BOTTLEPRO
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Gear Reviews
    • Instructional Videos
    • Hydration Information
  • Shop
    • Cup Holder Adapter (3rd Gen)
    • Cup Holder Adapter (2nd Gen)
    • Splash Guard
    • Infusers >
      • FlavorFuze Pod
      • FlavorFuze Straw
      • FlavorFuze Steel
    • Carrying Pouches >
      • Leather Bottle Carrying Pouch
      • Neoprene Bottle Carrying Pouch
    • Cooler Dividers
    • Arm Rest Cup Holder
  • Demos
  • Hydration Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Find a Store

What is the Best Water Bottle, and Which One Should You Get? (The Ultimate Guide)

7/7/2023

0 Comments

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

What is the Best Water Bottle?

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

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

Content Overview:

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

Our Video Review

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

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

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

What Type of Water Bottle Do You Need?

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

Part 2: Reviewing Popular and Notable Bottles and Brands

Popular and Notable Water Bottles and Brands

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

Nalgene

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

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

Klean Kanteen Classic (Non-Insulated)

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

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

Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated

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

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

YETI Rambler

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

Hydro Flask

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

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

Hydro Flask Trail Series

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

Takeya

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

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

Iron Flask

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

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

ThermoFlask

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

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

Stanley Quencher

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

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

Camelbak Chute Mag

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

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

S'well

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

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

FJbottle

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

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

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

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

Steepware Everest

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

EcoVessel Boulder

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

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

Part 3: Our Recommendations and Favorite Bottles

Our Recommendations for Best Water Bottles

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

Best Water Bottle for Hiking

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

Best Water Bottle for Sporting Events

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


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

Best Water Bottle for Road Trips

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

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

Best Water Bottle for Commutes

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

Best Bottle for the House or Office

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

Best Water Bottle for Tea

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

Best Water Bottle for Ice

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

Best Water Bottle for Fruit Infusing

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

Best Water Bottle for Limiting Plastic Contacting Water

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

Best Spout (Chug) Lid

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

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

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

Best Straw Lid

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

Best Sip (Cafe/Commuter) Lid

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

Best Value Water Bottle

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

Best Looking Water Bottle

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

Best Water Bottle Brand

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

Best All-Around Bottle

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

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

Buying a Large Bottle?  Keep Us in Mind!

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

Before you Buy a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Important Detail to Know about Cleaning It)

5/4/2023

0 Comments

 
Before You Buy a Hydro Flask Straw Lid - Important Detail to Know about Cleaning It

Content Overview:
  1. Intro - Update to our Previous Cleaning Videos
  2. Link to our Video Review
  3. Some Backstory - Removing the Flex Straw Spout
  4. Comments Received - Issues with the Spouts Wearing Out
  5. What this Means, and What You Should Know about Cleaning your Straw Lid
  6. So What Can You Do?
  7. Summary and Link to our Store (Thank You!)

Products Mentioned in this Post:
  • Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Original)
  • Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Flex)
  • Bottle Brush Kit with Detailing Brush
  • Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
  • BottlePro's Amazon Store​


Update to our Previous Videos about Cleaning Hydro Flask Flex Straw and Original Straw Lids

There’s something you should be aware of before you buy a Hydro Flask straw lid, and it’s related to how you clean it.  Back in February and March, we made two videos (links in the pictures below) showing how you can remove the spout from both of Hydro Flask’s straw lids, and this video reviews an important consideration that we’ve learned from comments received in those previous posts.
Previous Video - How to Remove the Spout from a Flex Straw Lid
Previous Video - How to Remove the Spout from a Flex Straw Lid
Previous Video - How to Deep Clean your Hydro Flask Flex and Original Straw Lids
Previous Video - How to Deep Clean your Hydro Flask Flex and Original Straw Lids

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!

Some Backstory - Removing the Flex Straw Spout

There are quite a few videos out there about the original straw lid that show how to remove the spout, and in many of those videos, you can see a horrible amount of mold and residue built up because most people don’t clean under the spout regularly.  We didn’t see any videos yet about how to remove spout from the newer Flex Straw lid, and we thought it would be important to know how to do it to make sure those lids can be deep cleaned too.  The problem we ran into at first is that we found it much more difficult to remove the spout from the Flex Straw lid.  We couldn’t figure it out initially, and we were afraid of breaking our lid.

​We reached out to Hydro Flask to make sure it was intended to be popped off like with the original lid.
Our Question to Hydro Flask
Our Email to Hydro Flask
Our Email to Hydro Flask
Part of Hydro Flask's Response
Part of Hydro Flask's Response
Part of Hydro Flask's Response
​After reading Hydro Flask’s response, we tried harder to pop off the spout, including pushing it at different angles compared to the original straw lid.  Eventually we got the spout off, and we noticed why we had such a hard time.  The way the spout attaches to the lid, including how the grooves and the pivot points line up, is different compared to the original straw lid.
Differences in Flex and Original Straw Lid Spout Connections
Differences in Flex and Original Straw Lid Spout Connections
In order to pop off the spout, it helps to push against it at a different angle (45 degrees from closed) which isn’t very intuitive at first.  Once we realized this difference, we made two videos to help share what we had learned with other Hydro Flask users so they can get a truly deep clean with their straw lids.

Comments Received - Issues with the Spouts Wearing Out

Over the couple of months since we posted those videos, several users left comments saying that popping the spout off wore down the plastic connections, and that caused their spouts to be looser than they were originally.
Comment Received
Comment Received
Comment Received
Comment Received
After reading these comments, we wanted to post a followup video to our one about cleaning Hydro Flask straws lids and give our thoughts.

What this Means, and What You Should Know about Cleaning your Straw Lid

​First of all, we want to acknowledge that it is possible to have the plastic wear out where the spout connects to the lid.  The way the spout attaches with either lid means that the small bumps that act as pivot points for the spout have the potential to flatten out some when the spout is detached then reattached.  This can then cause the spout to have a looser fit.
​But even when considering the potential wear-and-tear, we still think it’s a good idea to pop off the spout with either straw lid to get a truly deep clean.  There can be a lot of mold buildup under the spout if you don’t stay on top of it.  But the main point we want to drive home is that this type of deep cleaning comes with some risk of additional wear-and-tear.
In some ways you might mean that you need to think of your straw lid as an accessory that needs to be replaced periodically, which is unfortunate because it costs extra money and is inconvenient.  But we’re not really sure of another way to give these lids a deep clean since there are always spaces under the spout that aren’t possible to reach unless you take the spout off.

So What Can You Do?

There are a few things that can help.
#1: Get a Flex Straw instead of the Original Straw
Hydro Flask Flex vs Original Straw Lid
Hydro Flask Flex vs Original Straw Lid
​One is knowing that the Flex Straw is easier to clean more thoroughly without popping off the spout.  You can take out the red silicone insert, which lets you clean a lot more of the surface area under the spout without popping it off.

The Original Straw doesn’t have this silicone insert, so the only way to clean the areas under the spout is by popping it off.​
Bottle Brush Kit with Detailing Brush
Bottle Brush Kit with Detailing Brush
Use a brush kit with a smaller detailing brush like this one or use a toothbrush to clean what you can reach under the spout as much as possible.​
So if you’re trying to decide between the two straw lid options and deep cleaning everywhere including under the spout is a priority for you, go with the Flex Straw.  ​

#2: Use Cleaning Tablets
Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
​Second, you can also try using cleaning tablets like Bottle Bright instead of popping off the spout.  This was actually part of what Hydro Flask recommended in the 2nd part of their response to us.

