The hottest accessory of the last few years isn't a bag or a pair of sunglasses, it's a water bottle.
Everyone now seems to be carrying an oversized hydration vessel — and people have strong opinions on which one is the best. But regardless of what brand you prefer, there's no question that out of all of the options that are now on the market, Stanley’s Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler has become a clear internet favorite.
Even if you don't own one yourself, it's practically impossible not to know the brand. If you're on social media, you may have seen it in a selfie from a teen or an influencer's workout video. Or maybe, you caught one of the mega-viral videos of people waiting in long lines outside of Target to get their hands on the latest collabs.
The 40-ounce tumbler started to garner viral fame around 2020 — in part thanks to mom bloggers and popular review accounts on Instagram and TikTok. It repeatedly sold out within hours, if not minutes, of restocks and at one point, it had a waitlist of 150,000 people.
Below, we're walking you through everything you should know about the viral Quencher, from what makes it so popular to the accessories worth shopping.
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, 40 ounces
- Has unmatched insulation
- Easy to clean
- Leaks very easily
- Has an exposed straw
Capacity: 40 oz. | Colors: 50+
The Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler has tons of features that people can’t get enough of, including a large 40-ounce size, temperature-keeping design and tons of chic colors. The brand updated the design in 2022 adding some new elements, including a 90% recycled stainless steel construction and an ergonomic handle with comfort-grip inserts.
The model also has a FlowState Lid, which has a silicone seal around its straw base that is designed to help prevent spills. The rotating top’s design includes three positions, so you can sip from the wide-mouth opening, use the accompanying straw or close it up when you’re not drinking.
Why are Stanley cups so popular?
Much of its popularity comes from its large size and its ability to keep drinks cold for hours.
Many members of the Shop TODAY team count themselves as Stanley Quencher fans, and you can spot the hydration vessel on plenty of desks throughout our office.
"I resisted getting a Stanley for years because I owned plenty of other reusable water bottles and I thought, ‘How good could it be?’ Well, dear reader, it is THAT good," shares editor Kelly Vaughan. "I keep a 30-ounce tumbler at my desk at work and another at home that comes with me everywhere, from the gym to the grocery store to bed. I swear I drink significantly more water because it’s just so convenient. The handle is comfortable to hold and the straw is supremely easy to drink out of. Plus, it’s pretty on the eyes and comes in dozens of fun colors, which makes it all the more appealing. Oh, and it’s dishwasher-safe to boot."
Personally, I also have two — one to keep at home and one for the office — and I find I drink much more water on days when I have one near, as compared to when I’m using a traditional water bottle.
Social media video producer Anita Chomenko adds that she loves how it keeps her water cold throughout the day. Plus, she shares that "being able to sip it through the straw versus sipping from a cup is so convenient."
Reviewers also say that they love how durable it is — the stainless steel material can stand up against tumbles — and how it can fit into the drink holder of most cars.
“Best mug/tumbler I’ve ever had,” wrote one reviewer. “I love the colors and how long it stays cold. Not to mention the straw. All around best product out there!!!!”
In addition to the full-size model, the brand also has smaller versions of the Quencher, which you can shop, below.
More Stanley Quenchers
Stanley The Quencher Flip Straw Tumbler
- Leakproof flip straw
- BPA-free
- Some say straw hard to open
Capacity: 40 oz. | Colors: 29
One of the biggest complaints among Stanley Quencher fans is that they sometimes leak if they're knocked over or aren't fully upright. If you've had that issue, you can grab this version of the Quencher, which comes with a flip straw that you can flip up when you're ready to drink and then snap shut when you're done without worrying about spills.
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, 20-Ounce
- 3-position lid
- Dishwasher safe
- Customization may cost more
Capacity: 20 oz. | Colors: 19
Not too big or too small, the 20-ounce version seems like the perfect size for everyday use. You could tote it around while running errands or even use it to keep your morning cup of coffee hot — or cold, depending on how you like it.
