The Best Water Bottles To Stay Hydrated on the Go

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You've probably heard that you should drink about half of your body weight in ounces of purified water per day. Many people struggle to reach the recommended daily water intake. This may be because they don’t have access to cold drinking water when they are at work or running errands. However, reaching this goal is feasible if you have a high-quality water bottle you can take with you everywhere you go. In an effort to help you discover the greatest bottle for your lifestyle, we've rounded up some of the highest-quality water bottles in 2023 and highlighted them in this buying guide. This piece also comes with information on choosing the right bottle and answers to some frequently asked questions.

Detailing the Leading Water Bottles of 2023

Iron Flask  —  Best Overall

The Iron Flask Water Bottle is a fantastic option for anyone that needs a water bottle. It is lightweight yet durable, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it when you take it with you on any outdoor adventures. This bottle is made from stainless steel and plastic materials that are 100% BPA-free and don’t leave behind a metallic or plastic taste in your water.

This product also comes with multiple lids: a flip cap plastic lid, a plastic straw top lid, and a screw-on metal lid. At only 0.634 ounces, this water bottle is also one of the most lightweight options available.

Pros

  • This bottle won’t rust
  • It can keep drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for 24 hours
  • It is easy to drink from with multiple lid options

Cons

  • It features small parts that pose a choking hazard to children
  • Some units may come with faulty lids

Simple Modern  —  Most Stylish

This product features everything you could possibly want in a standard water bottle. It can hold 650 milliliters of water (or any other cold beverage) and is leak-proof when the nozzle is closed tight. In addition, the Simple Modern Water Bottle comes in a stylish design that will help you stand out in a crowd. This water bottle comes in various bright colors, including winter white, blush, deep ocean, prism, and many more.

Pros

  • Straw lid can be cleaned in the dishwasher
  • Keeps water cold for multiple hours
  • Contains no traces of BPA 
  • Easy to clean and drink from

Cons

  • Not ideal for storing hot liquids because of the risk of pressure build-up

Fidus  —  Best for Sports

There is no better water bottle for sporting activities than the Fidus bottle. This bottle gives you the option of drinking through a straw or a pipette-style mouthpiece. This product also comes with motivational quotes on it to help you reach your 8-glasses-a-day mark. In addition, it weighs only 6.56 ounces, making it one of the most lightweight bottles available on the market.

This water features hourly markers to ensure you reach your daily water intake goal. It is made from reusable, durable plastic. It is also odor-free and doesn't impart chemicals into your water; plus, it comes in a variety of bright colors to choose from.

Pros

  • Free from BPA
  • Eco-friendly, reusable plastic
  • Comes with a wrist strap for easy carrying 
  • Lid comes with a secure lock that makes it leak-proof

Cons

  • Not ideal for storing hot liquids

Pogo  —  Most Affordable

The Pogo Water Bottle is one of the cheapest and lightest options on the market. It is made from plastic material, comes in multiple colors (pink, grey, blue, and purple), and features a short handle that makes it portable. In addition, this bottle has a lid that securely snaps shut, preventing accidental leaks and spills.

Pros

  • The water bottle is free of cadmium, phthalates, PVC, BPA, and lead
  • Has a leak-proof cover
  • Is super lightweight
  • Its parts are easy to disassemble for cleaning

Cons

  • This product is not ideal for hot beverages

Thermoflask  —  Best Insulation

This product comes with all the features a premium water bottle should have: a superb leak-proof chug lid, insulated stainless steel build, and a plastic handle. Thanks to its innovative vacuum insulation, this bottle will keep your water or beverage cold for hours on end.

The Thermoflask Water Bottle also comes with two different lids that support multiple drinking styles. The Thermoflask bottle is easy to hold and drink from.

Pros

  • This water bottle doesn't rust
  • It contains no BPAs 
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • May be noisy when opening the lid

How to Find a High-Quality Water Bottle: A Buyer's Guide

Water bottles are great for people who are constantly on the go but want to make sure that they are drinking enough water throughout the day. No matter your lifestyle, there is a bottle that will work for you. Some top-tier water bottles come with features that purify the water as you drink it, keep the contents hot or cold, and so on.

