Ensuring that you’re hydrated is one of the simplest things you can do to stay healthy. Good hydration boosts energy levels, aids digestion and can even ensure glowy skin. Drinking enough water is simple enough, but there are pros and cons when it comes to your preferred method of water consumption.
Water bottles have come a long way in recent years, so beyond curbing our use of single-use plastic, some bottles also have built-in features that could really incentivise the swap. Like a flask or travel mug, there are bottles that will keep ice cold in your drink for hours, ensuring it’s nice and cold with each sip, while others will filter your water to get rid of any germs or limescale.
These bottles have even become a fashion accessory. Whether you’re glugging an electrolyte sachet in the gym or just need something simple for the office, these bottles look gorgeous and keep you hydrated throughout the day.
TikTok is still going wild for the Stanley quencher bottle (which you won’t find in this review, as IndyBest tests found that it tends to leak) and for the Air Up, the bottle for the people who hate water. However, my tests show that the best bottle you can buy is the Contigo chill couture autoseal vacuum-insulated water bottle, as it’s watertight, keeps drinks cold, and it’s fairly priced. However, it might not be quite right for you, so there are several other bottles to consider.
How I tested
I carried all these bottles with me over several weeks to find the ones that worked best. I used them in the car, at the gym, on trains and planes, and threw them in the bottom of my bag when dashing between meetings.
In particular, I looked out for a few key factors:
- Leaks: Nobody wants a water bottle that will leak. When I was testing the best reusable water bottles, I wanted tough, watertight bottles that could survive small drops, whether knocked off a table, thrown in my handbag, or slung onto the floor of my car.
- Temperature: Your drink of choice being kept ice cold all day long is one of the best selling points for reusable water bottles. Bottles that kept liquids chilled throughout the day scored extra points.
- Design: I made notes on whether each bottle was easy to carry around all day, how heavy and ergonomic it was, whether it was easy to wash and dry at the end of the day, and, of course, how it looked.
- Taste: Some water bottles give off a nasty metallic taste each time you take a sip, so I was on the lookout for reusable water bottles that didn’t come with an unwanted aftertaste.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Siobhan Grogan is an award-winning journalist. She has reviewed a broad range of products for IndyBest, from microwaves to mattress protectors, and carefully tests all the products that feature in her reviews to assess how they stand up to real-world use. She’s researched different water bottle features to look out for and considered sustainability.
The best reusable water bottles for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Contigo chill couture autoseal vacuum-insulated water bottle: £27.95, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Brita water filter bottle: £14.50 Amazon.co.uk
- Best filter water bottle – Lifestraw go series: £43.85, Amazon.co.uk
Contigo chill couture autoseal vacuum-insulated water bottle
Best: Reusable water bottle overall
Material: Stainless steel with plastic lid
Dishwasher-safe: Lid only
Sizes available: 720ml
Hot/cold/both: Cold
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Up to 28 hours
Why we love it
- Keeps drinks cold for a long time
- Never leaks
- Can be used one-handed
Take note
- Won’t fit inside smaller bags
If you want to chuck your water bottle in your bag and forget about it for the rest of the day, look no further. The seal on this bottle is utterly leakproof, even when I left it lying on its side for hours. It operates by pressing a button on the front, which makes the spout pop up.
Once it’s pressed back again, there’s a protective spout cover to stop it from getting dirty (a nice touch), and a tiny sliding lock to prevent the button from pressing accidentally when it’s in your bag – something that has happened to us far too many times in the past.
The double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 28 hours – even after sitting in our car all day – and there’s a carry handle to make life easier. The only downside is that it only comes in one size, which some people might find a little too large.
However, if you’d prefer a bottle for hot drinks as well, I’d recommend the Contigo Matterhorn Thermalock vacuum-insulated water bottle (£25.99, Amazon.co.uk) instead, which will keep liquids toasty for 10 hours.
