Compare Top 7 Reusable Water Bottles
More Bottles to Consider
Courtesy of Fellow
Fellow Carter Carry Water Bottle for $45: Fellow’s newest insulated water bottle is relatively tall and thin, with a squared metal carry loop that comfortably fits three fingers. The Carter holds temps for several hours (they claim it can keep water cold for 24 hours, but mine was at room temperature by the end of a long day). What I really like about this bottle, though, is the actual drinking. The Carter has a slightly tapered lip like a wine glass, which helps avoid spillage, and the ceramic interior coating means that the water coming out of the bottle tastes just like it did going in. If you like the minimalist look and need an insulated bottle that’s actually pleasant to sip from, the Carter delivers. —Martin Cizmar
Takeya Glow in the Dark Sport Kids Bottle for $30: Takeya promises to “make hydration exciting” with its glow-in-the-dark bottle, so it’s important to point out that it’s just the band that glows, not the neon paint splatters. Nevertheless, this is a sturdy triple-insulated bottle with a big carry handle for clumsy or distracted little hands. The slim 18-oz size also fits in the side pocket of my two kids’ school backpacks. However, my 8-year-old is annoyed by the fact that the straw leaks air and whistles when he drinks.—Adrienne So
Created Co. Wander Bottle (26 ounces) for $36: I like that the Wander Bottle is created with 18/8 insulated stainless steel, but the spout is made of BPA-free plastic, so my water doesn’t taste like metal. The sport cap makes it simple to hand-wash, and the carry handle makes it easy to hold during hikes or other on-the-go situations.
SquireMe Borosilicate Glass Water Bottle for $30: If you prefer glass bottles, borosilicate glass is the most durable choice. It can handle extreme temperatures without cracking, and it’s free from BPA, lead, and phthalates. It’s also the most sustainable option for reusable water bottles. I like that this SquireMe bottle is wrapped in a silicone sleeve for extra protection and comes with a leather loop for easy carrying. I do wish it came in larger volumes, being only 20 ounces, and the silicone sleeve is frustrating to put on and off after cleaning.
Courtesy of Yeti
Yeti Yonder Water Bottle with Yonder Tether Cap for $25: Stainless steel water bottles keep drinks cold, but sometimes they feel like you’re lugging around a dumbbell. If you travel a lot or have little kids who maybe don’t need to knock themselves out with a heavy-duty Stanley, you might want something lighter (and safer). WIRED editor Adrienne So calls the 25-ounce Yeti Yonder her emotional support water bottle. It’s lightweight, made from 50 percent recycled plastic, and BPA-free. The cap is also well designed to prevent spills if you’re a chugger. So’s bottle has survived many drops and playground tumbles without a scratch. But if you somehow do manage to damage it, it’s covered by a five-year warranty. Bonus: It’s dishwasher-safe.
Klean Kanteen 32 oz TKWide Insulated Water Bottle with Twist Cap for $47: If you want one bottle to do it all, grab the Klean Kanteen TKWide. Its modular cap system lets you tailor hydration to your situation: use the included twist cap with its built-in straw for everyday sipping, swap the Chug Cap for fast gulps during workouts, or screw on the Loop Cap for clipping to your backpack during hikes. Klean Kanteen even makes a Café Cap that turns your bottle into a spill-proof travel mug for your iced coffee. It’s made of 90 percent post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel and is dishwasher safe, which is a huge bonus if you plan to use this thermos for protein shakes. Note: This bottle is for cold drinks only.
Lifefactory 22-Ounce Glass Water Bottle with Active Flip Cap for $35: The active flip cap is convenient for quick sips—maybe during a red light or between sets—but you need to double-check that it’s closed before storing it. I’ve experienced a few spillage issues with this one. It comes in three sizes—the 12-ounce bottle is perfect for kids, but the largest is 22 ounces and could be bigger, especially for $35. Like most (if not all) of the glass bottles we recommend, this one also includes a protective silicone sleeve that provides a better grip and an extra layer of security.
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Courtesy of Amazon
bkr Spiked Big Bottle 1L for $62: Glass water bottles remain the cleanest, nontoxic, and greenest choice. Bkr’s signature silicone protects the glass from shattering but also adds an edgy, grippy texture. It won’t dent or clang against surfaces, and if you drop it in a crowded room, it lands with silence.
Ello Cooper Twist Stainless Steel Water Bottle for $19: The Ello Cooper Twist Stainless Steel Water Bottle is vacuum-insulated, double-walled, and features a screw-on lid with a carry handle. The spout is a matter of personal preference, but I like the ceramic opening, and if you prefer a chug cap, it’s a great option.
Camelbak Eddy+ for $16: The Camelbak Eddy+ is a durable, lightweight, recycled plastic bottle with a straw lid. Adrienne So has had several of these for years. Just be sure to let the chew top air out daily because it’s prone to collecting mold if left damp.
Pura Big Mouth Insulated Bottle for $46: Pura bottles are thin, light, and made entirely from stainless steel, so there’s no plastic or powder coating (which also means they may not withstand drops and bumps). They’re Made Safe certified, meaning they’re made without harmful ingredients. I don’t love the silicone lids, as they’re very thin and floppy, but you can unscrew the whole cap to sip right from the metal rim.
