(Update February 21, 2024) - Hydro Flasks do not have lead in them.
"Over a decade ago, Hydro Flask pioneered an alternative sealing process for vacuum insulated bottles. In 2012, we moved away from what was at that the time the industry standard vacuum sealing process and toward an innovative process that sealed our bottles without the use of lead. "
Click here to read their full statement.
"Over a decade ago, Hydro Flask pioneered an alternative sealing process for vacuum insulated bottles. In 2012, we moved away from what was at that the time the industry standard vacuum sealing process and toward an innovative process that sealed our bottles without the use of lead. "
Click here to read their full statement.
(Updated January 2, 2024)
Sip or Skip: Water Bottle Buying Guides
We buy a lot of bottles...so you don't have to.
With Sip or Skip, we're here to help you find the perfect bottle or accessory for you and your situation. Our main goals are to:
Better hydration starts with a better bottle. Let's get started!
With Sip or Skip, we're here to help you find the perfect bottle or accessory for you and your situation. Our main goals are to:
- Let you know which bottles and accessories are available.
- Answer common questions, like whether it is dishwasher-safe.
- Give our thoughts on whether this is a good brand, which other brands are comparable, and others that may be less expensive alternatives to consider.
Better hydration starts with a better bottle. Let's get started!
Rather watch a video?
Quick Disclaimer: This is our best-faith effort to provide helpful, consolidated summaries so you can quickly compare different bottles and brands. We own many bottles, but some information is from researching available online details. If you notice any incorrect information, please let us know. Thank you!
Amazon Associate: We earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!
Amazon Associate: We earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for your support!
Sip or Skip: Hydro Flask Buying Guide (Wide Mouth Bottles)
Sips Ranking
|
What We ThinkHydro Flask is a well-established brand that people will recognize and there are many color options, so it's a great choice if you want to show off your bottle. Their products are generally high-quality, with the notable exception of the original straw lid which was greatly improved upon when they released the Flex Straw. They are expensive and you're paying a lot for the logo, but in return you get a bottle that should last a long time when properly cared for as well as great customer service (from our experience). If you're looking to save some money, you can easily find some alternatives that are similar.
|
|
The Good
|
The Not-So-Good
|
The Not-So-Good
Overall, we love Hydro Flask products and have no issues recommending them or this company (as long as you can comfortably afford it).
|
Our Favorite
Hydro Flask Flex Straw (24oz)
|
24oz Wide-Mouth with Flex Straw
This is just a great all-around bottle for everyday hydration. There are plenty of color options to choose from, and the Flex Straw is one of our favorite straw lids from any brand. It has a good handle and it's easier to clean than many other straw lids because you can take out a removable silicone insert, which lets you clean more around the spout without having to pop it off. And because of how the silicone insert works and how securely the spout snaps closed, it's less likely that this straw lid will develop a leak (which is a common problem with many straw lids).
24-ounces is a good middle ground between having enough capacity to stay hydrated longer and being more manageable to carry around and use in cars. We also prefer wide-mouth bottles in general because they let you add ice and clean your bottle more easily, and you can always use a lid like the Flex Straw that prevents spills. |
How Well Does a Hydro Flask Insulate?
|
All Hydro Flask bottles are made with dual-wall stainless steel vacuum insulation. The air is removed between the two stainless steel walls, making it more difficult for heat to transfer in or out through the walls of the bottle.
Hydro Flask was roughly in the middle-of-the-pack in our recent insulation test. Their bottles have plenty of insulation to get you through the day. Hydro Flask does not currently have any triple-layer insulated bottles. Want to learn more about triple-layer insulation? See our post about it. Denting your Hydro Flask too badly can compromise the dual-wall vacuum insulation, leading to a less effective insulating bottle. Consider investing in a bottle boot (see below in Accessories). |
Dual Wall vs Triple Layer Insulation
|
How Much do Hydro Flasks Cost?
Hydro Flask products are expensive. Their bottles range from the $20s for smaller bottles to the $60s for growlers.
|
What Brands are Comparable to Hydro Flask?
