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Jun 30, 2025

The 8 Best Insulated Water Bottles, According to Our Tests

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Stay hydrated with these durable stainless steel bottles that keep drinks hot or

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Stay hydrated with these durable stainless steel bottles that keep drinks hot or cold for hours.

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Food & Wine

Not sure whether to invest in an insulated water bottle? We say yes. Not only do reusable water bottles keep, on average, 156 plastic bottles per American out of landfills each year, we even have proof that tap water is safer to drink than bottled. Plus, if you like keeping water ice-cold on the go, an insulated bottle is worth it. Unlike other reusable bottles, insulated water bottles use a combination of double-wall construction, material, and vacuum insulation to prevent heat transfer (or, keep drinks frosty or warm drinks piping hot for hours).

Not only are many of them surprisingly chic, insulated water bottles are thoughtfully designed to provide durable, leakproof performance during a range of activities and finished with details like carrying handles or silicone boots to prevent tipping.

We tested popular picks from YETI, Owala, Stanley, Hydro Flask, and more to find the best picks for commuting, casual sipping, and working out. Our editors guzzled gallons of water over the course of a month, purposefully dropping, washing, and shaking them to evaluate watertightness, temperature retention, ease of cleaning, and comfort of use. We’re sharing pros, cons, and other insights from our testing to help you find the right insulated water bottle for you.

Our top pick is the YETI Rambler 26 ounce Water Bottle with Chug Cap for its solid construction and comfortable, clear chug cap, both of which make for easy refilling and comfortable sipping. If you’re wondering, we also love the Owala for its versatile, two-way mouthpiece that lets you swig or sip.

Durable and sturdy, this sleek bottle from YETI is a versatile pick for everyday use, elevated with thoughtful details like a clear chug cap and exterior lid that make for easy filling and a comfortable drinking experience.

A minor quibble, but unscrewing the interior chug cap and the exterior handled lid simultaneously for refilling required extra effort, as the chug cap seals against leaks so thoroughly.

YETI’s drinkware is a trusted brand for a reason, so it was no surprise that its 26-ounce Rambler aced our tests. Made from 18/8 stainless steel — a strong, non-reactive steel grade used in kitchenware — the bottle is double-walled and vacuum-insulated to guard against heat transfer. In our testing, cold drinks in particular maintained their temperature remarkably well: A bottle of water, initially at 32°F, measured 32.2°F six hours later.

We particularly liked the two-part lid. The black exterior lid, complete with a convenient handle, unscrews to reveal a comfortable chug cap. The chug cap comes off so you can easily fill the bottle with beverages and ice or sip directly from the smooth, stainless steel rim of the bottle. And the thoughtful construction of the clear chug cap meant we could easily check how much water was left in the bottle at any given time. Best of all, the YETI is completely leakproof with the lids screwed on tightly — the chug cap is lined with silicone gaskets on the inside to prevent drips.

Dishwasher-safe, the bottle’s powder coat resisted scuffs, scratches, and dents during testing — even after dropping the bottle, a part of our testing, the bottle looked brand new. We found that it fits in a car cupholder, but it’s worth checking the YETI’s dimensions for slimmer holders or bicycle bottle cages.

Capacity: 26 ounces | Material: Powder-Coated Stainless Steel | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature Retention: Not specified | Leakproof: Yes

The lid features one-handed functionality, making it a great choice for use while commuting or on the go, and its double-walled design provides excellent insulation.

The ello Pop isn’t suitable for hot beverages, and if you choose to handwash the bottle, a bottle brush is required to fit inside the slim build.

Made from powder-coated, double-walled stainless steel, the 22-ounce ello Pop is built with functional details that belie its affordable price tag. The ello Pop comes with a plastic lid and straw, as well as a silicone mouthpiece connected to the straw to sip from. We particularly liked its tall, narrow build that slid easily into car cup holders (this also makes the ello Pop a good choice for anyone with smaller hands or mobility issues, as the slim build is comfortable to grip).

The lid is designed with one-handed functionality for easy sipping: Simply press the button on the lid, which pops the cover off the straw. Or, for quick and easy refills, push the top up to reveal the rim of the bottle without having to unscrew the whole thing. Not only is the lid leakproof despite being configurable into multiple styles, the lid has a built-in failsafe, a locking feature that prevents the top from flipping open to the wide mouth of the bottle, protecting from accidental spills. Plus, the lid has a handle attached for easy carrying. We also liked that you don’t need to switch between multiple lids for different sipping styles.

The powder coating on the bottle only suffered minor scuffs on the very bottom during testing, but we were pleased to note how leakproof the lid was, despite its multiple configurations — it even withstood shaking and being turned upside down. The entire bottle does break down and go into the dishwasher, but note that the nooks and crannies around the straw may need additional attention by hand.

