Not only are single-use water bottles bad for the environment, but they’re also incredibly bad for your health. The BPA found in many water bottles has been linked with cancers, infertility, and even birth defects. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Chances are, you already know you should be using a reusable water bottle. But maybe you’re stuck on which one to choose. Health should always be a contributing factor when we make decisions about what goes into our bodies, so to help you make the right choice, we’ve rounded up the healthiest water bottles on the market today.
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Why use reusable water bottles?
Over 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away in America every single day. They clog up landfills, pollute rivers, and litter parks. A plastic water bottle can only be used once before it becomes an environmental concern.
Many of us are turning to reusable bottles to do our part in the fight against climate change. These bottles can be filled at home and used over and over. A good reusable bottle can last for years without needing replacement.
But besides the environmental concerns, there are many other advantages to reusable bottles.
Temperature control, durability, and built-in water filtration are all features that can be found in reusable water bottles.
The best reusable water bottles do carry a larger price tag, but over time they more than make up the cost.
Perhaps the greatest personal advantage is for your own health. Plastic water bottles break down incrementally as you use them.
This allows small microplastics to make their way into your drinking water. While you won’t smell or taste them, the chemicals can cause damage that sometimes won’t show up until years after you’ve ingested them.
To save money, save the environment, and benefit your overall health, we’ve rounded up the best and healthiest options for reusable water bottles.
The Best Healthy Water Bottles in 2021
Choosing the healthiest water bottle to drink from doesn’t have to be a head-scratching ordeal. We make it easy to choose the right water bottle for your needs, health concerns, and budget!
Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle
The Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle is made from just 3 materials: sustainably harvested bamboo, stainless steel, and food-grade silicone. There’s no plastic and no nasty synthetic paints or coatings.
This bottle is ideal for everyday use, as the unique cap forms a handle for carrying on the go. The simple design also makes this eco-friendly water bottle super easy to clean, and the stainless steel bottles won’t rust.
A certified B-Corp Company, Klean Kanteen aims to reduce the number of plastic bottles used across the world. By keeping your bevarage cold for 24 hours, or iced for up to 40 hours, you can be sure you’ll never need to buy a plastic water bottle again.
Pros
– Lightweight
– Climate-lock technology
– Zero Plastic
– Keeps drinks cold longer
Cons
– Not the best choice for hot drinks
– No filter
GRAYL Geopress Purifier
For the fastest and most efficient water purification on the go, you have to turn to GRAYL. In just 8 seconds the Geopress Purifier will have cleaned and filtered 24 ounces of water. It even improves the taste, smell, and clarity of the water for a tastier and healthier drinking experience.
The GRAYL Geopress Purifier is among the best water filter bottles – perfect for anyone who loves to travel or hike. From hotel sinks to murky rivers, the purifier is an effective way of getting clean drinking cold water wherever you may be.
For city travelers, that means you don’t have to waste money on single-use plastics. And if you prefer adventure, the GRAYL system is the perfect water bottle as it lets you feel safe drinking from rivers and streams too!
GRAYL offer a 10-year warranty on their bottle, covering workmanship and materials. The cartridge is good for 3 years of use, and replacements are available – and recyclable via GRAYL.
Pros
– Fast & efficient cleaning
– Recycling program for cartridges
– 10-year warranty
– Refill anywhere!
Cons
– Expensive
– Cartridge needs to be replaced occasionally.
Black + Blum Charcoal Filter Bottle
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Japanese Binchotan charcoal is used in this sleek and stylish bottle to filter and purify your tap water. Just drop in the charcoal bar, lock it into place, and get better-tasting drinking water fast.
The activated charcoal filters out contaminants in the water while simultaneously releasing minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. It’s a clever system that’s been used for centuries in Japan.
The bottle itself has a fun design for easy holding and a silicone and cork stopper for a leak-proof seal. The convenient strap allows you to take the bottle wherever you want to go.
The charcoal has a lifespan of 6 months. After this, you can buy them separately from the Black + Blum store on Amazon.
