Stay healthy and hydrated with our round up of the healthiest water bottles on the market – from BPA-free to stainless steel and even smart bottle options.
Drinking enough water is one of the easiest steps you can add to your daily routine to improve your overall well being.
Being well hydrated will not only stop you getting headaches or feeling faint, it can also lead to clearer skin, a healthier heart and more effective weight loss. Plus, it can reduce fatigue and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
It sounds easy but there are plenty of things that can get in the way of staying hydrated. One of the easiest solutions is to have a water bottle on hand at all times. Buying a reusable one will stop you from wasting money on disposable ones (and contributing to plastic waste!) and it can be better for your health.
We’ve done the research to find the best drink bottles to keep you hydrated and healthy.
Best BPA-free water bottles
Owala FreeSip® Water Bottle, $43 at Owala
Why we love it: Drink bottle has multiple sipping or drinking options, and the pop-top style keeps things clean while out and about.
Worth noting: On the pricier side.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: Various
What you need to know:
Featured in TIME Magazine’s best inventions of 2023 and on whole lot of Tik Tok videos, this drink bottle is ditching the screw lid or even flip straw. Instead, the Owala bottle has a pop-top lid, opened by a simple button, that reveals not one but two drinking spouts. A straw, and a simple spout for tipping the bottle up and drinking water. The BPA-free and leak-proof drink bottle eradicates the need to touch a straw or drinking spout with your hands, and is super easy to clean. Plus, a nifty little handle makes it just too convenient not to carry it everywhere.
Maxzer 32oz Leakproof BPA Free Drinking Water Bottle, $16.95 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: The best water bottle to stay on track with your hydration goals, without breaking the bank.
Worth noting: Not dishwasher safe.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: 950ml
What you need to know:
If you’ve recently made it a goal to start drinking more water but are having trouble sticking to it, this bottle might be what you need. It features a time marker for each hour of the day accompanied by a motivational quote to encourage and remind you to stay hydrated, as well as a flip top lid, silicone straw and a carry strap. This durable bottle is made from tritan co-polyester plastic with a frosted finish and is not dishwasher safe. It is 100 per cent BPA and toxin free, and has a 950ml (32oz) capacity and mouth wide enough to fit ice cubes.
CamelBak 750mL Eddy Drink Bottle, $29.99 at Rebel Sport
Why we love it: Spill proof and leakproof lid.
Worth noting: Only available in four colours.
Material: Titan renew plastic | Capacity: 750ml
What you need to know:
Made to be spill proof when open and leak proof when closed, this Camelbak bottle is the perfect companion for everyday. It features a 750mL capacity, fixed loop handle for easy carrying, a flip straw and a wide opening for easy refills. It’s dishwasher safe, odour and stain resistant, and BPA, BPS and BPF free.
Rolla Bottle Roll Small Water Bottle, $40 at hardtofind.
Why we love it: Best water bottle for festivals or trips where you’ll want to stash it away once empty.
Worth noting: Should be turned inside out for a good clean.
Material: Food-grade silicone | Capacity: 700ml
What you need to know:
The only bottle you’ll ever need for travel, festivals, camping and beyond. This bottle by Rolla Bottle is a compact and lightweight bottle that has a 700mL capacity and rolls small when empty. It’s incredibly convenient and easy to carry around, and it encourages saying ‘NO’ to sing use plastic with 10 per cent of profits being donated to help clean plastic in the ocean. Made from premium quality silicone, it is dishwasher safe, BPA-free and freezer friendly.
Best glass water bottles
SquireMe Y1 Collection 600ml Glass Water Bottle, $68.42 at Amazon
Why we love it: A stylish glass water bottle that looks cute in the office.
Worth noting: Smaller capacity.
Material: Glass, metal | Capacity: 600ml
What you need to know:
If you’re looking for a bottle that is just as practical as it is cute, then look no further than this one by SquireMe. Made from a durable yet lightweight borosilicate glass, this bottle features a protective silicone cover, twist cap, wide mouth and a leather strap for easy carrying. It’s BPA free and phthalate free as well as odourless, corrosion and mildew resistant. Perfect for hot or cold beverages, this bottle is also available in a range of colours.
Lifefactory 22oz Glass Water Bottle, $43.19 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: Silicone sleeve helps protect glass bottle from breakage.
Worth noting: No straw cap.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 650ml
What you need to know:
If glass bottles worry you for fear of dropping them, you’re well within your rights. No one wants a shattered water bottle in the kitchen, let alone a handbag. But this glass water bottle comes with a hand silicone sleeve that is designed to be grippy and help protect the water bottle from dropping or breaking. The great thing about this glass water bottle is that they are dishwasher safe, so no extra cleaning fuss here.
