As concerns grow about plastic waste and its environmental impact, more and more consumers are seeking out plastic-free alternatives for everyday products like food containers and water bottles. Thermoses or insulated food jars and beverage containers are popular items that traditionally contain plastic components. But thankfully, there are now excellent options that are completely plastic-free.
After thorough research evaluating durability, insulation performance, ease of use, aesthetics, customer reviews, and more, we’ve selected the top 10 highest-rated plastic-free thermoses you can buy in 2024. Whether you’re looking to pack soups and stews, coffee, or tea, these reusable bottles eliminate single-use plastics and keep your food and drinks piping hot or refreshingly cool for hours.
Our Top 10 Picks for Best Plastic-Free Thermoses in 2024
| Thermoses | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Klean Kanteen Insulated Food Jar | – Stainless steel inner and outer wall – Durable and dent resistant – Cool to the touch with hot liquids – Glass lining doesn’t retain or impart flavors – Keeps drinks hot for up to 24 hours – 40oz capacity |
| Corkcicle Canteen | – Premium stainless steel interior – Double-walled vacuum insulation – Sustainable cork exterior – Easy open sliding lid – 500ml and 950ml sizes – Keeps drinks cold 25+ hours and hot 12+ hours |
| Thermos Stainless King | – Triple-insulated stainless steel walls – Keeps drinks cold for up to 36 hours hot for up to 12 – Removable strainer in a bottle – Flip up spout cover – Fits most car cup holders – 18oz or 64oz |
| Hydro Flask Food Jar | – TempShieldTM double wall vacuum insulation – 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel construction – Powder color coating won’t chip, crack, or dull – Wide mouth for easy filling and eating – Leak-proof push button lid – Sizes range from 12-64oz |
| EcoVessel Boulder | – Rugged stainless steel construction – The copper coated interior is non-leaching – Flip lid for one-handed drinking – Sweat-proof insulation – 18oz to 64oz capacities |
| Klean Kanteen TKWide | – Stainless steel inner wall and exterior – Vacuum insulated double wall – E-Z open leakproof cafe cap – Can keep drinks hot or cold for hours – 20oz and 40oz sizes available |
| Simple Modern Summit Water Bottle | – Borosilicate double-walled glass body – All parts are dishwasher safe – Stainless steel screw-on lid with handle – Thermal barrier retains heat or cold – 16oz capacity |
| CamelBak Forge | – Vacuum-insulated stainless steel – Locking spout prevents leaks – Easy to carry handle – Keeps drinks cold 24+ hours and hot 6+ hours – 12oz and 18oz sizes |
| Lifefactory 16-Ounce Bottle | – Borosilicate double-walled glass body – All parts are dishwasher safe – Stainless steel screw-on lid with handle – Thermal barrier retains heat or cold – 16oz capacity |
| U Konserve Stainless Steel Insulated Food Jar | – Double walled 18/8 stainless steel – Premium copper vacuum insulation – Added silicone sleeve prevents slipping – Screw-on lid with locking ring – 12oz capacity |
Let’s dive into the details of each of these excellent plastic-free thermoses so you can determine which is the best option for your needs and preferences for 2024.
Plastic Free Thermoses Reviews
Klean Kanteen Insulated Food Jar
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 500 reviews
Key Features:
- Sizes range from 12oz to 64oz
- Leakproof stainless steel inner bottle
- BPA-free & toxin-free bamboo lid
- Vacuum sealed for temperature retention
- Durable brushed stainless steel exterior
Klean Kanteen’s insulated food jar helps eliminate waste from single-use containers while making it easy and safe to contain, transport, and eat foods on the go. Its stainless steel interior provides durability and won’t retain or impart flavors or smells into your foods.
Meanwhile, their sustainably harvested bamboo lid includes silicone for leak and spill protection. It creates a tight seal to trap heat and keep stews, soups, leftovers, or whatever other foods hot for up to 8 hours. The exterior stays cool to the touch for safe handling too.
