Owala conquered the water bottle world with the FreeSip. Now, they are coming for your coffee.
Currently sitting at #4 in Best Sellers in Kitchen & Dining (and #1 in Tumblers), the Owala SmoothSip Slider Tumbler is selling over 10,000 units a month.
- 12-ounce insulated stainless-steel tumbler with a completely leak-proof lid
- SmoothSip Slider spout offers an ultra-comfortable sip every time
- Slide-top spout design prevents splashes or spills
For years, the gold standard has been the Yeti Rambler or the Stanley. But those giants have flaws: Yeti’s MagSlider isn’t 100% leakproof, and Stanley can be bulky. Owala claims to fix both with a uniquely shaped cup and a “slider” lid designed to mimic the feeling of drinking from a ceramic mug.
Is it just hype from a trendy brand, or is this actually the new king of commuter coffee? We analyzed the lid engineering, the “flat-sided” ergonomics, and the cleaning struggles reported by users to find out.
The “SmoothSip” Promise: What makes it different?
Most travel mugs feel like drinking out of a sippy cup. The plastic ridge is sharp and controls the flow poorly. Owala’s marketing claim is in the name: SmoothSip.
User Verdict: It works. User T. Pantazi, a diehard user of a “well-known competitor” (likely Yeti), switched to Owala for one specific reason:
“Two huge benefits so far, the sip hole is perfect for hot coffee. It allows me to sense it and avoid burning my mouth.”
The geometry of the spout allows you to gauge the temperature of the coffee with your lips before it floods your mouth—a subtle but brilliant design tweak.
The Leak Test: Owala vs. The Bag
The biggest complaint about the Yeti MagSlider is that if you throw it in a bag, it will leak. Owala claims the SmoothSip is bag-safe.
The Reality: User Small Town Girl put it to the test: “I did test the cup by closing it and then holding it upside down. I did not see any leaking.” T. Pantazi agrees, calling its ability to lock “unparalleled.” If you are a commuter who tosses your coffee into a backpack, Owala wins this round hands down.
The Flaws: The Analyst Reality Check
However, being #1 doesn’t mean it’s perfect. The reviews highlight three specific issues that might make you miss your old mug.
1. The Cleaning Struggle (Mechanical Complexity) To make a lid leakproof, you need complex mechanics. User Small Town Girl watched the instructional video but still failed:
“I could not get my lid apart… I could not get the button on the top to snap off and when you have to keep trying you start feeling worried that you will break it.” User Annie Tantao also noted the slider is stiff and fears the snap part will break. Compared to a magnetic lid that pops off instantly, the Owala requires “surgery” to deep clean.
2. Temperature Retention It is double-wall insulated stainless steel, but users report it is not a thermos. User Elie Vazquez gave it 5 stars but noted: “However, the temperature does not hold for as long as I expected, so the drink cools faster than desired.” It will keep coffee hot for a commute, but don’t expect it to be piping hot 6 hours later.
3. The Shape (Love it or Hate it) Owala uses a “Flatiron” shape (round but with flat sides) to make it easier to grip. While many love it, Small Town Girl found it “quite large in my hands” and heavier than anticipated, making it difficult to grip compared to round cups.
Verdict: Is It Better Than Yeti?
Rating: 4.6/5
Buy the Owala SmoothSip If:
- You are a commuter: You need a cup that is 100% leakproof when thrown in a bag.
- You hate burning your tongue: The spout design is genuinely superior for sipping hot liquids.
- You want style: The color options (like Vanilla Bean and Cozy Cocoa) are trendy and modern.
Skip It If:
- You hate washing dishes: Disassembling the lid for deep cleaning is a hassle and requires force.
- You have small hands: The 20oz version can feel bulky and heavy if you don’t opt for the handle version.
- You need all-day heat: It keeps coffee “drinkable warm,” not “lava hot” all day.
The Bottom Line: Owala has successfully disrupted the coffee market. By sacrificing a bit of cleaning ease, they created a truly leakproof, comfortable mug. It deserves its #1 spot.
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