It’s not exactly earth-shattering to hear that we should all be downing two litres of water a day. Yet, somehow, many of us still find it hard to get anywhere near this magic number. Having a water bottle on hand you actually fancy using could be the solution. I’ve reviewed almost every version on the market over the last five years and have found it’s useful to keep a selection to suit all occasions (or for when I can’t be bothered washing up), including a mini one to fit in a handbag, a sturdy leakproof option for travelling and a larger bottle for my desk that I won’t need to keep refilling.

Don’t think each one is created equally either. There are all kind of new-fangled tweaks to bring bottles bang up to date, from ones that scent the water to make you think it’s flavoured to self-cleaning bottles and some that will even remind you to drink regularly. There are caps that change the flow depending on whether you want to chug or sip, those that keep water icy cold for up to 24 hours and even bottles with filter systems so you can drink water from almost anywhere without worrying. Here are some of the best to up your water game.

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The best reusable water bottles for 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Owala freesip: £31.99, Owalalife.com
  • Best budget buy– Brita water filter bottle: £16.80, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for people who don't like water– Air Up twist pro: £40, Air-up.com
  • Best for all-day drinking– Stanley iceflow flip straw 2.0 tumbler, 0.89l: £45, Stanley1913.com

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  • Bestreusable water bottle overall
  • Why we love it- Great range of colours
  • Very versatile

  • Easy to clean

  • Take note- Some colours are shipped from the US at extra cost

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer variety of water bottles available? Make life easy and just choose this one. Already a hit on TikTok, this award-winning Owala bottle is remarkable. Its clever patented lid has a straw built into the mouthpiece for sipping or you can tilt the whole thing back to swig through the wide opening. It opens with a single press and the carry handle locks over the button so it will never accidentally open. It rolled around at the bottom of my bag all day long without even a drop escaping. The lid screws off easily and both it and the wide-mouthed bottle are easy to clean without any niggly bits to trap bacteria.

It comes in three sizes but I found the smallest 24oz (around 700ml) was perfect for me so it didn’t feel too heavy but also didn’t need refilling too often. The colours are gorgeous, though some must be shipped from the US at extra cost, and several people admired the bottle when I was using it. The only downside is it can’t take hot drinks, but the freesip twist (£27.99, Owalalife.com) can be used for both hot and carbonated drinks and has the same dual-purpose lid. It’s a water bottle wonder.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes but handwashing recommended for body
  • Sizes available:24oz, 32oz, 40oz
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Up to 24 hours

  • Bestbudget reusable water bottle

  • Why we love it- Includes filters
  • Great for improving water’s taste

  • New pastel colours available

  • Take note- Filters do need replacing

  • Need to touch the mouthpiece to drink

No need to turn to pricey bottled water if you hate the taste of tap water. King of the water filter Brita has a nifty solution with this sturdy bottle that includes two MicroDisc refillable water filters. These last for around 60l or four weeks, and have an activated carbon filter that removes chlorine and other nasty-tasting substances. However, good-guy minerals such as calcium and magnesium will still pass through the filter and remain in your water.

I was surprised to discover just how good water can taste when using this bottle – my teen tester in particular was a big fan. I also liked the pull-up mouthpiece that’s protected by a lid, to keep it all clean, though, it is quite stiff to use. The bottle gets bonus points for being dishwasher-safe, though, do remember, you will have to buy replacement filters once a month.

There’s also a squeezable one-handed sports bottle available if you’d rather drink on the go.

Key specifications

  • Material:BPA-free plastic
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:600ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Unspecified

  • Bestreusable water bottle for using one-handed

  • Why we love it- Opens with one press

  • Button lock to avoid accidental leaks

  • Take note- Can’t be used for hot drinks

Whether you’re on the go or in the gym, a bottle with a screw lid can be a pain. However, most lids that pop up with one press tend to have a straw, which doesn’t always hit the spot when you’re gagging for a glug.

This Contigo bottle has it all. It’s ready to drink with just one press, has a chug spout for free-flowing water and a cover to protect the mouthpiece from dirt. I also loved the button lock, which prevented accidental presses when it was rolling around at the bottom of my bag. The double-wall vacuum insulation kept my water perfectly chilled for hours, even after a full day, and I didn’t notice any metallic taste.

