7 Best Water Bottles (2024): Owala, Hydro Flask, Yeti | WIRED

Finding the best water bottles is a matter of personal taste, and everyone at WIRED has a strong opinion on what rules supreme. Reviewer Louryn Strampe is devoted to her sparkly hot-pink Owala FreeSip, but ask our tech director Martin Cizmar, and he'll probably call it an “adult sippy cup.” He's forever loyal to his trusty Nalgene, a bottle that transports him straight to pre-millennial glory days, when hackey sacks ruled the parks and mix tapes were the only love language. Meanwhile, editor Adrienne So is a Yeti Yonder stan, even if it's nearly $10 more.

Reusable water bottles have become extensions of our personalities—compact vessels of who we are (or at least which era we're stuck in). Every time I spot a Stanley Cup, for instance, I can't help but wonder if the owner is drinking a dirty soda. Everyone's got their quirky preferences, so in the end, the best bottle is the one you'll actually reuse.

Beyond style points, reusable bottles are also a simple way to reduce single-use plastic and stay hydrated (duh). If you're unsure where to start, we've spent years testing, sipping, and spilling our way through the best bottles to round up our favorites. A note to remember: you really only need one reusable bottle (though I won't judge if you rotate two). More than that defeats the environmental purpose of purchasing a reusable bottle in the first place. Also, be aware that some insulated bottles use lead solder. We've removed those from our list. We have some standards, after all.

For more eco-friendly shopping guides, check out our Best Travel Mugs, Best Reusable Products, and the Best Recycled Products.

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How Much Water Do You 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.

Insulated vs. Uninsulated Bottles

An insulated water bottle consists of a double-wall construction made of 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 to Clean Your 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.

A PSA on Lead

Some water bottle companies use lead soldering in the manufacturing of their vacuum-sealed bottles. The viral Stanley tumbler is one of them; despite stating that no lead comes into direct contact with the consumer, the company has confirmed that pellets, some of which include lead, are used in the manufacturing process to seal the bottom of the cup. Ah, semantics. The lead is enclosed in stainless steel on the bottom of the cup, and if your bottle isn't dropped or otherwise damaged, it should not come in contact with your drink or skin. However, enough brands have moved toward other methods that we don't think it's necessary. The risk of exposure might be very low, but it should be zero.

We also reached out to more brands to find out whether they also use lead. (Yeti didn't respond to emails, but the brand's FAQ section confirms it uses lead for sealing its insulated cups. We recommend the plastic bottle above if you like the brand and want a lead-free version.)

The girlies love Owala's FreeSip (9/10, WIRED Recommends), and I get it now. It's insulated, so the water stays cold all day, even during Midwest summers. Its innovative design caters to the majority; you can sip from either the built-in straw or the chug spout. A standout feature is the dishwasher-safe lid, which means you can just throw the built-in straw and lid into the machine for easy cleaning—though I personally prefer handwashing for extra care. The color options are another highlight. With so many vibrant combinations available (from Sunny Daze to Sleepy Lavender), there's surely one to match your style.

I prefer the newest twist-cap version, which I'm testing alongside the classic one. I've noticed the lock can feel a bit flimsy on the latter, and I trust a twist cap more when it comes to preventing spillage. Also, at just 18 ounces, it's lightweight enough to carry post-workout without straining my arms when they already feel like noodles.

Stainless steel water bottles are great for keeping 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 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). 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.

The Larq bottle reassures all my germaphobic concerns with reusable water bottles. It uses a nontoxic UV-C LED light in the lid to sterilize the water every two hours (or when prompted), which reduces funky odors and bacterial build-up. It's double-insulated, BPA-free stainless, and a full charge lasts up to three weeks. Plus, the app lets you track your water objectives—though honestly, it didn't really inspire me to drink more water.

Now, the cons: The filter is a bit of a hassle. It tends to slip into the bottle when full, and it chokes the water flow, which isn't ideal when you're wheezing in the middle of hot yoga class. It also eats up a lot of space inside the bottle, so you're left with less water than you'd think. The mouthpiece is also not the easiest to clean. So, while I love the idea of cleaner water, I might just prefer Larq’s older, filter-free version (even though I haven't tested it yet).

Today's youth love their wide-leg jeans and Nirvana T-shirts, but ask any ’90s kid and they'll tell you that the look is incomplete without the water bottle of our times: the classic Nalgene. Originally made of bulletproof (and BPA-rich) Lexan, the Nalgene was the original name band water bottle, a symbol of good taste and outdoorsy vibes to be toted between Planet Hollywood and Blockbuster. The Nalgene had a complete chokehold on the premillennial culture, propping up water at a time when Surge and Josta were at such ready supply that human beings may well have stopped consuming plain water entirely were it not for the Nalgene. They've replaced the chemically plastic with modern materials like Tritan, which is BPA-free and made of half-recycled plastic, but it otherwise remains a perfect bottle, carrying a reasonable day's supply of fluid with a secure screw top lid, handy measurement lines, and a wide mouth to facilitate easy cleaning—unlike the bacteria-teeming straws on those adult sippy cups. —Martin Cizmar

Before Stanley took over the internet, Hydro Flask was the choice of Vsco girls everywhere. It's also a favorite of outdoorsy folks or anyone else who wants a bottle that is not easily damaged. Hydro Flask has several types of bottles and caps for your liking, and there's even a tumbler if you were hoping for a 40-ounce Stanley (though we haven't tried this one yet). There are a bunch of fun color options, and if you buy from Hydro Flask many are customizable and engravable. You can choose one color for the bottle, another for the lid, and depending on which one you're getting, yet another for the strap or straw.

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

If you're looking for a bottle that holds a ton of water, the 73-ounce HydroJug Pro is probably the one for you. This jug (!) is massive. WIRED Reviewer Louryn Strampe uses hers to hit her hydration goals, and she especially loves that she doesn't have to refill it more than once a day (9/10, WIRED Recommends). If it wasn't clear, this is no compact bottle I would recommend traveling with. But if you so happen to be brave enough to take it outside, HydroJug has fun neoprene sleeves, too, complete with pockets and a carrying strap. Perhaps fill it to the brim, and turn your stroll into a weighted workout.

Not every bottle is great, but most are still pretty good. These ones will hold your water just as well.

Camelbak Eddy+ for $13: Do you want a durable, lightweight, recycled plastic bottle but with a straw lid? Adrienne So has had several of these for years. Just be sure to let the chew top air out every day, because it has a tendency to collect mold.

Klean Kanteen Classic for $35: Klean Kanteen makes a fantastic bottle. The Classic is relatively light and holds up well, and there are a ton of other sizes that work just as well. The company also sells a ton of cap options if you realize you want a straw or a stainless steel top.

Pura Big Mouth Insulated Bottle for $34: 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.

As simple as bottles are, there are a few we just didn't like.

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 actually 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.

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