Our top-tested picks are are durable, functional and will help you stay hydrated on the go.
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After testing hundreds of water bottles in the last decade, our analysts have determined which bottles stand out amongst the thousands of models on the market in performance and ease of use. Our best-tested water bottles are lightweight, but durable, easy to clean, reasonably priced and offer versatility in capacity and drinking spouts.
Whether you want a water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout a long workday, for working out at home or long car rides, our experts have found a water bottle for every lifestyle and functionality, ranging from an insulated water bottle, filtered water bottle or even smart water bottle.
In the latest side-by-side test conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we rigorously evaluated 37 water bottles with the help of over 40 consumer testers who incorporated them into their daily routines. Utilizing over 1,031 ounces of water in our comprehensive Lab tests for temperature maintenance, spill resistance, and leak prevention, we assessed each bottle's performance. Drawing from both our laboratory evaluations and real-world usage scenarios, coupled with the insights from our seasoned product experts, we present our top recommendations for water bottles that excel in temperature retention, durability, cleanability, and other crucial criteria.
You can read more about how we test water bottles in our Lab — plus everything you need to know about shopping for a water bottle — at the end of this guide. Looking for more top-tested drinking gear? Check out our guides to the best shaker bottles, water filters and glassware sets.
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."
If you prefer a lightweight, plastic water bottle over stainless steel, Yeti just came out with its plastic Yonder line, which comes in five colors, two sizes and is compatible with the chug cap as well.
Take note: Bigger sizes of this water bottle tend be on the heavier side and this bottle won't fit in every car's cupholders.
Nalgene water bottles are popular for a reason. With loads of five-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.
Take note: This bottle is dishwasher-safe, and the colors stay bright even after many washes, though the markings wear off over time. It's not recommended if you're looking for a bottle to keep your water cold for long periods of time as there isn't any insulation.
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.
Take note: This water bottle's temperature retention isn't as good as other insulated models tested and like most straws, this straw requires additional care when cleaning due to the narrow shape.
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.
Take note: Some testers noted that it would have been nice if the bottle had a non-slip bottom or sleeve because the bottle can be loud if slammed onto a countertop. While this bottle comes in multiple sizes, only the 16 and 20 ounce versions can fit in cup holders.
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.
Take note: Hydro Flask recommends that you hand wash all of its water bottles. This model also resulted in some dents in our Lab testing.
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.
Take note: The bottom can sometimes form a suction on surfaces that makes it feel like it’s stuck to the table. The silicone material was scratched after removing the label from the bottle.
B-Corporation company Klean Kanteen recently won a GH Sustainable Innovation Award for using certified 90% post-consumer recycled steel for 95% of their products by the end of 2023.
This insulated water bottle is also lightweight with a stainless steel carrying handle and a sturdy stainless steel base. KleanKanteen also sells an assortment of compatible lids in different materials for this bottle and it comes in a few other capacities.
This bottle's insulated design keeps contents cold for up to 47 hours or hot for up to 14 hours, according to the manufacturer. In our Lab tests this bottle was leakproof and retained temperature well. We also appreciated the small mouth opening which is easy to drink out of.
Take note: This bottle dented on every drop in our Lab testing and while it's dishwasher-safe, the small mouth of the bottle makes it harder to hand wash.
Owala's FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle comes in a variety of different colorways, whether you prefer this brightly colored water bottle or a neutral version. It also comes in 24-, 32- and 40-ounce capacities. There's even a 16-ounce kids' line. Owala claims that the double-wall insulated water bottle keeps water cold for up to 24 hours, which we proved in our Lab.
What makes this bottle especially versatile is how there are two ways to drink from it: Use the "FreeSip" spout that is designed for sipping upright through the built-in straw, or tilt the water bottle back to drink from the spout opening. We like that the locking push-button lid ensures that the water bottle doesn't leak. Even better, you can remove the mouthpiece for easy cleaning and filling. The strap that keeps the mouthpiece closed also doubles as a handle for carrying.
Take note: While the plastic mouthpiece is dishwasher-safe, it's recommended that you hand wash the rest of the bottle to preserve the vibrant powder coat finish. One consumer tester did note that the handle is narrow and isn't as comfortable to carry as other water bottles.
Looking for a value pick with a straw? Try the CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle for just over $20. It's made of durable, dishwasher-safe plastic and comes in a variety of colors. The bite valve straw makes it relatively easy to sip from on the go and prevents spills and splashes (though we don't recommend tossing it into a bag, as it's not leak-proof).
What about a slim water bottle? S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle will fit into most backpacks, side pockets and car cup holders, while also being triple-layered insulated. We can confirm that it retains temperature very well. Keep in mind that it dented in Lab testing and you will have to invest in a good bottle brush since it is not dishwasher-safe and has a rather narrow mouth.
In search of a water bottle that doubles as a coffee thermos? The Zojirushi Vacuum Insulated Mug is a 20-ounce stainless steel water bottle that offers the ease of a drinking spout and a lid that covers and protects it. This bottle excels at keeping both hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold. However, we do prefer it as a thermos over a water bottle and appreciate its small drinking spout for sipping hot beverages.
Need a water bottle that also filters your water? Brita Hard-Sided Filtering Water Bottle is a 26-ounce bottle that filters out chlorine, which can affect the odor and taste of your water. Brita does say that its water bottle filter (located in the straw) should be replaced after 40 gallons or approximately every two months for best-tasting water.
