There’s so many water bottle options these days, and it seems like there’s a new water bottle trend every year. So DOI decided to select avid users of the three most popular water bottles and defend their choice. Welcome to the battle of the bottles…

Owala (By Ashley Sanchez): 

Do More of What You Love – with Owala, it’s love with every sip. Its fun, diverse color schemes and FreeSip spout sets it apart from its competitors by allowing users quick and easy access storage. 

Hydro Flasks, an already expensive product, are sold with a twist-off, removable lid. That means if you want a straw, you have to purchase an entirely separate, overpriced attachment. 

The equally expensive Stanley may offer a convertible drinking cap; however, it is very prone to leaking and you have to remove the straw entirely if you want to sip it like a mug. Who wants an overpriced water bottle that is prone to leaks and only comes with one drinkable attachment? 

With Owala, you get the best of both worlds. Owalas are incomparable to Hydro Flasks and Stanleys, as they provide not only a wide-mouth opening, but a built-in straw as well  with no additional price!

The best part of Owala is not only its cap but also its infinite mix-and-match color schemes. Appealing to all audiences, Owalas provide various pops of color from neons to monochrome and hardly chip, unlike Hydro Flasks and Stanleys.

Hydro Flasks and Stanleys are overused and overpriced. If you’re at a school game or an after school activity, it could be almost impossible to tell what water bottle belongs to who due to their bland color schemes. Not only is it impossible to differentiate your water bottle from your classmates’, but the cost to get it replaced is absurd. Owala is the cheapest of its competitors,is made out of the same stainless steel blend and even offers a cheaper alternative if you want the style with a lower price. To say Owala is a bang for your buck is an understatement – at least it’s the only water bottle trend that lives up to the hype! 

When comparing Owala to Hydro Flask and Stanley, it is clear that there’s no competition. With Owala’s insulation, BPA- lead- and phthalate-free technology, Owala can keep you hydrated all day. 

Hydro Flask (By Alex Clark):

A staple in the water bottle market for years, Hydro Flask is a tried and true product that is superior to any new water bottle trend. That’s what the Stanley and Owala craze are: trends. These water bottles will be “out” in a couple of months. No water bottle has stood the test of time better than Hydro Flask. They have been constantly innovating their product line to meet the needs of the market.

The best part about Hydro Flask is the number of options that you have to choose from. From standard-mouth to wide-mouth to dozens of different sizes and lids, there is definitely a Hydro Flask that will meet your needs. The regular flex cap is a sleek, leak-proof option while the flex straw lid and chug cap vary the ways you consume water. Not only are there dozens of colors, there is also an option to create a custom Hydro Flask using MyHydro. You can design the bottle, strap, cap and boot colors to whatever your heart desires.

Owala and Stanley can’t say the same thing. While the Stanley lid is convertible, it is not leak proof and is notorious for spilling. Imagine dropping your Stanley in the hallway and it spilling all over the floor. Embarrassing, right? With a Hydro Flask, there is no worry about spilling. 

Owala offers very little when it comes to variety. While the colors are cute, they don’t market well to men and create a very niche audience.

Hydro Flasks also don’t contain lead. In recent weeks, Stanley has come under fire for using lead in the bottle construction. Hydro Flask was the pioneer in creating double walled insulated water bottles without lead, a practice that has been copied by Owala and other water bottle manufacturers.

It is clear that Hydro Flask is the “OG” in the water bottle market and without the advancements made by Hydro Flask, other popular water bottle manufacturers wouldn’t be here today. It is the clear choice when choosing a water bottle.

Stanley (By Eva Fahrenkrog):

2019 is calling Hydro Flask – the VSCO girls want their water bottle back. 2024 is Stanley’s time to shine. This trendy bottle is all over social media and is incwredibly popular, for good reason! What’s not to love about this massive water bottle?

The Stanley comes in a variety of sizes: 14oz, 20oz, 30oz, 40oz, and 64oz, infinite options compared to Owala’s mere three sizes. It also has a large selection of colors and patterns so you can customize your Stanley to your drinking and aesthetic preferences. Stanley also offers the “Flip Straw’’ tumbler with an overhead handle and a foldable straw which is just as, if not more functional for on the go hydration. 

Arguably the best aspect of the bottle is the handle. It’s so easy to hold and to carry around, perfect for on the go. While there are different sizes, the tapered bottom of each bottle is the size of any regular cup holder so you can take it with you in the car.

All this talk about spilling, but there’s an easy solution. Invested in a straw cover! Packs of four sell for $5 on Amazon and come in a variety of adorable colors and themes. Many people also don’t know about its three-position lid. You can sip through the straw, turn it to its coffee thermos opening that allows you to drink straight from the lid or completely close off the top for no spillage. 

Hydro Fflask can claim they are better than Stanley, but we all saw Hydro Fflask’s desperate attempt to recreate Stanley’s iconic handle/straw combo with the “All Around Travel Tumbler” they released in June. There must be something appealing about the Stanley to develop a dupe! 

Finally, the Sanley has vacuum insulation, keeping your drinks cold up to 11 hours and warm for up to seven. It’s the perfect drink holder for your coldest and hottest beverages.

Stanley’s motto is products “Built for Life.” This bottle is meant to accompany you on all of your journey’s and experiences, no matter how big or small. It is quite literally built for your life. When choosing your water bottle, look no further than the Stanley.