Best Insulated Steel Bottle for Everyday Use? (Rankings for Insulation, Durability, and 7 More!)7/7/2025  Best Bottle Rankings (Preview Showing Durability Criteria) This guide cuts through biased marketing and overconsumerism to help you find the best insulated bottle that fits your lifestyle. We'll specifically focus on bottles that are meant for general everyday hydration, so no fancy filter or infuser bottles here (but we have other guides that include those). Don't worry though because you'll still see plenty of options, including 21 different stainless steel bottles and 1 plastic for comparison, each having its own strengths and weakensses. Buckle up, and let's find your new favorite everyday bottle! What's Next?
Video Review: Best Everyday Insulated Water Bottle RankingsWe also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap! Disclosures BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates and YouTube Referral Programs. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. This is our main source of income and how we stay independent without sponsorships or paid ads, so big thanks if you use one! Bottles ConsideredHere's the full list, and I'll likely add bottles and update this post as I purchase more of them.
Good Accessories for Most Large BottlesWhether you go with Owala, Hydro Flask, YETI, Stanley, or one of countless other options, these are our two most recommended accessories for any large reusable bottle.
Part 1: Best Bottles, Ranked by 9 CriteriaIn this section, we'll run through each criteria according to the SABCD format, where "S" is the best and "D" is the worst. Criteria 1: Which Bottles are Leak-Free? Let's start with an easy one, which bottles are leak-free?  Which Bottles are Leak-Free? (Rankings) Bottles that Leak Bottles that are Leak-Free All of the other bottles mentioned here are leak free, including Brumate, Camelbak, Cirkul, EcoVessel, Fjbottle, Hydro Flask Wide Flex Straw, Hydro Flask Standard Flex Straw, Hydro Flask Trail, Klean Kanteen, Nalgene, Owala, Owala Sway, Ozark Trail, Revomax, Stanley IceFlow, Stanley ProTour, S'well, Takeya, and YETI. If you have issues with them leaking, check the seals to make sure they're clean and properly seated and that the spout or threaded connections are closed all the way. And notably, if you prefer tumblers with the large side mounted handles, Brumate's Era and Stanley's ProTour are good options with leak-free lids. Criteria 2: Which Bottles have the Best Insulation? Now let's look at insulation, and there are some clear winners and losers.  Which Bottles have the Best Insulation? (Rankings - Cold Water Test) Bottles with the Best Insulation Bottles with the Worst Insulation Nalgene was technically the worst bottle in this review, but that makes sense because it's the only non-insulated bottle (included it for reference). Of the vacuum-insulated dual wall bottles, the worst results were from:
Keep in mind there are A LOT of variables that determine how well a bottle insulates your water. For an even deeper dive into this topic, check out this article. You can also do a wide range of tests, including hot vs cold, ice vs no ice, same volume for each bottle vs filled to the top, and the list goes on. Different test setups can yield different results, so you'll see different rankings on some of my previous tests. But since it's summer, this post focused on my most recent cold water tests since. Just don't forget to consider the bottle's mouth diameter since a small diameter bottle like S'well is not great for adding ice. Criteria 3: Which Bottles are the Most Durable? Now let's look at which bottles are most likely to last you 20 years instead of just two.  Which Bottles are the Most Durable? (Rankings) The logic behind the rankings can be admittedly tricky to follow. For example, some bottles may have one feature that make them more durable (Owala's spout is fixed), while also having other features that drop them down the rankings (Owala's lid cover has small plastic parts and springs). The rankings are my best attempt to take all these different factors into account based on observations, testing, and how each one feels in-person. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. The Most Durable Bottles The Least Durable Bottles
Cirkul
Factors Considered
Straw Lids In most cases, leak-proof straw lids are not a good choice if having the most durable bottle is important to you. Straw bottles typically either have flip-up spouts or fixed spouts with a cover, and both have their own benefits and drawbacks.
Bottle Boot vs Grip Pad
The bottom line is any stainless steel bottle can dent if dropped, but differences in the construction, lid, and finish can make one a better option than another if durability is your most important criteria. Criteria 4: Which Bottles are Easiest to Clean? Now let's look at how easy each bottle is to clean, which is very important but many people don't consider when buying.  Which Bottles are Easiest to Clean? (Rankings) Bottles that are Easiest to Clean
Bottles that are Hardest to Clean
Factors Considered The rankings initially focused on which bottles are easiest to deep clean. Then I adjusted that ranking up or down based on how dishwasher-safe both the bottle and lid are.
Deep Cleaning!!!
A good brush kit and cleaning tablets make it a lot easier. Here are the two I've used for the last few years. You can also consider using denture or retainer tablets to save some money as they have very similar ingredients. Standard and Chug Lids
Straw Lids
Leak-Free Straw Lids that are Easiest to Clean Since leak-free straw lids are some of the most popular options on the market, some brands have made real improvements that make their bottles easier to keep clean.
Criteria 5: Which Bottles have the Best Handles? Let's face it, big bottles like these can be a pain to bring with you, but having a good handle can make all the difference.  Which Bottles have the Best Handles? (Rankings) Bottles with the Best Handles
Bottles with the Worst Handles Factors Considered
Side vs Top This is more of a preference, so it didn't play into the rankings for best handles (but it will in the next section). But the handle design is noted in the Best Bottle Spreadsheet for quick reference to make things easier.
Criteria 6: Which Bottles are the Least Cumbersome? The overall size and weight of the bottle also plays a role in which one's a good fit for your lifestyle. A good handle definitely helps, but maybe it's not a good fit in your car or you're looking for something that takes up less space on your desk.  Which Bottles are the Least Cumbersome? (Rankings) I thought about standardizing this part and picking all of the bottles that are closest to 32 ounces since the size bottle you get factors into how cumbersome it is, but I also wanted to focus on bottles I actually own and can test. Also, this way the recommendations you'll get in the Best Bottle Spreadsheet are ones you've seen in this post. So I ended up just adding notations to the chart so you can see how different volumes from different brands compare., but it's certainly a good idea to consider buying different size options of a certain brand if you like everything else about that bottle. The Least Cumbersome Bottles
The Most Cumbersome Bottles
Factors Considered This criteria is pretty straighforward, and the two main factors that I looked at were the weight and bulkiness of the bottle. Criteria 7: Which Bottles are the Most Affordable? Let's face it, 20 years ago, you'd have called me crazy if I said everyone would be walking around with +$35 bottles.  Which Bottles are Most Affordable? (Rankings) Most Affordable Bottles (Under $20) Most Expensive Bottles (Over $45)
The rankings are split like this: Below $20: S $20 - $30: A $30 - $40: B $40 - $45: C Above $45: D Each one is ranked based on the list price, but keep an eye out for price breaks because most of these brands run sales all the time or might be higher priced if they are low on inventory (especially with color drops). The bottle volume also plays a big role in the price since bigger bottles cost more than smaller one of the same style, but like I mentioned in the previous section, this list sticks to bottles I actually own and that will show up in the Best Bottle Spreadsheet (though I'm planning to expand that spreadsheet in the future). Criteria 8: Which Bottles are Car-Friendly? For the commuters and road warriors, having a bottle that can stay secure next to you when on the road can be very helpful.  Which Bottles are Most Car Friendly? (Rankings) LEGAL DISCLAIMER Be sure to check with your local laws to make sure sipping while on the go is OK since it counts as distracted driving in some areas. Even if it's legal where you live, it's a good idea to get a bottle or a cup holder adapter setup that will make staying hydrated in the car easier and safer. Most Car-Friendly Bottles
Least Car-Friendly Bottles
Factors Considered
Need an Adapter?
Criteria 9: Which Bottles are the Most Popular? How well-known the brand is can make be a real factor, particularly if you prefer to have a viral bottle or you're giving one as a gift.  Which Bottles are Most Popular? (Rankings) The Most Popular Bottles and Brands (2025, USA Primarily) These three are at the top of the water bottle world right now.
The Least Popular Bottles and Brands (2025, USA Primarily) These are still great bottles in the right circumstances, and it's also important to re-state that this is just for the bottles in this post. But these are not as widely-known or prestigious, so they may not be as good of options for gift-giving. Factors Considered This criteria is pretty hard to classify since different bottles are popular for different people, but I looked at a combination of places to come up with this list, which is my best attempt to rank them in an way that's unbiased towards any particular style, brand, or generation.
