The Best Insulated Tumblers? Get The Most for Your Money
A sip of hot chocolate on a frozen lake. A cold refreshing beer sat by a sunny lake.
No matter the season or the temperature it’s damn handy to be able to maintain the temperature of whatever you’re drinking.
With insulating flasks now becoming super affordable and loads of different types coming out often people get confused about how to choose the best-insulated tumbler cup?
First of, don’t get a crappy knock off version from some unknown brand. It won’t work well and it’ll break super quickly.
I’ve literally spent the last week dedicating my life to finding out which are the best ones out there and this is what I’ve found…
Taking into account how well it insulates your drink, its cost and how durable it is I’ve compiled a list of the best 7 insulated flasks that are out there.
Best Insulated Tumbler Cups
- Yeti Rambler 18oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Flask
- Hydro Flask 16oz Stackable Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel True Pint
- S’well Insulated Bottle 17oz
- Takeya Activities Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 18oz
- Contigo Autospout Kids 14oz
- Ozark Trail Double Wall Stainless steel 36oz
- Fifty/Fifty Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel 40oz
Insulated Tumbler Reviews
1. Yeti Rambler 18oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Flask — Best Middle Size Travel Mug
This is one of the all-around winners of the best insulated flasks just because of how simple it is.
There’s nothing extra or fancy about it, it just does a great job at maintaining your drink’s temperature and is a really reasonable price too.
A solid, simple modern water bottle.
What I Liked About It:
- Built with a double wall vacuum the insulation this bottle has is incredible. It locks temperature right in and keeps your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot.
- Designed to stop ‘sweating’ you won’t get any condensation build up, so your bag will stay dry and your fingers won’t get wet.
- The exterior is made of 18/8 kitchen grade stainless steel that is both puncture and rust resistant. So it should keep up ok and last years and years without any problems.
Who’s It For?
Yeti is known for making long-lasting, durable flasks that don’t break the bank.
It only costs around 30 bucks.
If you’re looking for something that’ll insulate your drink well without costing loads, this is a great choice.
Some Other Sweet Features:
- The cap is specifically designed to be leakproof so you won’t be getting any unwanted spills.
- With an 8 ounce capacity, it’s 9.5 inches tool and has a 3-inch diameter. This means it’ll fit right into any standardly sized car cup holder easy peasy.
- Comes in 10 different colors to choose from, so you can customize it to a style that suits you.
2. Hydro Flask 16oz Stackable Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel True Pint — Favorite Picks and Best Small Travel Mug
This is seriously cool. It does way more than just keep your beer cold m
It’s combined the insulating properties of a stainless steel vacuum with the traditional feel of a glass pint.
When sipping from this it feels just like your sipping from a glass. All while keeping your beverage nice and cold the entire while.
What I Liked About It:
- It’s made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel so is super durable and won’t break like normal glass. The steel is super pure so doesn’t leak any metallic taste into your drink, all you get is the flavor from your beverage of choice.
- Double wall vacuum insulation means your drink will stay cold for a really decent amount of time. This works so well with the TempShield insulation that Hydro designed which stops water residue appearing on the outside of the bottle. No more wet hands and no more damp bags.
- Just the feel of the cup in your hands is incredible. It really feels like it was meant to be held and is super lightweight.
- Hydro flask has a great ‘Parks for All’ giving programme and each purchase supports the development and maintenance of public green spaces across the globe.
Who’s It For?
If you love cold beer this is for you.
Refreshing, smooth and crisp, using one of these means you’ll never be stuck with a lukewarm, dirty tasting beverage.
Or if beers are not for you, there’s still like frosty cold smoothies in the summer or piping hot coffee in the winter, this will refresh your life.
And did I mention it only cost about 25 bucks!
Some Other Sweet Features:
- Comes in 10 different colors, so no matter the look you want you can get it.
- A powder coating covers the outside, this offers extra protection against scratches and nicks and makes it much easier to grip securely, so no more spilling that special liquid.
- Designed to easily stack together, so if you get a bunch of them you can store them nicely and neatly without taking up too much space.
- Completely free from BPA, Phthalate and other nasty chemicals.
- Comes with a lifetime warranty, though I really don’t think you’ll ever need to use it with this bad boy.
- Don’t use a dishwasher, just hand wash with hot, soapy water.
3. S’well Insulated Water Bottle 17oz — Best for Sports
S’well is a company I really love. They’re super ethically conscious and really take pride in what they make.
This guy is especially cool. There are 24 different designs to choose from and these are updated twice a year, so you’ll definitely be able to get a groovy design that’s right for you.
S’well also supports UNICEF and The American Forest Association so you know that the profits that they make are going towards good things.
What I Liked About It:
- With double walled construction, drinks are kept cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12. So no matter what time of the day is your coffee time, you’ll have hot coffee ready and waiting for you.
- Built with unique triple wall Therma S’well technology this has a layer of copper in between two layers of steel, which completely eliminates any condensation. So no more cold sweats on your hands or in your bag.
