The Best Water Bottles

Whether you plan to use it at work, at home or on the go, a reusable water bottle offers an eco-friendly alternative to single-use bottles — and it comes with convenience. You can easily refill your drink any time you need to, and you can usually use the bottle for other liquids, too. Some bottles will even keep your drink at the right temperature throughout the day.

To start exploring water bottle options, first consider your planned use for it, since water bottles come in many styles and sizes. If you want something portable, a slender water bottle that holds maybe 16 ounces can be easy to carry, though you’ll have the tradeoff of more frequent refills. On the other hand, if you plan to use the bottle during long trips or activities, you might want a larger bottle that can hold 32 ounces or more despite being heavier and bulkier.

You also get a lot of variety when it comes to water bottle materials. You’ll want to consider them all carefully since they have different pros and cons depending on your use. These include glass, plastic, stainless steel and aluminum water bottles, and you can find them in all kinds of colors.

Glass water bottles are easy to clean in the dishwasher and don’t affect your water’s taste, but they are also fragile and lack insulation. Plastic bottles, on the other hand, are lightweight and come in many styles, but they can break down sooner, affect the water’s taste and present health issues if they contain bisphenol A (BPA).

When looking at metal water bottle options, aluminum bottles usually aren’t too heavy, but they can also contain BPA and affect the water’s taste. Stainless steel bottles, on the other hand, come with many benefits like insulation for hot and cold drinks, durability, versatility and portability. However, they are heavier than some other materials and may require hand-washing.

Along with finding a water bottle made of the right material, you’ll want to consider the bottle’s mouth and lid. Some bottles will have wide mouths so that they’re easy to fill and clean. The lid can also have different attachments that fit your drinking style. While some bottles just have a lid that twists on and off, others have a convenient built-in spout or straw that might even be attached to a water filter.

Finally, make sure to get a water bottle that’s easy to carry. Many water bottles will have a handle or strap attached for your convenience. However, others do not have this feature, and such a bottle would work best if you plan to carry it in a bag rather than by hand throughout the day.

• During your research, you might find that a single water bottle doesn’t work for all your activities. For example, you might want a simple workout-style bottle for the gym, as well as an insulated bottle that can keep liquids hot and cold as needed. In such cases, you might consider getting a few water bottles for flexibility.
• If you purchase a water bottle that uses a filter, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before use. For example, you’ll usually need to activate the filter by running it under water or soaking it, and you’ll likely need to replace the filter after a few months of use. Also, avoid putting anything other than water in such bottles.
• It’s a good idea to wash your water bottle often, preferably daily, to avoid bacteria building up in it. You can check with the manufacturer to see if you can simply put the bottle in the dishwasher. Otherwise, you can use some water and dish soap and give the bottle, cap and any other components a thorough wash.
• You’ll find that manufacturers may list different times when it comes to how long insulated bottles can keep drinks warm or cold. For example, this might be 8 to 12 hours for warm drinks and 18 to 24 hours for cold ones. For the best results, start with iced water to keep your drink coldest the longest, and you’ll want your drink already very warm if you’re using a bottle to keep it hot.
• Personalizing a water bottle with text and stickers has become popular and gives you a chance to make a plain bottle look more creative. While you can always buy stickers, you can make your own from vinyl if you’re crafty. Metallic permanent markers can also work for simple designs.