We Tested Dozens of Water Bottles — Here Are the 23 We Liked Best, to Keep You Hydrated on Your Next Workout and More

This Hydro Flask water bottle is designed with Tempshield technology, the brand’s proprietary double-wall, vacuum-insulated design. We enjoyed the ice-cold water from our Hydro Flask during testing, so we understand the hype.

During ice-water temperature retention tests, the Hydro Flask blew the other bottles out of the water (so to speak), remaining a chilly 45 degrees when left outside for eight hours. If you overheat while hitting the gym, this water bottle could be what you need to stay cool, even during the most vigorous workouts. Our one gripe is the lid: This version comes with a wide mouth — and straws and sipping lids are sold separately.

The ThermoFlask is similar to the Hydro Flask in name and design, but it costs about $10 less. The bottle offers many of the same features as its trendy, higher-priced competitor: stainless steel construction, double-wall vacuum insulation, and a sweat-resistant coating. Unlike the Hydro Flask, the ThermoFlask also includes two lids — a twistable chug lid and a clippable straw lid with two detachable straws.

The sip lid and straw make it easy to take a quick, spill-free swig while working out or driving. Other than slight scratching after being dropped on the pavement, we have no complaints about this bottle. 

The 24-ounce Bambaw water bottle was a top performer in our insulation tests, keeping hot water hot and cold water cold for eight hours, both indoors and outdoors. When filled with ice water and left outside in the sun for eight hours, the water increased less than 10 degrees F in temperature. There was also no leakage or condensation. And we liked how the Bambaw bottle retained the water’s temperature throughout hot yoga classes as well, although a straw or sports lid for drinking on the go would be useful.

Like the Bambaw, Hydro Cell is an under-the-radar bottle with top-notch temperature retention, thanks to its triple-wall design. The Hydro Cell comes with two lid options — a wide-mouth screw cap and a sports cap with straws — making it a solid choice for those who like to sip straight from the bottle or guzzle on the go. We loved the clean-tasting water the bottle provided too.

The Hydro Cell outperformed the other bottles in our heat-retention test, keeping boiling water at a steamy 127 degrees F after eight hours. It also excelled in the ice-water tests, gaining less than 10 degrees of temperature when left indoors and outdoors for eight hours. Just note that this bottle isn’t dishwasher safe.

Another excellent travel water bottle is TakeToday, a foldable water bottle similar to Hydaway in material, size, and concept. Like the Hydaway (below), TakeToday is meant to be folded into a compact size and packed in your luggage or pocket on trips. In addition, the TakeToday bottle only costs around $10, about a third of the price of the Hydaway.

Squishy, smushable, and durable, TakeToday offers everything you’d expect in a reusable travel bottle. However, the bottle lost a few points because it’s pretty tricky to roll up. By comparison, the collapsible design of the Hydaway is much more user-friendly. 

Our pick for the most eco-friendly water bottle, Klean Kanteen, is made from 90 percent recycled, food-grade stainless steel. A champion of environmental responsibility since its founding, Klean Kanteen says it was among the first brands to introduce reusable stainless steel water bottles in the United States, back in the early 2000s. Klean Kanteen is Climate Neutral Certified and a Certified B Corporation, a title awarded to companies that meet high standards on performance-related factors like charitable giving and supply-chain practices.

Slender, lightweight, and virtually indestructible, the Klean Kanteen Classic is clearly designed for active lifestyles, making it a top choice for fitness enthusiasts. The sports cap, which includes a removable silicone tip, has a pleasant mouthfeel and is easy to wash. The cap isn’t advertised as “leakproof,” but we didn’t experience leaks or sweating in our testing. However, if you like your water frosty, this bottle might not be for you — the Klean Kanteen Classic isn’t insulated.

The Purifyou water bottle is made from shatter-resistant borosilicate glass, with a high-impact-resistant silicone sleeve for protection and improved grip. Like the Mukoko bottle (below), Purifyou is designed with markers to track your water intake throughout the day, whether you’re sitting at your desk, on the go, or doing an intense workout.

Our favorite part of the Purifyou bottle is its elegant glass construction and eye-catching silicone sleeve, which comes in nine colors. The slim glass mouth makes the bottle a treat to drink from. The pretty design, easy drinking, and clean water taste helped us overlook this bottle’s main flaws — namely, zero insulation and incompatibility with standard ice cubes.

The Mukoko glass water bottle is made from durable borosilicate glass that’s easy to hand-wash or can go right in the dishwasher. It comes with two lids: a bamboo lid with a straw, and a spout made from BPA-free plastic. This was one of the most aesthetically pleasing water bottle designs we tested, especially when paired with a natural bamboo straw.

Having dropped the bottle several times on different surfaces, we never had any issue with cracks or breakage — though some Amazon reviewers reported the glass or lid cracking over time. The Mukoko bottle isn’t insulated, and in our temperature tests, our water was adjusted to the external temperature within a few hours.

The Yomious is a sturdy, attractive water bottle made from borosilicate glass with a silicone sleeve and a bamboo lid. The silicone sleeves come in multiple colors, adding a stylish touch to this sleek bottle. The lid has a stainless steel insert to help protect the bamboo and a silicone ring to ensure a tight, leakproof seal. In terms of use, the Yomious bottle has a wide mouth with a smooth mouthfeel for easy sipping.

However, it’s our pick for the bottle with the best accessories because it comes with several thoughtful add-ons, including a protective silicone sleeve, a carrying strap, and a brush for easy handwashing.