Water bottles come in various sizes and designs, and sometimes, the fanciest or biggest bottle isn't the best option for you. There are many factors that a bottle must have in order for it to be considered high quality, and you need to look out for these features before making a purchase. This section highlights a few of these factors and provides you with tips for purchasing the best water bottle.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Water Bottle

Buying a water bottle is a serious decision; you don't want it to break, spill or make you sick due to the presence of toxins. You may also want a bottle that performs special functions, such as purifying your water or adding flavor. If that's the case, continue reading to find out how to find the perfect water bottle for your drinking needs.

Temperature control

If you need a water bottle that'll keep its contents hot or cold for long periods of time, insulated stainless steel water bottles are your best bet.

Durability

Durability is an important factor to consider when determining product quality, and when it comes to water bottles, it is mostly influenced by the material and structure of the bottle. In order to ensure you buy a high-quality water bottle that will last a long time, it's best to avoid glass and single-layered plastic bottles since they shatter pretty easily. However, note that glass water bottles are the healthiest option since they are made from natural substances that pose no risk of water toxicity.

For longevity, it's best to go for a sturdy aluminum or plastic water bottles. They are built to withstand abuse and not break under pressure, so they'll last longer than most other bottles.

Weight

Whether the bottle is for athletics, hiking, or standard daily use, it should be as lightweight as possible. It's a water bottle, not a bag of stones, so it shouldn't weigh a ton.

(Pro tip: Aluminum water bottles are usually the most lightweight.)

Nature of content 

The type of liquid your water bottle will hold is a major factor to consider. For example, if you'll be storing items that contain citrus or any acidic element, it's best to avoid plastic bottles and instead choose a glass bottle to avoid chemical contamination. Plastic bottles are also unsafe for storing hot drinks since some of their components may degrade when exposed to heat, which can pose toxicity risks.

Size

Water bottles come in varying sizes, and the best size bottle for you depends on your lifestyle. The most common type of water bottle is the handheld bottle, which is ideal if you spend a lot of time in the car as it fits easily in a cup holder. Other bottles may hold up to 42 or even 64 ounces; these bottles are too big to fit in a cup holder but are ideal if you don’t want to have to refill your bottle many times throughout the day. With so many sizes available, you are sure to find a bottle that will suit your unique needs.

Filter

Some high-end bottles come with filters to sift out debris and other potentially harmful substances. Hikers and backpackers may find this feature super useful, as it can purify the water from natural streams and make it safe to drink.

Color

The color of a water bottle serves no other function than to increase aesthetic appeal. However, you are more likely to drink water if you like the look of the bottle you’re drinking from. Go for a bottle that matches your vibe, personality, or brand.

Opening/lid

Lids are one of the most important features of water bottles because they determine how easy or difficult it is to drink out of the bottle. Generally, the best water bottle lids to go for are screw-top, nozzle, or spout lids.

Screw-top lids are probably the most common type of bottle lid. They are water bottle covers that sometimes come with a strap of plastic or fabric that makes the bottle easy to carry. Screw top lids allow a lot of water to flow out at once.  

Nozzle lids are short straws attached to the top of water bottles. Although they reduce splashing, these bottles may be difficult to drink out of, as they hinder your ability to breathe while taking a sip. They also don’t allow much water to come out of the bottle. This can be problematic for athletes or hikers.

Spout lids have a small cylindrical piece that sticks out from the top of the lid, allowing a steady and controlled flow of water out of the bottle. They're great for reducing splashing when drinking.

Reusable or plastic

Reusable water bottles are far better than disposable plastic bottles. Reusable plastic bottles are environmentally friendly. By purchasing a reusable water bottle and forgoing the use of disposable bottles, you eliminate plastic waste that will end up in landfills or the ocean. Additionally, reusable bottles greatly decrease your risk of ingesting toxic chemicals (such as BPA) that are commonly found in disposable bottles.

Portability

The portability of a water bottle is determined by many factors, the most essential of which are the bottle’s size and carrying features. We've already established that you should go for a size that suits your needs. But what are the other available portability features? They include handles, straps, and backpacks.

If you'll be running, it's not ideal to go for bottles with handles or straps because they'll hinder your movement. Instead, opt for a backpack that has a water pouch so you can stay hydrated without interrupting your run. If you are not going to be running with your bottle, then choose an option that has a handle or strap to make it easier to carry. 

Presence of harmful chemicals

Old water bottles have a bad rep for containing Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical agent found to cause brain damage, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and congenital abnormalities.

New water bottles don't usually come with the risk of such chemicals, but there's no harm in making sure. Search and confirm from the product description that the product is BPA-free before buying any water bottle.