Water is really good for you! But plastic water bottles aren't—and they're bad for the planet too.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Water is really good for you! But plastic water bottles aren't—and they're bad for the planet too.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
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What’s the best reusable water bottle to buy? It really depends on your needs. Way before the rest of us started using reusable water bottles, hikers and bikers took their Yeti bottle everywhere. It also fits in most car cupholders, just in case your biggest adventure is navigating traffic on your way to work.
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The silicone design of this bottle is intentionally deceptive. Fill it with your favorite liquid and you have a full-size reusable water bottle. After you’re done with your drink, simply scrunch it down and you have a more portable version that’s easy to stow and refill.
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With nearly 95,000 ratings on Amazon, and the status of #1 Best Seller in Sports & Outdoors products, the Iron Flask bottle is hard to compete with. It comes in sizes ranging from 14 ounces to 64 ounces and in 26 fabulous colors and color combinations. It’s also leak-proof, insulated, and comes with three lids.
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As described by the company, the BrüMate ReHydration Bottle is a 25-ounce canteen with two functions: Hydration Mode and Party Mode. That means you can fill it with your drink of choice. Sip from the straw for a burst of liquid while going about your day, or switch to the shot glass lid to enjoy a more grown-up beverage.
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This bottle is so stylish that we can almost see modern-day Don Drapers using it to show off their effortless style. The bottles come in a range of shades, themes (think Star Wars), and collaborations, like its ongoing one with Rifle Paper Co. And get this, the Corkcicle Canteen is triple insulated and keeps drinks cool for 25 hours and hot for 12. It also has a silicone bottom, so it won’t slip.
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This water bottle has more than 28,000 reviews on Amazon, and many refer to how easy the built-in straw is to use. The Vmini’s patented design includes that straw plus a rotating handle.
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If you prefer a bottle that makes a statement, this one won’t let you down. The antiquey-looking pattern is handcrafted out of 100 percent copper. This bottle is also rust-proof, leak-proof, and made without any BPA. Reviewers on Etsy recommend filling it the night before you use it to most benefit from copper’s natural properties.
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One of the worst parts of summer travel is never knowing when your next shower will be. And trying to find a bottle for sustainable travel can be a bit of a challenge as well. What if you could combine your water bottle with a refreshing mist? The O2Cool does just that. A little squeeze and you can have a drink. Or, if you’re exercising outdoors you can treat yourself to a refreshing mist.
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We pretty much love everything Hydro Flask (have you even seen their amazing new outdoor serving bowls with lids?), so we were pleasantly surprised to find out that they have a lightweight series. Wait, what? It’s true! This bottle is 25 percent lighter than their similar bottle and still keeps your drinks colder longer. This one also makes a fun gift for campers.
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Interestingly enough, sometimes you don’t want a bottle with all the bells and whistles. If you’re looking for a streamlined bottle that keeps drinks cold and is easy to carry, consider the Owala. It has a simple design, is leak-proof and easy to drink from, and comes in nice lovely color combos. We also really like the push-button lid with lock.
If you’ve been drinking bottled water because you believe it’s healthier than tap water, you’re wrong. In fact, one report showed that the federal government is a lot stricter about safety testing on municipal water than most bottled water companies are.
Plus, that money you’ll save? Per Harvard University, bottled water is about 3,000 percent more expensive per gallon than tap water. You also won’t contribute to local landfills or plastic that ends up dumped in our oceans. Just how many plastic bottles are produced? An estimated 583 billion in 2021—that’s 100 billion more than were produced just five years ago, according to the Earth Day website.
The most common materials for reusable water bottles include:
You’ll find that many bottles offer a combination of these materials—for example, a stainless steel interior with a silicone or coated bumper.
Some water bottles exist just to hold your water in a cute or minimalist container, and that’s fine. But many water bottles are more sophisticated and are insulated to keep your cold drinks cold, and your tea or coffee hot for at least a few hours.
Before we get to our recommendations for the best reusable water bottle brands, we’d like to explain a couple of things that will help you choose the right one for you.
A reusable water bottle is made of a more durable and often more earth-friendly material than a plastic water bottle, particularly when its made by a top sustainable brand. Reusable water bottles come in all different sizes, weights, and price points, and they often have beautiful designs so you can pick one that matches your style. This is how to clean a water bottle the right way.
Well, be sure to read the instructions! You’ll notice that some bottles can only be washed by hand, while others are dishwasher safe. While mold isn’t necessarily a concern, you will notice that hard water will leave residue on your bottle. You can buy a brush with a long neck specifically made to reach your water bottle’s nooks and crannies. Fizzing cleaning tablets that you drop into a full water bottle require less elbow grease but are a pricier option. Learn more here for a full rundown on how to clean your reusable water bottle.
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