STANLEY QUENCHER vs. SIMPLE MODERN TUMBLER

I don’t think a day goes by where there isn’t some hot ticket item up for debate in our world. While there are many an important topic to garner passionate fury in its name, one everyday essential seems to always steal the spotlight and spark conversation: tumbler cups. (And MAN, folks get FIERY for their favorite cups – ha!) Gone are the days of drinking from water glasses – the name of today’s game is which tumbler cup does it all, does it longest and does it best. It’s gotta keep your drink cold and ice frozen and fit in a cup holder and not leak and not sweat and create world peace while it’s at it. For YEARS, my favorite has been the Simple Modern tumbler, so much so that I designed my own. It comes in all different sizes, doesn’t leak, and comes with both hot and cold interchangeable lids since it insulates effectively for both temperatures. Quite simply, Simple Modern makes fabulous cups. Awhile back, we did an all-day side-by-side comparison in real time against Jamie’s Yeti, and the Simple Modern tumbler came out on top, with its ice lasting longer inside with multiple water refills throughout the course of the day. So, assuming for the sake of this particular comparison that the Yeti is out of the picture, we’re putting the Simple Modern alongside its newer competitor: . (*Post updated as of August 2023!)

I’d been hearing word on the street about the Stanley Adventure Quencher for quite some time, namely because it sells out the SECOND it restocks. The waitlist is a mile long, and as soon as it’s back it’s gone again. What’s so great about the Stanley Quencher? And is it really better than the Simple Modern cups I’ve loveloveloved for so long? Let’s find out.

STANLEY QUENCHER:

The 40 oz. Stanley Quencher Travel Tumbler is perhaps the most popular option on their website, as it’s the one that sells out as soon as it’s re-stocked. It’s got double-wall vacuum insulation, and an ergonomic handle. It’s also got a three-position lid: an opening for the reusable straw, an opening for sipping, and a full-cover top to prevent splashes. It’s BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and fits in a car cup holder (although it doesn’t fit in mine – more on that below).

On Stanley’s website, the Quencher has over 4,000 reviews averaging 4.5 stars.

MY PROS:

The bigger, 40 oz size obviously holds more liquid, meaning less trips to refill.
The handle is a pro…but also a con for me. (See below)
It definitely keeps your drinks cold and ice frozen – their website guarantees 7 hours hot, 11 hours cold, and 2 days iced. I haven’t tried hot drinks inside as of yet and probably wouldn’t, since I would not be drinking 40 ounces of coffee lest I bounce off a wall. 😉

MY CONS:

Most notable con for me is its weight when it’s full of liquid + ice – my wrist gets tired and I find it a bit uncomfortable to tout around. So for as much as a handle is a pro, it’s also a con for me here, because I end up holding it by its body to lessen discomfort when the Quencher is full.
Doesn’t actually fit in my car cup holder. IDK if I just have smaller holders, but the height doesn’t fit under my dash.
Can’t even get one unless you wait by checkout with an alarm set on restock days – ha!

I will say, shoutout to Emelia from the CURowd who sent me a note that Target’s “dupe” is basically identical in functionality – I don’t have yet myself to speak to it firsthand, but based on the product specs, it seems on paper to be pretttttty much the same thing.

SIMPLE MODERN:

Assumedly due to the viral success of the Stanley, SM launched their own version: the 40 oz Trek Tumbler. It skyrocketed in popularity and was constantly sold out for awhile (especially during what was fondly dubbed “Cup Gate”…IYKYK 😉 ), but is luckily now in stock on Prime with quite a few fun colors + prints (leopard, checker, even DISNEY OH MY).

It’s got a double wall and vacuum insulation for temperature control, and this is no joke – it keeps ice frozen all dang day. When I’m nursing the baby in the middle of the night, nothing beats still having cold ice water for sipping.

MY PROS:

Doesn’t sweat, DOESN’T LEAK…this is HUGE comparatively to the Stanley Quencher, which has been known to completely spill if knocked down. As seen here, you can tip the Simple Modern Trek over completely and no water will drip from the straw hole. While some folks got on a high horse saying they, “as grownups, don’t walk around tipping their cups over” (Oh you don’t, Susan? I’ve been walking around with it upside down all this time! 🤦‍♀️)…the rest of us peasants have experienced accidentally knocking a cup over, having it tip inside a bag, or a kiddo getting a hold of it and holding it upside down. 😉 You get such a strong seal around the straw that literally NOTHING comes out when tipped.
Fits in my car cup holder
A bit lighter weight than the Stanley Quencher, and higher rated. (They hold the same volume of liquid, so it’s not a super significant difference in overall weight – but I think it is a bit lighter!)
Keeps my drink cold as long as I need it to – I should be actively hydrating, so I don’t really NEED the same beverage to be cold sitting out for two days…ha! But regardless, as noted from the Instagram Stories highlight comparing my Simple Modern to a yeti, the Simple Modern tumbler can keep ice frozen solid over 24 hours.

MY CONS:

I have none. Literally. None. We have 4 in our house.

*When this post was first published, it was before Simple Modern launched the Trek Tumbler, so I had originally compared the Stanley Quencher to the OG Simple Modern tumbler cup. Those details are still below since the info still stands!

The 24 oz Simple Modern tumbler and the 40 oz Stanley Adventure Quencher

SIMPLE MODERN:

The Simple Modern tumbler is a versatile bestseller, featuring a double wall and vacuum insulation for both hot or cold beverage temperature control. Two lids are includes – a straw lid and a flip lid – to switch between beverage types. It’s also dishwasher safer and made from food-grade 18/8 stainless steel. The Simple Modern tumbler fits most cup holders – and the company also gives 10% of profits back. We have – I kid you not – 7+ in our household at this point, and at least one is ALWAYS filled somewhere on rotation.

On Amazon, the Simple Modern tumbler has over 53,000 reviews, with a solid 5-star rating. One of the first reviews I saw was titled “Not to be dramatic, but I would die for this cup.” Me too, Jacklynn, me too. 😂

MY PROS:

Doesn’t sweat, doesn’t leak, great size for on the go.
Fits in my car cup holder
Lighter weight than the Stanley Quencher, and higher rated.
Still keeps my drink cold as long as I need it to – I should be actively hydrating, so I don’t really NEED the same beverage to be cold sitting out for two days…ha! But regardless, as noted from the Instagram Stories highlight comparing my Simple Modern to a yeti, the Simple Modern tumbler can keep ice frozen over 24 hours.
Leak free lid! Even with the straw in, if you knock it over, it will take a hot sec for anything to MAYBE drip out past the seal, if at all (whereas the Stanley Quencher will spill more from the straw area if knocked over – thanks to Lucy the Labradoodle for that discovery 😉 ).
Comes in multiple sizes, so you can get the exact same product in different ounce options (unlike the Stanley, which has product feature changes if you switch up size – like losing the handle, etc). We have a few of the 24 ounces, two 20 ounces, and then the kids’ version for Olivia.

MY CONS:

I have none. Literally. I have none. It’s been my favorite cup for years at this point for a reason…heck, I even designed my own for the THRIVING Collection.
I guess I WOULD want one with a handle just to see how it compares/feels to the original at this point – Simple Modern team, if you see this, consider this my formal plea. 😉 **August 2023, THE SIMPLE MODERN GODS HEARD OUR PRAYER!