Once found mainly in specialty sporting goods stores, in recent years, vacuum insulated water bottles have taken over the market. They are everywhere – everyone has one or wants one, and no one seems to be able to agree on which of the many brands is the best.
Two of the titans of the vacuum insulated water bottle industry are Hydro Flask and YETI. Both enjoy immense levels of brand recognition and have plenty of loyal customers who swear that their product is the best on the market.
With all the publicity hype and marketing campaigns surrounding both brands, it is hard to know which to buy and which will really perform the best.
To answer these questions and recommend the best insulated water bottle for you, we spent hours reviewing and putting both brands through a rigorous series of standardized tests. The results of these tests allowed us to generate informed side by side product comparisons and ultimately select one brand as the manufacturer of the best insulated water bottle.
Table of Contents
What Are Vacuum Insulated Water Bottles
Before we jump into the side by side product comparisons, let’s clarify what exactly a vacuum insulated water bottle is and how it differs from a standard single-walled water bottle.
A single-walled water bottle has, as its name implies, one wall which separates the liquid inside from the ambient temperatures outside.
By contrast, a vacuum insulated water bottle is actually like one bottle nested inside of another. The air in the gap between the nested bottles is vacuumed out and the gap is sealed.
Why You Should Use a Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle
What makes vacuum insulated water bottles so superior and why should we use them? To answer these questions, we must understand a bit about how the physics of heat transfer impact both single-walled and vacuum insulated water bottles.
With a single-walled water bottle, heat transfers between the inside and outside of the bottle relatively quickly by means of conduction, convection, and radiation.
Fill a bottle with hot water and you will immediately feel the outer bottle walls get hot as a result of conduction. Leave a bottle of cold water in the same room as a space heater and the convection of the hot air moving past your bottle will warm the water. Place an icy cold bottle in direct sunlight and thermal radiation rapidly infiltrates the bottle, melting the ice.
These rules change a bit in a vacuum however. In a vacuum, heat is not transferred by conduction or convection, but rather by radiation.
With vacuum insulation, the sealed vacuum pocket between the inner and outer wall of the bottle acts as a buffer to prevent both heat conduction and convection between the inner bottle and the outside environment. The only way left which heat can be transferred is by radiation, and even that is slowed by the vacuum pocket between the inner and outer bottles.
What does that mean for you? Vacuum insulated water bottles are specifically designed to maintain their inner temperature for much longer than single-walled models. Vacuum insulation keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for longer.
- Duracoat color no scratching, peeling, or fading here
- Dishwasher safe because who needs more work to do
- 18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistant
Hydro Flask and YETI First Impressions
Now that we understand what exactly vacuum insulated water bottles are and why we should use them, let’s get some first impressions of the product offerings of the two contenders vying for the title of “Best Insulated Water Bottle.”
From an aesthetics perspective, both products are visually appealing and they come in a wide variety of colors.
When we held both bottles, we instantly noted that the YETI feels significantly heavier and seems to be of a better build quality. The Hydro Flask feels cheaper by comparison.
WINNER: YETI
Hydro Flask and YETI Features
We next compared the features of each brand. Right away YETI has an advantage for consumers looking for easy clean-up, since it is dishwasher safe. Hydro Flask products must be washed by hand.
For what it is worth, Hydro Flask bottles come with a “lifetime” warranty while YETI products are warrantied for 5 years. That said, both warranties cover only manufacturer defects, making a lifetime warranty rather irrelevant.
When it comes to customizability, with a variety of bottle sizes and colors, both brands come in a veritable rainbow of choices.
When comparing pricing on the 18 ounce water bottles which we used in our tests, the price points are almost identical across brands with Hydro Flask coming in at $29.95 and YETI at $29.99. Be aware that the prices do increase with size and YETI’s prices go up pretty quickly as you get into the larger size bottles.
Hydro Flask and YETI both use the same 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall insulated construction in their bottles.
Finishes are slightly different with Hydro Flask utilizing powder coat for color and YETI going with DuraCoat™. YETI bottles are also available in an uncoated stainless steel finish.
One major feature difference between the brands is that while Hydro Flask comes in both standard mouth and wide mouth, YETI only offers bottles with a wide mouth.
Both brands sell numerous add-on accessories like different caps and carrying holders. Our Hydro Flask bottle came with a flexible handle cap while our YETI featured a solid 3-finger grip cap. We found the grip on the YETI cap felt more natural. It was also easier to carry and to unscrew when tight.
