I have been trying to find the best smart water bottle for a while from the variety of available devices, and while for the regular user, it may seem that you can just snap in a couple of sensors to a standard water bottle, add a mobile app and you’re set, you now have a smart device. But, while this may, unfortunately, be true for some brands, things require a bit more finesse and proper implementation of all the necessary elements to get a good product. That being said, an intelligent water bottle should be able to track your water intake accurately and, using a proprietary mobile app (compatible with iOS or Android and connected via Bluetooth) it should be able to create charts and new goals, as well as send notifications to remind you to drink enough water throughout the day – a stylish design is also going to be a plus.
- 1 Smart water bottle with reminder to drink water
- 2 How we test water bottles and innovative products
- 3 How did we choose these smart water bottles?
- 4 Why Does Hydration Matter for Health?
- 5 How Much Water Should You Drink?
- 6 Are Smart Water Bottles Worth It?
- 7 How to Pick a Smart Water Bottle
- 8 Which Features Matter Most When Buying Smart Water Bottles?
- 9 Downsides of a smart water bottle
- 10 How many times can you reuse a smart water bottle?
Remembering to drink water can be challenging. For some, the solution is enabled by technology. You can download an app to your phone that reminds you to drink up—or skip the middleman and go for a wise water bottle. These are fancied-up vessels with features like hydration trackers, water purifiers, speaker systems, and more. Most offer incentives to drink via convenient, hourly reminders, but some go beyond that by making the water taste better. Some—but not all—smart water bottles even connect to an app on your phone to provide real-time stats about your water intake.
Having one of the best water bottles nearby is essential whether you’re working out in the gym, out on a hike, or just sitting behind your desk at work. The body is 75% water, and dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it consumes. Dehydration can cause headaches, lethargy, and a loss of strength and stamina.
Ever wondered how much water you should be drinking each day? According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men should aim for about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men, and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day.
Forget re-using that plastic water bottle from the vending machine; in 2023, water bottles come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of build quality. Some high-end bottles are well insulated for hot and cold drinks, while others are not. Some are sleek and built for pure potable portability, while other half-gallon sizes aren’t exactly meant to be taken on a jog.
When it comes to helping you choose the best water bottle for your individual needs, we put some of the most popular bottles to the test. We looked at how easy they were to drink from, how leak-proof they were when tossed in our gym bag, and how hot or cold they kept liquids on the move. Read on to find out more.
The people that would most benefit from this type of device are those that want to (or need to) keep track of how much water they drink, such as the outdoor workers (who are often vulnerable, especially during the summer) or those that work in an office (especially if you’re a programmer, professional gamer or working in any other IT-related job, where you are required to focus for more extended periods, so it’s easy to forget you have to drink or eat). The elderly are also one of the most vulnerable to dehydration, which poses a severe threat to their health and may need to be regularly checked. Lastly, an intelligent water bottle will be suitable for people that like to keep track of everything that happens with their body (such as active people that practice sports outdoors – there are intelligent water bottles that will work with FitBit for more detailed stats – when will we see a FitBit water bottle?).
1.Hidrate Spark PRO Smart Water Bottle
The bottom of this bottle glows as a reminder to drink up. It also connects via Bluetooth to the HidrateSpark App (available for iOS and Android), so you can choose to have it send push notifications to your phone to nudge you as well. The app can sync with Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Garmin, so you can add hydration to your tracking and connect you with friends on the app for a bit of encouragement. The manufacturer states that the bottle is insulated to keep liquids cold for up to 24 hours (though it’s not compatible with hot drinks), and it comes in 17- and 21-ounce sizes with your choice of a chug lid or a straw. The top is dishwasher safe, but the bottle is hand-washed only after removing the glowing puck. A charging cord is included.
