Choosing a water bottle for the fridge that suits your specific requirement is a rather difficult choice. The selection can be based on multiple aspects; do you want plastic water bottles or glass? If you like copper or steel then can they be kept in the fridge? How about the weight, can your fridge take the weight of heavy glass bottles? Of course, design plays an important role too.
There are so many factors to consider and that’s why we decided to create this comprehensive list of everything you need to know before buying a set of bottles to keep in your fridge, or for every day going out for that matter. We look at factors such as hygiene, cleanliness, weight, design, and health, to name a few to help you decide.
Table of Contents
Watch Video: A Guide To Choosing The Right Water Bottle This Summer | Buying Guide
Best Water Bottles to Buy in 2022
Let us first look at the kind of bottles available in the market
1. Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic bottles are quite popular everywhere you go. Plastic has been for decades amongst the most widely used material used for making water bottles.
Pros/Positives Of Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic bottles come in varied colors, shapes, and sizes. They are durable, and the biggest advantage of plastic water bottles is that they are lightweight. If you are looking to carry a bottle of water with you all day, a plastic bottle may be the lightest to carry around. Of course, the cost is a factor too. Plastic bottles are cheaper to manufacture, as compared to say, glass, aluminum or steel, and this contributes significantly to their popularity.
Cons/Negatives Of Plastic Water Bottles
The biggest disadvantages in carrying plastic water bottles are associated with our health and the health of the environment.
Plastic contains BPA – bisphenol A – a compound known to have adverse effects on your health. While many manufacturers now create ‘BPA free’ plastic ware, it is hard to determine if they are really so, especially in the non-branded segment. In addition to harming human health, plastic being not biodegradable harms Mother Earth as well.
Related Reading: We review products over days, and sometimes weeks, so you can shop better.
2. Stainless Steel Water Bottles
It is also advised not to put hot water in these bottles as steel is a good conductor of heat, and you could end up burning your hands – this is true only for bottles that do not have an inner coating of insulation keeping, maintaining the temperature of the liquid. Though some people claim to hate the smell of steel bottles and the taste of water contained in them, there is hardly any evidence of the change in taste, for these bottles are non-reactive.
Pros/Positives Of Stainless Steel Water bottles
Just like plastic water bottles, stainless steel water bottles tend to be durable too.
Cons/Negatives Of Stainless Steel Water Bottles
The only disadvantage of steel bottles being kept in the fridge is the weight. While insulated steel bottles may be advisable when you want to carry water with you, they may not be apt for the purpose of keeping water in the fridge due to the weight.
3. Glass Bottles
Out of all the different materials that can be used to make bottles, the ones that are made with glass are considered to be the least durable, because obviously, they break! However, recently there have been many new glass water bottles in the market which are covered with a silicon sleeve, thus increasing the durability of the water bottle. It is also important to note that these water bottles are not like the ones made out of plastic or steel, as they are not suitable for traveling, but would make a great option in which you can store your water and refrigerate.
Pros/Positives Of Glass Bottles
Glass bottles are now available in every possible shape, size and with the brightest and most vibrant designs and patterns. They add a retro look to your kitchen and look pretty cool. So there is a huge variety to pick from.
Cons/Negatives Of Glass Bottles
Weight and durability are the two factors that must be considered in case you too, like so many others, like to keep glass water bottles in the fridge. Also, consider the cap of the bottled. Most glass bottles come with metal caps that start rusting after a few months of use.
4. Insulated Water Bottles
If you are wondering about a way to keep your water chilled in a hot summer day, while you are outside, then look no further, for this is the sole purpose for the invention of the vacuum insulated water bottle. These water bottles are engineered in such a manner that their insides are in complete detachment with the surroundings.
Pros/Positives Of Insulated Bottles
Insulated bottles consist of two chambers, one of which is used for the storage of water, and the other one surrounding that is a vacuum, which separates the internal part from the outside. Thus keeping your water chilled throughout the day.
Cons/Negatives Of Insulated Bottles
Due to its design, an insulated water bottle tends to weigh more as compared to other water bottles. A good insulated water bottle can be your friend during the hot summer months. But these are expensive as compared to other types of bottles so price might be the deciding factor for some. Having said that, when you consider factors such as the importance of keeping oneself hydrated, or the effect of single-use plastic bottles on the planet, a one-time investment in an insulated bottle is worth considering.
5. Collapsible Water Bottles
These come into the picture when you are looking for something more adventurous and sporty such as hiking. With their design that occupies the minimum amount of space, a collapsible water bottle is worth considering. These water bottles are about seven times lighter than the ones that are insulated, moreover, at first they may have a certain odor, but after a few washes, the odor does go away.
