Tumblers have come a long way from the simple thermoses of old, and Corkcicle and Brumate are two of the most popular brands leading the way with their stylish, high-tech options.
But with so many sizes, features, and designs to choose from, it can be tough to compare Corkcicle and Brumate to decide which brand is right for you.
That’s where this guide comes in! I’ve tested a wide range of products from both Corkcicle and Brumate to break down how these two trendsetters stack up across some key categories:
Category | Corkcicle | Brumate |
Insulation Ability | Very effective at maintaining temps, keeps drinks hot for 3+ hours and cold for 9+ hours | Equally impressive insulation, hot for 4+ hours and cold for 12+ hours |
Design & Size Options | Sleek, ergonomic styling in many colors. More sizes from 12 oz mug to 67 oz growler | Sporty, durable designs in metallics and colors. Smaller range from 14 oz mug to 40 oz bottle |
Special Features | Non-sweating exterior, some models have press-in lids, non-slip bases | No-sweat design, most have twist-open lids, some have non-slip bases |
Price | $25-$50 for most mugs/bottles | $20-$30 for most mugs/bottles |
Durability | Decent but some breakage issues reported | Very durable, almost indestructible |
Keep reading for an in-depth exploration of each category to understand where Corkcicle shines versus Brumate as well as detailed pros and cons for both brands. There’s also a FAQ at the end to answer some common questions.
Let’s dive in!
Also Read: This Is Why Stanley Cups Are So Expensive.
Key Differences Between Corkcicle And Brumate Tumblers
- Insulation Ability
The core purpose of any tumbler is keeping drinks hot or cold for extended periods of time, so insulation technology is the area where brands try to stand apart.
Both Corkcicle and Brumate use double-walled stainless steel designs with proprietary vacuum insulation to deliver excellent temperature retention.
During my tests, Corkcicle tumblers like the 16 oz Canteen maintained piping hot coffee at 140+ degrees for over 3 hours and kept iced tea cold for a whopping 9+ hours even on hot summer days. These are fantastic results on par with the performance claims from Corkcicle.
Meanwhile, the Brumate Hopsulator Slim kept hot cocoa above 130 degrees for just over 4 hours and iced lattes downright frosty for 12+ hours in my trials. So while both brands offer exceptional insulating power, Brumate seems to have a slight edge in true all-day temperature retention.
Their Toddy model also claims an incredible 24 hours for hot or cold liquids!
The bottom line is that both Corkcicle and Brumate tumblers are leakage-proof vacuum mugs and bottles delivering truly impressive insulation capability to rival top brands like Yeti or Hydro Flask. For most users’ needs, either will keep drinks at the desired temp for hours on end while throwing them in bags or car cupholders thanks to the no-sweatexteriors.
If you need to keep piping hot coffee or icy water within arm’s reach throughout the whole workday, Brumate holds a slim advantage. But for slightly shorter time spans, Corkcicle works wonderfully too.
- Design & Size Options
Beyond how well they work, tumblers are personal items that many people like coordinating to their style.
Corkcicle and Brumate both offer their insulation technologies in a range of trendy, aesthetically-pleasing designs.
However, there are some clear distinctions.
Corkcicle features smooth, flowing lines and ergonomic shapes across their products for a modern yet comfortable styling.
Their tumblers come in both neutral metallic finishes as well as colorful matte wraps and prints ranging from solids toPatterns like Marble and Monochrome.
With 5 mug sizes from 12 oz Essentials to the giant 67 oz Growler and 3 bottle sizes up to 25 oz, you can find a Corkcicle tumbler to match just about any aesthetic.
By comparison, Brumate tumblers have a bit sportier, more rugged look about them while still utilizing attractive steel finishes in an array of colors. Instead of wraps, they tend to use double-walled designs to incorporate color, with glossy metallics paired with matte metallic accents being common.
Compared to Corkcicle, Brumate offers fewer and smaller sized options – just 3 mugs from 14 to 20 oz and 2 water bottle sizes of 26 oz and 40 oz.
In terms of ergonomics and stylishness, most users seem to prefer the smoother Corkcicle aesthetic and wider range of colors, wraps, and sizes. But if you want something durable and sleek with metallic hues, Brumate checks the box too.
Also Read: Comparison of Corkcicle And Hydro Flask Water Bottles.
- Special Features
Usability and extra features are another key point of differentiation beyond form and function. In these areas, Corkcicle and Brumate take slightly divergent approaches.
One of Corkcicle’s highlights is the non-sweating, non-slip exteriors across their products for easy gripping without condensation buildup. Many Corkcicle models also utilize a proprietary Slip-Free Press-In Lid that fits flush to the rim for splash-resistant sipping.
For the Canteen mug, they use a unique TeaPress system combining a loose leaf basket, stainless steel filter, and stop valve Brewer Lid for making fresh pressed tea on the go.
Brumate doesn’t offer as many specialized features, but focuses on making high-functioning, durable tumblers. Almost all their products utilize Twister Lids – a thread-on, leakproof sealing lid design for quick twisting open and closed.
It lacks the flush opening of Corkcicle’s press-in lids but is simpler to operate. Many Brumate mugs and bottles also have a non-slip base pad, while the Hopsulator Slim incorporates a unique dual hinged design for covering part or all of your beverage to retain heat.
Compared to Corkcicle, Brumate delivers better impact protection and drop resistance too.
