Hydro Flask Vs. ThermoFlask: Which Insulated Bottle?

Trying to decide between Hydro Flask vs ThermoFlask for the best insulated bottle? It’s a tough decision, but we can help you decide!

In this detailed comparison, we will cover everything about these insulated bottles, from the color variety to the quality and performance of the insulation. We’ll talk about materials, leak proofing, performance, pricing and variety, so by the end of the post you will know exactly which bottle is the better option for you!

Design And Size Variety

Hydro Flask is the clear winner in terms of how many different types of insulates bottles they make. Not only do they have 5+ sizes for their standard water bottles as well as standard and wide mouth options, but they also offer a wide variety of other types of insulated bottles.

Hydro Flask makes

• insulated bottles for beer, wine and coffee
• tumblers
• lighter hiking-friendly bottles

Yes, they offer an insulated bottle that can fit an entire bottle of wine. If you’re looking for design, color and size variety, Hydro Flask is without a doubt the better pick.

ThermoFlask has some variety, but nowhere near as much as their competitors. They have just one main water bottle design and they make it in five different sizes, with a few extra lids and caps you can purchase.

I think it’s enough to say that their website only has 15 products in the shop (including all the accessories), while the Hydro Flask site has that many products in just the basic “bottles” category.

Obviously, that doesn’t have to mean anything – ThermoFlask could make and sell just one product, and if it’s the absolute best product out there people would still buy it over the 15 different options other brands offer.

My point is that if you are looking for a specific shape, type of size of an insulated water bottle, you are more likely to find it in Hydro Flask’s product range, simply because they offer more. But if you want one bottle you could use for anything you want and still have it perform really well, ThermoFlask is likely the better choice for you.

Hydro Flask Trail Series Bottle

I want to tell you about the Hydro Flask bottles that are specifically designed for hikers. .

The Trail Series Bottles are 25% lighter than the brand’s classic water bottles, weighing in at just 10 oz for the 24-ounce bottle. Also, this particular model of the Hydro Flask boasts better insulating performance with the ability to keep hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. And it comes with a leakproof lid, which isn’t the case with all of their bottles.

The strap on the lid of the bottle is flexible and perforated, making it a great option for hikes. In fact, the cutouts in the lid are one of the reasons why these bottles are so much lighter!

In addition to that, the Trail Series bottles from Hydro Flask are designed to fit most hydration filters, allowing you to confidently refill your bottle at a stream or a waterfall.

The only downside of this particular insulated bottle is the price point. It’s not as cheap as the other bottles.

Materials

Hydro Flask and ThermoFlask bottles are both made from exactly the same material

• 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
• It is BPA, toxin and phthalate free

This means that the bottles are 100% safe to drink from. There’s no transfer of any chemicals to the contents of the bottles even at higher temperatures and that’s the most important thing.

ThermoFlask

When it comes to the exterior of the bottles there are some differences. ThermoFlask uses a special type of paint that secures it to the exterior of the bottle with a rather strong adhesive.

This ensures that the bottles look brand new for a while and that there’s no chipping or fading over time. Unless you drop your bottle on a sharp rock from the third floor, you really shouldn’t worry about any scratches or damage to the paint.

Hydro Flask

Hydro Flask does an even better job here. They add a proprietary powder coat to the exterior of their bottle, which not only makes the paint extremely durable but also reduces perspiration on the bottle and enhances the grip. So, not only is the paintless less likely to chip if the bottle suffers a drop, but you’re also less likely to drop it because of the textured exterior.

And to show you exactly what happens to a Hydro Flask bottle when you do bang or drop it – here are some pictures of mine, which has been seriously abused over the last few years.

Both Hydro Flask and ThermoFlask bottles are extremely durable. Stainless steel is a champ when it comes to long-term use and it can handle pretty much anything.

You won’t damage the bottle if you drop it a few times – the worst-case scenario is that the paint chips a bit. This is the main advantage of stainless steel bottles over plastic ones, especially if you usually use them in tough outdoor environments.

Dishwasher Safe Lids

The lids of both bottles are dishwasher safe, but the bottles themselves are not. In general, you shouldn’t put insulated bottles in the dishwasher or soak them in hot water – the temperature inside the dishwasher can get very high, and that can actually damage the insulation of the bottles. It can also discolor or ruin the paint, but that’s slightly less important.

