- Stanley Cups have become massively popular thanks to social media and buzzy collabs.
- But the cool girls have switched to Owala brand water bottles.
- The colorful bottles are leak-proof and aesthetically pleasing.
If you're looking for a new water bottle, you've likely already considered buying a Stanley Cup.
The bottles have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, largely thanks to social media, so much so that it seems nearly everyone has them.
But some water drinkers who want an aesthetic look as much as they want a bottle that keeps their drinks cold are switching to a different brand.
Stanley Cups are the water bottle of the moment, but they're not perfect
Stanley's Quencher water bottle, colloquially called the Stanley Cup, has become massively popular. Buyers flock to the 40 oz. bottle because it's huge (though Stanley offers it in five sizes), has thick insulation, and features a handle that makes it easy to tote. They also come in various colors and can be customized, allowing people to show their personalities through their bottles. The 40 oz. cup retails for $45 at the time of writing.
Stanley Cups have become an aesthetic symbol on social media as they've gained traction. If you've watched a "get ready with me" video on TikTok or a "day in the life" vlog on Instagram recently, you've likely seen an influencer sipping from their Stanley Cup while they go about their day.
The cup's popularity seemed to reach a fever pitch in November 2023 after a woman's car caught fire, and she found her Stanley Quencher inside, undamaged with ice still in it.
According to CNBC, the Quencher took Stanley from annual sales of $70 million per year to $750 million over the last four years.
There's no denying the cups are popular and can keep drinks cold. But some social media users have found that the Quencher leaks if turned upside down since it has a straw top. It does have a rotating lid top that covers the straw opening, but many people don't use the function when they have the straw inserted. Others said the cups are too big to fit in their car cupholders, making it hard to take them on the go.
Stanley has other water bottles, like the IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler, which is more leak-proof but doesn't yet have the same aesthetic appeal as the iconic Quencher.
Though it doesn't look like Stanley Cups are going anywhere anytime soon, some water bottle aficionados have already moved on to another insulated option: the Owala FreeSip.
Owala water bottles are gaining steam on social media
The Owala brand specializes in water bottles, and it has a variety of styles of bottles, just like Stanley.
It even has a similar style to the Stanley Quencher, with a straw top called the Tumbler, but it's the Owala's FreeSip bottle that's gaining traction on social media.
@rojannatayco 10/10 great product. thank u for ur service @Owala #owala #owalareview #owalawaterbottle
Like Stanley Cups, the FreeSip is insulated, but instead of a cup-style top, it has a folding straw that flips open, making it fully leak-proof. It also comes in 13 different color combinations, which feature different hues on the bottle and the lid for a fun look. The 40 oz. cost $37.99 at the time of writing.
Libby Torres, an entertainment reporter at Business Insider, has the Owala FreeSip (multiple, actually), and she said she loves it for the aesthetic as much as she does the functionality.
"In addition to keeping my water ice cold (seriously — I'll fill up my bottle before going to bed, and wake up to the same number of ice cubes 8 hours later), Owala bottles come in SO many cute colors," she said.
"I have an orange and pink colorway that brings me endless serotonin, but I'm tempted to buy more and start color coordinating my outfits to Owala bottles," Libby said.
Torres even said her boyfriend bought his own after trying hers.
Torres also added her Owalas have never leaked, even though she often tosses them into the bottom of her bags.
Stanley's exclusive collaboration of Quenchers in pink and red for Valentine's Day with Target led people to literally run to grab them from shelves before they sold out in December, so the cups' popularity likely won't wane any time soon. But don't be surprised if you see more Owalas in 2024, too.