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Best Water Bottles

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
NxtStop Compact Travel Water Bottle
Owala
FreeSip Water Bottle
Best for Everyday Use

This reusable bottle has a straw for easy drinking and keeps water cold with insulation; impressed in our user testing.

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Best for Everyday Use
Bottom Line

This reusable bottle has a straw for easy drinking and keeps water cold with insulation; impressed in our user testing.

Pros

Water can stay cold all day and the straw is optional if you want to remove it. The cap pops open quickly and doesn’t leak. It fits perfectly in cup holders and resists damage when dropped.

Cons

The straw and the crevices around the bottle can be hard to clean.

Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Nalgene
Tritan Water Bottle
Durable & Rugged

This reusable bottle is perfect for hiking and other strenuous activities, according to our test.

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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

This reusable bottle is perfect for hiking and other strenuous activities, according to our test.

Pros

The light plastic construction helps shed some weight when you need to carry it around all day. The wide mouth is easy to refill and drink from. Nalgene bottles are known for their extreme durability.

Cons

There’s no insulation and you can spill water if you try to drink too fast. It doesn’t fit a cup holder.

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid
Hydro Flask
Wide Mouth Straw Lid
Trusted Brand

An insulated water bottle from HydroFlask that works to keep beverages at the desired temperature throughout the day.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

An insulated water bottle from HydroFlask that works to keep beverages at the desired temperature throughout the day.

Pros

Comes with a straw lid that makes it easy to drink from, and has a built-in carrying loop for added convenience. Made with dishwasher-safe stainless steel that prevents flavors from remaining in the bottle. Comes in a few color options and sizes.

Cons

The straw lead tends to leak if knocked over.

HydroJug Half Gallon Water Bottle
HydroJug
Half Gallon Water Bottle
Best for Long Days

Based on our test, this beast of a bottle is great for extended time away from home since you won’t have to refill it often.

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Best for Long Days
Bottom Line

Based on our test, this beast of a bottle is great for extended time away from home since you won’t have to refill it often.

Pros

The bottle has a handle for easier carrying, and it doesn’t leak. The plastic is thick and durable enough to handle almost anything. It has a massive 73-fluid-ounce capacity that can last for upwards of a day.

Cons

It isn’t insulated, so it won’t keep water cold for long. It’s heavy when full.

Contigo Ashland 2.0 Water Bottles
Contigo
Ashland 2.0 Water Bottles
Bargain Pick

This set of reusable water bottles comes with straws and impressed in our user testing.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

This set of reusable water bottles comes with straws and impressed in our user testing.

Pros

They’re an excellent budget pick, especially for households with several people to keep hydrated. With ice, it can keep water cool for most of the day. They fit most cup holders.

Cons

It can leak under some circumstances or spray a mist with the spout open.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
November 28, 2021
36
Models
considered
28
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best water bottles

Lauren Corona
Written by Lauren Corona

Updated May 2024

It's no secret that drinking water benefits your health, but how do you ensure that you consume enough to stay properly hydrated?

People who carry a water bottle often find themselves drinking more than enough water during the day.

But shelling out several dollars per day for bottled water quickly adds up, and the constant flow of plastic to the landfill harms the environment.

That's why you see people sipping H2O from reusable water bottles.

And fortunately, water bottles have progressed aesthetically and stylistically since that Power Rangers flask you carried around in third grade.

Today’s water bottle market offers countless options.

The question is, which one is right for you?

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Single-use bottles of water are convenient, but they’re bad for the environment, as plastic takes an extremely long time to decompose in a landfill. Reusable water bottles provide an excellent alternative.

At BestReviews, we strive to present you with the finest products on the market.

We combed independent reviews and studied consumer feedback in order to bring you the very best water bottle selection in our product list, above.

To avoid bias, we never accept free products from manufacturers – we buy them ourselves, just like you would. In this way, you can be sure our reviews are fair and honest.

If you’d like to learn more about water bottles and how to choose the right one, please continue reading this shopping guide.

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EXPERT CONSULTANT
Denise has a background in healthcare and physical therapy. She also has the unique experience of raising three boys. Through the years, she has coached her sons and many of their friends through their share of childhood health problems and accidents. When not helping others recover from their injuries, you may find Denise working in her garden or reading.
Denise
Health Care Professional

Benefits of water bottles

Let's shed light on some of the many benefits of reusable water bottles:

  • You’re likely to drink more of the clear stuff when you carry a water bottle with you.

  • Reusable water bottles are better for the environment, as they decrease the demand for plastic.

  • A reusable water bottle saves you money in the long run. For example, a $25 water bottle, when used daily, pays for itself in less than a month.

  • You can buy reusable water bottles in all sorts of cool designs and colors. These accessories look far more stylish than a throwaway bottle.


 

Water bottle materials

What's the best water bottle material? Here’s a look at some of the most common materials you’ll find for sale:

Plastic

Many excellent water bottles are made from plastic, even if it's not everyone's top choice.

Pros:

  • Plastic water bottles are lightweight and easy to carry in a purse, bag, or large pocket.

  • They’re durable and hard to damage.

  • Many plastic water bottles are advertised as BPA-free. BPA is the abbreviation for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of some plastics.

  • If you're looking for an affordable choice, plastic water bottles are a great option.

Cons:

  • Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. It’s not ideal for the environment.

  • Some plastic water bottles contain BPA. This chemical could leach into your water and potentially damage your health.
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Did you know?
The full effects of BPA on our health aren't yet clear. If you buy a plastic water bottle, we recommend that you opt for a BPA-free model to be on the safe side.
STAFF
BestReviews

Metal

Metal water bottles tend to be made out of stainless steel or aluminum. Consumers who want to limit their use of plastic appreciate this material.

