7 Best Eco-Friendly Water Bottles (Reusable & Sustainable)

Did you know that 50 billion single-use plastic water bottles are sold in the United States every year? Just 18% are recycled.

That's why owning a quality reusable water bottle is essential in 2024.

As someone who lives in a hot climate and spends a lot of time outdoors, I know how important it is to stay hydrated. But I absolutely reject any single-use plastics.

For the last six months, I've researched and tested the best sustainable water bottles. I've focused on bottles for travel, work, hiking, and the gym. 

I was looking for healthy bottles. They had to be BPA-free, durable, and leakproof. And they had to truly last a lifetime. Sadly, I found that many products on the market don't meet those criteria.

But some brands do tick all the boxes! And today I'll reveal which they are...

Best Eco-Friendly Water Bottles Reviewed

We Say: The Healthy Human 32 oz Stein bottle is a great way to reduce plastic consumption and stay hydrated throughout the day.

I love the leak-proof, double insulation, and sweat-free design. It keeps your drinks tasting great while staying safe during transport.

I find that the premium stainless steel interior prevents odor or taste retention. So you never have to worry about your beverage having a funny taste. Your drink always tastes clean and fresh, just the way it should be.

Also, it comes with a free carabiner. You can easily attach it to your bag or belt loop while out.

Healthy Human is a Certified B Corporation. For every sustainable water bottle or tumbler you buy, their Recycle and Recover program removes 1kg (2.20 lbs) of ocean plastic.

Free U.S. shipping is available on all orders over $60 when you shop online. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee

We Say: Hydro Cell has earned its place as one of the best eco-friendly water bottles on the market in 2024.

I have both the 32oz wide-mouth and 24oz standard-mouth bottle designs…and I love them both.

They keep my cold water super chilled (on summer days, I fill the 32oz wide mouth with ice). They're ideal for travel, and the colors are super cool!

Hydro Cell’s revolutionary ThermoCell technology has set a new industry standard for insulation.

Every Hydro Cell bottle is made from the highest grade 18/8 stainless steel. There is no flavor transfer from bottle to water. I have no doubt that, with proper care and cleaning, they’ll last many years.

In fact, Hydro Cell is so confident about the quality of its bottles that they come with a lifetime warranty!

We Say: My daughters recommended the Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler to me. I was honestly blown away by its performance.

It's made of 90% recycled steel with silicone double-wall vacuum insulation. It did an amazing job of keeping my iced drinks cold for up to 40 hours!

I love the multiple drinking positions (straw, no straw, secure and watertight). They make it great to sip from in various situations. It works for hiking, work, in the car, or around the pool.

I went for the Soft Matte option. The sleek silicone finish offers both style and sophistication with a velvety touch.

The entire bottle is dishwasher-safe. I love the attention to detail with the tapered bottom, so it fits in most car cup holders.

The 30oz capacity is plenty for my needs. But it also comes in a range of other sizes. The comfortable handle made holding this tumbler a breeze. It never slips, even when full and my hands are covered with sunscreen.

So hats off to my daughters! They were right about the Stanley Quencher. This is actually one of the most effective eco-friendly water bottles available in 2024.

We Say: Klean Kanteen knows a thing or two about stainless steel water bottles. They should do; they’ve been making them for over 15 years!

The entry-level option (Classic 27 oz) has a great price point and even comes with a powder coat finish for extra durability. However, I’ve noticed that the insulating ability of this model does struggle in high temperatures.

If ice water on the go is crucial to you, consider upgrading to an insulated model. The Insulated Classic will keep hot beverages hot for 24 hours and cold beverages cold for 80 hours.

Klean Kanteen is a certified B Corp, and they give back a portion of sales through the ‘1% for the Planet’ scheme. They’re also a Climate Neutral certified business.

In 2017, Klean Kanteen installed 216 high-efficiency solar panels at their corporate headquarters. The system now supplies 100% of the building’s electricity, all thanks to the plentiful California sunshine.

I don't rate this bottle as highly as the two overall winners. But if for any reason those are unavailable, then the Kleen Kanteen is a decent enough alternative.

We Say: The REI Co-op Nalgene Sustain Graphic Wide-Mouth Water Bottle is an eco-friendly product at a competitive price point.

It's made with 50% Tritan Renew™. What's that you may ask? It's a next-generation recycled resin that takes plastics destined for landfills and turns them into drink bottles.

The resulting product is free from BPA, BPS, and phthalates). So it's good for the environment and also durable and leakproof.

The wide mouth made it easy to fill with ice cubes or attach a filtration device.

Plus, it's guaranteed for life!

We Say: Origin sustainable glass water bottles are fantastic to drink from. I went for the 16oz, red, bamboo lid option.

The bottle comes in a variety of eye-catching colors and is great to look at. The food-grade silicone sleeve offers solid protection. On more than one occasion, it has fallen from my gym bag onto the locker room floor and survived unscathed.

The insulation properties of this bottle are not great. That’s always the trade-off with glass bottles, they're not great for hot liquids.

There are various sizes available (wide neck, narrow neck, kid bottles, fruit infuser, etc.) and also a range of different colors. The leak-proof bamboo lid is a nice option as well. It looks great and is eco-friendly.

