Reusable water bottles are excellent tools for helping you stay hydrated throughout the day and reducing plastic waste while doing so. However, there are dozens of different water bottle brands out there on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which model is right for you. Our staff tested 20 different water bottles to find the best picks for various budgets, lifestyles, and more.
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Hydro Flask Wide Mouth
Perfect for those with endless Google Calendar alerts
This bottle received high marks for being lightweight yet durable. Our tester preferred the wide mouth to the standard mouth version, as she could easily add ice cubes to the bottle for extra-cold water. However, this bottle is very well-insulated. The company claims their TempShield insulation technology allows the bottle to keep beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for 12.
The wide mouth is perfect for bringing along to all of your daily appointments. You won’t have to worry about it sweating in the heat (or making your hands feel cold) and according to our tester, it seems virtually indestructible. It also has a sturdy handle, making it easy to transport from the gym to the office to carpool line.
- Size Options (in ounces): 18, 32, 40, 64
- Price: starting at $29.95 for an 18-ounce bottle
- Lid Options: Flex Cap and Straw Lid
- Dishwasher-Safe? No
Shop Now: Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Wide Mouth, $39.95
Takeya
Perfect for the workaholic
This Takeya bottle earned its stripes for helping our tester drink more water due to its convenience and size. This wasn’t exactly the best travel companion, because of its hefty 32-ounce size, but it certainly worked well for helping her stay hydrated during a long day at work and replenishing after a tough workout.
Takeya boasts their bottle can also keep liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, and our tester found that even with the lid off, the bottle kept liquids refreshingly cold for upwards of three hours. The bottle’s rubber bottom earned it “spill-proof” status, and its insulated lid made for easy drinking and transport. And its vacuum insulation keeps it sweat-free, making it A-OK for resting next to your computer or important documents.
- Size Options (in ounces): 14, 18, 24, 32, 40, 64
- Price: starting at $24.99 for a 14-ounce bottle
- Lid Options: Sprout and Straw Lid
- Dishwasher-Safe? Only the lid
Shop Now: Takeya 32-Ounce Bottle With Insulated Spout Lid, $34.99
Tips for making the most of your new reusable water bottle:
- The Cringe-Worthy Reason Why You Need to Clean Your Water Bottle Every Day
- How Rubber Bands Can Remind You to Drink More Water
- 9 Easy Ways to Drink More Water
Klean Kanteen Insulated
Perfect for the globe trekker or road warrior
This bottle proved to be more than a pretty face for a few key reasons. It’s durable, leak-proof, and fits perfectly in a cup holder for long days on the road. Our tester said this bottle was extremely easy to travel with, as it can be clipped to a backpack or tossed in a gym bag without producing “bottle sweat.”
“I love the size and shape,” the tester of this bottle said. “It feels like you’ve got a good amount of liquid, but it fits most anywhere, and it’s not so heavy you have to lug it around.”
- Size Options (in ounces): 12, 16, 20, 32, 64
- Price: starting at $27.95 for a 12-ounce bottle
- Lid Options: Standard and Loop Cap
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes, but hand-washing is recommended
Shop Now: Klean Kanteen 20-Ounce Reflect, $40.95
Nalgene Wide Mouth
Perfect for the adventurer on a budget
The tester of this bottle had fond college memories of taking his sticker-laden Nalgene on hikes with friends, and this bottle still proves to be convenient and durable. Though it’s not well-insulated, our tester felt having a clear bottle helped him drink more water, and he also felt safe or connecting it to a backpack or stashing it with other gear without any leaks. It’s also very easy-to-clean, but needs to be cleaned relatively quickly after use for non-water beverages, as the plastic will soak up smells.
This is a great budget pick and ideal for a day out in nature, however, there is one important thing to be concerned about. While Nalgene’s bottles are BPA-free, plastic containers have shown to leach harmful chemicals into the foods and drinks they hold, especially when out in the sun. Make sure to keep your bottle from overheating and do your research before buying.
- Size Options (in ounces): 12, 16, 20, 32, 64
- Price: starting at $4.76 for a 16-ounce bottle
- Lid Options: Standard
- Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Shop Now: Nalgene 32-Ounce Wide Mouth, $9.99
S’well Traveler
Perfect for the avid Instagrammer
This adorable bottle is well-insulated and would look great in class next to your yoga mat or at the beach on your latest tropical vacation. The tester for this bottle said it kept her water freezing cold for hours, and she really liked the size and shape of it. While it did feel a little heavy to transport, our tester felt confident in it being spill and leak-proof in a gym bag or large purse. It was very durable and easy-to-clean, but she wouldn’t recommend using this bottle for hot beverages.
- Size Options (in ounces): 12, 16, 20
- Lid Options: Standard
- Dishwasher-Safe? No
Shop Now: S’well Traveler (16-Ounce), $35
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