The Best Water Bottles

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Our favorite plastic water bottle received perfect marks for its simple yet innovative design and durability. This transparent bottle was tinted seafoam green, which made it look similar to glass. Its lid had a rectangular handle that was big enough to comfortably hold while walking and could be easily attached to a backpack while hiking. Despite having one of the largest capacities in the lineup, it was still relatively lightweight when empty and not overly heavy when full. It had an easy-to-use screw-on spout (also referred to as a “chug cap” by YETI), so we didn’t spill water on ourselves like we occasionally did when drinking from bottles with just a wide mouth. We could easily remove the screw-on spout when we needed to fill the bottle or clean it. This bottle was superdurable—when it hit concrete, it bounced and sustained barely any scratches or nicks. It kept water cold for 4 hours, which is typical for plastic bottles. It’s a great option for hikers or those who prefer lightweight, high-capacity bottles.

Our winning stainless-steel model was a champion in cold retention. It kept water well below room temperature for more than 8 hours. Even when a tester walked around in 80-degree weather, the water stayed cool and refreshing. Like our favorite plastic model, it had a screw-on “chug cap” that opened up for a wide mouth for filling and cleaning. The spout on the chug cap was made from glass, which felt comfortable and clean while we drank. We liked the handle on the lid, which helped us carry it or attach it to a backpack. It sustained a couple of dents when dropped on concrete but nothing fatal. However, it was still quite heavy despite having only a 26-ounce capacity and it couldn’t fit in a car cup holder. Those issues aside, it’s the perfect bottle for anyone who wants to keep their water ice-cold for a day and doesn’t mind some bulk.

We were intrigued by this colorful bottle’s creative design. Although it looks like a travel mug or thermos, the company advises it should be used only to contain cold liquids. Its lid had a two-part locking system; it seemed excessive at first, but we quickly grew to like it. To open it, we pushed a small lever up and then pressed a button that popped the lid open. The straw wasn’t like any of the other models in the lineup; the top of the straw was set into the bottle in such a way that it looked like a narrow lip. Despite its unusual design, we drank from it like a regular straw. This bottle’s cold-retention matched our stainless-steel winner; water was still cold and fresh tasting after 8 hours. This bottle was the lightest stainless-steel model—it weighed less than 1 pound when empty and just over 2 pounds when full. It was also the most durable of all the stainless-steel models and barely sustained any dents when dropped on concrete. Although its lid opened up to a wide mouth for cleaning and filling, the straw took a little more effort to rinse clean.

This classic bottle stirred up nostalgic feelings for one tester and drew us in with its “beautiful, eye-catching colors.” It was easy to clean with a bottle brush or in the dishwasher, thanks to its extra-wide mouth. The measurements on the side were clearly labeled and helped us keep track of how much water we drank throughout the day. It was very durable; it scratched only a bit when we dropped it on concrete. It was lightweight when empty and didn’t feel too heavy when filled to capacity. Closing and opening the bottle was simple, especially because the lid had ridges, which helped our grip. When it was tightly closed it was completely leakproof, but we sometimes spilled water on ourselves when drinking from its wide mouth. We also noticed that our noses were often inside of the bottle while drinking, which seemed slightly unsanitary. It kept water cold for 4 hours.

We’ve recommended this bottle for years and it once again received high marks for its comfortable wide mouth that made it easy to fill and clean by hand. We also liked that we were able to clean it in the dishwasher and could easily remove the silicone sleeve. Testers said the water held in this bottle tasted “clean” and fresh. The screw-on lid had an arced handle that was comfortable to hold. It remained leakproof even after being tossed around in a backpack and falling off of a 3-foot table. One drawback of its wide mouth was that testers sometimes spilled water on themselves while taking big gulps if they weren’t being careful. Like all glass water bottles, it’s not intended to keep water cold for long and is not as durable as plastic or stainless-steel bottles. It shattered when it fell on concrete.