I also liked the 590ml capacity, which was enough to ensure I didn’t swig it all in one go, but was small enough to be carried all day. If you’re not keen on sipping through a straw, this one ticks every box.

Key specifications

  • Material:18/8 stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes, in the top rack
  • Sizes available:590ml, 720ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Up to 24 hours

  • Bestclassic reusable water bottle

  • Why we love it- Many colours available

  • Not too big

  • Take note- Can’t be used one-handed

Trust iconic cookware brand Le Creuset to make a bottle as discreetly stylish as its covetable casserole dishes. Available in the brand’s distinctive range of stand-out shades with an attractive ombre design, the company has elevated the bog-standard water bottle with small but smart tweaks for added user-friendliness.

There are ridges on the silver screw cap to make it easier to undo, and the double-wall vacuum insulation has a copper layer, so you won’t risk condensation. Drinks will also stay cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12. Plus, it clearly displays the name Le Creuset in block capitals on the front, for tasteful showing off while you’re sipping.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:No
  • Sizes available:500ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:24 hours cold, 12 hours hot

  • Bestreusable water bottle for the gym

  • Why we love it- Very light
  • Easy to hold

  • Lid holder

  • Take note- Can’t be used one-handed

There’s more to Stanley than the ubiquitous ‘quencher’ (£50, Stanley1913.com). Designed specifically for those with an active lifestyle, this slim and sleek iceflow bottle uses Aerolight technology to make it 33 per cent lighter than standard stainless steel bottles, so it didn’t weigh me down even when it was completely full.

It has a recessed grip (so you can grab it with sweaty hands mid-workout) and a large spout for glugging. I thought I might find the screw lid a little annoying in the gym, but it whips off quickly and then snaps onto the carry handle. I simply kept it attached to the integrated hook during a spin class, so I could drink whenever I needed, but didn’t have to worry about dropping or losing the lid.

The vacuum insulation really did keep my water cold, too – iced water stays chilly for an incredible two days. It’s definitely earned a permanent space in my gym bag.

Key specifications

  • Material:8/8 stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:600ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:10 hours cold, 2 days iced

  • Bestreusable water bottle for the long haul

  • Why we love it- Can be used one-handed

  • Completely leak proof

  • Take note- Too tall for some bags

There’s not much this bottle can’t do. It looks more like a flask than a traditional drinking bottle, and could certainly withstand any hike or camping trip – that’s unsurprising, though, when you consider the company is best known for its outdoor gear and makes everything from coolers to camping mugs.

The brand recently found more fame when its ‘quencher’ – an oversized tumbler with a handle and straw – became a TikTok sensation.

This quick flip bottle, though, is more for practicality than posing, keeping iced drinks cold for a whopping 40 hours, thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation. It’s utterly leakproof and didn’t spill a drop even when it lolled around in my bag for a whole day.

I like the fact it operates with a single button and has an extra metal ring fastening to prevent accidental opening, which means this has now become my go-to when carrying hot drinks. However, it’s worth upgrading to the largest size if you can’t reach a water source all day.

Key specifications

  • Material: Stainless steel and plastic lid
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:470ml, 700ml and 1.06l
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:8 hours hot, 12 hours cold, 40 hours iced

  • Bestreusable water bottle for all-day drinking

  • Why we love it- Good range of colours
  • Big enough to last all day

  • Range of mouthpieces available

  • Take note- Can’t be used one-handed

  • It’s quite heavy when full

There’s no chance you’ll get thirsty with this oversized bottle, which is great for when you’re on the go all day and might not get the chance to refill.

It’s made from professional-grade stainless steel with a powder coating that can still go in the dishwasher without fading. I particularly liked the wide mouth, which means it fills up in a flash and can be glugged from without wrestling with spouts or straws.

It’s also possible to customise the bottle with a range of mouthpieces, including a chug cap and a straw lid, to get the one that suits you best, though, be aware not all the additional caps can be used with hot liquids.

I love the range of colours it comes in, too, including a suits-all ‘stone’ and a pretty pale blush pink named ‘trillium’.

