point. It's worth noting that it doesn't have a filter and just helps against viruses and bacteria, but with so many questions about water quality nowadays, sometimes having that extra piece of mind is worth the investment. It certainly qualifies as ridiculously cool in my book. $118 for a 25oz #4: Vitaloop (Built-In Filter Pump)I've talked quite a bit before about filters, including Lifestraw's accessory, Brita's straw bottle, and GRAYL's French-press style filter bottle. But they're all a little tricky to use, either because they require quite a bit of suction to pull water through the straw or they take a lot of force to press water through the filter like iwth GRAYL. Vitaloop has a pretty intruguing design that seems to solve these issues because it has a built in filter pump system. Just press a button, and the pump moves water through the filter to clean it. I'm going to be testing this bottle out in person in 2025, so this is more of an introduction. But I love the concept. Definitely a ridiculously cool bottle as long as it works as well as advertised. $99 for a 17oz #3: Vejo (Blender Bottle)Number 3 on the list is Vejo, and this is a bottle gym rats, health freaks, and boat drinks. It has a built-in blender, which lets you press a button to easily stir up your favorite protein powder mix much better than a traditional shaker bottle would. You can also use it for juices or any other drink that needs mixing. So whether you're looking for a healthy juice cleanse or a boat drink, this could be a good option to consider. Because it fills an interesting niche, I'm going to go with ridiculously cool. $69.99 for a 12oz #2: Echo Go+ (Hydrogen Water)At number 2 is the Echo Go+ Hydrogen water bottle. With this one you push a button and then the bottle generates hydrogen gas, and allegedly water with hydrogen gas in it has a range of health benefits. Now this is a tricky topic because it's really hard to know whether this is a real benefit. It's probably not unsafe, but does it really have all of these health benefits? I'm not so sure. It does look pretty cool, especially if you're a fan of bubbles. But given what I know right now, I'm going to go with ridiculously bad mainly because most of what I've seen about hydration water look very scammy. But I'm planning to dive deeper into this subject next year on my new series about hydration facts and myths, so I'll update this later if hydration water looks legit. $199.99 for a 10oz #1: Fracsco (Bottle with LiDAR Sensor)And number 1 is this bottle by the company Fracsco. I stumbled across this one while researching for this video, and it's kind of wild. It seems like a sup'ed up version of the Hidrate Spark Pro in that it lets you track your hydration habits, but it also tells you the time, weather, water temperature, water level, and even apparently lets you track your BMI. It sports a really unique look that some people will love and others will hate, but it will definitely stand out either way. And the price tag stands out too because this bottle is on sale for $240. But the real reason why I'm including it at #1 is because of what's in the lid. LiDAR stands for light detection and ranging, and it's kind of like using light in the same way that sound is used for sonar. You might have seen it mentioned a few months ago when there was news about LiDAR surveys being used to find hidden Mayan ruins. Well, this bottle has a LiDAR sensor in the lid. By measuring the reflection time it can detect and record the water level in the app so you can have a detailed breakdown of your water bottle's volume throughout the day. I'm all for cool water bottles, but for me this one just went way over the top and qualifies for ridiculously bad. But hey, if you've been craving a bottle with a built-in LiDAR sensor, this could be your new best friend. $239.99 for a 17oz
What is the Best Bottle?If you're wondering what is the best water bottle on the market today, you're not alone. The water bottle market is incredibly saturated (pun intended), so there's a lot to consider. Well, I've collected 31 bottles over the years for this business, so today I'm going to reveal my full collection to help you find the best bottle for your situation. What's Next?
Video Review: What is the Best Water Bottle? (31 Tested!)We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap! Good Accessories for Most Large BottlesWhether you go with Owala, Hydro Flask, YETI, Stanley, or anything else, these are our three most popular recommended accessories for any large reusable bottle.
Part One: Recommended Bottles by UseDifferent bottles are better for different situations, so here let's take a look at various uses to see which bottle is the best option. Scroll down to Part Two to read more about any particular brand or bottle. Best Bottle for Everyday, All-Around Use These are the two bottles I find myself going back to most regularly when I'm not deliberately testing a different one. They each have a great combination of features that make them amazing choices for everyday use.
