13 Best Reusable Water Bottles to Travel With, Tested & Approved
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The travel essential I always have with me, whether I'm headed camping, on a sun-soaked day at the beach, or on a cross-country road trip, is a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated is crucial for beating jet lag, boosting your immunity, and keeping you going on your most active days. Not only are plastic water bottles harmful to the environment, but they don't offer the same perks as a good reusable bottle does, like keeping your water cold on a hot day. The best reusable water bottles are well-insulated so they stay cold for hours, durable enough to handle some accidental tumbles, and completely leakproof so you can toss them safely in a backpack or tote bag. To narrow it down, we asked our editors for the water bottles they never travel without. Some of our favorites even have cool features like caps that lock for added protection, wide handles for easy carrying, and self-filtering capabilities. Below, the best reusable water bottles from editor-approved brands like Owala, Hydro Flask, Yeti, and more.
What we considered:
The reusable water bottles that earned our editors' stamp of approval have a few things in common: They hold enough water so that we're not constantly refilling them, they're easy to carry around, and they've held up well over time—with only minor bumps and scuffs to show for it. Most of our editors' favorite water bottles are insulated, too—ensuring our water stays cold all day long. We also considered each bottle's standout features, like slim silhouettes that help it fit in cup holders, easy-to-sip straws, and lightweight designs.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Owala FreeSip Sway
- Best durable bottle: Yeti Rambler
- Best insulated: Hydro Flask bottle
- Best sport bottle: Takeya bottle
- Best self-cleaning: Larq water bottle
Owala FreeSip Sway, 30 oz.
Best overall travel bottle
I've been using Owala's FreeSip Sway water bottle for the past several months, and it's by far the best I've ever used. It's made for travel: It has a bucket handle at the top of the bottle that's easy to carry, it's slim enough to fit inside a cupholder, and it's completely leakproof. And when I say leakproof, I mean it—I can confidently toss this upside down in my tote bag each morning (with my laptop!) and never worry about a spill. There's a cap that completely covers the built-in straw, making it leakproof, but also meaning you don't have to worry about germs, dust, or any particles flying inside the bottle. There's also a dedicated lock that prevents you from opening the cap—just in case you're worried about it accidentally opening in your bag. This smart design has also made the bottle popular among healthcare workers who want that extra security. (In fact, verified medical workers get 10% off at Owala.) The triple-layer insulation allows my water to stay cold all day long; by the end of the day, the ice cubes I added in the morning are still going strong—even on hot days. The bottle itself is pretty slim, so even though you're getting 30 ounces of water in there, it's not super heavy or hard to carry on the go. I've been recommending this water bottle to everyone I know! —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor
Takeya insulated water bottle, 22 oz.
Best for active travelers
Takeya’s insulated sport bottle is great for trips that I know will involve hiking, running, or long days at the beach—its vacuum insulation really does keep drinks cold all day, and the double-wall design means you won’t have to deal with any condensation on the outside. The lid’s loop makes it easy to carry by hand, and it’s narrow enough to fit inside most any backpack side pocket. I also appreciate the rubber bumper that keeps it from making a loud noise if you set it down on a table or accidentally swing it into something. I use the classic lid with a twist-open top on this one, but Takeya makes a straw-style lid that’s compatible with the bottle, too. —Madison Flager, associate commerce director
Camelbak MultiBev stainless steel bottle, 22 oz.
Best two-in-one design
I absolutely love this bottle. The double-wall vacuum stainless steel keeps liquids warm or cold all day long, and it comes with a handy cap that you can hook your fingers through, making it easy to carry around (and ensuring you’re hydrated through the day). But the best part is the coffee/tea mug that cleanly detaches from the main bottle, which means you can carry a cold beverage and a hot one without needing two different vessels. —Arati Menon, global digital director
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Travel Bottle, 32 oz.
Best insulated bottle
I'm a longtime fan of Hydro Flask's wide mouth water bottle for its incredible insulation and durable exterior that can handle plenty of drops. My one gripe: It doesn't fit in my car's cup holder! I bring a travel water bottle with me everywhere—including on quick car rides and long road trips. Thankfully, the brand's updated model offers all the great features I know and love about the original bottle, but with a new, sleek silhouette that gets slimmer at the bottom, allowing it to fit inside a cup holder and be a little easier to hold. The 32-ounce bottle keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation. I reach for this one for pool days and beach vacations when I want to have a lot of water on deck and need it to stay ice cold all day. The straw lid makes drinking a ton of water throughout the day easy, and there's a convenient carry loop to grab it on the go. It's also completely leakproof, features a wide opening that makes adding ice cubes simple, and it's dishwasher safe. This is definitely one of the best reusable water bottles on the market. Choose from more than a dozen colors, including this pretty sky blue shade and a bright pink, orange, sage, purple, gray, and more. —M.K.
Owala FreeSip bottle, 32 oz.
Best leak-proof design
Owala's original FreeSip bottle has so many practical features, it's hard to pick a favorite. I was initially drawn to the bottle because of its mouthpiece, which has a straw for sipping and a wider opening for chugging. However, I'm also in love with the ease of opening; you simply push the button and it pops open, so you don't need two hands to screw and unscrew. Oh, and the handle doubles as a lock, so there's absolutely no chance of it leaking in my luggage. It helps that it comes in a bunch of gorgeous colors, too. —Abigail Malbon, global audience development manager
Larq Self-Cleaning bottle, 17 oz.
