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Is there anything more universal than a water bottle? We all need to drink water to stay alive, but since there are plenty of places where fresh water is not readily available – a water bottle is one of the most common accessories to have.
As such – there are also an overwhelming amount of water bottle models available. We did the research, drank from many different types of bottles, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews.
We did all this – simply to find the best water bottle. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Klean Kanteen Classic
A few different members of our staff have all had this model since 2013 – it’s a flawless water bottle. Importantly, it’s made from stainless steel (not plastic), and there is a 64 ounce model available – which we highly recommend, if you don’t like having to get up and constantly refill your bottle, throughout the day.
Other Great Picks
Simple Modern Summit
With over 3,800 online reviews – and a near-perfect score – this water bottle from Simple Modern is another great choice. Some reviewers have even mentioned ice lasting nearly 2 days, in this bottle! While we didn’t test it quite that much – it’s a fine, stainless steel bottle – if for some reason you don’t want to go with the Klean Kanteen model.
Hydro Flask
One of the most popular water bottles on the internet – the Hydro Flask has amassed over 3,200 postive, online reviews. We loved using the Hydro Flask, and even under the most strenuous tests – it never leaked. Quite remarkable, as some water bottles will leak when turned upside down, or in other odd positions.
Nalgene Tritan
With over 5,800 positive online reviews – the Tritan from Nalgene is one of the most popular water bottles in the world. The plastic it is made out of is BPA free – but this is still not quite as good as drinking from a stainless steel bottle. However, this water bottle is at a much better price point – barely costing more than a fast food meal, even though it will hold up for years.
Embrava Best Sports Water Bottle
With over 4,700 glowing online reviews – this water bottle from Embrava is a great buy. If you’re more active, this may be a better choice than some of the other bottles listed, as it has a leak-proof top, and can open with one touch.
BuildLife 1 Gallon Water Bottle
This unique one gallon water bottle not only holds more than our other picks – it has motivational sayings at each hydration level, on the bottle. Kind of a fun (and healthy) gift.
HYDRO CELL Stainless Steel Water Bottle
With over 2,300 glowing online reviews, this stainless steel water bottle from Hydro Cell is a great choice. We found it was great at keeping liquids at their temperature – even for extended periods of time. Our staff couldn’t decide on their favorite color – but luckily there are many to choose from.
Contigo 2063296 Autoseal Chill Water Bottle
This stainless steel water bottle from Contigo is another fine choice. With over 2,800 glowing online reviews, and a slightly lower price point than some bottles – it’s a perfect pick for anyone who wants to avoid drinking out of plastic, but also save money.
Under Armour Sideline 64 Ounce Water Jug
With over 2,200 positive online reviews, this 64 ounce water bottle from Under Armour is ideal for sports. It comes in a sleek black color, and is easy to bring anywhere. We did prefer other models for the office, but for sports and active events – this is a great pick.
Cactaki Water Bottle with Time Marker
With a perfect 5-star score after over 1,800 online reviews – this water bottle from Cactaki is a great choice. It fits into cup holders (not always true for water bottles), and has a unique time marker, letting you know where you should be at, with your daily water consumption.
Tree Tribe Eco Bottle
When you are looking for an eco-friendly option – this is the water bottle to go with. Even the cap is made from stainless steel (not plastic). Ten trees are planted for every water bottle purchased – which makes this the absolute best purchase if you are deeply concerned about the environment.
Why Do You Need A Water Bottle?
Sadly, most of us do not drink enough water. Though health experts recommend about 3/4 of a gallon to 1 gallon of water per day (men tend to need slightly more) – most do not come close to meeting this guideline.
Even being 5% dehydrated can cause side effects – most commonly these include extreme tiredness and hunger. While most of us think we need to eat in this state – we’re actually just dehydrated.
This is where the water bottle comes in – it makes it easy to stay hydrated all day. Our staff has various water bottles – but a bigger choice (like a 64 ounce bottle) – makes it much easier to drink enough.
This is because you’ll always be lugging it around – and 64 ounces is heavy. Just to make it less heavy, you’ll be motivated to drink more.
While this sounds simplistic, it actually works very well in practice. On top of this, just one refill is all you need during the day – and you’ll have met your quota.
This is a far better scenario than carrying a tiny bottle, and constantly have to be filling it up. Not only is this inconvenient, you’ll have to remember how many times a day you’ve already refilled your bottle.
Water bottles are also eco-friendly – no more plastic cups. A good stainless steel water bottle does not grow any bacteria, and can be used for months (if not years).
How We Picked The Best Water Bottle
After aggregating tens of thousands of actual user reviews, and testing the top picks – we can confidently recommend the best water bottle. We looked at the safety and longevity of each bottle (including the materials each is made out of), how well each bottle is sealed from leaks, customer service of the company, and their online reputation.
