Stanley Quencher Tumbler Review: Why Are Stanley Cups So Popular?

Updated: Mar. 06, 2024

Caroline Lubinsky/family handyman

People are obsessed with the 40-ounce Stanley Quencher Tumbler—and we can see why.

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Unless you’re completely removed from all social media platforms, you’ve likely noticed that Stanley tumblers continue to be a huge trend in drinkware. If you’ve had trouble getting your hands on one, rest assured you’re not the only one. Stanley tumblers—namely, the Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler—are so popular that they’re difficult to keep in stock. Their sleek design and ability to keep drinks ice-cold for hours make customers just about froth at the mouth.

If you follow water bottle and tumbler trends, you’ll know the Stanley 40 oz. Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler went viral on TikTok a few months back. However, it certainly isn’t the only high-end option on the market. From Nalgene to Yeti to Hydro Flask, the best water bottles tend to be durable and are worth the money. But what about the famed Stanley? Is it really worth the $45 price tag?

We were interested to know how Stanley tumblers hold up, especially since the brand has specialized in camping gear and outdoor accessories for over a century (longer than other competitor brands). For instance, their travel-friendly French press is widely regarded as one of the best pieces of coffee camping gear out there. Given its reputation, our shopping experts had pretty high expectations. So, we put it to the test—here’s what we found.

On This Page

What is the Stanley Quencher Tumbler?

@selenerrs

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The Stanley Quencher FlowState Tumbler comes in a range of sizes, from an itty-bitty 14-ounce size to a behemoth 64-ounce size. Stanley’s most popular size is a humble (but still sizable) 40 ounces. The tumbler has a comfortable grip handle for easy carrying, so you don’t have to worry about spilling your water or iced coffee on yourself when moving around. Even when full, the Stanley isn’t overly heavy. Plus, the base of the tumbler below the handle is narrower than the rest of the body, so it easily fits into most standard-sized cup holders.

via merchant VIA MERCHANT

We Tried It

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

This travel-friendly tumbler is just what you need for all-day hydration. The lid features a rotating cover with three positions. Enjoy hours of ice-cold beverages!

Stanley Quencher Tumbler Features

Between a sleek, modern design and rugged, durable features, these cups sit by the sides of millions of shoppers. These “emotional support water bottles” come in over 20 solid shades and patterns, including stainless steel and rose quartz versions.

The cup is made of 90% recycled stainless steel. A clever FlowState lid rotates to fully cover the top and reveal two openings: one for sipping and an additional tight-fit opening for the reusable, hard-plastic straw. But the real shining part of this cup (and the reason why Stanley cups are so popular) is because of its double-wall vacuum insulation. That allows the cup to keep your beverage cold (or hot) for hours (and even days) on end.

How We Tested It

Thumbnail Img 1650 Stanley Cup 2 Caroline Lubinsky/Family Handyman

We tested the Stanley tumbler by using it the exact same way any consumer would—by taking it along with us everywhere for a week, of course. It came along with us to the gym, where we ran into a few fellow Stanley stans. The handle makes it easy to move from machine to machine, and we were happily surprised when it fit in a StairMaster cup holder. Win!

The Stanley quickly became our out-and-about bestie. We even left it in the car during a shopping trip on a day where temperatures climbed up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. After a few hours, the ice was still intact and the water was as cold as when we left it. You can call us true believers!

Pros of Stanley Quencher Tumbler

Keeps drinks cold for days on end—really!—using double-wall vacuum insulation
Also keeps drinks hot
Various sizes up to 64 ounces
Screw-on three-position lid
Huge color range
Compatible with many car cup holders
Comfortable handle
Dishwasher safe
Made with 90% recycled stainless steel
Bisphenol A (BPA)-free

Cons of Stanley Quencher Tumbler

Expensive
Paint may chip after rough use

FAQ

Why are Stanley cups so popular?

Stanley cups are super popular for a few main reasons. Firstly, they keep drinks cold for 11 hours and hot for seven hours. Even more impressive, the tumblers keep ice solid for two days. Stanley tumblers truly deliver when it comes to all-day beverage needs—and now, they’re even customizable.

