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How to Remove Stains, Rust, and Rainbowing from Stainless Steel Mugs and Bottles

3/25/2025

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What are the Best Ways to Clean Stains, Rust, and Rainbowing from Stainless Steel Bottles and Mugs
​(10 minute read)

How to Clean Stainless Steel Mugs and Bottles

So, 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.
Cheapest
(harder to use in narrow bottles)
Picture
Step 1:
Pour some baking soda on the stain.

Step 2:
Add hot water and mix it into a paste.

Step 3:
Spread the paste around on on the stain and let it sit for ~10 minutes.

Step 4:

Scrub it around, wipe it off, and rinse.
See on Amazon
Fastest
(harder to use in narrow bottles)
Picture
Step 1:
(for their Soft Cleaner formula)
Read the instructions on the bottle first, because you need to be a little more careful compared to just using baking soda.

Step 2: 
Pour some Bar Keepers Friend onto the stain.

Step 3:
Immediately start scrubbing and wiping it around with a paper towel or rag.

Step 4:
After 30 seconds, wipe it off and rinse.  Don't let it sit for more than 60 seconds.
See on Amazon
Easiest
(easy for any mouth diameter)
Picture
Step 1:
Fill up your bottle with hot water (ideally close to boiling)

Step 2: 
Add one Bottle Bright tablet, and let it sit for 30 minutes.  Note that the bubbles may cause the water and foam to spill over some at first if you filled your bottle to the rim.

Step 3:
After 30 minutes, use a long-neck brush like this one to scrub around inside the bottle, then rinse.
See on Amazon

​Video: How to Remove Stains, Rust, and Rainbowing from Stainless Steel Mugs and Bottles

​​​​​​​​​​​​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 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 Rainbowing

​First, 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)
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
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 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 Testing

Sometimes 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.
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Salt and lemon juice
  • Bar Keeper's Friend
  • Cleaning tablets (like Bottle Bright)
  • Bleach
  • Abrasive cleaners (like steel wool and Magic Erasers)
  • Cleaning beads

​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.
Corkcicle (Rainbowing)
Corkcicle Mug (Rainbowing)
Corkcicle Mug (Rainbowing)
Contigo (Staining)
Contigo Mug (Staining)
Contigo Mug (Staining)
Hydro Flask (Staining and Rainbowing)
Hydro Flask (Staining and Rainbowing)
Hydro Flask (Staining and Rainbowing)
Camping Stove (Rusting)
Camping Stove (Rusting)
Camping Stove (Rusting)

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
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
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
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
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
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
Baking Soda and Vinegar Results
Bar Keepers Friend and Lemon Juice and Salt 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)
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)
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
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
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
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
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)
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Bottle Bright Before/After

Conclusion

Here 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.
For Stains
Best Options:
  • Baking Soda (cheapest)
  • Bar Keepers Friend (fastest)
  • Bottle Bright (easiest)

Not as Effective:
  • Lemon Juice and Salt​
  • Vinegar
For Rainbowing
Best Options:
  • Baking Soda (cheapest)
  • Bar Keepers Friend (fastest)
  • Bottle Bright (easiest)

Not as Effective:
  • Lemon Juice and Salt
  • Vinegar
For Rust
Best Options:
  • Lemon Juice and Salt
  • Bar Keepers Friend

Not as Effective:
  • Baking Soda
  • Bottle Bright
  • Vinegar
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.
Baking Soda
Baking Soda
Lemon Juice
Lemon Juice
Bar Keepers Friend
Bar Keepers Friend
Salt
Salt
Bottle Bright
Bottle Bright
Retainer Tablets
Retainer Tablets
Picture
Mosolan 3-Brush Kit
I've used this kit for years.  It's not that expensive, and it has a good range of brushes that help with just about any bottle (including a small detailing brush that helps with threads and hard-to-reach spots with many brands).

It's the one accessory we typically recommend everyone has for ANY bottle because it's so helpful.  There are plenty of other brands on the market though, so feel free to shop around.
See on Amazon

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
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
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?
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.
Cleaning Guide
Cleaning Guide
And Remember...
Regardless of which bottle you get, always clean it regularly.  Here's our latest guide on the best practices and cleaning schedules for stainless steel bottles so you can keep your bottle in great (and safe) condition.
See Our Cleaning Guide
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What are the Best Bottles for Infusing (Fruit, Tea, and Coffee)

6/2/2024

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What are the Best Bottles and Accessories for Infusing Water with Fruit, Tea, and Coffee?
What are the Best Bottles and Accessories for Infusing Water with Fruit, Tea, and Coffee?

What are the Best Bottles for Infusing?

​If you're like me, you get bored drinking regular, plain water all day.  I used to be addicted to sodas, so switching from extremely sugary drinks to water was a big shift.  The thing that helped me the most was adding my own flavors. 

Now, technically sodas are flavored water with carbonation and you can also add flavor with enhancers like Mio, but for the purposes of this video I'm calling flavored water anything that gets its taste from more natural sources like fresh fruit, loose-leaf tea, or coffee grounds.

​
And at the end, I'll also give my take on two bottle brands that have more recently taken social media by storm, Cirkul and air up.  (spoiler alert, it might not be positive)

Video Review: Which Bottles are Best for Infusing?

​​​​We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap!​
​Links to Products: As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link.  It doesn't cost you anything extra, and it really helps.  Thank you!

Adding Fruit Directly into Your Bottle (No Infuser)

First, I have to mention the most obvious way to flavor your water, and that's simply by adding fruit like lemons, cucumber, mint, or a whole range of other flavors directly into your bottle!  This works well enough, but the problem is that you ideally would have some way to strain it so it's not a good option with most bottles.

​
The good news is that more and more bottles are coming to market with built-in stainless steel strainers at the lid.  For stainless steel, EcoVessel is one brand that's been around awhile, and for glass, Mayu is a brand I've mentioned a few times on this channel.  Just add your fruit, snap the strainer into place, and you're good to go.

It's also worth noting that these strainers double as ice-blockers, which can be a life-saver when driving in particular.
EcoVessel (Steel Bottle with Strainer)
EcoVessel (Stainless Steel)
EcoVessel (Stainless Steel)
  • $28 for the 32oz (as of 6/2/2024, on sale)
  • Small strainer included - snaps into neck of bottle
  • All stainless-steel interior
  • 20, 24, and 32oz size options
  • Reasonable prices for a stainless steel insulated bottle
  • Triple-layer insulation
  • Spout lid to prevent spills
  • Includes a bottle boot
See EcoVessel
Sunkey (Glass Bottle with Strainer)
Sunkey (Glass)
Sunkey (Glass)
  • $19 (as of 6/2/2024)
  • Small strainer included - snaps into neck of bottle
  • All stainless-steel interior
  • Carrying sleeve included (for easier handling and protection)
  • Not insulated
See Sunkey

Bottles with Built-In Infusers

Some brands take the built-in strainer a step further by having a larger strainer that screws into the smaller one, which makes it a better option for tea or coffee.  It's also a good option if you want your fruit to be contained instead of free-floating.  

