Owalas are More Popular Than Stanleys Among Students
- Chloe Spiegel '27
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
Stanley and Owala water bottles have become extremely sought-after among teenagers worldwide as well as at school. Both companies became famous for their insulated, reusable water bottles as a cute way to stay hydrated. However, the popularity of both brands poses the question: Which is the superior water bottle?
According to its website, Stanley was established in 1913 with the mission of creating new technology to insulate drinks for long periods of time. Throughout its more than 100-year history, Stanley water bottles have maintained their reputation as a sustainable option as their water bottles are “built for life.” Although the company has had a long history, Stanleys became popular in the media in 2022 after the Quencher Tumbler went viral on TikTok.
Lauren Hemann ’27 said that she enjoys that the Stanley is “easy to clean” and “has a lot of variety, so it can be more unique.” Noor Poshni ’27 agreed and commented, “I love my Stanley because the handle makes it easy to carry, and the size is perfect for the amount of water I want to
drink.”
The Stanley, however, has its weaknesses as well. Many recognize its vulnerability to spilling, and others note that its size is not always convenient. Poshni stated, “I don’t like using it for sports because the straw gets annoying.”
Owala’s FreeSip bottle became extremely desired in 2023 because of the spout, which gives users the option of either sipping through a straw or chugging the water bottle. In fact, according to the Owala website, the style was named one of TIME’s best inventions of 2023.
Upper school science teacher Jeff Bryant received an Owala as a gift, and he enjoys the “option of using a straw or just pouring” and said “the fun color combinations are a plus.” Paige Wallenhaupt ’27 shared that her Owala “gives [her] more comfort than [her] Stanley because [she] can hold it easier and trust it not to spill.”
The Owala, however, does not come without some drawbacks. The water bottle is notably harder to clean as it has small parts around the spout. Bryant noted that his Owala is “getting stains on the soft parts,” and Hemann dislikes how “Owalas make [her] feel like [she is] drinking out of a sippy cup.”
The community has found benefits and drawbacks to both options, yet the Owala is currently the more popular water bottle in the halls. According to an upper school survey of 170 students, 70% said that they prefer Owalas. Nonetheless, although they may have had a recent decline in popularity, Stanleys are still a very close second.