Pros
– Better tasting water
– Natural solution
– Sleek design
Cons
– Charcoal needs replacing
Crazy Cap Water Bottle Purifier
The Crazy Cap reusable bottle uses powerful UV technology to kill germs that may be secretly harboring in your water bottle. This is the same UV system that is used in hospitals and water treatment plants, and with Crazy Cap you can carry this technology with you every day.
With just a few taps of the finger, the Crazy Cap water bottle starts a 60-second clean, leaving you ready to drink on the go. For a deeper, 2-minute purification, you only need to tap 5 times. It’s easy enough to use for both adults and children.
The Crazy Cap bottle is the ultimate in water purification on the go. The super-insulated stainless steel water bottles keep cold beverages cool for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for up to 12. Perfect for a day out, a zero-waste picnic, hiking, or filling up on the go.
You can even use the UV cap to clean surfaces – perfect for today’s travelling environment. The CrazyCap kills up to 99.999% of harmful germs.
Pros
– Kills waterborne bacteria
– Double-walled vacuum insulation
– You can reuse the CrazyCap with other water bottles
Cons
– Needs to be charged (once a week)
– Fairly expensive
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle
The double-wall vacuum insulation of the Hydro Flask keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours, and hot for 12 hours.
This makes it a fantastic everyday flask, especially with the stylish design and finish.
The BPA-free and phthalate-free bottle is made from durable stainless steel, so it won’t rust or transfer any nasty tastes.
With a powdery coated finish and wide mouth opening, the Hydro Flask can be used on the go to refresh and hydrate.
The wide mouth can also accommodate multiple different water filters, for a healthier drinking experience, although these are sold separately.
Pros
– Quality stainless steel
– Double wall insulation
– Easy-grip finish
Cons
– No in-bottle filtering
pH Hydrate Glass Alkaline Water Bottle
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pH Hydrate believes everyone deserves clean drinking water, which is why they partner with charity:water to provide sustainable clean water to people around the globe. A portion of all profits made from the pH Hydrate Glass Alkaline bottle goes towards supporting this cause.
With double walled borosilicate glass, this bottle prevents condensation and can hold both hot and cold drinks. The bottle also comes with a ‘pH on-the-go’ alkaline water filter pouch.
Once soaked and activated, this pouch removes heavy metals and chlorine, and reduces fluoride. It also adds in several minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium & Iron, for a better taste and healthier drinking experience.
If you’re used to buying bottled water and are worried you’ll miss the taste – this healthy water bottle is for you!
Pros
– Holds hot & cold drinks
– No plastic
– Comes with filter
Cons
– Filter needs replacing
LifeStraw Integrated Filter Straw Bottle
With a 2-stage filter, the LifeStraw Integrated Filter Straw Bottle provides you with safe drinking water on the go.
The membrane microfilter removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, while the activated carbon filter reduces chlorine, improves taste and odor, and reduces the amount of toxic chemicals in drinking water – it’s the best of both worlds!
The innovative design allows you to drink water on the go, while removing 99.9% of waterborne parasites and bacteria from your water. If you enjoy hiking and exploring, the LifeStraw filter lets you stay hydrated as you travel too – you’ll never have to worry about picking up nasty bugs from your drinking water again!
As an added benefit, with every purchase you make, LifeStraw provides a school child in need with safe drinking water for a full school year.
Pros
– 2-step integrated filter
– Removes 99.99% of waterborne parasites and bacteria
– Reduces Chlorine, Herbicides and Pesticides
– Removes microplastics
Cons
– Filter needs replacing every 3 months
Love Bottle Recycled Glass Bottle
Made with 40% recycled glass, the Love Bottle Mandala bottle is a great plastic-free alternative for daily use water drinking.
This bottle is scratch-resistant and leak-resistant, and even dishwasher safe, making it a versatile choice too.
It’s a great option if you need a bottle for around the house, or for your daily commute. But perhaps not the best choice for hiking, or sports, as its glass construction won’t hold up to rough handling. And makes it heavier than some other healthy drinking bottles.
Love Bottle donates 5% of every purchase to Global Water, who help to deliver safe drinking water to those in need.