Notably, none of the "major" brands that I'm aware of currently have bottles with built-in infusers, including Stanley, YETI, and Hydro Flask. We would not be surprised if they come out with options within a few years, but for now you'll have to go with lesser-known brands or add-on accessories (see further down the page).

​​The first brand I tried with a larger infuser was Steepware, but honestly I'm not too much of a fan of this bottle.  It did the worst by far on an insulation test, and the handle isn't anything to write home about.

​​A much better all-around option is a new brand I came across called Vesmoon.  Now to be clear, there do appear to be other similar bottles with the same size strainer coming to market, but this is the one I've tested in person and I'm a pretty big fan.

​Unfortunately, Vesmoon was not available for purchase as of 6/2/2024.  This is sometimes a problem with brands that are smaller and newer because the water bottle market is incredibly competitive  But there are other options on the market today, and these ones by Hemli and Akvati look to be comparable.
Hemli
Hemli Bottle with Infuser
Hemli Bottle with Infuser
See Hemli ($28)
Akvati
Akvati Bottle with Infuser
Akvati Bottle with Infuser
See Akvati ($40)

Stanley Bottle with a Fruit Infuser

Now I'm not a huge fan of Stanleys, but I recognize many people love them.  Unfortunately, Stanley does not have a fruit infuser bottle option at this time, though a good alternative is from a brand called Fimibuke.  It's essentially a Stanley knockoff with a large built-in infuser for one third the price, and while I can't say much about the company or brand itself, the design and functionality look pretty solid.
Fimibuke Fruit Infuser Bottle
Fimibuke Fruit Infuser Bottle
Fimibuke 
  • Side-handle
  • Straw lid
  • Built-in fruit infuser (not good for tea or coffee grounds)
See Fimibuke

Best Bottle Infusers for Fruit Infusing

Llet's say you're in the market for an add-on infuser because you don't want to buy an entire new bottle.  Well, there are a few options you can look at.  Let's start with ones for fruit, which generally have larger openings that work well for fruit but not for loose leaf tea or coffee grounds.
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod
This was our first infuser, and it's personally still my favorite.  Originally I just sold it with a splash guard style lid for wide mouth Hydro Flasks, but then I added a second lid with a handle on top that makes it a great option for drop-in infusing in any wide mouth bottle.  Honestly, I like the new lid more because it makes it more universally useful.  I sized it as large as possible to still fit in bottles like 20 ounce Hydro Flasks, but that also means it can have a tough time giving you enough flavor in really large bottles like 64oz growlers.  But in general, it's a good all-around option for most wide mouth bottles, and I'm really proud of how this product turned out.​
  • 2 lids
    • Drop-in style with a large handle on top that fits most wide-mouth bottles.
    • Splash-guard style that fits snugly in wide-mouth Hydro Flasks
  • Sized to fit the most fruit in a drop-in infuser in bottles like 20oz Hydro Flasks.
  • Can be too small to flavor very large bottles like 64oz growlers.
See FlavorFuze Pod
FlavorFuze Straw
FlavorFuze Straw
Side Channel for Straw
Side Channel for Straw
FlavorFuze Straw
If you have a Hydro Flask or Iron Flask with a straw lid, you can try our FlavorFuze Straw version that snaps onto the straw.  It's even easier to use, it just doesn't work with as many bottles like Stanleys or Owalas because those have thicker straws.

It doesn't have as good of reviews as FlavorFuze Pod, but some of those are from people trying to use it with different bottles.  So just make sure you have the intended bottle so it'll work correctly.  If you do, you may find this is even easier and faster to use than FlavorFuze Pod for your situation.
  • Snaps onto Hydro Flask straws and similar brands (like Iron Flask).
  • Does not fit straws from some other brands like Stanley or Owala.
See FlavorFuze Straw
Prodyne Ice Mold Fruit Infuser
Prodyne Ice Mold Fruit Infuser
Prodyne Ice Molds for Fruit Infusing
​This one takes more advance planning, but it's pretty cool, literally and figuratively.  Just add fruit and water to the mold and let it freeze overnight.  Then in the morning, pop the fruit-cicle into your bottle.
See Prodyne

Best Bottle Infusers for Tea and Coffee Infusing

​Now each of the add-on infusers I mentioned is made with either plastic or silicone, so let's look at some stainless steel ones, which can be used for fruit but are also better for tea and coffee because they have a finer mesh strainer.
FlavorFuze Steel Infuser
FlavorFuze Steel Infuser
FlavorFuze Steel
Our FlavorFuze Steel is sized for wide mouth Hydro Flasks, and it comes with two sizes.  It's ideally used when you're getting ready for your day and have time to leave your bottle on the counter while it's brewing because it can be difficult to add the lid on top of our infuser.  But brewing tea doesn't take that long so it's usually still a great option.

Like with most of our infusers, we designed them primarily around Hydro Flasks, so it likely won't fit other bottles with different diameter openings.
See FlavorFuze Steel
RumbleGo Portable Coffee Infuser
RumbleGo Portable Coffee Infuser
RumbleGo Portable Infuser
RumbleGo is a drop-in style stainless steel infuser that's sized for wide mouth bottles like Hydro Flasks.  It's designed primarily for coffee, but you could use it for tea (or fruit) as well.
See RumbleGo
FinalPress Infuser
FinalPress Infuser
FinalPress Portable Coffee and Tea Infuser
FinalPress is a portable french press you could use with any wide mouth bottle, but keep in mind it's not a drop-in style infuser so it's not good to use when actively driving or moving.  But if you have time in the morning at your hotel room, campsite, or wherever you are, this is a good option to consider.
See FinalPress

Bottles with Flavor Pods (Cirkul and Air Up)

​And finally, let's take a look at the two elephants in the room that have taken social media by storm recently, Cirkul and air up.  They each have flavor pods, but they work very differently.
Cirkul's Flavor Pod
Cirkul's Flavor Pod
Cirkul's Flavor Dial
Cirkul's Flavor Dial
Cirkul's Handle
Cirkul's Handle
Cirkul
Cirkul's pod screws into the cap, and there's a packet of flavor that is slowly released with your water.  Just know that with Cirkul, you're essentially drinking fruit-flavored diet soda without carbonation.

