Hydro Flask vs Takeya

If you want to ditch plastic water bottles, or you just want a bottle that offers great thermoregulation, you’ve probably been browsing the hallowed aisles of vacuum-insulated stainless steel mugs, tumblers, and bottles.

And I’m sure you’ve already stumbled upon these two super popular brands. Takeya has made a name itself by crafting inexpensive but high-quality drinkware. Hydro Flask, on the other hand, is essentially the reason why durable bright-colored stainless steel bottles are so popular.

As I love going hiking on hot summer days, stainless steel bottles have been a lifesaver for me.

I’ve been the owner of a couple of Hydro Flask bottles for several years now. But I’ve also heard many good things about Takeya, so I’ve tested a few of their products as well.

If your choice has come down to Takeya and Hydro Flask, allow me to put in my two cents.

Best from Hydro Flask: Wide-Mouth Insulated Water Bottle

Specs

• Volume: 32 oz
• Body material: 18/8 stainless steel
• Empty weight: 15.2 oz
• Colors: 12

The Hydro Flask is one of the priciest bottles out there, but I’ve still found it to have great value.

Regardless of the external temperature, it does an awesome job of keeping beverages cold or hot for an extended period of time. Not only does it have great insulation, but it won’t sweat no matter how much ice you put in it.

I’ve mainly used it as a water bottle on my hikers. But if you want to use your stainless steel bottle for a wide variety of beverages, the Hydro Flask is still one of the best options out there. I’ve tried it with everything and it has never retained flavors from previous fills.

The Hydro Flask is a bit on the heavier side, but it can take its fair share of punches in the ring. I’ve dropped mine a few times and it has sustained just a few dents. The Hydro Flask won’t shatter no matter what you put it through.

The bottle comes with a lifetime warranty, so even if the insulation gets affected or if it starts leaking, Hydro Flask will likely send you a replacement bottle.

The retaining strap isn’t as durable as the body of the bottle, I avoid using it when in motion, but it won’t break off if you clip it to a backpack.

The wide mouth makes the bottle easy to use and very easy to clean. Even though the bottle itself is wide, the matte finish helps with the grip.

I also like the fact that the rim of the mouth is slightly rounded off. It allows for a more comfortable drinking experience.

Hydro Flask Tumbler

Specs

• Volume: 22 oz
• Body material: 18/8 stainless steel
• Empty weight: 12.5 oz
• Colors: 7

I filled the Hydro Flask Tumbler with Slush Puppie and left it in my car. It wasn’t even a test, I simply forgot to bring it with me. Even though it had sat there in 112°F heat for several hours, The Hydro Flask kept my slush ice cold. I was beyond impressed.

It also does a great job of retaining heat. You can count on it to keep your beverage hot for the duration of your commute. And you won’t have to worry about soft-palate jabbing thanks to its flexible silicone mouthpiece.

Best From Takeya: Actives Insulated Water Bottle

Specs

• Volume: 32 oz
• Body material: 18/8 stainless steel
• Empty weight: 16 oz
• Colors: 24

Although it’s not my favorite stainless steel water container, Takeya Actives has become one of my default recommendations for an affordable, effective, and easy-to-use bottle.

For the purposes of this review, this bottle was my go-to companion for everything from day hikes to daily commutes for a few months. It served me well thanks to its leakproof lid, comfortable carrying handle, and simple design.

Even though the bottle is quite big, the powder-coated exterior allows you to always maintain your grip when you’re drinking on the go.

It offers almost everything you want to see in a stainless steel bottle: great insulation, sweatproof design, lifetime warranty, etc. But it’s the little things that have impressed me the most. For instance, the mouth of the bottle is wide, but the lid has a drinking spout.

The Takeya bottle is easy to fill and easy to clean thanks to its wide mouth. But the problem with wide-mouth bottles is the fact that you are likely to get a complimentary chin dribble/face wash when moving and drinking.

The spout on the lid solves this problem. I also like the fact that the spout is insulated.

The Takeya Actives comes with a removable silicone bumper that protects the bottom of the bottle from dents and scratches.

But there is a good reason why Takeya includes a free silicone cover. Compared to other popular stainless steel bottles, the Actives bottle is more prone to denting and chipping.

