Top 7 Best Water Bottles for Car Travel for 2023

When you travel in a car, it is important to have water within reach, and a reusable water bottle is a perfect way to go. Depending on your age and lifestyle, daily fluid intake varies. However, 64 ounces a day is a good general rule to follow.

Our bodies depend on water to be healthy, function properly, and survive. In fact, 60% of our overall body weight is made up of water. That water needs to be replenished, or you could suffer symptoms of dehydration such as unclear thinking, mood swings, dehydration, overheating, and kidney issues.

There are convenient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective reusable water bottles to meet this need. This “Top 7 Best Water Bottles for Car Travel” list has been compiled so that you can choose the bottle that fits your lifestyle.

There are a lot of choices out there, and we review a ton of them. The 7 water bottles in the list that follows are exceptional choices for drinking water and car travel, and they are all BPA-free.

#1 – The My Top Fitness Favorite…

Hydros Water Filter Bottle – Perfect for the stylish water connoisseur

Green hydros water bottle with built in filter

Hydros is a really cool company, and we are excited to share them with you if you haven’t already heard of them. But you probably have, as they have been featured everywhere, Including Forbes, Shape, and Parade.

What makes this bottle unique is that it has one of the fastest class 1 water filters on the market. No matter where you are, you can always enjoy clean, great-tasting water. All you need is 20 seconds, and you are good to go.

Speaking of clean water, Hydros donates 1% of all sales to conservation groups that help to protect the ocean. Their filters are also made from 100% coconut shell carbon which is safe for both you and the environment.

This bottle comes in 4 different color options and has a minimal yet stylish appeal to it. Lastly, the lid has a rocker cap that can be operated with one hand, so it won’t slow you down or leak.


Pros

Cons

  • Built in filter for great tasing clean water 

  • Environmentally concious brand 

  • Stylish and functional 

  • Not insulated - poor temp control 

  • Filters need to be peridocally replaced 

  • Smaller capacity 

Our final thoughts: We are kinda obsessed with filtered water here at My Top Fitness, so we REALLY like the Hydros water bottle. Anytime… anywhere… you can have 20 ounces of filtered water in 20 seconds flat! Never settle for tap water again.

#2 – The Runner Up

S’well Burgundy Swirl Bottle – For those who want to show off their unique style

S’well is the perfect bottle for those of your who like to express your style in everything you do. They have 40 different options for you to choose from, and they are all stunning.

Rose gold, azurite marble, moonstone, sapphire, smoky quartz, and green foliage, just to name a few of our favorites.

Not only are the S’well water bottles incredibly stylish they are also one of the best insulated on the market. With triple wall insulation and their patented Therma-Swell technology, you can keep your drink cold for up to 36-48 hours, and beverages will stay hot for an impressive 18-24 hours.

S’well also offers tumblers, travel mugs, food containers, barware, and even dog bowls! Take a moment to check out all they have to offer. They truly do have something for everyone.


Pros

Cons

  • 40 stunning designs to choose from 

  • Unmatched insulation for 36+ hours of cold water

  • Durable stainless steel construction 

  • More expensive than similar sized bottles 

  • A bit on the heavy side  

  • Be careful with hot beverages - can keep them too hot 

Our final thoughts: If you are looking for a water bottle with excellent insulation and stunning designs, S’well has got you covered. We are thoroughly impressed with the wide variety of products they offer, and they all look awesome!

#3 The Bronze Medalist

DMOOSE Insulated Water Bottle – Best Budget Bottle

DMOOSE is a fitness company, so all of its products are meant for people traveling back and forth to the gym, so their products are designed to be tough. They use a solid stainless steel construction, making this an extremely durable option.

This is the perfect mid-sized bottle. Coming in at 27 ounces. It’s not too large or bulky but still holds a decent amount, so your not constantly refilling.

This is the most affordable double-wall vacuum-insulated bottle on our list. 24 hours for cold beverages and 6 for hot.

This water bottle has a tight seal solid handle, it’s skinny, lightweight, and above-average capacity. All of these add up to a water bottle that is convenient to use on a daily basis. It will likely accompany you everywhere you go.

Pros


Cons

  • Best overall value 

  • Great temperature control 

  • Designed to last  

  • Easy to grip 

  • No lifetime warranty 

  • No straw or fliptop 

  • Generic look and style 

Our final thoughts: DMOOSE makes a rock-solid no-frills water bottle that is designed with the gym user in mind. It’s built to last and performs unbelievably well, considering it’s one of the most affordable options on the market.

