Take it from TikTok legend Tinx and her rich mom lifestyle—there’s no accessory more necessary than an insulated tumbler. Not only will it help you do your part to save the planet (plastic bottles are so passé), but these cups will also help you stay hydrated (or caffeinated, depending on your drink of choice). That’s because an insulated tumbler will keep cold drinks chilled and hot beverages piping throughout the day, and that's good news (who likes lukewarm iced coffee?). In the quest to find you the best insulated tumblers, we asked our staffers about the ones they’re actually using and loving, in addition to evaluating the reviews of popular internet picks.
The 11 Best Tumblers You’ll Never Want to Leave Home Without, Vetted by Editors
Keeps your drink piping hot or ice cold.
•
Published Jul 24, 2023
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Paula Boudes/PureWow/Retailers
The Best Insulated Tumblers at a Glance
- Best Overall: Iron Flask Co-Pilot Tumbler ($33)
- Best for Cold Drinks: Corkcicle Sport Canteen ($40)
- Most Splurge-Worthy: Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle ($50)
- Most Versatile: Yeti Rambler ($25)
- Best for Hot Drinks: Contigo Travel Mug ($17)
- Most Affordable: Simple Modern Classic Insulated Tumbler ($24)
- Most Leak-Proof: MyBevi Outlander Mug ($35)
- The Workhorse: Beast Stainless-Steel Insulated Tumbler ($23)
- The Heavy-Duty Pick: Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($45)
- Best for Wine: Corkcicle Triple-Insulated Stemless Glass ($28)
- Best Cup: Tervis Insulated Tumbler Cup ($12)
How Do Insulated Tumblers Work?
Insulated tumblers work by keeping hot or cold air in and eliminating the formation of condensation. Of the different options, vacuum insulation gets the job done best. Rather than simply adding an additional “double wall” (usually plastic or glass to a stainless-steel base), which can allow air to pass between the two layers, a vacuum-insulated tumbler keeps water out, so molecules can’t transmit heat, which causes temperature changes.
Can You Put Hot Drinks in Stainless Steel Tumblers?
Yes, you can put hot drinks in every stainless steel tumbler on this list. Depending on the brand, the tumbler will keep your drink hot for up to 12 hours—which is plenty of time for you to nurse that morning coffee until lunch.
Do Tumblers Lose Insulation Over Time?
Yes, they do. According to Green Steel, the company behind the Beast tumbler, the cup will lose its ability to stabilize temperatures, mostly due to frequency of use. Bottle manufacturer Topoko also cites repeated exposure to hot environments as a culprit for the gradual degradation of the insulation.
How to Choose the Best Insulated Tumbler for You
When shopping for an insulated tumbler, here are some things you should keep in mind:
- Size
- Design
- Material
- Care
- Insulation
Many tumblers are available in the realm of 16- to 40- ounces, which are great for staying hydrated. However, if you’re primarily going to use this cup for coffee, tea, wine and other beverages that shouldn’t be chugged in a single sitting, you’ll probably want something between eight and 16 ounces. Also, keep in mind that not all insulated tumblers are dishwasher safe, so if that’s important to you, be sure to check the care instructions before adding to cart. Lastly, not all tumblers are created equal when it comes to maintaining temperature. So, read the fine print on how long one will keep your drink hot or cold to ensure that you choose the right one.
- What We Like: comes with an extra straw, fun color options, won’t sweat, two lids, non-slip base
- What We Don't Like: not dishwasher safe
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 40 ounces
- Care: hand wash
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 20 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 5 hours
“Stanley tumblers are often sold out and the 40-ounce one can cost up to $50, so I was psyched to discover the Iron Flask Co-Pilot Tumbler,” says PureWow senior editor Dana Dickey. “I appreciate the non-slip rubber base, the way it keeps my water cold all day, the sturdy straw and that it comes with two lids—one for the straw and one with a flip top for coffee. Also, the tumbler comes with an extra straw for those of us who lose things…I feel seen.”
- What We Like: plenty of color options, keeps drinks cold for over 24 hours, durable, wide mouth for ice
- What We Don't Like: heavy
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 20, 32 ounces
- Care: dishwasher safe
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 25 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 12 hours
With 19 fun colors to choose from and a non-slip bottom, the Corkcicle Sport Canteen is the insulated tumbler you want on a hot day. The stainless-steel barrel will keep your drink cold for up to 25 hours. It also has a wide mouth so you can pack in the ice. Should you prefer a hot beverage, the canteen can keep it warm for up to 12 hours. When you’re done, simply pop in the dishwasher.
“No bottle has ever kept my drink as ice cold for me better than my Corkcicle canteen,” says PureWow commerce editor Liv Kappler. “Whether you're in the hot sun for hours or you leave the cup sitting in the car, it keeps your beverage chilled.”
- What We Like: lots of colors and sizes, can swap cap for a straw, leakproof, wide mouth for ice
- What We Don't Like: heavy
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 20, 32, 40, 64 ounces
- Care: dishwasher safe
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 24 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 12 hours
The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle is a favorite of two PureWow editors. Food editor Katherine Gillen loves its large capacity and the different cap options, plus the fact that it keeps her drinks cold for an entire day. While she finds the 40-ounce bottle is a bit heavy, assistant commerce editor Natalie LaBarbera says the 20-ounce flask is perfect for travel. The bottle is dishwasher safe and sweat proof. And should you be taking yours backpacking, it will accommodate most backcountry water filters.
