Owala SmoothSip Slider Review

I’ve had my 20oz Owala SmoothSip Slider in Blue Jay for a while now and recently picked up the 12oz in Candy Coated. Here is what I think of them.

The difference between the Owala SmoothSip models

The SmoothSip Sliders are Owala’s version of a reusable coffee cup. They came out shortly after the original Owala SmoothSip which is similar in design but lacks the slide mechanism that makes the SmoothSip Slider leakproof. The SmoothSip is not leakproof. They also come in slightly different size and colour variations. The SmoothSip is available in 10oz and 20oz, and the SmoothSip Slider is available in 12oz and 20oz. More recently, Owala released a SmoothSip Slider model with a handle, which is slightly more expensive and comes in a 12oz and 24oz capacity.

Both the SmoothSip and the SmoothSip Slider are stainless steel with plastic lids.

The Owala SmoothSip Slider product description and benefits

While many reusable receptacles for coffee look more flask-like or functional rather than stylish, Owala’s interpretation more closely resembles a takeaway coffee cup. The colours differ from those within the Freesip and Freesip Sway lines, but still incorporate Owala’s signature look of being eye catching and sometimes clashing.

The shape of the Owala SmoothSip Slider is slightly square rather than fully circular. You can see from my photos of the base that it has an angular look to it. They’re also narrower at the bottom. This means that while they’re slightly taller than alternatives from other brands, they can fit in a car cup holder. They’re also much easier to hold at the bottom, and this goes for both the 12oz and the 20oz as the only difference between them is in height and not width.

I think Owala products are thoughtfully designed for a pleasant drinking experience and the Owala SmoothSip Slider is no different. The mouthpiece is slightly tapered which fits your bottom lip naturally and lends itself nicely to its name “SmoothSip”.

In terms of cleaning, it is really simple once you get the hang of it. The round slider piece pops off and then you can twist the black plastic piece on the underside of the lid to remove it and clean it. There aren’t too many small pieces.

The wide opening means the cup is easy to clean by hand, which is good as the cup is hand wash recommended. It also makes it easier to mix the drinks, and you won’t waste entire mornings trying to fish the teabag out of your cup.

Uses for the 12oz and the 20oz SmoothSip Slider

I originally bought the 20oz and I think it’s good for long coffee drinks. Such as lattes, mochas, cappuccinos etc as many of these have milk foam which takes up a lot of space. I also want to use it for iced coffee drinks next summer.

For shorter drinks like a flat white, tea, or hot chocolate, the 20oz often feels half full, which can be less satisfying and cools faster. That’s why I got the 12oz for these drinks as it’s a better fit for smaller servings.

In coffee shops, the 12oz corresponds with a small or tall drink, and the 20oz is the large or venti size.

The downsides of the Owala SmoothSip Slider

While I really like the aesthetic and design of the Owala SmoothSip Slider, there are a few flaws in functionality that knock off a few points when using the cup. Firstly, I don’t think the lid is intuitive. To lock the SmoothSip Slider, you push the round button towards you. To unlock it, you push it away from you. But unless you know the exact positioning of the button, there’s no other indicator that lets you know whether it’s locked or not. You learn eventually but it isn’t immediately obvious.

Secondly, Owala claim that the cup keeps drinks hot for up to 6 hours. I feel as though “up to” is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. It keeps drinks warm enough for however long I need it to, but if you’re looking for something that keeps drinks hot for a long time, this might not be it. I’ve heard many people say by 3 hours their drink is lukewarm. For comparison, Hydroflask claims its Coffee Flask keeps drinks hot for up to 12. I think this might be due to the design, as heat can be lost through the lid, which is a lot wider than the base.

The SmoothSip Slider retails at £26.99 (12oz) and £31.49 (20oz). I think this is in line with alternatives from other premium brands such as Stanley, Hydroflask and Yeti.

My final thoughts on the SmoothSip Slider

All in all, I do really like the Owala SmoothSip Slider. I think it is well designed for daily use and the colours are eye catching. You can take it in the car to run errands, or put it in your bag for your commute to work and not worry about it leaking or not fitting in your cup holder.

The only downside is that there is no indicator on the lid to show whether it is locked or not. But that is more of a learning curve than a persistent problem.

Owala SmoothSip Slider FAQs

I’ve seen some people ask questions about the Owala SmoothSip Slider and thought I’d answer some of them.

Can you put fizzy / carbonated drinks in the SmoothSip Slider?

No. There is a risk the slider mechanism will pop off due to pressure.

Can you swap the lids with the Owala Freesip?

No. The SmoothSip Slider is wider at the top than the FreeSip. The lids are also different. The SmoothSip Slider lids screw into the cup, whereas the FreeSip lids screw over the bottle.

Can you swap the lids on the 12oz and the 20oz SmoothSip Slider cups?

Yes. You can swap the lids on the 12oz and 20oz models. The only difference between the two is height, not width.

Should I get the 12oz Owala SmoothSip Slider or the 20oz SmoothSip Slider?

This totally depends on what you’re going to use it for. If you drink short espresso style drinks, the 12oz might suit you better. If you want to use it for a lot of iced coffees, lattes and cappuccinos, the larger size might be better for you.