The 12 best water bottles of 2024, tested and reviewed

Material: 18/8 stainless steel | Cap: Standard mouth, Wide mouth, Flex straw or Flex chug | Volume: 24, 32, 40 or 64 ounces

Topping our list is the Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle, offering resilience, practicality and — thanks to numerous cap and capacity options — customization. It was also one of the best insulated water bottles we tried.

The pliable loop on the cap made for agile carrying, while the Flex straw option provided quick access to water. The double-wall vacuum insulation kept our drinks cold for the promised 24 hours, and the entire water bottle proved dishwasher safe — making it easy to clean.

I've owned and used Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottles for several years and, despite countless drops and washing cycles, they remain leakproof and look like new, with no chipping or fading. Bonus: The brand offers coolers and other accessories in matching colors, including the roomy Hydro Flask Insulated Tote (my go-to), for those who like to coordinate.

Honorable mention: For a fixed handle, the Yeti Rambler ranks high for insulation, durability, versatility and accessories (plus, extensive colorways). I’ve used mine for several years and it remains in good condition. Yeti's equally tough and vibrant Jr. Rambler has also been a big hit with kids in my family.

Material: Glass with silicone sleeve | Cap: Active Flip | Volume: 12, 16 or 22 ounces

While glass bottles typically weigh more than their plastic and stainless steel counterparts, they have a lot going for them. They are non-reactive to any drink mixes or juices you might add, they're BPA-free and they'll never turn on you and start tasting like plastic or stainless steel after years of use. This guzzler from Lifefactory rose to the top as our favorite pick.

The Active Flip Cap easily flipped up (hence the name) and it clicked closed with a tight seal that proved leakproof. The full lid screws off to reveal a wide mouth that was easy to fill with ice cubes of all sizes.

A silicone sleeve (available in different hues) surrounds the bottle for less condensation and a better grip (especially important for breakable glass bottles) and there’s a sturdy yet movable strap for agile handling when on the move.

Of note: as with many other bottles on our list, all components of the Active Flip Cap Water Bottle are dishwasher-friendly, which makes it a breeze to clean.

Honorable mention: For a minimalist design, we also reviewed and now regularly use Waterdrop’s Glass Water Bottle. The brand offers different sizes and caps, along with colorful neoprene sleeves for another layer of cushioning and condensation-proofing.

Of note: as with many other bottles on our list, all components of the Active Flip Cap Water Bottle are dishwasher-friendly, which makes it a breeze to clean.

Honorable mention: For a minimalist design, we also reviewed and now regularly use Waterdrop’s Glass Water Bottle. The brand offers different sizes and caps, along with colorful neoprene sleeves for another layer of cushioning and condensation-proofing.

Material: Tritan plastic | Cap: Flip straw | Volume: 22 ounces

Securing our spot for the best travel water bottle is LifeStraw’s Go Water Bottle.

It has a lightweight yet durable Tritan plastic body with a carabiner that clips securely to your bags and luggage. The straw is easy to drink from and verifiably leakproof when closed.

The main draw, however, is the bottle’s integrated filtration system, which promises to protect against 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites. This feature is particularly helpful when charting new territory without access to a clean-water system, or when refilling at questionable airport water fountains.

The two-filter system incorporates an activated carbon filter and a membrane microfilter. The first lasts about 26 gallons, and the latter lasts up to 1,000 gallons, so you won’t have to worry about changing filters while traveling. Additionally, we appreciate the brand's commitment to clean water for all: For every purchase, the brand promises to donate one year of safe water to a child in need.

This is a great design to have on hand for upcoming trips, outdoor adventures and in case of emergency. Traveling light? LifeStraw sells collapsible water bottles and filtration straws for more compact stashing during crowded flights and longer hauls.

Material: Stainless steel | Cap: Spout Lid with Ice Blocker or Straw Lid | Volume: 22, 32, 40 or 64 ounces

Akin to Hydro Flask and Yeti, Takeya offers insulated water bottles that keep drinks cold and are easy to clean, plus interchangeable cap styles for evolving needs and growing families — but in a lower price range.

