Updated Sep. 11, 2024
The Yeti Rambler has a cult following, but how does this coffee tumbler stand up to the competition? We put it to the test—and the results are surprising.
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Yeti is best known for its rugged outdoor gear. Offering some of the best coolers, drinkware and camping supplies, it’s no surprise that so many folks turn to Yeti when the weather warms up. But the brand has more than just beach-ready essentials like the Yeti Tundra cooler. It also has cups, water bottles and other products you can use year-round—like the Yeti Rambler coffee tumbler, which is one of the most popular travel mugs on the market. Its cult-favorite status stems from its stylish shades, impressive reputation and seemingly unparalleled temperature regulation.
Yeti coffee tumblers, like the Rambler, are double walled and vacuum insulated. This is a big win, according to Erin Doern, coffee expert and Head of Product Development at Free Rein Coffee. “When choosing a coffee tumbler, look for one with a vacuum-insulated, double-wall exterior to maintain your coffee’s temperature longer,” she says. Because of the Rambler’s heavy-duty construction, it’s clear that it talks the talk when it comes to keeping beverages steamy. But does it walk the walk when compared to other best-loved coffee tumblers out there?
To determine whether this pricey pick is actually worth the splurge, our Product Testing Team tried the Yeti Rambler 20-ounce coffee tumbler alongside 20 other coffee tumblers. We evaluated factors like heat retention, leakproof capabilities and overall performance. After analyzing our results, here’s how Yeti stands up to the competition.
Yeti offers dozens of different drinkware options for every type of beverage lover, from wine tumblers to water bottles. The Yeti Rambler is arguably their best seller. It touts itself as the quintessential coffee tumbler for on-the-go sipping. It’s such a hit that Yeti has come out with a number of add-ons and accessories for it, including a cocktail shaker lid, additional MagSlider magnets for the lid and a straw lid for cold drinks.
Available in 10 seasonal colors and eight core shades, the Yeti Rambler is a good-looking travel cup that’s worthy of the best organic coffees. Shoppers can even customize their tumbler with their own designs, monograms and text. They can also select one of the many pre-made designs available in the customization gallery for an additional fee. The Rambler comes in a wide strata of sizes, including modest 10-ounce, medium 20-ounce and oversized 30-ounce options.
Best of all, Yeti claims that its double-wall insulation works for more than just hot beverages. According to the website, even chilly drinks like iced coffee and water stay temperature regulated for several hours. Bring on the iced coffee concentrates! While Yeti doesn’t claim the Rambler drinkware to be leakproof, it does claim that it has “fallen off of trucks, down rocky hillsides and even been kicked by a horse and lived to tell the tale.” In short, these are some seriously durable tumblers.
VIA MERCHANT
The Yeti Rambler coffee tumbler is stylish, insulated and rugged enough for every outdoor adventure.
Our search for the best coffee tumblers took our expert Product Testing Team into uncharted territory. We tested more than 20 tumblers from popular brands and more niche—albeit well-reviewed—shops. Product Tester (and caffeine fiend) Sheri Kaz created rigid standards and subjected each travel coffee mug to the same 11 tests to see which performed the best overall. Sheri collected over 730 data points and spent an estimated 50 hours on the test. This includes the time it took to research, source, intake and test the products.Â
To thoroughly evaluate each option, Sheri conducted tests in the following categories:
From there, we used this data to compare options and write this Yeti Rambler review.
When it comes to drinking experience, the Yeti Rambler is one of our top picks. The tumbler is made of stainless steel with a double-walled, vacuum-insulated interior. The splash-resistant MagSlider lid is slim and comfortable for drinking. Our tester found the rounded edges don’t bump or poke your mouth during sips.
There is a sizable tab to help lift the clear plastic lid off the cup. It easily glides on and off without an issue, which is a plus in terms of user friendliness (yet a minus when it comes to security—more on that in a minute). The sliding mechanism works better than expected. It’s always either open or closed without any chance of an accidental half-open mishap. While not leakproof (and it doesn’t tout itself to be), the lid stayed on surprisingly well when we shook the cup upside down.
That said, there are a few areas where the tumbler doesn’t meet our expectations. The biggest disappointment of the Rambler is its poor performance in the thermal retention tests. While it kept hot coffee fairly warm at around 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit after six hours, it measured in at 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit with no ice left after four hours during our cold water test. After six hours, it measured at 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit—not very impressive.
Despite touting itself as cupholder-friendly, the 20-ounce size is too large for small cupholders and doesn’t fit securely in Sheri’s large cupholder, either. Additionally, the smooth, wider profile doesn’t quite feel secure in hand and seems easy to drop. However, if you drop it, rest assured that it really only sustains minimal damage to the body. Trust us—we hurled the thing. That said, the top doesn’t screw on, so expect to lose your lid (and thus your latte) in case of a mishap.
While it didn’t make the final cut in our list of the top eight coffee tumblers, the Yeti Rambler coffee tumbler still offers a solid sipping experience. It also by no means performed the worst out of the 21 options we tested. If you’re looking for a stylish tumbler to carry around your coveted Cometeer coffee and you’re not super concerned about drops, this pick will do the trick.
Thanks to its vast array of shades and sizes, it’s the quintessential cup if you want to look cool during your commute. It also boasts a five-year warranty, bolstering its slightly higher price point. It doesn’t retain the chill as well with iced or cold brew coffee as some of the other tumblers we tested. However, there’s no danger of it splashing everywhere as you walk around. Just don’t expect zero drips or dribbles if it bounces around in a backpack.
Tester Sheri sums it up well: “The Yeti was a bit of a disappointment compared to others, but ultimately, it works as a commuter tumbler.”
The Product Testing Team has a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products, especially from popular brands like Yeti. 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.
Not only do Yeti tumblers offer a wide mouth for easy access to the interior, they’re also dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze.
During our tests, we swabbed each tumbler with a home lead testing kit. According to our results, Yeti cups do not contain lead in any traceable amount that ever comes into contact with the body.
Though Yeti is based in Austin, Texas, it manufactures its products in facilities in Iowa, Wisconsin and the Philippines. Its tumblers are manufactured in a facility in China.
Those looking to lug around the spoils from their coffee subscriptions or keep their coffee steamy on the go can find the Yeti Rambler at a number of retailers. These include the Yeti website, Amazon, REI and L.L.Bean. It retails for around $35. While this is a bit pricey compared to other coffee tumblers, it’s worth it for those who are seeking a solid option for both commuting and communing with nature.
VIA MERCHANT
The Yeti Rambler coffee tumbler is stylish, insulated and rugged enough for every outdoor adventure.
Originally Published: August 20, 2024