Good
  • Control how much flavor your bottle releases
  • Easy to change out flavor pods

Bad
  • High cost over time
  • More waste because the pods are disposable
  • The flavor tasted fine enough, but it didn't last as long as I would have expected
  • Lid and bottle look and feel cheap in my opinion
  • One of the worst handles I've ever used on a bottle
  • Contains sucralose
  • Harder to drink from than most straw lids, and it makes weird bubbling noises before and after you take a sip
  • The outside of the bottle I purchased feels plasticy even though it's a steel bottle, and it scratched very easily

I personally don't prefer to use Cirkul, but if you'd like to give it a try, here's a link to check out.
See Cirkul
air up
air up
air up Knockoff on Amazon
air up Knockoff on Amazon
air up
To be up front, I haven't tried air up in person yet, so I'm willing to give it a try eventually before completely discounting this one.  I certainly like the idea of using scents to trick your brain into tasting flavors instead of relying on sugar substitutes, but I've also read a bunch of reviews commenting about how the flavors taste weird and the straw doesn't work well because it causes you to suck in more air for the scents to work as intended.

Good
  • Uses scent instead of added flavors from potentially harmful additives like sugar or replacements like sucralose

Bad
  • High cost over time
  • Aesthetics (my opinion)
  • Reviews I've read say it's harder to drink from than most straw lids because you have to suck air and water through the flavor pod for it to work.
  • There's apparently not an option to drink from the lid normally without flavors to avoid the more difficult drinking.
​I didn't actually see a real listing on Amazon for air up.  Instead, there are some listings from other companies who are being sneaky by calling their bottles names like Air Water Up Bottle to trick Amazon's search results while still technically being legal.
See air up's Website
See air up Amazon Knockoff

Buying a water bottle?
​Keep us in mind!
​See our Amazon store for helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See Our Store
See BottlePro's Amazon Store
See BottlePro's Amazon Store
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8 Innovative Water Bottles (and 2 Mugs) We Love not named YETI or Hydro Flask

12/16/2023

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Picture

8 Bottles that Change Hydration

Today’s water bottle market is crowded and complex, and manufacturers are always looking for innovative ways to stand out.  Many times, these features are just gimmicks, but some bottles really do improve what water bottles are capable of.

At BottlePro, we’ve reviewed and seen a lot of these market changes, and we’re going to share with you 8 of our favorite innovators.  The first ones start with some simpler quality-of-life improvements, and towards the end of the video we’ll show some of the more high-tech options on the market.  We’ll also branch out a bit and show a couple of coffee mugs that you might want to take a look at.

Video Review

We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap!

As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of the links.  Thank you for your support!

The Big Picture

FJbottle
FJbottle (CONVENIENCE)
Innovations:
  • ​Magnetic lid
  • Handle & strap
  • No-slip base
See FJbottle
EcoVessel
EcoVessel (MULTI-USE)
Innovations:
  • Tea-strainer
  • Triple-layer insulation
  • Bottle boot included
  • Plastic-free inside
See EcoVessel
Owala
Owala (COMBO LID)
Innovations:
  • Combination straw & spout lid
  • Easiest straw to sip from
  • Ergonomic
See Owala
RevoMax
RevoMax (THREADLESS)
Innovations:
  • No threads to clean
  • One-handed opening/closing
  • GREAT insulation
See RevoMax
Geopress
Geopress (FILTER)
Innovations:
  • French press-style filter
  • Rugged design
See GeoPress
Boundless
Boundless (TITANIUM)
Innovations:
  • Extremely durable & lightweight
  • No plastic
See Boundless
Hidrate Spark
Hidrate Spark Pro (HYDRATION TRACKING)
Innovations:
  • Bluetooth connection
  • Tracks your hydration intake vs goals
  • Lights up for hydration reminders
See Hidrate Spark
LARQ
​

LARQ (UV SANITIZING)
Innovations:
  • UV light built into the lid
  • Sanitizes your bottle in seconds.
See LARQ

Bonus: Coffee Mugs

Ember
Ember (TEMPERATURE CONTROL)
Innovations:
  • Maintains your drink's temperature
  • Connects to your phone
See Ember
Momnt Mugs
Momnt Mugs (ERGONOMIC, NO-SLIP GRIP)
Innovations:
  • Never slips
  • More comfortable
See Momnt

The Details

FJbottle (Convenience)

FJbottle
First is a brand you probably haven’t heard of called FJbottle.  If convenience and ease-of-use is your priority, then this is a good bottle for you.

The spout cap is magnetic, so it stays out of your face when you’re taking a drink.

The base has a no-slip grip to help prevent unwanted spills and damage.

​And in addition to the rigid handle, they also include a carrying strap.

​None of these changes are revolutionary on their own, and you’ll find features like these with other bottles or accessories that you can purchase separately.  But we really appreciate how FJbottle incorporated so many of these simple quality-of-life improvements into a single, affordable bottle.
See FJbottle

EcoVessel (Multi-Use)

EcoVessel
Next is EcoVessel.  This is one of our favorite all-around bottles because of its value and wide-ranging functionality.

One of the best improvements in this bottle is the built-in strainer which can either function as a tea infuser or an ice stopper.

The inside of the bottle does not contain plastic, so this is a great option if your main goal is to limit plastic contact with your water.  The vast majority of other bottles still let water come in contact with plastic somewhere, usually under the lid

EcoVessel’s triple-layer insulation didn’t hold temperatures as well as some other triple-layer bottles in a recent test we did, but it still tested better than most dual-wall bottles.

It also comes with a bottle boot to help prevent damage on the base.  Overall, this bottle is packed with features and is very affordable.

You'll be hard-pressed to find another brand that has so many different improvements and wide-ranging functionality packed into a single bottle at such an affordable price.
See EcoVessel

Owala (Combo Lid)

Owala
Next is Owala.  This is one of the trendier bottles on this list, and for good reason.

The main thing this bottle has going for it is the dual-function lid, which offers both straw and spout-style drinking.

In addition, this is the best bottle we've seen when it comes to ergonomics.  The lid is designed around your mouth’s shape, and while this may not seem like a big deal at first, you’ll probably change your mind the first time you take a sip

If you’re looking for the easiest straw to drink from, we highly recommend Owala.
See Owala

RevoMax (Threadless Lid)

RevoMax
Now let’s look at RevoMax.  What makes this bottle different is how you attach the lid.