I particularly like Origin’s clean water commitment. They donate 2% of revenue to help provide drinking water for people living in African countries like the CAR and rural Ghana.

We Say: I filter my water whenever possible for both taste and health reasons. Sometimes, it’s not possible to have access to filtered water to top up your bottle when out and about.

The Lifestraw Go Water Filter Bottle solves this problem by filtering the water for you every time you fill it up.

Many companies offer this option nowadays. But I went with Lifestraw because they provide a full year of clean drinking water to a child in the developing world for every bottle sold.

Lifestraw reusable water bottles are made from BPA-free plastic with a silicone lid. While they're certainly nowhere near as durable as steel, I still feel they will last a very long time.

They're popular reusable water bottles for kids because of the low price. It's a great way to make sure your kids get enough water without worrying about the cost if they get lost or damaged.

There was a small amount of plastic packaging with the one I tested, which I felt was unnecessary. I would like to see Lifestraw remove this in the future to make its water bottles more sustainable.

Pros & Cons of Sustainable Water Bottles vs Single Use Plastic

Still not convinced of the benefits of switching to environmentally friendly water bottles in the first place? The following pros and cons might help you decide whether it's the right move for you.

Pros

• Environmentally friendly - Single-use water bottles are terrible for the environment and are a major contributor to plastic pollution. Many of them end up in landfills or the ocean. Switching to a sustainable bottle means you are doing your part to stop this problem from getting any worse.
• Saves Money - By eliminating the cost of buying single-use plastic bottles, you can save as much as $308.88 per year.
• Healthier - Despite what the drinks manufacturers might want you to believe, drinking tap water is better for your health.
• Convenient & Versatile - Stay hydrated anywhere you go, no more looking for a convenience store or vending machine when you need a drink. Glass and stainless steel bottles can carry cold and hot drinks.
• Take Them Anywhere - You can take sustainable bottles anywhere, including to most popular attractions and even on a plane.
• Stylish - Can come in a variety of sizes, designs, and materials to fit different preferences. 
• Long Lasting - When you buy a lifetime bottle, that's usually exactly what you get! Even if they do get damaged (which is extremely rare), they can be recycled so the raw materials never go to waste.

Cons

• It can take some getting used to having a bottle to carry around, some people might find it awkward at first.
• Require cleaning and maintenance to ensure they are not contaminated or develop odors. 
• Sustainable water bottles can be more expensive upfront compared to buying a drink in a disposable bottle. But they do save you hundreds of dollars a year in the long run.

What to Look for In Eco-Friendly Water Bottles

When choosing an eco-friendly bottle, you need to consider two key areas: the bottle itself and the company behind it.

Sustainable Materials

Look for reusable water bottles made from the following materials:

• Recycled Plastic: We know that single-use plastic bottles are bad for the planet. However, plastic can be used sustainably to make refillable water bottles that can last for many years. They're also usually some of the cheapest and lightest. Just make sure you go for an eco-friendly and BPA-free option.
• Stainless Steel: Food-grade stainless steel can often last a lifetime, especially if it’s been treated with a powder coating. Steel bottles are also usually double-wall vacuum insulated to keep drinks hot or cold. This can make them heavier than uninsulated bottles. However, some light hiking options are available.
• Glass: Glass water bottles are an excellent option for people who like totally clean and pure-tasting water. The downside is that they can be expensive and fragile. However, some brands use a silicone sleeve design to protect it from damage.

Learn more about reusable water bottle materials here.

Production Sustainability

The way in which water bottles are made is just as important as what materials they are made from.

Where possible, try to buy from companies that support sustainability throughout the supply chain. Also, prioritize those that employ fair labor practices.

What Type of Drinks Bottle Is Good for the Environment?

BPA-free stainless steel is the most eco-friendly material for water bottles. It's safe, can last a lifetime, and is recyclable if needed.

You can find out more here.

What Is the Healthiest Water Bottle to Use?

In terms of the quality and purity of drinking water inside your bottle, glass is the healthiest, followed by stainless steel.

There are health risks associated with BPA, especially in children. So the most important thing is to always choose a product that’s BPA-free.

Why Are Metal Drinks Containers Better than Plastic?

Metal bottles are better than plastic for several reasons:

• They can last a lifetime.
• If they do get damaged, they're easily recyclable.
• They don't leach chemicals into your drink.
• They keep hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold.
• They are resistant to corrosion.

Are Reusable Water Bottles Environmentally Friendly?

Yes, reusable bottles are always better for the environment than single-use bottles.

There are millions of tons of plastic waste in our oceans, and plastic bottles are a major contributor to this. Sustainable alternatives, like the ones listed in this article, are much kinder to the planet.

Is Hydro Flask Sustainable?

Hydro Flask is one of Mrs. M's favorite brands. However, I have one or two issues with their materials and practices, so it didn't quite make the grade for this article.

The Final Word

Staying hydrated on the go is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. But it should not be done at the expense of nature.

Investing in a good quality, BPA-free, eco-friendly water bottle is a sustainable solution that will serve you for many years to come.

I prefer a reusable water bottle made from steel as I like ice-cold beverages. However, it’s all down to personal choice.

Whatever choice you make, PLEASE ditch the single-use bottled water and carry an eco-friendly bottle everywhere you go. Your great-grandchildren will thank you!