Part 2: Get Your Personalized RecommendationsNow we have one more step to come up with your personalized recommendations. If you click the link below, you'll see an Excel file on my Google Drive. You won't be able to edit it while it's on my Google Drive since that would change it for everyone else too, so download it first then make your edits. The first tab "Start (Ranking)" looks like this and is where you'll enter how important each criteria is to you.  Rank Your Criteria (Tab 1) You know all those ranking charts from before? This spreadsheet converts the tiers into numbers, with higher numbers being better. Then it calculates a weighted total for each bottle by multiplying the tier numbers and your rankings for which criteria were most important.  Converting Tiers to Numbers Click the 2nd tab "Your Recommendations" to see something like this. Click the sort button on "Total" (cell X7), then sort from largest to smallest. This re-arranges the list, and the bottles with the highest point totals are the best matches for you.  Recommended Bottle List (Tab 2) Review all the other info like the handle type to really hone in on what you'd prefer, and consider how different lids and sizes could change things too. Then to see current pricing, click the hyperlinks on the "Link to Listing" column (column AG). Most go to Amazon, but Owala's Sway goes to Target and Ozark Trail goes to Walmart. Comments:
Part 3: Deep DivesAfter you've narrowed your search, check out the bottle's listing for more info. You can also look at this other post, which focuses less on rankings for each criteria and more on the individual features for each bottle.
Or if you've really narrowed it to just a few bottles, there are a couple links below.
Hope this helps, and happy hydrating!
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 Hydro Flask's Micro Bottle (5 minute read) Is Minimalism the Next Water Bottle Trend?Hydro Flask released their new Micro Bottle earlier this year, and it tops out at only 6.7oz (200ml). If you're like me, you may think at first why would anyone want a bottle that small, but the thing is may have hit the jackpot by bucking the big water bottle trend that's dominated the last decade. It's already gone out of stock and is reselling for over 3x the retail price, but what do you even use a bottle that small for? To find out, I looked at all of posted reviews and found that two things in particular were mentioned by far the most frequently. I also checked on Reddit because that's always good for some entertainment, and there were some interesting suggested uses. But either way, given how this new product seems to be building momentum, let's take a closer look to see what people are saying about what's good and how they're actually using it. Video ReviewWe also covered this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. Where can you Buy Hydro Flask's Micro Bottle?As of today, this bottle appears to only be available on Hydro Flask's website here, but it's probably a matter of time before it's available on Amazon and other outlets. It's also sold out currently, but you can sign up on their website to be notified when Micro is restocked. How Big is Hydro Flask's Micro Bottle?Here are the specs compared to a 32oz Hydro Flask so you can really understand how small this thing is. It holds 6.7oz, is 2.25" wide, 6.65" tall, weighs a third of a pound, and costs $20. By comparison, Hydro Flask's 32oz bottle is 3.8" wide, 10.35" tall, weighs one pound, and costs $45.  Specs Comparision: Hydro Flask 32oz vs Micro To put it into practical terms with something you're probaby familiar with, it's pretty close the same size as a 16oz soda or beer can. Just a little shorter on the diameter and a little taller on the height. As someone who has been using mostly 32 and 40oz bottles for over a decade, I thought this seemed incredibly small so I went to Hydro Flask's website to learn more.  Comparable Size to 16oz Soda Can What do you Use Hydro Flask's Micro Bottle For?As someone who has been using mostly 32 and 40oz bottles for over a decade, I thought this seemed incredibly small so I went to Hydro Flask's website to learn more. They mention on the listing how it's perfect for ramen, hot water maybe to mix with something else, wine, and cold sips, but I went to the reviews to really find out how people are using it. After looking through all 96 posted reviews and counting up keywords and use cases, I came up with this chart and there are two clear winners.  Keywords, Uses, and Topics Mentioned in Reviews For sure, the most common use will still be water, and I didn't include that on the chart because it seemed like a given and I wanted to see what else people were saying.
That tracks with Reddit, where the most upvoted post was simply how it's the cutest bottle ever. But there were a lot more votes for alcohol, so that's Reddit for you. Then it went into even more unexpected directions with things like salad dressing, hot sauce, and even hollandaise. But there were a lot of comments from people who said they don't think the size is practical for them, and that sets up a very interesting battle of trends. Big Bottle vs Minimalism Battle of Trends: Big Bottles vs Minimalism For years the focus has been on big bottles and improving hydrating by drinking a lot more water, which is why big 32 and 40oz bottles are so common. But this micro bottle is clearly trending more towards minimalism, and being more discrete with a bottle you can stow in a backpack or purse instead of carrying around a large, bulky bottle.
It's impossible to know how many people legitimately bought this bottle because it's a size they need or if they bought it because it looks cool and then they had to find a use to justify it, though given that there are a few comments like these, the latter is clearly happening to some extent. But regardless, this product launch has clearly been a hit for Hydro Flask, and it comes after years of losing traction to brands like Stanley and Owala. Just don't be surprised if other major brands follow suit and come out with their own micro bottles over the next year or so, and we'll see in a few years if this ends up being a trend or just another water bottle fad.  Which Water Bottle has the Best Insulation? (10 minute read) Which Water Bottle has the Best Insulation?Which bottles have the best insulation, and do they really live up to their claims to keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12? We tested over 30 bottles, including both hot and cold tests to see how the results compared, and we're posting all the juicy details below for your over-analyzing pleasure. So if you're looking for the absolute best water bottle for either hot or cold drinks, this post is for you. Let's get started! Sneak Peek Summary Here are the best and worst 3 for both the hot and cold tests (click the links to see them on Amazon).
Since ice water is the most common way people use these big bottles, here are the bottles listed from best-to-worst based on their cold water test (you'll see the full data a little later). All of these are dual-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel, with the exception of Nalgene (plastic) which was included as a control.
Videos: Insulation TestsWe also covered each test in separate YouTube videos if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way.
Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. There are product links in this article, and if you make a purchase using one, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! Which Water Bottle Keeps Drinks the Hottest?First, let's look at the hot water insulation test. To standardize the test, I bought this set of wireless thermometers. It's the kind that are primarily used for smoking meats and grilling, but it worked well for this purpose too. It comes with these two sensor probes that are individually labeled on top, and they connect wirelessly to a readout display. I wasn't sure how water proof the sensors were, so I made a little float for each one so only the bottom part of the probe would be underwater.
Methodology:
 Table of Hot Insulation Test Results There are a few things to note about this test.
Which Water Bottle Keeps Drinks the Coldest?Most people use large water bottles for ice water instead of hot drinks, so I also did a cold water test. For this test, I left the bottles outside so they got some sunlight to simulate if you were using it hiking or at the beach. But because it's a lot harder to predict temperature changes outside compared to inside, I elected to do one big test with all the bottles at the same time while measuring the temperature at the start and end of a 24-hour period.
Methodology:
 Table of Cold Insulation Test Results There are a few things to note about this test.
Conclusions: Which Bottles have the Best Insulation?Links to each bottle in order from best-to-worst are shown at the beginning under the Sneak Peek Summary, so I won't repeat them here. But after these tests, I came away with four main conclusions in general when it comes to water bottles and insulation. Conclusion #1: Mouth Diameter is Important The easiest way to guess a bottle's insulation that's also fairly reliable is the mouth diameter. A good rule of thumb is the wider the opening, the worse the insulation. That makes sense because most heat is lost through the lid, as you can clearly see in thermal imaging between Owala's bottle (narrower) and Owala's newer Sway tumbler (wider opening). Just don't forget to consider the mouth diameter too if you'd mostly use it with ice water, so think about the size of your ice cubes too.  Thermal Imaging of Owala Sway vs Owala Original Conclusion #2: Lid Design is Even More Important While the mouth diameter is the most common factor, the lid design, and specifically if it makes a dual-seal, seems to be the most important factor. Each of the top three bottles on both tests creates your typical seal at the rim of the bottle that you see in every single bottle on this list, but they also make a second seal on average about an inch or two down the neck of the bottle. With S'well's lid, this seal presses up against this part of the neck than narrows a little bit more.  Double Seal on S'well RevoMax has a threadless lid that expands in the neck of the bottle.  Double Seal on RevoMax The dual seal traps some heat and acts extra insulation insulator. So bottom line, if you look at a bottle and see it's designed to create a dual seal, then odds are it will have really good insulation. Conclusion #3: Best Big Tumbler (like Stanley Quencher) If you like a big tumbler with a side-mounted handle, the bad news is that most of them have pretty poor insulation because they have such a wide mouth diameter. But if insulation is important to you and you really like that style bottle, then take a serious look at Simple Modern because they were way better than all the other similar tumblers on this list. Here's the breakdown if you grouped the bottles by different volumes, and it's really clear just how much better Simple Modern was. Here's the breakdown for the hot test, and it was also by far the best large tumbler in the cold test.  Table of Hot Test Results for 40oz Bottles and Tumblers Conclusion #4: Popular and Expensive does not Guarantee Better Insulation Branding and marketing really don't matter much when it comes to insulation. Brands like Owala and Stanley always say they have amazing insulation, and Stanley in particular got a lot of viral attention when a car caught on fire but the Stanley inside survived and still had ice. But that that doesn't mean they have better insulation than any of these other brands, and in fact they have consistently tested worse. The best example of this is how Ozark Trail costs about $12, and it has the same or even better insulation than many brands 3-4x their cost like YETI and Hydro Flask. The truth is most bottles with dual-wall vacuum insulation are good enough for most people most days, so instead consider focusing on other buying factors like whether you like the brand, lid design, and if it fits in your cupholder. Here's our most comprehensive list of bottles yet, including their benefits and drawbacks.  Our Biggest Water Bottle Comparison Yet Hope this helps, and happy hydrating!
