Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler – Which One is Better?

Gear Reviews

The Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler comparison is a trending topic on the internet these days. While Hydro Flask is one of the best-selling stainless-steel bottles on the market these days, Yeti Rambler is also winning hearts for being one of the most versatile stainless-steel bottle to suit various travel purposes. The days of plastic bottles are gone; Hydro Flask and Yeti Rambler have taken the market by surprise. Both products are designed in a way that makes them ideal for all kinds of beverages and temperature conditions.

In this article, we’ll cover the topic “Hydro Flask vs Yeti” and discuss the pros and cons of both these products in detail. Keep reading to know more.

Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler – An overview

To help you make an informed purchase, we put together a detailed comparison between Hydro Flask and Yeti Rambler. The product reviews are based on the first-hand experience of our team and ratings from existing customers.

Hydro Flask and Yeti Rambler have several things in common, but still, they are different from each other in their own ways. Both the products are made of 18/8 Food Grade Stainless-Steel and come with a double-vacuum insulation that can keep your beverages hot for about 12 hours and cold for almost 24 hours.

When talking about the Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler comparison, it would be unfair to not mention the brands behind the products. While Yeti is popular for designing superior-quality coolers and tumblers since 2016, the Hydro Flask products hit the market in 2009 and have since then become the finest insulated beverage containers on the market.

Here’s a quick table with the specifications of both the products:

Product Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Insulated (32 0z)YETI Rambler (26 0z)
Price (approx.)~ $29.90~ $58.99
Volume (L)0.95 L0.8 L
Weight 12 ounces12 ounces
Body Material8/18 Stainless Steel8/18 Stainless Steel
Dimensions 3.6 x 3.6 x 9.1 inches10 x 4 x 3 inches
Size Options Available 18 oz
32 oz
40 oz
64 oz
18 oz
26 oz
36 oz
64 oz
Best Application Office
gym
hiking
etc.
Picnic
trekking
boating
work
etc.

Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler – Here’s how we have compared both the products

We’ve conducted a deep analysis of both the products and judged them based on their:

  • Insulation factor
  • Accessories
  • Durability
  • Look and feel
  • Cap design
  • Grip
  • Price

We’ve also listed the pros and cons of both the products to help you pick the best one. Let’s now move on to a more comprehensive comparison.

Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler – A detailed comparison

Both the products come in a plethora of colors, designs, and sizes. Let’s get to the depth of each aspect of both products, right from the insulation factor to their cap design.

Material

Both products are made on 18/8 Food Grade Stainless-Steel and the material is reusable. The material is sweat-proof, so there’s no chance of dampness. The bottle duo are sweat-resistant. However, since Yeti Rambler does not come with an outer coating, it is a bit slippery.

WinnerHYDRO FLASK

Insulation factor

During the Hydro Flask vs Yeti insulation experiments, we found out that the insulation capability of both the products is almost equal. We tested both the products with different beverages at different temperatures and observed hardly any difference between the temperature maintenance or insulation factor of both the products.

For the ‘cold analysis,’ we added water at 38 degrees and ice to both the bottles and left both the products on the table for 24 hours. After 24 hours, we were stunned to see that water in both the products was equally chilled.

However, during the ‘heat analysis,’ we noticed that Yeti Rambler was ahead in the game. We conducted a similar experiment using a hot beverage at 100 degrees where we left the bottles unattended for 12 hours.

After 12 hours, we observed that the beverage in the Yeti bottle was piping hot. Though the beverage in the Hydro Flask was not cold, it was just lukewarm. By the end of the experiments, we had a clear winner – the Yeti Rambler bottle.

WinnerYETI RAMBLER

Accessories

This is yet another space where Hydro Flask vs Yeti comparison resulted in some interesting findings. Both, Hydro Flask and Yeti Rambler come with useful accessories such as holders, caps, sleeves, etc. to make the bottles more attractive.

