Choosing the right insulated water bottle doesn’t have to mean choosing the most expensive one. Try to focus instead on picking a water bottle that best meets your needs, whatever they may be. Embarking on a day hike? Going camping with your family? Leaving on a kayak expedition? Mountaineering with your best friend? Enjoying a good hot drink? No matter what you’re doing, there’s a water bottle for it.
The majority of insulated water bottles stay hot for 6 to 12 hours and stay cold for between 6 to 24 hours. Choosing a water bottle also comes down to the size of your backpack, car, or kayak. Most people will carry a water bottle in the side external pocket of a backpack, or store it in the cup holder of a car or kayak. You’ll therefore need to measure the width of your backpack pockets or cup holders to know which water bottle is right for you. Now, let’s review eight of the best insulated water bottles.
BEST INSULATED WATER BOTTLES REVIEWED
Product Name
- Unparalleled value
- Instant classic
- Compatible with filtration devices
- Free of toxic materials
Product Name
- Unmatched versatility
- Free of toxic chemicals
- Tolerates both hot and cold liquids
- Price point
TOP WATER BOTTLE BRANDS
These brands are on our radar for a reason: they know a thing or two about staying hydrated. But it helps that they excel in keeping your beverages super cold or perfectly warm, too.
YETI
In 2006, Ryan and Roy Seiders founded YETI with a simple mission: to build the cooler you’d use every day, if it existed. So they set out to create coolers for the serious outdoor enthusiasts rather than for the mass-discount retailers.
The Texas-based brand decided early on that product innovation would come from necessity and firsthand experience – not from market research and data analysis. Today, YETI products perform when it matters most – whether that be an excursion into the remote Alaskan wilderness or just getting together with friends and beverages in the backyard.
Klean Kanteen
When Klean Kanteen got their start in Chico, California in 2004, it was actually quite difficult to shop for a reusable, stainless steel water bottle. Everything was plastic.
So this family and employee-owned brand created the first BPA-free stainless steel bottles and many other companies have followed their lead. But the way they see it, when it comes to creating environmentally-friendly products, the more the merrier.
From the very beginning, Klean Kanteens have been built with love—the love of adventure, the love of conserving wild places, and the love of replacing single-use plastic bottles.
Hydro Flask
The only thing Hydro Flask loves more than spending time in nature is helping share that experience with others. That is the brand’s purpose and heartbeat – along with encouraging people to switch to reusable water bottles.
With headquarters in Bend, Oregon, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lakes, Hydro Flask knows that Mother Nature is the best designer there is. There’s never anything extra—every choice is made for a reason. That’s the inspiration behind every product the brand designs. Keep it strikingly simple.
Corkcicle
Corkcicle started with a question in 2010: How do you chill wine to the perfect drinking temperature, without the mess of an ice bucket? They answered that question with the innovative design of their first product, the Corkcicle Air in-bottle wine chiller, but there’s much more where that came from.
Their product offering has evolved to include canteens, tumblers, stemless wine cups, mugs, and more, all with a fashionable touch. Corkcicle thinks that style and sustainability shouldn’t be tradeoffs. In fact, the brand believes in creating products that enhance personal style while reducing personal impact on the planet, so you can feel good about making them part of your everyday carry.
Stanley
In 1913, inventor William Stanley Jr. fused vacuum insulation and the strength of steel in one portable bottle, thus inventing the all-steel vacuum bottle we know and love today. In the century since, his vacuum bottle evolved from concept to icon and has become an essential part of workdays, road trips, and outdoor adventures.
The most sustainable products are the kind that never need to be thrown away or replaced. Stanley has created reusable, Built For Life products for over 100 years, reducing demand for disposable products that end up in waste and water streams. The iconic brand is built on invention, innovation, and inspiration with a timeless spirit that complements your wild imagination.
CamelBak
CamelBak began its legacy as nothing more than an IV bag and a sock—seriously. See, in the early days, Michael Edison was just a cycling enthusiast trying to innovate a more efficient water delivery system as he took part in the 100-mile road race, “Hotter’N Hell 100.”
Drawing on his experience as an emergency medical technician, he cobbled together the world’s first hands-free hydration, and the rest is history. Today, CamelBak is a household name in the cycling community and a leader in innovative, high-quality hydration solutions.
BEST OVERALL INSULATED WATER BOTTLE
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle With Standard Flex Cap - 24 oz is our clear winner for the best insulated water bottle, as it performed well in every category we tested.
What sets it apart from other bottles is its durability and TEMPSHIELD insulation feature. This double wall, vacuum-insulated technology protects temperatures from outside elements. It keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 6 hours.
