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Whether water is your honest-to-goodness beverage of choice or chugging down H2O feels like a chore, there’s no getting around the fact that we all need to drink quite a bit of it every day. Staying hydrated is key for functioning well, staying energized, and supporting long-term health—and the best water bottles can make it easier to stay refreshed and hydrated throughout the day. (Why? If you love your water bottle, you’ll take it with you everywhere you go!)
Maybe you’re looking for a hiking water bottle or a running-friendly water bottle, or one that fits in your bike’s bottle cage. Perhaps you’re in the car often and need an option that fits your cup holder, or you need one for your kiddo that won’t spill everywhere no matter how much they throw it around. Sure, you could buy plastic bottled water in bulk, but those costs add up—not to mention, it’s terribly wasteful.
Why do that to yourself when there are so many gorgeous receptacles that make drinking water a joy? Bottles that chill your beverages for hours (or keep hot drinks actually hot)? That won’t slip out of your hands, or soak your belongings? That are easy to hold during runs, collapse totally flat for travel, and come with straws for sipping? That can be thrown in the dishwasher? The choices are endless.
If you're on the hunt for a water bottle that truly fits your needs, look no further! Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the top water bottles available to support you in achieving your hydration objectives.
Our favorite selections
- Best Overall: Hydro Flask Broad Opening with Straw Cap (32 oz)
- Best Leak-Proof: Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Container
- Best Wide-Mouth: Yeti Rambler Insulated Flask
- Best With Straw: Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Water Bottle featuring a Twist Lid (20 ounces)
- Best for the Car: Stanley Quencher Flowstate H2O Flowstate 30oz
- Best Glass: Purifyou Premium Glass Water Bottle
- Best Plastic: Camelbak Chute Mag Water Bottle
- Best Self-Cleaning: Larq Bottle PureVis 2
- Best for Camping: Nalgene Sustain Wide-Mouth Water Bottle (32 oz)
- Best for Cycling: Lululemon Purist Cycling Water Bottle 26oz
Factors to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Reusable Water Bottle 1. Material: Look for bottles made of safe materials such as stainless steel, glass, or BPA-free plastic. Each material has its pros and cons in terms of durability, insulation, and taste. 2. Size: Consider how much water you typically drink in a day and choose a size that fits your needs. Smaller bottles are portable but may require frequent refills, while larger ones can be bulky. 3. Insulation: If you prefer your beverages to stay hot or cold, opt for double-walled insulated bottles that can help maintain the temperature for hours. 4. Lid Type: Different lid styles offer varying levels of convenience. Some have straws for easy sipping, while others have wide mouths for easy filling and cleaning. 5. Ease of Cleaning: Check if the bottle is dishwasher-safe or if it has a wide opening that allows for easy hand washing. 6. Design and Portability: Look for a design that fits your personal style and is easy to carry. Features like built-in handles or slim profiles can enhance portability. 7. Eco-Friendliness: Consider the environmental impact of the materials used and the bottle’s longevity. Opt for brands that emphasize sustainability. 8. Price: Set a budget and compare options. Higher-priced bottles may offer better insulation or durability, but there are also affordable options that meet basic needs. 9. Brand Reputation: Research brands and read reviews to ensure you’re buying a quality product that meets your expectations. 10. Additional Features: Some bottles come with extra features like infusers for flavoring, measurement markings, or even built-in filters. Consider what extras might enhance your experience.
There are so many water bottles available. To pick the best option for your needs and lifestyle, here’s some criteria to keep in mind while you’re shopping:
The water bottles we offer come in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, glass, and silicone. Stainless steel is great for insulation but can be on the heavier side. Plastic is generally lighter and more budget-friendly, though it lacks insulation. Glass bottles might be heavier but are excellent for keeping your water free from any unwanted flavors. Silicone is both durable and flexible (ideal for collapsible designs), but it might have a slight rubbery taste and odor at first. Consider what features are most important to you in a water bottle to determine which material suits your needs best.
Numerous water bottles, especially those crafted from stainless steel, feature insulation that aids in maintaining the temperature of your beverage. Depending on the insulation quality and whether the tumbler has a vacuum seal, it can keep your water cold for over 48 hours. Effective insulation ensures that the exterior of the bottle remains at a comfortable temperature, preventing the discomfort of holding a hot surface or the shock of icy coldness against your skin.
Certain bottles are safe to clean in the dishwasher, while others have components that can only be placed on the top shelf of the dishwasher, with some parts requiring hand washing. Additionally, there are bottles that must be washed by hand entirely. Maintaining the cleanliness of your container is crucial, so consider whether you are prepared to adhere to the cleaning guidelines.
Our selection of top-rated water bottles includes options priced from under $20 to over $100, and we confidently endorse each one. The cost typically corresponds to various features such as insulation, smart technology, interchangeable lids, capacity, and the type of material used.
A larger bottle means fewer trips for refills, which isn’t necessarily a bad excuse to get up and move around. The size of the bottle also plays a role in how much room it will take up on your desk or in your bag, its weight when filled, and its compatibility with cup holders.
