In Search of The “Perfect” Reusable Water Bottle

July 24, 2018 9:06 AM

Looking for suggestions for a water bottle for someone with specific requirements! Specifications inside.

MUST HAVES:
-no plastic (stainless steel preferred, no glass)
-easy to open and clean lid (flip top/button push ideal, no screw caps, straw attachments, or sports lids)

WOULD BE NICE:
-large enough to fit a decent amount of water (20+ ounces)
-fits in a car cup holder

NOT NECESSARY
-doesn’t need to be insulated

Budget is around $25 but would consider going higher for the perfect bottle. Thanks in advance, hive mind!

posted by carlypennylane to Shopping (11 answers total)

Wirecutter chose the Klean Kanteen Classic 27-Ounce Stainless Steel Bottle with 3.0 Sport Cap, which looks like would serve you nicely.
posted by General Malaise at 9:10 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]

I purchased this one but it is 18oz. Love it and there is no outside condensation too. Different colors are at different prices but well under $25.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 9:13 AM on July 24, 2018

I just bought this one last week. It was one of the prime day on sale things. It's only had a few days run but like it so far. I'm currently using a bag with one big compartment, so my water is right up next to my beloved kindle, and I haven't experienced a single problem with leaking or sweating.

Looks like the 22oz would fit your needs for capacity and cup holder size, and it comes with a wide mouth lid and a flip top lid option.
posted by phunniemee at 9:18 AM on July 24, 2018

In my experience, I love the Klean Kanteens, but I was never even with the sport 3.0 able to find the sweet spot where it would not leak (if not fully tightened) or whistle (if it was). I don't think they have a flip type. There is a wide-mouth version and there's a "cafe cap" that's kind of more of a travel mug lid that works with it?
posted by Sequence at 9:22 AM on July 24, 2018

I like Klean Kanteen a lot, but if I were you, I'd probably go for a 20 oz. double-walled wide-mouth with a cafe cap.

(Also, if you want this to be one of those buy-it-for-life kinds of deals, I suggest getting one in brushed stainless steel--most any steel water bottle will eventually pick up some scratches or dents, and most any paint/coating will eventually chip, crack, or show other signs of wear.)
posted by box at 9:22 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]

I love my Klean Kanteen, but will agree that it's easy to leak if you don't push the top down 100% and it falls to its side. It's also tall so I wouldn't trust it to not topple over in a car cup holder.
posted by monologish at 9:30 AM on July 24, 2018

I have the kleen kanteen 3.0 sports cap on a hydroflask, and while I like it, it's more leak-resistant than leakproof. I've definitely had it leak when I thought I had it secured (multiple times). The actual kleen kanteen bottles are really tall, which is why I use the hydro flask as I dislike the tall look and definitely not as good for the car.
posted by Aranquis at 10:04 AM on July 24, 2018

If not the Klean Kanteen, the Hydroflask looks like exactly what you're looking for, but they're heavy and not cheap ($30 for the 18-oz.) I really like mine. Note that there are three different lids you can get for it - I think you'd want the Flip Lid.
posted by Jeanne at 10:04 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]

I’m with Jeanne. I loooooove my Hydroflask! It fits in the car holder, too.
posted by mochapickle at 10:20 AM on July 24, 2018

You should be aware the non-screw cap hydroflask lids have really bad reviews for long-term use and not leaking. They are also really expensive ($10 for the lids).
posted by Aranquis at 12:32 PM on July 24, 2018

I have a Hydroflask with a screw-on, flip-top lid. (This very one, in fact, although mine's more teal than mint.) I love it. It works perfectly, and the wide mouth makes it easy to clean (which is a huge bonus). Klean Kanteens always seem to leak from the little aeration plug, or if they don't leak, they're hard to drink from because not enough air can get in.
posted by tapir-whorf at 2:32 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]