Hydro Flask vs YETI (2022): Which Brand Is Better?

When it comes to drinkware, Hydro Flask and YETI are two of the big names in the market. Hydro Flask is newer to the scene but already enjoys a cult following among customers who vouch for the brand’s quality and design variety. Among its products, the Hydro Flask Water Bottle remains the best-seller. YETI, on the other hand, is known for its broad catalog of outdoor products. While the company sells coolers, ice chests, and related accessories, the YETI Rambler is arguably its most in demand. Below, we take a look at how Hydro Flask’s range of insulated drinkware stack up against YETI’s Rambler series.

Hydro Flask vs YETI Comparison Chart

Design and Construction

Hydro Flask and YETI both offer durable and versatile drinkware with impressive insulation.

Originally designed with the outdoorsy in mind, both Hydro Flask and YETI drinkware are now enjoyed by almost everyone. Their respective lineups of water bottles are a staple at home, in the office, and at the gym. They even have options for kids. Despite this wider market, Hydro Flask and YETI have largely kept the design features of their products the same. That means you’re getting a durable drinkware that, while great for indoor use, remains a reliable companion for outdoor activities.

Key Design Features

Hydro Flask and YETI’s bottles and tumblers are hard-wearing. Both are built using 18/8 stainless steel, which is sturdy as it is safe for drinking. Their ability to keep your drink cold or hot, on the other hand, can be attributed to double-wall vacuum insulation. Aside from preserving temperatures for hours, this insulating barrier also prevents condensation for a moisture-proof exterior. Users can buy Hydro Flask bottles in standard mouth and wide mouth options, while YETI’s ramblers are only available in wide mouth.

YETI’s Rambler tumblers usually come with a MagSlider Lid. As its name implies, the unique cover uses magnets for its sliding mechanism. This keeps your drinks contained while also allowing you to sip easily. Hydro Flask bottles, on the other hand, come with Flex Caps. These lids come with Honeycomb insulation and stainless steel pivots. They also feature rubber straps that make them easy to carry around.

Hydro Flask bottles have a powder coat exterior. This choice of material allows the brand to offer several color varieties of their drinkware. Some bottles even feature hues and color gradients, especially for limited edition collections. In contrast, YETI primarily offers its Ramblers in stainless steel with select sizes available in DuraCoat powder coated colors.

Click here to read our Hydro Flask vs Iron Flask comparison.

Best-Selling Hydro Flask and YETI Bottles

The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle and the YETI 20 oz. Rambler are the brands’ respective best-sellers.

With so many models to choose from, how do you know which Hydro Flask or YETI Rambler to get? It’s easy — just look for the best-sellers.

The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle, for instance, is arguably the company’s biggest hit. Available in three sizes and multiple color options, the insulated drinkware can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. It’s a versatile, easy-grip bottle that you can bring anywhere to keep you hydrated.

YETI’s best-seller, on the other hand, is the YETI 20 oz. Rambler. The in-demand drinkware sports a clean and minimalist look that belies its shatter-proof construction. At room temperature, the classic Rambler will keep drinks cold for an entire day. It can also keep beverages hot for about six hours. While customers have 10 or 30 oz. options, we find the 20 oz. to be the most portable size.

Best Hydro Flask and YETI for Hot Drinks

For your coffee or tea, check out the Hydro Flask Coffee or the YETI Rambler Mug.

Those who like to have a warm beverage ready any time of the day will like these options from Hydro Flask and YETI.

First up is the Hydro Flask Coffee. Boasting the same insulating tech as its water bottle counterparts, the flask keeps your cup of joe or tea warm for up to 12 hours. Instead of a Flex Cap, however, the Hydro Flask Coffee comes with a Flex Sip lid. This cover uses a twist mechanism that makes on-the-go sipping easy while keeping your hot drink well contained. The Hydro Flask coffee comes in 12, 16, and 20-ounce sizes typical of most coffee brewing systems.

Among YETI’s products, the 14 oz. Rambler Mug with MagSlide Lid is arguably the best for your hot drinks. Fans of drinkware share that the mug keeps their coffee hot for hours on end. Although originally made for use during camping, the Rambler Mug is practical for your home or office. It even features a handle typical of traditional mugs. YETI adds that the Rambler Mug can also be used for cold contents, too, like oatmeals and fruit cocktails.

Best Hydro Flask and YETI for Wine and Beer

Steer clear of broken glasses when you’re tipsy with the Hydro Flask Cooler Cup and the YETI Rambler Wine Tumbler.

There’s nothing quite like sipping wine while yachting or drinking beer while relaxing by the beach. But if you’re not fond of bringing fragile glasses in your travels, consider getting vacuum insulated cups instead.

Hydro Flask’s 12 oz. Cooler Cup is primarily meant as a can holder. Simply slide your favorite bottle or can of beer into the cup’s snug fit, and start enjoying your cold brew. It even comes with a flexible silicone sleeve that works with a range of cans and bottle sizes. However, the Cooler Cup’s claim to fame is that it doubles as a beverage container. Move the silicone sleeve to the base, and you have secure drinkware that can replace your wine and cocktail glasses.

YETI’s Rambler 10 oz. Wine Tumbler doesn’t double as a cup holder like Hydro Flask. Nonetheless, this durable drinkware sports a fluid design that resembles traditional stemless wine glasses. This makes it an appealing vessel for pouring your favorite wine. The YETI Rambler Wine Tumbler boasts double-wall vacuum insulation, too. It’s also compatible with YETI’s secure MagSlider Lid.

Verdict

For versatile everyday use, we recommend the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle and the YETI 20 oz. Rambler.

Hydro Flask and YETI’s insulated water bottles are great additions to your sport and outdoor gear. Their durability and versatility, however, make them ideal companions for everyday use as well.

While Hydro Flask has been expanding its catalog since it burst into the scene, nothing beats its original Hydro Flask Water Bottle. The flask is available in different sizes and comes with an easy-to-carry strap for portability. You can get them in different colors or even customized to suit your personality.

YETi’s drinkware lineup is similarly expansive, boasting wine tumblers, coffee mugs, and extra-large jugs, too. But the classic YETI Rambler is still the YETI to get. The robust and versatile drinkware is perfect for people on the move, whether in an urban locale or at a favorite camping location.

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