Owala vs. Hydro Flask: Which Water Bottle Is Better?

If you’re shopping for an insulated water bottle but can’t decide between Owala and Hydro Flask, you’ve come to the right place. 

While Hydro Flask has been a trusted name in hydration since 2009, Owala has quickly gained popularity with its innovative spout that lets you drink two different ways.

I recently put their flagship 24-ounce bottles—the Owala FreeSip and the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap—through rigorous head-to-head testing to help you make the right choice.

In this comparison of Owala vs. Hydro Flask, you learn which is the best in terms of temperature retention, durability, ease of use, and much more.

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Use the links below to navigate this comparison:

• Comparison Chart
• Insulation
• Cold Water Test
• Lid Design
• Durability Test
• Leak Test
• Ease of Use
• Colors and Sizes
• Other Options
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy an Owala or Hydro Flask Bottle?

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Comparison Chart

Bottle	Owala FreeSip	Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap
Capacity (oz)	24	24
Price	$$	$$$ (30% more expensive)
Straw?	Yes	No
Hot Water Safe?	No	No
Insulation	Triple-layer insulation	Double-wall vacuum insulation
Fits Cup Holder?	Yes	Yes
Colors	20	11
Weight (lb)	0.8	0.8
Height (in)	10.6	11
Bottom Diameter (in)	3.1	2.75
Spout Diameter (in)	1.2	1.25
Cold Water Temp 6 Hours (°F)	48	48
Cold Water Temp 12 Hours (°F)	51.8	52.2
Cold Water Temp 24 Hours (°F)	57.2	58.1
Top Reason to Buy	One-handed operation	Functional design
Top Reason to NOT Buy	Flicks water; Leaks	Cold temperature retention

Insulation: Double-Wall vs Triple-Layer

Both Owala and Hydro Flask start with quality materials: stainless steel bodies and BPA-free plastic lids. However, their insulation technologies have a key difference.

Hydro Flask uses traditional double-wall vacuum insulation—two stainless steel walls with a vacuum seal between them. This vacuum space is crucial because it minimizes heat transfer since there’s no air to conduct temperature between the walls.

Owala uses what they call “triple-layered” insulation. Despite the name, it’s not actually three walls. Instead, it has the same double-wall vacuum construction as Hydro Flask, but with an added copper coating on one of the stainless steel walls.

While the vacuum prevents heat from transferring through direct contact (conduction), the copper layer helps block a different type of heat transfer called radiation—heat that can move without physical contact. The copper is exceptionally good at preventing this type of heat from passing through the vacuum space.

But does this extra layer make a real difference in keeping your drinks cold? I put both bottles through rigorous temperature retention tests to find out. Let’s look at the results.

Cold Water Test

To see if Owala’s triple-layer insulation actually outperforms Hydro Flask’s double-wall design, I conducted a controlled temperature retention test. I filled both bottles with water chilled to approximately 43°F and stored them in a room kept at 68°F. I measured the water temperature at 6, 12, and 24-hour intervals.

Both bottles started at nearly identical temperatures, with Owala at 43.2°F and Hydro Flask at 43.3°F. They performed identically in the first 6 hours, with water temperatures rising to 48°F.

At the 12-hour mark, Owala maintained a slightly cooler temperature of 51.8°F while Hydro Flask reached 52.2°F.

This slight advantage held through 24 hours, with Owala at 57.2°F and Hydro Flask at 58.1°F.

While Owala did edge out Hydro Flask, we’re talking about less than a degree difference at each checkpoint. So while that copper layer is doing its job, the real-world benefit is small.

One important note: if you want to use these for hot drinks, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Neither bottle is designed for hot beverages. I tested six other brands that handle both hot and cold drinks well—you can find those results in my complete guide to the best water bottles.

Lid Design

The lid design is one of the most significant differences between Owala and Hydro Flask.

The Owala FreeSip bottle features an innovative but complex design with dual-drinking options. Push a button, and the spring-loaded lid pops open to reveal both a built-in straw and a spout for regular drinking. You can either sip through the straw without tilting the bottle, or tip it back to drink from the spout. 

While this design allows for easy one-handed operation, it has several drawbacks. The spring-loaded mechanism can accidentally open in your bag, the lid can flick water if there’s moisture trapped underneath, and there are more components that could potentially break over time. The straw also means more parts to clean and maintain.

The Hydro Flask Flex Chug Cap bottle takes a simpler approach. It features a basic chug cap design with a flexible carrying strap. The lid screws off completely to reveal a wide opening for filling or cleaning, and the smaller chug cap provides a comfortable drinking spout. 

This straightforward design means there’s less that can break or malfunction. However, since the lid completely detaches from the bottle when opened, there’s always the risk of misplacing it. The bottle also requires two hands to operate – one to hold the bottle and one to unscrew the cap.

Durability Test

To test durability, I simulated the kind of accidents that happen in real life—dropping your water bottle on the ground. I filled each bottle with water and dropped them from 3 feet high onto their sides.

