If you’re one that spends most of your time outside the house, you will need a flask to keep your beverage hot or cold for long hours. While the hydration world has improved in the quality of products manufactured, it’s fantastic that some brand does the job better than the other.
Whether you want a flask with an excellent insulating property or one with a nice grip coupled with a captivating design, Yeti, and Hydro flask are two products that meet such conditions. Yet! It’s inconceivable that one is better than the other despite sharing a lot of similarities. If you are getting a new vacuum flask, you’re bound to ask the same question on everyone’s lip: Hydro flask or Yeti: which is better?
Rather than giving a straight answer, we will be analyzing each of its features, comparing its components against one another to determine which is the best.
Yeti
Yeti has a reputation for producing high-quality coolers. The transition to producing insulated bottles was a question of when rather than if. Today, Yeti is one of the leading producers of insulating bottles as well as tumblers. If you want a product that can keep your food cool for long hours, it’s hard to find a brand that best Yeti in that department.
Its customers well acknowledge Yeti’s commitment to producing durable products. They do not have the classiest design but have managed to manufacture products that stand out from their competitors.
Hydro Flask
Hydro Flask is the Grand-father of insulated bottles. Make no mistake; this doesn’t mean it’s the best. However, it’s the most popular brand in the world. Hydro Flask is the complete opposite of Yeti. They have a classic design that offers a variety of color catalogs to choose from. Hydro Flask seems like a product designed for everyone. They’re seen with celebrities as well as everyday people.
They offer a touch of class at a reasonable amount and offer a lot of customization options.
Hydro flask vs. Yeti: Main difference between both flasks
The major difference between both flasks are outlined below:
- Yeti water flask has a wider mouth than Hydro flask
- The Hydro flask has a grip that’s similar to an everyday bottle while Yeti has a standard handle
- Hydro flask costs less compared to Yeti Rambler.
- Hydro Flask comes with more customization options
- Hydro flask has more models compared to Yeti. Presently, there are over 8 Hydro flask models giving users more options to choose from.
- Yeti is more durable and has better insulating property.
Comparing Both Flasks
Hydro Flask vs. Yeti: Technology behind Both Products
For first-time users, it’s imperative to know that both devices come with a double-wall vacuum, which is no surprise given the fact that most insulated bottles spot the same design. What this means is that the walls are built in a way that both vacuums are separated from one another. Thereby preventing them from making direct contact. This design is the reason why your coffee gets easily cold in a teacup in contrast to a Hydro flask, which envelops the heat even after long hours.
The air gap which separates both vacuums is where the heat is enveloped, thereby keeping your drink hot and cold for hours. With such design, it’s supposed that a dip in temperature should never be experienced. However, our everyday experience contradicts this. From observations, the temperature of your beverage is bound to drop by a few degrees after six hours of staying in a flask, even if the flask is untouched.
This is because the content loses its heat via the cap of the flask, which isn’t insulated. Going by this, the content of a typical insulating flask will experience a dip in temperature after 6 hours. At 12 hours mark, your hot water becomes lukewarm.
If your content is freezing or boiling, both flasks will be able to withhold its temperature for an average of 24 hours. However, the temperature of hot beverages dissipates faster than cold ones. Hence, if you need a flask that can keep your beverage hot or cold while on a trip, any of these flasks will do a decent job.
Coming to the exterior, Hydro flask has a better design, but both bottles have no-sweat exterior. This means that regardless of the temperature of the internal environment, the temperature of the outside bottle isn’t affected. Hence, having boiling water in the flask won’t make the exterior hot.
Cap Design
The cap is definitely one area Yeti has the edge over Hydro Flask. Yeti comes with a larger lid that allows users to maintain a firm grip with their three fingers comfortably. The Hydro flask, in contrast, feels less accommodating. Eliminating the need for a third finger in favor of freedom of customization. The extra finger that comes with Yeti is too hard to ignore. At first, it seems like it doesn’t matter but goes a long way to define your experience when you want to take a quick sip.
