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The Best Water Bottles, According to PS Editors | POPSUGAR Fitness

Oct 14, 2024

We knew that people were particular about the best water bottles, but recent events have proven just how passionate people get about their tumblers of choice. First, there were rumors that Stanley cups — the giant thermoses topping tweens' wish lists — contained traces of lead. And although the claims were quickly debunked, water bottle aficionados took to the internet to make their feelings about what products really deserve the moniker of "best water bottle" known.

Even celebrities have their personal preferences, with Chappell Roan spotted sipping from pastel Hydro Flasks at her Coachella and Lollapalooza sets (different color ways for different costumes, of course). Meanwhile, Hilary Duff seems to be a fan of the colorful Owala water bottles, holding onto one for her run through Los Angeles (a true testament to the "leakproof" lid). Olivia Wilde is another celeb with major water bottle loyalty, proudly sporting the same mint-green Yeti tumbler to several workout classes.

As it turns out, PS editors have some pretty strong feelings about the best water bottles too. We've reviewed enough of them, after all — from insulated water bottles to time-increment water bottles to gallon-size water bottles — so we've compiled a list of our favorites. Ultimately, we may never agree on the one best water bottle on the market . . . but at least we're not using single-use plastic bottles anymore.

— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante

Healthish Original Time Marked Motivational Water Bottle ($15)

This Healthish option has a great minimal but modern look with a white bottle and rose gold lid. Etched on the bottle are time markers to help you stay on top of your hydration throughout the day. The bottle holds one liter of water and has accessories you can purchase to increase the function of your water intake, including a brush to help clean the inside and the lid, plus ice trays that make ice the perfect size and shape for the bottle.

BuildLife Gallon Motivational Water Bottle ($19)

For the really thirsty water drinker, this gallon water bottle ensures you're set for drinks for a while while on the go. The bigger size is ideal for someone who will be out for a full day or more, and it even has motivational phrases to encourage you to stick to your water intake goals. It's a little heavier than some other bottles because it holds so much water, but that's an easy trade-off for some people.

32 oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask with Flex Straw Cap, Camellia ($50)

This colorful Hydro Flask combo comes courtesy of Chappell Roan. Although it may look like it belongs at the Pink Pony Club, it's perfectly suited for everyday sipping thanks to the leakproof lid and insulated stainless steel that'll keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours. It even comes with a matching bottle boot to protect the tumbler (although honestly, we just love the way it looks).

Contigo Uptown Dual-Sip Tumbler, Pink ($25)

This Dual-Sip 18-ounce stainless-steel tumbler is perfect for your morning coffee on your way to work and water later in the day after the gym. It keeps cold drinks cold for up to 20 hours and hot drinks at the perfect temperature for seven, and it's so versatile. Read our full review of this tumbler here.

Editor Quote: "If you're anything like myself, a spiller, you know the difficulties of having a tumbler that leaks all over the place when bumped in the wrong direction. This tumbler provides options for sipping and is nice if you want to use it to switch between hot and cold beverages. It's an all-in-one cup that you can switch between rather than having multiple cups for multiple purposes, and that alone is a good reason to purchase it." — Haley Lyndes, Former Assistant Editor

Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler Cup With Flip Lid and Straw Lid ($26)

This versatile cup has all the perks we'd want from a water bottle, like a leakproof flip lid (perfect for hot beverages) and a splash-proof straw lid (ideal for cold drinks), and the vacuum-sealed stainless-steel cup fits most cupholders. It's important to note that the lids are dishwasher safe, but the bottle must be handwashed. Read our full review of the Simple Modern water bottle here.

Editor Quote: "I like this bottle for a few key reasons. Firstly, it doesn't make water taste weird or like aluminum, as so many stainless-steel reusable bottles are wont to do. Secondly, it keeps the water the exact desired temperature. If I put cold water in, it stays cold, and if I choose room temperature, it doesn't get hot or gross in any way." — India Yaffe, Former Associate Editor

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle, Tropical ($28)

On TikTok, the Owala Water Bottle vies with the Stanley tumbler for the position of most beloved water bottle. These bottles are BPA-, lead-, and phthalate-free and touted as being leak-free. The FreeSip comes in a variety of sizes and colors, with a built–in straw and spout, allowing users to drink as quickly or as little as they want. The insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, though hot liquids aren't compatible with this one.

