4 of Our Editors Own This Stanley Tumbler and Swear It’s Better Than the Quencher — Here’s Why

I’ve never been a water bottle person. Sure, I always had one on me — I played sports most of my life, after all — but I never put much thought into the quality, instead just grabbing whatever reusable, plastic option looked cute at Target. Even when Hydro Flasks took over the internet with the pre-pandemic “VSCO girl” trend, I didn’t hop on the train like every other Gen Zer seemed to. So a few years later, when Stanley became the internet’s hydration accessory of choice, I had the same reservations. Well, until I caved a few months ago and have started using it every day since.

Yep, I’m a loud and proud Stanley convert now, wishing I didn’t wait until after college to buy into the hype. Even if you’re not totally familiar with the outdoor gear brand’s iconic tumblers, you’ve probably seen one of their vessels in another person’s hand, whether it be an influencer’s or an acquaintance’s. The latter was the case for me — this past month, I noticed that not one, but three of my coworkers also brought their Stanleys into the office most days. And it wasn’t the mega popular Adventure Quencher that you’ve probably heard about, with the large handle on the side — we all own the (seriously underrated) 30-ounce IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler.

The main difference of the IceFlow (as opposed to the Quencher) is in its design. Instead of featuring an enormous handle on the side, its handle is on top, near the lid. The lid is also leakproof and screw-on with a flip-up straw, instead of a totally separate straw like the Quencher’s. All of these factors combined make it the ideal container if you often find yourself sipping on the go.

It’s as durable as you would expect from the brand, constructed with BPA-free, partially recycled stainless steel that’s safe in the dishwasher and double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps your drink cold for 12 hours and prevents your ice from melting for a whopping two days. And, last but not least, this tumbler comes in over 30 stunning hues, so you can find one that’s as vibrant or as neutral as you’d like. Funnily enough, commerce managing editor Tamara, senior editor Alicia, and I actually all chose the Citron option, which is a unique pale green that feels particularly suited for the spring and summer months. (Commerce coordinator Mila prefers the now-unavailable Tidepool color, which she correctly assumed would bear less risk of getting any visible marks or scratches.)

If four of us on the commerce team use something on the regular, you can trust that that product is seriously worth your money. It’s wildly easy to grab this tumbler if you’re in a hurry (like I usually am in the morning, trying to reach the train in time). I was turned off by the bulky handle on the Quencher — I want my drink containers to be as slim as possible to fit in my tote bag, and the IceFlow is certainly ideal if that’s a priority for you as well. I suppose the appeal of the Quencher handle is that you can grip it more easily than the wide body, but I’ve never had any issues with comfort. The bottom portion is also narrower and designed to fit in cup holders, and I can confirm that the IceFlow works just fine when I’ve taken it to the movies.

Alicia has had a similar experience, adding, “I have both the Quencher and the IceFlow and I prefer the IceFlow because it’s way more portable. The Quencher isn’t really a commuting bottle, especially in NYC. I can put the IceFlow in my bag without worrying about it spilling. It’s still hefty like most Stanley products, but I like that it has a handle, which makes it easy to carry, like a stylish accessory.”

I can back this up: The IceFlow lid and straw is actually leakproof. It’s fallen on its side more times than I can count in my tote, and as long as it’s screwed on tightly, there isn’t any spillage. Amidst all of my running around between outings this summer — in the brutal heat, no less — my IceFlow has been a complete lifesaver. Though I can’t speak to the brand’s claim of two days of unmelted ice, it has lasted the full eight-hour work day (and then some) several times over. And then when it comes time to wash it, it’s a breeze. I’ve run it in the dishwasher once or twice, but handwashing isn’t time-consuming at all.

After my old plastic bottles weren’t cutting it in the summer heat, I’m so glad I made the switch to an IceFlow — and, like my coworkers, I’m glad I chose it over the more popular version. It helps me drink more water, and it’s a great match for anyone that finds themselves going from place to place and wanting an ice-cold drink (in a fashionable container) at the ready.