The YETI Rambler Bottle and the Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Flask are stainless steel, double-walled, and vacuum-insulated containers, meaning they insulate well, keeping your beverage cold or hot for a lot longer than you’re probably used to.
YETI is a Texas-based company that produces outdoor lifestyle products. From coolers to drinkware, YETI manufactures products that will hold up well through any outdoor adventure. Legendary durability and insulation is the main goal of YETI, whether you want to relax in your yard or you’re packing for the trip of a lifetime.
Hydro Flask, a Bend, Oregon-based maker of colorful stainless steel bottles, also offers competing products. Hydro Flask is considered by many to be the perfect beverage container to take on your next adventure as it’s built with premium materials and designed with plenty of colors and stylistic options.
Comparison Table
Shopping Considerations
When you’re searching for a durable water bottle or travel cup that you can take on-the-go, you’ll want to stay away from the lower-tiered products. It can be very tempting to save a few dollars, but lower grade stainless steel has its cons.
For one, it doesn’t insulate your beverage well at all. You can put ice and cold water in a bottle, only to find it’s warm within the hour. You really need that double insulated wall to maintain temperature. Despite a brand’s claims, you want to make sure that they have an excellent reputation when it comes to maintaining temperature.
Also, cheap stainless steel or aluminum will dent very easily. One drop and your bottle could be ruined forever.
When you shop higher quality like YETI and Hydro Flask, you’re getting what you pay for. These bottles will last years at a time, even while being dropped and banged around. You can easily tote them around in your bag, throw them into your car or pack them in a cooler. They easily withstand the test of time.
Most importantly, consumers love these brands because of their excellent insulating qualities. Their double-wall insulation design is superior.
YETI vs Hydro Flask Categories
1. Price Points
Smaller versions of the YETI and Hydro Flask bottles are priced relatively at the same price points. When you start to increase in bottle size, you’ll find that YETI products start to get a bit more expensive quicker.
If you’re looking for a smaller sized bottle, you can easily pick between the two based on their other features.
If you’re on a budget, Hydro Flask is going to be the obvious choice.
Replacing accessories for the Hydro Flask bottles tends to be more affordable as well. As long as you take care of your bottles, you won’t have to worry about this being a frequent purchase.
2. Exterior Design
You’ll notice that the exterior styling of YETI bottles versus Hydro Flask bottles are very different.
YETI uses stainless steel for the exterior surface of their bottles.
You can purchase a plain stainless variety from Hydro Flask, but the colored bottles are all powder coated. You might worry that this type of finish is going to wear out or get scratched up.
Hydro Flask has perfected their painting process. You’ll notice some fading to the paint after a year or two, but it will still be a perfectly good bottle. If you notice any defect regarding your Hydro Flask, they have an accommodating customer service department that will take care of just about anything for you. If there are any manufacturer defects in the product you purchase, both companies have a good reputation for addressing customer concerns in this regard.
In my opinion, durability is important when you’re going to be utilizing a reusable bottle. Most consumers don’t want to replace a bottle once per year because of cost. The benefit of a reusable bottle is that it’s much better for your wallet, and a reusable bottle is better for the environment. Pick something that is going to be a wise investment.
3. Dishwasher Safe
YETI’s water bottles are completely safe to be placed in the dishwasher thanks to its stainless finish.
The powder coating on the Hydro Flask will wear off more quickly with the use of a dishwasher.
Hydro Flask recommends that you hand wash their bottles for best results. Use regular dish soap, and wash your bottle daily if you can.
Even if you’re drinking water out of your bottle, there is a slimy coating that can form in just 24 hours. This coating is a harmful bacteria that you want to get rid of.
4. The Caps
The cap is one of the most common features of YETI and Hydro Flask water bottles. YETI has a Triple Haul cap that uses special technology to reduce the risk of leaks. People often prefer the YETI cap over the Hydro Flask. YETI has a wide handle to the cap that allows most people to slip three fingers in it. This makes more an easier method of carrying.
Hydro Flask also has a very airtight cap that is completely leak-proof and tight. Hydro Flask recently designed the caps on their bottles. They now utilize a different handle that is detached from the bottle. Their version tied the cap and the bottle together. They also have an option for a sport top spout. This is usually a preferred cap for kids who are using the bottles. It’s much easier to access. If they drop the bottle, it’s not going to spill everywhere.
Think about where you’re going to be using your bottle the most. People who are playing sports sometimes like the quick access of the Hydro Flask sport top option. YETI is a good option if you’re just going to be carrying the bottle around and taking sips here and there.
Think about germs as well. Hydro Flask has a cap design that completely covers the part of the bottle that your mouth touches. Your YETI bottle only partially covers the top of the bottle. You can end up putting your mouth on something that was exposed to the elements.
5. Warranties
Hydro Flask offers a lifetime warranty on all of their products. There is no additional price for this service. YETI has a basic warranty, but it’s not going to protect your purchase for the rest of its lifetime.
6. A Variety of Additional Accessories
Hydro Flask offers different accessories and replacement parts on their website. YETI usually encourages you to purchase a new product if you’re in need of something. The majority of the Hydro Flask accessories work among the entire product line. Their caps are interchangeable.
7. Cold vs Hot Beverages
Some people like to take their cold beverages on the road with them. Other people like to grab a cup of tea or coffee. Whatever your beverage of choice is, you want it to retain its most optimal temperature for as long as possible. Some people claim that both of these brands will hold an internal temperature for a full 24 hours without losing much of its temperature. These results really would depend on the temperature of the beverage, the exterior environment that the bottle is in, the age of the bottle, damage to the cap, etc.
YETI containers will hold a hot beverage for far longer than Hydro Flask will. Hydro Flask is more beneficial if you’re taking a cold beverage on-the-go. There have been many independent studies that are featured on the internet. In general, both brands hold their temperature quite well. Depending on how picky you are about temperature, you might not even be able to tell the difference. Both brands have excellent insulating features.
Summary: Who Wins?
Both of these brands sell some of the top bottles and containers on the market right now. Their materials tend to be very similar, and these brands also have some common design elements.
Made from 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel, the exteriors of both brands are nearly indestructible. They withstand rust and won’t absorb any flavors or odors.
When trying to choose between YETI and Hydro Flask, give some thought to what you’re looking for in a bottle or cup. Browse their inventory, and compare the pros and cons of all options.
The Bottom Line
Both brands provide superior products whose differences impact customers based on personal preferences.
If you’re looking for the ability to customize your water bottle, then Hydro Flask might be the option for you.
YETI may be the way to go if you want to tote around a hot beverage for a good portion of the morning, or if you need extra durability.
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- Newly produced Hydro Flasks do not feature a registered trademark symbol next to the logo
- Keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 6 hours when using the lid
- BPA-free and phthalate-free; 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Comes with a Hydro Flip lid to help reduce spills; lid not leakproof
- Lifetime warranty
- DuraCoat Color that is built to last - no fading, peeling, or cracking here
- The Load-and-Lock Gasket secures your drink in place while the Colster’s double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your beer or soda frosty longer
- No Sweat Design, which means you say adios to damp or frostbitten hands
- Only the Genuine YETI Colster includes a Collector Stash Can with lid to hide your valuables. Watch out for fakes
- Holds tight to 12 oz. standard bottles and cans