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Yeti, you either like them or hate them. I have lived on both sides of the fence when it comes to this over-engineered (and priced) cooler and drinkware company. Before I owned one of their products, I thought they were just like everyone else, just double the price, but oh, was I so very wrong.
Years ago, my wife purchased me this Yeti Rambler Tumbler 20oz, and after spending far too much time testing out coffee mugs for this site (and my channel), it continues to be my go-to coffee mug whenever I need to leave the front door.
With that said, in this article, I’m going to point out everything you need to know about this tumbler, what I like about it, what I don’t like about it, and exactly who this expensive coffee mug is for.
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What is the Yeti Rambler Tumbler?
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- Capacity: 20 ounces
- Construction: 18/8 Stainless Steel
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Perfect for drinking coffee while driving
- Easy to clean
- Keeps coffee hot
- Holds up to abuse
- The styling is getting dated.
- Expensive
The Yeti Rambler Tumbler is an 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall construction to-go travel mug. It features a simple lid with a magnetic slider to open and close the top for easy access to your coffee. It comes in a variety of different colors, and while I have the 20-ounce version, it also can be bought in a 10-ounce or a 30-ounce version as well. All components are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
How did I test this travel mug?
I am a big fan of long-term reviews, and this one is no different! I have had this Yeti Rambler Tumbler for years (I can’t remember exactly, but likely over five), and it is the primary mug that I use when I need to take my coffee on the go. This extensive experience gives me quite a bit of insight into what makes this mug great (or not so great).
What do I like about it?
1. Perfect for drinking coffee while driving
I know this might seem odd for being the top thing that I like about this coffee mug; however, it truly is the main reason that I have chosen to keep this mug as my go-to mug over all of the others I have tried.
The combination of Yeti’s MagSlider lid and the fact that these are built to fit in just about any vehicle’s cup holders means you can drink your coffee while driving (or not).
The MagSlider lid may not be leak-proof, but it is easy to utilize with one hand, meaning you can continue to drive safely while drinking your coffee. I have yet to find another coffee mug that does this anywhere close to as good as Yeti, and I’ve tested quite a few.
Meanwhile, the sizing of the base of the mug means that it fits into most cup holders! That said, I have found some second-row cup holders that it doesn’t fit into, but that is a rare occasion.
2. Easy to clean
There are far too many difficult-to-clean coffee mugs out there today. At some point, most of those coffee mugs that have complicated lid designs end up in the garbage (or at least should) after the lids become gunked up with gross slime, as it’s nearly impossible to clean them correctly.
However, the Yeti Rambler Tumbler has three components. The Yeti Mug itself, the lid, and the magslider. Each of these comes apart in seconds, all are dishwasher safe, and there are no hidden nooks and crannies anywhere on the mug, meaning you don’t have to worry about mold growing anywhere on it.
Quick Note: The lid does have a gasket that keeps it in place on the mug, this gasket should be removed ever once in a while and wiped down, as some gunk does get stuck there. This is an easy process.
3. Keeps coffee hot
You’d think that the ability to keep coffee hot would be higher on my list, but let’s be honest, most decent coffee mugs these days do a fantastic job of doing this, so cleanability and ease of use sit much higher for me.
Regardless, the Yeti Rambler Tumbler does a fantastic job at keeping hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold, almost to a fault. Double-walled stainless steel does a great job of heat retention, and the exterior of the mug is cold to the touch, even if boiling liquids are on the interior of the mug.
You can put coffee into the mug in the morning and still sip it well into the afternoon (I’ve tested this in the video below).
4. Holds up to abuse
After using plenty of different travel mugs over the years, all of them have started to show wear and tear with use, resulting in chipped paint and losing their like-new quality.
However, this Yeti (and all of my Yeti drinkware) has done an amazing job of not showing wear and tear at all. Even after dropping my mug (and my water bottle) regularly, you’ll only find light scratches and dents on it, and any deep scratches are not noticeable due to how thick the durable paint is (unlike much of the competition).
I have no doubt that this coffee mug could last for a lifetime of use and still look much like it did when new, meaning you won’t be buying many coffee mugs moving forward.
What do I NOT like about it?
1. The styling is getting dated.
While there is very little that I dislike about this Yeti Rambler, I think my major complaint comes down to its styling. Not much has changed with this Rambler over the years, and its industrial look is starting to become a little long in the tooth. When some other brands like Fellow Products and Klean Kanteen (we’ll talk about both of these in a moment) are releasing a little more modern and better-styled alternatives, the Rambler sits out as having a bit of an older look.
Who is the Rambler Tumbler for?
I think that the Yeti Rambler Tumbler is a fantastic option for most people, it likely will be easier to tell you the groups of people that a Yeti Rambler is not for.
1. Those who need a watertight tumbler
If you are someone who takes mass transit (you don’t drive yourself), and you tend to throw your coffee mug into your bag, don’t get this coffee mug. The MagSlider lid may be amazing, but it isn’t watertight, meaning it will spill into your bag. Instead, I would recommend looking into the Fellow Carter Wide Mug that we’ll talk about in a moment.
2. You don’t have the budget.
Now, I highly appreciate gear and purchasing gear that makes your life better (of which I think this Tumbler would). However, what I don’t recommend is that you bust your budget. If you don’t have the money, please don’t spend so much money on a coffee mug when there are others that may not be quite as good but will still get the job done. Going broke over a coffee mug is not worth it.
What are the top competitors?
1. Carter Wide Mug
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- Looks great
- Great quality
- Keeps coffee hot for long periods
- People will want one when they see it
- Works for both home and on the go
- Expensive
- Not great for use while driving
- Capacity: 16 ounces
- Construction: 18/8 Stainless Steel, Ceramic Interior
- Dishwasher Safe: No
The Yeti Rambler Tumbler is a fantastic coffee mug, but the Carter Wide Mug from Fellow Products definitely looks better. This mug is terrible for use while driving, but it makes up for it by being completely watertight, and it looks considerably better than the Yeti alternative. They are around the same price, so it’s worth checking out. You can read my full review of this option here!
2. Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler
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- The capacity is perfect
- My favorite styling of any tumbler
- The wide mouth is great to drink from
- High-quality tumbler
- The wide mouth causes spills
- Capacity: 16 ounces
- Construction: 18/8 Stainless Steel
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Both Yeti and Klean Kanteen used to follow the more utilitarian route when it came to styling. However, with the recent revamp of Klean Kanteen’s lineup, their new Rise lineup looks way better than a Yeti. The major downside is its lid. It can be used while driving, but its wide mouth can cause it to spill out of the mug and onto your lap. You can read my review of the one the brand gifted me here!