This is the only bottle we’ve seen that doesn’t have any threads.  Instead, the lid is secured by pulling up on part of the handle until it clicks.  And to unlock, you press down the button in the middle and then pinch the pins on the side.

It’s truly one-handed operation, which can really be helpful when driving.

​This bottle also insulates extremely well because it's a narrow mouth, insulated lid, and the triple-layer bottle design.  In fact, it was tied at the top of our insulation test with S'well.

Some people may like the threadless lid while others may not, but there's no questioning the fact that it's a very innovative approach to everyday hydration.
See RevoMax

GRAYL Geopress (Filter)

Geopress
Next is GRAYL’s GeoPress.  This is a great option for those of you who like to travel off the beaten path.

This bottle has a built-in filter that you use like a French press.  Use this to clean your water when you’re out hiking or camping and need to refill from a stream.

The rugged design looks great and seems like it should hold up well compared to some other filtered bottles and accessories we’ve seen. 

One thing to note is that we’re relying on the marketing material that says this filter works really well, but we can’t confirm how well the filter actually works.  It's something we're looking to test soon, so stay tuned.  But regardless, we're sure the filter in GRAYL's Geopress is better than nothing if you're out-and-about and need to refill in the wild.
See GeoPress

Boundless (Titanium)

Boundless
Now let’s get into some of the higher-tech options, starting with Boundless.  Technology doesn’t always mean electronics, and in this case, I’m counting a modern material like titanium as high-tech.

Boundless has a titanium bottle that offers a wide range of benefits over traditional stainless steel and plastic bottles.

They’re extremely durable and lightweight, making them great bottles for hikes.

They’re a pretty good option for camping too because you can boil water in the bottle to purify it.

The Boundless bottle comes with a carrying pouch to help make hiking even easier.

​Overall, we’re pretty excited to see how the industry innovates with new titanium options, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you start seeing options like this a lot more frequently.
See Boundless

Hidrate Spark (Hydration Tracking)

Hidrate Spark
Now let’s start incorporating electronics into your bottle by looking at Hidrate Spark.

This is a great bottle if you want to get serious about achieving your hydration goals and changing your habits for the better.

It has Bluetooth that connects to your phone or smart watch.

The app helps you keep track of your hydration goals and water intake.  For some people, this ability to measure and visualize your goals and progress are what makes staying on track possible.

The LED lights on the base even light up when it’s time to take another drink.

​Some people might find the bright lights too distracting, but for others this might be the motivation they need to help achieve a healthier lifestyle.
See Hidrate Spark

LARQ (UV Sanitizing)

LARQ
​

And last but not least is LARQ.  They have a few designs to choose from, including one that has a filter similar to GRAYL’s GeoPress.

But the really innovative bottle they have has a UV light built into the lid to sanitize your water.  Just press the button, wait a bit, then your water should be much safer to drink.

Now like I said with GRAYL’s bottle, we’re relying on the manufacturer’s claims about how well the bottle helps sanitize your drink, but given that UV light is widely known to kill bacteria in water, we expect it should work pretty well.

We think this would also be a great bottle to test in future videos and posts, so stay tuned!
See LARQ

Ember (Temperature Control)

Ember
One mug that you may have heard of is Ember.

This popular high-end mug is temperature-controlled, so you can connect it to your phone then set the temperature you want your drink to stay at.

​If you’re one of those people who likes to sip your coffee or tea for awhile, this could be the mug for you. 
See Ember

Momnt Mugs (Ergonomic, No-Slip Grip)

Momnt Mugs
Another mug that’s much newer is Momnt, and this mug really takes ergonomics seriously.

They looked at how your hand is naturally shaped and built the handle around that, which leads to a much more comfortable grip.

The way that your fingers interact with the handle gives you a grip that never slips in your hands.

I have it on good authority that this brand is easy to work with and has more mug colors, styles, and sizes in the works, so be sure to keep an eye on them!
See Momnt

​Buying a water bottle?
​Keep us in mind!

​See our Amazon store for helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See our Store
BottlePro's Amazon Store
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What is the Best Water Bottle, and Which One Should You Get? (The Ultimate Guide)

7/7/2023

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What is the Best Water Bottle, and Which One Should You Get?

What is the Best Water Bottle?

It’s 2023, and there are literally hundreds if not thousands of water bottle brands to choose from that initially can appear very similar.  With such a saturated market you might be wondering, what is the best water bottle today?  But really, that’s an impossible question to answer since different bottles are better for different situations.

The better question to ask is, which water bottle is best for you based on how you plan to use it?

Content Overview:

Heads up, this is a pretty long post with a lot of information.  Here's what we'll cover in case you'd like to skip ahead to a certain point.
  • Link to our video review (covers the same info as this article)
  • Part 1: Questions you should ask yourself before your start searching for a bottle
  • Part 2: Review of popular and notable water bottles and brands
  • Part 3: Our recommendations for best water bottles by category (hiking, commutes, tea, value...)

Our Video Review

Our YouTube video covers the same information in this post, so click the link if you'd rather see the video.  Otherwise, keep reading the full post below!

First, a few things to note.
  1. We’re reviewing a fairly arbitrary selection of 13 brands and 15 bottles.  It’s a decent number of options, but there are way more out there that could be compared.  We can only do so much in one video, and this is meant to be a good starting point.
  2. We’re primarily focusing more on the more established brands.  And we are exploring a few non-mainstream brands, but for the most part, we’ll stick to the big dogs.
  3. We also mostly stick to insulated stainless steel bottles with wide mouth openings, with a few notable exceptions.  Dual-wall vacuum insulated bottles are very popular in today’s market, and we generally like wide mouth bottles more than narrow mouth ones.  See our other video for more about why.
  4. Two of the bottles we’ll talk about have triple-layer insulation.  Many people think this means three layers of stainless-steel, but it actually refers to a layer of copper.  We won’t go into much detail about that distinction in this video, but we have another video in the works that focuses entirely on insulation where we’ll test them to see if these triple-layer bottles really hold up.
  5. And lastly, our recommendations are mostly based on our own opinions.  Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree, and especially if you have any other thoughts or considerations that could help other buyers hone in the best bottle for them.

Part 1: What Questions to Ask Yourself before Looking at Bottles

What Type of Water Bottle Do You Need?

