As the Hydro Flask vs. YETI debate rages, our Product Testing Team tested both brands to see which is worth the splurge
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Hydro Flask vs. YETI: Which Brand is Better?
Updated Sep. 11, 2024
The beauty of single-serve coffee makers is that you get a near-instant cup that’s ready to grab on the way out the door in the morning. But when it comes time to take your fresh brew on the go, you need a travel coffee tumbler that keeps the heat (or chill) inside. This is especially important on brisk winter mornings or sweltering summer afternoons.
“When choosing a tumbler, look for one with a vacuum-insulated, double-wall exterior to maintain your coffee’s temperature longer,” says Erin Doern, coffee expert and Head of Product Development at Free Rein Coffee. After all, nothing is worse than taking a sip of your iced brew only to be met with a watery, room-temperature coffee.
As for the best coffee tumblers, two brands are almost always at the forefront of the discussion: YETI and Hydro Flask. While both offer an impressive line-up of travel-friendly options, the Hydro Flask vs. YETI debate goes a lot deeper than that. Our Product Testing Team compared each brand’s most popular coffee tumblers to determine which one is the best.
What’s the Difference Between Hydro Flask and YETI?
When looking at all the items each brand offers, it’s easy to see why the Hydro Flask vs. YETI debate is so heated. Both brands boast an array of outdoor gear, mainly focused on drinkware like coffee thermoses and wine tumblers. Both have a loyal following, and both offer generous warranties on most items. Collectively, the two brands also have some of the best coolers, camping supplies and outdoor cookware.
One of the big differences between Hydro Flask and YETI is the price point of their products. The 20-ounce Hydro Flask tumblers cost around $27 compared to the 20-ounce YETIs, which are $35. While this isn’t a big gap, it’s sizable enough to make you wonder which is a better option. The price difference is even more pronounced with their soft coolers. While Hydro Flask’s cooler tote rings up at an affordable $65, the YETI counterpart comes in at a staggering $300. That’s pretty substantial.
All About Hydro Flask
Travis Rosbach and Cindy Weber established Steel Technology, LLC in 2009. The brand, which later became Hydro Flask, was based in the mountainous and lush region of Bend, Oregon. Hydro Flask began selling water bottles at local farmers markets, where they quickly grew a following in the outdoor community. In 2012, the company started producing a wider variety of products in Europe as well as the United States. Now, Hydro Flask sells over 100 different products, including drinkware, coolers, kitchenware and outdoorsy accessories.
How We Tested Hydro Flask
Our expert Product Testing Team tested 20 coffee tumblers using the same 11 tests. They collected over 730 data points and spent an estimated 50 hours on the tests, including the time it took to research, source, intake and test the products. To keep things fair for the Hydro Flask vs. YETI comparison, we compared the two most closely related products from each brand. For Hydro Flask, we conducted tests on the All Around Tumbler.
The Product Testing Team has a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products, especially from popular brands. We use fair and honest testing practices under controlled conditions for each test. Our team has thoroughly evaluated everything from food processors to ceramic cookware in our dedicated Testing Lab. We also put every product through a thorough testing process that ensures accurate, quality results.
Criteria
- Temperature Retention: Testers place 140-degree Fahrenheit water in each tumbler, then measure the temperature after four hours to see how much it fell. All tumblers are left in the refrigerator to simulate a near-freezing day. Testers then fill each tumbler halfway with ice and add 60-degree Fahrenheit water until full. They measure the temperature after another four hours to see how much it rose and if any ice remains. All tumblers are left outside in the sun.
- Drinking Experience: Testers drink liquid from the tumbler. They evaluate the pleasantness and ease of the drinking experience, monitoring things like lip thickness, opening placement and flow.
- Ergonomics and Handling: Testers attempt to place the tumbler in a standard car cupholder to see if it fits. If the tumbler has a pop top, testers open the lid five times in rapid succession to gauge how cumbersome it is to open and close and how tiring it is on the hand. Testers then carry each filled tumbler around for five minutes to assess its weight and circumference and how comfortable it is to hold.
- Leakproof Capabilities: Testers shake each tumbler upside down for 15 seconds to see if and how much the cup leaks.
- Durability: Testers push the tumbler from a hip-height ledge onto the pavement to see if it scratches, spills, dents or pops open.
- Specs: Testers weigh each empty tumbler and note any additional features.
- Cleaning: Testers wash each tumbler in the dishwasher up to three times, noting its appearance and cleanliness after the fact. They turn off the heat for all of these cycles to preserve the silicone and plastic parts.
- Lead Detection: Testers swab the inside of each tumbler and test for the presence of lead with a rapid lead test kit.
