CamelBak Better Bottle

Many sources we consulted agree that the CamelBak Better Bottle is an excellent choice in a water bottle. This bottle is made from Tritan copolyester, which is manufactured without bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that has been the source of much controversy over possible health concerns, and it has a special bite valve and straw so you can drink without squeezing or tipping the bottle. The CamelBak Better Bottle gets high marks for durability and convenience, and most reviewers say it's very easy to use. However, we did see multiple complaints of leakiness, especially when flipping the bite valve open. A few other critics say the bite valve makes this bottle harder to clean than those with a simpler design. Overall, however, most reviewers are incredibly pleased with the CamelBak Better Bottle. We also found excellent reviews for the Nalgene On the Go Everyday Tritan (*Est. $12 for 24-oz. bottle), which is also made with Tritan copolyester. This bottle has a more traditional cap, so it's a good choice if you don't like the bite valve.

The best reviews of the CamelBak Better Bottle come from The Great Outdoors magazine, Time magazine and the Gardenaut blog. Each of these publications comparatively test the bottle, and write a pretty lengthy review. The Great Outdoors also rates the bottles using a five-star system. Good Housekeeping provides the best testing, but their analysis is brief. User reviews are very helpful, especially those from Amazon.com, where over 400 reviewers rate the CamelBak Better Bottle.