It probably won’t get quite as deep of a clean compared to popping off the spout, but it certainly won’t hurt.
Do Bottle Cleaning Tablets Actually Work?
Do Bottle Cleaning Tablets Actually Work?
We also highly recommend using tablets like these every once and awhile anyways based on how well they worked for us when we tested them on coffee and tea stains.

​Click here to see our previous post where we tested these tablets out.

#3: Use a Different Lid
One other obvious solution is to avoid the straw lids altogether.  Hydro Flask has several other good lid options, and there are 3rd party ones as well.  See our previous posts where we compare Hydro Flask's lid options!
Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best?
In this post, we explore the four lids that were available in the summer of 2022.
Our Review of Hydro Flask's Flex Chug
In this post, reviewed the newer Flex Chug lid that came out in late 2022!

Summary

​So in summary, we acknowledge that popping off the spout with either Hydro Flask straw lid can lead to the spout fitting more loosely, but we still highly recommend doing it every once and awhile to fully clean your lid and prevent mold buildup.  Just pop off the spout once every few months or whatever you’re comfortable with based on how often you use your straw lid, but not every time you clean your lid.   This will help extend the life of your lid and prevent the plastic connections between the spout and the lid from wearing out prematurely.
​And that’s it!  Hopefully this information helps you decide what cleaning schedule you’re comfortable with and which lid you want.  If you find a better way to deep clean your straw lids, please let us know in the comments below so we can share it with other users.  Keep BottlePro in mind for accessories for your large bottles, and happy hydrating!

Buying a bottle?  Keep us in mind

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

3 Reasons why you SHOULDN'T Buy a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley

3/18/2023

0 Comments

 
3 Reasons why you Shouldn't Buy a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley Bottle

Content Overview:
  1. Intro - Hype Articles
  2. Link to our Video Review
  3. Reason #1 - Affiliate Marketing
  4. Reason #2 - Cost
  5. Reason #3 - Environmental Cost
  6. ​Summary and Link to our Store (Thank You!)

Products Mentioned in this Post:
  • Hydro Flask 40oz
  • Iron Flask 40oz
  • YETI 36oz
  • Stanley 40oz
  • BottlePro's Amazon Store

Counterpoint - Why you should Think Twice before Buying a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley Water Bottle

​YETI recently released a new bottle with a straw lid, and it’s their answer to Stanley’s Adventure Quencher bottles that took the internet by storm.  You may have noticed articles like these predicting that the new YETI straw tumbler will go viral.  These kinds of articles come up seemingly every week describing the next big Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley product that you should buy. 
YETI Hype Article NY Post
YETI Hype Article NY Post
YETI Hype Article Yahoo
YETI Hype Article Yahoo
YETI Hype Article SF Gate
YETI Hype Article SF Gate
​But we’re here to give the counterpoint with three reasons why you shouldn’t buy a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley.

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!

Reason #1 Why You Shouldn't Buy a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley - Affiliate Marketers

​Here’s the deal.  The people and companies writing these articles are affiliate marketers.  They get paid if you click a link and make a purchase, so it’s in their best interest to promote the most popular and expensive items.
Example of Affiliate Marketing (bottlepro.net)
Example of Affiliate Marketing (bottlepro.net)
​And look, we’re fine with people giving reviews and recommendations, and in fact that’s mostly what we do on this channel.  These reviews and summaries by experts and knowledgeable consumers can save you a lot of time so you don’t have to sift through all the junk on Amazon’s bloated marketplace.

The problem is that many of these affiliate marketers don’t really have your best interests in mind.  They’re just trying to ride the hype train with the most popular, expensive products that they can post links to and earn their cut.  Many don’t care about giving you a true all-around representation of the product they’re promoting.
​Always remember that there is no such thing as a perfect product for every person and situation.  Every single product has a drawback or something that can be critiqued.  If the article you’re reading doesn’t list at least one negative to be aware of, then you might want to get a second opinion elsewhere.

Reason #2 Why You Shouldn't Buy a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley - You're Mostly Paying for the Logo

​We run a business selling products on Amazon and ordering items from China.  Our manufacturing and shipping volumes are obviously not nearly as high as Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley, but we can take what we’ve learned and use that to take our best guess at what kinds of costs they have.
Our Estimates for Hydro Flask's Costs
Our Estimates for Hydro Flask's Costs (click to see Amazon listing)
For this analysis, we’re going to look specifically at a 40-ounce Hydro Flask. The standard retail price is $49.95, so that’s what we’ll base this analysis on.  Manufacturing costs are probably around $4 per unit.  This includes the bottle, printed inserts, and the label wrap.  Freight costs have been more difficult to predict within the last few years since COVID, but bulk sea freight from China to the west coast of America probably comes out to around $1 per bottle.  Amazon usually has a 12% referral fee for sales on their platform so that’s what we’ll use here, though we wouldn’t be surprised if Hydro Flask has negotiated that down or partnered with Amazon somehow.  The Amazon fulfillment charge, which is separate from the referral fee, is probably around $7.

​Together, these costs total $17.99, which gives a gross profit per unit of $31.96.  That’s a 64% profit margin, which is pretty high.
​Now obviously there are many other costs that will bring down Hydro Flask’s true net profit, including customer service, marketing, facilities costs, and employee wages.  We’re not going to try to guess what Hydro Flask’s costs are in these categories, but it’s clear to see that a minority of what you pay for with a Hydro Flask bottle is in the bottle itself.  If you think of customer service, marketing, the facilities, and the employees as essentially being the brand, then this little logo basically costs you around $30 per bottle.

Most of the price you pay is for the brand, not the bottle.

And though there are surely some differences between brands, we wouldn't be surprised if YETI and Stanley bottles are in this same ballpark.

Let’s compare these costs with Iron Flask, which is a well-established knockoff brand on Amazon.  They were close on our insulation test, and they’re almost exactly the same size and shape.
Our Estimates for Iron Flask's Costs
Our Estimates for Iron Flask's Costs (click to see Amazon listing)
​You can get a 40-ounce Iron Flask for $28.95, or $21 dollars less than a comparable Hydro Flask.  Iron Flask’s direct product costs will be a little lower on the Amazon referral fee since it’s tied to the price point, but they will have mostly similar costs compared to Hydro Flask, including manufacturing, freight, and the Amazon fulfillment fee.

​Our best guess is that Iron Flask’s total direct product costs are around $15 per 40-ounce bottle, leaving ~$13 profit, or 45% margins.
You'll spend less money overall, and most of the price you pay is for the bottle, not the brand.  And considering that you get 3 lids instead of just 1 and that they have ~30 color options, it seems like an even better deal.  We've used Iron Flasks quite a bit, and honestly we can't tell much of a difference between them and Hydro Flasks.
​Now some of Hydro Flask’s higher costs are well worth it.  They have great customer service, and they make really good products that last a long time.  But in our opinion, it’s still a lot to fork over for the logo and we’d rather have a greater percentage of the price we spend go into the product, not the company.  YETI’s branding-related costs are possibly even more excessive.  Stanleys aren’t quite as extreme, but you're definitely still paying for the logo.

