If you want one cup for both hot coffee and iced coffee, the Owala SmoothSip Slider Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler is worth a close look. It has a 20 oz size, a leak-resistant slider lid, a smooth drinking spout, and triple-layer insulation.
The design is simple. The cup fits most car cup holders. It is also BPA, lead, and phthalate free.
In this Owala SmoothSip Slider Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler, Reusable Iced Coffee Cup, Hot Coffee Travel Mug, BPA Free 20 oz, Grey/Blue (High Dive) review, I will cover the design, daily use, insulation, lid, cleaning, pros, cons, and who should buy it.
Owala SmoothSip Slider Quick Review
My overall take: The Owala SmoothSip Slider is a strong choice for people who drink coffee on the go.
The best part is the drinking experience. The SmoothSip spout feels more natural than a wide open mug. The slider lid also helps keep the drink contained when you are moving around.
The 20 oz size is a nice middle ground. It is large enough for a good coffee or iced drink without feeling like a huge travel tumbler.
Quick Rating
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Design | 4.7/5 |
| Drinking comfort | 4.8/5 |
| Lid | 4.6/5 |
| Insulation | 4.7/5 |
| Cleaning | 4.4/5 |
| Portability | 4.7/5 |
| Overall | 4.7/5 |
What Is the Owala SmoothSip Slider?
The Owala SmoothSip Slider is a reusable insulated coffee tumbler made for hot and cold drinks.
This version has a 20 oz capacity. It uses an insulated stainless steel body. Owala also uses its SmoothSip spout and slider lid design.
The lid is made to help prevent spills when the slider is fully closed. That makes the cup useful for work, commuting, travel, and daily coffee runs.
The body is also designed to fit in a cup holder.
For people who switch between hot coffee and iced coffee, this is one of the main reasons the cup stands out.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing I like about this tumbler is its clean shape.
It does not look overly bulky. The body is tall and slim enough for easy carrying. The 20 oz size gives you plenty of room without making the cup feel oversized.
The stainless steel construction also gives it a solid feel.
The Grey/Blue High Dive color has a simple two-tone look. It feels modern without being too flashy.
The lid is the main part of the design. It has a slider that opens the drinking area and closes it when you are done drinking.
That small feature makes a big difference when you carry coffee in a bag or keep it in your car.
SmoothSip Spout
This is one of the biggest reasons I would choose this tumbler.
The SmoothSip spout is made for comfortable sipping. It gives you a small, controlled drinking area instead of a large open mouth.
I like this style for coffee because it feels easy to control.
It can also be useful when you are walking or sitting at your desk. You do not have to remove a large lid every time you want a drink.
The spout is also designed to make the drinking flow feel smooth.
That sounds like a small thing, but it matters when you use a coffee cup every day.
Slider Lid
The slider lid is another strong point.
When the slider is fully closed, the lid is designed to help prevent leaks and spills. This is especially useful when you move the tumbler around.
I would still make sure the slider is fully closed before putting the cup into a bag.
No travel cup should be treated carelessly when it contains a hot drink.
The slider also makes drinking quick. You can open it with a simple movement and close it again when you are finished.
That makes the lid practical for busy mornings.
Hot Coffee Performance
The Owala SmoothSip Slider is built for hot drinks.
Its triple-layer insulation is designed to keep hot drinks hot for up to about 6 hours.
That does not mean your coffee will stay at the exact same temperature for six hours. Heat will slowly drop over time.
Still, the insulation is useful if you make coffee in the morning and drink it over several hours.
The stainless steel body also helps create a good insulated wall around your drink.
For a normal workday, this is the type of performance I want from a coffee travel mug.
Iced Coffee Performance
The SmoothSip Slider is not only for hot coffee.
It also works well as a reusable iced coffee cup.
The insulated stainless steel body helps keep cold drinks cold. Owala states that the SmoothSip line can keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
For iced coffee, this can be very useful.
I especially like the idea of using one cup for both drinks. There is no need to buy a separate cold cup and hot coffee mug.