Best Bottle for Value
Best Bottle for Hiking
Best Bottle for Sports
Best Bottle for Driving
Best Bottle for Road Trips Any of the bottles listed under "Best Bottle for Driving" are good options here, but I'd also consider having a 2nd larger bottle on hand for refills. Hydro Flask Growler
Best Bottle for Home or Office
Best Bottle for Clumsy People
Best Bottle for Iced Water
Best Bottle for Fruit Infusing
Best Bottle for Tea Infusing Steepware
Best Bottle for Limiting Plastic Contact
Best Bottle for Easy Cleaning
Best Bottle for Sanitizing Water
Best Straw Lid
Best Chug Lid
Best Sip Lid Hydro Flask Flex Sip
Many people prefer YETI's Hotshot because it has fewer pieces and you can drink from any side, which are both good points. But it's not my personal favorite because it does not have a handle and is more difficult to open and close because of how the piece you twist is recessed below the rim of the lid. With Hydro Flask's design, you can grab the outside of the lid and twist it which is just easier, and this is one of those small differences that you probably wouldn't notice unless you tried both side-by-side. Part Two: Rapid-Fire Review of All 31 BottlesMost are vacuum insulated stainless steel around 32 ounces in size, but there are some different types of bottles and sizes mixed in. They're in no particular order. 1 of 31: Owala FreeSip
2 of 31: Stanley Quencher
3 of 31: YETI Rambler
4 of 31: Cirkul
5 of 31: Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
6 of 31: Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
7 of 31: Hydro Flask 24oz Flex Straw
8 of 31: Hydro Flask 32oz Trail Series
9 of 31: Hydro Flask 64oz Growler
10 of 31: S'well 25oz
11 of 31: Klean Kanteen Classic 40oz
12 of 31: Klean Kanteen TKWide 32oz
13 of 31: Takeya 32oz
14 of 31: Nalgene 32oz
15 of 31: Healthy Human 32oz Stein
16 of 31: Healthy Human 21oz Curve
17 of 31: Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
18 of 31: ThermoFlask 32oz
19 of 31: Iron Flask 40oz
20 of 31: Ozark Trail 32oz
21 of 31: FJbottle 32oz
22 of 31: EcoVessel 32oz
23 of 31: Steepware 22oz
24 of 31: Vesmoon 32oz
25 of 31: RevoMax
26 of 31: Zulu Ace
27 of 31: Stanley Classic Thermos
28 of 31: Otiem Copper
29 of 31: Brita Filter Bottle
30 of 31: GRAYL Filter Bottle
31 of 31: LARQ UV Bottle
Are YETI Rambler Bottles Overrated?(7 minute read time) There's no doubt that many people love YETI products, but their bottles cost a fortune. This has contributed to YETI's drinkware category grossing over $1 billion dollars in revenue in 2023). But why are so many people so passionate about YETI Ramblers, and are they actually overrated? Today let's take an honest look at YETI to see what's good, what's bad, if they're worth the steep price, and what are good alternatives. What's Next:
Amazon Associates Disclaimer: This post contains links to products. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link. It doesn't cost you anything extra, and it really helps. Thank you! Video Review: Are YETI Rambler Bottles Worth It?We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap! What is a "YETI Rambler?" What isn't?First things first, it's important to know what type of YETI Rambler you're talking about. Rambler is their branding for basically anything that holds a drink and is made of stainless steel. These include a standard bottle, tumbler, tumbler with a handle, stackable lowball, stackable cup, mug, colster (insulation sleeve for soda or beer cans), cockstail shaker, wine chiller, gallon jug, french press, and even a bucket. All of these products are included in YETI's Rambler series, but notably their newer plastic bottles are branded separately as their Yonder series. Focus of this Post - YETI Rambler Bottle To keep this post from running too long, I'm going to focus on their Rambler bottles with vertical walls because those are the closest to the other bottles I usually talk about on this channel. YETI Rambler Bottle SizesWhat's Good about YETI Rambler Bottles?Durability YETI's biggest differentiator is their durability. It feels like the bottles and lists are made with thicker materials compared to other brands like Hydro Flask, which makes them much more dent resistent and less prone to breaking. In this recent article on CNN, the writer compared YETI and Owala and mentioned how they did a 4' drop test and the YETI came out relatively