Honorable Mentions

Columbia BPA-Free Outdoor Water Bottle 32oz – Simple and Functional

Gray 32 ounce columbia water bottle

Columbia is a well-established outdoor brand, so you can be confident that this water bottle is one tough cookie and is meant to take a beating.

It holds 32 oz and has a handy measuring gauge on the side so you can track your water intake throughout the day.

It is made from Tritan co-polyester plastic, which is a highly durable material and will stand the test of time.

It might not fit into smaller cupholders, but with a quick screw cap and silicone sealing gasket, this bottle is not going to leak, so you can just toss it in the seat next to you.

Since this water bottle is not vacuum-insulated, it will not keep your beverage cold for long. It’s better for people who prefer their water at room temperature. Or you can easily add ice due to the wide mouth.


Pros


Cons

  • Lightweight yet rugged 

  • Impressive seal - no spills 

  • Measuring guage to track water intake 

  • Very affordable 

  • Lifetime limited warranty 

  • Not insulated - doesn't hold temperature long 

  • Too big for small cup holders 

  • Far from stylish 

Our final thoughts: If you are looking for an affordable, functional, and lightweight bottle from a well-established brand, this is a great fit.

Iron Flask 20 Oz Narrow Mouth Water Bottle with Straw Lid – Most Customizable

Bubble Gum iron flask water bottle with 3 lids and box

Iron Flask is the perfect bottle for you if you are into having options. This bottle is available in 6 size options, 20 stunning colors (Bubble Gum pictured here), and 3 different lids.

All of their water bottles are Double-walled vacuum insulated and will keep drinks cool for as long as 24 hours! This bottle performs well with warm beverages too. Hot drinks remain at temperature for up to 12 hours.

The Iron Flask is highly durable and constructed of non-toxic 18/8 grade stainless steel. Also, It will not give off any metallic flavors. This bottle is built to last, which is why Iron Flask gives you a lifetime warranty! We love companies that stand behind their products.

We chose the narrow-mouth bottle for our review as we prefer it if not using a straw, but they also have a wide-mouth, retro, and 1-gallon jug option! They also have tumblers, mugs, and food jars. So whatever your insulated needs are they have you covered.


Pros


Cons

  • Lightweight yet rugged 

  • Impressive seal - no spills 

  • Measuring guage to track water intake 

  • Very affordable 

  • Lifetime limited warranty 

  • Not insulated - doesn't hold temperature long 

  • Too big for small cup holders 

  • Far from stylish 

Our final thoughts: We love Iron Flask! They make high-quality bottles at a reasonable price. And if you want a bottle that matches your personal style, they have 20 unique colors to choose from. Plus, you get a lifetime warranty!

Columbia Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle – 40oz – Perfect for hydration tracking

Blossom pink wide mouth 40 oz plastic water bottle.

We are back with another bottle from Columbia. If the 32oz. the bottle wasn’t big enough for you This is one that gives you 40 ounces of water to get you through pretty much any length of trip you might be on in your car.

This is not an insulated bottle, so you will lose temperature quickly. We find that this bottle is a great fit for someone who likes room temp water and needs to track their intake.

Columbia is known for making rugged gear, and this bottle is no exception. It’s made out of a very tough BPA-free Tritan Co-Polyester. It can take a licking and keep on ticking. You also receive a limited lifetime warranty which we are always a fan of.

With a quick screw cap and a silicone seal, this lightweight bottle will serve you with your portable water needs. Plus, with a see-through bottle and a measuring gauge on the side, it’s super easy to keep track of your water intake throughout the day.


Pros


Cons

  • Large capacity - fewer refills 

  • Able to track water intake

  • Ligetweight and rugged 

  • Poor temperature control 

  • No hot drinks 

  • Too big for some cupholders

Our final thoughts: If you are looking for a larger water bottle from a trusted brand to help you track your daily water intake. And that is quite affordable and has a rugged build, then this might be the perfect bottle for you!

CrazyCap® Self-Cleaning Bottle With UV-C Water Purifier (17oz)

The CrazyCap was recognized as one of the best inventions in 2020 by TIME. This bottle is by far the most expensive on our list, but it was just too cool not to include.

This water bottle is not only self-cleaning, but it also makes drinking water safe/potable from anywhere in the world.

That’s right, you can fill this bottle up anywhere, and in 60 seconds, the UV-C light will purify your water!

And if all of that wasn’t enough, it is vacuum sealed, it charges wirelessly, and it’s made of 304-grade stainless steel.

