Owala FreeSip vs Sway | What are the Differences, and Which is Better?

Owala FreeSip vs FreeSip Sway

(10 minute read)

Which is Better: Owala's Original FreeSip or FreeSip Sway?

​Owala recently released their FreeSip Sway tumbler, but is it good and how does it compare to Owala's Original FreeSip bottle?

This post will review the main differences and similiarities to help you find the best bottle for you so you don't waste your hard-earned money and you can make an informed decision.

See FreeSip on Amazon

See Sway on Target

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Video: FreeSip Sway vs Original FreeSip

​​​​​​​​​​​We also cover this info in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way.

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How are Owala's FreeSip and Sway Bottles Similar?

Owala's FreeSip bottle took over 2024, mainly because of its wacky, fun color combinations and the FreeSip lid, which is a combination straw and chug spout.  This bottle remains very popular and is an excellent straw lid (though using it like a chug lid feels weird at first and can take some getting used to).  Given Owala's incredible popularity and viral success, it's no surprise that the new FreeSip Sway tumbler did not stray far from Owala's winning formula, so there are a number of similarities between the two.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: FreeSip Spout

The 6 Main Similarities

FreeSip Spout

Both feature Owala's FreeSip spout, which is an ergonomic spout that includes both a straw and chug opening.  This gives to you the option to sip or take a larger swig depending on how much water you need, and it's still what really makes Owala different.

Spring-Loaded Cover

Both include a spring-loaded cover that goes over the FreeSip spout, and you open them by pressing a button on the front.  This helps keep the surface on the spout that your mouth touches much cleaner throughout the day.

Same Materials

Both are made with stainless steel bottles with a durable powder coating, and the lids and straw are made of plastic.

Not Recommended for Some Drinks

Neither the Owala Original FreeSip or FreeSip Sway should be used for hot, carbonated, or perishable beverages.

Technically Dishwasher Safe (but...)

The lids are all top-rack dishwasher safe, and technically the bottle are safe to put in the dishwasher too.  However, Owala recommends handwashing the bottles to prevent cosmetic damage to the powder coating.

Triple-Layer Insulation

Both bottles have dual-wall vacuum insulation, and they're techincally triple-layer insulated bottles because they have a copper coating on one of the stainless steel layers (on one of the surfaces in the vacuum-area).

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How are Owala's FreeSip and Sway Bottles Different?

We poured over the two bottles and found 12 main differences between Owala's original FreeSip bottle and the FreeSip Sway tumbler.  Some are certainly more significant than others, but they're all notable.

#1 - Handle Size

Owala's original FreeSip bottle has a relatively small handle that only fits two fingers for most people, and it's not particularly comfortable.  Owala's Sway has a much wider handle that can fit a full-hand grip and is more comfy.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Handle

#2 - Lock Design

The original Owala FreeSip bottle used its handle to double as a lock to prevent you from accidentally opening the lid.  Because of Sway's redesigned handle, Owala also changed the way the lock works by making it a switch you toggle back and forth behind the flip-cover.  While we're concerned this may add more small plastic parts that could break, the benefit is that you can now use the handle or clip it to a bag while the lid remains locked.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Lock

#3 - Base Diameter

This is the reason why the new Sway is technically a tumbler, not a bottle.  The Original FreeSip is a traditional bottle with straight-vertical walls.  Tumblers are known for having tapered (angled) walls that get smaller towards the bottom, making them much more cupholder friendly.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Base

#4 - Mouth Diameter

The original FreeSip bottle has a 2.5 inch wide mouth opening.  Owala widened the FreeSip Sway to 3.2 inches.  This makes the bottle easier to clean, and you may not even need a bottle brush with Sway's larger design because your hand can fit inside much more easily with a sponge.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Mouth

#5 - Thread Design

The original FreeSip bottle has external threads, while the FreeSip Sway has internal threads.  What this means from a practical standpoint is that FreeSip Sway is easier to deep clean because the seal on the lid is easier to remove.  The downside is that you have to be more careful when filling up the Sway because it's easier to over-fill and have water spill when you screw on the lid.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Threads

#6 - Spout Seal Design

Both bottles have a spout seal in the flip-up lid that's easy to remove for cleaning, but they look a lot different.  The seal with the Original FreeSip is actually a little easier to remove because the pull-tab is easier to grab, and I found Sway's a little more difficult to remove when my hands were wet.  But it's not a big difference, and both are still pretty easy to remove.

