Whether you’re always on the go or just like to stay hydrated, a reusable water bottle is a good way to keep track of your water intake, especially if you’re trying to hit daily hydration goals. A reusable water bottle can also save you money and help the environment in the long run: according to a 2021 study published in the Journal Nature Sustainability, plastic bottles are the second most common type of plastic found in ocean pollution, second only to single-use plastic bags. Plus, vacuum insulated water bottles, like the ones we recommend below, can keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours, a win-win.
SKIP AHEAD How to shop for a water bottle
Related
The best reusable water bottles in 2023
To help you choose the best water bottle, we compiled a list of highly-rated options and surveyed staff on their favorites that have stood the test of time. Based on expert advice, most of the water bottles we recommend are stainless steel, but we also included a few that are plastic or glass. Most of the water bottles we recommend have several lid options to choose from, as well.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Hydro Flask’s Wide Mouth Water Bottle is a Select Wellness Award winner. It comes in four sizes (20 ounces, 32 ounces, 40 ounces and 64 ounces) and can be customized with different caps and lids like a Press-In Lid (that slides open and shut) and a Flex Cap (that twists on and off). The stainless steel water bottle is made with the brand’s TempShield double wall vacuum insulation that, according to the brand, helps keep your water cold for up to 24 hours and your hot drinks warm for up to 12 hours. I have a pretty big water bottle collection, including multiple Hydro Flasks, and I am amazed every time my ice stays intact for several hours. The bottle is dishwasher-safe, too — I wash mine on the top rack and haven’t had any issues. The Hydro Flask has a 4.8-star average rating from 39,152 reviews on Amazon.
Yeti Rambler Water Bottle
Yeti is a pioneer in the cooler space, so it’s not surprising that the brand also makes great water bottles. Available in eight sizes, the dishwasher-safe Yeti Rambler Water Bottle uses double wall vacuum insulation that keeps drinks both hot, or cold, says the brand. If you don’t like the screw-on lid it comes with, you can buy several other types separately. Select editorial operations associate Rebecca Rodriguez, who self-identifies as a clutz, said the tumbler’s Straw Cap has prevented many a spill. The Yeti rambler has a 4.8-star average rating from 19,978 reviews on Amazon.
S’well Water Bottle
I have quite a few S’well bottles in my collection. They are made of durable stainless steel that can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. The bottles come in several fun colors and patterns and three sizes — 9 ounces, 17 ounces and 25 ounces — and you can also shop S’ip by S’well, a more affordable line of 15-ounce bottles. The S’well is not dishwasher-safe, but you can purchase a cleaning brush to get inside the bottle when you hand wash it. S’well’s bottle has a 4.7-star average rating from thousands of reviews on Amazon.
Takeya Originals Spout Bottle
This dishwasher-safe stainless steel water bottle keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours thanks to its double wall vacuum insulation, according to Takeya. It has a leak-proof spout lid that’s easy to sip on the go and comes in four sizes: 18 ounces, 24 ounces, 32 ounces and 40 ounces. Select editor Christina Colizza has owned hers for years and noted that it has endured multiple falls on hikes and hard floors, without a scratch or spill. The brand says that the bottle comes with a lifetime warranty. It has a 4.8-star average rating from 36,487 reviews on Amazon.
ThermoFlask Bottle with Chug Lid and Straw Lid
According to ThermoFlask, this double wall vacuum insulated bottle can keep your drink cold for up to 24 hours. It comes with two lids — a Chug Lid that twists off and a Straw Lid that pops open — and is available in four sizes: 18 ounces, 24 ounces, 32 ounces and 40 ounces. If you don’t like the Chug Lid or the Straw Lid, ThermoFlask sells other lids separately, including a Spout Lid and a Travel Mug Lid. The bottle has a 4.8-star average rating from 46,311 reviews on Amazon.
LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
LARQ’s water bottle is equipped with UV-C light sanitizing technology. UV-C light sanitizers “kill microbes quickly,” Philip Tierno, PhD, clinical professor in the department of pathology at New York University Langone Medical Center, previously told us in our tech sanitation guide. The LARQ technology sanitizes the bottle every two hours and eliminates up to 99% of bacteria and viruses, according to the brand. The stainless steel bottle is also double wall vacuum insulated to keep water cold for up to 24 hours, the brand says. It has a 4.4-star average rating from 803 reviews on Amazon.
Simple Modern Insulated Water Bottle
Available in sizes ranging from 14 ounces to 128 ounces and with different lids to choose from, the Simple Modern water bottle is highly customizable. It’s made of stainless steel and features double wall vacuum insulation to keep your drinks cold, though the brand doesn’t recommend using it with hot or carbonated beverages. The water bottle has a 4.8-star average rating from 2,230 reviews on Amazon.
Camelbak 20-Ounce Eddy+ Insulated Bottle
This dishwasher-safe plastic water bottle from Camelback has double wall vacuum insulation to both maintain your water’s temperature and prevent condensation, according to the brand. The cap features a drink-through straw as well as a carrying handle, and the brand says the lid is leak-proof when the straw is down. The Eddy+ has a 4.6-star average rating from 7,373 reviews on Amazon.
How to shop for a water bottle
If the only thing you really need your water bottle to do is hold water, then pretty much any type will suffice. However, if factors like temperature control, durability and ease of use are important to you, then you’ll want to consider each water bottle’s material and lid type when buying.
Material
Water bottles are typically made with three main types of materials: metal, plastic and glass. Steve Whitworth, director of product at RTIC Outdoors, helped break down some of the major pros and cons of each.
- Metal water bottles are the most common and the most popular. These bottles are vacuum insulated, which means they “keep contents hot or cold for many hours,” Whitworth explained. They tend to be relatively lightweight and durable, and unlike glass and plastic, condensation doesn’t form. However, these water bottles are often the most expensive. Still, “stainless steel is nearly indestructible and cannot be beaten,” Whitworth said.
- Plastic water bottles are the most lightweight and they’re generally pretty durable and easy to clean. However, they’re usually not insulated and tend to have condensation issues, which can make the water bottle both wet and slippery. You also can’t use plastic water bottles with hot liquids — the bottle could warp or even melt.
- Glass water bottles are often dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean. However, like plastic bottles, glass water bottles are not insulated and can’t be used with hot liquids. Glass also tends to be heavy and delicate — if you’re prone to dropping things, this probably isn’t the best option.
Lid type
There are many different water bottle lid types, and depending on the water bottle you get, you may be able to buy several lids to match your needs. According to Whitworth, three of the most common lids are flip-back lids, flip-up straw lids and screw-on lids — each has benefits, so it just depends what you’re using your water bottle for.
- Flip-back lids provide a tight seal to prevent leakage, Whitworth said. “They also have a higher volume flow and are perfect for when [you’re] taking a break from activities,” he noted.
- Flip-up straw lids are a good choice if you use your water bottle on the go or when you’re working out. “You do not need to lift them above your head [and] they keep … the cold in,” Whitworth said.
- Screw-on lids allow the most water flow, according to Whitworth. They offer a tight seal to avoid any spillage, making them a good option if you need to keep your water bottle in your purse or backpack.
Meet our experts
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Steve Whitworth director of product at cooler and outdoor gear manufacturer RTIC Outdoors
Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.