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Our Take: S’well 17oz vs Klean Kanteen 20oz — Which Fits Us?
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Which bottle truly earns our daily carry — the ultra-svelte S’well or the rugged Klean Kanteen — and which one keeps our drinks hotter, our bags drier, and our planet happier?
Surprising fact: we tested S’well 17oz Supernova and Klean Kanteen 20oz Lotus head-to-head to see which bottle actually survives our commute, workouts, and travel routines for real.
Everyday Chic
S'well 17oz Original Supernova Stainless Steel Bottle
Amazon.com
We appreciate the blend of performance and style — it keeps drinks cold for a very long time while looking great on the go. We’d recommend it for commuters and style-conscious users who handle their bottle with a bit of care.
Rugged Insulation
Klean Kanteen 20oz Insulated Classic Loop Cap Bottle
Amazon.com
We like the robust, no-nonsense performance — it’s built to last and excels at keeping drinks cold for extended periods. We’d pick it for outdoor activities or anyone who wants a durable, easy-to-clean daily bottle.
S’well Supernova 17oz
Klean Kanteen 20oz
S’well Supernova 17oz
Klean Kanteen 20oz
S’well Supernova 17oz
Klean Kanteen 20oz
Klean Kanteen 20oz TKWide Unboxing
1
Design, Build & Aesthetics — Which One We’d Show Off
S’well — Look, Material, and Finish
We love that the S’well 17oz feels like a style statement. It uses triple-layer vacuum insulation with a glossy, gradient Supernova finish that draws attention on a desk or café table. The exterior is sweat-free and smooth; it feels premium and slightly delicate — scratches or chips show if you drop it, so we handle it a bit more carefully.
Klean Kanteen — Classic, Rugged, and Functional
Klean Kanteen takes a minimalist approach: 18/8 stainless with a chip-resistant Klean Coat finish and a utilitarian loop cap. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it ages well and tolerates knocks and rougher outdoor use. The loop cap is practical for clipping to packs or carrying with one finger.
Size, Weight, and Grip — How They Fit in Our Hands and Bags
Overall, S’well reads fashion-forward and office-ready; Klean Kanteen reads durable and adventure-ready. We pick based on whether we want to show off a design or rely on rugged utility.
Feature Comparison Chart
S’well Supernova 17oz vs. Klean Kanteen 20oz
VS
Brand
S’well
VS
Klean Kanteen
Model
Original 17oz (Supernova)
VS
Insulated Classic 20oz (Loop Cap)
Capacity
17 oz
VS
20 oz (592 ml)
Insulation Claim (Cold Hours)
Up to 36 hours
VS
Up to 63 hours
Insulation Claim (Hot Hours)
Up to 18 hours
VS
Up to 24 hours
Insulation Type
Triple-layer vacuum (Therma-S’well)
VS
Double-wall vacuum (Climate Lock)
Material
18/8 stainless steel
VS
18/8 stainless steel
Finish Durability
Attractive but can chip with drops
VS
Chip-resistant Klean Coat
Dishwasher Safe
No (lid hand-wash)
VS
Yes (body and cap dishwasher-safe per product copy)
Cap Type
Screw cap
VS
Loop cap (leakproof)
Weight
~11.2 oz
VS
~0.4 kg
Height
10.3 in
VS
11.1 in
Diameter
2.8 in
VS
2.8 in
Warranty
Standard manufacturer coverage
VS
Lifetime manufacturer warranty
Approx. Price
$$
VS
$$
2
Thermal Performance & Real-World Use — Cold, Hot, and Everything In Between
Ads vs. what we experienced
Both bottles come with bold temperature claims: S’well’s triple-layer Therma-S’well says cold up to 36 hours / hot up to 18 hours; Klean Kanteen’s Climate Lock double-wall lists colder and longer (advertised iced ~63 hours / hot ~24 hours). In our everyday tests we saw the general trend match the labels: S’well keeps cold drinks ice-cold through a full workday and maintains warmth for several hours. Klean consistently held both extremes a bit longer and seemed less sensitive to repeated openings.
How lids and openings change real use
The lid matters more than you’d think. S’well’s screw cap is compact and very leak-resistant — great for commuting and coffee-to-go. The small opening reduces heat/cold escape when sipping, so temperature drift is slower between gulps. Klean’s Loop Cap is bulkier but super practical for hikes and clipped carry; it opens wider, so each sip or refill lets more heat out, but the core insulation still keeps drinks noticeably hot or cold longer overall.
