If you’re shopping for a tumbler, know this: it’s not as easy as just ordering one online. There is a lot for you to consider, for instance, the size, shape, features, and most importantly, the material it is made of. You don’t want something that breaks on its first topple, but rather something that can take a beating as you go on with your day.
choosing the right tumbler material, it’s not about style. It’s about how your drink tastes, how long it stays cold or hot, and whether your tumbler holds up to daily use. If you’re carrying it on your commute, taking it to the gym, or stashing it in your hiking pack, the material will make a difference in performance.
There are three popular options: stainless steel, acrylic, and plastic. Each comes with trade-offs, and understanding those differences can help you make the right decision. Whether you’re sipping iced coffee on the way to work or keeping water cold on a long trail, the material inside your hand matters. Let’s fill you in on the details of what these materials offer when they make your tumbler.
Stainless Steel Tumblers
Stainless steel is the top choice for most modern tumblers. It’s known for durability, thermal retention, and a clean look that doesn’t fade over time. It holds up well in both cold and hot environments, resists dents, and doesn’t absorb odors. Most high-end tumblers, including those from Potable™, are made with 316 stainless steel, a grade that’s more corrosion-resistant than the standard 304 steel used by many other brands.
If you’re choosing the right tumbler material for temperature performance, stainless steel offers the most consistency. Paired with triple-wall insulation and copper lining, it keeps drinks cold for 37+ hours or hot for over 13. That’s more than enough for a full day of work or adventure.
Models like the Triple Ripple: Odyssey™ 40oz Tumbler and Dual Wave: Odyssey™ 40oz Tumbler from Potable™ show how this material can be adapted across sizes without sacrificing strength or comfort.
One consideration is taste. Some stainless steel tumblers can leave a slight metallic flavor, especially with acidic drinks like coffee. To solve this, we used a ceramic-coated interior that keeps your drink’s flavor pure and unaffected.
Acrylic Tumblers
Acrylic tumblers are common in retail and gift shops. They’re known for being lightweight and available in a wide range of colors and designs. They work well for cold drinks and casual use, especially at home or in controlled environments.
But when it comes to insulation and durability, acrylic falls short. These tumblers don’t retain heat or cold for long periods, and they’re more prone to cracking when dropped. They also lack the leak-proof lid systems found in higher-end stainless steel models.
Acrylic may be enough for short sips on your patio or iced drinks by the pool, but if you’re investing in one tumbler for travel, work, or fitness, it won’t hold up to daily wear.
Plastic Tumblers
Plastic tumblers are often the most affordable, but that comes with drawbacks. They’re usually made from polycarbonate or polypropylene, both of which can warp over time and retain odors.
Plastic might seem convenient in the short term, but it offers minimal insulation and a limited lifespan. It also raises concerns about safety, especially when exposed to heat. While BPA-free options are available, repeated use with hot beverages can still cause degradation.
If you’re serious about hydration and you care about long-term use, plastic is rarely the best answer. choosing the right tumbler material often means thinking beyond cost and considering how long you want it to last, and how your drinks should taste.
What Matters Most When choosing the right tumbler material?
Temperature stability, durability, safety, and comfort are what define the daily experience of any tumbler. Stainless steel outperforms both acrylic and plastic in these categories. It holds up to wear, keeps drinks at the right temperature, and protects flavor, especially when combined with advanced features like triple-wall insulation and ceramic interiors.
Potable™ builds on those qualities with thoughtful design. Whether it’s the pop-up straw system, magnetic docking lid, or a grip-friendly handle, the material is part of a broader experience: carry it, trust it, and use it all day.
Final Note
If you’re choosing the right tumbler material for daily use, stainless steel remains the most balanced choice. It keeps your drink where it should be, in terms of both temperature and taste. Acrylic and plastic may offer short-term appeal, but they rarely last.
The best tumblers are the ones that disappear into your routine. You reach for them without thinking, and they perform without fail. That starts with the right material, and continues with the features that make it yours. If you’re looking for something durable that’s ready for any situation you throw at it, then our Potable™ is what you’re looking for. Aesthetically beautiful design that comes in out-of-this-world colors that match any and all situations you’re in.
