The Best Insulated Water Bottles to Keep Your Water Cold and Your Coffee Hot
The best part about summer 2021 has been taking my laptop to the roof and basking in the sun while I get some work done. The worst part has been witnessing the bottle of water beside me go from ice cold to lukewarm in 20 minutes flat. And listen, summer is my favorite season, so I’m completely willing to accept its pros—long days, great hair, block parties—along with its cons—sticky everything, the Mr. Softee jingle, the smell of hot trash. But drinking lukewarm water in 90 degree heat (with 80 percent humidity) is something I will no longer voluntarily do. I need an insulated water bottle that will keep my drink cold for the long haul.
Thankfully, my colleagues at BA tested the best insulated water bottles for keeping cold bevs cold—even on the hottest days of summer. And since insulation cuts both ways, they also tested each bottle’s ability to keep hot beverages hot, too. Because, no doubt, as soon as winter rolls around, I’ll be griping about how quickly my coffee goes from hot to tepid. (A word to the wise: If you’re going to use the same insulated bottle for water and coffee, make sure to clean it properly or you’ll be drinking dank coffee water forever.)
The Candidates
We polled the Bon Appétit staff on the insulated water bottles they love most, from the aesthetically pleasing Jolly Rancher–colored options on display at spin class to the utilitarian models ready to be strapped to a backpack with a carabiner.
The Testing
Most companies claim that their insulated bottles keep water cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. We started our tests with water that was either iced—four cubes per bottle—or boiling hot and then measured the temperature every few hours with a trusty, super accurate Thermapen thermometer. Which contenders rose to the top? To find the best insulated water bottle for you, peep the results below.
This article was originally written in 2020 by Alyse Whitney and was updated by Tiffany Hopkins.
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1/5The Hot Water Winner: S’well
S’well stainless steel water bottles come in three different sizes: A teeny 9-oz. bottle that fits in handbags and lunch bags, a 17-oz. bottle that emulates a standard plastic water bottle, and a 25-oz. bottle that’s perfect for long gym sesh. For this test, we used the 17-oz. model. Its vacuum insulation was so great that the water actually got colder after the ice melted and stayed at a nice sipping temp all day. Even after a full 24 hours, the water was cool enough to be refreshing. All this backs up S’well bottles’ reputation as a reliable option for cold bevs, but to our surprise, they were even more effective when used for hot drinks like tea, coffee, and bone broth. Only the top of the bottle got a little warm, while the rest of the metal stayed cool to the touch, even when the water inside was 200°. (The ideal drinking temperature for tea or coffee is between 160° and 185°, according to a study by the University of Texas, so it was almost too hot for the first few hours. Start with slightly cooler water if you want to chug your coffee right away.)
Cold
10 a.m.: 50° (F)
1:30 p.m: 46°
4 p.m.: 50°
5:30 p.m.: 50°
10:30 a.m. (next day): 57°
Total change: 7°Hot
11:30 a.m.: 200°
1 p.m.: 188°
4:30 p.m.: 178°
10 a.m. (next day): 127°
Total change: 73°
2/5The Bottle With the Most Chill: Zojirushi
On the flip side, a lot of BA staffers rely on their Zojirushi thermoses ($21 for 16 oz.) for hot drinks, but this bottle worked best when keeping things ice cold. When the ice melted after the first few hours, the temperature dropped, and it stayed consistently cold throughout the duration of the test. It also was cool to the touch. One thing to note is that all the bottles in our test were kept sealed between temperature readings. In non-testing circumstances, you’d likely open and close the bottle throughout the day to drink from it, which would affect the temperature. But the Zoji’s lockable flip-top lid, with its satisfying click, is a helpful reminder to close it every time. We love that its compact design maximizes its capacity while still allowing it to fit in most cup holders. Like S’well bottles, these come in an array of colors—we’re partial to Emerald for summer and smoky blue for winter.
Cold
10 a.m.: 46°
1:30 p.m.: 39°
4 p.m.: 39°
5:30 p.m.: 41°
10:30 a.m.: 51°
Total change: 5°Hot
11:30 a.m.: 201°
1 p.m.: 185°
4:30 p.m.: 175°
10 a.m.: 123°
Total change: 78°
3/5The One for Long Hikes: Hydro Flask
The Hydro Flask comes in several different sizes, from 12-oz. bottles for kids to 64-oz. growlers for thirsty giants. We tested a 32-ounce bottle ($45), a size more realistic for cold bevs than hot unless you go through a ton of coffee. This bottle worked well for both temperatures and remained cool to the touch on the outside, but it didn’t perform as well as the S’well or the Zojirushi. That said, this was the largest capacity bottle we tested and the one we would choose if we knew we wouldn’t be around a tap for a while. The wide mouth also means it’s easy to pack with ice cubes, and the leak-proof cap has a flexible carrying strap, making it one of the best insulated water bottles and our top choice for taking on the trail.
Cold
10 a.m.: 50°
1:30 p.m.: 46°
4 p.m.: 51°
5:30 p.m.: 57°
10:30 a.m.: 60°
Total change: 10°Hot
11:30 a.m.: 207°
1 p.m.: 183°
4:30 p.m.: 169°
10:30 a.m.: 109°
Total change: 98°
4/5The One to Keep Desk Wine Cold: Corkcicle
Corkcicle makes both design-y insulated water bottles ($24 for 25 oz.) and tumbler-style cups; one BA editor keeps one of each on her desk so she can double-fist both water and tea. We tested Corkcicle’s claim that the triple insulated, stainless steel construction will keep liquids cold for 25 hours and hot for 12. For our hot beverage test, the temperature did drop during those 12 hours but ultimately stayed at an ideal temp, only becoming lukewarm overnight. The cold water was decently drinkable 24.5 hours later. While this isn’t our pick for ice water, it is our favorite option for wine. Corkcicle will keep your Zweigelts at cool-but-not-too-cold temps for a day at the park, and it also makes a giant 60-oz. bottle if you want to make a big batch of sangria for the beach, which you do. The temperature of the outside doesn’t change on this one, either. This BPA-free, wide mouth bottle also comes in multiple colors and patterns, so you’ll definitely find one that matches your vibe, whether you want a minimalist white design or a vibrant floral aesthetic.
Cold
10 a.m.: 46°
1:30 p.m.: 46°
4 p.m.: 48°
5:30 p.m.: 50°
10:30 a.m.: 60°
Total change: 14°Hot
11:30 a.m.: 201°
1 p.m.: 181°
4:30 p.m.: 168°
10 a.m.: 110°
Total change: 91°
5/5The Simple but Sturdy One: Yeti
Given how much we (and everyone) love Yeti’s coolers for camping, we initially thought the rugged, unpretentious Yeti Rambler ($30 for 18 oz.) would win. It didn’t. That said, the difference in temperatures among all the bottles we tested was subtle enough that you’d be fine picking the one that jibes best with your sense of self. This rugged, vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle will get the job done. Not to mention, it’s super low-maintenance and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. So if you want to broadcast, “Hey man, I don’t have time for pastels. I have wood to chop,” by all means get this one.
Cold
10 a.m.: 52°
1:30 p.m.: 43°
4 p.m.: 43°
5:30 p.m.: 46°
10:30 a.m.: 59°
Total change: 7°Hot
11:30 a.m.: 199°
1 p.m.: 175°
4:30 p.m.: 161°
10 a.m.: 104°
Total change: 95°
