Best water bottles: reusable, BPA-free and filter bottles

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Jump to:

• Best water bottles at a glance
• Best water bottles to buy 2025
• How to choose the best water bottle
• What is a BPA-free plastic water bottle?
• How we tested water bottles

Best water bottles at a glance

• Best water bottle for the great outdoors: Black + Blum Explorer bottle, £34.95
• Best overall water bottle: Camelbak Eddy+ insulated bottle, £28
• Best brightly coloured water bottle: Le Creuset 1-litre insulated water bottle, £40
• Best water bottle for road trips: Chillys Series 2 water bottle, £32
• Best water bottle for cold drinks: Yeti Rambler water bottle with colour matched straw cap, £30
• Best blow-out insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask water bottle, £34.95
• Best water bottle for fizzing drinks: Ninja Kitchen Thirsti 700ml travel bottle, £34.99
• Best glass water bottle: Black + Blum glass water bottle, £21.95
• Best lightweight water bottle: Dopper bottle, from £12.95
• Best hydration tracker water bottle: Hydrate water bottle, £9.99
• Best canteen-style bottle: Elephant Box single wall water bottle, £15

Best water bottles to buy in 2025

Black + Blum Explorer bottle

Available from Black + Blum (£34.95)

Best water bottle for the great outdoors

Star rating: 5/5

Pros:

• Excellent insulation
• Durable design
• Secure, clean lid

Cons:

• Chunky for small hands
• No built-in handle
• Extras sold separately

We were impressed by the look and quality of this utility-style stainless steel bottle, featuring a sturdy orange base. (It’s also available in olive green, black and blue.) We opted for the large 850ml version, which offered generous capacity without taking up as much space in a rucksack as we expected. While its wider size might be a bit chunky for smaller hands, the ridge indents provided a secure grip.

Black+Blum claims this bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, and in our tests, it outperformed similar models. After the stated times, there were minimal temperature variations, earning top marks for insulation.

There’s a lot to love about this bottle. First, it comes with a lifetime guarantee when used sensibly. Second, there are thoughtful extras available separately, including an insulated cross-body carrier and personalised engraving. Third, the insulated lid fits perfectly, fully covering the bottle’s neck to keep it clean during outdoor adventures. Plus, the attached paracord is mould-resistant, adding another layer of durability.

Available from:

• Black + Blum (£34.95)

Camelbak Eddy+ insulated bottle

Best overall water bottle

Pros:

• Keeps water cold
• Unique straw won’t leak
• Eco-friendly

Cons

• Straw can take some getting used to
• Heavy for plastic

Star rating: 5/5

There’s very little we don’t like about this bottle, which is a step up from the classic Camelbak Eddy+ bottle, offering insulation via its double-walled plastic shell. Sturdily made, it sits between double-walled aluminium bottles and single-walled plastic in terms of weight, has a sturdy carrying handle and a unique ‘flip, bite, sip’ straw.

Biting on the straw opens the sealed end so you can drink from it, which takes a bit of getting used to but means the bottle is spill-proof even when the straw is lifted up from its recess – a godsend for klutzes. The lid is also secure and survived our leak test without any problems.

Available in jewel-bright purple or blue, this bottle looks the part and its green credentials go beyond simply reducing plastic waste, as it’s made from 50 per cent recycled material. Even better, the whole thing is dishwasher-proof. Although it doesn’t make any specific insulation claims, we find that it keeps water cool throughout a day in the office. The thoughtful design of this bottle makes it a winning all-rounder.

Le Creuset insulated water bottle

Available from Le Creuset (£40)

Best water bottle for bright colours

Star rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Excellent insulation
• Stylish, eye-catching design
• Large capacity

Cons:

• Heavy for all-day used
• Pricey
• No built in handle

How often have you arrived at work, stopped on a road trip, or left the gym only to realise you’ve forgotten your water bottle? Frustrating – but choosing a bright colour can help jog your memory when you’re rushing out the door. Our test bottle arrived in Le Creuset’s signature ‘Volcanic’ orange, which was easy to spot and looked effortlessly stylish.