 What is the Best Filter Bottle? (10 minute read) What is the Best Bottle with a Built-In Filter?There are a growing number of water bottles with built-in filters on the market, and there are plenty good reasons to have one, including camping, travel, emergencies like natural disasters, or if you just for some extra peace of mind. In this post, you'll see three very different options: Brita's straw filter bottle, GRAYL's press filter bottle, and Vitaloop's pump filter bottle. You'll see:
So let's dive right in and find out which is the best filter bottle for you. Sneak Peek Summary
Video: Which Filter Bottle is the Best?We also cover this info in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. There are a few products linked in this article, and if you make a purchase using one, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! What Comes with Each Filter Bottle?How Brita's Filter Bottle Works First, let's look at how each one works, starting with Brita. This is the simplest option because it just has a bottle, a lid, a straw, and the filter. To use it, you just press the filter into this silicone fitting, then slide the straw over the filter and lock it into the lid by twisting to the right. Then you just sip like any other straw lid.  What Comes with Brita's Filter Bottle? How GRAYL's Filter Bottle Works GRAYL is different because it has a press-style filter. This bottle comes with an outer plastic sleeve, an inner plastic bottle, the lid, and the filter cartridge. To use it, you scoop up some water in this outer sleeve, then you take this inner bottle with the filter on the bottom and press it down into the sleeve. This forces water through the filter, and these one-way valves keep the clean water inside. It takes quite a bit of effort to force it down, so you'll probably need to put the bottle on the ground and press on it like they show in these pictures.  What Comes with GRAYL's Filter Bottle? How Vitaloop's Filter Bottle Works Vitaloop on the other hand has a pump inside the lid to force water through the filter. It consists of an outer metal sleeve on the lid, the lid that includes a spout and a large housing for the pump, an inner flexible plastic pouch that holds the untreated water, the outer hard plastic bottle that holds the clean water, and the filter cartrige. To use this bottle, first you add water to the inner flexible pouch. Push this button and take off the outer sleeve, then add water through this opening. If you're dipping the bottle like in a stream or pond for example, angle the bottle like this so the inlet is below the spout. Alternatively, you can unscrew the outer bottle and then unscrew the inner flexible pouch, then add water and screw it all back together. When you push this button, the pump will activate and go through a filter cycle. It moves water from the flexible pouch, through the filter, and into the hard outer plastic bottle.  What Comes with Vitaloop's Filter Bottle? Filter Test (Brita, GRAYL, and Vitaloop)Now let's do a test. I scooped some sandy dirt into a bin of water and stirred it up, then got about 16 ounce in this measuring cup. Then I passed water through each filter.  Dirty water for filter test For Brita, I used a syringe to pull water up the straw. GRAYL and Vitaloop were used as directed. Vitaloop is a little tricky to pour water into the opening on the side, so it's probably best to either submerge the bottle if you can while keeping the power button above water, or remove the flexible pouch and fill it up separately then reassemble it all. Brita took awhile because of how I had to use a syringe, GRAYL was the fastest but it does take some effort, and Vitaloop starts after pressing this button for about 1 second, then it ran a pump cycle for about 45 seconds. Vitaloop had the least amount of uncleaned water left behind because Brita's straw doesn't reach all the way to the bottom, and GRAYL had more unfiltered water even after two filter presses. Visually, each one seemed to help a lot, and the filtered water with each one was much clearer than the starting water.  Filter Test Results I used these water quality test strips to see if there was any kind of noticeable difference, and as far as I could tell, none of them were really any different. Maybe Vitaloop was a little better on chlorine. And it actually looks like GRAYL and Vitaloop are a little worse on manganese, but I think that's actually just discolored a little because some of the dye from zinc flowed down because I didn't keep the strips level enough during the 15 second wait time. Either way, it's hard to tell any significant differences from these very basic tests.  Test Strip Results Which Contaminants do Brita, GRAYL, and Vitaloop Remove?What does Brita Remove? Brita uses an activated carbon filter, and the marketing around focuses on improving taste, as well as removing "chlorine and more." I'm not sure what more is, and it also says "this is not a water purifier bottle." I reached out to Brita to ask if they had any data on whether it removes things like PFAS or microplastics, but I never heard back so at this point I'm not sure.
What do Brita, GRAYL, and Vitaloop Cost? (including filters)What does Brita Cost? Brita is the least expensive option. The 32oz stainless steel version costs $42 up-front, and they market how each filter lasts for 40 gallons, or about 2 months. You can buy a 6-pack like this for $16 right now, so it's not really that expensive. Summary: Up Front: $42 (stainless steel version) Annual: $16 (6-pack, on sale) What does GRAYL Cost? GRAYL on the other hand is a lot more. Their 24oz GeoPress is their most popular bottle, and it costs $100 to get started. The replacement cartriges are $30 each and last about 350 uses, or 65 gallons. So assuming that a filter lasts you 3 month if we're comparing similar usage rates as Brita, your on-going annual cost-to-own is about $120. If you're really bougie, you could also go for their titanium series bottles that get up over $200. Summary: Up Front: $100 (standard GeoPress) Annual: $120 (4 filters, $30 each) What does Vitaloop Cost? Vitaloop is on sale right now for $100, but its retail price is $140. It's a newer brand, so I'm not entirely sure where the price will eventually level out, but it's definitely still an investment. Each filter cartrige costs $30 and lasts up to 66 gallons, so it's comparable to GRAYL's GeoPress series. Assuming you replace it every 3 months, your on-going annual cost-to-own will be about $120.
Summary: Up Front: $100 (on sale) Annual: $120 (4 filters, $30 each)  (10 minute read) How to Clean Stainless Steel Mugs and BottlesSo, what exactly are the best ways to remove stains and rust from your stainless steel bottle? And what exactly is that oily-looking rainbow color that you sometimes see, and is it harmful? It honestly gets really confusing, and everyone seems to have their own trick or solution. So today, let's talk about and test eight of the most commonly-mentioned options to see which are the best for removing stains, rust, and rainbowing in stainless steel water bottles. You'll see some that work amazing, and others that don't so much at all. So let's get started and learn how to make your stainless steel bottle look like new. Best for Stains and Rainbowing (Not Rust)Given that this is the most common question, we wanted to highlight this answer first by showing the cheapest, fastest, and easiest ways to remove stains and rainbowing from stainless steel mugs and bottles. Keep reading below to learn more about our tests, as well as which are the best cleaning options for removing rust.
Video: How to Remove Stains, Rust, and Rainbowing from Stainless Steel Mugs and BottlesWe also cover this info in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. There are a few products linked later in this article, and if you make a purchase using one, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. Big thanks if you use one because it really does help! Stains vs Rust vs RainbowingFirst, it helps to know the difference between stains, rust, and rainbowing because knowing what you have can change which type of cleaning agent or method you should use. Stains  Coffee and Tea Stains (in 16oz Hydro Flask) Stains are most commonly formed if you are a regular coffee or tea drinker. This is because of tannins, which most people associate with wine, but they also exist in coffee and tea. They're basically organic compounds you find in things like fruit, bark, and leaves, and fun fact, the name "tannin" comes from how people can use tree bark to tan animal hides when making leather. Because tannins are so small, they work their way into the microscopic pores and imperfections in stainless steel, which creates that staining effect. Another type is water stains, which is when water droplets dry up and leave behind oils or dissolved minerals like calcium, and it's a lot more common if you live in an area with hard water. But notably, none of these stains actually damage your bottle. Rust  Rusting Rust on the other hand is corrosive and can leave lasting damage if left unchecked. Regular carbon steel corrodes because the iron in the steel reacts with water and moisture in air to form iron oxide, also known as rust. Stainless steel is different because it contains a percentage of chromium, along with a few other metals. The amount of each type of metal varies based on the type of stainless steel you have, but the important detail is that the chromium in stainless steel forms a protective chromium oxide layer, also known as a passive layer. That's what actually prevents rust from forming, and it's why stainless steel stains less. But it's really thin, typically just a few nanometers thick. Rainbowing  Rainbowing in a Corkcicle Mug Rainbowing is what happens when that chromium oxide passive layer gets a little thicker. When stainless steel is heated up, that can actually increase the thickness of that oxidized top layer, creating that rainbowing effect. Because it's related to heat, that's also why you sometimes hear rainbowing referred to as heat tinting. Even though it looks a little weird and oily, rainbowing stainless steel bottles are totally safe to use. What We're TestingSometimes it's hard to tell exactly what's a stain, rust, or rainbowing, especially if it's really bad because maybe there's a combination of these issues. And even though stains and rainbowing aren't inherently unsafe, they make it more difficult to know if a bottle is truly clean. For those reasons, it can be a good idea to clean bottles regularly so they look like brand new stainless steel. These are eight of the most commonly-mentioned methods you'll find online.