I repeated the test a second time but dropped them directly onto their lids.

The side-impact results showed slight differences. The Owala survived with just a small bump on the bottom and minor paint scratches.

The Hydro Flask took a bit more damage, getting a more noticeable dent with some cracking in the paint around the impact area.

The lid-impact test produced nearly identical results for both bottles. Each one showed some surface scratches on their plastic caps, but the damage was purely cosmetic. Most importantly, both lids remained fully functional and maintained their seal.

Overall, both bottles proved highly durable. Neither sustained any damage that affected their performance or caused leaking, which is essential for a water bottle that’s bound to be dropped occasionally.

Leak Test

Both Owala and Hydro Flask advertise their bottles as leakproof, and for good reason—no one wants water leaking onto their laptop or important documents in their bag. To verify these claims, I conducted two tests that mimic real-world situations. I filled each bottle with water and tipped them over three times. Then I shook each bottle upside down for 30 seconds to test for leaks.

The Hydro Flask proved completely leakproof, passing both tests without a single drop escaping.

The Owala, however, showed a minor weakness. During the tip test, a few small water droplets escaped. Interestingly, it performed better during the more vigorous shake test, with no leakage at all.

What does this mean for everyday use? The Hydro Flask is the clear winner if you need absolute confidence that your bottle won’t leak in your bag. While the Owala’s leakage was minimal—just a few drops—it’s something to consider if you frequently toss your water bottle into a bag with electronics or important documents.

Ease of Use

Both bottles get the basics right: they fit standard cup holders and have wide openings that make filling and adding ice cubes easy. However, their different designs create distinct user experiences.

The Owala excels at one-handed operation, thanks to its spring-loaded button and pop-up lid. This makes it particularly convenient while driving or multitasking—just press, sip, and go. 

However, this innovative design comes with a few minor inconveniences. The straw system means there’s an extra component to clean, and getting the straw cap back in place can be tricky when the bottle is full of ice.

The Hydro Flask takes a more straightforward approach, though it does require two hands to operate. Its one design quirk is the rubber carrying strap—while useful for carrying, it can get in the way when you’re trying to grip the cap to open it.

Colors and Sizes

Both bottles offer multiple sizes for different needs, but their approach to color design is quite different. The Owala FreeSip is available in 20 color combinations, but they take an unconventional approach to design.

Rather than traditional solid colors or simple two-tone designs, Owala uses multiple colors across different parts of the bottle. For example, you might get a white bottle with a red rim on the lid, a gray main lid piece, a light blue handle, and a yellow accent on top.

While these unique combinations certainly stand out, they don’t always coordinate well together and might not appeal to those who prefer a more classic look.

Hydro Flask takes a more traditional approach with its 11 color options, featuring coordinated, cohesive designs that many users find more versatile.

As for sizes, the Owala FreeSip comes in four options: 24, 25, 32, and 40 ounces, while the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap is available in three: 24, 32, and 40 ounces.

Other Options

While this comparison focuses on the Owala FreeSip and Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap, both brands offer a variety of other drinking vessels worth considering.

Owala’s lineup includes the FreeSip Twist, which features the same innovative dual-drinking design but with a twist-off lid instead of the spring-loaded button mechanism. They also offer tumblers with built-in straws, coffee mugs, and bottles for kids.

Hydro Flask’s range is even more extensive. Their bottles have different lid options, including the popular Flex Straw Cap with an adjustable straw spout that bends up and down. You can also get their Wide Mouth bottles without the chug cap, plus they offer tumblers, coffee mugs, coolers, and more.

Both brands regularly release new products and styles, so it’s worth checking their current lineup if neither of the bottles in this comparison feels quite right for your needs.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy an Owala or Hydro Flask Bottle?

After extensive testing, both bottles are solid choices, but they excel in different areas.

The Owala FreeSip stands out for its innovative design and convenience. Its spring-loaded lid and dual-drinking options make it perfect for one-handed use while driving or multitasking. The insulation performance is slightly better than Hydro Flask’s, though the difference is minimal. However, be aware of potential issues: occasional water flicking from the lid, a few drops of leakage when tipped over, and more components to clean.

The Hydro Flask takes a simpler, more traditional approach. Its straightforward design means fewer parts can break, it’s completely leakproof, and it’s slightly more durable based on our drop tests. The trade-off is that it requires two hands to operate and costs about 30% more than the Owala.

Choose Owala if:

• One-handed operation is a priority
• You like having both straw and spout drinking options
• You want more color choices
• You’re looking to save some money

Choose Hydro Flask if:

• You prioritize absolute leakproof reliability
• You prefer a simpler design with fewer parts to clean
• You prefer simple color combinations

While the Hydro Flask costs more, both bottles are quality investments that should last for years with proper care. The price difference shouldn’t be your deciding factor—instead, focus on features that matter most for your daily use, like lid design, handles, spouts, and sizes.

Want to learn more? Read customer reviews and compare current prices:

• Owala FreeSip on Amazon
• Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap on Amazon