Best Water Bottles of 2024
1. BEST OVERALL WATER BOTTLE
YETI Rambler 26 oz. Bottle with Chug Cap
PROS
- Chug cap is easy to drink from
- Bottle resists sweating
- Highly versatile water bottle
- Performed well in Lab testing
CONS
- Bigger sizes are heavy
- Doesn’t fit in all car cup holders
This 26-ounce Yeti Rambler is a highly versatile and great everyday option that’s comfortable to hold, doesn’t sweat and is easy to drink out of, thanks to the tapered chug cap.
Like all of Yeti’s Ramblers, this water bottle’s lid unscrews smoothly and has an oversized handle that makes it easy to hold. We especially love that the mouthpieces are all interchangeable amongst the various Rambler bottles that range in size from 12 ounces to 64 ounces. Our favorite part about this water bottle is that it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The Rambler’s wide mouth also makes it easy to wash by hand — and add ice cubes.
In Lab tests, this water bottle didn’t leak and retained temperature rather well. We had a few consumer testers try this bottle, and one said, “I used it while traveling during the holidays. It fit well into the water bottle pocket of my backpack. The handle on the bottle made it easy to grab and carry. It definitely kept my water cold throughout the entire day. It did not fit into any of the cup holders of the car, which was a little annoying during a long drive.”
2. BEST VALUE WATER BOTTLE
Nalgene Sustain Tritan Water Bottle
PROS
- Material is made from 50% plastic waste
- Screw top keeps bottle leak-free
- Plastic loop for carrying
- Easy to fill and drink out of
CONS
- Measurement markings on side of bottle may wear off over time
- Doesn’t provide any insulation for your beverages
Nalgene water bottles are popular for a reason. With loads offive-star ratings on Amazon, a price tag under $20 and a leak-proof seal, this water bottle is a popular pick with both consumers and GH Institute experts. This 32-ounce wide-mouth bottle is easy to drink from and take along anywhere: It’s lightweight with a plastic loop for carrying. Plus, its screw top makes for a tight seal so you can toss it in without fear of leaking.
One consumer tester noted, “Although it’s sizable, the bottle is so lightweight which makes bringing it to work or the climbing gym super easy. It takes up space in your bag, but it doesn’t weigh you down like a competitor can.” They also noted how easy the bottle was to fill with water.
This Nalgene water bottle comes from their Sustain line, which means that the Tritan BPA-free (according to the manufacturer) bottle is made with material derived from 50% plastic waste. We love the measurement markings on the side that allow you to keep track of how much you’re drinking through the day and that this bottle comes in over 30 different colors to match your outfit or favorite color.
3. BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR THE GYM
Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle
PROS
- Flip-top straw lid for easy drinking
- Wide mouth bottle for easy filling and cleaning
- Grippy strip ensures that the lid isn’t hard to open
- Silicone grip on the bottle
CONS
- Straw needs additional care when cleaning
- Temperature retention wasn’t as good as other water bottles tested
One consumer tester says this Takeya bottle is her go-to for everything from working out to traveling, thanks to its smart details. “I love that there’s a grippy strip around the lid, which makes it easy to open the top if it’s been tightened too much,” she says. While in our Lab tests, we found the bottle to be durable, not denting and that the seal was leak-proof.
The spout is easy to flip open and wide enough to sip out of mid-workout. It’s insulated and doesn’t sweat, and its matte finish makes it easy to grasp. Plus, it has a silicone grip on the bottom, which helps the bottle stay in place in a cup holder or on a table. Its large handle makes it easy to tote around the gym from one piece of equipment to the next. The wide mouth means the bottle is easy to fill with water or ice and easy to clean — it’s even dishwasher-safe.This style of water bottle comes in a range of sizes and lid options like the spout lid — there’s even one for kids. Another great option from Takeya for the gym is the Takeya Sport, which won a GH 2023 Fitness Award.
4. BEST INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE
STANLEY IceFlow Fast Flow Bottle
PROS
- Excelled in temperature retention Lab testing
- Cap of drinking spout can hook onto handle
- Sturdy handle
- Lightweight design
CONS
- Could benefit from a non-slip bottom
- Only the 16 and 24 ounce models fit in car cup holders
The Stanley IceFlow Fast Flow Bottle is our best-tested insulated water bottle. While Stanley Cups are having a viral moment on TikTok, we don’t want you to miss the water bottle that GH Test Engineer Alec Scherma found to be one of the more unique bottles out there. The drinking spout’s design allows for faster drinking and features an easy screw-off cap.
The bottle’s handle is extremely sturdy. Though it’s close to the spout, it rotates down so it’s not in the way while drinking. It also features a hook that holds the bottle’s cap. “I thought the design of the lid was super smart where you can hook it onto the handle and it stays on there pretty securely. You can even drink with the lid on the handle!” said one tester. While this bottle is dishwasher-safe, you can also remove the entire mouthpiece to hand wash it.
“I like how light this water bottle is and it still keeps my ice water pretty cold throughout the day,” said a tester. “I also love the ‘fast flow lid.’ I love this kind of water bottle sip.”
Looking for a more affordable Stanley option? The Stanley Quick Flip Go Bottle also tested very well in Lab and consumer testing.
5. BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR TRAVEL
Hydro Flask Lightweight Trail Series Water Bottle
PROS
- Double-wall vacuum insulation for maintaining temperatures
- Lightweight material
- Flexible perforated handle for comfortable carrying
- You can recycle your Hydro Flask after extended use and wear
CONS
- Gained a few small dents in our drop test
- Hand wash recommended
Hydro Flask’s 24-ounce Trail Series is slim, noticeably lightweight and held drinks at their temperature for hours in our Lab test. In fact, after 24 hours the water was still cold and only elevated by 14°F. It also comes in seven different colors and a larger 32-ounce size. This bottle is not only our top pick for a stainless steel water bottle, but it’s also a great choice for taking on the go whether you are hiking, camping or traveling.
Its walls are made of thinner stainless steel than competitors and it has a perforated handle, which makes it lighter and easier to carry on long treks. “I like how slim it is and lightweight,” says Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou. “The handle is also soft which makes it comfortable to hold. It fits easily into the side of my backpack and I’m impressed with how well it keeps water cool for.”
If you have a few old Hydro Flask water bottles lying around your house, Hydro Flask just launched a recycling program. Through Hydro Flask Trade-in, you can recycle your old bottles and get credits for new bottles like this 21-ounce Trail Series.
6. BEST GLASS WATER BOTTLE
W&P Porter Glass Wide Mouth Bottle
PROS
- Made of easy-to-clean, durable glass
- Wrapped in silicone for non-slip grip
- Small enough to fit in most bags
- Can be used for iced coffee or tea without flavor lingering
CONS
- Can create suction on the bottom that makes it feel stuck to surfaces
- Silicone scratched
If you’re looking for a glass bottle, this W&P Porter bottle stands out.Its wide mouth makes it feel comparable to drinking out of a cup, but it has a lid so you can take it on the go. It holds 16 ounces of liquid, small enough to fit into most bags. We’ve even tested this out with transporting cold brew coffee: There were no spills, and we appreciated that the flavor of coffee didn’t linger after washing, which can happen with other water bottle materials.
The silicone wrap feels smooth and soft in the hand and helps prevent condensation from building up. We’ve also tested W&P’s narrow-mouth glass bottle, too, but we recommend the wide-mouth because it is easy to add ice to and is easier to clean by hand.