The beauty of the Hydro Flask is that there’s no condensation or heat transfer to the outside of the bottle. Another important feature of the Hydro Flask is that it's made out of pro-grade stainless steel, which protects against flavour transfer, so that your water won’t taste like yesterday’s protein shake.
A durable, sweat-free powder-coat finish ensures you can always maintain a solid grip on it. The bottle easily stashes into your pack’s side pocket or vehicle cup holder. At 24 oz (709 mL), it also holds enough insulated goodness to keep your beverages fresher for longer.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Big 24 oz (709 mL) bottle
- BPA-free and phthalate-free
- Comes in 14 different colours
- Standard mouth cap compatible
Cons
- Price
- Heavy
Brand Name | Product Type
CLOSE SECOND
Coming in at a close second is the CamelBak 25oz Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle. This insulated water bottle boasts 25 ounces of quality and performance. How? The redesigned valve delivers a better drinking experience with 25% more hydration per sip. Meanwhile, the lid is constructed of leak-proof, BPA-, BPS-, and BPF-free materials.
If you’re looking for a hydration companion that will keep you company on your most rugged adventures, then the CamelBak 25 oz Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle won’t disappoint. This is a dependable insulated bottle that will ward off thirst for years to come. And, for those of you who want a larger reusable water bottle, check out the 32 oz version.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Improved drinking valve
- Lightweight and durable
- Free of toxic materials
Cons
- Valve does not fold down
Brand Name | Product Type
BEST VALUE
Looking for the most bang for your buck? The Vallier x Nalgene Tritan WM 32 oz may be exactly what you’re looking for. Vallier partnered with one of the leading insulated water bottle brands in the world to produce an instant classic.
This insulated bottle is dishwasher safe, rugged, leak-proof, and BPA/BPS-free. Plus, the wide mouth is ideal for adding ice cubes to your drink or blending up a fruit smoothie; it’s even designed to fit most filtration units for purified water in a cinch.
At 32 oz, this bottle delivers ample volume for your hike or day at the office. Value is the Vallier x Nalgene Tritan WM 32 oz.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Unparalleled value
- Instant classic
- Compatible with filtration devices
- Free of toxic materials
Cons
- Not as durable as stainless steel
Brand Name | Product Type
BEST FOR THE GYM
With a name like Corkcicle Classic Canteen, it sounds like Corkcicle’s marketing department had a field day over Friday afternoon drinks. Beyond the funky name, this triple-insulated gem keeps drinks cold for 25 hours, or gives you a hot drink for 12 hours.
Corkcicle excels in overall design, and they offer six colours to choose from, with cool names like Gloss Rose Quartz, Neon Lights Neon Blue, Gloss Flamingo, Neon Lights Neon Pink, Gloss Cobalt, and Navy.
This 16oz (473 mL) bottle will fit perfectly in the drink holder on the treadmill, cross trainer or bike at the gym.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Stays cold for 25 hours
- Keeps hot for 12 hours
- Comes in six different colours
- BPA free
Cons
- Price
Brand Name | Product Type
BEST FOR CAMPING
Keep the adventure going all day, all night, and into the next morning. The classic look and feel of this insulated water bottle makes it a welcome companion at any tailgate, camp out, hunting expedition, or wherever else good times can be had.
The Stanley Master Unbreakable Trigger-Action Mug - 20 Oz is made with 18/8 stainless steel, so it won't rust and is naturally BPA-free. Plus, this water bottle is virtually unbreakable, featuring the thickest stainless steel on the market and QuadVacTM insulation for more efficient thermals. Meanwhile, a grit guard keeps grim out of your bottle.
Many verified reviewers love how dependable and easy to wash this reusable water bottle is. Talia W. says, “This mug is absolutely the best travel mug. Holds a large quantity, keeps it warm, and you can throw it into a bag without worrying that it will leak. Oh, and the parts easily disassemble to wash it out well.”
This water bottle also comes in a more compact 16 oz version.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Built with high-grade stainless steel
- Leakproof
- Grit guard seal
- Large capacity water bottle
Cons
- Bulky
Brand Name | Product Type
BEST INSULATED BOTTLE FOR HIKING
For days spent grinding miles out on the trail, you need a water bottle that is lightweight to carry and easy to drink from. Meet the Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series Bottle - 32 Oz. This insulated water bottle is 25% lighter than Hydro Flask’s other stainless steel water bottles, making it a mere 11.8 oz.
What makes this simple stainless steel bottle extra impressive is its versatility: Not only is it compatible with the Hydro Flip Lid and Wide Mouth Straw Lid, it fits most backcountry hydration filters. Hot drinks can be kept hot for up to 12 hours, while cold beverages will stay cold for up to 24 hours.
