Short on time? Our pick for the best hydro flask alternative is the Simple Modern.
If you love the idea of having a Hydro Flask but don’t want to spend the money, read our list of the best and cheapest Hydro Flask alternatives.
On a hot summer day, all you want is cold water, and a water bottle that gets warm after 30 minutes isn’t ideal.
That was me all of last summer. Then, my friends told me about the Hydro Flask and how it can keep water cold for hours. I wanted that.
I looked them up and decided to give them a try. I loved my Hydro Flask but wanted to have more than one. The problem was the overall cost.
I knew there could be something as good for cheaper.
Thankfully, I was right! I discovered that there are a lot of Hydro Flask competitors that are truly worth a try.
In this article, you’ll read about the best and cheapest Hydro Flask alternatives.
Here’s a quick look at our recommendations
Main Pros and Cons of Hydro Flasks
Having a product that you know works every day, no matter the conditions, is priceless. That’s what makes Hydro Flask so special.
Their insulated shell helps keep contents cold for up to 24 hours. The Hydro Flask water bottle does all this without creating condensation on the outside.
You can bring these anywhere, too, even the airport (if they are empty)!
Being one of the first water bottles to go hard into marketing helped grow the brand.
Since its boom in popularity, Hydro Flask has become somewhat of a status symbol in the United States.
Hydro Flask’s extensive marketing and trendy air of luxury help them justify a high price tag.
Before Hydro Flasks were popular, there wasn’t much on the market like them. The most popular type of water bottle was either plastic or the single-wall stainless steel versions.
Pros
Good Insulation
Hydro Flask bottles are known for their innovative insulation technology. They call it Tempshield. Hydro Flasks’ has a double-wall vacuum-insulation bottle that keeps your drinks ice cold.
Tempshield keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks for up to 12!
Durable
If you take the Hydro Flask everywhere, you want it to be durable. The Hydro Flask is 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel.
The pro-grade steel also ensures a pure taste with no flavor transfer!
Multiple Customization Options
Wanna stay stylish? Then Hydro Flask has your back! Not only do they come in eleven different colors, but you can also get engravings on their bottles.
You can customize your Hydro Flask with many different attachments as well.
Lifetime Warranty
Hydro Flask is so confident in its product that they give you a lifetime warranty!
The warranty covers manufacturing defects, broken/leaking caps, loss of insulating capabilities, and many other things.
Cons
Expensive
When comparing the Hydro Flask to others on this list, they have a hefty price tag. Passionate Hydro Flask users will say they’re 100% worth it.
The quality is high, which justifies the price tag. But there are many excellent Hydro Flask alternatives out there for less.
Heavy
The Hydro Flask can get heavy when fully filled with ice and water. There’s no denying that. Fortunately, they have a lightweight version, but their main product is still heavy.
#1 YETI Rambler
Our rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $$$
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.4 pounds
You can tell by the price that the Yeti Rambler is the closest product to the Hydro Flask.
The Yeti Rambler is a stainless steel bottle with double-wall vacuum insulation.
This Yeti water bottle comes with its ‘Chug Cap.’ The chug cap is an easy twist off top that allows quick sips without spending much time opening it.
While the Yeti Rambler is the most expensive Hydro Flask alternative on this list, it keeps your drinks hot and your water cold.
Many of my friends are Yeti fans, so I have had my fair share of experience with the product. It is incredibly leak-proof as well as durable.
This 18/8 stainless steel water bottle held up remarkably to every drop or mishap I had. Sometimes even better than the Hydro Flask itself.
PROS
- Chug Cap allows for easy drinking
- Vacuum insulated bottle
- Extremely durable
CONS
- Hefty price tag
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#2 Takeya Actives
Our rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1 pound
Takeya Actives is a BPA-free stainless steel water bottle perfect for a day of activities. This bottle comes in many sizes for a unique alternative to Hydro Flask.
This insulated water bottle has a handle that makes it easy to carry. The innovative leak-proof lid gives you a carefree experience.