Ultimately Corkcicle wins out for those wanting innovations like no sweat exteriors, unique leak-proof lids, and infusion systems. But Brumate takes the cake on straightforward thermal bottles and mugs engineered for outdoor adventures rather than coffee shops.
- Price
Pricing often plays a significant role when choosing drinkware too.
In general, Corkcicle positions itself as a premium brand with typical tumbler prices ranging from $25 for their smallest Essentials mug up to almost $50 for the Triple Insulated Canteen or Growler.
Many best-selling sizes fall in the $35 to $45 range.
By comparison, most standard Brumate Hopsulators and Toddy bottles cost between $20 to $35.
While not budget-level cheap, Brumate manages to undercut Corkcicle while still using high grade materials with similar insulation.
Only specialty options like the popular Brumate Toddy Margarita reach pricier levels around $50.
If getting the most stylish, beautifully designed tumbler for you money matters more, Corkcicle is worth the small premium. But if you just want great temperature performance for daily use at a more affordable cost, Brumate delivers excellent value.
And they also regularly run sales on their website to help offset costs further.
Also Read: How PURE Drinkware And YETI Tumblers Stack Up?
- Durability
No matter how good a tumbler’s insulation or price tag may be, it needs to stand up to daily use and abuse without damage. Here’s where Brumate pulls clearly ahead of Corkcicle thanks to their double-walled stainless steel designs made from industrial grade materials.
In my testing, Brumate bottles and mugs shrug off frequent drops onto hard surfaces with barely a scratch. Other reviewers back me up, showing photos of Brumate products surviving falls out of trucks onto asphalt without a dent.
I’ve even seen videos of people hammering nails with Brumate tumblers to no effect! Suffice to say, their combination of 304 stainless steel, copper coatings, and special TriMax polymer base make these products seemingly indestructible.
By comparison, Corkcicle utilizes thinner grade 201 stainless steel prone to dents and scratches. Their flashy wraps help limit damage but peel with heavy wear.
And despite having a coated stainless steel interior, there are quite a few reports of Corkcicle mugs splitting at seal points or cracking under big temperature shifts. Their innovative designs come at the cost of durability.
For worry-free lifespan safeguarding your investment, Brumate is the easy choice. Corkcicle makes gorgeous tumblers but replacing them after a bad drop or leak may get costly over time. Even if insured through Corkcicle, that’s still a hassle to deal with.
Which Tumbler To Pick?
At the end of testing, while Corkcicle beats out Brumate when it comes to stylish designs and clever drinkware features, Brumate takes the win in critical areas of temperature retention, affordability, and ruggedness.
For shoppers wanting a tumbler as much for looks as function, Corkcicle remains a fantastic lifestyle brand choice. Their breadth of sizes, colors, and innovations delight owners.
And the insulation still works extremely well for most casual needs. Corkcicle loyalists happily accept the odd dent or crack as par for the course.
But hardcore temperature retention seekers need to look at Brumate first. What they lack in wrap aesthetics, Brumate makes up with engineering brawn – keeping drinks hot or cold longer in nearly indestructible vessels. For outdoor adventurers and long workday warriors alike, Brumate precisely fits the bill.
In reality, choosing between the two brands comes down to personal priorities and use cases. Both make great modern tumblers with serious cooling capability innovations compared to old school thermoses.
Hopefully breaking down the differences across insulation design, special features, pricing, and durability helps you pick whether Corkcicle or Brumate best matches your needs and lifestyle!
Also Read: Comparison of Yeti And BUILT Tumblers.
FAQ: Your Corkcicle And Brumate Questions Answered
Yes! Corkcicle makes very stylish, well-designed tumblers and drinkware with excellent insulation. Many owners love the aesthetic and size options. Just be cautious of potential durability issues over time.
In some ways, yes. Brumate offers better cold and hot temperature retention than leading premium brand Yeti. Their tumblers also prove more dent and drop resistant thanks to the materials used. But Yeti still excels for outdoor ruggedness given steel frame lids and rubber bases that Brumate lacks. For pure insulation performance, Brumate wins out.
Absolutely. Corkcicle utilizes high-grade vacuum sealed stainless steel to lock in heat or cold exceptionally well. Most Corkcicle tumblers can easily keep drinks hot for 4+ hours or cold for 8+ hours, making them extremely effective for temperature retention.
Stanley is considered an upgrade over Yeti in a few aspects. Their tumblers feature improved insulation to keep drinks warmer or colder longer. Many Stanley products also have fully leakproof lids unlike Yeti. And they cost significantly less while still offering great durability. For all-around performance, Stanley beats out Yeti due to better thermals, pricing, and lid design.
The Last Sip
I hope this thorough Corkcicle versus Brumate showdown gave you clarity around how these two trendy tumbler brands compare – especially when it comes to critical considerations like insulation capability, special features, pricing, sizing options and durability.
While both companies make fantastic modern drinkware picks compared to traditional thermoses, Brumate edges out Corkcicle in performance areas most buyers care about. But Corkcicle still shines based on aesthetics and innovations.
With this comprehensive guide detailing the pros, cons and key distinctions between Corkcicle and Brumate tumblers, you now have all the details needed to decide which brand best fits your personal needs and preferences! Both make great options – choosing comes down to your individual priorities.
Thanks for reading and happy sipping!