After a long bike ride or exhausting hike, there’s nothing worse than reaching for your water bottle only to find that it’s lukewarm, or worse, hot. Insulated water bottles provide a solution. Additionally, these water bottles keep hot beverages, like coffee or tea, warm on chilly days. Plus, having a reusable water bottle is much better for the environment.
To help you find the perfect water bottle to stay hydrated, we’ve spent over 20 hours on research, plus months on testing. The result? A list of what we believe are some of the best insulated water bottles on the market. Not sure whether an insulated water bottle is right for you? Not to worry, we have you covered with a handy buying guide as well!
Most popular: Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle
- Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Double-wall insulation
- Slip-free powder coating
- TempShield technology
- Available in 11 colors
- Limited lifetime warranty
The Hydro Flask Water Bottle is one of the best-selling products in its category on Amazon and REI. That’s no surprise, either. It has a sleek, simple design and is made from high-quality materials. The Hydro flask comes in both standard-mouth and wide-mouth options, plus a vast variety of sizes, designs, and colors. I have four: a hydro flask wide-mouth in 32oz, two 24oz standard mouth bottles that slide easily into cupholders, and a small 16oz bottle. All of these options are made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel and have a slip-free powder coating that stops the bottles from sweating and makes them dishwasher safe.
The double-wall vacuum-insulation design ensures that the liquid you put in stays at the same temperature for a long time, whether it’s ice-cold or piping hot. This technology is called TempShield and is unique to the Hydro Flask Water Bottle.
See Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle on Amazon
See Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle on Hydro Flask
See Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle on REI
Best for tea: EcoVessel The BOULDER Insulated Water Bottle w/Strainer
- 18/8 stainless steel construction
- Comes with a tea, fruit, and ice strainer
- Keeps drinks cold for 60 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours
- Included silicone bumper
- Dual opening with a wide mouth and small mouth
I found the EcoVessel The BOULDER Water Bottle during my time as a retail buyer in a climbing gym. I fell in love with the BOULDER because I simply adore loose leaf tea. Instead of packing my tea leaves in a strainer, I could throw them into this reliable water bottle, pop in the strainer, and add my hot water. Voila! I’ve had this bottle for years and alternate it with my YETI Rambler, depending on whether I’m drinking bagged or loose leaf tea. The 18/8 stainless steel double-wall vacuum insulation keeps iced drinks cold for up to 60 hours or coffee hot for 12 hours.
The entire lid opens up to a wide mouth bottle size but there is also a small screw cap that unveils a small mouth drinking spout lined with silicone so you don’t burn your lips on piping hot liquids or freeze them with an icy drink. The slim three-inch diameter bottle fits most cupholders making it a great travel bottle. Mine goes with me to work, the gym, the slopes, and all over. If you ask me, this might be the best insulated water bottle available.
See EcoVessel The BOULDER Insulated Water Bottle w/Strainer on Amazon
See EcoVessel The BOULDER Insulated Water Bottle w/Strainer on EcoWessel
Best with filter: Eddy+ Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle with LifeStraw Filter
- Made from BPA/BPS/BPF-free 18/8 stainless steel
- BPA-free polypropylene bite valve, flip/sip/drink valve design
- Filter-LifeStraw two-stage hollow fiber/ion exchange
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
- 1L/30oz capacity without filter, 26oz with filter
The Eddy+ filtered LifeStraw vacuum-insulated bottle by CamelBak combines the latest innovations from two of the most successful names in outdoor adventure. CamelBak designed the 32-ounce stainless-steel bottle to keep liquids cold for up to 30 hours, which proved accurate during four months of testing. The Eddy+ bottle uses double-wall construction and sweat-proof powder coating to achieve its pack-leading insulation.
The bottle’s two-stage filter removes bacteria, microplastics, and parasites via a hollow fiber element. It then reduces lead, chlorine, taste, and odor via its ion exchange stage. The result is a heavy-duty safety device and a backpacker-friendly form factor. Our tester’s favorite aspect is the bottle’s versatility. The LifeStraw attachment is optional, an intelligent addition that lets you reserve the heavy-duty micropore filter for situations like backcountry tours. You can easily detach the filtration device or swap the entire cap out with another widemouthed lid for short trips. In terms of cons, testing revealed some minor drawbacks. First, preparing the filter for initial use requires close adherence to LifeStraw’s instructions, which come with the Eddy+. Second, even at peak performance, delivery of water through the straw is slower than we would like. That said, the straw’s impressive benefits more than justify a few performance limitations.
See Eddy+ Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle with LifeStraw Filter on Amazon
See Eddy+ Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle with LifeStraw Filter on CamelBak
Editor’s pick: YETI Rambler 26 Oz Insulated Water Bottle
- Made with kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Stunning DuraCoat colors
- Leakproof TripleHaul Cap
- Comfortable to carry and no condensation
For those who find themselves constantly on the go, this YETI Rambler insulated water bottle is as tough as they come. Toss it around your car, throw it in your daypack, this bottle can take all the punishment you throw at it. I’m notoriously rough on gear and can’t kill it. It’s made from durable stainless steel with a DuraCoat Color that’s made to last and still look good even after months or years of use. It features a Leakproof TripleHaul Cap so even if you’re as clumsy as I am, no spills will be had.
