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Basic plastic water bottles are lightweight and inexpensive, but they aren’t the best at keeping water cool for very long because plastic has no insulating properties. If you want ice-cold thirst-quenching liquid, what you need is an insulated water bottle. Like your favorite cooler, they’re designed to keep liquids at an ideal temperature for an entire day—and then some.
Insulated water bottles are made of stainless-steel (a material that provides insulation as is) and have vacuum-sealed inner walls. No air in between walls means less heat transfer so water stays colder longer. The more walls, the better—double-walled options are ideal and triple-walled options insulate best.
Sure, insulated water bottles may not be as lightweight as the plastic kind, but they’re more durable over time. Since they’re a bit heavier, many come with a handle or carrying loop for easy transporting, and most have lids and caps that come apart and are dishwasher-safe.
We cover the best insulated water bottles our editors use and love and include info on what makes each worth buying based on features like overall performance, ease of cleaning, and how comfortable they are to carry around everyday.
The Best Insulated Water Bottles
- Best Overall: Yeti Rambler
- Best Budget: Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle
- Best Straw Bottle: Hydro Flask Wide Flex Straw Bottle
- Best Filtered Bottle: Larq Filtered Insulated Water Bottle
- Largest Volume: Stanley Classic Growler
Construction
Stainless-steel is relatively lightweight and durable, and generally lasts longer than plastic. It also has properties that bolster insulation. You’ll see “double- or triple-wall construction” and “vacuum sealed” touted a lot but it’s not marketing jargon—it’s the most effective method of insulation. Because there’s no air between layers of stainless steel, it slows the transfer of heat to keep liquid inside colder for longer. We recommend bottles that are all double-walled for efficient insulation.
Many of our picks have a powder-coated finish for added durability. It’s a layer of epoxy or polymer on the outside of the bottle that also gives you a bit of extra grip since it’s usually textured. Lids, caps, and handles are made of BPA-free plastics and food-grade rubber, and are typically dishwasher-safe.
The main drawback of all stainless-steel water bottles is taste-transfer, whether it’s a metallic-like taste from the bottle itself or one that’s left from previous contents. That said, we didn’t experience any taste transfer in the insulated water bottles we recommend. Another drawback you may encounter is the stainless-steel can dent and powder-coating can get nicked when banged around. Also, keep in mind that many insulated water bottles don’t fit into cars’ cup holders, but you can buy an accessory specifically designed to remedy that issue.
Capacity
Insulated water bottles come in a range of sizes, from roughly 17 to 64 ounces. Anything smaller than that and you’re getting into travel mug territory; anything larger isn’t ideal for hauling everyday. Personally, I prefer an insulated water bottle that can hold at least 36 ounces, though my daily plastic one is 50 ounces. Gauge how much water you drink in a day and how often you’re willing to fill up a bottle. You can also have multiple water bottles of different capacities that you keep in the car, at home, or at the office, as most of us here at Popular Mechanics do.
Lids and Handles
This is where personal preference comes into play. The lid of insulated water bottles ranges from wide-mouth caps to spouts to lids with attached straws. There’s no one-size-fits all, so determine how you plan to use your water bottle. Small-mouth and spout openings are good for sipping on the move but are hard to fit ice in. A large opening isn’t easy to sip from but that’s not an issue if you plan to use it around the home or office.
If you can’t decide on type, a lot of our picks have alternate lids from their respective brands so you can customize as you see fit. Some options we recommend like the Hydro Flask Wide Flex bottle have lids you can take apart and thoroughly wash by hand. This is especially helpful if you use your insulated water bottle for coffee or other flavored beverages.
Design details like a two-part lid or carrying handle may seem like nice-to-have extras, but once you’re used to these water bottle features, they quickly become necessities. A carrying loop on the lid makes the bottle a lot easier to transport and can easily attach to a backpack or other gear. Lids that disassemble for deep cleaning is appreciated, especially if you plan to drink beverages like electrolyte mix for your workout.
Cleaning Tips
Cleaning an insulated water bottle—for the most part—is as easy as throwing it in your dishwasher, though they can benefit from a deeper cleaning from time to time, especially if the opening is small. Use a brush to scrub out the inside with some dish soap and let it soak overnight. Then empty it out and let it dry completely before putting it back in a cabinet. If your insulated water bottle has a straw, invest in a straw brush—there’s only so much running water through that small opening can do. Oxo sells this handy kit that has both bottle and straw brushes for under $10.