Buy now £27.95, Amazon.co.uk
Brita water filter bottle
Best: Budget reusable water bottle
Material: BPA-free plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Sizes available: 600ml
Hot/cold/both: Cold
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Includes filters
- Great for improving water’s taste
- New pastel colours available
Take note
- Filters do need replacing
- Need to touch the mouthpiece to drink
No need to turn to pricey bottled water if you hate the taste of tap water. King of the water filter Brita has a nifty solution with this sturdy bottle that includes two MicroDisc refillable water filters. These last for around 60l or four weeks, and have an activated carbon filter that removes chlorine and other nasty-tasting substances. However, good-guy minerals such as calcium and magnesium will still pass through the filter and remain in your water.
I was surprised to discover just how good water can taste when using this bottle – our teen tester in particular was a big fan. I also liked the pull-up mouthpiece that’s protected by a lid, to keep it all clean, though it is quite stiff to use. The bottle gets bonus points for being dishwasher-safe, though, do remember, you will have to buy replacement filters once a month.
Buy now £14.50, Amazon.co.uk
Contigo Jackson chill autopop vacuum-insulated water bottle
Best: One-handed resuable water bottle
Material: 18/8 stainless steel
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, in the top rack
Sizes available: 590ml, 720ml
Hot/cold/both: Cold
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Up to 24 hours
Why we love it
- Opens with one press
- Button lock to avoid accidental leaks
Take note
- Can’t be used for hot drinks
Whether you’re on the go or in the gym, a bottle with a screw lid can be a pain. However, most lids that pop up with one press tend to have a straw, which doesn’t always hit the spot when you’re gagging for a glug.
This Contigo bottle has it all. It’s ready to drink with just one press, has a chug spout for free-flowing water and a cover to protect the mouthpiece from dirt. I also loved the button lock, which prevented accidental presses when it was rolling around at the bottom of our bag. The double-wall vacuum insulation kept my water perfectly chilled for hours, even after a full day, and I didn’t notice any metallic taste. I also liked the 590ml capacity, which was enough to ensure I didn’t swig it all in one go, but was small enough to be carried all day. If you’re not keen on sipping through a straw, this one ticks every box.
Buy now £23.27, Amazon.co.uk
Ocean bottle
Best: Reusable water bottle for handbags
Material: Recycled stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, silicone
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Sizes available: 500ml and 1,000ml
Hot/cold/both: Both
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: 6 hours for hot, 18 hours for chilled
Why we love it
- Compact size ideal for smaller bags
- Can be personalised
The dinky ocean bottle is the perfect size to throw in almost any bag. I carried it with me as I dashed between appointments, and barely realised it was there, yet it still held a decent amount of water, which stayed cold all day.
I also tested this bottle with tea, which remained piping hot for hours and didn’t leak all over my bag. The bottle’s double opening makes it easy to fill and clean, although thankfully, the whole thing can also go straight in the dishwasher.
I especially liked the fact that every bottle bought funds the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles, and there’s an accompanying app to record refills, to collect even more plastic. Collectors in coastal communities exchange plastic for money to access social resources and healthcare, while the plastic is recycled through a traceable system.
Buy now £35.00, Oceanbottle.co
LifeStraw go series
Best: Filter water bottle
Material: BPA-free plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Yes if filter is removed
Sizes available: 650ml and 1,000ml
Hot/cold/both: Cold
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Great for travelling
- Covered mouthpiece
Take note
- Expensive
- Filters need replacing
It’s not always easy to get clean water on the go. This pricey but clever BPA-free bottle comes with a filter, so you can use water from taps anywhere in the world, or even fill up from a river while camping.
It offers two-stage filtration, which removes bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine, silt, pesticides and even bad smells – all of which are enough to drive you to dehydration. It’s literally a lifesaver for regular travellers – no surprise, I’be even spotted these clever bottles being used by the contestants on the BBC’s Race Across The World.
It’s important to remember that filters will need replacing eventually – the membrane microfilter should last for around 4,000l of water, while the carbon filter should be swapped after around 100l.