unscathed. Now I did a similar drop test with a different bottle recently on my video about dents and insulation, but I don't have as much money as CNN so I haven't cut open a YETI or done a drop test with mine to confirm this yet so I'll refer to their drop tests as proof of YETI's durability. Branding YETI's durability ties into another benefit, which is YETI's branding. They have one of the most powerful brands in the water bottle industry, and ever since their start with coolers, YETIs have been defined by high priced but durable products. These two factors are baked into their brand identity which extends to their water bottles as well. Many people think of YETIs as being more rugged and geared towards men compared to Stanley tumblers which tend to be associated with women, though these are certainly stereotypes. All I'm saying though is that both of them have passionate customers who will buy their products just for the logo, so they're not really as different as you might think. Even if your uncle Bob says he just got his YETI tumbler for the insulation, let's be honest, he got it for the branding too. Color Options There are plenty of colors to choose from. As of today, there are 39 colors available with their 18 ounce size! Wide Mouth Opening and Lids It's helpful that the Rambler bottles have a wider mouth diameter than brands like Hydro Flask because this makes it easier to add ice. There are also 5 lids that fit any of their Rambler bottle sizes, so you have a good range of options. I like that their chug and straw lids have wide handles that fit 3 larger fingers like mine, which is why they market it as their TripleHaul lid. This is a lot better than some bottles like Owala that have a narrower handle design. I also did a deep-dive last year that goes over each one in more detail (minus the original standard twist-off lid, which seems to have been replaced by the Chug lid as the "standard" option. Here's a link to that post if you'd like to check it out. Insulation (Sort Of) One of the most common benefits you'll hear YETI-lovers praising is the insulation. It's true that dual-wall vacuum insulation is better than a non-insulated bottle like their Yonder series. From what I've seen, any bottle with dual-wall vacuum insulation is going to be good enough for the average user for most days of regular use. However, it's worth noting that YETI did not have the best results in a few insulation tests I've done using hot water and measuring the drop over a 4 hours period. I even repeated the test a few times against Ozark Trail, Walmart's brand that sells for $12, and Ozark Trail beat YETI every time. It's not that much different and honestly either one is going to insulate water fine for most people over the course of a normal day, but anyone claiming that YETI has the best insulation because it has the highest price doesn't know what they're talking about. What's Good about YETI Rambler Bottles?So YETI clearly has a lot of good things going for it, and that's helped them build a passionate and devoted fan base. But like I always say, there's no perfect bottle for every person and every situation, and YETI is certainly not exempt. So let's look now at why you may not want to buy a YETI Rambler bottle. Cost The most obvious drawback is the cost. Unless you like to brag about how much money you can afford to spend, the steep purchase price with most YETI products is one of it's biggest negatives. In fact, if you were to purchase every single item and size in their Rambler line (including items like the bucket), you'd easily spend over $1000. Some of that is because they have a lot of products, but let's be honest, charging $150 for a bucket feels like price gouging because they know they have a strong brand and many people will swallow the high price just to complete their YETI collection. Sub-Par Lids This is certainly an opinion that not everyone shares, but for me, the lid options are underwhelming.
What is the Best YETI Lid? I would go as far as saying the best YETI lid isn't made by YETI. This one called SmartKap is inspired by Takeya's awesome chug lid, which has a connected spout cap and a good handle. It's the one I've been using the most with my YETI because it's so much more functional and easy to use, and while it doesn't feel as hefty at the YETI lids, it's held up fine so far for me.