Reason #3 Why You Shouldn't Buy a Hydro Flask, YETI, or Stanley - The Environment

It's a little counter-intuitive at first because one of the most important reasons why you should get a reusable bottle is for the environment.  Disposable water bottles are terrible, and upgrading to a reusable bottle is one of the best things you can do on an individual level to reduce plastic consumption.

But the reality is that most people only really need one or two bottles to get them through the day.  This why we really don’t like how viral bottles and excessive marketing budgets always push customers to get the next best bottle or color.  It's one thing if you if you want a different type of bottle for specific reason, like a smaller one with a sip lid for coffee.  But do you really need a 6th color of a 40-ounce bottle when you already have 5 similar bottles?
Diminishing Returns with Plastic Reduction and # of Bottles
Diminishing Returns with Plastic Reduction and # of Bottles
There’s a type of diminishing returns when it comes to the number of bottles you own and how much you’re helping reduce overall environmental waste.  The first bottle you get cuts down a lot of your plastic consumption, but each additional bottle you buy doesn’t help as much.

And every bottle has an environmental cost related to manufacturing and shipping the product.  And remember that shipping doesn't just mean from the warehouse to your door.  Shipping also includes getting supplies and materials to the factory, and then freighting the finished products in bulk to a fulfillment warehouse. 
​Sooner or later, the total environmental cost related to manufacturing and shipping your next reusable bottle will be greater than the environmental benefit from the reduction to your plastic consumption.

So before you buy your next reusable bottle, take a second to think about whether you really need it.

​And that’s it!  You might find it a little weird for our company to tell you to not buy a water bottle given that we’re in the business of making accessories for these bottles.  But like always, we try to give our honest thoughts and recommendations that will actually help.  And we know we railed on affiliate marketers before, but we did include links to the products we talked about.  If you make a purchase after clicking one of the links, then we get a small commission.  It helps our small business out, and we appreciate the support so we can continue making unbiased posts and videos like this one.  Keep BottlePro in mind for accessories for your large bottles, and happy hydrating!

Buying a bottle?  Keep us in mind!

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

Our Review of Hydro Flask’s Carrying Pouches – Which is the Best, and What are Good Alternatives?

3/3/2023

0 Comments

 
Our Review of Hydro Flask’s Carrying Pouches – Which is the Best, and What are Good Alternatives?

Content Overview:
  1. Intro
  2. Link to our Video Review
  3. Hydro Flask's Packable Sling
  4. Hydro Flask's Tag Along Sling
  5. Hydro Flask's Slingback Bag
  6. 3rd Party Bottle Slings to Consider

Products Mentioned in this Post:
  • Hydro Flask Packable Bottle Sling
  • Hydro Flask Tag Along Bottle Sling
  • Hydro Flask Slingback Bottle Pack
  • More Storage – Wild Wolf Bottle Sling (32oz)
  • Leather – HikerPouch
  • Budget – BottlePro’s Neoprene Sling
  • Paracord Sling – Wontego 2.0 Paracord Bottle Sling
  • Just a Handle – QeeCord Paracord Carrying Handle
  • Best for the Gym – Bottle Caddy

Which Hydro Flask Bottle Sling is the Best?

​Hydro Flask has two bottle slings, the Packable and the Tag Along.  We’re reviewing how they are different, which one you should get, and whether any alternative options could be better for you.  The short answer is that different pouches are better for different situations, and at the end of the post we’ll give our opinions on why you might want to pick one over another.

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!

Review of Hydro Flask's Packable Sling

Hydro Flask's Packable Sling
Hydro Flask's Packable Sling
See Amazon Listing
First, we’ll start with Hydro Flask’s Packable sling.  Some benefits are:
  • Lightweight: It’s just under 2 ounces, so you’ll hardly be adding any extra weight on your walks.
  • Packable: As the name says, it’s very packable.  You can even fold it up into a built-in pocket, which certainly helps save on space and makes this a great option to stow in the car, a bag, or wherever else you might end up needing it.

​But there are a few downsides to keep in mind.
  • Shoulder Strap:  The shoulder strap doesn’t have any extra padding, so it’s not as comfortable on longer hikes with a heavy bottle.
  • Lack of Large Pockets: It doesn't have a built-in larger pocket that's meant for your phone, keys, or other accessories.
    • ​Side note: you can technically use the pocket that's meant to let you pack the sling into itself for stowing, but the pocket is a tight fit for larger phones.
  • Durability: We’re not sure how well this pouch would hold up to continuous use due to the thin plastic construction.
  • More Difficult to Insert the Bottle: We found it a little difficult to get the bottle into the pouch because the material is so flexible, but maybe this is something that just takes some getting used to.
    • Side note: this definitely got easier as we tested out the pouch more!  It helps to hold the pouch at the connection points with the strap.
  • Expensive: The 32oz size shown here is currently $24.95, which seems steep for what you get, but it’s a Hydro Flask product so you can expect to pay a premium for the logo.

All-in-all, this bottle sling is successful in what it was primarily designed for, which is to be super portable and stowable.  This makes it a great choice for certain situations like keeping it in your car or pack for whenever you might need it, but this is not the best sling for daily use.

Review of Hydro Flask's Tag Along Sling

Hydro Flask's Tag Along Sling
Hydro Flask's Tag Along Sling
See Amazon Listing
​Next we’ll look at the Tag Along.  Some benefits are:
  • Easier to Use: It’s easier to get your bottle in this pouch compared to the packable sling, which makes it quicker and simpler to use each day.
  • Phone Pouch: We also love that they added a pouch with a flexible mesh material to hold your phone.  It comfortably fit this iPhone which is roughly 3” wide and 6” tall, but anything larger than that would start to be a tight fit.
  • More Comfortable Shoulder Strap: The woven strap feels much better and is more comfortable compared to the packable sling.
  • Still Lightweight: At 4 ounces, the Tag Along pouch is heavier than the packable sling, but it’s still super lightweight and great for longer hikes.
  • Easier to Clean: The fabric is coated with what feels like a plastic liner.  The intent of the coating is to make the pouch easier to clean, and in that way Hydro Flask succeeded.

But this also leads to the first downside.
  • Plasic-y Feel: There’s something about the synthetic, plastic-y feel of this pouch that doesn’t feel right to us, though we acknowledge that’s just our preference.
  • Strap Could Be Better: Although the strap is more comfortable than the packable sling, it still doesn’t have any extra padding so it might get a little uncomfortable on really long hikes with heavy bottles.
  • Two Clips that Many People Won't Need: There are also two clips that let you attach the bottle pouch to a Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Cooler.  This sounds like a cool feature and we wish we had the budget to buy a cooler to test it out, but instead we just ended up taking out the clips so the sling was more comfortable on our backs.
  • Expensive: The 32oz size shown here is currently $39.95, which like with the packable sling seems steep but is to-be-expected for a Hydro Flask brand product.

Overall, the Tag Along bottle sling is a really good option for daily use.  It comes in two sizes, so be sure to check which one is good for you.

Hydro Flask's Slingback Bottle Pack

Hydro Flask's Slingback Bottle Pack
Hydro Flask's Slingback Bottle Pack
See Amazon Listing
​One Hydro Flask brand option that we didn’t review was their newer Slingback bottle pack.  This thing looks really cool and seems like it would be the best option for longer hikes and walks because of the extra storage and padded strap.  We hope to test it out in the near future.

Summary of Hydro Flask Sling Options

​Overall, we recommend getting the Packable Sling if you’d like to store a carrying pouch in your car or pack for whenever you might need it.

