The Best Tumblers and Travel Cups
Tumblers can vary a lot, and while some are incredible, others break super easily or just simply don’t work.
If they’re high-quality, some can maintain the temperature of a drink for up to 24 hours, but as you can imagine, a lot don’t work nearly as well.
There’s a whole load of options to choose from with different designs, prices and extra features and capabilities, so how to choose the best tumbler?
I’ve spent the last few days in search of the best one out there by comparing the price, durability, insulating properties and style of all the tumblers currently available on the market.
After trawling through literally hundreds, I chose what I thought are the overall best 5 to share with you, so you can check them out.
No matter what you’re looking for, one of these guys will fit the bill.
Best Tumbler Cups Comparison
- Hydro Flask Double Wall Tumbler
- Takeya Vacuum Stainless-Steel Tumbler
- Sip by S’well Travel Mug
- Klean Kanteen 64 ounce Growler
- Yeti Rambler Stainless Steel Tumbler
Best Tumbler Reviews
2. Hydro Flask Double Wall Stainless Steel Tumbler — Our Pick & Best for Hiking and Backpacking 
Hydro is probably the most well-known manufacturer of insulated flasks in the world and there’s a reason they’ve been able to get to this position. They’ve since come out with travel mugs and tumblers that offer you all the same benefits.
In their own words the company was formed in order to ‘save the world from lukewarm”, and they’re doing a good job at achieving that.
This is a good example of why they’ve become a global leader.
It’s a damn good quality bottle, it’s strong, sturdy, insulates drinks well and looks good too.
What I liked about it:
- Nothing insulates drinks better than Hydros. Built with double-walled, vacuumed TempShield insulation, it keeps your drinks piping hot for 12 hours and cold and refreshing for 24. They’ve also integrated an unique Honeycomb structure into the design which maximizes its insulating properties even further.
- A powdered coat covers the tumbler, giving it a nice looking finish and giving you a solid grip too. It also works with the TempShield insulation to prevent any sweating from happening, so your hands stay dry and you don’t get a damp bag.
- You don’t get safer than these guys. They’re made out of non-toxic, BPA and Phthalate free plastics and 18/8 food-grade stainless steel. Oh, and they’re recyclable too, so they’re good for the wellness of both you and the planet.
Who’s it for?
This is one of the best of the best when it comes to being able to enjoy your drink at just the right temperature.
Its insulating properties are incredibly impressive, it’s built by a reputable company and it’ll keep your levels of hydration right where they need to be.
You really can’t go wrong with stuff from Hydro. Although we did suggest you read more about other brands.
This 16 ouncer is a great choice if you’re looking for a tumbler to use throughout the day.
Some other sweet features:
- There are different colors to choose from so no matter your style you’ll be able to find one that suits you.
- They’re so much cheaper than when they first came out, which is sweet. You can grab yourself one for less than 30 bucks now, so there’s no reason to go without.
- This guy comes with a lifetime warranty which I really have respect for. Not only does it mean you don’t have to worry about it breaking or wasting your money it also just shows how much they really believe in what they make. A good sign of a good company.
- It has a wide mouth opening so you can fit ice in easily and it also fits most third-party water filters which is cool.
2. Takeya Insulated Stainless-Steel Tumbler — Best for Those on a Budget
It’s great at insulating drinks, it looks damn cool, it’s got loads of extra little features.
It’s 17 ounces so it’s just the right size for your daily coffee needs and for that price this is a real steal.
What I liked about it:
- This is another one that amazes me on just how long it insulates your drinks for. The double wall insulation means drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12.
- The bottle is coated twice with powder which makes it easy to grip and super durable. Built to last a lifetime it also made totally out of recyclable materials, so say goodbye to one-use cups and toxic plastics.
- There is a stainless-steel pin going through the lid which means you can easily attach it to your bag with a carabiner. Nice option to have if you don’t want to have it in your hand the whole time.
Who’s it for?
If you want a really good insulating tumbler but you also don’t want to spend loads of money this is perfect.
This is without a doubt the best you’ll get for such a good price.
It comes in 8 different cool designs and insulates drinks incredibly well.
As long as you’re happy with the size, it’s a no-brainer really.
Some other sweet features:
- It has a pretty perfectly sized mouth opening that’s nice and wide so it’s easy to clean and you can fit ice cubes in so your drink stays super refreshing.
- There is a grippy silicone band that goes around the lid which makes it easy to open even if your hands are wet or sweaty.
- Built with a sweat-free design, you won’t get any condensation on the outside of the bottle so no more wet hands or damp bags.
- Made with food grade 18/8 stainless steel, it won’t leak out any metallic flavors, is pure, safe and completely free from BPA.
3. Sip by S’well Travel Mug 12oz
Small and stylish this is perfect if you’re looking for a tumbler to use every day.
