If you're trying to drink the recommended two litres of water per day, a reusable water bottle is essential. Stainless steel, which is durable, BPA-free and non-toxic, is the best material for your bottle in our opinion. Providing good-tasting, clean water which it can also keep cold (or hot) for extended periods of time, steel is reasonably light to carry - which is important in 750 ml and 1 litre bottles - and won't break.
We've put together a refreshing buying guide alongside our favourite metal bottle picks from brands like S'well, Chilly's and CamelBak for perfect hydration whether you're biking, travelling, or sipping on the commute or sending them to school with the kids. Available on Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and Waitrose, you're sure to find the perfect reusable stainless steel water bottle for that precious H2O!
Quick List - Top Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Klean Kanteen
Dishwasher Safe and Very Well Insulated
CamelBak
A Dishwasher-Safe Steel Water Bottle With a Clever Lid
S'well
Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle With B Corp Certification
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Table of Contents
We consider up to and around the 500 ml mark as being a smaller bottle (holding a couple of average-sized glasses of water), but there are mini options available of around 350 ml which are perfect if you don't have much space to store the bottle or want one that's suitable for a child.
There are some really compact and convenient small bottles, perhaps even with features such as a detachable cup, or in a slim design that makes them lighter and easier to carry. Small bottles can be ideal for taking along to sports activities, for short journeys or walks, or situations where you have easy access to refills.
If a larger bottle is what you are looking for, there are options available from above 500 ml all the way up to 1000 ml. As long as you don't mind carrying a heavier bag, a larger water bottle can be a great option.
These kinds of bottles come in a range of styles but are generally the best idea if you want to consume your recommended 2 litre daily water intake, or are in situations where it is harder to refill your supply. Long journeys and camping trips both call for a larger bottle to be chosen.
Insulated water bottles have a double-walled design (essentially one flask inside another) - the air between the layers is removed and the join at the neck is sealed, creating a partial vacuum. This void prevents heat transfer between the liquid and the outer environment.
Insulated or 'double walled' stainless steel water bottles are amazing at keeping cold drinks cold, usually for 24 hours, although some insulated bottles manage 40+ hours of cooling! Hot drinks need consuming somewhat sooner - insulated metal water bottles keep hot drinks hot mostly for 6 - 12 hours, some will manage 16 hours of heat retention.
If you like your water bottle to work hard for you, these are the top water bottles with filters we suggest.
The sipping style you choose for your bottle all depends on your personal preference , what you will be using the bottle for and who will be using it. For use during a run or other sports activities, choose a bottle with a straw or spillproof lid that you can easily drink from without having to unscrew or find somewhere to put a detached lid. For children's water bottles, a sports lid (with or without straw) is a must-have, just ask any teacher!
If you are looking for a bottle that you can tie onto a bag, choose a lid that unscrews with a metal ring attached. For everyday use, an insulated, leakproof screw-in lid is a great all-rounder, that is easy to keep clean too.
For specific child-friendly bottles see our best water bottles for kids suggestions.
Your stainless steel water bottle will most probably be used daily, so a (top rack) dishwasher-safe choice will really save you time. Some bottles come with specialist cleaning brushes - if not, invest in a super-thin brush if your chosen bottle includes a straw.
Handles and pouches can help you to grip your bottle (they are essential for sporty-types and for children's water bottles), but sometimes the simpler designs are made purposefully simple, so there's less chance of components breaking.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Klean Kanteen Insulated Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle|Brushed Stainless | ![]() | Dishwasher Safe and Very Well Insulated | |
2 | CamelBak Forge Leak-Proof Insulated Stainless Steel Drinks Bottle | ![]() | A Dishwasher-Safe Steel Water Bottle With a Clever Lid | |
3 | Cupple Combined Cup and Bottle | ![]() | A Cold Water Bottle Cleverly Conceals a Hot Drinks Cup | |
4 | S'well S'ip Cotton Candy Steel Water Bottle | ![]() | Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle With B Corp Certification | |
5 | Undisposabl Caretta Stainless Steel Water Bottle | ![]() | Eco-Conscious Mini Bottle With a Choice of Two Lids | |
6 | One Green Bottle Evolution Collection Stainless Steel Bottle | ![]() | A Sporty Insulated Bottle From One Green Bottle | |
7 | Chilly's Stainless Steel Leakproof Drinks Bottle | ![]() | Chilly’s Water Bottle Keeps Drinks Cold up to 25 Hours | |
8 | Super Sparrow Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle | ![]() | Hot and Cold Insulated Drinks Bottles in a Range of Sizes | |
9 | John Lewis Stainless Steel Water Bottle in Mustard | ![]() | Cute Stainless Steel Bottle for Work and School | |
10 | Bambaw Single Wall Stainless Steel Water Bottle | ![]() | Plastic-Free 1 Litre Water Bottle With Bamboo Lid |
This VERY insulated water bottle from Klean Kanteen will keep drinks hot for 16 hours and ice cold for 41 hours! It is BPA-free, made from double-walled 18/8 grade stainless steel, and has a signature slim-to-hold profile - which makes it ideal to slip into a rucksack pocket.
It is also leakproof and easy to carry, thanks to the secure carry handle. It is of a smaller size at 355 ml (although a 592 ml version is available) but it being dishwasher safe (unless you choose a patterned one) really impressed us.
