Whether you’re making protein shakes, green smoothies, or another frozen drink, the best smoothie cup is a must. Specially designed for travel, smoothie cups let you keep your drink thick and cool all day long without worrying about drips or spills. There are plenty of designs out there, meaning you can get a cup that matches your needs perfectly.
However, since there are so many cups out there, it might not be easy to find the one you’re looking for. Or maybe you don’t even know what cup will suit you best and are looking for suggestions. Either way, you’ll want to take a look at our buying guide below. Taking factors like material, capacity, and design into consideration, we’ve narrowed all the best options down to the five we like most.
Compare the Best Smoothie Cups
With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we narrowed down your search with these top cups made by leading brands.
Beast 30oz Tumbler
What we liked:
- Quality finish on the exterior
- Keeps drinks cold all day long
- Super durable
What we didn’t like:
- Heat may cause the top to pop open
- Some components can be difficult to clean
The Beast 30oz Tumbler has a bit of a reputation among die-hard smoothie fans for its excellent temperature retention. We can say from personal experience that this cup will keep your drinks cold for at least eight hours. That means you don’t have to rush through your morning smoothie to enjoy it. It’s made possible by its vacuum insulation design, which keeps even the heat of your hands out of your beverage.
The cup, lid, and straws are made of 100% stainless steel, which is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. It comes in 20, 30, and 40 oz sizes, offering the full spectrum of drink capacity. All of them have a narrow base that’s designed to fit snugly in your cup holder.
Since this cup is dishwasher safe, cleaning is generally pretty straightforward. However, there are exceptions to this. The slider on the top of the cup sometimes gets clogged and will need to be cleaned carefully to prevent mold. Depending on your dishwasher, the straw can also come out needing an extra rinse in the sink.
Overall, this is a good choice for pretty much anyone, as it offers a variety of sizes and colors, all complete with a quality-made design. It does cost a little bit extra than the other options on this list, though not enough to worry over.
Bubba Envy S
What we liked:
- Tons of different colors to choose from
- A perfect fit for cup holders
- Silicone bottom prevents sliding
What we didn’t like:
- The lid can’t be fully sealed
- The exterior can be a bit slippery with condensation
The Bubba Envy S is similar in many ways to the Beast cup mentioned above, but with a taller and more narrow design and a few extra perks that really help it stand out. One of our favorites is the silicone base, which coats the entire bottom and helps keep it stable on flat surfaces. It also comes in just as many colors, along with a few surprising designs that will be sure to catch your eye.
One major bonus is that it’s less than half the price of its competitor. This probably comes from the fact that its lid and straw are made of plastic. While they don’t have the same cohesive look as an all-steel cup, all the components are quality-made and durable.
The straw design is nice and works well, but keep in mind that it doesn’t allow you to fully seal the cup. This means it doesn’t insulate quite as well as other cups, and it might not be the best choice for those who are taking it on the go.
Give this one a try if you’re looking for a quality-made option at a fraction of the cost.
Blender Bottle Classic Shaker
What we liked:
- The shape is perfect for mixing drinks
- Excellent customer service
- The blender ball whisk works well
What we didn’t like:
- The flip cap leaks a bit
- Not designed for use with hot liquids
We wanted to include one plastic option on this list because so many people appreciate the convenience it brings. It’s durable, a good insulator, and relatively easy to clean. The Blender Bottle Classic Shaker has an attractive design that does a great job at keeping smoothies cool for hours.
One feature we found especially interesting was the blender ball whisk that lets you mix your own drinks by simply shaking it in the cup. While it won’t be able to crush ice for smoothies, it’s a great way to make a range of other drinks.
One thing you’ll want to pay attention to when using this smoothie bottle is the snap lid. When properly secured, it does a great job of keeping liquid contained. However, it’s easy to close improperly, which will result in leaking. For those who are taking many quick sips throughout the day, this detail can be a real nuisance.
Mason Jars with Straws
What we liked:
- Surprisingly durable
- Measurement markings on the side are convenient
What we didn’t like:
- The lids can rust if left wet for too long
- Not fully leak-proof
Some may hesitate at a full glass smoothie cup, especially if they want to take it on the go. However, these Mason Jars with Straws are surprisingly durable and are a good choice for anyone who wants something a little more rustic.
The great thing about glass is that it washes more easily than either stainless steel or plastic. Whether you’re throwing it in the dishwasher or cleaning by hand, it’s easy to get it sparkling clean. It’s also nice to be able to see the bright, fruity colors of your drink as you sip it.
The only thing we didn’t like about this reusable smoothie cup is the lid. The straw pokes up through a small hole in the top. While it doesn’t spill easily, it will make a bit of a mess if it tips over.
Glass Tumbler with Straw
What we liked:
- Silicone coating gives a nice grip
- Thick, durable glass
- A great choice if you’re trying to avoid plastic
What we didn’t like:
- The wood lid shows wear after several uses
- Needs to be washed thoroughly to remove the manufacturing smell
This Glass Tumbler with Straw is another glass option that adds a rubberized coating to help with insulation and grip. With these coating your cup, you won’t have to worry about the heat of your hand warming your drink. They come in five different colors, adding a bit of customization.
One of the little-known advantages of glass cups is that they are the most versatile. Steel and plastic cups aren’t an ideal choice if you’re drinking acidic beverages as the acid can eat away at the material. Glass, on the other hand, works well with everything, as long as it’s not a hot liquid.