However, we observed that the number of accessories available for the Hydro Flask beats the number of accessories available for Yeti Rambler. The list of Hydro Flask accessories is endless. So, we have a clear winner here – the Hydro Flask bottle.

WinnerHYDRO FLASK

Durability

On checking the durability of both products, we noticed that as far as durability is concerned, the Hydro Flask and Yeti Rambler are neck and neck. As already mentioned above, the stainless-steel bottles are made of 18/8 Food Grade Stainless-Steel that makes them extremely robust.

However, the only threat to both are punctures and dents due to sudden shock that can damage the insulation layers in the bottle. And, once the insulation goes off, the bottle becomes unusable.

While existing customer reviews suggest that Yeti is a bit more durable than Hydro Flask, our first-hand experience shows the durability and sturdiness of both products is similar. So, we don’t have a clear winner here. It’s a Hydro Flask vs Yeti tie!

WinnerTIE

Look and feel

The standard versions of both products look simple and elegant. When we talk about some stylish versions of both products, we found that Hydro Flask variants are available in more colors, designs, and sizes. You may even find Hydro Flask Limited Editions. On the other hand, the Yeti Rambler catalog is not very expansive.  

The Yeti bottle is available in seven color variants only and you won’t find many designs or limited editions. So, if you are fond of stylish designs and colors, the Hydro Flask can be a good pick for you.

WinnerHYDRO FLASK

Cap design

When it comes to the cap design and technology, Yeti Rambler outranks Hydro Flask. The handle on the Yeti Rambler cap allows users to easily slip through fingers through it. On the other hand, the Hydro Flask cap handle is awkwardly designed and allows only two fingers to slip through it.

Nevertheless, Hydro Flask provides customers with an option to customize the bottle’s cap. You can even customize the cap to convert the bottle into a sipper.

Another aspect of the cap where Yeti Rambler beats Hydro Flask is mouth-opening. The outermost rim of the Yeti bottle’s mouth covers your nose and allows you to comfortably consume your beverage.

Whereas, on the other hand, the outermost rim of the mouth of the Hydro Flask bottle falls along the middle bridge of your nose which does not result in a very comfortable drinking experience, especially if you are using the bottle during a car or bus ride.

WinnerYETI RAMBLER

Grip

The grip of the bottle is a critical factor when we talk about Hydro Flask vs Yeti comparison.

The exterior body of the Yeti bottle is not coated with any material. It is only insulated on the inside. This makes the Yeti bottle slippery. On the other hand, the exterior of the Hydro Flask is protected by a powdered coating that improves the grip of the product.

This makes the product unsuitable for the dishwasher. Since the exterior of Yeti Rambler is not protected by any coating, it is dishwasher safe.

WinnerHYDRO FLASK

Ease of cleaning

Both the stainless-steel products are very easy to clean. However, Hydro Flask can only be hand-washed as the powder-coating does not allow dishwashing. On the hand, Yeti is dishwasher safe.

WinnerTIE

Price

Both, Hydro Flask and Yeti Rambler fall towards the higher price band of the market. However, Yeti Rambler is more expensive than Hydro Flask. A 32-ounce Yeti bottle may cost you approximately $50, while a 32-ounce Hydro Flask bottle would cost you somewhere around $40.

While the products may appear as expensive as far as tumblers and bottles are concerned, they’re definitely worth every penny.  Nevertheless, when it comes to price, we have a clear winner – Hydro Flask in this case.

WinnerHYDRO FLASK

Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler – Pros and cons

Now that you’ve seen the detailed comparison of both products based on several different factors, let’s look at the pros and cons of each product as a quick recap of what you’ve read so far.

