
We Tested Tumblers From Stanley, Owala, and More — These Are Our Editors’ Tried-and-True Favorites
There’s nothing worse than going to take a drink of water from a bottle, expecting something icy cold and refreshing, only to be met with a warm sip instead. Insulated drink tumblers solve that problem, allowing for chilled drinks even after hours in the office, on the go, or just working from home. But with so many options out there, most featuring handles for portability and straws for easy sipping, it can be hard to know which one will work for you.
Our favorite tumblers are made from durable stainless steel, which is known for its ability to control temperature without feeling the chill or heat on the outside of the vessel, and it won’t make a huge mess if knocked over. Additional features like fun color options, multiple sizes, locking mechanisms, and versatile lids will have you understanding the hype around these viral tumblers in no time. Read on to discover our top-tested and approved tumbler picks.
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Stanley tumblers are available in multiple colors, keep beverages cold, and are comfortable to hold.
Stanley Quencher tumblers have continued to maintain their extreme popularity, and for a good reason. Made of double-walled 18/8 stainless steel, it has effective vacuum insulation that will keep your drinks cold without any temperature changes to the outside of your tumbler. The FlowState lid rotates to screw on, and it can switch between a straw opening, sipping lid, or becoming fully sealed.
Available in a multitude of colors and five sizes, Stanley offers a style and capacity for everyone. Aside from the 64-ounce option, their line of Quencher tumblers are larger on top with a tapered bottom to fit in most car cup holders, and they’re comfortable to carry thanks to the ergonomic handle. In our at-home testing, we did not find this tumbler to be fully spill-proof, but it held both cool and hot temperatures reasonably well within a 24-hour period.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 40 ounces | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 14, 20, 30, and 64 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
It’s no surprise that Yeti makes a solid insulated tumbler, and their 42-ounce Rambler is one of the best. Made of 18/8 stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, it kept water ice-cold with only a single-degree drop in temperature after an entire day, and it even kept a full tumbler warm for 24 hours.
The straw lid has a molded-in stopper to keep your straw in place, but it is not recommended for use with hot drinks. The entire tumbler is dishwasher-safe, too; just make sure to keep the lid on the top rack and the straw with the utensils. There is no option to switch from a straw to a spout for sipping, but customization options and accessories are available to make your Rambler your own.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 42 ounces | Weight: 1.69 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 25 and 35 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Choosing a more budget-friendly tumbler doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or effectiveness. The style of this Bubba tumbler is a bit different than our other picks, with no handle and a slightly different shape, but it has a more approachable price point. During our tests, we found that the insulation was on par with more pricey options, keeping liquids cold for nearly two days.
Since there’s no handle or grips on the actual tumbler, it may be harder to carry around and more prone to spills if it’s dropped. The lid pops into place and can be tossed in the dishwasher top rack along with the straw, but the body should only be hand-washed.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 24 ounces | Weight: 0.82 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 32 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: No
Comfort meets style in the Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler. The straw is soft and flexible, so sipping from any angle is easy and comfortable despite its placement in the center of the cup. We found that the double-walled TempShield insulation kept beverages “refreshingly cold for hours,” even without a locking feature on the lid or a spout option.
Unlike some other tumblers that have lids with elevated sides all around, the Hydro Flask lid is almost entirely flat and has the same hue as the tumbler. The lid also pops into place instead of screwing on and off, which may not be as secure as other options. But when it’s time to clean, everything is dishwasher-safe, including the lid, straw, and tumbler.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 40 ounces | Weight: 1.27 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 20, 28, and 32 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Available in a selection of cheery colors with contrasting lids, the Owala Travel Tumbler is one of the most versatile tumblers on our list. Our favorite feature of all is the innovative 2-in-1 lid, similar to the cap of Owala’s popular insulated water bottles. Pop the straw in to sip while in the car or at your desk, or remove the straw to sip from the spout instead. What’s even better is that the straw conveniently pops to the side of the tumbler when not in use, so you don’t have to worry about it getting lost.
