Iron Flask vs Simple Modern: Which Water Bottle Is Better?

Those interested in buying a stainless steel water bottle have a plethora of options before them. Hundreds of drinkware companies are racing to make the “one bottle to rule them all”, i.e. a model that beats all others in terms of design, performance, and ease of use.

However, not all of these bottles are actually worth checking out. Many of them are cheap knock-offs made by the no-name brands that don’t deserve a second of your attention.

But here, we have something completely different – two wildly popular stainless steel bottles made by world-renowned drinkware manufacturers: Iron Flask and Simple Modern. Which one of them makes a better purchase? To find an answer to this question, keep reading.

Iron Flask vs Simple Modern – Product Overview

	Iron Flask	Simple Modern
Weight	1.25 lb	1.34 lb
Volume	24 oz	22 oz
Price	$23.45	Price not available
Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Image
Colors	25	13
	Amazon	Amazon

Iron Flask 24 oz 3-Lids Bottle

Also available in 5 other sizes, the Iron Flask 24 oz 3-Lids bottle is one of the company’s bestsellers. And there are several good reasons behind its popularity – it’s made out of premium stainless steel, it’s available in a myriad of vibrant colors, and its insulation works flawlessly.

In addition, this particular model comes together with three different lids and is backed by Iron Flask’s lifetime warranty. Finally, all of its plastic elements are BPA-free and, as long as the flask is properly cared for, it doesn’t hold onto flavors. All in all, a truly phenomenal stainless steel water bottle. It may indeed be the best Yeti Alternative.

Simple Modern 22 oz Summit Bottle

There’s a lot to like about this simple yet extremely convenient reusable water bottle. While it’s not available in as many colors (or sizes) as its rival, this model also features a BPA-free plastic / stainless steel construction and comes accompanied by three different lids.

Another similarity is the insulation. The Simple Modern 22 oz Summit bottle also features double-walled vacuum insulation that effortlessly maintains the temperature of your drinks. A big difference, on the other hand, is that this is actually a wide-mouth bottle – filling it with ice is as easy as it gets. Without a doubt, it is one of the best hiking water bottles on the market.

Iron Flask vs Simple Modern – The Face-Off

Ease of Use

The design of the Iron Flask model featured in this comparison is very similar – almost identical – to that of the other stainless steel bottles made by this company. The most user-friendly feature of the Iron Flask 24 oz is undoubtedly the fact that it comes together with three different lids. These are the handle lid, flip lid, and spout lid.

It goes without saying, but this allows owners to switch between the tops depending on their current needs. You will, for example, use the handle lid during long walks where you’ll want to frequently hydrate yourself on the go. All three lids that come with this bottle are completely leakproof.

The Simple Modern 22 oz Summit bottle, on the other hand, is very sleek and well-proportioned, despite the fact that it has a wider mouth. Fitting it into messenger bags, backpack pockets, and cup holders is as easy as it gets. This turns it into a great choice for folks looking for something they’ll be able to easily use around town.

And, just like the Iron Flask, this bottle also comes with interchangeable lid options. This is where I come to the first disadvantage of this model – its flip cap cannot be secured. While it’s true that I’ve never had any leakage issues with it, I was quite nervous about putting this bottle with the flip cap on it in my backpack.

Construction Quality

While not as sturdy as most of Yeti’s reusable water bottles, the Iron Flask 24 oz is still a well-made product. The main materials used in its manufacture are 18/8 high-quality stainless steel and BPA-free plastic. There is also a powder coat finish on the bottle’s exterior.

Is this product as durable as its name suggests? During my drop tests, the model did suffer a few minor indentations, which is, however, something I totally expected from a $20 bottle. What is more, the aforementioned powder coat finish is not as resistant to scratches and peeling as, say, Yeti’s DuraCoat finish.

Its rival features a very similar construction quality. The Simple Modern 22 oz Summit bottle is also made out of premium-grade stainless steel and all of its plastic parts are BPA-free. One thing worth pointing out here is that all three lids and their carrying handles are made out of relatively thin plastic.