Going by cap design, it would make a whole lot of sense to say Hydro flask lost out, but that’s not the case given the fact that they offer users additional customization options to make-up for the cap limitation. Users can use their flask with a round cap or modify it into a Sippy-cup style that allows you to gulp your beverage slowly.
Coming to cap width, Yeti also trumps its rival. Yeti cap records an impressive 2.71 inches, a design that lets the upper rim of the bottle comfortably sit over the bridges of your nose. Going by the customization option that comes with Hydro flask, it would make a whole lot of sense for the width to be accentuated, making it easier to suit any condition- whether you’re jogging, riding a bike, or taking a stroll.
Unfortunately, the width of the cap on the Hydro flask is 2.28 inches. A figure which seems a bit insignificant but ends up playing a big role. To an average user, this isn’t a concern, but what this actually means is that you’re more likely to see your beverage splashing back if you attempt to drink while in motion. You will find yourself struggling to pour its content, which is a big let down if you prefer the Sippy-style cap.
Although the width of the Hydro flask is quite less, it’s positioned in a way that you’re protected from frequent contact with germs. Instead of lying flat on the rim, the Hydro flask cap is lifted by a protruding neck, which ensures your lips only lands on the metal head covered by the cap rather than the part likely to play host to germs.
While Yeti is all about comfort, Hydro flask is more concerned about keeping you out of harm’s way. Yeti cap sits directly on the screw head, increasing the risk of your lips touching the metallic body anytime you drink. While few contacts won’t do any harm, the thought of placing your lips on the same spot where a fly just perched isn’t digestible. To conclude this part, it’s worth mentioning that neither of the caps is insulated.
.Yeti Vs. Hydro Flask: The Grip
Yeti Rambler Insulated bottle is built with 28/8 stainless steel, a feature that reduces heat transfer. The outside body isn’t coated, making it a bit safe to place on a dishwasher. The Hydro Flask is also built with the same material but is slightly coated. The powdered coating improves the bottle’s handle, making it less slippery when held. However, this makes it less safe for your dishwasher as the coating might rub off.
Durability
Both Hydro flask and Yeti have high durability factor. Granted! Both designs have their flaws. While Yeti dents after colliding with a heavy object, Hydro flask color might fade with time. Even though both bottles are said to be dishwasher safe by their manufacturers, observations show that you should avoid dumping in a dishwasher as much as you can. Both products are easy to clean as there’s no need to go hardcore.
In terms of material, both products are made from stainless steel, which is no surprise since most cooking utensils are made from this. The only downside is that the exterior might be punctured, which invariably affects the vacuum. This doesn’t mean a slight collision will cause any of those bottles to leak. But it’s important to get one with high durability if you want to use it for long.
After using both flasks for years, and going by thousands of reviews from real buyers on Amazon, we found Yeti to be more durable and less susceptible to damages. Some buyers complained about how fragile the Hydro flask bottle is. A simple drop may dent the surface or chip the paints.
To make up for the limitations in durability, Hydro flask offers a lifetime warranty in contrast to Yeti, whose warranty period is a maximum of 5 years.
Extra Customization
In terms of customization, it seems like a tie between both bottles. The Hydro flask comes with in-built cap customization, but Yeti provides a lot of accessories that give your bottle a new look. There are several accessories to choose from; they include caps, lids, sleeves, and holders.
Most accessories aren’t meant only to enhance the look of his bottle but also improve its functionality. Considering the price tag of both bottles, it’s safe to assume Hydro flask accessories cost few pennies less than Yeti. In addition, their catalog is bigger than Yeti as there are too many to choose from.
Design-wise, the Hydro flask is flourishing in the lake of creativity as the list of accessories are updated continuously.
Price Comparison: Hydro Flask vs. Yeti Rambler Insulated Bottle
Both Hydro flask and Yeti command high fees. They both feel overpriced, given the price range of regular insulated bottles. For Instance, the Yeti Rambler Insulated 32-ounce bottle costs a minimum of $50, while Hydro Flask with somewhat 10 ounces less is $10 cheaper.