It seems one reviewer might have found their new favourite glass bottle in Lifefactory, raving, “I now own three lifefactory bottles and purchased one for every member of my family for Christmas. This is the only bottle I’ve ever found that is made of glass, incredibly durable, dishwasher safe, marks the volume on the side, looks cute, and has a wide opening for easy cleaning and to put in ice cubes or fruit slices. I know they are a little pricey, but if you plan on using your water bottle a lot and want something easy to clean, I absolutely recommend.”
Best insulated water bottles
Hydro Flask 30oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle, from $71.40 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: Super cute and keeps drinks at the temperature you want them, all day long.
Worth noting: Can dent easily if dropped.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: Approx. 946mls
What you need to know:
The Hydro Flask really had its moment a couple of years ago, probably because these stainless steel bottles are practical and stylish at the same time. Insulated bottles are brilliant for keeping your water tasting fresh and cold all day, or keeping hot liquids warm and toasty through cooler months. This bottle has a built in straw in the cap, and the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth top allows you to fit ice cubes into the stainless steel bottle if you’re wanting an extra icy drink on a hot day.
The Hydro Flask has over 900 five-star reviews on Amazon, with one reviewer raving, “Best water bottle ever. Doesn’t leak and keeps me drinking water all day.”
S’well Insulated Thermal Drinking Bottle, $25 USD at S’well
Why we love it: Keeps drinks hot or cold all day long.
Worth noting: Just a screw top lid to drink out of.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: Approx. 260mls
What you need to know:
If you’re after a bottle that’ll keep your beverages cold or hot for longer then this one by S’well might just do the trick. Made from a double-walled stainless steel, this insulated bottle will keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours. It has a mouth wide enough for ice cubes and drip-free sipping, and should fit in your cup holder.
Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Bottle, $59.95
Why we love it: Stylish drink bottle for around the house, in the car or at the office, and works great as a gift.
Worth noting: Can be hard to keep clean.
Material: Ceramic-lined stainless steel | Capacity: 1L
What you need to know:
The ‘it’ water bottle that everyone has been raving about on TikTok (and rightfully so). This Frank Green water bottled features a triple wall vacuum insulated inner to retain heat or cold, ceramic lined inner for a better taste experience and a screw cap with the options of a push-button lid or a straw lid. It is BPA free and hand-wash only. Available in a variety of colourways, you can mix and match the lid and base to suit your taste.
Lululemon Back to Life Sport Bottle 710ml, $55 at Lululemon
Why we love it: Slip-proof, so you can grip your drink bottle no matter how sweaty you get at the gym.
Worth noting: Body of the bottle must be hand washed.
Material: Polypropylene, steel, silicone | Capacity: 710ml
What you need to know:
This Lululemon water bottle is the only on-the-go companion you need. It has a leak proof lid, slip free texture and a loop for easy carrying. It’s made with 100 per cent steel and features a double-wall to keep the bottle from developing beads, and vacuum insulation to keep your drink cooler for longer.
Yeti Rambler Chug Bottle, $99 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: A great quality drink bottle that’s thicker and sturdy for throwing in the gym bag or taking on a hike.
Worth noting: Larger bottle doesn’t fit in some car cup holders.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: Various
What you need to know:
If you’re looking for a water bottle that will last you all day, whether you’re on the go, at work or getting outside, this Yeti water bottle is a hardy choice. With the Chug Cap, all it takes is an easy spin of the top handle and you can get hydrated fast. The double-wall vacuum insulated bottle will ensure your drinks are kept hot and cold until the last sip. Oh, and it’s dishwasher safe – big tick.
Best stainless steel water bottles
Dometic Insulated Bottle 900ml, $59.99 at BCF
Why we love it: Handle makes it easy to carry despite its size, and generous capacity keeps you hydrated for longer.
Worth noting: Screw cap can be difficult to clean.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 900ml
What you need to know:
For early morning jogs, hikes and everything in-between, this durable thermo bottle features a sports drinking cap which eases the worry of spillage or dropping the cap and losing it. It has double wall insulation – perfect for keeping your drinks hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours, and it’s BPA free.
Body+Soul Health and Wellness Shopping writer Jessica Smith has owned a Dometic Insulated Bottle for about two years now, and says the bottle is “the most practical emotional support bottle there ever was.”
“It might not be quite as aesthetic as your Frank Green, but this has been the best water bottle to keep me hydrated faithfully no matter where I am. I bring it with me everywhere – the office, the gym, on camping trips, to the beach and next to my bed at night. I love it for keeping water cold even on a hot day at the beach, or keeping hot beverages warm during winter. It’s sturdy and the cute little handle makes it easy to carry around everywhere.”
Joseph Joseph Looped Water Bottle, $49.95 at Myer
Why we love it: Loop lid ensures you won’t lose it when drinking – just hang it on your water bottle.
