The 8 Best Travel Tumblers, Tested and Reviewed
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Snag one of the best tumblers for traveling, tested and reviewed by Family Handyman editors.
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What’s more leakproof than a cup and better suited to both hot and cold beverages than the average bottle? Insulated travel tumblers are our favorite hydration accessory, and the market is saturated with dozens of styles, colors and sizes. With so many choices—including smart bottles and travel mugs for hot drinks—it’s difficult to pick just one.
Luckily, those seeking to upgrade their hydration routine need not worry. Family Handyman editors tested several different tumblers to see which ones withstand our high expectations. Whether you’re bringing coffee along on your morning commute, shopping for a gift for a hiker or simply looking for a cup that keeps ice intact, these are the best tumblers according to our rigorous trials.
Mary Henn/Family Handyman
Best Overall
Yeti 30-Ounce Rambler Tumbler
Our choice for the best tumbler overall is the Yeti 30-ounce Rambler tumbler. This classic to-go tumbler features everything necessary for outdoor excursions or casual sipping. A leakproof lid, plus the option to add a handle make this cup ideal for almost any occasion.
Daria, our Senior Editor, has used her Rambler tumbler for almost a decade and alternates between three 30-ounce tumblers and one 20-ounce cup. Customize your Yeti tumbler with a unique piece of artwork or text, or upload your own design for an additional $6.
Pros:
- Cupholder compatible
- Splash-resistant
- Dishwasher-safe
- Double-wall vacuum insulated
- Leakproof
- Dozens of colors and patterns
- Works for hot or cold beverages
- Attachments available
- Customization options available
- Resistant to chips, dents and scratches
- BPA-free
Cons:
-
Can’t use the straw lid for hot drinks
Caroline Lubinsky/Family Handyman
Best for Water
Stanley Quencher Tumbler
Unless you’re living under a rock, the Stanley Quencher tumbler has probably graced your TikTok dashboard. In our review of the tumbler, we praise this trusty cup for its double-walled insulation and clever three-position lid.
Our editors note that the aesthetics are just as impressive as the tumbler’s performance. “The powder-coat finish of the tumblers comes in a range of trendy colors, from rose quartz 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.” P.S. You can customize it according to your preferences, too!
Pros:
- Keeps drinks cold for extended periods
- Screw-on three-position lid
- Reusable straw
- Comfortable handle makes it easy to carry
- Stylish color range
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
- Car cup holder compatible
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not leakproof
- Paint may chip after rough use
Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman
Best Smart Tumbler
HidrateSpark Pro
The HidrateSpark smart tumbler is the best tumbler for those looking to increase their water consumption. In our review of this app-powered smart tumbler, we note that “the tracking app is the star of this smart tumbler’s show. It’s compatible with Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin Connect, Google Fit and Withings Health Mate. The app also has social features to challenge friends and win trophies. Plus, it’s customizable to add liquid intake when the tumbler isn’t with you.
Moreover, it accommodates hot or cold beverages and you can add liquid intake in the app when drinking from something other than the tumbler. The app automatically calculates the hydration level of the beverage, which is pretty smart in our book!” Using the app allows users to track their bottle if they lose it, making it ideal for travel.
Pros:
- Tracks water intake
- Visual reminders
- Smartphone notifications
- Customizable smart app data
- Doesn’t sweat
- Lost bottle locator
- Great for hot or cold beverages
- BPA-free
- Insulated
Cons:
- Lid is not leak-proof
- Feels wobbly when sitting on a flat surface
- Tumbler is not dishwasher safe (but the lid is)
Emily Way/Family Handyman
Best Big Tumbler
Reduce 50-Ounce Tumbler with Handle
According to Associate Editor Mary Henn, the Reduce tumbler is a wonderful oversized option. “The Reduce Tumbler Travel Mug holds a whopping 50 ounces of liquid, which is more than any other tumbler I own. Best of all? It retails for a fraction of the price of high-end tumblers! It’s made of the same vacuum-insulated stainless steel that you’ll find in other name-brand tumblers, and it keeps drinks cold for hours (and I mean hours) on end.”
“The straw and lid are both made of durable plastic, and the lid has an added opening for sipping if you prefer not to use a straw. Despite its extra-large size, the Reduce Tumbler fits in almost any standard car cup holder (including those on the tailgate table), so you can take it with you anywhere!”