Capacity: 22 ounces | Material: Powder-Coated Stainless Steel, Silicone, Plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature Retention: 20+ hours | Leakproof: Yes

We loved the BruMate’s metal straw body, clever rotating lid, and sleek monochrome design.

The BruMate is not suitable for hot or carbonated beverages, and the bottle is not fully dishwasher-safe.

Made from enameled steel with a unique “TwistSip” lid design, the BruMate Rotera impressed us during testing. The 25-ounce body comes with a comfortable, removable silicone sleeve that absorbed impact during our drop test, preventing denting or scuffing. And, available in a range of colors, we found this subtle, sleek bottle one of the most attractive that we tested.

The TwistSip lid is built so that you don’t have to touch the straw top with your fingers to drink — a boon for the germ-conscious. To use, rotate a ring (stacked right above the horizontal carry handle) that allows the mouthpiece to pop up. We found that this worked seamlessly in testing. While the mouthpiece is made of plastic, we liked that the straw body inside the bottle body is made of stainless steel, an innovation that prevents extended exposure of plastic to drinking water. Plus, the BruMate didn’t leak at all, whether turned upside down or shaken — the interior gasket makes an especially tight seal.

Our complaints are few. If you tilt the straw even slightly out of the drinking position, its suction will cut off, but we found that the straw stays pretty firmly in place once opened. Also, the bottle body is the only piece that is explicitly top-shelf, dishwasher-safe, making the bottle effectively hand-wash only.

Capacity: 25 ounces | Material: Enameled Steel, Silicone, Plastic, Stainless Steel | Dishwasher-safe: Partially | Temperature Retention: 24+ hours | Leakproof: Yes

Dishwasher-safe and built with one of our favorite straws, we were impressed with how well the Hydro Flask stood up to damage during rigorous testing.

The Hydro Flask did drip very slightly during one of our tests.

Hydro Flask’s enameled metal water bottle comes with a removable straw, which makes it easy to clean — and one of our favorite features in this classic bottle. The 24-ounce body fits easily into cupholders for easy drinking on the go. And, emblazoned with the iconic logo, the bottle comes in a variety of colorways.

The straw’s mouthpiece flips open or shut with a gentle push or pull of a plastic tab. (One detail to note: If the straw isn’t in its fully open position, suction is cut off, a safeguard against leaking.) We were impressed that even dropping the bottle on concrete didn’t chip or scratch the Hydro Flask’s enamel coating. While the bottle was largely leakproof, it dripped slightly when turned upside down and shaken — we recommend transporting it in a bag compartment or sleeve rather than loose in a backpack or purse.

While other bottles we tested slightly outperformed the bottle’s temperature retention, we found that cold water lost only a single degree of frostiness after six hours. An additional bonus: All the parts are dishwasher-safe.

Capacity: 24 ounces | Material: Enameled Stainless Steel, Plastic, Silicone | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature Retention: 24 hours | Leakproof: Yes, mostly

The bottle’s ceramic lining was key to keeping water icy or piping hot for hours, and protecting against our water picking up even a hint of metallic flavor.

The RTIC packs a punch in terms of heft — be prepared to lug over 3 pounds around when it’s full.

RTIC’s 32-ounce Outback Bottle impressed us with how steady it maintained water temperature: Ice water added to the bottle around noon was teeth-chatteringly cold at midnight, and hot water was still steaming hours later when we checked its temperature. The water bottle body is metal with a temperature-preserving ceramic interior lining, while the lid is made of plastic and lined with a rubber gasket for watertightness. The lid is finished with a hinged loop handle that makes for easy carrying, as well as a flip-top that locks into place so you can drink easily.

We were impressed by how leakproof the RTIC was — the bottle didn’t lose a drop even when lying sideways or at a random angle in a bag. Plus, the bottle is so sturdy, we were more concerned about damage to our floors during a drop test than whether the bottle would be dented (a grippy silicone ring at the base limits the bottle’s sliding and tipping). The lid comes apart easily for easy washing, and the bottle is dishwasher-safe, although we opted to hand-wash to prevent the lid’s plastic strap from fraying as long as possible.

Given the composition of the bottle, it is one of the heavier ones we tested — completely full, it clocks in at over 3 pounds — but worth it if you’re in the market for something that will keep drinks hot or cold for hours. Plus, the ceramic lining safeguards against any metallic taste lingering in the water.

Capacity: 32 ounces | Material: Stainless Steel, Ceramic, Rubber, Plastic, Silicone | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature Retention: 24 hours for cold drinks, 6 hours for hot drinks | Leakproof: Yes

The silicone chug cap is extremely comfortable to use, and the modern colorways were some of our favorites.

We tested a white model, and the pale coating did smudge slightly by the end of testing.