Weight I mentioned before how a benefit is that these bottles are so durable, but the downside is that they're a lot heavier so they're not a good option if you're going on a hike or long walk where weight is more important. This also compounds the issue with some of their lids not having handles. Plastic Contact Under Lid Every year, more and more people are looking to avoid plastic contact with their water as much as possible. Most lids on the market today have plastic underneath, including all of YETI's lids. So if you're looking to avoid plastic contact with your water entirely, please note that YETI is not a good choice because all of their lids have plastic underneath. Check out this post to learn about other bottle options that avoid plastic contact with your water (stainless steel under the lid). Ridiculous Marketing and Branding at Times YETI is a branding titan, and they are experts at making sure every aspect of their image is curated to make them seem like the premium and most advanced bottles on the market to make them seem worth the high price. But in my opinion, this over-the-top branding can sometimes go too far. One example is YETI's Over-The-Nose Technology. It was basically their way of promoting how they made the bottle opening half an inch wider than bottles like Hydro Flasks. They even included this cheap-looking graphic to show it. That's all fine and good I guess, but then they stopped selling the only lid that actually required you to unscrew the top all the way off to drink from the bottle that way. So now is it Under-The-Nose Technology? I don't know, but what I do know is that YETI scrubbed references of that technology from their website and listings when they stopped selling that lid, though you can still find it referenced on YETI's EU site. Yes, this is a nit-picky thing to mention, but in my opinion, trying to push something like this as "technology" is more of an insult to their customers' intelligence. Summary: Who Should Buy a YETI Rambler Bottle?So how does this all balance out and should you buy a YETI Rambler, or are they overrated? Well honestly, it depends on your situation. Yes, they are the most durable bottles out there, so for people who work in industries like construction where your bottle could take a beating or if you're prone to denting bottles and want to stop having to buy new ones, it could be a good investment. And if you like the brand and can afford YETI's prices, by all means go for it. The bottle will last you forever if you take good care of it. But for most people, including anyone who works in an office or at home, getting a YETI is like getting a King Ranch to haul mulch once a year. Yes it looks great and you can show it off, but you probably don't really need it and paid way too much. My tendency is to look for the functionality you get compared to the price you pay, and I personally don't put a lot of value in branding. So with that perspective and from what I've personally seen, my opinion is that YETIs are overrated and you'll pay more but you'll get less. What are Good Alternatives to YETI?
Are Owala Water Bottles Worth the Hype?(5 minute read time) Today let's look at a relative newcomer to the market, Owala. With 42,000 reviews averaging 4.7 stars on Amazon, it's clear there are a ton of people who love this bottle, and in fact it's been the most common brand I've seen in comments on our videos when people suggest which bottles I should check out next. So today let's take a deeper look at Owalas to see what's good, what's bad, and whether the hype is deserved. What's Next:
Video Review of Owala BottlesWe also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap! Owala FreeSip Bottle SizesAs an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link. It doesn't cost you anything extra, and it really helps. Thank you! What Is Good About Owala Bottles?What is Owala's FreeSip Lid? First, let's look at the good side of Owala bottles. The most common feature you'll hear people talk about is the combination straw and chug lid, which is trademarked as their FreeSip lid and made Time Magazine's list of 200 of the best inventions for 2023. The ability to sip when you want a little water and chug when you want more is the main differentiator compared to other bottles that typically make you pick one or the other. Ergonomics It's ergonomically designed around your mouth's shape, which doesn't sound important and is something you probably never would have thought about before trying it, but once you use Owala, it's hard to look at traditional straw bottles with those pivot-style rectangular spouts the same. Easy Sipping But the best part of this combination lid is the chug opening, but not for the reason you would expect. Most straw lids have a rotating spout that has a little plastic pin that goes into a little vent seal, so when you rotate open the spout, the vent opens to allow you to more easily take sips from the straw. The following two pictures are of Hydro Flask's Flex Straw and original straw lids. Both are similiar to most straw lids on the market because they have the plastic pin that goes into a small vent seal. The problem is that these types of lids still have a very small air vent, so the airflow is constricted and doesn't equalize as easily when you take a sip, making it a little more difficult and sometimes cause wheezing or popping noises. The chug opening in Owala's design acts as a wide open vent, which makes it ridiculously easy to take a sip of water. This is the main reason why I found myself exclusively using the straw side because it's so easy to drink from, and I'd be willing to bet that 90% of people do the same thing. Easy Cleaning and Prevents Dirt on the Drinking Surface The straw is easier to clean completely in all of its nooks and crannies, which is something that straw lids with rotating spouts are notoriously bad about. With traditional lids like in the next picture, you have to pop off the rotating spout to be able to clean the seal underneath, so many people don't do this often and some nasty buildup can occur. One notable exception is Hydro Flask's Flex Sip lid which as a silicone insert that essentially replaces that seal and makes it easier to clean. But there are still areas of that lid that are not possible to clean unless you pop off the spout. And notably, removing the spout can deform the connections a