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What is the Best Water Bottle? (our Biggest Comparison Yet!)

9/30/2024

1 Comment

 
What is the Best Water Bottle?
What is the Best Water Bottle?

What is the Best Bottle?

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.

What's Next?

  • Video review
  • Good accessories to have regardless of which bottle you go with
  • Part One: Giving my recommendations for the best (and worst) bottles for different uses, like value, hiking, and overall.
  • Part Two: Rapid-fire review of each bottle, including the main pros and cons.

Video Review: What is the Best Water Bottle? (31 Tested!)

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

Good Accessories for Most Large Bottles

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.
Brush Kit
Brush Kit
Bottle Brush Kit
There are a lot of brush kits on Amazon at this point, so feel free to shop around.  This is the one I have, and it has a range of brush sizes that work with any bottle.
See Brush Kit
Cleaning Tablets
Cleaning Tablets
Bottle Bright Tablets
I've tested these, and they work really well when cleaning out coffee and tea stains.  I also recommend using them roughly once per week during your deep cleaning routine.
See Cleaning Tablets
BottlePro Max Adapter
BottlePro Max Adapter
BottlePro Cup Holder Adapter
Bottles that are 24 ounces or less can fit in the majority of cup holders.  Bottles that are larger than that typically need an adapter, like our BottlePro Max.

A key difference is if you purchase a tumbler-style bottle, like a Stanley Quencher.  Tumblers are known for having tapered sides that are better able to fit in more cup holders.
See BottlePro Max

Part One: Recommended Bottles by Use

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.
Best Bottle for Everyday, All-Around Use
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.
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip
  • Dual straw/chug lid
  • Easy sipping for a straw lid (less air constriction)
  • Ergonomic (actually feels weirdly better)
  • Cover keeps the mouthpiece clean
See Owala
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle
  • Has both a rigid handle and a built-in carrying strap
  • Magnetics keep the spout cap out of your face when sipping
  • Silicone grip pad on base
  • Comes with a brush to help you get started (though you'll probably want to upgrade to a different kit)
See FJbottle
Best Bottle for Value
Ozark Trail 32oz
Ozark Trail 32oz
Ozark Trail
  • Least-expensive stainless steel insulated bottle
  • Good handle
  • No-slip base
See Ozark Trail
Iron Flask Lids
Iron Flask Lids
Iron Flask
  • 3 lids included
See Iron Flask
ThermoFlask 2-Pack
ThermoFlask 2-Pack
ThermoFlask
  • One of the few brands that regularly offers 2-packs
  • 2 bottles and 4 lids included
See ThermoFlask
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene
  • One of the least-expensive bottles
  • Extremely durable and won't dent
See Nalgene
Best Bottle for Hiking
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Durable and dent-resistant
  • Best if used with a carrying pouch or stashed in a bag because the lid tether isn't much of a handle
See Nalgene
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Hydro Flask Trail Series
  • Lightest vacuum insulated bottle
  • Good handle
See Trail Series
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle
  • Having both a rigid handle and a carrying strap makes it easier to bring with you on long hikes
  • Silicone grip pad on base
  • (If you'd like to add flavor and love the carrying strap, see Vesmoon in Part Two below)
See FJbottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
  • This is a good option if you're going on a very long hike or backpacking trip and want to refill from a stream or other questionable water source
  • I tested this bottle, and it was one of the best options to filter out visible particulates
See GRAYL
Best Bottle for Sports
Takeya Actives
Takeya Actives
Takeya (Actives Series)
  • Good handle
  • Attached spout cover
  • Recommended: This lid style has a built-in ice blocker
See Takeya Actives
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip
  • Dual straw/chug lid, so you can sip or chug depending on how much water you need
  • Easy sipping for a straw lid (less air constriction)
  • Ergonomic (actually feels weirdly better)
  • Cover keeps the mouthpiece clean
See Owala FreeSip
Best Bottle for Driving
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
  • Sip-style lids are the best for coffee or tea during a commute, and this is one my favorites
  • Good handle
  • Easy to know when the lid is opened or closed
See Hydro Flask
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip
  • Straw lids are great for driving because it's easier to keep your eyes on the road
  • Owala's FreeSip is one of my favorite straw lid options
  • You will likely need a cup holder adapter like this one with 32oz or 40oz sizes
See Owala
Stanley Quencher Handle
Stanley Quencher Handle
Stanley Quencher
  • Straw lid
  • Tapered base fits in more cup holders
  • Side-mounted handle makes it easy to grab
See Stanley
Best Bottle for Road Trips
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.
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask Growler
  • The large 64oz size makes it a good option for refilling a smaller bottle that you keep in your cup holder
  • However, this bottle is too large to be used as a stand-alone bottle for most people and most situations, especially when driving
  • YETI and other brands also have comparable "growler" sized bottles, so feel free to check those out
See Hydro Flask Growler
Best Bottle for Home or Office
Stanley Quencher Handle
Stanley Quencher Handle
Stanley Quencher
  • The big side-mounted handle makes it easy to grab when you're just walking from one room to another
  • The always-open straw makes it really easy to quickly take a sip (though be careful of it getting too dirty)
See Stanley
Brita Bottle Filter
Brita Bottle Filter
Brita Filter Bottle
  • I haven't tested many filter bottles yet, but of the ones I have, this is by far the easiest to use as an every-day bottle
  • It's a good option for extra assurance that you're drinking as clean of water as possible
See Brita
Best Bottle for Clumsy People
YETI Rambler Lid
YETI Rambler Lid
YETI Rambler
  • Extremely durable
  • Good handle
See YETI Rambler
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Durable and dent-resistant
  • If you somehow break it (not likely), this is an inexpensive bottle to replace
See Nalgene
Best Bottle for Iced Water
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip
  • In general, straw lids are good options if you love sipping ice-cold water from your bottle without having to worry about any ice coming out
  • Owala is one of my favorite straw lid options right now
See Owala FreeSip
EcoVessel Strainer
EcoVessel Strainer
EcoVessel
  • One of EcoVessel's key features is a built-in strainer that serves as an ice blocker
  • Vesmoon is another option with a strainer, or you can look at Takeya's ice strainer lid
See EcoVessel
Best Bottle for Fruit Infusing
Vesmoon Infusers
Vesmoon Infusers
Vesmoon
  • This has the largest built-in strainer of any bottle I've tested
  • Good option to avoid plastic infusers
See Vesmoon
Picture
FlavorFuze Pod
  • This is our design, and we sized it to fit in nearly any wide-mouth bottle
  • Each comes with two lids.  One is sized to fit snugly in Hydro Flask wide mouths and act as a splash guard.  The other has a larger handle and is meant for drop-in infusing
See FlavorFuze Pod
Best Bottle for Tea Infusing
Steepware Infusers
Steepware Infusers
Steepware
  • This bottle does do a good job at what it was designed for, which is brewing tea
  • The bottle is the right size, and the infusers are also a good size to keep your loose-leaf tea contained while giving it more surface area to diffuse into your water
See Steepware
Best Bottle for Limiting Plastic Contact
Healthy Human Lid
Healthy Human Lid
Healthy Human (Stein or Curve)
  • Healthy Human is a great option to avoid plastic because their standard lids have stainless steel underneath, making sure your water touches as little plastic as possible
See Healthy Human
Picture
EcoVessel
  • EcoVessel is unique in that it's the only chug-style lid I've seen that avoids plastic contact under the lid
  • Both parts of the lid have either silicone or stainless steel contact points with your water, but not plastic
See EcoVessel
Best Bottle for Easy Cleaning
Zulu Ace
Zulu Ace
Zulu Ace
  • One of only a few bottles I'm aware of that has a removable bottom so you can clean it from both sides
See Zulu Ace
Owala FreeSip
Owala FreeSip
Owala FreeSip
  • Easiest straw lid to clean all surfaces where water touches the lid
  • Does not have a rotating spout, which is common in most other straw lids and is the most difficult part to clean
  • Easily-removable seal
See Owala FreeSip
Stanley Quencher
Stanley Quencher
Stanley Quencher
  • Largest opening on top, making it easier to clean without needing a bottle brush kit
See Stanley
Best Bottle for Sanitizing Water
Brita Bottle Filter
Brita Bottle Filter
Brita Filter Bottle
  • I haven't tested many filter bottles yet, but of the ones I have, this is by far the easiest to use as an every-day bottle​
See Brita
LARQ UV Bottle
LARQ UV Bottle
LARQ UV Bottle
  • Easy to use, but expensive
  • Requires charging
  • The UV kills bacteria and viruses, but it's not a filter bottle so it won't remove particulates
See LARQ
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
  • Not convenient for an everyday bottle
  • Good for filtering particulates, ideally when hiking or backpacking
See GRAYL
Best Straw Lid
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip
  • Dual straw/chug lid
  • Easy sipping for a straw lid (less air constriction)
  • Ergonomic (actually feels weirdly better)
  • Cover keeps the mouthpiece clean
See Owala FreeSip
Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
  • Removable insert that lets you clean around the spout more easily
  • Good brand with other interchangeable lids
  • Good handle
See Hydro Flask
Best Chug Lid
Takeya Actives
Takeya Actives
Takeya (Actives Series)
  • Good handle
  • Attached spout cover
  • Actives series comes with an insulated lid
See Takeya Actives
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle
  • Magnet keeps the spout cap out of your face
  • Has a rigid handle and a carrying strap
See FJbottle
Best Sip Lid
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
  • Good handle
  • Easy to know when the lid is opened or closed
  • Easy to disassemble (though it does take a few steps and has more parts than some other brands)
See Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
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.