2.Thermos 24 Ounce Hydration Bottle
The Thermos Hydration Bottle isn’t so much intelligent as it is a regular water bottle with a smart lid. Semantics aside, it syncs to your phone via bluetooth, and to get information about how much water you’re drinking each day, you’ll need to download the Thermos Smart Lid-specific app. Each bottle contains 24 ounces of water. Like our top pick, the HidrateSpark, the Thermos’ smart lid sends hydration data to your phone. The Thermos app, however, syncs every few minutes versus the HidrateSpark’s two hours; that’s a definite perk. If you forget to drink water, the app will send you reminders via push notifications on your phone. (You may choose not to enable them.)
Overall, the Thermos is similar to the Hidrate Spark but offers a less sophisticated and less attractive experience within the app. The Thermos app gives you information about how much water you’ve consumed. It sets your “suggested goal” at 125 ounces of water per person, per day, no matter your weight, height, or activity level—a lot of water for a general recommendation. You can navigate to “settings” to create a custom goal based on your unique attributes and movement schedule. It also logs the temperature of the water, which doesn’t seem to matter much overall for hydration. (Though it did seem to be accurate, for whatever that’s worth.)
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly smart water bottle option, this one will do just fine, although you may find yourself annoyed by the app’s interface, which looks and feels clunky in addition to its impersonal settings. And ultimately, our testers didn’t drink much more water while using this bottle, even compared to non-smart options like the Dot.
Even though the smart devices market is in full bloom right now, only a few manufacturers are willing to give the intelligent water bottle niche a try, so we are still left chiefly with start-up companies that rarely find the balanced formula between the design and functionality and the price point. One of the latest available smart water bottles comes from a new company that mainly wants to associate the idea of using a reusable bottle with helping the environment. And, of course, it’s a solid argument since you are using less plastic. Additionally, I noticed that the app that comes with the intelligent bottle also helps you find nearby fountains, allowing you to refill them for free.
While it’s good to know that there is more to the bottle, we still need to get a proper device to accurately track how much water is being consumed and have a sound notification system. Otherwise, what’s the point of an IoT device? – there are already plenty of regular reusable bottles on the market.
The REBO smart water bottle looks pretty unassuming, and you could hardly differentiate it from the regular reusable water bottle if it wasn’t for that large cap. The device features two main parts, the stainless steel recipient (SUS304) and the relatively large lid (BPA-free plastic and Food Grade PP). The bottle capacity is 20.29 ounces and it measures 10.0 x 2.9 inches, so it isn’t the most compact, but should still easily fit in a bag.
4.ICEWATER 3-in-1 Smart Water Bottle
This isn’t the right option if you’re looking for a smart bottle that tracks your hydration. But if you’re looking for a fun bottle that will give a reminder to drink and bring some life to a party, you might consider the Icewater 3-in-1. It has a speaker screwed to the bottom and glows with rainbow-colored lights every hour to remind you to drink. The speaker connects to any device via Bluetooth and has surprisingly good sound, although the speaker’s exterior is not waterproof (so take care when you’re filling it up). It does not offer any technology-enabled hydration tracking, but it glowed consistently.
5.Aquio IBTB2BB Double-wall Steel Insulated Hydration Bottle
Up top, it’s a 16-ounce insulated bottle that keeps liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 14. It’s got a convenient carry loop on the lid. But the real draw here is that the detachable Bluetooth speaker means you have your jams built into your beverage bottle — perfect for workouts or picnics. The company states that the waterproof and dustproof speaker provides about 6 hours of play before it needs recharging. And because it syncs to your phone, it can also be used to answer calls. Our tester said the speaker’s sound was impressive for its size. The bottle comes with a charging cord.
6.ICEWATER 3-in-1 Insulated Smart Water Bottle
This Icewater bottle glows to remind you to drink up — just power it up, and it will nudge you every hour. It also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker, so you can connect to your smartphone to play music and podcasts (no app required). The manufacturer claims the vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle can keep your beverage hot for up to 12 hours or cold for up to 24 hours. The lid has a built-in large carrying loop, and the bottle holds 20 ounces of liquid.
