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Nov 02, 2024

10 best reusable drinks bottles 2024 UK – for every budget and beverage

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. From lightweight travel options to vacuum-insulated picks that keep your drink cool all day, the GHI got sipping to find

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

From lightweight travel options to vacuum-insulated picks that keep your drink cool all day, the GHI got sipping to find the best ones on the market

Do you drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day? If the answer is a resounding “no”, investing in a reusable water bottle is an excellent place to start. These trusty hydration sidekicks ensure you always have water to hand, even when you’re on the move.

Also, according to government figures, approximately 7.7 billion single-use plastic bottles are bought across the UK every year, so they’re a must-buy for combatting plastic pollution too.

That’s why the Good Housekeeping Institute decided to put reusable water bottles to the test. From vacuum-insulated stainless steel models to smart bottles that can track your daily water intake, we’ve found the ones that truly impress – some can even keep your drink icy fresh for hours. Happy sipping!

If you want to stay hydrated and help the planet on any budget, we’ve tested and selected the best bottles available to shop now:

There are hundreds of reusable water bottles on the market, ranging from budget plastic options to smart stainless steel styles. These are the things to consider before investing.

Stainless steel bottles are the champions of cool. During testing, they performed significantly better than their plastic counterparts when it came to keeping our drinks cool in a hot room. A lot of them are also suitable for hot drinks, making them an ideal investment all year round.

Most of the stainless steel models we tested aren’t dishwasher-safe, but rest assured there are some out there on the market, such as the Stanley Quencher. Stainless steel bottles tend to be more durable than plastic, but this also means they're often heavier.

Plastic bottles are usually lightweight, making them ideal for quick trips to the gym or for popping in your backpack. However, during testing, they failed to keep drinks cool for longer than 30 minutes and some had significant heat increases of up to 6C after an hour in a hot room.

If you do decide to invest in a plastic option, be sure to check that it’s BPA-free. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that’s found in some plastics and has been linked to increased health risks. All the bottles we tested below are free from bisphenol A.

When looking for a water bottle, you may see a lot of references to vacuum insulation, but what does it mean?

Stainless steel bottles that are insulated have an outer and inner wall with an air-free gap between them. This insulating layer ensures outer conditions doesn’t drastically affect the temperature of your beverage. Hot drinks will stay warm in cold weather and ice water will stay chilled in hot weather. Some bottles even have multiple layers of insulation – look out for double- or triple-wall insulation for added temperature control.

Picking the size of your water bottle is a careful balance of weight, refill time and usage. Avoid anything too big or heavy if you plan to use it on the go. But if you’re buying one to use in the office and don’t want to constantly get up for refills, you may want to go bigger.

Remember that pictures can be deceptive, so check – and double check – the capacity before placing your order so you don’t end up with a tiny 300ml bottle when you were expecting much more swig for your spend.

Do you sip, slurp or glug? No matter how you like to drink your water, there’s a lid to suit you. For those that enjoy little sips, a straw drinking spout should be at the top of your list. Straw lid options are also a safe bet if you’re worried about spills – particularly in an office environment near computers, or for children. Bottles with small mouths are also great for sip-lovers – just be aware that they can be fiddly to clean.

If you’re more of a glugger, then opt for a bottle with a wide mouth, or go for a chug cap that allows for quick drinking without spillage.

We’d also recommend looking out for lids that have fixed or flexible carry handles, especially if you’re a commuter or want to take it on days out.

From built-in speakers to bacteria-neutralising UV lights, reusable water bottles can come with lots of snazzy features.

As you may expect, they tend to be more expensive and are often heavier too. The most useful smart feature out there is water intake tracking, a key USP of the Hidrate Spark Pro, which aced our testing. But consider how much you’ll use it before spending big money – smart bottles can cost upwards of £100.

To prevent the build-up of bacteria, you should wash your bottle daily or after every use.

Before cleaning, check whether your bottle and all its individual parts are dishwasher-safe, and take note of any placement suggestions. For example, our favourite budget buy, the Sistema Twist ‘n’ Sip, should be placed in the top drawer of your dishwasher.

For bottles that require good old-fashioned rinsing, simply hand wash with hot water and washing up liquid. Some of our top-performers, such as the Chilly’s Series 2, can be disassembled for easy cleaning, or look for models with a wide mouth to allow for seamless access. For bottles with smaller mouths, it’s worth investing in a quality bottle brush for thorough scrubbing.

If your bottle has developed a smell or unpleasant taste, add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Avoid using strong sterilising fluids as they can cause damage.

Finally, once washed, leave it upside down to air dry and remove the lid so it doesn’t trap any moisture. Store it lid-less to allow for thorough airing.

To find the best reusable water bottles, our GHI experts started by testing their keep cool credentials and insulation claims. They left insulated stainless-steel bottles in a 30C room for two hours (plastic bottles were only left for an hour) and then measured any change to the temperature of the water.

