Staying hydrated is important for health, wellness and performance. With so many water bottle options on the market, it can be tricky to decide which one is right for you. Two of the most popular high-end choices are Owala and Hydro Flask.
But which one reigns supreme? Let’s take a detailed look at the pros, cons and key differences between Owala and Hydro Flask to help you determine the best premium water bottle.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Owala | Hydro Flask |
| Design | Tapered shape, smaller opening, colorful patterns | Wider straight-walled bottle, solid colors |
| Insulation | Up to 36 hrs cold, 12 hrs hot | Up to 24 hrs cold, 6 hrs hot |
| Durability | Dent resistant with sleeve | Powdercoat prevents scratches |
| Drinkability | Fits most cupholders, easy to squeeze | Large opening good for ice but may not fit holders |
| Weight | 13-19 oz depending on size | 15-27 oz by capacity |
| Price | $32-$56 | $30-$50 |
Overview Of Owala And Hydro Flask
Owala and Hydro Flask are both known for their durable, vacuum insulated stainless steel bottles that keep drinks cold for hours.
Owala was founded in 2019 by CEO Elisha Millan. The company focuses on sustainability and creating bottles that are stylish. Owala bottles come in various shapes, sizes and colors, featuring unique sleeve designs. They offer strong insulation to keep cold drinks chilled for up to 36 hours.
Hydro Flask launched in 2009 and helped popularize the stainless steel insulated bottle trend. Hydro Flask offers a range of capacities and colors but sticks to the traditional bottle silhouette with powder coated exterior. Their TempShield insulation maintains temperature for up to 24 hours. Hydro Flask bottles are recognized for their durability and ability to prevent condensation.
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Both brands retail for around $30-$50 depending on size and have developed cult followings amongst outdoor enthusiasts and wellness crowds. But there are some key differences when it comes to design, insulation and user experience.
Bottle Design
One of the biggest differences between Owala and Hydro Flask is aesthetics.
Owala bottles stand out with their eye-catching sleeve designs featuring bold colors, patterns and textures. The sleeve wraps around the middle of the bottle providing grip and insulation. Owala’s silhouette is tapered with a smaller top opening. This gives it a sleek, modern look. However, the smaller opening can make adding ice cubes challenging.
Hydro Flask has a classic straight-walled bottle design with powdercoated exterior. They offer lots of color choices but no patterns or textures. The utilitarian look is sporty and understated. The wide mouth opening allows you to easily fill it with ice cubes. However, some users find the stainless steel exterior to be slippery.
When it comes to aesthetics and ergonomics, Owala wins points for stylish design while Hydro Flask is praised for its functional simplicity. It comes down to personal preference.
Insulation Comparison
The most important factor for a water bottle is how well it maintains temperatures. Both brands utilize double walled vacuum insulation but which works better?
Owala states their bottles will keep liquids cold for 36 hours and hot for 12 hours. They use 18/8 gauge stainless steel with a proprietary vacuum seal technology. Users report ice lasting 24+ hours in real world conditions.
Hydro Flask advertises their TempShield insulation will keep drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 6 hours. They use 18/8 or 18/10 food-grade stainless steel with varying gauge thickness by bottle size. In hands-on use, Hydro Flask generally outperforms its official timespan with ice surviving upwards of 36 hours.
When you look at insulation capability, Hydro Flask and Owala get similarly excellent results despite slightly different technology. For real world usage, both will maintain ice water for a full day outdoors. Owala may have a slight edge but it’s quite marginal.
Durability
Stainless steel water bottles need to stand up to daily use and abuse. How durable are Owala and Hydro Flask?
Owala bottles are crafted from 18/8 gauge steel, making them fairly robust and dent resistant. The bottom base is thicker 18/10 gauge for impact protection. The rubberized sleeve helps absorb shocks and prevent scratches. A few user reviews mention dents occurring but Owala has great customer service for replacements.
Hydro Flask uses 18/8 steel for most bottles while some larger capacities are made with extra thick 18/10 steel. The powder coat exterior avoids smudges and fingerprints. Being shorter than Owala, the Hydro Flask is more stable when placed upright. But it lacks a protective sleeve. Owners comment that Hydro Flasks withstand years of hiking and outdoor adventures with minimal dents or abrasions.
