Key Takeaways
- The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth is the best water bottle, as its overall design and ability to keep drinks cold for an extended period stood out against the competition.
- High-quality water bottles range in price from as little as $10 to upwards of $50. However, price doesn’t necessarily determine quality, according to our experts.
- Whether it’s to match your outfit or for more practical means, like staying hydrated at the gym, everyone needs a good water bottle they can rely on.
Most of us use a reusable water bottle in our daily lives, whether for sipping at the office or for post-workout hydration.
To help you find the best water bottle for your needs, we tested and reviewed a variety of the top water bottles on the market in all different sizes, price points, and materials. We ran these water bottles through vigorous testing metrics to see how well they maintained cold and hot temperatures, how durable and leakproof they were, how easy they were to drink from, and how water tasted while drinking from them.
Read our guide below for more of our top picks and test results.
Top 7 Water Bottles
- Hydro Flask Standard Mouth: Best Water Bottle
- YETI Rambler: Best Travel Water Bottle
- Polar Bottle Insulated Water Bottle: Best Cycling Water Bottle
- Lifefactory Glass Water Bottle: Best Glass Water Bottle
- Nalgene Sustain Wide Mouth: Best Plastic Water Bottle
- IRON FLASK Water Bottle : Best Sports Water Bottle
- Stanley Quencher: Best Water Bottle With Straw For Commuters
Water Bottle Reviews
If you’re purchasing a water bottle, it’s likely going to be an item that you use frequently, whether you’re carrying it with you to work, the gym, or the great outdoors. Thinking about these different uses, we reviewed a variety of water bottles and rated them on the following criteria:
- Ease of use: How easy a bottle is to open and drink from were key factors we considered when rating water bottles. We also favored bottles with a wide enough mouth to add large ice cubes.
- Portability: Our water bottles go with us everywhere, so bottles gained points for being lightweight or having a carrying handle or strap. Another important factor here was whether or not the bottle had a leak-proof seal.
- Insulation: The best water bottles can keep water and other beverages ice-cold for up to 12 hours, while hot beverages should stay warm for at least one or more hours.
- Durability: Many of us carry our water to work or the gym, and, let’s face it—we’ve all dropped a water bottle before. A durable water bottle should be able to withstand small falls with minimal damage.
Compare Top Water Bottles
Before we review each of the best-rated water bottles in detail, it’s worth first comparing our top picks at a glance below:
| Product | Size Options | Weight | Material | Color Options | Dishwasher Safe? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Standard Mouth Water Bottle |
18, 21, and 24 oz. |
11.3 oz. |
Steel |
14 |
Yes |
|
YETI Rambler 18 oz Bottle |
18 oz. |
19 oz. |
Steel |
30+ |
Yes |
|
Polar Bottle Sport Insulated Water Bottle |
20 and 24 oz. |
5.3 oz. |
Plastic |
12 |
Yes |
|
Lifefactory 22-Ounce Glass Water Bottle |
12, 16, and 22 oz. |
10.4 oz. |
Glass |
10 |
Yes |
|
Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle |
48 oz. |
6.4 oz. |
Plastic |
7 |
Yes |
|
IRON °FLASK Sports Water Bottle |
14, 18, 22, 32, 40, 64 oz. |
13.3 oz. |
Steel |
40+ |
No |
|
Stanley Quencher |
40 oz. |
22 oz. |
Plastic |
30+ |
Yes |
Read more about how we tested water bottles based on these factors.
Best Water Bottle
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth
Good for: Customers seeking a heavy-duty bottle for everyday use that keeps water ice-cold.
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for over 12 using its double-wall vacuum insulation. When we tested this bottle, it performed the best in our cold water test and was among the best in our hot water test. It also comes with a handle for easy carrying and has a small mouth that allows for easy drinking.
Pros and Cons of Hydro Flask Standard Mouth
- Kept water colder than any other bottle we tested
- Has an easy-to-drink design with a carrying handle
- Features twist-off cap that seals tightly and doesn’t leak
- Small mouth can’t fit large ice cubes
- Dented easily during our drop test
Key Features
- Size options: 18 oz., 21 oz., 24 oz.
- Weight: 11.3 oz.
