Whatever you’re drinking: water, coffee, or your beverage of choice, choosing reusable, plastic-free water bottles will always equal a lower impact when compared to consuming single-use plastic bottles over a lifetime (assuming you actually use the bottle for a lifetime).
Plus, these bottles make financial sense. Buying bottled water can be 2,000 times more expensive than drinking purified tap water from a reusable water bottle.
Non-plastic water bottles are a planet and budget-friendly essential, and that’s all the motivation we need to support these H2Outstanding brands that not only use low-impact materials but also generally better green business practices.
Heads up: This article does contain some bottles that have plastic lids/components. We’ve prioritized water bottles that don’t constantly expose your water to toxic plastic in that the vessel that holds the water is not plastic. But we’ve struggled to find options without plastic lids that also meet our other sustainability standards. Please do let us know if you find any that stack up!
Additionally, our new Brand Rating System now takes our consideration set for sustainability much further by assessing brands against 22 criteria including things like chemical use, water use and safety. Look out for the rated bottle brands on the list below who have opted in to be more transparent with us about their initiatives and find other rated brands here.
You may also be interested in our guides on water filter brands and how to purify water.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Our Top Picks For Plastic-Free & Non-Toxic Water Bottles
Ocean Bottle’s OB Lite water bottle is made predominantly from recycled stainless steel, and is ethically produced in a BSCI-audited factory. The brand provides funding for the collection of the equivalent of 1000 plastic bottles with every bottle purchase. Ocean Bottle has been comprehensively rated and reviewed by us – find the full rating here.
We’ve used Klean Kanteen for years, they’re a mainstay in our travel and day-to-day life. They offer recycled stainless steel water bottles and food storage containers with reusability and repairability in mind.
For water bottles for every kind and creed—mountain climbers to tiny tots—S’well is, well, pretty swell! They also have large stainless steel strawed tumblers (but without the lead pellet like the comparable Stanley cups), which we tested and found handy and robust for everyday use.
Index: Best Non-Plastic Water Bottles
- Ocean Bottle Jump to brand
- S’well Jump to brand
- Klean Kanteen Jump to brand
- Bambaw Jump to brand
- Hydro Flask Jump to brand
- Greens Steel Jump to brand
- Welly Jump to brand
- Que Jump to brand
Ocean Bottle
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materials
Refillable
Product packaging can be refilled with more product, either at a physical store or via a return program.
Repairs Offered
Product can be easily repaired directly by the brand.
Take Back Program
Brand offers a take back program for their products and responsibly manages returned items.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
B Corp
Climate Pledge
Ocean Bottle has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Ocean Bottle, a UK-based Certified B Corp, offers a range of reusable water bottles made with a minimum of 65% recycled materials, including 95% certified recycled stainless steel.
For us, their OB Lite stands out for its ultra-lightweight design. The base of the bottle is made entirely from stainless steel. While the lid and other components are crafted from BPA-free plastic, it is possible to ensure that your water touches only the stainless steel part of the bottle. The lid comes off completely and you are able to drink directly from the vessel.
Ocean Bottle also offer their Original bottles in 500ml, 750ml or 1L with double wall insulation – this keeps liquids hot or cold for longer than the OB Lite. Similar to the OB Lite, the base of these bottles are made from stainless steel and the lid can be removed for drinking if you want to limit contact with plastic.
As part of their broader sustainability commitment, Ocean Bottle is Climate Pledge Friendly, meaning they’ve committed to neutralizing emissions.
For every bottle sold, Ocean Bottles funds the collection of 11.4 kg of ocean-bound plastic, partnering with global organizations like Plastics for Change and Plastic Bank to fight plastic pollution. And they back their bottles with a 10-year repair and replacement warranty.
My Personal Review Of Ocean Bottles’ Water Bottles
“My family and I have been using the Ocean Bottle Original throughout the summer, taking it everywhere from workouts to beach days. It holds plenty of water and keeps it refreshingly cool—even on sweltering 39°C (~102°F) days which we’ve experienced quite a lot this summer. For us though, the OB Lite has been the household favorite. Its the ideal size for yoga, gym, running, and jujitsu, and it fits perfectly in the car cup holder. Plus, I especially love that when it eventually reaches the end of its life, the OB Lite will be much easier to recycle. Both bottles are really really good looking and we’ve received a ton of compliments based on their aesthetics – in response we promptly explain that they’re also made with 95% recycled stainless steel ;)”
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ Co-Founder
S’well
S’well has not been rated.
Price Range: $20–$50
Long before reusable water bottles were mainstream, Sarah Kauss pioneered S’well’s stainless steel water bottle as the first “reusable hydration accessory.”
