Spotlight on Stanley: The Brand’s Best Tumblers, Water Bottles, and More
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Get the scoop on this viral lifestyle brand
People / Kristin Kempa
The Stanley tumbler becoming somewhat of a status symbol was not on our bingo cards for 2024. Between celebrity spottings (like Adele bringing her rose quartz Quencher on The Late Late Show’s Karaoke Carpool with James Corden) and TikTok discourses over the Stanley craze in children’s classrooms, this brand has been the center of attention for quite some time for its renowned tumblers, water bottles, and even lunch boxes.
Stanley planted its roots in 1913, and since then, its reputation as a high-quality and dependable maker of adventure-friendly drinkware has preceded it.
“While we were initially beloved by those on the job site for our classic lunch box and bottle, our consumer base has grown tremendously over the past several years, attracting a younger, more female audience to the brand who has an appreciation for design and style,” a Stanley spokesperson tells PEOPLE. “Gone are the days of having to choose between functionality and aesthetics — Stanley provides both.”
Keep scrolling for PEOPLE’s complete buyer’s guide to Stanley with everything you’ll want to add to your cart in 2024.
Best Stanley Tumblers
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler
Stanley
Arguably the most sought-after Stanley product is the Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler — the 40-ounce version, specifically. Between social media virality and a star-studded following, this tumbler has become a celebrity in and of itself.
There are five sizes of the Quencher available, each featuring cupholder-compatible bases, a screw-on lid, a reusable straw, and a comfort grip handle. The large capacity of these portable tumblers makes it easy to up your water intake while staying stylish.
Stanley currently boasts 31 color options, including a customizable option. This doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of limited-edition tumblers, like the Starbucks and Stanley collaboration, that have sent shoppers into a frenzy.
Our Editors Say
“It's my go-to everyday hydration vessel that might as well be an extra limb — that's how much I'm attached to it,” says PEOPLE senior shopping editor Erika Reals. “The best thing about the Stanley is that I can fill it up in the morning, and the water stays ice-cold up until the next refill mid-afternoon.”
Though Reals acknowledges that this tumbler is pricier than others she’s bought before, she expects to have it in her collection “for years” before needing to purchase another.
Celebs with Stanley Tumblers
Beis founder and actress Shay Mitchell nabbed a 40-ounce tumbler while shopping for back-to-school supplies, and Bachelorette alum Hannah Brown visited a farmer’s market with her lilac Quencher in an Instagram post. Grammy Award-winning country artist Lainey Wilson has debuted two Quencher collaborations, Watermelon Moonshine and Country Gold.
Other Stanley Tumblers to Consider:
Best Stanley Water Bottles
The Quick Flip Go Bottle
Stanley
It can be hard to tote a Stanley tumbler while you’re on the go, which makes the Quick Flip Go Bottle a more travel-friendly option.
This bottle features a cupholder-friendly design and double-wall insulation to keep your drinks hot or cold for up to eight hours. We especially like that it comes with a button-triggered lid, so you don’t have to worry about the cap opening unless you press it.
The Quick Flip Go comes in a bevy of classic, seasonal, and limited-edition colors, from black to rose quartz, to make your Stanley just as stylish as it is functional. And if you want to make fewer trips to refill your water bottle, you can grab the same style in a 36-ounce version (but don’t worry, it can still fit in most cupholders).
Other Stanley Water Bottles to Consider:
All Day Slim Bottle, $30
Forge Thermal Bottle, $57
Bottle Attachments:
Best Stanley Cups and Mugs
Classic Legendary Camp Mug
Stanley
Though many know the brand for its larger-than-life water bottles, Stanley was founded on the idea of making functional supplies for people on job sites and adventures, which includes more humble drinkware like this insulated mug and to-go lid.
This stainless steel style can hold up to 12 ounces of coffee, so you can make the largest single-serve cup that your Keurig coffee maker will allow before embarking on your morning commute spill-free, thanks to the drink-through lid.
Grab it in one of 10 shades or customize your mug with a personalized engraving. We promise your morning brew will never have looked (or tasted) better.
Celebs with Stanley Mugs
Former Queer Eye star Bobby Berk took to Instagram to whip up hot apple cider in his Classic Legendary Camp Mug before a hike.
Other Stanley Cups and Mugs to Consider:
Best Stanley Food Storage
Classic Lunch Box
Stanley
As one of Stanley’s first hero products, according to the brand, the 10-quart Classic Lunch Box is one for the ages — and it’ll last you, too. Though vintage in design, the three everyday colors it’s available in (silver, green, and black) bring this functional container into the modern day.
Our Editors Say
“I'll confess I've never actually used this as a lunch box, but I do occasionally use it as Tupperware to store leftovers in my fridge,” says PEOPLE shopping editor Madison Yauger. “It's also nice to bring small bites like cheese and crackers over to the park for a gathering with friends.”
The inside is spacious enough to hold all of the contents of your lunch and then some, including your Stanley Vacuum Bottle or Classic Mug, thanks to the metal bracket inside that is specifically designed to hold your drinkware.
Stanleys in Fashion
The Classic Lunch Box was worn as an accessory on the runway of the Greenwrld Co. New York Fashion Week show in 2022.
Other Stanley Food Storage to Consider:
Best Stanley Jugs
The IceFlow Flip Straw Jug
Stanley
We’ve talked about bottles that are a bit more bite-sized than the Quencher, but what if you’re looking for something even bigger? The 64-ounce IceFlow Flip Straw Jug is a half-gallon vessel for the heavy-duty water drinker who wants something that requires very minimal refills throughout the day.
This double-wall vacuum-insulated, stainless steel jug is the perfect hydration system for training athletes, campers, or anyone serious about their hydration level. We’ve seen celebrities like Khloe Kardashian tote huge Amazon jugs with daunting phrases like “Keep chugging!” to encourage more water intake throughout the day, but we think the Stanley version is a little better for everyday use.
