Thermos has a great line of stainless steel insulated drink containers. But why two, what's the difference and which is better? I purchased both so I could figure out the answer to those questions and what follows is a detailed reason why I choose Foogo.
I must admit, the designs on the Funtainer are just plain cute and fun. Hello Kitty, Barbie, Batman, Speedracer, it's not just plain silver (score 1 for Funtainer). Both will keep drinks cold for a very long time, I think I saw 16 hours at one point. As you can see from the image above, the size is very similar with Foogo standing just a tad taller. I think the height is due to the cap of the Foogo being taller. The Foogo comes with a "spill proof" straw while the Funtainer does not (score 1 for Foogo). My first question was, are the straws interchangeable? The answer is no. As you can see below, the Funtainer is a rounded triangular shape while the Foogo is a horseshoe shape.
The push button on the Funtainer is much larger than the Foogo. My 2 year old finds the Funtainer much easier to open (score 1 for Funtainer). Both sort of "lock" open and snap shut. Neither seems to spill while closed.
Both straws pop out easily for cleaning and disassemble for easier cleaning of the spout. The Funtainer straw comes apart into 2 pieces. The Foogo breaks down into 3 pieces. I've found a pipe cleaning makes cleaning the straw parts much easier. All parts are replaceable via Thermos for a small fee. If I recall correctly, the Funtainer comes with an entire second complete straw piece and the Foogo did not.
Durability. With young kids, things need to be durable. With kids in general things need to be durable. Let me just say we are on our second Funtainer already and we've only had these for about 6 months (score 5 for Foogo). Our first Funtainer was dropped, as kids will do, and the bottom plastic cracked. Normally I'd be fine with a small crack, but this was sticking out in such a way that I scratched my hand while cleaning it. Thermos did offer to replace the item, I had to send it to them, they had to determine whether is was eligible for replacement. Not wanting to be out shipping fees, I just took it back to Target and replaced it with no problem. Our second Funtainer is about to be in limited use or replaced. I still need to decide. This time the hinge on the lid has cracked and while it's in danger of hurting anyone, the lid is snapping shut completely and I'm sure we'll see leaks pretty soon.
Total score for Funtainer, 2. Total score for Foogo, 6. My 4 year old is also the owner of a Funtainer. His was stepped on and dented, but still completely useable. I'm certain the same would happen to Foogo. The cracking plastic however, can not be overlooked. Especially when it comes to scratching and the like. If I had to recommend one over the other, I'd say get the Foogo.
If you liked this review, let me know! I hope to get a review up for Sigg pretty soon and follow that with Kleen Kanteen and Ecousable when they arrive and get put to use.
Thank you! My 16mo just got a Foogo and I wanted to see which one I should get my 4yo. Another Foogo it is!
I bought a blue & yellow Foogo from Targer either last year or early this year (a date inside the lid seems to indicate it was manufactured in Dec 2011) and its lid looks more like the Funtainer pictured (Hello Kitty) but with a lower profile.
This review was so helpful, thanks!
This review is very helpful. My son is already a Foogo user but I wanted to see if I should get another Foogo or a Funtainer. Since straws arent interchangeable, I will be getting another foogo instead. Where did you get the pipe cleaning device? My son is not able to use his 12 oz Foogo anymore since the straws developed molds that I cannot remove and since the 12oz is already obsolete, Thermos has no replacement straws for that one anymore but if there is a cleaner then I can maintain the straws of his other Foogos longer.
Thank you 🙂
I just use a pipe cleaner and it works just fine.
For the record, we do still have these, but we don’t use them much anymore. Both Funtainers no longer have lids, but the Foogo is just fine.
Hi Tessa, my funtainer, purchased 2014, is 12oz. I wonder if the fogo body will accept the funtainer lid/straw replacement? Or, if the variously sized (oz) fogos all have the same diameter all you’d have to do is cut the length of the plastic part of the straw. Hopefully when you spoke with Thermos they would have made these suggestions were they viable. Ha ha never mind. But still I will ask as I have to call and order a new straw, I guess. And maybe a lid, depending on what they tell me. After cleaning my straw w/ the equivelent of a pipe cleaner the container leaks and no longer keeps my water cold. The straw doesn’t appear worn, but something’s not right. Also, the lid has a slight gap when closed, don’t know if this is from wear and tear, or a damaged part, do know it ruins my awesome 12+ unleakable one handed hours of cold water.
Ps pipe cleaning device! your son must have been really young when you wrote in.
Hi Stephanie!
Thanks a lot for your review. I’m a mom of an almost 2 year old son and based out of India. None of these products are available here in India which means I have to go through the roundabout way of ordering these products (order it online, get it shipped in the US and request someone to get it here). I’m really keen on using a steel bottle instead of a plastic one. So, your review means a lot :).
I have question though. Is there any notable difference in weight of the bottles? I read somewhere that the Funtainer bottles are quite heavy compared to Foogo (11 oz vs. 5 oz). Is it really the case? In your experience, can a two year old handle a full funtainer?
I wanted to go for the Funtainer ones as I thought they are more evolved and will last long. Atleast till one of the friends visiting the US again 🙂 But if they are heavy, I might as well go for Foogo.
Thanks again.
The replacement straws for funtainer are only a $1 and Foogo is $2 (includes the whole plastic top) which I think is a waste. I buy 5 funtainer straws at a time and they only last a month or two per straw.