With brushed stainless steel outside that’s resistant to drops and dents plus coming in a range of sizes, it’s our choice as the most versatile food thermos for serving individuals or families.
Available Sizes:
12oz, 20oz, 32oz, 46oz, 64oz
Corkcicle Canteen Triple Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars with nearly 2,000 reviews
Key Features:
- Premium stainless steel bottle
- Slip-free cork exterior
- Triple-walled vacuum insulation
- Sliding leakproof spout lid
- 500ml and 950ml sizes
- Cold for 25+ hours, hot for 12+
For a plastic-free water bottle that looks as good as it performs when it comes to insulation, Corkcicle’s Canteen Triple Insulated stainless steel bottle is a fantastic choice. The interior incorporates top-grade 18/8 steel while the middle includes a triple-layered vacuum seal. This traps temperature extremely effectively to keep beverages hot for over 12 hours or icy chilled for over a day.
The handsome slip-free cork outer shell adds style along with protecting tables and counters. It comes in an array of colors like navy, copper, mint, and more. The innovative leakproof sliding lid is easy for one-handed opening and seals reliably when not in use.
Available Sizes:
500 ml, 950 ml
Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars with nearly 30,000 reviews
Key Features:
- Durable stainless steel outer and inner walls
- Vacuum insulation for temperature retention
- Cool touch exterior even with hot liquids
- Wide mouth for easy filling with ice and cleaning
- Glass serve cup included
As a longtime leader in insulated food jars and beverage containers, Thermos’ Stainless King bottle adds spill-resistant technology to its already impressive temperature regulating abilities. It can keep liquids hot for 24 hours or iced for a full week.
The cooler includes a bonus 16oz glass serving cup that fits tightly to prevent slipping. When not in use, the cup functions as an extra layer of insulation to bolster heat or cold retention even further.
Made in the USA and carrying a five-year guarantee, the Thermos Stainless King is a top performer thanks to enduring stainless steel inner and outer layers plus proven vacuum insulation. The twist and pour stopper also allows for easy one-handed drinking.
Available Size:
40 oz capacity
Hydro Flask Food Jar Insulated Lunch Box
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 8,000 reviews
Key Features:
- TempShieldTM vacuum-insulated stainless steel
- 18/8 pro-grade steel won’t rust
- Toxin-free durable powder color coating
- Wide mouth for easy eating from the Jar
- Leakproof seal
- Sizes range from 16oz to 64oz capacity
Hydro Flask dominates the insulated food jar scene with their TempShieldTM double-walled stainless bottles that maintain temperatures for hours. Customers love their extreme durability—built to survive life’s adventures—plus how the powder color coating resists chipping, cracks, and abrasions.
The wide-mouth versions allow you to easily spoon food directly out instead of struggling with narrow openings. Meanwhile, the included Honeycomb insulation in the lid helps regulate heat to keep foods hot and soups steaming.
With its trusted sweat-proof performance, lifetime warranty, and manufactured in the USA reputation, a Hydro Flask Food Jar makes a versatile mealtime companion. It transitions effortlessly from packing stews and chili for work to serving garden salads at a picnic.
Available Sizes:
12 oz, 16 oz, 24 oz, 32 oz, 40 oz, 64 oz
EcoVessel Boulder Triple-Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Flip Lid
Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 3,000 reviews
Key Features:
- Triple layer vacuum insulated 18/8 stainless steel
- Maintains temperatures for 36+ hours cold, 12+ hours hot
- Removable mesh screen for infusing fruit
- Flip up the spout cover for a one-handed operation
- Fits most car and bike cup holders
- 18oz or 64oz sizes
EcoVessel specializes in insulation through triple layering vacuum-sealed stainless steel in their lines of plastic-free water bottles and food containers. Customers love their Boulder model for its mix of performance, innovative features, and styling.
