The Best Water Bottles of 2023

Sep 02, 2023

The best water bottles of 2023 – these are our top picks. Photo: Rebecca Parsons

Regardless of where I’m going or what I’m doing, I always have a water bottle with me. I spend a lot of time working out in the sunshine and as a result, I’m constantly drinking water to stay hydrated. While some might make a case for single use bottles, I think we can all agree that a reusable bottle is better for the environment (and your wallet). These days, there are so many different options out there: plastic, insulated, built-in filter, etc. I took the liberty of testing the top water bottles from leading brands and weighed the pros, cons, and everything in between to determine which water bottles are the best of the best. Here, I’ve rounded up my top picks.

If you’d like to know more about how these water bottles compared to one another, check out the Comparison Table below. And, if you want to know what to look for in a good water bottle, take a look at our Buyer’s Guide to learn more.

Best Insulated Water Bottle: Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water BottleBest Un-Insulated Water Bottle: REI Co-op NalgeneMost Durable: YETI Rambler Vacuum BottleRunner Up Un-Insulated Bottle: Yonder Water Bottle Best for Workouts: Nathan QuickSqueeze Handheld Water BottleMost Affordable: CamelBak Eddy+ Renew Water BottleBest Filtered Bottle: LifeStraw Go Series Water Filter Bottle

Pros: Incredibly durable, backed by a lifetime warranty. Cons: Pricey.

Durable: 10Leakproof: 10Drink Test: 9Overall: 9.7/10

If you’re looking for a reliable insulated water bottle, look no further than the Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle. TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation ensures your drink stays cold (or hot) for hours and BPA-free 18/8 stainless-steel construction with proprietary powder coating mean this bottle is incredibly durable. Available in ten different colors, the bottle features a screw top and has a convenient handle for carrying. Traditionally, Hydro Flask only had a wide-mouth lid option, but they’ve recently added more lids, including the Wide-Flex Chug Cap which allows you to utilize a wide or narrow mouth.

This bottle is backed by a lifetime warranty and speaking from experience, it’s leakproof and incredibly durable. Although it’s not going to break easily, we did drop our Hydro Flask and it easily acquires dents. Hydro Flask has been our water bottle of choice for years. If 40 oz. isn’t what you’re looking for, Hydro Flask has lots of other shapes and sizes in their collection.

Pros: Lightweight, durable. Cons: Not insulated.

Durable: 10Leakproof: 9Drink Test: 9Overall: 9.7/10

If you’re in the market for a lightweight, non-insulated water bottle, you can’t go wrong with a Nalgene. And the REI Co-op Nalgene is made from 50% recycled plastic that would otherwise be destined for a landfill. The result is a BPA, BPS, and phthalate-free bottle. It also costs a buck less than Nalgenes you can find elsewhere, and gets your sticker-collection started with an REI decal. The wide-mouth design makes it easy to clean and you can easily insert filtration devices or ice cubes. If you’re not a fan of the wide mouth design, we recommend using a splash guard. Featuring continuous, straight shouldered, semi-buttressed threads the lid is designed to keep water inside whenever the lid is screwed tight.

The only leaking I’ve ever experienced with a Nalgene was with a ten-year-old bottle that desperately needed a new lid. Nalgene bottles are beyond durable: In college my Nalgene got run over by a car and while the shape was mutilated, it was still usable and lived to tell the tale. The bottle also comes in a 48 oz. option, a 16 oz. option, and a narrow mouth version as well. Nalgene finished right behind Hydro Flask for best overall water bottle simply because it’s not insulated. But at just $16, it’s a super solid option.

Pros: Dishwasher safe, heavy-duty lid. Cons: Heavier than other bottles.

Durable: 10Leakproof: 10Drink Test: 9Overall: 9.7/10

YETI knows a thing or two about making coolers, but they deliver in the water bottle department as well. The YETI Rambler is an insulated bottle that is incredibly durable and 100% leakproof. The two-part cap includes a heavy-duty handle and a clear spout. We love that this bottle is available in multiple sizes and colorways and we’re a fan of the durability and how well it works at keeping our water ice cold. The icing on the cake? The Rambler is dishwasher safe.

