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Do you ever find yourself coming back to drink your coffee and finding that it’s now lukewarm? Or setting down your ice-cold glass of iced tea, only to return to a puddle of condensation and barely cool tea?
I think moms are especially prone to the phenomenon of drinking everything at room temperature. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to this problem. Insulated tumblers!
We’ve all know that Yeti tumblers are incredible at their ability to keep things hot or cold, but they’re not the only insulated tumblers out there!
What Are the BEST cups like Yeti?
After personally trying out a variety of brands and styles, I can recommend these cups like Yeti:
- Beast Tumbler: Check out the Beast Tumbler at Amazon.com
- Kaqinu 2-pack of 30oz Tumblers: Check out Kaquina at Amazon.com
- Takeya Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle: Check out Takeya bottles at Amazon.com
- Ozark Trail Tumblers from Walmart in the camping section
So, which are the absolute best cups like Yeti?
Beast tumblers are the highest quality cups like Yeti and come with all the accessories. Ozark Trail tumblers from Walmart are the best value overall but lack quality accessories. Kaqinu also offers a good value for a 2-pack of tumblers with accessories.
Are Yeti Tumblers Worth It?
Yeti cups are very high quality, but there are plenty of other tumblers that will keep your drinks just as cold or hot at a fraction of the price. In my opinion, Yeti cups are not worth their high price. Check out the current price of Yeti tumblers at Amazon.com.
What Brands of Cups Like Yeti Were Tested?
Here are the other brands of tumblers I checked out:
Arctic Brand Steel Tumblers
A year ago, I ordered the Arctic 20oz Tumbler for my daughter. She loved it, but the coated finish went all the way up to the rim. Very quickly, the coating started chipping off at the top. It looked terrible and we had to throw it away.
I see that Arctic has changed their design and they now have a silver lip at the top of the cups. Their price is pretty good for a cup that includes a lid and straw, so it might be worth another look. I’m nervous to try that brand again after my first experience, though.
Check out the Arctic brand tumblers at Amazon.com.
Youke Ola Brand Tumblers
I was excited to try the Youke Ola tumbler because it was the lowest priced 30oz tumbler at Amazon.com at the time. Unfortunately, when I got it, I was disappointed. While it does keep my drinks cold, it’s cheap feeling. The metal is thin and the included lid is not very nice.
It has held up well, but it’s also been the least-used of our tumblers because no one likes it very much.
It’s not bad… I just think there are better options out there. If you want to see it for yourself, check out the Youke Ola tumbler at Amazon.com.
Beast 30oz Tumbler
My husband got a Beast brand tumbler a year ago to use as his daily work cup. He uses it for both coffee and ice water at the office.
Almost a year later, he still loves his cup and has no complaints. It’s:
- High quality
- Durable
- Comes with all the accessories
- The lid is the nicest quality of the ones I tried
Although the Beast tumblers are not the cheapest, I would recommend them as a high-quality tumbler that is cheaper than Yeti and comes with all of the accessories. Check out the Beast tumbler at Amazon.com.
Kaqinu 2-Pack of 30oz Tumblers
I was pretty excited when I saw the Kaquinu 2-pack of 30oz tumblers. There are 4 of us around here and everyone is trying to steal my favorite cups! And the 2-pack comes with everything you’d ever need:
- 2 30oz tumblers
- 2 lids that work great with straws
- 2 handles
- 2 straw cleaning brushes
- 8 steel straws!
That’s a lot for one low price! I ordered a set and they’ve worked out very well for us. Their quality is much nicer than the Youke Ola brand and they have held up very well, even though the dishwasher.
The lids are not super high-quality, but the straw hole is handy and they haven’t broken yet, despite my kids’ being rough with them!
I’d recommend the Kaqinu 2-pack of 30oz tumblers at Amazon.com.
Ozark Trail 30oz Tumbler from Walmart
The Ozark Trail cups from Walmart are famous for being just as good as Yeti cups at almost 1/4 of the price. And you know what? They’re awesome! I love my Ozark Trail tumblers.
The only downside of the Ozark cups is the accessories. The included lid does not close and the Ozark handles aren’t very nice. I prefer to use my Ozark cup with this higher-quality handle from Amazon. I mix and match the lids from the other brands.
If you’re trying to find the Ozark Trail tumblers in your local Walmart, you have to look in the camping and outdoors section (NOT the kitchen or drinkware section). The Ozark Trail tumblers can also be found online.
Are Ozark Trail Tumblers Made by Yeti?
No, Ozark Trail tumblers are not made by Yeti, but I understand why people might think so! They are surprisingly similar.
Yeti vs RTIC Cups
Why didn’t I recommend RTIC as the best Yeti tumbler alternatives? RTIC has become famous for being the cheaper alternative to YETI. Unfortunately, it got them in trouble.
Yeti sued RTIC for copyright infringement in 2017 and, as a result, RTIC settled and redesigned many of their products, including their tumblers. The changes were subtle, but it means that RTIC’s newer cups don’t fit any of the lids or handles designed for all of the other brands.
Personally, I didn’t like the look of RTIC’s lid or their handle. Because they are a slightly different size than all the other brands, I wouldn’t have any options to choose something else.
If you want a cup like yeti that is compatible with all brands of available lids and handles, I’d steer clear of RTIC brand. If you’re not concerned about compatibility, RTIC tumblers seem like a decent value for a quality tumbler. Check out the RTIC tumbler options at Amazon.com.
Powder Coated Finish Vs. All Stainless: Which Is Better?
There are some tumblers that come in an all-stainless version, as well as powder-coated (matte, usually colored).
Powder-coated is generally nicer looking and does not heat up if left in the sun. It can sometimes discolor or chip over time.
Cups that are all stainless in construction (with no powder coat) can get hot if left in the sun but are a bit more durable.
What Is the Difference Between Splashproof and Leakproof Lids?
Splashproof lids generally have an open hole for drinking that does not close.
Leakproof lids close completely with rubber seals. Keep in mind, though, that even with “leakproof” lids, these sorts of cups are not meant to be tossed in a bag like a water bottle.
If you want a true leakproof cup or bottle, I’d recommend an insulated bottle instead. Check out my recommendation below.
What is a Water Bottle Alternative to a Yeti Tumbler?
In the car, I don’t trust anyone with a drink that’s not 100% sealed! I don’t allow the tumblers in the car – we use sealed water bottles instead.
After searching high and low, I finally found a reasonably-priced insulated water bottle that I use almost every day. It’s called Takeya Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle. Check it out at Amazon.com.
Why do I love this water bottle? It’s:
- Very well insulated
- Fits in my car cup holder
- Has a wide drinking hole
- Small enough to carry around
- Has a nice carry handle
Which Yeti Alternative Do You Like Best?
I certainly haven’t tried every single Yeti tumbler lookalike or knock-off out there. Do you have another brand of insulated tumbler that you like better? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Laurie
Monday 3rd of August 2020
Simple Modern!!!! I've tried two Yetis and a few others...and after doing my research online, and personally tested with my first one (I now have two), Simple Modern all the way!!!!
Cindy Scott
Tuesday 4th of August 2020
Thanks. I hadn't heard of those!