The 8 Best Insulated Water Bottles for Everyday Use, According to Our Editors

Yeti’s drinkware is trusted 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 | Leakproof: Yes

Hydro Flask’s enameled metal water bottle comes with a removable straw, which makes it easy to clean — and is 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 | Materials: Enameled stainless steel, plastic, silicone | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

The 24-ounce Owala FreeSip 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 water bottle boot that Owala fans have been using to keep their bottles scuff– and scratch–free.

Capacity: 24 ounces | Materials: plastic, silicone, stainless steel | Dishwasher-safe: Partially

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 | Materials: Powder-coated stainless steel, silicone, plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Brümate makes a variety of well-insulated water bottles in many sizes and configurations, and we'd recommend any of them. But the Resa's sealing lid and carrying handle make it a great candidate for on-the-go hydration. The interior of the bottle and body of the straw are both stainless steel, ensuring that your water isn't in contact with plastic all day long.

Water bottles with straws can sometimes dribble when tipped over, but the Resa fixes that with its "Ü-turn" lid: When you twist the top into its sealed position, the outer straw is completely cut off from the interior. You can toss this bottle in a backpack or purse and not worry about it spilling a drop.

The Brümate Resa is also very easy to clean, as all its parts are dishwasher-safe. The inner metal straw and outer silicone straw both separate from the lid for extra-thorough cleaning and avoiding mold in the mouthpiece. The metal bottle is covered by a silicone sleeve to absorb impacts and prevent scuffs, and even the sleeve comes off for cleaning.

Like all of Brümate's bottles, the Resa comes in a wide range of colors and patterns — there are currently 20 options, including seasonal limited editions — and you can personalize most of them with a variety of engraved monograms, images, or custom text. The big downside is that this bottle is fairly expensive. It's also not the best choice for hot beverages, as pressure can build up inside and cause leaks.

Capacity: 25 ounces | Materials: Steel, silicone, plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Temperature retention: 24+ hours | Leakproof: Yes

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 | Materials: Stainless steel, ceramic, rubber, plastic, silicone | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

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 | Materials: Stainless steel, silicone, plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

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 | Materials: Stainless steel, plastic | Dishwasher-safe: Yes