Best Smoothie Cup–Buyer’s Guide
There are plenty of smoothie container options out there, to find the best one for your needs, you’ll have to consider them from all angles. Make sure to run through this quick checklist before buying yours.
Fit to Your Thirst
Most travel smoothie cups are between 20 and 40 oz, which offers a good balance between drink capacity and portability. As a reference, a plastic bottle of soda is 20 oz, which falls on the smaller end of the scale. If you’re regularly drinking larger smoothies than that, you may want to opt for a bigger cup.
In some cases, manufacturers offer different sizes of their most popular designs. So if you find a likely candidate that’s just a bit too big or too small, try searching for different size varieties to get the perfect fit.
Don’t forget that the size of your smoothie cup is about more than how much liquid it can hold. If you want to take it for your morning commute, you’ll also want to make sure it fits snugly in your cup holders. Many smoothie cups have a wide mouth and a narrow base to offer both high drink capacity and cup holder compatibility.
Material Matters
Common materials used in smoothie cups include plastic, stainless steel, and glass. Let’s quickly run through the pros and cons of each of these:
- Plastic is inexpensive, lightweight, and durable, while also helping to insulate your frozen drink best of all. It’s a good practical option, though many plastic cups can leave an unpleasant taste if liquids sit in them too long. Many people also consider it the least attractive.
- Stainless Steel has a sleek look, is every bit as durable as plastic, and is not susceptible to rust. The main disadvantage is that it doesn’t insulate as well, so it’s best to consider one with a rubberized coating.
- Glass is attractive and allows you to see the bright, natural colors of your smoothie as you drink it. Of course, it’s also fragile, so you’ll have to be careful not to drop it. It also doesn’t insulate as well as plastic.
One other factor to keep in mind when choosing your smoothie cup’s material is whether it’s BPA-free. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used in some plastics for decades. While they’re safe in non-food products, studies have shown that they can have adverse health effects when used with food, especially in children. Even non-plastic vessels can have a BPA plastic coating, so make sure yours is advertised as BPA-free before buying.
At Home or On the Go
There are a variety of factors to consider if you’re planning on taking your smoothie cup on the go. Maybe the most important is to ensure it has a sealable lid that will prevent spills. These can include plastic or metal lids that snap when closed or ones that have straws attached to the lid. It may be difficult to tell by looking which lids leak, so it pays to check customer reviews first.
Another great perk for travel smoothie cups is a rubberized coating to help give you a firm grip. Especially for glass and metal cups, this can help prevent drops, while also giving the cup a bit of extra insulation.
Keeping Cool
Smoothies get their texture from small ice crystals distributed throughout the body of the drink. It’s a healthy way to get that creamy feel, though they need to stay cool or else they’ll get soupy. That’s why a well-insulated cup is so important.
As mentioned above, material plays a big role in how well a smoothie cup insulates. However, there are other ways manufacturers make their cups better insulators. Some have vacuum-insulated chambers in their walls. Others have rubberized coatings to keep the heat from your hand from getting into your drink. Either way, these features will add a bit to the cost, though they’re well worth it.
Low-Maintenance
The best way to save yourself hassle at the end of the day is to choose a cup that doesn’t need to be washed by hand. If a smoothie cup is dishwasher-safe, the manufacturer will be sure to let you know, so look for these words in the product description. Generally, glass and stainless steel cups are dishwasher safe, while many plastic ones are not.
If your pick isn’t dishwasher safe, make sure it has a shape that’s relatively easy to clean by hand. Avoid tall and narrow cups that will require an extra brush to get clean. Long plastic or metal straw, while nice to drink with, can be especially frustrating to clean if they aren’t dishwasher-friendly.
A Design to Match Your Personal Style
At the end of the day, how attractive a smoothie cup is all comes down to personal taste. Though after considering practical matters like size, material, and insulation, it can be easy to overlook this little detail. Make sure your smoothie cup is one that you won’t mind having at your side all day. Some manufacturers offer a selection of different colors, which can help personalize your smoothie cup even more.
Within Your Budget
Even expensive smoothie cups usually aren’t more than $30, so most people won’t have to worry much about the cost. However, it’s still a good idea to know how to gauge the right price for your pick to make sure you’re getting the best value.
Material plays the biggest role in the price, with plastic mugs being the cheapest, and glass and steel ones being more expensive. Insulation can also add to the price, as can silicone or wood components.
Our Choice
The truth is, any of the five cups listed above will be a good fit for most die-hard smoothie fans. Though there’s only one that checks all our boxes for quality, while also delivering something truly unique. The Beast 30oz tumbler offers an attractive, quality-made design that may cost a bit more, but is worth the extra investment.
It takes the lead in almost every category. It comes in three different sizes catered to your preference, it’s made of durable and low-maintenance stainless steel, is available in an endless variety of colors, and best of all it keeps drinks cold from morning to night with its vacuum-sealed walls.
While the Bubba Envy S offers many of the same advantages, it has some minor manufacturing issues that take it out of the lead. The glass mason jars may be a good choice for those who want more of a rustic look, though their steel straw lid is prone to spilling. Still, any of these options are worth considering. In fact, most of them are affordable enough to try two or three different options.
