Best Stanley Cup dupes | 7 models tried and tested by experts 2024

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Best Stanley Cup dupes to buy in 2024

Camelbak Thrive™ Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug 1L

Available from Amazon (£29.95), Cycle Store (£34), Leisure Lakes Bikes (£36), Camelbak (£40)

Best for 100% leakproof

Pros:

More like this

100% leakproof
One-litre size
Rubber non-slip, protective base
Soft handle
Good insulation
Seven colour choices
BPA/BPS/BPF free
Lifetime Guarantee

Cons:

Chipped paint when dropped

Star rating: 5/5

If size matters and you want hours of hydration from a cup without being overly heavy, then the one-litre Camelbak Thrive may be the one. The cup is 100% leakproof; no matter how hard we shook it, nothing escaped. The insulation is excellent, and it kept the water cold for 12 hours, only losing 1.5C. It was the best on the test, and it suffered minimal damage in the drop.

There’s a non-slip protective base, and though there’s no straw with the cup, they can be bought separately. We were impressed by the handle on this cup, as it was soft to hold but also felt secure.

With seven colours, there will be one to suit everyone. The Camelbak Thrive comes with a lifetime guarantee, which bears testament to all the qualities of this great cup. What more can you ask for?

Yeti Rambler 42 oz (1242 ml) Straw Mug

Available from Yeti (£45)

Best for Quality and Performance

Pros:

Great quality
Exceptional range of colours
BPA free
Straw lid
Stainless steel base and rim
Elongated handle
Dishwasher safe
Shatter resistant lid

Cons:

Need to buy another lid for hot drinks

Star rating: 5/5

The Yeti Rambler cup has the largest capacity on the test, at a whopping 1242ml (42oz), just 42 ml larger than the Stanley Quencher. Even at that size and full, the Rambler does not feel too heavy.

The Yeti came second on the test to the drop in temperature over 12 hours at 1.9C and barely flinched when dropped, just a tiny dent and a little scratch.

There’s an elongated handle that will fit most hand sizes well, a stainless-steel base for protection, and a shatterproof see-through straw lid. We loved the long reusable straw, which is dishwasher safe, as is the cup.

Our only slight downside was that the straw lid is only for cold drinks; if you want to use it for hot drinks, you need a separate lid. This is a small detail that does not distract from this being a seriously good-quality cup and contender to a Stanley.

Available from:

HydroJug 20oz Traveller Cup

Available from HydroJug (£24)
Best for adults and children

Pros:

Compact 20oz size
Removable rubber base cover
Non-slip
Leakproof
Light to carry
Keeps water cold for 24 hours
Left or right hand friendly
Great for children too

Cons:

Star rating: 5/5

Though the Hydrojug 20oz cup is only for cold drinks, this did not stop it from being a favourite on the test. Its small capacity, at 591ml, makes this a great cup that is not too small for an adult or too overpowering for a child to use.

The Hydrojug comes with some thoughtful touches. There’s a removable rubber base making it non-slip and unlikely to scratch delicate surfaces. There’s a secure, fold down straw which alongside the strong seal on the lid makes this small cup leakproof and has an ambidextrous lid for left or right-handed use.

The cup is triple walled to keep drinks cold and, in the test, only dropped 2.5C. The Hydrojug Traveller was the only cup on the test that did not have any dents or the tiniest scratch in the drop test, another great feature especially if used by children.

Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler 1064ml (36oz) Straw Lid Tumbler

Available from Klean Kanteen (£39.95)

Best for sustainability

Pros:

90% recycled 18/8 stainless-steel
Easy refilling with flip-up lid
Stainless steel straw, silicone tip
Dishwasher safe
Climate Lock™ vacuum insulation
Two ways to drink
BPA free

Cons:

Star rating: 5/5

The Rise Tumbler from Klean Kanteen is another serious Stanley dupe with its size, lovely two-tone colours and unique features. The Rise holds just over a litre of water and keeps it seriously cold, only losing a respectable 2C in 12 hours though it did take a bit of a bashing on the bottom in the drop test.

The Rise straw lid has dual features: a stainless-steel straw with a soft silicone top and a flip top revealing a thin rim to make drinking from this side easy. Even though the seal around the straw and on the lid is strong, the cup is not leakproof but makes a good attempt at being spill proof depending on the angle of the straw.

However, the standout of this cup must be its sustainability credentials. It is by far the best on the test as it is made of 90% post-consumer recycled steel, which is impressive.

Available from:

Camelbak Horizon™ Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Straw Tumbler 600ml

Available from Camelbak (£21), Amazon (£25.88), Swinnerton Cycles (£26.40)

Best handless cup

Pros:

Two delicious colours
Powder coat finish
Non-slip base
Rubberised straw seal lid
18/8 Stainless steel
Dishwasher safe
BPA/BPS/BPF free
Lifetime Guarantee

Cons:

Star rating: 4.5/5

The Camelbak Horizon tumbler is a small, simple tumbler with a clear straw lid. It is suitable for both hot and cold liquids. There’s no handle, but it does have an effective non-slip rubber base. The straw is secured well with a rubber seal, and though not leakproof, it is spill proof should you knock it over.