Before you even look at any bottles, ask yourself these questions.
  1. WHERE: Where will you primarily use it?  Around the house or at work?  On your commute so you need something that’s easy to use in the car?  On hikes?  There will always be some crossover use, but think about how you’ll use your bottle most of the time.
  2. WHAT: What will you be drinking?  Water bottles don’t need to just be used for plain water.  Many people use them for tea, coffee, fruit infusing, or adding ice, and some bottles are better for these than others.
  3. BRANDING: How important is branding to you?  This is directly related to cost, since most of the prominent brands like Hydro Flask and YETI come with higher price points than brands like Nalgene and Iron Flask.
  4. LID: What type of lid do you prefer?  Most lids fall into four basic categories: standard, straw, spout, and sip.  Standard lids that you screw on and off completely are a good starting option that comes with most bottles, but they don’t offer many additional advantages.  Straw lids are the easiest to drink from but are typically harder to clean.  Spout lids are pretty good all-around options and are generally an improvement over standard lids.  And sip lids are best when used for coffee, tea, or other hot drinks.
  5. VOLUME: And finally, think about how much volume you will need.  According to the University of Missouri, a good rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds, divide it in half, and the result is how many ounces of water you should drink per day.  Use this to calculate how many ounces you should drink per hour, and then consider how easily you can refill your bottle.  When taking all of these factors into account, you should be able to get a good idea of which volume water bottle makes sense for you.
And if your main use will be hiking or some other physical activity, there are some other factors to consider, like heat and elevation gain.  Check out our video where we do a deeper dive into this topic.

Part 2: Reviewing Popular and Notable Bottles and Brands

Popular and Notable Water Bottles and Brands

​Now let’s look at some of the more popular bottles and brands.  We'll cover:
  • Nalgene
  • Klean Kanteen Classic
  • Klean Kanteen TKWide
  • Hydro Flask
  • Hydro Flask Trail Series
  • YETI Rambler
  • Takeya
  • Iron Flask
  • ThermoFlask
  • Stanley
  • Camelbak
  • S'well
  • FJbottle
  • Steepware
  • EcoVessel

Nalgene

Nalgene Water Bottle Review
Nalgenes are lightweight, inexpensive, dishwasher safe, and they come in many color options.  And while all of the bottles in this review are pretty durable overall since most are made of stainless-steel, Nalgenes are also much more dent resistant because of the plastic construction compared to stainless-steel bottles which can dent more easily.  Nalgene is also the only bottle brand we looked at that is made in the USA.

​​Some drawbacks are that they only come in plastic, they don’t have a built-in handle if you don’t count the tether for the lid, they don’t have an insulated version, and there aren’t many options to choose from for lids.  It doesn’t feel like the brand has innovated like others have, which has left Nalgene struggling behind other bottles in many aspects. But they still make a great, dependable bottle at an affordable price point, which makes it a good option for many people.
See Nalgene Listing

Klean Kanteen Classic (Non-Insulated)

Klean Kanteen Classic Review
Klean Kanteen has a mix of insulated and non-insulated bottles.  Non-insulated Klean Kanteens are lighter than dual-wall bottles, and they have a simple design that is very easy to clean. They’re also notable for how the standard cap has steel on the bottom, so your water never touches plastic. Most other stainless-steel bottles on the market, including Klean Kanteen’s own TKWide Series, have plastic under the lid.

​Some drawbacks are that we don’t like the standard loop caps very much, and they aren’t insulated.
See Klean Kanteen Classic Listing

Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated

Klean Kanteen TKWide Review
Klean Kanteen recently came out with their TKWide insulated bottles.  They have a range of well-engineered lid options that feel unique compared to other brands.  The rigid handle feels very sturdy, and one unique benefit is the Impact Base Cap on the bottom.  This is a hollow cap that absorbs an impact if you drop your bottle, which lessens the chance that a dent could affect the vacuum insulation.  This is one of the easier bottles to clean because the threads on the bottle are made of small bumps in the stainless-steel instead of traditional thread grooves.

​Some downsides are the overall bulk, both in terms of weight and size for a 32-ounce bottle.  We also wish the spout cap was a little easier to keep out of the way.  You have to snap it onto the metal handle, which isn’t as easy as some other bottles like Takeya, Camelbak, and FJbottle.  There aren’t too many color options for Klean Kanteens, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for your own style.
See Klean Kanteen TKWide Listing

YETI Rambler

YETI Rambler Review
​YETI is in the top-tier for brand prestige, and therefore cost.  They are notoriously expensive, but their products are generally very high-quality, which has led to a devoted following of fans and supporters.  There are six lid options for their Rambler series wide mouth bottles, so you can pick what’s best for you.
​
​
Downsides are definitely the cost, but also that these bottles are heavier than some comparable ones on the market.
See YETI Rambler Listing

Hydro Flask

Hydro Flask Review
Hydro Flask is the brand that really catapulted dual-wall insulation into the mainstream, and they’re also a top-tier brand on par with YETI.  Their bottles come in a wide range of colors, and they have a good range of well-engineered caps and accessories to choose from, though some are better than others.  We love the Flex Straw, but we’re not huge fans of the Flex Chug.

​You can expect to pay a premium for any Hydro Flask, but the customer service is very good and the company stands behind their products.
See Hydro Flask Listing

Hydro Flask Trail Series

Hydro Flask Trail Series Review
​Another Hydro Flask bottle that’s good to know about is their Trail Series lineup.  These bottles have the same great insulation, branding, and look, but Hydro Flask really focused on reducing the weight of the bottle so it’s easier to hike and get around with.  This makes it one of the best insulated bottles for hiking compared to really heavy options like Klean Kanteen’s TKWide and YETI’s Rambler.
See Trail Series Listing

Takeya

Takeya Review
Takeya is a good mid-range alternative to Hydro Flask, and their Takeya Actives bottles in particular are a great all-around option.  The spout lid is a really good design with a wide handle, a spout cap that locks out of the way for when you need to take a drink, and a nice textured grip.  It also comes with a matching bottle boot to protect your bottle from dents and scratches.

​There aren’t many downsides and this is a jack-of-all-trades kind of bottle, but some people do prefer rigid handles instead of the hinged Takeya design.
See Takeya Listing

Iron Flask

Iron Flask Review
​Iron Flask is an Amazon-focused knock-off of Hydro Flask, but they’re notable for a few reasons.  They come with three cap options, so that helps you figure out which style you like without having to buy more lids.  Iron Flask is definitely a good brand to consider if you’re looking for unique color options, including gradients.