Health Factors To Consider
Now that we have come across the various types of bottles (at least the ones which are quite popular and are used on a day to basis), it is also important for us to take a look at the various factors that might affect the health of its user. These health aspects of water bottles are based on different factors such as the material required to manufacture the cap of the bottle, the usage of BPA in the manufacturing of plastic bottles, and any other additional component that might decrease the bottles hygiene quality over time.
Some of the Others factors to Consider
Let’s take a look at some of these factors:
1. Use Of Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A or BPA has been in use to make plastic items since the 1960s, and it has a certain role in the water bottle industry as well. Exposure to BPA is known to have adverse effects on the health of its users, though it is claimed that it is only the case with higher consumption of BPA. BPA is linked to the declining state of mental health and is harmful to infants too.
However, recently, there have been many new products, including plastic water bottles, which are labeled as BPA free. And if you don’t have any of those, don’t worry, for even the plastic bottles containing BPA can be used effectively with precautions, for example, make sure that you keep it away from the heat, as heat tends to melt the plastic and might mix the BPA along with water.
2. Material Of The Bottle Cap
A bottle cap is quite an important part, for what will keep the water contained in a bottle if there is no cap. However, as the cap also maintains contact with the liquid stored inside the bottle, the material used to make the cap also plays an important role. The usage of a metal cap could further reduce the shelf life of the bottle.
According to a common notion, a metal cap tends to lower the hygiene quality of a bottle, as metals undergo the process of rusting upon coming in contact with oxygen, which is a part of water’s chemical composition. Apart from the metal caps, plastic caps are frequently produced and marketed, though the concentration of BPA in the plastic must also be checked.
3. Bottle Coloring
The dye used for coloring the water bottles can prove to be another important factor that plays a huge role in the health quotient of the bottle. It is responsible for shortening the shelf life of the bottle, as, after a few washes, the dye will itself start to mix with the content inside. This could cause adverse effects on the user’s health.
The best way to know if the dye is mixing up with your water is by regularly checking if the bottle’s color had started to fade away.
As we can see that each of the different types of bottles have a unique set of advantages, each of them would prove to be beneficial when used under different conditions.
Different Types Of Water Bottles
Let’s Relook At The Advantages Of The Different Types Of Water Bottles:
1. Plastic Water Bottle
• Mostly cheap as compared to the other types.
• It is quite light and easy to carry around.
• Durable and flexible.
2. Stainless Steel
• Non-reactive
• No tension for BPA
• Durable
3. Glass Water Bottle
• Highly valuable and available in interesting patterns and colors.
• There is no reaction with the water.
• The addition of Silicon sleeve makes it more durable.
4. Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle
• Keeps the water chilled or hot for a longer period of time.
• It can be a boon while traveling a long distance.
• Perfectly Durable.
5. Collapsible Water Bottle
• It occupies less space.
• Quite cheap as compared to other types.
• Feather-weight, weighing even less than the ones made of plastic.
Frequently Asked Questions
We answered some of the frequently asked questions about water bottles.
1. What should I look for in a water bottle?
When buying a water bottle, look for some key factors such as cost, weight, colors, patterns, hygiene, cleanliness, and design.
Besides this, study details such as the material used during manufacturing of the bottle, dye used for bottle coloring, the material used for the bottle cap, and the use of BPA in its raw products.
Note: Always go for a BPA-free water bottle. BPA causes detrimental effects on health.
2. What is the best type and healthiest water bottle to use?
Water bottles are available in plastic, stainless steel, glass, insulated and collapsible forms.
Glass water bottles are highly valuable. They do not react with water. Stainless steel bottles are non-reactive, BPA free and durable. Vacuum insulated water bottles keep water chilled or warm for a longer time. These are perfect for traveling.
Plastic and collapsible water bottles are cheap, lightweight, durable, and flexible. The major concern using them are health and environmental issues.
3. What’s better: plastic or stainless steel water bottle?
Plastic bottles, like stainless steel bottles, are durable. They are lightweight compared to stainless steel water bottles. But, plastic contains BPA. BPA has an adverse effect on health. They should be kept away from heat as they may melt the plastic, causing BPA compounds to react with water. Also, using fewer plastic products is good for the environment too.
Stainless steel bottles are BPA-free. They are non-reactive and highly durable. Undoubtedly, stainless steel bottles are better than plastic.
Final Words
Buying a water bottle for yourself or your kids is a process worth spending some time in. You must be assured of the health and hygiene factors of the choice you will end up making. Glass, plastic, insulated or collapsible, whichever type of bottle you chose to go for, we hope this article helps you do just that.