If you’re looking to purchase a water bottle for outdoor adventures, an insulated bottle should be high on your list. Insulated bottles are designed to keep cold liquids colder longer (and hot liquids hotter) and are usually higher quality and more durable than their plastic counterparts.
Plus, having a reusable water bottle is great for the environment. For this review, we looked at water bottles that have some form of insulation (whether stainless steel construction or otherwise) and a good-sealing cap or lid. And we evaluated each on factors like insulation, shape and volume, durability, and price.
To choose the best of the best, we ranked each bottle on features, feedback from our testing, and price. For more information about insulated water bottles, check out our buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ at the end of this article.
Scroll through our picks for the best insulated water bottles of 2023 or jump to a category below:
The Best Insulated Water Bottles of 2023
Best Budget Insulated Water Bottle
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Material
Stainless steel -
Insulation type
Double-wall vacuum -
BPA-free
Yes -
Weight
8 oz. in 500 mL size -
Available volumes
500 mL (17 oz.), 720 mL (24 oz.)
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Impressively lightweight -
Flip cap that locks in closed and open positions
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No means of clipping the bottle to anything
Most Durable Insulated Water Bottle
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Material
Stainless steel -
Insulation type
Double-wall vacuum -
BPA-free
Yes -
Weight
1 lb., 3.2 oz. in the 18 oz. size -
Available volumes
18, 26, 36, 46, 64 oz.
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Fits in most cup holders -
Available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and lid types
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Standard issue Chug cap isn’t for everyone
Best Self-Cleaning Insulated Water Bottle
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Material
Stainless steel -
Insulation type
Double-wall vacuum -
BPA-free
Yes -
Weight
12.6 oz. in 17 oz. size -
Available volumes
17, 25 oz.
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Makes travel hydration a breeze -
No funky smell from an unwashed bottle
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A proprietary charging system is bulky -
Battery life could be better
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Material
Stainless steel -
Insulation Type
Double-wall vacuum -
BPA Free
Yes -
Weight
11.2 oz. in 20 oz. size -
Available volumes
25, 32, 40 oz.
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Drink without having to keep track of a cap -
Durable powder-coated finish
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Magnetic cap requires a learning curve, may leak otherwise -
Just a bit too big to fit most cup holders
Insulated Water Bottle Comparison Chart
| Insulated Water Bottle | Material | Insulation Type | BPA-Free | Weight | Available Volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 12.8 oz. in 24 oz. size | 18, 21, 24 oz. |
| GSI Outdoors MicroLite 500 Insulated Bottle |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 8 oz. in 500 mL size | 500 mL (17 oz.), 720 mL (24 oz.) |
| YETI Rambler Chug Water Bottle |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 1 lb., 3.2 oz. in the 18 oz. size | 18, 26, 36, 46, 64 oz. |
| YETI Rambler Colster | Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 9.6 oz. in 12 oz. size | 12 oz., 12 oz. Slim Can, 16 oz. Tall Can |
| MiiR Growler | Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 1 lb., 13 oz. in 64 oz. size | 64 oz. |
| Waatr CrazyCap 2 | Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 12.6 oz. in 17 oz. size | 17, 25 oz. |
| Thermos Funtainer Bottle With Straw |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 4 oz. in 12 oz. size | 12, 16 oz. |
| Owala FreeSip Vacuum Water Bottle |
Stainless steel | Triple-wall vacuum | Yes | 15.2 oz. in 32 oz. size | 19, 22, 32, 40 oz. |
| CamelBak Chute Mag Vacuum Bottle |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 11.2 oz. in 20 oz. size | 25, 32, 40 oz. |
| Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Water Bottle |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 16 oz. in 22 oz. size | 17, 22 oz. |
| Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 11 oz. in 24 oz. size | 21, 24, 32 oz. |
| Klean Kanteen Insulated TKWide With Loop Cap |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 1 lb., 4 oz. in 32 oz. size | 12, 16, 20, 32, 64 oz. |
| Purist Mover Bottle | Stainless steel & glass | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 12.2 oz. in 18 oz. size | 18, 32 oz. |
| CamelBak MultiBev 16/22 & 12/17 |
Stainless steel | Double-wall vacuum | Yes | 1 lb., 5 oz. in 16/22 oz. size | 12/17, 16/22 oz. |
Why You Can Trust Us
Long a holdout to the niceties of an insulated bottle, GearJunkie Senior Editor Nick Belcaster finally came around to the wonders of insulated water bottles after being gifted a Hydro Flask. It turns out that having ice-cold water hours after leaving the house is worth it.