Part Two: Rapid-Fire Review of All 31 Bottles

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.
1 of 31: Owala FreeSip
Owala FreeSip Lid
Owala FreeSip Lid
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Owala FreeSip Lid and Removable Seal
Let's start with the most popular brands by looking at a bottle that's quite possibly overtaking Stanley as the most trendy option on the market today, Owala.

Owala's FreeSip is good because it has an ergonomic combination straw and spout lid that's honestly pretty nice to use.  It's also a reasonably priced bottle.

Cons with Owalas are the handle and at least for me, the colors (though some people love the funky combinations).

​I recently made a dedicated post about this brand, so check out this link if you'd like to learn more.
See Owala FreeSip
2 of 31: Stanley Quencher
Stanley Quencher Handle
Stanley Quencher Handle
Stanley Quencher Lid
Stanley Quencher Lid
Stanley's Quencher tumbler has been atop the social media mountain for a few years.

Stanley's Quencher is good because it has a large handle that's easy to hold because it's side-mounted.  It also has a tapered base that lets it fit cup holders.

Cons with Stanley Quenchers are that the lid is not leak-proof.  Also, the large handle makes an already-bulky bottle even bulkier
See Stanley Quencher
3 of 31: YETI Rambler
YETI Rambler Lid
YETI Rambler Lid
YETI Rambler Spout
YETI Rambler Spout
YETI's Rambler series is incredibly popular and includes a wide range of different products, but I'm just referring to their bottles like these.

YETI Rambler pros are the durability and the wide handle with their chug and straw lids.

Cons with YETI Ramblers are the high cost and the handles or lack thereof with their other lids.

I recently made a dedicated video about this brand, so check out this link if you'd like to learn more.
See YETI Rambler
4 of 31: Cirkul
Cirkul Flavor Pod
Cirkul Flavor Pod
Cirkul Flavor Dial
Cirkul Flavor Dial
Cirkul took social media by storm a few years ago, and it's known for having flavor pods with a dial so you can control how much flavor you get.  While an interesting concept, I really don't like this bottle.

Cirkul bottles are good if you'd like to easily add flavor to your drink, but that's about it.

Cons with Cirkul bottles are:
  • that the flavor pods are disposable so they add a lot of waste while also costing you a lot more money in the long run
  • the handle is also truly awful
  • the bottle finish scratched easily
  • the straw lid makes weird noises and takes a lot of sucking compared to Owala's design
  • and there are legitimate questions and concerns about about how artificial sweeteners affect your health and you're essentially drinking non-carbonated diet soda.

If you'd like to add flavors to your water bottle, a more natural option is our FlavorFuze Pod drop-in infuser.
See Cirkul
5 of 31: Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
Next is Hydro Flask, and our company really got started by making accessories for these so I have a few of their bottles.  Hydro Flask's 32oz wide mouth style bottle was the social media darling a few years before Stanley, and even though they've dropped off the radar some, they're still great bottles.

Pros about Hydro Flasks are the lids, which all have great handles (other than the original straw lid).  They also have a wide range of color options.

​Cons are the high price, though they do seem to be on sale pretty often nowadays to compete more with Stanley and Owala.
See Hydro Flask 32oz Flex Straw
6 of 31: Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Sips are great bottles for coffee and tea.

Pros about the lid are the wide handle and that it's easy to take apart for cleaning.

Cons are the high price and that taking the lid apart takes quite a few steps (though it's not particularly difficult).
See Hydro Flask 16oz Flex Sip
7 of 31: Hydro Flask 24oz Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Narrow 21oz
Hydro Flask Narrow 21oz
Hydro Flask Narrow Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Narrow Flex Straw
I typically don't like narrow or standard mouth bottles as much as wide mouths because they're more difficult to clean, have smaller lids and handles, and aren't as easy to add things like ice or flavorings.

​But a positive of bottles with narrower mouths like this are that they typically have better insulation than their wide mouth counterparts.
See Hydro Flask Narrow 24oz
8 of 31: Hydro Flask 32oz Trail Series
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Another good variation to know about is their Trail Series.  This style is lighter and actually tested a little better in an insulation test I did recently compared to their original wide mouth.

​Cons of this series is that they don't have many color options, though they do all share a cool metallic look that is different from the market-standard powder coating with most bottles.
See Hydro Flask Trail Series
9 of 31: Hydro Flask 64oz Growler
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask Growler
Hydro Flask's 64oz Growler is a good one to have for situations like long road trips when you can use the growler to refill a smaller bottle that's better to use when driving.  But for most people, growlers are too big to be the main bottle they drink water from and are better used for refills.

​It's also worth noting that I have Hydro Flask's standard style growler, not their beer growler, which is another 64oz bottle with a different lid that's specifically designed to handle carbonation.
See Hydro Flask Growler
10 of 31: S'well 25oz
S'well 25oz Narrow Mouth
S'well 25oz Narrow Mouth
S'well 25oz Narrow Mouth
S'well 25oz Narrow Mouth
S'well is one of the original trendy brands, and for good reason.

S'well is good for its sleek look, which is more aesthetic than most other brands.  The narrow mouth one I have also had one of the best insulation test results of any bottle from my collection.

A con is that it's too narrow to easily get ice into it so there's a bit of a tradeoff, and this makes it more difficult to clean too.  The bottle also doesn't have a handle so it's not as easy to carry with you, and they're pretty pricey.
See S'well
11 of 31: Klean Kanteen Classic 40oz
Klean Kanteen Classic 40oz
Klean Kanteen Classic 40oz
Klean Kanteen Classic 40oz
Klean Kanteen Classic 40oz
​Klean Kanteen is another premium brand, and I have two of their bottles.

The good things about Klean Kanteen's non-insulated bottles like this 40-ounce single-wall are that they're lightweight, reasonably priced, and have stainless steel under the lid.

The bad side is that it's not insulated and the handle is truly awful, though their updated loop style lid is much better.  The lid shown in these pictures is an older style.
See Klean Kanteen Classic
12 of 31: Klean Kanteen TKWide 32oz
Klean Kanteen TKWide 32oz
Klean Kanteen TKWide 32oz
Bump-Style Threads
Bump-Style Threads
I also have their 32-ounce TKWide, which is their insulated series.

These bottles have pretty good lid options, and the bump-style threads are easier to clean compared to traditional threads.

Some downsides with TKWides are that some people find the thin metal handle uncomfortable, and they are very bulky, especially because of the bump cap which is essentially a bumper on the bottom that's intended to save your insulation if you drop your bottle.

The problem I have with that is that is that I found in a recent test that most dents don't affect insulation anyways and if the dent is bad enough to affect insulation then your bottle is probably too wobbly and ready to be replaced anyways, so that extra cap on the bottom just seems to add more to the bulk of this already bulky bottle.
See Klean Kanteen TKWide
13 of 31: Takeya 32oz
Takeya Actives
Takeya Actives
Takeya Actives
Takeya Actives
Now we're getting into some mid-range brands that are still great options but may not have the prestige of a brand like YETI or Stanley.  First is Takeya.

Pros are the reasonable cost and the great chug lid, which has a connected spout cap and a wide handle design.

I honestly don't have many negatives to say about this brand, but some people do prefer a rigid handle like YETI's over Takeya's hinged design.

​If you get a Takeya, go with their Actives series listing because it'll come with their insulated lid and a protective bottle boot.
See Takeya Actives
14 of 31: Nalgene 32oz
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth
Nalgene is the only plastic bottle in this video, and yes, I realize it's not stainless steel, but I'm grandfathering this bottle in because it's a cult classic with a place in history as the first popular reusable bottle for outdoors and hiking.

Good things about Nalgenes are that the plastic construction is really lightweight and inexpensive

Bad things are they don't have a great handle and are not insulated.
See Nalgene
15 of 31: Healthy Human 32oz Stein
Healthy Human 32oz Stein
Healthy Human 32oz Stein
Healthy Human Lid
Healthy Human Lid
If you avoid Nalgene because of the plastic, then a good alternative to consider is Healthy Human.  I have two of their bottles, a 32-ounce classic design and a 21-ounce from their Curve series.

