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Stainless steel reusable water bottles are still very popular because they last forever, you don’t have to feel guilty about throwing away plastic, and they are convenient. While they are popular and easy to find, getting the right brand can be tough. Today we’re comparing Yeti vs Hydro Flask vs RTIC to see which reusable water bottle is the best.
We’re going to compare Hydro Flask vs Yeti vs RTIC based on material, sizes, colors, and cleaning. If you are curious about water filters, consider checking out our article on Brita vs Zero Water vs Pur.
Read on to see which stainless steel water bottle is the best.
| Yeti Rambler | Hydro Flask | RTIC Water Bottle |
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Material
When it comes to Yeti or Hydro Flask or RTIC, you might be wondering what materials they’re made from. We’ve already said that all three brands create stainless steel water bottles, so we already gave part of the answer away. All three water bottles are made from stainless steel, but what you may not know is that stainless steel comes in several qualities.
The most common types of stainless steel are 18/8, 18/10, and 18/0. The first number represents the percentage of chromium while the second is the percentage of nickel. The 18/0 variant is considered the lowest quality since it has the least nickel, and hence the least corrosion and rust resistance, while 18/8 and 18/10 are both nearly identical. They are also called 304 stainless steel.
The Yeti Rambler, Hydro Flask, and RTIC vacuum-insulated bottles are all made from similar 18/8 stainless steel. They are also made of similar thicknesses. That means that there is a tie here with RTIC vs Yeti vs Hydro Flask. You can expect all three to be durable, strong, and resistant to rust.
It takes more than good material to make a good stainless steel bottle. Keep reading to see which of the three is right for you.
Yeti vs Hydro Flask vs RTIC: Sizes
Getting the right reusable water bottle is a balancing act between choosing a size that properly hydrates you without being unnecessarily large. Sure, you could always get a gallon-sized water bottle, but do you really want to lug that around all day?
We can’t really tell you which size is the best, that depends on how thirsty you get and how many times you’re willing to refill the bottle, we can tell you the most common sizes for each bottle. All three brands create different reusable bottles. We are going to focus specifically on those with sealable lids.
The sizes with Hydro Flask or Yeti or RTIC include:
- Yeti: 12oz, 18oz, 26oz, 36oz, half gallon, gallon
- Hydro Flask: 18oz, 32oz, 40oz
- RTIC: 16oz, 20oz, 26oz
In general, we have to say that Yeti Rambler bottles are the best since they offer the most sizes, but both Hydro Flask and RTIC have sizes Yeti doesn’t offer. In general, we’ve found that most people want around the 20-30oz range, but maybe you want smaller or larger. Some people consider RTIC a Hydro Flask knock off, but it’s a top brand that stands on its own merits.
Consider which is best for you and reference the list above.
Hydro Flask vs Yeti vs RTIC: Colors
A steel water bottle isn’t just a useful way to get hydrated. These bottles come in many different colors that work with your aesthetic. With that being said, which brand offers the most colors in the Hydro Flask vs RTIC vs Yeti battle?
The Yeti Rambler comes in about 10 colors, Hydro Flask in 15 (each size offers a different 15 colors, so much more if we combine them), and RTIC comes in 14 colors.
While that means that Yeti loses this battle if we only go by the numbers, we recommend that you actually check the colors out to see which is right for you. For example, Yeti offers a purple and brown that you won’t find with the others, while RTIC offers a vibrant blue that you have to see.
Go through them to see which color is best for you.
Cleaning
Some people forget this, but you have to clean your reusable steel water bottles or they will start getting a smell and bad taste. Since these are all made from the same materials you might think that cleaning is identical with them, but just hold on there because we have something to say here.
So, is Yeti dishwasher safe? Yes, these water bottles are dishwasher safe as are RTIC ones. Simply pop them in and start the cycle with all your other dishes. This thoroughly cleans them and you won’t have to worry about the exterior color fading or chipping. That’s because they use a special duralast coating that is fine in the dishwasher.
Are Hydro Flask dishwasher safe? You might think that Hydro Flask dishwasher safe, but unfortunately these water bottles should be washed by hand. They use a powder coating for the exterior color and it can chip or fade if washed in the dishwasher. The interior should be fine thankfully if you didn’t accidentally put your Hydro Flask in the dishwasher.
So, you may want to know how to clean a Hydro Flask. The company recommends washing with soap and warm water by hand. It’s simple, but some people might see this as an issue. However, if you don’t own or use a dishwasher, then this point doesn’t matter as much.
While both Yeti or RTIC water bottles are dishwasher safe, Hydro Flask should be washed by hand.
| Yeti Rambler | Hydro Flask | RTIC Water Bottle |
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Final Thoughts
So, who wins in the Yeti versus Hydro Flask versus RTIC battle? Each has their own pros and cons. Yeti has the most sizes overall and is often considered as one of the best by users, Hydro Flask has the most colors, and RTIC is a little more affordable and dishwasher safe like Yeti.
Which reusable water bottle do you choose? Be sure to let us know.