Next, they tested how long the bottles could keep drinks cool by filling them with ice water and leaving them for up to 14 hours. The temperature was checked every 30 minutes and any changes noted.

With potential spills in mind, the testers filled each bottle to capacity and then weighed them. They held the bottles on their side and tipped them at various angles, keeping their eyes peeled for any leaks. To double check if any liquid had been lost, they weighed the bottle again and recorded any changes.

Our GHI experts also assessed how comfortable each bottle was to hold and how easy any smart design features were to use. Where the manufacturer had claimed the bottle was dishwasher-safe, they ran it through the dishwasher five times and checked for any damage.

And yes, in case you were wondering, our experts have never been more hydrated.

Score: 97/100

Chilly’s is one of the best-known reusable bottle brands on the market, and for good reason. This was the only bottle that scored full marks across every performance test thanks to its clever design from the easy on-the-go sip collar to the clever dual corkscrew lid design that prevented any leakage. Our experts were pleased to note that the high-grade stainless steel vacuum didn’t cause a nasty metallic taste.

Ideal for anyone who likes an icy beverage, it kept our water at a chilled 11.2 degrees after two hours in 30C heat. In fact, even after 14 hours, our water had only changed temperature by 0.6C – impressive!

Unfortunately, it isn’t suitable for the dishwasher, but our testers found it easy to clean. Simply disassemble the lid and rubber base, rinse with hot soapy water and you’re ready to rehydrate.

Score: 97/100

This sleek option from S’well aced our design tests thanks to its tapered body for easy carrying and wide mouth – perfect for those of us who are partial to an ice cube or some fruit in our water.

It kept our drink delightfully chilled, and the temperature of the water rose by less than 1C over two hours. It’s also 100% leakproof and although we didn’t test hot beverages, it claims to keep those warm for 12 hours too, so it’s a great investment for sipping all year round.

Take note, it’s smaller than most of the other bottles we tested, but its 470ml capacity makes it perfect for storing in a handbag. It also isn’t dishwasher-safe, and we’d recommend investing in a bottle brush to give it a deep clean between light rinses.

Score: 96/100

Whether you’re looking to cut back your sweet squash intake, or you just don't love the taste of water, this bottle’s smart scent technology may be the answer. The Air Up uses aroma pods that create the illusion of flavoured drinks, and our experts were impressed with the results. There are a variety of pods to choose from, including pineapple, elderflower, strawberry-balsamic and even iced coffee.

We tested the plastic option and it struggled to keep our drink cool for longer than 30 minutes in a hot room. However, there is a stainless steel version you can try if you want the best of both worlds.

Worried about spills? The Air Up proved to be completely leakproof, no matter which angle we held it at. It’s also dishwasher-safe, which is a nice perk. Note that, according to our estimates, the pods will need to be replaced every 10 days and a pack of three can set you back between £4.99 to £6.99.

Score: 96/100

When it comes to planet-friendly picks, it doesn’t get much better than this bottle from Circular & Co. According to the brand, it’s made from 14 recycled single-use plastic bottles, and you can buy replacement parts to keep it in tip-top condition for years to come, without creating any further environmental waste.

Our expert’s favourite feature was the lid. As well as being entirely leakproof, it has a click-down mechanism that allows you to drink from anywhere around its circumference, making it the perfect purchase for anyone with a busy lifestyle who appreciates being able to open and sip one-handed.

It isn’t insulated, but it still managed to keep our ice water cool for 90 minutes – no small feat for a lightweight plastic option. Like our winners, it isn’t dishwasher-safe, although the lid and seal can be taken apart for washing.

Score: 93/100

Thanks to its innovative BRITA micro-disc filter, this bottle claims to filter out chlorine and impurities from tap water while still preserving key minerals. We found that tap water tasted noticeably better, although the filter system does create a very slight aftertaste. Overall, our tester described it as “exceptionally palatable.”

It was only able to keep our water cool for 15 minutes in a hot room, but we were impressed with its leakproof capabilities – the lid makes an audible click when closing, so you can tell it’s completely shut, and no water leaked out during testing.

It’s worth noting that the filter needs to be replaced monthly and BRITA recommends that you place the filter in boiling water once a week. Outside of the extra upkeep, though, it’s a great solution for filtered water, wherever you are.

Score: 92/100

From its flexible carry loop to its generous capacity (almost a litre), this sturdy Hydro Flask is a stellar addition to any walk, commute or camping trip. It scored top marks for comfort and there was zero leakage, so you can store it in your bag or rucksack without worrying about spills.

Even in a hot 30C room, the double-wall vacuum insulation kept our drinks icy fresh – the water temperature only increased by 1.6C in two hours, and we were pleased to note that the metal didn’t affect the taste.

The base of the bottle we tested is a bit too large for conventional car cup holders, but it’s also available in smaller sizes. There’s also a 1.89L bottle if you’re in the market for a hiking companion. And you can opt for an alternative lid if you’re a fan of straw-sipping.

