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Byrdie / Danie Drankwalter
Staying hydrated sounds easy in theory, but a busy schedule and an on-the-go lifestyle can present some challenges. Still, the benefits of drinking enough water can't be understated. Water is essential for virtually every bodily function, including digestion, waste removal, joint lubrication, and even breathing.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is the Yeti Rambler Bottle, an expert-recommended product with an innovative cap and double-wall vacuum insulation. On a budget? You can't go wrong with a classic Gatorade Squeeze Bottle. And if you're willing to splurge on a high-end design, the self-sanitizing LARQ PurVis Water Bottle is an excellent choice.
"A safe bet is six to eight cups of water per day," says registered dietitian Jonathan Valdez. "If you're at a higher altitude, living in a hotter climate, or in intense training, you will need more."
While there's no one-size-fits-all strategy, keeping a water bottle with you can certainly help. And—bonus!—you can cut down on your use of single-use plastics.
We conducted hours of research on the best water bottles, evaluating each on design, size, material, and any extra features. After considering dozens of models and consulting with a registered dietician for his expert recommendations, we landed on these picks.
These are the best water bottles to help you stay hydrated, wherever your day takes you.
Best Overall: Yeti Rambler Bottle with Chug Cap
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Yeti
Dishwasher-safe
Customizable
Expert-recommended
Pricey
"I personally like Yeti, not for its bottle per se, as it's similar to other insulated water bottle brands, but because of the Rambler Chug Cap," says Valdez. He explains that it's more sanitary because you don't have to touch the spout or expose it to airborne contaminants. "It makes it so easy to drink and carry while hiking, going to the gym, or traveling."
This notably sturdy water bottle boasts stainless steel construction and double-wall vacuum insulation, promising to keep drinks cold for hours on end. The brand's NoSweat design keeps the outside dry, even when it's filled with ice-cold water. It's also conveniently dishwasher-safe. Although this model is a bit more expensive than others on this list, its ultra-hygienic design justifies the spend.
Size: 18–64 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Various
Best Budget: Gatorade Squeeze Bottle
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Classic deisgn
Fill-level marking
Not BPA-free
If you're just looking for a simple, affordable design, you can't go wrong with Gatorade. The brand's classic squeeze bottle delivers a steady stream of water with minimal leaks, and the clear side stripe tells how many ounces you've drank and how much is left.
Size: 32 ounces | Material: Plastic | Colors: Green
Best Splurge: LARQ Bottle PureVis
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Amazon
Double-wall insulation
Keeps cold for 24 hours
UV water purification
Expensive
If you're open to splurging on a higher-end water bottle, you should definitely consider LARQ. The PurVis calls on UV light to purify your water and kill 99% of harmful germs, while its double-insulated construction promises to keep beverages cold for a full 24 hours.
Size: 17–25 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Navy, black, mint, pink, white
Best with Straw: CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle with Straw
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
BPA
Bite Valve
Too wide for some cupholders
If you're partial to straws, the Eddy might be your best bet. This leak-proof, spill-proof water bottle has a flip-cap and a handy bite valve for easy sipping. We also like that the BPA-free plastic base is lightweight yet durable and conveniently dishwasher-safe.
Size: 20–25 ounces | Material: Plastic | Colors: Various
"The urine stream is the best test to see if you have been drinking enough fluids throughout the day. It should be a tint of yellow."—Jonathan Valdez, Registered Dietitian
Best Insulated: Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Straw Lid 2.0
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Nordstrom
Vacuum insulation
Stays cold for 24 hours
Lifetime warranty
Pricey
Lid isn't leak-proof
The fan-favorite Hydro Flask boasts double-wall vacuum insulation. This ensures a consistent temperature while keeping drinks icy-cold for up to 24 hours or piping hot for 12 hours. The stainless steel base promises pure-tasting water, and the straw lid makes it easy to chug. Though Hydro Flasks aren't cheap, they're backed by a lifetime warranty.
Size: 24–32 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Various
Best Glass: SOMA Glass Water Bottle
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Pottery Barn
Shatter-resistant
Dishwasher-safe
Fits in most cup holders
No straw or sip cap
Many would argue water tastes best when sipped from glass. Unlike most glass containers, the Soma is shatter-resistant and even dishwasher-safe on the top rack. The soft silicone sleeve absorbs shock while making it easier to grip, and thanks to the slim profile, it fits in most cup holders.
Size: 17–32 ounces | Material: Glass | Colors: White, gray, mint, blush
Best Stainless Steel: S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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Amazon
Clean taste
Stays cold for 24 hours
No condensation
Hand wash only
S'well bottles are made of durable, clean-tasting stainless steel. With triple-layer vacuum insulation, they blow past the competition by keeping drinks cold for a whopping 54 hours or hot for 26. What's more, a copper wall prevents condensation, so you won't have to worry about your hands or bag getting wet when it's filled with cold water.