How We Selected
The insulated water bottles we recommend are our editors’ favorites and we mention the standout features that we’ve come to know and love, including the most important—keeping our drinks cold. We noted which ones were durable enough to withstand everyday use and took into account convenient features that people particularly enjoyed whether it was a handy carrying loop, ergonomic design detail, or just years of reliable use. Every option we cover is tested and approved, with the exception of the Stanley Growler. However, we talked with multiple customers who were impressed by its build quality and insulation.
Pros
Super durable- Excellent insulation
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Heavy
I’ve had this insulated water bottle for going on six years now and I’m convinced it’ll last me 60. I’ve dropped the Rambler multiple times out of my backpack and bumped it around on rock faces during hikes. It’s also leakproof and the spout is easy to drink from.
This bottle was my go-to when working in a warehouse that had no AC and would keep my water cold from the morning (this was in Houston, Texas, mind you) until I refilled it around noon. The screw-top lid is wide enough to easily fill with ice and I appreciated the wide top handle to carry the bottle around as it’s on the heavier side at 1.5-pounds.
The original lid is just a one-piece top that comes off completely, and I drink straight from the opening. This is hard to do when in motion and is my biggest complaint with this bottle. While the wide-mouth opening makes refilling the ice easy, it’s too wide to comfortably sip and spills liquids too easily if you’re not careful.
Luckily Yeti has updated the included lid with a two-piece chug cap, the same one that comes on the Yonder bottle (also great). It’s easy to drink from and the sip spout is removable if you want to add ice.
It’s not cheap, but the Rambler is reliable, durable, and keeps drinks cold for a very long time. It’s easy to clean and never has any weird metallic or taste transfer. Yeti also has an array of lids and accessories so I know I can update it however and whenever I want.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 18, 26, 36, 46, 64 oz |
|---|---|
| Construction | Double-wall |
| Lid Type | Spout |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | Yes |
Pros
- Durable
- Triple-wall construction
- Flip-up cap is easy to open and protects drinking spout
- Leakproof
Cons
- Can get slippery in hand
The FreeSip has a best-of-both-worlds drinking spout that lets you take small sips while on the go or bigger swigs when seated at your desk or around the house. The flip-top cap opens with one hand, and you don’t run the risk of losing it as you would with screw-on caps.
Cat Bowen, a Senior Editor at Best Products (a fellow Hearst magazine), uses the FreeSip because it has yet to leak or spill whether she’s on her way to work, going to the gym, or picking up her kids. She’s also impressed with the insulating capabilities and says it keeps her water and green tea cold all day. Even after multiple cycles in her commercial-grade dishwasher (she’s very into clean), her Owalla FreeSip is going strong.
That being said, she notes the bottle can feel slippery and isn’t the easiest to hold.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 24, 32, 40 oz |
|---|---|
| Lid Type | Dual-opening spout |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | Yes |
| Construction | Triple-wall |
3
Best Straw Bottle
Hydro Flask Wide Flex Straw Cap Insulated Water Bottle
Pros
- Easy-carry loop on lid
- Excellent insulation
- Lid comes apart for deep cleaning
Cons
- Powder-coated finish can get nicked
This bottle from Hyrdro Flask has a straw that’s easy to sip from and a lid that’s wide enough to pour in ice. It’s the go-to for Tom Price, an Associate Reviews Editor here at Popular Mechanics.
“I love it most because Hydro Flask consistently has top-tier insulation,” he says. “I’ll have cold water all day if I drop a few ice cubes in at the start.” He’s impressed with the effectiveness of the double-wall vacuum insulation and that both the lid and bottle are dishwasher-safe. For deeper cleaning, the lid and straw can be completely taken apart and separated to clear out any unwanted build-up.
While he likes the user-friendly straw and how easy it is to clean, the standout feature for him is the small carrying loop. “I love it,” he says. “I can hook the whole bottle around one finger using the small loop.”
Key Specs
| Sizes | 24, 32, 40 oz. |
|---|---|
| Lid Type | Flip-up straw |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | Yes |
| Construction | Double-wall |
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Pros
- Easy to drink from
- Excellent insulation
- Removes PFOA/PFOSs
Cons
- Hard to fill with ice
This is the filtered water bottle I use most because of its sleek design and above-average filtering capability, especially when that cold water is coming from a public fountain. It not only removes minerals for taste, but also filters bacteria, heavy metals, and PFOA/PFOFs (also known as forever chemicals). On top of that, it does an excellent job of keeping water cold.
