Reusable water bottles that are both beautiful and functional seem like a must in our modern world of hydration. But finding the right product to suit your personal taste can be a daunting task – depending on what you’re looking for in a huge variety of colors, shapes and functions.
After over 120 hours of research and testing over 100 water bottles since 2014, we have selected eight of the best water bottles in a variety of materials and styles. Among them are our most versatile choice, which has outperformed well-known competitors, as well as inexpensive straw bottles, loved for their functionality in any driving scenario. Whether you’re looking for a fly-drink bottle, a glass bottle (if you don’t like plastic), an Erlenmeyer bottle, a plastic bottle (if you don’t like the high price), a prettier bottle, or our favorite stainless steel water bottles that have to offer something extra for those struggling with poor hydration.
Since we first created this guide in 2014, we have tested over 100 different bottles for hundreds of hours. We also spoke with a number of experts. With the popularity of metal water bottles, we wanted to take a closer look at how two-layer insulation works. So we called NASA, the best thermodynamicists we could think of. We spoke to Wesley Johnson, a cryogenics research engineer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, via email.
We also spoke with urban planner Josselyn Ivanov, who wrote her master’s thesis on reducing public water supplies (also known as drinking fountains) for MIT’s Department of Urban Research and Planning. “As [water coolers] lack investment and maintenance, many people are dragging their own personalized infrastructure to fill the void,” she told us.
Over four different authors (Sam Schild contributed the last round of testing in mid-2022) and nine years of work, we have seen more than 100 iterations of the same object. From the hard plastic Nalgene that hit college campuses in the 2000s to the $5,000+ bottle of Chanel that looks like it was just stolen from Blackbeard’s treasure chest, these water bottles do the same thing. When you’ve used triple-figure water bottles as well as cheaper versions, you know which one works best.
Almost everyone can benefit from their favorite water bottle. Carrying a reusable water bottle with you is more environmentally friendly and cost effective than buying bottled water. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters (PDF), bottled water production in the United States alone required between 32 and 54 million barrels of oil in 2007. This is about 2,000 times the energy cost of producing tap water, and US bottled water sales will grow from 8.76 billion gallons in 2007 to 15.3 billion gallons by 2021.
Bottled water is also a thousand times more expensive than tap water for consumers. Add to that the fact that nearly 64% of all bottled water sold in the US in 2014 was nothing more than expensive prepackaged tap water (PDF), and it’s hard to deny the value of a quality refillable water bottle.
The spout on this bottle is easy to drink from (and easier to use than a sports cap), and the flip top stays secure and won’t fall on your face. The bottle has a wide mouth so you can easily add ice cubes and toppings.
Size options (in ounces): 18, 22, 24, 32, 40, 64 Available lids: spout (included), straw Dishwasher safe: lid yes, body no
Get this if: You want a bottle of Chameleon, something that can fit almost any situation, whether you’re sitting at your desk, riding the subway, or working out at the gym.
Why it’s great: This double-walled stainless steel bottle is designed for fitness enthusiasts. But even if you’re not looking for a water bottle for your workouts, the Takeya Actives case is excellent.
The plastic lid has a twist-off spout. The spout lid flows as easily as drinking from an open glass. However, they won’t spill their contents if you’re running fast on the pavement or exercising on a treadmill.
The spout cover on the Takeya is eye-catching because you can lock it when it’s open so it doesn’t hit you in the face. When closed, it completely covers the drinking surface. The whole thing opens up to reveal a 2¼” wide opening, so you can add whatever you want: fill the bottle with ice, add electrolyte powder, and put in a few lemon wedges.
This bottle comes standard with a silicone sleeve or base to keep it from slipping or making noise on hard surfaces. Takeya also offers straw lids, which can be purchased separately. We have tested the straw cap, no leaks, we recommend getting a bottle if you want to drink from this bottle while driving in the first place.
These bottles are available in a variety of colors and sizes, and our 22 oz Takeya Actives selection is the newest size in the line. After testing over 100 bottles, we truly believe this is the size of Goldilocks: not too big and not too small. It is compatible with cup holders and backpack pockets. And, like the last piece of the puzzle, it will fit perfectly into the little space left in your purse.