Size: 9–25 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Various
Best Lid: Owala Free Sip Vacuum Water Bottle
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Amazon
Push-button flip top
Vacuum insulation
Lifetime warranty
Hand-wash only
Sometimes it's more about the lid than the bottle. The Owala FreeSip has a cleverly designed spout that lets you drink upright through a straw or by tilting it back to access the wide-mouth opening. Not only that, but the patented design allows you to pop open the cap or lock it closed with the push of a button. An affordable price tag and a lifetime warranty sweeten the deal even further.
Size: 19–32 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Gray, red, green, navy, white, purple
Best with Filter: Brita Premium 26oz Filtering Water Bottle
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Amazon
Clean taste
Leak-proof
Fits in most cup holders
Filter eventually needs replacing
If you live somewhere (or are headed somewhere) with not-so-great-tasting tap water, go with Brita. This water bottle has a replaceable filter that fits into the straw, minimizing chlorine and other contaminants that might cause a funky taste, odor, or color. It's also leak-proof, dishwasher-safe, and fits in most cup holders.
Size: 26 ounces | Material: Plastic | Colors: Blush, green, navy, magenta, blue, coral
Best for Working Out: Waterdrop Sports Bottle
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Waterdrop
Innovative cap
Sanitary design
Dishwasher safe
Pricey
You'll be glad to have this sleek water bottle on hand during your next sweat session. Made of durable yet lightweight stainless steel, it flaunts an innovative cap that allows you to open the valve and extend the spout by mouth. You can take sips without stopping and won't have to touch it with fingers that may have been in contact with sweaty or dirty exercise equipment. Although this option is expensive, its stainless steel design—which can help keep the bottle hygienic—justifies the price.
Size: 28 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Black, silver
Best Basic: Herschel Classic Water Bottle
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Herschel
Affordable
BPA-free
Lifetime warranty
Too wide for some cup holders
If you just want a basic high-quality water bottle, Herschel won't let you down. Made of BPA-free plastic, this sizeable vessel has a wide mouth and an attached lid. Not only that, but it comes in several cool colors and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Size: 24–32 ounces | Material: Plastic | Colors: Various
Best for Iced Drinks: Kinto Water Bottle with Silicone Strap
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Food52
Lightweight
Fits full-sized ice cubes
Fits in most cup holders
Only one size
Kinto is perfect for iced drinks. The super lightweight, slim design unscrews at the middle, allowing you to fill the bottle with full-sized ice cubes. Though it only comes in one small-ish size (16 ounces), you've got five colors to choose from.
Size: 16 ounces | Material: Plastic | Colors: Pink, gray, blue, red, clear
Best Hot-Cold: Lululemon The Hot/Cold Bottle
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Lululemon
Double-wall insulation
Fits in most cup holders
Great color selection
Hand-wash only
If you want the option to bring hot drinks on the go, look no further than Lululemon. Thanks to double-wall, vacuum-sealed insulation, this stainless steel bottle keeps liquids as warm or cold as you want them for hours on end. Though hand-washing is recommended and it only comes in one size (17 ounces), the color selection is as good as some of the brand's best-selling yoga pants.
Size: 17 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Colors: Green, blush, periwinkle, white, black, pink, multi
Best Small: Bkr Teeny Smooth Glass Water Bottle
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Bkr
Splash-free design
Dishwasher-safe
Fits in most cup holders
Pricey for the size
This 8-ounce water bottle is perfect for short car trips, appointments, or drinking water at your desk. (There's also a 16-ounce option if you want something a little bigger.) It's made of glass with a silicone sleeve and has a handy straw for easy, splash-free sipping. Bkr bottles are dishwasher-safe too.
Size: 8–16 ounces | Material: Glass, silicone | Colors: Various
Best Collapsible: que Bottle
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Amazon
Travel-friendly
Leak-proof
Great color selection
Doesn't always stand upright
Made of soft silicone with a patented spiral design, this innovative water bottle collapses into a more compact size. This makes it ideal for travel, as you can pack it in your luggage while it's compressed and empty, then expand it when you're ready to fill it up. Que bottles are also leak-proof, so don't worry about tossing it in your bag when it's filled with water.
Size: 12–20 ounces | Material: Silicone | Colors: Various
Final Verdict
Our top choice is the Yeti Rambler Bottle with Chug Cap, an expert-recommended product with an innovative cap and double-wall vacuum insulation. On a budget? You can't go wrong with a classic Gatorade Squeeze Bottle. And if you're willing to splurge on a high-end design, the self-sanitizing LARQ PurVis Water Bottle is an excellent choice.
Meet the Expert
Jonathan Valdez, RDN, is a registered dietitian, personal trainer, and the owner of Genki Nutrition, which offers telehealth-based disease prevention and weight management programs. He is also the media spokesperson for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. She interviewed a registered dietician for this story, who offered product suggestions and insight into the importance of staying hydrated. She has personally tried water bottles from Yeti, Hydro Flask, CamelBak, Gatorade, Que, S'well, and Waterdrop. A Byrdie contributor since 2020, Theresa covers exercise equipment, wellness gadgets, workout apparel, and skincare.
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