Welcome to our ThermoFlask vs Hydro Flask Comparison. In this showdown, we’ll see which insulated water bottle is the sure winner. By the time you leave here, you’ll know for sure which bottle is the better pick for you. The insulated water bottle space is becoming more crowded by the day as new companies continue to pop up, some of them good while others are inferior copycats.
Today, we’ll see if ThermoFlask knows how to make a superior water bottle or if they’re just another Hydro Flask imitator. Below, we’ll compare the sizes, key features of each bottle, see which bottle is better at retaining hot/cold temps, our two cents, and other necessary tidbits that helped us draw our conclusion.
Let’s start by putting the two bottles head-to-head in a feature comparison.
ThermoFlask vs Hydro Flask: Sizes & Features
ThermoFlask 2-Pack (24, 40 oz Sizes)
Hydro Flask (12, 18, 21, 24, 32, 40, 64 oz Sizes)
The ThermoFlask is currently available in 2-packs only in 24 and 40 oz sizes. The Hydro Flask has more available sizes from 18 oz all the way up to 64 oz.
Feature Comparison
- Both bottles are made of food-grade 18/8 stainless steel
- Both bottles are BPA-Free
- They both advertise temperature retention times of up to 24 hours for cold beverages and 12 hours for hot beverages
- The standard lids are different – ThermFlask offers a leakproof twist cap for easier sipping while the Hydro Flask wide-mouth lid covers the entire container and must be removed and held each time you take a sip
- Double-wall vacuum insulation in both bottles for a condensation-free drinking experience
- Both bottles have a carrying loop
- The ThermoFlask model pictured above includes a removable silicone sleeve for protection against scratches, dents, and thuds when placing the bottle down
- Both bottles have a powder coat finish, and the Hydro Flask has a lot more colors available
- Warranty: Both bottles offer a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects in materials and/or workmanship
- Hydro Flask has more size and color options
- ThermoFlask offers standard straw and flip-top lids while Hydro Flask is a wide-mouth screw lid
- ThermoFlask is 2-pack only and costs roughly 40 – 50% less than Hydro Flask
- Hydro Flask is heavier
The big question is how do they perform? Why does the ThermoFlask cost considerably less?
Who wins?
In the battle of ThermoFlask vs Hydro Flask, who is the winner? The winner is...
Hydro Flask
Why is Hydro Flask the winner?
- Hydro Flask has superior insulation, which makes it the clear winner in the temperature retention department. Here’s what we realized after reviewing the 8-hour test. Yes, the temperatures were only about 10 degrees different after 8 hours, but, temperature loss increases exponentially. If the same test had lasted 24 hours, the difference in temperatures would have been much greater.
- Yes, you can save a good chunk of money by choosing ThermoFlask over Hydro Flask, and this could be the smart choice if you’re not concerned about temperature retention and keeping ice frozen for longer periods.
- Another significant point to remember is the condensation leakage through the ThermoFlask lid. We don’t like that problem and prefer a complete seal all the way around. It can get annoying to unscrew the Hydro Flask lid every time to take a sip, but if that’s what it takes to get a proper seal, we’re cool with it.
- The broken lid issues with the ThermoFlask were enough to turn us off. At first, we liked the convenience of the ThermoFlask lid, but not so much that we want to deal with the inconvenience of a broken or leaky lid.
- Hydro Flask is a more reputable company and has been in the biz longer. When you buy from Hydro Flask, you’re buying from one of the top dogs in the water bottle industry. They have a lot more to spend on developing a better product than their imitators.
Final Thoughts
Over the past month, we've reviewed a long and growing list of vacuum-insulated stainless steel water bottles. We have a handle on what makes the top brands better than their followers. It's the little design differences that make the big differences in the grand scheme of things.
Do you want a reliable insulated water bottle to use day in and day out? Do you want a bottle that'll keep your cold drinks cold the longest and do the same with your hot beverages? Is keeping ice for long periods important to you? If you answered no, there's nothing wrong with buying imitators of the top brands. If you answered yes, choose a bottle that's more reliable and sold by a company with a long track record of success.
In the battle of ThermoFlask vs Hydro Flask, Hydro Flask is the better performer.
Cheers.
