This is a detailed review of the YETI Rambler 20 oz tumbler stainless steel vacuum insulated mug. This review is based on my personal experience. I am a frequent hiker and camper, and the YETI Rambler has been with me during my recent hiking and road trips. This is one of the best camping mugs that we ever used.
I also used this tumbler regularly at home and carried it to my office. After using it so much and under different conditions, I must say that this is an excellent tumbler.
Related: Best Camping Mugs
The tumbler is not backpack friendly, which may be an issue for you. It is better to go for the conventional mugs or bottles in that case.
During my trips, there were different weather conditions ranging from warm sunny days to cold thunders, rains, and even snow. The review is a complete version as I made the tumbler undergo everything that it may go through within its expected lifespan.
Performance Comparison and Testing Results
Features
The YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler is loaded with excellent features. These features make it an excellent tumbler and also justify its price. First, the material used is stainless steel, making it very durable. The tumbler is also BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. It can hold 1.3 pounds of liquid.
The company promises to be leak-proof, but my experience tells otherwise. Apart from being excellent in all the other aspects, you cannot unthinkingly trust the tumbler when it comes to leakage from the lid.
My experience showed that the lid caused leakages in quite a few instances, which can be dangerous under particular conditions.
The absence of a rubber gasket under the mag slider on the lid causes the leakage. However, the lid itself is of excellent quality and doesn’t leak.
Another feature that most people will ignore is the high quality of the paint. The paint is of extremely good quality. It didn’t fade or develop cracks over long-term usage.
Safety
My only concern regarding safety in tumblers and mugs is plastic’s wear and tear, making the drinks impure. However, there was no such thing with the YETI Rambler, even after countless washes.
However, carrying it in your backpack is unsafe as the lid often leads to leakages during my testing.
Temperature Retention
Whenever I purchase a tumbler, my biggest question is always the insulation. What is the point of spending my money if it cannot keep my drink hot or cold long enough? I would not like to fill my tumbler with ice-cold cola only to open it after 2 hours to drink warm cola.
The Rambler did a great job in this aspect. I tested it several times with different hot and cold drinks. The insulation was always excellent. The reason is that this tumbler is cleanly insulated from the lid to the bottom.
The heat transfer is extremely slow, and it held my drinks sufficiently warm or cold for an average of 5 hours. The time may vary depending upon your liking for the extent of hotness or coolness and the climate. The significant change starts after 5 hours, and the drink remains drinkable for around 10 hours.
I did a car test to further examine this. The temperature was around 30 degrees, and I left the tumbler inside the car for 4 hours. The bottle was warm, but the drink inside was still ice cold.
This duration is more than enough and way higher than the cheaper Tumblers. Ice cold drinks become warm in 3-4 hours.
Magnetic Lid Design
In my opinion, the magnetic lid is an excellent option that makes the tumbler much more easy to access. I have seen different ranges of mugs out there which are vacuum insulated, but the lids are not magnetic. It means that you must use both hands to screw and unscrew the lid.
I find it very inconvenient. The underlying question was the performance of the YETI Rambler with the magnetic lid. There is no point in using the magnetic lid if I have to compromise on the vacuum.
I found the magnetic lid very tight and precise. It just compliments the insulated body of the tumbler. However, the slider is the problem and the only weakness of this tumbler. I experienced leakage due to the slider on multiple occasions.
Quality & Durability
The tumbler is quite durable. I had it with me during all types of weather conditions. I didn’t feel any modification in structure over time. During my trips, I also accidentally dropped the tumbler several times. This is where the stainless steel showed its resistance to shattering.
The sweat-free design makes it easy to carry in your hands for longer.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The YETI Rambler is extremely low maintenance and easy to clean. There were several occasions when I didn’t have access to any kind of dishwasher, but I could still clean it thoroughly without any taste retention.
I don’t remember spending any time on the maintenance of this cup. It is pretty durable, so I really think that no maintenance is required.
Versatility & Portability
The YETI Rambler is extraordinarily versatile & portable. I have used this tumbler for a wide variety of drinks ranging from cold-flavored drinks and shakes to hot coffee and tea. The tumbler did surprisingly well in dealing with the different types of drinks.
Portability is the only factor that causes inconvenience. The magnetic lid has a slider mechanism and can pop off and damage your belongings inside the bag.
The lid can sometimes leak; therefore, I will never recommend carrying it in your backpack. Apart from that, it does fit quite well in the standard cup holders.
Value to Money
The YETI Rambler is an excellent product worth the money. The only weakness of the tumbler is leakage which only occurs under specific conditions. You don’t have to worry about leakages if you have a standard cup holder that can keep it upright.
The excellent temperature retention, build quality, versatility, and durability justify the price.
What I Like
- Temperature Retention. The temperature retention is excellent; drinks are ice cold even after 5 hours under the sun.
- Build Quality. Stainless steel ensures durability. The body is resistant to shattering, which ensures high durability.
- Easy to Clean. The Rambler is very easy to clean. Even without a dishwasher, rinsing with water made it clean.
What I Don’t Like
- Leakage from Lid. The magnetic slider and the lid cause leakage sometimes. I was not pleased with the lid’s performance.
- Not Easy to Carry. The portability of this cup is an issue. It is not backpack friendly, and you may have to carry it in your hand or get a portable cup holder.
Comparison with Similar Mugs
With Stanley Classic Trigger Action
The Stanley Classic trigger action features a boring design that features a trigger action. Some people may find it a better option, but I didn’t find it assuming.
The reason is that the YETI was better regarding heat retention, usage, and design. One advantage that it does have over the Rambler is that it doesn’t have a magnetic slider.
There is no chance of leakage, so that you may slide it inside your backpack, but the other features of the YETI Rambler make it the clear winner.
With CamelBak Horizon 12 oz Camp Mug
The CamelBak may be a good bet in your office or study table. However, it isn’t perfect for hiking and camping. One of the major reasons is the lower capacity compared to the Rambler.
Also, it won’t fit in the standard cup holders because of the mug grip.
Most of the complaints regarding this mug were about its heat retention. It doesn’t outperform the YETI Rambler in any way. So, the YETI outshines this mug with ease.
FAQs
Is a YETI Rambler worth it?
Yes, the YETI Rambler is worth the money because of its temperature retention, cup holder compatibility, and built-in straw that can make you drink all day long without worrying about finding a glass or cup.
Does the YETI Rambler 20 oz fit in a cup holder?
Yes, the Yeti Rambler 20 oz easily fits inside all standard cup holders. You can keep it inside the cup holder of your car easily.
Final Verdict
The YETI Rambler 20 oz is worth the price. I tested it through rough and tough situations, and it came out clean 99% of the time.
The 1% is the leakage problem. The magnetic lid is compact and helps with the insulation, but the mag slider can cause leakages, so I would not recommend keeping the Rambler inside your backpack. It is an ideal product as it is easy to clean, durable, highly insulated, and camping friendly.