Many in the GearJunkie offices enjoy bringing an insulated bottle to work, and we tapped into this collective knowledge to assemble our list of bottles. We then put them through the wringer and pulled together the best of the best insulated bottles you see here.
In order to test our slate of insulated bottles, we subjected them to common-place use, such as on hot day hikes, bike commuting, or airline travel. We paid close attention to how long each bottle held onto chilled water as well as important issues such as leaking or denting.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Insulated Water Bottle
It’s worth noting that this article specifically covers the best insulated water bottles. We also have a separate gear guide for the best thermoses, for when the temps dip and a hot drink is needed. You may also want to read up on the best backpacking water filters.
Volume
Pick a water bottle with enough volume for all your activities. If you really love one particular insulated bottle, consider getting two sizes — one for daily use and one with more volume for longer trips or travel. (Also consider if the bottle you’ve chosen will work with a water filter or in your pack pocket if you know you’ll be taking it with you on the trail.)
Most bottles we tested are available in volumes from around 12 to 64 ounces. It’s important to note that after a certain volume, fitting into most cup holders isn’t going to happen.
Make sure the bottle you choose lists how long it keeps water (or other liquids) cold. The standard is 24 hours, but we’ve noticed in many of these bottles the contents will stay colder for longer. You’ll want to know how good the insulation is, especially if you live in a hotter climate.
Materials
What are the interior and exterior materials? Most insulated bottles use some form of stainless steel double-wall insulation, but not all, like the triple-wall build of the Owala FreeSip. Also, look at the exterior material: Is there a powder coating? Does it reduce condensation? Is there a rubber grip or protective design on the base?
Once you find a bottle you think will work for you, pick out a fun color while you’re at it! Colors are mainly just a preference but can also help identify your bottle in a crowd.
Temperature Retention
One of the most important aspects of an insulated bottle, temperature retention is how well it keeps the hot things hot and the cold things cold. The majority of insulated bottles will use some type of vacuum insulation to achieve this.
Heat energy needs mass to travel through, so by removing the air in between the two layers of the bottle, the liquid inside is able to retain its temperature for longer. We’ve found that most bottles are able to keep hot liquids hot for around 12 hours and cold liquids cold for about 24.
Taste
Metal bottles can sometimes impart a metallic taste to water, often after being left for a long period of time. Bottles like the Purist Mover implement a silicon dioxide coating on the interior of the bottom to create a glass-like barrier. This can greatly reduce the metal taste that is imparted to water.
Keeping insulated bottles clean is also important to limit any off-tastes. Pay attention to how easy the bottle might be to clean. Look at the threads on the lid as well as how easy it is to remove any gaskets for cleaning. Many bottles are marked as dishwasher safe on the top rack but not all.
A quick tip for cleaning your insulated bottle: Mix two-three tablespoons of baking soda and warm water and shake inside your bottle. Let sit for a few hours and then rinse out with water.
Finally, some bottles are preemptive in limiting the growth of funk, like the Waatr CrazyCap 2 bottle. By exposing the interior of the bottle to UV light every four hours, the CrazyCap sanitizes itself and keeps your water funk-free.
Lids & Handles
A bad lid can ruin an insulated bottle. Manufacturers understand consumers have many uses for their bottles and produce a number of different lids to fit them. The most basic will be a simple screw cap, but there are also lids that incorporate straws, flip closures, and even magnets.