The Takeya water bottle double wall vacuum ensures that there will be no sweat on the outside of the water bottle.
There is one problem I’ve come across, though. When I tried the Takeya bottle, I put different drinks in there. When I put iced tea in, it stained the inside of the bottle. Nothing I did would get it out.
Other than that, I love Takeya’s water bottle! It fits great in my cup holders when I’m on the go.
And if anything were to go wrong with your purchase, Takeya has a limited lifetime warranty!
This warranty covers defects, leaking lids, and a failure to keep liquids cold.
Use code TKWELCOME15 to get a 15% discount on their water bottles.
Want to stay hydrated but hate drinking plain water? Read our review of the Cirkul water bottle.
PROS
- Limited Lifetime warranty
- It comes in many different sizes
- Easy carrying handle
- Leak proof lid
CONS
- Insides can stain
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#3 Klean Kanteen
Our rating: 4.6/5
Price range: $$$
Material:Stainless Steel
Weight: 0.5 pounds
Klean Kanteen was one of the early leaders in making stainless steel water bottles. They started this company to get rid of single-use plastic bottles.
I love what they stand for and how they make their products! Klean Kanteen uses a chemical method called GreenScreen.
The non-profit Clean Production Action initially developed GreenScreen to create safer chemicals.
They scrapped any product that didn’t meet the standards of Klean Kanteen for human contact or wasn’t eco-friendly. It’s hard not to want to support a company like that!
The price was very affordable, so I had to buy one myself. When I started using my Klean Kanteen, I found it difficult to open the cap. Their plastic-free bamboo cap was too small for me to open easily.
The Klean Kanteen is also an excellent option for those who love a simple modern water bottle.
Thanks to 18/8 Stainless Steel, I dropped my Klean Kanteen multiple times and couldn’t find a scratch!
PROS
- Environmentally conscious
- Affordable
- Extremely durable
CONS
- Its twist Lid was hard to open because of its smaller size
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#4 Simple Modern
Our rating: 4.9/5
Price range: $
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.39 pounds
Simple Modern is one of the best Hydro Flask alternatives. This slick design keeps your refreshments ice cold.
I usually like buying the 32 oz versions of a reusable water bottle, but this one is different. The summit water bottle in the large version comes with two different lids!
The chug lid was perfect for my hot coffee in the morning. And after I finished my coffee, I switched to their straw lid to drink my water.
Be careful with your hot beverages, as their leak-proof lids can keep liquids hot for a while.
It’s hard to beat the value you get with the Simple Modern insulated water bottle.
I didn’t take Simple Modern’s water bottle on many adventures. So it was sad to see that the paint started to chip after only a few accidental drops.
However, Simple Modern’s double-wall vacuum design made up for this fault. I knew I could trust it to keep my drinks cold.
And thankfully, the Simple Modern bottle is dishwasher-safe, which is great because I use it so much!
PROS
- Dishwasher safe
- It comes with interchangeable lids
- Affordable
CONS
- Paint chips easily
#5 Camelback Chute
Our rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1 pound
Camelback Chute is a reliable, insulated water bottle you can take wherever you go! Most people know of this brand from their hydration bladder for hiking.
I use Camelback’s products almost every day while traveling because they’re such a trustworthy brand! Like most double-walled bottles, the Camelback Chute has exceptional temperature retention.
The Camelback Chute has a unique magnetic flip-top lid. This lid will stow away when you’re using it and become leak-proof when it’s closed.
I love the Camelback Chute because it’s one of the best outdoor water bottles for hiking. I especially appreciate that you can attach the loop to your backpack for easier carrying.
The main issue I had with the Camelback Chute was its flip cap. If it isn’t secured correctly and all the way, there is a chance it can leak. The hydration bladder has the same issue.
Multiple times I lost water because of this leaking issue. I learned my lesson and now double-check it every time.
But if you want a lightweight bottle for half the price of a Hydro Flask, you can’t go wrong with the Camelback Chute.
