We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Water is vital for health, with experts advising at least 8 glasses daily, or more for active individuals. A water bottle keeps hydration convenient at your desk or during activities like yoga, workouts, or hiking.
Since 2013, we've tested over 130 water bottles, evaluating them daily with various drinks (water, electrolyte mixes, tea, coffee) and conducting lab-style tests for insulation and leakage.
Of the 15 top water bottles included in our current lineup, the Hydro Flask water bottle is the best for most people due to its excellent closure, ergonomic design and top insulation test scores. “I just love this bottle”, said our reviewer. “It is easy to carry, the insulation is superb, and it seamlessly integrates into my daily routine from commute to the gym.”
The Iron Flask Insulated won our Best Buy award. While slightly behind in insulation and material quality, it is lighter and sells for nearly half the cost. “It's sleek, attractive, and easy to use,” our tester notes. If your top goal is superior taste — and let's face it, who doesn't love the taste of pure ice-cold water at the end of a workout — the Purifyou Glass Bottle is the bottle for you.
For backcountry hikes or long mountain bike rides, you might be interested in taking a look at our reviews of filter bottles in the backpacking water filter review. And, our review of home water filter systems shares multiple ways to get purified water right from your tap.
Editor's Note: We streamlined our award section on April 24, 2025, and added a new award winner for PFAS Free.
The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw is our top everyday water bottle, excelling in our tests. We noted: “It's easy to carry, superbly insulated, and seamlessly fits into daily routines from commuting to gym sessions.” It keeps water cool despite a warm exterior, offers a top-tier feature set, and has an easy-to-fill and clean open mouth. The flip-up straw cap and comfortable handle make it effortless to use and carry.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Empty Weight
12.8 oz
Body Material
Stainless steel
Volume
24 oz
Bottle Weight / Fluid Capacity
0.5 oz/oz
Mouth Diameter
1.9 in
The Hydro Flask's 24 oz capacity may be too small for heavy drinkers on long hikes or lake days. The 32 oz version offers more volume but fits poorly in car cup holders. The 32 oz Travel bottle, with a narrower base, fits most cup holders.
The Hydro Flask's plastic straw imparts a slight plastic taste with hot water, costing points in our taste test. Testers advised, "For taste or avoiding plastics, choose the Purifyou Premium Glass." No plastic taste was noted with cold drinks. It's great for town or day trips but less ideal for backcountry due to weight and volume. For better insulation and taste, the Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated with a metal straw option scored higher in those metrics, trailing Hydro Flask by just one point. For value, the lighter, half-priced Iron Flask Insulated scores close to Hydro Flask
Every year, there are more concerns about microplastics or PFAS (forever chemicals) in water. Klean Kanteen has long been a leader in addressing these concerns, and the Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated is our highest rated bottle that claims to be PFAS Free. It is also nearly the highest-scoring bottle in our tests. While there is much research to do on how PFAS and microplastics affect us, many people may choose to hedge their bets by buying products that claim or are certified as PFAS-free. If you are one of those people, we recommend Klean Kanteen products.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Empty Weight
14.7 oz
Body Material
90% Post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel
Volume
20 oz
Bottle Weight / Fluid Capacity
0.7 oz/oz
Mouth Diameter
2.6 in
There is a cost to this bottle: it's expensive! Few bottles cost more. It also did not have our favorite closure. Those minor cons aside, we love this bottle and love the focus that Kleen Kanteen puts on keeping chemicals out of their products.
The TKWide is an all-around impressive bottle. In addition to the 20oz version, we tested the 32oz and were equally impressed.
The Iron Flask Insulated bottle excels aesthetically with striking designs and a glossy finish, perfect for trails or town. Our reviewer noted, “It doesn't look like a budget option.” Its durable plastic cap features an ergonomic handle with a carabiner-like clip for easy carrying. The flip-up straw lid enables quick sips, encouraging hydration. Stylish and functional, it's nearly half the price of comparable insulated bottles.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Empty Weight
10.9 oz
Body Material
18/8 Stainless steel
Volume
22 oz
Bottle Weight / Fluid Capacity
0.5 oz/oz
Mouth Diameter
2 in
The Iron Flask's plastic straw slightly affects taste when water warms, though our reviewer praised its “great flavor” for perfect sips. The straw's silicone attachment may wear over time. The glossy finish requires hand washing to prevent fading. As one of the lightest insulated bottles tested, its thinner materials provide the lowest insulation. Our reviewer noted, “It kept water cold, but hotter climates need more insulation.” For better insulation, the Owala FreeSip Insulated outperforms it for a slightly higher price. The Iron Flask excels for daily use or gym sessions but lacks the durability of sturdier bottles for rugged outdoor activities.