One downside is that the caps are good, basic options, but they do feel more standard and less engineered than Hydro Flask’s lids.  
See Iron Flask Listing

ThermoFlask

ThermoFlask Review
ThermoFlask is a bottle brand that we’ve always thought was a ripoff of Takeya, but while editing this video we found out that’s because ThermoFlask is a brand registered by Takeya.  So if you notice a lot of similarities between the two, that’s why.  But one difference we’ve noticed is that ThermoFlask seems to have more 2-pack options available on Amazon, which means you can get an even better value.

One downside is that there don’t seem to be as many color options.
See ThermoFlask Listing

Stanley Quencher

Stanley Quencher Review
Stanley has been around a long time, but in recent years it has had a major resurgence thanks to their Quencher Series insulated tumblers.  The main difference between this bottle and every other bottle on this list is the built-in handle on the side.  Most of the other bottles have handles on the lid, but Stanley’s side-mounted handle, while not our personal favorite, is a big hit with many people.  It’s also more tapered at the bottom like a classic tumbler-style, so it fits in more cup holders without needing an adapter.

​The biggest downside is the overall bulky design.  Yes, this is easier to manage because of the handle and the tapered base, but it’s still a very bulky bottle. 
See Stanley Listing

Camelbak Chute Mag

Camelbak Chute Mag Review
Camelbak is a well-known brand that really made a name for themselves with hydration bladder packs for biking and on longer hikes, but they have also released some solid bottle options as well.  They are more reasonably priced than the other well-known brands like Hydro Flask and YETI, and the Chute Mag bottles in particular are very popular because of the magnets that lock the spout cap back when you go to take a sip.

​We’re not huge fans of the hinge design though, as it doesn’t flip open as smoothly as other spout caps like Takeya and FJbottle.
See Camelbak Listing

S'well

S'well Review
Many bottles on this list can be difficult to distinguish at first glance, like Hydro Flasks, Iron Flasks, Takeyas, and ThermoFlasks.  On the other end of the spectrum, you have S'well, which is another high-end brand on par with Hydro Flask and YETI.  The aesthetic design and sleek look are the main selling points, and they’ve also come out with many narrow mouth lids, including a filter cap that’s unique to this list.  They are also the first brand we’ve talked about that has triple-wall insulation.

​However, they are pretty expensive, and there aren’t many lid options for their wide-mouth Traveler series bottles.
See S'well Listing

FJbottle

FJbottle Review
The next brand is FJbottle.  Quick disclosure, they reached out to us and sent us a bottle to test.  We told them we would only cover the bottle if we liked it, but after using it for a few weeks, we can honestly say that we like this bottle way more than we thought we would.  It’s right up there with Takeya for our favorite spout-style lid.

Like Camelbak’s Chute Mag, it uses magnets to keep the spout cap out of the way when you’re taking a drink, but the hinge design is much better and is easier to open, especially if you’re just using one hand like when you’re driving.  The spout cap also takes the least amount of turning to unlock compared to any of the other spout lids, which is also helpful when driving.  There’s a silicone grip pad on the bottom that keeps your bottle from sliding around and protects against some scratches, though not on the outside edges.  There’s also a strap on the side, and we’ve ended up using this strap all the time.  They also include a brush with each bottle to help with cleaning right out of the gate.

​One downside is that the spout cap doesn’t flip out of the way as much as Takeya’s version, but you can either tilt your head more or angle the bottle to get around this issue.  Also, the rigid handle on top is a little small, but in our opinion the strap on the side more than makes up for this.

​Overall, we honestly do like this design, and it might become our go-to bottle for a while.
See FJbottle Listing

Steepware Everest

Steepware Review
​Steepware’s Everest tumbler was made primarily for one thing, and that’s brewing tea.  And they really do have a good product for this purpose.  There’s a built-in tea strainer that you can use for loose-leaf tea, or you can use it as an ice strainer if you’re looking for a cooler drink.  The strainer is pretty big too, so there’s quite a bit of surface area for your loose-leaf tea to steep.  You could always take out the strainer and use it like a regular bottle, but the larger strainer is really the feature that sets this bottle apart.
See Steepware Listing

EcoVessel Boulder

EcoVessel Review
The last brand we’re discussing is EcoVessel.  Their Boulder series bottles might have the most features and accessories packed into one bottle that we’ve seen yet.  It has a strainer for ice and fruit, comes with a silicone bottle boot to protect the base of the bottle, and has triple-layer insulation.

​Some drawbacks are that the strainer is smaller compared to Steepware’s version, so it’s not as good for loose leaf tea, especially in larger 32-ounce bottles.  We’re also not a huge fans of lid tethers that double as handles in general, but that’s more of our personal preference and at least EcoVessel has a wider tether compared to Nalgene.  It’s hard to put our finger on it, but the construction feels cheaper in a way compared to some other bottles we’ve reviewed.  But with so many extra features and a reasonable price, this bottle has a lot going for it.
See EcoVessel Listing

Part 3: Our Recommendations and Favorite Bottles

Our Recommendations for Best Water Bottles

Now let’s move on to our recommendations by category.  We’ll give you a few of our favorites, and we encourage you to check out each one to decide which is the best fit for you.

Best Water Bottle for Hiking

Best Bottle for Hiking
​For hiking, we like Nalgenes because they are lightweight, but we highly recommend getting a carrying pouch like this one because the lid tether isn’t much of a handle.  For insulated bottles, FJbottle is a great choice because it has both a rigid handle and a strap, and the lid is the spout style that we prefer when hiking.  Hydro Flask's Trail Series bottles are also worth a look because they are the lightest insulated design.
Nalgene
Lightweight and durable
See Nalgene Listing
Nalgene Carrying Pouch
Recommend a pouch for bottles without good handles
See Nalgene Pouch Listing
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Lightweight and insulated
See Trail Series Listing
FJbottle
Carrying strap and good lid
See FJbottle Listing

Best Water Bottle for Sporting Events

Best Bottle for Sports
​When it comes to sporting events, there are some different considerations compared to hiking.  You don’t have to worry as much about the weight of the bottle, and you don’t have to carry it around for long distances.  Because of these reasons, it really opens the door on the number of bottles that we recommend, and we really think you should just get a bottle with a spout cap.  This cap style lets you get a good amount of water quickly without it all splashing in your face.  Our favorite spout cap bottles are Takeya and FJbottle, and keep in mind that ThermoFlask has a 2-pack option with a lid that’s nearly identical to Takeya’s.