We're going to test some of these three mugs: a rainbowing Corkcicle mug, a coffee and tea-stained Contigo mug, and a stained and rainbowing Hydro Flask 16oz bottle. And I don't have any bottles with enough rust to run multiple tests, but I did accidentally left this camping stovetop outside too long, so that'll give us plenty of surface area to test a few different ways to remove rust.
Test 1 Setup: Corkcicle (Removing Rainbowing)First on the testing block is the Corkcicle with the heavy rainbowing. Rather than testing one method after another, I taped off four sections inside the mug so we can hopefully see the differences side-by-side against the exact same types of stain.  Taping Off 4 Sections Test 1 (Rainbowing): Baking Soda Sprinkled a bunch on, added warm water to make a paste, let it sit for 10 minutes, then did some light scrubbing and washed it off.  Baking Soda Test 1 (Rainbowing): Vinegar Made a 1:1 solution of 5% distilled white vinegar with warm water and let that also sit for 10 minutes.  Vinegar Test 1 (Rainbowing): Lemon Juice and Salt Made a solution then poured that on, also leaving it for 10 minutes.  Lemon Juice and Salt Test 1 (Rainbowing): Bar Keeper's Friend Bar Keeper's Friend recommends using it for no more than 1 minute, so I did more of a wipe-on-wipe-off approach over about 30 seconds.  Bar Keepers Friend Test 1 Results: Corkcicle (Removing Rainbowing)Baking soda and Bar Keeper's Friend had by far the best results of these four methods when it comes to removing rainbowing. The baking soda results did not look at good as BKF, but that's probably because I did not make as even of coverage with the baking soda paste. It looked really good in the middle where I know there was good coverage with the paste. Both the vinegar/water solution and the lemon juice/salt solution did not appear to remove rainbowing much at all.  Baking Soda and Vinegar Results  Bar Keepers Friend and Lemon Juice and Salt Results Test 1 (Rainbowing): Bottle Bright Next was Bottle Bright, and for this, I filled the same mug up about halfway with warm water, added a tablet, and let it sit for 10 minutes. (show footage). You can can how it cleaned some of the mug, but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.  Bottle Bright Results (Half Full, Warm Water, 10min) I've used these tablets before with amazing results, so I ran the test again like how I normally use them by adding boiling water, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then scrubbing it some with a long brush. You can see that really did the trick, and now the whole inside of the Corkcicle looks like new.  Bottle Bright Results (Full, Hot Water, 30min) Test 2 Setup and Results: Contigo (Removing Stains)After that, I tested the Contigo with heavy coffee and tea stains the exact same way using a mug that's been taped into 4 sections. Again, baking soda and Bar Keepers Friend were great at removing stains, while vinegar and lemon and salt may have removed some of the stains but not nearly as much. And Bottle Bright worked the same too. You can see where I filled it halfway up with warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes, but you can really see the difference when used with boiling water and a 30-minute sit time. Test 2 (Staining): Baking Soda (top middle) Sprinkled a bunch on, added warm water to make a paste, let it sit for 10 minutes, then did some light scrubbing and washed it off.  Baking Soda Results Test 2 (Staining): Vinegar (top middle) Made a 1:1 solution of 5% distilled white vinegar with warm water and let that also sit for 10 minutes.  Vinegar Results Test 2 (Staining): Lemon Juice and Salt (top middle) Made a solution then poured that on, also leaving it for 10 minutes.  Lemon Juice and Salt Results Test 2 (Staining): Bar Keeper's Friend (top middle) Bar Keeper's Friend recommends using it for no more than 1 minute, so I did more of a wipe-on-wipe-off approach over about 30 seconds.  Bar Keepers Friend Results Test 2 (Staining): Bottle Bright (line halfway up) Mixed 1 tablet with warm water, then soaked for 10 minutes.  Bottle Bright Results (Half Full, Warm Water, 10min) Test 2 (Staining): Bottle Bright (filled to top) Mixed 1 tablet with hot water, then soaked for 30 minutes and lightly scrubbed with a soft bristle brush.  Bottle Bright Results (Filled to Top, Hot Water, 30min) Test 3 Setup and Results: Hydro Flask 16oz (Removing Stains and Rainbowing)For good measure, I also cleaned a 16 ounce Hydro Flask bottle. However, since I'm not able to get my hand inside it, I just used Bottle Bright with hot water, soaked for 30 minutes, then scrubbed it lightly with a brush. The results speak for themselves!  Bottle Bright Results Test 4 Setup and Results: Camping Stove (Rust)Next was the rust test using that camping stove. I used all of the same methods and durations again, each time just testing one side of this flat part of the stove.  Rusted Camping Stove For rust, lemon juice and salt did much better and seemed to have the best result. Bar Keeper's Friend and baking soda both removed some rust, but not as much. And again, vinegar didn't seem to do much at all, and neither did Bottl Bright this time. Then I added a Bottle Bright tablet with warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes on the vinegar section because that was the side that still had the most rust. It didn't do much at all, so I reran the test with boiling water and letting it sit for 30 minutes. But again, Bottle Bright didn't do much. Test 4 (Rusting): Baking Soda Sprinkled a bunch on, added warm water to make a paste, let it sit for 10 minutes, then did some light scrubbing and washed it off.  Baking Soda Before/After Test 4 (Rusting): Vinegar Made a 1:1 solution of 5% distilled white vinegar with warm water and let that also sit for 10 minutes.  Vinegar Before/After Test 4 (Rusting): Lemon Juice and Salt Made a solution then poured that on, also leaving it for 10 minutes.  Lemon Juice and Salt Before/After Test 4 (Rusting): Bar Keepers Friend Bar Keeper's Friend recommends using it for no more than 1 minute, so I did more of a wipe-on-wipe-off approach over about 30 seconds.  Bar Keepers Friend Before/After Test 4 (Rusting): Bottle Bright I added a Bottle Bright tablet with hot water and let it sit for 30 minutes on the vinegar section because that was the side that still had the most rust. It didn't seem to do much.  Bottle Bright Before/After ConclusionHere were the best results based on visually comparing the different methods. If you have a stained or rainbowing bottle with a wide mouth that you can get your hand into like a mug or a Stanley tumbler, you may want to try baking soda or Bar Keeper's Friend for stains first because they work really well and are the fastest. If you can't fit your hand into the bottle, use Bottle Bright with boiling water for 30 minutes, then use a long brush to scrub it and I can almost guarantee that will work. For rust, try lemon juice and salt first, followed by Bar Keepers Friend. If your bottle is rusting on the inside and you can't get your hand in there, you can try using lemon juice and salt with a long brush, but it might be difficult to get as much scrubbing force with a brush as much as you really need so you may want to consider replacing your bottle.
Looking to Buy Some Supplies? Here are some good options for each of the supplies and cleaning methods mentioned. Big thanks if you use one of the links to buy...it really does help! Click on any of the images to see the Amazon listing.
What about Bleach, Abrasives, and Cleaning Beads?Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed I didn't test bleach, abrasives (like steel wool), or cleaning beads. Can You Use Bleach to Clean Stainless Steel?  Why You Shouldn't Use Bleach on Stainless Steel There's a reason why I didn't test bleach. Yes, it will kill any bacteria and remove some stains, but the problem is that bleach is so corrosive that it can damage or remove the chromium oxide layer, which then makes your stainless steel bottle more likely to corrode in the future by rusting. You'll see a lot of people say they've used bleach for years on stainless steel with no problems, and I'm sure that's true. If you use a really mild solution and wash it out quickly, then it's probably OK. But in my opinion, I'm not sure why you'd want to risk that with a stainless steel bottle when there are other effective stain and rust-removal options like we've just seen that are less likely to cause damage. Can You Use Steel Wool or Magic Erasers to Clean Stainless Steel?  Why You Shouldn't Use Steel Wool on Stainless Steel It also may not be a good idea to use abrasive things like steel wool. These can scuff up the surface of the stainless steel, adding more of those microscropic imperfections that make it more likely to stain or corrode again in the future. It's safer to use something non-abrasive like a brush or sponge with the right cleaning agent. Magic Erasers are made of melamine (type of plastic) and are essentially a much finer abrasive. For that reason, we typically still recommend using non-abrasive cleaning methods first, like Bottle Bright with a soft bristle brush. But if that doesn't work, then Magic Erasers could be worth a try. Because the melamine is softer than steel and it's much finer, Magic Erasers are much safer to use on stainless steel when you need some extra abrasive force. However, be careful when using them around painted and powder coated surfaces because it's possibly they could lead to cosmetic damage. Do Cleaning Beads Work on Stainless Steel?  Do Cleaning Beads Work? I've seen these mentioned quite a few times, and they're basically just small stainless steel balls. They're designed so you can drop them through a narrow neck then shake them around, and the impact from the beads helps remove some of the stains. I'm not 100% sure, but maybe they just jar some of those tannins loose, and apparently they can work OK and I can see how this would be helpful with something like a rounded wine decanter with a really narrow neck.
