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I can’t even remember at this point how long I have been using my Yeti Rambler 18oz Water Bottle, it has to be three or four years at this point. During that time, it consistently has outpaced all of the other random water bottles I own as being my go-to bottle to consume that good-ole H2O.
In this article, I’m going to share my years of experience with this bottle! What I have liked about it, what I don’t like about it, and exactly who it is for! Stay tuned to the end, as it isn’t for everyone.
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What is the Yeti Rambler 18oz Water Bottle?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- So incredibly durable
- It does a fantastic job of keeping my water cold
- The chug lid is easy to drink from
- Everything is cleanable & dishwasher safe
- Filling it up is a simple task
- It has customizable accessories
- This Rambler is heavy!
- I sometimes wish it had a larger capacity
This 18/8 Stainless Steel construction water bottle weighs in at 1.32 pounds (.6kg) without water in it, but it makes up for it with some impressive features. As the name implies, it is able to handle up to 18oz of fluid (most people use it to keep water cold, but technically can keep things warm as well).
This specific model is equipped with their Chug Cab (Paid Link), which gives a large opening for large amounts of water, but when the cap is screwed on tight, it offers a waterproof seal that can be thrown in a backpack (or, in my case, my car’s floorboards). Keeping it clean is a simple task, as everything that comes with this water bottle is completely dishwasher-safe. The bottle comes in plenty of different colors, including new and old seasonal and specialized colors (as Yeti is known for).
What do I like about this water bottle?
1. So incredibly durable
While everything after this is extremely important as well, I think the thing I am most impressed with is its durability. I leave my water bottle in the floor boards of my car, it drops out of my hand all the time on to cement and gravel, it goes through the dishwasher, I forget it at the gym – I am by no means nice to my water bottle.
With all of that said, it has held up so well! Where most water bottles would have gashes or massive dents from being dropped on the ground in the gravel, it shrugs it off with a bit of discoloration to the paint. Where lids would normally crack and break, this chug lid has a minor indent. It’s not often a product that is treated so badly that it holds up like this one does right here.
2. It does a fantastic job of keeping my water cold
At some point I’m going to go through and test exactly how long this water bottle keeps water cold for, however for now, just know it’s quite a long time. So often, I find myself adding some ice water to the bottle, forgetting about it, only to find it the next day with water that is still incredibly cold.
It also is quite often that I leave my water bottle in a hot car for a day or so, only to find the outside of the bottle hot to the touch (like too hot to handle), and the water on the inside is cold as can be. There really is little that can change the interior of the bottles of water, whether the outside weather is hot or cold. Impressive, for sure!
Of course, a bit part of the reason this is possible is the double-walled stainless steel construction. I also have no doubt the double-walled construction has an air pocket between the two layers of steel, meaning no heat exchange happens between the layers.
3. The chug lid is easy to drink from
The water bottle I purchased came with a chug lid (Paid Link)! While I also own the straw lid (we’ll talk about that another time), I am currently using the chug lid that it came with. I’m incredibly impressed with this lid. Not only has it taken years to be dropped, but it still works, just like the day I bought it.
When you screw the cap on, it has a snug fit against the bottom part of the lid. This gives it its water-tight structure, along with keeping the cold water in and the hot air out. The lid also has two different sections, meaning you can remove the whole thing to fill up the water bottle (with a large opening) or remove just the top portion for drinking.
Both of these components are completely dishwasher safe, and due to them not being a complicated design, they are long-lasting and don’t get so dirty you have to toss them.
4. Everything is cleanable & dishwasher safe
One of my biggest nitpicks with most water bottles (and coffee mugs) is how difficult it can be to get them clean. Many bottles, over time, will get gunk built up inside their complicated lid or straw, and you end up having to throw it away, completely defeating the purpose of these reusable bottles.
However, the chug lid on this Yeti has stood the test of time. It’s spent too much time in the dishwasher (yes, it’s dishwasher safe), and all of the components tear down easily, to the point that there aren’t any weird nooks and crannies that might hide leftover gunk to turn into something disgusting. I have no doubt that whether I hand wash it or dishwash”er” it, it’s clean and ready to go, even after all these years.
5. Filling it up is a simple task
The chug lid on this bottle is genius! It comes in two parts; there’s the screw-off lid portion, which, when you remove that component, reveals the chug lid. However, when you remove the chug lid portion, it leaves a large opening, which not only helps with cleaning but also leaves a large opening for filling the water bottle up. That way, you can leave it in your sink to fill up with water (I have a water filter spout) and walk away without having to worry about it missing the smaller opening.
6. It has customizable accessories
Yeti is all about accessories, and it’s no different here! You can purchase plenty of different lids, carriers and so much more. The one accessory that I have purchased for mine was the straw lid! While I am back to using the chug lid, I used the straw lid for quite a long time, and was thoroughly impressed. If you purchase a no-name water bottle, accessories are going to be lacking, and that just isn’t the case with Yeti because, you know, Yeti.
What do I NOT like about the 18oz Rambler Bottle?
1. This Rambler is heavy!
No product is perfect, and the Yeti Rambler Water Bottle is no exception. It’s biggest downside has to be the weight! This thing is incredibly heavy, and with its double walled stainless steel construction, kinda makes sense. That said, make sure to keep it out of the overhead compartment in a plane, as it could come dropping down and be a serious issue.
It’s quite often that I drop the bottle, and worry just a little bit that I damaged my floors with the bottle, and always worry that I’m going to drop and hurt someone with it.
This issue is compounded when you keep the bottle in your backpack or bag, as it adds a massive amount of weight to your pack and makes you want to find an alternative water bottle. This is definitely more of a water bottle that you personally carry or keep in your car, not something you throw in a pack.
2. I sometimes wish it had a larger capacity
I very much prefer the more compact sizing of this water bottle; however, with compact sizing comes compact capacity (say that three times fast). I do find myself running out of water quite a bit before I’m ready, especially during the summer. I fully understand they do have larger versions of this water bottle, and that might be well worth upgrading to if you need more water (just be aware it’s physically larger and heavier than this 18oz).
Who should buy this Yeti?
This 18oz Yeti Rambler Water Bottle is perfect for someone like me! You want cold water throughout the day, and you likely hang out at your house most of the time (I work from home, writing articles like this). That means you don’t need the higher capacity for longer bouts at a job site or even at work (away from filtered water). You also are someone who doesn’t plan on carrying your water bottle for long periods or keeping it in your backpack.
Now, if you are someone who needs a large capacity or does carry your bottles for long periods, you might want to look for an alternative material or possibly a single-wall stainless steel construction bottle.
Where should you buy it, if you want it?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- So incredibly durable
- It does a fantastic job of keeping my water cold
- The chug lid is easy to drink from
- Everything is cleanable & dishwasher safe
- Filling it up is a simple task
- It has customizable accessories
- This Rambler is heavy!
- I sometimes wish it had a larger capacity