Both have stainless steel under the lid so you can avoid plastic contact with your water.  They also come with a lid that has a wide handle and a light-duty carabiner so you can clip it to a bag

The Curve series is more ergonomic for some people.

​One downside is the lack of a sip style lid for coffee in their bottles, though they do have tumblers and cups that are a better fit for that.
See Healthy Human Stein
16 of 31: Healthy Human 21oz Curve
Healthy Human Curve
Healthy Human Curve
Healthy Human Curve
Healthy Human Curve
The Curve series is more ergonomic for some people, and it has some other color combinations and gradients.

Other than that, it's very similar to the Stein and use the same style lid.

See Healthy Human Curve
17 of 31: Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
Camelbak Chute Mag 32oz
Next is Camelbak's Chute Mag.  Camelbak is one of the brands that's been around the hydration world for a long time, so their bottles are very common and well-known.

Good things are that the lid has a magnet in the spout cap that helps keep it out the way when you're taking sips.  They're also some of the least-expensive insulated options out there.

Bad things are that I'm personally not a huge fan of the offset handle, but some people prefer that style.  The magnets are cool, but I'm not a huge fan of the all-plastic hinge design because it is tricker to link up the cap with the spout compared to bottles with fixed hinges like Takeya and FJbottle.

Overall, this is a pretty middle-of-the-road bottle in my opinion that does a lot well but doesn't excel at anything in particular in my opinion.
See Camelbak
18 of 31: ThermoFlask 32oz
ThermoFlask 32oz
ThermoFlask 32oz
ThermoFlask 2-Pack
ThermoFlask 2-Pack
ThermoFlask is another solid mid-range brand that doesn't have much that really differentiates it in either a good or a bad way.

But one good thing that you don't see with many other brands is that ThermoFlask regularly offers two-pack options for additional savings, so if you're already thinking about buying two bottles then it's a good option.

​Fun fact, this brand is owned by Takeya, so they have a lot of similarities.
See ThermoFlask 2-Pack
19 of 31: Iron Flask 40oz
Iron Flask 40oz
Iron Flask 40oz
Iron Flask Lids
Iron Flask Lids
​Next is Iron Flask, and you can probably guess what this brand is going for.

They have done a good job establishing their footing on Amazon as a lower priced alternative to Hydro Flask.  Pros are the value, as you'll get three lids included for a reasonable price.

​The downside is that the lids feel cheap compared to what you get from Hydro Flask itself.
See Iron Flask
20 of 31: Ozark Trail 32oz
Ozark Trail 32oz
Ozark Trail 32oz
Ozark Trail Lid
Ozark Trail Lid
Ozark Trail is Walmart's bottle brand, and as much as I hate to admit it, this is a pretty solid bottle.

Pros are that it has a grippy base and a good lid that has a connected spout cap and wide handle.  And surprisingly, Ozark Trail has also consistently had the best insulation tests out of all the wide mouth bottles that I have compared it against.

Cons are that you can't buy it on Amazon, so if you're looking to use Prime shipping then you're out of luck.  The handle is also just a touch small for comfortably fitting three larger fingers like mine.
See Ozark Trail
21 of 31: FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle 32oz
FJbottle Strap
FJbottle Strap
FJbottle is a brand most people haven't heard of, but if you saw my comparison video last year then you know I really like their bottle.

What I love about FJbottle is that it has both a fingerhold handle and a built-in carrying strap, which is something most bottles don't have.  The strap is something I didn't expect to like as much as I did, and it makes it a lot easier to carry your bottle when your hands are full with other things.  It's also reasonably priced, has a no-slip base, and has a magnetic spout cap that I honestly prefer over Camelbak's design.

A downside is that the spout opening is a little too small, but for the most part I'm easily able to overlook that inconvenience because of everything else this bottle has going for it.
See FJbottle
22 of 31: EcoVessel 32oz
EcoVessel 32oz
EcoVessel 32oz
EcoVessel Strainer
EcoVessel Strainer
EcoVessel is another reasonably priced bottle for what you get.

Pros are that it comes with a bottle boot and has stainless steel under the lid to avoid plastic contact with your water.  It also has a built-in strainer that can be used for tea or blocking ice.

Unfortunately, the strainer is too small to hold fruit, and the bottle doesn't have a true handle, though you can use the cap tether.
See EcoVessel
23 of 31: Steepware 22oz
Steepware 22oz
Steepware 22oz
Steepware Infusers
Steepware Infusers
Steepware is one of the first bottles I am aware of that had a built-in strainer, and it also has a larger section here that screws into the strainer.  This makes it a better option than EcoVessel for loose leaf tea or even some smaller fruits.

Other than that, I don't really like Steepware though.  It was an outlier on the bad side on an insulation test, and the lid isn't that great.
See Steepware
24 of 31: Vesmoon 32oz
Vesmoon 32oz
Vesmoon 32oz
Vesmoon Infusers
Vesmoon Infusers
Vesmoon is a new brand that has the best built-in infuser in my opinion.  It's a larger infuser than Steepware's, and the chug lid is a really good design that includes a carrying strap.

​The downside is that it's a smaller brand, but if that's not a problem for you and you're looking for a good infuser bottle then this is one of the best options I've seen.
See Vesmoon
25 of 31: RevoMax
RevoMax
RevoMax
RevoMax Threadless Lid
RevoMax Threadless Lid
RevoMax has a really unique feature in that it's the only bottle in this video that is completely threadless.  You pull on this part here to lock the lid into place, and to unlock it you pinch the side buttons and press this button on top. 

The main pros and cons are really opposite sides of the same coin.  The lid is easy to open with one hand, but because this lid is separate it makes it difficult to use this bottle when driving unless you put the lid down somewhere.

And the lack of threads makes it easier to clean in some ways, but the lid itself is trickier to disassemble than other lids when you need to do a deep clean.

​It's a narrow mouth bottle, and it tested really well on an insulation test I did last year taking the top spot in essentially a tie with my narrow mouth S'well.
See RevoMax
26 of 31: Zulu Ace
Zulu Ace
Zulu Ace
Zulu Ace Removable Bottom
Zulu Ace Removable Bottom
​Zulu Ace is a great bottle to consider if you're a clean freak because you can open the bottle from both sides.  This is a good option if you don't want a tumbler like a Stanley Quencher, but you also don't want to deal with a bottle brush kit.

The downside is that there are more threads where it could potentially leak if a seal is misaligned, and it doesn't have a built-in handle.
See Zulu Ace
27 of 31: Stanley Classic Thermos
Stanley Thermos
Stanley Thermos
Stanley Thermos
Stanley Thermos
Stanley's Thermos is certainly not a new design, but I'm including it in this part of my review because it's so much different from all the other bottles I've mentioned.

This bottle has great insulation, but you wouldn't want to use it as a main water bottle.  It's best used in situations like outdoor events to store and distribute hot coffee or tea while you drink from other cups.
See Stanley Thermos
28 of 31: Otiem Copper
Otiem Copper Bottle
Otiem Copper Bottle
Otiem Copper Bottle
Otiem Copper Bottle
Copper has been used for thousands of years as a drinking container and vessel, but it's good to know what you're getting into before you buy one.

Most brands heavily market health benefits associated with using copper bottles, though I personally have not seen trusted sources or scientific research that definitively backs this up (at least not to the degree that the benefits are marketed).

They also take a lot more regular maintenance compared to stainless steel and plastic bottles because the copper tarnishes over time.

But there's no doubt that they look really cool!
See Otiem
29 of 31: Brita Filter Bottle
Brita Bottle
Brita Bottle
Brita Bottle Filter
Brita Bottle Filter
Brita's bottle stays true to their roots by focusing on filtration because the bottle has a built-in filter.  This is a great option if you're traveling and are not sure about the water quality.  If you're familiar with LifeStraw, just think of this bottle like having a built-in accessory like that.

I'm not a fan of the handle though, and the bottle itself isn't as aesthetically pleasing as many others on this list.
See Brita
30 of 31: GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL Filter Bottle
GRAYL is a different take on the filter bottle.  Instead of sucking water through a filter straw, you use this bottle like a French press.

It looks really cool and rugged and helps clean water when you're camping or hiking and need to get water from a stream.

But this isn't a convenient bottle for every-day use because it's a lot of effort to go through if you already have good water and the handle isn't much to write home about.  And these bottles are crazy expensive, with this version costing $100 and their titanium version costing $200.
See GRAYL
31 of 31: LARQ UV Bottle
LARQ UV Bottle
LARQ UV Bottle
LARQ UV Bottle
LARQ UV Bottle
And last we have LARQ, which is the most high-tech bottle I own.  You may have seen them on Shark Tank, and this bottle's main calling card is the built-in UV light that sanitizes your water.

The pros are that UV light is proven to make water safer to drink by killing bacteria, and it's a cool concept that you can show off.

