Are reusable water bottles really better?

Yes! Considering that 91% of plastic isn't recycled, disposable plastic water bottles are sure to end up in landfills. Buying a high-quality, reusable water bottle or thermos ensures you always have water on hand and you're not contributing to plastic waste. That's also why it's key to pick a durable water bottle that you'll get countless uses out of.

What reusable water bottle is safest?

Find a water bottle that is BPA-free and made of a material like stainless steel or glass. You'll find water bottles made of these materials on this list—most are free of plastic, or at the very least are BPA-free. If you're concerned about accidentally dropping and breaking a glass bottle, our overall pick, the bkr Water Bottle, is glass wrapped in a silicone sleeve for peace of mind.

Is it better to drink from glass or stainless steel?

Stainless steel is used to make water bottles because it often has a coating that keeps drinks hot or cold . Glass can be ideal as well because it tends to preserve the taste of beverages without any metallic aftertaste that some containers are known to do, but it doesn't have the insulation capabilities of stainless steel. Many people consider it safest to drink from because it doesn't leach and is also easily recyclable.

The 12 Best Water Bottles in 2022

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It may seem like there’s not much to talk about when it comes to water bottles. Get a bottle, pour some water in it, drink said water. And sure, you could make it that simple…or you could put a little more time and effort into your water bottle shopping and seriously step up your sipping game. After all, let’s be real—most of us likely aren’t drinking enough H₂O daily, and what better motivation to stay hydrated than a new water bottle? (And we can’t forget to mention the environmental impact, too. If you aren’t yet using a reusable water bottle, it’s time. About ninety-one percent of all plastic isn’t recycled, taking a major toll on the planet.) Whether you need one to help you power through your workouts, are looking for an option with added benefits, or just want to have a bottle that will look cute on your desk, these fit the bill.

Keep scrolling for our picks of the best water bottles on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

bkr Water Bottle at Amazon

These chic glass bottles come in different prints and colors, all wrapped in cushiony silicone sleeves.

Best Budget:

Built Perfect Seal Water Bottle at Amazon

The double-walled stainless steel keeps water cold for up to 24 hours—and it's affordable.

Best for Travel:

HYDAWAY Collapsible Water Bottle at Amazon

This pick collapses down to a thin disk, making it a cinch to travel with.

Best for Workouts:

Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle at Amazon

A leakproof, insulated spout in the lid makes one-hand sipping super easy—a must for mid-workout water breaks.

Best Luxury:

LARQ Insulated Self-Cleaning Stainless Steel Water Bottle at Amazon

This luxe water bottle cleans itself, making it well worth the high price tag.

Best Oversized:

S'well Roamer at Amazon

If you hate refilling your water bottle during the day, this oversized bottle is for you.

Best With Straw:

CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle with Straw at Amazon

This pick has a straw that has 25% more flow, an easy-to-carry loop handle, and is also BPA-free and completely dishwasher safe.

Best for Work:

Glacce Crystal Elixir Water Bottle at Freepeople.com

Housing one of four different crystals, this water bottle will keep you positive and energized throughout the work day.

Best Glass:

SOMA Glass Water Bottle at Amazon

Minimalist and chic, there are few things not to love about this glass water bottle.

Best Smart Bottle:

Thermos Hydration Bottle at Amazon

Hold yourself accountable to drinking more water with this smart bottle that syncs up to an app and charts your progress.

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For

View On Amazon

What We Like

Comes in various colors
BPA-free
Creates splash-free sips
Dishwasher-safe

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Fashion meets function with these chic glass bottles wrapped in cushiony silicone sleeves; not only do they prevent breakage in case of an accidental drop, but they also come in a variety of pretty colors, prints, and textures. Choose from three different sizes for everything from everyday drinking to long workouts (8 ounces, 16 ounces, and 32 ounces). The bottles are also dishwasher-safe, a major win if you hate hand washing bottles at the end of the day.

Color: Various | Material: Glass | Size: 8, 16, or 32 ounces | Capacity: 16 ounces

Built NY Double Wall Stainless Steel Perfect Seal Water Bottle

View On Amazon

What We Like

Keeps cold 24 hours and hot 6 hours
Never sweats or gets hot to the touch
Vacuum-sealed construction maintains optimal hot or cold temperature
PVC, BPA, latex and phthalate-free

What We Don't Like

Cap could use more engineering

A special lid makes this bottle totally spill-proof—because there’s nothing quite as distressing as realizing your water bottle leaked in your purse—and the double-walled stainless steel keeps water cold for up to 24 hours. (It also keeps beverages hot for up to 8 hours, so if you want to fill it with coffee instead, we won’t tell.) It fits snugly in cup holders and comes in a variety of pretty colors…and all of this for an affordable price.

