The 10 Best Stainless Steel Water Bottles for Athletes, Commuters, and More

Best Overall

Takeya Actives Water Bottle

View On Amazon $31 View On Walmart $34 View On Takeyausa.com

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  5/5
• Seal
  4/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

Takeya's Actives Water Bottle is our top overall pick because it's easy to drink from and extra durable, with truly impressive insulation. After we filled this bottle with water and ice, we found that the double-walled insulation lowered the temperature of our drink by 5 degrees and kept it there for six hours. (The brand notes that the bottle can keep beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for around 12 hours.)

The wide mouth opening allows us to add ice cubes, while the spout lid ensures we can sip without soaking our shirts. Combined with the handy carrying loop, we recommend this bottle as your everyday go-to, especially if you work out often and need a basic bottle for the gym.

The 24-ounce size is small enough to fit in the water bottle sleeve of most backpacks, although we found that it's a little too wide and tall for car cupholders. It's also incredibly durable and didn't crack, dent, or leak after we dropped it six times from waist height. And we especially appreciate that the base has a silicone sleeve to protect both surfaces and the bottle itself.

We did notice that a few drops of water leaked out of the lid when we tossed the bottle into a backpack, so be careful when throwing it into your gym bag. Still, this bottle's high marks and thoughtful design make it our favorite out of the 25 bottles we've tested so far.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 24 fl ounces | Lid: Locking twist cap | Weight: 16 ounces | Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 10.4 inches}

Best Overall Runner-Up

Thermoflask Stainless Steel Water Bottle

View On Amazon $23 View On Target $30

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  5/5
• Seal
  5/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Insulation
  4/5
• Durability
  4.5/5

While Takeya's Actives bottle ultimately won out, we also highly recommend this option from Thermoflask. We love that, for a similar price, this bottle comes with two lids—one with a spout and one with a straw—so you can choose your preferred method of sipping.

The double-walled insulation kept our water icy cold. Thermoflask notes that the bottle will chill drinks for 24 hours or keep them hot for 12, making it a solid choice for your morning coffee or tea. The attached handle is easy to hold, although we wish it could be folded down when not in use.

We love that this sturdy bottle doesn't leak, even when dropped or flipped upside down. But unlike Takeya's Actives bottle, it did dent after multiple falls. Available in a range of jewel tones and sizes, you can grab a smaller bottle for sitting in your car's cupholders or a larger size to cut down on your refill trips. Just note that the larger sizes can start to feel heavy, weighing between 1 and 2 pounds each.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 18 to 64 fl ounces | Lid: Straw and spout | Weight: 11 to 32.3 ounces | Dimensions: 4.1 x 4.1 x 9.1 to 4.9 x 4.9 x 10.8 inches}

Most Durable

YETI Rambler 26 oz Bottle with Chug Cap

View On Amazon $44 View On REI $40 View On Dick's $40

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  5/5
• Seal
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Insulation
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5

This bottle from Yeti, a well-loved brand, is our top pick for a tough bottle that's built to last. Whether you're hiking, camping, kayaking, or just commuting to the office, this 26-ounce option is a nice, in-between size that's portable and convenient.

In testing, we found that this bottle didn't keep our water as cold over time as Takeya's Actives or Thermoflask's bottles did. But with only a few degrees difference, we still think it's a solid option. We're also fans of the lid, which has a unique design that's a delight to drink from.

Sturdy and leakproof, Yeti's Rambler bottle only dented slightly during our drop test, meaning you can safely pack it alongside your laptop or gear. However, the Chug lid is not designed to be used with hot beverages. If you're looking for a bottle to hold your morning tea or coffee, we recommend Thermoflask's Stainless Steel Water Bottle instead.

We also love that the Rambler is dishwasher-safe, for easy cleaning. Choose from over 20 bright and metallic colors to find your favorite style.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 18 fl ounces | Lid: Screw-on | Weight: 18.9 ounces | Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 9.5 inches}

Best Large Capacity

Iron Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle

View On Amazon $38 View On Ironflask.com

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  5/5
• Seal
  4/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Insulation
  4/5
• Durability
  3/5

The 64-ounce Iron Flask Water Bottle is our favorite large capacity option if you want to space out your refills. (However, we also stand by the other five sizes if you're in the market for something smaller.) We love that it comes with three different caps: a straw lid (similar to the trendy Stanley Tumbler), a flip lid, and a stainless steel cap that covers the bottle's wide mouth opening.

With double-walled insulation, this bottle kept our water fairly cold during testing. However, it's not as durable as some of our other top picks—a few drops of water leaked out when we tossed it in a backpack, and when we dropped it, the cap broke and the bottle dented. Even so, we like that it's made from high-quality 18/8 stainless steel that’s BPA-free and won’t leave a metal taste in your mouth.

There are almost 30 colors and patterns to choose from, including bright gradient and marble printed options. And we love that the 64-ounce size costs almost the same as some of our other recommendations, making the Iron Flask a solid value. Just note that this water bottle is hand wash only and can't go in the dishwasher.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 14 to 64 fl ounces | Lid: Carabiner straw, flip, stainless steel | Weight: 7.5 to 27 ounces | Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.9 x 6 to 4.8 x 4.8 x 10 inches}

Best Wide Mouth

Hydro Flask 24 Oz Standard Mouth Bottle

View On Amazon $40 View On Zappos $21 View On REI $40

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  4.5/5
• Seal
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Insulation
  3.5/5
• Durability
  3.5/5

Sleek and well-designed, Hydro Flask's Standard Mouth Bottle is our recommendation for a stainless steel water bottle with a wide opening that's easy to drink from. We like that the mouth is the perfect width and features a comfortable lip. The size and shape makes adding ice, fruit, or other ingredients to your water a breeze.