Best self-cleaning bottle
No matter where I'm headed, whether it's a beach day or just an afternoon in the gym, my Larq is always with me. I received it as a birthday present a few years ago and it hasn’t left my side since. The bottle has a self-cleaning purification system so you are guaranteed to have clean and safe drinking water no matter where you are. At the touch of a button, built-in LED lights clean the contents of the bottle and remove any odors, bacteria, and viruses. It is also perfectly insulated to keep your water cold for the whole day or hot for a couple of hours. —Andrea Edelman, visuals editor
Yeti Rambler bottle, 26 oz.
Best durable bottle
Yeti's Rambler bottle is perfect for pretty much everything—whether you're commuting, camping, or catching a flight. I love how well it maintains temperatures during long days out in the elements: It'll keep your iced coffee iced all day, even in the dead of summer, and a hot coffee steaming on that winter camping trip. Plus, the lid is seriously spill-proof, so you can feel comfortable throwing it in a beach bag without stressing about leaks (and, thanks to its heavy-duty stainless steel body, it's meant to survive being tossed around). —Megan Spurrell, associate articles director
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler, 30 oz.
Best easy-to-hold handle
The Stanley Quencher actually makes hydration fun. As silly as it may sound, one of my favorite parts of Stanley's viral tumbler is the straw: for some strange reason, it's much easier to drink large quantities of water through its built-in straw. The large handle is also a plus, making it easy to hold and fun to carry around in an accessory-like way. It's not the type of water bottle that can be easily thrown in your bag because of its open straw, but I find that it holds up just fine in a bag where it can sit upright. Read: The Stanley is my emotional support water bottle, and the handle gives me life. —Emily Adler, associate social media manager
Brita Premium water bottle with filter, 26 oz.
Best odor-reducing water
My friends are always shocked when I pull out my Brita water bottle—oftentimes they don’t know that water pitchers and sink attachments aren't the only products the brand has to offer. The filters last for two months and come in packs of three, limiting your trips to the store. I like traveling with the Brita because it offers a sense of security around my health—I feel more comfortable filling up my water bottle anywhere than if I were just taking tap water at face value or creating waste by purchasing bottled water. The biggest surprise from this purchase has been the bottle’s durability. The hard-sided plastic has remained dent-free even after dropping it all over the country while traveling. —Paris Wilson, commerce writer
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler, 30 oz.
Best for outdoorsy adventures
I received a Stanley Iceflow Tumbler water bottle last Christmas—a model that's more outdoorsy and temperature-focused than the viral Quencher—and have been loving it for car rides and plane trips alike. It's large enough to keep me hydrated throughout the day on just a couple of fill-ups, and it keeps water cold for 12 hours (and ice frozen for up to twice that, which will definitely be a big help in the hot summer months on road and camping trips). It's also easy to clean, and has a sturdy built-in sipping straw. The only con is it's a bit heavier, making it less of a go-to for the gym. —Shannon McMahon, senior destinations editor
Kinto Day Off tumbler, 16 oz.
Best for the minimalist
This minimalist tumbler from Kinto does double duty on hot and cold liquids, maintaining their temperature for up to six hours. Though it’s made of stainless steel, it comes in a mix of chic muted neutrals and bold basics like ivory and marigold, meaning you won’t mind asking that hip Parisian barista to refill it for you. At about 16 ounces, it can fit a decent amount inside, but the profile is less bulky than other bottles like it—and thanks to a looped handle, it's even easier to tote around. —M.S.
Purist Mover Vacuum water bottle, 18 oz.
Best glass-like bottle
I feel a bit like Goldilocks when it comes to water bottles. I love drinking out of glass containers, namely because they don’t have that metallic tang of stainless steel nor do they hold onto the lingering taste of bad to-go decisions that often go hand-in-hand with plastic bottles (that spicy greens and wheatgrass juice from months ago that you can’t quite wash away). That said, glass bottles, unlike stainless and plastic ones, are heavy, and the past few that I’ve owned have been sort of chunky and haven’t fit in my car's cup holder, which means they end up rolling around near my feet or I have to drive with my water bottle between my legs. I feel like I’ve found my “just right” with the 18-ounce Mover bottle by Purist. It’s stainless—so it’s lightweight and durable–but the inside is lined with a thin layer of silicon dioxide, which gives it a glasslike finish and prevents inadvertent flavor saving. The color choices are really nice, too–like bone, clay and drift, which is a pretty forest green shade. Bonus: It fits my car’s cup holder and it keeps hot drinks hot for 12 hours and cold ones cold for about a day. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor
Nalgene Wide Mouth water bottle, 32 oz.
Best for tracking your water intake
No-frills but an old faithful nonetheless, the Nalgene bottle is a great way to stay hydrated and keep track of how much water you're drinking. Its helpful measurement markings will keep you on pace with your daily recommended water intake and the loop-top cap can be easily clipped onto a bag or harness, making it one of our tried-and-true adventure travel companions. Plus, if you're headed somewhere that the tap water won't be filtered, you can screw on a LifeStraw to filter unsafe water instantly as you drink. —M.S.
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