Water Bottles: Reviews

Updated August 2009

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Best BPA-free plastic water bottle

*Est. $10 for 25-oz. bottle Compare Prices

CamelBak is well regarded for their hydration packs, but their new line of water bottles also gets good reviews. The CamelBak Better Bottle is made with BPA-free Tritan copolyester, and the screw top features a bite valve… and integrated handle. Most reviewers love the bite valve, since you don't have to tip or squeeze the bottle to drink, but some find it hard to get used to. Overall, the CamelBak Better Bottle gets top ratings for convenience, and it's one of the most inexpensive water bottles preferred by reviewers. The biggest downside to the Better Bottle is leakiness -- multiple reviewers say that the bottle leaks or squirts when you flip open the bite valve. When the bite valve is closed, however, few owners report problems with leakiness.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Great Outdoors magazine: TGO magazine recommends the CamelBak Better Bottle and gives it a five-star rating. They especially like the bite valve, which ...

Good Housekeeping: The bite valves on the CamelBak Better Bottles can be confusing if you haven't used them before, editors say. They like the fact ...

Time magazine: Reviewer Hilary Hylton likes the CamelBak Better Bottle, especially because the water doesn't spill while she's driving. However, ...

Gardenaut (blog): Blogger Jeremiah McNichols says the CamelBak Better Bottle's "thoughtful features and durability make it a good buy." However, ...

Men's Journal: Men's Journal calls the CamelBak Better Bottle "cost-effective, if basic," and they say the bite valve cap does a good job of ...

Amazon.com: Over 400 owners posting here mostly rave about the CamelBak Better Bottle. They say that it's durable and that the nozzle is easy ...

Buzzillions.com: The CamelBak Better Bottle is the top-rated water bottle on Buzzillions.com, which compiles reviews from REI.com, ...

TravelGearBlog.com: Reviewer Daved Brosche dishes out a high rating (eight out of 10) to CamelBak's Better Bottle, praising the bottle's one-handed ...

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Best stainless-steel water bottle

Klean Kanteen

*Est. $18 for 27-oz. bottle Compare Prices

Klean Kanteen water bottles are a good choice for those who prefer not to use plastic. Klean Kanteen water bottles are made from recyclable, food-grade stainless steel, so there is no chance of BPA contamination. Most… Klean Kanteen bottles come with a BPA-free polypropylene cap, but you can purchase stainless-steel tops (*Est. $6) and replace the plastic one. While metal water bottles can dent pretty easily, the Klean Kanteen gets high marks for durability -- it even survives being run over by a car in one torture test. Owners also say the water bottle resists leaks and is easy to drink from. The biggest complaint about Klean Kanteen bottles is excessive sweating, so you may want to invest in an insulation sleeve.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Wired Magazine: The Klean Kanteen gets the highest rating in this comparative test conducted by Wired.com. Among the four water bottles they ...

Men's Journal: Men's Journal calls the Klean Kanteen "simple but bulletproof," although it sweats when filled with cold liquids and the lid can ...

Slate.com: This roundup calls the Klean Kanteen water bottle a reliable choice, saying that it resists dents, can survive dishwashers and ...

Gardenaut (blog): This methodical rundown praises the Klean Kanteen for its simple design, small stainless-steel base (which fits in most cup ...

Time magazine: Reviewer Hilary Hylton says the Klean Kanteen was her favorite of five water bottles, besting the Sigg Traveler and CamelBak ...

The New York Times: In this test, the Klean Kanteen is deemed durable and stylish, although tester Eric Linxweil thinks the opening can allow a ...

About.com: Wendy Bumgardner notes that the stainless steel Klean Kanteen's main advantage is that it's nonleaching and toxin-free. It's not ...

Amazon.com: Over 600 owners posting here are highly satisfied with the Klean Kanteen bottle, noting that it's easy to clean, light and ...

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Best aluminum water bottle

Sigg Lifestyle

*Est. $22 for 20-oz. bottle Compare Prices

Sigg bottles are incredibly popular, and most reviews indicate that these recyclable aluminum water bottles live up to the hype. Aluminum water bottles require an interior liner, and there have been some concerns in the… past about whether or not the Sigg liner contains BPA. In January 2009, Sigg released a new baked-on polymer liner to dissuade fears about the epoxy resin liner used on older water bottles. However, Sigg still does not disclose the contents of their liner, so some critics fault the company for lacking transparency. Sigg has tested their liner and says it doesn't leach BPA or other chemicals. If that doesn't satisfy you, the Klean Kanteen stainless-steel bottles do not have a liner.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Wired.com: The Sigg water bottle gets a mixed review form Wired. Danny Dumas likes the numerous designs and says it performs well in some of ...

Good Housekeeping: Good Housekeeping tests 32 water bottles, but only 21 receive an analysis. Out of these 21 water bottles, the Sigg Lifestyles ...

Men's Journal: Like other reviewers, Men's Journal editors wonder why manufacturers won't disclose the contents of the bottle's aluminum liner. ...