But they may not be the best solution for stainless steel bottles. Even though the beads are small, it's probably hard to get them to clean all the corners effectively, like along the bottom rim of your bottle. Also, it sounds like you're meant to use them along with some kind of cleaning solution anyways, so why not just use Bottle Bright and a cleaning brush? If you have an extremely narrow neck bottle like a classic S'well, then maybe these cleaning beads could help. But other than that, I'm not sure they're any better than just using a brush, which you should have for your weekly cleaning anyways. If any of you guys have used cleaning beads, I'd be really curious to hear what you think in the comments.  What is PFAS, and Which Filters and Bottles Remove It? What are PFAS Chemicals, aka "Forever Chemicals?"Chances are you've heard the term "PFAS chemicals" or "forever chemicals" within the last few years, but maybe you're wondering what they are. This article will get you up to speed by covering the most common PFAS-related topics and questions, including:
And importantly, what can you do about it?
What is PFAS? The term "PFAS" stands for polyfluoroalkyl substances. It doesn't refer to any single chemical, but rather it refers to a group of thousands of similar ones. Some of the more common and problematic variations you'll see are PFOS, PFOA, and GenX. Their unique chemical properties give them noticeable benefits with certain products and applications, particularly with non-stick and stain-free consumer goods. Because they are inexpensive and have beneficial properties, PFAS chemicals have been used in manufacturing and industry since the 1940s and 50s in all kinds of things, and The most common ones you'll likely hear about are:
Some of these like non-stick cookware and stain-free clothing are easier to avoid, and you're starting to see more products labeled as PFAS-free like the ones shown on PFAS Central's website. This seems to be leading up to a similar cultural and consumer shift like with what happened in the water bottle industry in the late 2000s with BPAs, which is why nearly every bottle on the market today says they're BPA-free. And while you may think the products in your home are a more immediate threat, that's not necessarily true. The areas around or downstream from factories and facilities where PFAS was used often have higher contamination levels in the water supply, which has led to multiple high-profile settlements. Contamination is very region-specific, so your location plays a big role on whether you likely have increased levels of PFAS in your water supply (which we'll cover in more detail in an upcoming section). If you're curious to learn more, here is a link to find more information about active PFAS court cases and settlements, including the one with 3M which requires the company to pay at least $10.5 billion in damages. What are the Current PFAS Regulatory Limits and Thresholds? Perhap the most mindblowing and disturbing thing about PFAS isn't what it is, where it's from, or how it affects you. Rather, it's how such incredibly small amounts of it can impact your health. It's is almost impossible to comprehend, but we're going to use the sun to help us out. EPA Regulations for Copper, Lead, and PFAS Regulatory agencies limit concentrations of harmful contaminants in your drinking water. Three common ones you'll see are copper, lead, and more recently PFAS. The US EPA limits copper at 1.3 parts-per-million ("ppm"). What this means is that if the copper concentration exceeds that limit, sometimes known as an "action level," then the utility provider or the company or person causing the contamination has to take corrective actions as well as notify the public of any potential health concerns. But 1.3 ppm is hard to visualize, so what does that look like? For comparison, let's use the sun as a reference. The sun is on average 93 million miles away, and if you calculate it out, 1.3 millionth of the way to the sun is 121 miles. That's almost halfway to the orbit of the International Space Station, so it's pretty far.  Copper contamination threshold (1.3 ppm) compared to the distance to the Sun Lead is even more dangerous, so it has a action level of 150 parts-per-billion ("ppb"). If you calculate THAT out, 150 billionths of the way to the sun is roughly 14 miles up, which is about twice as high as most commercial airplanes.  Lead contamination threshold (150 ppb) compared to the distance to the Sun But some PFAS chemicals have an action level of 4 parts-per-trillion ("ppt"). (link to EPA presentation with info about limits on pg 10) To go 4 trillionth of the way to the sun, you don't need a rocket or a plane. You just need a short ladder because when you calculate it out, 4 trillionths of the way to the sun is about 2 feet.  PFAS contamination threshold (4 ppt) compared to the distance to the Sun This is an incomprehensibly small amount, which leads to the question, how does something that small even affect your health? Are PFAS Chemicals Harmful? While it may be difficult to believe, those kinds of small concentrations of PFAS chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including:
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be an expert on PFAS, and I am relying on published data from reputable sources. One such source I used is the US EPA, and you can find their PFAS guidelines here. Now to be clear, this is a developing set of knowledge on a topic that need more research. Our understanding of what PFAS does to the human body and which concentrations are truly harmful are going to continue evolving based on the evidence, just like all good science. But there have already been enough peer-reviewed scientific studies from reputable sources that show clear enough negative health impacts to support proposing or enacting some pretty major regulations. And judging by Google trends and reading headlines about it and multi-billion dollar settlements with major contamination offenders, you're seeing a rise in PFAS awareness with the public which is sure to lead to more changes from brands and manufacturers.  Google Trends search volume for "pfas" from 2020-2025 Are PFAS and Forever Chemicals the Same? Maybe you've also heard the term "forever chemicals" in recent news, but that's just another name for PFAS. It's catchier and is better at the reader's attention, so the term is used very frequently in news headlines. The nickname was coined for two main reasons:
So don't be confused: PFAS and "forever chemicals" are the same thing. One is simply the technical name, and the other is more of a marketing term. How does PFAS get into your Water? Though it is regulated now, PFAS is in many common products that are still used to this day. However, in many ways the bigger problem for many people relates to groundwater and the public water supply. Factories, manufacturing plants, and government facilities that used PFAS either in products manufacturing or things like firefighting foam exposed the environment to PFAS contamination for decades. Over time, this increased the PFAS concentrations in the soil and groundwater in the immediate area, as well as locations and communities downstream. Because PFAS chemicals are is so small, many common treatment methods used by public water utilities do not remove it. And because the threshold like the EPA's 4 ppt limit are so low, it does not take much exposure for a public water utility to technically be over the regulated limit. Are PFAS and Microplastics the Same? Many people have started hearing the terms "PFAS" and "microplastics" recently, and their Google Trends search volumes have risen around roughly the same time period. As its name suggest, microplastics are small bits of plastic found the water, and increasingly in different parts of the human body. Both are health concerns that are very widespread in the environment and water systems, making them difficult to avoid. Also, both can relate to the same types of products, making it even more confusing.  Google Trends search volume for "pfas" and "microplastics" from 2020-2025 However, it's important to know that PFAS and microplastics are not the same thing. PFAS is a particular family of chemicals, and microplastics are simply broken down pieces of plastic. Some plastic products and parts have PFAS chemicals, so when they break down over time, this process can release both PFAS and microplastics into the environment. However, they are technically different things. Some filters can remove both microplastics and PFAS, so it helps to check the manufacturer's product info to see exactly what they are claim to remove before you buy a system. We've listed a few systems later in this article that remove both. Which Regions of the US have the Worst PFAS? So should you be worried? Well, to a large degree that depends on where you live. The Environmental Working Group has this interactive map that lets you look at sampling data at different points throughout the US. Darker blue circles are good, lighter blue are bad, purple are military sites which often times have the highest concentrations, and orange are other types of sites like manufacturing plants. I've included a screenshot of the map below so you can see the overview, but I encourage you to check out EWG's website and interact with the map to zoom in and see sampling data near you.  PFAS contamination map of the US (Environmental Working Group) Some areas that are closer to major contamination sources often find higher PFAS concentrations, though it's not a given. Wilmington, NC is frequently included in lists of cities with the worst PFAS contamination issues, but the actual source of much of that contamination was roughly 70 miles away at a chemical plant near Fayettville owned at the time by DuPont and more recently their spinoff Chemours. Even if chemicals aren't directly dumped into the river, they can still get into the groundwater, which can then seeps into rivers over time, which then affect downstream communities like Wilmington. This is what led to the nearly $1.2 billion dollar settlement in 2023 between Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva and downstream water suppliers.  Wilmington, NC and the source of contamination (DuPont / Chemours plant near Fayettville, NC) Long-story-short, if you want to avoid PFAS and have some flexibility on where you live, getting closer to the headwaters at higher elevations is probably a safer bet. Can You Remove PFAS, and Which Home Filter Systems Work Best? Of course, most of us can't move to Aspen, so what can we do? Consumer Notice.org has this really helpful summary of PFAS, and it includes ways you can limit your exposure, mostly focusing on which products to avoid. When it comes to your drinking water, that's a little trickier but thankfully there are a few options. Disclaimer: A single PFAS test costs hundreds of dollars because it requires highly senstive and technical tests. I run a small YouTube channel and blog, so I don't have the money to pay for tests like that yet. But after researching this and reaching out to companies, here's what I've found. Not all filters will remove PFAS, so you need to be careful. The below recommendations are based largely on this the Duke University article referenced above and these test results from the Environmental Working Group. Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It really helps, so thank you very much if you use one! Reverse Osmosis Filters: Proven to Work