Hydro Flask and YETI have pretty good spout cap design options that many people love, but they’re not our favorites for varying reasons.  Honorable mention in this category goes to EcoVessel’s Boulder series bottles because they have spout caps and you can use the strainer for ice.
Takeya Actives
Good spout lid
See Takeya Listing
ThermoFlask
Good spout lid
See ThermoFlask Listing
FJbottle
Good spout lid
See FJbottle Listing

Best Water Bottle for Road Trips

Best Bottle for Road Trips
​For road trips and driving in general, we like straw lids because you don’t need to tilt your head back and potentially take your eyes off the road.  Stanley’s Quencher is a good choice because it has a large volume but still has a better chance of fitting in your car’s cup holder.  We also like Hydro Flask’s Flex Straw more than most other straw lids because it’s easier to clean thoroughly without popping off the spout.  We don’t recommend using standard lids when driving because it’s so easy to splash water all over your face.

Spout or sip caps are OK if you’re not into straw lids, but we recommend getting one that’s easier to use one-handed.  For example, FJbottle and Takeya’s spout lids are a lot easier to open one-handed than Camelbak’s design, and the spout caps are attached so you can’t accidentally drop it like you could with YETI or Hydro Flask.
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
See Hydro Flask Listing
Stanley Quencher
See Stanley Listing
Bottle doesn't fit in your cup holder?
Picture
If you want a bottle that doesn’t fit in your car’s cup holder, like a large Hydro Flask in most cases, consider buying our BottlePro Max cup holder adapter, which fits any of the bottles on this list.  ​
See BottlePro Max Listing

Best Water Bottle for Commutes

Best Bottle for Commutes
​For shorter commutes to and from work, we’d wager you’re probably drinking coffee or tea.  Any sip-style lid is pretty good for this, but we really like Hydro Flask’s Flex Sip Lid in particular because, like with their straw lid, their sip lid is easy to disassemble for cleaning.  YETI’s Hot Shot Lid is another good option too because you can take a sip from any angle.  And you’re probably OK with a smaller bottle like a 16 or 20 ounce, which means you’re less likely to need a cup holder adapter.
Hydro Flask 20oz with Sip Lid
Easy to disassemble for cleaning
See Hydro Flask Sip Lid Listing
YETI 18oz Hot Shot Lid
Can sip from any side
See YETI Hot Shot Listing

Best Bottle for the House or Office

Best Bottle for Around the House or Office
​For general use around the house or office, it’s really up to you.  Any of these bottles can be a good option since you probably can refill it easily, and the lid style doesn’t need to factor as much in your decision compared to other situations like driving.  The Stanley Quencher is a good one to consider though because of the big handle.
Stanley Quencher
See Stanley Listing

Best Water Bottle for Tea

Best Bottle for Tea
​The best bottle for loose-leaf tea or coffee infusing is without a doubt Steepware’s design, with EcoVessel coming in second because the strainer is much smaller and is really better for blocking ice or fruit instead of brewing tea or coffee.  For wide mouth Hydro Flasks and similar bottles like Iron Flasks and ThermoFlasks, you can also look at our FlavorFuze Steel infusers.  They come with a small and large size infuser, and they are specifically designed to fit wide mouth Hydro Flasks.
Steepware Everest
Biggest built-in strainer
See Steepware Listing
Picture
Has strainer, but smaller size
See EcoVessel Listing
FlavorFuze Steel
Sized for wide mouth Hydro Flasks
See FlavorFuze Steel Listing

Best Water Bottle for Ice

Best Bottle for Ice
​For ice, EcoVessel is a good option because of the built-in strainer.  Other spout lids can have ice cubes sneak out once they melt down some.  Straw lids are also a good option, and as mentioned before, we really like Hydro Flask’s Flex Straw.  If you have a Hydro Flask with a standard Flex Lid, you can also use our SplashPro splash guard.  We designed it specifically for Hydro Flask lids so it fits around the insulation.
Picture
Built-in strainer
See EcoVessel Listing
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Straw lids are good for ice
See Hydro Flask Listing
SplashPro Splash Guard
Sized for wide mouth Hydro Flasks
See SplashPro Listing

Best Water Bottle for Fruit Infusing

Best Bottle for Fruit Infusing
​For fruit infusing, you can also go with Steepware or EcoVessel and add the fruit so it’s loose behind the strainer.  Alternatively, try our FlavorFuze Pod fruit infuser.  Just add your fruit into it, pop on the lid, then drop it into any wide mouth bottle.  Our FlavorFuze Straw infuser is a really good option too for Hydro Flask straw lids.  Just slide and snap it onto the straw.
Steepware Everest
Built-in strainer
See Steepware Listing
Picture
Built-in strainer
See EcoVessel Listing
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
Drop-in lid fits in any wide mouth
See FlavorFuze Pod Listing
FlavorFuze Straw Infuser
Snaps on Hydro Flask straw lids
See FlavorFuze Straw Listing

Best Water Bottle for Limiting Plastic Contacting Water

Best Bottle for Limiting Water Contacting Plastic
We also wanted to highlight which bottles do the best job limiting how much plastic touches your water.  Nalgenes are the only all-plastic bottles in our video, but most of the other bottles also have exposed plastic under the lid that can touch your water.  The only bottles that have all-stainless-steel interiors, including under the lid, are Klean Kanteen’s non-insulated classic bottle and EcoVessel’s Boulder series.
Klean Kanteen Classic
Stainless-steel under the lid (classic, non-insulated only)
See Klean Kanteen Classic Listing
Picture
Stainless-steel under the lid
See EcoVessel Listing

Best Spout (Chug) Lid

Best Spout Lid
​For spout lids, we love Takeya and FJbottle.  They’re a little different from each other, but they both do several things well.  The spout cap is easy to open, stays attached so you can’t drop it, and locks into the open position easier than some other designs.  They are also easier to carry around because of Takeya’s good handle and FJbottle’s strap. 

ThermoFlask has a spout cap that is essentially the same as Takeya, and you can get them in 2-packs for a better deal.

