Staying hydrated is officially trendy and that means you need a nice water bottle to help you stay looking cool.
Honestly, I’m a sucker for a good reusable water bottle. It’s gotten to the point where I have a couple of different bottles and tumblers that I rarely leave my house without. They’re also a great way for you to do your part and help reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use.
Picking out a new bottle, especially when you know that you’re going to be using it every day, should be fun. And if you’re reading this article, I’m going to assume you know about what a Hydro Flask is. And while they make a great stainless steel bottle, the name does come at a price.
Nowadays you can find a number of different brands that have great bottles that will keep your drinks hot or cold for hours. I’m here to help you narrow down that list.
Here are some good Hydro Flask knock-off brands, with a short table of our top picks:
Iron Flask
Starting as a small business, Iron Flask is continuing to grow. Much of their growth is because of their high-end products and great design that customers keep telling their friends about this cheap Hydro Flask alternative. If you’re looking for a cheap option, this is it. For under 30 dollars you can get a 32oz bottle with 3 lids, including, a straw lid, a wide mouth lid and a tilt-able lid that can be flipped so that you can drink warm drinks with ease. When compared to Hydro Flask, this is a big deal. If you’re looking for a different Hydro Flask lid, you’d have to buy them separately. Also, bigger water bottles can get pricey, but not with Iron Flask, so if the size of the product is a big factor in your decision making then you won’t be able to beat an Iron Flask deal.
What’s not so great is that the Iron Flask is not dishwasher safe so in order to keep it in good condition you’re going to have to hand wash the bottle in hot, soapy water.
Yeti
Of course, Yeti is one of Hydro Flask’s number one competitors. Not to be super biased, but I do own three Yeti products that I love. Yeti is great because they offer a variety of different sizes, colors, and designs. Unfortunately, all their cool accessories, like lids and handles, come at an additional cost. Yeti’s 26oz Rambler is probably most comparable to a Hydro Flask product and with a screw-on lid, you’re guaranteed that your drink stays cold or hot for hours. Sometimes my drink will stay cold for over 8 hours in my car in Florida and I’ll come back to ice. This product really works. But, since the name comes at a price, Yeti will not be as cheap as an Iron Flask bottle but the quality is far better.
S’well
If you’re looking to keep the cute vibes alive, this brand is great. It’s, unfortunately, a little pricey. A 17oz bottle comes in at $35 but it’s quite slim and will keep your beverages both cold and hot. Another great thing that this company offers is your ability to customize the design. They offer the traditional bottle, traveler, tumbler, or a roamer. The company says their products will keep your cold liquids cold for 24 hours and your hot liquids hot for 12 hours. These bottles are also made out of stainless steel but are also insulated to eliminate condensation getting on your hands or in your bag.
Klean Kanteen
Slim and simple. This brand makes some great, lightweight, stainless steel products.
If you ask me, Klean Kanteen products look pretty dang similar to Hydro Flask. Klean Kanteen products work great because they are double-wall vacuum insulated. They have a ton of awesome products that work well but it’s safe to say the Insulated Classic 20oz is tried and true; and a great knock-off to the Hydro Flask. Their products come in a variety of different colors. Their website says that it will keep hot liquids hot for 20hrs and iced liquids ices for 50 hours.
What to Consider When Choosing Your Alternative
Before making your purchase you should know what you need to consider when buying a new water bottle. The four main things I think anybody should consider are the bottle size, shape, design and accessory cost.
Size
You’ll want to consider what amount of liquid you want your bottle to hold. If you’re looking for something large but don’t want to pay too much, Iron Flask may be your best bet. But if you’re looking for something smaller that will keep your drinks hot or cold for hours, maybe splurge on a small S’well product.
Shape
This is important, especially if you’re looking for a bottle that will fit in your car’s cup holders. Yeti has some larger products that get smaller at the bottom and allow you to fit them in your car, which is a great option if you’re looking for a bottle that’ll hold a little more liquid. If you’re looking for something smaller, S’well has some great options that curve and look like the traditional plastic bottles do. Also, be sure to consider what type of bottle will fit comfortably in your hand. You may feel that buying a larger bottle will increase your water intake but if the bottle turns out to be too bulky, you’re not going to want to bring your new bottle anywhere.
Design
This includes what your product is made of. This is extremely important when comparing the different price points of these items. Double-wall insulation will obviously keep your liquids hot or cold for a longer period of time. Also, you’ll want to make sure the product is made of stainless steel to ensure that it is durable. Also, how important is it for you to have an aesthetically pleasing water bottle? This is another thing to consider when it comes to the design of your bottle.
Accessories
Lids, lids, lids. Seriously, what lid you put on your bottle makes all the difference. Of course, Hydro Flask’s signature lid is the screw-on lid. Some products include this lid, while other products may make you buy this at an additional cost. Most of these knock-off companies offer some great accessories that make your water bottle work even better.
Comparable Hydro-Flask Knock-Off Products
Iron Flask
Description: This double-insulated water bottle will keep your beverages both hot and cold. This product is great because it comes with three lids already included in the price. We also like this product because its insulation allows it to be sweat-proof. The Iron Flask is made out of stainless steel and built to last. It is also 100% BPA free! This iron flask product will keep ice for about 12 hours. They offer a variety of sizes (18oz, 22oz, 32oz, 40oz, 64oz) so you should be able to find something for you. The bigger bottles are great for all-day use in a desk setting where you don’t have to carry the bottle around while the smaller bottles are great for lightweight day hikes. Unfortunately, this product is not dishwasher safe so you will have to wash your bottle by hand in warm, soapy water.
Pros:
- Low price point
- Includes three different lids with purchase of a bottle
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
Klean Kanteen Classic Double Wall Water Bottle
Description: If you’re looking for something extremely similar to Hydro Flask, this is the product for you. This bottle is also made of stainless steel and 100% BPA free. The 20oz bottle will keep liquids hot for up to 20 hours and iced for up to 50 hours. The length of this bottle is a little longer than Hydro Flask bottles. Also, this product is made to last and is harder to dent than a Hydro Flask
Pros:
- Stronger stainless steel shell
- Fits in your cup holder
Cons:
- Taller than Hydro Flask
YETI Rambler 18oz Bottle
Description: This 18oz YETI Rambler is small enough to be portable whether you are on a hike or heading into the office for work. This bottle stands 9 1/2 inches tall and has a diameter of 3 inches. The 18oz YETI Rambler bottle is sized to fit in standard sized cup holders. What we love about this product is that it is in fact dishwasher safe. This product also offers a number of different color options. With double insulation, you are less likely to deal with annoying condensation.
Pros:
- Fits in standard cup holders
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons:
- High price for accessories
S’well 17oz Water Bottle
Description: And finally, if you want to stay fashionable, this S’well bottle is the one for you. It’s one of our favorite options because it’s overall style, shape, and price. Designed to keep cold beverages cold for 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12. Since this is a smaller bottle, it is great for on the go and can slide right into your gym or work bag easily. If you’re using your bottle somewhere that allows you to refill the bottle, this is a great choice.
Pros:
- Slim and lightweight
- A variety of different ways to personalize the product
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Smaller options overall
Conclusion
Now you can see that there are a number of different options when choosing your next reusable water bottle. If you’re looking for a Hydro-Flask doppelganger than Klean Kanteen will be great for you. If you’re looking for something a little more stylish, S’well offers a variety of styles and personalizations for you.
Remember, bigger doesn’t always mean better but you should consider where and when you will be using your bottle and assess how much liquid you will be needing.
Now, it’s time to make your final decision and get hydrated!