PROS
- Convenient carry loop
- Magnetic lid
- Affordable
CONS
- Leaks if you don’t fasten the lid completely
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#6 Iron Flask
Our rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.38 pounds
Iron Flask is a Hydro Flask dupe with a straw. The Iron Flask Sports water bottle offers a sweat-free experience.
The best part about the Iron Flask is that it comes with not one, not two, but three different lids! A stainless steel lid, a flip lid, and a straw lid. You can’t beat that!
I loved using the Iron Flask because it works for all uses, so you only need one water bottle to serve a range of purposes.
I typically use straw lids when on the go and need water. If you want to share water with others, you can use the wide-mouth option of the flip lid!
And the stainless steel lid is my go-to for coffee in the morning.
All of this use has a downside. You have to handwash the Iron Flask as it isn’t dishwasher safe. Grab your bottle brush and clean this water bottle by hand.
The Iron Flask water bottle is BPA-free, and the 18/8 stainless steel helps eliminate that unwanted metal taste in your mouth.
Overall the Iron Flask is an incredible Hydro Flask alternative!
PROS
- It comes with three lids
- Sweat free
- It doesn’t taste like metal
CONS
- Must hand wash
#7 Thermoflask
Our rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $$
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 0.95 pounds
Thermoflask is a leak-proof stainless steel bottle that rivals Hydro Flask. This bottle made me realize how many great alternatives to the Hydro Flask there are.
The Thermoflask offers what most Hydro Flask alternatives provide. It’s an insulated water bottle that will keep your beverages cold and your favorite liquid hot.
I loved using my Thermoflask while backpacking through Peru. It fits perfectly in my backpack pockets, and I was able to drink cool water while on the go!
Unfortunately, during my many hikes, I realized the straw lid leaks a bit. This leaking lid can become a massive problem if you’re not around a water source.
But this issue wasn’t a problem because their limited lifetime warranty covers defects such as a leaking lid! This warranty covers almost all of the bottles on Thermoflask’s website.
Last but not least, when purchasing your Thermoflask, you will get two different lids: an innovative leak-proof chug lid as well as a straw lid.
PROS
- It comes with two styles of lids
- It fits perfectly in a backpack pocket
- Limited Lifetime warranty
CONS
- The lid can have leaking problems
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#8 Hydro Cell
Our rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.14 pounds
The Hydro Cell stainless steel water bottle will make you look stylish while staying hydrated this summer! I love their powder-coated exterior, which makes the water bottle slip-resistant.
Hydro Cell’s 18/8 stainless steel water bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours! Hydro Cell is a perfect leak-proof bottle for those who enjoy playing sports.
I’m a coffee addict and was disappointed when using the Hydro Cell during my morning commute.
It only keeps contents warm for up to eight hours. I sip on my coffee all day, and that time frame wasn’t ideal for me. Therefore, I decided to use the Hydro Cell solely for cold drinks on beach trips.
On the upside, the color options for the Hydro Cell fit the summer mood!
All the bottles from Hydro Cell also come with two different cap styles. You have a choice between multiple water bottle sizes, including large-capacity bottles and narrower bottles.
All of these Hydro Cell products will surely keep your liquids cool all summer long!
PROS
- Great color choices
- It comes with two different lids
- Slip-resistant
CONS
- Only keeps drinks hot for up to eight hours
#9 Vmini
Our rating: 4.5/5
Price range: $
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 1.04 pounds
Vmini is one of the best hydro flask alternatives for its price. You can’t beat $19.99 for a 24 oz leak-proof stainless steel water bottle!
This large capacity bottle is my preferred insulated water bottle for taking to the beach. I have the 64 oz version, and it’s unbelievable.
Vmini’s removable screw top spout has a unique handle attached to it. I can easily hold the Vmini and other items with one hand.
I loved using this bottle in the springtime when I’m moving furniture for cleaning.
Unfortunately, multi-tasking like that has caused me to drop it a few times. And what’s even worse is their warranty.
