What we love: If you are somebody who likes having a day’s worth of water by your side at all times, Owala’s FreeSip Sway is the bottle for you. It’s effectively a ginormous, 40-ounce version of the FreeSip bottle, only with a bucket handle for simple transport.
I assumed a bottle this big would be awkward to carry when full, but the handle was surprisingly comfortable, even when brimmed. Better yet, it’s still slim enough to fit in a cup holder, which comes in clutch for commuting and running errands. And, of course, having 40 ounces on hand meant I wasn’t constantly stopping to refill it.
What we’d leave: The Sway’s biggest downside is also what makes it so useful: it’s a big bottle. The 40-ounce capacity means fewer refills, but it also takes up more room in your bag and fridge, and the bottle itself has to be hand-washed.
How we tested these water bottles
I tested these water bottles the way I actually use them: filling them up and taking them everywhere. Over several weeks, I carried them to the gym, in the car, on walks and outdoor excursions, paying attention to how comfortable they were to hold, how easy they were to drink from, and whether they leaked when tossed into a bag.
For insulated bottles, I also paid attention to how long water stayed cold throughout the day. I looked at the little details, too, like whether lids were easy to open, straws actually worked as intended, and bottles fit into standard cup holders. Basically, if a feature made me think, “Oh, that’s clever,” I took note.
What to look for in a water bottle
There’s no universally correct water-bottle size—it really comes down to how much you drink. Smaller bottles are easier to carry and generally fit into cup holders and bags, while larger bottles mean fewer refills throughout the day (provided you don’t mind lugging them around). I tend to prefer something in the 20- to 32-ounce range for everyday use, but if you’re trying to seriously increase your water intake, a 40-ounce bottle might be worth the extra bulk.
If you like your water cold, look for a double-wall insulated stainless steel bottle. These are generally heavier than plastic bottles, but they do a much better job of keeping ice water cold for hours—or, in some cases, all day. If you’re someone who hikes, backpacks, or travels a lot, a plastic bottle might be better for you—they’re a lot lighter when they’re empty compared to insulated models.
IMO, lid type can make or break a bottle. Straw lids are great for hands-free shipping, while spout and chug-style lids let you take bigger gulps; screw tops are simple and generally reliable, but require two hands. It’s important to note that most straw lids will require a bit more maintenance since many are designed with a removable straw. This will be an extra step while cleaning, but if hands-free siping is your top priority, it might be worth it.
Some water bottles come with a truly impressive number of bells and whistles, but you don’t necessarily need them all. A comfortable handle, leakproof construction, and a lid that’s easy to open are more useful to me than a bottle with an app or 14 different drinking modes. That said, features like a folding handle, measurement markings, or a cup-holder-friendly shape can make a vessel way more enjoyable.
Other water bottles we liked
Yeti Rambler 26-ounce
I’ve had my Yeti Rambler for about three years now, and it has survived everything I’ve thrown at it without so much as a dent. It keeps water icy cold, and I’m a particular fan of the Chug Cap, which makes it easy to take a big swig without the awkwardness of drinking from a wide-mouth bottle. My one ongoing gripe is that the cap can be annoyingly difficult to unscrew when I’m trying to refill it. It’s also pretty heavy—especially filled—compared to some of the newer, lighter bottles I’ve tested.
Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler 40-ounce
Stanley Quencher 40-Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
Yes, the Stanley Quencher is still a statement bottle. Even with seemingly endless dupes flooding the market, there’s something about carrying a Stanley that feels bratty and cool. I also appreciated that it actually fits in my car’s cup holder, because what’s the point of a giant water bottle if it has to ride shotgun? The Flip Straw lid is leakproof (and frankly, a nice upgrade from the static straws that used to be on all the Stanleys), easy to sip from, and compatible with other cups, while the huge color selection means you can treat your water bottle like an accessory. But at nearly 1.5 pounds before you add a single drop of water, the Quencher is noticeably heavier than many of the other bottles I tested, and its wide, curvy shape takes up plenty of real estate in a bag. It’s also $45 to $60 depending on which colorway you get, which, let’s be real, is steep for something to hold your water in.
Stanley Flowstate 20-ounce Spring Bottle
Stanley
Flowstate Spring Bottle, 20 oz
This is a lovely little water bottle: sleek, ergonomic, easy to carry, and available in a rainbow of trendy colors. The 20-ounce size hits the nice sweet spot for everyday use and the slim shape feels much more streamlined than some of Stanley’s chunkier bottles. My only real complaint is the button, which takes a little more force than I’d like to open. Otherwise, it’s a polished, good-looking bottle that feels equally at home on a desk or in a car.
Stanley Vitalize Tempo Bottle
Stanley
Vitalize Tempo Bottle, 24 oz
Like the Flowstate, the Vitalize Tempo is a pretty bottle with a sleek, ergonomic shape that’s easy to carry around. It’s marketed as a gym bottle, so it can be used one-handed when you’re in the middle of jogging or lifting. The silicone bumper is a nice touch and will protect it from dents and scratches, although it can be harder to fit in a cup holder. The one thing that bugged me was the straw button, which is a little stiff and takes more effort to open than I’d prefer, especially for the price.
Rtic Journey Bottle
RTIC
Journey Water Bottle, 20 oz
For $20, the Rtic Journey is an excellent -option that has all the bells and whistles of a designer bottle, for a budget-friendly price. The bottle itself feels sturdy without being overly bulky, and the design is simple enough that I could see using it every day. My one gripe is that the metal finger loop isn’t quite as comfortable as it looks: when the bottle is full, it can dig into my fingers a bit. Still, for the price, this is a really solid everyday bottle.