little over time, leading to a loose fit. With Owala, the straw is fixed, so there isn't a rotating spout with a pivot point to clean around. This makes it much easier to clean everything. The silicone seal under the lid cover is also removable to make it even easier to clean. The lid cover goes over the entire spout area and is spring-loaded to open when you push this button, which means you won't have to touch the surface that your mouth will go on to open it up. Leak-Free The vent seal with pivot-style straw lids is a common leak point, but Owala avoids that issue. From my experience, this straw lid has been less likely to leak compared to traditional straw lids. Reasonable Price The standard price is very reasonable, and you can buy a 32 ounce bottle for $34. This contrasts with YETI or Hydro Flask who regularly charge $40 to $50 for a similar volume bottle. Lead-Free More recently, Owala got another popularity bump compared to Stanley because their bottles are completely lead free, which is something Stanley and most bottles on the market can't say because of a lead-based solder that seals the vacuum. Practically-speaking the lead isn't a danger unless your bottle is damaged enough to expose the area between the two stainless steel layers, but some people rest easier knowning there isn't lead anywhere so it's worth mentioning. Insulation (Sort-Of) The bottle also comes with triple-layer insulation, which includes both a vacuum seal to prevent conduction heat transfer and a copper layer to prevent radiation heat transfer. But while this is a benefit over non-insulated bottles, this reason alone isn't enough to consider Owala over other brands with vacuum seals, regardless of whether they are triple-layered or not. I did our standard 4 hour hot water test twice, and the results showed that Owala actually underperformed compared to similar bottles, even if they didn't have triple layer insulation. What's Bad about Owala Bottles?But like I say all the time on this blog, there is no perfect product for every person and every situation. Owala is no exception, and there are some negatives to be aware of. Handle For one, the hard plastic, two-finger handle is not great. For such an ergonomically-focused spout, the handle was really a disappointment for me because it really doesn't feel good when you're holding it. And the way I use and transport my bottle, the fact that the handle is also a lock for the lid cover is more annoying than useful, though I can see how that would be a benefit for people who would throw the bottle into a purse or a bag. Harder to Close The lid can also take a decent amount of force to get it to close compared to some other types of lids, but is some ways that's good because it's necessary for a good watertight seal. This is certainly not a big deal, but it was noticeable. Exposed Plastic under the Lid There is also exposed plastic under the lid and in the straw, so your water will come into contact with plastic. It's worth noting that these plastics are BPA free and allegedly safe by today's standards, but given the history of plastics and how sometimes new issues come up after years of research, I don't fault anyone for wanting to avoid plastic altogether. Dirt Magnet One other very nit-picky issue is that I found the grippy, textured area around the flip cover to be a dirt magnet, so while you should always stay on top of cleaning the inside of your bottle regularly regardless of which one you own, you might find yourself scrubbing this part of your Owala more frequently too. Colors (Sort Of) And lastly, this may be an unpopular opinion, but for me, I can't stand most of the color combinations. To me, it looks like they blindfolded someone and told them to throw darts at a board with different colors. It's like walking into a Home Depot, they ask what paint color you want, and you say "yes." That may be a little harsh and many people love the combos. That's perfectly OK! But most of the colors are a little too funky for my taste. Then again, I'm fully aware that I've never been accused of being a stylish trend-setter, and I'm willing to concede that the colors are a big draw for many people. Summary: Are Owala Bottles Worth It?Overall, Owala really does have a solid product offering. The FreeSip lid is one of those things that makes you wonder why it wasn't invented before, and the benefits far outweight the negatives in my opinion. So if you're in the market for a straw lid, consider giving Owala a try. There's a good chance you won't want to go back to traditional straw lids every again.
What are the Best Bottles for Infusing?If you're like me, you get bored drinking regular, plain water all day. I used to be addicted to sodas, so switching from extremely sugary drinks to water was a big shift. The thing that helped me the most was adding my own flavors. Now, technically sodas are flavored water with carbonation and you can also add flavor with enhancers like Mio, but for the purposes of this video I'm calling flavored water anything that gets its taste from more natural sources like fresh fruit, loose-leaf tea, or coffee grounds. And at the end, I'll also give my take on two bottle brands that have more recently taken social media by storm, Cirkul and air up. (spoiler alert, it might not be positive) Video Review: Which Bottles are Best for Infusing?We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap! Links to Products: As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link. It doesn't cost you anything extra, and it really helps. Thank you! Adding Fruit Directly into Your Bottle (No Infuser)First, I have to mention the most obvious way to flavor your water, and that's simply by adding fruit like lemons, cucumber, mint, or a whole range of other flavors directly into your bottle! This works well enough, but the problem is that you ideally would have some way to strain it so it's not a good option with most bottles. The good news is that more and more bottles are coming to market with built-in stainless steel strainers at the lid. For stainless steel, EcoVessel is one brand that's been around awhile, and for glass, Mayu is a brand I've mentioned a few times on this channel. Just add your fruit, snap the strainer into place, and you're good to go. It's also worth noting that these strainers double as ice-blockers, which can be a life-saver when driving in particular.