But for everyday use, the Tag Along is the more user-friendly and useful Hydro Flask sling.

And definitely consider trying the Slingback if you’re looking for more of a backpack for longer hikes or walks and let us know what you think below.

3rd Party Slings for Hydro Flasks

​Before you buy a Hydro Flask product, you should also look at the competition.  Here are a few ones to consider.

Wild Wolf Outfitters Bottle Sling (32oz)
Wild Wolf Outfitters Bottle Sling (32oz)
More Storage
Wild Wolf Outfitters has a great pouch that gives plenty of storage and has a more rugged look with a padded shoulder strap.  This is a great option for longer hikes.
See Amazon Listing

BottlePro's HikerPouch
BottlePro's HikerPouch
Leather
Our HikerPouch is the best option if you’re looking for a leather Hydro Flask carrier.  Each HikerPouch comes with a tin of leather conditioner to keep your sling in good shape for years.
See Our Amazon Listing

BottlePro's Neoprene Sling
BottlePro's Neoprene Sling
Budget
For a more budget-friendly option, you can also look at our neoprene slings which are currently $9.95.
See our Amazon Listing

Wontego's Paracord Sling
Wontego's Paracord Sling
Paracord Sling
Paracords and Hydro Flask's have a colorful history together!  For man color options for paracord slings, consider Wontego’s shoulder-strap paracord design.
See Amazon Listing

Picture
Just a Handle
If you’re just looking to add a handle and don't need the shoulder strap, try QeeCord’s paracord carrying handle.
See Amazon Listing

Bottle Caddy
Bottle Caddy
Best for the Gym
And if you need storage without the strap like at the gym, try Bottle Caddy’s bottle sleeve.
See Amazon Listing

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.
BottlePro's Amazon Store
See BottlePro's Store
0 Comments

How to Clean your Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Flex and Original)

2/23/2023

1 Comment

 
How to clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid - Flex and Original

How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid

Hydro Flask has two straw lid options, their original design and the newer Flex Straw that was released in early 2022.  They can be fairly tricky to clean, but we're going to review the step-by-step process so you can get a better deep clean on your Hydro Flask Flex Straw or original straw lid.  This includes showing the complete disassembly of each one, as well as giving some general recommendations.

Content Overview:
  1. Video link (covers similar information as this post)
  2. Are Hydro Flasks Dishwasher-Safe?
  3. How to Clean a Hydro Flask Bottle
  4. How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Original Version)
  5. How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Flex Straw)

Recommended Products:
  • Hydro Flask Original Straw Lid
  • Hydro Flask Flex Straw Lid
  • Complete Bottle Brush Kit - Best for Straw Lids
  • Cleaning Tablets
  • Replacement Straws
  • Fun Add-On: FlavorFuze Straw Fruit Infuser (snaps onto Hydro Flask straw lids)

Video Review

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

A Real Quick Thank You!

If you found this post helpful, you can use the links to buy any of the items you need off Amazon.  We get a small commission if you purchase that way, and every little bit helps our small business.  It enables us to keep making information videos and posts like this one.  We really appreciate the support!

Are Hydro Flasks Dishwasher-Safe?

​Let’s get this out of the way first.  We know it’s a pain in the butt, but we generally recommend hand washing all Hydro Flask products.  The reason why is that it’s pretty confusing to know which Hydro Flask products are actually dishwasher-safe and which ones aren’t.  Even if it says the product is dishwasher-safe, Hydro Flask mentions that some accessories like caps may last longer if they are hand washed.

​So to be safe, we recommend sticking to hand-washing as much as you can to help your Hydro Flask products work well for many years to come.

How to Clean a Hydro Flask Bottle

​This one's pretty self-explanatory, and here are two of the items we use most for deep cleaning our large bottles.

For cleaning the bottle, just use warm soapy water and your bottle brush.  We do this every day before going to bed.

For a deeper clean, you could use cleaning tablets like the ones made by Bottle Bright.  We recently tested Bottle Bright tablets to clean the tea and coffee stains from a 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee bottle, and the results were very impressive!  We're going to start doing this at least on a monthly basis, but we're not sure exactly what the best frequency is.  Let us know what you think!
Complete Brush Kit for Hydro Flask Straw Lids
Complete Brush Kit for Hydro Flask Straw Lids
Brush Kit for Hydro Flask Straw Lids
​Get a bottle brush kit like this one that includes a longer brush, a straw cleaner, and a detailing brush to make hand-washing your Hydro Flask Straw Lid much easier.
See Amazon Listing
Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets
Bottle Cleaning Tablets
We're going to start using these every so often for a really deep clean.
See Amazon Listing
(One person also responded to our post to say that denture tablets work too and can save some money.  We haven't tested those, but they have quite a few similar ingredients so they should work as well.)
Now on to the lids.  Get your brush kit, a sponge or rag, a butterknife or some other kind of picking tool with an end that won’t cut silicone, and a bowl with warm, soapy water.  It’s also a good idea to get set up at least a few feet away from your sink since you’ll be handling some pretty small parts, and you don’t want to accidentally drop them down the sink.

How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Original Version)

Hydro Flask's Original Straw Lid
Original Straw Lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Flex Straw Lid
First we’ll look at the original straw lid.  If you’re not sure which lid you have, just look at the handle.

​The Flex Straw has the flexible loop handle, and the original straw lid has a small rigid handle that fits one finger.
Step 1: Disassemble the Lid
Start by disassembling the lid.  The straw is attached with a friction fit on the cap, so you can just pull it off.  Next, pop off the spout by pushing it past the open position.
Remove the straw
Remove the straw
Remove the spout
Remove the spout
Remove the spout seal either by tapping the lid upside down, using your fingernails, or use a small tool like tweezers or the butterknife.
Spout Seal Location
Spout Seal Location
Spout Seal Closeup
Spout Seal Closeup
The silicone vent hole insert doesn’t usually get that dirty, but for a really deep clean you can pop that out too.  Just use your thumb or fingernail to pry it out from the bottom.
Vent Hole Insert Location
Vent Hole Insert Location
Vent Hole Insert Closeup
Vent Hole Insert Closeup
And the last removable piece is the big o-ring under the threads.  This o-ring generally doesn’t get as dirty so you may not need to clean it as often, but it’s still good to clean it every once and awhile.  You need to use a butterknife or other kind of tool to get it out, but it’s not too difficult.
Main O-Ring under the Threads
Main O-Ring under the Threads
Step 2: Clean Everything
​Clean each piece thoroughly.
​
  1. Use the straw cleaner to get inside the straw, from both sides if your cleaner isn’t long enough.
  2. Use the detailing brush or toothbrush to clean up under the threads in those hard-to-reach areas.
  3. Clean the air and spout holes in the cap with the straw cleaner.
  4. Don’t forget to clean inside the detached spout itself.
  5. We like to let each piece soak in the warm, soapy water for at least 15 minutes, take it out for a rinse, and then lay everything out on a towel to dry.
Replacement Straw Kit for Hydro Flasks
Replacement Straw Kit for Hydro Flasks
Replacement Straw Kit for Hydro Flasks
There are a bunch of straw kits available on Amazon, and you can usually get a good set for under $10.  Here's one to check out!
See Amazon Listing
Step 3: Reassemble the Lid
Once it’s all dry, we put it back together the way it was before.  This should be pretty simple since you saw how it all came apart, but there are a few things to double-check to make sure you don't have too much leaking.
​
  1. Add the large o-ring first and make sure it’s properly seated to prevent leaking.
  2. Insert the small vent piece simply by pushing it into the hole from the top-side of the lid.
  3. Make sure you add the spout gasket in the correct orientation.  If you look closely, you’ll notice that one side has a slight taper that conforms better to the rounded bottom of the spout.  Make sure this side faces up or your cap might leak more (see the image below).
  4. Pop your spout back into place
  5. Reinsert your straw.
Slight Taper (Hard to See)
Slight Taper (Hard to See)
If you followed all of these steps, then you should be all set with your deep-cleaned Hydro Flask with the original-style straw lid!