All sizes of Takeya bottles we have tested are leak-proof. If you need a 32oz bottle, Takeya Actives scales the bottle accordingly to accommodate the new container: it’s wider and taller so the bottle stays stable when you put it down (although that means it’s too wide to fit in a standard container). ). coaster).
On the Takeya website, the lid is listed as BPA free and dishwasher safe (on the top shelf). But the body recommends washing your hands. Takeya offers a limited lifetime warranty (you’ll need a receipt).
Flaws, not spoilers: We found that there are almost no people who didn’t like the design. This is a bottle that we think everyone will be very happy with.
Hydro Flask is an insulated steel bottle that’s comfortable to drink, easy to carry, and completely sealed in our tests.
Size options (oz): 18, 21, 24 Available lids: Stretch lid (included), Sports lid, Stretch straw lid Dishwasher safe: No
Buy if: You want a reliable and versatile water bottle. This is a simple bottle best for those who believe in doing one thing and doing it well.
Why it’s good: The standard Hydro Flask neck is exceptionally reliable. This is an insulated, double-walled, powder-coated stainless steel (durable, slightly textured) stainless steel water bottle with a plastic cap. Unlike aluminum bottles, this one does not dent easily. Unlike glass bottles, this one doesn’t have the problem of cracking the bottom. And unlike plastic bottles, it doesn’t spoil as quickly during use.
You can use this bottle with three different caps: Flex Cap (included), Sport Cap and Flex Straw Cap. We tested the first two caps and neither leaked, but we preferred the Flex Cap over the sports cap. Often sports caps do a poor job of correcting human error – the plastic can be very hard and difficult to close with the mouth, so they are easy to leave ajar. If the bottle is on its side, water will occasionally leak out of the inlet valve. (We plan to test the Flex Straw Cap soon.)
If you prefer to drink straight from the bottle, the Hydro Flask has a narrow, pointed metal rim. It mimics the rim of a glass better than any other bottle finish we’ve tested, including the round Klean Kanteen finish and the heavy industrial Yeti Rambler finish. The standard mouth opening is 1¾ inches wide, just enough to fit an ice cube, but not so wide that water won’t get in your nose if you’re drinking on the go.
Of the three sizes of this bottle, we think 21 oz is the right size. The size is large enough to keep refills to a minimum, but not as bulky as a 24oz bottle. (The 24-ounce Hydro Flask is tall and narrow, so it’s easy to tip over and feels big.) The lid is BPA-free, and the Hydro Flask backs the bottle with a limited lifetime warranty.
Drawbacks, not spoilers: Complaints about Hydro Flask are rare. However, while silicone sleeves are standard on Takeya Actives bottles, for this Hydro Flask model, the sleeve is an accessory (usually around $8).
In addition, some people may not like that part of the drinking surface is open; the thread of the cap is screwed into the bottle, and does not go around the neck and neck. We like the design, as sipping from the threaded drinking surface isn’t exactly pleasant. But if exposed drinking surfaces are a concern, some of our other products, including Takeya Actives, Purifyyou Premium, and Thermos plastic hydration bottles, have lids that completely cover the drinking surface.
If you use a bottle with a straw, you won’t have to tilt your head back while drinking – it’s the easiest way to drink and keep your eyes on the road.
Size options (oz): 20, 25, 32. Available lids: straw (included), magazine chute, carry lid. Dishwasher safe: yes.
Buy if: you want something you can easily drink while driving, or you want something that encourages you to drink throughout the day (our unscientific evidence leads us to believe straws make drinking easier).
Why it’s good: This bottle has a built-in straw in the cap with a plastic bite valve for tightness (anyone with a CamelBak water bladder will be familiar with this). Just bite to open the straw and release to seal it. The leak-proof lid makes this decanter the perfect driving companion – it fits in a cup holder, making it easy to drink from without taking your eyes off the road. If you transfer the bottle to the bag, the bite valve will lower into the lid, preventing it from making too much contact with the contents of the bag.
