Which is the best Stanley cup? Quencher, Iceflow and Flast Flow reviewed
I put all three Stanley cup designs to the test, so you can figure out which is the best for you.
If you only thought there was one kind of Stanley cup, think again. While the brand is predominantly known for the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler, which has become a viral sensation in recent years and since launching in the UK last year. The bottles continuously sell-out at retailers such as John Lewis and are even now stocked at Harrods no less.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler | 1.2L
Stanley Classic Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler 0.89l
The Iceflow™ Fast Flow Bottle 0.6L
There are actually now three options available. Since the ongoing success of Quencher H2.0 Flowstate, the brand has now released two new versions: Classic Iceflow Flip Straw and Iceflow™ Fast Flow.
Varying in size, price and specifications, I was intrigued to find out the difference between the three styles, so I tested each one to see whether or not they're worth buying. I'm already a huge fan and daily user of the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler, which keeps me hydrated throughout the day. But, if you're new to Stanley and don't know which one will suit your needs best, this will hopefully be the complete guide worth reading.
For starters, if you're unaware of the water bottles social media sway. Stanley cups initially went viral on social media app, TikTok, two years ago, where it has now amassed over 5 billion video views. Most users rave about the largest cup, the Stanley Quencher, for its aesthetic appearance and for helping them up their daily water intake.
Quick Overview - Stanley cups best features:
Large capacity that allows you to easily stay hydrated everyday
The ability to keep cool drinks cold and warm drinks hot
Each comes with a handle for easy carrying
They come in a variety of aesthetic colours making it a chic accessory
Which Stanley cup is right for you? Here's my honest opinion
Tried & Tested: Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler
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When I say I've thoroughly tested the coveted Stanley Quencher, I'm not exaggerating. I've used no other water bottle for eight months. I have taken it to the gym, on walks, in the car and even on a ten-day holiday, where it spent hours by the pool and on the beach.
I love ice cold water, so every morning I fill it up with ice cubes and water. It stays cold for hours and hours on end, and 24 hours later (I tested this) the ice is still solid. It's like magic and I absolutely love it. Don't get me wrong, it's enormous, but after a week of using it every day, I got used to it and now it doesn't seem so big. Plus, it's unmissable so you'll never forget it. The handle is also, excuse the pun, very handy, especially when walking to the gym or wearing a small cross body bag that it won't fit into.
Speaking of the gym, the lower third of the tumbler is in fact very slim, meaning it slots nicely into every cup holder I came across, whether that was on the treadmill, or in a car.
This giant tumbler is great fo staying hydrated at home, in the gym or in the car.
- Keeps cold water cold for up to 48 hours
- Holds over a litre of water
- Fits in all cup holders
- Has an easy to carry handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Expensive
- Isn't leak-proof
- Doesn't come with a straw cleaner
Unfortunately, the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumble isn't entirely leak-proof, so it needs to be upright at all times. This is because there's no closure, even if you remove the straw and twist the rotating cover to seal the hole the straw goes through. This doesn't make it unusable, just inconvenient if you want to put it in a bag.
Lastly, for the huge price tag of £44.99, I was expecting a straw cleaner included, but when I opened up the box, it's just the tumbler. As a fan of bright lipsticks and tinted lip balms, I was needing to regularly clean it, but with just a washing up brush, it was hard to reach inside the straw.
Tried & Tested: Stanley Classic Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler
Shop from Stanley Shop at John Lewis Shop from Amazon Shop at Harrods
This is one of Stanley's newer launches for 2024 and I have to say I'm impressed. My biggest bugbear with the H2.0 Quencher is that it isn't leak-proof, meaning you're limited on where you can take it. The Iceflow Flipstraw is like the refined, perfected on the go version.
Thanks to the flip-up straw that has a soft closure, it never spills when lying on its side, and the top handle is ideal for carrying it around with you.
This slightly smaller bottle has a flip straw which can be neatly folded down so it doesn't spill when on the go.
- Leak-proof
- Easily portable with folding handle
- Double-walled insulation keeps cold drinks cold for up to 12 hours
- Cup-holder compatible
- Smaller than the Quencher - holds less than a litre
Like the Quencher, it does a stellar job at keeping ice cubes solid, thanks to its double-walled insulation, without ever changing the temperature of the exterior bottle.
The straw itself is comfortable, the flow of water is consistent and I think this suits an active lifestyle best. When running I can still comfortable sip from it, without needing to tip the bottle or unscrew a lid.
If you love the Quencher but are on the go a lot and don't have the time to be worrying about spillages, this is the Stanley bottle for you.
Tried & Tested: The Iceflow™ Fast Flow Bottle
Shop from Stanley Shop at John Lewis
Lastly, the Iceflow™ Fast Flow is ideal if you prefer to drink directly from your water bottle, rather than through a straw. It has a screw lid and angled spout, so you don't need to fully tip it towards you to drink from it, which is a simple, but genius, design enhancement.
My favourite feature is the integrated hook on the side of the folding handle, which allows you to clip the lid securely onto it. This practical feature ensures you won't lose the lid and so you can drink from the bottle without the lid getting in the way (as is the case with bottles that often have the lid attached).
It's also incredibly lightweight, and because of the screw lid, is also leak-proof. This makes it particularly useful for throwing in a tote bag when you're out and about without worrying about spillages. It still holds a decent amount of water too, so is another great option for carrying around with you on a day to day basis.
This screw top bottle keeps water ice cold for hours without leaking in your bag when not upright.
- Leak-proof and lightweight
- Slim design means it can fit in bags
- The screw-on lid can be attached to the handle so you don't lose it
- Dishwasher safe
- For an average sized water bottle, it's very expensive
Overall, this is a great all rounder that has no faults. While it may seem expensive, it's so convenient to use and to keep clean (it's dishwasher safe) that within less than a month you'll get your money's worth.
Do Stanley cups contain lead?
Recently, Stanley hit the news for reportedly containing lead, causing controversy on social media. The brand has since given several statements to reinforce the safety of its product. Plus, a number of experts have spoken about the claims not being a cause for concern.
Stanley have said they use lead in the manufacturing process and it can only pose a risk of lead exposure if the cover on the bottom of the tumbler comes off and exposes the pellet used to seal the cup's vacuum insulation.
Stanley have given customers more transparency on the process, reiterating that “no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes into contact with the consumer nor the contents of the product.”
In the rare occurrence the base cap of a product comes off, it is eligible to claim against Stanley’s Lifetime Warranty, which can be found here.