When it comes to budget-friendly bottles, you can expect the coating to come off easily. I don’t mind this as long as the bottle doesn’t start to leak or lose its insulating properties. From what I’ve seen, the Takeya Actives won’t lose its efficiency so easily.

Still, I was a bit disappointed by the durability of the carrying handle. The hinges started showing signs of wear after just a couple of weeks of use.

Takeya Actives Tumbler

Specs

• Volume: 24 oz
• Body material: 18/8 stainless steel
• Empty weight: 13.5 oz
• Colors: 4

I had been using the Yeti Tumbler for a long time. So, when I saw the Takeya Tumbler in a retail store, I thought “this looks familiar.” The teal color of the Takeya Tumbler was awfully similar to Yeti’s signature Aquifer Blue.

I bought it to see whether it is just another run-off-the-mill Yeti knockoff or a worthy competitor. Turns out, Takeya didn’t borrow much from Yeti. Instead, it has its own innovative features.

The patent-pending Flip Lid impressed me the most. Whether you shake, toss, or drop the Takeya Actives tumbler, you won’t spill a drop.

Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth vs Takeya Actives Bottle: Side by Side Comparison

Insulation

Hot Beverages

Both Hydro Flask and Takeya promise to do the same thing—keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours.

There isn’t a universal standard for testing water bottle temperature ratings, and the manufacturer’s way of testing these things may not be reliable. I’m not saying that my method is more scientific, but I trust my own eyes rather than manufacturers’ claims.

I filled each bottle with almost boiling water (190°F). I removed 4 oz of water from each bottle every hour to mimic the regular use of the bottle.

After eight hours, the temperature of the water in the Takeya bottle dropped to 120°F. The temperature of the water in the Hydro Flask dropped to 130°F.

If you want something to keep your tea or coffee while you are camping or hiking all day, the Hydro Flask is a slightly better choice. But if you just need some hot coffee to get you through the workday, either bottle will do.

If you’re seeking excellent insulation, another brand you may want to check out is CamelBak. Have a look at my CamelBak vs Hydro Flask comparison to see how these two popular brands fare against each other.

Cold Beverages

I filled each bottle with cold water and 6 ice cubes. The starting temperature of the water was 35°F. After 6 hours, the temperature of the water in each bottle stayed pretty much the same, around 34°F.

After 24 hours, the water in both the Hydro Flask and the Takeya was still considerably cold. However, the water in Takeya was at 52°F while the water in the Hydro Flask was at 43°F. So, the Hydro Flask won again.

Durability

For the purpose of this test, I had bought a brand new Hydro Flask bottle as well as a Takeya Bottle. I used each bottle for a few months, and each one picked up a few dings and dents.

Neither bottle is very fragile, that’s for sure. But the Takeya definitely isn’t as tough as the Hydro Flask bottle. The dents on the Hydro Flask weren’t as noticeable as the ones on the Takeya.

While I wasn’t impressed by the strap on the Hydro Flask, it’s more reliable than the carrying handle on the Takeya.

Value

No matter which bottle you choose, you’ll definitely get a bang for your buck. But the Takeya costs half the price of the Hydro Flask bottle, and it’s almost as good as the Hydro Flask in most metrics.

And, just like the Hydro Flask, the Takeya bottle comes with a lifetime warranty. If you want to get a solid stainless-steel bottle, without spending more than you need, you won’t make a mistake if you go with Takeya.

I should also point out that those seeking to save as much money as possible should consider Simple Modern bottles. For more, see my comparison between Hydro Flask and Simple Modern water bottles.

The Winner: Hydro Flask

Hydro Flask is tougher, insulates better, and looks better (after a few months of use, at least) than the Takeya bottle. The Hydro Flask bottle is pricey, true. But, considering that it could last you a lifetime with proper care, it’s worth every penny.

If you like going on tough hikes in tough conditions, it’s best to get the most reliable bottle you can find. But if that’s not your thing, why spend more money than you need?

If you need a stainless steel bottle for casual day hikes, or for use around town, the Takeya is still more than a great choice.

For another comparison of two popular drinkware brands, have a look at my Yeti vs Klean Kanteen article.