An imposing option, this serious drinks bottle from CamelBak is great for when you're on the move and want to sip often. It has a keep-open catch for one handed drinking and when it comes to cleaning, the lid hinges open (as well as screwing off completely) - meaning it's easy to keep the mechanism and bottle itself clean.
This bottle is made from top-grade stainless steel with a durable powder-coated finish. The ingenious lid is made from BPA- and toxin-free plastic, and the entire thing (bottle and lid) is dishwasher-safe, making this a hugely practical choice.
This ingenious UK-designed water bottle from Cupple comes in a range of different size options, 280 ml to 1000 ml and in a number of colourways. The best part about it though, is the detachable cup, which is super-handy whilst on a walk or around town!
The hot drinks cup is actually concealed around the cold drinks bottle, covered by a protective sleeve and within in its own lid - the design is excellent but hard to explain. I suggest watching a YouTube video for clarity and for sheer "wow" factor!
If you want to invest in an eco-friendly stainless steel water container, you won't regret getting yourself a S'well bottle. The S'ip collection is perfect to be seen put and about with - both patterned and plain options are available.
Just as you'd expect, the vacuum insulation is designed to keep beverages cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. Mimicked by many, S'well is not only the real deal but they're a certified B Corp too – a community of businesses who are a force for good.
The insulated Caretta range (named after the Loggerhead sea turtle) comes in three sizes, but we chose the mini 350 ml bottle due to its cute colours and design, which make it a lovely option for children.
Undisposabl donate 25% of their profits to the removal of plastics from the ocean, showing that the environment really is a high priority for them! The sports lid is tight-fitting and leakproof (plus the box contains a plain screw-cap lid too). The bottle itself seems almost indestructible, which is a definite plus if you are giving it to your kids!
This sleek design is from the well-respected experts at One Green Bottle. The Evolution bottle comes with a flip-spout sports lid (which works with or without the colour-matched straw, depending on your sipping preferences).
The lid screws on perfectly with no leaks, and drinks stay reliably hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. A wonderfully sturdy bottle which comes in a range of colours - but of course we had to show you the green one!
Chilly's are real experts in stainless steel water bottles, so we have chosen their minimalist silver option – though they offer a choice of more than 50 colours and designs!
Made from high-grade 304 stainless steel inside and out, it is highly durable and incredibly long-lasting with the best of double-wall technology, keeping liquids hot for 12 hours and cold for an impressive 25. It handily comes in three size options and only its inability to go in the dishwasher moved it down the rankings.
This vacuum-insulated steel bottle from Super Sparrow makes a great sports bottle and comes in a range of options. We decided on the 620 ml bottle, but the brand offers many size options ranging from 350 ml to 1000 ml, and in 20 colours too!
Non-toxic, BPA-free and made from 18/8 grade stainless steel, it also includes two straws, two different lid types, a carry pouch and a bottle cleaner brush. Insulation-wise, it can keep liquids hot for up to 12 hours, and cold for up to 24 hours. It offers decent value for the price, although these bottles are less durable than some.
This double-walled stainless steel water bottle is a sleek and minimalist design from the designers at John Lewis. It comes in three different colourways, calming blue / pink and this bold mustard.
It's completely leakproof and keeps liquids hot for six hours and cool for 12. An great buy for its price, but the carry loop could be a weak spot and this bottle isn't dishwasher safe - which isn't ideal if it is being used daily for school.
Offering both eco-friendly and minimalist appeal, this single-walled bottle from Bambaw has a plain design without a visible logo on the bottle and comes in a simple but chic cardboard box. It has a metal ring on the lid which is handy for tying onto a bag, too.
Though it is a great eco choice, it isn't suitable for hot drinks and won't keep water cold for long on a hot day either. You must clean and dry inside the lid regularly, as it may grow mould over time, because the inside of the lid is hollow.
A reusable bottle is a staple item for many of us, we no longer wastefully buy hard-to-recycle, single-use plastic water bottles each day. Steel can be endlessly recycled - when your bottle eventually reaches the end of it's very long life - and it won't break when dropped (like glass). So metal is the safest eco option, making stainless steel water bottles ideal for kids.
Unlike plastic, stainless steel is naturally BPA-free, it won't rust and the industry have been working hard to banish the 'metallic taste' issue. Stainless steel water bottles won't retain flavours from other drinks and they are unlikely to go mouldy (especially if you buy a dishwasher-safe version). Best of all, stainless steel vessels can be double insulated, meaning they can keep drinks cold or hot for hours and hours.
If you'd like to try a glass version instead, see our best glass water bottle options.
Yes, food-grade stainless steel bottles are safe to drink from, as the material is stable, so won’t leach toxins into hot or cold drinks - even if the bottle is damaged or dented! But do please clean your bottle thoroughly and air it out in between uses, to avoid mould.
Yes, stainless steel water bottles are extremely long-lasting. Steel is easy to recycle and retains its value and properties. Compared with plastic water bottles (which are hard to recycle) and glass water bottles (which break when dropped or knocked and need wastefully replacing often), stainless steel is the most sustainable choice
Written and researched by Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Klean Kanteen|Insulated Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle|Brushed Stainless
No. 2: CamelBak |Forge Leak-Proof Insulated Stainless Steel Drinks Bottle
No. 3: Cupple|Combined Cup and Bottle
No. 4: S'well|S'ip Cotton Candy Steel Water Bottle
No. 5: Undisposabl|Caretta Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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