Key specifications

  • Material:18/8 pro-grade stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:591ml, 946ml, 1,182ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Cold 24 hours, hot 12 hours

  • Bestreusable water bottle for cold water

  • Why we love it- Not too big
  • Feels streamlined in hand

  • Can be engraved

  • Take note- Can’t go in dishwasher

  • Takes longer to air-dry

Available in three sizes to suit all, this Chilly’s bottle keeps water seriously cold for more than a day. I took it on a long-haul flight and my water was just as icy by the time I reached my hotel in hot weather as it had been in Heathrow. I also loved the rubber base which stopped the bottle slipping around and the secure screw top meant there was no chance of leaks, which was reassuring when it was in my bag all day.

It's pleasing to drink from too, with a narrow but gluggable mouth and a streamlined matte finish that shouldn’t chip easily. It can even be engraved with a name which is a nice touch, and would be particularly handy if a child was bringing it into school. My only gripe is that it can’t go in the dishwasher and when hand-dried, did take longer to dry than other bottles because of the narrow opening. The Primus TUFA insulated bottle 0.6L is a dishwasher-friendly alternative if you’d rather swerve the washing up, but this is a can’t-go-wrong choice otherwise.

Key specifications

  • Material:Recycled stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:No
  • Sizes available:350ml, 500ml, 1l
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Cold up to 36 hours, hot up to 14 hours

  • Bestreusable water bottle for people who don't like water

  • Why we love it- Can be used with sparkling water
  • Very popular with children

  • Great for anyone who doesn’t like drinking water

  • Take note- Flavour pods are an ongoing cost

  • Take care putting together

I didn’t find this bottle the most practical to use as it’s quite a bit taller than most, with an angled lid that makes it tricky to fit into smaller bags. However, my son couldn’t wait to get his hands on it and it was definitely his favourite of all the bottles tested (and the one he’s still bringing into school each day weeks later).

Air up’s have already been a huge hit in playgrounds across the UK, thanks to the innovative flavour pods that slot over the spout. These come in over 25 different flavours and work using smell to change the perception of the water being drunk – so you think you’re drinking something flavoured, but actually it’s still plain old water. They’re a great way to get water-refusing children to sup up, without extra sugar or additives, and I found it worked surprisingly well, although if you like water anyway, you’d be better of choosing the cheaper Primus TUFA insulated bottle. It does keep water icy cold – even at the end of a summer school day – though be careful to assemble the bottle properly to avoid leaks (I speak from experience). I was also a fan of the brand’s new airup o (£35; Air-up.com), a trendy take on the bottle that comes with a crossbody strap in a range of striking colours that wannabe fashionistas will adore.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:480ml, 850ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold – still and sparkling
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Up to 24 hours

  • Bestsmart reusable water bottle

  • Why we love it- Long battery life
  • Filters water on the go

  • Spout is covered for hygiene

  • Take note- Expensive

  • Must be charged

If you’re looking for a bottle that does everything but lift itself to your mouth, look no further. This new bottle from BRITA is a gadget-lover’s dream – at a price.

Super stylish in a semi-matte finish, it has a wide-opening mouth, a detachable soft-grip handle and – at 680ml capacity – isn’t so enormous that it felt like carrying a brick in my bag. But that’s just the start. The bottle also has a filter at the bottom of the straw that uses activated carbon to reduce PFAS, chlorine and micro-contaminants. This needs to be changed around every 150 litres of water or eight weeks which will cost extra, but it did make the water taste fantastic. Plus, the bottle uses UV-C technology to clean itself every two hours in either normal or powerful mode, which is a brilliant addition when travelling when it might be harder to keep up to cleaning. Bear in mind, this doesn’t clean the spout you actually drink from though.

The bottle can also be linked to the BRITA app, on which you can set hydration goals and monitor your daily water intake. A light will even flash to remind you to drink. I didn’t think this would influence me, but it really worked when the bottle was on the desk next to me during the day and I picked it up and sipped every single time I saw a flash. I also made extra effort to hit my hydration target each day once I knew it was being tracked. If you don’t mind the ongoing cost, this is a next-gen water bottle you’ll want to show off.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Handwashing recommended; cover, lid and filter are not dishwasher safe
  • Sizes available:680ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold only
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Up to 24 hours

  • Bestreusable water bottle for versatility

  • Why we love it- Can be used for hot or cold drinks
  • Fits car cup holder

  • Slim but very sturdy

  • Take note- Would have liked the handle to be removable

This is a bottle that means business. Made by Swedish outdoor company Primus, it doesn’t come in countless trendy colours – just five suits-all shades – and does nothing fancier than keep your drinks perfectly hot or cold. It kept my coffee piping hot for at least half a day as I dashed between meetings while my water was as cold by the end of the day as when I first filled the bottle each morning. It’s made from an innovative Primus ThinCore double-wall vacuum insulation which is extra lightweight so didn’t weigh my bag down even when it was full. I also liked the fact that it fit in my car cupholder when many of the other bottles I trialled didn’t.