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe
- Lifetime warranty
- Budget-friendly
- Pleasant drinking experience
- Lots of fun colors and shades
- Free of any lead
Cons
- Leaky
- Not cupholder compatible
- Subpar thermal capabilities
Temperature Retention
As with the rest of the coffee tumblers we tested, we used cold tap water on ice for our iced coffee test. After four hours in direct sunlight, the “coffee” measured at 40.1 degrees Fahrenheit, and all the ice was melted. After six hours, the beverage measured in at 46.5 degrees Fahrenheit. While the melted ice is a bit of a bummer, folks can easily circumvent this by adding refrigerated water rather than cold tap water. This should make the ice last longer.
For the hot coffee test, the coffee temperature fell to 94.6 degrees Fahrenheit after six hours—still pretty impressive, albeit much lower than the original temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Drinking Experience
The Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler has a BPA-free plastic push-on lid. The tab on the lid is very small and harder to push up or down than some others, but it also seals quite well—more on that in a minute. It has a sliding spout to easily open and close the lid. This makes the overall drinking experience very smooth, with no rough or squared-off edges anywhere. The rim is stainless, which feels nice on the lips.
Ergonomics and Handling
The exterior of the Hydro Flask has a little texture for added grip—a feature that put its score above the YETI for handling. It’s not as wide or slick as the YETI, so it feels more comfortable to hold, but it’s still pretty fat and difficult for smaller hands to grip. For those who prefer something that they can hold for hours at a time, this is a slightly better option.
It is mostly cupholder-friendly. While it’s too wide for smaller cupholders, it fits larger ones flawlessly. Those who plan on commuting and are worried about the fit can invest in a handy cup holder expander to ensure a secure fit.
Leakproof Capabilities
Despite the tight-fitting lid, this tumbler is very, very leaky. When it is held upside down, a consistent stream spills out. As a result, it’s not a great option for backpacks and bumpy bus rides.
Durability
While this pick performed decently in the drop test, it received a small dent near the bottom and the stainless ridge on the top. However, the lid stayed on and there were no other visible scratches.
Cleaning
A wide mouth makes it easy to clean the interior, and the tumbler and lid are both dishwasher-safe.
Specs
The All Around Tumbler from Hydro Flask comes in four sizes: 12, 16, 20, and 28 ounces. A 20-ounce option with a straw lid instead of the standard sliding lid is also available, along with a larger 40-ounce tumbler with a handle for easier travel. The 20-ounce option we tested weighed in at around 0.65 pounds. It’s made from BPA-free materials, including stainless steel.
Each size comes in a variety of color options, including green, grey, black, lilac, blue, teal, dark green, red, dark blue, pink and white. Hydro Flask also comes out with limited edition colors and patterns on a rolling basis throughout the year. Similar to how Stanley has a bunch of cup accessories, Hydro Flask offers a bevy of bottle accessories on the site. These include bottle boots, straw sets and alternative lids.
Lead Detection
Hydro Flask is one of the only vacuum-insulated tumbler brands on the market that doesn’t contain lead as part of the sealing process. This differs from the industry standard, making it appealing to those who worry about lead exposure.
Our Favorite Hydro Flask Products
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Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler
Boasting a stainless steel rim and dozens of color options, the Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler is a stylish alternative to boring tumblers.
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Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler
Like the popular Stanley Quencher, the Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler has a straw lid and handle, making it a great option for outdoor excursions.
FAQ
Why is a Hydro Flask so expensive?
Hydro Flask tumblers are durable and offer double-walled insulation. Hydro Flask is also one of the only tumbler brands to use non-lead sealing processes, which makes them a favorite among those who are looking for lead-free drinkware. Because of that, they’re a little pricey—but we find them well worth the splurge.
All About YETI
Brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders founded YETI Coolers, LLC in 2006. As the name implies, YETI began its foray into outdoor gear as a cooler business focused on meeting the demands of fishermen in the Texas heat. The brand has since expanded into other categories, including coffee tumblers, outdoor blankets, pet items and even apparel. All of their offerings focus on durability and longevity, though they’ve also built a reputation for having some of the sleekest gear around.
How We Tested YETI
To keep things fair for the Hydro Flask vs. YETI comparison, we subjected the YETI coffee tumbler to the same 11 tests as the Hydro Flask tumbler. The Product Testing Team conducted tests on the YETI Rambler 20-ounce tumbler.
Temperature Retention
Similarly to the Hydro Flask tests, the YETI’s iced coffee test yielded decent results, though the tumbler didn’t succeed in retaining any ice after four hours in the sun. At four hours, the ice water in the YETI Rambler measured in at 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit against Hydro Flask’s 40.1 degrees Fahrenheit. The six-hour results were similar, with YETI’s 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit against Hydro Flask’s 46.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
The YETI fared a bit better in the hot coffee test, clocking in at 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit against Hydro Flask’s lukewarm 94.6 degrees Fahrenheit. In this part of the Hydro Flask vs. YETI test, YETI comes out on top by a minimal margin.
