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The best lead-free Stanley cup alternatives
Hydroflask
If you’ve heard the news or seen the viral TikTok videos about lead in that Stanley Quencher cup you just bought, you might be concerned — and understandably so. The bad news is that the rumors are true. Stanley, like most stainless steel water bottle makers, uses a small bead of lead at the bottom of the bottle to seal the two layers of steel that create that double-wall vacuum insulation.
The good news: Your chances of actually being exposed to that lead are slim to none. The bead on the bottom of the cup is covered by a steel surround. Neither you nor your beverage are ever in contact with the lead.
(That said, there are water bottle brands out there where the protective cap covering the lead seal has a tendency to break off. That has happened with the now-recalled Green Sprouts sippy cups, Tiblue children’s cups and Klickpick cup sets.)
Stanley cups are known for their durability, and we found no record of recalls related to lead exposure from the brand. So if you finally scored the Stanley Quencher of your dreams, you can keep using it. In the rare event that the base cap does come off and expose the lead, you can submit a claim to Stanley and get a free replacement thanks to the lifetime warranty on your Stanley cup.
However, if you’re shopping around for a new water bottle and you’d rather avoid the (minimal) risk that the lead seal gets exposed, there are some great lead-free Stanley alternatives out there. Here are some of our favorites.
The best lead-free water bottles
If the news about lead in Stanley and Yeti cups still makes you nervous, keep reading for the best lead-free alternatives to help you meet your hydration goals.
Closest thing to a Stanley Quencher: Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler
Amazon
If you love the look of the Stanley Quencher but prefer something that doesn’t have lead, the Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler is the best match. Featuring an almost identical silhouette, complete with a narrow base that fits in your cup holder, this insulated water bottle comes in a variety of stylish colors. There aren’t nearly as many color options as you get with the Stanley, but the ones available boast a similar aesthetic.
Most importantly, Hydro Flask bottles are lead-free and BPA-free. The durable, double-walled stainless steel tumbler can keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours — though it doesn’t say exactly how long.
Get the 40-ounce stainless steel water bottle at Hydro Flask and Amazon for $40.
Top features of the Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler:
- With a durable handle, narrow base and stylish color options, this tumbler is almost identical to the Stanley Quencher.
- The press-in straw lid is splash resistant.
- Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your drinks hot or cold for hours like a Stanley cup will.
- It’s dishwasher safe.
Stanley Quencher alternative with next-level insulation: Klean Kanteen
Klean Kanteen
Klean Kanteen prides itself on building eco-friendly and high quality products that last. This lead-free water bottle is made from 90% recycled 18/8 stainless steel that promises not to impart a metallic flavor to your beverage.
Its trademarked Climate Lock system and unique thread design on the cap add even more insulation power to the stainless steel bottle so it can keep your beverage ice cold for up to 75 hours. One reason it can lock in cold for so long is that the flexible straw is housed in a leak-proof twist cap that you can close to conceal the straw when you’re not drinking.
Get this 32-ounce insulated water bottle directly from Klean Kanteen for $45.
Top features of the Klean Kanteen:
- The stainless steel straw has a flexible silicone tip that folds down under the twist cap to better insulate your beverage when you’re not drinking.
- The lead- and BPA-free water bottle keeps your drink ice cold for up to 75 hours.
- It’s durable, chip-resistant and easy to clean.
Best glass alternative to the Stanley Quencher: Winsa glass tumbler
Amazon
If you’re among the folks who avoid stainless steel because you don’t want your water to taste metallic, we highly recommend glass. It’s a better alternative to plastic (which can also leave an aftertaste), and it’s not as fragile as you might think.
The ergonomically designed Winsa tumbler, for example, is made from durable borosilicate glass, a thermal shock resistant glass that’s stronger than other types. For added protection and better grip, this tumbler is also cased in a silicone sleeve.
The Winsa tumbler features a design that’s similar to the iconic Stanley Quencher, including an easy-carry handle and car cup holder-friendly base. There’s no lead seal in this stylish, all-glass tumbler.
While it doesn’t boast nearly the same level of insulation as a double-walled stainless steel water bottle, it does hold the temperature of your drink for a bit. But you’ll want to top it off with ice once in a while if you need your beverage to stay ice cold.
We like this glass tumbler because there are no paint markings on the bottle that might contain lead. If you opt for another glass bottle, your best and safest bet is to stick with ones that don’t have any paint on the surface.
Get the 32-ounce Winsa glass tumbler on Amazon for $20 with the on-site coupon (reduced from $25).
Top features of the Winsa glass tumbler:
- This tumbler is made from durable, thermal shock resistant glass.
- A handle and silicone sleeve make it easy to get a good grip and carry this in multiple ways.
- Narrower at the base, this tumbler can fit in most car cup holders.
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Homeowners looking to access a large sum of money in today’s economic climate don’t have to look too far to find it. By turning to their accumulated home equity, owners can potentially finance a major expense (or multiple major expenses) simply by using the money they already have via their home’s value.
While there are multiple ways to do this, many may be considering a traditional mortgage refinance or cash-out refinance. But in today’s unique and constantly changing interest rate climate, that could prove to be a costly mistake. Instead, right now, both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are arguably better than refinancing. Below, we’ll explain why.
Start by seeing what home equity loan interest rate you could qualify for here.
Why home equity loans are better than refinancing right now
Here are three reasons why a home equity loan may be more beneficial than a refinance now:
You’ll maintain your existing mortgage rate
The average home equity loan interest rate is 8.41% as of November 19, 2024, but the average mortgage refinance rate for a 30-year loan is 6.93%. So, on the surface, it appears that refinancing is cheaper. But that refinance rate will require you to exchange your current mortgage rate to get the new one.
That could be a costly mistake if you have a rate under 6.93%, as millions of Americans do right now. By applying for a home equity loan, however, you’ll still gain access to your equity, but you won’t need to bump your mortgage rate to get it. And if home equity loan rates drop in the future, as they have for most of 2024, you can simply refinance your loan to the better rate then.
Get started with a home equity loan online today.
You may qualify for a tax deduction
When you use a cash-out refinance, you apply for a loan larger than what you currently owe to your lender. You then use the former to pay off the latter and keep the difference as cash for yourself. Interest paid on mortgage loans is tax-deductible, but so is the interest on home equity loans if used for qualifying purposes. At that higher interest rate, you may qualify for a larger deduction (while still maintaining your current lower mortgage rate).
The average home equity amount is high right now
A combination of low mortgage interest rates during the pandemic, a drop in available inventory and a hesitation to sell now that rates are high again (amid other complex but interrelated factors) has caused the average home equity amount to soar to just under $330,000 right now. If you want to access that with a refinance, as noted, you’ll need to give up your current mortgage rate to do so. And if you want to access it via a credit card or personal loan, the restrictions will be significant. It makes sense, then, to take advantage by using a home equity loan or HELOC instead of taking a gamble with a refinance right now.
The bottom line
With mortgage refinance rates elevated, the unique feature of a potential tax deduction tied to home equity borrowing and a six-figure average equity sum available now, for many homeowners in need of financing it makes sense to skip a refinance for a home equity loan now. That said, this type of financing is tied to your most important financial asset so the decision to withdraw it from it should be carefully weighed against the risks. Consider speaking to a financial advisor or home equity lender who can answer any questions you may have before getting started.
Speak to a home equity loan lender now.