Apart from performance, Stanley tumblers are also super popular because of their design. The powder-coat finish comes in a range of trendy colors, from cream to eucalyptus. And the 40-ounce handled tumbler comes in 10 hues (with occasional limited-edition colors) and five soft-matte colors, like bay leaf (one of our favorites) and stormy sea.

Why is it so hard to get a Stanley tumbler?

Unlike off-brand tumblers, Stanley tumblers aren’t always easy to find. Not only are they incredibly popular, but there are also a few rare designs that customers snatch up on sight. Brand partnership Stanleys—like the elegant Lainey Wilson watermelon moonshine colorway—are far more difficult to come by in the wild.

What is the most sought-after Stanley tumbler?

There are tons of Stanley colors and patterns on the market. Designers, like Johanna Gaines, have even released their own Stanley color collections. However, probably the most popular Stanley cup shade is the brand’s rugged and classic green color. Then, there are popular patterns, like the festive cream speckle color, which is undeniably one of the most sought-after hues.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Thousands of five-star reviews point to the Stanley Quencher Tumbler being an A+ cup. Here’s what real-life sippers are saying on Amazon:

“I love my Stanley cup!” says verified purchaser, Lillian Rowe. “It keeps my drinks cold for hours, sometimes even the next day! That’s saying a lot, because I live in South Carolina and the summer is very hot!”

Kayla, a five-star reviewer, writes, “After getting this bottle, I see all the hype Stanley gets! I love big water bottles (I got the 64-ounce), because I try to drink a gallon of water each day. However, carrying those water bottles around can get annoying after a while. So when I can get a big water bottle that has a handle I am sold!”

“Keeps my drinks cold as long or longer than any [cup] I’ve ever used, and the durability truly sets it apart. All other tumblers and cups like this have always been super easy to dent—annoyingly so. I dropped this one down some brick steps the other day and not a single dent and my drink was still good to go,” shares Jessamy Hutchins, a verified buyer.

Product Comparison

Stanley’s tumblers are popular, albeit by no means unique. In fact, we’ve tested a variety of competitors that offer similar features as the coveted Stanley tumbler. Although none of the brands offer close to the same number of shades as Stanley, comparatively, they do offer similar functionality.

When looking at them side by side, the HydroFlask All Around travel tumbler is the closest Stanley tumbler dupe we found. Just like the Stanley version, the HydroFlask tumbler offers hours of insulation, a straw lid and several stylish colors and finishes. However, it’s missing the well-loved three-position lid that our beloved Stanley boasts.

One area we’d love to see Stanley improve on is the tumbler’s lid. Despite being resistant to leaks when completely sealed, Stanley tumblers are by no means leakproof. When jostled—such as in a backpack or on a bike—a bit of water does come through the lid, particularly when using the straw lid. For a fully leakproof tumbler, we recommend the Brumate Era Rotera.

Final Verdict

All things considered, the Stanley Quencher Tumbler is worth it for folks who enjoy staying hydrated while on the go. Like Stanley’s other rugged, durable outdoor gear, the Stanley tumbler is unquestionably worth the money—at least in our expert opinion. Given the durability, stylish look and unbeatable insulation, it’s difficult to find anything to dislike about it.

The three-position lid makes it easy to use in various situation, from sipping in the car to chugging after a workout. Each Stanley tumbler boasts a maximum of 64 ounces, with the most popular size being 40 ounces, which contains about a third of the water you need each day. We found that having a Stanley at hand encouraged us to hit that water goal almost every day.

If you’ve managed to finally snag a Stanley tumbler for yourself, we’re pretty certain it’s going to become one of your favorite cups.

Where to Buy the Stanley Quencher Tumbler

Stanley tumblers can be challenging to find in stock, but the most reliable way to get your hands on one is going directly to the source: Stanley. But you can also find them on Amazon, Walmart and Backcountry. The 40-ounce version retails for $45, but don’t worry, you’ll get plenty of use out of it.