The 10 Best One Gallon Insulated Jugs
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in October of 2018. Whether you've got a big thirst or a lot of people who need a drink, a one-gallon insulated jug is just the thing to keep dehydration at bay. And thanks to the wide range of materials and manufacturing processes available to companies today, there's no shortage of options to take a look at, from sleek stainless steel models to old school plastic jugs. You'll find all price points here, too. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Yeti Rambler Jug
2. Rtic One Gallon
3. Coleman Water Jug
Editor's Notes
November 02, 2020:
There were fairly minimal updates made to this list, as it seems the market hasn't seen many drastic changes. We did remove a few items that were technically not insulated jugs, but rather insulated pouches for water jugs. Those have been replaced with a few new items that better suit the category.
It can be easy to see all insulated jugs as quite similar, but there are definitely features that set some apart from others. If it's going to be used to provide drinks for a lot of people, a side spout is a nice feature to look out for. Options like the Stanley Rugged and NFL Tailgate Keg are solid choices, though you could also pick something like the Topia LTD Gigantic, which has a side handle that makes it easy to pour. And if portability and insulation are ancillary to your needs, take a look at our list of water dispensers and see if these are along the lines of what you're looking for.
In terms of insulation, the most effective means of keeping beverages hot or cold is generally vacuum insulation. This means there are two separate layers of material, often both stainless steel, with a an empty space between the inner and outer layer. The Ultra Fyt Stainless Steel, Rtic One Gallon, and Yeti Rambler Jug all feature this type of design, and would be solid choices for those whose primary concern is minimizing heat transfer.
If you want something just for personal use, perhaps while hiking, working outdoors, or playing sports, we'd recommend a jug with a decent handle and a traditional top spout. The Coldest Jug has a flip-out straw in the lid, and the flexible handle on the Hydro Flask Oasis is designed to feel comfortable to carry, so both of these would be good for on-the-go use. Keep in mind, when full, all of these bottles will be quite heavy, so if you don't need such a high capacity, you may want to take a look at smaller water bottles to see if there's something there that suits your needs.
October 25, 2018:
Explored the top names in water bottles, including Yeti, Hydro Flask, and Stanley, ultimately selecting these brands' 1-gallon options for their strong insulating abilities. Also added several budget options, including those from Coleman and Rubbermaid, that would function well in rough environments.
Special Honors
MegaChef 5L Airpot Often used in hotels and corporate settings, this is a professional-grade option that's designed for serving a large number of people. The lever-activated dispenser was built to withstand the high temperatures of hot coffee and tea, but will work perfectly fine with cold drinks as well. The lid uses safety latches to keep it securely fastened, so you should be able to rest easy knowing that hot drinks won't spill if it's bumped. megachef.com
4. Stanley Rugged
5. Hydro Flask Oasis
6. Topia LTD Gigantic
7. The Coldest Jug
8. Ultra Fyt Stainless Steel
9. NFL Tailgate Keg
10. Rubbermaid Victory
Melissa Harr is a language-obsessed writer from Chicagoland who holds both a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English. Although she began as a TEFL teacher, earning several teaching certificates and working in both Russia and Vietnam, she moved into freelance writing to satisfy her passion for the written word. She has published full-length courses and books in the realm of arts & crafts and DIY; in fact, most of her non-working time is spent knitting, cleaning, or committing acts of home improvement. Along with an extensive knowledge of tools, home goods, and crafts and organizational supplies, she has ample experience (okay, an obsession) with travel gear, luggage, and the electronics that make modern life more convenient.