The 7 Best Insulated Water Bottles Our Editors Use and Love
These double- and triple-walled stainless steel bottles from brands including Yeti, Owala, and Hydro Flask are designed to keep liquids cold for an entire day—and then some.
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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.
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.
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