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!

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

Here's the full list, and I'll likely add bottles and update this post as I purchase more of them.

• BruMate Era 40oz
• Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
• Cirkul 32oz
• EcoVessel 32oz
• Fjbottle 32oz
• Hydro Flask Standard Flex Straw 24oz
• Hydro Flask Trail 32oz
• Hydro Flask Tumbler 40oz
• Hydro Flask Wide Flex Straw 32oz
• Klean Kanteen TKWide 32oz
• Nalgene 32oz
• Owala Bottle 32oz
• Owala Sway Tumbler 30oz
• Ozark Trail 32oz
• RevoMax 20oz
• Simple Modern Tumbler 40oz
• Stanley IceFlow 2.0 30oz
• Stanley Protour 40oz
• Stanley Quencher 40oz
• S'well Original 25oz
• Takeya Actives 32oz
• YETI Rambler 36oz

Whether 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.

In this section, we'll run through each criteria according to the SABCD format, where "S" is the best and "D" is the worst.

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.

​Now let's look at insulation, and there are some clear winners and losers.

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:

Now let's look at which bottles are most likely to last you 20 years instead of just two.

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.

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.

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.

Now let's look at how easy each bottle is to clean, which is very important but many people don't consider when buying.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

​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.

This criteria is pretty straighforward, and the two main factors that I looked at were the weight and bulkiness of the bottle.

Let's face it, 20 years ago, you'd have called me crazy if I said everyone would be walking around with +$35 bottles.

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).

For the commuters and road warriors, having a bottle that can stay secure next to you when on the road can be very helpful.

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.

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.

These three are at the top of the water bottle world right now.

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.

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.

​Now 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.

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.

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.

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:

• It's just a simple Excel file and doesn't have any macros or programs in it, and if you're not comfortable downloading it this way, send me a message on bottlepro.net and I'll email it to you.
• I tried it in Google Sheets, but the sorting function didn't work right when it converted. So it currently only works in Excel. I'm planning to add the Sheets version in the future.
• This is just covering the everyday hydration bottles that I personally own, but there are THOUSANDS of other options. This is meant to be a great starting point to help you narrow your search based on what's important to you, but definitely shop around.  There are a lot of great brands out there that aren't even covered here.

After 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.

• IMAGE LINKS - See our info page for that bottle.  We're still adding some details like the latest cold water insulation tests, but they already contain A LOT of compiled useful information and most common questions (like measurements to check with your cup holder).
• BUTTON LINKS - Most link to Amazon, but a few go to Walmart (Ozark Trail) or Target (Owala Sway) if it's not on Amazon.

If you're wondering what is the best water bottle on the market today, you're not alone.  The water bottle market is incredibly saturated (pun intended), so there's a lot to consider.  Well, I've collected 31 bottles over the years for this business, so today I'm going to reveal my full collection to help you find the best bottle for your situation.

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

Whether you go with Owala, Hydro Flask, YETI, Stanley, or anything else, these are our three most popular recommended accessories for any large reusable bottle.

Different bottles are better for different situations, so here let's take a look at various uses to see which bottle is the best option.

Scroll down to Part Two to read more about any particular brand or bottle.

These are the two bottles I find myself going back to most regularly when I'm not deliberately testing a different one.  They each have a great combination of features that make them amazing choices for everyday use.

Any of the bottles listed under "Best Bottle for Driving" are good options here, but I'd also consider having a 2nd larger bottle on hand for refills.

Many people prefer YETI's Hotshot because it has fewer pieces and you can drink from any side, which are both good points.  But it's not my personal favorite because it does not have a handle and is more difficult to open and close because of how the piece you twist is recessed below the rim of the lid.  With Hydro Flask's design, you can grab the outside of the lid and twist it which is just easier, and this is one of those small differences that you probably wouldn't notice unless you tried both side-by-side.

Most are vacuum insulated stainless steel around 32 ounces in size, but there are some different types of bottles and sizes mixed in.

​They're in no particular order.

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?

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.

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.

​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

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.

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.

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.

​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.

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.

