9 Best Stainless Steel Water Bottles for Staying Hydrated

Registered dietitians and other experts reveal the importance of drinking water and their favorite stainless steel water bottles to stay hydrated all day long.

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Benefits of reusable water bottles

You might not realize how often you’re walking around dehydrated. The best way to change that? Consider a reusable water bottle, which you can have with you at all times for your hydration needs. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which to choose?

“My advice when purchasing a reusable water bottle is to buy based on looks, size, and spout,” says Torey Armul, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who is based in Columbus, Ohio. “Appearance matters simply because it makes you want to use it. If you love the look or color, you’re more likely to reach for it and use it often.” Armul also recommends thinking about spout size ahead of time, too. “Do you like the wide mouth bottle, a smaller opening, a straw or a sports bottle nozzle?” she says. “People tend to have preferences on that, so choose whatever is easiest and most pleasant for you to drink. As obvious as it sounds, whatever you enjoy most will motivate you to drink more, which is important for hydration, performance, and recovery.”

We asked registered dietitians and nutritionists about their favorite reusable water bottles, and why they like them. Here are some of the best reusable water bottles that will help keep you hydrated all day long. (Here’s why you should avoid refilling your plastic water bottle.)

hydro flask stainless steel water bottle
via amazon.com

HydroFlask 21 (or 24) ounce Water Bottle

$27-$110 depending on size and color

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Choose your size bottle from 18, 21, or 24 ounces, customize it with a standard or sports cap (with a spout that makes it easy to hydrate with), and keep your beverages cold or hot for hours. “My husband jokes that my Hydro Flask is more attached to me than my cell phone,” says Anna Brown, integrative registered dietitian in New York. “I love it because it doesn’t change the taste of the water—keeps it tasting clean and crisp—and I don’t have to worry about bisphenol A (BPA) or other BPA alternatives, also known as endocrine disruptors.”

You don’t have to worry about condensation on the outside of the bottle as the hours go by either. “Just because I like to sweat doesn’t mean I want my water bottle to,” says Melanie Boehmer, outpatient registered dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “It’s really wonderful to carry around a reusable water bottle that doesn’t soak everything in my bag—or on my desk. Plus, I love how hot it keeps my coffee and cold it keeps my water.” The bottle is durable, but if anything goes wrong, the company offers a lifetime warranty on it as well.

swell stainless steel water bottle
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S’well Stainless Steel Water Bottle

$35

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This sleek bottle fits in most backpack side pockets and features triple-layered insulation, so you can keep your drink cold for up to 41 hours, and hot for up to 18. “I love the design, both the pattern on the one I ordered and the feel in my hand,” says Cynthia Sass, a registered dietitian and virtual plant-based performance nutritionist based in New York. “I was looking for a stainless steel bottle for safety and environmental purposes, to avoid plastic use as well as chemical exposure, and S’well really does keep my water chilled for hours. It’s also easy to clean. I love it so much I haven’t had the desire to try any others. I’ve also purchased S’well bottles as gifts for friends and family.”

takeya stainless steel water bottle
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Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Bottle

$26 -$55 depending on size and color

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Tote this bottle or attach it to your bag using the loop handle. You won’t have to worry about losing the screw top either, since it flips back but stays attached to the bottle itself. “I love the flip top on this stainless steel bottle,” says Roberta Anding, a registered dietitian for Baylor College of Medicine corporate programs in Houston. “I find it easier to open when I am exercising than a typical screw top.”

klean kanteen stainless steel water bottle
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Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle With Sippy Cap

$32

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Not only will this bottle keep your kiddos water cold all day, but it’s also lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about your child hurting getting hurt if he or she accidentally drops it on his or her foot. “Klean Kanteen was what my kids asked for, with the sucky straw—all of their friends have them as well,” says Jennifer Silverman, holistic nutritionist based in New York. “The size options are great and water stays cold for hours when we’re outside at the playground. And because they’re great quality and durable, if I accidentally drop them on the ground—or if my kids do—I don’t worry that they will break or crack.”

yeti rambler stainless steel water bottle
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Yeti Rambler

