Is the Owala water bottle worth the hype? Our kitchen editor is skeptical

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Who knew staying hydrated could be so contentious? It seems like every other year, there's a new "it" water bottle — S'well in 2019, Hydro Flask in 2021, and the Stanley Quencher in 2023. We're barely a month into 2024, and already there's a new contender for water bottle of the year: the Owala FreeSip. In fact, another Business Insider article recently declared that "the cool girls are switching to Owala water bottles" from the cult-favorite Stanley. Over the holidays, I got a water bottle that I love, but I couldn't resist the allure of trying the innovative-sipping, multiple-vowel-using Owala FreeSip.

It's not just the trendy color blocking and a smooth, rounded form that made this water bottle take over social media. The visuals helped, but the real unique feature is the combination lid featuring a built-in straw and wide-mouth opening. Though I'm sticking with my own bottle, I was impressed with the thoughtful design elements of the Owala FreeSip.

Design

My first impression of the Owala FreeSip is that it's gorgeous, which is something I never thought I'd say about a water bottle. I was also surprised by how big the 24-ounce bottle is. When it arrived, I thought I had accidentally ordered a larger size — my guess is that the three insulated layers cause the bulkiness, which makes it well worth it.

There are two indented areas on the bottle that make it comfortable to grip and easy to hang onto even when wet. Interestingly, Owala does sell a water bottle boot: a silicone sleeve that slips on the bottom of the FreeSip bottle to protect it from dents and scratches. This raises a question: how durable is the bottle if it needs a protective case? In my experience with the FreeSip, I haven't noticed any surface damage, but I'll be keeping an eye out.

How it works

The opening is split into two sections: a wider part that leads to the whole bottle and a smaller area that is connected to a silicone straw. Instead of a mouthpiece that flips up, you access the straw via a specific part of the larger opening.

The FreeSip is also leakproof. You need to press a button at the front of the bottle to release the spout lid, but the carrying loop is the last line of defense against spills and leaks. When folded over, the loop slots into place and covers the button, so the opening mechanism can't be triggered by rogue backpack elements. I turned the water bottle upside down and felt no drips.

Temperature retention

I tested the bottle's triple insulation by filling it with ice water and leaving it at room temperature for six and then twelve hours. After six hours, the water was still 35 degrees, but the ice did fully melt overnight. The water was still below 50 degrees when I checked in the morning, so I'm confident in the Owala bottle's ability to keep drinks cool (if not ice cold) for a full day's work or hiking trip.

Cons to consider

Though I appreciate the versatility, I don't find the integrated straw as comfortable to drink from as bottles with exterior straw openings. I have to tilt the bottle to get a smooth pull from the straw. Also, the 24-ounce bottle is over 10 inches tall and feels bulky. You can hold it in one hand or fit it in a backpack, but it's not exactly slim. I'm not jumping on the Owala bandwagon mostly because I like a real straw: I want to be fully perpendicular to the bottle when I'm drinking and I can't quite do that with the Owala.

What are your alternatives?

Most likely, you already have a water bottle, and it works just fine. The Owala FreeSip isn't a huge investment (and it's cheaper than our favorite Hydro Flask Standard Bottle), but there's really no need to switch immediately — it is, in the end, just a water bottle. If you are looking for a new water bottle for under $20 and a straw lid, the Simple Modern Insulated Bottle is another Business Insider top pick for the best water bottles.

If you're like me and need water, coffee, and seltzer on rotation throughout the day, stock your pantry with a few water bottles and maybe the best coffee thermos.

The bottom line

After testing the Owala bottle, I have a mixed opinion. I see the appeal for gym goers or anyone active — you have the ability to sip while on a stationary bike and swig after a tough set. However, for me, the mouthfeel is a hard sell. I was impressed by the thought and care that clearly went into designing a humble water bottle, but I value a pop-up straw more than a trendy silhouette.