The finishing touch to these travel mugs is just gorgeous and they feel lovely in your hand.
A great way to help you stay well hydrated.
What I liked about it:
- You can’t help but love the style and designs these have. They all have a really special feel to them.
- They’re small but they’re powerful. Your drink will stay cold for 24 hours or hot for 12, no problem whatsoever.
- Built with the tried and tested double-wall insulation design, condensation won’t form on the outside of the bottle, so you don’t have to worry about your stuff getting wet.
Who’s it for?
If you just want a small bottle, that you can put in the side of your bag or keep tucked away in your handbag, this will be right up your street.
They’re cute, convenient, but kinda pricey though.
Some other sweet features:
- It’s made with food-grade 18/8 stainless steel so it won’t leak any grim metallic tastes into your drink.
- Free from BPA and other nasty chemicals it’s completely safe to reuse time and time again.
4. Klean Kanteen 64-ounce Growler — Best for Family Picnics and Best for Beer Lovers 
This guy is a real big boy.
It’s sleek looking and stylish and has a whopping 64-ounce capacity.
That’s a lot of liquid you can fit in there.
What I liked about it:
- Both the casing and lid are built entirely with stainless steel, meaning it’s completely shatterproof and hella insulating.
- The inside of the bottle is electropolished which means it doesn’t leak any nasty metallic tastes into your drink.
- As the cap is held down with a clasp it has no threading and so is completely leak resistant.
Who’s it for?
If you want enough hot chocolate for the entire family, or you just want to be able to keep your beer cold and discreet this guy’s got you covered.
It’s huge and it’s solid and it’s really good looking too.
Some other sweet features:
- It’s got a large mouth opening so it’s easy to chuck loads of ice in there to keep your drink ice cold.
- It’s about 65 bucks, so it ain’t cheap. But when you consider the size of it and just the amount of materials it takes to build you can understand why.
5. Yeti Rambler Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler 
It may not look fancy but damn is it built well. Just like we break down in one of our comparison articles.
These guys are built to last and designed to maintain the temperature of your drink for as long as science will allow.
It’s got a decent 20-ounce volume, so it’s not too big and not too small either.
What I liked about it:
- I just love how obvious the passion that’s gone into building these is. They’ve been designed to be ‘virtually indestructible’, so even if you drop it off a cliff, it should still survive. These guys really will never break.
- Built with the tried and tested double wall insulated 18/8 stainless steel, it keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12.
- Unlike most of the others on my list, you can wash this guy in the dishwasher which is really nice. No more scrubbing by hand.
Who’s it for?
If you want something that looks like a normal flask but insulates drinks in a supernormal fashion, then here you go.
It may not have a lot of the extra features that some of the others on this list have but it definitely does the job.
Some other sweet features:
- They are designed specifically to prevent condensation forming on the outside of the bottle. This means your hands will stay dry and you won’t leave rings on tables, so no more worrying about coasters!
- It’ll easily fit into most standard car cup holders.
- There are 4 different colors to choose from and they only cost about 30 bucks.
What Makes a Great Tumbler?
Durability, style, and value.
You don’t want a tumbler that breaks after a week and you don’t want one that costs a bunch of money.
These days there’s absolutely no reason to buy ones that’ll ever break.
You should be able to get one that looks good, lasts you forever and doesn’t cost much more than 20 or 30 bucks, easy peasy.
How to choose the best coffee cup?
The last thing you want is a cold coffee or a broken cup.
So pick one that’s sturdy, won’t break and can retain heat well. We suggest you see this blog post for a deep dive into the topic.
Also, it’s worth spending some time to think about what size of cup you want. You don’t want unnecessary bulkiness but you also don’t want to run out of coffee in a time of need.
Insulated Tumblers
In the last couple of years, these guys have really come into their own.
While the technology’s evolved to be capable of so much, at the same time the price has dropped right down, making them super affordable.
They can keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12, and they cost the same as 4 or 5 cups of coffee.
If you like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, smoothies, ice cold water, the list goes on, but once you get one of these you won’t believe you lived without one for so long.
Leakproof
This is a list of some of the top tumblers on the market so naturally I’ve only put ones in that are designed to be totally leak proof.
Credit Kleankanteen.com
As long as you’re careful about putting the lid on properly there’s no reason why these would ever leak.
BPA and Toxin-free
Staying hydrated is the key to any healthy lifestyle but drinking from plastic bottles can often be more harmful than you think.
They can leak toxins and BPA if used over an extended period of time.
This is one of the most common reasons why people want to buy a tumbler. They’re safer, better for the environment and mean you can get the perfect balance between water and electrolytes with no nasty added extras.
Compatible with water filters
If you like hiking, mountaineering or any outdoor activity that leaves you out in the wild for a while, you’ll know the importance of having a water filter.
Staying hydrated is the key to survival and being able to drink natural water is the best way to guarantee you never run out.