As always with Hydro Flask, the entire bottle construction is both BPA- and phthalate-free, making it both safe to use and non-toxic. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Lots of volume
- Wide drinking mouth
Cons
- Lid can be too tight
Brand Name | Product Type
MOST VERSATILE WATER BOTTLE
For those looking for the kind of water bottle they can take anywhere, consider the Hydrapak Recon 1L Water Bottle. This lightweight water bottle is made of 50% recycled plastic and is impact-, stain-, and odour-resistant. It’s also virtually indestructible thanks to its EastmanTM Tritan RenewTM Technology.
This dishwasher safe plastic water bottle is 100% BPA- and PVC-free, eliminating unnecessary toxic chemicals from every sip. Plus, the wide mouth makes it exceptionally easy to clean or rinse out between uses. What makes the Recon 1L particularly versatile is that it can hold liquids up to 100°C / 200F or be frozen. For the price, that’s hard to beat.
Also available in a 750 mL version.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Unmatched versatility
- Free of toxic chemicals
- Tolerates both hot and cold liquids
- Price point
Cons
- Not insulated
Brand Name | Product Type
BEST FOR YOUR MORNING, AFTERNOON, AND EVENING COFFEE
Like most Yeti products, the Rambler Tumbler water bottle is top of the range when it comes to the best insulated bottles. This double-wall vacuum insulated bottle means reviewer Norman can “make a coffee at 8 AM and it will still be piping hot at 4 PM.”
For those wanting to use the Yeti Rambler for cold drinks, customer Matthew said, "Throw a couple of ice cubes in this bad boy and they'll still be floating around in there 12 hours later. It keeps things cool. This Yeti is excellent. The Magslider lid is very handy as well. Easy to clean and forms a solid seal.”
Another happy Yeti Rambler reviewer, Shea B., said, “This tumbler is perfect for road-tripping or camping. As with all Yeti products the quality is unmatched for keeping drinks hot or cold. Also great that it’s dishwasher safe.”
Clearly—the Rambler is for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Stays hot for over 8 hours
- Ice cubes stay frozen for 12 hours
- Puncture-resistant
- Double wall vacuum insulated
Cons
- Price
Brand Name | Product Type
BUYING GUIDE: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A REUSABLE INSULATED BOTTLE
When shopping for the best insulated water bottles, you need to find out how long it keeps liquids hot or cold. Plus, once you know what kind of outdoor activity you’ll be doing, you should pay attention to the following factors:
INSULATION
With insulated bottles, it all comes down to the amount of time that a liquid will stay hot or cold. Most insulated water bottles brag about their ability to hold heat for between 6 to 12 hours, and cold for between 6 to 24 hours.
When looking to buy an insulated bottle, think about how long you’ll need the bottle for and then make a decision accordingly.
WEIGHT AND TRAVEL FRIENDLINESS
A lot of insulated water bottle reviewers on Altitude Sports comment on the heavy weight of some bottles. So, make sure to look at the Pros and Cons section to find out if a bottle is more lightweight or heavy. The average weight of a filled water bottle is about 700g to 861g.
In terms of travel friendliness, look for water bottles that will fit in a car cup holder. Or, see if it fits in your backpack’s side pocket or your bike’s water holder. You can ensure that you’re making the best choice by measuring the width of these holders to see if they match the width of the insulated water bottle.
EASE OF USE
When looking for an insulated water bottle, make sure you read the reviews related to ease of use. With some water bottles, reviewers comment that it can be hard to get the water out.
DURABILITY
The vast majority of insulated water bottles are durable, especially Stanley bottles, as they’re made with high-grade 18/8 stainless steel. Some feature double wall vacuum insulation and tend to be heavier.
VALUE
The cost of insulated water bottles can vary wildly depending on the quality of materials, total volume, and insulating capacity. For added value, some bottles come with a strap or a bike water rack.
FAQs
What is the healthiest type of water bottle to use?
Look for BPA-free bottles. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that’s linked to increased blood pressure and could affect the brain and prostate glands of foetuses, infants, and children.
Since insulated water bottles are made of stainless steel, it’s a guarantee against all forms of leaching and a safe guarantee for your health.
Who makes the best water bottles?
The makers of some of the best insulated water bottles are Yeti, CamelBak, Klean Kanteen, Stanley, Corkcicle, and Hydro Flask.
Ready to go down the rabbit hole? Check out our entire collection of the best insulated bottles to find the one that’s right for you!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST INSULATED WATER BOTTLE
There you have it: the best insulated water bottles. Now it’s time to choose a water bottle that meets most of your personal and leisure needs.
For us at Altitude Sports, the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Bottle With Standard Flex Cap – 24 Oz (709 ml) performed exceptionally well in every category that we tested. Whatever you choose, cheers to your new insulated water bottle!
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