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Regardless of your activity level, staying hydrated is vital to your health and well-being. And with increased focus on reducing waste for the benefit of the planet, more and more companies are offering options for re-usable stainless steel water bottles in order to limit the number of plastic bottles ending up in landfills. And with the now standard practice of heading out the door with your stainless steel water bottle in tow no matter what your age or activity level may be, everyone can find a bottle that fits their needs.
Today there are so many options to keep your clear and clean drinking water close at hand. One tried and true option is food grade stainless steel; in fact, in the last few years there’s been an explosion of stainless steel water bottle choices available to consumers. With so many varieties available, it’s important to know what makes any of these stand out as a quality product.
And the beauty of stainless steel water bottles is they work well for anyone! School children, college students, office workers, athletes, travelers, hikers, artists – the list goes on and on. Anyone who wants to be sure to have clean drinking water within reach is set when they have a good quality stainless steel water bottle on hand.
This review condenses the key things to look for in a quality stainless steel water bottle, and compares the best of what’s out there from the seemingly endless options.
The Top 10 Best Travel Stainless Steel Water Bottles of 2017
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Liquid Logic Excursion | Liquid Logic | $ | 4.6 |
 | CamelBak Chute | CamelBak | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | Pura Sport Silicone Sport Top | Pura Sport | $$ | 4.0 |
 | Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated | Hydro Flask | $$$$ | 4.8 |
 | Healthy Human Water Bottle Stein | Healthy Human | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | Double Wall Vacuum Stainless Steel Water Bottle | Mira | $$ | 4.5 |
 | S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle | S'Well | $$$$ | 4.4 |
 | Swig Savvy's Insulated Water Bottle | Swig Savvy | $$ | 4.2 |
 | Glacier Point Vacuum Insulated | Glacier Point | $$ | 4.1 |
 | Classic Stainless Steel Bottle With Sport Cap | Klean Kanteen | $ | 4.1 |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
What is a Stainless Steel Water Bottle?
Contents
A stainless steel water bottle is simply a portable container designed to hold enough water to hydrate yourself so you don’t have to go looking for a drinking fountain or a place to stop and buy water. The true beauty in stainless steel is that it doesn’t corrode or rust, which is one reason it’s fantastic as a food-grade material. That, plus it’s so easy to clean! Stainless steel is lightweight, doesn’t break or shatter when dropped, and is suitable for the dishwasher. Stainless steel water bottles are designed to hold an ample quantity of water for personal use, and with modern technology, they can come vacuum sealed and insulated to maintain the temperature of the contents within.
What are the Advantages of Using a Stainless Steel Water Bottle?
Just like the many options to choose from in stainless steel water bottles, the advantages are endless! First of all, they keep the quality of your water safe and healthy. Because you don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your water, you can trust that the quality water you put into the bottle will stay that way.
Durability is another factor that puts stainless steel water bottles ahead of glass, plastic, and aluminum. Even when dropped, stainless steel is unlikely to get damaged unlike glass that will shatter, plastic that will break, or aluminum that will ding and dent with the slightest amount of force.
In addition, plastics may contain harmful chemicals, such as BPA’s (Bisphenol A) which consumers want to avoid due to the damaging effects BPA’s can cause in reproduction, cell health, and neurological functioning. With stainless steel, plastic is a non-issue which is a boost for your health and the environment.
And lastly, because you can fill and go with a stainless steel water bottle, cost savings is a huge advantage. Despite the cost of the bottle itself, the savings rack up over time.
What are the Types?
Style and design are the main differences between the stainless steel water bottles on the market. Standard bottles are single walled and have a small pour opening sealed with a screw-top. Recent developments in the stainless steel water bottle industry have introduced insulation to keep liquids hot or cold and to prevent bottle sweating. Also, new lid designs include flip tops and wider openings to allow for ice. These features are mixed in the stainless steel water bottle choices, so the consumer is likely to find one that matches their individual needs.
Which Water Bottles are the Best on the Market?
Liquid Logic Excursion BPA Free Single Wall Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The Liquid Logic Excursion is your most basic stainless steel water bottle. It has a single wall and caps with a sports top.
CamelBak Chute Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle
CamelBak offers versatility with this water bottle both in its insulating features and varied lid options for flip top drinking or pop up spout sipping.
Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The Hydro Flask comes in a variety of colors and offers a comfortable wide mouth drinking surface as well as a straw compatible flip top lid.
Features to Consider
There are several issues to consider in choosing a stainless steel water bottle that will fit your budget while passing along the benefits of a water bottle designed with your health and safety in mind.
Insulation
Insulation is an option for those who would like their liquids to stay at the same temperature from the time the bottle was filled. The standard insulation is a double wall feature where the air between the two layers of stainless steel takes on the temperature of the liquid. This cushion of air helps the liquid inside maintain its temperature. Foam and plastic are other insulators that wrap around the bottle and provide a textured grip for comfort and durability.
Bottle shape
While all the bottles are cylindrical, some are contoured for an easier grip.