Two brands that are comparable to Hydro Flask include YETI and S'well. Each are premium brands with large followings, but you pay a substantial amount for the logo.
|
What are Alternatives to Hydro Flask that Cost Less?
Two alternatives to Hydro Flask that can save you some money include Iron Flask and Takeya. They have options that are less expensive but also include additional accessories, like more lids or a bottle boot.
|
Is Hydro Flask a Good Brand?
Hydro Flask has a high level of brand power. It is a widely-known brand that people will recognize.
|
Where is Hydro Flask Located?
Hydro Flask was founded in 2009 and is currently based in Bend, Oregon. The company employs roughly 140 people.
|
How Good is Hydro Flask's Customer Support?
Hydro Flask has very good customer support, and we can say that based on our own experience when we've had questions or issues come up.
|
Are Hydro Flasks Dishwasher-Safe?
Many of Hydro Flask's products are dishwasher safe, but it's a little more complicated than that.
From Hydro Flask's website FAQ's: "All Hydro Flask powder-coated bottles are dishwasher safe. Hydro Flask Coffee Mugs are not powder coated, and they are not dishwasher safe." And, "all Hydro Flask caps and lids are top rack dishwasher safe." However, there are a few things to note.
|
Can You Put a Hydro Flask in the Fridge or Freezer?
Technically you could put a Hydro Flask bottle in the refrigerator or freezer, but it's not recommended. Why?
|
Can You Put a Hydro Flask in the Microwave?
No.
|
What is a Hydro Flask Made Of?
There are plenty of concerns about plastic contact, mostly resulting from BPAs and bottle brands like Nalgene in the 2000s. If you'd like to learn more about the most common bottle materials as well as the potential risks, click the link below to see our post about it.
What is the Safest Water Bottle Material?
|
Do Hydro Flasks Avoid Plastic Contacting your Water?
Many people ask if Hydro Flasks completely avoid plastic contact with their water. Even though Hydro Flasks are made with food-grade stainless steel, nearly all of their lids are made of plastic. This means your water can still come into contact with plastic.
The only option for completely plastic-free contact is to buy any Hydro Flask bottle, then purchase their stainless steel lid separately. Make sure you purchase the correct size (standard vs wide-mouth) for the bottle you have. Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Lids
|
How Many Colors do Hydro Flasks Come In?
Hydro Flask has a ton of color options to choose from, which was one of the driving forces behind it's rise in popularity in the early 2010s. There are up to 15 color styles available, but this varies a lot from product-to-product as well as whatever happens to be in stock.
Hydro Flask also routinely sells limited runs of color options, so check back often. |
How to Clean a Hydro Flask?
From Hydro Flask's website:
"We recommend warm soapy water and a Hydro Flask bottle brush.
All Hydro Flask powder-coated bottles are dishwasher safe. If you prefer handwashing, we recommend warm soapy water and a Hydro Flask Bottle Brush and our Straw and Lid Cleaning Set."
"We recommend warm soapy water and a Hydro Flask bottle brush.
All Hydro Flask powder-coated bottles are dishwasher safe. If you prefer handwashing, we recommend warm soapy water and a Hydro Flask Bottle Brush and our Straw and Lid Cleaning Set."
We also have a few posts and videos that help illustrate how to clean your Hydro Flask and accessories. Please take note of the potential wear-and-tear with detaching the straw spouts!
Hydro Flask Bottle Options
We're focusing on Hydro Flask's wide mouth water bottles, but they also have coffee mugs, tumbler-style cups with tapered walls, travel tumblers with a large handle and straw (made popular by Stanley) that you may also want to check out.