It was hard to decide between YETI and Hydro Flask for best overall bottle. Hydro Flask has been our go-to insulated bottle for years and in order and as the old adage goes “if it’s not broken don’t fix it.” In order to surpass Hydro Flask in our ranking, a water bottle manufacturer would have to create something that really stood out. The YETI Rambler came close. With a chug cap that allows you to use it as a narrow or wide mouth bottle, some folks may prefer YETI over Hydro Flask but with the added weight of the cap and bottle, we still prefer the more sleek Hydro Flask.

Pros: Lightweight, built-in straw. Cons: Not as durable as stainless-steel.

Durable: 7Leakproof: 8Drink Test: 9Overall: 8/10

CamelBak is well known for their backpack style hydration packs, but they also make great water bottles. The Eddy+ Renew Water Bottle is made from 50% recycled material and is free from BPA, BPS, and BFT chemicals. The odor and stain-resistant cap comes with a built-in straw and the whole thing is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean. As is true for most bottles with straw style lids, this bottle isn’t as leakproof as its strawless counterparts, but it is pretty darn reliable. For a plastic bottle, the Eddy+ is pretty durable, but it’s not nearly as solid as a stainless-steel bottle. I like how lightweight this bottle is for when I’m packing a backpack and want to cut down on weight.

Pros: Versatile cap, made from recycled plastic. Cons: Heavy for a non-insulated bottle, expensive.

Durable: 10Leakproof: 9Drink Test: 10Overall: 9.7/10

YETI has really been stepping up their game when it comes to drinkware. The Yonder water bottle is case-in-point. The Yonder is made from BPA-free 50% recycled plastic and is 50% lighter than YETI’s Rambler bottles. The Yonder comes in four different size options: 20 oz., 25 oz., 34 oz., and 50 oz. The Yonder is lightweight and reliably leakproof. The lid on the Yonder is super unique, as it allows you to use th50e bottle as a wide or narrow mouth bottle, according to your preference. While the cap is versatile, it is on the heavy side. Luckily, YETI recently released their Yonder Tether Cap, which significantly reduced the weight. While the YETI water bottle is awesome and incredibly durable, it finished just behind Nalgene for un-insulated bottles due to the price and weight. While some may prefer the versatile cap and variety of size options that YETI offers, the classic and affordable Nalgene is a hard one to beat.

Pros: Built-in straw, slim design fits in cup holders. Cons: Not recommended for hot beverages.

Durable: 9Leakproof: 9Drink Test: 9Overall: 9/10

Made from 90% postconsumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel, the Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated bottle is sustainable, durable, and reliable. The Leakproof Twist cap has a built-in reusable straw and a TK Closure internal thread design to ensure it doesn’t leak. I found that it was leakproof the majority of the time, but with the built-in straw it was more prone to leaking than other options. While the bottle is durable and won’t break, I dropped it as soon as I got it and dented it (but it remained functional). The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps beverages cold for days and the slim design of the bottle allows it to fit in cup holders for easy transport. If you’re not a fan of the lid design, Klean Kanteen has four compatible low-profile caps you can easily swap it for a different one.

Pros: 25% lighter than original model, insulated. Cons: Limited size and color options.

Durable: 9Leakproof: 10Drink Test: 9Overall: 9.3/10

The Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum water bottle is giving the classic Hydro Flask a run for its money. Apart of Hydro Flask’s “Trail Series,” the Lightweight bottle is 25% lighter than the original 32 oz. Hydro Flask, making it much more packable for hiking and traveling. We assumed the weight cut down would take away from the insulation, but the bottle still keeps liquids cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. The honeycomb wide-mouth cap features a slightly more streamlined design than the original cap but is still leakproof and insulated. The only knock on this bottle as opposed to the original line of Hydro Flask is that it isn’t available in as many colors or size options. And while well made, it doesn’t seem quite as durable as the original model. As Hydro Flask expands their line to include more options, I could see this surpassing the original design. Also, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty, which is incredible.

