The 10 Best Water Bottles of 2025: Staff Picks

Here’s an everyday carry that lets you track the disposable bottles you save each time you refill this one. Each Ocean Bottle purchased helps pay for the removal of 25 pounds of ocean-bound plastic (equivalent to 1,000 plastic bottles). Then, using the Ocean Bottle app, drinkers can scan their bottle to log each refill or donate to ongoing plastic cleanups. It’s the priciest water bottle in our lineup, but you also get the brand’s 10-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects and parts that break accidentally.

Made of stainless steel that’s 90% recycled, the bottle keeps beverages warm or cold with double-wall vacuum insulation (6 hours hot and 18 hours chilled, according to the brand). Other upsides? This beautiful water bottle fits easily into car cupholders, backpack bottle pouches—and palms that lack the expansive grip of LeBron James. Cleaning is easy, thanks to dishwasher-safe construction and a unique cap structure that combines multiple drink and fill options in one streamlined shape. Pressing on the flip-top spout lets you drink from a silicone straw, or you can unscrew the lid to expose a narrow-mouthed bottle. Below that, a wider screw-top option facilitates handwashing the interior or filling it with ice. A BPA-free plastic loop is easily carried with one finger or clipped to a pack using a carabiner. And the tiered lids proved to be leakproof during travel. Need more volume? It's also available in 34 fl. oz or the 26 fl. oz. Buy here.

Here’s an ultralight version of the classic vacuum-walled bottle, designed by Hydro Flask with clever construction updates that shave ounces but not insulating power. The result is a rugged, leakproof 32-ounce bottle that day hikers can count on to keep drinks cold or hot on the trail. “I love the weight savings of this bottle versus the traditional Hydro Flask bottles,” says Steph Sellinger, an editor of product copy at REI.

The Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle features walls that are thinner near the cap to save weight, but thicker at the bottom to maintain durability—so you can park it on a rock without damage. Even the cap is lighter with honeycomb insulation inside to maintain drink temperatures. The screw-top design still achieves a tight seal to prevent water from leaking onto other items in a backpack or tote. (Bonus: The bottle is also compatible with the brand's straw and other lids).

The insulated design has proven to be equally good for cold and hot beverages. “It's light enough to carry with me on cold-weather hikes and backpacking trips where keeping water from freezing is imperative,” says Sellinger. “And it's great at keeping a celebratory drink like cocoa at the perfect temperature.” Buy here.

Durable and easy to clean, the 26-ounce Rambler bottle with Chug Cap from YETI wins our experts’ nod for camping, rafting and other rough-and-tumble environments. That’s because the tough construction—including puncture- and rust-resistant stainless steel, plus double-wall vacuum insulation—gives this bottle extra-long life. Yes, it weighs more than some vacuum-walled bottles, but the payoff as you're kicking back at camp is reliability: The screw-top cap is leakproof, and ice retention is excellent. 

The stacking, two-in-one Chug Cap has become a staff favorite because of its comfort and versatility. The broad handle doesn’t dig into fingers when carried by hand, and it makes the bottle easy to retrieve from the bottom of a backpack, notes Adam Thomas, training and standards coordinator at the REI Distribution Center, who’s used his Rambler for years. Unscrewing that handle exposes a bottle-sized spout that’s easy to clean, he attests (indeed, the bottle and cap are both dishwasher-safe).  

That spout can also be removed from the bottle to drink from the rim or add ice cubes. “The top lid always unscrews first, so I’ve never had issues with the large opening coming off with the top cap—which was my initial concern,” says Thomas. Plus, “I enjoy being able to feel as if I’m drinking from a cup, compared to a straw or other narrow-opening bottle.” Buy here.  

The Nalgene Wide-Mouth has become a trusty take-anywhere backpacking companion thanks to of its Goldilocks weight, versatility and price. And the latest Nalgene Sustain uses Tritan Renew, a BPA-free material derived from 50% recycled content.

At 6.25 ounces, it's among the lighter options in our bunch, but you'll appreciate the added durability on the trail. Made of sturdy dishwasher-safe material free of BPA and phthalates, the Wide-Mouth can take some serious bangs and drops (though it's not entirely crackproof). What's more: The wide cap loop allows for easy carrying and lashing. Clip keys onto it or attach it to a backpack, climbing harness or bear hang. It's not insulated, though, so don't expect it to keep drinks icy on hot hikes (plus, it will sweat).

But holding drinking water for backpacking adventures is only one of the hallmarks. The most multifunctional water bottle in our line-up, it can handle a liter of liquid, hot or cold. Fill it with boiling water and you've got a DIY warm compress to snuggle with on a frigid night. Or freeze water in it for a reusable ice pack for your cooler. Measurements on the side of the bottle also make it indispensable in the camp kitchen. Yet another hack: Insert headlamp in an opaque bottle and, voila, a lantern for instant ambiance. The hardest decision: which color or graphic to choose—or how to personalize it with your favorite sticker, or six. Buy here or here.

This Quencher from Stanley just got an upgrade. This bottle’s coup is bringing leakproof security to the flip-top mouthpiece and straw (many straw-style sippers drip if tipped). Our staff tested the leakproof claim by chucking full Quencher Tumblers with the ProTour Flip Straw lid into bike panniers, backpacks, car seats and totes but never experienced a spill. “I can safely toss it in my bag without worrying,” says Ken Choi, SEO product manager at REI. (The lid also fits all 30 oz. Quenchers).

The tapered bottle fits neatly into car cup holders, making for convenient hydration during commutes and gym workouts. Choi also parked his on various exercise machines without a hitch. And insulation is tops: Double-wall vacuum construction preserves ice cubes through multiple refills, he adds. The high-grade, 18/8 stainless steel features recycled content, and all parts are BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. Downsides? The lid’s tight seal doesn’t allow gas to escape, making this bottle a poor choice for carbonated beverages. It’s also heavier than most, so it’s less comfortable to carry for longer durations. Buy here.

