Stanley Thermos (34oz)

Stanley Thermos

Highlights: Exceptional insulation, cap doubles as cup

What you'll learn:

1. Is Stanley's thermos popular?
2. What makes Stanley's thermos good?
3. ​What is not good about Stanley's thermos?
4. How good is the Stanley thermos' insulation?
5. How durable are Stanley's thermos bottles?
6. Are Stanley thermos bottles dishwasher safe?
7. Do Stanley thermos bottles fit in cupholders?
8. What are alternatives to Stanley's thermos?

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Stanley Thermos Review

Overview

Stanley was a pioneer in insulation when they released their first vacuum insulated thermos over a century ago in 1913.  Though the brand has seen many competitors come and go, Stanley has continued to do well.

While many people today will associate Stanley with their viral Quencher tumbler, Stanley's tumbler continues to find its niche as a rugged, utilitarian design with excellent insulation.

You would not want to use this bottle for every-day hydration, but if you're looking for something to take hot coffee, chocolate, or even soup camping or to a sporting event, then Stanley's classic thermos is a great option to consider.

Why Buy?

• Incredible insulation:  This thermos has the 2nd best results so far in our hot water insulation test, and it's much better than most popular dual-wall vacuum insulated bottles on the market.
• Cap Doubles as Cup: The cap is great for protecting the top of the bottle, and it also doubles as a cup.
• Rugged, Classic Design:  The no-frills timeless design is a big draw for many consumers who just need something that works well at what it's designed for and aren't worried about having the latest viral trend.

Why Avoid?

• Not Convenient: The bottle has a cap and also another piece that screws into the mouth of the bottle to improve insulation.  This makes it very cumbersome to use for every-day hydration.
• Not Cupholder Friendly: You won't want to use this in a cupholder, but if for some reason you do, you'll most likely need an adapter.
• Bulky and Heavy: It's much larger and heavier compared to most bottles you see on the market today.

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Stanley Thermos FAQs

• Are Stanley thermoses dishwasher safe? | No, Stanley marks it as handwash-only.
• Are Stanley thermoses glass-lined? | Originally Stanley released their thermos with a glass lining, but they do not anymore.  They changed to their Char-Vac construction, which involved charcoal dust packed between the two stainless steel walls while the vacuum was created.  However, since 2009, Stanley no longer makes any Char-Vac bottles, and all bottles and thermoses are made with only stainless steel.
• Do Stanley thermoses have a lifetime warranty? | Yes, they have a product lifetime warranty.  However, be sure to read the fine print because it does not cover things like normal wear or damage from accidents.  Here's a link to their policy for more details.
• Are Stanley thermoses easy to clean? | Moderately.  They are relatively simple, and the seals are all easy to reach.  However, there are multiple parts to clean, and the thermos is tall with a relatively narrow mouth opening.  You'll want a brush kit like the one shown below under Recommended Accessories.
• Are Stanley thermoses BPA-free? | Yes, text on their bottle indicates that they are BPA-free.
• Do Stanley thermoses contain lead? | We have not found an official statement or test that shows whether or not Stanley's thermos uses a lead-based solder.  However, Stanley's other bottles and tumblers do, so our assumption is that the thermos uses a lead-based solder.  This type of seal is fairly standard across this industry outside of a few notable exceptions like Owala and Hydro Flask.  However, even if Stanley uses a lead-based solder, realistically there is an extremely small probablility that you would ever have an issue with lead unless your bottle was severely damaged, and in that case you would likely need a new bottle anyways because the insulation is probably lost and the bottle would be very dented and wobbly.
• Do Stanley thermoses fit in cupholders? | No.  Please don't try to use this thermos while driving.

How Do You Clean a Stanley Thermos?

Video coming soon!
For now, check out our general cleaning guide for large stainless steel bottles.

Sip or Skip Stat Sheet

Our Sip or Skip stat sheets combine all the information above in one easy-to-use format to make comparing bottles easier.

Stanley Thermos Stat Sheet

See our Video Review

Video coming soon!

How to Buy a Stanley Thermos

Stanley Thermos (34oz)

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Popular Alternatives

Before you buy, it may be worth looking at these other options.

S'well

S'well (25oz)

This is the only bottle in our collection that had better results, and it has a sleeker style.

See on Amazon

Steepware

Steepware (22oz)

This can be a good alternative that also lets you steep loose leaf tea in the bottle.

See on Amazon

YETI's Cup Cap

YETI's Cup Cap

This accessory converts any YETI Rambler bottle into a thermos similar to Stanley's.

See on Amazon

Helpful Resources

Compare

See what else is out there

Clean

Learn how to properly maintain your bottle

Recommended Accessories

Bottle Brush Kit

Great for your regular cleaning every 2-4 days.

​ This kit includes a large brush to clean in the bottle, a detailing brush to clean the threads and lid, a straw cleaner, and hangers so you can stay organized.

See on Amazon

Cleaning Tablets

Recommended to use these once per month.

In additional to regular weekly cleaning, deep-cleaning your bottle once per month is usually a good idea to prevent germs and buildup, especially around seals.

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Cup Holder Adapter

Usually needed for bottles over 3" diameter.

Our BottlePro Max has a twist-to-expand base, removable centralizing tabs, and a grip pad to help keep your bottle secure and by your side.

See on Amazon