How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Flex Straw)

Step 1: Disassemble the Lid
Next we’ll look at the Flex Straw lid, which is honestly the better version.  In some ways it’s easier to clean because the pieces are harder to lose, but it’s also a little trickier to take apart. Like before, the first step is to disassemble the lid.  Pull the straw out of the red silicone insert, then pull the red insert itself out from the bottom.
Pull out the Straw
Pull out the Straw
Pull out the Red Insert
Pull out the Red Insert
Detaching the spout is a little different and trickier compared to the old lid, but you can still do it.  Lift the spout to about a 45-degree angle, then press it to the side and up.  We like to keep the lid on the bottle for more leverage, and we put the spout between our thumb and index finger then push with our arm muscles and not our wrist.  The spout should then pop out of place.

It takes a lot more force that you have to apply at an awkward angle compared to the original straw lid.  You might even feel like you're about to break it, but follow these steps and it should pop out!
Lift the Spout to ~45 Degrees
Lift the Spout to ~45 Degrees
Push Spout to the Side, Lift as Much as Possible
Push Spout to the Side, Lift as Much as Possible
What the Detached Spout Looks Like
What the Detached Spout Looks Like
The last removable piece is the large o-ring up under the threads.  This seal doesn’t get as dirty so you may not need to clean it as often, but it’s still good to include in your deep clean every once and awhile.  It's much more difficult to get out compared to the original straw lid, and you’ll need to find a tool with a fine-tip end to get it out.  I couldn’t get it with a butterknife, but I was able to use the pointy end of this letter opener to get up under the seal and lift it, just making sure to only use the plastic part of the letter opener and not letting it go all the way to the blade.  I’m sure there are better tools out there, and if you find something that works great for you, please comment on it below to let us and other people know.
Removing the Large O-Ring
Removing the Large O-Ring
The Large O-Ring
The Large O-Ring
Step 2: Clean Everything
​Clean each piece thoroughly.
​
  1. Use the straw cleaner to get inside the straw, from both sides if your cleaner isn’t long enough.
  2. Use the detailing brush or toothbrush to clean up under the threads in those hard-to-reach areas.  The small brush in our recommended brush kit also fits perfectly into the opening where the red silicone insert goes.
  3. Clean the two holes in the red silicone insert with a straw cleaner.
  4. Don’t forget to clean inside the detached spout itself.
  5. We like to let each piece soak in the warm, soapy water for at least 15 minutes, take it out for a rinse, and then lay everything out on a towel to dry.
Step 3: Reassemble the Lid
Once it’s all dry, we put it back together the way it was before.  This should be pretty simple since you saw how it all came apart, but there are a few things to double-check to make sure you don't have too much leaking.
​
  1. Add the large o-ring first and make sure it’s properly seated to prevent leaking (see the image below).  This seal is difficult to get back into place, so be sure to double-check that it didn't get twisted around while you were re-inserting it.  We sometimes have to retry inserting it a few times before it's correctly in place without any kinks.​
  2. Insert the red silicone insert from the bottom.
  3. Pop your spout back into place
  4. Reinsert your straw.

After these steps, you should be good to go with your deep-cleaned Hydro Flask Flex Straw!
O-Ring Orientation
O-Ring Orientation

If you found this video helpful, let us know!  And thanks again if you make a purchase through one of the links in the description.  It really helps our small business out.  Keep BottlePro in mind for accessories for your large bottles, and happy hydrating!

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.
BottlePro's Amazon Store
See BottlePro's Store
1 Comment

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

2/12/2023

0 Comments

 
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.
Picture
See BottlePro's Store
0 Comments

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

2/10/2023

1 Comment

 
Do bottle cleaning tablets like Bottle Bright actually work?

A Video Review

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

Do Bottle Tablets Work?

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

Flat bottom brushes are best for Hydro Flasks.

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

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

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

Testing Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets on a Hydro Flask

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

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

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

Did the Bottle Cleaning Tablets Work?

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

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

Conclusion - Do Bottle Bright Tablets Really Work?

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

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

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

Buying a large bottle?  Keep us in mind!

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

Which YETI Lid is the Best? (Updated for 2023)

1/23/2023

1 Comment

 
Which YETI Lid is the Best?

Which YETI Lid is the Best?

Rambler water bottles are one of YETI’s most popular and profitable product lines, due in no small part to how useful and versatile they are.  YETI has designed six lid styles that are compatible with any wide-mouth Rambler bottle.

To be clear, the lids we’re talking about only fit YETI Rambler water bottles.  We’re not talking about YETI’s tumblers, mugs, or new Yonder plastic bottles.

So the next logical question is, which YETI lid is the best?

Our goal with this post is to give you all the information you need to answer the more important question: which YETI lid is the best for you?

Which YETI Lid is the Best? (Video Review)

If you'd rather watch a video about this topic, then check out our YouTube video!
Or keep reading our full post below.

The Contenders

YETI has designed six (6) lids as of today: Standard, Chug, Straw, Hot Shot, Magdock, and Bottle Cup Cap.
The Six YETI Lid Options
The Six YETI Lid Options
YETI's Ramber Water Bottles
Click this link to see YETI's Water Bottle category on Amazon.
See Bottle Options
YETI's Lid Options
Click this link to see YETI's lid options on Amazon (under Drinkware Accessories).
See Lid Options

YETI's Standard Lid

YETI's Standard Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
YETI's Standard Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
See Listing for the Standard Lid
​First is the one that started it all, YETI’s Standard Lid.  This was the lid that came out when this water bottle series was initially released, and it’s still the one that comes with most YETI Ramblers bottles today.

​We love the carrying handle.  The rigid design is wide enough to fit three fingers, making it very comfortable and easy to hold.

The simple, no-frills design is very easy to use, and it’s also easy to clean.
This is the best option for anyone who has limited finger strength because the handle is easy to hold, and it lets you get a good amount of leverage to open the cap.

It’s also the most lightweight YETI cap at only 2.9 ounces.

There are a few main drawbacks.  First, the lid is completely separate from the bottle, so it’s pretty easy to misplace or drop the lid, causing it to get dirty.  It’s not like a Takeya, which has a connected spout cap.

Second relates to YETI’s Over-The-Nose technology, which in non-marketing terms just means they made the mouth opening about 1/2” wider than competitors like Hydro Flask.  Because the opening is so wide, it’s notoriously easy to splash water in your face, especially if you’re in the middle of an activity like driving.  And if you have ice in your bottle, all we can say is good luck.

So while we love the simplicity of the standard cap and how easy it is to use, it’s definitely the base design for a reason since it does not offer many benefits or uses compared to other lids.

YETI's Chug Cap

YETI's Chug Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
YETI's Chug Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
See Listing for the Chug Lid
YETI’s Chug Cap is probably the most common replacement lid that people choose to use, and for good reason.  It consists of two parts that we’ll call the base and the spout cap.

