Gone are the days of having to endure warm water that’s been sitting in your bottle all day (thank god) and it’s all thanks to insulated water bottles that use durable stainless steel to keep drinks cool (or hot) for hours. Living in Australia, an insulated water bottle is essential, especially for those who are always on the move or love adventuring, plus they’re great for the environment.
Best Insulated Water Bottles
If you pride yourself on always having the best gear, here are the best insulated water bottles to keep your drink cold all day long.
1. Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Bottle
- Size: 595ml/1000ml
- Material: Stainless steel/ceramic
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Triple wall vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$49.95
Perhaps one of the most recognisable, cute water bottles out there is this one by Frank Green. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing perched on your desk, but the ceramic-lined bottles feature hand-polished stainless steel and triple-wall insulation, are BPA-free and come with a silicone strap. As fans of the brand will know, Frank Green has long-staked its claim on sustainable operations, with its stellar range of water bottles made from recycled and renewable materials.
Perhaps best of all, Frank Green lets you paint the town red, green, blue or whatever colour you want courtesy of the customisable lid. The brand’s range of Push Button Lids, signature Straw Lids and easy-to-use Flip Straw Lids are all interchangeable across models, so you can mix-and-match colours to suit your needs.
2. Dometic Thermo Bottle 48
- Size: 480ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Double wall vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$34.95
The Dometic Thermo Bottle 48 is one of the best-insulated water bottles if you’re the adventurous type. Made from stainless steel, the bottle is undeniably sturdy, durable and scratch-resistant, perfect for camping and on-the-go. It comes in a big 480 ml size to keep you hydrated all day and is also leak-proof, dishwasher safe and BPA-free. Plus, it comes in cool colours like moss, yellow and black.
It goes without saying, but Dometic’s Thermo range has long been a favourite amongst the camping and outdoors community, and for good reason. Designed to keep things cool in a portable way, the range of bottles, cups and tumblers is ultra-versatile despite the compact size.
3. Hydroflask 32oz Wide Mouth
- Size: 945ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Double wall vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$69.95
When it comes to big water bottles, the Hydroflask 32oz (945ml) Wide Mouth takes the cake. While you can choose from standard or wide-mouth formats, the wide-mouth is the ideal size for all-day hydration. Made from pro-grade stainless steel, it’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe and keeps your drink cool for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours.
Simple, durable and a proven winner with the outdoor camping community, you can’t really go wrong with the Hydroflask – the only downside is the price. Established alternatives from Frank Green and Dometic are decidedly cheaper without too much of a difference in quality. That being said, this model is slightly bigger if you’re gauging value by the sheer quantity of raw materials.
4. YETI Rambler 36oz
- Size: 1065ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$69.95
Everyone’s go-to for outdoor accessories, YETI does not disappoint when it comes to its everyday water bottle. The bottle is stainless-steel, insulated and super durable, but for us, the standout is the chug cap, which we think makes the bottle not only tough but super easy to drink from, especially mid-adventure.
As with all YETI products, this one does come in on the expensive side, but it is far larger than the other models on this list. The branding is iconic and hard-to-miss, so if you are a brand-hound, you can bet that your friends will notice. Importantly, the stainless steel used on this insulated water-bottle is kitchen-grade, meaning it is puncture-proof and rust-resistant.
5. Iron Flask Wide Mouth
- Size: 415ml-1890ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$19.95
One of the best-insulated water bottles for ease of refilling, this model from Iron Flask is hard to beat. The wide mouth of this bottle allows you to easily top it up without spilling your precious water, but additionally means it’s easy to add ice to. Throw in the fact that is comfortable to clean and perfect for all the chuggers out there keen to get the most from each sip, and you’ve got a solid insulated water bottle for the modern adventurer. With premium stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulation and a funky range of sizes and colours, you’re bound to find the perfect companion for you.
Iron Flask has the largest range of size options from the water bottle providers, with products starting from 415ml and going all the way up to 1890ml. Best of all, the pricing is fantastic, with smaller options starting from as little as AUD$19.95.
6. Takeya Actives Insulated Steel Bottle
- Size: 415ml-1890ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$19.95
Perhaps one of the metal water bottles on the list you haven’t heard of, this doesn’t mean the Takeya Actives Insulated Steel Bottle is anything but excellent. This bottle can keep your drink ice cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12, featuring a sweat-free double-wall design that we can’t get enough of. We also love the removable silicone bumper that helps minimise all those inevitable dents and bumps.
7. CamelBak Eddy+
- Size: 600ml/750ml/1000ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$27.99
If you’re looking for a water bottle with a straw, the CamelBak Eddy+ has your back. The bottle is made from recycled plastic and we love its leak-proof and spill-proof universal cap. We recommend this bottle for those looking for a lightweight, portable option that is durable at the same time.
8. Mira 17oz Cascade Solid
- Size: 500ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Vacuum insulated
- Price: From AUD$15.95
For one of the best-insulated water bottles when it comes to durability, the Mira 17oz Cascade Solid is the way to go. Designed for use during sport and activity, the bottle is made from high-quality food grade 18/8 stainless steel to withstand whatever you put it through, for the long haul. Its medium size means it has a large enough capacity to keep you hydrated, while not taking up too much space in your bag or weighing you down while you’re on the move. It is also leak-free and super easy to clean, so you can focus on the task at hand.
9. Thermos 770ml Vacuum Insulated Hydration Bottle
- Size: 770ml
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Insulation: Vacuum insulated
If we’re judging it solely on temperature control, we would have to say the Thermos Vacuum is the best-insulated water bottle. The 770 ml bottle works with vacuum insulation technology to bring you a high-tech, reliable thermos water bottle with maximum temperature retention. The interior and exterior are made from durable stainless steel, with a sweat-proof design and a handy screw-top lid that keeps the mouthpiece protected from nasty germs.
How to Choose the Best Insulated Water Bottle
If you are looking to buy an insulated water bottle, you must consider the material, capacity and price before purchasing. Furthermore, it’s important to think about your personal use and whether or not you will actually carry it with you. There is no point in buying a massive one-litre water bottle if you don’t have a carry bag to hold it.
Lid Design
You may not think that lids have anything to do with a quality water bottle, but we’re here to tell you differently. A leak-proof lid that is easy to handle should be at the top of your checklist when it comes to choosing an insulated water bottle. Trust us, you don’t want to be dealing with water flooding everything in your bag.
Size and Portability
Think about what size suits your lifestyle, and consider whether you’d prefer ample hydration or easy portability. If you’re unsure of needing a bottle for various uses, perhaps consider something in the middle range.
Temperature Control
The number one priority when it comes to the best insulated water bottles is how well they moderate temperature, which may cam as no surprise. Ensure you buy a bottle that insulates hot or cold contents, and for a significant amount of time — we recommend at least eight hours as a minimum.
Durability and Materials
Water bottles come with us everywhere, so a little bit of wear and tear is bound to happen considering all we put them through. Ensure your bottle has a durable outer shell to handle it, and is made from stainless steel to withstand any harsh bumps or knocks.
Insulated Water Bottle FAQs
Yes, insulated bottles are worth it as they mean your drink can be kept cool (or hot) for hours.
Yes, insulated bottles help the environment as they are made from eco-friendly materials such as stainless steel or BPA-free plastic, making them much better for the environment.
The best-insulated water bottle for keeping water cold is the Hydroflask 32oz Wide Mouth.
The best Hydro-flask alternative is the Iron Flask Wide Mouth.