It stands out for the built-in removable strainer perfect for infusing fruits or tea bags into water. The flip-up spout cover enables easy one-handed drinking while preventing uncomfortable nose hits.
Choose from more standard solid colors or energizing prints ranging from Aztec designs to polka dots in addition to sizes as small as 18oz for cup holders or up to a generous 64oz model. The robust steel construction even allows it to transition between hot coffee and iced tea while retaining desired drinking temperatures.
Available Sizes:
18 oz, 64 oz
Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle with Café Cap
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars with nearly 1,500 reviews
Key Features:
- Durable food-grade stainless steel
- Vacuum-insulated double steel wall
- Climate LockTM technology prevents heat transfer
- Café Cap is leakproof and easy to open
- The electropolished interior won’t absorb flavors/odors
- 20oz and 40oz capacities
Klean Kanteen’s TKWide bottle marries performance and drinkability by blending durable vacuum-sealed body construction with their specialized leakproof E-Z café cap design for simple one-handed operation.
It stands up to daily use with food grade 18/8 stainless making up both the interior and exterior walls. A double wall creates the vacuum seal using Klean’s innovative Climate LockTM technology that prevents temperature transfer so well.
The café cap features a large opening for comfortable drinking that seals reliably when closed. The smooth electropolished interior won’t retain or impart unwanted flavors. It keeps your drinks deliciously hot or shiveringly cool for hours wherever life takes you.
Available Sizes:
20 oz, 40 oz
Simple Modern Summit Water Bottle – Premium Stainless Steel Metal Canteen
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 7,000 reviews
Key Features:
- Durable stainless steel construction
- 18/8 pro-grade steel with a copper-coated interior
- Vacuum-insulated double-wall
- Innovative flip lid for one-hand operation
- Repels condensation; no sweat!
- Wide range of colors and graphics
- 18oz to 64oz sizes
Simple Modern bottles are loved for their extremely effective vacuum insulation technology that keeps beverages hot or cold for literal days. The Summit model steps it up further with 18/8 pro-grade interior steel plus a copper-coated layer for completely non-leaching performance.
The flip-up spout lid allows easy refilling of ice plus one-handed drinking that won’t drip. Users also highlight the simple yet stylish design, extensive palette of colors and patterns, and reliably condensation-repelling surface.
With excellent heat retention, leakproof cap operation, and lustrous metallic finishes, the Simple Modern Summit contains everything expected from a top-tier stainless steel bottle. It ships with the brand’s 5-year warranty too.
Available Sizes:
18 oz, 20 oz, 24 oz, 32 oz, 40 oz, 64 oz
CamelBak Forge Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars with nearly 500 reviews
Key Features:
- Double-walled stainless steel vacuum insulation
- Locking spout prevents accidental opening
- Easy carry handle that folds down
- Keeps beverages cold for 24+ hours
- TempARMORTM technology releases unwanted heat
- Toxin-free Tritan Freeze spill-proof lid
CamelBak built a reputation in hydration through biking, hiking, and athletics. However their innovative designs extend nicely to insulated food containers and bottles as well.
The Forge travel mug uses vacuum sealing between its dual stainless walls for impressive heat or cold retention spanning hours. The innovative TempArmor heat activation also releases any built-up warmth when you first unscrew the lid for a delicious initial sip.
Top rack dishwasher safe and carrying a lifetime guarantee, it brings reliable performance across adventures near and far. The fold-down handle makes carrying comfortable while the Tritan lid won’t crack if ever dropped.
Available Sizes:
12 oz, 18 oz
Lifefactory 16-ounce Glass Water Bottle with Protective Sleeve
Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 2,000 reviews
Key Features:
- Durable borosilicate double-wall glass body
- Silicone protective sleeve
- Stainless steel screw-on drinking cap
- Ergonomic bottle shape with grippy handle
- BPA/BPS-free; thermal barrier retains heat or cold
- Holds 16oz; slim profile fits cupholders
Lifefactory makes our ranking for the best plastic-free thermos thanks to their innovative use of resilient glass coated in a silicone sleeve. Customers rave over its crystal clear purity that never absorbs smells or stains.