2-Stage Filters: Likely to Work
Countertop System: Proven to Work Pitcher Systems: Proven to Work The Environmental Working Group also tested a number of pitchers, which can be a better option for traveling or events. These two had at least 98% PFAS removal in their testing, and they're some of the lowest-cost ways to start removing PFAS from your drinking water. Which Bottles Filter Out and Remove PFAS? Now on this website I mostly talk about water bottles, and they have a place in this discussion too. Even if you have an under-sink reverse osmosis system, but that doesn't help you out when you're on the road, especially if you're flying somewhere and you can't take any water with you. So for traveling professionals and road warriors, having a bottle that can help filter out PFAS can be appealing. Here are a few options that may be worth considering. Two Bottles that May Help Some, but not as Certain
Two Bottles that are Proven to Remove PFAS
Some of these are more conclusively good at removing PFAS, others are easier to use, and some are a lot more affordable. It's a developing mix of products, but I'm just glad there are some viable options on the market today and there will almost certainly be more coming soon. If you made it this far, consider using one of the links if you're going to buy one of these products anyways. It doesn't cost you any extra, and I may earn a commission that really helps out. Hope this information helps. Thanks again, and happy hydrating!  Owala FreeSip vs FreeSip Sway (10 minute read) Which is Better: Owala's Original FreeSip or FreeSip Sway?Owala recently released their FreeSip Sway tumbler, but is it good and how does it compare to Owala's Original FreeSip bottle? This post will review the main differences and similiarities to help you find the best bottle for you so you don't waste your hard-earned money and you can make an informed decision. Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It really helps, so thank you if you use one! Video: FreeSip Sway vs Original FreeSipWe also cover this info in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. How are Owala's FreeSip and Sway Bottles Similar?Owala's FreeSip bottle took over 2024, mainly because of its wacky, fun color combinations and the FreeSip lid, which is a combination straw and chug spout. This bottle remains very popular and is an excellent straw lid (though using it like a chug lid feels weird at first and can take some getting used to). Given Owala's incredible popularity and viral success, it's no surprise that the new FreeSip Sway tumbler did not stray far from Owala's winning formula, so there are a number of similarities between the two.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: FreeSip Spout The 6 Main Similarities
How are Owala's FreeSip and Sway Bottles Different?We poured over the two bottles and found 12 main differences between Owala's original FreeSip bottle and the FreeSip Sway tumbler. Some are certainly more significant than others, but they're all notable. #1 - Handle Size Owala's original FreeSip bottle has a relatively small handle that only fits two fingers for most people, and it's not particularly comfortable. Owala's Sway has a much wider handle that can fit a full-hand grip and is more comfy.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Handle #2 - Lock Design The original Owala FreeSip bottle used its handle to double as a lock to prevent you from accidentally opening the lid. Because of Sway's redesigned handle, Owala also changed the way the lock works by making it a switch you toggle back and forth behind the flip-cover. While we're concerned this may add more small plastic parts that could break, the benefit is that you can now use the handle or clip it to a bag while the lid remains locked.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Lock #3 - Base Diameter This is the reason why the new Sway is technically a tumbler, not a bottle. The Original FreeSip is a traditional bottle with straight-vertical walls. Tumblers are known for having tapered (angled) walls that get smaller towards the bottom, making them much more cupholder friendly.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Base #4 - Mouth Diameter The original FreeSip bottle has a 2.5 inch wide mouth opening. Owala widened the FreeSip Sway to 3.2 inches. This makes the bottle easier to clean, and you may not even need a bottle brush with Sway's larger design because your hand can fit inside much more easily with a sponge.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Mouth #5 - Thread Design The original FreeSip bottle has external threads, while the FreeSip Sway has internal threads. What this means from a practical standpoint is that FreeSip Sway is easier to deep clean because the seal on the lid is easier to remove. The downside is that you have to be more careful when filling up the Sway because it's easier to over-fill and have water spill when you screw on the lid.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Threads #6 - Spout Seal Design Both bottles have a spout seal in the flip-up lid that's easy to remove for cleaning, but they look a lot different. The seal with the Original FreeSip is actually a little easier to remove because the pull-tab is easier to grab, and I found Sway's a little more difficult to remove when my hands were wet. But it's not a big difference, and both are still pretty easy to remove. The bigger deal is how the new design seems to fit better. The Original FreeSip spout seal seemed to fit more tightly, and you had to press down harder on the spout cover to get it to close. The Sway seems to fit better while still proving a water-proof seal, and you don't have to press down as hard to close the cover.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Spout Seal #7 - Lid Turns The older design takes roughly a full turn to close the lid. However, the new Sway tumbler takes roughly a half-turn to close. This is a very minor difference, but it makes the new one a little easier to clean and use. #8 - Springs Maybe the smallest change that could grow on you the most deals with those small springs. My Original FreeSip bottle has started having occasional issues where the flip-cover did not open as reliably when I pressed the button. Well, it looks like Owala may have tried to fix this because the springs now have 6 rotations on either side instead of 4. This makes the Sway feel like it opens with more force. Original FreeSip vs Sway: Springs #9 - Button Fit If you've used the Original Owala, maybe you've noticed that the button can wiggle quite a bit. It feels like the button in the new Sway tumbler has been fine-tuned to fit better within the lid, and this also helps make opening and closing feel better and easier overall. It's difficult to show this in pictures, but you can see it more easily in the video. #10 - Grip Groove The Original FreeSip has a bottle with a smooth, uniform, cylindrical design, much like you find with 99% of other bottles on the market. However, with the Sway tumbler, Owala added in little grooves on opposite sides of the bottle. This gives it a slightly different look, and it makes it a little easier to pick up. I didn't think much of this change when I first used the Sway tumbler, but I'm starting to like this tweak more and more as a very small but noticeable improvement.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Grip #11 - Bulk/Weight Sway's 30oz tumbler holds less water than the Original FreeSip's 32oz bottle, but it weighs roughly 20% more. It's bulkier too because of a much larger lid design. However, this is countered by the larger handle and cupholder-friendly tapered base, which both make the Sway tumbler easier to get around with in most cases despite the added weight and bulk.  Original FreeSip vs Sway: Weight #12 - Insulation Both bottles have triple layer insulation, which includes a dual-wall vacuum insulation construction with a layer of copper to limit heat transfer through radiation. However, they do NOT have the same insulation results. I did a hot water test using wireless thermometers, and Sway was about 16% worse than the Original FreeSip. But honestly, both Owala bottles performed poorly against other dual-wall vacuum insulated bottles, so if insulation is your top priority, then Owala is probably not a good option. Though to be fair, Owala still has good insulation compared to any uninsulated bottle like a plastic Nalgene for example, and it's good enough for most people most days. So for most people, Owala's insulation is good enough, and people should decide whether to buy an Owala based on the other factors, like the lid, color options, and handle design. ConclusionWhen you add all of these changes up, honestly they're almost all improvements or at worst the same or not a big deal. If you're into taking your bottle with you on hikes or long walks, Sway's larger handle may help. And if you like to sip while driving, Sway's tapered cupholder-friendly base can help it fit in more vehicles. Yes, the insulation for the new Sway bottle is significantly worse, but Owalas in general aren't exceptional when it comes to insulation anyways so if that's a primary decision factor for you, other brands like YETI or S'well might be better. Also, Sway is bulkier and heavier, but the big handle and cupholder-friendly design more than make up for it. Everyone is different, so it's ultimately up to you. But if I were to buy one Owala today, I'd go with a Sway tumbler instead of a FreeSip bottle. It just seems like Owala really listened to the feedback from customers and made some good design choices that improve the overall experience. Getting an Owala?If this review helped, consider using one of the links to buy whichever bottle is the best fit! We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Recommended AccessoriesWe always recommend getting a good brush kit and cleaning tablets to help keep your new bottle in great (and safe) condition for many years to come. Here are the ones we use.  Which Stanley Tumbler is the Best? (10 minute read) Which Stanley is the Best Bottle?Stanley just released their Protour lid, but is it good and how does it compared to Stanley's other tumblers, the Quencher and Iceflow? This post will help you find the best bottle for you so you don't waste your hard-earned money and you can make an informed decision. We'll look at the main differences between Stanley's Quencher, IceFlow, and ProTour bottles, including which ones are:
Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It really helps, so thank you! Video: Which Stanley is the Best?We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. The Big Picture
Which Stanleys are Leak-Proof? One of the most common complaints about Quencher is that it leaks like crazy, even when you have it set to closed, which has led to a lot of damaged electronics and unintended baths over the years. The good news is, and we've confirmed it here, the Protour lid is leakproof. The IceFlow bottle also uses a similiar flip-up spout, so it's leak-proof too. Just make sure you close the spout completely both both. So if you're looking for a leak-proof bottle, avoid Quencher and go with IceFlow or ProTour. Which Stanley is Easiest to Clean? Most straw lids are notoriously difficult to clean because they always have some kind of seal under them that's difficult to get to without damaging the lid. Quencher avoids this problem altogether. The straw comes out easily, and you can pinch these prongs to remove the dial to clean underneath it. Iceflow's flip-up spout is not removable to my knowledge, so you have to rely more on cleaning tablets, soap baths, and small brushes to clean it the best you can. Protour has a removable spout and this removable seal underneath. It's a little more difficult to pop out the spout than the directions make it sound, but it can be done. You angle it at about 45 degrees like this, then pull it out. I've done it a few times and the spout has loosened up a bit, but it still fits together and works nicely. The seal is a bit of a pain to get back into place, but you can use the straw to push it through. Overall for cleaning, Quencher is definitely the easiest, Iceflow is the worst, and Protour is somewhere in the middle, though it should get easier the more you do it. Which Stanley Has the Best Insulation? I did a standardized hot water test to compare the bottles relative to each other. I use wireless thermometers and measure the amount of time it takes the hot water to drop from 165 to 150 degF then average two tests for each bottle. The results showed the Quencher and Protour are essentially the same, while Iceflow is roughly 35% better. Insulation works similarly for both hot and cold drinks, so these rankings should also apply if you're using ice water too, which is how the vast majority of people use these bottles. I'll be doing a big ice test shortly, so follow our YouTube channel to see that video when it posts. Overall, if insulation is your most important factor, Iceflow is the best option. Which Stanley is Easiest to Use? The answer to this question is more based on your own personal preferences, but here's a good rule-of-thumb. Iceflow's top-mounted handle can be more comfortable for longer durations, so it might be a better choice for hiking. Quencher and Protour have the same side-mounted handle, and this can be better for more casual everyday use, like around the house, at work, or when driving and doing errands. The bottles all weigh roughly the same for a given size, so there's not a major difference there. But it's worth considering the bulkiness of the bottle too, and Iceflow's rotating handle certainly helps limit the overall size. And for taking quick sips, the Quencher is the best choice because you don't have to flip up a spout. Overall, each of these bottles is pretty easy to use. I wouldn't say one is really better, so think about how you'll use it most often and decide based on that. Which Stanley is More Durable? When it comes to durability, none of these bottles really stand out from the others. They're all made with stainless steel which will dent and scratch if you drop it, and they all have plastic parts that can break. If durability is your most important factor, consider getting a bottle boot or carrying pouch which doubles as a protective sleeve. Or it honestly could be worth looking at a brand like YETI because their bottles are made with a thicker steel that can resist dents more easily. But as far as the Quencher, Iceflow, and Protour go, there's not a major difference here. Are Stanley's Lids Interchangeable?nd if you're wondering whether the lids are interchangeable, there's good news good news and bad news. The good news is that the Quencher, Iceflow, and Protour lids are all interchangeable. Just make sure you get it for the same size bottle because for example a 30oz lid won't fit with a 40oz one. The bad news is only the Quencher and Iceflow lids seem to currently be available by themselves. The new Protour lid is not available individually yet, at least not from Stanley (though you can find similar lids from other knockoff brands). Which is the Best Stanley Tumbler?These three bottles play an interesting game of rock-paper-scissors. Quencher is easier to clean and is popular, but it leaks. IceFlow doesn't leak and is better for hikes, but it's more difficult to clean. ProTour is easier to clean than IceFlow but not Quencher. This is one scenario where it's hard to pick a best bottle because each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each person has his or her own priorities. But for my money, ProTour seems to be the best all-around option because it solves two of the most glaring issues of the Quencher leaking and the IceFlow being difficult to clean. For those reasons, I'd choose ProTour over Quencher or IceFlow. How to Buy a Stanley TumblerIf you're in the market, here are links to each bottle. Big "thank you" if you use one to buy! We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you, and it really helps our channel.  (10 minute read) What is the Best Way to Clean a Stainless Steel Bottle?Big reusable water bottles can be difficult to clean, and in fact, many people still use disposable bottles for that very reason. But it's really not that bad if you're prepared, and in the long run reusable bottles are way better for the environment as well as your wallet.  These are our recommended best practices and guidelines for cleaning your bottle, including:
Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It really helps, so thank you! Video: How to Clean Your BottleWe also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap that way. Part 1: Are Stainless Steel Bottles Dishwasher Safe?Maybe you're wondering can you put stainless steel bottles in the dishwasher? It's a simple question, but an unfortunately complicated answer. Many bottles today are labeled as dishwasher safe, but in general I don't recommend it for three reasons. Reason #1: It's not always clear which bottles are dishwasher safe For example, regular Hydro Flasks ARE dishwasher safe, while their Trail Series bottles AREN'T. Even more confusing, older regular Hydro Flasks with a thinner metal band below the lid are NOT dishwasher safe. This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it can be difficult to know unless you look up the manufacturer's recommendations (which is highly recommended).  Reason #2: Dishwashers are more likely to damage your bottle Even if the manufacturer says the bottle is dishwasher safe, cleaning it regularly this way can lead to more damage. Some bottle brands like Owala even say their bottles are dishwasher safe, but they recommend hand-washing. Any damage would most likely be cosmetic from your bottle banging into something else in the dishwasher and wouldn't make your bottle unusable, but cosmetic wear-and-tear is still not ideal. Plus, smaller parts commonly found with lids are more likely to fall through the racks and potentially drop onto the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher.  Reason #3: Handwashing isn't (usually) difficult Yes, handwashing takes more time, but it's really not that bad once you get into the habit and have the right tools, like a brush kit and cleaning tablets. And in most cases it's necessary for deep cleaning anyways (see below). Part 2: Which Bottles are Easiest to Clean?Not all bottles are created equal, and some are easier to clean than others. Factor #1: Mouth Diameter Narrow mouth bottles are more difficult to clean than their wide mouth counterparts. With bottles like the 25oz S'well shown below, I can't fit my big bottle brush so I have to rely on cleaning tablets and soap baths. But with others like a Stanley Quencher, you don't even really need a brush because you can fit your hand inside. If keeping your bottle clean is a priority, there's no doubt wide mouth bottles are an easier choice (in addition to making it easier to add ice).  Factor #2: Lid Type A good rule-of-thumb is that chug-style lids and the most basic lids (twist all th way on-and-off) are easier to clean than straw lids and sip lids. Using YETI's lids as examples:
Factor #3: Pull Tabs Also, consider whether the seals have pull tabs that make them easier to remove. It's such a simple addition and we're always surprised more bottles don't do this. Unfortunately, bottles that have this feature don't seem to advertise it much, but two options I know that do include Owala (just their spout seal, but not the one between the lid and the bottle) and Takeya Actives (both the spout seal AND the lid seal).  Part 3: What Accessories Help with Cleaning Bottles?Fortunately the main things you'll need are easy and cheap: warm, soapy water and a sponge. Beyond that, there are two accessories I almost always recommend getting with bottles like these. I mentioned them earlier, but I'll add them here again because I really do think they are great investments and are important to keep your bottle in tip-top (and safe) condition. Money Saving Tip: Consider buying denture or retainer tablets like these. I've seen a bunch of people recommend this on my YouTube channel, and though I haven't tried it personally, the ingredients look very similar. And they're A LOT less expensive per tablet than Bottle Bright. I personally stick with Bottle Bright because I feel comfortable with the company (instead of an Amazon store brand I'm not familiar with), and they're really not that expensive in the grand scheme if you're just using them once per month, which leads into... Part 4: How Often Should You Clean Your Bottle?Having and easy-to-clean bottle and the best accessories doesn't matter if you don't clean your bottle. To prevent bacteria, grime, and mold from building up, you need to stay on top of your cleaning habits. Here is our recommende schedule.
