Whether you’re always on the go or just want to stay hydrated, a reusable water bottle is the perfect way to keep track of your water intake — especially if you’re trying to hit daily hydration goals. In fact, The National Academy of Medicine recommends women and men, aged 19 to 30, drink nine and 13 cups of water a day, respectively. A reusable water bottle can also save you money and help the environment by cutting down on single-use plastics in the long run: around 14 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean every year, according to a 2023 report from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Plus, some vacuum-insulated water bottles, like the ones we recommend below, can keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Whatever your motivation is for buying a new reusable water bottle, there are a few key factors to keep in mind when shopping. We spoke with a consumer product expert and a microbiologist to learn more about what to look for.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best reusable water bottles | The best reusable water bottles in 2024 | How to shop for a water bottle
How we picked the best reusable water bottles
To find the best reusable water bottles on the market, we spoke with three experts including Steve Whitworth, the director of product at Rtic, a retailer that sells outdoor gear such as insulated drinkware, Dr. Philip Tierno, a microbiologist with more than forty years of experience and Josh York, founder of in-home personal training service, Gymguyz, about what to look for in a high-quality reusable water bottle. Here’s what they recommend keeping in mind:
- Vacuum insulation: Most of the reusable water bottles on our list are made of steel or glass, which have vacuum insulating properties. This is what helps keep water ice cold for extended amounts of time. This is especially important if you prefer chilled water over room-temperature or tepid water. Plus, stainless steel water bottles are less likely to harbor germs, according to experts. Tierno prefers to use reusable bottles with metal liners, because they’re easier to clean and don’t support the adherence of microbes.
- Size and shape: The size and shape of a bottle impacts how you use it and how much value you’ll get out of it. If hydration is your main priority, especially if you workout regularly, then you’ll want a large bottle that’ll help you get your recommended daily water intake. “It’s also important to consider how you are transporting your bottle,” York says. “If you’re keeping it in a gym bag, a handle may not matter so much, but if you’re biking or carrying it, a handle will definitely come in handy.” Also, take into account whether or not the bottle would fit comfortably in different types of cup holders, such as ones on backpacks and treadmills or in shoulder bags and cars.
- Easy to clean: “If you aren’t going to have time to wash your bottle by hand, make sure to read on the packaging that it’s dishwasher safe,” says York. While some manufacturers say that their reusable water bottles are dishwasher safe, there are many that are not. While you can clean bottles with small lids by hand, it’s much easier to thoroughly clean bottles with wide mouths, which is why most of our selections have them.
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The best reusable water bottles in 2024
To help you choose the best reusable water bottle, we compiled a list of highly rated options along with NBC Select-staff favorites. Based on expert advice, most of the water bottles we recommend are stainless steel, but we also included a few that are plastic or glass. Most of the water bottles on our list also have several lid options to choose from. Lastly, some of the bottles on this list are suitable for holding hot drinks, while others are not, which you should keep in mind if you like beverages like tea.
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
Owala sent a few samples of their bottles to the NBC Select staff to try, including the FreeSip water bottle, which comes in 21 bright and neutral colorways. This particular model is a favorite of NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. “It has a dual-sipping system that I really like,” she says. “You can sip through the straw or throw your head back and sip like you would out of a glass, so it’s really versatile.” The bottle is available in a range of sizes and color combinations. Plus, the bottle’s dual-wall insulation helps keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours at a time, according to the brand. The bottle is not suitable for hot drinks, however, according to the brand.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 16, 24, 32, 40 oz. | Colorways: 21 | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Only cold | Dishwasher-safe: Only the lid (hand wash bottle)
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler
The Stanley Quencher Flowstate Tumbler, commonly referred to as “the Stanley,” is arguably the most popular water bottle on this list. It’s hugely popular, in part, because of its size options, which range up to 64 ounces, though only bottles that are 30 ounces and above have handles. It can also keep beverages cold for hours, according to the brand. “I think it’s super stylish, I love the colors and I even have a little flower accessory on top to keep the straw closed,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “I also think it’s really functional because it has a handle that makes it super easy to carry around.” The bottle is suitable for iced, cold and hot drinks, according to the brand.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 14, 20, 30, 40 and 64 oz, | Colorways: 30+ | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Bkr TuTu Big Bottle
While many bottles are plastic or steel, this Bkr bottle has a glass construction and removable silicone sleeve, which comes in several muted shades, like pink and mint. “This is the water bottle I use at home, especially when gardening in the backyard,” says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown. “I prefer glass over plastic because it motivates me to take better care of the bottle.” The water bottle is easy to take apart and clean by hand— the silicone covering slides on and off easily. Plus, the bottle is dishwasher safe, according to the brand. You can also use the carry loop on the leak-proof cap to attach the water bottle to a bag for easy portability. The bottle is fine to use with hot or cold drinks, according to the brand.