In addition to Bottles, Travelers, Roamers, and S’ipers (plastic-free water bottles for kids), they also have tumblers, mugs, and barware for your favorite poison. S’well offers both a double-wall insulated bottle and triple-wall insulated bottles, for maximum temperature longevity.
S’well’s water bottles are made from 18/8 stainless steel that is BPS and BPA-free.
The brand designs all bottles in NYC and has them responsibly manufactured in China. and uses minimal, compostable, and responsibly harvested paperboard packaging for their toxin-free water bottles.
S’well has donated 10,000+ reusable water bottles via their Hydrate EDU initiative to support sustainable hydration for students, teachers, and administrators. Over 1.5 million youths have been further supported through S’well’s joint efforts with UNICEF and more.
My Personal Review of S’Well’s Explorer With Flip Straw Lid & Tumbler XL:
“The S’well Explorer Water Bottle, which I tested in both their smaller and larger sizes, keeps my drinks cold for hours, even on hot days, and the flip straw lid makes it super convenient for quick sips without spilling. I love the sturdy construction and sleek design, and the wide mouth makes it easy to add ice cubes or clean.
I also own S’well’s Tumbler and Tumbler XL, and I have to say, I’m a fan. For a long time, I thought the whole Stanley straw tumbler trend was totally unnecessary—until I was given the chance to test S’well’s equivalent. An improved version of Stanley, which uses lead in the vacuum sealing of their products, S’well’s tumblers are fully recycled and lead-free, and they’re genuinely super useful.
I take a lot of road trips, and it used to drive me crazy that none of my water bottles fitted well in the cup holders. The tumbler does, and I also don’t have to mess with taking off the lid while driving so I can sip safely. Even at home, I now use this instead of a water glass since I’m so clumsy and prone to spilling. While not spill-proof if you tip it over, it definitely spills a lot slower!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Klean Kanteen
Klean Kanteen has not been rated.
Price Range: $20–$65
Klean Kanteen is one of the best plastic-free water bottle manufacturer in the USA. Klean’s drinkware range includes their classic plastic-free stainless steel water bottle, but also tumblers, cups, and thermoses. Several colors, sizes, and accessories are available.
All Klean Kanteen’s bottles are made with 18/8 stainless steel and a chip-resistant, powder coat finish. The Straws and TK Wide Mouth line are 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel.
Free of plastic and epoxy linings means they’re also free of BPA and other harmful substances on the brand’s restricted substances list. While most of bottles come with lids and components made from plastic, they do have plastic-free caps and lids that you can buy separately (see “caps & lids” under the accessories section on their site).
The designs come out of Chico, California before each water bottle is responsibly made in China. The Certified B Corp is family and employee-owned, allowing them to prioritize people, planet, and product over shareholder profits.
Since lids are the hardest part of the bottles to recycle, Klean Kanteen makes them versatile and interchangeable between different bottle bodies. The Strong as Steel™ Guarantee covers serviceable elements and replacement parts may be ordered to keep your stainless steel water bottle in tip-top shape. They’re Climate Neutral Certified, too.
As a member of 1% for the Planet, Klean Kanteen makes annual contributions to organizations prioritizing plastic pollution, outdoor stewardship, and conservation. The Klean team gets 24 hours of paid volunteer time annually.
My Personal Review of Klean Kanteen’s TKWide Water Bottle:
“Klean Kanteen’s water bottles stand out for their durability – I’ve been using them for years. The recycled stainless steel is robust, and I find that the textured powder coating seems to help me grip it better, reducing the chances of dropping it. Compared to my other bottles, this one has significantly fewer dents at the bottom! I’m also a fan of their wide-mouth tumbler with a snap-on lid, which is perfect for hot drinks.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Bambaw
Bambaw has not been rated.
Bambaw offers 2 types of water bottles: insulated and uninsulated. Both come in either plain stainless steel with no coating or with a colorful coating. The uninsulated bottle comes in 3 different sizes and the insulated version comes in 4 sizes.
Both bottle types are compliant with EU and US Food Contact Materials (FCM) regulations. They are both lead and BPA-free and have been tested for heavy metals. Bambaw guarantees their powder coatings are free from BPS and phthalates.
The bottles are made from 304 Stainless steel, they have a bamboo lid with a BPA-free silicone seal.
Bambaw was founded by twin brothers, Max and Augustin and their goal is to offer well made alternatives to single use products. They ship carbon neutral across Europe, the USA, and Canada.
Hydro Flask
Hydro Flask has not been rated.
About Hydro Flask
Price Range: $20–$125
Hydro Flask have a range of water bottles suitable for all hydration enthusiasts. These are all made with a non-plastic stainless steel base. In addition to fun-colored and custom bottles, they also offer cups, tumblers, coffee mugs, and growlers for beer, wine, and spirits, as well as lunchboxes.