- Color options: 14
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Fits in a cup holder?: Yes
- Mouth size: Small
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Excellent
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Excellent
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth water bottle stood out in our tests primarily for its temperature regulation. It kept water the coldest of any bottle we tested during our one-hour and 12-hour cold-water tests. We were impressed with the small mouth and noted that it felt natural to drink out of and didn’t spill.
We also were impressed that the Hydro Flask is dishwasher-safe and fit easily into our cup holder. When we performed our taste test by adding coffee and then washing it out, we couldn’t detect any hint of leftover coffee taste that would affect the water. However, it did dent easily during our drop test, and because of its small mouth, it was difficult to fit large ice cubes.
Best Travel Water Bottle
YETI Rambler
Good for: Those looking for an easy-to-drink bottle they can bring to work or in the car.
The Yeti Rambler has a unique chug cap, which makes it easy to access your water with a quick half-twist of the handle. It has double-wall vacuum insulation that does an excellent job of keeping water cold or hot for extended periods, and it has a durable design with a carrying handle that’s perfect for bringing with you on the go, whether you’re drinking water or your morning coffee.
Pros and Cons of YETI Rambler
- Small-mouth design prevents spills and is easy to drink
- Mouth can be removed to fit large pieces of ice
- Includes handle for easy carrying and lifting
- Comes in over 30 color options
- Smaller capacity than other water bottles tested in this article
- Can’t be opened with one hand
Key Features
- Size options: 18 oz, 26 oz.
- Weight: 19 oz.
- Color options: 30+
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Fits in a cup holder?: Yes
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Excellent
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Good
When we tested the Yeti Rambler water bottle, it performed well in both our hot and cold water tests. It was one of only two bottles we tested that kept our water ice-cold after being left out for 12 hours.
We like that the chug cap helped prevent spills and made drinking out of this bottle feel more natural, and it developed only minimal scratches after our drop test, showing its durability. We also liked that this bottle was small enough to fit in a cup holder and did not leak during our leak test.
Best Cycling Water Bottle
Polar Bottle Insulated Water Bottle
Good for: Someone who works out or plays sports and wants an easy-drinking bottle for water.
This water bottle from Polar Bottle is excellent for bringing with you to the gym or while playing sports. It has a sport cap that pops off quickly and allows for easy drinking by just squeezing the bottle. It features a leak-proof design that’s made from durable plastic, and it also comes with a handle for easy carrying.
Pros and Cons of Polar Bottle Insulated Water Bottle
- Wide mouth is easy to fit ice in
- Squirt-bottle design is easy to drink from
- Can be operated with one hand
- Didn’t perform well in our cold water or hot water test
- Color looks “foggy” due to translucent white plastic outer layer
Key Features
- Size options: 20 oz.24 oz.
- Weight: 5.3 oz.
- Color options: 12 color options
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Fits in a cup holder?: Yes
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Average
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Poor
When we tested the Polar Bottle Insulated water bottle, we loved how easy it was to drink from. Since you don’t have to unscrew a cap, it’s easy to open and drink with just one hand. Additionally, we were impressed with how well it performed in our coffee taste test for a plastic bottle—it didn’t leave behind any residue or aftertaste after we washed it.
Additionally, it did not get damaged at all during our drop test, and it had a medium-sized mouth that was easy to fit ice cubes in. While this bottle didn’t perform great in our hot-water test, it wasn’t really designed to. For drinking water or sports drinks, it’s fine, and it will stay colder longer if you add ice.
Best Glass Water Bottle
Lifefactory Glass Water Bottle
Good for: Someone who prefers a glass bottle for sipping water at home or in the office that’s easy to clean and has a wide mouth.
Glass water bottles often deliver a more pure, crisp taste than metal or plastic bottles. This glass bottle from Lifefactory features double silicone sleeves that helps keep it protected, and its active flip-cap lid was easy to open during our test. We also like that this bottle is completely dishwasher safe, even without removing the silicone sleeve.
Pros and Cons of Lifefactory Glass Water Bottle
- Insulated design keeps water cold
- Comes with a straw that allows for easy drinking
- Large mouth can easily fit ice
- Glass design is fragile and can break easily
- Plastic piece can sometimes get in the way when you’re drinking
Key Features
- Size options: 12 oz., 16 oz., 24 oz.