Buy now £43.85, Amazon.co.uk
Le Creuset hydration bottle
Best: Water bottle for style
Material: Stainless steel
Dishwasher-safe: No
Sizes available: 500ml
Hot/cold/both: Both
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: 24 hours cold, 12 hours hot
Why we love it
- Many colours available
- Not too big
Take note
- Can’t be used one-handed
Trust iconic cookware brand Le Creuset to make a bottle as discreetly stylish as its covetable casserole dishes. Available in the brand’s distinctive range of stand-out shades with an attractive ombre design, the company has elevated the bog-standard water bottle with small but smart tweaks, for added user-friendliness.
There are ridges on the silver screw cap, to make it easier to undo, and the double-wall vacuum insulation has a copper layer, so you won’t risk condensation. Drinks will also stay cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12. Plus, it clearly displays the name Le Creuset in block capitals on the front, for tasteful showing off while you’re sipping.
Buy now £22.40, Amazon.co.uk
Stanley the iceflow fast flow bottle
Best: For the gym
Material: 8/8 stainless steel
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Sizes available: 600ml
Hot/cold/both: Cold
Leakproof: Yes
Long-lasting water bottle: 10 hours cold, 2 days iced
Why we love it
- Very light
- Easy to hold
- Lid holder
Take note
- Can’t be used one-handed
There’s more to Stanley than the ubiquitous ‘quencher’ (£44.99, Stanley1913.com). Designed specifically for those with an active lifestyle, this slim and sleek iceflow bottle uses Aerolight technology to make it 33 per cent lighter than standard stainless steel bottles, so it didn’t weigh my down even when it was completely full.
It has a recessed grip (so you can grab it with sweaty hands mid-workout) and a large spout for glugging. I thought I might find the screw lid a little annoying in the gym, but it whips off quickly and then snaps onto the carry handle. I simply kept it attached to the integrated hook during a spin class, so I could drink whenever we needed but didn’t have to worry about dropping or losing the lid.
The vacuum insulation really did keep our water cold, too – iced water stays chilly for an incredible two days. It’s definitely earned a permanent space in our gym bag.
Buy now £29.97, Amazon.co.uk
Air Up gen 2 bottle
Best: For flavoured water
Material: BPA-free Tritan
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Sizes available: 600ml and 1,000ml
Hot/cold/both: Cold
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Much better seal than original bottle
- Comes with three flavour pods
Take note
- Flavour pods need replacing
- May still leak if lid and seal aren’t secured properly
The original Air Up bottle became a must-have accessory in British schools, convincing even the most water-phobic child to get sipping throughout the day. A flavour pod fits over the mouthpiece and, by the power of smell, convinces the drinker they’re sipping a flavoured drink rather than bog standard water.
The problem was that the original version of the bottle tended to leak, and I lost count of the number of times our junior tester’s school bag came back soaked. Air uUp has now designed a new version of the same bottle, and it’s a huge improvement. It comes with a rubber seal inside to stop any leaking, though it’s worth checking this is in place whenever you fill it. Mine slipped once without me noticing, and the school bag got another drenching. The lid also needs to be fastened correctly to prevent further leaks, which our young tester sometimes failed to do.
I was also glad to see the bottle has been tweaked so it can now stand upside down to drain, as the previous version couldn’t. There’s no need to manually activate the flavour pod now, either, as it works automatically unless it’s deactivated. Just remember that you will need to buy replacement pods once the three included with the bottle have run out – Air Up estimates each one should last long enough to flavour around 15l of water, although I found that they actually lasted a little longer.
Buy now £34.99, Uk.air-up.com
Hydro Flask water bottle
Best: Steel water bottle
Material: 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Sizes available: 591ml, 946ml, 1,182ml
Hot/cold/both: Both
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Cold 24 hours, hot 12 hours
Why we love it
- Good range of colours
- Big enough to last all day
- Range of mouthpieces available
Take note
- Can’t be used one-handed
- It’s quite heavy when full
There’s no chance you’ll get thirsty with this oversized bottle, which is great for when you’re on the go all day and might not get the chance to refill.