Pros


Cons

  • Purify any water source in 60 seconds 

  • Self cleaning 

  • Extremely durable 304 dtainless steel 

  • Expensive 

  • Needs to be charged 

Our final thoughts: While the price of this is a little ridiculous for a water bottle. It was Time’s Invention of the Year a couple of years back. It’s the only self-cleaning bottle on the market that we know of, and you can purify any water source in just 60 seconds. If you are looking for the coolest possible water bottle you can get, this is it!

Also, while you are on the Brookstone website, you should take a look at some of their other products. If you like techy gear and unique gifts, then you are going to love browsing their selection.

Why You Need a Specialized Water Bottle for Car Travel

There is no shortage of water bottle choices on the market. With a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes, you can have one that suits you perfectly. More importantly, your car water bottle should cater to your lifestyle with its features.

Capacity

This may seem like a silly consideration, but an ideal bottle size is important. You want something large enough to hold enough water to satiate your thirst but not so huge that you do not want to lug it around.

Insulation

Insulation is important to keep your beverage at an ideal temperature. Nothing is worse than going in for a sip of nice refreshing water only to find out that your bottle is poorly insulated and, in those 10 minutes, sitting in your car, just made water hot enough for a cup of herbal tea.

Material

Water bottles come constructed in a variety of materials, from plastic and glass; to stainless steel. Depending on which suits you, it will have its own set of pros and cons.

Convenience

This aspect includes features that to the bottle’s ease of use. Is it easy to carry? Simple to clean? This is where creative minds come together to make a bottle unique and stand out.

BPA

Okay, now you have heard this word in relation to drinking bottles, but what is it exactly? Is it really important for your bottle to be without BPA? BPA is the shortened version of bisphenol A. It is an industrial chemical used in creating plastics and resins since the 60s.

These plastics are often found in containers that hold food and beverages. The resins are used to coat metal containers that serve the same function. Products free from BPA exist because there is research backing the possibility that the chemical leaches into the food and beverages held in those containers.

This is concerning because of suspected health effects on the brain, fetal development, and blood pressure caused by ingesting the chemical.

Types of Water Bottles for Car Travel

Vacuum Insulated Water Bottles

Pros

  • Perfect for those long trips away, these bottles will keep your drinking water chilled all day.
  • Prefer a hot beverage? Enjoy a long window to enjoy it warm on your trip.
  • They have excellent insulation.
  • Beautiful finishes are available in many colors.
  • Stainless steel is easily cleaned.

Cons

  • Heavier weight due to the bottle’s construction.
  • Scratches and dents can ruin that good-looking finish

Glass Water Bottles

Pros

  • Does not leave you with a metallic taste in your mouth. 
  • Flavors do not leach into it, contaminating the taste of your future beverages.
  • Typically comes with a cover that helps protect it from drops
  • You can see into it to easily tell how full it is.

Cons

  • The bottle itself does not insulate very well. A cover does help with this issue a bit.
  • You have to deal with condensation being sweated all over your cup holders.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Lightweight
  • Easily washed and can be sanitized with high-temperature water
  • Comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and fun graphics

Cons

  • Not meant for hot beverages as it can burn your hands.
  • Some may experience metallic tastes when using it
  • Bumps and scratches ruin the appearance
  • No insulation- If you leave it in the car or sun, the container will heat up along with the liquid inside
  • Some come with a resin coating that may contain BPA

Plastic Water Bottles

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Lightweight
  • Perfect for a trip to the gym
  • Comes in BPA-free varieties
  • Most convenient- they typically feature flip-top lids or squirt tops
  • Environmentally friendly

Cons

  • Tends to retain scents and flavors even after washing them
  • No insulation
  • Certain plastics will have issues with condensation that forms on the outside

Collapsible Water Bottles

Pros

  • Good for limited space
  • Lightest option available
  • Easily stowed- even on the go, it can be folded for storage in your purse or bag
  • Eco-friendly
  • BPA free options
  • Most are made to conveniently sit in your cup holder

Cons

  • Does not have a very high capacity
  • Some have a hard time remaining upright when you set it down.
  • Higher possibility of springing a leak

Conclusion

Staying hydrated is imperative to your health, yet at times, it is difficult to reach recommended amounts. A reusable water bottle can help by making it convenient to take water with you in the car. There are as many types of bottles out there as there are personalities. Thus, there will be a bottle out there to match your lifestyle and keep your health on track.

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