Add ice, iced coffee, or another cold drink, close the slider, and take it with you.
Is the 20 oz Size Good?
Yes.
For most coffee drinkers, 20 oz is a useful size.
It gives you more room than a small coffee mug but does not feel as large as many oversized tumblers.
The 20 oz SmoothSip Slider is about 8.13 inches tall and 3.4 inches wide.
That slim shape is helpful for car use.
If you like a large iced coffee, the 20 oz capacity is also more practical than a 12 oz cup.
At the same time, it is still easy enough to carry around.
Is It Good for Car Use?
Yes, this is one of its better uses.
The cup is designed to be cup-holder friendly.
The narrow lower body makes it easier to place in a standard vehicle cup holder.
The closed slider is also useful while driving.
I would still avoid trying to drink a very hot drink while driving. The safer option is to keep the cup secure and drink when you can do so without taking your attention away from the road.
Is It Easy to Clean?
The lid is dishwasher safe.
The cup itself is designed for hand washing.
This is worth knowing before buying.
I like the fact that the lid can be taken apart for cleaning. Coffee can leave residue around lids and drinking areas, so being able to clean the parts properly is important.
The SmoothSip design also avoids some of the complicated parts found on certain large travel mugs.
Still, I would rinse the cup soon after drinking coffee.
That helps prevent old coffee smell and buildup.
BPA-Free Materials
The Owala SmoothSip Slider is listed as BPA free.
It is also listed as free from lead and phthalates.
The stainless steel interior is another reason the cup feels suitable for regular drink use.
For a reusable coffee tumbler, these material details are useful.
They also make the cup a better long-term option than using disposable coffee cups every day.
Can You Use It for Drinks Other Than Coffee?
Yes.
The cup is mainly designed around coffee, but you can use it for many hot and cold drinks.
You can use it for:
- Hot coffee
- Iced coffee
- Tea
- Cold water
- Iced tea
- Other non-carbonated drinks
The insulated body gives you flexibility throughout the day.
You can start with hot coffee in the morning and use the same tumbler for a cold drink later.
Owala SmoothSip Slider Pros
Pros
- 20 oz capacity is a useful everyday size
- Triple-layer insulation
- Designed for hot and cold drinks
- SmoothSip spout is comfortable to drink from
- Slider lid helps prevent spills when closed
- Cup-holder friendly design
- Stainless steel construction
- BPA, lead, and phthalate free
- Dishwasher-safe lid
- Reusable design reduces disposable cup use
- Works for both hot coffee and iced coffee
- Clean and modern Grey/Blue High Dive color
Owala SmoothSip Slider Cons
Cons
- The cup itself needs hand washing
- The lid has several parts that need cleaning
- It may be too tall for some smaller cup holders
- It is not the cheapest basic coffee cup
- The slider should be checked before putting the tumbler in a bag
- The 20 oz size may feel too large for people who prefer small coffee portions
Owala SmoothSip Slider vs. a Normal Coffee Mug
A normal coffee mug is great at home.
But it is not ideal for travel.
The Owala SmoothSip Slider gives you more portability. You can take it to work, keep it in your car, or carry it while walking.
The insulated body is also a major advantage.
A normal ceramic mug will lose heat much faster.
The Owala also gives you a closed drinking system, which is much more useful when you are moving around.
Owala SmoothSip Slider vs. a Large Tumbler
Large tumblers can hold 30 oz, 40 oz, or even more.
That sounds useful, but bigger is not always better.
A 20 oz cup is easier to carry.
It also takes up less space on a desk and may fit better in a car.
If you drink several large drinks each day, a bigger tumbler may make more sense.
But if you want something balanced, I think 20 oz is a very practical size.
Who Should Buy the Owala SmoothSip Slider?
I think this tumbler is a good fit for:
- Coffee drinkers
- Iced coffee fans
- Office workers
- Commuters
- College students
- People who travel with drinks
- People who want a reusable coffee cup
- Drivers who need a cup-holder-friendly mug
- People who want one cup for hot and cold drinks
It is especially useful if you drink coffee slowly.