Vmini doesn’t have a lifetime warranty, which stops it from being an absolutely great hydro flask alternative.
But, if you can be careful with your Vmini water bottle, you should have no problems.
Another perk of the Vmini is how the wide mouth allows easy access to ice cubes. You need ice cubes in order to drink cold water during the summer, no matter how great your insulated water bottle is!
PROS
- Easy-to-use handle
- Extra large size options
- Wide mouth to put ice cubes through
CONS
- No lifetime warranty
#10 Zojirushi
Our rating: 4.6/5
Price range: $$
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 0.56 pounds
Zojirushi has a unique style compared to the other best Hydro Flask alternatives. The slick finish of the Zojirushi bottle makes it stand out to me the most.
I love using Zojirushi for my morning commute. The sleek bottle design helps it fit into any cup holder, and it has a unique cap that makes drinking on the go easy.
The Zojirushi flip-top lid keeps contents cool and hot, making it easy to open with one hand. And not to worry, as this flip cap is leak-proof too!
One downside is that Zojirushi can peel and dent easily, and its warranty doesn’t cover any scratches or dents.
The paint peeling could easily be an issue for those who love to take these water bottles out on adventures. So, if you want to buy an insulated water bottle for outdoor use, beware.
Zojirushi BPA-free water bottles have remarkable temperature retention! I never leave my home without it.
PROS
- Easy-to-use flip-top lid
- BPA free
- Sleek design great for cup holders
CONS
- Paint peels easily
#11 Owala FreeSip
Our rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $$
Material: Stainless Steel
Weight: 0.94 pounds
Owala is slowly becoming one of the best water bottle brands, and the Owala Freesip is the hottest alternative to Hydro Flask bottles on the market today.
For half the price of a Hydro Flask, I had to see what all the rage was about.
What I love about the Oawala Freesip is the unique twist it takes on the lid design. This lid combines a straw and chug lid in one.
And getting to this lid is easy; you only have to click one button, and the Freesip spout opens right up!
Owala’s BPA-free plastic cap is also dishwasher safe. Who doesn’t love that?
My only issue is that the Owala isn’t for hot beverages. Not using it for coffee was a bummer, but I simply made it my go-to outdoor water bottle!
If you’re looking for water bottles like Hyrdo Flask but cheaper, then I highly suggest the Owala FreeSip!
PROS
- Dual lid with straw and chug lid
- Affordable
- Dishwasher safe
CONS
- The use of hot beverages is not suggested
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Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Hydro Flask Alternative
The Hydro Flask water bottle is an iconic item these days, and its trendy connotations elevated above other water bottles to a position as a status symbol.
But many Hydro Flask alternatives offer just as many great features at lower prices.
Every item on this list is a worthy contender for the best-insulated water bottle. But there’s one I’d recommend over every other.
My pick for the best Hydro Flask Alternative is Simple Modern.
At first glance, Simple Modern looks like a Hydro Flask dupe on Amazon, but the Hydro Flask color options can’t compete with Simple Modern.
Every size option of Simple Modern comes with an ice cube-friendly wide mouth.
Simple Modern’s double-wall insulation creates fantastic temperature retention. That temperature retention keeps beverages cold just as well as (if not better than) other bottles.
Did I mention it’s leak-proof? That’s right– both of Simple Modern’s lids are leakproof.
This cheaper version of the Hydro Flask uses high-quality material and provides multiple lids and excellent insulation. Simple Modern is easily my top choice on this list.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phillip Anderson
Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. He has traveled to 32 countries and embarked on various challenging multi-day treks in diverse terrains worldwide—most notably in Peru, Ecuador, and the US. These adventures took him through some of the most pristine landscapes in the world. Over time, Phillip learned how to do things the right way, emphasizing safety and the best gear for camping, hiking, mountaineering, and travel.
Whether finding the perfect view, cooking tasty food outdoors, or knowing what to bring, Phillip has you covered. He loves helping others prepare for outdoor adventures and ensuring they have a great time. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.
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