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We liked this bottle’s straightforward design and wide mouth. Just like all the other stainless-steel models, it was leakproof and didn’t sweat. The soft silicone strap attached to the lid was nice to hold on walks. Even when we sat on the beach for hours or took it on other outside adventures, we could rely on it for cold, refreshing water. Although we liked that the lid closed very tightly, it was sometimes hard to open. Our hands were strained at times, which could be a problem for people with arthritis or strength issues. It was also quite heavy, so we were less likely to reach for it before going on long hikes. One tester noticed a faint metallic taste when she drank from it at first, but it dissipated after she cleaned the bottle thoroughly. It didn’t retain stains or odors even when we left bright-red sports drink in it overnight.

This bottle was no-frills and sporty. The exterior was frosted but grippy, which helped it stay secure in our hands even when it sweat. It had a screw-on lid with a spout that was covered by a small cap tethered around the bottle. Sometimes, the cap took a little extra twisting to close if the ridges weren’t perfectly aligned. Testers loved that this bottle was lightweight yet durable. Even when filled to the brim, it never leaked when turned upside down or knocked off a table. We also appreciated that the water never tasted or smelled plasticky even when stored in the bottle overnight. One tester noted it was too big to fit into her car’s cup holders. Toward the end of testing, we noticed a faint brown ring of dirt around the lid, a small issue that was more noticeable because the cap was white. However, it didn’t stain when we left a brightly colored sports drink in it overnight. Water warmed to room temperature in about 4 hours.

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This bottle had a straw attached to its lid that flipped down when not in use. The sturdy handle on its lid had a slightly larger opening than the handles on other bottles, making it easier to hold. Water remained cold for over 8 hours and didn’t have an aftertaste or smell. The bottle was very durable and had only a few scratches when dropped on concrete. One tester noted that the straw was a little bulky and sometimes held onto lipstick stains. It fit comfortably in a car cup holder or inside of a backpack, but it was quite heavy despite its smaller capacity.

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This glass bottle had a frosted finish and a straw that folded into the lid when not in use. Although the straw was initially stiff, it loosened up during testing and was pleasant to sip from. It had a removable silicone sleeve that covered only the bottom portion of the bottle, reminding us of a little coaster. Water held in this bottle didn’t have any aftertastes or smell, but we noticed some staining on the straw when we left a bright-colored sports drink in it overnight. It didn’t break when it fell from a table but, like the other glass models, shattered when it hit concrete. This bottle also could keep water cold for only 3 hours. It’s still a good option for casual sipping.

Testers liked this bottle’s pop-open lid that was controlled by a button. Once we hit the button to open the lid, the lid stayed in place and didn’t bop us on the forehead while we drank. The bottle had a spout attached to the lid, which was pleasant to drink from. The lid also had a locking mechanism to ensure it didn’t accidentally open if it was stored in a bag while traveling. When we needed to fill or clean it, we could easily unscrew the lid from the bottle, revealing a wider mouth. It had a grippy silicone sleeve that covered the body and a handy silicone loop that we could wrap around our wrists or attach to a backpack. We had to take care to fully push down the silicone plunger on the top of the lid after cleaning the bottle or else it would leak. One tester complained that this bottle bounced around a lot in her car’s cup holder because of its tall, narrow design. It lost points for durability because the little metal rod that attaches the lid to the bottle popped out during testing. The bottle also sustained a huge crack when it hit concrete.

This water bottle held 20 ounces, the smallest amount we think is acceptable for an everyday water bottle. Testers agreed that this bottle could work if you don’t want a huge water bottle but want to have something with you for casual sipping. We liked the bright coral color of its silicone sleeve, but it wasn’t very grippy. The bottle also sweated through the sleeve, making it even harder to maintain a sturdy grip. Although the bottle is dishwasher-safe, the silicone sleeve needed to be peeled off before it was cleaned, a task that one tester noted was not easy. It had a paracord loop so we could attach the bottle to a backpack or bag, but it often came loose without much effort. That said, we liked that this bottle didn’t retain smells or odors.

Although this model was the second lightest in the lineup and durable, it didn’t have much else to offer. It was the only bottle with a bite valve, and testers noted that it was uncomfortable to use, making it “more of an inconvenience than a feature.” The valve also trapped water and sometimes bits of food we were eating. It was nearly impossible to clean the valve, too, making us less likely to want to continue using the bottle. One tester noted that when she filled it with ice water before running errands or traveling to the office, the ice “melted in an hour or less.”