Why We Love the Yeti Rambler Tumbler

Of all the innocuous objects in my house (spatulas, soap dispensers, pans, etc.) one reigns supreme: my Yeti Rambler tumbler. It is alarmingly basic for the amount of joy it brings me.

Let me back up. A few years ago, I was working the kind of corporate job that comes with a branded Christmas gift every year and one year, that gift was an insulated Yeti tumbler. I was excited because, in addition to it not being useless, it was something I had actually been thinking about buying for quite some time.

You see, I drink an unreasonable amount of water, and I like that water to be cold—like, cold cold. At the time, I achieved my desired chilliness by refrigerating a water pitcher and adding a lot of ice. However, no amount of ice will hold up indefinitely, never mind in warm weather. So, I had been considering investing in an insulated cup, but it was one of those things that you keep a tab open for but never actually commit to buying. It felt like a little bit of a silly purchase (and potentially expensive by cup standards). So, when I received my (totally free!) work gift, and it turned out it was a Yeti, I was jazzed. In my lazy research (typing “best insulated cups” into my search bar) I had gleaned that Yeti was a highly-rated brand, but had been intimidated by the price point. Who spends $35 for one cup?! Little did I know this tumbler would change the way I drank water forever, and I would never be without one again.

It Keeps Water Positively Frigid

Nothing keeps my water colder for longer than my Yeti tumbler—nothing. In the time that has passed since that first corporate-gifted tumbler, I have used many other versions of insulated cups, but my Yeti blows them away every time. I own the 20-ounce Rambler Tumbler and use it exclusively for cold water, but it keeps hot drinks toasty just as well. (I also have a 10-ounce Lowball that I use for hot coffee). The tumbler is made of double-walled stainless steel, is vacuum insulated, and is extremely durable. I get a little thrill when I wake up (yes, I keep the Rambler on my nightstand) and my water is just as cold as when I poured it. I have exclaimed to my husband, “There is still ice in here from TWO DAYS AGO!” so many times that he just rolls his eyes at me at this point.

It Stands up to Drops and Dings

Yeti is an outdoorsy adventure brand, and many of its products are designed to take a beating. I’ve had this particular tumbler (I lost the first one and immediately ordered a new one) for over three years and, aside from the worn-out sticker I put on it, you’d never know it. You could hit this thing with a car and it would be just fine (I don’t recommend testing that theory, but it does come with a five-year warranty, just in case). The Rambler is also dishwasher-safe, fits in a standard-sized cup holder, and comes in a slew of colors. There is also a smaller 10-ounce version and a larger 30-ounce version to suit the needs of every drinker. 

It’s Great When You’re on the Move

The Rambler comes with a Yeti Magslider lid, which prevents beverages from sloshing out while on the go. I have an older version of the lid without the magnet cover, but it has the same (easily removable) rubber gasket and a hole/spout for drinking (though there’s no cap over the sipping port). I use this tumbler exclusively at home, but if you’re looking for something to take on the go, the newer lid is a good solution (and you can even get it in different colors).

FAQs

Can you use a Yeti tumbler for hot drinks?

Yes! You can use it for hot or cold drinks, though switching from hot to cold (and vice versa) immediately will compromise its temperature-holding ability.

Can you clean a Yeti tumbler in the dishwasher? 

Yup! The tumbler and the lid are both dishwasher-safe, though the lid fares better on the top rack.

Why We’re the Experts

• Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn is a freelance food writer and recipe developer.
• She formerly worked as an associate editor at America’s Test Kitchen.
• She has developed recipes for multiple New York Times bestselling cookbooks, including an IACP award winner.
• She’s written multiple articles for Serious Eats, including a review of grill presses and pasta bowls