Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best? (Wide Mouth Edition)

Which Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Lid is the Best?

Which Hydro Flask Lid Should You Get?

Hydro Flask currently has 7 wide mouth lid options, so which one is the best for you?  I'll review each lid available, including 2 that many people have not seen before.  Each Hydro Flask lid has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it can help to know more so you can get the best lid for you and your situation.

Here's the quick list showing each of Hydro Flask's 7 available wide mouth lids as of today.  Keep scrolling down for the full details.

Hydro Flask Flex Cap

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Flex Cap

Hydro Flask Trail Series Flex Cap

Hydro Flask Flex Sip

Hydro Flask Flex Chug

Hydro Flask Flex Straw

Hydro Flask Original Straw

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Video Review of Hydro Flask's Wide Mouth Lids

​​We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap!​

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First, Some Overall Guidelines about Hydro Flask's Lids

Before we dive in, I'm going to review some of the most common general questions we see about Hydro Flask's lids.

Are Hydro Flask's Wide Mouth Lids Interchangeable?

For the most part, yes!
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With one exception, all wide mouth Hydro Flask lids fit all wide mouth Hydro Flask bottles.  If you're buying a new lid, just double-check that it's a wide mouth lid, not a standard, aka "narrow" mouth lid.

Exception: Beer Growler

Hydro Flask's 64 ounce beer growler has a different lid designed specifically to work better with carbonated drinks.

See on Amazon

Are Hydro Flask's Lid Dishwasher Safe?

Yes. Technically Hydro Flask's lids are all top-rack dishwasher safe according to Hydro Flask, as mentioned here.

From Hydro Flask: "All Hydro Flask powder coated bottles are dishwasher safe. Hydro Flask Coffee Mugs are not powder coated, and they are not dishwasher safe."

Should you hand-wash Hydro Flasks?

Even though Hydro Flask lids are all technically dishwasher-safe, I typically recommend handwashing so you can make sure some of those hard-to-reach areas are scrubbed.  Also, some of the lids have small pieces and seals that are better left to handwashing.

Either way, it's a good idea to also use Bottle Bright cleaning tablets or a similar alternative every month or so to give your bottle a deep clean.  These things really work!

How to Contact Hydro Flask Directly

I'm giving this information based on what I've read online, seen in person with their products, or heard back from Hydro Flask when I've submitted questions.  If you have additional questions, either leave a comment on our Youtube video or send us a message and I'll try to answer it, or you can out to Hydro Flask directly with the link below.  They're usually pretty good about getting back with answers within a couple days, and I've had great experiences with their customer support.

Contact Hydro Flask

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Here are Hydro Flask's Available Wide Mouth Lids

Hydro Flask's Flex Cap

Hydro Flask's Flex Cap (Lid #1)

This is the standard lid that comes with most Hydro Flasks that you unscrew completely to take a sip.

Pros

• Typically comes standard so it doesn't cost extra
• It is fairly easy to clean

Cons

• Very basic
• Prone to spilling water in your face, especially when you're on the road

See on Amazon

SplashPro Splash Guard

 Optional Add-On: SplashPro Splash Guard

Our SplashPro splash guard is designed specifically to fit around Hydro Flask's Flex Cap, so that's a great, cost-effective way to keep water out of your face.

See on Amazon

Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap

Under the Stainless Steel Flex Cap

Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap (Lid #2)

I personally think should have been called the Flex Steel but maybe that's just me.  This is identical to the Flex Cap with one obvious difference: other than the handle and the seals, it's made entirely of stainless steel.

Pros

• This is Hydro Flask's only option that has stainless steel instead of plastic under the lid
• Prevents plastic contact with your water

Cons

• Heavier
• Have to buy it separately (unless Hydro Flask is running a promotion)

See on Amazon

(To select this lid, first click on the Flex Cap variation, then select the Stainless Steel color option.)

Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap

Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap (Lid #3)

​The 3rd lid is another variation on the Flex Cap.  Hydro Flask's Trail Series bottles are engineered to be more lightweight, and these changes are very obvious in the lid.  The handle is perforated and overall it just feels lighter than the standard Flex Cap.

Pros

• Lightweight

Cons

• Unable to purchase by itself, so you'll likely need to buy a Trail Series bottle

See on Amazon

Hydro Flask's Flex Sip

Hydro Flask's Flex Sip (Lid #4)

This is designed for coffee or tea, and you simply twist the top a quarter turn to open and close it.

Pros

• Leak-free (can be a problem with some other sip-style lids and covers)
• Able to fully-disassemble for cleaning
• Comes standard if you buy one of Hydro Flask's Coffee series bottles or can be purchased separately

Cons

• Quite a few steps to clean properly (not bad once you're used to it though)

See on Amazon

Learn about Cleaning a Flex Sip

Hydro Flask's Flex Chug

Hydro Flask's Flex Chug (Lid #5)

This lid has a narrower spout that has a separate cap, similarly to YETI's standard chug lid.

Pros

• Simple and easy to clean
• Easier to take big gulps of water without it splashing in your face
• Good alternative to a Flex Cap with a SplashPro

Cons

• The handle is much smaller than other Hydro Flask lids
• Spout cap is completely detached instead of a tethered design like with Takeyas that I prefer, especially when driving so you don't have to worry about dropping the spout cap

See on Amazon

Takeya Active Spout Lid

 Optional Alternative: Takeya Actives

Takeya has one of my personal favorite spout lids with a wide handle and tethered spout cap.

See on Amazon

Hydro Flask's Flex Straw

Hydro Flask's Flex Straw (Lid #6)

I personally love this lid, but some customers have valid reasons for it not being their favorite option.

Pros

• Removable insert makes it easier to clean more areas around the spout
• Great handle for a straw lid

Cons

• The spout must be completely flipped open to take a drink.  If it's rotated back even just a little, you'll be sucking air instead of water and it seems to be less forgiving than some other straw lids.
• While I mentioned it's easier to clean more areas around the spout, that doesn't mean you can clean 100% of these spots and you'll probably want to pop the spout off every now and then to get to those hard-to-reach areas.  You have to be careful though, as this can lead to some wear-and-tear on your lid.

See on Amazon

Learn about Cleaning a Flex Straw

Hydro Flask's Original Straw

Hydro Flask's Original Straw (Lid #7)

My personal opinion is that this lid is the worst of them all, but I think it's still worth knowing about in case you have a different viewpoint.

Pros

• Some people prefer the classic, simpler design
• It's easier to pop off the spout to clean all areas around where the spout pivots compared to the Flex Straw

Cons

• It feels like this lid is just a private label lid without any engineering because Hydro Flask needed a straw lid quickly years ago
• Small single-finger handle

See on Amazon

FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser

Optional Add-On: FlavorFuze Pod Drop-In Fruit Infuser

Make your water more fun to drink by adding natural flavors!  Each FlavorFuze Pod comes with two lids.  One is design for drop-in infusing and fits in nearly any wide mouth bottle.  The other is our splash guard style that is sized to fit snugly in wide mouth Hydro Flasks.

See FlavorFuze Pod

HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling

Optional Add-On: HikerPouch Bottle Sling

Carry your Hydro Flask in style!  HikerPouches are designed specifically for larger bottles like 32 and 40 ounce Hydro Flasks.  They come with an adjustable shoulder strap and have a phone pouch on the side.  There's also an extra D-ring on the rim, which makes it easy to snap onto a bag or pouch with a carabiner.

See HikerPouch

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​See our Amazon store for helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.

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