Worth noting: Smaller capacity.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 500ml
What you need to know:
This unique water bottle by Joseph Joseph offers an easy-to-carry screw lid and a place to keep the lid (so you don’t lose it!). Made from double walled vacuum insulated stainless steel, this bottle can keep drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours. It’s leakproof, BPA free and has a capacity of 500ml.
BBBYO Stainless Steel Water Bottle, $39 at Biome
Why we love it: Stainless steel lid is airtight to maintain temperature.
Worth noting: No alternative lid options available.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 750ml
What you need to know:
You’ll be making a difference with this water bottle by BBBYO. Featuring an airtight lid and a double-walled insulate inner, this bottle keeps drinks cold for more than 24 hours and drinks hot for 12 hours. Made from 18/8 stainless steel, it’s BPA free and durable.
Best smart water bottles
Hidrate Spark TAP Smart Water Bottle 24oz, $88.92 at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: Amazing way to level up your hydration game throughout the day with goals and accountability.
Worth noting: Only two colour options.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: 950ml approx.
What you need to know:
This smart water bottle allows you to track your water intake through a tap-to-track smart tag system with the free HidrateSpark App on iOS and Android. How does it work, you ask? You just tap your phone to the Tap to Track smart tag on the bottle and it will show your progress on the app. It also glows at the bottom to remind you to drink 12 times throughout the day and it can be customised by colour. Made with BPA free, shatter and odour resistant Tritan plastic, this smart bottle will change your drinking habits.
What to look for in a reusable water bottle:
When looking for a reusable water bottle, a lot of your choice depends on your lifestyle and what you need. If you’ve got a physical outside job or you’re planning on taking your water bottle hiking and camping, something insulated and made from stainless steel, like a Hydro Flask or Dometic Water Bottle might be suitable. If you work an office job and just want something cute to motivate you to stay hydrated, consider a glass water bottle like this SquireMe Y1 Collection water bottle. Above all, you want to ensure your water bottle is durable, leakproof and made from safe materials.
Water bottle cap
Look for something that has the right cap style that you need. If you have a hands-on job, you might prefer a straw lid or straw bottle to save you from unscrewing the cap on your water bottle. But, if you like to consume a lot of water at a time, you might want to consider a chug cap on your water bottle to get more water in each sip.
Water bottle capacity
Think about the capacity of your water bottle. What to look for depends on how much you are able to refill your water bottle each day. If you work from home, or in an office, you might not need a water bottle with a very large capacity, as you can fill it up quite often. If you are on the go during the day, or are planning to take your water bottle travelling, you might want to consider a larger water bottle that holds enough H20, even if you’re not going to be near a drinking water tap for a while.
Water bottle insulation
Do you want an insulated water bottle? Insulated bottles keep your water hot or cold for longer periods at a time, and can be a good choice if you enjoy having icy cold liquids or hot liquids like tea on the go. Insulated water bottles are a great pick if you’re heading out on hot days or taking your bottle to the beach. Hate the taste of warm water after leaving your water bottle in the car on a summer’s day? Maybe time to grab an insulated water bottle.
Water bottle cleaning requirements
Some water bottles have different care instructions when it comes to cleaning. Most people find it easier to have water bottles that are dishwasher safe, to save needing to hand wash reusable water bottles. However, some water bottles such as glass water bottles, stainless steel water bottles or some insulated water bottles may not be dishwasher safe, and may require cleaning with something like a bottle brush. Even if your water bottle is dishwasher safe, it can be worth hand washing it with a good bottle brush from time to time to ensure there is no buildup of grime or even mold.
Car cup holders
Do you want your water bottle to fit easily into your life wherever you go? You might want to make sure that the water bottle you buy is going to fit into your car cup holder. Some of us have been there: you’ve just splashed some cash on a stunning new wide mouth bottle that’s bound to kick all your hydration goals and generally make your life better and boom – it doesn’t fit in your car cup holder. While some brands like Frank Green now sell car cup holder expanders, it can be a good idea to do your measurements and buy a water bottle that should fit most cup holders, if that’s something that’s important to you.
What is the best bottle for drinking water?
The best water bottle for drinking water depends entirely on what you need. Here are a few different types of reusable water bottles, and who they might suit best:
BPA-free water bottles
You’ve probably heard the acronym “BPA” being thrown around a lot in regards to water bottles (and plastics in general). BPA stands for bisphenol A, which is an industrial chemical that’s historically been added to a lot of products including containers and even hygiene products for strengthening reasons. According to the Mayo Clinic, BPA is slightly concerning because there’s a chance it can seep into the food or drink your containers are holding, and it could affect the brain and prostate glands of fetuses, infants and childrens. That explains the interest in BPA-free plastics, which can include glass, porcelain and stainless steel. It’s a good idea to look for BPA-free material in your water bottle, no matter the type of water bottle you’re after.