Keep up with this cleaning schedule, and you should be fine and will keep your bottle in great (and safe) condition. Just don't be afraid to adjust this schedule as-needed. For example, if you drink from a questionable water source when traveling, then give it a good wash after. Or if you notice stains or smells from coffee, go ahead and use a Bottle Bright tablet early. When in doubt, clean it out. Part 5: 4 Mistakes I'd Avoid with Cleaning BottlesIf you've been paying attention, I've already mentioned the three things I'd avoid doing:
But the fourth is very important. #4: Whatever you do, don't use bleach to clean your stainless steel bottle. Yes, bleach would clean your bottle, and it's probably not a huge deal in very dilute concentrations. But it's also very toxic so it's risky if you don't wash it all out by mistake. And for stainless steel in particular, it can damage the material and lead to potential corrosion or pitting in the steel. Just keep up with your cleaning schedule, use Bottle Bright or denture tablets, and you should be fine. Hope this helps, and happy hydrating!  Top 10 Ridiculous Bottles on the Market Today What is the Most Ridiculous Water Bottle?The water bottle industry is incredibly competitive, which leads to many brands looking for sometimes ridiculous ways to set themselves apart. But as with any new innovation, sometimes you get an iPod, and other times you get a Google Glass. So with each bottle in this video, I'll rate them as:
And don't worry, because there's something for everyone on this list, whether you want to be impressed or get a laugh. And whether you want something for a child, signifcant other, or just new for yourself. Amazon Associates Disclosure BottlePro is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase using a link, we earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you! Video of the Most Ridiculous BottlesWe also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap and see some of the bottles in action! #10: Owala (Crazy Colors) Owala Bottle with Ridiculous Colors Let's start at number 10 with one bottle you may have heard from recently, Owala. They've really made a name for themselves within the last year or two, and a big reason is because of the FreeSip lid, which is a combination straw and chug spout. But the real eye-catcher is the colors, which are straight up ridiculous. It's like walking walking into a paint store, they ask what color you want, and you say yes. But, it's clear this is something a lot of people love, and you've even seen that influence spread to other brands like Stanley and Hydro Flask who in the past had more traditional color options. They do have an all-black option I'd prefer and I can recognize that other people love the funky colors, and I also can appreciate the lid design. From a functionality standpoint, it's honestly my favorite straw lid right now. So for those reasons, I'm calling Owala ridiculously cool. Price: $32.99 for a 32oz #9: FlasKap (Hidden Flask) FlasKap Bottle with Hidden Flask At number 9 is FlasKap, and Don Draper would be a fan of this one. It looks like a regular 32oz bottle, but in reality it's a 26oz bottle with a separate 6oz one inside. The lid lets you choose whether you drink from the main bottle, the smaller one, or mix both together. It's pretty clear what the intended use case is, so if you're out enjoying golf, a tailgate, or the beach and want to be a little more discreet about your beverage choices, this is a good option. I'm also going with ridiculously cool on this one. Price: $58.48 for a 32oz #8: Litflask (Detachable Bluetooth Speaker) Litflask Bottle with Bluetooth Speaker At number 8 is Litflask, which was on Oprah's favorite things list for 2024. It has a built-in but detachable bluetooth speaker, so it's one to consider if you're a fan of music. Apparently it can connect to other Litflasks, so you could make your own little surround sound concert. It even has a microphone so you can call someone, and if you'd told me 10 years ago someone could call you through your bottle I'd have called you crazy. The speakers are kind of cool, but the calling option seems unnecessary. For me this one's just ridiculously OK. $99 for a 20oz #7: air up (Scent-Based Flavors) air up vs an Amazon Knockoff Most times when you add flavor to water, you either add fruit or some kind of sweetner like how Cirkul's flavor pods work. Air up is different. They also have pods that go in the lid, but instead of releasing artificial sweeteners that you taste, they release a scent when water passes through the pod whenever you take a sip. There's a very clear scientific link in you brain between what you smell and what you taste. It's the same reason why you don't taste anything if you pinch your nose when you're eating. So while this bottle doesn't use technology in the traditional sense, I'm including here because of the cool science behind how it works. But at the same time, I've seen a lot of reviews about how it's not the best drinking experience. With a combination of bad reviews but a cool concept, I'll settle for ridiculously OK. $49.99 for a 22oz #6: Hidrate Spark Pro (Hydration Coach) Hidrate Spark Pro Bottle for Hydration Tracking Number 6 is Hidrate Spark Pro, and if you're a fan of data and tracking progress, this is a good option because it's basically a hydration coach. It connects to an app on your phone, and it has a built-in sensor that knows when you take a sip. This lets you more easily track your fluid intake throughout the day, and there are whole bunch of LED lights that flash on and off with reminders whenever you haven't had a drink in awhile. I'm certainly a fan of improving hydration habits, but I'm personally not sure about hooking my bottle up to a tracking app. For me, this is just ridiculously OK. $56 for a 21oz #5: LARQ (UV Sanitizing) LARQ Bottle UV Sanitizing Light in Lid Number 5 is one I've shown before, and that's LARQ. The thing this bottle has going for it is a built-in UV light in the lid, and you can easily charge and use the UV light to quickly sanitize your bottle from bacteria and viruses. This bottle really made a splash in 2021 when it was on Shark Tank and received the highest valuation of any company up to that point. It's worth noting that it doesn't have a filter and just helps against viruses and bacteria, but with so many questions about water quality nowadays, sometimes having that extra piece of mind is worth the investment. It certainly qualifies as ridiculously cool in my book. $118 for a 25oz #4: Vitaloop (Built-In Filter Pump) Vitaloop Bottle with Built-In Filter and Pump I've talked quite a bit before about filters, including Lifestraw's accessory, Brita's straw bottle, and GRAYL's French-press style filter bottle. But they're all a little tricky to use, either because they require quite a bit of suction to pull water through the straw or they take a lot of force to press water through the filter like iwth GRAYL. Vitaloop has a pretty intruguing design that seems to solve these issues because it has a built in filter pump system. Just press a button, and the pump moves water through the filter to clean it. I'm going to be testing this bottle out in person in 2025, so this is more of an introduction. But I love the concept. Definitely a ridiculously cool bottle as long as it works as well as advertised. $99 for a 17oz #3: Vejo (Blender Bottle) Vejo Bottle with Built-In Blender Number 3 on the list is Vejo, and this is a bottle gym rats, health freaks, and boat drinks. It has a built-in blender, which lets you press a button to easily stir up your favorite protein powder mix much better than a traditional shaker bottle would. You can also use it for juices or any other drink that needs mixing. So whether you're looking for a healthy juice cleanse or a boat drink, this could be a good option to consider. Because it fills an interesting niche, I'm going to go with ridiculously cool. $69.99 for a 12oz #2: Echo Go+ (Hydrogen Water) Echo Go+ Hydrogen Water Bottle At number 2 is the Echo Go+ Hydrogen water bottle. With this one you push a button and then the bottle generates hydrogen gas, and allegedly water with hydrogen gas in it has a range of health benefits. Now this is a tricky topic because it's really hard to know whether this is a real benefit. It's probably not unsafe, but does it really have all of these health benefits? I'm not so sure. It does look pretty cool, especially if you're a fan of bubbles. But given what I know right now, I'm going to go with ridiculously bad mainly because most of what I've seen about hydration water look very scammy. But I'm planning to dive deeper into this subject next year on my new series about hydration facts and myths, so I'll update this later if hydration water looks legit. $199.99 for a 10oz #1: Fracsco (Bottle with LiDAR Sensor) Fracsco Bottle with LiDAR Sensor in Lid And number 1 is this bottle by the company Fracsco. I stumbled across this one while researching for this video, and it's kind of wild. It seems like a sup'ed up version of the Hidrate Spark Pro in that it lets you track your hydration habits, but it also tells you the time, weather, water temperature, water level, and even apparently lets you track your BMI. It sports a really unique look that some people will love and others will hate, but it will definitely stand out either way. And the price tag stands out too because this bottle is on sale for $240. But the real reason why I'm including it at #1 is because of what's in the lid. LiDAR stands for light detection and ranging, and it's kind of like using light in the same way that sound is used for sonar. You might have seen it mentioned a few months ago when there was news about LiDAR surveys being used to find hidden Mayan ruins. Well, this bottle has a LiDAR sensor in the lid. By measuring the reflection time it can detect and record the water level in the app so you can have a detailed breakdown of your water bottle's volume throughout the day. I'm all for cool water bottles, but for me this one just went way over the top and qualifies for ridiculously bad. But hey, if you've been craving a bottle with a built-in LiDAR sensor, this could be your new best friend. $239.99 for a 17oz |
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