Another similarity between this bottle and the Iron Flask model is that it simply can’t hold a candle to most of Yeti’s products of the same type. When I dropped it onto a concrete surface for the first time, the bottle immediately ended up with small dents and chipped paint. If you want a truly durable stainless steel bottle, you’ll have to fork out a bit more than $20 for it.

Insulation

Most people who decide to go with a stainless steel water bottle instead of a plastic one do so because this kind of drinkware typically sports vacuum insulation. As you probably already know, the job of this feature is to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, which can come in very handy in all kinds of situations – from strenuous gym sessions to sweaty summertime hikes.

The Iron Flask model featured in this comparison sports double-walled vacuum insulation. The manufacturer states that this bottle can maintain the temperature of hot beverages for up to 12 hours and cold drinks for up to 24 hours. And while the model can certainly keep your water icy cool for one entire day, it can’t really keep coffee or tea warm for more than 6 to 8 hours.

The thermoregulatory capabilities of the Simple Modern 22 oz Summit bottle are very similar. It also features double-walled vacuum insulation that can maintain the temperature of hot and cold drinks for similar amounts of time. However, the manufacturer states that this model should not be used with hot beverages, as the potential pressure buildup can cause spills and leaks.

In any case, there is no clear winner in this department – both bottles provide similar performance. This is especially true when it comes to cold drinks. You can’t really go wrong with either model if you’re looking for a bottle that will keep your water fresh and cool for a long time.

Taste

Some folks still refuse to get themselves a stainless steel bottle due to the fact that some of these products impart an awful metallic taste to water. You shouldn’t have any worries in this regard, though – both Iron Flask and Simple Modern are renowned drinkware manufacturers whose bottles don’t have any issues in this department.

And to test whether they hold onto flavors, on the other hand, I decided to fill both models with an electrolyte powdered drink mix. Once the mix has spent a couple of hours inside each bottle, I thoroughly cleaned them out and filled them with fresh water. The taste of the aforementioned drink mix was barely noticeable.

In other words, both the Iron Flask and the Simple Modern bottle are very good at getting rid of flavors, particularly when compared to cheaper models. One thing worth mentioning here is that both products greatly benefit from having multiple lids. This is because flavors tend to linger in the crannies and nooks of the lid, so being able to easily replace the tops is a huge plus in this regard.

Ease of Cleaning

Cleaning these products after every use is the only way to make sure they won’t start holding onto flavors. Unfortunately, some stainless steel bottles aren’t that easy to clean – some are not dishwasher-safe and some have narrow mouths that make cleaning their insides a bit more difficult than it should be.

The Simple Modern 22 oz Summit bottle is a clear winner in this department. Due to its wide mouth, reaching every part of its interior with a brush is much easier. Both manufacturers advise against washing these bottles in a dishwasher.

Value

Both of these models are in the same price category. In other words, both of them are inexpensive, budget-oriented stainless steel bottles that pretty much everyone can afford. When choosing between them, the price definitely won’t be the deciding factor.

There is also a disadvantage to this – their build quality and performance are not as good as that of the pricier reusable bottles, like the ones made by Yeti. If you want something that will last you a lifetime, you’ll have to fork out a bit more than $20.

Check out our Yeti vs Iron Flask comparison as well. If you would rather stick to budget-friendly bottles, this Hydro Cell vs Iron Flask comparison may interest you more.

Wrapping It Up…

In the end, one can’t really go wrong with either of these two bottles. They are in the same price category precisely because they offer similar build quality and performance.

If I had to choose a winner, though, I’d probably go with the Iron Flask 24 oz 3-Lids bottle. While it’s a bit more difficult to clean and fill with ice due to its narrow mouth, its plastic parts are a bit burlier (and more secure) and the bottle itself is backed by a lifetime warranty. It is also available in more colors than its rival.

If you are interested in other bottles similar to Iron Flask, check out our Hydro Flask vs Iron Flask and our Iron Flask vs Thermoflask comparison as well. You may also want to read this Iron Flask vs Takeya comparison.