When it comes to durability, both Owala and Hydro Flask score highly thanks to their quality stainless steel construction. Hydro Flask may be slightly more durable for active lifestyles due to its shorter profile and grippy base. But Owala also holds up very well with its protective sleeve.
Also Read: Comparison Between Yeti and Simple Modern
Ease Of Use
Convenience features and drinkability are other important considerations when choosing a water bottle.
Owala bottles are designed for easy handling on the go. The tapered shape with smaller mouth fits into cupholders. The sleeve enhances grip while providing an extra layer of insulation. Owala lids have a locking flip mechanism that seals tightly. Their narrow neck makes cleaning easy but does restrict adding ice cubes.
Hydro Flask has a wide mouth design perfect for filling up with ice but it may not fit in all cupholders. It lacks a grippy sleeve so some users find it slippery when wet. Hydro Flask lids tighten securely with a simple twist-on/twist-off method. But condensation on the exterior requires frequent wiping. Wider openings provide easy access for cleaning.
For usability, Owala gets points for its cupholder and hand friendly shape. But Hydro Flask takes the lead for its wide mouth opening that makes filling, drinking and cleaning a breeze.
Weight
When carrying a bottle all day long, weight becomes an important consideration. Let’s see how Owala and Hydro Flask compare.
The weight varies based on bottle size but in general…
- Owala bottles weigh between 13-19 oz
- Hydro Flask bottles range from 15-27 oz
Owala’s slim, tapered design helps reduce weight. The addition of the sleeve also offsets some heft. Overall, Owala bottles tend to be lighter for their capacity size.
Hydro Flask has a stockier build with thick stainless steel walls adding weight. Large 40 oz Hydro Flask bottles tip the scales at nearly 2 pounds.
If traveling light is a priority, Owala gets the advantage as the lighter weight option per ounce. But a few extra ounces with the Hydro Flask may be worth it for increased insulation capability.
Price Considerations
When it comes to price point, both brands fall into the premium category:
- Owala bottles cost $32-$56 based on capacity
- Hydro Flask bottles range from $30-$50 by size
Owala includes a custom printed sleeve with each bottle, which adds value. The tapered design also minimizes steel requirements.
Hydro Flask has higher steel demands due to its wider girth. But economies of scale from being a larger brand help lower costs.
Ultimately, Owala and Hydro Flask have similarly priced options across the board. The cost per ounce is nearly equivalent between the two.
Also Read: Choose Between Contigo And Zojirushi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Owala has gained a loyal following for their stylish patterns and colors that make staying hydrated more fun. Their innovative layered design with durable steel interior and insulating sleeve exterior also stands out. Excellent insulation keeps drinks cold up to 36 hours. Plus, Owala bottles are lightweight and easy to use on the go.
For a reusable water bottle, Owala is on the pricier side ranging from $32-$56. But fans say it’s worth the investment for the unique trilayer design that performs incredibly well at keeping water cold.
The customizable patterns and colors make Owala bottles popular fashion accessories. And Owala’s quality and customer service ensures years of use out of the bottle.
Owala bottles are made from food-grade 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel depending on size. 18/8 steel offers good corrosion resistance while 18/10 provides extra impact protection. Combined with the insulating sleeve, this high quality steel makes Owala bottles durable, dent-resistant and perfect for daily use.
Yes, Owala bottles can keep beverages hot for up to 12 hours thanks to the vacuum sealed stainless steel interior. The exterior sleeve provides extra insulation against heat transfer. Just be sure to keep the lid closed tightly when filling with hot liquids. The removable silicone sleeve should be taken off before pouring boiling water.
Also watch the review of Owala!
The Verdict
Owala and Hydro Flask both make excellent stainless steel water bottles with impressive insulation. Which one is right for you?
Pick Owala if you want:
- Modern, stylish design
- Lightweight bottle for easy transport
- Bottle that fits cupholders with grippy sleeve
Choose Hydro Flask for:
- Classic straight-walled bottle silhouette
- Easy open wide mouth for adding ice
- Heavy duty construction to withstand abuse
Both brands will keep water cold for 24+ hours and have well-designed lids. Owala offers more variety in aesthetics while Hydro Flask provides tried-and-true performance.
Ultimately it comes down to your priorities and personal preferences. Luckily you can’t go wrong with either of these top rated premium water bottle brands.