​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.

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.

​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.  

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

​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.

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.

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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

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.

​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.

​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.

Easier to clean thoroughly than other straw lids

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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!

​Many people love drinking tea, iced coffee, or fruit infused water out of glass mason jars, and there are a few reasons why these types of jars may be a good option for you.

1. Cost - One reason is that they’re not expensive, especially compared to the bottles we normally talk about on our channel, like YETIs or Hydro Flasks.
   
2. No Plastic - They’re made of glass, so you don’t have to worry about your drink touching plastic, at least as long as you get a mason jar with a non-plastic lid and straw.
   
3. Colorful - Many people really like how you can see what’s inside, so if you drink something like infused water or a fruit tea, it can have a really colorful and fun look.

​The main drawbacks are that they are bulky and breakable.  Many of them are too large to fit in most cup holders.  These factors can make glass mason jars difficult to use on the go, and it can be particularly difficult to safely use a mason jar when driving.  But the good news is that you have options, and in this video, we’re going to talk about a few things to consider when traveling with your mason jar.

Products mentioned in this post:

• 16-ounce mason jar, no handle
• 16-ounce with handle
• 24-ounce no handle
• 24-ounce with handle
• 32-ounce no-handle Piper and Leaf
• 32-ounce with handle
• BottlePro Max Cup Holder Adapter

If you make a purchase after clicking the link, we get a small referral fee.  It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and every little bit helps our small business.  Thanks for your support!

Once you’ve figured out what mason jar you want, then take a closer look at your cup holder.  Mason jars typically start at 3” diameter for 16-ounce jars and go up to 4” diameter for 32-ounce jars.  Most cup holders can hold cups up to around 3” diameter, but this varies greatly so the best thing to do is to measure your cup holder and see what you’re working with.

16-ounce mason jars like this one can fit in quite a few cup holders, so if you just need a drink for a commute, then this can be a really good, simple option.

But once you get up to 24-ounce, and especially 32-ounce jars, odds are that your cup holder won’t be large enough to fit your mason jar.

Mason Jar Options and Diameter (measurements do not factor in the handle)

• 16-ounce mason jar, no handle (3")
• 16-ounce with handle (3")
• 24-ounce no handle (3.4")
• 24-ounce with handle (Listed as 2.6”, but we think that’s the mouth diameter. The container diameter is likely ~3.0”)
• 32-ounce no-handle Piper and Leaf (3.9")
• 32-ounce with handle (3.9")

​And if you want a mason jar with a handle, we’d be very surprised if you can use it with your cup holder since most do not accommodate handles at all.

Long-story-short, if you’re using 24 or 32-ounce jars or any size jar with a handle, odds are that you’ll need an adapter.  There are a lot of options on the market today, and one great option is our BottlePro Max cup holder adapter.

And that’s it!  Hopefully this video helped you figure out which mason jar you should get and whether you need a cup holder adapter.  Follow our Hydration Blog or subscribe if you’re interested in learning more about hydration and the ever-expanding world of water bottles and containers.  Thanks!

When we released our first version BottlePro cup holder adapter in 2015, we had no idea if it was going to sell.  But we used our prototypes for a few weeks and loved having our big Nalgenes close at hand while driving, so we figured this product could help others too.  Soon we realized that many other people really wanted a way to keep their large Hydro Flask, Nalgene, YETI, Klean Kanteen, Takeya, or other large bottle nearby while driving, instead of having it roll around on the passenger seat.

Fast-forward 7 years.  We're on our 3rd generation adapter, BottlePro Max, which works for many more situations.  Let's see what it looks like and what you can expect.

See our Release Video below for a video summary, or you can read through the post below!

Your BottlePro Max will come in a box like this.  Open it, and you’ll see an insert with info about our company.  Just contact us if any issues come up.

After debuting over 10 years ago, Hydro Flasks quickly gained traction as the go-to insulated water bottle.  For many people, the simple benefit of having a bottle that is vacuum-insulated was enough of a selling point.  For others, it's the clean, yet stylish design.  Whatever the reason, Hydro Flask continues to build its following and shows no signs of slowing down.