(See the chart below for a quick side-by-side feature comparison.)
Features
| Feature | Hydro Flask | YETI |
| Dishwasher Safe | No | Yes |
| Warranty | Lifetime; Manufacturer Defects | 5-Year; Manufacturer Defects |
| Customizable | Yes; size, colors, mouth type, add-ons | Yes, size, colors, logos/designs |
| Price for 18oz | $29.95 | $29.99 |
| Material | 18/8 Stainless Steel, Double-Wall insulated | 18/8 Stainless Steel, Double-Wall insulated |
| Finish | Powder Coated Color | Stainless Steel or Dura-Coat Color |
| Mouth Sizes | Wide Mouth, Standard Mouth | Wide Mouth only |
| Accessories | Caps, boots, slings | Caps, handles, holders |
WINNER: HYDRO FLASK
How We Tested
Looks are great, but they are only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to choosing the best vacuum insulated water bottle. The most important criteria involve function – how well the bottle performs under real-world circumstances.
We assessed both the Hydro Flask and YETI bottles by testing them and generating answers to the following questions:
- How long does the bottle keep hot drinks hot?
- How long does the bottle keep cold drinks cold?
- How long does ice last inside of the bottle?
- What happens when we drop the bottle?
- How easily does the bottle scratch?
- If we drop the bottle in water, will it float?
Hot Water Test
If you plan on carrying a hot beverage like tea or coffee in your bottle, you will want to know how long you can expect your drink to stay hot.
To assess this we filled each of the 16 ounce bottles full of boiling water. The bottles were sealed and placed in a temperature controlled 75 degree Fahrenheit room.
Water temperature was measured each hour for a period of 8 hours using liquid mercury submersible thermometers.
The temperature in both bottles started out at 208.4 degrees F. At the 8 hour mark, the water in the Hydro Flask container was at 125.6 degrees while the YETI was 132.8 degrees – a difference of 7.2 degrees.
WINNER: YETI
Cold Water Test
When you fill your water bottle with cold water before heading to work in the morning, how cold can you expect that water to stay as the bottle sits on your desk all day?
To assess the ability of the bottles to keep cold water cold, we filled both the Hydro Flask and YETI 18 ounce bottles full of cold, refrigerated water. As with the hot water test, the bottles were sealed and placed in a temperature controlled 75 degree Fahrenheit room.
Water temperature was measured each hour for a period of 8 hours using liquid mercury submersible thermometers.
The temperature in both bottles started out at 45.95 degrees F. At the 8 hour mark, the water in the Hydro Flask container was at 55.85 degrees while the YETI was 54.5 degrees – a difference of 1.35 degrees.
WINNER: YETI
Ice Melting Test
No one likes their drinks to get watered down by rapidly melting ice, so conducting a timed ice melt test was a crucial factor in determining which brand should win the title of best vacuum insulated water bottle.
For this test, we placed 5 ounces of ice into each 18 ounce bottle. The bottles were sealed and left in our temperature controlled 75 degree Fahrenheit room for 24 hours.
After the 24 hours, we measured the amount of ice melt in each bottle. While both bottles were able to keep the ice from completely melting after 24 hours, the Hydro Flask contained 3.85 ounces of water compared to 2.67 ounces in the YETI. This was a difference of 1.18 ounces which equates to a very significant 23.6%.
WINNER: YETI (by a landslide)
- Duracoat color no scratching, peeling, or fading here
- Dishwasher safe because who needs more work to do
- 18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistant
Drop Test
Nearly everyone who is actively using a vacuum insulated water bottle will drop it at some point, so we wanted to know how bad the damage would be. Both Hydro Flask and YETI list the same construction materials, so we were interested in seeing what difference (if any) there would be in damage caused by dropping.
In our drop test, both bottles were dropped onto a cement sidewalk from a height of 5 feet. To observe the impact of different types of falls, we tested several variables: full or empty and landing on the bottom or landing on the lid.
Bottles were dropped 4 times each: empty on the lid, empty on the bottom, full on the lid, and full on the bottom.
Can a Hydro Flask break?
During the tests, both the Hydro Flask and YETI bottles dented, however the Hydro Flask dented more significantly than the YETI.
For both bottles, the most damage occurred when full and dropped on the lid. In this version of the test, the Hydro Flask lid flew off. After analyzing it, we realized that Hydro Flask lids have less threading than YETI lids, which may make them more prone to coming off on impact. When we dropped the full YETI bottle on its lid, the handle cracked.