This larger 1-litre Le Creuset bottle is ideal for families or sharing rather than solo use. It’s excellent for both hot and cold drinks, though it may feel a little heavy for all-day sipping on the go – there’s a smaller 500ml version for that. At home or while camping, its generous size makes it perfect for two servings of soup, for example.

In performance tests, this vacuum-insulated bottle excelled. Chilled water warmed by just two degrees over 12 hours, and it kept coffee hot enough overnight to enjoy a pre-prepared morning brew in bed. Genius!

Available from:

• Le Creuset (£40)

Chilly’s Series 2 water bottle

Available from Chilly’s (£32)

Best for road trips

Star rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Slim design, fits most cup holders
• Soft touch
• Antimicrobial coating

Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe
• Accessories sold separately
• Steel cap may be heavy for some

We loved this stylish Chilly’s bottle for road trips – its slim design fits easily into most car cup holders and side pockets. Many of the other bottles we tested were too wide for both, often ending up rolling around the passenger footwell, which isn't ideal.

This bottle also features a rubber base, which helps dampen noise when placing it down on a desk in a quiet office. The secure steel cap unscrews to reveal a soft-touch neck, which is much more pleasant to drink from than stainless steel or hard plastic. Made with antimicrobial BioCote, it also helps guard against germs.

While Chilly’s doesn’t recommend putting the Series 2 in the dishwasher, it’s easy to clean by hand – both the top and collar unscrew for thorough washing in hot water.

There are also plenty of accessories available on the Chilly’s website, including flip lids with a cleaning brush for the steel straw, spare collars, and replacement screw caps. With a wide range of colours to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits your style. It also makes a great gift, arriving in a sleek, recycled tube container that looks fantastic.

Available from:

• Chilly’s (£32)

Yeti Rambler water bottle with colour-matched straw cap

Available from Yeti (£30)

Best for cold drinks

Star rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Excellent build quality
• Keeps drinks cold for 24 hours
• Durable and leak-proof

Cons:

• Heavy when full
• Not suitable for hot drinks
• Straw-style cap may not suit everyone

Known for their rugged, outdoorsy coolers, Yeti offers customisable portable water bottles in a variety of sizes and stylish colours. We tested the 769ml version, and it immediately felt like top-tier quality when unpacked. Made from double-insulated stainless steel with a sturdy carry handle, this bottle is quite heavy when full, so it’s not the best option for casually tossing into your gym bag unless you’re up for an extra workout.

This version of the Rambler features a heavy-duty plastic straw (with a spare included), fed through a flip-out spout. As such, you’ll need to suck from the bottle rather than sip. If this isn’t your preference, there are other cap options available in the range. One potential downside is that, as expected from a cooler company, this bottle isn’t designed for hot drinks.

That said, this is a top-quality bottle that didn’t leak and withstood our drop tests without issue. Its ability to maintain the temperature of iced water was exceptional, even after 24 hours. Whether you’re using it on camping trips, keeping it in your car boot, or keeping it handy for hydration while working from home, this bottle performs reliably.

Available from:

• Yeti (£30)

Hydro Flask water bottle

Best blow-out insulated water bottle

Pros:

• Double-insulated TempShield wall vacuum insulation
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Pricey
• Screw top means you need two hands for drinking

Star rating: 4.5/5

One of the great advantages of this Hydro Flask reusable water bottle is that you’re given the functionality of a thermos flask in the tiny package of a normal water bottle. Portability and style have both been given equal weight, but functionality has been prioritised.

As claimed, the double-walled vacuum insulation keeps liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. The BPA- and phthalate-free cap screws into nicely engineered screw threads, so you avoid that squeak of metal on metal that sometimes accompanies stainless steel bottles. Made from 18/8 stainless steel, it also doesn’t retain tastes or flavour.

Its insulated 'flex cap' has a novel rubber handle secured by two large circular rivets – they add to this bottle’s style and sturdiness. It also helps with the unscrew afterwards. There were no leaks after being left upside-down for 24 hours, or when thrown around inside a bag.

Hydro Flask's ‘standard’ bottle opening is broad enough to add ice cubes or fresh fruit. A sports cap can be bought separately for the bottle, which is a good alternative for activities or grabbing while driving.