The Purifyou Premium glass bottle delivers unmatched pure water taste. Our reviewer raved, “The thick glass's rounded lip is satisfying, almost sensual, making sipping a pleasure.” It cleans easily, retains no flavors, and avoids chemical leaching, ensuring clean-tasting water, warm or cold. “This bottle's taste is near perfection,” they added. A protective rubber sleeve (in various colors, including glow-in-the-dark) adds drop resistance, but caution is needed with glass. The well-crafted cap threads open smoothly, seal tightly with a rubber gasket, and feature an ergonomic finger loop for easy carrying.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Empty Weight
15.7 oz
Body Material
Borosilicate glass
Volume
22 oz
Bottle Weight / Fluid Capacity
0.7 oz/oz
Mouth Diameter
1.125 in
The Purifyou Premium's small mouth complicates cleaning, so a bottle brush (available on Purifyou's website) is recommended. Uninsulated, it requires shade to keep water cool; in our 6-hour sun test (81°F ambient), water reached 110°F. Being glass, it demands careful handling compared to durable plastic or metal bottles. Our reviewer, with a two- and five-year-old, noted, “My kids haven't broken it, but I'm always cautious.” Ideal for those avoiding plastic, it's perfect for office use and significantly outperformed the Lifefactory Glass Active Cap, the other main glass bottle tested.
The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle wins best filter bottle for the second year. It's sleek, leakproof, well-insulated, and offers multiple colors. The easy-to-clean lid and comfortable silicone bite straw stand out, with a highly functional flip cap. Lightweight and affordable, it proved surprisingly essential for daily hydration.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Empty Weight
14.2 oz
Body Material
18/8 Stainless steel
Volume
20 oz
Bottle Weight / Fluid Capacity
0.7 oz/oz
Mouth Diameter
1.75 in
The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle's main drawbacks are its 20 oz capacity, which our reviewer found small for heavy hydrators (a 32 oz option exists), and its lack of versatility. As a filter bottle, it's not suited for flavored drinks to avoid filter contamination. The charcoal filter reduces chlorine and particulates but doesn't remove bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or heavy metals. It's ideal for gym, work, or municipal water to eliminate chemical tastes.
The Nalgene Wide-Mouth, a classic like grandma's Buick, is big, clunky, and simple but now eco-friendly with 50% recycled, BPA-free Tritan Renew copolyester. It's lightweight, holds hot and cold liquids without retaining flavors, and offers great value. Unlike competitors, our taste test with 100°F water left for 30 minutes had no plastic taste. Our reviewer noted, “We expected plastic taste, but the Nalgene surprised us.” It's ideal for backcountry use while supporting reduce, reuse, recycle efforts.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Empty Weight
6.25 oz
Body Material
Tritan Renew copolyester
Volume
32 oz
Bottle Weight / Fluid Capacity
0.2 oz/oz
Mouth Diameter
2.5 in
The Nalgene Wide-Mouth lacks insulation, so it doesn't keep liquids hot or cold long. Its thin, nearly shatter-proof recycled plastic design is simple, with no straw, gaskets, or flip-up spout—just a basic container and lid. Ideal for versatile, lightweight backpacking, it's a great value (consider buying two). Reused 1-liter soda or Smart Water bottles are lighter and cheaper. For hot days, opt for an insulated bottle like the Iron Flask Insulated, which includes a straw.
The Nalgene survived multiple drop tests at varied heights and on different surfaces.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Compare Products
The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw and the big cousin in our SUV cup holder test.
Credit: Chris McNamara
How We Tested
We gathered diverse feedback from friends and family, recognizing that personal preference matters. We filled bottles with hot water to assess flavor impact to check for material leaching. Leak tests involved blue-dyed water left overnight on paper. We analyzed components for strengths and weaknesses, combining field and objective tests. We dropped this: both intentionally and accidentally. Each bottle was put in a variety of cup holders.
