Whether you’re camping, hiking, or going for a stroll on the local rail trail, your water bottle should be the first thing you grab on your way out the door. The best water bottles can keep liquids cold or hot, collapse completely to fit in a backpack, and some can even decant wine.
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With 75% of Americans considered to be chronically dehydrated and an even higher number seeking to reduce plastic waste, there’s never been a better time to buy a new reusable bottle, fill it up, and get drinking. Before you skip to the sip, it’s important to consider what you’ll need your new water bottle for. From insulated to lightweight solutions for thru-hikers, here’s our roundup of the best water bottles.
How We Chose the Best Water Bottles
Several companies claim to offer the best water bottle for every outdoor situation. So, how did we decide which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash? First, we sifted through verified customer reviews and weighed which bottles had the right attributes to suit a variety of scenarios and which offered true value for money. Then, we tabulated the results to determine which water bottle deserves a place in your hand, backpack, or car cup holder.
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Our Picks for the Best Water Bottles
- Best Insulated Water Bottle: Hydro Flask Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap
- Best Water Bottle for Kids: Iron Flask 10oz Kids Water Bottle
- Best Budget Water Bottle: Pogo 18oz CHUG tRitan™ Plastic Water Bottle
- Best Water Bottle for Camping: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask
- Best Water Bottle for Outdoors: LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle With Filter
Best Insulated Water Bottle: Hydro Flask Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap
Pros:
- Cupholder-compatible
- Leakproof straw
- Sturdy stainless steel
Cons:
- Scratchable surface
- Complaints about the straw
- Flex Straw Cap not for hot liquids
About the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap
Born from dissatisfaction with mainstream water bottles in outdoor mecca Bend, Oregon, Hydro Flask has delivered a variety of much-loved water bottles for various outdoor pursuits since 2009. The dynamic and durable Hydro Flask Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap is a great example of the style and innovation that the company has become known for.
This slender bottle tops our roundup of the best insulated water bottles. It slides seamlessly into most car cupholders for easy access en route to your big adventure. The leak-proof Flex Straw Cap and sturdy stainless steel design work together to withstand rocky roads from planned (and unplanned) detours. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap normally costs $39.95, which makes it a more premium water bottle when it’s not on sale.
Why We Chose It
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth with Flex Straw Cap is our pick for the best-insulated water bottle. That’s because it features TempShield®️ double-wall vacuum insulation. This is designed to maintain temperature. When you arrive at the trail, liberate your hydration station and slide it into your backpack, where it’ll keep liquids inside cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. If you prefer to keep your liquid ice cold all day, twist off the top and slip in a few ice cubes before you leave the house. The finger carry loop makes it an excellent pick for dog walkers who need an easy way to carry their bottle and sip en route.
Best Water Bottle for Kids: Iron Flask 10oz Kids Water Bottle
Pros:
- Keeps contents cool
- Fits in small cup holders
- Colorful and customizable
Cons:
- Shiny surface can be slippery
- Spills if not closed properly
- Design may peel off over time
About the Iron Flask 10oz Kids Water Bottle
If you think your water bottle goes through a lot, spare a thought for a kids’ water bottle. The best water bottle for kids must be durable, cool, and stand out from the crowd, like the Iron Flask 10oz Kids Water Bottle, our top pick. This well-designed water bottle features a leak-proof straw lid to keep it from spilling all over homework in a backpack. Its stainless steel construction means you won’t have to replace it in a hurry. It also has a convenient handle that makes it easy for kids to carry and throw in the air (because you know that’s going to happen).
Iron Flask 10oz Kids Water Bottle has enough features for a longer life than most basic bottles to make it worth the more premium price for a kids’ water bottle, with a regular price of $17.99.
Why We Chose It
The Iron Flask 10oz Kids Water Bottle is bright yellow and covered in dinosaurs, with dozens of other colors and designs available. But that’s not the only thing Junior will love about this trendy water bottle for kids. It also comes equipped with 20 name stickers so everybody will know who has the coolest water bottle on the playground. Other features that kids will love include the double-walled insulation, which keeps whatever tasty treat is being kept inside cold for 14 whole hours.
Best Budget Water Bottle: Pogo 18oz CHUG tRitan™ Plastic Water Bottle
Pros:
- Very affordable
- BPA free
- Chug-style lid
Cons:
- Not as durable as stainless steel
- Not easy to open for kids
- Prone to leaking after extended use
About the Pogo 18oz CHUG tRitan™ Plastic Water Bottle
For an affordable water bottle without the bells and whistles, check out the 18oz CHUG tRitan™ Plastic Water Bottle from Pogo. Made with entirely BPA-free Tritan™ plastic, this sturdy bottle isn’t as tough as stainless steel options but can still take a few hits. Stuffing it in your packed bag will also be less awkward than bulkier flasks made with more durable materials. It’s also available in various funky colors and patterns to suit your unique taste. Despite being made without BPAs, you can still expect some leeching that can alter the taste of water inside if you don’t replace it after an extended period.
The 18oz CHUG tRitan™ Plastic Water Bottle is a slice of the price of the other water bottles in our roundup at just $8.99 normally.