The cons are the high cost, having to recharge the battery, and they only have a narrow mouth design.
See LARQ
1 Comment

What are the Best Bottles for Infusing (Fruit, Tea, and Coffee)

6/2/2024

0 Comments

 
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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Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best? (Wide Mouth Edition)

2/26/2024

0 Comments

 
Which Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Lid is the Best?
Which Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Lid is the Best?

Which Hydro Flask Lid Should You Get?

Hydro Flask currently has 7 wide mouth lid options, so which one is the best for you?  I'll review each lid available, including 2 that many people have not seen before.  Each Hydro Flask lid has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it can help to know more so you can get the best lid for you and your situation.
Here's the quick list showing each of Hydro Flask's 7 available wide mouth lids as of today.  Keep scrolling down for the full details.
Hydro Flask Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Chug
Hydro Flask Flex Chug
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Original Straw

Video Review of Hydro Flask's Wide Mouth Lids

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

First, Some Overall Guidelines about Hydro Flask's Lids

Before we dive in, I'm going to review some of the most common general questions we see about Hydro Flask's lids.
Are Hydro Flask's Wide Mouth Lids Interchangeable?
For the most part, yes!
​
With one exception, all wide mouth Hydro Flask lids fit all wide mouth Hydro Flask bottles.  If you're buying a new lid, just double-check that it's a wide mouth lid, not a standard, aka "narrow" mouth lid.
Picture
Exception: Beer Growler
Hydro Flask's 64 ounce beer growler has a different lid designed specifically to work better with carbonated drinks.
See on Amazon
Are Hydro Flask's Lid Dishwasher Safe?
Yes. Technically Hydro Flask's lids are all top-rack dishwasher safe according to Hydro Flask, as mentioned here.

From Hydro Flask: "All Hydro Flask powder coated bottles are dishwasher safe. Hydro Flask Coffee Mugs are not powder coated, and they are not dishwasher safe."
Should you hand-wash Hydro Flasks?
Even though Hydro Flask lids are all technically dishwasher-safe, I typically recommend handwashing so you can make sure some of those hard-to-reach areas are scrubbed.  Also, some of the lids have small pieces and seals that are better left to handwashing.

Either way, it's a good idea to also use Bottle Bright cleaning tablets or a similar alternative every month or so to give your bottle a deep clean.  These things really work!
How to Contact Hydro Flask Directly
I'm giving this information based on what I've read online, seen in person with their products, or heard back from Hydro Flask when I've submitted questions.  If you have additional questions, either leave a comment on our Youtube video or send us a message and I'll try to answer it, or you can out to Hydro Flask directly with the link below.  They're usually pretty good about getting back with answers within a couple days, and I've had great experiences with their customer support.
Contact Hydro Flask

Here are Hydro Flask's Available Wide Mouth Lids

Hydro Flask's Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Flex Cap (Lid #1)
This is the standard lid that comes with most Hydro Flasks that you unscrew completely to take a sip.

Pros
  • Typically comes standard so it doesn't cost extra
  • It is fairly easy to clean

Cons
  • Very basic
  • Prone to spilling water in your face, especially when you're on the road
See on Amazon
SplashPro Splash Guard
SplashPro Splash Guard
 Optional Add-On: SplashPro Splash Guard
Our SplashPro splash guard is designed specifically to fit around Hydro Flask's Flex Cap, so that's a great, cost-effective way to keep water out of your face.
See on Amazon
Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Under the Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Under the Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap (Lid #2)
I personally think should have been called the Flex Steel but maybe that's just me.  This is identical to the Flex Cap with one obvious difference: other than the handle and the seals, it's made entirely of stainless steel.

Pros
  • This is Hydro Flask's only option that has stainless steel instead of plastic under the lid
  • Prevents plastic contact with your water

Cons
  • Heavier
  • Have to buy it separately (unless Hydro Flask is running a promotion)
See on Amazon
(To select this lid, first click on the Flex Cap variation, then select the Stainless Steel color option.)
Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap (Lid #3)
​The 3rd lid is another variation on the Flex Cap.  Hydro Flask's Trail Series bottles are engineered to be more lightweight, and these changes are very obvious in the lid.  The handle is perforated and overall it just feels lighter than the standard Flex Cap.

Pros
  • Lightweight

Cons
  • Unable to purchase by itself, so you'll likely need to buy a Trail Series bottle
See on Amazon
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip (Lid #4)
This is designed for coffee or tea, and you simply twist the top a quarter turn to open and close it.

Pros
  • Leak-free (can be a problem with some other sip-style lids and covers)
  • Able to fully-disassemble for cleaning
  • Comes standard if you buy one of Hydro Flask's Coffee series bottles or can be purchased separately

Cons
  • Quite a few steps to clean properly (not bad once you're used to it though)
See on Amazon
Learn about Cleaning a Flex Sip
Hydro Flask's Flex Chug
Hydro Flask's Flex Chug
Hydro Flask's Flex Chug (Lid #5)
This lid has a narrower spout that has a separate cap, similarly to YETI's standard chug lid.

Pros
  • Simple and easy to clean
  • Easier to take big gulps of water without it splashing in your face
  • Good alternative to a Flex Cap with a SplashPro

Cons
  • The handle is much smaller than other Hydro Flask lids
  • Spout cap is completely detached instead of a tethered design like with Takeyas that I prefer, especially when driving so you don't have to worry about dropping the spout cap
See on Amazon
Takeya Active Spout Lid
Takeya Active Spout Lid
 Optional Alternative: Takeya Actives
Takeya has one of my personal favorite spout lids with a wide handle and tethered spout cap.
See on Amazon
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw (Lid #6)
I personally love this lid, but some customers have valid reasons for it not being their favorite option.

Pros
  • Removable insert makes it easier to clean more areas around the spout
  • Great handle for a straw lid

Cons
  • The spout must be completely flipped open to take a drink.  If it's rotated back even just a little, you'll be sucking air instead of water and it seems to be less forgiving than some other straw lids.
  • While I mentioned it's easier to clean more areas around the spout, that doesn't mean you can clean 100% of these spots and you'll probably want to pop the spout off every now and then to get to those hard-to-reach areas.  You have to be careful though, as this can lead to some wear-and-tear on your lid.
See on Amazon
Learn about Cleaning a Flex Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw (Lid #7)
My personal opinion is that this lid is the worst of them all, but I think it's still worth knowing about in case you have a different viewpoint.

Pros
  • Some people prefer the classic, simpler design
  • It's easier to pop off the spout to clean all areas around where the spout pivots compared to the Flex Straw
Cons
  • It feels like this lid is just a private label lid without any engineering because Hydro Flask needed a straw lid quickly years ago
  • Small single-finger handle
See on Amazon
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
Optional Add-On: FlavorFuze Pod Drop-In Fruit Infuser
Make your water more fun to drink by adding natural flavors!  Each FlavorFuze Pod comes with two lids.  One is design for drop-in infusing and fits in nearly any wide mouth bottle.  The other is our splash guard style that is sized to fit snugly in wide mouth Hydro Flasks.
See FlavorFuze Pod
HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling
HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling
Optional Add-On: HikerPouch Bottle Sling
Carry your Hydro Flask in style!  HikerPouches are designed specifically for larger bottles like 32 and 40 ounce Hydro Flasks.  They come with an adjustable shoulder strap and have a phone pouch on the side.  There's also an extra D-ring on the rim, which makes it easy to snap onto a bag or pouch with a carabiner.
See HikerPouch

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
0 Comments

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.
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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How to Remove the Spout from Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid for Cleaning

2/12/2023

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How to remove the spout from Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid for cleaning

HOW TO REMOVE THE SPOUT FROM HYDRO FLASK'S FLEX STRAW LID

If you’ve had one of the original Hydro Flask straw lids, then you probably know how to take off the spout for cleaning.  A common question people have about the new Flex Straw lid is whether you can do the same thing.
​
The good news is that you can take off the spout, but it’s a little more difficult and you have to do it a little differently. 

​Here's how to remove the spout from your Hydro Flask Flex Straw lid for cleaning.

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.

Step 1: Open the spout to 45 degrees

Step 1: Open to 45-degrees
Step 1: Open to 45-degrees
​First, open the spout to about a 45-degree angle.

​This is important to help prevent damaging your lid and to make it easier to pop the spout off.  You'll see why later.

Step 2: Push the spout to the side and up

Step 2: Push the spout up and to the side
Step 2: Push the spout up and to the side
Then grip the cap like this with the spout between your thumb and index finger.  (This is called the thenar web space for those who wanted to know!)

​Push the spout to the side while also lifting upward some, and it should pop out.

Having trouble?

​If you’re having trouble, try keeping the lid on your bottle for leverage.  We find this makes it a lot easier.

Why is the 45-degree angle important?