The insulation helps keep your drink useful for longer instead of forcing you to finish it right away.
Who Should Skip It?
This may not be the best choice if you want a very small coffee mug.
The 20 oz size is also not ideal for someone who only drinks a small cup of coffee.
I would also skip it if you want a cup that can go completely into the dishwasher.
The lid is dishwasher safe, but the cup itself is intended for hand washing.
And if you want a huge 30 oz or 40 oz tumbler, this 20 oz model may feel too small.
My Favorite Features
My favorite part is the SmoothSip spout.
It gives the tumbler a different feel from a standard travel mug.
The slider lid is another feature I would use every day.
I also like the 20 oz size. It is large enough for iced coffee but still reasonable for everyday carrying.
The insulated stainless steel body is the feature that makes the whole design more useful.
It lets the same cup work for both hot and cold drinks.
What I Would Improve
The first thing I would improve is the cleaning process.
The lid is designed to come apart for cleaning, which is good, but more parts can also mean more pieces to wash and keep track of.
I would also like the cup itself to be dishwasher safe.
That would make daily cleaning even easier.
Still, these are small issues compared with the overall design.
Owala SmoothSip Slider FAQ
Is the Owala SmoothSip Slider leakproof?
The slider lid is designed to be leakproof when the slider is fully closed. I would still make sure the lid is properly closed before carrying it in a bag.
How much does the Owala SmoothSip Slider hold?
This model holds 20 oz.
Can I use the Owala SmoothSip Slider for iced coffee?
Yes. The insulated stainless steel body is made for both hot and cold drinks, making it a good reusable iced coffee cup.
Can I put hot coffee in it?
Yes. The SmoothSip Slider is designed for hot drinks and can keep them hot for hours with its triple-layer insulation.
How long does it keep coffee hot?
Owala states that the SmoothSip Slider can keep hot drinks hot for up to about 6 hours.
How long does it keep drinks cold?
Owala states that the SmoothSip Slider can keep cold drinks cold for up to about 24 hours.
Is the Owala SmoothSip Slider BPA free?
Yes. It is listed as BPA free. It is also listed as lead and phthalate free.
Is the Owala SmoothSip Slider dishwasher safe?
The lid is dishwasher safe. The cup is designed to be hand washed.
Does it fit in a car cup holder?
Yes. The SmoothSip Slider is designed to be cup-holder friendly.
Is the 20 oz size too big for coffee?
Not for most people. I think 20 oz is a good middle size. It works well for a large coffee or iced coffee without being as bulky as a very large tumbler.
Is it good for everyday use?
Yes. The combination of insulation, a reusable stainless steel body, a slider lid, and a comfortable spout makes it well suited for daily use.
Can I use it for tea?
Yes. You can use it for hot or cold tea as well as coffee and other suitable drinks.
Is the Grey/Blue High Dive color attractive?
Yes. The Grey/Blue High Dive color has a clean two-tone look. It is simple enough for everyday use while still having some personality.
Final Verdict
The Owala SmoothSip Slider Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler, Reusable Iced Coffee Cup, Hot Coffee Travel Mug, BPA Free 20 oz, Grey/Blue (High Dive) is a well-rounded travel cup.
Its biggest strengths are the comfortable SmoothSip spout, useful 20 oz size, insulated stainless steel body, and slider lid.
I also like that it works for both hot coffee and iced coffee.
The main drawbacks are the hand-wash care for the cup and the extra lid parts that need cleaning.
Those issues are fairly minor for me.
If you want one reusable coffee tumbler for work, commuting, road trips, or everyday use, this Owala is a strong option.
My final rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars.
For anyone searching for Owala SmoothSip Slider Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler, Reusable Iced Coffee Cup, Hot Coffee Travel Mug, BPA Free 20 oz, Grey/Blue (High Dive) reviews, this is one I would put on the shortlist.