Avoid These Bottles
Water.io Daily+ for $100: This is a bottle that tracks your sips and reminds you to drink, which sounds great, but in practice, not the best. The battery life is short, lasting for 2 to 3 days, and it requires a proprietary charger. For $100, you’d expect more perks, like filtration or self-cleaning tech, but this bottle doesn’t deliver any of that. The water also picks up a metallic aftertaste that is far from refreshing.
Air Up Water Bottle for $40: This bottle uses scented rings to try to trick your brain into thinking it isn’t drinking plain water. WIRED writer Boone Ashworth was unimpressed. It didn’t smell great, and you can’t use the bottle without one of those rings. The beauty of a reusable bottle is that you spend money once and get free water for years. Here, you have to keep buying refills.
Liberty Bottleworks Uninsulated Bottle for $23: The cap of this aluminum bottle is weird, flimsy, and confusingly shaped. Our tester got his fingers stuck in it a few times and said it’s uncomfortable to twist. The bottle’s outer coating isn’t as tough as the matte powder coating on others, and the aluminum felt weak. (He could slightly flex it with his fingers.) Also, unlike with a stainless steel bottle, the interior is covered in a food-grade coating. It’s BPA-free, according to Liberty, but people who want to avoid industrial coatings should steer toward stainless steel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Water Do I Need?
The eight-glasses rule isn’t exactly accurate, but it’s a solid starting point. Since water intake is highly individualized (kind of like your bottle), it’s best to consult your doctor about the right amount for you. Several lifestyle factors can influence your hydration needs. If you’re active or sweat a lot, for example, you generally should increase your intake to make up for losses. Warmer temperatures can also make us thirstier.
On the other side, it’s also possible to drink too much water. According to Harvard Health, the daily fluid intake for healthy adult men (including both drinks and food) should be about 3.7 liters a day, while for women, it’s around 2.7 liters. Drinking too much water can also cause overhydration and sodium levels to drop to dangerous levels in a condition called hyponatremia. Certain medications can lead to water retention, which is why it can’t hurt to double-check with your physician during your next check-up. In the meantime, if you’re not thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow, you’re likely doing great, sweetie.
How Do Insulated Water Bottles Work?
An insulated water bottle consists of a double-wall construction with insulating materials that prevent heat transfer. Insulated bottles are heavier and can typically hold less water compared to their uninsulated counterparts, given similar exterior dimensions. However, the advantage is that they are typically vacuum-sealed to better maintain the temperature of the liquid inside for far longer periods.
Condensation is typical in non-insulated water bottles, since the beads of water form on the exterior of the bottle. Packing the bottle inside your bag can be inconvenient, as the condensation comes into contact with your personal items. It can damage your bag and other things inside it. Insulated bottles are made of stainless steel and other similar materials that are durable and resistant to damage. The longer lifespan means less waste in manufacturing these water bottles, and you can maximize these resources to reduce environmental impact.
Insulated water bottles are more expensive, since more technology and a complex manufacturing process are required. But you are also paying for reusability, since you can save more money in the long run as you won’t need to replace your water bottles as often as you would with disposable, single-use plastics.
For hiking and outdoor climbing trips, you may prefer uninsulated bottles because it means less weight to lug around, and the concern is to have enough water rather than cold water. For everything else, insulated works just fine.
How Should I Wash My Water Bottle?
Even if they never hold anything but water, bottles get gross. Mold can grow quickly, especially if you leave the cap on. Straws and mouthpieces accumulate bacteria, oils, and grime from your mouth, and any dirt and dust they pick up in your backpack.
Some bottles can go right in the dishwasher, but be sure to take everything fully apart first, like any silicone pieces that can trap bacteria. For lids that have more nooks and crannies, we recommend hand-washing by soaking them in soapy water and then scrubbing.
Get yourself a bottle brush and straw brush—many kits are available that include both. Even if you don’t use straws, the smaller brush can be used to get into any crevices. There are special bottle-cleaning tablets around, but cleaning with regular dish soap works perfectly fine.
Plastic bottles have a tendency to trap odors over time. You can fix this by putting a teaspoon of bleach and a teaspoon of baking soda in the bottle, filling it up with water, and letting it sit overnight. Rinse it out well the next day.
How We Test Reusable Water Bottles
So far, I’ve tested 20 reusable water bottles, each for at least two weeks; however, most of our top picks are ones we’ve loved and carried for months or years. Here’s what I look for:
- Design: First and foremost, I note what materials are used and evaluate whether they feel safe, sustainable, and durable. Because taste can also make or break a bottle, I evaluate whether materials retain odors or leave water tasting metallic or plasticky. I also consider how simple it is to replace parts like lids and straws.
- Portability: I consider the size, weight, cupholder compatibility, and whether it’s designed with ergonomic features like a carry loop.
- Durability: I drop bottles, toss them in totes, and use them daily to see if they dent, crack, or leak. I’ll also twist lids aggressively and test whether the hinges hold up after dozens of openings.
- Ease of use and cleaning: Overall, I’ll judge how intuitive the bottle is to drink from and refill. Each bottle also goes through several rounds of hand-washing and dishwasher cycles (when safe) to evaluate how easy it is to clean and whether odors or stains linger.
- Insulation: For insulated bottles, I’ll fill them with hot and ice-cold water for the advertised time to track how well they maintain temperature.
What Are We Testing Next?
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