Aside from the standout lid, it was efficient in our at-home tests at maintaining both cold and hot temperatures, thanks to the triple-layered stainless steel insulation. But only the lid is dishwasher-safe, so stick to hand-washing the tumbler.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 40 ounces | Weight: 1.59 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 24 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: No
BrüMate’s Era Tumbler is sleek, trendy, and available in two size options, with a multitude of colors and finishes to choose from. This is the most spill-proof tumbler on our list because of the convenient lock and unlock feature on the lid. When it’s unlocked, you can enjoy sipping your beverage of choice. However, it becomes leak-proof only when locked, so keep in mind that a spill could happen if you accidentally knock your cup over when it’s unlocked. Luckily, the top of the tumbler is clearly labeled with “sip” and “seal” so you can toss it in your bag without the worry of making a mess.
Every piece of this cup is top-rack dishwasher safe, and the lid even comes apart to ensure a thorough cleaning. Like the body of the cup, the straw is also stainless steel but has a comfortable silicone cover to sip from.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 40 ounces | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 30 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Whether you’re looking to sip on hot or iced coffee, this travel mug by Fellow is the way to go. It is made from double-walled stainless steel with a ceramic interior that doesn’t leave behind any residual odors or stains after washing, which should only be done by hand.
While the contents of the mug were kept safe during our tests, with no spills even with it turned upside-down, shaken, or on its side, this might not fit in standard car cupholders due to the wider design. It does not have a handle, but it still feels comfortable when being carried and isn’t overly heavy due to its 16-ounce capacity.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 16 ounces | Weight: 0.77 pounds | Other Sizes Available: 12 ounces | Dishwasher-safe: No
Our Favorite Tumbler
We did not make a best overall pick because the best tumbler ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState’s design, multitude of colors offered, and effectiveness at keeping drinks cold puts it high on our list of tumbler picks. The YETI Rambler 42-Ounce Straw Mug also keeps drinks exceptionally cold, and it’s dishwasher-safe with a sleek finish that we love.
How We Tested Tumblers
Many of our top picks were tested by our editors in their everyday lives to collect insights about insulation performance, ease of cleaning, and sealing capabilities. We also paid close attention to design, size, value, and durability. Leakage tests and cleaning tests were also performed, plus longer-term observations were noted regarding how the hot and cold temperature retention was maintained over time with regular use.
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Factors to Consider
Materials and Insulation
Most tumblers are made from double layers of stainless steel, which ensures temperature retention for cold and hot beverages. Although stainless steel is a sturdy material, your tumbler’s exterior may show signs of wear over time due to accidental drops or just normal use. Even if the powder-coated exterior has a chip or crack, it should not impact the effectiveness of the vacuum seal or the safety of the bottle.
Straw and Lid Design
With the exception of our best for coffee pick, all of the tumblers on our list come with a straw and have convenient lid designs. Some options like the Owala Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler are more versatile with a spout option if you don’t want to sip from a straw, while the BrüMate Era 40-Ounce Tumbler can lock in place to prevent spills and leaks even with the straw attached.
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Capacity
The capacity of your tumbler is ultimately a personal preference, and most of our picks range between 16 and 42 ounces. If you’re on the go a lot and don’t have a place to fill your tumbler at work or while out running errands, you may want to go for something on the larger side like the YETI Rambler 42-Ounce Straw Mug.
Convenience
If being able to throw your tumbler in the dishwasher is important, take a look at the description before purchasing to ensure that the entire tumbler and not just the lid and straw are dishwasher-safe. Depending on your preferences, a handle may also make things more convenient for your daily use, as well as the ability to put your tumbler in a cup holder or bag while commuting or traveling.
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Our Expertise
- Jacqueline Weiss is a professional food writer with over seven years of experience and a lifelong lover of working in the kitchen. Her writing has appeared in Eat This Not That, EatingWell, AllRecipes, Simply Recipes, and more.
- In researching this article, she went over testing data from Food & Wine editors, read reviews, and incorporated those insights to find the best tumblers for every occasion.