Hydro Flask

Pros

  • Sturdy stainless-steel bottle
  • Comes with enough room to fill 40 ounces of liquid
  • Double-vacuum insulated walled bottle
  • Option to customize bottle caps
  • BPA-free
  • Wide-mouth
  • Powder-coated exterior to provide enhanced grip
  • Comes with a plethora of accessories
  • Leak-proof
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
  • Comes at a pocket-friendly price

Cons

  • Requires regular cleaning
  • Unsafe for dishwashers
  • Unsafe for freezers
  • Improper lid-alignment

Yeti Rambler

Cons

  • Durable stainless-steel bottle
  • Cap design allows you to slide your fingers easily through the handle
  • Double-vacuum insulated bottle
  • BPA-free
  • Leak proof
  • Comes with 5-years limited warranty
  • Provided superior performance
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Freezer safe
  • Outermost rim covers the nose and makes it easy to consume a beverage evening in moving vehicles

Pros

  • Absence of an exterior coating makes the bottle slippery
  • Available only in 7 color variants
  • Expensive
  • The accessory catalog is limited

Hydro Flask vs Yeti – A quick recap

Here’s a quick summary of what we’ve discussed so far:

  • To begin with, if you are looking for an affordable solution, go for Hydro Flask.
  • If you want a product that is more stylish and customizable, go for Hydro Flask.
  • Next, if you want a product that is more durable, you can choose either of the two.
  • If you want a product that easier to carry, you can purchase the Yeti bottle.

6 reasons why you should invest in stainless-steel bottles

Here are 6 reasons why you should consider investing in stainless-steel bottles:

1. They are environment-friendly

You already know the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. Plastic causes environmental pollution and can harm us in numerous ways. Therefore, it is a good idea to switch to stainless steel bottles that are manufactured using natural and recyclable materials.

2. They are health-friendly

Next, stainless steel bottles are also BPA-free. They do not entertain the use of harmful chemicals that are present in abundance in plastic bottles. This is also a phenomenal reason to buy a stainless-steel bottle.

3. They are durable

This goes without saying; stainless steel bottles are also more durable than plastic or glass water bottles.

4. They help you maintain the temperature of your drink

By the way, if you are expecting your plastic or glass bottles to keep your drinks hot or cold, then you’re likely to get disappointed as neither are great for insulation purposes. However, you can expect stainless steel bottles to do the job for you.

Many of these bottles also feature coming-of-age technology that helps in maintaining the temperature of your drinks for a solid 10 to 12 hours or even more depending upon the quality of the bottle.

5. They are rust free

In this case, with stainless steel, you don’t need to subsequently worry about rusting.  

6. They are odor-free

Unlike plastic bottles, which give out a foul odor, stainless bottles are also odor-free. Moreover, they do not retain the smell of the beverages they store afterward.

Hydro Flask vs Yeti – A quick comparison table

In brief, here’s a quick recap of the features of both the products and the respective winners of each section.

FeatureHydro FlaskYeti Rambler
Cap widthX
Handle gripX
Bottle gripX
PriceX
InsulationX
MaterialX
AccessoriesX
Durability
Look and feelX
Cap designX
Ease of cleaning

Hydro Flask vs Yeti – Who’s the winner?

The competition is tough here as both products are great. To summarize, whether it is the aesthetical features or the specifications, both of these products emerge as winners here. It is not easy to narrow down on one winner. However, after looking at the pros and cons of each product, the winner of the Hydro Flask vs Yeti comparison is really hard to pick.

Where YETI also scores more in terms of durability, cap width, handle grip, and ease of cleaning, Hydro Flask is better when it comes to lip placement, bottle grip, and availability of color options. Thus offering a wide range of colored, durable, and versatile stainless-steel bottles, Hydro Flask is taking the world by storm.

Until this date, Hydro Flask continues to provide customers with enhanced features, limited editions, fresh styles, incredible customization options, and a plethora of accessories. So to summarize although we recommend both of these highly, if we truly had to pick, we’d say the Hydro Flask nudges it (only just), and is our winner.

So, what are your thoughts on the Hydro Flask vs Yeti Rambler? Do you agree? If there is other gear, you would like our team to review, get in touch with us and let us know.