The 25-ounce Camelbak stood out for its silicone chug cap. Unlike hard plastic versions, the bendy silicone mouthpiece — cut about an inch wide — conformed to our mouth for a genuinely comfortable drinking experience..

Once the mouthpiece is screwed in tightly, the bottle is leakproof; it didn’t drip and the bottle stayed firmly closed during our drop test as well. The double-walled stainless steel body and plastic lid can go into the dishwasher, and we were confident that the bottle came out squeaky clean after every dishwasher cycle. Aesthetically, the Camelbak was one of our favorites: The monotone colorways feel modern and chic, without any black accessories breaking up the design, and the handle makes carrying the bottle a breeze.

Capacity: 25 ounces | Material: Stainless Steel, Silicone, Plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature Retention: Not specified | Leakproof: Yes

The handled lid not only makes taking the bottle on the go easy, it has a groove for your cap to clip into so you won’t lose it.

We loved this bottle — no negatives to report, but we’ll keep using it.

The 24-ounce Stanley IceFlow has one of the most interesting handle constructions we’ve come across in dozens of insulated water bottles. While the bottle itself is made from powder-coated stainless steel, the handle is made from steel and BPA-free plastic recycled from discarded fishing nets. The handle folds in and out of a carrying position; it’s built to make taking the cup on the go as easy as possible, and when you aren’t carrying it, the bottle fits comfortably in a car cup holder, as well as a treadmill cup holder.

The bottle comes with two lid options: a fast-flow lid and a smaller screw top. We found the angled fast-flow lid very comfortable to sip from, whether we were working out, on the go, or driving. The bottle body also stood up to dropping and leak tests, passing both with flying colors. It also aced keeping cold drinks chilly — cold water dropped 0.1 degree in an hour — and was on par with other bottles that could hold hot water as well.

We loved a few things about this bottle. Its sporty, lightweight construction (Stanley dubs their proprietary make AeroLight) and comfortable carry handle make for excellent on-the-go use. While we did initially worry that a small cap that unscrews completely would get lost, Stanley saves the day with another commuter-friendly innovation: the cap fits snugly into a groove in the handle when not in use, almost like a paperclip.

Capacity: 24 ounces | Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature Retention: 8 hours for cold drinks, 40 hours for iced drinks | Leakproof: Yes

The cleverly designed lid offers two styles of sipping.

It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but we didn’t love the small, rigid handle for carrying.

The 24-ounce Owala beat out several well-made water bottles to earn its Most Versatile nod. Its mid-range capacity works equally well for casual all-day sipping or the gym. We were fans of its multi-layered lid: The Patented FreeSip spout offers bigger swigs through its larger opening, or use just the front of the mouthpiece to sip through the built-in straw (the straw was particularly convenient in exercise settings).

Made from triple-layered steel, the bottle didn’t dent or scuff easily when dropped. And if the lid was locked in place (it pops open with the release of a push button), we found that it was fully leakproof as well. The bottle transitioned easily from the car cup holder to yoga class to casual desk sipping, thanks to its double-mouth option, which made it easy to sip from, and its grooved body, which made it easy to grip. And Owala’s diverse colorways, from neons to pastels to neutrals, match a range of styles.

We’ll keep using the flip-top lid to see how long it takes for the spring mechanism to wear out, as it already took a solid press to pop it open and click it securely shut. The straw also doesn’t release for thorough cleaning, so that’s one area to be mindful of as you keep your bottle tidy. And if you’re looking for a little extra protection from wear and tear for your bottle, try the clever accessory that Owala fans have been using to keep their bottles scuff– and scratch–free.

Capacity: 24 ounces | Material: Plastic, Silicone, Stainless Steel | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, partially — the lid can go into the dishwasher, but the cup cannot | Temperature Retention: 24 hours | Leakproof: Yes

We incorporated insulated water bottles into our regular routines for a month to see how they held up to our tests and daily use. To assess temperature retention, we filled the bottle with a cold beverage and compared its temperature when filled to that of an hour later (as an additional data point, many of our editors also measured the temperature again 6 to 12 hours after that). We did the same with a hot beverage where applicable. We also flipped a full bottle upside down to test for leaks and dripping, dropped it from a height of at least 4 feet to assess any damage or leaks, and traveled with it in a car to see if it fit in a standard cup holder. To round out our testing, we cleaned the insulated water bottles according to manufacturer instructions regularly to assess how effectively they were sanitized, as well as wear and tear.

The name of the game with an insulated water bottle’s performance is design and material. While almost all of the bottles we tested used double-walled stainless steel for the cup, were they finished with a matte powder coating? Or lined with ceramic, like the RTIC? These differences not only affect grip and weight, but limit “sweating” (the condensation that beads on the outside of a bottle containing cold liquid). Capacity is similarly relevant: a smaller, slimmer bottle, like the 22-ounce ello Pop, may go easily from car to bicycle to gym to desk, while the larger 32-ounce RTIC packs more heft but requires less frequent refills. You should also think about the lid: whether you prefer a loop or handle to aid with portability, or a chug cap or a pop-up straw to sip from, the lid is one of the factors that most affects your daily drinking experience.

