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Few things last forever, but Stanley cups are built for life with reusable hydration in every single sip and color. Rooted in sustainability and trending across social media, including TikTok, these cups continue to take the world by storm.
The best part of having a Stanley cup may lie in how well they hydrate us in style throughout the day. With their large sizes, assortment of colors, and insulation for both hot and cold beverages, these Quenchers sell out quickly.
According to CNBC, Stanley’s sales skyrocketed with revenue jumping from around $70 million in 2019, after the Stanley Quencher was introduced, to about $750 million by 2023.
The sales, inspired in-part by social media influencers and other partnerships, seem likely to increase over the next few years. With that said, many wonder if these insulated cups are worth the hype.
We weighed both the pros and cons, concluding that Stanley cups stand strong despite some flaws. Here’s why.
THE HISTORY OF STANLEY CUPS
The Seattle-based brand is named after William Stanley Jr., who invented the first all-steel insulated vacuum bottle in 1913. In 2016, the Stanley Quencher was born with sales truly taking off in 2019.
The colorful tumbler-style cups are offered in 14, 20, 30, and 40 fluid ounce sizes and feature a removable straw and twist-on insulation.
There are even some seasonal offerings and partnerships with Starbucks that sell out almost instantly. This includes the 2025 Valentine’s Day Collection.
The brand’s special colors and patterns also sell out quickly, including the Tyla Tyger Quencher Stanley Cup, with its shimmering bronze and metallic colors born out of a partnership between South African singer Tyla and Stanley Cup in 2024.
The Pros Of Stanley Cups
- They are eco-minded. Stanley has said it is committed to crafting at least 50% of its stainless steel products from recycled materials by 2025.
- They come in large sizes for daily hydration needs.
- They keep cold and hot temperatures.
- The assortment of colors and designs offer something for everyone’s creative expression.
- Customers can craft customized cups to cater to their unique vision and needs.
- Cups are trendy and many people enjoy collecting them, comparing them and being involved in health and fitness culture.
- Stanley does some pretty cool collabs with influential people, including, Olivia Rodrigo and Tyla as well as movies/brands like Wicked, Barbie and more.
It’s nice to know that on a hot day, my water will stay cool, especially after a hike or workout
Dana Lee (Los Angeles, CA)
The Cons Of Stanley Cups
- Stanley Cups aren’t the most eco-friendly option compared to competitors like Hydro Flask that offers its own trade-in and recycle program.
- They are big and bulky, making them less travel and gym-friendly.
- They aren’t totally leakproof, and their massive sizes make for big spills. However, there’s the new leakproof 30 oz Quencher ProTour Tumbler that advertises leak-preventing technology that may eliminate this con.
- Collecting them can get expensive and excessive at around $35 or more per cup.
The biggest drawbacks to Stanley’s are the huge spills, which seem unavoidable and the straw-holder easily wears down
Carlo Epps (San Jose, CA)
The Pros Outweigh The Cons For Many
While Stanley cups aren’t perfect, we believe that they are truly worth the hype when considering both the pros and cons of the product, and we aren’t the only ones.
What really sets them apart if their durability, stylish designs and temperature control. While spills are never fun and they may not be the best travel-option, we believe it’s worth it to invest in at least one Stanley Quencher.