The bottle is outfitted with a top handle for easy carrying and a fence hook for quick access on the field or at a campsite. Between its several color options and customizable features, you’re sure to find the right look for your active lifestyle.
Other Stanley Jugs to Consider:
Best Stanley Camp Cookware
Adventure Full Kitchen Base Camp Cookset
Stanley
True to its adventurous roots, Stanley makes a wide variety of travel-friendly cookware, including this kitchen cooking set that can be easily packed up and is, according to the brand, “perfect for tiny homes, dorm rooms, campsites, and #vanlife.”
The set consists of a stainless steel pot and vented lid, a 3-ply frying pan, a cutting board, a spatula, and a serving spoon — and these are just the cooking supplies. You’ll also get a set of four plates, bowls, sporks, a dish drying rack for easy cleanup, a trivet, and a locking bungee for secure transportation.
Its pots and pans are engineered to cook food more evenly than your old camp kitchen sets, so you can whip up something gourmet despite your woodsy surroundings. When it’s time to move on to your next destination, everything can be stacked to fit neatly inside the stainless steel pot. Plus, you can carry this entire set in a backpack due to its light weight at just under 6 pounds.
Other Stanley Camp Cookware to Consider:
Best Stanley Barware
Adventure Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker Set
Stanley
A 40-ounce tumbler may be what you need to quench your thirst, but Stanley also makes barware for those who want to sip on a different kind of beverage.
If you like your martinis ice-cold, there’s no better way to shake up your next drink than with the Adventure Happy Hour Shaker Set. Complete with a strainer lid, jigger cap, citrus reamer, and shatterproof steel rocks, this nestable set can be stacked into the shaker for easy transportation — whether that’s to the next campsite or the next party.
After a good shake, you can pour your concoction into the Classic Stay Chill Beer Pint, which is made for so much more than just beer. And if you prefer your drinks straight-up, you can opt for the Lifted Spirits Prismatic Rocks Glass Set (or the Classic Easy Fill Wide Mouth Flask, if you like to keep things moving).
Another best-seller that’s worth adding to your bar cart is the Go Everywhere Wine Tumbler, a favorite among shoppers and our editors alike.
Our Editors Say
“These Stanley wine tumblers quickly became a rooftop party must-have among my friends,” says PEOPLE associate editorial director Erin Johnson. “They are sturdy, so they won't spill if a gust of wind blows through, and they keep our rosé cold, which is all you can really ask for out of a wine tumbler. I have them in Tennessee orange (or Tigerlily, as it's officially called), and even the guys don't mind holding on to these during tailgate season.”
Other Stanley Barware to Consider:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stanley or Yeti better?
The fair answer is that both brands excel in the world of portable lifestyle products, especially when it comes to viral drinkware. However, while Stanley boasts a reputation for excellence when it comes to their tumblers and mugs, Yeti is known for its top-notch coolers, backpacks, and outdoor camping gear.
Since the Yeti brand is much younger than Stanley, it’s had several moments of fame in the mid-to-late aughts and into the 2010s. However, Stanley’s popularity has gained serious momentum in recent years, reviving a more than century-old company into something Instagram-worthy with its brightly colored Quenchers, celebrity collaborations, and a horde of influencer fans.
While Stanley is arguably the hydration brand of today, it’s up to you to decide whether or not Yeti is a better option.
Do Stanley cups have lead?
After Stanley fans took their cups to be tested for lead (and documented the journey on TikTok), concern over the possible inclusion of lead in consumers’ everyday water cups has been raised online. However, this very reasonable cause for concern has an equally reasonable explanation.
“Our manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry-standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead,” the FAQs of Stanley’s website details. “Once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers.”
How do you clean a Stanley cup?
Though it may seem like a no-brainer to wash your Stanley cup like any other dish, you’d be surprised how easy it is to let routine washing get away from you when you use the same bottle every day.
Owners of Stanley cups took to TikTok to share their shock over the discovery of mold inside the cups, straws, and compartment lids of their Quenchers after neglecting regular washes. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to keep your cup nice and clean with a few tips and tricks. Kyle Casteel, senior hydration product manager at Stanley, previously told PEOPLE that your Stanley cup should be cleaned after every use, whether that’s in the dishwasher or by hand-washing.
“If your product needs a deeper clean, use a mixture of one part baking soda and one part warm water, and soak for up to an hour,” Casteel added. “Then clean with mild detergent once the solution is rinsed out.”
More Brands to Consider
We understand that Stanley products, especially the 40-ounce tumblers, may be a little too pricey for some shoppers. Thankfully, there’s a bevy of high-quality drinkware out there that can substitute for the Stanleys of your dreams at a more attainable price.
Simple Modern 40-Ounce Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid
Amazon
Civago 20-Ounce Tumbler with Lid and Straw
Amazon
Albor 40-Ounce Insulated Coffee Tumbler with Lid and Straw
Amazon
Hydrapeak Roadster 40-Ounce Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid
Amazon
Take Our Word for It
Alyssa Brascia is a shopping writer at PEOPLE who specializes in fashion and beauty but also has experience covering topics from lifestyle to homeware. As someone who does extensive research and some of her own testing when making PEOPLE’s product recommendations, Alyssa has explored the best underseat luggage, toiletry bags, and various other travel essentials to better your busy life. Aside from the TikTok discourse, Alyssa took to the Stanely team to chat with a brand spokesperson about the history and present state of the brand, given its past few years in the social media spotlight. She also collected real-world insights from our Stanley-loving team, including quotes from PEOPLE shopping editor Madison Yauger, senior shopping editor Erika Reals, and associate editorial director Erin Johnson.
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