- Made from premium grade, BPA-free 18/8 stainless steel, this is non-leaching and non-toxic. There’s no better material to have these built out of.
Who’s It For?
If you want a cool looking and highly functional bottle this is for you.
You’ll find it hard to find a bottle that keeps drinks as hot and as cold for as long and for such a good price.
This is definitely one of my favorites.
Some Other Sweet Features:
- Mouth size is perfect for ice cubes to fit right in, so you can get some ice cold, refreshing hydration.
- Fits nicely into a car cup holder.
- Backed by a one-year satisfaction guarantee, this’ll last for much longer than that anyway.
- Only costs around 35 bucks so isn’t too pricey at all.
4. Takeya Activities Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 18oz
This is right at the top end of the market.
It’s got all the features you could want, works like a charm and looks nice and sleek too.
This is the real deal.
What I Liked About It:
- The huge 40 ounce capacity! You can fit so much liquid in here.
- The walls are double vacuum insulated which not only means cold beverages will be kept cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 but also mans condensation won’t form on the outside of the bottle.
- Constructed of 18/8 stainless steel which prevents rust and reduces the chance of a puncture.
- The lid is leak proof so you can throw the flask in your bag, no worries.
Who’s It For?
This comes in a 2 pack so is perfect if you’re looking for flasks for you and your partner.
To be honest, you don’t get much better than this, so if you’re wanting two I’d really suggest giving these some serious thought.
They’re less than 150 bucks for the pair, which is still expensive, but for what you get is not a bad deal at all.
Some Other Sweet Features:
- Comes with a lifetime warranty, which not only gives you that extra peace of mind but also shows just how much Takeya believes in their products.
- The mouth opening is a nice width so you can fit ice cubes into the bottle easily.
- Has a decent little handle, which can come in handy either when you’re just carrying it or you can attach it to a bag quite easily.
- Free from BPA.
- Unfortunately is not machine washable so must be washed by hand.
5. Contigo Autospout Kids 14oz — Best for Kids
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If you’re looking for a flask for a child then it’s definitely worth considering getting something from Contigo.
A reputable, long standing brand their main focuses are on their environmental impact and the safety of their bottles, and the Autospout just reminds me why I love them so much.
What I Liked About It:
- The opening valve has been designed especially to be spill and leak proof even in the hands of children.
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 6 hours.
- The shape of the bottle makes it easy for smaller hands to grip, perfect for young ones
Who’s It For?
If you’re looking for a bottle that doesn’t leak nasty chemicals like normal plastic ones do, and you want to reduce environmental waste too, then this is a great choice for you.
Designed and built for children it makes the perfect flask for your little one.
Some Other Sweet Features:
- 100% BPA free
- Safe to wash in the dishwasher so you don’t have to spend loads of time washing it by hand.
- Cost less than 25 bucks
6. Ozark Trail Double Wall Stainless Steel 30oz — Best Budget Option
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A cheap and cheerful option.
This has been designed to have all the functionality that other more expensive options have, without the high price tag attached to it.
What I like about it:
- The price is the main selling point with this guy. It’s cheap as hell, costing less than 20 bucks and is still designed fantastically.
- Made with high-grade kitchen quality 18/8 stainless steel this is another one that’s built to last.
- The decent 30-ounce size is also really nice. You can easily fit a days supply of coffee there.
- The double vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours on end.
Who’s It For?
If you’re looking for a cheap option that’ll still keep your drinks at the temperature they need to be then this is what you want.
Some Other Sweet Features:
- Wide mouth opening means it’s easy to get ice cubes in there
- Ozark is a super reputable company that you can most definitely trust.
7. Fifty/Fifty Vacuum-Insulated stainless Steel 40oz — Best With Large Volume
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With a huge 40 ounce volume, this is great for families or someone who wants a real big boy.
Well designed and highly customizable, it’s crazy how cheap this guy is when you consider how big it is.
What I Liked About It:
- They’re a solid design, made with 18/8 stainless steel and double wall technology which stops any condensation from coming up on the outside. Oh, and the steel is 100% recyclable, non-leaching and won’t leak any kind of metallic taste. These guys have been built well.
- The vacuum insulation means that liquids will be kept hot or cold for a damn long time. It should maintain coldness for up to 12 hours and heat for up to 6.
Who’s It For?
Don’t underestimate how big this guy is, it’s huge!
If you want to keep a lot of coffee hot, or a lot of smoothie cold, this will do it.
Great for families, couples or just people who love their drinks.
Some Other Sweet Features:
- There are 30 different colors which you can choose from which is pretty wicked. This is by far the most customizable of them all.
- The wide mouth style it has makes it easy to make your drink super cold. Just whack a couple of ice cubes in, they fit easily.
- It only costs around 25 bucks
What Makes a Great Insulated Tumbler Cup?
How long does it keep drinks cold? How long does it keep drinks hot? Does it sweat and cause condensation on the outside? Is it leakproof? Can you fit ice cubes into it? Will it last?