Pros
– Plastic-free
– Made from recycled materials
– Dishwasher safe
– Scratch Resistant and leak-proof
– Affordable
Cons
– Breakable
– No hot liquids
Brita Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle
Leak-proof and with double-wall insulated stainless steel, the Brita Water Filter Bottle is a good everyday choice.
The filter fits neatly inside the straw, so your water gets purified with every sip. By reducing the chlorine in your drinking water, you get a better-tasting drink. If you’ve been buying plastic water bottles for the taste, buying a Brita filter is a much more sustainable switch.
Pros
– Chlorine filter for better-tasting water
– Stainless steel construction
– Double-wall design
Cons
– Filter needs replacing every 2 months
– Only helps with chlorine
YETI Rambler Bottle
The YETI Rambler bottle is built tough, and can keep your water cool when it gets (really) hot out.
For difficult hikes and long days out, the double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel keeps your drinks colder (or hotter) for longer – even in harsh environments. And the wide opening makes it easier to add ice cubes if you wish.
The 18/8 stainless steel construction withstands tough conditions, meaning you can drop it and throw it about without worrying it’s going to get damaged.
The DuraCoat finish is dishwasher safe. If you need a water bottle that keeps up with you, the YETI Rambler is the right choice.
Pros
– Easy to clean
– Durable 18/8 stainless steel
– Double-wall insulation to keep drinks cool for a long time
Cons
– No filter
S’Well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Attractively designed in a range of options, S’well is a sustainable bottle you’ll want to always have with you.
With exclusive Therma-S’well technology, the triple-insulated bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 41 hours, and hot for up to 18. The copper insulation also eliminates condensation, so you can keep this in your bag all day long, without worrying about the other contents of your bag getting soggy.
S’well is committed to reducing plastic waste, and are a certified B Corp company. So you can be assured these healthy water bottles are manufactured sustainably. They’re also reassuringly free of BPA & BPS.
With so many fun & sophisticated designs, as well as a range of sizes, S’well has aimed to make a bottle you want to choose, time and time again.
Pros
– Multiple designs
– Triple insulated
– Zero condensation
– BPA & BPS free
Cons
– No filter
– Hand wash only
Bindle Bottle Stainless Steel
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The Bindle Bottle really stands apart from the crowd with the addition of a sneaky storage compartment at the bottom. With room for keys, credit cards, and cash, the Bindle bottle makes a water bottle an essential, not an add-on. It’s especially great for when you’re at the beach and want to keep your essentials safe & sand-free!
If you’re someone who has a habit of leaving the house without your reusable water bottle, this is the perfect choice. Now, as long as you remember your keys, you remember your bottle.
The double-walled vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle also keeps your water cold for 24 hours, and hot for 12. It’s also BPA-free for peace of mind.
Pros
– Hidden compartment
– Double-walled & vacuum-insulated
– Pro-grade stainless steel
Cons
– No filter
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about how to choose the healthiest water bottle? We’ve answered some of your most commonly asked questions below.
What is the best material for water bottles?
Stainless steel and glass are the healthiest materials for a water bottle. Glass water bottles are chemical-free, natural, recyclable, and easy to clean. Glass bottles are also non-permeable, so they won’t break down into the water, affecting taste and your health.
Stainless steel is another good option. It doesn’t contain chemicals that will be imparted into the water, making it safer. It’s also durable, and easy to clean. Stainless steel works well for insulation and it doesn’t harbor bacteria the way that plastic water bottles can.
How often should you wash your water bottle?
You should clean a reusable water bottle after every use. Think of it as a plate, or cutlery. It needs to be cleaned after coming into contact with beverages.
For a daily clean, use hot water and soap. Take special care around the opening, as this has nooks and crannies where germs can collect. Then let it air dry completely.
Some reusable water bottles are dishwasher safe, but be sure to check. Putting a non-dishwasher safe bottle in the dishwasher can ruin its seal or damage it in other ways.
About once a week, you may want to deep clean your water bottle.
How to deep clean a reusable water bottle?
To deep clean a reusable bottle you can use vinegar for an eco-friendly solution. To clean with vinegar, fill the bottle halfway with equal parts water and vinegar. Secure the top, and shake well. Leave the bottle to soak overnight. The next morning, rinse thoroughly with warm water.