$40

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This is the perfect vessel for a road trip, as you won’t end up spilling water all over yourself thanks to the shatter-resistant spout, which is small enough to fit your lips around. “I love the Yeti rambler,” says Leslie Bonci, registered dietitian and founder of Active Eating Advice, based in Pittsburg. “We have traveled hours in the car with hot coffee in it, and the coffee stays hot, and it’s also kept coffee cold all day when I’ve used it at the beach on a 90-degree day.” It’s a great gym companion, too. “I like it because it doesn’t get wet or slippery, which is awesome when you’re working out, and it keeps my water cold,” says Sara Haas, author of Fertility Foods Cookbook and a culinary dietician based in Chicago.

simple modern stainless steel water bottle
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Simple Modern Ascent Water Bottle

$21

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There’s no way you won’t find a color or pattern you like with 45 different options to choose from. And not only will you be doing good for the Earth with this reusable water bottle, but you can also feel good knowing that the company donates 10 percent of profits to helping others. “I love the slim approach of this water bottle, ” says Pamela Nisevich Bede, owner, nutrition expert, and coach at Swim, Bike, Run, Eat. “I appreciate when a bottle actually fits in my car cup holder!”

brita stainless steel water bottle
via target.com

Brita Filtered Water Bottle

$30

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If you’re a bit particular about keeping your water tasting fresh, consider purchasing this water bottle that has a built-in purifier. “I prefer filtered water, especially while traveling,” says Bede. You’ll love the push button feature that pops the lid off, making it easy to grab a quick sip.

bobble stainless steel water bottle
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Bobble Insulate

$17

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You’ll love the price point on this water bottle. “This is my go-to if I want a smaller water bottle for quicker trips out of the house or to fit in a car cup holder,” says Brown. “It was one of the first reusable water bottles I ever got in 2016, and it was unique because it had a wide mouth—most water bottles at that time had small mouths—so I could put it right in the dishwasher for easy washing.”

stanley stainless steel water bottle
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Stanley Classic Easy Clean Water Bottle

$21-$27 depending on size and color

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Many reusable water bottles are so narrow and long that they can be difficult to clean. You won’t run into that issue with this water bottle, that’s not only wide enough to fit a sponge, but it’s also dishwasher safe. “This would be my husband’s choice,” says Bede. “The cleaning ease is a good feature, especially given it appears more rugged and I envision it being used outside on a job site—at least that’s how my husband would use it.” Choose between 25 or 36 ounces.

Next, learn to recognize the signs that you’re actually drinking too much water.

Sources
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention: "Get The Facts: Drinking Water and Intake"
  • Torey Armul, MS, RD, LD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, nutritionist based in Columbus
  • Anna Brown, RD, integrative dietitian in New York City
  • Melanie Boehmer, MS, RD, CDN, CISSN, outpatient dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City
  • Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, CSSD, virtual plant-based performance nutritionist based in New York City
  • Roberta Anding, MS, RD, CSSD, performance dietitian for Baylor College of Medicine corporate programs in Houston
  • Jennifer Silverman, MS, CNS, holistic nutritionist based in New York City
  • Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN, nutritionist and founder of Active Eating Advice, based in Pittsburg
  • Sara Haas, RDN, LDN, author of Fertility Foods Cookbook, culinary dietician based in Chicago
  • Pamela Nisevich Bede, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, owner, nutrition expert, and coach at Swim, Bike, Run, Eat

Amy Schlinger
Amy Schlinger is a skilled reporter, writer, and editor who regularly interviews world-renowned doctors and medical professionals, elite trainers, nutrition experts, professional athletes, and celebrities. She has 11 years of experience covering health, fitness, wellness, nutrition, and lifestyle topics. She has held staff positions at Shape Magazine, DailyBurn, Self Magazine, and PopSugar. Her work has appeared in Men’s Health, The New York Post, Women’s Health, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Health Magazine, Outside Magazine, Livestrong, Map My Fitness, MSN, Runner’s World, Bicycling Magazine, and more. She has been featured in DailyBurn’s Live to Fail workout video series (five total), is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT), and is certified in Kettlebell Training. Amy is extremely passionate about healthy living, and can often be found researching and testing out new wellness trends and fitness programs or strength training at the gym. She has run six half marathons, completed one triathlon, biked two century rides, finished two Tough Mudder races, and four Spartan races, including a beast at the Spartan World Championships at Squaw Mountain in North Lake Tahoe.