Lids will also have a good bit to do with the mouth style of the bottle. Narrow-mouth bottles can make sipping directly from the bottle nice and easy but will limit your ability to put ice into the bottle. Wide-mouth bottles can accept things like water filters with ease, but without a steady hand, they can lead to some spillage.
At their most basic, insulated bottles are sleek cylinders, which aren’t the most stable. Having a lid that you can clip a carabiner to can ensure it won’t make an escape. Others will sport a layer of silicone to improve grip or a contoured shape that fits your hand. We found the Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Water Bottle to be one of the nicest to handle.
Price
Lastly, think hard about your budget. These bottles are an investment but totally worth it, especially if (like us) you spend lots of time outside. And before buying, always check to see if your favorite bottle is on sale.
FAQ
On this list, we have selected the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth 24-ounce bottle as the best overall insulated water bottle. This option provides a useful blend of quality insulation and heavy-duty construction. We also like that it fits easily in most cup holders.
Still, the best-insulated water bottle is the one that meets your needs. If you are looking for a bottle with greater volume, you may want to go with the 32-ounce Hydro Flask Wide Mouth or the 32-ounce Owala FreeSip.
All of the bottles on this list will do a great job at keeping your hot liquids hot and your cold liquids cold for impressively long periods. That said, the GSI Outdoors MicroLite 500 performs exceptionally well when filled with hot contents. It’s a lightweight bottle that keeps liquids piping hot and is thoroughly leakproof.
It is important to regularly clean reusable water bottles to prevent the growth of bacteria. Many insulated water bottles are dishwasher safe, and others can be easily cleaned with dish soap and hot water.
On this list, many of the bottles are made from easy-to-clean materials such as stainless steel and linings such as glass or copper. After cleaning, it is a good idea to take the cap off of your bottle and let it fully air dry.
Generally, it is safe to fill insulated water bottles with contents other than water. For coffee and tea, an insulated water bottle can allow you to enjoy a hot drink all through the morning.
However, it is especially important that you clean your bottle thoroughly after filling it with anything other than water. Because of the different shapes of insulated bottles, some are easier to clean than others.
For food like hot soup or oatmeal, you’re going to be better off with a food-specific thermos. These are similar to insulated water bottles, but their short and stout shape makes them easier to use and clean. A good thermos can keep hot food at a safe temperature for hours — an excellent counterpart to an insulated bottle!
Yes, many insulated water bottles are dishwasher-safe. Always double-check the manufacturer’s directions before washing your bottle. If your bottle is not dishwasher-safe, it can be cleaned with hot water, a little dish soap, and a thorough rinsing.
Always check to see what the manufacturer suggests. Many insulated water bottles can be washed in the dishwasher, which is an effective way to thoroughly remove any bacteria that may be present.
If washing by hand, scrub the inside and outside of the bottle with hot water and dish soap. Be sure to fully clean out the threads on both the cap and bottle. After cleaning, let all parts fully air dry.
Thanks to hardy stainless steel or ceramic construction, a good insulated water bottle should last many years — or potentially decades for the careful owner. We’ve all seen those old green Stanley bottles that are three decades old and still going strong.
The biggest threat to insulated water bottles is puncturing. If the double or triple-walled insulation of your bottle is punctured, it will lose its ability to insulate. To prevent this, avoid dropping your bottle onto jagged or hard surfaces. Plastic insulated water bottles are less prone to dents and punctures, but they are generally not as rugged overall.
If an insulated bottle becomes punctured, it will lose its vacuum and be replaced by air molecules. Since there is now matter in between the inner and outer bottles, heat transfer occurs much quicker.
To test if your bottle still has its vacuum sealing: Carefully fill the bottle with boiling water and wait five minutes. Then feel for any hot spots, which would indicate loss of insulation.
If you want your favorite liquids to stay hot all day, check out our roundup of the best thermoses of 2022-2033. Get ready to warm up with a hot drink.
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