The most important and obvious benefit is how lid solves the glaring problem with the Standard Lid by making it much easier to take drinks of water without splashing water all over your face.

The handle is the same great design as the Standard Lid and is very comfortable and easy to hold.

Some drawbacks are that the spout cap comes completely off and is easy to misplace or drop.

At 6.5 ounces, this is the 2nd heaviest YETI lid.

There are more parts compared to the Standard Lid, so there is also  more to clean, including an extra set of threads.
This is not as good of an option as the Standard Lid for people with limited gripping strength, mainly because the base is more difficult to get on-and-off.

Our previous video discussed a common problem we see in reviews about the chug cap, specifically that the threads can strip fairly easily.  If you want to use a chug cap, we recommend watching that video to help minimize this potential problem.
​
While it may seem like we brought up a lot of drawbacks, the YETI Chug Cap is by no means a bad lid.  It’s a solid improvement over the Standard Lid in many ways, and it’s our favorite lid for drinking regular water from YETI Ramblers that are 26 ounces or larger.

YETI's Straw Cap

YETI's Straw Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
YETI's Straw Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
See Listing for the Straw Lid
The next cap we’re reviewing is YETI’s Straw Lid.
​
Like with most straw lids, it’s very easy to take sips of water, and there’s no chance of splashing water in your face provided that you keep the bottle upright.

The previous two caps require two hands to unscrew the lid while holding the bottle, but you can take one-handed sips with the Straw Lid.  This makes it a great option for when you’re on the road.

The handle is the same comfortable, three-finger style as the Standard and Chug Lids.  The only difference is that the handle is angled to the side some so you don’t hit your forehead when taking a drink, but we wouldn’t count this as a problem.

In our opinion, this is the best option if you’re planning to use ice or add flavorings like fruit to your bottle.  You’ll keep everything out of your face, and the small straw opening is unlikely to plug up unless you have really small bits of ice or fruit.

If you’d like to flavor your water, consider using our FlavorFuze Straw infuser.  We designed it for Hydro Flasks initially, but it also fits great on YETI’s Straw Lids.

Most of the drawbacks are similar to what you’d find with any straw lid.  The straw grazes the bottom of the bottle, and you’ll need to remove the entire lid if you want to drink 100% of the water.

Also, they’re harder to clean than the previous lids.  Make sure you have a straw cleaner, and even if you’re cleaning the straw regularly, it’s a good idea to replace the whole straw every once and awhile.

In conclusion, this is a good straw lid that can help make your life a little easier.  We like this lid the most for hiking because it’s fairly lightweight compared to the other lids and prevents spills.  We also like using this lid when we want to add ice or flavorings.  In some ways YETI’s Straw Lid feels a little basic when compared to competitors like Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen who have made innovations that make them easier to clean or use less plastic.  But basic isn’t necessarily bad, and this is certainly still a good lid.

Hot Shot Lid

YETI's Hot Shot Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
YETI's Hot Shot Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
See Listing for the Hot Shot Lid
Next is YETI’s Hot Shot Lid, which is their sip-style.  It’s intended to be used with smaller bottles for coffee and tea.
It does a good job of limiting how much of your drink comes out at once, which is good when drinking something hot like coffee.
​
One cool feature is that you can take a sip from any side of the bottle, which is different than what you find with many competing sip lids that force you to line up your mouth with the opening.  In this way, the Hot Shot is a very good option for drinking coffee while driving because you don’t have to worry about lining up your mouth with the bottle opening.

And YETI’s Hot Shot has fewer parts compared to some competitors like Hydro Flask’s Flex Sip.  This makes it easier to clean and less likely to misplace or drop a piece.

It’s a fairly lightweight option at only 4.7 ounces, though this is technically the 4th heaviest YETI lid.

One obvious drawback is that the lid does not have the carrying handle that’s incorporated into the previous lids.  We know the Hot Shot is intended to be used with smaller bottles that are easier to carrying in general, but having a handle always helps.

But the biggest drawback that some people will find with the Hot Shot lid is that it’s more difficult to use, even compared to some other sip-style lids we’ve tested.  The rim around the top is great to drink from, but it doesn’t give you much room to get your fingers against the opening mechanism.  People with limited finger strength or arthritis will most likely have issues using the Hot Shot lid.

This especially applies to cleaning the lid.  To separate the two pieces, you have to twist even harder counterclockwise until you hear two clicks, and then the middle piece comes out.

To sum it up, this lid is a good option to use with YETI’s 12 or 18 ounce Ramblers when you want to sip on your coffee on the way to or at work, and we really like how you can sip from any angle.  But other than that, this lid is just not as easy to use as some other sip-style lids that we’ve tested.  And definitely don’t get this cap if you have limited hand strength.

YETI's Magdock Lid

YETI's Magdock Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
YETI's Magdock Lid - Benefits and Drawbacks
See Listing for the Magdock Lid
Next is the Magdock lid.  This is the lid we have been most excited to get our hands on because it seemed like an improved version of the Chug Cap, and we were not disappointed.

The spout is the same size as the Chug Cap, meaning you can get a good amount of water when you need it while also preventing spills.

The spout cap is textured for better grip, and it adds to the feel of a premium product.

But the most obvious improvement is incorporated into the name.  The spout cap has a built-in magnet that allows it to securely connect to another magnet in the base, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love magnets?  This makes it much easier to prevent accidentally dropping your spout cap, which was one of the main drawbacks with the Chug Cap.

One other cool feature that we hadn’t seen before is that the o-ring that seals the connection between the spout cap and the base is much easier to remove than with most seals we find in other bottles and caps.  It even has a little built-in little handle that lets you pull it out very easily, and this makes cleaning your bottle much simpler.

At 4.6 ounces, this is the 3rd lightest YETI option.

The most glaring drawback is a biggie.  The Magdock Lid doesn’t have a built-in handle.  If you have smaller hands, then gripping YETI Ramblers that are 26 ounces and larger can be a challenge and not having a handle on the lid is a clear drawback.

But other than that, there’s not much we don’t like about the Magdock cap.
​
In conclusion, we really did like this lid.  This is our favorite lid hydrating while at work or hanging around the house because it’s easier to keep the spout cap nearby and clean.  It improves on most of the drawbacks with the Chug Lid, it’s easier to clean than the Straw Lid, and it’s easier to open and close than the Hot Shot Lid.  But the fact that it doesn’t have a handle is a major drawback for larger bottles, especially for people with smaller hands.  Consider getting a carrying pouch for your bottle, which then solves the problem of not having a handle.

YETI's Bottle Cup Cap

YETI's Bottle Cup Cap - Benefits and Drawbacks
YETI's Bottle Cup Cap - Benefits and Drawbacks
See Listing for the Bottle Cup Cap
The last lid option that we’re reviewing has the most focused purpose.  The Bottle Cup Cap essentially turns your YETI Rambler into a Stanley Classic Thermos.  There are three pieces, the base, the spout cap, and the cup.  Just unscrew the spout cap a little, and then you can pour your drink into the detachable cup.

The cap looks amazing.  The stainless-steel cup has a heft and feel to it that definitely feels premium. 

We haven’t officially tested this yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if this cap has the best insulation properties compared to other YETI lids.

Because the insulation is probably so good, this is a great option if you’re sitting in the stands watching a sporting event on a chilly day, sitting around the firepit, or relaxing at a campsite.

