What to know before buying a reusable water bottle

Reusable bottles can help shrink your carbon footprint by cutting down on single-use plastics.

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Last updated: 20 Apr 2023

person holding a reusable sustainable water bottle in a park

Reusable water bottles are convenient, help reduce plastic waste, and can even save you money as you don’t need to buy bottled water when you’re on the go.

But with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right bottle for you. From features to cleaning advice, here are our best tips for finding a reusable bottle that you’ll love.

How much could you save by switching to a reusable water bottle?

If you’re inclined to buy water in single-use plastic bottles when you’re out and about, getting into the habit of carrying a reusable water bottle could save you a significant chunk of money.

If you buy three single-use bottles of water a week, switching to a reusable bottle costing $40 could save you $155 in the first year of use, not to mention a mountain of landfill.

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How much money could you save by switching to a reusable water bottle?

1 x reusable water bottle

$40

Cheeki Classic insulated

600mL

Stainless steel

Reusable

156 x single-use water bottles

$195 ($1.25 each)

Nu Pure Still Spring Water

600mL

Plastic

Single use

Savings

$155

Savings are based on buying three single-use bottles per week over the course of a year. Single-use water bottle price $1.25 based on 600mL bottle of Nu Pure Still Spring Water from Woolworths. Prices correct as of April 2023.

Are reusable water bottles better for the environment?

Yes. Most single-use water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is produced from crude oil. According to Clean Up Australia, in total it takes three litres of water and 250mL of oil to produce one litre of bottled water. The bottles also need to be transported to shopfronts which usually requires a vehicle that burns fossil fuels.

Then there’s landfill to consider. Though most plastic bottles are recyclable these days, 53% still end up in landfill. The chemicals used in production can also seep into soil and marine environments which causes lasting damage.

What to look for

Materials

Most water bottles in our test are made from stainless steel, which is sturdy and generally resistant to smells and stains, unlike some glass or plastic bottles. Some are insulated, and even those that aren’t usually do a better job of keeping water cool compared to plastic. Some of the bottles we tested also contain plastic or silicone elements, usually in the lid or on the exterior of the bottle.

BPA free claims

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that’s been used in plastic production since the 1950s and some studies have shown that it can seep into food and drink if used in storage containers, like water bottles. Though most studies find that low levels are safe for humans, some manufacturers specifically keep BPA out of their products.

Insulation

Double-walled bottles help keep their contents cool for longer by isolating them from the outside layer. This can also help reduce condensation.

Height

Water bottles with similar volumes can vary in height, so you can’t assume that all 500mL bottles, for example, are created equal. Check the dimensions to make sure the bottle fits in your backpack or drink holder if you plan to carry it around.

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Water bottle sizes

These bottles each hold 500mL despite the height difference.

Décor Snap n seal 500mL – 22.5cm height.

Sigg Hot & Cold One 500mL – 27cm height.

Lid fixing and cap screw

The type of lid and cap attachments are important to note if you have limited strength or dexterity. You may find certain ones hard to open or close.

Spare parts

A few brands sell replacement parts online, which are usually cheaper to replace compared to the price of a new bottle.

Volume

Bottles in our test range from 340mL up to 660mL, so remember to check the volume before buying.

Cleaning tips

It’s important to clean your bottle thoroughly with warm soapy water to get rid of any mould or germs and eliminate odours.

Bottles with narrow necks or drinking straws will generally need to be cleaned with a bottle brush or straw brush.
You can also soak tricky parts such as drinking straws and lids using effervescent water-cleaning or sterilising tablets.
When cleaning the lid, pay particular attention to any nooks and crannies, or complicated locking mechanisms.
Leave your bottle to dry with the lid off – keeping the lid on could trap humidity and odours inside.

Marianna

Marianna worked at CHOICE from 2017–2022, writing and editing content on a range of different consumer issues as both a content editor and commissioning editor. She's conducted in-house taste tests for non-alcoholic wines, uncovered which is the best reusable water bottle, looked at the amount of sweet ingredients in infant foods, and analysed the contents of chocolate variety boxes to find out which are best for caramel lovers, fruit-goo fans and more. She previously worked for a range of publications in both Australia and the UK including the BBC's Radio Times, The Guardian, The Sun, The Sunday Telegraph and Cosmopolitan. You can find her on LinkedIn.

Peter

When I first walked through the doors at CHOICE, my job was to write about tech for CHOICE Computer magazine. Since then, I've covered everything from home entertainment to personal safety devices, tech for your car and even mattresses. If you want to find the best combination of a bed, 4K TV, soundbar, GPS unit and food delivery app, I'm your guy. The one thing I've noticed across all the product tests I've organised it's that nothing is simple. Mattresses can be just as complicated as computers, and manufacturers as well as salespeople don't make things easy. They either use complex jargon that you just want to ignore, or they oversimplify things to the point where you don't know what you're paying for. My goal isn't just to help you find the best TV, mattress or soundbar, I also want to cut through the nonsense and help you fully understand the products you're considering. That way, you can make an educated, informed decision when it's time to buy without falling prey to a sly salesperson. Plus, when you understand the product, you know how to set it up in a way that best suits your home and can look after it. Nothing is plug and play anymore, and if a complicated smartphone or Bluetooth speaker feels less intimidating after you've read my content, then I know I've done my job. Outside of work I'm very into gaming, I love watching retro classics at the cinema, I enjoy getting up early to spend hours smoking a tasty cut of meat and I'm deeply into home hi-fi. Any music genre from laidback jazz to the loudest, screamiest, most brutal heavy metal ticks all my boxes. I also had a stint as a live music photographer for a number of years. You can find me on LinkedIn.