Staying hydrated is one of those annoying things humans have to do in order to stay alive, and having the best water bottle for your lifestyle is a great way to make sure that you maintain the ideal 60% water-to-other-stuff ratio in your body. As someone who likes the idea of drinking water but can’t seem to stick to the whole eight-glasses-a-day routine, I’ve tried a lot of water bottles. I still have an ancient sticker-covered Nalgene that I keep purely for sentimental purposes, giant water bottles for road trips and day hikes, stainless steel water bottles for insulation, and glass water bottles for when I want to feel fancy. Some of them have actually helped me stay more hydrated, while others just live rent-free in the cabinet above my stove that only gets opened once a year. If you’re looking for a new water bottle to meet your 2024 hydration goals, here are some of BA’s editor-approved picks.
The Cult-Favorite
While the Stanley cup craze might never truly end, we’d like to offer this alternative: the Owala Freesip. BA writer Ali Francis, and many other staffers, are deeply obsessed with this water bottle. The 32-ounce insulated bottle has a leak-proof cap and a convertible mouthpiece that works for straw enthusiasts and people who like to chug their beverages. Plus, it is inarguably the coolest-looking water bottle on this list, and maybe the planet.
The Emotional-Support Water Bottle
Everyone has one water bottle they reach for again and again purely for emotional support purposes, and mine is this 32-ounce stainless steel bottle from Mermaid Straw. I generally prefer water bottles with straw lids, and this one is both easy to sip from and easy to clean. My favorite thing, though, is the handle, because it means I can easily clip this to a tote bag with a carabiner, but I can also just hold it like a little hydration accessory. The vacuum insulated design also keeps water cold for over 24 hours.
The Motivational Water Bottle
This is the water bottle I tend to keep out on my desk when I know I need to drink more water, and it’s also the one I bring with me on long trips. It’s made from lightweight, BPA-free plastic, and it comes with a silicone sleeve to prevent condensation. There’s also a fabric loop for easy carrying, a straw lid, and a fruit infusion strainer in case you want to make your water less boring with things like lemon slices and fresh herbs. The key, though, is the time markers on the side. It’s not as annoying as a water bottle that says, “you’ve got this!” but it still offers a gentle reminder that you’re probably not drinking as much as you should.
The Big One
Sometimes it is just better to have a giant water bottle, and HydroJug’s 64-ounce offerings are my favorites for things like overnight camping trips and long car rides. I’ve used both their BPA-free plastic option and the double-walled stainless steel, and both have their benefits. I love how lightweight and easy to carry the plastic version is—plus, it comes in a bunch of colors—but it’s hard to beat the sleek matte finish of the stainless steel insulated water bottle. The only downside to these water bottles is that they won’t fit in a car cup holder.
The Classics
If you come across a list of the best reusable water bottles that doesn’t have Nalgene and Hydroflask options, don’t trust it. They may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, feature-laden, over designed water bottles on the market, but there’s a reason these brands have been around for so long. In general, Nalgene is better for people who prefer lightweight plastic water bottles, while Hydroflask is the go-to for anyone who prefers double-walled stainless steel. Both brands make water bottles in a wide variety of sizes, with every possible mouthpiece configuration from wide mouth to straw lids, chug caps, and beyond.
The Outdoorsy Options
Every outdoorsy person I know owns at least one Camelbak product, and most of them have a Camelbak Eddy water bottle. It’s lightweight, leakproof, and easy to use while you’re on the move since all you have to do is flip up the straw lid and bite down. Takeya also makes a great stainless steel water bottle with a spout lid and a carrying loop that you can easily clip to your daypack with a carabiner.
The Best Glass Bottles
If you want your water bottle to feel a little fancy, or if you don’t love stainless steel or plastic bottles, a glass bottle is your best bet. In my experience, a glass water bottle is a disaster waiting to happen unless it comes with a silicone sleeve, which both of these do. I’ve never met a W&P Porter product I didn’t love, and their glass water bottle is no exception. It comes in a few on-trend color options, but I’m partial to the Terazzo Blush. Purifyou also makes a great glass water bottle with volume markers on the sleeve and an O-ring carrying handle on the screw-top lid. Glass bottles are also dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to avoid the dreaded feeling that your water bottle isn’t as clean as you want it to be.
The Collapsible Water Bottle
Sometimes it’s nice to have the option of a reusable water bottle without committing to carrying one around for the rest of eternity. A lot of collapsible cups and bottles lack the structure to be truly functional, but STOJO’s collapsible water bottle is the exception. It’s made from food-grade silicone, has a leak-proof lid, and can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. This is my favorite water bottle for commuting, since I can empty and collapse it at the end of the day to lighten my load.
Plus: A Water Bottle Sling
If you’re the kind of person who adds “water bottle” to your “phone, keys, wallet” checklist before leaving the house, Dagne Dover’s water bottle sling is going to change your life. This This neoprene and mesh bag can fit a 32-ounce bottle in the center pocket, and features four additional exterior pocket—including one that’s just the right size for your AirPods. There’s also a detachable, adjustable cross-body strap, and a key leash so you won’t have to go fishing when you get back home.