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Hubge, 50-ounce size
- Insulated
- Fits into standard-sized cup holders
- Soft base
Cons:
- Not leak-proof
- Prone to scuffs
via merchant
Best for Cold Drinks
Simple Modern Tumbler
Our Content Director has the Simple Modern tumbler in three colors and uses it daily. It’s the most intuitive tumbler on the list—just fill it with filtered faucet water, iced tea or freshly squeezed juice to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Pros:
- Double wall insulation
- Leakproof
- Stainless steel for added durability
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Fits in standard-size cup holders
- Dishwasher-safe
- Straw and flip lid included
Cons:
- Cocktail shaker lid sold separately
Emily way/Family Handyman
Best for Smoothies
HydroFlask All Around Tumbler
I’ve used my HydroFlask All Around Tumbler for several months now. The double-walled insulation, big straw and ergonomic handle make this the best tumbler for the gym. Even when I’m hauling around smoothies and protein shakes, pieces of fruit and mix-ins never clog up the generously sized straw.
In our review of the HydroFlask tumbler, we note that “The simple design, scratch and chip-resistant finish and incredible insulation made a great impression.” Plus, we love that there’s an option to snag a slightly smaller 32-ounce tumbler for those who find the 40-ounce size too large.
Pros:
- Large 40-ounce and smaller 32-ounce sizes
- Flexible straw
- Sturdy handle
- Fits into most standard-size cup holders
- Several colors to pick from
- Regulates temperature for hours
- Durable powder coating for chip and scratch-free colors
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Pricey
- A bit heavy
Daria Smith/Family Handyman
Best for Coffee
BruMate Toddy
Katie, our Senior Shopping Editor, doesn’t go a day without using her BruMate Toddy. “The Brumate Toddy is my go-to for travel and day-to-day adventures. I love the sturdy lid (it stays locked even in a pressurized airplane cabin) and how it keeps my beverage at the perfect temperature. The cute colors and patterns are an added bonus.”
Like the XL Toddy, the regular-sized version is completely leakproof. Burns and spills are a thing of the past! Compared to some of the other tumblers on this list, it’s more affordable and comes in dozens of fun patterns and shades.
Pros:
- Triple-insulated stainless steel
- Holds temperature of liquids for hours on end
- Perfect for hot and cold beverages
- Designed for right- and left-handed use
- 100% leak-proof
- Cup-holder friendly
- Rubber-grip base
- Dishwasher-safe
- Several colors and design options to choose from
- Available in two sizes (22- and 32-ounce options)
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Stainless steel reusable straws sold separately
- Patterns and designs are more prone to chipping than solid colors
Emily Way/Family Handyman
Best for Travel
Yeti Rambler Mug with Straw Lid
The Yeti Rambler mug is another of Senior Shopping Editor Katie’s favorite travel tumblers. “The YETI Rambler is my go-to for outdoor adventures. Like all YETI drinkware, it really does live up to the hype and keeps your drink at the right temperature. I took this mug to an early-morning golf tournament, left it in my car all day and by 5 p.m. my coffee was still warm. It’s sturdy, leak-free and stylish. Plus, the handle makes it easy to carry.”
Put your camping coffee maker to work and whip up some espresso for the perfect start to any camping trip. Or, fill it up with water for the trail and enjoy ice-cold sips all day long. Senior Shopping Editor Daria swears by her rambler mug for morning coffee, hot or iced, on camping trips.
Pros:
- Cup holder compatible
- Reusable straw
- Dishwasher safe
- Double wall vacuum insulated
- Customizable
Cons:
-
Straw lid can’t be used with hot drinks
FAQ
What to Look for When Buying a Tumbler
When looking for a new tumbler, there are a few features to ensure it has before you click “add to cart.” Those looking to use their tumbler for fresh coffee from their Stanley press will want to ensure the tumbler boasts double-walled (or triple-walled) insulation to keep hot drinks steamy.
The type of spout also makes a difference. While some tumblers—like the custom cups from Stanley—have both straw and slider tops, select brands offer open lids for gulping. Other brands, such as Yeti, use mag slider lids to minimize spills. Thus, they’re better for travel, especially if they’ll be bouncing around in a bag.
How We Found the Best Tumbler
Family Handyman editors are committed to helping readers find the best products. We combed through 20 different travel tumblers for this article before narrowing our list to the best eight. To place on the list, each tumbler was considered for function, temperature variance and style using the personal experience of our shopping editors. These strict testing criteria helped us narrow down the best tumblers for every need.
Which Stanley tumbler is best?
Stanley’s extensive collection of outdoor gear boasts both camp-ready finds (like those in the Outside In collection) as well as one-of-a-kind collabs like those from the Stanley x Pendleton collection. Because there are so many travel cups to choose from, it’s worth paying attention to each product’s features to find the best fit for you.
Can’t decide? The TikTok-famous Stanley Quencher Tumbler offers incredible insulation, a robust chip-proof coating and dozens of eye-catching colors to choose from. It’s a Family Handyman reader’s favorite for a reason!
Originally Published: August 14, 2023