Hydro Flask 32-ounce Travel Bottle with Flex Straw Cap
.jpg)
Hydro Flask
32 oz Travel Bottle with Flex Straw Cap
Many 40-ounce tumblers are great in theory, but they’re often too awkward to carry around all day. At 32 ounces, this Hydro Flask strikes a happy medium. It holds enough water that I’m not constantly stopping to refill it, but it’s still compact enough to function as an everyday bottle. The Flex Straw Cap is another major selling point. And because this is still a Hydro Flask, the insulation performs exactly as you’d expect. The downside is that it’s heavy empty, which means it’s even heavier filled. The straw lid also has more components to clean than a simple screw-top bottle, and at this price point, it’s definitely an investment.
Hydro Flask Arc 24-ounce Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Flex Straw Cap
I loved this Hydro Flask, which manages to feel minimalist without being boring. The design is clean and understated, but the metallic finishes around the neck give it just enough polish than your everyday bottle. I also liked the Flex Straw Cap, which makes it easy to sip without tipping the whole bottle back. There is one small but important catch: the straw doesn’t always engage all the way, so you have to make sure it’s fully locked into place before taking a sip.
Hydro Flask 40-ounce Travel Tumbler
Hydro Flask 40-oz Travel Tumbler with Handle
I’ve had this Hydro Flask for a few years, and it has held up remarkably well, which is really the highest compliment I can give a product. It has the same general appeal as the original Stanley cup—big capacity, hands-free straw, and a shape that works well for everyday use—but it comes at a slightly friendlier price. My only complaint is the straw: it’s permanently fixed in place, so there’s no way to flip it down or tuck it away when you’re not using it. That kind of grosses me out—I don’t want to think of what’s flying around and landing on my straw. It’s also heavier than other bottles, ringing in at 1.15 pounds empty.
S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle
S’well
Stainless Steel 17oz Water Bottle
I’ve had a S’well for close to a decade, which should tell you pretty much everything you need to know about its durability. It still looks good (despite a minor dent in the bottom), doesn’t leak, and has a classic bottle-y shape that’s easy to grab and go. My only wish is that it had some sort of hands-free sipping mechanism, since the screw-top design means you have to stop and tilt it back every time you want a drink.
Nalgene 32-ounce Narrow Mouth Water Bottle
Nalgene Tritan Narrow Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle
Nalgene bottles have earned their reputation for a reason: they are practically indestructible. I’ve relied on mine for years and have taken it hiking, camping, traveling, and more. Sometimes, mid-winter, when I’m chilly even in the comfort of my own home, I’ll even fill it with hot water and sleep with it to keep me warm. I prefer the narrow-mouth design to Nalgene’s wide-mouth options because it’s more comfortable to drink from and less likely to send water everywhere when I’m walking around. The one major downside is that, like a few other bottles in this category, it doesn’t fit in my cup holder. If you don’t care about that particular feature, though, it’s hard to beat a classic Nalgene for durability and simplicity.
Takeya Motivational Water Bottle with Straw Lid
Takeya
Motivational Water Bottle with Straw Lid and Time Marker, 32 oz
Like a Nalgene but more motivational. The markings down the side give you a running hydration goal, which is genuinely useful if, like me, you can go several hours before realizing you haven’t had a sip of water all morning. I also like the straw lid, which makes it easy to drink without stopping whatever you’re doing. Just wish it would fit in my cup holder.
S’well 40-ounce Explorer with Flip Top Lid
S’well
Recycled Stainless Steel Explorer with Flip Straw Lid, 40 oz
This water bottle is big and bucket-y, like the FreeSip Sway. It kept my water chilly for hours, and I loved its tapered shape that fit easily in my cup holder on the road. But sometimes the straw suction didn’t engage, which nicked off points in the long run.
Water bottles we don’t recommend
Please, for the love of god, don’t spend $350 on this water bottle. As someone who’s been testing and writing about products for half a decade, and after testing the Okapa for months, I still cannot tell you what makes this any different or more luxe than a Stanley or Hydro Flask bottle. It looks cool, sure—but that is literally all I can say about it. Otherwise, it’s just a borosilicate glass bottle with a lightweight aluminum shell and an absurd price tag.
S’well’s glass bottle is chic and minimalist. I love the silicone body that comes in a range of cotton-candy inspired hues. The schtick is the straw which, unfortunately, didn’t hit for me. It’s designed to have a “collapsible bottom” aka, just has a piece of squishy silicone on the glass straw that you can push down to fit inside the bottle, which is more work than it’s worth. Either use it without a straw or stick to the metal OG.
The bottle itself is fine (and cheap) but the bite straw is a pain to clean. It has a nice mouthfeel, but I feel it’s a mold problem waiting to happen if you aren’t diligent.
Sorry to the internet’s newest darling, but it’s not as good as the influencers say. The Bink bottle is cute and a good option if you want a glass bottle. That said, it’s not necessarily anything special—we tend to favor a bottle with some sort of spout or straw rather than just a screw on lid. But most glaring was the dishwasher performance—it cracked after just one rinse cycle. Big red flag.
It’s definitely unique and is slim, if space is that important to you. Otherwise, it’s gimmicky. Regular water bottles work just as well for less.
Get to know your reviewer
Francesca Krempa: I’ve spent six years testing and writing about just about everything you can buy. When I’m not writing, I’m usually outside—skiing, paddling, fishing, camping, or plotting my next road trip—which means I have very strong opinions about anything I’m expected to carry around all day. For this review, I evaluated each bottle for the things that actually matter in real life: durability, portability, insulation, ease of cleaning, and drinkability.