All of these are important questions to ask before buying any type of tumbler.
Most of all, get one that’ll last. A good one of these should last 5 or 10 years easily without any problems coming up.
What is Unique About Stainless Steel?
If you’re buying a thermos you really want it to be made of stainless steel.
Credit Yeti.com
This is down to three factors, it’s insulating properties, it’s durability and the fact it won’t leak any taste into your drink.
When stainless steel is double-walled it insulated things spectacularly, maintaining the temperature inside while keeping the temperature outside not too hot, or too cold.
It’s puncture and rust-resistant so stands well against the test of time, is odorless and won’t leach any metallic tastes.
Stainless steel is the one.
Double Wall
Double-wall insulating technology is what makes all of this possible.
By having an extremely thin layer of air between two layers of steel, both hot and cold temperatures are insulated inside fantastically.
This means your drink should stay refreshingly cold or comfortingly hot for hours on end.
Thermos
If you want to be able to keep hot drinks hot or cold drinks cold, the only option to go for is a thermos.
As years go by they’re constantly improving and they’re finally at a point now where really high-quality ones have become very affordable.
No Sweat Technology
This is a really cool new function that modern bottles are built with.
Through using either double or triple wall vacuums they eliminate any condensation from forming on the outside of the bottle.
Credit Hydroflask.com
This is more important than you’d think. Not only does it stop your bag getting wet or rings being left on coffee tables, it stops your hands from getting wet too.
A real savior if you have that outdoor spirit and you’re adventuring in winter conditions and don’t want frostbitten fingers.
Straws
Most of these don’t come with straws, but some (The Yeti and Hydro series are good examples) are compatible with straw attachments which you can buy.
These are pretty cheap, so if you want a straw it’s best to go with one of these guys.
Handles
Having a handle used to be incredibly useful when bottles used to sweat a lot.
With the new technology that stops any condensation or sweating having a handle has become pretty obsolete.
Even if the liquid inside your cup is freezing cold the outside will still feel just like room temperature, so you don’t have to worry about getting cold, or hot, hands.
Size and Weight
This is important and often overlooked.
Think about how much liquid you need to be kept warm or cold on a daily basis.
Credit Hydroflask.com
Will just one cups worth of coffee be enough or do you want multiple cups kept hot and ready to last you all day?
Durability
Some of these flasks cost up to 60 or 70 bucks, that’s not cheap, but if you buy the right one it’ll last you the rest of your life.
Some are made really cheaply in China, you save cash when buying them but end up paying more when they break after just a couple of months.
Go with a brand that’s well-known, established and has lots of good reviews.
All the ones I’ve included on my list are seriously reputable and each bottle should last you at least 5 or 10 years with no problems coming up.
Design and Colors
Credit Swellbottle.com
The variety of styles, colors, and designs these come in is endless.
No matter what you like, you’ll find one that’s just right for you.
If you really want style I’d recommend checking out the S’well 17oz that’s on my list. They have special designers that are constantly updating the styles of these guys, so there’s always fresh, new, unique looks to choose from.
Accessorise
Most of these really don’t need to be accessorized, they’ve already got everything you need built into them.
However, if you do want a few extras, like straws, sip lids or holders, Hydro has an endless supply of little things you can add on or change on to any of their flasks.
FAQs
Can I put my insulated tumbler in the dishwasher?
It depends on the brand and model of your tumbler.
Always check if they are machine washable first as some will lose their seal if put in a dishwasher and this can cause leaks.
How to clean my new insulated tumbler?
If it’s machine washable, easy. Just whack it in the dishwasher.
Otherwise, hand washing is the way to go.
Use warm soapy water and scrub the inside down. After you’ve gotten rid of all the stains and marks, give it a rinse with cold fresh water and you’ll be good to go.
Will the 20oz tumbler fit into car drink holders?
Yes!
Most car cup holders are 3.5 inches to 3.8 inches in diameter, and the bottom of these flasks is always in that range.
It’s worth checking that your cup holder isn’t a special size first, just in case.
Which one is dishwasher safe?
Of the ones on my list, only the Contigo Autospout Kids is safe to wash in the dishwasher.
The others you really should wash by hand, which is a bit more work but you don’t want to be damaging that new bottle you’ve just got.
Could I put it in the bicycle mount?
All of these should fit in any regular sized bicycle mount, but it is worth checking the specific size of the one you’ve got.
Are there any other bottles I should check out that are not on your list?
There are five other flasks in particular that people always rave about that I’ve left on my list.
They’re each really damn good, but I left them off because in my opinion there are other options on the list that work just as well for less money.
In summary, these are the best insulated tumblers that we’ve covered.
- Yeti Rambler 18oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Flask
- Hydro Flask 16oz Stackable Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel True Pint
- S’well Insulated Bottle 17oz
- Takeya Activities Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 18oz
- Contigo Autospout Kids 14oz
- Ozark Trail Double Wall Stainless steel 36oz
- Fifty/Fifty Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel 40oz