Slate.com: Though Slate.com reviewer Laura Moser calls Sigg water bottles "functional baubles," she appreciates that they don't dent easily ...

Gardenaut (blog): This Gardenaut reviewer says that Sigg water bottles are expensive, and you're "paying primarily for looks." Still, they think ...

About.com: Wendy Bumgardner, About.com's guide to walking, thinks the Sigg bottles are lightweight, although they're also "prone to quickly ...

Amazon.com: Dozens of owners posting here are very satisfied with the Sigg Lifestyle, citing its durability, style and eco-friendliness. They ...

Buzzillions.com: The Sigg Lifestyle is the second-highest-rated water bottle on Buzzillions.com, which collects reviews from retailers around the ...

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Altrec.com

for $16.99

Best sports water bottle

CamelBak Podium

*Est. $9 for 24-oz. bottle Compare Prices

Squeezable plastic water bottles are usually preferred for most sporting activities, since they're easy to drink from on the go. The CamelBak Podium is made from soft, BPA-free polypropylene, and the screw top includes a… self-sealing valve that is easy to drink from. A shut-off lever helps prevent leaks in transit. It's one of the best reusable water bottles, according to Good Housekeeping testers, and most reviewers say it's easy to use. Owners say the CamelBak Podium doesn't leak, and most prefer it to the sports bottles with a valve that must be opened and closed. However, some reviewers think the bottle is too hard to squeeze, especially if your hand is already tired from working out.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Good Housekeeping: The CamelBak Podium is the second-highest scorer (out of 32 bottles) in this Good Housekeeping test. They like the small shut-off ...

BikeRadar.com: BikeRadar.com gives the CamelBak Podium 4.5 (out of five) stars. They like the flow rate and convenience and say "it's the bottle ...

BikeHugger.com: David Schloss at BikeHugger.com calls the CamelBak Podium a "joy to drink from." He finds it more comfortable than most sports ...

GearJunkie.com: Reviewer Stephen Regenold, says the CamelBak Podium is easy to drink from, and the bottle refused to leak with the shut-off lever ...

Amazon.com: Out of about 20 reviewers, the CamelBak Podium gets high marks for convenience and ease-of-use. However, some complain that the ...

Buzzillions.com: Owners give the CamelBak Podium above-average ratings at Buzzillions.com, with most saying that the bottle provides a good flow ...

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Luxury water bottle

Kor One

*Est. $30 for 25-oz. bottle Compare Prices

Some people might think it's absurd to pay $30 for a water bottle, but others think the trendy Kor One is worth it. The Kor One is made from BPA-free Tritan copolyester, and it sports an attached hinge top with an… integrated handle. The threadless spout is big enough for ice cubes. Reviewers and bloggers love the design and it gets numerous style points, including the title of best sustainable consumer product in the 2009 International Plastics Design Competition. Some critics think the Kor One water bottle is gimmicky, and it is considerably more expensive than most plastic water bottles. It's also heavy (more than 12 ounces empty), but those who value style seem to love it.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

National Geographic Adventure: The Kor One water bottle wins a Best of Adventure Gear award from National Geographic Adventure magazine. The flip top earns high ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine reviews a number of outdoor products that represent the "future of gear," including the Kor One water bottle. ...

Gizmodo: Jason Chen at Gizmodo.com says the Kor One is "one damn sexy bottle." Chen likes being able to open the bottle with one hand, and ...

GearJunkie.com: Stephen Regenold says the Kor One water bottle is easy to hold and "nice to look at," although he thinks it's better suited to ...

Elevation Outdoors magazine: Jayme Otto at Elevation Outdoors magazine highlights the Kor One on a list of the best new summer gear. Otto especially likes the ...

Amazon.com: Out of over 20 reviews on Amazon.com, the Kor One attracts generally positive feedback. While most like the design, some think ...

Buzzillions.com: Buzzillions.com has only attracted a few reviews of the Kor One water bottle so far, but it's clear that these reviewers are ...

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Buy from
Amazon

for

Nalgene Everyday Tritan On the Go *Est. $12 for 24-oz. bottle

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Nalgene Widemouth Everyday *Est. $13 for 32-oz. bottle

3 picks by top review sites.

Product Architects Polar Bottle *Est. $10 for 24-oz. bottle

3 picks by top review sites.

SIGG Traveler *Est. $19 for 20-oz. bottle

2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Platypus Platy Collapsible Bottle *Est. $10 for 34-oz. bottle

2 picks including: Amazon.com, Backcountry.com…

Nalgene Backpacker *Est. $19 for 32-oz. bottle

2 picks by top review sites.


	Nalgene Tritan OTG Bottle Lime 24oz WB6140 from Amazon.com New: $12.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Nalgene Everyday 32oz Tritan Wide-Mouth Bottle - BPA Free from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	Polar Insulated Water Bottle from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	Nalgene Stainless Steel Water Bottle from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:

Water Bottles: Reviews

Best BPA-free plastic water bottle

Best stainless-steel water bottle

Best aluminum water bottle

Best sports water bottle

Luxury water bottle

Water Bottles by Price Range