A matte finish gives the bottle a nice non-slip quality. The exterior never feels hot to touch, even when filled with boiling water, making it safer for screwing the lid on.

Although it feels heavy-duty, this is a lightweight insulated bottle that could easily be taken on adventures. It ultimately gives you control over your drinks, whatever the weather, and is available in a selection of cheery, bright colours.

Ninja Kitchen Thirsti 700ml travel bottle

Available from Ninja (£34.99)

Best for fizzy drinks

Star rating: 4/5

Ninja Kitchen has added the stylish Thirsti water bottle to its expanding range, available in both 530ml and 700ml sizes. We tested the larger 700ml version in a lovely mint green. Ideal for sparkling drink enthusiasts, the bottle features ‘BubbleLock technology’ in its smooth inner coating to reduce nucleation points, meaning your fizzy water stays carbonated for longer. After two days on the shelf in our test kitchen, our Perrier still had plenty of fizz.

In terms of temperature control, the Thirsti performed as expected – drinks stayed chilled after 24 hours, and coffee remained drinkable after eight.

The bottle’s hinged cap is a thoughtful design feature, as it stays attached and makes it easier to drink on the go, especially when you have your hands full. We also appreciated the second wide lid that screws off, making it perfect for chunky soups and easy to clean. Plus, it’s dishwasher-friendly.

One minor downside is that if you don’t intentionally fold the cap back, it can rest on your forehead while drinking. However, we loved the comfortable silicone handle, which provides a snug, secure grip. A stylish and functional choice overall.

Available from:

• Ninja (£34.99)

Black + Blum glass water bottle

Best glass water bottle

Pros:

• Carry handle
• Stylish look with a wide choice of colours
• Unique bottle neck

Cons:

• No insulation
• Heavy, and could break if dropped on a hard surface

Star rating: 4/5

We tested a few glass water bottles, but this was our favourite. Although heavier than plastic and lacking the insulating properties of aluminium, glass does allow for extra style and eco-credentials and eliminates any issues with water absorbing the taste of the inside of the bottle. This Black + Blum model is the best of the glass bunch.

Made from tough borosilicate glass wrapped in silicone to prevent condensation, potential slippage and breakage from knocks (although we didn’t perform the drop test this model), it looks great and performs well. A slim shape and secure lid make it suitable to carry in a bag or hold by the carry loop threaded through the lid – although when full it’s quite heavy, so it’s perhaps best kept to hand on your desk.

A lot of thought has gone into the design: it’s easy to fill, with a neck wide enough to fit an ice cube, and, uniquely, the thread is inside the neck instead of the outside, making it pleasant to drink from and setting it apart from similar models. It also comes in a choice of seven understated colours and is recyclable.

Dopper bottle

Available from Alpine Trek (£11.95)

Best lightweight water bottle

Pros:

• Easy to carry
• Comes with its own cup

Cons:

• Low capacity
• No insulating properties

Star rating: 4/5

Although a fairly basic reusable bottle, the Dopper bottle comes with plenty of benefits to make it well worth it. Slimline and lightweight (coming in at just 104g when empty), this bottle is the perfect size for slipping into a small bag or large pocket when you’re out and about.

A small neck (about the same size as a standard plastic bottle) makes it easy to drink from while walking and textured sides stop it slipping out of your hand. At first look, it has an odd-looking lid, until you realise the whole top third of the whole bottle unscrews and turns into a drinking cup complete with (non-suction) base. It’s a clever feature that helps with cleaning too, but this bottle is also dishwasher-safe. The wider top allows you to add ice cubes to your drink, too.

And, of course, as this is a Dopper product, you’re doing some good: Dopper gives 5 per cent of its net turnover to the Dopper Foundation, which helps reduce plastic pollution and provides drinking water to those who need it. This bottle might not have the bells and whistles of other models, but it’s got plenty else to recommend it.

Available from:

• Alpine Trek (£11.95)

Hydrate original hydration tracker bottle

Best hydration tracker water bottle

Pros:

• Tracks water consumption
• Impressively compact
• Wide neck, so easy to fill

Cons:

• No insulation

Star rating: 4/5

Although the debate over exactly how much water we should drink every day rages on, this bottle will help you stay hydrated all day. Marks on the sides of the bottles remind you to keep drinking, including encouraging slogans such as ‘keep drinking!’ and ‘nearly there’ to keep you topped up from 8am to 6pm.