- Weight: 10.4 oz.
- Color options: 10 color options
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Fits in a cup holder?: Yes
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Average
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Good
We like how well the Lifefactory glass water bottle keeps water cold, and its flip-up cap was easy to open even with only one hand. Its wide mouth is also perfect for adding large ice cubes, and it didn’t leak at all when we tossed it around in a drawstring bag.
However, we noticed a couple of drawbacks to this bottle during our tests. First, its sleeve does not keep it fully protected—it broke during our drop test. Second, we found that when drinking out of the cap, some parts would sometimes get in the way of the drinking path and hit our nose or face. While it wasn’t a huge deterrent, it could get annoying with continuous use.
Best Plastic Water Bottle
Nalgene Sustain Wide Mouth
Good for: Those looking for a wide-mouth, large-capacity plastic water bottle to keep you hydrated all day long.
For those who are serious about their daily water intake, this extra-large bottle from Nalgene allows you to fill up 48 ounces and keep sipping all day. Better yet, it includes markers on the side to clearly indicate how full your bottle is. This durable plastic bottle also comes with a hook for easy handling and has an extra-large mouth for fitting ice.
Pros and Cons of Nalgene Sustain Wide Mouth
- Extra-large capacity
- Markings tell you how much water is in the bottle
- Durable plastic design
- Does not keep drinks as cold as other bottles we tested
- Too large to fit in cup holders
Key Features
- Size options: 48 oz.
- Weight: 6.4 oz.
- Color options: 7
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Fits in a cup holder?: No
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Poor
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Average
During our tests, we liked the wide mouth of this bottle, noting it was very easy to add ice. However, the Nalgene Sustain’s wide mouth can lead to spills if you’re not careful. Additionally, we found that this bottle was easy to open and close and passed our leak test with flying colors.
Another feature we were impressed with this bottle was its finger strap for easy carrying, and it cleaned easily. On the other hand, this water bottle did a poor job of keeping water cold and warm over extended periods. It also didn’t perform well in our taste test, where the coffee smell lingered in the bottle even after it was fully cleaned. However, if you only plan to use this bottle for water, that should not be an issue that prevents you from purchasing it.
Best Sports Water Bottle
IRON FLASK Water Bottle
Good for: People prone to dropping their water bottles.
If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty sports water bottle that keeps drinks cold all day long, the IRON FLASK water bottle is an excellent choice. It performed excellently in our temperature tests, with its double-wall insulation keeping drinks ice-cold for 12+ hours. This water bottle also comes with three different leak-proof lids, including a stainless steel, straw lid, and flip lid, so you can select whichever option feels the best for you.
Pros and Cons of IRON FLASK Water Bottle
- Kept drinks cooler over an extended period better than any other bottle we tested
- Comes in over 40 colors and patterns, including attractive ombre and marble options
- Wide mouth can fit any size ice cube
- Straw can be ineffective
- Heavy design is not as easy to carry as other bottles we tested
Key Features
- Size options: 14 oz., 18 oz., 22 oz., 32 oz., 40 oz., 64 oz.
- Weight: 13.3 oz.
- Color options: Over 40 color options
- Dishwasher safe: No
- Fits in a cup holder?: No
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Excellent
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Excellent
This bottle from IRON FLASK stood out in both our cold-water and hot-water tests thanks to its ability to keep water ice cold for half a day. It rated the best of all the bottles we tested in cold water temperature in both our one-hour and 12-hour tests, and it also did well when holding hot liquids.
This product also stood out in our taste test, where it left no aftertaste or smell, and in our leak test, where it didn’t leak at all. However, we found that the straw lid was disappointing, as it didn’t always work properly. This bottle is also far too wide to fit in a cup holder and is not dishwasher safe.
Best Water Bottle With Straw For Commuters
Stanley Quencher
Good for: Customers who like sipping on water through a straw throughout the day.