Editor Quote: "When put to the test (and by that, we mean flipped completely upside down on camera), Stanley simply didn't hold up against other trendy tumblers, including the leakproof Owala. But even beyond that, people on TikTok say Owala water bottles just make more sense in their day-to-day lives." — Chandler Plante, Assistant Editor, Health & Fitness

Stanley Aerolight IceFlow Water Bottle ($35)

For those who love the Stanley brand but need a leakproof cup, the Aerolight IceFlow bottle is exactly that. It has everything that's made this brand popular again — the stainless-steel material, the ability to keep things really cold or really hot, and the durability — while offering more comfort for those who prefer a spout over a straw. Read our full review of the Stanley Aerolight here.

Editor Quote: "The bottle's double-wall vacuum insulation helps to keep any liquids cold for up to 10 hours, making it a great tool for staying hydrated on long days outside of the house. I'd recommend this bottle to anyone who wants to ensure they stay well-hydrated throughout their day-to-day, and all without having to lug around a clunky, oversize tumbler." — Kyley Warren, Assistant Editor, Commerce

BrüMate Rotera Water Bottle ($40)

If you're someone who needs a water bottle with a built-in straw to stay hydrated, the BrüMate Rotera will be your new favorite. Its slim and sleek design is much more practical than meets the eye. The leakproof water bottle has a twist to sip mechanism that lets you keep the sipping straw out and ready to use or retracted into the lid.

It has a silicone sleeve that protects the bottle from drops as well as keeping it grip friendly. Plus, it can keep drinks cold for more than 24 hours with its triple insulated build. It comes in four different sizes, two of which are cup holder friendly, so you can get the one that's best for your needs. Read more in our in-depth review of the BrüMate Rotera water bottle.

Editor Quote: "I appreciate the Brümate Rotera's twist-to-sip mechanism, which helps keep the water bottle a bit more sanitary when I'm not actively drinking from the sip straw. With ice in my bottle, the water was at a refreshingly cool temperature for about 30 hours. It could have been more, but I had already drank the water from the bottle by that point. It's also so chic. The colorways and the modern silhouette make me feel like the ultimate cool girl." — Anvita Reddy, Assistant Editor, Commerce

Air Up Water Bottle ($40)

This water bottle is more than just a holder of water; it's the perfect compromise for someone who wants to increase their water intake but keep their favorite La Croix flavors. The bottle is made of durable frosted plastic and comes with a straw and a cap, but the biggest selling point is the Air Up pods, which use scents your nose can smell to give you the sensation that you're drinking flavored water. Read our full review of the Air Up here.

Editor Quote: "If you like to dabble in flavored water every so often but aren't necessarily committed to buying flavor boosters or flavored cans or bottles, then Air Up could be a great option — you can slip a pod on when you feel like flavoring and use it as a normal bottle the rest of the time.

"Another person who may want to go all in on Air Up is anyone who loves flavored waters but wants an option with no sugary add-ins or vague 'natural flavorings.'" — Mirel Zaman, Health & Fitness Director

Stanley IceFlow Tumbler ($45)

This tumbler is ideal for anyone struggling to keep their water bottle full. It comes in a range of sizes from 20 ounces to 96 ounces and a slew of colors to fit your vibe. Plus, it keeps drinks cold for up to 14 hours and keeps ice frozen for up to two and a half days, which is hard to beat. Read our full review of the Stanley IceFlow here.

Editor Quote: "I know Stanley is the go-to for many of my friends who are big on camping — think: on-the-go coffee brewers and portable coolers. But since I'm more of a city girl, the 40-ounce Flip Straw Jug from their new IceFlow™ collection is much more up my alley and checks every box. Plus, it comes in those cool-girl colors I'm looking for." — Rayna Rossitto, Associate Editor and Social Media Strategist, Branded

BrüMate Era Tumbler ($48)

This leakproof, cup-holder-friendly tumbler is a step away from the cold-looking water bottles and takes a dip over to the more fun side with cute colors and finishes like Onyx Leopard and Glitter Rose Gold. This keeps your cold beverages cold for 24-plus hours and hot beverages at the perfect temperature for six. It even washes perfectly in the upper rack of your dishwasher, so it's very low load to use every day. Read our full review of the BrüMate bottle here.

