Myself drinking from the Hunza River in the Himalayas in 1999. This was during my pre-stainless Steel Bottle days. Photo copyright C. Guerrini
I learned that drinking water helps reduce the impact of stress on my body and helps my mind keep thinking clearly so for the last ten years I have been carrying a water bottle with me just about everywhere I go to make sure I am hydrated. After all the issues about the quality of plastic used in water bottles I switched to using a stainless steel bottle about three years ago. Today as part of my work on helping people support their success and wellness I am often asked by email or during seminars what is a good stainless steel bottle to buy. So I decided it was time to write a review on some of the bottles I know of including some I have used or currently use. I have made comparison using particular features that I believe will be of importance to you.
Please note: Each of the following companies makes at least one model of water bottle with stainless steel. Depending on the company they may also made bottles from plastic and aluminum. This review is only on stainless steel water bottles. For pricing examples and additional information please visit the website links located in this article or at the end of it. I hope this helps you out.
Let us begin!
For your convenience the format of this review is:
Sample Images of Bottles By Each Company Reviewed
A General Overview of Bottles available
Detailed review of each companies stainless steel offerings.
All the BLUE links are links for pricing and extra information
The Bottles
ThinkSport
CamelBak
Nalgene
Klean Kanteen
New Wave Enviro
Innate
SIGG
BPA Free: All models written about are BPA free
Variety of Sizes: If you want a large choice of sizes check out Klean Kanteen
Insulation: Insulated bottles are from the following companies Innate
Children’s bottles: Children’s models are available from Klean Kanteen
Cap options: Innate
Detailed Overview
Klean Kanteen
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles
They offer insulated and non insulated stainless steel models
They use stainless steel with no inner liner.
They use No BPA, Phthalates or lead in the construction of the bottle.
They offer wide neck and narrow neck bottles.
They offer multiple sizes from 12 oz (approx. 350 ml) to 40 oz (approx. 1.2 liters) – volume depends on the style of bottle
The 18 oz (Approx. 530 ml) classic model fits a bike bottle holder
Tops can vary with options including sports top, loop top, flat cap and café top.
12 oz (approx. 350 ml) Sippy bottle available for children – this is a narrow top model
Summary for Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Insulated and non insulated models available
Wide and narrow openings available
Various tops styles available
Multiple sizes
Children’s model available
****
CamelBak
CamelBak Stainless Steel Bottles
They offer insulated and non insulated stainless steel models
The better bottle model can be used with some water filters
They use stainless steel with no inner liner
They use No BPA or Phthalates in their stainless steel bottles
Two sizes at present .5 liter (10 us ounces) insulated and .75 liter (approx. 25 ounces) non-insulated
Children’s sipping bottle available
Only one type of top that is sports sipping type shown on site
Summary for CamelBak Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Insulated and non insulated models available
One size opening
Currently Two sizes available
Sipping top only
Children’s model available
****
New Wave Enviro
New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottles
They use 100 percent stainless steel with no inner lining
Sizes from 0.6 liter (approx 20 ounce) to 1.2 liter (approx 40 ounce)
12 oz (approx. 350 ml) children’s bottle available with sipping top
Sport caps and screw in caps available for certain models
Some slightly hourglass styled models easier to grip
Summary for New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Only non- insulated models available
Wide and narrow openings available
Various tops styles available
Multiple sizes
Children’s model available
****
ThinkSport
Thinksport Stainless Steel Sports Bottles
Sizes available 375 ml (approx. 12 ounce) and 750 ml (approx. 25 ounces)
Double walled stainless to keep fluids hot or cold
They use No BPA or Phthalates in their stainless steel bottles
Removable mesh filter to stop ice cubes or tea leaves
375 ml (approx. 12 ounce) ThinkSport say will fit in most car cup holders
No children’s sipping model available at present
Slightly hourglass shaped model
Summary for Thinksport Stainless Steel Sports Bottles
Only Insulated models available
Wide openings available
Top can be used as wide or narrow due to closure system
Two sizes available
No Children’s model available at present
****
Innate
Innate Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Insulated and non-insulated models available
440 ml (Approx. 15 oz) to 1.2 liter (40 oz) models available
Lid designed to been easily hooked onto a bag
BPA free stainless steel
Can be used with new Innate flow controller to eliminate dripping while drinking
Wide top easy to clean
Screw top and sipping tops available depending on model
Top can be used with some backcountry filters
Slightly hourglass shaped model available easier to grip
Children’s sipping cups available with handles
Summary for Innate Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Insulated and non- insulated models available
Only Wide opening models available
Various tops styles available
Multiple sizes
Children’s model available
****
Nalgene
Nalgene Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Stainless steel BPA free construction
940 ml (Approx. 32 oz) and 1.12 liter (Approx. 38 oz) models
Strong cord on line for attaching to bag
No Childrens sipping models currently available
Wide top easy to clean models
Screw top only top option at present
Summary for Nalgene Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Only non- insulated models available
Only Wide opening available
Only screw top available
Two sizes available
No Children’s model available at present
****
SIGG
SIGG Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Note: Most of SIGG’s bottles are made with Aluminum. This write up only covers there new Steelworks stainless steel model range.
0.25 liter (Approx. 8 oz) to 1 liter (Approx. 32 oz) models available
Wide and Narrow top openings
Various types of tops available
Summary for SIGG Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Insulated and non- insulated models available
Wide and narrow openings available
Loop, screw top and cafe top available
Multiple sizes available
No Children’s model available at present
****
Well, that’s it my review is done. Remember for pricing and more information you can click on any of the writing that is Blue in the article. Below is the link to cut and past to email this article.
http://thewondertechnique.com/stainless-steel-water-bottles-review/
Enjoy a great day,
David
P.S. If you have not already done so get yourself a free copy of my e-book on reducing stress and increasing success that will help you become healthier and happier everyday. After you get my e-book you will also receive special educational ezines. You can get your copy by filling in the form on the top left of this page.
** Remember: Wide neck bottles are easiest to clean and for your health your bottle needs to be washed out daily.
Not to be obtuse (but I really, really am), are steel cups any more biodegradable than plastic bottles? And the stainless steel has plastic caps, yes?
Oh, is it that SS is the only bottle you need and plastic one are used and disgarded (dug! sorry, slow today. It’s monday.). Though I use the same plastic cup for weeks on end in my office….
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your comment. As you said yourself the reason why I use a stainless steel water bottle is primarily the durability. Not on it being biodegradable. I believe once my bottle has lost its life it can be re-used or recycled and have a new life. I bear in mind I still have stainless steel pots that my family and I have used for over ten years so I expect the bottle to have a good life but you never know.
Indeed, as you mentioned, some but not all stainless steel bottles having plastic lids the good news is the lids are not polycarbonate # 7 with its BPA features but a food grade polypropylene #5 that is BPA free. Not perfect but better just like many things in life. The hope is that overall the stainless steel bottle choice is a better long term solution.
In addition, some steel bottles do have steel tops like the classic version of Klean Kanteen’s bottle in the review
David