As well as offering emotional encouragement, this bottle is functional. Impressively slim and lightweight, we're surprised by its 900ml capacity. As well as fitting into a moderately sized bag, it features a carry loop. Its wide neck is easy to fill and fits ice cubes, while a recessed flip-straw encourages regular sipping but doesn’t leak. It’s also perfectly robust and comes in four pastel shades.

It’s a shame the straw isn’t rounded, as its square edges feel odd to drink from at first, but that’s a small niggle, as is the fact that this bottle isn’t insulated. It’s clearly designed for your desk or the gym rather than a hike, so that’s unlikely to be a big issue. Handwash only, it comes with a straw cleaning brush, as well as a ‘healthy pee chart’ to check the colour of your urine. This is a bottle that really wants you to stay hydrated and is prepared to put in the effort.

Elephant Box single-wall water bottle 500ml

Available from Elephant Box (£15)

Best canteen-style bottle

Pros:

• Classic design
• Built to last
• Lightweight

Cons

• No insulation
• Attracts fingerprints

Star rating: 4/5

This was the best of the canteen-style bottles we tested and is ideal if you’re looking for a compact, sleek, lightweight water bottle. Elephant Box’s eco credentials put them ahead of the bunch, with a commitment to making hard-wearing products designed to reduce plastic waste. This bottle comes with a 15-year warranty, making the fairly high £18 price tag money well spent. It’s also made from up to 50 per cent recycled steel and claims to be infinitely recyclable – a great choice for the eco-minded.

This bottle has a wide neck that’s ideal for plopping in some ice cubes and a secure lid. It easily passed our drop test, and its compact size makes it easy to carry in your hand or bag or by the carry loop. As it’s made from single-wall brushed aluminium, it doesn’t offer insulation but is impressively lightweight (180g when empty) and sleekly stylish in a utilitarian kind of way. But, it does tend to attract fingerprint smudges.

It’s also leakproof and, apart from the lid, dishwasher-safe. We feel like this bottle will see you through years of adventures, making it a winner for us.

Available from:

• Elephant Box (£15)

How to choose the best water bottle

As a starting point, think about your lifestyle and what you really need. Are you always on the move and in need of something light, or would you prefer a bottle you can use one-handed? Perhaps it’s filtered water on the go for travel and exercise or simply for keeping on your desk.

Whether you’re looking for a bottle to carry on your commute, a stylish one ideal for gifting or something a bit more robust for adventures, a bottle has been built to suit every imaginable need.

What is a BPA-free plastic water bottle?

BPA is an abbreviation of bisphenol A. BPA, a chemical found in common polycarbonate plastics and resins, can leach into foods and liquids, according to research. It can also have a negative effect on health, so we’ve only tested products that are labelled BPA-free.

How we tested water bottles

We tested a representative sample of water bottles and marked them against the following test criteria:

Ease of filling: is the lid easy to open? Is the neck wide enough to fill without spilling?

Water flow: is it easy to drink from? Do straws work well?

How much liquid it holds versus its overall size: would it be cumbersome in a bag?

General ease of carrying: does it fit comfortably in your hand?

Quality of the materials: is the bottle hardy, sturdy and robust?

Weight: with some cooling materials being quite heavy, water bottles can end up weighing a tonne when carried around all day.

Cooling properties: we looked for bottles with the ability to cool water and keep it cool. In some cases, this feature wasn't available but we made sure the bottles had other redeeming qualities to compensate.

Aesthetics: we looked for bottles with a bit of character and style. Any additional features, such as folding straws or fruit-infusing compartments, were taken into consideration.

Water retention: every bottle was put through our 'bag test'; filled to the top, closed tightly shut and then shaken around in a bag before being checked for leaks. Any bottles that didn't pass the bag test were disqualified.

Robustness: each bottle was dropped from chest height onto a wooden kitchen floor. Any damage was recorded and if elements broke or caused leaks, the bottle was disqualified.

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