Editor Quote: "If you're looking to up your water intake but being busy or clumsy is holding you back — I definitely recommend investing in the BrüMate Era. It's easy to take everywhere with you, thanks to the slim design, and you won't have to worry about constantly cleaning spills (or even holding it upright as you run out the door)." — Jordan Shalhoub, Lead Social Producer

Yeti Rambler Water Bottle ($50)

The Yeti Rambler has been a favorite among celebrities like Olivia Wilde, who's been spotted with the bottle post-workout. This bottle is leakproof and double-wall vacuum insulated, which means it will keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. Another unique feature is the Chug Cap, which allows you to drink up faster if you need to quickly quench your thirst after a workout.

Editor Quote: "It's easy to see why Wilde chose this particular water bottle from the increasingly crowded market of trendy options. The stainless-steel drinkware is insulated, keeping beverages icy cold for long periods of time, and the leakproof Chug Cap is ideal for mid-workout water breaks. There's also a nifty top handle for easy carrying." – Victoria Messina, Former Senior Editor

40 oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask with Flex Straw Cap, Mint ($55)

Another pick from Chappell Roan — this color way is slightly more recognizable, having made an appearance at the VMAs, Lollapalooza, and several different Chappell Roan concerts. You can shop this exact same tumbler (or customize a bottle of your own) on the official Hydro Flask website. Considering that this bottle holds a whopping 40 ounces, we think it's fair to say that staying hydrated has never looked so good.

Hidrate Spark ($70)

The stand-out feature of this bottle is the LED smart sensor puck that really helps push you to drink up your water. The puck sits at the bottom of the bottle and lights up as a reminder to take another sip. It syncs with your smartphone with a free app (yes, for iOS and Android) for that gentle push to take a moment to hydrate. Of course, it's also BPA-free, vacuum-insulated, and made with stainless steel, which helps keep your drinks at the perfect temperature. Read our full review of this smart water bottle here.

Editor Quote: "When you first get the bottle, you have to calibrate it so the puck can accurately detect the weight of an empty bottle, full bottle, and everything in between. The puck will send water intake data to the app via Bluetooth throughout the day, and you can view your progress in real time with numerical results. By far, this feature is what makes the bottle worth it!" — Anvita Reddy, Assistant Editor, Commerce

Larq Water Bottle ($100)

This water bottle is not like any other you've probably used, and that's what makes it so special. This bottle is "self-cleaning," which means the inside of your bottle stays clean, but it goes one step further by purifying your water, all with the touch of a button. With this feature, it needs to be charged but it only needs to be charged once per month. It can be used for both hot and cold beverages, keeping hot drinks at the right temperature for 12 hours and cold drinks cool for 24 hours. Read our full review of the Larq water bottle here.

Editor Quote: "Here's what makes this bottle so special: it's self-cleaning. I'll let that sink in for a second before proceeding. If you've ever had a water bottle that does not pass the sniff test, you know what a game changer this is . . . the TL;DR version is that it uses UV light to both clean the bottle and purify the water. So if you need to fill your bottle up at a place where you're not confident on the water quality, you'll be happy you have your Larq bottle." — IY

Devan McGuinness (she/they) is a Canadian disabled writer, editor, and social strategist who covers politics, entertainment, parenting, and lifestyle. Devan has contributed to PS, Fatherly, Parents, Scary Mommy, Mom.com, and more over her 10-plus years in digital media, specializing in stories that matter most to families.

Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she overshares on the internet, creating content about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.

Healthish Original Time Marked Motivational Water BottleBuildLife Gallon Motivational Water Bottle32 oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask with Flex Straw Cap, CamelliaContigo Uptown Dual-Sip Tumbler, PinkEditor Quote:Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler Cup With Flip Lid and Straw LidEditor Quote:Owala FreeSip Water Bottle, TropicalEditor Quote:Stanley Aerolight IceFlow Water BottleEditor Quote:BrüMate Rotera Water BottleEditor Quote:Air Up Water BottleEditor Quote:Stanley IceFlow TumblerEditor Quote:BrüMate Era TumblerEditor Quote:Yeti Rambler Water BottleEditor Quote:40 oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask with Flex Straw Cap, MintHidrate SparkEditor Quote:Larq Water BottleEditor Quote: