The Best Water Bottle Brands for Every Type of Water Bottle
No everyday carry kit is complete without a reusable, durable and leak-proof water bottle.
Water — the source of life — has been carried in portable vessels for years and years and years, going all the way back to goatskins and ceramic pots. But it wasn’t until hikers and outdoorsmen started to use Nalgene’s lightweight and durable scientific containers to carry consumables that water bottles caught on as an everyday and outdoor item.
The Rochester, New York-based company’s own scientists used its products for camping in the Adirondacks in the 1960s, and as the conservationist movement caught on in the 1970s, Nalgene started branding its products with the label Nalgene Outdoor — the modern-day water bottle had arrived. As the fight against single-use plastics continues, water bottles have expanded from the realm of camping and backpacking into everyday life.
No longer relegated to reusable plastic, water bottles now come in insulated, soft, aluminum and glass options. As the types of water bottles have proliferated, so too have the number of brands making high-quality, reliable drinkware for outdoor and everyday use.
What to Look For in a Water Bottle
Which bottle you'll end up picking depends on a few key factors: capacity, shape and materials. (There are, of course, other factors like colors and accessories like different caps, but these are largely subjective and dependent on the individual.) Price is always a consideration, but because many bottles are made with similar materials, prices stay within a reasonable range.
Capacity
Most water bottles fall within a range of 16 to 64 ounces — anything smaller than 16 is probably intended for coffee, tea or other beverages that come in smaller amounts, while anything above 64 would typically be considered a growler. If you're using a water bottle for anything outdoors and want decent hydration, 24–40 ounces is a safe bet.
Shape
Many water bottles, insulated or not, follow a distinct design language: cylindrical, with a screw-on lid. Some water bottles are either slim enough to fit into standard cup holders, or are designed to fit into a cup holder while retaining volume — like the Stanley Quencher. If you're going to be spending a lot of time in the car, make sure you research whether a bottle will fit in the cup holder, or get used to it rolling around on the floor.
Materials
Many insulated water bottles are made with food grade, stainless steel and feature double (or sometimes triple) walled construction. Plastic water bottles are made with — you guessed it — plastic, which can be virgin, recycled, or a blend of the two. Reusable water bottles can also be made with aluminum, but this is less common that stainless steel.
Today, no everyday carry kit is complete without a reusable, durable, leak-proof water bottle. With so many brands to choose from, it's important to figure out which type best suits your needs. Our guide to the best water bottles of 2023 provides everything you need to know before buying a water bottle, highlighting the best brands and models based on volume, insulation, durability, extra features and more.