Lid design
The sports cap is the original lid design. This is a simple threaded twist cap that fits in the narrow opening of the bottle. This lid style features an open notch which allows you to both carry the bottle with one or two fingers by the lid or attach it to a metal looped carabiner. Larger screw tops that can be as wide as the body of the bottle provide the option for a flip top or straw and provide clearance for you to put whole pieces of ice into the bottle.
Colors
This option has grown almost exponentially! In fact, color options go beyond any and every color of the rainbow to include blends of colors, woodgrain effects, animal prints and textures, and sparkle designs. A benefit to so many options is the way stainless steel water bottles can fit every personality. For families, this is a real plus because having bottles for every member of the family that are easily recognized saves time and energy. Everyone, young and old, eagerly chooses a bottle that fits their sense of style.
Price
There are stainless steel water bottles out there for every budget! From under $10 to well over $50 you can find a bottle that will serve your needs.
Insulation
Liquid Logic Excursion BPA Free Single Wall Stainless Steel Water Bottle
This bottle is not insulated. If you are not concerned about the temperature outside affecting your contents, then this is not an issue. But, if you plan on having the water in the car all day or along an outdoor adventure, then a lack of insulation could be a problem.
CamelBak Chute Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle
The CamelBak is double wall insulated and has a slightly textured grip for added padding.
Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Double wall insulation plus the powder coat finish keeps liquids at their original temperature without condensation on the bottle.
Bottle Shape
Liquid Logic Excursion BPA Free Single Wall Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Liquid Logic is a standard bottle with a wider bottle shape that tapers in at the opening.
CamelBak Chute Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle
This bottle has a slightly contoured shape for easy handling as you grab it on the go.
Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The Hydro Flask is uniformly cylindrical.
Lid Design
Liquid Logic Excursion BPA Free Single Wall Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The lid is a small threaded sports cap without additional lid options.
CamelBak Chute Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle
One feature of the CamelBak’s lid is the high flow spout which is designed to send liquid to your mouth in a constant stream so that you can gulp it down. Because it is a flip spout angled so that the liquid comes out easily, it’s mess free and easy to use. The cap snaps away so it doesn’t interfere with drinking.
Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The wide mouth opening also features an optional drinking straw insert so that you can vary how you take in the liquid. This feature is versatile for those who may need a little more control over the speed at which the liquid exits the bottle.
Price
Liquid Logic Excursion BPA Free Single Wall Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The Liquid Logic is by far the lowest price product available.
CamelBak Chute Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle
This is a mid-range item: not too expensive, but definitely not the lowest priced item due to its added features.
Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
The Hydro Flask is slightly more expensive, but worth the price in its durability and convenience.
The Best Stainless Steel Water Bottles: Reviews
Best Cheap: Liquid Logic Excursion
This bottle does not have all the bells and whistles as far as insulation and lid design, but it is a perfectly good water bottle to serve your needs if you are focused on being able to transport water but don’t need to worry about temperature fluctuations.
Pros:
This bottle is inexpensive, sturdy, easily capped and functional.
Cons:
At this writing the only color choice for the Liquid Logic is blue. This would be an issue for a family that wishes to color code bottles. However, a simple Sharpie marking could fix that problem. Just be sure to relabel if the markings wear off after washing.
Best For the Money: CamelBak Chute
The CamelBak Chute provides versatility and convenience in a water bottle that will help you stay hydrated quickly.
Pros:
The flip & sip lid is angled so that you won’t strain your neck as you take a swig. It is insulated so you can keep your water cool all day on the trail, and the textured bottle provides a good grip.
Cons:
The lid design makes cleaning more difficult due to the smaller parts, tighter angles, and tiny crevices. At times the threading on the lid gets “off” so it may leak on occasion. To combat this, double check the threads align in the cap grooves.
Best Overall: Hydro Flask 21 oz
This durable and dependable bottle has the added feature of fitting into filtering systems typically used for travel and camping. The wide mouth allows generous amounts of ice and the straw lid gives you added control in water flow.
Pros:
With a wide range of colors, you can have several Hydro Flask in store for varied people and activities. The double walled insulation keeps the bottle sweat free while the powder coat finish improves the gripping surface.
Cons:
The straw lid may leak if the bottle is on its side. One way to avoid this is to be careful in screwing it down all the way. The straw lid may leak if the bottle is on its side. One way to avoid this is to be careful in screwing it down all the way.
Conclusion
When deciding on stainless steel water bottles for you and your family, know that there are many different options to satisfy your needs while satisfying your thirst. Making the choice to bring water along with you wherever you go in your own reusable stainless steel bottle is a step in the right direction for improving health and well-being not just for you, but for the planet. The style and versatility of stainless steel water bottles available on the market today allow you to add personality and a sense of individuality to your daily gear. Stainless steel water bottles allow you to drink water throughout your day from a healthy and clean container that will last much longer than the other options out there. You can enjoy your refreshment knowing you are reaping the many benefits of sustained health for you and for the world around you.