Color: Charcoal, Mint, or Silver | Material: Stainless Steel | Size: 17 ounces | Capacity: Approx. 16.2 ounces

View On Amazon

What We Like

Collapses for full portability
Durable
Made of food-grade silicone for safe drinking

What We Don't Like

Strong odor

Staying hydrated is extra important while traveling, but no one wants to be shelling out for an overpriced bottle of water at the airport. Still, lugging around a clunky reusable bottle can be annoying, particularly when you’re trying to travel light. Enter this option, which holds 25 ounces of water, but also collapses down to a one-and-a-half-inch thick disk when empty; stash it in your purse, the front of your carry-on, heck, even your pocket. (Amazon fans rave about how lightweight and easy to carry it is.) Made of food-grade silicone, you can toss it in the dishwasher, though the mouth is extra-wide to make hand-washing easy, too.

Traveling abroad? See how people stay hydrated around the world.

Color: Plum | Material: Silicone | Size: 25 ounces | Capacity: 25.6 ounces

Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Spout Lid

View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Walmart

What We Like

BPA-free
Removable, protective silicone bumper
Maintains optimal hot or cold temperature

What We Don't Like

Can be hard to clean

Power through a spin class or yoga practice with the help of this bottle. A leakproof, insulated spout in the lid makes one-hand sipping super easy—a must for mid-workout water breaks. It also comes in five different sizes and an impressive array of many different colors, and it has a lifetime warranty, too.

Want to read more about hydration and workouts? Check out what experts told us about how much water to drink to lose weight.

Color: Various | Material: Stainless Steel | Size: 18, 22, 24, 32, 40, or 64 ounces | Capacity: 18, 22, 24, 32, 40, or 64 ounces

LARQ Self-Cleaning and Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

What We Like

Built-in self-cleaning and water purification
Creates fresh water in 60 seconds
Self-cleans every two hours up to 99.9999% of bacteria
Keeps cold 24 hours and hot for 12 hours
BPA- and toxin-free

What We Don't Like

Pricey

One hundred dollars is admittedly a lot to shell out for a water bottle but stay with us here. This isn’t your momma’s water bottle—it’s the world’s first self-cleaning one. Push a button, and a UV-C light neutralizes up to 99.9999% of harmful bacteria quickly, so you can have pure water anytime, anywhere. Not to mention that that UV light also purifies the bottle itself, so you never have to deal with that perpetual, funky smell that you just can’t get rid of with some other reusable bottles.

Color: Granite White, Monaco Blue, Obsidian Black | Material: Stainless Steel | Size: 16.9 ounces | Capacity: Approx. 16.9 ounces

View On Amazon

What We Like

Keeps cold for 72 hours and hot 24 hours
BPA-free
Triple-layered copper wall construction stops sweating
Comes in various colors
Wide mouth opening creates easy filling

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Broad shape won't fit in many cupholders

Fill up this big boy in the morning, finish it by night, and boom, you’ve hit your recommended water intake for the day. The condensation-free stainless steel is also a great pick for anyone who is worried about the breakage potential with glass but wants something more durable than plastic. And we can’t forget to mention the anything-but-boring patterns it comes in, think everything from camo to a faux wood print.

Color: Various | Material: Stainless Steel, Copper | Size: 40 or 64 ounces | Capacity: 40 or 64 ounces

View On Amazon

What We Like

Wallet-friendly
BPA/BPS/BPF Free
Loop handle creates easy carrying

What We Don't Like

Straw-filling mechanism could use work

Simple and straightforward, this workhorse checks all the boxes, with a straw that has 25% more flow, an easy-to-carry loop handle, and is also BPA-free and completely dishwasher safe. It’s affordable, too, and comes in different sizes and colors to fit any preference.

Color: Charcoal | Material: Eastman Tritan Copolyester | Size: 32 ounces | Capacity: 32 ounces

View On Freepeople.com

What We Like

Clear, Rose, or Smoky Quartz or Amethyst infusions
Spiritually energizing while physically revitalizing
Very unique approach
Made from sustainable glass

What We Don't Like

Pricey

What better place to channel the positive, energizing, and revitalizing effects of crystals than the office? And what easier way to do so than by having one in your water bottle? These glass bottles come with a pure crystal stone housed inside, infusing your water with all of those good-for-your mind and body benefits. Choose from four different stones (clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, and smoky quartz) each with different attributes.

Color: Clear | Material: Glass | Size: 18.6 ounces | Capacity: 18.6 ounces

View On Amazon View On Pottery Barn

What We Like

Silicone sleeve and shatter-resistant glass create durability
Very appealing aesthetic
Wide mouth opening creates easy filling

What We Don't Like

Cap could use more engineering

If you’re trying to steer clear of plastic or stainless steel, glass is the way to go. Not only does this one come with a silicone sleeve to make it extra durable and keep the base stable, but it also has an easy-grip silicone handle on the cap. Plus, can we talk about how chic the minimalistic esthetic is?