- What We Like: leak-resistant, has a handle, optional lid, doubles as camp bowl, double-walled, vacuum insulated, customizable
- What We Don't Like: limited colors, doesn’t fit in cupholders
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 10, 14, 24 ounces
- Care: dishwasher safe
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 16 hours
- How long it keeps drinks hot: 8 to 10 hours
YETI is known for its high quality and durability, and its nearly 6,500 glowing reviews attest to its performance. Even better, it’s dishwasher safe, BPA-free and comes with a spill-proof slider lid for the best drinking experience. Kappler sings its praises, saying, “I claimed it as my own when my husband and I first moved in together and he's since purchased a second one for himself. I love walking my dog first thing in the AM and this fits so nicely in my hand while we stroll, keeping my coffee nice and hot the entire time.”
- What We Like: leak and spill proof, easy to clean, fits under most coffee machines
- What We Don't Like: body not dishwasher safe
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 16 ounces
- Care: top rack dishwasher lid, hand wash body
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 12 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 5 hours
Coffee on the go? Senior food editor Katherine Gillen sings the praises of Contigo’s travel mug. “It never spills, thanks to a lock on the lid and it keeps my coffee so hot for so long that I get angry because it's always too hot to drink.” The mug has a special vacuum seal insulation to keep drinks piping hot for up to five hours. Conveniently, it will also fit under most coffee machines, so you don’t have to worry about precarious, over-the-sink transfers as you run out the door.
- What We Like: tons of colors, affordable, cupholder friendly, leak-proof
- What We Don't Like: not dishwasher safe
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 ounces
- Care: hand wash
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 24 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 12 hours
This “adult sippy cup” is Tinx’s insulated tumbler of choice, making it the ideal companion to bring with you on a power walk (so everyone knows how hydrated you are). The lid comes with a built-in straw, so it's incredibly easy to sip iced beverages and water. More importantly, according to Tinx, “your water stays so cold”—something that’s not terribly surprising, considering that it’s double-walled and vacuum-insulated. Available in a plethora of colors and patterns including tie-dye, the cherry on top is that the lid has a flip lip for so you can seamlessly switch from slurping a cold drink to sipping a hot coffee.
- What We Like: copper coating, ergonomic handle, dual-function lid, leak proof
- What We Don't Like: not dishwasher safe
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 32 ounces
- Care: hand wash
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 12 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 6 hours
Another one of Dickey’s favorite insulated tumblers is the MyBevi Outlander. “I like that this one is a little smaller and easier to fit in car cup holders. Plus, it has a copper coating on the outside layer to keep it extra cold and a cool handle that you can’t stop wanting to clutch.” The mug is available in nine colors, including khaki, army green and gray.
- What We Like: 15+ color options, affordable, sweat-free, lifetime guarantee, non-slip grip
- What We Don't Like:
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 10, 20, 30, 40 ounces
- Care: dishwasher safe
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 12 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 12 hours
Available in 15 different colors, the Beast stainless-steel tumbler is a great choice for pretty much anyone, and it is well-loved by buyers. “The insulation is A+; it keeps hot items hot and cold items cold. I decided to bring it to work and one of the first times that I put ice cubes and water in my tumbler, it stayed cold all day,” notes one Amazon reviewer. “I put a few extra ice cubes in closer to the end of my workday and the next morning (much to my surprise) it still had ice in it. WOW! The Greens Steel Beast tumbler is an awesome product with a highly affordable price tag.”
The vacuum-insulated design means you won’t end up with any annoying sweat on the body, and liquid should stay at the perfect drinking temperature for hours on end. For sipping, you can drink straight from the splash-proof lid or use either of the two included stainless-steel straws (one curved, one bent), which will be great for iced coffee or smoothies.
- What We Like: tons of colors, fits in cupholders, made from recycled materials, FlowState cap
- What We Don't Like: heavy
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 14, 20, 30, 40, 64 ounces
- Care: dishwasher safe
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: up to 11 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: up to 7 hours
PureWow’s director of affiliate strategy, Pam Masin, raves about her Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler. “This is my go-to water bottle. Because of its massive size (it holds five cups of water), I only have to fill it up once in the morning to stay hydrated throughout the workday. With smaller water bottles, I'd have to go back and forth to the kitchen to refill it, which seems easy enough, but I'd often get distracted or forget and then realize that I only drank two cups of water at the end of the day! There's also something about a straw that makes me want to drink more water. Plus, it fits into most car cupholders so it's easy to take on-the-go.”
- What We Like: fun colorways, triple insulation, shatter-resistant li, grippy silicone bottom
- What We Don't Like: not dishwasher safe
- Material: stainless steel
- Size: 12 ounces
- Care: hand wash
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 6 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 3 hours
If you find yourself imbibing outdoors, this short tumbler will be the perfect companion for a walk on the beach or a camping trip. Not only is it the ideal size, but the triple-insulated stainless steel reportedly keeps beer or wine cold for nine hours and ciders and the like hot for three hours—pretty impressive, if you ask us! There’s a spill-resistant lid, plus, plenty of pretty colors and patterns to choose from. Buyers love it, too. One Amazon reviewer notes, “Really hits the spot for keeping wine at the right temp. Durable and does not tip.”
- What We Like: fun colors, reduces condensation, shatter-proof, microwave and dishwasher safe
- What We Don't Like: temperature retention time low
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Size: 10, 12, 16, 24 ounces
- Care: dishwasher safe
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Cold: 2 hours
- How Long It Keeps Drinks Hot: 50 minutes
A clear tumbler is dinner-party worthy without sacrificing temperature control. This Tervis style has double-wall insulation and a shatter-proof construction, so you can drop it without breaking your glass. It comes in a variety of sizes and designs (perhaps you’d prefer a mug?), and it's microwave-, dishwasher- and freezer-safe for easy handling. The cups currently have 4.8 stars and over 21,000 reviews on Amazon, with one buyer noting: “This one is one of my favs. It's the perfect size and keeps the drink on the inside instead of the outside. I put it in the freezer and it keeps the drink even colder!”