Why is the 45-degree angle important when taking off the Flex Straw spout?
Why is the 45-degree angle important when taking off the Flex Straw spout?
Once the spout is out, you can see how the grooves align with the pegs in the cap base, which is why it helps to pop it off at a 45-degree angle.

If you try to pop the spout off at a different angle or push it beyond open like with the original straw lid, then you run the risk of stripping the pegs or grooves so they don't line up as well.  Your lid may still work OK, but it probably won't open and close as crisply / nicely.

Thanks for your support!

We’ve included a link to the Flex Straw lid below.  If you purchase after clicking the link, we earn a small commission.  Every little bit helps our business, and we really appreciate the support.  Thanks again, and happy hydrating.
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Flex Straw Lid
We love this lid!

​Compared to the original straw lid, this one is easier to deep clean, leaks less, provides more insulation, has a better handle, and looks more like a Hydro Flask (with the loop handle and metallic handle connections).
See Pricing on Amazon

FlavorFuze Straw Snap-On Fruit Infuser for Hydro Flasks
FlavorFuze Straw Snap-On Fruit Infuser for Hydro Flasks
FlavorFuze Straw: Our Snap-On Fruit Infuser
Make your water fun!

Try our snap-on fruit infuser made specifically for Hydro Flask straw lids, including the original and Flex Straw designs.  ​It's a great way add flavor to help stay motivated as you work towards better hydration goals.
See Pricing on Amazon

Buying a Hydro Flask?  Keep us in mind!

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

Narrow Mouth vs Wide Mouth Bottles - Which is Better?

12/1/2022

1 Comment

 
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Are Narrow or Wide Bottle Openings Better?

When you’re buying a reusable bottle, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is whether to get a narrow mouth or wide mouth bottle.  Virtually all bottle brands have narrow mouth and wide mouth options, so this is something you’ll need to think about whether you’re looking to buy a Hydro Flask, Nalgene, or any of the countless other bottle brands on the market today.  We’re going to review the main factors you should be thinking about when making your decision.  And spoiler alert, we have a pretty strong opinion on this one.

Please note that some bottle brands have different terminologies.  For example, Hydro Flask has a “standard mouth,” and that’s what we would classify as a narrow mouth design. 
​​
Links are given to the Amazon listings for each product.  Thanks for your support!

Narrow Mouth vs Wide Mouth - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video than read our post, then check out our Youtube video below!  We review the same information and give our recommendation on whether narrow mouth or wide mouth bottles are better.

​Factor #1 – How Easy is it to Drink from a Narrow vs Wide Mouth Bottle?

One of the most common reasons that someone might prefer a narrow mouth is that it’s easier to take sips of your drink, and this is certainly true with the base bottle.  With wide mouth bottles it’s not uncommon to take a sip of water and accidentally splash yourself in the face.  Then don’t be surprised when your friends and family make an Airplane reference about having a drinking problem.  Narrow mouth bottles help prevent this issue.

But if you have a wide mouth bottle, you can easily avoid this problem by purchasing a different style lid, like a straw, sip, or chug style.  For Hydro Flasks, see our videos reviewing their Flex Straw and Flex Sip lids to take a closer look.  Or get a splash guard, like a SplashPro for Hydro Flasks, or Guyot or Watergate for Nalgenes.
​
So all-in-all, there’s not much of a difference here between narrow and wide mouth bottles, other than the small cost you might run into if you’re buying a different lid or splash guard.

Lids to Prevent Spills

Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Straw Lids
Generally speaking, straw lids are a great option to prevent spills.  But be aware that some lids tend to leak, especially through the air hole on top.

Pictured is Hydro Flask's newer Flex Straw lid offering that has several improvements compared to their original straw lid design.
See Flex Straw Amazon Listing

Hydro Flask's Flex Sip Lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip Lid
Sip Lids
Sip lids, as the name suggests, are great for sipping smaller amounts of your beverage.  This usually makes them a great option for hot drinks like coffee or tea.

Pictured is Hydro Flask's Flex Sip.
See Flex Sip Amazon Listing

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Tzuoieo's Chug Lid
Chug/Spout Lids
Some companies call these chug lids, while others call them spouts.  But the design is usually pretty similar.  You screw your lid onto your bottle like normal, but there's a smaller threaded cap that you can remove.  This lets you drink from a smaller opening.

Pictured is Tzuoieo's chug lid that fits Hydro Flasks.
See Tzuoieo's Chug Lid Amazon Listing

Alternative: Splash Guards

SplashPro Splash Guard
SplashPro Splash Guard
For Hydro Flasks: SplashPro
We designed our SplashPro splash guard to fit around Hydro Flask Flex Lids (the standard ones that you screw on and off each time you take a drink).
See our SplashPro Listing

​Factor #2 – How Easy is it to Clean a Narrow vs Wide Mouth Bottle?

First off, regardless of which bottle you use, we highly recommend getting a bottle brush to help make cleaning your big bottle more easy.  But in general, you’ll find narrow mouth bottles more difficult to clean than wide mouth bottles.

Narrow mouth bottles limit the size of a bottle brush you can fit, and with smaller brushes, the bristles usually aren’t long enough to easily reach the spot where the bottle widens just under the neck.  Wide mouth bottles can fit bigger brushes with longer bristles, so it’s easier to clean this area.
​
So when it comes to ease of cleaning, wide mouth bottles are the clear winners.

MOSOLAN's Bottle Brush with Straw Cleaner
MOSOLAN's Bottle Brush with Straw Cleaner
Bottle Brush with Built-In Straw Cleaner
We like this bottle brush because the straw cleaner is easy to use and wash, and screws into the handle of the brush.  It also comes with a smaller "detailing" brush that's great for cleaning the threads on the caps.
See MOSOLAN's Bottle Brush Amazon Listing

​Factor #3 – Adding Ice and Flavorings

Many people like to add ice or flavorings to their water to change things up, but if you get a narrow mouth bottle, you’re really limiting what you can do.  Adding ice is more tedious, and that’s if your ice cubes even fit.  Some bottles, like narrow mouth Nalgenes, have really small openings that don’t even fit most standard ice cubes.  And odds are you won’t have an easy time adding fruit or tea leaves since most infusers won’t fit.  You can add liquid flavorings and flexible tea bags to narrow mouth bottles, but that’s about it.

Wide mouth bottles are much more versatile than narrow mouth bottles.  Its easier to add ice, fruit and tea infusers, and other natural flavorings.  Our FlavorFuze Pod fruit infuser fits great in most wide mouth bottles, and you can fit many common tea infusers as well.  So when it comes to adding ice or other flavorings, wide mouth bottles are better than narrow mouth bottles.

Accessories to Add Flavoring (Narrow Mouth)

Mio Liquid Flavoring
Mio Liquid Flavoring
Liquid Flavorings like Mio
You won't be able to fit larger fruits or infusers in narrow mouth bottles, so you'll probably have to stick with Mio or a similar liquid flavoring.
See Mio's Amazon Listing

Accessories to Add Flavoring (Wide or Narrow Mouth)

Be sure to check your bottle's mouth diameter before buying an infuser.  But in general, most popular wide mouth bottles tend to have mouth openings that are at least 2.0 inches diameter.  So get infusers that are less than 2" around and you should be good.
LULLATTI Tea Infusers
LULLATTI Tea Infusers
Tea Infusers
Brew loose-leaf tea in your bottle! LULLATTI makes a tea infuser that fits in wide mouth Hydro Flasks and other similar bottles.
See LULLATI'S Tea Infuser Amazon Listing

FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod and Straw
Get a fruit infuser for your wide mouth bottle to have truly natural flavorings each day.

FlavorFuze Pod has two lid: a drop-in lid for wide mouth bottles (opening at least 2.0" diameter), and a splash guard lid that fits Hydro Flasks.

Or try our FlavorFuze Straw infuser (different listing) that clips onto straw lids.
See FlavorFUze Pod Amazon Listing

​What about the Cost?

​You might be asking if narrow mouth or wide mouth bottles are more expensive, but the opening style really is not much of a factor.  The variables that make the most impact on the bottle cost are the brand and bottle size, not the opening style.

Our Recommendation

So when it comes to deciding whether narrow or wide mouth bottles are better, our opinion is that wide mouths are the clear winners.  They’re easier to clean, they’re more versatile when it comes to adding ice and flavorings, and you can make it just as easy to take sips as a narrow mouth bottle by getting the right lid or splash guard.

Do you agree with our recommendation?  Let us know!

Buying a Wide Mouth Bottle?  Keep us in mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See BottlePro's Store
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Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best? (We Have a Favorite)

7/8/2022

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Which Hydro Flask Lid Should You Get?

Congrats, you have a Hydro Flask (or are thinking about getting one soon)!  It's hard enough deciding which Hydro Flask bottle to get, but have you also thought about which lid you'll use?

Hydro Flask has four (4) lids available right now on Amazon: Flex Cap, Flex Sip, Flex Straw, and Straw Lid.