It’s made from professional-grade stainless steel with a powder coating that can still go in the dishwasher without fading. I particularly liked the wide mouth, which means it fills up in a flash and can be glugged from without wrestling with spouts or straws.
It’s also possible to customise the bottle with a range of mouthpieces, including a chug cap and a straw lid, to get the one that suits you best, though, be aware not all the additional caps can be used with hot liquids.
I love the range of colours it comes in, too, including a suits-all ‘stone’ and a pretty pale blush pink named ‘trillium’.
Buy now £35.69, Amazon.co.uk
Stanley go quick flip water bottle
Best: Water bottle for iced drinks
Material: Stainless steel and plastic lid
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Sizes available: 470ml, 700ml and 1.06l
Hot/cold/both: Both
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: 8 hours hot, 12 hours cold, 40 hours iced
Why we love it
- Can be used one-handed
- Completely leak proof
Take note
- Too tall for some bags
There’s not much this bottle can’t do. It looks more like a flask than a traditional drinking bottle, and could certainly withstand any hike or camping trip – that’s unsurprising, though, when you consider the company is best known for its outdoor gear and makes everything from coolers to camping mugs.
The brand recently found more fame when its ‘quencher’ – an oversized tumbler with a handle and straw – became a TikTok sensation.
This quick flip bottle, though, is more for practicality than posing, keeping iced drinks cold for a whopping 40 hours, thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation. It’s utterly leakproof and didn’t spill a drop even when it lolled around in our bag for a whole day.
I like the fact it operates with a single button and has an extra metal ring fastening to prevent accidental opening, which means this has now become my go-to when carrying hot drinks. However, it’s worth upgrading to the largest size (£39, Stanley1913.com) if you can’t reach a water source all day.
Buy now £34.00, Stanley1913.com
Frank Green ceramic reusable bottle
Best: Ceramic water bottle
Material: Stainless steel lined with ceramic
Dishwasher-safe: No
Sizes available: 595ml and 1,000ml
Hot/cold/both: Both
Leakproof: Yes
How long temperature lasts: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Ceramic lining doesn’t affect flavour
Take note
- Need to touch straw to drink
This is one seriously good-looking bottle. I loved the range of colours it comes in, including neon green, sky blue and the blush pink I tested. You can even mix and match colours, so the lid is a different shade from the bottle itself.
Although the bottle is made of stainless steel, the inside is lined with ceramic, to avoid any metallic taste transferring to the water. It’s fantastic at keeping hot and cold drinks at the right temperature, too, thanks to the triple-wall vacuum insulation.
There’s a choice of two lids – a one-handed push button lid or one with a golden stainless steel straw, which makes a change from the cheap plastic straws many bottles use. I found it tricky to lift the spout of the straw lid without touching the end I needed to drink from, though.
Buy now £34.99, Frankgreen.com
What is the best reusable water bottle?
I was shocked by the sheer number of options available when it came to finding the perfect water bottle. Proving it’s really worth thinking about exactly what you need before buying. However, for a guaranteed leak-proof bottle that can be used one-handed and keeps drinks exceptionally cold, it’s hard to beat the Contigo chill couture auto seal vacuum-insulated water bottle. If you want to save a little money, the Brita water filter bottle is a good alternative.
How much plastic is saved by using a reusable water bottle?
According to Water UK, 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are used in the UK each year, with the average person using 150 plastic water bottles every year – that’s around three a week.
The organisation states that if just one in 10 Brits used a refillable water bottle just once a week, around 340 million plastic bottles would be saved each year.
How much water should I drink each day?
While each individual’s needs are unique and dependent on health, age, height and weight, the NHS’s Eatwell Guide recommends drinking 2l (between six to eight glasses) of fluid a day, including water, lower-fat milks, sugar-free drinks, tea and coffee. Dehydration can cause both mental and physical fatigue, as well as headaches, while a healthy water intake is thought to boost mood and mental well-being.
What to look for in a reusable water bottle
If you want to keep your drinks hot or cold for hours, read our review of the best flasks and travel mugs