Color: Blush, Eggplant, Gray, Mint Green, Olive, or White | Material: Glass, Silicone, Bamboo | Size: 17 ounces | Capacity: 17.6 ounces

Thermos Hydration Bottle with Connected Smart Lid

View On Amazon

What We Like

Measures liquid intake and provides real-time temperatures
12-day battery life
Makes tracking hydration progress easy

What We Don't Like

Tad pricey
Requires iOS7+ devices

Move over smartphones and smart TVs. This bottle will keep you honest about your hydration, syncing to an app and measuring your liquid intake, calculating suggested personalized hydration goals, and charting your progress. Plus, the battery lasts up to 12 days without needing a charge.

Color: Teal, Smoke | Material: Tritan | Size: 24 ounces | Capacity: 24 ounces

YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle

View On Amazon View On Yeti.com

What We Like

100% leakproof
Never sweats or gets hot to the touch
Very durable
Keeps cold almost 24 hours

What We Don't Like

Cap could use more engineering

While this brand may be known for the coolers that beer-loving folks are obsessed with, they also offer a great array of water bottles, including this one. Extra-insulated, it keeps water super cold; reviewers even mention that ice lasts nearly 24 hours with minimal melting. It’s tough and durable to withstand any drops, and easily clips onto any carabiner or backpack.

Color: Various | Material: Stainless Steel | Size: 36 ounces | Capacity: 36 ounces

View On Quebottle.com View On Walmart

What We Like

Collapses for great portability
Dishwasher-safe
BPA-, toxin-, and odor-free
Leak- and shock-proof

What We Don't Like

Cap could use a convenient carrying loop

Lightweight and collapsible, this is the perfect addition to any backpack or lunchbox. Two different sizes and a variety of eye-catching colors offer a little something for everyone. Also nice: The company donates 10 percent of proceeds to help acquire and protect land in the Amazon rainforest, so you can feel good knowing you’re doing something doubly good for the environment.

Want to "green up" your life with a full eco overhaul? Take a peek at some of the other best environmentally friendly products you can buy.

Color: Various | Material: Stainless Steel, Silicone | Size: 12 or 20 ounces | Capacity: 12 or 20 ounces

Final Verdict

We're giving top marks to the bkr Water Bottle because it's stylish, durable, and comes in different colors and sizes making it perfect for all your hydration needs. Looking to splurge? You can't go wrong with the Larq Self-Cleaning Bottle. Its self-cleaning capabilities are downright amazing. Or try the Glacce Crystal Elixir Water Bottle to help you channel and reinforce positive energy all day long.

What to Look For in a Water Bottle

Durability

Common durable materials to look for are stainless-steel, BPA-free plastic, and glass. Yes, you heard that right, glass. Many glass bottles come with a silicone sleeve that will help protect them from breaking during any accidental drops or slips.

Versatility

Make sure the water bottle you buy supports the temperature of water you like to drink. If you like it super cold, find one that's extra-insulated. If you want hot water, try to find a water bottle that works with both hot and cold liquids. Also, check out its portability. Can you clip it on your bag or fold it down? If you're storing it inside your bag, does it have a spill-proof lid to prevent any spills? Try to find one that stores well to keep your hands free.

Features

Beyond simply holding water, reusable water bottles have become quite advanced. There are some that collapse down for easy storage, some that offer self-cleaning abilities, as well as some that work with apps on your phone to track how much water you're drinking. How many bells and whistles you want in your water bottle will depend on how much you're willing to spend and your personal preferences.

FAQ

Are reusable water bottles really better?

Yes! Considering that 91% of plastic isn't recycled, disposable plastic water bottles are sure to end up in landfills. Buying a high-quality, reusable water bottle or thermos ensures you always have water on hand and you're not contributing to plastic waste. That's also why it's key to pick a durable water bottle that you'll get countless uses out of.
What reusable water bottle is safest?

Find a water bottle that is BPA-free and made of a material like stainless steel or glass. You'll find water bottles made of these materials on this list—most are free of plastic, or at the very least are BPA-free. If you're concerned about accidentally dropping and breaking a glass bottle, our overall pick, the bkr Water Bottle, is glass wrapped in a silicone sleeve for peace of mind.
Is it better to drink from glass or stainless steel?

Stainless steel is used to make water bottles because it often has a coating that keeps drinks hot or cold. Glass can be ideal as well because it tends to preserve the taste of beverages without any metallic aftertaste that some containers are known to do, but it doesn't have the insulation capabilities of stainless steel. Many people consider it safest to drink from because it doesn't leach and is also easily recyclable.