In this video, we go over how each one works, what we like and don't like about each design, and how we use them.

If you'd rather read through the review than watch the video, see the written summary below.

Summary

​Hydro Flask has four lid options, and you might be asking which lid is best for you. We've reviewed and tested each lid extensively, and here's what we think.  Links are in the description.

Which one is best for you?  Well, it depends on how you want to use it, but we can tell you how we like to use them.
  • We like using a Flex Cap with a SplashPro in our largest bottles when we're doing something active. We find it easier to get smooth pours and bigger gulps of water while also keeping water out of your face.
  • For sipping at work or in the car, we like using Flex Straw with a FlavorFuze Straw infuser to add some flavor.
  • And for coffee and tea in the morning, we prefer to use the Flex Sip lid with a smaller Hydro Flask like a 16oz.
  • The only lid we recommend against using is the original straw lid. If you want a straw lid, just get the Flex Straw.

Flex Cap

Hydro Flask Flex Cap Lid
Hydro Flask Flex Cap Lid
First is the Flex Cap, which is their "standard" lid.

Pros:
  1. Simple to clean.
  2. Nice handle for easy carrying.
  3. Insulated (better than the other lids).​
Cons:
  1. Unscrew the cap each time to take a sip.
  2. Without a splash guard, it's easy for water to splash in your face.  If you're using this lid, check out our SplashPro splash guard to help keep water and ice under control.
Our Rating: 3/5 Stars
See Pricing on Amazon
Make It Even Better with a SplashPro Splash Guard

Flex Sip

Flex Sip Lid
Flex Sip Lid
Next is the Flex Sip lid that was released in 2020.

Pros:
  1. No need to unscrew the cap to take a sip.  Just twist the cap to the right.
  2. Keeps water and ice from splashing in your face.
  3. It has the same great handle as the Flex Cap. 
  4. Insulated.

Cons:
  1. There are a lot more steps to clean the lid properly. It's not hard, it just takes a little more time than you would have with the other caps.
  2. ​Bulkier than the Flex Cap
Our Rating: 4/5 Stars
See Pricing on Amazon
Make It Even Better with a ​FlavorFuze Steel

Flex Straw

Flex Straw Lid
Flex Straw Lid
Third we have the Flex Straw lid, and this is their newest lid that was released in 2022.

Pros:
  1. The spout snaps closed securely and doesn't leak.
  2. Easy to clean.
  3. Good handle.
  4. Insulated.

Cons:
  1. Not as easy to take big swigs of water as with Flex Cap.
  2. Not much else.  We love this lid, and it's our favorite one right now.
Our Rating: 5/5 Stars
See Pricing on Amazon
Make It Even Better with a FlavorFuze Straw Infuser

​Straw Lid (Original Design)

Straw Lid (Original)
Straw Lid (Original)
And last is the original straw lid.

Pros:
  1. It's a little simpler to clean than the Flex Straw, but that's about where the benefits end.

Cons:​
  1. Bad handle.
  2. Not insulated.
  3. Leaks more.
  4. More expensive for some reason (as of July 7, 2022)
  5. Design feels like an afterthought
Our Rating: 2/5 Stars (Just get the Flex Straw)
See Pricing on Amazon
​Also works with a ​FlavorFuze Straw Infuser

Want to take your Hydro Flask to the next level?

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See BottlePro's Store
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How to Make Loose Leaf Tea in a Hydro Flask

5/4/2022

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How to Make Loose Leaf Tea in a Hydro FlaskPicture

Loose Leaf Tea in Hydro Flasks - A Match Made in Heaven

Many people search Google for things like:
  • How to make loose leaf tea in a Hydro Flask?
  • Can you make hot tea in a Hydro Flask?
  • Tea infuser for Hydro Flask
  • Tea strainer for Hydro Flask
  • Tea steeper for Hydro Flask
  • Making tea in Hydro Flask
  • Hot tea in Hydro Flask
  • Loose leaf tea Hydro Flask
  • Brewing tea in a Hydro Flask
We get a lot of questions about this too.  Hydro Flasks are primarily used for water, but plenty of people would love it if they could have different flavors, like fruit infused water, coffee, or tea.  In particular, tea is what we're focusing on today.

And check out our FlavorFuze Steel Mini demo video at the end!


Can You Make Hot Tea in a Hydro Flask?

First off, we'll put to rest any questions about whether it's OK to put hot tea in a Hydro Flask.  The answer is, YES!  Hydro Flasks are made with durable, food-grade stainless steel.  Hydro Flask bottles are perfectly able to safely store your hot tea, or any other hot beverage for that matter.

Stainless steel is extremely heat resistant, at least for any temperature range you'd come across when making a beverage.  There's a reason why Hydro Flask prominently markets how many hours their bottles can keep your drinks hot!  Unless you're planning to put liquid hot magma in your bottle, you'll be good!
Liquid Hot Magma
And unlike some concerns with plastic and even aluminum, from what we have found, stainless steel won't leach chemicals or pollutants into your beverage.  Flaske has a great article covering more details about the question of "Are Stainless Steel Water Bottles Safe to Drink From."  So does Elemental Bottles, where they recommend looking for bottles that are either made from #304 or 18/8 stainless steel (Hydro Flasks are made from 18/8).  We highly recommend checking these articles out if you have any other questions or concerns.

Best Hydro Flask Bottles for Tea

You should also consider what type of Hydro Flask you want to use, since that can have an effect on which type of tea infuser will work best.
16oz Hydro Flask Mug
16oz Hydro Flask Mug
See Pricing on Amazon
A good choice for around the house.  It's also easier to clean than the other options here because it's shorter.

The downside in our opinion is that it's not as great for taking a drink on the go as the tumbler or Coffee bottle.  We prefer the handle style of the Coffee Bottle when traveling.

​Drop-in tea infusers are a great option for these mugs.
16oz Hydro Flask Tumbler
16oz Hydro Flask Tumbler
See Pricing on Amazon
Like many tumblers, it's great for on-the-go people, particularly because the tapered bottom is more likely to fit in cup holders.

Our main beef with tumblers like this though is the push-in lid.  We prefer screw-on lids (like with the Coffee Bottle) to give us that extra layer of security against spills.

Drop-in tea infusers are also a great option for tumblers.
16oz Hydro Flask Coffee Bottle
16oz Hydro Flask Coffee Bottle
See Pricing on Amazon
This is our favorite.  Hydro Flask calls it their "Coffee Bottle", but we use ours all the time for tea!

We just love having the handle on top to help carry it.  And the flex-sip lid is fantastic.  The downside is that it's a little tougher to clean, but a bottle brush like this one makes cleaning simple.

These are trickier for tea-making because the top opening is smaller.  Read further for more info!

Tea Infusers for Wide Mouth Hydro Flasks (like the 12/16/20oz Coffee Bottles and also 32oz/40oz Bottles)

Now that we know putting hot tea in stainless steel bottles like Hydro Flasks is safe, let's look at the best ways to do it!

OPTION #1: MAKE IT SEPARATELY

Historically, the most common way to enjoy tea in your Hydro Flask has been to brew it outside of your Hydro Flask first.  Then just pour the tea into your flask, and you're good to go.  This is great for many people because they already have tea-making equipment.

You'll also need to go this route if you are using a narrow-mouth Hydro Flask bottle.

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Standard Small Tea Strainers

You can find plenty of options for this type of tea strainer.  This is a serviceable option when you're just looking to make a personal cup of tea.
See Pricing on Amazon

Tea Press for Larger Batches

Tea Press for Larger Batches

Maybe you want to make a batch of tea for your an your significant other, or maybe you just want an easy option for refills later.  Whatever your reason, sometimes the smaller strainers like in the prior example just won't make enough tea.

In that case, you might want to consider a bigger tea infuser, or even a tea press like the one here.  Teabloom's tea press makes 34 ounces of tea!
See Pricing on Amazon

OPTION #2: MAKE IT IN YOUR HYDRO FLASK

​You can save yourself some extra dishes and time by brewing your tea right in your Hydro Flask!

But this option can be a little trickier because not all tea infusers and strainers will fit in Hydro Flask bottles.  The inside diameter of wide mouth Hydro Flasks is right around 2.1 inches across, so be sure that your strainer is smaller so it can fit!