Klean Kanteen's TKWide has a few novel features as well.  The threads on the bottle are rounded metal bumps that are much easier to clean thoroughly than traditional threads, and impact base cap can absorb dents that may otherwise have affected the dual wall insulation.
Takeya Actives
Wide handle, connected spout cap
See Takeya Listing
FJbottle
Handle and strap, connected spout cap
See FJbottle Listing
ThermoFlask
2-packs for better value
See ThermoFlask Listing
Klean Kanteen TKWide Chug Cap
Easy-to-clean threads and impact base cap
See TKWide Listing

Best Straw Lid

Best Straw Lid
​For straw lids, we really like Hydro Flask’s Flex Straw because it’s the easiest straw lid to clean more thoroughly without having to pop off the spout.
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Easier to clean thoroughly than other straw lids
See Hydro Flask Listing

Best Sip (Cafe/Commuter) Lid

Best Sip Lid
​For sip lids, we also like Hydro Flask’s version, the Flex Sip, because it’s easy to disassemble for cleaning.  YETI’s Hot Shot is a good one to consider too because you can sip from any angle.
Hydro Flask 20oz with Sip Lid
Easy to disassemble for cleaning
See Hydro Flask Sip Lid Listing
YETI 18oz Hot Shot Lid
Can sip from any side
See YETI Hot Shot Listing

Best Value Water Bottle

Best Value Bottle
​The best value bottles in our opinion are Nalgene, Iron Flask, ThermoFlask, and FJbottle because they’re more affordable but they are still great at what they do.
Nalgene
Lowest cost bottle in this article, and most durable
See Nalgene Listing
Iron Flask
Includes three lid styles
See Iron Flask Listing
ThermoFlask
2-packs available
See ThermoFlask Listing
FJbottle
Inexpensive, and many features other bottles don't have (carrying strap, good spout cap, no-slip base)
See FJbottle Listing

Best Looking Water Bottle

Best Looking Bottle
​The best aesthetic design goes to S’well, and brands like Iron Flask and Hydro Flask are great options too with so many color choices.
S'well Bottle
Sleek design and prints
See S'well Listing
Iron Flask
Many colors, including gradients
See Iron Flask Listing
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Many colors
See Hydro Flask Listing

Best Water Bottle Brand

Best Bottle Brand
​The best brands in terms of brand power in today’s market are YETI and Hydro Flask, with an honorable mention to Stanley and S’well because of their unique designs really being core to their brand.
YETI Rambler Bottle
See YETI Listing
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
See Hydro Flask Listing

Best All-Around Bottle

Best All-Around Bottle
​We thought about giving our recommendation for best all-around bottle, but we decided against it because of the countless variations for each person, like budget, preferences, lifestyle, and plenty of other factors.  For us, we will probably use the FJbottle because it impressed us so much, but we encourage you to make your own decision.  If you’ve made it to this point in the video, you’ve already heard more than you ever thought you ever needed to know about water bottles so hopefully you have a better idea of which bottle will work best for you.

​And that’s it!  Hopefully this helps you figure out which bottle works best for you.  Again, we'd love it if you could use our links to purchase since we get a small referral fee, but either way we hope this information helps you on your path towards better hydration habits.  Thanks again!

Buying a Large Bottle?  Keep Us in Mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
BottlePro's Amazon Store
BottlePro's Amazon Store
0 Comments

Do Bottle Cleaning Tablets Actually Work? (Testing on a Hydro Flask)

2/10/2023

3 Comments

 
Do bottle cleaning tablets like Bottle Bright actually work?

A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video on this topic, check out our YouTube video. It covers most of the same information, just in a different format if videos are more your style.  Or keep reading our post below!

Do Bottle Tablets Work?

One major problem with big bottles like Hydro Flasks is that they can be difficult to clean.  We highly recommend bottle brush kits like this one because they make cleaning much easier and effective, but if you use your bottle regularly for coffee or tea, then you’ll probably notice stains developing over time no matter how well you clean it.
Bottle brush kit for large bottles like Hydro Flasks
Bottle brush kit for large bottles like Hydro Flasks
Bottle Brush Kit
Highly recommended to help keep your bottle cleaner easier.

Flat bottom brushes are best for Hydro Flasks.

Get one with a straw cleaner if you have a straw lid.

​The small detailing brush helps a lot with cleaning lids and threads.
See Pricing on Amazon
​I had this problem with my 20oz Coffee bottle, and I wanted to put the stainless back in stainless-steel.  Hydro Flask has these recommendations and best practices listed on their website.  But instead, I wanted to try something that I remembered seeing on Shark Tank to see if it was the real deal.

​I ordered a pack of Bottle Bright tablets to see how they work to get the stains out.   They aren’t that expensive, and they seemed easier than using a homemade concoction.  They’re made with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and citric acid and are marketed as being completely safe and without any residual tastes or smells.  
Before Picture: My Stained 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee
Before Picture: My Stained 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee
Before Picture: My Stained 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee
Before Picture: My Stained 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee

Testing Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets on a Hydro Flask

​Here is the inside of my Hydro Flask before the test, and you can clearly see the coffee and tea stains.  I followed the instructions on the package, which state you should fill your bottle with warm water and then add one tablet for each liter.

One liter is just over 32 ounces, so given that I was testing this on a 20-ounce bottle, adding one full tablet was more than enough.

​I dropped the tablet in, and it immediately started fizzing.  After letting it sit for 30 minutes, I poured out the water and used my brush with some clean water to rinse the bottle to make sure I got all of the tablet residue out.

Did the Bottle Cleaning Tablets Work?

The tablet honestly worked better than I expected.  Most of the stains were cleaned out, and it almost looks like a brand-new bottle as you can see from the images below.  I didn't use any other cleaners for this test, so I know the tablet was responsible for removing the stain.

I took a quick sample taste of some water, and I didn’t notice anything that seemed off.  Glad to know that my bottle won't have a weird aftertaste.
After Picture: My Cleaned 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee
After Picture: My Cleaned 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee
After Picture: My Cleaned 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee
After Picture: My Cleaned 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee

Conclusion - Do Bottle Bright Tablets Really Work?

​It's a pretty resounding YES on this one.  Overall, it was a very good first impression of the Bottle Bright tablets.  They simplified the cleaning process and took the guess-work out of the equation.

You could save a little money trying a different brand, and there are plenty of knockoffs available.  But in our opinion, it might be a good idea to stick to reputable brands instead of buying from an unknown company on Amazon.

​We hope this post and video has helped.  We’ve included links to the products, and if you purchase after clicking the link, we earn a small commission.  Every little bit helps our business, and we really appreciate the support!
Bottle Bright Tablets
Bottle Bright Tablets
These tablets worked really well for us, so we recommend using them periodically to deep clean your bottle.
See Bottle Bright on Amazon
Hydro Flask 20oz Coffee
Hydro Flask 20oz Coffee
This is our favorite bottle and lid (Flex Sip) for coffee or tea on the go.
See Hydro Flask on Amazon

Buying a large bottle?  Keep us in mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
BottlePro's Amazon Store
See BottlePro's Store
3 Comments
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