It's only natural what happened next.  A whole range of accessories have been developed with the goal of making life with these amazing but cumbersome bottles a little easier.

We here at BottlePro got involved in this niche early with our cup holder adapter, so we've seen it grow over the years, including new notable accessories coming available fairly often.  Here are some of our favorites for the best accessories for Hydro Flasks in 2022 (focusing on 32 and 40 ounce bottles).

We reviewed four popular adapters on the market today.  ​This video will help you decide which cup holder adapter to purchase for your bottle.  Clicking the links will take you to Amazon so you can check prices.

If you'd rather read the review, we've included a transcript of this video below for reference.

(And if you purchase something, we get a referral fee as an Amazon Associate! Thanks for your support!)

We reviewed:

• Amazon Basics
• BottlePro
• Swigzy
• Joytutus

And while we focus on a few types of Hydro Flasks, this review is also applicable to other large bottles like Nalgenes, YETIs, Klean Kanteens, Simple Moderns, Takeyas, Thermoflasks, Iron Flasks, Fifty/Fifty, Swig, and many other popular bottles on the market today.

​If you're not sure whether you need an adapter at all, we highly-recommend you visit the blog post referenced at the beginning of the video so you can determine if your car's cup holders will likely work with any of these adapters. Or if you're using a smaller bottle, you may not even need an adapter!  Just click the link below to view that post.

Which Hydro Flasks Fit in Cup Holders? - The Ultimate Guide

Video Transcript:
Hydro Flasks are great bottles, but many of them are so big that they don’t fit in standard cup holders. So we’re going to review four of the most popular cup holders on the market today, and give you our thoughts and recommendations.  Links to purchase are in the description.

This video focuses on comparing cup holder adapters needed to use larger Hydro Flasks, and we assume you already know you need an adapter.  But you may not need one at all if you have a smaller Hydro Flask, like a 21oz.  Check out our blog post for a full step-by-step guide. Link in the description.

Let’s get started.

Amazon Basics
First we have Amazon Basics.  Like many popular categories, Amazon released their own cup holder and have undercut most other adapters on the market.  But it’s still very functional and a good option on a budget

• The twist to expand base is very easy to use and functional.
• And it has rubber tabs to centralize small bottles.  The tabs are not removable.
• 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks are the same diameter and fit well, and the tabs keep smaller bottles like 32oz Trail Series centralized.

All-in-all the Amazon Basics cup holder is quite functional for the price.  The main drawbacks are the many people prefer to buy from smaller vendors instead of Amazon brands, the base is not extendable, and the mug handle cutout is quite small.  But overall, this cup holder is a very good option.

BottlePro
Next up we have BottlePro, which is our cup holder adapter.

• Each BottlePro comes with two adapter rings and a foam sleeve to help fine-tune the fit.  The adapter rings are locked when the base looks like this.  To unlock, twist the base so the rings are aligned.  Then slide off the rings.  The adapters can be easily added back on by lining up the grooves and sliding them on.
• A cool feature is that you can lock the rings at different heights, which can help with deeper cup holders.
• Add the soft fit sleeve to help with in-between cup holder sizes.
• 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks fit well, but smaller bottles can be unstable because there are no centralizer tabs.

In summary, BottlePro is a great budget alternative to Amazon Basics for 32 and 40 ounce Hydro Flasks, but for smaller diameter bottles, you might want to look at an adapter with centralizer tabs.  And keep an eye out for our upcoming 3rd version, which will have many improvements.

Swigzy
Next is Swigzy, which is a great premium option.

• It has a twist-to-expand base,
• rubber tabs (though they are not removable),
• and there is also an option to purchase a unit with additional spacers to extend the height of the adapter.
• One of the cooler unique features that Swigzy offers is the ability to offset the base.  Just loosen one screw, adjust the base offset, then re-add the screw.  This can help two of them fit side-by-side in more cup holders.
• 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks fit well, and the rubber tabs help centralize smaller bottles really well. 