Both brands use BPA-free plastic for their standard lids and caps. However, it’s worth noting that Hydro Flask uses a stainless steel cap on some of their insulated bottles, most notably the ones designed to hold wine. Some of their bottles also have a silicone base for improved traction on different surfaces.

Sealing And Leaks

A good insulated water bottle must be entirely leakproof, otherwise, it’s not worth your money. If a bottle doesn’t have a seal you can rely on entirely, you can’t trust its insulating capabilities.

Thermo Flask

Leakproofing depends on the cap of the bottle, and the good news is that all ThermoFlask caps are 100% leakproof. If your hikes usually require scrambling and you can’t be certain that your bottle will always stay upright in the side pocket, a ThermoFlask bottle is a great reliable choice for you.

Hydro Flask

It’s the same with Hydro Flask. They have leakproof lids too, even if you have an opening. So, you are good to go with almost any lid for your Hydro Flask bottle.

Insulation Performance

The most important feature of an insulated water bottle is just how well its insulation works. Hydro Flask and Thermoflask are very similar here because they’re both made from the same materials, but each brand offers a different name and explanation for their insulating technology.

Hydro Flask calls their double wall stainless steel insulation called TempShield, and they claim that it can keep

• hot drinks hot for 12 hours
• preserve the temperature of cold drinks for up to 24 hours (with ice).

ThermoFlask, also claims that their double-wall stainless steel insulation can

• preserve the temperature of hot drinks for up to 12 hours
•  up to 24 hours for cold drinks (with ice)

The real-world performance of these two bottles is so similar that you won’t notice any difference. In fact, Hydro Flask does a better job at keeping drinks cold for longer! I often leave cold water in mine on my desk and the next day it is still the same temperature as when I put it in.

Caps And Lids

I mentioned earlier that ThermoFlask bottles are sold with leakproof lids but that Hydro Flask bottles are not. The upside is that you can buy a leakproof lid for your Hydro Flask and you have quite a few options to choose from!

In fact, there’s a bunch of different lids and caps for both bottles, including several standard and wide mouth options. You can pick up a standard cap or a chugging lid, and there are even options that come with built-in straws.

There’s really not much difference between the lids and caps from these brands – they are so similar that you could probably interchange them on bottles of the same size. They’re even priced similarly, so the only thing that should matter is that you’re choosing the lid that will work best for you.

Double check that the size of the lid will fit your bottle properly – Hydro Flask does different lids for standard mouth bottles, wide mouth bottles, tumblers, coffee mugs etc. ThermoFlask lids are all the same size but they have different features. You can choose from chugging lids, caps with fixed and swiveling handles, travel mug lids etc.

Pricing

Hydro Flask and ThermoFlask are both high-quality brands with products that aren’t exactly cheap.

ThermoFlask bottles retail for about $20 for a 24-ounce bottle with a leakproof lid, and that’s excellent value for money. Hydro Flask is more expensive – their 24-ounce bottle usually retails for some $35, but you can find certain colors on sale for $10 less almost all the time.

Sure Hydro Flask bottles are in many ways a lot better quality with their powdered coating. And they have a huge range of lids and other bottles/cups. They are also one of the first and most popular on the market, and you always pay a little more for brand names, right?

In general, ThermoFlask offers better value for money if the price is all you are worried about.

Hydro Flask Vs. ThermoFlask: Final Thoughts

Thermoflask vs Hydro flask – it’s a tough choice that really depends on your preferences.

Both these brands make excellent water bottles, but which one is ultimately the better choice?

In the long run, I think Hydro Flask bottles are going to last you longer and make you stand out from the crowd with their colors.

Hydro Flask bottles also feature superior external texture that allows for better grip and reduces the chances of you accidentally dropping the bottle.

But if you are struggling to pay those extra $10-15 per bottle, then ThermoFlask also has a decent product that will keep your drinks warm or cold.

But if you want a sleek thermos that’s also a conversation starter, don’t hesitate to splurge on the Hydro Flask

You can see the prices and all the different color and size options of these insulated water bottles on Amazon. And be sure to check out our related posts for ideas on some other and better bottles – these two aren’t the only noteworthy brands that make insulated bottles!

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