Getting a bottle that works with these is damn handy.
The Hydro is a good one to check out if this is important to you and check out the Klean Kanteen one too.
Most popular water bottles on the market
Right now everyone’s raving about HydroFlasks and there’s a reason why.
They’ve dominated the market through designing bottles with the best insulating properties possible and then selling them cheaply too.
Combine this with the wicked look HydroFlasks have and you can see why they’re so popular.
HydroFlask
Talking of the devil.
They’ve got a lifetime warranty, they’ve got a sweet powder coating over them and there’s an endless amount of different models, designs, and colors to choose from.
Credit Hydroflask.com
They insulate drinks insanely well. Cold drinks stay cold for 24 hours and hot drinks stay hot for 12.
They don’t tend to cost that much more than other brands, around 30 or 40 bucks depending on the model…
Are you starting to see why I love these guys so much?
How to choose between two bottles?
First of all, check to see whether one of them has better insulating properties than the other.
Assuming they’re the same, the next things to check is if they have sweat-free technology, and that they’re built out of 18/8 stainless steel (as it’s super durable and doesn’t leak tastes at all).
If all this is the same compare their size and style and pick the one that most suits you.
Top coffee picks
If you like coffee you need an insulating flask.
All of the ones on this list would work great for storing coffee in but in particular, I’d recommend checking out the HydroFlask.
This is just due to how good its overall design is.
It looks great, it’s great at insulating drinks and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Klean Kanteen
Klean Kanteen is a really cool family run business.
Credit Kleankanteen.com
They do loads of great things like giving their staff volunteering time, supporting their local Californian community and supporting charity events.
Operating for almost 15 years they’ve mastered their design of reusable steel bottles, constantly reforming and updating it to make it as functional as scientifically possible.
Yeti
Yeti bottles tend to have two qualities that make them stand out from the rest.
Credit Yeti.com
The first is that they’re machine washable, so you got it, no more scrubbing away by hand.
They’re also as close to indestructible as you can get it. Yeti have really built their bottles to be able to take a damn good beating. We also have a blog post about alternatives to the Yeti.
S’well
If you’re looking for a sleek style from an environmentally-conscious brand then S’well are the guys for you.
Credit Swellbottle.com
They’re well known and respected for having great customer service and only producing top-quality, high-end stuff.
What about Takeya?
Takeya is without a doubt one of my favorite brands out there.
They’ve managed to keep the quality of their bottles high while getting the prices low.
Credit Takeyausa.com
Best for those with a Budget
Without a doubt, there’s clearly the best choice to go for if you want something that insulates stuff well but doesn’t cost a bomb.
The “Takeya Original Vacuum Insulated Stainless-Steel Tumbler” is crazily cheap.
It’s a decent 14-ounce size and only costs about 20 bucks.
A damn good bargain.
FAQ SECTION
How long does it keep coffee warm for?
It varies drastically depending on the brand, model and how good its insulating properties are.
This list is the best of the best so they’ll keep your drink nice and hot for about 12 hours, but it’s not uncommon for cheaper bottles to only maintain the temperature for about 6.
Can you fit a straw through a lid?
Yes, easily.
However, if you think you’re going to be drinking through a straw often you might want to go with a Hydro bottle.
They sell a straw lid which you can easily attach to any compatible bottle.
If you want to check them out they sell them you Amazon, and you can find them by clicking here
Is it dishwasher safe?
It really depends on the model, some are and some aren’t.
The only one on this list that is officially dishwasher safe is the Yeti Rambler Series, but there are lots of reviews of people saying they’ve washed Hydros in the dishwasher with no problems too.
As a rule of thumb though most of the best insulating bottles tend to not be dishwasher safe as the hot water can damage the rubber seals they have.
Is it leak safe to use? Would this leak in my backpack?
These are completely sweat-free and leak proof.
This is a list of some of the top tumblers on the market so naturally I’ve only put ones in that are designed to be totally leak proof.
As long as you’re careful about putting the lid on properly there’s no reason why these would ever leak.
Does it change the taste of my coffee or tea?
No, it does not.
It doesn’t matter if you’re drinking coffee or tea these won’t change the taste at all.
This is because they are made with steels that are chosen especially for their non-leaching properties which prevent them from leaking out any grim metallic tastes.
Does it change beer taste?
It doesn’t matter whether it’s beer, water or wine, none of these will alter the taste of your drink in the slightest.
This is because they are made with steels that are chosen especially for their non-leaching properties which prevent them from leaking out any grim metallic tastes.
Does 18 oz fit into car cup holder?
It does indeed!
Could it be used as a food jar thermos?
Yes, it’s absolutely fine to store food in!
I’d suggest getting one with a wide mouth opening so that you can get the food in (and more importantly out!) easier.
And remember to give it a good old clean afterwards.