A viral sensation, the Stanley Quencher water bottle’s quality backs up its popularity. It has a large 40-ounce capacity with a built-in straw that’s easy to sip from throughout the day in your office or classroom. It comes in a wide variety of unique colors and uses an advanced FlowState lid with three different positions so you can adjust between straw opening, drink opening, and a full-cover top.
Pros and Cons of Stanley Quencher
- large capacity and straw for easy drinking
- Comes in a variety of colors, from sophisticated, muted tones to vivid brights
- Keeps water cold for extended periods
- Too bulky to fit in cup holders in our test
- Can scuff easily
Key Features
- Size options: 40 oz.
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
- Color options: Over 30 color options
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Fits in a cup holder?: Yes
- Temperature of cold water after 12 hours: Excellent
- Temperature of hot water after 1 hour: Excellent
We’ve owned this Stanley water bottle for over a year and have been thoroughly impressed with its durability and ability to keep drinks cold. Even when left out overnight, we find that the Stanley does an excellent job of keeping water just as cold as it was out of the fridge. When we put this water bottle through our testing process it also did not leak at all during our leak test, and did not have any lingering coffee taste during our taste test.
Top Water Bottle Brands: More Recommendations
While they didn’t quite make the “best” list, we also can recommend the Tronco 20 oz Glass Tumbler Glass Water Bottle and the Hydrapak Flux Collapsible Backpacking Water Bottle.
The Tronco is another stylish glass water bottle with an easy-to-remove lid and straw that allows for easy drinking, as well as a comfortable silicone sleeve that’s easy to grip. However, it did not retain cold temperature after our one-hour test and leaked easily, with the top falling off during our leak test
The Hydrapak is a collapsible bottle ideal for hiking or camping, folding up perfectly in your backpack when it’s empty and only expanding when filled with liquid. It features a high-flow nozzle with a protective dust cover that can be opened with one hand. This water bottle is not designed for at-home use, though, so we weren’t surprised to see it didn’t hold cold temperatures as well as insulated metal water bottles.
Tips To Drink More Water
Drinking enough water is a health goal for many adults—but how much is enough? For such a simple question, there’s no clear consensus, as the amount may vary based on your sex, age, climate, and activity level. According to an oft-cited report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, the average healthy man consumed about 15.5 cups of water per day, while the average woman consumed about 11.5 cups of water in a day. Note that “water” here refers to water from all sources, including food and other beverages. A common recommendation for daily water intake is 8 cups (64 ounces).
Drinking enough water can help regulate body temperature, get rid of waste, cushion joints, and protect sensitive body tissue. Some people struggle to remember to drink water or don’t realize they’re thirsty, especially when they’re busy at work or school. While a high-quality water bottle is a great first step, here are some other easy ways you can ensure you’re getting the water you need.
- Look at water filters: If your home doesn’t have drinkable tap water, you may find yourself stocking up on bottled water to try and stay hydrated. Not only is this expensive, but it can be bad for the environment. Instead, look at getting a water filter that removes volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and more. There are both under-sink filters and countertop models available.
- Add flavor: If water is just too “boring,” consider adding in flavor to mix things up. You can add in fruits like lemons or strawberries to give your water more flavor, or add flavor packets that you can mix in.
- Track It: Tracking your water intake is not only a good way to ensure you’re getting the proper amount, but it can also help turn it into a personal game or challenge that you can play against yourself. Using a bottle that has ounce labels on it, such as the Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle is a useful way to track your intake.
- Replace other drinks: Many people sip on water throughout the day or when they exercise, but may transition to having a soda or alcoholic beverage later in the evening. Try replacing one other drink you have in a day with a glass of water to help boost your daily water intake. This can help you cut down on caloric intake while also increasing your water consumption.
- Eat foods with a high water level: There are even ways to get more water into your body without drinking it. Increasing your consumption of foods with a high level of water in them, such as lettuce, celery, melons, and zucchini is a great way to boost your water intake while also checking off your daily intake of fruits and veggies.
Best Reusable Water Bottles: Our Conclusion
Reusable water bottes are simple, yet essential. As they’re designed to be reused, it’s important to know what you want from your water bottle. Additionally, there are a myriad of different designs of water bottles to choose from. Below, are our experts top picks:
Water Bottle FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about water bottles.