I tested the standard opening for drinking straight from the bottle which fastens tight with no chance of leaking, but this can be swapped for straw and sports cap versions if you prefer. The soft handle was useful for carrying, although I would have preferred to have the option to remove this so the bottle fit more easily into a smaller bag. If space is really an issue, try the Hydro flask micro hydro mini bottle instead. Otherwise, this does everything you could ever need from a water bottle.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:600ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Cold up to 37 hours, hot up to 15 hours

  • Bestreusable water bottle for handbags

  • Why we love it- Perfect size for handbags
  • Great colour choice

  • Removable handle that can be clipped onto bag

  • Take note- Won’t keep you going all day

Obviously, this water bottle is not the best choice for all-day sipping or bringing to the gym for a heavy session. Yet I was surprised by just how much I loved it. It’s not just the huge range of attractive colours, the fact it’s utterly leakproof and the super-useful removable handle that can be clipped onto just about anything. The dinky size is also genius. It fits just 200ml of either hot or cold liquid and is perfect if you’re carrying a small bag and don’t want to go completely water-free.

Barely bigger than the palm of my hand, I found I ended up bringing water with me when I might otherwise have skipped it because I didn’t have space, especially when I knew I would be somewhere I could easily refill it. Of course, if you need your water to last the day, opt for the Stanley iceflow flip straw 2.0 tumbler 0.89L instead. But this bottle could turn out to be more useful than you think. It’s even the perfect size for a glass of wine, just saying…

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:200ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Cold up to 20 hours, hot up to 7 hours

  • Bestreusable water bottle for off-the-grid travel

  • Why we love it- Great tasting water
  • Creates safe drinking water anywhere

  • Every purchase supports charity

  • Take note- Heavy

  • Pricey

You might have spotted the LifeStraw Go bottles on one of the ‘Race Across The World’ series and with good reason. These ingenious bottles use two-stage filtration – a membrane microfilter to remove bacteria like E.coli and microplastics, and a carbon filter to reduce chlorine, odours and organic chemical matter. It would be a godsend if camping or visiting a country without safe drinking water so you would never need to worry what you’re swigging. Luckily, the membrane microfilter lasts a whopping 4,000 litres, though you’ll need to replace the carbon filter after 100 litres.

I was really impressed with the fresh tasting water from this bottle, although it’s worth bearing in mind that it isn’t insulated so won’t keep water cold for long. If that’s a deal-breaker, try the Brita larq IQ instead. The glass also means the bottle is fairly heavy – 540g when empty – but if you need access to clean water wherever you are, that’s a price worth paying. Better still, every bottle bought provides a child with safe drinking water for a year. A win-win.

Key specifications

  • Material:Borosilicate glass with silicone sleeve
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes without filter
  • Sizes available:591ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Not given

  • Bestreusable water bottle for hygiene

  • Why we love it- Ideal if you can’t wash the bottle regularly

  • Long battery life

  • Take note- Won’t remove sediment from water

  • Expensive

It’s not always possible to clean your water bottle every day especially if you’re travelling or simply can’t be bothered. This self-cleaning water bottle offers extra reassurance you’re not slurping up bacteria if your cleaning habits are falling a little short. It uses UV-C purification built into the lid to run a three-minute cycle at the touch of a button that removes 99.9 per cent of bio-contaminants such as E.coli and cleans the bottle at the same time. It’s recommended to run this every time you refill the bottle, which itself must be charged around every two weeks or 40 cycles.