Workday, hike, and refill patterns
Capacity trade-offs
We lean toward Klean for extreme thermal needs; S’well wins for style and commuter convenience.
3
Everyday Usability — Drinking, Cleaning, and Portability
Mouth opening & drinkability
S’well’s screw-top has a relatively narrow mouth that still accepts most ice cubes; sipping is tidy and controlled, which we like for coffee and commuter use. Klean Kanteen’s Loop Cap gives a wider opening for big gulps and faster refills — great on hikes or when you’re thirsty after a workout.
Pourability, leak resistance & cup-holder fit
Cleaning & maintenance
Packing, carrying & refill on the go
Both bottles are easy to refill at fountains and coffee stations, but if you plan to add an inline filter or use mouthpiece accessories, double-check filter diameter compatibility — Klean’s wider mouth usually gives more accessory options.
4
Price, Sustainability & Long-Term Value — What We’re Buying Into
Cost-per-use (realistic math)
We look at upfront price versus realistic lifespan. S’well lists around $25; Klean Kanteen about $29. Assuming daily use:
Durability & warranty
Klean wins for ruggedness and support: chip-resistant Klean Coat and a documented lifetime warranty mean fewer replacements and lower lifetime cost. S’well is well-made and stylish but decorative finishes can chip and it doesn’t advertise the same lifetime support.
Replaceable parts & repairability
Klean clearly supports replacement caps and warranty service, making repairs feasible. S’well’s caps can be replaced through third parties or customer service, but replacement and repair options are less prominent.
Environmental impact & brand ethos
Both reduce single-use plastic. Klean emphasizes durable design and company sustainability efforts; S’well markets fashion-forward sustainability and offsets plastic waste by encouraging reuse. Stainless steel construction makes both recyclable at end-of-life.
Pros & cons (quick)
Who each bottle fits
Final Verdict — Which Bottle Fits Us?
We’d choose S’well for style and the best thermal performance; it’s ideal when insulation and looks matter. Choose Klean Kanteen for larger capacity, dishwasher convenience, and rugged everyday use.
Our overall pick: Klean Kanteen — best everyday balance of capacity and care. Prefer peak insulation or style? Go S’well. Ready to upgrade our hydration today?
1
Everyday Chic
Amazon.com
S'well 17oz Original Supernova Stainless Steel Bottle
2
Rugged Insulation
Amazon.com
Klean Kanteen 20oz Insulated Classic Loop Cap Bottle
Nice write-up. Quick things I care about:
1) Does the S’well fit in a standard car cup holder? I know sizes vary.
2) Klean Kanteen being dishwasher-safe is a big plus for me — who has time to handwash every day? 😅
I also wondered about weight differences. If anyone measured both empty weights, please chime in.
Good questions — the S’well 17oz often fits many cup holders but it’s a tight squeeze depending on the holder. Klean Kanteen 20oz is slightly wider but usually still fits. We didn’t weigh them precisely in grams in this piece, but Klean Kanteen tends to be a touch heavier because of thicker walls.
I weighed them once — S’well empty ~12 oz, Klean Kanteen ~13.5 oz. Not huge but noticeable if you carry it all day.
On dishwasher: the Klean Kanteen is marketed as dishwasher-safe and that held in our short test. S’well recommends handwashing to preserve finish/design.
I put the S’well in my car cup holder fine (Toyota Corolla). The Klean Kanteen sometimes wobbles in my cup holder but the loop cap helps when walking.
Quick question: will either bottle fit in a standard bike water bottle cage? I commute by bike and need something secure.
I use the Klean Kanteen in a bike cage every day — snug and no issues. The S’well I had would spin and sometimes pop out on bumpy roads.
If your cage is tight, measure the diameter. Many cages fit up to ~73mm; I think S’well is right on the edge for some.
Short answer: probably the Klean Kanteen 20oz fits most cages more securely due to a more cylindrical shape. S’well can be slightly tapered and might wobble depending on your cage model.
I wanted to love the S’well for the look but had a small leak issue around the lid after a few months. Replaced the gasket but still felt sketchy. The Klean Kanteen’s loop cap seems more robust and simple — fewer fancy seals to fail.
Also the extra 3oz on the Klean Kanteen matters if you try to cut down on refills. Just my experience.
Ugh that sucks. I had a similar leak with another brand and ended up returning it. Klean Kanteen’s simpler caps have been leak-free for me.
Thanks for sharing that, Lena — we included build notes but didn’t have long-term lid failure data. Appreciate the real-world report; we’ll add a note about potential gasket issues.