Drop-In Tea Infusers

Drop-In Tea Infusers

The Kitcherish drop-in tea infusers are listed as 1.5 inches wide, so they should fit just fine in wide mouth Hydro Flasks.  And the cool part is that the chain has a hook on the end that you can rest on the rim of your bottle!
See Pricing on Amazon

FlavorFuze Steel

FlavorFuze Steel is a great option that is specifically designed for Hydro Flasks.  It's sized specifically for wide mouth Hydro Flask bottles so it can rest on the rim, and the thin design even lets you screw on standard Hydro Flask lids!  (though not the "Flex Sip" lids though unfortunately)

Our improved FlavorFuze Steel is almost in stock.  We re-designed this year to look much sleeker and be more dent resistant.
  • FlavorFuze Steel is the larger version that's better for coffee, fruits, and large volumes of tea (like in a 32oz/40oz bottle).
  • FlavorFuze Steel Mini (NEW!) is the smaller version that's best for tea brewing in a 12/16/20oz Hydro Flask Coffee Bottle.
Both sizes will be available very soon using the link below, so check back in a few months or subscribe to our newsletter for an update when it's ready for purchase.
See pricing on Amazon

FlavorFuze Steel Mini Demo

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How I Kicked My Soda Habit (And You Can Too)

4/27/2022

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How I Kicked My Soda Habit, and You Can TooPicture

My Soda Habit Story

I'll be 35 years old tomorrow, and I've had a soda habit since I was a kid.  Growing up, it wasn't uncommon for me to drink 2, 3, or even 4 sodas per day.  As you might guess, I've also been overweight most of my life too, which is certainly not a coincidence.  But at 35, I finally kicked my soda habit.  I'm down almost 10 pounds this year, and best of all, I feel like what I'm doing is sustainable.

​Here's what's working for me, and hopefully it'll help you on your journey too.

Step 1: Know the Problem

​If you're reading this, then you've likely already heard or read about the major health issues that can result from regularly eating or drinking high levels of sugar.

And a lot of other people have too, judging Google Trends.  The interest-over-time for "Low Sugar" has been slowly-but-steadily increasing over the last several years.
Google Trends - Searches for "Low Sugar" for the Previous Five (5) Years

Of all the ways that consumers regularly ingest sugar, sugary beverages are the primary culprits.  These include:
  • Sodas 
  • Sports drinks
  • Fruit juices
  • Energy drinks
  • Coffee or tea with added sugar
20oz Coke Bottle
20oz Gatorade Bottle
12oz Minute Maid Orange Juice Bottle
16oz Rockstar Energy Can
18.5oz Pure Leaf Sweet Tea Bottle
According to the American Heart Association, the maximum recommended sugar intake is 36 grams of sugar per day for men.  For women, it's 25 grams.  Each one of the drink examples above is either right at those limits or way above them, all from one drink.

Seeing how bottle and can sizes vary, it's also interesting to look at the sugar concentration as shown below.

​One of the more surprising realizations for most people is how most fruit juices really aren't good for you.  Sure they provide some benefits like vitamins and other nutrients, so in that way they are better than sodas.  But the sugar content per ounce for Minute Maid orange juice is essentially the same as a Coke!
Grams of Sugar per Fluid Ounce
There are plenty of people smarter than me that study this topic for their day jobs, so I'll leave it to them to provide additional details and research about sugar and health.  Here are some of the more helpful articles we've read.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance on Added Sugars

WebMD: How Sugar Affects Your Body

American Heart Association: How Much Sugar is too Much?

Healthline: 11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar is Bad for You

And keep in mind that diet sodas aren't free-and-clear of problems either.  There is growing evidence that drinks with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are bad for you as well, as discussed here.

Step 2: Find Your Real Motivation

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Many other articles online start with the facts about sugar and then move onto discussing strategies for reducing sugar intake, but that's not what we recommend.

Knowing how to cut back on sugar won't help you change your habits if you don't also figure out your reasons for why you're seeking change.

***Notice that I underlined "your."  Once you find out what really motivates you, that's when you can achieve sustainable change.  Some motivations that may work for you include:

Losing Weight

Weight loss can lead to many measurable and immeasurable health benefits.

Feeling Better in General

Studies indicate that cutting out sugar can lead to better focus, more energy with less crashes, and reduced muscle aches and joint pain.

Better Sleep Habits

Limiting sugar intake, particularly at night, can improve health sleeping habits and quality of sleep.

Long-Term Health

Reducing sugar is proven to help prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, cancer, among others.

Saving Money

Many sugary drinks are expensive, and the costs add up over time.  Water is usually much less expensive.

Peer Pressure (Secondary)

Normally I would say that peer pressure is bad.  But constructive and positive peer pressure can be very effective motivation.  This can come from friends, family, or a group of health-focused people who can help keep you on track and accountable.  But the key is for this to be a secondary motivation.  Find a primary motivational focus that works for you first, and use positive peer pressure to help stay on course.  And if your group of people uses negative peer pressure or makes you feel bad about yourself, get out.
You can always have a combination of motivations, and many of these are related (like weight loss and long-term health).  ​But whatever the situation, the key is to figure out what primary focus and goal really motivates you.

A Personal Story - My New Motivation

After reading articles about how sugar essentially acts like a poison and how sodas in particular are "empty calories" that provide no nutritional benefit, I knew it was in my best interest to quit.

Each time I tried to change, I would start off a few days or weeks without sodas, but then I would slip and start drinking them again.  The most common backfiring strategies I used were:
  • Comforting: "I had a rough day.  A soda will make me feel better."
  • Celebrating: "I had a good day.  I'll have a soda to celebrate." (ironic, right?).
  • Rationalizing Now vs Future: "I'll have one soda today and get back on the soda diet starting tomorrow."  Or, "I have many more years to develop better habits, so one soda today won't kill me."

The reason that these backfiring strategies worked on me was that I hadn't determined what my real motivation was yet.  I said I wanted to lose weight, and that can work for many people.  But the problem, for me, is that I'm fairly comfortable in my own skin already.  Also, I have always been overweight so it's not easy for me to truly realize how much better I might feel to achieve a healthy weight.  It was more abstract.

But as I got older, something happened.  I started thinking more about how little time we truly have, and how chronic diseases that we always read about and learned of back in school are very real.  And then someone very close to me passed away.  He smoked most of his life, and though he was finally able to quit a few years ago, by then the damage was done.  He developed cancer and passed away earlier this year.  He urged me to improve my habits now and to learn from his life experiences.  This changed my motivational focus.
Instead of just wanting to lose weight, my new focus became achieving better long-term health.  This seemingly small change in my focus and goals made all the difference for me.

Step 3: Strategies for Change

Once you know what really motivates you, it's time to start thinking about how you'll make changes.
​There are many strategies that you can use to cut out soda from your diet.  Here are a few.

#1: Drink More Water

If you start feeling the urge for a soda, drink a glass of water first.  Many times that can satisfy or delay a soda urge.

#2: Don't Bring It with You

Keeping sodas at home or work with you is just asking for trouble.  Don't make it easy to get a soda.  Make it take more effort.

#3: Take a Walk

Make yourself take a walk before grabbing a soda, especially if your soda craving might be happening because you're feeling stressed or tired.  Many times you'll feel better after your walk and won't want a soda when you get back.

#4: Find a Healthy Flavored Alternative

If you're used to drinking sodas like I was, then sometimes plain water just won't cut it and you need flavor.  Find a healthy flavored alternative that you can sip on, like unsweet tea, fruit infused water, or one of many popular flavored seltzers on the market today.

#5: Enable Healthy Peer Pressure

We're counting this as both a motivational factor and a strategy for change.  As mentioned earlier, healthy peer pressure from friends or family can be a fantastic way to help change habits.  Just make sure it stays positive.

#6: Measure the Results

This can be a wonderful tool to stay engaged with new habits.  Measuring weight loss is easy, but the key is to find ways to measure whatever your primary motivation is.  If you're motivated to cut out soda so you'll have have better sleep habits, then keep a sleep journal.  If you want to save money, then calculate out how much you expect to save each week and set yourself regular reminders on how much you're saving each week.  Whatever your motivation is, make it measurable.

A Personal Story - My New Routine

Honestly, I've used all of the strategies listed above to varying degrees.  But the ones that helped me the most are #1 and #4.  By drinking more water, I've been able to feel fuller and am less likely to drive to the store for a soda.  And by using a flavored drink alternative, I can still take a break from "boring" water each day and satisfy my need for flavor.
This is what's working for me.

40oz Hydro Flask and 40oz Iron Flask

Bringing Two Bottles to Work

In the past, I would bring one 40oz Hydro Flask to work.  I would often finish that by noon, and that'd leave the door open to my brain saying "go get yourself something to drink like a soda" in the afternoon.

Now, I bring two 40oz bottles: my old reliable  Hydro Flask and a new Iron Flask.  I typically finish one before noon, and the other before I leave work.

By always having enough water nearby, I'm able to reach for that first instead of going for a soda.
Need another bottle?  Check out Hydro Flask's Amazon store.
Visit Hydro Flask Store

FlavorFuze Straw in a 40oz Iron Flask

Finding a Healthy Alternative

Without a doubt, this has been the #1 most effective strategy for me.

I've always had a craving for flavor instead of just plain water.  Besides, what good is bringing more water to work if I still need to get flavors somehow?

