When you want a high-quality drinking vessel that’s warranted for life and keeps beverages secure and at the temperature you want, check out Stanley drinkware. (BestReviews)
Plastic travel mugs may have had a heyday in the 1980s, but eco-conscious consumers (and campers and construction workers across the U.S.) have known there’s a better way for over a century. Founded in 1913, the Stanley company has been crafting a wide variety of liquid containers that stand up to whatever the elements can throw at them without plastic or disposable parts.
If you have yet to experience the well-made beauty of Stanley drinkware, the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug is a great place to start.
Advertisement
What to know before you buy Stanley drinkware
Type of drinkware
Stanley produces a wide variety of insulated tumblers, including:
Water bottles
Vacuum bottles
Tumblers
Barware
Thermoses
Growlers
French presses
Pour-over coffee mugs
They also produce cookware, food storage and coolers.
Advertisement
Size
Stanley tumblers, mugs, thermoses and vacuum bottles come in sizes that range from 12 to 64 ounces. The size you choose depends on your needs, if you are sharing (as in the case of a water jug) and if storage is a consideration. Many campers find that the 20-ounce size of any type of drinkware is a good median size for most uses, but if you’ll be away from a water source for the day you might want to consider larger sizes.
Color
Green is a classic Stanley lunch pail option, but these days the color palette is vastly expanded.
Choose from a rainbow that includes:
Camouflage
Plaid
Copper
Matte black
Silver
Stripes
Pink
White
Red
Blue
Crimson
Some mugs are even available printed with the silhouette of a pine forest.
Stanley drinkware features
Lifetime warranty
One of the hallmarks of Stanley drinkware is its durability. You can beat them up in the backwoods, and if they fail, Stanley will replace them.
Sustainability
Because Stanley is dedicated to reducing waste and eliminating what goes into landfills, the environmental footprint of every mug and tumbler is remarkably small.
Long-lasting heat or chill
Whether you like your coffee piping hot or iced to near-freezing temperatures, Stanley drinkware has you covered. Most vessels keep hot liquids hot for 4-6 hours, while cold beverages stay cold for 10-30 hours (depending on if they have ice in them or not). The patented double-walled insulation is what makes this magic possible.
Durable stainless steel interiors
You don’t need to worry about travel mugs and thermoses leaching bisphenol-A (BPA) into your drinks. Stanley drinkware is lined with 18/8 stainless steel. It resists rust, scratching and wear.
Advertisement
Leakproof
Whether the top flips up or is triggered at the push of a button, all mugs and tumblers are designed to be leakproof. You’ll appreciate this after a long, arduous hike ends with a full tumbler of refreshing liquid!
Dishwasher-safe
Nearly all Stanley drinkware is dishwasher-safe. The few items that are not are easily maintained by washing in warm water and mild detergent. Air- or towel-dry it completely before storing it.
Stanley drinkware cost
A lifetime warranty doesn’t come cheap, but Stanley drinkware is built to last. The price varies depending on the type of vessel you purchase, but expect to spend $23-$60.
Stanley drinkware FAQ
How do you choose the best Stanley product?
A. The first thing to do is to decide which size you are looking for. The second consideration is style. Are you looking for a travel mug, camp mug, tumbler or other liquid holder?
Once you select the size and style, consider other features that include colon
Easy grip handles
Loops that clip onto a backpack
Push-button lid
Drink-through lid
Straw-compatible lid (with straw included)
The best news? Regardless of the style you select, most Stanley drinkware fits in standard-size cup holders and cars. This means you can road trip and fill up with an environmentally conscious, user-friendly reusable mug.
Advertisement
Can you get replacement parts if something breaks?
A. Yes! If you lose a lid, break a strap or need an accessory, Stanley can help. Each removable part can be replaced, which means you don’t need to trash a travel mug when the lid goes missing.
Which Stanley drinkware should I get?
Best of the best Stanley drinkware
Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug: available at Amazon
Our take: The design of this travel mug means no more liquids slopping over a wide mouth or leaks with an improper seal.
What we like: This fits easily in the cup holder of your car. Hot drinks stay hot for up to 7 hours, and cold drinks are chilly for 10 (add ice to triple that). Just push the button to dispense your drink. It comes in 10 or more colors depending on the retailer, and it’s also available in a 16-ounce or pair of mugs.
What we dislike: Although the spout of the mug doesn’t leak, some users noted that the button you push to dispense the drink does.
Best bang for your buck Stanley drinkware
Stanley Legendary Camp Mug: available at Amazon
Advertisement
Our take: This travel mug takes you back to nights around the campfire with its rugged design.
What we like: It holds 12 ounces of your favorite hot or cold beverage. The interior is 18/8 stainless steel, and the lid is drink-through, so there’s nothing to open or close. It’s dishwasher safe and double-walled to keep hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold for a long time.
What we dislike: Because it can’t be sealed, liquids can slosh out or spill.
Honorable mention Stanley drinkware
Stanley The Stay-Hot French Press: available at Amazon
Our take: Coffee stays piping hot in this press that is great for home or camping use.
What we like: It brews 48 ounces of fresh coffee and keeps it hot for four hours. Prefer it iced? Cold drinks stay frosty for up to nine hours. The press has double-walled insulation with an 18/8 stainless steel interior that is food-grade and rust-resistant.
Advertisement
What we dislike: Some users noted grounds in their coffee.
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.