Hydro Flask's Traditional Bottle Options
|
Hydro Flask's Traditional Bottles
These are the ones most people are introduced to first. Sizes include:
Most bottles come with the Flex Cap lid that you have to screw on-and-off completely to use. Some listings like the 24oz one in this image comes with a different lid (Flex Chug). You can usually find listings with a Flex Straw as well. |
Hydro Flask Coffee Series
Coffee Series (bottles, not mugs)
Hydro Flask's Coffee Series bottles include a Flex Sip lid instead of the standard Flex Cap.
|
Hydro Flask Kids Series
Kids Series
Hydro Flask's Kids Series bottles include a bottle boot and a straw lid (original style, not Flex Straw).
|
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Trail Series
Hydro Flask's Trail Series bottles are lighter than their traditional bottles.
The 40oz is currently only available on HydroFlask.com. |
Hydro Flask Growlers
Growlers
Hydro Flask's growlers are 64oz of hydration (or libation if you get the beer one, which is better at handling carbonation).
|
Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best?
Hydro Flask Flex Cap
Flex Cap
Flex Cap is the most basic option that comes standard on many bottles and is the one you have to screw on and off completely to take a drink.
|
Hydro Flask Original Straw
Original Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw lid is pretty basic, and we generally avoid using it. The Flex Straw is much better.
|
Hydro Flask "Flex Steel"
Stainless Steel (why not "Flex Steel?")
This is the only option if you're looking to completely avoid plastic contact with your water.
|
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
Flex Sip
A really good option for coffee and tea. This lid was specifically designed to be easy to take apart and clean. It takes quite a few steps, but it's very easy to clean every nook and cranny, even the threads.
|
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Flex Straw
We love this straw lid. It's easier to clean than most straw lids from other brands, and the handle is really convenient and easy to hold. Highly recommended.
|
Hydro Flask Flex Chug
Flex Chug
It's OK, but we don't like how the handle is essentially half the size of the other lids with loop-style handles. The top spout cap also completely detaches from the base, which makes it easier to drop or misplace compared to connected or hinged designs like with Takeya.
|
|
Flex Cap - Trail Series Style
Technically there's also a 7th cap that will fit all wide-mouth bottles, but you can't purchase it on its own. You'll need to buy a Trail Series bottle to get it. This cap has perforations in the handle and other modifications that makes it more lightweight.
|
Hydro Flask Trail Series
|
What are Good Hydro Flask Accessories?
There's quite an ecosystem of accessories and supporting business and products for Hydro Flask owners. Hydro Flask has done a good job of providing a range of accessories, but you can also find a bunch of options from 3rd parties (like us!). Here are some of our favorites.
Recommended Accessories for Hydro Flasks
Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
These things really work, even for removing tea and coffee stains.
|
Brush Kit for Hydro Flasks
Brush Kit
Big bottles are hard to clean. Brush kits like this one include a large brush, smaller one for threads and hard-to-reach spots, and a straw cleaner.
|
BottlePro Max Cup Holder Adapter
BottlePro Max Cup Holder Adapter
Expandable base. Centralizing tabs. Fits nearly all cup holder / bottle combinations. Typically needed with 32 and 40oz bottles that don't fit in most cup holders.
|
Optional Accessories for Hydro Flasks
Wild Wolf Bottle Pouch
Wild Wolf Bottle Sling
This pouch is affordable, rugged, and has plenty of pockets for accessories. Just make sure you get the correct size!
|
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
Each FlavorFuze Pod comes with two lids. The splash-guard style fits in the neck of wide-mouth Hydro Flasks and prevents spills. The drop-in style lid fits even more bottles (nearly all wide-mouths).
|
FlavorFuze Straw Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Straw Snap-On Fruit Infuser for Straw Lids
We designed this infuser to clip onto Hydro Flask straw for even easier use. Just snap it on or off the straw, and you'll have flavors on the go!
|
Kuppy Drying Rack for Hydro Flasks
Kuppy Drying Rack (4-pack)
This is a cool little invention that helps keep your Hydro Flask from tipping over while drying out.
|
Hydro Flask Bottle Boot
Bottle Boot
These are a great, inexpensive add-on that help protect your bottle.
|
QeeCord Paracord Handle
QeeCord Paracord Handle
Makes it easier and more comfortable to carry your Hydro Flask around. It also includes a carabiner clip, compass, and whistle.
|