To satisfy my flavor cravings, I started using our FlavorFuze Straw Kit every day.  Today, I cut up some strawberries and kiwi.  It was delicious.
Buy a FlavorFuze Straw Kit

SplashPro Splash Guard in a 40oz Hydro Flask

Having a Cool Drink on a Hot Day

It gets hot here in western Colorado.  We actually broke our all-time record in 2021 and reached 107 degrees!

In the past, I would get a soda on hot days.  Something about Coke's ads from back in the day would trigger me into getting a "refreshing" soda (though in reality, sodas dry you out more than they hydrate).

Insulated bottles like Hydro Flasks and Iron Flasks are key to helping with this.  I just add some ice to my Hydro Flask in the morning and use a SplashPro splash guard as an ice stopper.
Buy a SplashPro

40oz Hydro Flask in a HikerPouch and a 40oz Iron FlaskPicture

Carrying My Bottles

Bringing two large bottles with me to work each day was a pain in the butt because they're so bulky.  I quickly realized it would be a lot easier if I started using a bottle sling to free up some hands.

My go-to nowadays is a HikerPouch, but there are plenty of these on the market today.  See our other post here for a few suggestions.
Buy a HikerPouch

Step #4 (If Needed): Don't Be Afraid to Reset

Stopping any habit can have its ups and downs.  It took me over a dozen attempts over the years before I reached sustainable change.  Don't feel ashamed if you don't succeed initially.  Re-evaluate your motivations and strategies, and keep trying.
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The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories

4/20/2022

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The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories
The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories

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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).


ACCESSORIES FOR GETTING AROUND

The most common accessories for Hydro Flasks involve making it easier to bring your bottle wherever your adventures take you.  These include cup holders, bottles slings, and handles.

#1: Cup Holder Adapter

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Swigzy

As mentioned above, BottlePro's first product on the market was a cup holder adapter for large bottles, including Hydro Flasks.  But even though we have our own product in this space, it's hard to argue with the amazing product that Swigzy has put together.

See our separate post for a full recap on cup holder options.

​This recommendation may change when we release our planned BottlePro v3, but for now, we think Swigzy is the best, most versatile cup holder adapter on the market today.
​

See Swigzy Pricing on Amazon

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Honorable Mention for Cup Holders - BottlePro

Our current BottlePro version is adjustable and can fit most cup holders on the market.  It's not quite as premium and versatile as Swigzy, but that's also reflected in the price.

​So if you're looking for a cup holder on a budget that still fits a wide range of situations, give us a try!

See bottlePro Pricing on Amazon

#2: Stylish Bottle Sling

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Hydro Flask's Bottle Sling

Hydro Flask doesn't make a very wide range of accessories in general outside of their bottles, containers, and lids, but they do make a great bottle sling.

These carrying pouches fit the Hydro Flask aesthetic for obvious reasons, so they're sure to complement your bottle's look.

​And they're also lightweight and packable so you can avoid carrying around extra ounces on your travels. 
​
See Hydro Flask Sling Pricing on Amazon

#3: Heavy-Duty Bottle Sling

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Wild Wolf Bottle Sling

For a heavier-duty bottle sling, it's hard to go wrong with Wild Wolf Outfitters' carrying pouch.  If you're more into utility than the aesthetic look, then this is a fantastic option.

The military-grade pouch comes with multiple pockets and thicker padding on the shoulder strap.  The pockets in particular are one of our favorite features since it makes day-hiking much easier.  Just stash your keys and phone in the big pocket and you're set!
​
See Wild Wolf Pricing on Amazon

#4: Leather Bottle Sling

Picture

HikerPouch

If you're looking for a carrying pouch that's more premium and different from the rest, then consider HikerPouch.  This is one of products, and we're really proud of how it turned out.

We decided to make HikerPouch because there were a multitude of pouches made of neoprene and synthetic fibers, but we wanted a leather option for a more natural feel and to cut back on plastics.

HikerPouch includes a pocket for your phone and an extra D-ring for flexibility (either clipping your pouch to something else, or clipping on something like a carabiner key ring).  We're also planning to add strap color options very soon, so stay tuned!
​
See HikerPouch Pricing on Amazon

#5: Paracord Handle

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Slolife

Rounding out our 'Getting Around' category is paracord handles.  We love the Slolife ones in particular.  Just attach it under the rim of your Hydro Flask, and you're good to go.

​With 29 available color options, you're sure to find something that fits your bottle's look.

It's also packed with a surprising number of features.  The handle includes a compass, whistle, and has a carabiner attachment that makes it super easy to clip onto your backpack or anything else.

There is also a flintstone and blade (meant for creating chips for sparking fires), but we haven't independently tested how well these actually work.
​
See Slolife Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR PROTECTION

Next, consider investing in something that can help keep your bottle looking great for years to come.

#6: Bottle Sleeve

Picture

Thermi

A bottle sleeve can be a great insurance policy against inevitable drops and slips.  The Thermi silicone sleeve can give you the peace of mind knowing that your bottle will be better protected from denting and damage.

And not only is your bottle protected, but you'll be less likely to drop your bottle in the first place because of the added grip.

​With 11 available color options, it shouldn't be hard to find a good matching (or complementing) color for your bottle.

Side note: if you're purchasing a cup holder adapter for your bottle, double check that your bottle + sleeve combination can still fit whichever cup holder you use.
​
See Thermi Pricing on Amazon

#7: Bottle Boot

Picture

Hydro Flask Boot

If you don't like the look or feel of a full-bottle sleeve, then consider getting a bottle boot.

Hydro Flask has a silicone boot option that is a great add-on for your bottle to give it more protection on the bottom, which is where damage would be most likely to occur in the first place.

​Currently Hydro Flask has 6 available color options.
​
See Hydro Flask Boot Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR FLAVOR AND ICE

Now that your bottle is easier to bring along with you on your adventures, it's time to think about ways to improve what you're actually drinking!

#7: Flavor Infuser

Picture

FlavorFuze (Original)

These are some more of our products, but we think you'll love them.  FlavorFuze lets you get creative by adding any fruit or other flavoring to your bottle.

Personally, these cool infusers have helped me drink more water because it tastes better.  And I was also finally able to stop my soda habit, something I'd been trying to do for over 10 years!

FlavorFuze Original (pictured) has a silicone lid that fits snugly in the neck of Hydro Flask wide mouth bottles.  The lid acts as a splash guard, so you can keep flavoring your water while taking a few sips.
See FlavorFuze Pricing on Amazon

Picture

​FlavorFuze Straw

My personal favorite. It clips onto Hydro Flask straw lids like this one (not Flex Straw lids).  The Kit  (link below) comes with a straw lid too!
See Pricing
Picture

FlavorFuze Steel

For making cold brew coffee.  We're releasing an improved FlavorFuze Steel shortly, along with Steel Mini that will be better sized for loose leaf tea.
See Pricing

#8: Ice Alternative

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Ice Cube Sticks

At first, these Ice Cube Sticks might seem unnecessary, but they can be more handy than you might think!

They are a lot simpler to grab out of the freezer and drop into a bottle, compared to using ice trays or breaking apart ice cubes.

Easy to use, clean, and re-freeze.  And they won't dilute your drink if you're enjoying flavored water or some other kind of beverage.
​
See Ice Cube Stick Pricing on Amazon

#9: Splash Guard / Ice Stopper

Picture

SplashPro

Another one of ours.   This is one I've used almost every single day since making these handy little devices.  It's a great ice blocker and is tremendously helpful for taking sips of water while on the road and has kept my shirts dry.

There are some other great splash guards on the market (looking at you Guyot), but most are designed for Nalgenes and are just barely too small to fit Hydro Flasks securely.  It's only a 1mm difference in diameter (we measured it!), but it's enough to make a difference.  They also get pushed down by the Hydro Flask cap design.

SplashPro is our solution for Hydro Flasks.  The thin-wall allows you to add your Hydro Flask Flex Cap without pushing down the splash guard.
​
See SplashPro Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR CLEANING

It's not the sexiest category, but you should certainly put some thought into cleaning your Hydro Flask.

#10: Brush Kit

Picture

Mosolan

It's hard to find a more complete kit than this one.  It includes:
  1. A large brush to fit down into your big Hydro Flask.
  2. A thin brush for cleaning straws.
  3. A small brush for the finer details, like around the rim of the bottle.
  4. Tools for organizing and storing your brushes.

​You'll have plenty of tools in the tool chest to keep your bottle clean and worry-free.
​
See Mosolan Pricing on Amazon

Bonus: Bottle Tablet Cleaners

Picture

Bottle Bright

We almost didn't include these because our list was getting too long, but they're too useful to leave out.

In addition to regular brushing and washing, Bottle Bright cleaning tablets are good to use every so often to give your bottle a deep clean.  They can help with stains too if tea or coffee is your style!

The tablets are biodegradable, chlorine free, and environmentally safe, so you don't have to worry about using them.
​
See Bottle Bright Pricing on Amazon
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