YETI helped sponsor the USA Climbing Elite National Championships and part of our competitor swag bag was a Rambler bottle. It has been glued to my hip ever since. I mostly use this for warm beverages and morning tea, but it’s an excellent choice for cold water too.
See YETI Rambler 26 Oz Insulated Water Bottle on Amazon
See YETI Rambler 26 Oz Insulated Water Bottle on YETI
Most options: HYDRO CELL Insulated Water Bottle
- Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Condensation-free, double-walled design
- Vacuum sealed technology
- Engineered to keep drinks hot or cold
- Comes with two lids – vacuum and sports
- Anti-slip powder-coated exterior
Of all the bottles on our list, you get the most colorways and size options with the HYDRO CELL Stainless Steel Water Bottle. The bottle is double-walled to keep your H2O cold for up to 24 hours, or coffee piping hot for up to eight hours. You also won’t end up with soggy items in your backpack from condensation thanks to the insulated, sealed inner chamber. This bottle comes with two caps. The first one is a leak-proof cap that vacuum seals the contents within the bottle and keeps the temperature stable, and the second one is a sports cap with a straw.
No nasty plastics here, this bottle is made from stainless steel so it is BPA-free. This is of great importance when carrying your water bottle during treks on hot days. The outside of the bottle features GripTech Powder Coating Fabrication so the bottle is slip-free even when you’re pouring with sweat. The wide neck opening is also a bonus as it makes the bottle easy to clean and easy to fill. This insulated bottle comes in a fun range of colors.
See HYDRO CELL Insulated Water Bottle on Amazon
Most versatile: Iron Flask Sports Insulated Water Bottle
- Made of premium 18/8 stainless steel that is 100% BPA FREE
- Double-walled insulation
- Comes with three different lids
- Thermos style keeps drinks icy cold or piping hot
- Easy to clean
- Long-lasting and durable
Iron Flask is the maker of these great-looking sports water bottles that offer incredible insulation for your favorite drinks. Keep your liquids cold for up to 24 hours and your hot beverages steaming for up to 12 hours. This double-walled bottle comes with three different lids. The first is a carabiner straw lid with two straws. The second is a flip lid and the third is a stainless steel lid. The flask is made from 18/8 stainless steel which is durable and easy to keep clean. Best of all, stainless steel is free of BPA and other toxins so your favorite beverages will never take on that harmful plastic taste.
The outside of the bottle is powder-coated so it won’t slip from your hands, even if you get hot and sweaty or you’re fresh out of the pool. The bottle is available in a stunning range of colors and different sizes.
See Iron Flask Sports Insulated Water Bottle on Amazon
See Iron Flask Sports Insulated Water Bottle on Walmart
Best chute lid: CamelBak Chute Mag Insulated Water Bottle
- Universal cap fits all Chute Mag, Eddy+, and Hot Cap bottles
- Double-walled vacuum insulation
- Keeps beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for six hours
- Angled spout for an ergonomic drinking experience
- Easy to fill, refill, and clean
- No spilling or leaking design
Never let yourself get dehydrated and keep a fresh, clean, and cool supply of water with you no matter where you go with the CamelBak Chute Mag Water Bottle. This vacuum-insulated water bottles will keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot liquids hot for up to six hours. The ergonomically angled spout gives you great flow. The tether attaches the cap to the bottle securely for easy filling, refilling, and cleaning.
While we love this Camelback bottle for your desk thanks to its resistance to leaking, it is still an excellent everyday carry option for camping, hiking, or sports. It’s made from tough steel that will last you for years and the outer lining is free of condensation and comes in a variety of different colors and designs.
See CamelBak Chute Mag Insulated Water Bottle on Amazon
See CamelBak Chute Mag Insulated Water Bottle on CamelBak
See CamelBak Chute Mag Insulated Water Bottle on Walmart
Largest capacity: Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle
- 18/8 food-grade stainless steel construction
- 40oz capacity
- Leakproof cap
- Double-wall vacuum insulation
Tired of running out of water halfway through a ride, or getting to the end of your hike only to find out your water bottle is dry? The 40oz Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle from Takeya Originals could be the solution. With an outstanding water capacity, and the ability to hold hot and cold beverages, this water bottle is fantastic for full days out or intensive exercise sessions.
The bottle is constructed from durable food-grade stainless steel with the addition of a BPA-free cap. The cap features a twist function that is leak-proof and a spout with an easy sip function. Thanks to the double-wall design of the bottle, high-performance insulation is guaranteed.
See Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle on Amazon
See Takeya Originals Vacuum-Insulated Stainless-Steel Water Bottle on Walmart
Best seal: Contigo AUTOSEAL Chill Stainless Steel Water Bottle
- Made from stainless steel
- AUTOSEAL feature
- Keeps liquids cold for 28 hours
- Thermalock vacuum seal
Sleek, minimalist, and practical, the Contigo AUTOSEAL Chill insulated water bottle features a highly attractive design and a double-walled vacuum crafted from stainless steel. The Thermalock vacuum seal is specially designed to keep cold liquids chilled for periods of up to 28 hours.
What sets this water bottle apart is the spill-proof seal that deals with the problem of your water bottle popping open at the most inopportune of times. With the seal, the bottle automatically closes shut as soon as you are done taking a sip. Thanks to this design, the Contigo AUTOSEAL Chill is also very practical and easy to operate with a single hand.
See Contigo AUTOSEAL Chill Stainless Steel Water Bottle on Amazon
Why trust us
I use my bottles daily. Each morning, I usually prepare an insulated bottle for tea and another for water. I also love to pack warm drinks for big ski days, so once I’m done on the slopes, I have warm cocoa waiting for me, even though I packed it 10 hours earlier. Double-wall vacuum insulation also works for keeping food warm. While I wouldn’t put my soup in my bottles, for fear of all my future water tasting like lentils, I do often make a burrito at the beginning of the day, wrap it in foil and throw it in a wide-mouth Hydro flask. It’s still warm by lunch!
Who this is for
This guide is for anyone who needs an insulated bottle for ice-cold drinks or hot coffee. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, want to have warm winter drinks at the ready, or enjoy iced drinks in the hot summer, there’s a bottle on this list for you.
How we picked
We started curating our list of the best-insulated water bottles by first checking in with our team on their favorite reusable water bottles. Then, we looked at bestsellers and top-rated brands like the YETI Rambler, Camelbak, Hydro flask standard mouth, wide mouth, and more.
How we tested
We tested these bottles with warm drinks in sub-freezing temps on the slopes of Mount Hood, to the crag to climb, to work, and more. The testing team also used them all over Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Texas. These bottles go where we go and we go everywhere.
Features to look for in insulated water bottles
Size
You might think, the bigger the better, right? Well, it depends on how much you drink and your drink. You could be like my mother and lug around a 64oz cup of Diet Dr. Pepper for years, or maybe you just need 20 ounces of warm tea for your morning. I keep insulated bottles from 16 ounces to 64 ounces around so I can decide what I need for the day.
Material
Most insulated bottles will be made from stainless steel which helps keep your ice cubes and water cold or keep liquids hot by reflecting either the heat or warmth inside a vacuum insulated bottle.
Price
We know budgets matter, but thankfully the best insulated water bottles are relatively affordable and shouldn’t break the bank. There’s a wide variety of options on our list, and so many more out there in seemingly endless sizes and patterns.
Insulated water bottle FAQ
Q: What is an insulated water bottle?
A: An insulated water bottle is very different from your everyday water bottle. Insulated water bottles are uniquely designed to maintain the temperature of the liquid inside the bottle. Many insulated bottles are designed to keep both cold drinks cool and hot drinks warm for prolonged periods of time, although some bottles focus solely on one of the two.
What often sets an insulated bottle apart, is the material that the bottles are made from, and the way they are constructed. The majority of insulated water bottles are made from stainless steel and feature a duel or triple-layer design with a vacuum seal that is better suited to managing and maintaining the temperature of the liquid.
Q: How long will an insulated water bottle work for?
A: The length of time that an insulated bottle will stay effective for all depends on the brand of the bottle that you choose and the liquid that you put inside the bottle. Some manufacturers claim that their bottles will keep liquids cool for 24 hours, while other brands state that theirs will keep liquids cool for 48 hours.
For bottles that keep liquids both cool and warm, there is normally a big difference between the length of time for each. Generally, you can expect cold liquids to stay cool for at least twice the duration of hot drinks, which rarely exceed 12 hours.
Adding ice to cold drinks, or freezing water in the bottle, and making sure that hot liquids are as hot as the bottle allows, can help to prolong the length of time that an insulated bottle will stay effective.
Q: What water bottle keeps water the coldest the longest?
A: Which bottle keeps water cold the longest seems to have mixed answers. We have heard rumors that Klean Kanteen has a bottle that keeps your drink cold for 75 hours. Many bottles say they can keep water cold for 24 to 48 hours. These statistics depend on the temperature of the water when it is put into the bottle, how long the insulated bottle is opened, and the conditions the bottle is in.
Q: What is the healthiest water bottle to drink from?
A: Well, as long as you’re drinking enough water, you’re probably doing okay. A plastic water bottle may have harmful chemicals in its construction, but there are none of those on this list. We’ve only curated the best insulated water bottles with quality materials, perfect for keeping liquids hot, or your drink cool.
Sources:
- The Thermodynamics of Vacuum-Insulated Bottles: An Investigation – Vernier
- Energy Implications of Bottled Water – Environmental Research Letters
- Vacuum Flask – Wikipedia