The iconic Brita water filter brand’s Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle is designed with an activated carbon block filter that reduces chlorine taste and particles while retaining certain healthy minerals and electrolytes. This water bottle is made from BPA-free plastic, which keeps it light and ideal for people with active lifestyles.

One thing outdoor enthusiasts should note: It’s not a purifier, so don’t use it to drink water from unpurified sources, including streams and lakes. It also lacks insulation, and it’s made of plastic, which made us deduct a few points. Still, this Brita water bottle’s unique, ultraconvenient construction earned it a place on this list.

If you’re a backpacker and getting access to clean water sources is challenging, whether hiking in the woods or staying at a hostel in a foreign country, this stainless steel water bottle can help ensure the cleanliness and safety of your water. Its dual filtration system filters out 99.99 percent of bacteria like E. coli and salmonella as well as parasites like giardia and cryptosporidium. It also filters out dirt and microplastics and can improve the taste of treated water. The carbon filter reduces chlorine, odors, and organic chemical matter.

Some potential cons are that it’s not a purifier, so it won’t remove viruses. It’s also on the expensive side, with an average price of about $64.

If you’re not sure about the cleanliness of the tap water you’re drinking, this purifier bottle may be the solution to your problem. The Larq Bottle PureVis utilizes UV-C LED technology that eliminates 99.8 percent of bacteria (like E. coli) and viruses from your water. After touching a button on the lid, your water is clean in 60 seconds. The bottle also self-cleans automatically every two hours and only needs to be charged once a month. It’s great for traveling or just keeping your bottle odor-free, especially if you hate how hard it is to clean standard reusable water bottles. The bottle comes in an insulated version that keeps water cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, as well as a lightweight uninsulated version.

The bottle, not the cap, is dishwasher safe, but it’s recommended that you clean it by hand. Also, this water bottle isn’t meant to clean lake or stream water. And note that it does not contain a filter, so it won’t remove physical impurities from your water.

If you’re out on a hike and the only available water is from a nearby stream, this heavy-duty purifier and filter has you covered. The Grayl UltraPress Purifier Bottle removes 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria in just eight seconds, ensuring that you get clean, drinkable water quickly. It absorbs sediment, microplastics, volatile organic compounds, PFAS, chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, flavors, and odors. Its cartridge also lets you easily add electrolytes to your water to absorb that much-needed H20 while you’re on a long hike. It’s made from BPA-free plastic and is easy to sip from.

Our only qualms with this product are that it’s expensive and not dishwasher-safe. Still, it’s our top pick for a guaranteed clean drinking source, no matter where your outdoor adventures take you.

This Amphipod water bottle’s ergonomic design ensures that it won’t slip out of your hand whether you’re sprinting, distance running, hiking, or taking a walk. Not only does the bottle have a curved shape that fits in your hand and an adjustable strap to keep it secure — the strap also has storage slots for nutrition gels or chews to fuel your run.

The bottle is made from BPA-free plastic, has a wide mouth that can fit ice cubes, and is dishwasher safe. However, this bottle’s plastic construction may be less than ideal for folks who are concerned about microplastic exposure.

If you love cycling but have nowhere to store your water bottle, this Nathan water bottle waist pack might be the perfect solution. While it’s technically designed for runners, cyclists will also appreciate its hands-free design. It fits comfortably on your body and has an angled holder so you can easily access your water flask and return it to the waist pack when you’re done. The bottle holder is insulated, so your water stays cold even during long summer bike rides.

Nathan says its plastic is BPA-free, but like others on our list, there is still some risk of microplastic exposure.

The darling of the reusable water bottle industry, Stanley stainless steel water bottles are everywhere you look, perhaps due to their user-friendly appeal. The All Day Slim is the brand’s skinniest model, featuring an ultra-narrow mouthpiece for easy sipping. It fits most cupholders, making it perfect for commuting or going to the gym. The eco-friendly bottle is made from vacuum-insulated recycled stainless steel that’s designed to keep cold liquids cold for up to four hours and iced liquids cold for up to 11 hours.

The Stanley All Day Slim performed well in our ice-water temperature retention tests, losing less than 5 degrees of temperature over eight hours when left outside. The ultra-narrow mouthpiece makes it easy to take a sip during workouts, while its leakproof design ensures that your water stays where it’s supposed to, instead of leaking into your bag. The Stanley All Day Slim also has a clever design feature: It has a second opening at the shoulder of the bottle, which you can unscrew to add ice or clean the interior more easily.

Kids lead active lifestyles, and reminding them to drink water is key for their well-being. These colorful water bottles are made of stainless steel and have triple-walled insulation. They’re topped with leakproof, odor-resistant plastic lids that are BPA-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free.

The Owala FreeSip bottle is a mini 16-ounce version of its adult sizes, boasting the same features and sipping spout with a built-in straw. Owala bottles are dishwasher-friendly, but the brand recommends handwashing to preserve the exterior finish. The Owala FreeSip tested exceptionally well in ice-water temperature retention tests, losing less than 5 degrees after eight hours of sitting outside in the Texas summer heat.

This slim, stainless steel water bottle comfortably fits small hands and comes in a variety of bright colors. The bottle, made for kids older than 3, is insulated to keep their water cold. It has a leak-resistant straw cap that’s easy to sip from and closes when kids are done drinking. It’s also dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean.

This bottle regularly goes on sale, but it’s normally $30, which is a bit expensive for a kids’ bottle.