With Christmas just around the corner, it has been a struggle to find the perfect gift for a teenager. The past two seasons, it has been the successful stainless steel water bottle, the Stanley. Yet with striving companies such as the Owala coming in, it creates a competition between the two. Now the question is, which is better? Stanley or Owala?
The Stanley
The Stanley 1913 is a food and drink ware company named after William Stanley Jr. Even though it was invented over a century ago, it didn’t spark until recently. The company provides various colors and types of water bottles. Their most popular item is “The Quencher H2.0 Flow state Tumbler”. They are sold at the price of $35 for a 30oz, and $45 for the 40oz. This water bottle specifically comes in many different colors and with an open straw. Now why are the bottles so popular, in comparison to other brands out there? It has to do with social media influencers promoting them. The product went viral, just in time for the 2022 holiday season. But in the past 2 years, competitive companies such as Owala, have also skyrocketed through the market.
The Owala
The Owala was invented by Steve Sorensen just recently in March of 2020. Yet very much like the Stanley, it did not become popular until last year. Their goal as a company is to mainly create water bottles for every occasion. Whether it is just for work purposes, or even working hard at a gym. Their most popular item is the “FreeSip Stainless Steel” which comes in various colorful options. It ranges from $28 for a 24 oz, $33 for a 32oz, and even a 40oz for $38. However, Owalas most sold item, does not have a straw and is a flip top instead. They even have a sweet slogan, “Do more of what you love.” It is also rumored to be why it’s called Owala. When a person drinks from it, they look like a koala. Positive aspects like this, can possibly blow the Stanley out of the water for the best tumbler.
Overall, both water bottles have positive and negative aspects to it. They seem to sell pretty much the same items with different products selling better than others. With the Stanley, it is a common complaint that the water spills through the straw when tipped accidentally. But with the Owala, it is closed so no water is able to spill out. The Stanley is also such a large bottle, that it cannot even fit in a car cup holder. This where something a little smaller can be beneficial.
Others Opinions
Senior Emily Schmidt gives her overall opinion on the Stanley:
“I had the Stanley and I did not like it. Every time I walked with it, water would always spill everywhere and it would also make a loud noise if I dropped it. The price is average for a water bottle, but I also feel you can get a better one for cheaper. However, it does come with a lot of nice colors. For the time I had it, it was convenient and I liked walking around with it. When I lost it I was a little bummed out, but now I have the chance to buy another water bottle.”
Junior Alexa Beck giver her overall opinion on her Owala:
“I have an Owala and I like it. I really like the fact that there are two different ways to drink it. It keeps my drinks cold, and serves its purpose. Although, I also feel that it’s too expensive and the colors never match. I have the 24oz for $28 and I feel that it is too small. So I think I would need a bigger one. I like it overall and I think it does the purpose of keeping my water cold.”
My Opinion
In my opinion, I really like my Stanley. It meets my expectations of keeping my water cold without any problems. Although, I do not have Stanley’s most sold product. I have another item from them that has a closed straw lid. With this specific kind of water bottle I am able to carry it by the led without worrying that it will spill or drop. When the question, Stanley or Owala is asked, it can go either way. I feel that the debate is very opinion based, and it depends on what the person wants in a water bottle overall.
But when taking each company’s most sold item, it may seem that the Owala might be the better option for me. It is also a little cheaper being that it is $33 dollars for the 32oz. Where as the Stanley is $35 for the 30oz. Also, I personally prefer a lid that can be closed and secured. I currently do not own an Owala but it seems like an item I would enjoy. I feel that I would pick Owala between Stanley or Owala. It is currently on my Christmas Wishlist for this 2024 season, so hopefully I will get it and will be able to compare them both.
