The Best Water Bottle for Every Situation

A store-bought bottle of water is rarely the answer. Luckily, there is no shortage of reusable water bottles on the market. (It was a major trend at the big Housewares show earlier this year.) Dare we even say the market is flooded? Awash in options? You get the point. There are so many water bottles out there, we thought we’d help you pick the best ones.

Of course, you don’t need all of these. Take a look and pick out one or two that will be the most useful to you.

Try: Thermos Intak 24 Ounce Hydration Bottle, from $10
This bottle is one of the most durable options on the market — and if you’ve ever tried to take a drink and put it back on the bike during a dark spin class, you’ll appreciate this fact. It’s also super comfy to hold (for those of you running to the gym) and flips open with just one hand (for those of you running at the gym). It has a manual counter, which you can twist to track how much water you’re drinking, but that’s a fun bonus.

Try: Stainless Steel Straw Topped Water Bottle, $20 at d.stil
Some people prefer to use straws — and there’s nothing wrong with that. There is something wrong with the straws that are constantly exposed to germs, however. This bottle, from the newly launched brand d.stil, is fun because the top flips up and down to reveal and hide the straw as needed. This way, you don’t have to worry about a fellow commuter sneezing on the exact spot you were about to put your mouth. Plus, the tag that comes with the bottle doubles as a hair tie.

Try: Dopper Original, $15 at Dopper
The Dopper lids unscrew two different ways. If you’re having water, just unscrew the very top (the small yellow part in the photo above) and chug from the narrow opening. If you’re, say, headed to the park and want to fill your water bottle up with wine, the Dopper can help you sip classily: The white part of the bottle unscrews to become a cup and the smaller lid ends up being a footed base when it’s turned upside down.

Try: Zak Designs HydraTrak Chug Single Wall Tritan Bottle, $8.50
If you’re trying to get into the habit of drinking more water, this might be just the thing to make it happen. You could spend $50 on a bluetooth-enabled bottle that will glow and alert you when you’re not drinking enough, or you can get this guy for way less. It comes with eight movable bands, which you can roll up or down once you’ve finished a full bottle. If they’re not enough to keep you accountable, perhaps you can assign a coworker to check in on your band-moving progress.

Try: Aladdin Earthscapes Fresco Twist & Go Vacuum Bottle, $25 at Aladdin
We love the look of those sleek S’well bottles as much as the next thirsty person. The reality, though, is that those things are hard to clean — even with a special bottle brush. That’s why we’re so into these Twist & Go bottles by Aladdin: They have a similar shape, come in fun patterns, and the bottle can be opened up just below the neck for an easier time at the sink. (The silver cap at the very top also unscrews.) And because that wider part opens, it’s also easier to to drop in a handful of ice cubes.

Try: Soma Glass Water Bottle, $30
For people looking to use more glass and less plastic, this is our pick. Skinnier and more lightweight than other glass water bottles we’ve tried, this one holds 17 ounces of water (the perfect amount, if you ask us!). It’s made out of shatter-resistant glass and is dishwasher-safe (just don’t put the bamboo in there). The protective silicone sleeve comes in a variety of different colors, all of which are pretty.

Try: AquaZinger, $25 at Zing Anything
Sometimes water is just too watery! If you want your water to taste more like strawberries, cucumbers, lemons, or all of the above, you should use this infuser bottle. The ingredients go in the bottom cup and the metal spikes work to mash up everything. There’s a filter between the bottom and the water bottle so that you don’t get a mouthful of strawberry seeds and pulp when you go to take a sip.

• 5 Smart Products That Want to Help You Drink More Water

• Why I Never Bring My Water Bottle When I Travel
• This Is My Favorite Water Bottle for Traveling

Do you have a go-to water bottle? Which one is it?