The best water bottle for you will depend on how you plan to use it. Metal water bottles are great for commuting, hiking or everyday use, but they can be hard to handle for most athletic activities. Plastic bottles, especially squeezable bottles, are the easiest to use for sports. If you can afford it, it may be worthwhile to get one of each for different purposes. When you start shopping, experts recommend keeping the following in mind:

  • Metal vs. plastic. BPA-free plastic bottles are lighter and less prone to dents than metal. However, users like the look of metal bottles, which come in a wider range of styles and colors.
  • If you like to add ice, make sure the mouth is wide enough. Wide-mouth bottles are also easier to clean. However, wide-mouth bottles are harder to drink from and can spill more easily; some include a straw. Cyclists usually use valve mouths because they make it easier to drink while riding. Most manufacturers make accessory caps in various styles.
  • Some water bottles are too wide for cup holders. Several online reviewers are disappointed that the bottle they purchased doesn't fit in their car's cup holder. If you want your bottle to fit, check the measurements before you buy. Most -- if not all -- manufacturers include measurement information on their websites; it's usually in the FAQ section if it's not listed in the product description.
  • Some water bottles should be washed by hand. Most water bottles are dishwasher-safe (on the top rack), but others should be washed by hand. Sigg recommends hand washing their bottles, since the narrow opening may prevent the interior from getting clean in a dishwasher.
  • An insulation sleeve may be necessary for a metal water bottle if you want to keep water cold for a long period, or if condensation on the outside makes the bottle hard to handle.
  • Water bottles may not be recyclable. Metal water bottles from Sigg and Klean Kanteen are widely recyclable. Plastic bottles marked with a No. 7 are not accepted for recycling in most municipalities, but some manufacturers (like Kor) will recycle your bottle for you.

Is my water bottle BPA-free?

Though many new water bottles are BPA-free, it pays to know if your older bottle is made from polycarbonate (which contains bisphenol-A). Most plastic containers are marked with a number inside a triangle with arrows. These numbers, which range from No. 1 to No. 7, are called the resin identification coding system, and they identify the type of plastic from which the container is made. No. 7 means the container is made with a resin that is not in categories No. 1 through No. 6, or is made from a combination of resins. Polycarbonate is coded with No. 7 or the letters PC, notes Consumer Reports, but other plastics that do not contain BPA may also be labeled No. 7. In fact, the new Eastman Tritan copolyester, which does not contain BPA, is a No. 7. An article by Laura Parker-Pope in The New York Times adds that if the plastic is "soft and pliable, it is probably not made with BPA." Plastic with BPA is typically rigid and transparent. TheGreenGuide.com notes that plastic containers marked No. 2 (high-density polyethylene), No. 4 (low-density polyethylene) or No. 5 (polypropylene) are currently considered to be safe alternatives.

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