It’s constructed of the same stainless steel as most of the water bottles on our list and has a powder-coated finish that makes it comfortable to hold.
Another highlight is the Larq’s leakproof flip-up straw that’s easy to drink from—a huge plus as filtered water bottles are notorious for being hard to get water through the filter and straw. The filter itself is also quite small, which means less water displacement and more water in my bottle. The leak-proof cap has an attached carabiner, for easy carrying on my finger or hooking onto my backpack.
The brand has transparent testing methods and publishes its testing results on its website so you can check to see if it removes the specific contaminants you want to avoid.
The small-opening is difficult to put ice in, but it’s doable. I usually fill it up with the crushed ice from my apartment fridge with some water so by the time I’m refilling at a fountain a bit of ice has melted, the contents are still cold, and the water I’m refilling is still filtered and tastes good.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 17, 25 oz. |
|---|---|
| Lid Type | Flip-up straw |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | Yes |
| Construction | Double-wall |
5
Largest Volume
Stanley Easy-Pour Growler Insulated Water Bottle
Pros
- Super durable
- Keeps drinks carbonated
- Heavy-duty handle
Cons
- May be overkill for some
Stanley’s tumbler may be the brand’s best-known vessel, but its classic growler has been a staple for years. More than just preserving beer’s carbonation and chill, it does the same great job at keeping water cold for long periods of time.
The large mouth lid flips open and closed with a plastic-and-metal latch. It also has a rubber gasket around the lid to ensure nothing leaks or spills when in-transit. The handle is built into the collar of the bottle, with the bottom end secured by a screw into the bottle’s body. This is more durable than an attached rubber loop that can stretch or break.
This growler offers high volume that’s easy to carry. Other bottle brands offer large-capacity insulated bottles, but they’re typically cumbersome and awkward to haul around. Stanley’s growler, on the other hand, gives you lots of capacity and reliable insulation in a more portable design.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 64 oz |
|---|---|
| Lid Type | Flip-top lid, large mouth opening |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | Yes |
| Construction | Double-wall |
Pros
- Compact
- Different lid options
- Excellent insulation
Cons
- Hard to fill with ice
The sleek S’well bottle is perfect for sipping on-the-go. It has a small spout top so it’s easy to drink from without flooding your face or having to chug from a wide opening. It’s the preferred bottle of Joana Mascioli, Deputy Editor at Best Products, who doesn’t find drinking “out of rubber straws refreshing whatsoever.” (I agree.)
“I’ve been loyal to my S’well water bottles for years and pretty much refuse to sip out of anything else,” she says. “I love that I’m able to change the top for different needs, like my sports cap when I’m riding my bike.”
The bottles come in 17- and 25-ounce sizes, and you can get two for different uses. Mascioli uses the larger size when at home or in the office and the smaller size when going to the gym or running errands. Thanks to the sleek design, it’s easy to slip into a tote or backpack.
“Regardless of what size or top I’m using,” she says, “my S’well bottles keep my water tasting fresh (never stale) and ice cold for days.” Her only complaint is that the bottom dents easily if you drop it.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 17, 25 oz |
|---|---|
| Lid Type | Screw cap |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | No |
| Construction | Triple-wall |
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7
Best for Carbonated Drinks
Ninja Thirsti Insulated Water Bottle
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Pros
- Great ergonomic design
- Excellent insulation
- 24-ounce size fits in cupholders
Cons
- Lid can be hard to open
The Thirsti is made for those who prefer their water fizzy but works just as well for any still water or drinks. The spout has a leakproof, twist-off cap that locks in carbonation, and the wide-mouth lid is removable so it’s easy to add ice.
Its insulation impressed Summer Cartwright, a Senior Editor at Best Products, who insists this bottle keeps her drinks “shock-your-system cold.”
“When I put ice in it with water, it keeps the H20 chilly for days on end.” she says. She also likes the cap and lid and says they work well. “It’s a little hard to get the whole top off—you twist it, but it’s insulated so much that it takes some extra effort,” though this isn’t a dealbreaker. “Having an insulated water bottle that works this well means I don’t really care about exerting more effort.”
The Thirsti has a silicon strap you can use to carry or attach to your backpack with a carabiner. It also has indents on both sides to make it easier to hold and drink from, similar to the Yeti Yonder—a personal favorite. A small indentation like this makes drinking from it a lot more satisfying.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 18, 24 oz |
|---|---|
| Construction | Unspecified |
| Lid Type | Spout |
| Dishwasher-Safe? | Yes |
Danny Perez
Commerce Editor
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