Material: Glass | Sizes: 8, 16 and 32 oz. | Colorways: 16 | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler with Handle
Hydro Flask makes various water bottle styles, including this sturdy travel tumbler, which NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin is a huge fan of. “It holds so much water and keeps it cool all day. I love the squishy straw and how easily the top pops off when I need to refill it,” says Malin. The bottle is available in unique shades and different sizes, though only the 32- and 40-ounce tumblers have handles. The tumbler is also dishwasher safe and suitable for both hot and cold drinks, according to the brand.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 20, 28, 32 and 40 oz. |Colorways: 15 | Suitable for hot and cold: drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Stanley Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler
The Stanley Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler is another great alternative to the Stanley Quencher. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez has used this bottle for months and likes the carrying handle on the top. “It makes it easy to carry the bottle, and since there’s not a bulky side handle, I don’t worry about it fitting in most drink holders or bags,” he says. You can also attach the handle to a clip on your bag so it’s great for everyday activities and outdoor hobbies, like hiking. Malin also uses this during hot yoga and other workout classes. “The flip up straw never leaks when I open or close it and I love that it has a handle on the top,” says Malin.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 20, 30, 40, 64 and 96 ounces | Colorways: 30+ | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle
You can customize this NBC Select Wellness Award winner for best water bottle with different caps and lids, including a press-in lid (that slides open and shut), a flex cap (that twists on and off) and a chug cap. The stainless steel bottle is made with double-wall vacuum insulation that helps keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks warm for up to 12 hours, according to the brand. The bottle is also a favorite of NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “I’ve been using my Hydro Flask for years now and after trying multiple options it’s still my go-to reusable water bottle,” she says. “My favorite thing is that when you screw off the top, the opening is large enough for ice.”
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 20, 32, 40 and 64 oz. | Colorways: 16 | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Yeti Rambler Water Bottle
Yeti is a pioneer in the cooler space, so it’s not surprising that the brand also makes great water bottles. Available in eight sizes, the dishwasher-safe Yeti Rambler, like other bottles on our list, uses double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot, or cold for hours, according to the brand. If you don’t like the screw-on lid it comes with, you can buy other types, such as the bottle straw cap and the magslider lid, separately. NBC Select editorial operations manager Rebecca Rodriguez, who self-identifies as a clutz, says the tumbler’s Straw Cap has prevented many spills.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 18, 26, 36, 46 and 64 ounces | Colorways: 25+ | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes Dishwasher-safe: Yes
S’well Water Bottle
S’well bottles are made of durable stainless steel that can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 hours, according to the brand. The bottles come in several fun colors, patterns and sizes. It also has a condensation-free exterior, so it doesn’t leave droplets on the outside from cold beverages, according to the brand. The S’well is not dishwasher-safe, but you can purchase a cleaning brush to clean the inside of the bottle when you hand wash it.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 9, 17, and 25 ounces| Colorways: 30+ | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Hand wash only
Takeya Originals Spout Bottle
This dishwasher-safe stainless steel bottle comes with a lifetime warranty and can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 hours, according to Takeya. It has a leak-proof spout lid that’s easy to sip on the go. Former NBC Select editor Christina Colizza has owned hers for years and says that it endured multiple falls on hikes and hard floors, without a scratch or spill.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 18, 22, 24, 32 and 40 ounces | Colorways: 10 | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
ThermoFlask Bottle with Chug Lid and Straw Lid
This ThermoFlask bottle comes with two lids — a Chug Lid that twists off, and a Straw Lid that pops open — and is available in five sizes. If you don’t like either of those lids , you can purchase other options, including a Spout Lid and a Travel Mug Lid, separately from the brand. Like other bottles on our list, it also has double-wall vacuum insulation to help with temperature regulation.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 18, 24, 32, 40 and 64 oz. | Colorways: 5 | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Larq Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
Larq’s water bottle has UV-C light sanitizing technology, which is a great feature if you’re often in a hurry and don’t always have time to hand wash the bottle. The Larq technology sanitizes the bottle every two hours and eliminates up to 99% of bacteria and viruses, according to the brand. The stainless steel bottle, which has a 4.3-star average rating from 900 reviews on Amazon, is also double-wall vacuum insulated to keep water cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 24 and 32 oz. | Colorways: 5 | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Hand wash only
Simple Modern Insulated Water Bottle
The Simple Modern summit water bottle is highly customizable — it’s available in sizes ranging from 14 ounces to 40 ounces and with both flip straw and chug lids. Plus, it comes in over 20 different shades and patterns. It’s made of stainless steel and has double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold, though the brand doesn’t recommend using it with hot or carbonated beverages. The bottle has a 4.7-star average rating from over 11,000 reviews on Amazon.