What we loved about the Horizon tumbler was the two delicious pearlescent colours on offer and the powder coat finish, which are both good to look at and to hold. The tumbler and straw are both dishwasher safe. It is made of robust 18.8 stainless steel, and the tumbler stood up to being dropped well, with just a tiny dent but no paint damage. It holds the content well, too, with just a 2.5C drop over 12 hours.

The price of this rugged little tumbler is bound to appeal.

Smash Stainless Steel Travel Cup – 850ml

Available from Argos (£10)

Best for quality on a budget

Pros:

Budget price
BPA free
Sturdy cup
Spill proof
One year guarantee

Cons

Star rating: 4.5/5

There’s nothing to dislike about this lovely travel cup from Smash. The cup comes in at a great price so is perfect for those on a budget. The price does not reflect the quality of the cup though.

The Smash cup is made from stainless steel, sturdy, and has double-wall insulation, but it does not have a handle and does not come with a straw. It promises to keep iced water cold for 12 hours and can also be used for hot liquids. In the test, after 12 hours, the cold water had only risen by 2.5C, and in the drop test, the damage was only very slight, less than some at a higher price.

Our favourite feature, however, is the lid, which is well-sealed. It makes the cup spill-proof, and even with a good shake upside down, only a few drops escape. The Splash certainly has a lot going for it.

Hydro Flask All Around 32oz Travel Tumbler

Available from Amazon (£39.90), John Lewis and Partners (£39.95)

Best for flexible straw lid

Pros:

Flexible straw lid
Secure holder for the straw
Color Last™ powder coat
Dishwasher safe
Double wall insulation
BPA free

Cons:

Star rating: 4.5/5

The Hydro Flask 32oz cup is another cup for serious hydration, holding just under a litre (they also offer a 40oz (1183ml) version). The cup promises to keep drinks hot and colder longer with its double-wall vacuum insulation, and we were happy with a test result of just a 1.9C drop over 12 hours.

Made from 18/8 stainless steel with a powder-coated finish, stainless steel accents, and a sturdy handle, this cup is a great one to carry around. In the drop test, the Hydro Flask took a knock at the bottom, but the paint stayed intact.

What made this cup stand out in the test, though, was the clean, unfussy straw lid. There are no awkward crevices to clean, and the straw tip is flexible silicone, tightly sealed into the lid, making the snug, secure lid splash but not leakproof.

What to consider when buying a Stanley Cup dupe

With such a choice of size, weight, and type on offer, it is essential to first decide what you want the cup for, how you intend to use it, and your budget.

Size: If constant hydration is your aim, you may want a larger cup. This cup will hold more and need fewer refills, but it will weigh more and be bulkier to carry around.
Carrying: Most, but not all, cups have handles. Is the handle comfortable and secure, and are those without handles easy to carry?
Leakage: You may want to carry the cup in a backpack or in the car, in which case spill-proof should suffice. However, if you want to pop your cup into a handbag, it must be 100% leakproof.
Hot, Cold or Both: Not all cups offer hot and cold drinks storage, so it is important to check before buying, especially if you want both.
How Long Will Drinks Stay Hot or Cold?: This is a must if you use it all day/night long. Some pledge up to two days for iced drinks. All the cups we tested held the temperature well with a minimum drop.
Straws: There are many variations of straws and lid openings, some flexible, fixed, fold-down, or even no straw at all, just a flip-up lid. All with straws will always be spill rather than leakproof.

How we tested Stanley Cup dupes

When testing the Stanley dupes, we looked for the following:

Effectiveness: All cups were tested for temperature retention over a 12-hour period and robustness by being dropped from a height onto a hard surface.
Value: Is the cup worth its price?
Leakage promises: We tested how secure the cups were if they were 100% leakproof, turning them upside down and giving them a severe shake.
Stand-out features and innovation: We checked out any stand-out features that made the cup more effective and easier to use, as well as the aesthetic, style, and sustainability of each.

Why are Stanley Cups so popular?

With eyes very much on sustainability, buying and using a reusable cup ticks all the boxes, and for health and well-being, keeping hydrated is a must. The Stanley Cup not only offers both in bucket loads, but it also does with style and big claims.

The Stanley, founded in 1913, claimed in its early adverts that their bottle “cannot break!” and seemingly, it still doesn’t. Stanley also pledged that drinks would stay cold for 11 hours and that ice would last as long as two days, and they do.

Stanley has a range of cup sizes, but the 40oz Quencher has captured the most attention as its size means hydration is on hand without constant refilling. The super-sized handle makes it easy to carry. Plus, the Stanley Quencher looks good, with a range of delicious colours and a secure straw lid, making it easy to see why they are so popular.

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