I loved using this when I was travelling and ordinarily feel I’m not washing my bottle properly. However, it’s worth remembering that the UV-C doesn’t actually remove physical sediment or chemical matter so if you’re visiting somewhere with unsafe water, the LifeStraw go 2.0 glass filter bottle is a better choice. For the average user, this bottle does the job nicely, with its stylish minimalist design and double-wall insulation for clean, cold water on-the-go.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Body in top rack only, lid not safe
  • Sizes available:500ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold up to 24 hours, hot up to 12 hours
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Cold up to 24 hours

  • Bestcustomisable reusable water bottle

  • Why we love it- No metallic taste

  • Fantastic colour options

  • Take note- Lid options could be explained more clearly

  • Lid has a lot of crevices to clean

If you’re looking for something a little more interesting than a bog-standard water bottle, this Frank Green option will appeal. Almost everything on it is customisable, from the lid type and colour to the strap colour, and it’s even possible to get it monogrammed for no extra cost. This was my teen tester’s favourite bottle by far, and she loved the idea she could design the bottle exactly the way she liked.

There are several different lid options to choose though I did find it a little tricky to work out exactly how each one worked using the brand’s website. I opted for the switch lid, which costs an extra £4 but is brilliantly versatile. I loved the fact that it could be operated with one hand by the push button which locked to make this completely leak-free. There’s also an ingenious sliding switch inside the cap so you can alternate between sipping from a straw or glugging from a wider opening. It does mean there are a few nooks and crannies in the lid so it requires careful cleaning or you could try the Chilly’s series three water bottle to go for a straightforward screw cap. But this bottle gets the thumbs-up in my house for being equally smart and attractive.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel lined with ceramic
  • Dishwasher-safe:Lid is, base is handwash only
  • Sizes available:595ml, 1l
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Not given

  • Bestreusable water bottle for all-day drinking

  • Why we love it- Fits cup holders
  • Lifetime warranty

  • Great range of colours

  • Take note- Heavy when full

It was hard to escape the viral Stanly Quencher a few years back, until we all realised it leaked if it was anywhere other than upright in a cup holder or on a desk. Luckily, Stanley has plenty of new alternatives for anyone more likely to chuck a bottle in their bag and hope for the best. I tested various options from the brand including the great iceflow bottle flip straw 2.0 (£40, Stanley1913.com) but if you still love the quencher design, the flip straw tumbler is the one to go for.

Available in a range of attractive colours with coordinating lids (I loved ‘cherry blossom’), the tumbler has a spout that locks into position to stop those pesky leaks. I did find this a little stiff to use at first but it got easier over time. It keeps drinks cold well and has a handy carry handle which is useful when full as the tumbler does get quite heavy - try the Hydro flask micro hydro mini bottle instead when you don’t want to be weighed down. I especially liked the fact that this bottle holds a whopping 890ml yet still fit into the cup holders in both my car and the gym treadmill without needing regular refills. A must-buy upgrade for dedicated Stanley fans.

Key specification

  • Material:Recycled stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes
  • Sizes available:400ml, 590ml, 890ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Cold
  • Leakproof:Yes

  • How long temperature lasts:Cold for 12 hours, iced for 48 hours

  • Bestreusable filter water bottle

  • Why we love it- Keeps water cold
  • Makes non-drinkable water safe

  • One-handed operation

  • Take note- Ongoing cost to change filters

  • Mouthpiece is hard to clean

An essential purchase if you’re outdoorsy or travelling somewhere without safe drinking water, this clever bottle includes a filter that uses NASA-developed technology to remove 99.99% of pathogens including chlorine, bacteria and microplastics. That means non-drinking water is safe to sup, even if it comes from a lake or river. Although I don’t have a science lab to prove the claims, the company has a whole host of independent laboratory certifications that can, including from Eurofins and the Austrian Water Institute.

I loved the fact that the bottle can be operated with one-hand to drink on-the-move, that it keeps cold water nicely chilly and comes with a metal carabiner clip to hang on a bag or belt, especially useful if hiking or camping. However, filters do need changing around every three months at an ongoing cost and remember that the bottle itself still needs cleaning – choose one with UV-C technology like Brita larq IQ if you want all bases covered. It’s also worth picking up a thin bottle brush to scrub the mouthpiece on this as I did find it a little tricky to keep clean otherwise.

Key specifications

  • Material:Stainless steel
  • Dishwasher-safe:Yes apart from filter
  • Sizes available:740ml
  • Hot/cold/both:Both
  • Leakproof:Yes
  • How long temperature lasts:Cold up to 24 hours, hot up to six hours