YETI Rambler vs. Hydro Flask Standard Mouth: Which Brand Has the Best Tumbler?

Drinkability

Winner: YETI Rambler

To be clear, we tested the Rambler with the Chug Cap and the Hydro Flask with the standard mouth opening (not with the flex straw cap). But we don't think it would've made much of a difference. YETI nails it with the Chug Cap, which has the perfect opening for drinking without liquid going all over your face.

"It was a delight to drink from," a tester said of the Rambler. "The mouth opening was a great size for my mouth and the water tasted terrific and cold. I like that the mouthpiece is narrow to prevent spills."

Both bottles have a textured finish that our testers enjoyed. And while our testers did like the wider mouth opening of the Hydro Flask, they liked the Chug Cap on the YETI more. However, the Hydro Flask is the way to go if you have smaller hands or prefer a smaller-diameter bottle.

Portability

Winner: Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle

Both bottles have a nice textured finish (Hydro Flask uses a proprietary powdered coat, and YETI employs a proprietary DuraCoat). Both have cap handles. But our testers preferred the smaller diameter (about half an inch smaller) and the lighter weight (about half a pound less) of the Hydro Flask. They also gave the handle nod to the Hydro Flask, which has a joint that allows the handle to pivot.

"The size of the bottle fits perfectly into a backpack holder and fits securely in there without feeling top-heavy, so it'll fall out," one tester reported. "It also fits well into a car cup holder."

While the YETI Rambler also fit into the backpack holder and cup holder, it felt much less secure.

Seal

Winner: It's a tie!

This test was fairly simple and straightforward. We filled the bottles with water, turned them upside-down, and shook them a bunch. We also put the bottles in backpacks and carried and tossed them around. Both bottles survived each test with no spills or leaks. No matter which bottle you go with, you shouldn't have an issue with annoying spills.

Insulation

Winner: YETI Rambler

Both bottles feature proprietary double-wall vacuum insulation. And according to our tests, YETI's research and development department has done it a bit better. We placed ice water in each bottle and took temperature readings immediately after putting the water in the bottle and three and six hours later. The Rambler's water temperature increased 1.7 degrees F after three hours, while the Hydro Flask's temperature actually fell by 1.6 degrees F three hours into the test. But after six hours, the Rambler's temperature had only increased an additional 1.6 degrees for a total increase of about 2.2 degrees (when rounding). Hydro Flask, meanwhile, surged by 9.2 degrees for a total rise of 7.6 degrees.

Durability

Winner: YETI Rambler

YETI is known for its rugged, near-indestructible products, and the Rambler lives up to that reputation. We're honestly not sure how you could break this bottle to the point of being unusable. Even the plastic Chug Cap claims to be shatter-resistant, and our tests didn't suggest otherwise. We dropped the filled bottles multiple times on their caps, bottoms, and sides, and the Rambler survived with very minor dents, making it one of the most durable—if not the most durable—of the 26 bottles tested.

The Hydro Flask, meanwhile, dented very easily. "A couple more falls could have likely broken the bottom rim and made the bottle unusable," a tester reported, also noting that the lid and cap remained totally undamaged. Still, the Rambler is the way to go if you're hard on your bottles or making a decision off durability alone.

Value

Winner: YETI Rambler

These bottles are actually somewhat similar in cost. Both start at $30 for the 18-ounce versions. But Hydro Flask goes to 21 ounces ($35) and 24 ounces ($40), where YETI jumps straight from 18 ounces to 26 ounces ($40) and goes up from there. Considering YETI wins more of our testing categories, we'll give the overall value pick to the Rambler.

"Although this bottle is one of the more expensive, it also was a top performer," one tester noted. "It kept water cold, stood up to drops well, and didn't spill."

But that's not to say the Hydro Flask is a lousy value. It's also an excellent value, and our testers thought it was very much worth the price tag for the product. Simply put: You can't go wrong with either purchase.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Nathan Allen is TripSavvy's Outdoor Gear Editor. He's often been made fun of for the number of liquids he keeps around him at all times. Nathan remembers the first Nalgene bottle he received as a teenager (and trying to test the brand's "indestructible" claim by running it over with his Ford Ranger). He always has a Nalgene and now the YETI Rambler while traveling. But he still appreciates the Hydro Flask that went to China and back with him.