Or one with a comfortable handle? LARQ Swig Top Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle is lightweight and durable with a built-in soft-touch, wide-grip handle. While it's compatible with three different mouthpieces, we especially like the swig top for ease of drinking. The lid is leak-proof, but it doesn't open with a button — just manually — so it might be harder to open for some.
Aren't drinking enough water daily? Try the HydroJug Half Gallon Water Bottle which holds a half gallon of water to help you reach your hydration goals. However, keep in mind that it won't fit in cup holders or your backpack due to its size.
Also check out this top rated Amazon pick: IRON °FLASK Sports Water Bottle is a popular pick among Amazon reviewers for good reason as it didn't leak in Lab testing and comes with three different mouthpieces and numerous colors. We did find its temperature retention to be not as good as competitors and it did dent during drop testing.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we evaluate each water bottle we test for ease of use, performance and durability. We've tested hundreds of water bottles over the last decade, and in our latest round, we tested 37 water bottles side-by-side to evaluate performance and ease of use.
When we evaluate performance, we test how well they retain temperature and whether they are leak-proof. Pictured here is our drop-tester machine with dyed water that leaked out of a poorly performing water bottle. To test whether a bottle will leak, we fill each water bottle with the same amount of water and food dye. We knock over each water bottle and let it sit on its side for 30 minutes, then check to see if any water seeps through. We also shake each water bottle at full capacity to see if any water escapes.
We evaluate each water bottle to see how well they can retain temperatures. We fill every bottle to maximum capacity with water and then remove a specific amount of water from each bottle, replacing it with a calculated amount of ice. Then the internal water temperature of each bottle is documented multiple times over 24 hours to determine which bottles retain temperature best.
To test durability, we use our drop tester machine. We drop water bottles three times each from a height of 5 feet and note any damage that occurs.
To evaluate ease of use, we consider how each bottle opens and closes. Using either a dishwasher or dish soap and a brush, we test how easy it is to clean each water bottle.
In addition to Lab tests, we send water bottles to consumer testers to get their opinions on how water bottles fare in real life.
✔️ Material: There are three main materials used to make reusable water bottles: plastic, glass and stainless steel. Plastic water bottles are usually lightweight and durable, but they can sometimes absorb the flavor of tea or coffee. If cleaned properly, glass water bottles won’t impart any flavor into your water, but they can be delicate or heavy. Stainless steel is a lightweight alternative and is often used for insulated bottles that are great for keeping hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold; they're often not dishwasher-safe.
✔️ Size: Water bottles can be as small as 12 ounces, which is perfect for a child or for fitting into a small bag. They can also be as large as a gallon, which is convenient for a picnic with friends or long car rides. A common everyday size for a water bottle is around 24 to 36 ounces — small enough to fit in a backpack, but large enough that you don’t need to refill often. The larger the water bottle, the wider it likely is, which is something to keep in mind when it comes to cup holders.
✔️ Drinking spout: There is a drinking spout for everyone, and some brands even offer multiple drinking spouts to appeal to different customers.
✔️ Additional features: Some bottles feature handles for carrying around, non-slip sleeves so bottles stay put on countertops or remain in your hands even when sweaty and an additional larger bottle opening for easier cleaning or filling bottles with ice.
All water bottles should be cleaned regularly to eliminate bacteria and prevent mold growth. If a water bottle must be hand-washed, look for one with a wide mouth and fewer parts, and use a bottle brush to thoroughly clean the interior with soap and warm water. If a bottle has a straw, we recommend that you hand-wash it for a thorough clean, even if the bottle states that it is dishwasher-safe.
If you're not a fan of using a bottle brush to clean a water bottle, ensure that it’s dishwasher-safe before purchasing. The dishwasher's tough environment can deform the seal on bottles that aren't dishwasher-safe and ruin the exterior over time, so always check if a bottle is dishwasher-safe.
We rely on hundreds of data points across several different tests to determine the best water bottle brands on the market. When it comes to most water bottle brands, we've also tested multiple models within their water bottle lines.
While we only feature water bottles that performed well, our top performers are from Yeti, Stanley, Hydro Flask and Takeya. These water bottles outperformed others, offering great ease of use, durability, temperature retention and leak-proof lids. They were also popular among our consumer testers.
Eva Bleyer has tested all kinds of kitchen gear for GH, including gas ranges, microwaves, kitchen scales and blenders. She holds a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University, where she studied sustainability practices. Eva has tested many of these water bottle picks at home and on the go.
Nicole Papantoniou oversees the Good Housekeeping Institute's kitchen gear testing. She has been testing kitchen gear professionally for nearly 10 years, and she is constantly trying new water bottles in both the Lab and in her daily live. She keeps them on hand for years to ensure they’re really put through their paces. Her favorites are lightweight and dishwasher-safe, but she uses an assortment to find new ones she can’t put down.
Alec Scherma is the Good Housekeeping Institute's test engineer. He conducted our latest round of testing 37 insulated water bottles. Alec is very familiar with testing products for their insulation, as he's also tested dozens of coolers and cooler backpacks for the Kitchen Appliances Lab.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
Alec Scherma (he/him) is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer, where he helps to create and implement new product testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.A. in mechanical engineering.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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