Do you prefer sipping through a straw, gulping from a wide mouth, or tilting a spout? With versatile bottles that offer various lid styles, you might not need to pick just one. However, understanding your personal preference can help you find the perfect hydration partner for your needs.
Our process for selecting the top water bottles involved thorough research and evaluation. We considered factors such as material quality, design, insulation capabilities, ease of cleaning, and user reviews. Additionally, we tested various models to assess their functionality and performance in real-world scenarios. This comprehensive approach allowed us to identify the most reliable and effective water bottles available on the market.
To determine our top choices for the best water bottles, we meticulously analyzed thousands of reviews and sought input from editors and fitness professionals regarding their absolute favorites. These selections are available from popular retailers such as Amazon.com, Target, Lululemon, Walmart, REI, and others.
Top Choice: Hydro Flask Broad Opening with Straw Cap (32 oz)
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Hydro Flask
Broad Opening with Straw Cap
Pros
- You can personalize it with an engraving and customized color
- Double-walled vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours
- Lid and handle use plastic that’s BPA-free
Cons
- Doesn’t fit a cup holder
- May leak water through the straw top
Made of stainless steel with a powder-coat finish that keeps it from slipping out of your hands, the Hydroflask keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. The lid and handle are made without bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical often found in plastic materials that’s linked to negative health outcomes. And while this bottle comes with a flex-straw lid, it’s compatible with other options that are sold separately, letting you customize it to your needs—and with dozens of colors from which to choose, you can also pick the hue that suits your vibe. It's large enough to keep you hydrated throughout the day, and its wide opening makes it easy for you to infuse ice and other goodies in your water. It also fits most backcountry water filters, allowing you to refill with tap water on the go.
“I love my Hydro Flask because it's sturdy, beautiful, and helps me stay well hydrated,” Ky Russell, a certified Pilates instructor and yoga instructor, tells SELF. “It keeps my cold drinks or hot drinks at the right temperature for hours, which helps me to stay hydrated while I teach.”
Material: Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic | Lids available: Comes with flex-straw wide-mouth cap; compatible with other options sold separately | Colors: 27 | Dishwasher safe: Yes
Second Place: Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Container (24oz)
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Owala
FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Container
Pros
- Lid gives multiple options for sipping
- A ton of color options
- Vacuum-sealed lid doesn’t leak
Cons
- Narrow straw opening is tricky to clean without a special tool
- Dents easily when dropped
- Doesn’t fit in a cup holder
The Owala FreeSip water bottle is a SELF editor favorite. This insulated stainless steel water bottle with a BPA-free plastic lid comes in various sizes and delightful colors. Its patented FreeSip spout is designed to be used in two different ways: for drinking upright, through the built-in straw, or tilting back to swig from the spout. Its push-to-open leak-proof spring lid won’t spill in your bag thanks to the bottle’s carry-loop handle that doubles as a lock when pushed down. (Think of it as a deadbolt for your water bottle.) And its double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
“I am obsessed with my Owala Free Sip water bottle,” says Kaitlin Bitting, an instructor at barre3. “It keeps cold beverages chilled seemingly forever—my water is still chilled when I wake up in the morning after leaving it out overnight.”
Material: Stainless steel; BPA-free plastic | Lids available: 1 | Colors: 20 | Dishwasher safe: Lid, yes; hand-wash the bottle
Top Wide-Mouth Option: Yeti Rambler Insulated Flask (26oz)
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Yeti
Rambler Insulated Flask
Pros
- Has a multi-functional lid
- Stands by durability claims with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t fit into a cup holder
- Ice may melt
The Yeti Rambler is a durable workhorse: It’s made of kitchen-grade stainless steel that’s rust- and puncture-resistant, and it has a five-year warranty—so you can feel confident it’ll hold up even if you give your worst (or a new one’s on Yeti). The chug cap lid is dual-functional; twist off the top handle to expose a small spout for controlled sips. Or, screw off the cap fully to take big gulps through the wide mouth opening. But if you’d rather have a different lid, you can add on a straw cap or magnetic bottle cap (for an additional $13).
“I love it because it holds enough water and keeps your water ice-cold for over 24 hours,” says Julia Denison, a running coach and registered dietitian. “I also love the straw cap because the ease of use helps me drink more water throughout the day. It’s a versatile bottle you can carry along all day.”
Material: Stainless steel | Lids available: 3 (sold separately) | Colors: 16 | Dishwasher safe: Yes
Ideal for Straw Use: Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated Water Bottle featuring a Twist Lid (20 oz)
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Amazon.com
Klean Kanteen
TKWide Insulated Water Bottle featuring a Twist Lid
Pros
- Fits in cup holders
- Comes with the option to personalize your bottle with text or art (for an added fee)
- Features a lifetime warranty
Cons
- The Twist Cap isn’t meant for hot or carbonated drinks
- Leak-proof lid
One frequent issue with straw-lid bottles is their tendency to leak water around the opening. However, this is not a concern with the stainless steel Klean Kanteen TKWide Bottle. When the Twist Cap is securely closed, the silicone straw tip—attached to a stainless steel straw within the bottle—remains sealed, keeping both you and the straw clean and splash-free. When you twist the lid open, the straw pops out, reminiscent of a refreshing jack-in-the-box.