The durable, 22-ounce Takeya Sport Premium Insulated Water Bottle, in particular, fits comfortably in hand and has a spout-style lid with a built-in ice blocker for streamlined drinking, making it ideal for getting gulps in while playing sports or working out at the gym.

The lid twists off easily for quick fill-ups and has a carrying loop for maneuvering. A removable bumper helps protect against dings should you drop your bottle while running.

In our personal experience, the bottle is spill-proof when the lid is secure — meaning your gym bag won't get soggy — and is compatible with cup holders on treadmills and other workout equipment.

Material: 18/8 stainless steel | Cap: Flip straw | Volume: 20, 24, 30, 40, 64 or 96 ounces

Heritage brand Stanley has reentered the tumbler chat (more like expanded its social circles) with the help of some savvy marketing and limited-edition collections.

Like the ever-popular Stanley FlowState Quencher, the Stanley IceFlow’s canister is made of stainless steel for maximum durability, complete with double-wall vacuum insulation and available in a rainbow of shade combos.

Unlike the FlowState, the IceFlow proved 100% leak-proof with the flip straw folded (the FlowState lid can be closed with the straw removed but water can still trickle out when turned over). Because you can easily flip the IceFlow straw down when not in use, dirt and debris aren't as likely to get through. The foldable, flexible lid handle makes for compact packing and easy carrying, too.

Consider it a shoo-in for commutes, weekend trips and summer campouts. It's also tween-friendly: My 10-year-old niece and her schoolmates love the 20-ounce version for hydrating between classes and recreational activities.

Honorable mention: For a lower price point, the Bottle Bottle Insulated Water Bottle comes with double-wall insulation and an extended flip straw for sip precision. When properly sealed, it also didn't spill during our assessment.

Material: Stainless steel | Cap: FreeSip spout with locking lid | Volume: 16, 24, 32 or 40 ounces

Want the ability to toggle between a straw and a chug top? The Owala FreeSip offers the best of both worlds and is a Yahoo editor favorite for its versatility and temperature retention.

The hero feature is a patented 2-in-1 spout with a built-in straw for sipping and a wider opening for chugging. We were also fans of the push-button cap, which protected the spout and offered leak protection — even when tossed in a bag.

The FreeSip features vacuum-insulated stainless steel that kept our drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and we loved the varied color options. While technically dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends hand-washing the cup portion and avoiding hot liquids.

Material: Tritan plastic | Cap: Wide mouth, Narrow mouth, Lock top, Epic filter or MultiDrink with straw | Volume: 16, 24, 32, 38 or 48 ounces

For a straightforward plastic bottle option, the Nalgene Wide Mouth received high scores in our testing, namely for being so durable (made of impact-resistant, partially recycled Tritan plastic) and lightweight (only 6.3 ounces when empty).

The wide mouth of the bottle makes it easy to fill (ideally with some big ice cubes, as it isn’t insulated), easy to chug from and easy to clean. The ridged cap provides extra grip, ensuring a tight seal even with wet hands, and it includes a connecting loop that hooks to chains and carabiners. The bottle also has measurement lines for tracking your intake, plus filter caps for purification. 

Honorable mention: Pogo’s Plastic Water Bottle is another top-rated choice for a verifiably leakproof — in this case cup holder-friendly — design, complete with measurement marks and a gentle price tag. A loop on the cap makes it easy to carry and grab.

Material: Stainless steel | Cap: Flip straw | Volume: 17 or 25 ounces

If you have the money to splurge — or perhaps some loved ones to spoil — Larq's Insulated Filtered Water Bottle is a worthy investment.

According to the brand, the activated carbon in the two-layer filter traps contaminants like lead, chlorine, VOCs and other particulates, using a custom Nano Zero technology to latch on to heavy metals, so you have access to purified water — even from a garden hose.