But there are some key drawbacks to consider.  First off, the lid is huge and bulky.  At 12.7 ounces, it’s almost twice as heavy as the next heaviest cap.

In addition, this cap doesn’t have a handle to help manage all that extra weight and bulk.

And with a price tag of $30 today, it’s also the most expensive lid option by far.  As of today, you can actually spend $5 less and get a 34-ounce Stanley Classic Thermos that serves the same purpose and has a handle built into the bottle.
​
Overall, while this is a really cool add-on for very specific scenarios, we think the Bottle Cup Cap is too situational and expensive for most people except the most die-hard YETI fans and collectors.

Summary

To bring it all together, here is our summary for each lid, including recommended best-uses.

The Standard Lid is a decent lid in general, particularly for hiking, but we think there are better options for most situations.

The Chug Lid has some good improvements over the Standard Lid and is our recommended option to use when you’re actively participating in a sporting event.  It’s a little heavier, so it’s not as good for longer walks or hikes.

The Straw Lid is our recommended option for hiking or when you want to add ice or flavorings to your bottle.

The Hot Shot Lid is ideally used to drink coffee with smaller Ramblers, but it’s not a good option if you have limited hand strength or if you want to drink from a larger bottle.

The Magdock lid is our favorite all-around lid for every-day hydration, especially when pairing it with a carrying pouch so not having a handle isn’t as big of an issue.

And the Bottle Cup Cap is a good option when you’re lounging game-side or around the fire and want to sip at a warm drink, but other than that it’s not very practical.

Regardless of which cap you get, consider getting a cup holder adapter for your YETI Rambler to keep it securely by your side when you’re on the road.  We just came out with our new-and-improved BottlePro Max adapter that fits all YETI Ramblers.

And that’s it!  We hope this post has helped you decide which lid or lids you should get.  Keep BottlePro in mind for accessories for your large bottles.

Buying a YETI Rambler?  Keep us in mind!

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

Which Water Bottle Has the Best Insulation? (Updated for 2023!)

1/2/2023

0 Comments

 
Which Water Bottle has the Best Insulation? (Updated for 2023)

Which Insulated Bottle is the Best?

Insulated water bottles have been around for a long time, but in the last decade or so their popularity skyrocketed with brands like Hydro Flask and YETI.  There’s no doubt that the dual-wall insulation technology in these bottles is a wonderful quality of life improvement compared to non-insulated bottles, especially if you live in a hot region.
​
But if you look on Amazon today, you can find dozens if not hundreds of brands selling similar insulated bottles.  So many people ask, which water bottle has the best insulation?

We tested 10 popular water bottles to see how well they hold ice.

The Best Insulated Bottle - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch the results, then check out our YouTube video below!​

The Contenders

We primarily focused on 32-ounce bottles because that size tends tend to be very popular, but we did use some other bottle sizes for certain brands based on what was available.  We also included a couple non-insulated bottles as a baseline, a Stanley classic thermos to see how the older style compares, and a triple-wall bottle because we hadn’t tested one before and we were curious if it’s the next best thing.
  • ​Nalgene with the Classic Lid (32oz)
  • Klean Kanteen Classic, Non-Insulated, Loop Lid (32oz)
  • Hydro Flask with a Flex Straw Lid (32oz)
  • ThermoFlask with a Chug Lid (32oz)
  • Takeya with a Chug Lid (32oz)
  • Iron Flask with a Straw Lid (40oz)
  • Klean Kanteen’s TKWide with a Chug Lid (32oz)
  • YETI Rambler with Classic Lid (36oz)
  • Luxe with Chug Lid (22oz)
  • Stanley Original (1L / 34oz)
(click an image below to see the bottle on Amazon)
Nalgene with the Classic Lid (32oz)
Nalgene with the Classic Lid (32oz)
Klean Kanteen Classic, Non-Insulated, Classic Lid (32oz)
Klean Kanteen Classic, Non-Insulated, Classic Lid (32oz)
Hydro Flask with a Flex Straw Lid (32oz)
Hydro Flask with a Flex Straw Lid (32oz)
ThermoFlask with a Chug Lid (32oz)
ThermoFlask with a Chug Lid (32oz)
Takeya with a Chug Lid (32oz)
Takeya with a Chug Lid (32oz)
Iron Flask with a Straw Lid (40oz)
Iron Flask with a Straw Lid (40oz)
Klean Kanteen TKWide with a Chug Lid (32oz)
Klean Kanteen TKWide with a Chug Lid (32oz)
YETI Rambler with Classic Lid (36oz)
YETI Rambler with Classic Lid (36oz)
Luxe with Chug Lid (22oz)
Luxe with Chug Lid (22oz)
Stanley Original (1L / 34oz)
Stanley Original (1L / 34oz)

The Test

Our Setup for the Test (Minus the Strainer and Ice Mold)
Our Setup for the Test (Minus the Strainer and Ice Mold)

Because the main purpose of an insulated water bottle is to maintain a temperature for longer periods throughout the day, we measured the weight of ice before and after the test as our main metric.  We purchased an ice mold that creates larger sticks to limit the effect that surface area variations in different pieces of ice might have on the melting rate.  Then we added one ice stick to each bottle and no water.  After four hours, we poured the contents of each bottle into a strainer, then the remaining ice was dumped onto a scale.  By comparing the weights of each ice stick before and after, we were able to get an idea of which bottle keeps ice the best.  We then repeated this test three times and calculated the cumulative results.
Picture
The Ice Mold
This is the ice mold we used to create the larger sticks of ice.  In general, less surface area leads to slower melting, so the larger the ice cubes you use, the longer your ice should last!
See Pricing on Amazon
Keep in mind that this experiment was intended just to give an idea if there are any major variations in insulation effectiveness.  In an ideal experiment, we would have used a more accurate scale, used similar lids on all of the bottles, measured out the water into each ice mold to ensure the same volumes of ice were made, and used the same volume bottles across the board.

With the disclaimers out of the way, here are the results!

The Results

The cumulative results are summarized in the table below.  You can see the percentage of ice that melted in the fourth column.  A few things jumped out at us.
Picture
The Luxe and Stanley Original bottles are in a league of their own with 36% ice loss.  One factor to keep in mind with the Luxe bottle is that it’s only 22 ounces, and the smaller volume of air likely made the result look better than it really was.  We also haven’t tested or used this bottle at all other than with this insulation test, so we’re not quite ready to recommend it yet.  Regardless, this initial test of the triple-wall insulation showed promise, and this type of bottle is worth looking into more.  The Stanley result was interesting too, given that this type of bottle has been around for a long time and is basically the OG of insulated bottles.

After that, we have the Klean Kanteen TKWide, the YETI, Takeya, and Hydro Flask with between 49 and 52% ice loss.  These results are very close and are certainly within the range of potential error, so there’s not much difference here.

​Next is the Iron Flask at 55% ice loss.  But keep in mind that we only had a 40oz Iron Flask to test, and the larger volume of air likely made the ice melt faster.  Based on this consideration, we feel comfortable assuming that the Iron Flask’s insulation is essentially the same as the previous group.

ThermoFlask was the one outlier of the dual-wall insulation bottles.  At 59% ice loss, ThermoFlask seemed to consistently test worse than the other similar bottles.

And the Nalgene and Klean Kanteen classic had the worst results, but given that these are single-wall bottles and not insulated, this result was to be expected.  We mostly just included them in the test as a baseline because we could see when the ice had finished melting in the Nalgene, and we were curious if the single-wall stainless-steel design would do any better.

