What is the best size for a water bottle?

We updated this article in November 2022 to ensure all picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab were available, in stock and correctly priced.


Investing in a reusable water bottle that you can refill throughout the day is a simple way to increase your daily water intake. Carrying a water bottle around with you makes you more likely to stay hydrated. Plus, the benefits for the environment (and your wallet!) make the purchase worth it. Whether you want a water bottle to keep your water cold throughout a long workday, for working out or for long car rides – there's a water bottle for your lifestyle.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we test an assortment of beverage-related products from travel coffee mugs to electric tea kettles. When we test water bottles, we assess features like temperature retention, durability and cleanability.

  • Best Overall Water Bottle

    Rambler 26 oz. Bottle with Chug Cap YETI

  • Best Water Bottle with Straw

    Actives Insulated Water Bottle Takeya

  • Best Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle

    Vacuum Insulated Mug Zojirushi

  • BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR HIKING

    Insulated TKWide Water Bottle KleanKanteen

  • TOP-RATED WATER BOTTLE ON AMAZON

    Sustain Tritan Water Bottle Nalgene

  • Best Stainless Steel Water Bottle

    Lightweight Trail Series Water Bottle Hydro Flask

  • BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR WORKING OUT

    Hard-Sided Filtering Water Bottle Brita

  • BEST WATER BOTTLE TO KEEP WATER COLD

    Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle S'well

Here are the best water bottles to buy in 2022, according to a combination of in-Lab and real-life testing:

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1

Best Overall Water Bottle

Rambler 26 oz. Bottle with Chug Cap

3

Best Water Bottle with Straw

Actives Insulated Water Bottle

4

Best Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle

Vacuum Insulated Mug

5

BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR HIKING

Insulated TKWide Water Bottle

6

TOP-RATED WATER BOTTLE ON AMAZON

Sustain Tritan Water Bottle

7

Best Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Lightweight Trail Series Water Bottle

8 Porter Glass Wide Mouth Bottle

9

BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR WORKING OUT

Hard-Sided Filtering Water Bottle

10

BEST WATER BOTTLE TO KEEP WATER COLD

Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

11

BEST HALF GALLON WATER BOTTLE

Best Half-Gallon Water Bottle

12

Best Water Bottle for Toddlers

12 oz. Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle

How we test water bottles

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We've tested a countless amount of water bottles over the years. In our last Lab test, we tested 25 water bottles side-by-side to evaluate performance and ease of use.

When we evaluate performance, we test how well they retain temperature and how leak-proof they are. To test this, we knock over a water bottle and let it sit on its side for 30 minutes waiting to see if any water seeps through. Then we shake each water bottle at full capacity to see if any water escapes out.

For durability testing we use our Drop Tester machine. With our Drop Tester machine we drop water bottles three times from a height of five feet and note any damage that occurs.

To evaluate ease of use we consider features like how they open and cleanability. Using either a dishwasher or dish soap and a brush, we tested how easy it was to clean each water bottle. We also have water bottles tested for BPA and phthalates.

In addition to Lab tests, we send water bottles to consumers to get their opinions on how the water bottles fare in the real world. These collaborative findings helped influence our list of top water bottles, which include top-tested water bottles and ones that have permanent spots in our Lab members' water bottle collections.

What to look for when shopping for the best water bottle

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✔️Material: There are three main materials used to make reusable water bottles: plastic, stainless steel and glass. Plastic water bottles are usually lightweight and durable, but can sometimes absorb the flavor of tea or coffee. If cleaned properly, glass water bottles won’t impart any flavor into your water, but can sometimes be delicate or heavy. Stainless steel is a lightweight alternative and is often used for insulated bottles that are great for keeping hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold, but are not often dishwasher-safe.

✔️Size: Water bottles can be as small as 12-ounces, which is perfect for a child or fitting into a small bag. They can also be as large as a gallon, which is convenient for a picnic with friends or long car rides where you won’t be able to refill regularly. A common everyday size for a water bottle is around 26 ounces, small enough to fit in a backpack, but large enough that you don’t need to refill often. The larger the water bottle, the wider it likely is, which is something to keep in mind when it comes to cup holders.

✔️Drinking Spout: Depending on how you like to drink your water, there is a drinking spout for everyone. There are water bottles with large mouths (more prone to spilling if you're not careful) or small mouths (less water flow, but less chance of spilling). Chug caps are great if you prefer to drink quickly without making a mess, or a bottle with a straw is helpful for when you’re on the go, working out or for kids.

✔️Dishwasher Safe: Water bottles need to be washed regularly to eliminate bacteria. If you are not a fan of using a bottle brush to clean a water bottle, ensure that it’s dishwasher-safe before purchasing.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer has tested everything from blenders to kitchen scales. She also earned a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University, where she studied sustainability practices.

Jessica Teich began her career in product reviewing as a tester of ovens, ranges, cooking tools and kitchen gadgets. In recent years, she's flexed this expertise to cover the best of the kitchen, including water bottles and over-range microwaves.

Nicole Papantoniou oversaw testing for this article. She has been testing kitchen gear professionally for nearly 10 years, and is constantly trying new water bottles in both the Lab, at home and on the go, and keeps them on hand for years to ensure they’re really put through their paces. Her favorites are lightweight and dishwasher safe, but she uses an assortment in search of finding new ones she can’t put down.

What is a normal size water bottle?

16.9 oz. Bottled Water. The 16.9 oz. bottle is 8" tall and is 2.5" in diameter.

What is the most common size water bottle?

10 to 14 fl. oz.

Is a 20 oz water bottle enough?

20 oz water bottle This size is really a happy medium for all people. It's easy to clean, light weight, and it doesn't require too many refills. You'll only need to refill it about three times to reach your daily water consumption goals.

Is an 18 oz water bottle big enough?

At 18oz it's a bit larger than the average disposable water bottle (16–16.9oz) without being too big. It's that just-right size for your daily routine—whether you're drinking water, tea, or coffee—and it keeps your drink at that just-right temperature throughout the day.