Why You Should Choose a Reusable Water Bottle
Hydration is an important part of our daily lives. Single-use plastic water bottles are common, but they also contribute to the amount of plastic waste in landfills. Reusable water bottles are a durable, eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic. With a reusable bottle, you’ll reduce plastic waste, save money and know where your water’s coming from.
There are many different water bottles to choose from. Before you buy, there are several features to consider, including how you’ll use the bottle and how much water it’ll hold.
Intended Uses for Reusable Water Bottles
One of the first things to consider before purchasing a water bottle is its intended use. How you plan to use it could help you decide what type of material that you want. Do you plan to use it exclusively around the house? Do you lead an active lifestyle and want to use your bottle for sports activities? If the gym is your second home, do you need to be able to chug water as you get fit? If yardwork or gardening is your passion, do you need a water bottle to help you stay hydrated? Below are just a few uses for reusable water bottles, but your water bottle should be personal to you and your needs, so choose carefully.
If you want a water bottle for everyday use — like using it while at home, walking the dog or working at the office — and not for the sports field, allow the bottle to be an expression of yourself. Go for a bottle that reflects your style and personality. Whether sleek and sophisticated or bold and colorful, you can find the best water bottle for you that combines form and function.
For hikers, travelers and backpackers, collapsible bottles are a great option when weight is a concern. These water bottles are light and, once empty, can be collapsed and packed away so they take up little space. Collapsible water bottles also make travelling through an airport a little easier.
Runners may have use for small, handheld water bottles that are comfortable and a better ergonomic fit than other types of water bottles.
Make sure your water bottle is dishwasher-safe. Some water bottles can only be washed by hand.
Water Bottle Materials
Plastic water bottles are lightweight and shatter-resistant. They’re the most popular water bottles and are good for everyday use. However, plastic water bottles aren’t safe when using hot liquids.
Glass water bottles are sustainable and keep your water fresh without the risk of chemicals contaminating the water. However, they’re the heaviest of all materials and are prone to breakage. The weight also makes them unsuitable for carrying while doing activities like hiking, running or biking. Look for glass water bottles that incorporate silicone sleeves that not only offer protection from breakage but also an easy grip. Glass is the best choice when you want the pure taste of the water, not a metallic or plastic aftertaste.
Stainless steel water bottles are available in single- and double-wall varieties. Both types are durable, resistant to rust and mold, dishwasher-safe, and likely to last a lifetime. Single-wall water bottles offer no insulation. For everyday use, insulated stainless steel water bottles are likely your best option. Their flexibility means they’re suitable for hot and cold drinks. Because they’re double walled, they maintain the liquid’s temperature better than single-walled bottles.
Aluminum water bottles are another option to consider. They’re lightweight and sustainable, but they don’t provide insulation. They’re also not a good choice for hot beverages. Aluminum water bottles are great for traveling, running, biking, hiking and participating in other sports.
Some water bottle materials contain bisphenol A, or BPA, which is a toxic chemical that can affect your health. Be sure to look for water bottles that are labeled BPA free.
Water Bottle Openings
One of the most important features of a water bottle is the opening.
A narrow-mouth opening works well when you don’t want liquid to splash on you while you’re moving. Although the opening is not as broad as the wide-mouth opening, you can still add ice to the bottle with relative ease.
Wide-mouth bottles are easy to drink from when you’re stationary. They’re also easy to add ice to and clean. They give you the feeling of drinking from a cup, but lids mean you can take them on the go. Many wide-mouth bottles are compatible with water filters. Add a wide-cap loop — a cap designed to clip onto a backpack, belt or harness — and you have a bottle that’s easy to carry.
Some water bottles have angled spouts that provide a high flow of water without spilling or sloshing.
Water Bottle Lids
Water bottle lids are available in a variety of types. Many manufacturers will carry a range of compatible lids to fit their water bottles, giving you the option to switch things up. Look for an oversized handle on the lid to make the bottle easy to hold and carry.
Nozzle lids are small, short straws that minimize splashing. Some lids incorporate a bite-valve straw that requires you to bite down on it to get the water flowing, preventing you from having to tilt your head upward to drink. The valve helps prevent spills and makes it easy to sip from when you’re out and about. Nozzle lids may not be the best choice for athletes who want to be able to drink their water quickly.
Screw-top lids are common on wide-mouth bottles, which makes them ideal for athletes who want to splash themselves after a long run or a game of soccer. They make the bottle easy to drink from, too. Screw-top lids are leakproof when screwed on properly and are easy to clean.
