Stanley and Yeti: Both brands are well-known for their durable outdoor gear, but Stanley, established in 1913, has a long-standing reputation, while Yeti, founded in 2006, is a relative newcomer. Recently, Stanley has gained widespread attention on social media and in the news, particularly for its popular 40-ounce tumbler. However, Yeti also offers a large tumbler with a built-in handle, making the market more competitive.
As the director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, I've used both of these vacuum-insulated stainless steel tumblers over an extended period, so I can confidently share how they stack up against each other.
How we test Stanley and Yeti cups
In the Kitchen Lab, we test a wide variety of products related to eating and drinking, including the best water bottles, the best insulated water bottles, the best Stanley cup alternatives and more.
I've been using the popular 40-ounce Stanley cup for more than a year and regularly switch between the original and the newer model, the Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler. I've also been using the Yeti Rambler 35-ounce Straw Mug for about a year.
When testing Stanley cups and water bottles in the Lab, we evaluate their temperature retention over 24 hours, leak-proof performance, durability, ease of use and ease of cleaning. We also send samples home with consumer testers to see how they perform in real-world conditions. Based on this first-hand testing and experience, I'm breaking down how the Stanley cup and Yeti tumbler compare, ahead.
The Stanley cup
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Insulated Tumbler
Pros
- Holds 40 oz, but also comes in a comparable 30-oz size
- Easily fits into most cup holders
- Lightweight
- Has a large handle
Cons
- Lid can be hard to clean since it's made of three parts
The Stanley cup has a tall, slim profile with a tapered base that easily fits into most cupholders. The oversized plastic handle allows you to pass your hand through and get a good, comfortable grip on the cup itself, which feels nice and balanced in the hand. It also has an opaque plastic lid that you can drink out of, like a cup, or use with the provided straw.
The current H2.0 version has a silicone gasket built into the removable inner piece on the lid that help prevents splashing and big leaks; note that it still leaks when knocked on its side and should be held upright. I've found that the lid screws on and off the cup easily. Plus, all parts are dishwasher safe — just make sure to take apart all of the lid's pieces to get a good clean because mold can develop on the silicone if it's not cleaned and dried properly.
I use the 40-ounce size, but Stanley also offers a comparable 30-ounce version. There's a larger 64-ounce size available as well, though it has a jug-like appearance without the tapered base. The 20-ounce and 14-ounce sizes resemble the 40-ounce in design but lack a handle.
More Stanley Cups
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Insulated Tumbler (30 oz.)
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Insulated Tumbler (64 oz.)
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Insulated Tumbler (14 oz)
Stanley The Legendary Camp Mug (12oz)
Stanley Stanley Classic Travel Mug French Press (16 oz)
The Yeti tumbler
Pros
- Holds 35 oz, but also comes in comparable 42-oz and 25-oz sizes
- Durable
- Clear lid
- Lid is made of one piece, which makes it easier to clean than some other tumbler lids
Cons
- Heavy
The Yeti Rambler tumbler with a built-in handle comes in three sizes that all have a similar design: 25 ounces, 35 ounces and 42 ounces. Each features a tapered base that fits in standard cupholders. The 35-ounce version is the one we reach for most often. It feels sturdy and durable, with a smaller, harder handle compared to the Stanley.
The Yeti handle feels like it’s meant to be held onto, rather than sliding your hand through to hug the mug, and can feel a bit snug around the hand. The tumbler comes with a clear push-on lid, which offers a single way to drink unless you purchase the optional MagSlider Lid,. The MagSlider screws onto the cup and helps prevent leaks when closed properly. (In our Lab tests, the lid with the straw leaked a little when knocked over but stopped after about 20 seconds.) Yeti also offers 20-ounce and 30-ounce tumblers that feature their Stronghold Lid, which screws on for a more secure fit, though it still leaks slightly when turned upside down.
The Yeti tumbler, like the brand's popular Rambler water bottles, have an uncoated stainless steel base and rim that we found helps with the cup's durability and longevity: I've run them through the dishwasher endless times and haven't experienced any chipping of the cup's colored areas, like I have on other cups that are completely coated. (The Stanley cup's rim is uncoated but its base is coated. I've found the base has slightly scratched over time.)
More Yeti Ramblers
Yeti Rambler Tumbler (25 oz.)
Yeti Rambler Straw Mug (42 oz.)
Yeti Rambler Tumbler with MagSlider Lid (30 oz.)
Yeti Rambler Tumbler with MagSlider Lid (20 oz.)
Yeti Rambler Water Bottle (46 oz.)
Stanley vs. Yeti: Which is better?
✔️ Weight and Feel: When directly comparing the two, I found that the 40-ounce Stanley cup feels lighter and slimmer than all of the Yeti tumblers with a built-in handle. In my experience, the Stanley lid is easier to put on and take off than the Yeti's, though it's a bit more involved to clean. I personally prefer the larger, softer handle on the Stanley cup, but I can see why some people might prefer the Yeti's handle, especially if they like holding their cups by the handle rather than wrapping their hand around the cup.
✔️ Temperature Retention: When we tested Stanley and Yeti water bottles side by side, they provided nearly identical temperature retention over 24 hours — the Stanley kept water cooler by just one degree compared to the Yeti.
✔️ Price: They're also quite similar in price. The 40-ounce Stanley cup costs $40, while the 42-ounce Yeti tumbler is priced at $45, and the 35-ounce Yeti tumbler costs $42.
So what's the bottom line? Honestly, it's hard to say that one is definitively better than the other. Both brands produce highly durable, well-designed products that last a long time and have performed well in our Lab tests.
In the end, I think the main difference between the two comes down to personal preference and design. Stanley tends to offer tumblers and water bottles in more color options and styles, but both brands provide a wide variety to choose from.
Why trust us?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all testing and content related to kitchen tools, gadgets and appliances. She's an avid Stanley cup and Stanley cup dupe user and has used both the Stanley cup and Yeti tumbler extensively.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