Overall, Swigzy is honestly our favorite cup holder on the market today, and it pains us to say that because we make one.  But Swigzy comes with a significantly higher price tag.  You might be able to save a few bucks with another option.

Joytutus
Last is Joytutus.  This cup holder is a good option overall.

• The rubber tabs feel great and are removable, which can help make it easier to get larger bottles in-and-out.
• The coaster is also removable for easier cleaning, though this does make it fall out easily if you’re moving your adapter.
• But we’re not huge fans of the base design.  The rubber flap concept looks interesting and is easy for installation because you just push it down into the cup holder, but we found it very difficult to remove when we wanted to switch cars.
• You have to remove the rubber tabs for 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks to fit, but smaller bottles fit just fine with the tabs in.

While Joytutus has some options like the removable tabs that help it stand apart, for the most part we do not think this outweighs the downsides of the base design.  But it’s certainly an option to keep in mind.

So that’s it!  We hope this review has been helpful.  Don’t forget to check out our website at bottlepro.net, where we have other products like infusers and splash guards for Hydro Flasks.  And subscribe to our blog for more content like this, hydration news, and updates on product deals.  Thanks for watching.

With the every-growing popularity of reusable water bottles like Hydro Flasks, more and more people are wondering what is the best way to keep their bottle close at hand on the road? 

But which Hydro Flasks fit in cup holders, and do you need a cup holder adapter for your car?  This can be a tougher question to answer than you might initially think because of the sheer number of cup holder designs and water bottle sizes.

​And while this post is primarily focused on Hydro Flasks, it also applies to similar reusable bottles like Nalgenes, YETIs, Klean Kanteens, Iron Flasks, Thermoflasks, Takeyas, Simple Moderns, Fifty/Fifty, and many others that are on the market today.

​Before thinking about which Hydro Flask will work for you, we recommend taking a closer look at your car

First, measure your cup holder's diameter and save it for later.

​Then, determine if you have a "standard" or "non-standard" cup holder according to the descriptions below.  This can have a major impact on whether cup holder adapters would fit securely in your vehicle, which opens the possibility of using larger bottles.

Now that you know whether you have a "standard" or "non-standard" cup holder, it's time to think about what size bottle you'd like to have.  Keep in mind that the "narrow", "wide", or "oversized" designations below refer to the bottle diameter, not the mouth diameter.  For example, you can have a 20oz Wide Mouth bottle that is categorized under "Narrow" because it is only 2.91" diameter.

The lists below are based on specifications listed on Hydro Flasks website and some that we independently verified.  If you already have a bottle, we recommend measuring its base yourself to make 100% sure that you have the correct measurement.  If your bottle has a protective boot, then you should also include this in the width measurement (they generally add around 0.25" to the diameter, but it varies based on the boot manufacturer).

The mug measurements are for the diameter of the body, not including the handle.

The links in the lists of bottles go to the product pages on Amazon.

There's a lot of information here, so to make it easier, we've developed this flowchart to help you sort through it all.  You just need to know (1) whether you have a "standard" or "non-standard" cup holder and (2) the diameter of your cup holder compared the diameter of your desired bottle.

Disclaimer: The information provided above has been fact-checked against Hydro Flask and Amazon websites (and with some in-person measurements).  The flowchart below is based on our experience and observations.  However, please note that we cannot 100% guarantee compatibility of any resulting purchases you make because there are literally hundreds of thousands of different bottle/cup holder/adapter combinations once you add them all up.  But hey, that's what return policies are for!

With that said, let's dive right in!

​If you determined that you need an adapter, then check out the adapters listed below.  Unlike back in 2015 when BottlePro launched, there are plenty of cup holder adapter options on the market nowadays.  Here are some of our favorites.

The Colorado National Monument is a relatively lesser-known park, at least compared to nearby Arches and Canyonlands in Moab, Utah.  But as Grand Junction locals know, that almost makes it better.  You won't get the massive crowds like you do around Moab, and the scenery is out of this world.  Here's our recap of our hike on the amazing Independence Monument hike, starting from the lower trailhead.