Glass water bottles
Cutting out the toxins from your plastics is all well and good, but if you’re looking for a slightly more eco-friendly option, glass water bottles are the way to go. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I always think that it just feels nicer to drink from a glass bottle rather than a plastic bottle anyway (even if it’s just for the aesthetic of it all).
Glass water bottles may be a little on the heavier side, but they do have some winning benefits to outweigh that downside (pun intended). Not only are glass bottles made from natural materials (i.e. glass) that are recyclable, eco-friendly, and sustainable, they’re also generally dishwasher safe. Plus, there’s no nasty BPA-like chemicals hiding in the glass that could leach into your drink or make it taste weird either. These are great water bottles for having on your desk or in the car on the go.
Stainless steel water bottles
Stainless steel is eco-friendly as it can be recycled and requires little energy to be manufactured. Plus being plastic-free, there’s no nasty chemicals lying in wait. Most stainless steel bottles are to be hand washed and they’re also pretty good insulators.
Stainless steel water bottles could be the best water bottle option for you if you have a physical job that requires your water bottle to be a little sturdier.
Insulated water bottles
Want to get more bang for your buck? Insulated water bottles are a great pick because they’ll work for any beverage you might want. Pour in your morning tea or coffee in your insulated bottle and take it on your commute, or just opt for some ice cold water for a hot summers’ day and you’ll find that the temperature is maintained for hours on end for a satisfying sip every time.
Seriously, they’re no joke – some models, like the S’well Insulated Thermal Drinking Bottle offers up to 24 hours of cold insulation and 12 hours of heat. And the added benefit of the insulation is that you’ll avoid condensation on the outside of the bottle that could drench whatever’s in your bag, as well as keeping leak-free, which is definitely a plus.
If you have an outside job, or typically do a lot of hiking or beach days, an insulated water bottle like the Hydro Flask is a great choice for water temperature retention for hot and cold beverages.
Smart water bottles
We’re really living in the future, and smart bottles prove it.
They are what they sound like: water bottles with smart capabilities. Depending on the model, these capabilities range from tracking how often you fill the bottle, to reminding you to drink your required daily intake. Some of the models are indeed super smart – like the Hidrate Spark TAP Smart Water Bottle, which not only fulfils the bare minimum water bottle requirement of, you know, holding water – but it also glows on the hour to remind you to take a sip, and has a water tracking app.
Smart water bottles could be the best water bottle for you if you struggle with remembering to stay hydrated or need a fun incentive to drink more water.
Non-insulated water bottles
Non-insulated water bottles like this Maxzer Leakproof Water Bottle that are made from BPA-free plastic are often not insulated, meaning they will hold your water but won’t keep hot liquids hot or cold liquids cold. If you’re heading out for a beach day, or leaving your water bottle in a hot car for a period of time, a non-insulated water bottle is not ideal, as it won’t keep liquids cold. And drinking hot water on a hot day isn’t exactly our idea of refreshing. However, if you are simply using your water bottle to hold cold water during the winter, or to have bottled water on your desk or around the house, a non-insulated water bottle will be a fine choice to keep you hydrated during the day.
Is it ok to refill plastic water bottles?
While it might seem like a cheap and cheerful attempt at sustainability, refilling the plastic water bottle you bought at the convenience store isn’t the healthiest choice for you or the planet. Seeing as your average disposable plastic bottle isn’t BPA-free, there’s a risk of nasty chemicals like BPA itself leaching into your water if you keep refilling it. Additionally, harmful bacteria can grow really quickly in this toxic plastic environment. On the whole, it’s safer to just buy a water bottle specifically designed to be reused.
How often should I wash my water bottle?
If you really want to keep yourself safe from germs and other nasties, it’s best to wash your water bottle everyday – even if you’re just using it for water! If you’re using your bottle for other beverages (especially coffee or tea, if it’s an insulated one), you should wash it after every use to avoid any lingering taste or rancid milk.
Which water bottle stays cold the longest?
An insulated bottle is your go-to if you want a water bottle that will keep water cold the longest. Insulated bottles like the Hydro Flask use vacuum insulation to keep liquids cold for up to 24 hours, and other insulated bottles like the Yeti Rambler can even keep hot liquids like tea hot until the last sip. Insulated bottles are a great choice if you are heading on a hot day and want to be assured that you’ll have cool, fresh water all day long. An insulated bottle such as the Dometic water bottle has a wide mouth so you can even add ice cubes to your drink to keep it extra cool for longer.
What is the safest material for water bottles?
There’s no one answer for the one and only safest material, but stainless steel and glass are probably your best bets – unlike plastic, they don’t contain nasty toxins or chemicals that can leach into your drink, plus they keep water tasting fresher for longer.
How we chose these products:
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
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