Smart water bottle with reminder to drink water
7.Hidrate Spark PRO Smart Water Bottle
LED smart sensor puck glows to remind you when it’s time to drink and tracks your water intake by syncing via bluetooth to the FREE HidrateSpark app
NEW design includes a rechargeable battery and comes with a fast charging cable so you never miss a beat! A carry loop makes it easy to carry on-the-go
Make it your own by choosing from 2 size and lid options, several bottle color options, and custom glow colors and exciting light patterns available in the app
8.ICEWATER 3-in-1 Smart Water Bottle
1 Hours Glows( Slow Breathing Light) to Remind You to Drink More Water ,Stay Hydrated and Healthy,Great Gift.
The Sports Water Bottle Materials Made in USA ,EASTMAN Tritan, FDA Compliant,100% BPA-Free Non-Toxic,NO Smell.
360°Sound,Built-in 600mAh Battery,5W,Very Loud and Clear,Water Resistant,For Bike,Beach,Hiking,Pool,Shower,Camping, Outdoor.
How we test water bottles and innovative products
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested more than 25 water bottles and parsed through nearly 200 data points. The bottles are dropped, shaken, and knocked over to see if they leak. They’re weighed when full to see how heavy and comfortable they are. Testers drink out of them when sitting down and while walking around. Experts evaluate whether they’re easy to open, close and grip, and they note if the bottles are dishwasher safe and how thoroughly they can be washed by hand. They also provide bottles for consumer testers who give feedback on the bottle’s ability to resist leaking and spilling and overall experience.
Our Labs have also tested hundreds of smart home devices, like smart light bulbs and robot vacuums. Testers evaluate the novel features of each product. They also note how easy it is to set up the device and whether the app is intuitive. Does it have another functionality, like audio or charging capabilities? Is the battery life acceptable, or does the product require frequent charging? All data points are considered when choosing products that are smart enough to recommend.
For this particular list, we considered intelligent water bottles that made self-cleaning or sanitation claims, but our experts need to review them further before they can be recommended. Here, we are recommending products we’ve road tested, picks from brands we know and love, as well as those with compelling features.
How did we choose these smart water bottles?
In searching for the best smart water bottle, we considered several factors to find the very best smart water bottle for 2023. These four C’s can help you in your search to find the right bottle for you.
- Capacity: Some intelligent water bottles are more significant than others, so it is essential to consider how you want to use your bottle. For example, if you plan on taking it with you, you may want a smaller size that will easily fit in your bag.
- Cleaning: Consider whether you would like a dishwasher-safe intelligent water bottle, as some models may require that you hand wash.
- Cost: As we have seen with our list of 2023’s best smart water bottles, not every bottle is as affordable as the next. In our selections, we chose a variety of water bottles that vary in price.
- Compatibility: If you want to use your phone to operate your bottle, you may need to download an app. Check whether your bottle’s app is compatible with your phone’s operating system.
Why Does Hydration Matter for Health?
Humans can live without food for a few days, but we can’t live for long without water. Water is a critical nutrient for the human body, and many studies have shown its importance for human health. For example, a 2011 review found that water consumption affected short- and long-term health, with dozens of positive effects on staying hydrated. Drinking more water can help slow the formation of kidney stones, limit UTIs, and prevent metabolic disease, chronic kidney disease, and beyond. Drinking water also helps to increase mental processing speed, which improves cognitive performance; dehydration, on the other hand, slows mental performance. Other hydration benefits include improved body temperature regulation, aided digestion, a well-maintained electrolyte balance, cushioned joints, and more.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
This is up for debate, but Harvard Health recommends following the four-to-six cup rule per day for generally healthy people. That’s about 48 to 64 ounces of water total, although this recommendation will vary from person to person based on body weight, height, physical activity, and the climate you’re in. Most intelligent bottles we tested recommended drinking far more than that; for a 200-pound person, the average recommended water intake was about 100 ounces per day. Someone lighter—a 120-pound person—received an average recommendation of about 80 ounces of water daily. Either way, it’s a significant amount of fluid, and it’s essential to drink.