Push-and-pull lids are the most popular choice for sports bottles. Sports teams and athletes prefer this type since it avoids the need for them to have to unscrew a lid. They have a push-and-pull spout that’s short, cylindrical and typically ridged so that you can easily pull it up with your teeth, making it easy to drink from or squirt water on yourself. Push-and-pull lids are leakproof when properly pushed in.
Flip-top lids have spouts that make drinking an easy feat. This is a great choice when working out or when you don’t want a deluge of water. The spout is easy to flip open and wide enough to sip from. Some flip-top lids are leakproof.
Some lids contain a carbon filtration system that removes impurities in the water. Other lids come with straw spouts that feature removable straws designed to make it quick and easy for you to hydrate.
When using an insulated water bottle for hot liquids, look for lids with small openings to prevent spills that can cause burns.
Water Bottle Capacity
A water bottle’s capacity depends on the size of the bottle, but there are a few things you want to keep in mind. How often will you refill it? Do you need a bottle that won’t weigh you down when filled with water? Knowing what you’ll be using the water bottle for will help determine the right size.
- Small water bottles — those that hold about 6 to 8 ounces of water — are most commonly used by long distance runners since they’re small enough to fit in a runner’s holster. Bottles that hold 12 to 16 ounces of liquid are also considered small. These are portable, easy to transport, and great for commuting, using at work, or for sipping on a hot or cold beverage while at home.
- At 20 ounces, the extra capacity in a medium water bottle makes a difference when you’re on the go or want to make fewer trips for a refill. Even when it’s an insulated bottle, a 20-ounce water bottle is also portable and easy to carry. Hikers will find a medium water bottle manageable, and they also make a good choice when lounging at home, working at the office and traveling.
- For the fitness-minded people and day-trippers, large, 32-ounce water bottles are the way to go. This size helps with staying hydrated, but keep in mind that, when full, this bottle can weigh you down.
- Another popular option for fitness and athletic training is the extra-large 40-ounce bottle. While it might be too large to tote around all day, it’s a great choice to keep on your desk at work, for picnics or for long day trips.
Insulated or Single-Wall Water Bottles
Insulated water bottles keep your liquids at your preferred drinking temperature. That means your hot liquids stay hot for up to 12 hours, and cold liquids stay cold for up to 24 hours. Insulated water bottles consist of two inner steel walls separated by a vacuum that acts as a barrier to prevent heat transfer. Insulated water bottles don’t sweat, and they give you a secure, slip-free grip when you’re on the move.
Single-wall water bottles only have one layer of stainless steel, which makes them lightweight. They’re very durable and hold more liquid than an insulated bottle of the same size. However, they don’t hold their temperature as long as their insulated counterparts.
If you’re unsure whether your water bottle is insulated, try filling it with boiling water and securing the lid tightly. Wait two or three minutes, then touch the lower bottom of the cup. If it’s warm, your water bottle isn’t offering the best insulating protection.
Water Bottles With Bells and Whistles
Self-cleaning water bottles use ultraviolet technology to neutralize odor-causing bacteria and kill viruses and other microorganisms. They make your water safer and cleaner to drink and even improve the water’s smell, taste and clarity.
Water bottles with filters have a built-in filtration system that purifies tap water by trapping sediment and many harmful pathogens. Some filtered water bottles have the filter integrated within the straw so you get purified water with every sip.
Smart water bottles have an array of cool features, including built-in Bluetooth speakers, smartphone compatibility, visual cues for you to drink and the ability to sync with your fitness tracker.
Travel Mugs
The name says it all. Travel mugs are designed to make it easy for those on the go to enjoy their favorite beverage. Some travel mugs are made of plastic, but many are made of double-walled stainless steel that’s great for temperature control. They’ll keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Travel mugs have sipping ports in the lid that typically slide to open and close, although some models contain a large button just under the sipping port that opens and closes the port when depressed. The best travel mugs fit most standard car cup holders and are leak- and spill-proof. Many travel mugs have convenient handles so you can transport them easily.
A Few Things to Consider
- A water bottle that’s powder-coated or has a matte finish will be easy to grip.
- A silicone base helps the water bottle stay in place on a table or in a cup holder.
- Slim bottles will easily fit into cup holders, side pockets, backpacks, golf bags and more.
- Look for bottles with a carabiner clip to easily attach the bottle to a belt loop, backpack and more.
- For easy cleaning, look for bottles that are dishwasher-safe.
- Built-in loophole handles make it easy to carry the water bottle.
- If you like to chug while you commute, you’ll appreciate a water bottle that fits in your car’s cup holder.
- Carrying handles that are sturdy and durable make it easy to transport your bottle when you’re on the go.