Bottles with Built-In InfusersSome brands take the built-in strainer a step further by having a larger strainer that screws into the smaller one, which makes it a better option for tea or coffee. It's also a good option if you want your fruit to be contained instead of free-floating. Notably, none of the "major" brands that I'm aware of currently have bottles with built-in infusers, including Stanley, YETI, and Hydro Flask. We would not be surprised if they come out with options within a few years, but for now you'll have to go with lesser-known brands or add-on accessories (see further down the page). The first brand I tried with a larger infuser was Steepware, but honestly I'm not too much of a fan of this bottle. It did the worst by far on an insulation test, and the handle isn't anything to write home about. A much better all-around option is a new brand I came across called Vesmoon. Now to be clear, there do appear to be other similar bottles with the same size strainer coming to market, but this is the one I've tested in person and I'm a pretty big fan. Unfortunately, Vesmoon was not available for purchase as of 6/2/2024. This is sometimes a problem with brands that are smaller and newer because the water bottle market is incredibly competitive But there are other options on the market today, and these ones by Hemli and Akvati look to be comparable.
Stanley Bottle with a Fruit InfuserNow I'm not a huge fan of Stanleys, but I recognize many people love them. Unfortunately, Stanley does not have a fruit infuser bottle option at this time, though a good alternative is from a brand called Fimibuke. It's essentially a Stanley knockoff with a large built-in infuser for one third the price, and while I can't say much about the company or brand itself, the design and functionality look pretty solid.
Best Bottle Infusers for Fruit InfusingLlet's say you're in the market for an add-on infuser because you don't want to buy an entire new bottle. Well, there are a few options you can look at. Let's start with ones for fruit, which generally have larger openings that work well for fruit but not for loose leaf tea or coffee grounds.
Best Bottle Infusers for Tea and Coffee InfusingNow each of the add-on infusers I mentioned is made with either plastic or silicone, so let's look at some stainless steel ones, which can be used for fruit but are also better for tea and coffee because they have a finer mesh strainer.
Bottles with Flavor Pods (Cirkul and Air Up)And finally, let's take a look at the two elephants in the room that have taken social media by storm recently, Cirkul and air up. They each have flavor pods, but they work very differently.
Which Bottles Avoid Plastic Completely?Today we're exploring the question, which bottles completely avoid plastic contact with your water? You might think going with a stainless steel bottle like a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley would be fine, but the vast majority of bottles still have exposed plastic under the lid. So what can you do? The good news is that there are an increasing number of brands with options that completely avoid plastic on the inside. Water Bottle Options Covered Next that Avoid Plastic Contact with Water: #1: Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap #2: Healthy Human #3: Klean Kanteen #4: EcoVessel #5: Glass Options (Mayu and Sunkey) Video Review: Which Bottles Avoid Plastic?We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap! Links to Products: As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link. It doesn't cost you anything extra, and it really helps. Thank you! Which Lid Styles Avoid Plastic?As a general rule-of-thumb, you're typically going to have to use the type of lid that you have to screw all the way on and off to take a sip ("Standard" type shown below). Each brand has a different name for it, but you'll normally need to avoid straw, spout, and sip style lids. They have more moving parts and connections that make it more difficult to make a lid that's completely stainless steel on the bottom. Option #1 - Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap ("Flex Steel")
Option #2: Healthy Human
Option #3: Klean Kanteen
Option #4: EcoVessel
Option #5: Glass Bottles by Mayu and SunkeyThat's it for what I've seen from stainless steel bottles, but what about glass? Lifefactory is one of the biggest names in glass bottles, but as far as I can tell all of their lids have exposed plastic. So you'll have to look at some other brands like Mayu or Sunkey. These names don't carry the same weight as one like Hydro Flask, but I woudn't be surprised if a glass bottle brand takes over the social media landscape in the next few years in the same way that Hydro Flask, YETI, and now Stanley have over the last decade. It just seems like more and more people are looking to avoid stainless steel too, especially after all the recent media attention about lead.
