A Review of Tervis Tumblers: Do They Perform as Touted?

When I got married, I received a set of Tervis Tumblers decorated with seashells. Not only had I heard about Tervis Tumblers, but my mother had been using them for years! Tervis guarantees their product for life and if you are considering the purchase of a set of Tervis Tumblers, you will want to know if they are worth your hard earned dollars.

Tervis has a variety of tumbler sizes sure to please anyone looking to select drink ware. Their tumblers
come in 10 ounce, 12 ounce, 16 ounce and 24 ounce sizes. They also have a sturdy 17 ounce mug. All drink ware has lids and plastic straws available. Ice Buckets round out their product line. While Tervis Tumblers can be purchased plain, what make them so trendy and personal are their hundreds of different embroidered emblems that decorate their drink ware. Emblems come with many different themes such as: animals, botanicals, collegiate, fruit, holiday, military, nautical, sports and recreation, and tropical to name a few. They can also be personalized. Prices on tumblers range from approximately $11 to $16 dollars each. Tumblers can be purchased from the Tervis website or at one of many retailers across the country.

Made of high quality polymer, Tervis makes many claims about the quality of their drinking tumblers. This review will look specifically at each point made by the company as to why you should purchase Tervis Tumblers.

Tervis Tumbler Claim #1 - Microwave, Freezer and Dishwasher Safe

Tervis Tumblers can be used both for hot and cold drinks. Their mugs are wonderful for coffee, tea, hot chocolate or even soup. I have heated soup in the mug style tumblers and the product has not been adversely affected by the microwave. I have had an occasion to also place a cold drink in the freezer so that I could come back and finish it later. Again, Tervis Tumblers perform beautifully in the freezer. The dishwasher is another story. I will say that I do wash my tumblers regularly in the dishwasher. It is highly recommended that you only use the top rack of the dishwasher. While my glasses have never warped in the dishwasher, I will say that over time, they have etched and become a little cloudier than if I had always washed them by hand. For convenience and because of their lifetime warranty, however, I do continue to place my tumblers in the dishwasher for cleaning.

Tervis Tumblers Claim #2 - Insulated Tumblers Keep Drinks at the Proper Temperature Longer

Tervis claims that their tumblers keep hot drinks hot for up to three hours and cold drinks cold longer. It has been my experience that hot drinks do stay toastier longer than drinks in an uninsulated ceramic style mug. I cannot say that it keeps them hot for up to three hours, but with a Tervis lid (lids can be purchased separately), I do find that they stay warm for long enough to easily finish my drink. As far as cold drinks go, I don't find that they extend the length of cold temperature dramatically. However, placing a Tervis lid on a cold drink does help to maintain the cold temperature longer than normal.

Tervis Tumblers Claim #3 - Reduces Condensation and Rings

This Tervis claim is absolutely true! Condensation is not an issue with cold drinks placed in a Tervis Tumbler. I have been known to set a Tervis Tumbler full of an ice cold beverage on a wooden table without a care. Because condensation has not been a problem for me, I have also not developed any rings on wood tables. When I have a piping hot drink, I typically do use a coaster, but that is more out of habit than necessity.

Tervis Tumblers Claim #4 - Tumblers Are Virtually Indestructible

Tervis claims their product is virtually indestructible due to their uncompromising dedication to manufacturing quality tumblers. As I mentioned earlier, I have found the dishwasher does adversely affect the tumblers over time. The seal between the inner shell and outer surface has separated on some tumblers, rendering them unusable. You can clearly see in the posted photograph the difference between a new tumbler and one that I have washed continually in the dishwasher. However, replacing a Tervis Tumbler is so easy to do; I continue to use the dishwasher to clean my tumblers.

Tervis Tumblers Claim #5 - Lifetime Guarantee

The Tervis lifetime guarantee is one that you can take to the bank. Therefore, even if the Tervis tumbler does succumb to wear and tear or the ravages of the dishwasher over time, the fact that Tervis will cheerfully and quickly replace damaged tumblers makes this lifetime guarantee a sure thing. Proof of purchase is not even required to have your tumblers replaced. As long as the Tervis logo is on the bottom of the drink ware, your guarantee will be honored.

Tervis Tumblers Background Information

According to the Tervis website, the company was founded by two Detroit, Michigan engineers in 1946. Frank Cotter and G. Howlett Davis did not have a name for the insulated drink cup they invented, so they combined their last names to form the name: Tervis.

The Winslow family purchased the product rights for Tervis Tumblers in the 1950's and incorporated the company in 1967. Today, this family-owned private company is still going strong, manufacturing their unique line of drink tumblers in North Venice, Florida.

Tervis Tumblers Review Summary

While I have not found that every claim by Tervis is completely accurate, the fact that they maintain an easy to use lifetime guarantee more than outweighs any issues with their drink ware. I own several different sets in different sizes and with different themes. My family uses our tumblers every day. When I find they have worn to the point of no longer looking acceptable, I simply return them as instructed on their website. Made of unbreakable plastic, they are safe for children and also to use outdoors on the patio or poolside. Condensation is not a problem for this sturdy drink ware. I not only recommend Tervis Tumblers, I often give them as gifts.

Tervis.com