Conclusions

​When we take a step back to think about these results overall, we can reach a few conclusions.
  1. Triple-Wall - This was our first test of a triple-wall insulated bottle, but these might be the real deal and are worth testing more.
  2. The "OG" Thermos - While this type of Stanley bottle is not as convenient to drink from for every-day hydration, the Stanley Original is great at what it was primarily designed for.  This is the best option to keep your drink hot while you’re camping or watching a sporting event.  Just pour the drink from the Stanley into the cap or another container to drink from.
  3. Dual-Walls - For most people, any of the dual-wall insulated bottles from this test will be good enough to get them through the day, particularly when considering that you’ll probably use more ice than we did.  Our results showed some brands are slightly better than others, and in particular the ThermoFlask seemed to be the worst of the group.  But in our opinion there’s not enough of a difference to base a buying decision entirely on the insulation.  Instead, take other factors like the price, color options, and lid types into account to get a bottle that’s best for you.

Buying a large bottle?  Keep us in mind!

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

Our Review of Klean Kanteen's TKWide Chug - Is It Good?

12/16/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Klean Kanteen's Best Bottle?

​Klean Kanteen quickly became one of the leading bottle brands when it burst onto the scene with its stainless-steel bottles in 2004.  But more recently, other brands have caught up with, and in some cases overtaken, Klean Kanteen’s market share by introducing stylish bottles with dual wall insulation.  In late 2020, Klean Kanteen finally released an insulated bottle called the TKWide series.

So was the TKWide bottle worth the wait?  We purchased a 32-ounce TKWide with a chug cap to find out.  We’ll let you know our thoughts and what you can expect if you buy one for yourself.

Hydro Flask's Flex Chug - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video, then check out our Youtube video below!​

Price

​Starting with the price, the TKWide bottles are on the expensive end of the spectrum.  You can expect to pay around the same amount as you would for a Hydro Flask for the same size bottle.
See Klean Kanteen's Listing
See Hydro Flask's Listing
Picture
If you’re looking for a less expensive option, consider a brand like Iron Flask (currently around $25 for a 32oz).
See Iron Flask's Listing
Picture

Insulation

​We’re fans of insulated bottles in general, so that’s a big plus.  We’ll be testing the TKWide’s insulation in a future video to compare it against bottles like Hydro Flasks and YETIs, but we expect the insulation is good for most daily activities.

Style

​Once we had the bottle in front of us, the first thing we noticed was the style.  This might be the coolest-looking bottle we’ve ever tested.  The main feature and focal point that really helps this bottle stand out from other similar ones is the stainless-steel carrying handle.  It gives a much different look than other bottles like Hydro Flasks, and we really like it, though we acknowledge to some degree this is just a personal preference.  Other handles like Takeya’s chug cap have a hinged plastic handle, and while this offers some benefits because the handle can flip up or down, the plastic just feels cheaper.  The TK Wide’s stainless-steel handle is very durable, and it helps achieve the feel of a premium bottle.
Picture
Every other part of the bottle also looks great, including the spout cap and the stainless-steel base.
Picture

Size and Weight

​The other thing we noticed right away is the size.  This bottle is huge for a 32-ounce.  It’s because of the Impact Base Cap adding another inch or so to the height.  The bottle is also heavier than other 32-ounce bottles.  A 32-ounce TKWide is a full 5 ounces heavier than a 32-ounce Hydro Flask, or about 32%.  This isn’t a big deal most of the time, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re going hiking or on a long walk with your bottle.
Picture
Picture

Spout Cap

​The spout cap is connected to the cap base with a flexible tether.  Even better, the material feels like a silicone or flexible elastomer that should hold up really well over time compared to hard plastic tethers found on some other bottles.
Picture
Another cool feature is that you can snap the spout cap onto the stainless-steel handle to keep it out of the way.
Picture

Spout

​The spout itself is a good size.  It lets you chug a good amount of water, but it’s not so large that it’s difficult to drink from.  The spout is made of a flexible material, probably silicone.  This is a small detail you probably wouldn’t even notice until you have the bottle in person.  It’s honestly not that big of a difference-maker to us, but we think it helps the bottle stand out from competitors and feel a little more premium.
Picture

Inside

​When you take off the cap and look inside, you’ll find the comically large instruction booklet translated into 8 languages.  There’s also a thank you note that reviews all the social programs and environmental commitments that Klean Kanteen is involved with, so if you’re into supporting environmentally-focused causes and companies then you’ll probably feel pretty good about your purchase.

Threads

​The threads on the bottle are internal and formed from bumps in the stainless steel rim, and while it looks interesting, we find that this makes the cap a little more difficult to align compared to traditional threads.
Picture

Plastic

The inside of the bottle is made is food-grade stainless steel.  But if you’re looking for a bottle where water never touches the plastic, then please be aware that the TKWide Chug Cap has exposed plastic on the underside of the cap.
Picture
For a completely plastic-free option, consider getting a 40-ounce non-insulated Klean Kanteen with the classic wide loop cap.  Please note that this cap only fits Klean Kanteen’s wide mouth bottles with external threads, which does not include TKWides.
Picture
See Klean Kanteen's Classic 40oz Listing
Picture
See Klean Kanteen's Wide Loop (Cap Only) Listing

Our Conclusion

In conclusion, we really like Klean Kanteen’s TKWide bottle.  It looks fantastic, is very durable, and has a premium feel that’s hard to describe.  The minor issues like the weight and how the internal threads are more difficult to align than standard threads can be overlooked for the most part, though if you’re going on a long walk or hike, we recommend bringing a lighter bottle.

So overall, this is a great go-to bottle that will help you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Do you agree with our conclusion?  Let us know!
See Klean Kanteen's TKWide Chug Listing

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.
Picture
See BottlePro's Store
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Follow us for more hydration-focused updates!

      Subscribe for Updates and Product Deals!

    Subscribe

    Try searching for things like "infusers" or "hiking".


    Categories

    All
    Bottle Cleaning
    Bottle Protection
    Bottles
    Bottle Slings
    Coffee
    Cup Holders
    Environment
    Fruit Infusers
    Healthy Lifestyle
    Hiking
    Hydration Products
    Hydro Flasks
    Ice
    Insulation
    Iron Flasks
    Klean Kanteens
    Mason Jars
    Soda Habit
    Splash Guards
    Stanley
    Tea
    Weight Loss
    YETI

    Archives

    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022


    Amazon Associates Program

    BottlePro is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  We strive to provide helpful information and product recommendations, and we receive a commission on purchases made after you click through our links.
Contact Us/Returns
Refund Policy
Shipping Policy
Influencer Program
Wholesale Inquiries
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
PS Kreative, LLC, Licensed in North Carolina, USA (ID # 2514262), DBA "BottlePro"
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Gear Reviews
    • Instructional Videos
    • Hydration Information
  • Shop
    • Cup Holder Adapter (3rd Gen)
    • Cup Holder Adapter (2nd Gen)
    • Splash Guard
    • Infusers >
      • FlavorFuze Pod
      • FlavorFuze Straw
      • FlavorFuze Steel
    • Carrying Pouches >
      • Leather Bottle Carrying Pouch
      • Neoprene Bottle Carrying Pouch
    • Cooler Dividers
    • Arm Rest Cup Holder
  • Demos
  • Hydration Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Find a Store