WINNER: YETI
Scratch Test
At some point your water bottle may get thrown in a gym bag with your keys or find itself in some other position where it is likely to get scratched. Does one brand’s color coating hold up better than the other in such circumstances?
To test this, we scratched the surface of both the Hydro Flask and YETI water bottles using a key and visually compared the results. Despite the different types of color coatings, both products scratched easily and deeply.
WINNER: TIE
Float Test
Vacuum insulated water bottles are designed for all kinds of active adventures including those that take place on the water. If you are planning to take your water bottle out on a boating or kayaking trip, you may be wondering whether it will float or sink if it goes overboard.
We tested both bottles buoyancy by sealing them and placing them in a swimming pool. Both brands floated whether they were empty or full.
WINNER: TIE
The Best Insulated Water Bottle
After recording our first impressions, reviewing the features of each brand, and analyzing the results of our series of 6 tests, we sat down to choose a brand to crown as the maker of the best insulated water bottle.
| Hydro Flask | YETI | |
| First Impressions | ✔ | |
| Features | ✔ | |
| Hot Water Test | ✔ | |
| Cold Water Test | ✔ | |
| Ice Melt Test | ✔ | ✔ |
| Drop Test | ✔ | |
| Scratch Test | ✔ | ✔ |
| Float Test | ✔ | ✔ |
Which is better Hydro Flask vs Yeti?
When the results are seen in graph form, the winner is clear. Hydro Flask won for features and tied for the scratch and float tests, but YETI won for first impressions along with the hot water, cold water, ice melt, and drop tests.
The areas in which the YETI stood out the most were the hot water test where it kept the water 7.2 degrees warmer than Hydro Flask and the ice melt test with an amazing 23.6% lower ice melt percentage than its competitor.
For all these reasons, our choice for the best vacuum insulated water bottle is YETI.
Water Bottle Maintenance and Care
After you purchase an insulated water bottle, how do you care for it to maximize its lifespan?
If it is dishwasher safe, such as the YETI, use your dishwasher to clean the bottle. Otherwise, cleaning the bottle by hand with soap and warm water is the best method. To make the process easier, fill the bottle halfway with water and soap, screw on the lid, shake, then rinse. You can also use a bottle brush to easily reach the bottom during your cleaning.
Also, if available, register your product online.
Hydro Flask and YETI Accessories
As mentioned above, there are a number of accessories for both the Hydro Flask and YETI. Ranging from additional carrying options, to lids, and boots, you can personalize your insulated water bottle however you fancy. Some popular accessories for both brands include:
- ✔ FITS PERFECTLY - Available in two sizes that allow for a flexible compatible with the 12-24 oz water bottles or the 32 and 40 oz water bottles.
- ✔ MAXIMUM PROTECTION - This durable bottom boot helps protect against dents, dings and damage. Give your water bottle a longer life.
- ✔ A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR BOTTLES - It's the perfect stainless steel water bottle accessory for your active, on-the-go lifestyle. Perfect for all sport and outdoor activities.
- Convenient finger loop for easy carrying
- BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free and Toxin-Free
- Compatible with all Wide Mouth Hydro Flask bottles
- Dock your cap with the power of magnets. No more fishing around… Well for your cap at least
- LID: Features a Chug-style bottle opening with magnet dock for the Mag Cap
- MAGNET CAP: A 100% leakproof seal when closed, and secures to the magnet dock while taking a swig
- Straw Cap fits Yeti rambler bottle 12 oz, 18 oz, 26 oz, 36 oz, 46 oz, 64 oz. (Not fit any Rambler Tumbler).
- User-friendly design: When you need hydration, all you have to do is flip it open, take a sip, and close it tight.
- The cap is leak-proof when closed and easy to carry with the triple Haul handle. Easy to carry but not easily break.
Final Thoughts
There are thousands of single-walled and vacuum insulated water bottles to choose from, however if you are looking for quality and performance, the choice is clear.
YETI out-performed the other industry leader, Hydro Flask, in multiple side-by-side product comparisons.
If you want your hot drinks to stay hotter and your cold drinks to stay colder, your ice to last longer, and your bottle to withstand more abuse, YETI is the best vacuum insulated water bottle for you!
- Duracoat color no scratching, peeling, or fading here
- Dishwasher safe because who needs more work to do
- 18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistant
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