Luckily, because we were only reviewing the best water bottles – we did not run into any taste issues. However, if you go with a cheap or low-quality water bottle – you may definitely notice taste issues.
While we usually recommend budget options for many products – we don’t recommend going for a less expensive water bottle. This is because you won’t save much money, and you will run a great risk of running into water bottles made with poor manufacturing standards – which may even include plastic leeching into your drinking water.
Bottled Water – Why You Don’t Need It Anymore
While it is important to drink filtered water – it is insanely expensive to buy bottled water every day. With a water bottle – you’re looking at a fraction of the cost.
Simply make sure to clean your water bottle regularly, and always fill it up with filtered water. Disturbingly, tap water in the US has been found to have both lead and PFOA in it – in addition to at least 9 other harmful substances.
These substances include arsenic, radium, copper, and even traces of prescription medications. While some areas are hit worse than others – it is always imperative to avoid tap water, and opt for filtered water.
Some water bottles even come with filters built right in – which can save you an extra step. Make sure to always opt for a water bottle that also won’t grow any bacteria – or seep plastic into the very water you are drinking.
Best Water Bottle Materials
If you are choosing a water bottle, what the bottle is made out of is crucially important. Plastic is not the best option – but if you must go with it – opt for a BPA-free bottle.
Stainless steel and glass are the best materials for a water bottle, as they won’t seep chemicals, or allow bacteria to grow. Stainless steel and glass bottles are also more easily cleaned, and are less likely to develop a biofilm.
In a (rather disgusting) study, researchers found that more than 80% of plastic bottles used by actual gym members – were contaminated with bacteria. This included Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli bacteria.
Stainless steel and glass are also far better for the environment. So while it may cost a few dollars more to get a stainless steel or glass water bottle – the benefits are definitely worth it.
Manufacturers have also come up with a new type of water bottle – one with a self-cleaning mechanism. While we did not test any of these, the idea sounds promising.
Dehydration Effects And Warning Signs
Believe it or not, your body is over 50% water. What this means, is that you need a constant new supply coming in, each day.
This is why you will die from dehydration before hunger – water is actually more essential than food. And yet, many of us go through each day dehydrated – either a little bit, or a lot.
Being dehydrated is actually the biggest cause of headaches, though many don’t think to simply grab a glass of water when their head is pounding. Being dehydrated also can stop your short memory from working as well, and may even make your joints hurt a little bit more.
If you are female, you may be extra interested to know that staying hydrated means your skin will stay looking healthy. Being chronically dehydrated may lead to a decrease in skin appearance – which absolutely no one wants.
Being hydrated also is associated with weight gain – mostly because we will eat more, if we’re not hydrated. Our body gets confused, and we think we need to eat – but really we just need water.
And soda doesn’t count – it actually has sodium and caffeine – which is designed to make you thirstier. This is why you will never feel less thirsty after drinking a soda – and studies have shown that you will actually eat more, when you have a soda with food.
If you become very dehydrated, you may experience dark urine, very dry skin, sunken eyes, rapid breathing, dizziness, and even a rapid heartbeat. The first side effects usually experienced, include fatigue and mental confusion.
At even 5% dehydration, you will start to experience side effects. Shockingly, if you become 15% dehydrated – death can result.
How Many Bottles Of Water Is A Gallon?
If you are unable to bring your water bottle with you, you can resort to drinking bottled water. In this situation, you’ll have to keep track of how many bottles you need, to hit your hydration quota.
On average, eight, 16 ounce bottles of water will equate to one gallon. As you can tell from just reading the number, it is quite difficult to drink eight bottles of water.
Additionally, buying that many bottles will be equivalent to the same cost as simply buying a water bottle. Once the actual numbers and costs are presented – it’s obvious to see there are no benefits to regularly drinking bottled water, instead of simply regularly reusing your own water bottle.
How To Clean A Water Bottle
Most of us do not clean our water bottle nearly often enough. Since they seem clean, most of us just let it go.
The reality, however, is far different. Bacteria can grow in even the least favorable conditions – including inside your water bottle.
You should wash your water bottle every 24 hours – and make sure you clean it thoroughly. If your water bottle is dishwasher-safe, you can simply place it through a clean and rinse cycle.
But if you need to hand wash your water bottle – make sure you scrub the inside of it with a bottle brush. You’ll also want to thoroughly scrub the cap (more bacteria can actually grow in it) – and then leave both the bottle and cap to air dry.
The Best Water Bottle
There you have it – our picks for the best water bottle. Whether you want a big 64 ounce bottle, or just a portable glass one – there is truly a water bottle out there for everyone.
Remember that tap water is typically contaminated with all kinds of nasty chemicals – and bottled water is far too expensive to buy regularly. Not only do water bottles help you stay healthier and more hydrated – they are also far better for the environment.
However, there are a ton of great home and kitchen items besides water bottles – so be sure to take a look at our other top product reviews.