Pros:

  • A metal water bottle tends to keep water cooler for longer — as long as it's not left out in the sun.

  • Since they're typically made from one piece of metal, metal water bottles are usually quite durable.

  • Both stainless steel and aluminum are non-reactive, food-grade materials.

  • Metal is naturally free of BPA, so you needn’t worry about bisphenol A leaching into your beverage.

  • Metal water bottles are more environmentally friendly than their plastic counterparts.

 

"Some metal water bottles are specially designed so they don't sweat on hot days."
STAFF
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Cons:

  • Metal water bottles can scratch and dent when dropped or handled roughly.

  • Metal water bottles tend to cost more than plastic bottles.

  • On hot days, some metal water bottles can "sweat," leaving moisture on the outside of the bottle. Keep this in mind if you store your metal water bottle in a bag or briefcase with items you don’t want to get wet.
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Expert Tip
Drinking plenty of water is good for your kidney function, makes your skin look healthy, helps maintain healthy bowel function, and — let's not forget — keeps you alive!
STAFF
BestReviews

Glass

Glass water bottles are a stylish, eco-friendly alternative to plastic. However, they're not always the most practical option.

Pros:

  • Glass water bottles don't have sealants or linings which could contain unwanted chemicals.

  • Glass is simple to clean and doesn't scratch easily.

  • As a non-porous, non-reactive material, glass won't absorb flavor from beverages. This appeals to those who plan to use their bottle to drink beverages beyond water, such as fruit juice or tea.

Cons:

  • Glass is fragile, and your bottle could crack or shatter if not treated gently.

  • Glass water bottles tend to be heavier and more cumbersome. If you’re on the go, this could pose a slight inconvenience.
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Glass water bottles aren't as common as metal or plastic varieties, but they provide an excellent alternative — as long as you handle them gently.

Considerations

How do you make sure you're picking the right vessel to hold your H2O? Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for a water bottle:

Size and capacity

Consider both the external size and the internal capacity of your potential new water bottle.

"If you'd also like to put hot drinks in your water bottle, look for an insulated variety that will keep your drink warm for several hours."
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  • External size
    Do you want your new water bottle to fit inside a standard cup holder? Will you be carrying it around in a small bag or purse? Check the exterior dimensions to make sure it will fit where you want it to. Some manufacturers provide information about size and fit right on the packaging. 

    But not all water bottles are marketed this way; you may need to perform some calculations yourself to figure this out.

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Did you know?
If you really want a water bottle that’s safe for the dishwasher, check the specs before buying it. Placing a non-safe water bottle in the dishwasher could warp and ruin it.
STAFF
BestReviews
  • Internal capacity

As for capacity, you can find water bottles that hold various amounts of liquid, from compact 8- or 9-oz varieties that hold a little over a standard glass of water to 32-oz behemoths that hold almost half the total water you need to drink each day.

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Expert Tip
A larger water bottle means you'll have to refill it less often. In exchange, however, you’ll be toting around a heavier, bulkier bottle.
STAFF
BestReviews

Color

Most of our top water bottles come in a range of colors and designs. You can choose anything from basic black to a funky psychedelic pattern.

"Some water bottles have ingenious extra features that may appeal to some users. For example, some bottles have built-in fruit infusers that allows you to integrate fresh fruit with your beverage."
STAFF
BestReviews

Insulation

Insulated water bottles are designed to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.

While insulation isn't necessary in a water bottle, it's a nice feature to have, especially if you live in a hot climate. After all, who wants a "refreshing" sip of tepid water on a sweltering day?

A well-insulated water bottle can keep a cold drink chilled for over 24 hours.

Ease of opening

If you plan to sip while exercising, you'll probably want a model with an easy-open mechanism that you can operate with one hand.

However, if you plan to drink your H2O at home or at your desk, the standard screw top variety should suit you just fine.

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Expert Tip
While they're designed for sport or on-the-go use, water bottles that open with the press of a button are also excellent for people with poor grip or a limited range of motion in their hands.
STAFF
BestReviews

Price

You needn’t spend a lot to get a quality water bottle. Price generally depends on the bottle’s size and material, as well as any extra features it offers.

You could pick up a decent BPA-free plastic water bottle — even a name brand like the Thermos Intak — for around $10.

If you'd prefer a metal water bottle, you'll probably pay just a little more. An eight-ounce quality metal bottle might cost around $15, whereas a 24-oz version would probably hover closer to the $20 mark.

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As a rule, plastic water bottles are the cheapest option, but many people prefer to go with metal.

FAQ

Q. Should I get a water bottle with a wide or narrow mouth?

A. Whether you prefer a wide or narrow mouth comes down to personal preference. Wide-mouth bottles fill faster, and the water comes out faster, too. Occasionally, it might come out too fast, causing you to spill it while you’re drinking.

Q. Is my water bottle dishwasher safe?

A. Many, but not all, water bottles are dishwasher safe. Always check the manufacturer's specs before throwing your water bottle in the dishwasher.

Q. Do I need an insulated water bottle?

A. Not everybody cares if their water bottle is insulated or not. But some owners swear by the insulated models.

An insulated water bottle will keep your cold drinks cool and your hot drinks warm. If you were to take a chilled water bottle on a hike or run on a hot day, an insulated variety would keep your H2O cool. Some people find this benefit to be invaluable.

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