This bottle comes in various fun, bright colors, with a slip-free coating on the outside that's pleasant to hold. Plus, the lid is completely leakproof, to protect the rest of your essentials from any stray spills. Another thoughtful design element? The flexible carrying handle can be folded down in either direction when you're not using it, which sets this bottle apart from some of our other picks.

Made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel, this Hydro Flask is BPA-free. But while it kept our water cold for three hours, we noticed the temperature had increased by 8 degrees after six hours—meaning this bottle's double-walled insulation isn't as effective as others we tested. If insulation is important to you, we recommend investing in Takeya's Actives Water Bottle or Thermoflask's Water Bottle instead.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 21 or 24 fl ounces | Lid: Flex cap | Weight: 7.8 to 11.3 ounces | Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.9 x 11.1 or 3.35 x 3.15 x 8.9 inches}

Best Dishwasher-Safe

Corkcicle Canteen

View On Amazon $32 View On Walmart $33 View On Corkcicle.com

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  4.5/5
• Seal
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Durability
  3.5/5

If you're sick of spending your time scrubbing your water bottle out by hand, we recommend Corkcicle's Canteen. This bottle is completely dishwasher safe, so you can clean it daily without a second thought.

We love the sleek design, which has a modern, angular shape and comes in a variety of bright colors and patterns. The 16-ounce capacity is solid for everyday sipping, and the low-profile lid is completely leakproof, for added peace of mind.

Most bottles on our list have double-walled insulation to keep your beverage hot or cold (more on how this works later). But Corkcicle's Canteen has triple-walled insulation, for even better results. This bottle excelled in our temperature tests, lowering the temperature of our ice-filled water by 5 degrees after six hours.

While we love how stylish and effective the Canteen is, it's not as durable as some of our other picks. We noticed that it dented easily when we dropped it from waist height. For a tougher bottle, we suggest Yeti's Rambler Bottle.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 16 fl ounces | Lid: Screw on | Weight: 14.9 ounces | Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.1 x 9.7 inches}

Best with Filter

Brita Insulated Filtered Water Bottle

View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $20 View On Lowe's $23

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  4.5/5
• Seal
  4.5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Durability
  4/5

For a stainless steel water bottle that comes with a filter built in, we love this option from Brita. It filters out unpleasant tastes and odors, for fresh-tasting water with every sip. We like that the filter is included at a similar price to most other bottles on our list (although you'll need to replace it regularly to reap the full benefits, according to the brand).

The bottle's slim design is easy to hold and fits in most cupholders. This, combined with the handy carrying loop that's attached to the lid, enables us to bring this bottle almost anywhere.

For quick sips on the go, the lid opens with the press of a button. We love that you only need one hand, making this bottle a solid choice for walking on the treadmill or for instant hydration during sports. It's also well-insulated, passing our temperature test with flying colors.

However, it did not pass our drop tests, denting and leaking after it hit the floor. Even so, we still recommend this bottle as a convenient, mid-sized option with an effective filter.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 20 or 32 fl ounces | Lid: Straw | Weight: 16 to 18.6 ounces | Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.2 x 10.8 or 3.8 x 3.8 x 10.7 inches}

Best Leakproof

Owala FreeSip Water Bottle

View On Amazon $32 View On Walmart $33 View On REI $33

Plenty of our top picks are leakproof, but only Owala's FreeSip has a handle that locks in place over the lid for additional security. No matter how full you tend to stuff your purse or gym bag, the handle blocks the bottle's button, so no gear (or hand fishing around for your phone) can press it by accident.

But that's not all the lid has to offer. Use one hand to push the button, and it flips open to reveal a two-in-one spout. We love that you can sip from the straw or use the wider opening to grab a big gulp of cold water without needing multiple lids.

While this bottle keeps our water cold for hours, preserving ice cubes overnight with ease, Owala notes that it's not meant to hot hold beverages. Instead, we recommend S'well's Water Bottle for your tea or coffee.

Choose from five sizes in a dazzling array of bright, retro color combinations.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 19 to 40 fl ounces | Lid: Flip top straw and spout | Weight: Up to 21.1 ounces | Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.9 x 9.9 to 3.6 x 3.6 x 11.6 inches}

Best for Hot Beverages

S'well 17-Ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle

View On Amazon $35 View On Walmart $35 View On Dick's

Our Ratings

• Drinkability
  4/5
• Seal
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Insulation
  5/5
• Durability
  3/5

Like Corkcicle's Canteen, S'well's Water Bottle features triple-walled insulation—perfect for keeping your tea or coffee hot all morning long. The brand claims the largest bottle can keep drinks cold for up to 48 hours and hot for around 18. While we didn't test the full extent of this range, the bottle did perform well in our temperature tests, keeping our water fresh and cold after three and six hours.

This lightweight bottle features a sleek, stylish design that comes in almost 40 colors and patterns, from solid hues to botanical prints. We love that it's leakproof, with a secure, screw-on lid. Available in three sizes (9 ounces, 17 ounces, and 25 ounces), the narrow silhouette makes this bottle easy to carry with you, sliding in most bags and cupholders with ease.

To prolong your S'well bottle's life, you'll want to wash it by hand only, which can be tricky due to its smaller mouth. It's also not the most durable bottle we tested, showing significant denting after we dropped it. Still, its impressive insulation and compact footprint make this our favorite stainless steel bottle for sipping your hot beverage of choice during your commute.

^{Key Specs:
Capacity: 9 to 25 fl ounces | Lid: Screw-on | Weight: 10.4 to 15 ounces | Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 7.9 to 3.2 x 3.2 x 11.8 inches}