While their price tag seems a bit high for a simple water bottle, they’ve received the “celebrity” treatment from buyers. Considering the features outlined above, both bottles look like a good bargain provided they can stand the test of time.
The question is, will you rather spend $40 on a Hydro flask whose body is prone to dents or bump the price up by $10 and get a Yeti Rambler Insulated Bottle, which lasts longer?. Whichever one you go for, it doesn’t undermine the fact that Hydro flask is cheaper than Yeti — making it more suitable for those on budget.
Body Design
Most versions of Hydro flask and Yeti spot an attractive but straightforward look reminiscent of modern insulated bottles. It’s easy to mistaken both brands for another except for their logos. All Yeti bottles have the word “YETI” inscribed in block font on the body of the bottle.
Either way, we found the Hydro flask bottle to be more appealing due to the variety of colors available. The color catalog for Yeti collection seems a bit limited. It seems the company is at loggerhead in terms of its designs. There’s little creativity in that area; rather, it looks like they need to take a leaf from their rival’s books.
Putting Both Flask to the Test
Coldwater (Lukewarm Water Test)
To decide which flask is better, we decided to put both to the test. Assuming you fill your flask with cold water before heading on a trip, how cold would you expect the water to be while on the road? To access both bottle’s ability to keep your beverage cold, we filled both with cold water straight from a refrigerator.
The water temperature was taken each hour for the next 8 hours using a thermometer. Both bottles started off at 40 degrees. At 8 hours mark, the content of the Hydro flask recorded 55.5 degrees while that of Yeti was 54 degrees – temperature difference of 1.5 degrees.
Going by this, it can be concluded the Yeti is more effective in keeping the water cold compared to the Hydro flask. If you consider the price tag of the latter, then the temperature difference shouldn’t be a big deal. But how did both bottles fare when tested with ice?
Ice Water Test
If you’re embarking on a long trip, it will make a whole lot of sense to have a flask that can preserve the temperature of your ice in contrast to one that melts rapidly. The ice water test is even more crucial than the previous experiment, given the amount of time it takes ice to melt.
For this test, 6 ounces of ice were thrown into each flask. The bottles were thoroughly sealed and allowed to sit in a room with an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours (a whole day).
At 24 hours mark, the temperature of both bottles was measured to determine the amount of ice left. Surprisingly, we still found some pieces of ice in both bottles, but the liquid in one of the bottles was more than the other. The Hydro flask contained 4.7 ounces of water (1.3 ounces of ices still left) while the ounces of water in Yeti was 3.5. This was a 1.3 Ounces difference – once again, Yeti coming out on top.
Hydro Flask vs. Yeti: Best Alternatives
Both Yeti and Hydro Flask are exceptional products. However, if, for some reason, you feel none of these two tallies with your needs, you’re free to look for an alternative. For those looking for a product with a similar design as Hydro flask, the Klear bottle is the closest you can get.
Most buyers on Amazon claims both designs are similar that they won’t be surprised if they came from the same company. Klear bottle has the appearance of the Hydro Flask but possesses equal durability and insulation as the Yeti Rambler. It can keep cold drinks cool for more than 24 hours and hot drinks for 13 hours. The best part about the clear bottle is that it is priced under $30 (one of the cheapest brands).
Other worthy mentions include:
Final Verdict
Yeti vs. Hydro Flask comparison is a close one. Both bottles share similar properties, which makes it harder to conclude on which is better. Both bottles are top-notch but come with few lapses in terms of durability.
While Hydro flask trumps Yeti in terms of design and price, the latter is better off in terms of durability and insulation. A tie isn’t the best way to end a comparison, but the analysis here will guide you on the final decision to make.
In summary, if you want a bottle that’s affordable, customizable, and has an appealing appearance, go for Hydro Flask, but if you want one that can keep your beverage hot or cold for long hours and also durable, go for Yeti.