Do Dents Affect Your Bottle's Insulation?Today we're exploring the question, will a dent affect your bottles insulation? Unless you have Spiderman-like reflexes, inevitably you will drop your bottle. Plastic bottles like Nalgenes will be fine, but dual-wall stainless steel bottles are a different story. Steel is a very strong and durable material for water bottle construction, but one major downside is that it is prone to denting. Many of these water bottles are not exactly cheap, costing as much as $50 for larger bottles from brands like YETI and Hydro Flask. So if you've invested in a brand you love, you want to know that your insulation still works, right? The truth is that dents CAN affect your bottle's insulation, but it's not as simple of a question to answer as it may seem at first. The location and size of the dent play a role, so there are more things to consdier than you might expect. So today we're exporing the question, "which dents affect your bottle's insulation?" Coming Next:
Video Review: Do Dents Affect Your Bottle's Insulation?I recently posted two videos about this test. One that's a 3-minute recap of the most important details, and another that's a full-length 18-minute video showing more of the testing footage and general information about these types of bottles. They each cover similar info as this post, so check those out if you'd prefer to watch the recap!
How Do Dual-Wall Insulated Bottles Work?Heat transfer through three primary methods:
Dual wall bottles work so well because they have a vacuum between the two stainless steel layers. Of the three heat transfer methods, only radiation is able to work through a vacuum. So when you have an intact vacuum, you're able to limit heat transfer in (or out) of your bottle. Another type of bottle you will see more and more commonly is what's normally referred to as a "triple-layer" bottle. These types of bottles have the same general construction as dual-wall bottles, but they add a copper coating to the outside of the inner stainless steel layer. The idea is that copper is better at limiting radiation heat transfer than steel, so this further improves the insulation properties of your bottle. To show you, I cut into a Hydro Flask (dual-wall) and a RevoMax (triple-layer with the copper coating). Fun fact, in the video you can actually hear the air rushing in to replace the vacuum when I cut through the Hydro Flask! Do Triple-Layer Bottles Work Better Than Dual-Wall Bottles?
Where Is The Worst Place On Your Bottle To Get A Dent?From cutting open these two bottles, I found that the spacing between the two layers is much wider on the bottom compared to the sides. So your bottle can have bigger dents on the bottom and still hold its insulation, which is probably by design because the bottom is the most likely place to get a dent. But if you are unlucky enough to drop your bottle on its side onto a rock or something else that dents it there, then the dent doesn't need to be as deep to create a contact point between the two layers. How Big Does A Dent Need To Be To Affect Your Bottle's Insulation?It's not just the location of the dent, but also the severity that matters. Insulation Failure A: Gradual Decrease Smaller isolated dents can create contact point between the two steel layers. Any contact point like this is going to be a pathway for heat transfer through conduction, so these dents can affect your insulation. But the good news is that your bottle will still have good insulation around the majority of it, so it won't be a complete failure. Insulation Failure B: Complete Loss (Vacuum No Longer Intact) Worst-case, you might get a larger dent that cuts through the outer layer of steel. This allows air to enter the space between the steel layers to replace the vaccum, and then your bottle will be not better at insulating than a single-wall bottle. Insulation TestsNext, I stress tested a RevoMax bottle by dropping it from increasing heights. I did a 4 hour insulation test before the test and after each drop. The bottle took A LOT of damage before the insulation was effected, even including some dents with extreme buckling and folding of the steel. The bottle still had the same insulation after 12", 24", 36", and 48" drops. Eventually the insulation was completely compromised (Failure B mentioned above) after the 60" drop. This occurred when multiple dents with severe buckling overlapped, and that overlapping area is where there was too much repeated strain on the steel to the point that it cut through the outer layer. So the main reason the insulation failed is because the compound dents overlapped. I wouldn't be surprised if the bottle would have held insulation after a single 60" drop. Conclusion: Do Dented Bottles Hold Insulation?In the vast majority of cases, YES! The bottom line is that you probably don't need to worry about your bottle's insulation being compromised by a dent. Most dents, even really severe ones, are not large enough to affect the insulation. Plus, the vast majority of people will replace their bottle