Plus, if you have a daily hydration goal, the straw makes it easy to drink the 20, 30, or 40 ounces of water you may have prepared ahead of time. If that sounds like you, the Eddy+ comes in a 32-ounce size that’s easy to fill in one go, sits next to your laptop, and hits your daily goals.
Unscrew the straw lid to reveal a wide spout for easily adding ice to your drink – handy if you want to keep your water cool. However, this is a plastic bottle, so adding ice also makes it sweaty. If you want to avoid this, the insulated version should prevent moisture from accumulating on the outside of the bottle.
You can replace the lid with two other CamelBak lids: Carry Cap and Chute Mag (the spouted lid we tested and liked because it’s easy to drink, similar to our favorite lid).
The Eddy+ is a newer model and with this redesign CamelBak has addressed reports of leaking or malfunctioning bite valve. The one we tested worked great and neither the cap nor the valve leaked in our tests. This bottle is BPA free and all parts including the cap, lid and straw are dishwasher safe. CamelBak offers a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, and the company will replace them in the event of a defect.
Cons, but not a problem: In order for the water to flow, you have to bite down on this straw and hold it while drinking, which some may not like. But in general, this did not bother us, and we quickly forgot about it.
This is the only glass bottle we found where the plastic does not come into contact with water, and the bottle itself is enclosed in a silicone protective cover. But it won’t keep your water cold for long.
Size options (oz): 12, 22, 32, 40 Available lids: Stainless steel lined lid (included) Dishwasher safe: Yes
Buy if: You don’t want to drink from plastic or metal, or you just like the weight and presence of glass bottles.
Why it’s good: Our favorite Purifyou Premium 22oz glass bottle. It has several design features that make it more functional, including the type of glass it’s made from and a particularly useful lid that’s also lined in stainless steel.
We understand that some people just don’t want plastic to touch their water. One of the main reasons why this bottle outperforms all other glass bottles is because we found the only bottle with a metal-coated cap (as opposed to any plastic cap). The ring on the lid is surprisingly simple and useful – it makes the repetitive task of opening and closing the lid much easier than a standard round lid.
We also like the small neck of this bottle. When you drink from a wide-mouthed glass bottle like the Lifefactory, it feels like you’re drinking from a can. The downside is that Purifyou is too narrow to fit ice cubes. But glass bottles are not insulated or insulated, so we don’t think this is a problem.
Purifyou is made from borosilicate glass, which makes it unique. Borosilicate glass is resistant to thermal shock. This means that if you take the bottle out of the hot dishwasher and fill it with cold or room temperature water, it is less likely to break than a regular soda-lime glass bottle.
We tested and liked the size of the 22oz bottle, although it won’t fit in traditional size coasters (the base is 3¼ inches wide). The center of the case is a bit wide and not as tapered as the others, but we had no problem holding it. Purifyou offers warranty coverage for all manufacturing defects and (according to its Amazon page) will replace a bottle if it “breaks within the first year” if you sign up online.
Disadvantages, but not decisive: the number of glass bottles is limited. They are great for carrying room temperature water, but no more because they are poor insulators. Glass bottles are also not as durable as other options despite being heavier. Also, if you are looking for an eco-friendly option, please be aware that the silicone sleeve and cap on this bottle are non-recyclable as the cap is an alloy of two materials. If you’re concerned about the environment, it’s best to buy a bottle that you know you’ll be using the most.
This tapered, narrow-mouth bottle is comfortable to hold in your hand, just like a plastic beverage bottle, but made from double insulated stainless steel.
Size options (oz): 12, 17, 25 Available lids: stainless steel lid (included) Dishwasher safe: lid yes, body no
Buy this product if: You are looking for a bottle with a simple classic shape with a cap that closes the lip for drinking.
Why it’s good: Mira Cascade is a double-walled stainless steel thermos. The lid screws onto the drinking surface so you don’t have to press your mouth against something that gets dirty in your bag all day. Mira’s tapered shape is reminiscent of classic 20-ounce plastic soda bottles, and the bottle is comfortable to hold. It keeps the contents cool throughout the day, and thanks to the small opening of the bottle, you drink without splashing on your face, like in a Nalgene can.
Post time: Apr-03-2023