Best water bottle 2024: reusable bottles that will keep you hydrated on the go (2024)

Whilst reusable bottles make a great deal of sense from both an economic and an environmental point of view, it's clear that some are better than others. Some supposedly leak-proof bottles are anything but, drenching schoolbags, handbags or gym bags because they were left at a slight angle. Some are hopeless for using on the move (in one of the best backpacks or best cool boxes)...and some, are, well, some are just plain ugly.

It’s estimated that 38.5 million single-use plastic bottles are used every day in the UK alone – but only half of them are recycled. More than 16 million are sent to landfills, burnt or leak into the environment and oceans, where each plasticbottletakes over 450 years to break down. Some of the waste is finding its way into the human food chain, and plastic production is set to double in the next 20 years.

Obviously buying a reusable bottle won't suddenly fix the world's plastic problem, but it's a small thing you can do to reduce your footprint. Not only will it help reduce waste and save you money, but carrying a refillable water bottle means you’re more likely to drink the recommended amount of water a day.

Here, we've rounded up the best water bottles for a wide range of needs, styles and budgets.

WRITTEN BY

Lizzie Wilmot

Lizzie is T3's Home Staff Writer, also covering style, living and wellness. Lizzie is a keen wellness enthusiast and is pretty good at staying on top of her hydration levels, meaning she's a go-to expert on the best water bottles.

Best water bottle ranking 2024

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1. Owala FreeSip

The best overall water bottle

+ Innovative FreeSip spout

+ Huge amount of colours and sizes

+ Triple layer insulated

- Often go out of stock

You may have seen the Owala FreeSip on your Instagram or TikTok recently, which is a huge testament to how popular they've become. Available in various colours and sizes, the bottle has a patented FreeSip spout that comes with a built-in straw, allowing you to sip or swig. Oh and it's completely leak proof and triple layer insulated, making it perfect for keeping drinks ice cold. A big tick from us!

How to choose the best water bottle for you

There are three key things to think about when choosing a reusable water bottle: where you’re going to use it, what you’re going to put in it and whether you want to filter it.

It's important to avoid really cheap no-name bottles – they won’t have been treated (if plastic) or polished (in the case of metal) to prevent strong flavours from hanging around after multiple washes. You should also consider an insulated option if you’ll be travelling far and wide.

Pay attention to the design too, especially around the nozzle. Some bottles are fiendishly hard to clean, and whilst they may be dishwasher safe, their nooks and crannies can still provide places for germs to multiply. It’s a good idea to get a bottle brush to ensure that no germ gets left behind, and washing a water bottle is hardly onerous or time consuming at the end of the day.

In our line-up we’ve presented bottles of varying capacities, but bigger isn’t always better. Liquids are heavy, so a 1L bottle that already weighs nearly 700g empty will weigh 1.7kg when it’s full. That may be fine for a long bike ride or trip on public transport, but it’s not much fun to lug around in a handbag, schoolbag or backpack.

Interested in more? Check out some more of our hydration advice:

When should you stop drinking water before bed? Sleep expert shares her wisdom

Expert reveals how much water you should really be drinking in a day

5 ways to stay hydrated (and they don’t involve drinking water)