before the insulation is affected because large dents can make the bottle sit wobbly, which is pretty annoying. But if you like to hang onto your bottles longer than the average person and you start to get overlapping major dents, that's when you would be more likely to start seeing your insulation get worse or potentially even competely fail. Do Your Own Insulation Test!But if you have any doubts, do an insulation test. Fill your bottle with the hottest water from your sink, measure the temperature, then let it sit for about 4 hours and measure it again. If the temperature dropped less than ~10 degrees F, your insulation is still probably good. More than ~10 degF and you might have a problem. How Do You Protect Your Bottle's Insulation?Other than never dropping your bottle EVER, there plenty of effective, easy options to keep your bottle protected and insulation as-designed. Here are a few to consider:
Good All-Around Sling for Many Bottles
Slings for 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks
Bottle Boots
What is the Best Water Bottle for Clean Freaks?Let’s face it, reusable water bottles are amazing for many reasons, but they’re also great at hiding bacteria and germs. So today, let's look at some bottles that have features designed specifically to make it easier to keep them clean. In this post, I’m only going to cover dual wall vacuum insulated stainless steel bottles because they're some of the more popular bottle in today's market. LONG STORY SHORT Here's the summary of the bottles. Keep reading for more details about each one!
Water Bottle Cleaning TipsBefore we dive into specific bottles, let's start with some general water bottle cleaning tips and guidelines.
Can You Use your Dishwasher to Clean your Bottle? Many bottle manufacturers state that their bottles and lids are dishwasher safe, which at first makes this seem like a great option. Besides, why go through all the work of using a bottle brush and cleaning tablets when you can let the dishwasher do everything? Different people will have different opinions, but here's ours. For the most part, we do not recommend putting reusable bottles or accessories in dishwashers. These bottles can be expensive, so we think it's better to take a hands-on approach to make sure your bottle is cleaned sufficiently while minimizing the chances that it could get damaged or chipped from knocking into something else while your dishwasher is running. Also, you'll probably want to remove and hand-wash the seals anyways periodically because the dishwasher won't be able to get all around them. And it's not always clear which products are really dishwasher safe. For example, newer Hydro Flasks are dishwasher safe, but older ones are not. For the average user, it can be confusing or difficult to really know, so we generally like to play it safe and recommend handwashing. What are the Easiest Water Bottles to Keep Clean?Let’s move on to some bottles that have features designed specifically to make them easier to keep clean, and at the end I'll give my overall recommendation. Bottles with Internal Threads
Bottles with No Threads
Bottles with Seals with Pull Tabs
Bottles with Removable Bottoms
Bottles with FiltersThere are a ton of filter bottles and accessories to choose from at this point, and while they don't help clean your bottle, they do help clean the water you'll drink so they are worth mentioning. A few include Lifestraw, Simple Modern, and Brita. I'm planning another post later this year where I'll compare different filter options, so I'll have much more info about this subgenre coming soon. Bottles with UV Light
Easiest Straw Lids to Keep Clean
Conclusion: What is the Easiest Bottle to Keep Clean?From an objective standpoint, it's hard to beat the LARQ bottle because UV light is proven to kill bacteria and viruses. Of course that doesn't replace cleaning with a brush and bottle tablets, but it's an extra step to santize your water that the other bottles simply don't have. But for over $100 for the 25oz bottle, it's understandably outside of most people's price point. So for most people, Zulu Ace is probably the best choice. Being able to take off both sides of the bottle makes it so much easier to make sure you're cleaning the bottle thoroughly, so we'll give the nod to this one for anyone who prioritizes cleaning your bottle over everything else. But ultimately, you can make any of these bottles work if you have a good brush kit, use cleaning tablets periodically, and develop a habit of cleaning your bottle often. Now we just need someone to come out with a bottle that has a UV light, seals with pull tabs, easy-to-clean-threads, and a detachable bottom.
|
Follow us for more hydration-focused updates!
Try searching for things like "infusers" or "Hydro Flask".
Categories
All
Archives
February 2025
Amazon Associates ProgramBottlePro is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We strive to provide helpful information and product recommendations, and we receive a commission on purchases made after you click through our links.
|