We Tested TikTok's Favorite Stanley Quencher — and Here's Our Review

The TikTok-famous 40-ounce water bottle is honestly worth the hype, according to our editors.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links. Learn more.
Updated on January 22, 2024

Related To:

Photo c/o Stanley

Tested by T.K. Brady and Taylor Murray

It’s a plain fact that we all need to be drinking more water and this can be straight-up hard to do. The Mayo Clinic suggests between 11 and 15.5 cups per day depending on gender. That’s 88 to 124 cups of water, every day. A good quality water bottle can be the difference between staying hydrated and getting parched. With thousands of water cups on the market, people are starting to become die-hard devotees to their favorite.

One such favorite is the Stanley 40 oz Quencher. On TikTok, you'll see hundreds of influencers touting their favorite Stanley cup in a variety of colors, patterns and customizations. Even celebs are fans of the Stanley. Videos ripple across YouTube extolling the greatness of this giant water cup that can still fit in a car cupholder.

Why Is Everyone So Obsessed with the Stanley Quencher?

The hype around the cup all started when influencers behind The Buy Guide swore by this water cup and regularly featured them on their product round-ups. On eBay, resellers hawk certain coveted colors for as much as $180 (the cup retails for $40). But how does one actually buy a Stanley Quencher if the cups sell out so quickly? And do they really live up to the hype? We spoke to Terence Reilly, the Global President of Stanley, to find out more — and tested multiple Quenchers for ourselves.

Do Stanley Quenchers Sell Out?

The short answer is not anymore. For the most part, Stanley has received the message that everyone is a fan of their 40-ounce water cups and now stocks accordingly. In general, you'll find stock for most of their popular colors on a regular basis with the exception of some limited edition items — like the brand's 2024 color drop for Valentine's Day at Target. In the past, the waitlist for a color has reached up to 150,000, says Reilly. Because of its insane popularity Stanley introduced a "Notify Me" feature to its site. Customers can choose to be notified about their favorite color, size or other products if they're currently sold out.

If you miss an online restock, check out online retailers and local stores.

Stanley knows their products are popular and they've expanded their offerings to major retailers including Amazon, REI, Dick's Sporting Goods, Target and Whole Foods stores. We've also seen the Quencher sold online at Williams Sonoma. "The Stanley bear is truly everywhere," says Reilly. Some retail partners have exlusive colors not found on Stanley's website.

Photo by: Photo by T.K. Brady

Photo by T.K. Brady

Wondering if the Stanley Quencher lives up to the hype? We tried it.

How We Tested the Stanley Quencher

We've tested multiple Stanley Quencher cups since 2021. All of the models we have tested are 40 ounces and made with a stainless steel interior and plastic straws. The first model we tested did not have the soft-touch handle that you'll now find on most Stanley models, which is a nice feature when carrying the full water bottle around. We've tested models in cream and stainless steel finishes.

Heat Retention Test: We started with hot water at 202 degrees F and checked the temperature every hour. After 4 hours, it lost 40 degrees, and it took 18 hours to return to room temperature.

Cold Retention Test: We started with cold 43 degrees F water and checked the temperature every hour. In 4 hours, it had lost 8 degrees, and it took almost 24 hours to return to room temperature.

Drop Test: After a fall from 3 feet (full of liquid), the bottom of the cup did scratch lightly but did not dent.

Photo by: Photo by T.K. Brady

Photo by T.K. Brady

Leak Test: The mug is not leak-proof, but merely spill-proof. The lid will prevent splashing but will only stop liquid from spilling to a point. If it falls on its side, you’re likely to lose much of your beverage. In past models, the straw hole didn't have any silicone to hold the straw in place, which is now the norm on Stanley cups. That change has helped with some leakage when on-the-go, but we really don't recommend turning the cup upside down or shaking it around too much as it's not totally sealed.

What We Like
  1. Extra-large size helps hydration goals
  2. Fits in cupholders
  3. Soft-touch grips
  4. Dishwasher safe
What We Don't Like
  1. May be heavy for some
  2. Not leak-proof
  3. Doesn't fit in backpack

The Pros: Great for Drinking Water

It is a great cup, if only for how much water it can hold while still being able to fit in a cup holder — a must-have combo for busy parents and working people alike who find themselves driving much of the day. The handle makes it easy to hold, and the straw is wide for maximum rate of sippage.

The Cons: Not Leak-Proof and Large

Because the top is not spill-proof, it leaks heat along with liquid. And just to state the obvious, this water cup is massive. While we love that it fits in a cupholder, you can't fit two Stanley's in a cupholder side-by-side and the size and weight might be too challenging for some people to carry on a regular basis. We also wouldn't recommend throwing this cup in your bag or in a backpack with any liquid, as it isn't spill-proof. Looking for a way to keep spills at bay? Stanley straw covers are new accessories that can help with leakage.

Who Should Buy a Stanley Quencher?

Anyone looking to drink more water or track their intake could benefit from a Stanley Quencher. However, for those who are looking for the size and something that's leakproof, there are some alternatives we would recommend instead.

Related Links:

Next Up

We Tested 6 Ooni Pizza Ovens and Here's Our Honest Review

We've tried nearly all of the models on the market, and can confidently say there are two models we absolutely recommend.

Our Honest Review of the Our Place Dream Cooker

This chic countertop multi cooker is not your mom's Instant Pot.

Our Honest Review of Anyday's Microwave Cookware

This cookware brand wants you to do all your cooking — yes, all of it! — in the microwave.

Our Honest Review of the Ninja Creami

This multi-use ice cream machine churns out stellar smoothie bowls (yes, smoothie bowls!).

We Tried All of the Magic Spoon Cereal Flavors and Here Is Our Take

Does this high-protein, grain-free, zero-sugar, low-carb, keto-friendly cereal live up to the Internet's hype?

Our Honest Review of the Breville Pizzaiolo Pizza Oven

We tested Breville's $1,000 pizza oven to see if it lives up to the hype.

Our Honest Review of Made In's Stainless Clad Cookware

The new kid on the block, Made In Cookware, is a heavy hitter in the world of stainless steel pans.

Our Honest Review of Almond Cow's Nut Milk Maker

It promises homemade, plant-based milk in just 60 seconds!

Our Honest Review of the Ninja Thirsti Soda Maker

Ninja's new soda maker is easy to use and ideal for anyone looking for low-sugar carbonated drinks.

What's New