Material: Stainless steel | Sizes: 14, 18, 22, 32 and 40 oz. | Colorways: 20+ | Suitable for hot and cold drinks: Only cold | Dishwasher-safe: Only the lid (hand wash bottle)
How to shop for a reusable water bottle
If you only need your water bottle to hold water, then almost any model will suffice. However, if factors like temperature control, durability and ease of use are important to you, then you’ll want to consider each water bottle’s material and lid type when buying.
Material
Water bottles are typically made with three main types of materials: metal, plastic and glass. Steve Whitworth, director of product at Rtic Outdoors, where he develops products and campagnes for the brand, helped break down some of the major pros and cons of each.
- Metal water bottles are the most common option, though they can be the most expensive. They are vacuum insulated, which means they “keep contents hot or cold for many hours. They tend to be relatively lightweight and durable, and unlike glass and plastic, condensation does not form on it. “Stainless steel is nearly indestructible and cannot be beaten,” says Whitworth.
- Plastic water bottles are the most lightweight and they’re generally pretty durable and easy to clean. However, they’re usually not insulated and tend to have condensation issues, which can make the water bottle both wet and slippery. You also cannot use plastic water bottles with hot liquids — the bottle could warp or even melt.
- Glass water bottles are often dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean. However, like plastic bottles, glass is not insulated and is not compatible with hot liquids. Glass also tends to be heavy and delicate — if you’re prone to dropping things or want to carry one around with you daily, this probably isn’t the best option.
Lid type
There are many lid types on the market, and depending on the water bottle you get, you may be able to buy several lids to match your needs. Three of the most common lids are flip-back lids, flip-up straw lids and screw-on lids — each has benefits, so it just depends what you’re using your water bottle for, according to Whitworth.
- Flip-back lids provide a tight seal to prevent leakage, says Whitworth. “They also have a higher volume flow and are perfect for when [you’re] taking a break from activities,” he says.
- Flip-up straw lids are a good choice if you use your water bottle on the go or when you’re working out. “You do not need to lift them above your head [and] they keep … the cold in,” says Whitworth.
- Screw-on lids allow the most water flow, according to Whitworth. They have a tight seal, which helps avoid spillage, making them a good option if you need to keep your water bottle in your purse or backpack.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Steve Whitworth director of product at cooler and outdoor gear manufacturer Rtic Outdoors. Whitworth helps develop products and campaigns for the brand.
- Dr. Caren Campbell is a board-certified dermatologist who runs her own dermatology practice. Campbell has over 12 years of experience.
- Dr. Philip Tierno is the director of microbiology and immunology and a professor of microbiology & pathology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Tierno is the author of several books on microbiology, including “The Secret Life of Germs” and “First, Wear a Face Mask.”
- Josh York is the founder and CEO of in-home personal training service Gymguyz.
Why trust NBC Select?
Morgan Greenwald is a former senior editor for NBC Select.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he covers food, kitchen, home care, cleaning and other lifestyle content.
Greenwald and Fernandez consulted a product director, personal training expert and a microbiologist and spoke with NBC Select staff members about their favorite reusable water bottles.
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