The bigger deal is how the new design seems to fit better.  The Original FreeSip spout seal seemed to fit more tightly, and you had to press down harder on the spout cover to get it to close.  The Sway seems to fit better while still proving a water-proof seal, and you don't have to press down as hard to close the cover.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Spout Seal

#7 - Lid Turns

The older design takes roughly a full turn to close the lid.  However, the new Sway tumbler takes roughly a half-turn to close.  This is a very minor difference, but it makes the new one a little easier to clean and use.

#8 - Springs

Maybe the smallest change that could grow on you the most deals with those small springs. My Original FreeSip bottle  has started having occasional issues where the flip-cover did not open as reliably when I pressed the button.  Well, it looks like Owala may have tried to fix this because the springs now have 6 rotations on either side instead of 4.  This makes the Sway feel like it opens with more force.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Springs

#9 - Button Fit

If you've used the Original Owala, maybe you've noticed that the button can wiggle quite a bit.  It feels like the button in the new Sway tumbler has been fine-tuned to fit better within the lid, and this also helps make opening and closing feel better and easier overall.

It's difficult to show this in pictures, but you can see it more easily in the video.

#10 - Grip Groove

The Original FreeSip has a bottle with a smooth, uniform, cylindrical design, much like you find with 99% of other bottles on the market.  However, with the Sway tumbler, Owala added in little grooves on opposite sides of the bottle.  This gives it a slightly different look, and it makes it a little easier to pick up.  I didn't think much of this change when I first used the Sway tumbler, but I'm starting to like this tweak more and more as a very small but noticeable improvement.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Grip

#11 - Bulk/Weight

Sway's 30oz tumbler holds less water than the Original FreeSip's 32oz bottle, but it weighs roughly 20% more.  It's bulkier too because of a much larger lid design.

However, this is countered by the larger handle and cupholder-friendly tapered base, which both make the Sway tumbler easier to get around with in most cases despite the added weight and bulk.

Original FreeSip vs Sway: Weight

#12 - Insulation

Both bottles have triple layer insulation, which includes a dual-wall vacuum insulation construction with a layer of copper to limit heat transfer through radiation.  However, they do NOT have the same insulation results.

I did a hot water test using wireless thermometers, and Sway was about 16% worse than the Original FreeSip.  But honestly, both Owala bottles performed poorly against other dual-wall vacuum insulated bottles, so if insulation is your top priority, then Owala is probably not a good option.

Though to be fair, Owala still has good insulation compared to any uninsulated bottle like a plastic Nalgene for example, and it's good enough for most people most days.  So for most people, Owala's insulation is good enough, and people should decide whether to buy an Owala based on the other factors, like the lid, color options, and handle design.

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Conclusion

When you add all of these changes up, honestly they're almost all improvements or at worst the same or not a big deal. 

If you're into taking your bottle with you on hikes or long walks, Sway's larger handle may help.  And if you like to sip while driving, Sway's tapered cupholder-friendly base can help it fit in more vehicles.

Yes, the insulation for the new Sway bottle is significantly worse, but Owalas in general aren't exceptional when it comes to insulation anyways so if that's a primary decision factor for you, other brands like YETI or S'well might be better.  Also, Sway is bulkier and heavier, but the big handle and cupholder-friendly design more than make up for it.

Everyone is different, so it's ultimately up to you.  But if I were to buy one Owala today, I'd go with a Sway tumbler instead of a FreeSip bottle. It just seems like Owala really listened to the feedback from customers and made some good design choices that improve the overall experience.

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Getting an Owala?

If this review helped, consider using one of the links to buy whichever bottle is the best fit!  We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Owala FreeSip (Original)

Owala Original FreeSip (32oz)

Owala's original FreeSip is available now on Amazon.

See on Amazon

FreeSip Sway

Owala FreeSip Sway (30oz)

As of today, Sway is on Target and Owala's website.

See on Target

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Recommended Accessories

We always recommend getting a good brush kit and cleaning tablets to help keep your new bottle in great (and safe) condition for many years to come.  Here are the ones we use.

Brush Kit

Brush Kit

This kit includes a big brush, straw brush, and detailing brush, which helps with Owala's spout.

See on Amazon

Cleaning Tablets

Bottle Bright Tablets

Cleaning tablets work great to clean stains and buildup.  We recommend using them once per month.

See on Amazon

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Buying a Large Reusable Bottle?
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See our Amazon store for helpful accessories, like fruit infusers and cup holder adapters.

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