Excelling at weight savings rather than insulating powers, this grippable bottle won fans among runners and ultralight hikers who want to cover miles without feeling burdened by a clunky bottle. The soft-sided, 14-ounce bottle from REI Co-op is encased by a fabric sleeve made of 86% recycled polyester and spandex with two elastic straps that fit over the hand to keep the bottle snug. Its small, stretch-mesh accessory pocket even secures a car key, and our experts prefer this streamlined storage option to the pocket of their running shorts, where items bounce.  

Indeed, the bottle’s ability to reduce annoying sloshing is its most winning feature: The sleeve’s pull tabs let users snug up the straps as the water level decreases to achieve a stable feel. Runners on our staff report that the angled position of the straps hold the bottle in a position that feels comfortable and natural while swinging their arms. And the straps keep the bottle secure enough that their hands didn’t tire or cramp. (The configuration equally supports right- or left-handed carry.) And the drink spout proved leakproof until runners sought a sip: Biting the spout releases the water only when you want it. Buy here.  

This insulated bottle checks multiple boxes: It’s leakproof; keeps drinks icy (up to 24 hours, according to Hydro Flask); and includes a broad, easy-grab handle that’s soft on fingers. Made of BPA/BPS-free polypropylene, the cap features a honeycomb interior structure that slows heat loss. That, plus double-walled vacuum construction, makes this bottle a veritable refrigerator for beverages. “The insulation does a good job of keeping my drinks cold for long periods of time,” says Chris Omoti Jr., SEO editorial consultant at REI. The powder-coated exterior gives the bottle enough texture to stay put in backpacks’ bottle sleeves (unlike smoother surfaces that slip and slide on fabric and fingers). The flip-top mouthpiece and straw close with an audible snap that Omoti finds reassuring, “knowing that it won’t pop open in my bag,” he explains. In gym bags and carry-on luggage, the lid has proven to be leakproof. But the straw doesn’t dispense water unless it’s fully open, Omoti noted, and the flow can be inconsistent (sometimes a surge of drink splashes his face or shirt). Buy here.

The real mark of a great bike water bottle is its ability to get liquid into your mouth with as little effort as possible. And that's why our experts laud this one from Co-op Cycles. Open and close the cap easily with your teeth, and a simple squeeze delivers a steady stream of drink. It also fits nicely in a bottle cage on both the downtube and seat tube.

Our staffers were able to toss the leakproof water bottle into a messenger bag and forget it, knowing the O-ring would keep other belongings dry. The silicon dioxide lining helps prevent stains from drink mixes and resist mold and bacteria if you avoid scratching or scrubbing it.

While the insulating properties may not be on par with, say, heavier stainless-steel water bottles in our roundup, the Co-op Cycles Insulated punches above its weight—keeping drinks cold for the duration of most rides while weighing barely 3 ounces. On warm days, pop it in the freezer before a ride, so that it keeps water cold even longer. Buy here.

With its high volume and driver-friendly touches, here’s a bottle from Hydro Flask made to ride shotgun on your next road trip. Its narrower base slides easily into vehicles’ variously-sized cupholders, and the generous, 40-ounce capacity requires fewer refills—a nice benefit when you’re trying to cover ground on your next adventure. Plus, the huge, easy-grab handle lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while they reach for a sip.  

Soft plastic fittings on the lid and straw form a tight seal to prevent liquid from splashing out when bumped or tipped. It’s not fully leakproof, though, so it should be stored upright and not on its side in a tote or backpack; look to other leakproof options in our lineup with screw cap lids. The straw lid on this Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumber can be swapped with other Hydro Flask accessories, such as the Large Closeable Press-In Lid, making this bottle versatile enough for different beverages like coffee and hot chocolate. (Don’t worry: The stainless steel interior is less likely to retain flavors than other materials.) Back at home, it’s appealingly easy to clean because all parts are dishwasher safe. Buy here.  

The IceFlow Straw Tumbler from Stanley is no featherweight, but several qualities make it the winner for indoor workouts. First, the narrower base of this tapered bottle fits into cupholders on treadmills and other cardio machines, so you can park it nearby while you sweat. The cap’s broad top handle is easy to grab with sweaty fingers and relocate between exercise stations. Finally, the straw is deployed by pushing on a plastic tab at its base, so fingers never touch the BPA-free plastic drink spout—a plus for anyone who handles lots of public surfaces while working out and wants to minimize germs on their drinkware. 

“I've had my tumbler for about a year and a half now and I use it every single day,” says Ale Castillo, social media specialist. Castillo confirms that the double-wall stainless steel construction excels at keeping water cold all day—meaning the insulation lasts long after the workout ends. She also likes to carry this bottle on short walks, because the handle fits comfortably in her hand. And the cherry on top? All parts are dishwasher safe. Buy here.  

"These are the duffels of water bottles," our director of content and media says. "They can take a beating and shapeshift into fully loaded packs." The super pliable Platypus SoftBottle weighs just 1.2 ounces and fits into nooks of larger bags. Deploy it for a quick sip on the go, then as you drink, it gets smaller and smaller and ultimately rolls up into a bundle the size of a candy bar. (Have no fear: The SoftBottle won't develop creases that could lead to breaks or rips.)

Although most collapsible bottles are used as backups, the SoftBottle has a few features that make it a decent Option A. For starters, it's easy enough to grip and drink from thanks to its hourglass shape. Second, it also has a pleat at the bottom that allows you to stand it up by itself. Buy here.