Leakproof — and drip-proof — performance is a key consideration when taking a bottle on the go. That, and material that’s shatter– or dent–resistant (if not, look for an add-on like a silicone boot, neoprene sleeve, or carrying strap to keep scuffs at bay). Another key detail is whether or not the lid stays sealed or flips open when dropped.

If you take cold water on the go, most insulated water bottles are competitive in terms of how long they can keep drinks chilly. If you prefer warm beverages, however, that rules out a few options that aren’t suitable for hot liquid.

Keeping insulated water bottles clean is one of the most controversial topics on the internet lately — and the biggest determinant of how much you may actually use your new bottle. If you would prefer a model that goes entirely in the dishwasher, it’s worth making sure that a dishwasher-friendly bottle doesn’t come with stipulations about the lid or accessories. Also, if you’re squeamish about straws or other nooks and crannies, a bottle with a chug cap or removable straw might be the one for you.

While a spin through the dishwasher may take care of surface-level cleaning, we like an occasional breakdown of the bottle into all its component parts — especially gasket-sealed lids — and a deep clean with a brush set. (Dry completely before reassembling.)

Dr. Andrew Edwards, a molecular microbiologist from Imperial College of London, assured us, however, that washing your water bottle frequently may not be as big of a concern as many of us think. He suggests washing your bottle once daily with warm soapy water, and when asked about the risks of insufficient washing, he says, “It’s very unlikely to be dangerous [in terms of falling ill], but it could become unpleasant to use in terms of taste and odor.”

He does add, however, that “It’s very hard to properly clean straws. I would flush them with warm soapy water and then rinse.” If your water bottle comes with a straw, consider adding this step beyond the dishwasher cycle.

Yes! If a bottle is made from 18/8, food-grade stainless steel, then it’s perfectly safe to drink from on a daily basis.

Dents, cracks, leaking, or scratches — or other wear and tear to the shell — are surefire signs that your bottle needs replacing. On average, expect to replace your water bottle every 6 to 12 months as a good practice. This ensures that insulating materials continue to perform effectively, preventing bacteria, mold, or fungi from contaminating your drinking water in any crevices. Most manufacturers offer generous warranties, but will not replace bottles for cosmetic wear and tear.

Anything that can compromise the bottle body: acidic liquids like some fruit juices, corrosive substances like salty drinks, most dairy, and carbonated beverages, which can cause pressure to build up and damage the bottle. When in doubt, check manufacturer instructions.

Some manufacturers sell tablets that refresh the stainless steel interiors and should eliminate any odors or stains.

Yes, even on planes. Empty your bottle before the security checkpoint and refill it at a water station or fountain once you’re in the terminal.

Takeya Actives Water Bottle ($33 at Amazon)

A solid water bottle overall, the Takeya’s double-walled, powder-coated stainless steel bottle is a fine choice if you’re a fan of the design (or like a spout lid). Compared with the other options we tested, however, there wasn’t enough to recommend the Takeya over bottles with more refined features.

Klean Kanteen TKWide with Twist Cap ($35 at Amazon)

Even though we’re fans of Klean Kanteen’s environmentally conscious ethos, this water bottle fell short of the mark. Cold water and hot water struggled to maintain their temperature, and the 20-ounce capacity didn’t quite feel like it could hold enough without needing constant refills. Plus, the construction left a lot to be desired: The body of the bottle dented easily, ruling it out for physical activities where it might be bumped; the straw picked up lint and dust between uses; and the hard-to-clean lid leaked enough that we didn’t feel comfortable throwing it into a gym bag or purse.

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler ($35 at Amazon)

While we enjoyed the roomy, XL Stanley Quencher, it didn’t make our list for a variety of reasons — namely that it’s awkward to carry around, despite its handle, and is not completely leakproof (we noted dripping if the tumbler wasn’t entirely upright). Also, while the innovative FlowState lid offers a slot for sipping as well as a straw option, we found the hole awkward to sip from, given the Quencher’s heft and size.

While a popular pick with some of our editors’ families, the Thermos FUNtainer Water Bottle didn’t make it to our picks. The 12-ounce, kid-friendly bottle offers plenty of fun styles and is durable enough to withstand dropping with hardly a scratch, but ultimately, the bottle does not stand up to larger, higher-performing bottles. Brita’s Insulated Filtered Water Bottle, on the other hand, was on par with our picks in terms of size and functionality but lost points for an easily dented body and the hassle of having to replace the interior filter every 40 gallons (or two months).