What to Look for in Water Bottles

 What to Look for in Water Bottles

Behind all the flashy colors and loud designs, it can be tough to find a water jug that will meet all your needs. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few top priorities to guide your shopping.

• Materials

Your biggest consideration while shopping for a new water bottle is the materials that the bottle is made out of. 

While plastic water bottles will likely be much cheaper than any other bottle on this list, plastic isn’t an ideal choice for everyday use. Glass and stainless steel are great alternatives. Glass bottles will likely give you a cleaner taste and are much easier to clean, since they hold up better in the dishwasher than some vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottles. In fact, a good number of stainless steel bottle manufacturers recommend hand washing only. 

The downside to glass over stainless steel is durability. One good drop or slip onto a hard surface, and your brand new glass bottle could shatter. A thick silicone cover can help reduce the risk of shattering.

• Ease of cleaning

If you’re planning to use your bottle regularly, you will need to clean it once a day or at least every other day. No matter how much you love the design of your new water bottle, it will become a real pain if you are struggling to clean it properly each time.

Of course, the easiest way to clean your water bottle is in the dishwasher, but it’s important to note that not all bottles are dishwasher safe. If your bottle is labeled “hand wash only,” and you put it in the dishwasher, you will risk warping the bottle, breaking a vacuum-sealed insulation, or eroding parts of the bottle, like the seal on the lid, which could result in leaks. 

If you don’t have a dishwasher or you plan to hand wash your water bottle, a wide-mouth bottle is a good choice. The bottle’s mouth should be wide enough to get a cleaning brush inside that can move around freely and hit every area inside the bottle. Mold or bacteria can grow in any unwashed area, so if you don't clean every part of the bottle completely, you could create pockets where germs can grow.

• Portability

When it comes to picking the right bottle for your daily lifestyle, size matters. If you’re planning to use your water bottle at the gym, where you can regularly return to the water fountain for a refill, you can opt for a smaller bottle that is light and easier to carry. The last thing you want is to take your new bottle out for a run, only to find that it’s way too heavy. On the other hand, if your water bottle is going to sit at your desk or in your car all day, and you only want to fill it up once or twice a day, consider one with a larger capacity. 

While shopping, consider how easy the bottle is to transport. If it is too heavy or collects a lot of condensation, you’re less likely to use it regularly. You should also make sure it’s easy to hold. The bottles on this list all have some kind of holding loop or area that’s easy to grip, which reduces the chance of it falling or slipping out of your hands Jug.