I'd bet my next paycheck that Owala and Stanley tumblers have popped up on your social media feeds more than once. These two bottles are basically the It Girls of the "tumbler with a straw" world—undeniably cute, well-made, and obviously Insta-worthy. If, by some rare chance, you’re just now hearing about these sweet sippers, here’s what ya need to know: the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState 40-Ounce Tumbler is such a sensation that it has sparked online mayhem and IRL fights(!) over limited-edition drops. It’s been around since 2016, but really hit its stride late last year. For a while, nothing quite matched it—until Owala dropped its own sleek 40-Ounce Stainless Steel Tumbler in 2023, quickly becoming a serious contender for a whole $7 less.
If you've ever gone to cop either bottle, you've surely noticed they're not exactly cheap (the Stanley is $45 while Owala's is $38). And, honestly, that makes sense, given (a) their popularity and (b) their desirable features. They're both well-made, keep your drinks ice-cold for hours, fit seamlessly in your car's cup holder, and are practically indestructible. But the real question is: which one reigns supreme?
To help you decide which one to buy, I got my hands on the Stanley and Owala tumblers to put them to the test—and trust me, I went all out. Like, I'm basically a woman in STEM now. Ahead, I’m breaking down all their best features, plus any tiny annoyances I noticed that might bug you, too. Hopefully, this will help you determine which bottle will become your new BFF. Keep on reading to meet your match.
DESIGN AND DURABILITY
Let’s start with aesthetics because, well, that’s the first thing that catches your eye. The Stanley comes in over 30 color options, which is major. Owala's lineup, on the other hand, is a little lighter, with 15 colorways, but they're a bit more playful in design. Case in point: Owala’s tumblers often rock contrasting lids that just work, while Stanley keeps it classic with clear or black lids. Owala often plays around with color blocking, but Stanley steps 👏 up 👏 with bold hues and laid-back neutrals—so it's really just a matter of preference.
Both come with removable, reusable straws and weigh similarly, though they're not quite identical. The Stanley measures in at 1.4 pounds, while the Owala weighs 1.61 pounds. I’m casually lifting them like mini dumbbells while typing this (#Gains #ArmDay), and honestly, the weight difference is barely perceptible, IMHO.
That said, Owala’s handle wins me over—it’s smaller, easier to grip, and just feels more secure. Stanley’s handle is bigger and requires a little more effort for me to keep steady (though it's probably more comfortable for bigger hands). But shoutout to the comfy textured thumb grip on the Stanley; this anxious gal appreciates the extra sensory grounding.
Owala
Owala's streamlined handle
Stanley
Stanley's wider handle
Oh, and on the sustainability front, Stanley takes the crown with 90 percent recycled stainless steel. Owala uses non-recycled materials, which is something to note if you’re an environmentally conscious girlie.
LID FEATURES
Both Stanley and Owala tumblers require you to pull out the straw when you want to switch to chug mode (aka when you need a gulp instead of a dainty sip). For Stanley's, you just give the lid a twist—clockwise or counterclockwise—and voilà, you've got a wide opening for guzzling. For Owala's, you push the cap outward, revealing a smaller opening, which is ideal for those who want to control their chugging sans spillage. (This feels made for me—I’m always that girl trying to hydrate fast and ending up soaked.)
Owala lid
Stanley lid
TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Now, I’m no scientist, but my husband is, so I roped him into helping me run an experiment to see which tumbler keeps water colder for longer. Neither brand makes any wild claims on their websites: Stanley says it “keeps your water ice cold for hours,” while Owala boasts that its “double-wall insulation keeps drinks colder longer.”
After our little experiment, we found that both did a solid job of keeping things chilly. We tested the temps over the course of a night—both started at 50 degrees Fahrenheit when filled up with icy water, and by morning, the ice in both had melted. The final temps were 57 degrees for the Stanley, and 58 for the Owala. So, Stanley took the gold here by just one degree, which is kind of a big deal if you’re all about that perfect chill. And sure, this isn’t perfect science, but the takeaway is that they’re pretty freakin’ comparable.
Owala's water temperature after leaving overnight
Stanley's water temperature after leaving overnight
SPILLAGE
Neither the Stanley nor Owala claims to be spill-proof, but that’s still a really big concern for a lot of users. (Clumsy girl here who definitely appreciates a heavy-duty, leak-resistant design 🙋.) For the ultimate (and only) test that made sense, I made sure the tops were ultra-secure and then flipped them upside down to see what kind of chaos would ensue. And I'll tell ya, there was a noticeable difference between the two. The Owala tumbler didn't leak a drop—can't say the same about the Stanley, though. There was a bit of pitter-patter into the sink post-flip. Of course, I hope you’re not turning your drinks upside down on the regular, so it’s not like this will happen to you often, but it’s a factor worth considering if the two are neck-and-neck in the running and you're desperate to decide on one.
The Stanley tumbler leaked in our experiment
The Owala tumbler didn't leak in our experiment
THE FINAL VERDICT
Sorry, but when it comes to keeping your water chilly, sitting pretty in your cup holder, and feeling comfy in your hand, you really can’t go wrong with either the Stanley or Owala tumbler. However! If you’re someone who can’t handle a spill ruining your whole day (same) or you’re trying to save some cash, Owala is the better pick for you. But the Stanley is an undeniably solid choice, too, especially since you can toss the whole thing in the dishwasher, it comes in a gazillion colors, and it’s the OG, after all. People definitely get in fights over these tumblers for a reason (but pretty pls don’t be one of them). No matter your choice, I'm sure you'll wind up happy and hydrated. Sip, sip, hooray!
