If you’re in need of a reusable bottle that can keep your cold beverages cold and your hot beverages hot, the best insulated water bottles are up to the task. Unlike other water bottles, insulated water bottles have two or more walls, which are separated by a gap. The double-wall design provides the bottle with a layer of insulation and prevents its contents from adjusting to the outside temperature too quickly. Another benefit of drinking from insulated water bottles is that they won’t sweat on the outside of the bottle, keeping your hands, desk, or bag dry from condensation.
When you’re perusing our top choices for insulated water bottles, you should think about how much water you want your bottle to hold. Somewhere around 20 to 25 ounces seems standard for an adult-sized water bottle, but many are available in sizes around 12 ounces, especially if they're intended for children. On the opposite end of the spectrum are high-capacity water bottles (think: 64 ounces), which are very large and can hold liquids to last you all day. They're also, of course, extremely heavy when full.
You should also think about which kind of lid you'd prefer. Some water bottles come with a simple screw-top lid, while some have lids with straws or multiple different lid options that you can switch out as needed. If you choose a bottle with a screw-top lid, think about how wide you prefer the mouth to be. Narrow bottles might fit nicely in backpack pockets or car cupholders, but if you want to fill your bottle with ice, you might have an easier time shoving it into a bottle with a wider mouth.
Finally, consider which types of beverages you plan to drink from your bottle, as some bottles are designed to hold only cold beverages, while others are designed to keep hot beverages warm, too. If you only want to drink cold water, there's no need to nab a water bottle that can handle higher heat. And speaking of heat, while some manufacturers say that their water bottles are dishwasher safe, it’s always a good idea to check the fine print or simply hand wash them to ensure that the vacuum seal or exterior finish isn’t accidentally damaged.