The Best Water Bottles, According to POPSUGAR Editors
The Water Bottle Wars Are Still Rageing. These Are the Front Runners
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
We knew that people were particular about the best water bottles, but we had no idea how passionate people could get — until Stanley cups hit the news yet again.
This time, the giant tumblers — which apparently were topping tweens' holiday gift wish lists this season — weren't getting strictly positive attention. Instead, rumours that the Stanley cups contain lead began to gain steam. 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 water bottle brands jumped into the fray. Hydro Flask posted on Instagram that their bottles do "NOT" use lead in their sealing process. Owala had a similar message on its social media platforms.
As it turns out, POPSUGAR 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 favourites. Ultimately, we may never agree on what really counts among the best water bottles on the market. But at least we're not using single-use plastic bottles anymore!
Best Water Bottle With Flavouring
Waterdrop Steel Bottle ($52)
This water bottle is unique and great for people who want something more modern-looking than the typical stainless steel bottles. This comes in various colours with a neutral, wood-finish lid, but the bottle doesn't compromise on the benefits of stainless steel, like keeping your drinks cold for hours. The standout feature of Waterdrop is the flavour cubes you add to your water to give it a punch of taste without the sugar. You can read our full review of the bottle here.
Editor Quote: "The variety of microdrink flavours is a game changer, each offering unique benefits with different ingredient formulations. Beyond addressing skin goals like "youth" and "glow," the brand also caters to cravings, introducing its latest flavour: Cola." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Editor, Commerce
Best Spill-Proof Water Bottle
BrüMate Water Bottle ($30)
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 colours and finishes like onyx leopard, and glitter rose gold. This keeps your cold beverages cold for 24+ 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
Best Lightweight Water Bottle
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 some 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
Best Water Bottle For Faux Flavourings
Air Up Water Bottle ($32 and up)
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 wants to keep their favourite La Croix flavours. The bottle is made of durable frosted plastic and comes with a straw and a cap, but the biggest selling point is the scented air-up pods that use scents your nose can smell to give you the sensation that you're drinking flavoured water. Read our full review of the Air Up here.
Editor Quote: "If you like to dabble in flavoured water every so often but aren't necessarily committed to buying flavour boosters or flavoured cans or bottles, then Air Up could be a great option — you can slip a pod on when you feel like flavouring 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 flavoured waters but wants an option with no sugary add-ins or vague 'natural flavourings.'" — Mirel Zaman, Health & Fitness Director
Best Water Bottle For Hot or Cold Beverages
Contigo Uptown Dual Sip Tumbler ($29)
This Dual-Sip 18oz 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 its versatility is one of its best-selling features. 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
Best Minimalist Water Bottle
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, from the leak-proof flip lid — perfect for hot beverages, and the splash-proof straw lid — ideal for cold drinks, all in a vacuum-sealed stainless steel cup that fits most cup holders. 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 aluminium, as so many stainless-steel reusable bottles are wont to do. Secondly, it keeps the water at 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
Best Smart Water Bottle
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 of water. It syncs up 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 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
Best Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Larq Water Bottle ($99)
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, too, 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 temperatures cool for 24hours. 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
Best Insulated Water Bottle
Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw ($45)
This tumbler might be ideal for anyone struggling to keep their water bottles full. It comes in a range of sizes from 20oz up to 96oz, so you'll need to refill it less and a slew of colours to fit your vibe. Plus, it keeps drinks cold for up to 14 hours and 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 colours I'm looking for." — Rayna Rossitto, Associate Editor and Social Media Strategist, Branded
Best Celeb-Famous Water Bottle
Yeti Rambler 36 oz Bottle ($50)
The Yeti Rambler has been a favourite among celebrities like Olivia Wilde, who's been spotted with the bottle post-workout. This bottle is leak-proof 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 [actress Olivia] 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 leak-proof "chug cap" is ideal for mid-workout water breaks. There's also a nifty top handle for easy carrying." – Victoria Messina, former Senior Editor
Best Water Bottle to Drink With or Without a Straw
Owala Water Bottle ($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 colours, with a built–in straw and spout, allowing users to drink as quickly or as little as they want. The insulation allows drinks to stay 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 'leak-proof' 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
Best Time Increment Water Bottle
Aesthetic Water Bottle With Measurements ($13)
Gone are the days when water bottles all look the same, and that's a fun stand-out with this bottle. It's got a great minimal but modern look with the 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.
Best Gallon Water Bottle
BuildLife Gallon Motivational Water Bottle ($18)
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.