Our water bottle testing uses five rating metrics:
Closure (25% of overall score weighting)
Insulation (25% weighting)
Taste (25% weighting)
Ergonomics (15% weighting)
Material Quality (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Everyone drinks water, but not everyone takes hydration as seriously as our bottle-testing team. Jon Oleson is constantly moving between the garden, the crag, the trail, the river, and plane rides here or there. Whether working in the field, hanging at the playground with his kids, or hopping between airports, Jon knows that clean H20 is the foundation for all life. He never leaves home without a water bottle but knows that having the right vessel for the right situation is also important. Jon has tested these bottles over months--in the backcountry, hydrating (and sharing a bottle with) sick kids, in the garden, on road trips, and everything in between. These varied situations have allowed Jon to hone in on each bottle's strengths and weaknesses and determine the right one for your style of hydration.
Jane Jackson has spent months of her life drinking from and assessing the performance of the most popular bottles on the market. First and foremost, Jane is a rock climber, a hobby that forms the foundation of her life and has led her to big walls in Yosemite, and various cliffs and valleys around the world. Because she is constantly traveling, Jane rarely drinks from a traditional drinking glass in a kitchen, making her an expert at hydration on the go. Most of the testing of these bottles took place at the crag, in boulder fields, and on long hikes, but also dutifully tagged along for rest days at cafes and coffee shops across the globe. These varying situations have provided excellent opportunities to test the portability, durability, ease of use, and overall performance of the water bottles seen in this review.
We tested how easy each bottle lid is to wash, among many other aspects of use.
The carabiner on the Lifestraw Go conveniently clips to any loop making it easy to carry.
Our field of testing included long commutes, longer work days, short day hikes, windy bike rides, and even fun time at the park with our kids.
Analysis and Test Results
We evaluated bottles comparing all types (filter, insulated, bike, etc.) objectively, despite their category differences. Consider your lifestyle needs when reviewing: stainless steel offers durability over glass, but the best-insulated bottle may not suit backcountry trips. Use discretion to match each bottle's unique features to your preferences.
Today, some of the most popular options are stainless steel bottles, including vacuum-insulated and uninsulated. Next, there are the classic plastic bottles, all of which are made from BPA-free plastics. We tested collapsible and glass bottles, as well as bottles offering different filtration methods. Each bottle has its intended use(s) — and we discuss which situations work best for each bottle in the individual gear reviews.
What's the Best Value?
Cost often weighs into purchase decisions alongside performance, which we prioritize in scoring. Stainless steel and glass bottles are pricier than plastic, with top-insulated models costing the most. However, affordable options in these materials have become more available in recent years.
The Iron Flask Insulated wins for value this year, offering an attractive, lightweight design with a straw-style lid that encourages hydration. The Nalgene Wide-Mouth remains a top value pick with its simple, classic, time-tested design, ideal if straw lids aren't preferred. Another budget-friendly option is the Camelbak Chute Mag Renew, a lightweight plastic bottle with a twist-off spout.
The Iron Flask Insulated bottle is a great option if you're shopping on a budget, although due to its flashy graphics, you wouldn't believe that it's one of the most affordable at first glance.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Lifefactory Glass Active Cap is the most affordable glass bottle tested, featuring a pop-up flip cap with a rubber bubble seal. The Purifyou Premium Glass, our top glass pick, may match its price and offers better closure and ergonomics—compare current prices for the best glass deal. The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle, ideal for professional settings, is the cheapest filter bottle and an award winner.
There are many reasons to get a reusable water bottle. Some will cite health reasons, and the National Institute of Health cites that an average liter water in a plastic bottle contains an average of 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, 90% of which are nanoplastics. Interested in the environmental value of long-term over single-use water bottles? Sip on this — when the National Park Service banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in just 19 parks, they eliminated the purchase of up to 111,743 pounds of PET (plastic), prevented the emission of up to 141 metric tons of carbon dioxide, and saved up to 419 cubic yards of landfill space per year. The report is available online. Unfortunately, this ban on plastic water bottles was rescinded in 2017.
Closure
The leak test had two parts: an objective “leakproof test” (the primary score) and subjective field observations. For the objective test, we filled bottles with water, added blue food coloring, closed the lids tightly, and left them tipped over on white paper for a day and night. Some leaked overnight, others after room temperature increased, raising bottle pressure. Field tests revealed issues like one bottle passing the controlled test but leaking in a bag, damaging two headlamps.
For the leakproof test, water bottles were filled with blue-dyed water, closed tight, and set on their side for 24 hours. At the end it was clear to see which were leakproof and which emptied some (or all) of their contents.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The second part of the test evaluated closure ease (lid, straw, or cap). We assessed if it could be operated one-handed or required two, and how quick and simple it was to open and hydrate. Bottles enabling the fastest, easiest hydration scored highest.
Some bottles were really close on this test. Two of our highest-scoring bottles, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw and Iron Flask Insulated, were hard to tell apart in this regard. Both retained all their liquid on the leakproof test, and their flip-up straws were easily operated with one hand. In fact, the Hydro Flask became the kids' favorite because it was so easy to operate, and they liked the color. The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle bottle was also extremely easy to operate one-handed, simply by pushing a button. The Speedflask also has an easy push-button flip cap but was taken down a notch because it did not prove to be leakproof during that portion of the test.
The Speedfil Speedflask is true to its name. We found it quick and easy to fill mid-ride.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Most bottles contained their contents during the leakproof test, but not all were as quick or easy to operate and thus did not score as highly. The Owala Freesip has a clip over a push button flip cap, which is great for guaranteeing that the flip cap stays closed, and we found it to be a bit cumbersome. The Yeti Rambler, Purifyou Premium, LARQ Bottle PureVis, and Camelbak Podium Dirt all retained their liquids, and all require two hands and an amount of twisting to take off the cap and sip. Despite the extra twisting, all these bottles have specific features and uses, so it's good to note that they won't leak on you.
Although the closed cap didn't leak, the Brita's straw did leak inside the cap during the leakproof test.
Credit: Jon Oleson
There were those bottles that were quick to hydrate but didn't pass the leakproof test, like the aforementioned Speedflask. The Lifefactory Glass Active Cap is super easy to flip and chug, yet almost all the bottle's contents were emptied during the leak test. One of the highest scoring bottles in many other regards—the Klean Kanteen TKWide --is quick to hydrate with a two-handed half twist, but it leaked a decent amount during controlled testing (although none was noticed during field testing). If you're planning on mindlessly tossing your bottle into your pack, you may want to consider one of the more leakproof options mentioned above.
The Lifefactory Glass Active Cap emptied nearly all of its contents during the leakproof test, turning the entire paper blue.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Lastly, we would classify the “backpacking bottles” as having produced a bit of leakage on this test. The Nalgene Wide-Mouth leaked just a bit on the leakproof test, and the gasket-less lid is the classic twist on/off type. The Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier has two chambers—the bottom one you fill with unfiltered water, which is then pressed into the upper, filtered chamber. The upper chamber has a tight-fitting lid and screw cap with gaskets, which do not leak. We found that the lower chamber does leak, however, and not all the water presses into the upper chamber. This is an inherent design flaw in this otherwise very useful filter press that we were happy to have with us on several occasions despite the added weight.
The Grayl GeoPress has an outer container that you fill with untreated water and an inner chamber with a filter that you press into the outer container. The filtered water fills the inner chamber and can then be transferred to other vessels.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Insulation
When you fill your water bottle with cold water on a hot day, you probably want it to stay cold. In this test, we measured the insulative quality of the bottles under the hot California sun during midday. Each bottle was filled with cool water from the tap and then set on the grass in the sun. We measured the water temperature inside the bottles every 30 minutes for 6 hours.
There was quite a disparity between the insulated and the non-insulated bottles. The insulated bottles saw a modest temperature increase, while some non-insulated contenders reached temperatures 40 degrees above the ambient air temperature. We also saw a decent range among the insulated bottles. The quality and thickness of materials, as well as design and construction, seem to make a big difference in insulative quality.
We filled each bottle with 65-degree water and let them sit out for 5 hours, measuring water temps every 30 minutes. Non-insulated models are indicated by the solid lines, while insulated models are indicated by the dashed lines. You can see a clear difference between two styles.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
In the insulated bottle category, the Klean Kanteen TKWide, Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle, and Owala FreeSip showed to be the most insulative. These were closely followed by the Hydroflask Wide Mouth with Straw,Yeti Rambler, and the Speedfil Speedflask. These bottles would be good options to preserve ice on a hot day.
During the insulation test, water bottles were filled with cold tap water and set out under the sun for six hours. The temperature of the water in each vessel was measured every 30 minutes.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle and Klean Kanteen TKWide were neck and neck for most of the test. Over the six hours, the Brita's water temperature rose just 8.5 degrees F. The Klean Kanteen's rose just 9.4 F. This is quite impressive considering they were both in full sun on an 80-degree F summer day.
From left to right, the Kleen Kanteen TKWide, the Waatr Crazy Cap Pro (previously tested), and the Brita Insulated Filtration bottle were some of the most insulated water bottles, according to our test. The Owala FreeSip (not pictured) was also one of the better-insulated bottles.
Credit: Jon Oleson
If you're in the market for a plastic bottle, then you'll be interested to know that the water inside each of the plastic bottles reached over 100 F during the test, with the exception of the Camelbak Podium Dirt bike bottle (which reached 96.8 F). This highlights the fact that if you're toting plastic, then it's best to keep it out of the sun. At least you can rest assured that companies are considering environmental health and making plastic bottles out of materials that don't leach BPA, BPS, BPF, phthalates, and other known carcinogens into your water.
Note that PFAS, persistent chemicals that bioaccumulate, are becoming a larger concern. Currently, few water bottle companies certify their bottles as “PFAS-Free.” If this is a concern, we recommend using glass and metal bottles over plastic until there is a more rigorous certification process and adoption by more manufacturers.
The Camelbak Podium's insulation is a foam-type material in between layers of hard plastic. While it's technically insulated, we found that it was sub par when compared to the vacuum sealed metal options.
Credit: Jon Oleson
There was a slight difference between the glass bottles regarding insulative quality. Our top pick for glass bottles, the Purifyou Premium, got up to 110 degrees F! While the Lifefactory Glass Active Cap only reached 95 F. Either one is still hot when you go for a cool sip, but 15 degrees is a noticeable gap. As with plastic bottles, it's best to keep the glass out of the sun if you want your water to stay cool.
We toted the Purifyou Premium along on outdoor adventures, but it tended to heat up in the sun.
Credit: Jon Oleson
If you're in the market for a collapsible bottle, our testing has shown that these styles are some of the worst at insulating under direct sun exposure. The 17 oz Hydrapak Stow reached a sweltering 123 degrees F.
The soft plastic bottles were the most lightweight, and they also heated up the most in the sun, lending an undesirable plastic taste. If you're going to use this type of bottle, it's best to keep it out of the sun.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Taste
It's essential to stay hydrated, and you're probably more likely to do so if the water you're drinking tastes good. No one likes to go for a warm bottle of water and taste the plastic. Yuck! Chemical leaching. In this test, we filled the bottles with 100-degree water and let them sit to simulate a bottle left in a warm car. We then tasted the water from each bottle to determine which ones did or did not impart taste.
Preparing bottles for the hot water taste test.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Our main reviewer is really sensitive to plastic taste and smell, so we were able to hone in on not just the differentiation but also the elements that contributed to the difference. The highest scorers in this category were the bottles that had no plastic touching the water. These were generally glass bottles and metal containers without plastic straws.
Bottle Materials and Style
Body Material
Cap/Lid Type
Environmental Health
Hydro Flask
Stainless steel
Screw cap, wide mouth with straw
BPA and Toxin free
Yeti Rambler 26
18/8 Stainless steel
Screw cap, wide mouth, loop handle
BPA-free
Klean Kanteen TKWide
90% Post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel
Screw cap, wide mouth twist top with straw
BPA-free
Lifefactory Glass
Glass/ BPA-free silicone
Wide mouth, screw cap with flip top
BPA-free, Phthalate-free
The Klean Kanteen TKWide was the only container with a straw that did not impart a plastic taste because its straw is also stainless steel. The top-scoring metal bottles with plastic straws, like the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw and the Iron Flask Insulated, only imparted the slightest plastic taste—perhaps not enough for most people to notice, especially if you're drinking cold water from them.
We were really impressed by the Kleen Kanteen TKWide's metal straw, which makes it a gem among water bottles. The straw is easy to clean and has an excellent flow rate.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The glass bottles and metal vessels without straws all scored very highly, with a clean, chemical-free taste. Any one of these bottles—the Purifyou Premium, Speedfil Speedflask, Lifefactory Active Cap, LARQ PureVis, or the Yeti Rambler—is a good choice if your only focus is clean-tasting water.