The curved body borosilicate glass transitions beautifully between freezer storage for chilled water to boiling liquids too. Meanwhile, the powder-coated stainless steel lid adds reliable drinking and leak protection.
As a brand that gives back a portion of profits to healthcare and education initiatives, Lifefactory scores bonus points for social consciousness! Ultimately their use of glass over plastic or metals gives purists a toxin-free approach to portable beverage containers.
Available Size:
16 oz (single size option but comes in many colors)
U Konserve Stainless Steel Insulated Food Jar
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars with 100 reviews
Key Features:
- Premium grade stainless steel interior
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
- Ergonomic push button lid
- Added silicone sleeve prevents slipping
- Fits most car and backpack cupholders
- 12oz capacity in assorted colors
PlanetBox takes pride in creating eco-friendly school lunchboxes and food containers that eliminate waste while making meal prep hygienic. Their vacuum-insulated, stainless steel flask bottle adheres beautifully to those principles in a portable thermos perfect for kids and adults alike.
It stands out by using 18/8 steel for its unbreakable interior wall that’s naturally BPA/BPS free and won’t retain odors. The push-button lid offers one-handed convenience without sacrificing a leakproof seal.
That stainless interior then gets encased in double-wall vacuum-sealed insulation that regulates temperature nearly 10x more effectively than standard plastic water bottles.
PlanetBox offers exceptional performance paired with responsible ideals and manufacturing. Carrying a lifetime guarantee and customizable names makes an awesome leakproof, plastic-free thermos bottle sure to please across ages.
Available Size:
12oz capacity
Which Plastic-Free Thermos is Right For You?
Intended Use:
- Food jars: Klean Kanteen Insulated Food Jar, Hydro Flask Food Jar
- Hot coffee & tea: Corkcicle Canteen, Thermos Stainless King
- Cold water & juice: EcoVessel Boulder, Simple Modern Summit, Lifefactory Glass Bottle
- Kids’ lunch container: PlanetBox Vacuum Flask Bottle
- Travel mug for commuting: CamelBak Forge, Klean Kanteen TKWide
Desired Volume:
- 12-18oz: PlanetBox Vacuum Flask, CamelBak Forge, Lifefactory Glass Bottle
- 20-40oz: Simple Modern Summit, Klean Kanteen TKWide, Klean Kanteen Insulated Food Jar
- 40oz+: EcoVessel Boulder, Thermos Stainless King, Hydro Flask Food Jar
Desired Material:
- Stainless Steel: Corkcicle Canteen, Thermos Stainless King, Klean Kanteen TKWide, Simple Modern Summit
- Glass: Lifefactory Glass Bottle
- Steel + Silicone Grip: EcoVessel Boulder, CamelBak Forge, PlanetBox Flask
Benefits of Switching to a Plastic-Free Thermos
Beyond just our top recommendations, what are the overall benefits of switching from traditional plastic-containing thermoses and food jars to reusable stainless steel or glass versions?
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable – Every plastic-free thermos you use eliminates thousands of single-use plastic bottles and containers from entering landfills and oceans over its usable lifetime. Choosing reusable over disposable has huge environmental gains.
Save Money – While stainless steel and glass vacuum thermoses often cost more upfront than cheaper plastic versions, they last for many years saving you serious cash long-term through continual use. A $20-$30 thermos pays for itself quickly over buying disposables.
Delicious Taste – Plastic can leech flavors and odors over time which gets into foods and drinks. Stainless steel and glass don’t have this issue ensuring purer tastes.
Safer Materials – Many popular metals and borosilicate glass used in modern thermoses have natural BPA/BPS-free compositions plus rigorous testing ensuring food-safe contact.
