Pollution is getting so out of hand that companies like Starbucks are trying to figure out how to get rid of disposable cups. That means in the near future, we might have to bring our own tumblers to coffee stores. That’s not exactly a problem, as long as you know what tumbler size to get.
Tumblers vary in size, from 12 ounces all the way up to 64 ounces. The standard size of a tumbler will be anywhere from 14 to 16 ounces.
In this guide, I’ll speak more about the various tumbler sizes and why it even matters in the first place. That way, you can make an educated decision when deciding what tumbler size to get.
Tumbler Sizes
A tumbler is a kind of portable, reusable container that’s used to hold liquids. It comes with a lid that twists on to prevent your drink from spilling when moving around. They have a flat base with straight or tapered walls that extend outward toward the top.
There are a variety of tumbler size options to choose from. Most manufacturers will start with 10-ounce tumblers, and their largest will be 32 or 40 ounces. The largest tumbler you can normally find will hold onto 64 fluid ounces. As for the standard tumbler, it will usually range from 14 to 20 ounces.
Tumbler Dimensions
The dimensions of a tumbler will vary based on how big it is and the manufacturer’s sizing specifications. Below is a chart that describes the dimensions of top-selling tumblers of different sizes.
| Tumbler Model | Size | Dimensions |
| Hydro Flask All-Around Tumbler | 12 oz. | 3.07 × 6.1 in. |
| Reduce Coldee Tumbler | 14 oz. | 2.5 × 5.75 in. |
| Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler | 16 oz. | 3 × 6.8 in. |
| Guardian Steel Tumbler | 18 oz. | 3.25 × 6.8 in. |
| Yeti Rambler Tumbler | 20 oz. | 3.5 × 6.9 in. |
| Maars Roadie Tumbler | 22 oz. | 2.6 × 10 in. |
| Iron °Flask | 24 oz. | 2.76 × 11 in. |
| N-Square Double-Walled | 26 oz. | 3.9 × 7.5 in. |
| Aikico Insulated Tumbler | 28 oz. | 3.7 × 8.7 in. |
| RTIC Tumbler | 30 oz. | 4.3 × 8.7 in. |
| Bubba Brands Vacuum Tumbler | 32 oz. | 4.13 × 11 in. |
| Reduce Stainless Steel | 34 oz. | 3.25 × 8.5 in. |
| Beast Insulted Tumbler | 40 oz. | 4.8 × 10.8 in. |
| XPAC Double-Vacuum Tumbler | 44 oz. | 3.5 × 9.5 in. |
| Tupperware Mega Tumbler | 48 oz. | 4.7 × 10.6 in. |
| Reduce Mug Tumbler | 50 oz. | 5.16 × 10.7 in. |
| Bubba Travel Mug | 52 oz. | 5.6 × 7.6 in. |
| XPAC Insulated Travel Mug | 64 oz. | 3.9 × 10 in. |
Why Does Tumbler Size Matter?
Now, you’re probably wondering why the size of a tumbler even matters. Allow me to explain down below.
Temperature
If you’re anything like me, you can’t bear drinking cold coffee. Even though some tumblers can be insulated to keep hot drinks warm for up to 24 hours, the real number is 12 hours of insulation before your drink becomes lukewarm and borderline undrinkable.
The same goes for cold drinks—the insulated walls can keep cold drinks mildly cold for several hours, but later on, you might end up tossing the drink out because of the change in temperature.
Basically, you should choose a tumbler that holds only enough of your drink that you can enjoy it at the right temperature. So, if you’re someone who drinks 12 ounces of cold water in the morning, getting a 64-ounce travel tumbler is definitely overkill.
Cup Holder Size
Try taking a look at the cup holder in your car or bicycle. Odds are it will measure around 3 inches in diameter and around 2.5 inches deep. That means you will have to find a tumbler with the right dimensions to fit in the cup holder or find an alternative method of taking your tumbler with you.
For the most part, cup holders can hold up to 16-ounce drink containers, but some tumblers might have narrower bottoms than tops, allowing them to sit comfortably inside average-sized cup holders. If you opt for a large tumbler, you can always pick up custom-sized cup holders, such as the Go Gear RETRO-CHA on Amazon.
Compatibility with Coffee Machines
Earlier, I mentioned that places like Starbucks are thinking of ways of getting rid of single-use cups. This probably means that patrons will be required to bring their own tumblers if they want to order a drink. While this might not sound like a big deal, it can be if you don’t have the right tumbler size.
Some coffee machines will only accept 8- to 12-ounce containers, which means that you will have to transfer the drink from a smaller tumbler to your massive 64-ounce beast.
What to Look for in a Tumbler
Now, let’s take a look at the various features in a tumbler that you should keep an eye out for.
Material
Tumblers are usually made of either plastic or stainless steel. Plastic is lighter but can become easily damaged when dropped, whereas stainless-steel tumblers are heavier but can withstand bumps and bruises. Also, tumblers with stainless-steel interiors can offer insulation levels that plastic can only dream of.
Handle
Some tumblers come with handles while others don’t. The plastic or stainless-steel exterior of the tumbler will prevent the hot drink from burning your fingers whenever you go in for a drink, but if you don’t want to run the risk of spilling it all over your lap, find a tumbler with handles. You can even add your own with removable handles.
Straw
There are tumblers with straws that are integrated or removable lids. The straw port cannot be closed entirely unless you shut the lid, and even then, your drink might slosh out of the hole. Unless you plan on using your tumbler to hold onto cold drinks, you can skip tumblers with straws.
Tapered vs. Straight
Tapered tumblers will have slightly narrower bases that allow them to fit inside cup holders, even though they can hold more than 20 ounces of a drink. However, if you want to customize your tumbler by sublimating the exterior, you’ll have an easier time doing so with straight tumblers—not that sublimating a tapered tumbler is impossible, as SubZone Ink clearly demonstrates.
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