Pros: Unbreakable glass interior ensures drinks remain pure. Cons: Not dishwasher safe.

Durable: 9Leakproof: 9Drink Test: 9Overall: 9/10

Purist wasn’t a brand that was on my radar until recently, but I’m glad I discovered them. The insulated Founder Vacuum Water Bottle keeps drinks cold for 25 hours or hot for 12. Made from surgical grade 18/8 stainless steel, the bottle is plenty durable and the unbreakable glass finish ensures your beverages taste pure. The top is insulated to further improve heat retention and includes a handle for carrying convenience. The entire thing is leakproof and the bottle comes in sleek, neutral colors for a sophisticated look.

Pros: Includes hand strap, great for workouts. Cons: Small, not the best option for daily use.

Durable: 8Leakproof: 8Drink Test: 9Overall: 8.3/10

While Nathan’s QuickSqueeze Handheld Water Bottle wouldn’t be my top pick of bottle for daily use, but it’s a great option for running, hiking, or anytime you need some hydration on the go. The bottle is insulated and designed for an easy squeeze, so you can get a quick burst of fluid while moving. The hand strap is adjustable and the TPU grip ensures the bottle won’t slip around, even when your palms are sweaty. The bottle includes a small zippered pouch for stashing essentials and a phone pocket so you can always stay connected. The QuickSqueeze is comfortable in your hand, doesn’t leak, and has just the amount of liquid to keep you hydrated during workouts without slowing you down.

Pros: Built-in filter.Cons: A little harder to drink out of.

Durable: 8Leakproof: 9Drink Test: 7Overall: 8/10

LifeStraw is an incredible invention, but using one while on the move isn’t incredibly practical. Until now. The LifeStraw Go Series allows you to do exactly as the name suggests: drink filtered water while on the go. Made from 50% postconsumer recycled plastic, the bottle has a built-in two-stage filter that protects against 99.99% of bacteria while helping to reduce chlorine, odors, and organic chemical matter. The filter lasts for up to 1,000 gallons or five years of daily use. The straw is a little harder than a normal straw to suck up water through, but it works pretty well and I love knowing that I’m drinking filtered water everywhere I go.

Pros: Lightweight and collapsible, built-in filter. Cons: Not super durable, not ideal for daily use.

Durable: 6Leakproof: 7Drink Test: 10Overall: 7.7/10

I first discovered Katadyn when I was planning a Na Pali coast backpacking trip and needed a solution for filtering creek water. The Katadyn BeFree is a super lightweight collapsible bottle that has a built-in filter. The 0.1 micron microfilter removes protozoa (99.99%) and bacteria (99.9999%) to EPA standards, so you can easily drink filtered water from the creek or the tap. The bottle is easy to use, filters quickly, and is tested to 1,000 liters. This bottle isn’t my favorite for daily use because it tips over easily and leaks if you don’t have the cap screwed on properly, but it’s an awesome option for backpacking.

Pros: Made from sustainable sugarcane, has a built-in filter. Cons: Small, a little challenging to drink out of.

Durable: 8Leakproof: 8Drink Test: 6Overall: 7.3/10

There are a lot of pros and cons to the Water-To-Go Purifier Filter Bottle. For starters, the bottle is incredibly sustainable—it’s made from 100% ethically harvested sugar cane. The result is a soft yet durable plastic that feels good to hold. The bottle is easy to use: You simply fill it with water and drink. The filter cleans water in seconds, purifying the water as you drink and removing viruses, bacteria, parasites, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics. While we love that the Water-To-Go bottle quickly filters water, it does take a little work to get the water to come through and is not as relaxed of a drinking experience as some other bottles. Although we didn’t have any issues with leaking, based on the style cap we worry there could be issues down the road. The bottle comes with a 75cl filter, capable of filtering 53 gallons of water (last roughly three months). When compared with the LifeStraw Go Series filtered bottle which can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water it’s minimal, so something to consider. This bottle is definitely on the small side, so it’s easy to travel with but you’ll also be refilling it a lot if you plan to use it for hiking or backpacking—we think it would be a better fit for a kid than an adult.

Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you that I always have a water bottle with me. And it’s always a reusable bottle, because single use bottles are terrible for the environment. To test out the water bottles on our list, I spent some time with each of them. I tossed them in backpacks, took them on hikes and to the beach, examined their features, flipped them around to see how leakproof they were, washed them in the dishwasher, etc.

Doing an insulation test with some of the bottles on our list. Photo: Rebecca Parsons

To really get a true sense for each of these bottles, I even took my testing one step further and did an insulation test. I filled each of the bottles with water and ten ice cubes and left them for 24 hours to see if the water stayed cold. After 24 hours, all of the ice cubes melted, but the water was still cold in the insulated bottles. It was warm in the non-insulated bottles. I also filled each of the bottles with boiling water and left them overnight for 12-hours. None of the bottles, not even the insulated ones kept the water hot for that length of time. However, they were perfect for keeping water hot for my morning commute. I did find that all of the bottles were pretty true to the length of time they advertised that they were able to keep beverages hot or cold.

Durable

As we mentioned before, we take our water bottle everywhere meaning it comes with us hiking, camping, traveling, and paddling. Because we take our bottle on all of our adventures, we want something that is durable enough to withstand some bangs and tumbles.

When looking at water bottles, insulated bottles may seems like the more durable option as they’re typically made from stainless steel and non-insulated bottles are made from plastic. However, as counterintuitive as it may seem, non-insulated bottles are usually the most durable option. Insulated bottles ding and dent easily when dropped and while they don’t break, they can look pretty beat up. Non-insulated bottles, like the Nalgene, are virtually indestructible (save for the lid). Drop em, toss them, and let them bump around in your back and the worst damage you’re likely to acquire is a scrap.

My college Nalgene, post being run over by a car. Photo: Karina Donskoy

Leakproof

As a kid, I remember my water bottles leaking constantly. Maybe it was user error, but I think it’s safe to say that water bottle technology has improved a lot since the 90s. I regularly stash my water bottle in my backpack alongside my computer and book, so it’s critical that I have a water bottle that is leakproof.

Drink Test

Have you ever had a water bottle with a built-in straw that’s a battle every time you go to take a drink of water? I have and that is not what I’m looking for. I want a bottle that is easy and enjoyable to drink out of and ideally, won’t result in half of the bottle spilling down the front of my shirt.

Hydro Flasks are our top pick for water bottles. Photo: Rebecca Parsons

Filters

Some water bottles have built-in filters. Some are minimalistic filters that will help filter out bacteria and sediments from your tap water, while others, like the LifeStraw bottle, are heavy-duty and can be used to make river water drinkable. Depending on how you plan on using your bottle, a filter can be a nice addition. Filters typically make the water bottle more expensive, though, so we’d probably only purchase one if we planned on using it for camping/backpacking or international travel where the tap isn’t drinkable.

Handles

It’s nice if your water bottle has a built-in handle or other attachment point for a carabiner. Although it’s not essential, it’s a great bonus feature that makes it easier to carry your bottle around. If your bottle doesn’t come with a handle, there are also some water bottle holders like The North Face Borealis Water Bottle Holder or the YETI Rambler Bottle Sling that are a good substitute.

The Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle is the ultimate water bottle: It’s insulated, durable, has a convenient carrying handle, and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Price: $50

Buy Now

Cleaning

Cleaning is something you might not think of when purchasing a water bottle, but you should. If your bottle is super narrow, it’s going to be more challenging to clean and you’ll need a brush of some sort to reach all the nooks and crannies. It’s also worthy to note if your bottle is dishwasher safe — big plus in our book if it is. We’ve found that a lot of water bottles that aren’t advertised as dishwasher safe still do just fine in the dishwasher, but do it at your own risk as there’s no guarantee that running it through a spin cycle won’t damage your bottle.

Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.