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, 30-Ounce
- Comfort grip handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Some complaints about lid
Capacity: 30 oz. | Colors: 5
All the above sizes, including this 30-ounce version, feature double-wall vacuum insulation, screw-on lid, recycled stainless steel design and reusable straw. Plus, they’re designed to fit in your cup holder. This 30-ounce model is great for anyone who is looking for something that’s just a little lighter than the original Quencher.
Stanley Quencher accessories
Mlksi Silicone Boot for Stanley Cup
- Multiple colors
- Comes with two
- Mixed reviews on colors
Fits: 40 oz., 30 oz. | Colors/styles: 10
If you make your coworkers jump every time you accidentally slam your Stanley Quncher down on your desk, it might be time to think about getting a silicone boot. The brand says that these can help protect your tumbler from scratches, dents and keep those loud noises to a minimum.
Homdsg Silicone Spill Stopper, Set of 3
Fits: 40 oz., 30 oz. | Colors/styles: 4
If I had one complaint about the Stanley Quencher, it would be that it’s not spill-proof. But this affordable accessory promises to fix that. It comes with round leak stoppers to prevent water from spilling out of the center and straw covers to keep drips at bay when you’re not sipping from it.
OriJoy Letter Charm Accessories
- Adjustable
- Detachable charm
- May tarnish easily
Fits: All | Colors/styles: 16
As far as hydration vessels go, the Quenchers, with their sleek design and numerous color options, are pretty chic. But you can take yours to the next level with this cute personalized letter charm bangle.
Dabria Water Bottle Carrier Bag
- Room for all of the essentials
- Long carrying strap
- Designed to fit Stanley cups
Fits: 40 oz., 30 oz. | Colors/styles: 10
This handy accessory doubles as both a pouch for your phone, credit cards and more and a carrying bag for your Stanley, so you can go completely hands-free on your walks!
“Once I slipped my Stanley into the pink case, I didn’t look back. It’s so helpful to be able to grab all of my essential items in one fell swoop, and even more helpful that I can rock it hands free,” one writer shared. “(I can’t stress enough how great it is to no longer have to dig through a purse to find my phone or keys.)”
Stanley The All Day 40-Ounce Quencher Carry-All
- Plenty of compartments
- Detachable strap
- Some colors out of stock
Fits: 40 oz. | Colors/styles: 5
This carry-all bag is so popular, you can only get it in a handful of colors! It’s not hard to see why — it’s both super stylish and functional. “I was gifted this from the brand when it launched and have been using it on my outdoor ventures,” shares editor Vivien Moon. “It’s lightweight and fits my Quencher snugly so it stays secure and lets me have my water with me hands-free. I also love the little pockets that fit my phone, keys and a few other things I might be carrying with me at the time.”
While she's had the bag for over a year, Moon says it's still her go-to and has stood the test of time.
How to clean the Stanley Quencher
The good news is the Quencher is designed to be dishwasher-safe, so it’s relatively easy to clean. But if you prefer to wash it by hand, Stanley suggests using non-abrasive cleaner on its products, such as gentle dish soap paired with a dishrag, soft sponge or small brush for any hard to reach places.
Experts previously told us that it’s important to clean the straw of your water bottle regularly, as it can harbor bacteria. The best way to do that is by using a pipe cleaner or straw brush soaked in dish soap.
Do Stanley cups contain lead?
Previously, people on social media voiced their concern that the Stanley Quenchers contained lead — and could therefore lead to potential exposure.
To address the concerns, a representative for Stanley previously confirmed to TODAY.com that lead is used in the manufacturing process. There’s a circular stainless steel barrier at the bottom of each tumbler that covers a pellet, which does contain lead. But the pellet is only accessible if that barrier comes off, which the Stanley spokesperson said is “rare.”
How we chose
We chose to highlight the Stanley Quencher because it is both a trending and editor-loved item that we thought our readers would be interested in.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.TODAY.com. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