Why We Chose It
This simple but effective plastic water bottle has a chug-style lid, so you can gulp plenty of water and return to the court, field, or trail even faster, and it’s big enough to slot in a few ice cubes without removing the whole thing. The 18oz CHUG tRitan™ Plastic Water Bottle is an ideal water solution for people on a budget who are planning a walk in the park or a shorter hike, thanks to the soft touch carry loop that will make it easier to swing by your side if you’re not bringing a bag. However, thru-hikers or kids who use it for a game of catch may not find it tough enough.
Best Water Bottle for Camping: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask
Pros:
- Multipurpose design
- Super stylish custom design
- Thermal core
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Too bulky for short trips
About Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask
To call the Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask a water bottle is doing this innovative flask a disservice. While you can keep water in it, it has more features than a top-of-the-range Tesla. Described as “the Swiss Army tool of insulated bottles,” this flask converts into a coffee maker (cold brew or pour-over), cocktail shaker, and even a wine decanter. Brew tea in it and sip it from the removable mug on the bottom, revealing the custom art underneath. If you do want to stick to water, the infusing attachment allows you to infuse it with cucumbers, lime, or whatever takes your fancy.
The Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask is not just a bottle; it’s a camping lifeline. Normally priced at $95, it is a premium investment. But, you’re getting a whole host of features unmatched by any other bottle on the market for that price. If you’re going off the beaten track, pair this water bottle with water purification tablets.
Why We Chose It
If you have money in the budget to go premium, the Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask is the all-in-one camping buddy you’ve been searching for. Made to be rugged, it features a double-wall stainless steel coated in a durable powder coat and has a silicon sleeve to protect the base. Inside, you’ll find a thermal cor. That part can be placed in the freezer to keep the contents cold without diluting the flavor with ice. Hibear is so confident about its bottle that you can test it on your next road trip for 60 days and return it if it’s not the right fit.
Best Water Bottle for Outdoors: LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle With Filter
Pros:
- Collapsible to fit in a backpack
- Holds one liter of water
- Membrane microfilter
Cons:
- Filter can clog
- Slow filtration time
- Taste can be compromised
About LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter
Whether you’re hiking the whole AT or going for a weekend romp through the woods, all thru-hikers know that saving space and weight is vital. With a reconfigured tiny filter and a collapsible design, the LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter is a space-saving solution that may be lifesaving when you need clean water in the wilderness.
Designed to handle wear and tear anywhere your next adventure takes you, the LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter ensures you have a reliable source of clean water on many outdoor expeditions to come. Fill it with water for the next section of your hike (remove the filter to store more water), then squeeze water through it when cooking rice at your next campsite.
The LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter is $43.95 at the regular price. It may seem pricier than a regular water bottle or even most insulated bottles, but it comes with an incredible filtration system built in.
Why We Chose It
Outdoor enthusiasts may need space for the LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter on their next thru-hike. Anybody who needs clean water will get a kick from this water bottle and filter combo. However, it’ll be a better fit for people who need to get rid of harmful bacteria on the trail than people needing a water bottle for a game of pickleball (as the bottle doesn’t stand up on its own). Don’t expect to filter water quickly through this bottle; it’s designed to squash into a backpack and has a tiny filter that extends the filtration time.
What to Consider When Choosing a Water Bottle?
Durability
From kids who need their bottles to bounce back (literally) to campers who fling their supplies into the trunk and hit the road on a whim, finding a durable water bottle that will stand the test of time is vital. If you want something that can survive anything, you’ll have to be willing to carry more weight with you on the trail.
Insulation
Some people will be happy enough with a couple of hours of cold water, but others will desire cold water all day. Do you need a water bottle that can keep your morning coffee hot all morning, or is a more affordable plastic bottle with no insulation a better fit? It’s essential to consider what you’ll mainly be using your water bottle for and how long it needs to keep liquid cold (or hot).
Price
If you’ve been saving all your cash, you may be able to afford a bottle with unique features like a removable mug, diffusers, and more, but there’s no need to buy a hefty bottle with all these additions for a walk around the block with your dog. Once again, consider what you’ll be using the bottle for and match that with how much you’d be willing to spend.
FAQ
Which Water Bottle Brand Is the Best?
There are a whole host of innovative water brands out there to suit your individual outdoor needs. Hibear offers a flask with everything you need for a camping weekend, while Hydro Flask and Iron Flask are household names that offer durable, insulated water bottles for life on the go.
What Is the Healthiest Water Bottle To Use?
When selecting a water bottle, be sure to choose a BPA-free one. Plastic bottles can leak over time, so you’ll want to stick to stainless steel for a healthier option. The LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter can also turn dangerous water into drinkable water on the trail.
Is Hydroflask or YETI Better?
YETI and Hydroflask are around the $40 mark, and there’s not much between them for quality. Both bottles are well insulated and keep contents cold longer than most competitors. Chuggers may find the YETI design to be the ideal water bottle choice because the chug cap on the classic Rambler spins off with ease thanks to the handle at the top. Hydroflask’s Flex Straw Cap is a great design, too, and will suit people who prefer to sip through a straw.
Why Are Stanley Water Bottles So Popular?
William Stanley Jr. invented the insulating steel vacuum bottle that we all know and love back in 1913. He went on to start the Stanley brand, which has been making water bottles, tumblers, flasks, and more ever since. In recent years, the brand has upped its marketing and begun selling Stanley bottles as a lifestyle choice on social media, which has raised popularity among younger buyers.
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