How do I choose the right type of water bottle?
There are a variety of important factors you should consider before deciding on the right water bottle for you.
Look at the durability of a water bottle, and how well it will stand up to continuous use, especially if you plan to bring it with you on the go. Examine the temperature control and how well it maintains cold water (or hot, if you plan on using it for coffee and tea). You should also look at the design and color options, as you should be happy with how your water bottle looks as well as how effective it is.
Next, look at the lid type. Determine if you like drinking out of a straw, or if you prefer just drinking directly from the mouth. You should also determine how easy the lid is to open and close and if you can do it with one hand. Finally, examine the size of the water bottle based on how much water you drink per day and how frequently you will be able to refill it.
What affects the temperature control of a water bottle?
Water bottles are usually insulated to maintain the temperature of the beverages inside. Some bottles will tell you how long they can keep a hot liquid hot and a cold liquid cold. For example, the Iron Flask bottle in this review offers 24-hour insulation for cold liquids and 12-hour insulation for hot liquids.
What are the common lid types of water bottles?
Some water bottles come with one lid, while others come with many. Common lid options include straw, chug, screw, and flip lids. Different lids will work best for different liquids, activities, and people. For example, it may be difficult to drink from a bottle with a screw lid while you’re participating in a rigorous activity because the bottle’s wide opening is more likely to splash water onto you or the ground.
What are some typical sizes of water bottles?
You can find water bottles in several sizes, including 14-, 18-, 22-, 32-, 40-, 64-, 84-, and 128-ounce options. Some water bottles will be available in several of these sizes, while some will only come in one of these. Smaller bottles are lightweight and easy to carry, but they can’t hold much liquid. Larger bottles work well when you’re out exercising or won’t have access to sources of water for long periods of time. However, they’re heavy and bulky. Medium-sized 22-, 32-, and 40-ounce water bottles are good middle-of-the-road options for everyday use.
Water Bottle Brands: Our Testing Process
We rigorously tested each water bottle in this article for taste, durability, leakproof ability, convenience, design, and ability to maintain cold and hot temperatures. We ran the following at-home tests to determine the best water bottles.
- Cold water test (One hour): After filling each water bottle with 40-degree refrigerated water, we left them out at room temperature for one hour and measured the internal temperature of the water in each bottle.
- Cold water test (12 hours): We then refilled the bottles with refrigerated water and left them out for 12 hours before testing the internal temperatures.
- Hot water test (1 hour): Using 180-degree hot water, we filled each bottle and measured the internal temperature after one hour to see how well it maintained the temperature.
- Ease of drinking test: We tested each bottle’s ease of drinking by filling it and sipping it continuously throughout the day. We examined each bottle’s mouth size, lid, and our ability to drink it with one hand. If the bottle came with a straw, we also measured how effective it was and its texture.
- Taste test: To measure taste, we first marked down how cold water tasted after initial cleaning. Then, we added hot coffee to each bottle for several hours before washing the bottles again. We then refilled each with water and measured if there was any aftertaste or lingering coffee smell in the bottle.
- Ice cube test: We used both small and large ice cubes in each bottle to see how many they would hold and if the mouth was wide enough to fit larger cubes, or if the ice needed to be crushed to fit effectively.
- Portability: We marked down how easy each of these bottles were to hold and carry, with bottles getting more points for having a handle or carrying strap. We then tried putting them in our car’s cup holder and marked whether they easily fit or not.
- Design: We noted how many size and color options each bottle came with, and the products with more options gained extra points.
- Ease of cleaning: We noted if the bottles were dishwasher-safe, as well as how wide the mouth was and if it was easy to clean with a standard sponge, or if a specialized brush was needed.
- Leak test: We filled each bottle with cold water, sealed it tightly and put it in a drawstring bag. From there, we shook the bag around, dropped it on the ground, and carried it on our back to see if the bottles leaked any water.
- Durability/drop test: Finally, we dropped each non-glass water bottle from our five-foot porch onto a brick landing to see if it scratched, dented, or broke.
Our Methodology
To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of products with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products for the home, from doorbell cameras and dining room decor to circular saws and snow blowers.
Once we conclude the research and testing phases, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.