Are Smart Water Bottles Worth It?
If the concept of intelligent water bottles seems a little foreign to you, that’s OK: Smart water bottles are relatively new in the scheme of things; the idea popped up as a result of new Bluetooth technology and the “quantified self” movement, which is the trend of using wearable or intelligent technology as a way to gather data about your every day, health-related activities. But all signs point to market growth. (One estimate says the intelligent water bottle industry will be worth $48.7 million by 2025.)
Do you need a smart water bottle to stay hydrated? Short answer: No. Most smart water bottles claim to improve hydration—or at least hydration motivation—by connecting to your phone and tracking how often you fill it up and drink from it. While testing, we found following our water intake via Bluetooth-connected apps to be more cumbersome than helpful. Our overall water intake didn’t increase drastically after several weeks using these intelligent bottles.
Sometimes, the apps sent such constant notifications that we learned to ignore them. In other cases, the technology made the water taste better, but it didn’t give us a way to track hydration goals. Overall, after testing, we think tracking your water intake through a water bottle is just one way to manage hydration. Some people may prefer to use apps or even hand-written logs to track how much water they consume daily. Whatever works for you is excellent!
How to Pick a Smart Water Bottle
Who Should Buy a Smart Water Bottle?
If you need to track your water intake for any reason, or you’re hoping to be reminded to drink more water, a smart water bottle may be a good option. People with health conditions related to hydration (kidney stones, chronic health conditions, and beyond) may find this technology beneficial, as will athletes. These water bottles look really cool, so you might want to purchase one to make drinking water a fun, tech-enabled process.
Which Features Matter Most When Buying Smart Water Bottles?
When you’re choosing an intelligent water bottle to buy, you should consider:
Hydration reminders: It doesn’t matter what method you’re using; this water bottle needs to remind you to drink water throughout the day! After all, the ultimate goal is to drink more water with one of these than without it.
- Personalization: Not everyone needs to drink the same amount of water. A brilliant bottle should allow you to mold its guidelines to your height, weight, lifestyle, and location.
- Technology syncing: Many water bottles sync to an app or smartwatch via Bluetooth. The sync should be seamless.
- Extra features: Water purification, speakers, chargers—you name it, it’s an option.
- Leak-free: As you tote this around, ensure it doesn’t leak!
- Easy to operate: The water bottle should be easy to use right out of the box. And it should be easy to drink from, too. It doesn’t need to be super bright, either—if it helps you drink more water, it’s an asset.
Downsides of a smart water bottle
While a smart water bottle could be useful for elderly people, athletes, or those who forget to drink frequently, they also have some downsides you should be aware of.
For one, there’s the price. Most smart water bottles cost between $30 and $100. That’s quite a bit more expensive than even the fanciest “dumb” water bottles.
Many smart water bottle options also have built-in lights that flash to remind you when to drink. These lights can be districted in certain instances, such as during a work meeting or school exam. Some smart water bottles don’t end at flashing lights either. Many have built-in Bluetooth speakers and other unneeded features.
For something that should be with you for most of the day, each additional piece of technology represents a potential failure point. A smart water bottle isn’t going to be as durable as a normal bottle. That’s something to consider for people who need a rugged piece of kit. There’s also the fact that you need to keep it charged — something that isn’t necessary for normal bottles.
There’s also the fact that a smart water bottle can introduce an unnecessary sense of competitiveness to something that humans have evolved to do: drink water. As mentioned earlier, if you don’t fall into a category that could benefit from hydration reminders, you’re probably getting enough water as is.
How many times can you reuse a smart water bottle?
Final Words. Reusing Smart Water bottles when thru-hiking is generally safe. However, you should switch to a new bottle every 1-2 weeks if you’re concerned about microplastics.