If it’s truly worth its salt, you should only need to buy a good reusable water bottle once, regardless of how often a new, trendy bottle goes viral. Designed to be durable, leakproof and aesthetically pleasing to boot, the ideal bottle will last you forever and never go out of style. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one’s right for you?

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That’s where we come in. From Owala to Stanley to Hydro Flask and more, we’ve broken down some of the best and most popular reusable water bottles to help you decide which one should become your ultimate hydration companion. To level the drinking field, we’re looking only at true water bottles here, which means no tumblers, coffee thermoses or other bottle-adjacent cups. Keep reading to see the pros, cons and unique features of the bottles that might just earn a place in your drinkware collection.

Spoiler alert: While all of these bottles are appealing for different reasons, we think the universal winner is the Owala FreeSip for its price, size and color range and dual drinking spout, in addition to the convenient handle and leakproof insulation.

1. The seemingly universally beloved Owala FreeSip

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Highlights: Unique and convenient dual drinking spout, double-wall insulation, leakproof lid with lock, carry loop, wide mouth opening, fun color combos, wider size range

In early 2024, former shopping writer Haley Zovickian predicted that the Owala FreeSip would "unseat the Stanley" as the trendy bottle du jour. Over a year and a half later, the FreeSip is still a favorite of many in our newsroom, so much so that we gave it an award.

Available in a 16-, 24-, 32- or 40-ounce size, the FreeSip offers two ways to drink: You can sip through the built-in straw while holding the bottle upright, or take a swig from the spout opening. The double-wall insulation can keep your drink cold for up to 24 hours, and the lid has both a lock to keep the bottle leakproof and a carry loop so you can easily take it on the go. Choose from a truly mind-boggling amount of colors, with plenty of fun pastels and neons or classic neutrals.

Drawbacks: Only the lid is dishwasher-safe, not usable for hot liquids

Bottom line: For the price and the convenient features, you can't go wrong with the FreeSip. This is our top pick for those reasons.

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+.

2. A classic Hydro Flask with a straw cap

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Highlights: Leakproof straw cap, double-wall insulation, color-matched monochrome bottle and lid for a sleek look, lid has a handle, available in largest 64-ounce size, dishwasher-safe

Before there was Owala and Stanley, Hydro Flask bottles were a viral favorite, and they're still just as high-quality. "I take this one with me everywhere, including the beach," said former shopping growth strategist Adam Schubak in previous coverage. He added that the leakproof cap "managed to avoid spillage and keep sand out of it."

Available in four sizes and so many unique colors and patterns, the insulated stainless steel bottle has a straw cap you can easily open and close (it's leakproof when closed). The lid also has a handle for carrying. All parts are dishwasher-safe to make this easy-peasy to care for.

Drawbacks: Can't use with hot drinks, reviews say the straw can be finicky

Bottom line: If you're set on having a straw, this is a great option from a classic brand that will keep your drinks cold and is easy to tote around.

Get it from Amazon for $29.96+.

3. The travel-ready Yeti Rambler with a "chug cap"

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Highlights: "Chug cap" for faster drinking, leakproof lid, double-wall insulation, dishwasher-safe

Shopping contributor and avid traveler James Barrett previously wrote about his Yeti Rambler, which he's taken to over 30 countries. Speaking about his trip to Cairo that stopped at the Great Pyramid of Giza, he wrote, "No matter how hot it was inside those ancient walls, the Yeti Rambler could keep water ice cold for the entire day." He added, "Between the bus rides, plane, exploring temples and sailing, I never had to worry about my YETI spilling thanks to its airtight cap. It’s so easy to fill up and helps stop the waste of single-use plastic water bottles."

The bottle, available in five sizes, is made with kitchen-grade double-insulated stainless steel and has a near-perfect 4.8-star average across 33,000 Amazon ratings. The main unique feature of this one is the chug cap (which is separate from the outer cap with a carrying handle), so you can drink faster. The cap is removable for cleaning or if you just prefer to drink out of the bottle on its own. Choose from a ton of solid colors.

Drawbacks: Higher price tag, some reviews mention the chug cap being hard to take off, chug cap doesn't work with hot beverages

Bottom line: This is a pricier bottle, but Yeti delivers on quality and the Rambler is a good strawless option if that's not your style.

Get it from Amazon for $32+.

4. A sleek and simple S'well bottle

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Highlights: Wider color and pattern range, can hold hot or cold beverages, triple-layered insulation

I've owned two stainless steel S'well bottles since the late 2010s and probably won't feel the need to acquire a different bottle for another few years, at least: The S'well is durable, sleek, keeps my water cold, fits in a standard cup holder and does everything it needs to.

The only gripes I have are the lack of a handle, which can make it a little more difficult to tote around on the go, and the narrower opening on this original bottle, which can make it tough to add ice cubes depending on their size and can be a little trickier to scrub clean. (I also own the wider Traveler, which doesn't have this problem but is less easy to hold — and looks a little less chic, in my opinion.)

Drawbacks: Narrow mouth opening can be tricky to clean, no handle for carrying, not dishwasher-safe, only available in smaller sizes

Bottom line: No handle and a narrower opening make the S'well slightly less convenient than others on this list, but you don't have to worry about cleaning the nooks and crannies of straws or other gizmos, and the triple-layered insulation that also works on hot drinks gives this an edge.

Get it from Amazon for $23.50+ (available in three sizes and 20 colors).

5. The old-school CamelBak Eddy+ with a bite valve straw

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Highlights: Most affordable price, softer straw, carrying handle, clear design lets you see how much water is left, dishwasher-safe

Shopping writer Griffin Wynne is a big fan of this Camelbak bottle. "The bottle itself is soft in your hands and easy to hold," they previously wrote, "so you can carry it with a single finger through its handle. The straw cap is also made from silicone and provides a unique tactile pleasure that the hard plastic straws of Stanleys and Hydroflasks cannot. And as the straw bends in, you can throw it in your bag with reckless abandon, knowing it won’t leak all over your stuff."

The straw cap keeps the bottle from leaking, and to drink, you just bite down to open it. The bottle is dishwasher-safe, but some reviews do mention that the lid and straw might need a bit more attention to get fully clean. You can get this bottle in sizes ranging from 20 to 33.8 ounces, and in some bright and fun see-through colors.

Drawbacks: Not insulated, straw can be tricky to clean

Bottom line: The big difference-maker here is that this bottle isn't insulated. If you need your water ice-cold, it's probably not for you. But if you'd like a softer, simpler bottle that isn't metal, there's plenty to love about a Camelbak.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+.

6. The lightweight Stanley IceFlow Fast Flow with an angled spout

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Highlights: Lightweight, angled spout for fast drinking, made of recycled stainless steel, double-wall insulation, dishwasher-safe, carrying handle

You knew a Stanley was coming. Available in bright, muted and neutral tones, as well as four sizes, this bottle can keep your drink iced for up to four days, according to the brand (though you can't use it for hot beverages).

The stainless steel construction is designed to be 33% lighter than standard drinkware made with stainless steel, a huge perk for a bottle you'll be lugging around all day (with the convenient carrying handle, no less). The bottle's angled spout and wide mouth ensure a quick pour that you can comfortably drink up.

Drawbacks: More expensive, not usable for hot beverages, reviewers say colored drinks can leave stains

Bottom line: This Stanley bottle is a good option for a durable, lightweight bottle that keeps your cold drinks cold. However, based on the reviews and brand's guidance, you might be limited to putting only plain cold water in this.

Get it from Amazon for $24.71+.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity. 

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BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.