Reviews you can trust.

See why.

The Best Water Bottles

Should you get a plastic, glass, or stainless-steel bottle? Each material has its perks.

By

Published Sept. 12, 2023.

The Best Water Bottles
See Everything We Tested

What You Need To Know

Water bottles are made of different materials and come in various designs and sizes, which may make it hard to decide which one is right for you. We tested an assortment of models made from stainless steel, plastic, and glass and picked a winner in each category. Each of our winners is leakproof, easy to fill and drink from, and effortless to clean. Our favorite stainless-steel bottle, the YETI Rambler 26 oz Water Bottle, is durable and keeps water cold for more than 8 hours. Our winning plastic model, the YETI Yonder 1L/34 oz Water Bottle, is equally durable and relatively lightweight. Our favorite glass model is the Lifefactory 22 Oz Glass Bottle with Classic Cap. It keeps water tasting fresh and has a simple design.

Consider Materials First

Although design and size are important when shopping for a water bottle, the first consideration should be material. There are three main types—stainless steel, plastic, and glass—and each has pros and cons. Plastic bottles tend to be 6 to 11 ounces lighter than glass and stainless-steel bottles, which makes them ideal for long walks and hikes or for anyone who doesn’t want to add too much weight to their bags. However, plastic bottles won’t keep water cold for long periods and can sweat. Stainless-steel bottles are durable, and double-walled versions provide great insulation and can keep water below room temperature for more than 8 hours. They also don’t collect condensation. One drawback is their weight. Some testers complained that they were too heavy; on average, stainless-steel water bottles weigh nearly 3 pounds when full. If you want to avoid plastic or the heaviness of stainless steel, a glass bottle may work for you. Glass bottles are ideal for people who want the closest experience to drinking from a regular glass but with added portability. The downsides are that they’re not great at keeping water cold, some can be heavy, and they’re fragile compared with plastic and stainless steel. 

The Different Types of Mouthpieces 

Once you choose a material, you’ll need to decide how you want to sip or drink from your water bottle. With some models, you drink directly from the mouth of the bottle. Others have a spout, a flip-down straw, or a bite valve. Like the materials the bottles are made from, each style has benefits and drawbacks. Wide mouths are easier to fill and clean but can lead to more spills while drinking or chugging. Narrow mouths are less likely to spill but harder to clean with a bottle brush and not as easy to fill. Flip-down straws allow you to sip and then fold the straw into a nook in the lid when not in use, but the straws can be difficult to rinse thoro...

Everything We Tested

Good : 3 stars out of 3.Fair : 2 stars out of 3.Poor : 1 stars out of 3.
*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.
accolades badge

Reviews you can trust

Reviews you can trust

The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them.

Sawyer Phillips

Sawyer Phillips

Sawyer is an assistant digital editor for ATK Reviews. She enjoys baking, collecting Prince records, and all things Toni Morrison.

0 Comments