Drinking Experience
Like the Hydro Flask tumbler, the YETI Rambler boasts nice, rounded edges. The cup has a stainless rim that meets the lips. The lid is slim and comfortable to drink from, and the clear plastic slide-on lid includes a sliding spout. There is a sizable tab to help lift the lid off the cup. It easily glides on and off without an issue. The sliding mechanism works better than expected because it’s either open or closed without an in-between half-open mishap.
Ergonomics and Handling
This is one area where the YETI doesn’t outperform the Hydro Flask. The tumbler has a wide profile, which is visually appealing, but our testing team is not a fan. It’s a bit difficult to fit into smaller hands. Additionally, the exterior is very smooth, making it easier to drop than others we tested. Fortunately, there’s some texture on the tumbler that helps a little with grip.
Despite being touted as cupholder friendly, it doesn’t fit securely in a large cupholder and doesn’t fit in a small one at all. That’s a definite con for commuters, as even a cupholder expander won’t help in this regard.
Leakproof Capabilities
While it’s definitely not leakproof, the lid stays on while shaking it upside down. That’s a good thing in case you take this tumbler to the backwoods trails and don’t want to lose your lid.
Durability
YETI prides itself on being one of the most rugged, durable outdoor brands. During our drop test, we found the Rambler lived up to the brand’s reputation. While the lid popped off upon contact with concrete, it only received minor damage to the bottom rim. That’s pretty impressive!
Cleaning
This is on par with the Hydro Flask. It’s dishwasher-safe and it offers a wide mouth for easy hand washing.
Specs
The YETI Rambler is a handsome cup available in 10-, 20- and 30-ounce sizes. The team tested the 20-ounce version, which weighs around 0.85 pounds—just a hair heavier than Hydro Flask’s tumbler. It comes in a fleet of core shades, including pink, navy, red, black, grey, white, teal and stainless. There are also quite a few seasonal shades: fuchsia, yellow, green, blue, green teal, orange, light pink, lilac and dark green.
A coffee tumbler has become something of a fashion accessory in and of itself, and YETI offers additional accouterments to make each cup your own. Tumbler accessories include everything from replacement mag sliders and straw lids to bottle slings and cocktail shaker attachments.
Lead Detection
While the risk of contamination is low, YETI confirms their vacuum-insulated tumblers contain a small amount of lead inside the bottom of the cup, similar to Stanley. That said, the lead doesn’t come into contact with any exposed surfaces, and our at-home lead detection kit didn’t pick up any trace of lead.
Pros
- Nice color options
- Pleasant drinking experience
- Made by a trusted brand
- Five-year warranty
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Leaky
- Not compatible with cupholders
Our Favorite YETI Products
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YETI Rambler Coffee Tumbler
The YETI Rambler coffee tumbler is a colorful, attractive option for those who want to take their coffee with them in style.
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YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler
The YETI cooler offers unparalleled ice retention and style. Use it as a camping ice chest for up to four folks or pop in drinks for a day on the water.
FAQ
Why is the YETI so expensive?
YETI products come with a generous five-year warranty and offer rugged builds meant for the backwoods. Because of the high quality, expect to pay a bit more for YETI.
Is YETI or Stanley better?
Our Product Testing Team tried both the Stanley Aerolight travel tumbler and the YETI Rambler. Based on our 11 tests, the best option for traveling in extreme weather is Stanley. It offers the best insulation of the bunch, keeping the coffee temperature regulated for up to six hours. Plus, its leakproof lid makes it a top pick for travelers. That said, the YETI is by no means a bad option if you plan to enjoy your coffee right away.
How long will ice stay in a YETI tumbler?
According to our tests, ice doesn’t last very long in a YETI Rambler tumbler on a hot day. When we checked in our tumbler after four hours, the water measured 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit and had no ice left.
The Bottom Line: Hydro Flask vs. YETI
In terms of drinking experience, Hydro Flask and YETI are tied. Both offer a sliding spout lid that works flawlessly and feels comfortable and pleasant on the lips. However, the Hydro Flask’s lid is a bit harder to remove and drips continuously while held upside down. That said, we don’t recommend tossing either one into a bag—they’re both rather leaky.
While each brand performed similarly in temperature retention, YETI surpassed Hydro Flask by a minimal margin in both the cold and hot coffee tests. For those who plan on trekking through extreme temperatures, we recommend going with the YETI. However, if you’re planning a road trip, the Hydro Flask is the only tumbler that actually fits into cup holders.
When it comes down to the nitty-gritty of Hydro Flask vs. YETI, the best option ends up being the one that works best for you. Despite both brands performing very similarly, there are pros and cons for each. Consider your specific needs and what will fit your lifestyle.
Originally Published: August 20, 2024
