Best Water Bottle

Even if you spend most of the day inside an office building, it’s still important that you drink the right amount of water every day. Water helps you stay hydrated, which can make your skin look better and help your kidneys perform the way they should. The kidneys help filter out toxins and keep your body strong and healthy. Though you may not need to drink 64 ounces of water or more every day, you may find it helpful to finish at least one bottle of water daily. We’ll go over the important things to consider as you shop for our top water bottles and other models.

Weight
As you work your way down to the end of this page, you’ll find a section that covers the size water bottle that you need and the popular sizes available. While size is important, it’s also important that you consider the weight of the bottle when it’s empty. A bottle that feels bulky or heavy is one that you cannot easily carry and one that might make you feel weighed down when taking your nightly walk or hiking with friends. The bottle that you choose should fit comfortably in your hand or on your person both filled and before you add any liquid.

Color/Design
When you purchase an ordinary water bottle from the store, you’ll get a clear plastic bottle that has a paper label that wraps around the middle. Though some companies offer disposable glass bottles that you can recycle, you still have a limited number of options. With reusable bottles, you can pick from a wide range of colors and designs as well as patterns. In addition to picking the right size, you can choose one in a soft color such as baby blue or a vibrant shade of purple. Some manufacturers offer these bottles in floral and other pattern choices too. You can match the design of the bottle to anything you want.

Shape
Many of the bottles that we found have the same basic design. These bottles have a flat or concave base with rounded sides. Both the top and the bottom are the same sizes. No matter where you grab the bottle and grip it, it will feel the same way. You may want a bottle that has a slimmer or indented middle section though. This lets you wrap your whole hand around the bottle and get a better grip. You should also consider where you want to use that bottle or how you plan to carry it. Some shoppers will want a bottle that fits in a compartment on a backpack or in a car’s cup holder.

Ease of Use
One of the most important things you should look at when choosing a water bottle is its overall ease of use. Let’s say that you want a bottle you can keep on your desk at work as you use a computer. You’ll prefer one with a cap that you can pop or screw off with one hand as you keep your eye on the computer. If you plan on drinking water while driving your car, you’ll want one that you can easily open. Hikers and runners often prefer bottles that they can open with their mouths without stopping in their tracks.

Activity Type
If you want a water bottle that you can take to work or when running errands to stay hydrated, you might opt for a basic BPA-free bottle made from plastic with a cap that screws off. Certain types of bottles are best for different types of activities though. For example, runners often prefer bottles with slanted or rounded sides that are thinner in the middle and a cap that they can open with their teeth because they don’t want to pause to take a drink. Cyclists often choose bottles that weigh less and have a smaller design that will fit on their bikes.

Side Design
One thing that many people do not consider is the design of the water bottle’s sides. Bottles can have squeezable sides or rigid sides. Those made from plastic typically have rigid sides. No matter how much pressure you apply or how hard you squeeze, those bottles will retain their shape. Those that feature squeezable sides are often better for those who drink on the go. When you apply more pressure, you increase the speed at which the water comes out of the bottle. Bottles with squeezable sides often last longer than those with rigid sides. Rigid water bottles can fracture and crack when you drop one.

Mouth Size
Mouth size refers to the total size of the bottle’s mouth, which is the area that you drink from after removing the lid. Those with a push or pull cap typically have a much smaller mouth size than those with a screw cap do. When you want control over where the water goes and how much you drink, you want one with a smaller mouth size. If you want to cool down and pour some cold water over your head or rinse off your hands, you want one with a wider mouth. The mouth size can also determine how quickly and easily you can fill the bottle. Those with a smaller mouth may require that you use a funnel to keep the water from splashing over the sides.

Measurement Markings
Nalgene and other manufacturers make water bottles that include detailed markings on the sides. Those markings let you see the amount of liquid that you pour inside. You can use those markings to see how much water you drink too. Campers and hikers often prefer bottles with detailed measurement markings too. They can use those markings to determine how much liquid to add to a pot when cooking. You should look for any customer reviews that mention those markings too. This helps you see if the markings lasted after taking multiple trips through the dishwasher or if the markings faded or came off after a few washes.

Temperature Rating
For water bottles that you plan on using with ordinary water that comes out of your taps, you may not care about the temperature rating. If you want a bottle that you can toss in the freezer or keep in your fridge though, this is something you should consider. Plastic bottles may only work in standard temperatures of around 40 to 80 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When you use one in temperatures that are colder or hotter, the bottle might freeze and break or crack because of the heat. You’ll want a bottle that you can use in a range of temperatures both inside and when outdoors.

Hot vs. Cold Water Bottles
As we looked for the top water bottles of 2024, we came across many with high reviews from customers who used those models for both hot and cold liquids. Most plastic bottles will only work with cold liquids. If you attempt to store coffee or any other hotter liquid inside, the bottle can actually melt. Metal bottles are better for storing hot liquids, though the metal can feel extremely hot in your hands. Those who want a bottle that they can use for both hot and cold liquids generally pick vacuum models that retain the temperature of the liquid inside for hours.

Temperature Retention
You may want to look at the temperature retention, which refers to how long the bottle will retain the temperature of the liquid inside. If you want to take a long hike through a local park or spend the night camping with friends, you want to ensure that you have cold water during and at the end of your trip. When you fill that container with hot coffee, you want to ensure that it will still feel hot after a few hours. Most of the water bottles that we found will keep liquids cold for at least four hours. You’ll find some that retain the temperature of liquids for eight hours or longer too.

Durability
While not necessarily a feature, the durability of the water bottle is something else that you should consider. When you go to a yard sale in your neighborhood, you’ll probably see dozens of cheap plastic water bottles up for sale. Many people buy those bottles and then upgrade to a better model after finding that the plastic doesn’t hold up to their demands. Plastic is a good choice for those on a budget, but those with more money in their budgets should opt for a vacuum or metal option. These water bottles are more durable and can withstand multiple drops without breaking.

Hydration Packs
A good water bottle can hold enough water to get you through a cycling or hiking trip, but if you plan on spending even more time outside, you should seriously consider a hydration pack. Similar to those used by military forces, these packs look like an ordinary backpack. You’ll find a large container inside that can store enough water for you or multiple people for a day or more. A long tube attaches to that container and extends out from the pack. You can place this tube in your mouth to get water whenever you want it. Some hikers and campers prefer packs that serve as backpacks with space for their gear inside and a separate compartment for water.

Ease of Cleaning
Many shoppers today look for water bottles that they can safely wash in their dishwashers. This lets them know that they can toss the bottles inside the machine and clean them at the same time that they wash their dishes and pots and pans. It’s equally important that you consider the ease of cleaning when you don’t have one of these appliances though. Wide mouth bottles are large enough that you can slide your hand inside to remove buildup on the bottom. When you choose a water bottle with a smaller neck or mouth, you’ll need to use brushes and other tools to completely clean the interior.

Customer Reviews
No matter what you want to buy, you should look at customer reviews before making a purchase. Even if you want a bottle that retails for $10, you’ll want to see what others thought to ensure that you spend your money wisely. Many shoppers only look at the top reviews though and disregard the negative complaints listed. We looked at all the ratings available on the top water bottles and showed you the pros and cons in the chart at the top of this page. When you compare the pros and cons against each other, you’ll get a better idea as to whether that bottle is worth your money.