Metal vessels produce a clean taste but also have a tendency to absorb flavors from sports drinks or coffee.
Credit: Jon Oleson
As far as the filter bottles go, we were a bit surprised by the results. The big hunk of plastic, the Grayl GeoPress, actually produced a fairly clean-tasting mouthful of water. The durable, food-grade plastic in this bottle really stood up to heat. The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle, which is our top choice for filter bottle, scored the lowest on this test. The straw seems to be made of a cheaper type of plastic, and the filter does not do enough to remove that particular chemical taste (although we did find this bottle to be effective at removing chlorine from municipal sources). If you're going to purchase the Brita, we recommend doing your best not to leave it in the hot car if you want your water to taste good.
The plastic bottles scored the lowest on this test, most of them imparting some degree of chemical taste. An outlier was the classic Nalgene Wide Mouth, which imparts surprisingly little taste to a bottle of hot water and is also surprisingly resistant to flavors. This may be due to the recycled Tritan Renew copolyester from which it's made. We found that the bottles made from silicone, polypropylene, and polyurethane imparted the most chemical flavor. If you absolutely need a collapsible bottle, all we can say is don't leave it in the sun.
We tested a variety of carry straps and handles to see which style is the most comfortable.
Credit: Jane Jackson
Ergonomics
In this test, we evaluated the qualities of each bottle to determine the contenders who were the most efficient and easy to use. Elements that contributed to higher scores were carrying loops/straps/handles, flip or straw caps, and designs that allowed for easier grip or carry. The top-scoring bottles in this category combine all these elements into a bottle that makes it all around easy to stay hydrated.
The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw fits its in every car or truck cup holder we put it in.
Credit: Chris McNamara
The champions of this test were bottles that were easy to carry, allowing for quick hydration, and even fit in our cup holders. The Iron Flask Insulated stood out, with an easy-to-grip carry handle with a carabiner clip and a flip-up straw. Our Editors' Choice, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw, is also a sleek flip straw bottle with a comfortable carry loop that makes it easy to tote around.
The carabiner-style clip on the Iron Flask's lid aids in carrying.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Speedfil Speedflask earned a high score here due to its slender waist and push button flip cap with a finger carry handle that clips down to stay out of the way when not in use. It's super easy to grip it, flip it, and chug as much as you need. The Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle also has a push button flip cap with a satisfyingly squishy silicone bite straw, a soft and comfortable two-finger carry loop, and will fit in your cup holder. Our top glass bottle, the Purifyou Premium, has a relatively slim design (although it doesn't fit in most cup holders) and a silicone sleeve that makes it easy to grab. The large-threaded cap whirls smoothly on and off and has a super comfortable finger carry loop.
The Brita Insulated Filtering Bottle has a uniquely shaped bite straw.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The low scorers in this category had elements that made them more difficult to carry, grip, or use. The Grayl GeoPress, although superior at filtering, is big and clunky and requires a lot of body weight to press the filter. The Nalgene Wide Mouth is likewise more difficult to grip, and although the lid has a plastic loop that attaches it to the bottle, it's hard, edgy, and sharp and not comfortable to carry over time. The LARQ PureVis is a slick powder-coated bottle with a small twist-off lid and no clips or carrying features. The Yeti Rambler has a nice carry handle on the lid but is big and bulky. If you're looking for something super simple to lug around town, then you'll want to avoid these bottles.
The Grayl GeoPress does a great job at filtering and purifying non potable water sources, but it takes a lot of body weight to press. Seen here filtering river water in the Sierras.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Material Quality
For this metric, we delve into the quality of the material of each water bottle. How well are the bottles constructed? Will they hold up to use and abuse? How likely are they to break? While we didn't intentionally try to break the bottles on this test, we did put them to good use. We noted the points of wear and the places where they were likely to wear out. Objectively, scores were determined by the construction and quality of the materials.
The Iron Flask uses a thick gasket to keep the straw in place.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Several factors determine cap quality. Is it made of hard plastic or soft plastic? Are there rubber gaskets to seal the contents? Do the moving parts have weak joints or points? The highest scoring bottles, like the Iron Flask Insulated, Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw, and the Klean Kanteen TKWide, all had hard plastic lids with rubber gaskets that produced a tight seal. Some bottles went a step further, like the Purifyou Premium glass bottle, with its rubber gasket and metal plug to ensure that your water doesn't touch plastic.
