A reusable water bottle can be more than a routine purchase.
It’s a sign that you want to prioritize your health by making a habit out of drinking enough water.
Not only that, but you want to do better for the environment by avoiding disposable water bottles.
Make your already good decision an even better one by keeping these tips in mind as you shop for your new water bottle.
Consider your needs
The most important question to ask yourself is how you plan to use your water bottle.
If you know you’ll be active throughout the day, a tumbler with a straw like the HydroJug might be the perfect fit for you.
On the other hand, you might prefer a more oversized water bottle if you know you’ll be sitting around at home.
The right water bottle for you should also fit your durability needs. For example, a glass bottle might not be a great idea if you’re a little clumsy.
You’ll also want to make sure your bottle of choice is easy to wash by hand or dishwasher-safe.
Convenience is of the utmost importance for a reusable water bottle because hydration is a challenging but crucial habit.
Drinking water is part of a healthy diet for mental health and physical health alike, and you may not adopt it if your water bottle creates a hassle for you.
Weigh your options for materials
You have many options for the material of your water bottle, and there are pros and cons to each.
Glass is heavy and breakable, but dishwasher-safe and won’t affect flavor like metal will.
Plastic is affordable and light but poses risks both to your health and the environment’s health.
There is no single best answer here, but you might find better-insulated and more expensive metal bottles minimize the cons of their cheaper counterparts.
Glass, too, can be so well-protected by design that you won’t need to be afraid of dropping it. Plastic can be BPA-free and therefore reduce health and environmental risks.
Ultimately, there are better-quality alternatives for every kind of material out there.
Anything is better than disposable water bottles, and, like with most anything else, the cost is often an indicator of overall quality.
Look for your personal preferences
Factors like the lid and mouth style may not have much practical effect on the benefits of your water bottle, but you probably won’t drink from it as much if you don’t like it.
That’s why you shouldn’t forget the little things that appeal to you. Don’t be afraid to pick the prettiest one.
A common question is which size is appropriate for a water bottle.
As reported by Healthline, women should drink about 11.5 cups (92 oz.), and men should drink about 15.5 cups (124 oz.) per day, though you need more if you’re more active or the temperature is scorching, among other conditions.
Even larger water bottles around 32 ounces won’t completely meet your required water intake in one shot, but they will provide a good amount if you’re out and about and don’t mind the extra weight.
The best rule of thumb for how much water you need is to watch for signs that you’re dehydrated and estimate from there.
It’s never a good idea to let yourself go thirsty.
Before you go
The right water bottle for you should conveniently meet your needs.
It should also be aesthetically appealing but budget-friendly to increase your purchase’s chances of launching a new hydration habit.