The market is flooded with a dizzying array of reusable water bottles, of every possible shape, color, and size; each one promising new and innovative ways to store your water. Every few years a new bottle emerges from the endless options causing a new craze across the country. There are reasons why each bottle gained an almost cult following, but comparing them is the only way to find out which hyped water bottle actually reigns superior. 

1. Owala FreeSip

Perhaps the newest bottle to join the ranks, the Owala bottle excels in functionality. It has a flip top lid and dual-sip options with both a large wide-mouth opening and a built in straw. Attached to the lid is also a handle that can be utilized or tucked away at the user’s whim. The Owala includes colorful block designs that foster self expression and creativity. That being said, one of the major downsides to this product is its inability to store hot liquids, as the Owala company advises against this practice.  

2. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap

A tried and true classic, the Hydro Flask gained recognition around 2019 and has remained a household name since. The bottle is both durable and functional, retaining cold liquids amid heat. Its design is simple yet classic, and appeals to a plethora of demographics. The lid has an attached handle and straw which makes the bottle convenient for users on the go. A negative, however, is that the bottle is prone to leakage which decreases its favorability to many consumers. 

3. Stanley Quencher H2.0 

 A Stanley is quintessential to the craze for water  bottles. This tumbler can be seen throughout the school and country alike, gaining icon status on social media sites like Tiktok. The cup is also appealing to consumers for its massive handle which makes it easy to carry and its straw which makes sipping easy, as well as its ability to fit into standard car cup holders. The big  problem with the cup is its portability: the lid isn’t 100% leakproof, the bottle can get heavy when filled with 40-ounces of water, and its size can make it hard to fit into backpack side pockets and carry around all day. Although the Stanley may be perfect for at home usage it certainly isn’t ideal to shuttle around during busy days. 

4. Original S’well

…..These brightly colored  bottles swelled in popularity circa 2015, with their sleek design catching the attention of the masses. The compact size of the S’well makes it simple to travel with. However the mouth of the bottle is quite narrow, making both  cleaning and putting ice cubes in the bottle difficult. The bottle also lacks some sort of handle to allow for convenient carrying, as well as a straw cap, overall the S’well is mediocre.