The lid on the Purifyou Premium glass bottle has a stainless steel insert so your liquids will never touch plastic.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Vessel quality was determined by the type and thickness of the material. Glass is preferred for purity of contents, but metal is preferred for durability. Plastic received a lower score overall due to its tendency to leach chemicals. Double-walled metal containers all scored well. Bottles like the Klean Kanteen, Hydro Flask Wide Mouth, and Owala Freesip were made of thick stainless steel and will take some abuse before they show any wear. Other stainless steel bottles, like the Iron Flask Insulated, received a slightly lower score due to thinner material construction resulting in slightly less durability.
We tested a wide selection of bottles with different materials and cap styles.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Lastly, we considered any feature that added to longevity or durability and, conversely, docked points for any feature that would wear more quickly. For example, the Klean Kanteen TKWide got points for being the only straw-type bottle with a stainless steel straw. The Speedfil Speedflask lost some points because the flip cap's mechanism is a rubber band, which is definitely a weak point on an otherwise well-constructed and durable bottle. Likewise, we noticed a crease on the plastic cap of the Camelbak Chute Mag which is a weak point and likely to wear over time.
The Camelbak Chute Mag's lid retainer has a plastic crease that we assessed to be a weak point over time and use.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Choosing a Water Bottle
Here we discuss some essential factors to consider before purchasing your next water bottle.
Do I Need Insulation?
Water bottles that provide insulation can help keep liquids cool or warm for longer periods. If you are away from refill stations or outdoors in the heat for extended periods, an insulated bottle can be highly beneficial. Additionally, since insulated bottles typically use double-walled construction, they are less likely to condense and create moisture build-up on the outside (meaning you won't need a coaster!) The downside is that insulated bottles are usually heavier and bulkier, making them less ideal for outings where you're trying to go lightweight, and they may be harder to carry around in a backpack or purse.
An insulated bottle can keep liquids cool even on a hot day in the sun.
Credit: Jon Oleson
What Size Should I Get?
Choosing an appropriate bottle size can feel more challenging than it should be. After all, hydration is essential to our daily routine, but a too big bottle can sometimes be inconvenient and take up a lot of space. Too small, and you may end up thirsty. When choosing a size, identifying what type of activities you partake in and your hydration goals should be the first thought. Many people have more than one water bottle for use on different occasions.
What Cap Style is Best?
Different closures offer different drinking styles and various levels of leak protection. Do you prefer drinking from a straw or a smaller opening, or do you like feeling like you are drinking from a glass? These types of preferences will influence your decision. Screw-on caps are often less likely to leak and provide peace of mind in your bag or stowed away. One downside is that it can be more annoying to access your drink while doing activities such as exercising or driving. A flip-top style cap will provide easier access in those situations but is more prone to leakage if not positioned upright. Choosing your closure style based on your intended use during activities and identifying how often your bottle will be stored in different orientations.
A flip-up straw makes accessing water easy and quick.
Credit: Jon Oleson
How to Choose a Material
Water bottles come in metal, plastic, glass, and even silicone. Stainless steel is the most durable, but it is heavier than plastic. Plastic is great for packability and weight savings during hikes or adventures but can affect water taste and potential punctures, and even BPA-free plastics can still leach potentially harmful chemicals into your water. Those concerned with drinking from plastics will likely want to choose a glass or stainless steel bottle. Glass bottles will preserve taste better and make cleaning a breeze, but they are also more likely to break and are heavier. Prioritizing preferences such as taste, plastic avoidance, durability, and cleaning are great starting points for narrowing down your next bottle's material choices.
A glass bottle is a great option for keeping water tasting pure and clean.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Conclusion
We've run the gamut with our water bottle testing over the years. In such a simple category, we've found a surprisingly large performance gap. Unfortunately, there is not one bottle that serves all the purposes. However, we can help steer you toward the ideal model for your specific needs. Models for long hikes, bike rides, or climbing trips will differ from the bottles used at work or taken to the gym. We hope this review helps you find the one(s) that best suits your hydration needs wherever you go.
Many of the former contenders have come back for a new round of testing. This year we tested the Hydro Flask with a pop up straw instead of a screw cap.