You can choose between narrow or wide-mouth screw top designs, which can be swapped with a flip-up straw lid for easy sipping. If you’re looking for something bigger for all-day hydration or even a weekend away in the woods, add the massive 128 oz. Oasis non-plastic water jug to your sustainable camping gear kit.
The 18/8 stainless steel base is combined with a powder coating for no-slip grip and durability. TempShield™ technology keeps cool drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12.
Lids and components are typically made from BPA-free plastic (unfortunately) but it is possible to limit exposure to only the stainless steel base. Their wine bottle (750ml) has a stainless steel lid, however it does have a ceramic lining which may be less appealing to those looking for 100% metal.
Hydro Flask require suppliers to adhere to a code of conduct, and while their website lacks details, it’s been reported that products are made in China in a factory audited by third parties that promote safe working conditions.
Every plastic-free water bottle comes with a lifetime warranty. Replacement parts, like those pesky lost lids, are also available. Their paper packaging is FSC-certified
Hydro Flask created Parks For All, a program to create green spaces and make the outdoors more accessible. Through this, they’ve supported more than 151 non-profits. They’ve also partnered with Surfrider Foundation to remove trash from the oceans.
My Personal Review of Hydro Flask’s 32 Oz Wide Flex Straw Cap Water Bottle:
“I’ve always loved how tough Hydro Flask’s products are—unless a landscaping truck runs over one (RIP my first Hydro Flask), they’re nearly indestructible. I just made the switch to a wide mouth with a flex straw cap, and while I wouldn’t stash it in my backpack (unless it’s in the side pocket) since it’s not as leak-proof, the flip straw is super convenient for sipping on the move.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Greens Steel
Greens Steel has not been rated.
Price Range: $12–$19
Greens Steel makes a stainless steel bottle (including green ones) for every purpose, including water bottles, coffee mugs, and travel tumblers. The business aims to reduce single-use plastics by producing durable, toxin free products that promote low waste living.
Greens Steel uses pure 18/8 304 food-grade stainless steel for their all steel bottles and they’re BPA-free and dishwasher safe. You can opt for powder coated colorful designs but if you’re trying to minimize chemical exposure, stainless is the way to go.
Greens Steel is family run and the founders are actively involved in company operations. No word on where their reusable bottles are manufactured as yet.
Welly
Welly has not been rated.
Each sip from Welly helps us #DrinkWithPurpose. Ben founded the company to honor his late mother, Ellen (Elly), who lost a battle to liver cancer.
Several sizes and styles of plastic-free reusable water bottles are available: Camp Cups, Travelers, and Tumblers. There are different colors and fun patterns available, and all bottles have a removable infuser to brew your favorite zero waste tea or flavor your water.
Bottle bodies are made with 18/8 stainless steel and sustainably-harvested bamboo, and caps from Bamboo (in the Traveller model), BPA-free plastic and silicone. The triple-walled vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold and hot for 24 and 14 hours, respectively.
The bottles are ethically made in China, in a manufacturing facility Welly visits often to ensure they maintain the brand’s quality assurance standards.
Que
Que has not been rated.
Price Range: $19–$33
Not just your average water bottles, Que aims for the highest design standards—as recognized by MoMA, Smithsonian, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Their stylish non-toxic drinkware really is a work of art.
The range includes a squatty insulated bottle and a non-insulated collapsible bottle for easy on-the-go portability.
The collapsible bottle—the first in the world—is made from 100% food-grade silicone with an 18/8 stainless steel cap.
The insulation is made from 18/8 stainless steel with an inner ceramic coating and bamboo/stainless steel lid. Double-walled, they keep drinks hot for 12 hours or chilled for 24 hours.
Responsibly made in China, the bottles are produced by a factory audited to ensure quality and fair working conditions.
Both bottles are recyclable and Que will help find special facilities near you that will take the collapsible bottle’s silicone.
Why are they all made in china? Is there really no factory in EU that makes metal bottles?
I think it would be helpful under “Materials” to note the bottom and the top separately. I still find myself trying to stare at the picture to determine which topics have plastic components, and if so, are they only on the exterior or interior too. Not enough detail on the tops.
I wish there was a true plastic free hydration system for long distance runners. Eliminating the plastic water bladders and tubing.
Ridiculous to recommend bottles using plastic lids as “100% plastic free bottles”. Like, that’s not what anyone wants when looking for “non plastic”. Why aren’t drinking spouts ever made of steel or wood???
Hi Shira, thanks for the feedback. Agree that’s a bit confusing and have removed it.