Owala FreeSip Tumbler Review

I’ll admit it: I’ve become one of those people who can’t go anywhere without her emotional support water bottle. I’ve tested out dozens of insulated water bottles over the years in an effort to stay hydrated, but until very recently, none of them successfully inspired me to drink more. It wasn’t until I bought an Owala FreeSip last year that I noticed a difference in my water intake.

I never thought I’d find a bottle I liked better, but Owala’s newest product launch proved me wrong. The new Owala FreeSip tumbler has everything I love about the original FreeSip bottle, plus numerous new features that Stanley fans are bound to adore.

Owala 40-Ounce FreeSip Tumbler

Like the Owala FreeSip bottle, this 40-ounce tumbler has great insulation. The cup is made from three layers of lead-free stainless steel, meaning it can keep ice cold for hours. It also has Owala’s famous dual spout, which allows me to sip from the straw or take swigs from the bottle. The lid pops open with a press of a button, revealing the 2-part mouthpiece. Plus, the bottle’s hidden straw lid makes it easy to tote around without collecting bacteria — a huge upgrade from Owala’s original tumbler, which has an exposed straw.

But what separates the FreeSip tumbler from the original FreeSip bottle? I’ll clue you in: The former has a new locking mechanism to prevent spills, and it works surprisingly well. Just turn the lever left to unlock the lid and right to lock it. I’ve even thrown the locked tumbler in my backpack on my commute to work and experienced zero leakage.

Tumblers are notorious for being tricky to clean — many models have tons of nooks and crannies that collect gunk. This tumbler, though, has a dishwasher-safe plastic lid and straw, with the lid easily unscrewing when it’s time to refill or clean my tumbler. The hidden straw is detachable so you can scrub it thoroughly, too. In short, I feel confident that I’m sipping from a clean vessel. (The brand does recommend hand-washing the metal cup to maintain its insulating properties for longer.)

Like the popular Stanley cups, the new Owala FreeSip tumbler was built with portability in mind. My favorite new feature is the cup’s oversized handle on the side, which is made from soft, smooth plastic that’s comfortable to hold. It even has a little indent on the top that I use as a thumb rest.

Despite its massive size (it stands nearly a foot tall), the tumbler narrows at the base so it fits into your cupholder. That’s a welcome upgrade from the original 40-ounce FreeSip bottle, which is too wide for most cars’ cupholders. It comes in eight eye-catching color combinations that make it harder to misplace your favorite cup. (Mine is Eucalyptus.)

I already can’t live without this leakproof tumbler, and it can be yours today for $45. Hurry: Colors are already selling out.

More Owala Tumblers and Bottles to Shop:

FreeSip

FreeSip Sway

SmoothSip Slider

FreeSip Twist

40-Ounce Tumbler

At the time of publishing, the price was $45.