Aside from its filtration element, which the brand recommends renewing every 40 gallons or two months, the Larq Water Bottle has a durable stainless steel canister and an environmentally friendly powder coat for added grip and sustainability.

An exterior cap offers additional leak protection and the bottle keeps drinks cold for hours, as confirmed in our evaluation. We also like that there's a carabiner for attaching the water bottle to a tote or backpack when commuting.

Honorable mention: For a budget-friendly option, Brita’s Stainless Steel Water Bottle is another solid yet less costly bet, offering insulation, filtration, plus leak- and spout protection. (Similar to Larq, you should aim to swap out the filter every two months or so.)

Material: Tritan plastic | Cap: Sports with locking lid | Volume: 32 ounces

This top-rated infuser water bottle from Hydracy, which is made of hard Tritan plastic and boasts a sizable internal basket that can fit a substantial amount of larger fruits (meaning less time spent chopping and a stronger flavor boost).

We gave it a whirl using strawberries, lemon wedges and mango slices and could taste the difference almost immediately with each. You can also shake the bottle — as we did in our testing, hence the whirl — to get the juices flowing: With the cap pushed down and the cover latched shut, it proved completely leakproof.

The basket portion is removable for regular water drinking and ease of cleaning (important, since everything is hand-wash only). Bonus: the bottle features subtle time markers along one side to help you stay motivated.

Material: 18/8 stainless steel | Cap: Original, Sports or Flip straw | Volume: 9, 17 or 25 ounces

While the S’Well Original Bottle caught our attention for its gorgeous designs and patterns spanning from warm woods to earthy textures to vibrant celestial motifs, this bottle proved to be far more than just a pretty face. The tapered shape, the triple-walled stainless steel body and the tight-sealing screw top lid made for some powerful insulation.

This bottle was my favorite office companion during testing, keeping water cold for more than 24 hours and never sweating condensation on my desk or notes. Plus, the bottle cap screws on tight so as not to leak water all over my work tote.

The 17-ounce fits comfortably in a backpack holder, though the Original Bottle comes in different sizes for varying thirst levels. You can also purchase a Bottle Handle for easy carrying or a Sports Cap for when you don't feel like tinkering with a lid.

Material: Stainless steel | Cap: Straw or Sliding | Volume: 16 or 24 ounces

Corkcicle's 24-ounce Cold Cup with Straw holds a substantial amount of liquid and kept our chilled drinks cold — from waters to iced cappuccinos — for hours on end.

This design features easy-grip sides, making it slip-resistant against sweaty or wet hands, and a silicone bottom that proved more stabilizing than others we tested.

All these reasons and the fun mix of patterns — including cute design collaborations — secure this tumbler as a top pick for pool days and shore trips. Keep in mind, however, that while the lids seal tight, the straws don't close, so you'll want to empty the cups before tossing them in your beach bag.)

Honorable mention: Yeti’s Stackable Tumblers are sleek and compact for those with limited cabinet space. Since they stack, they also take up less room in a weekend bag when going away. Similar to the Corkcicle, we recommend you don't tip these over when filled, as they're not completely spill-resistant.

Material: Stainless steel | Cap: Straw | Volume: 30 or 40 ounces

Large, handled tumblers, also known as cruisers, have risen as the ultimate hydration accessory for their ability to hold— and keep cold — high volumes of water while still managing to fit in a car cup holder.

What sets BrüMate’s insulated Era Tumbler apart from the rest is that it features a custom straw-locking dial that can be turned from "Sip" when drinking to "Sealed," blocking water flow and rendering it 100% leak-proof, as confirmed when vigorously shaken upside down.

The straw is stainless steel, making it more sanitary and sustainable than plastic options, and we found the Era's angled handle to be more comfortable than traditional handles for carrying. This tumbler is also dishwasher-safe and comes apart easily for cleaning.

Honorable mention: For a flip straw style, the 40-ounce HydroJug Traveler has three layers of insulation and proved completely leak-resistant in our testing. There's also a rubber base to reduce slipping — and the straw can be folded for an extra layer of dirt protection.