Temperature Regulation – Vacuum-sealed stainless steel or glass thermoses essentially work like mini thermos flasks. The lack of plastic ensures much better insulation for hot and cold retention.
Versatile Uses – Plastic-free designs work better across a wide range of temperatures enabling the same thermos to keep coffee steaming or water icy. Glass allows switching from boiling liquids to fridge storage.
At the end of the day, reusable plastic-free thermoses outperform disposable variants across metrics from insulation to safety to sheer usability over the years. They keep drinks deliciously hot or cold for hours while eliminating waste. It’s why stainless steel and glass makeup all our top thermos picks for 2024 rather than materials like cheap plastic or silicone.
FAQs About Plastic-Free Thermoses
How long can the best plastic-free thermoses retain heat or cold?
The very best stainless steel vacuum-sealed thermoses today like Hydro Flask and Thermos can easily maintain temperatures above 140°F for 8-12 hours or even over 130°F for a full 24 hours in lab testing conditions. For icy cold liquids, they’ll often stay below 40°F degrees for 24-48 hours. Lesser stainless steel bottles often maintain 120°F+ for 8 hours and cool temps under 45°F for 24-36 hours.
Glass thermoses can retain heat nearly as well as stainless steel with the very best staying hot for 8-10 hours and cold for 18-24 reliably. Standard cheaper glass bottles may only retain heat for 4-6 hours and keep drinks refreshingly cool for about 12 hours or so.
What should you NOT put in plastic-free thermoses?
While sturdy glass, stainless steel, bamboo and cork used in plastic-free thermoses resist damage wonderfully or fail safely if cracks ever occur, some contents can cause unwanted wear over time. Avoid putting the following liquids in plastic-free thermoses:
- Pure lemon or lime juice – High citric acid erodes glass/metal over longer contact. Diluting juice with water mitigates most of the impact. Lemon tea for instance usually poses no problems.
- Straight vinegar or tomato juices – The added acidity again can damage resilient container materials with prolonged exposures so dilute whenever possible.
- Carbonated drinks like sodas or kombucha – The pressurization of carbonation can push against the thermos construction too aggressively over years of use and have unintended effects on taste by leeching metal or silicone components.
Do you need a special brush or tablets to clean plastic-free thermoses?
For thorough cleaning, most plastic-free thermoses respond very well to standard dishwashing soap, hot water, and a sturdy bottle brush for tight spaces. Ensure to fully air dry after cleaning as well.
If smells develop or difficult metallic stains appear, denture cleaner tablets dropped into the hot water thermos tend to remedy such issues wonderfully by chemically breaking down the lingering elements. White distilled vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can tackle odors and stains in hot soak solutions.
Generally, avoid abrasive cleaners or pads that can scratch durable finishes. Standard cleaning with non-abrasive sponges or soft brushes allows stainless steel, glass, or ceramic thermoses to offer years of pristine insulating performance.
The Future is Plastic Free
Reusable bottles and containers made from sustainable materials represent the future for environmentally friendly products that also deliver serious performance. Our selections of the top plastic-free thermoses for 2024 encompass trusted brands making insulated food jars and beverage holders without relying on disposable plastic parts and pieces.
Through innovations in vacuum layering, incredible metals, and heat-resistant borosilicate glass, today’s steel and glass food thermoses maintain hot or cold temperatures for literal days while eliminating plastic waste from single-use variants. They transition beautifully from huevos rancheros at breakfast to homemade stews for dinner while keeping your delicious foods and drinks in perfect serving conditions for hours.
We hope our deep dive into the best plastic-free thermoses for 2024 gives you fantastic eco-friendly options to prevent plastic pollution and save money over flimsier bottles that just end up in oceans and landfills anyway. Please let us know if you have any other questions about selecting an awesome reusable stainless steel or glass vacuum thermos for all your daily adventures!