Again, it’s hand wash-only, but we think that extra effort is worth it for cool drinks and on-the-go comfort.

Score: 89/100

There’s no denying that this stainless steel option from Frank Green is quite the looker, but it’s practical too. Not a single drop of water escaped from the lid, even when shaken or tipped over, and it claims to be suitable for hot beverages as well. It kept our water cool for an ideal five hours, although it didn’t perform as well as the other stainless steel options we tested when it came to keeping drinks cool in a hot room – the temperature increased by 3.2C after the hour mark.

Still, if you’re looking for a bottle that will suit your style, Frank Green offers a range of cheerful pastel tones and statement neon shades. Our expert’s favourite features were the straw lid that closes when not in use and flexible carry loop for hydrating on-the-go. We did notice some scuff marks on the coating after rigorous use, but larger metal finish options are available too.

If you shop with Frank Green directly, then you can mix and match the colours of your bottle's lid and body.

Score: 89/100

Keeping track of your water intake is a doddle with this clever smart bottle, which has an LED sensor that glows when you’re due your next sip. The HidrateSpark app lets you easily monitor your intake and set hydration goals – you can even tailor the glow colours and light patterns to your own personal preference!

Our experts found the app easy to set up and were impressed with the bottle’s ability to keep drinks cool. Our water’s temperature didn’t change at all after two hours in a hot room. The temperature did significantly increase after 10 hours, but that’s unlikely to be an issue for everyday use.

A note on tracking – be sure to place the bottle down on a flat surface after each drink to ensure you get accurate results. Although this may not be ideal for recording your intake on hikes or during workouts, our experts still found this a great way to stay hydrated, especially if you often forget to sip throughout the day.

Score: 86/100

Behold, the Stanley Quencher. This huge reusable tumbler has made quite a name for itself on TikTok, and our experts agreed that there are some definite perks to its generous size. It can hold enough water to keep you hydrated all day long and it kept drinks cool for nine solid hours.

Unfortunately, it does leak when tipped on its side or when held upside down and it weighs a hefty 1.6kg when full, so it isn’t the ideal for commuters or anyone with an active lifestyle. To make the most of the optional straw lid and tapered base, we recommend it for staying hydrated at home or in the car.

Unlike the other stainless-steel options we put to the test, the Stanley Quencher is completely dishwasher safe. Nice!

Score: 84/100

Simple and affordable, this bottle's clever lid scored full marks with our testers for its leakproof capabilities – it makes a handy clicking sound once securely closed, and despite plenty of tipping and turning, no liquid escaped. Plus, the twist functionality means your fingers don’t have to touch the cap for hygienic hydration, but we did find that the lid was a touch tricky to hand wash. That said, it is dishwasher-safe – just be sure to pop it on the top shelf.

This bottle won’t keep your drinks cool, especially after the 30-minute mark, but that’s forgivable considering it’s a budget plastic option. We loved its lightweight, hourglass design, which made for easy carrying and sipping. One for anyone who’s after a straightforward alternative to buying bottled water that won’t break the bank.

Chilly's is one of the best known bottle brands out there, and our tests showed why. The Series 2 Bottle is an investment pick but if you have the budget, it won't disappoint. Similarly, the S'well Stainless Steel Traveler put in a (joint) winning performance for a similar price, so ultimately it comes down to which you like the look of more. They're both great bottles that will keep your water cool, and safely sealed inside.

For something less pricey, we liked the Circular & Co Leakproof Reusable Water Bottle. It's not insulated, but still kept our water cool for over an hour. And as its name claims, it didn't leak.

We put everything through the wringer in the GHI lab to make sure you can rely on it day after day. And reusable water bottles are no exception. Blossom Boothroyd, our homes testing manager, looks after the protocols and testing, making sure we are fully interrogating all product claims.

Then our homes content team, headed up by homes editor Hannah Mendelsohn, takes the results and transforms them into comprehensive reviews. They're the ones scouring the market for latest releases and trends too, ensuring our articles bring you the low-down on all the must-know products – like the Stanley Quencher above!

Heidi Lauth Beasley is one of former homes writers, specialising in product reviews for everything from smoothie makers and coffee machines to barbecues and bedding. Originally from Dorset, Heidi’s simple pleasures include finding new and unique ways to rid her life of stray pet hairs and telling anyone who’ll listen that tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant. Heidi has an MA in Creative Writing for Brunel University and was previously a restaurant critic for The Infatuation London. Her specialist subjects included natural wine bars, handmade pasta spots and restaurant accessibility. She has also written for The Sunday Times Style and OpenTable. She is currently working on her debut novel. Heidi lives in Tottenham with an exceptionally sassy house rabbit called Gatsby. At the weekend, you’ll usually find her reading on her terrace or attempting to convert her friends to sparkling red wine.

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.

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