Six great reusable water bottles for back-to-school
New guidance from the CDC suggests that schools can safely return to in-person learning this fall, which means it's time to get that back-to-school shopping taken care of. While new clothes and school supplies might be at the top of your list, the value of a great school water bottle should not be underestimated. Whether you're a parent sending a child back to school, a teacher ramping up to return to the classroom, or some combination of the two, proper hydration is part of making the classroom comeback as healthy as possible.
Choosing the best reusable water bottle for you is a matter of what you're looking for in a beverage container: Plastic water bottles are lightweight and often dishwasher-safe, while insulated bottles can keep beverages cold for long stretches of time. A wide variety of lid options are available, too -- even lids that track the amount of water you drink.
If aesthetics are high on the priority list, you might want to check out a slightly more expensive bottle with a sleek design, or a significantly smaller one that's simply adorable.
No matter what your family's hydration needs are, there's a reusable water bottle out there to quench that thirst. Here are six back-to-school-ready water bottles to get you started.
The Thermos Intak bottle with meter lid
The 24-ounce Intak plastic water bottle from Thermos is lightweight and easy to take everywhere. Made from BPA-free plastic, this bottle is dishwasher safe-- a rarity in the water-bottle world. The hydration meter on the lid measures your water intake to help you meet your hydration goals. The flip-top spout can be opened with a push of a button, and locked to keep it sealed and secure inside any bag or backpack. The flip-up carrying loop and ergonomically designed bottle make it comfortable to carry throughout the day.
The Contigo AutoSeal Chill
If you're looking for a leak-proof water bottle that isn't made primarily of plastic, the AutoSeal Chill Contigo water bottle might be right for you. Made with a stainless steel body, it can keep 24 oz. of any liquid cold for up to 28 hours and has more than 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
The spout is really what seals the deal here, literally: The lid has an autoseal button to seal it off between sips, making this insulated water bottle virtually impossible to spill when in a bag or backpack. Simply push the button to open the seal when you're ready to drink, and when you release it, the lid will close automatically. The built-in spout cover keeps the bottle sanitary, so all you'll need to worry about is staying hydrated.
The S'well stainless steel bottle
For those who prefer a more straightforward lid, this 17-ounce S'well water bottle with a twist-off lid has a user-friendly mouth; it won't suddenly dump water onto your face when you tip it, but it's still wide enough to easily fill with ice. This bottle will fit most standard-sized cup holders, and reviewers note that its size and shape make it easy to hold. It's BPA-free and composed of grade stainless steel. With triple-layered insulation, S'well bottles are designed to keep beverages cold for over 40 hours, and hot for up to 18. The copper wall layer cuts down condensation, so this stainless-steel water bottle can be tossed in a backpack, no sweat.
The Mover insulated bottle from Purist Collective
For those who like to switch up their go-to beverage, the 18-ounce Mover bottle from Purist Collective is designed to make that transition near-seamless. The bottle's specially designed, glass-lined interior prevents odors and tastes from lingering after you've finished your drink, and because the interior is applied as a spray-on coating, you won't have to deal with the weight and fragility of a typical glass-lined bottle. The screw-top spout lid has a pop-up handle for convenient carrying. This bottle keeps drinks such as hot cocoa hot for 12 hours and drinks like iced tea cold for 24 -- and you won't taste either the next time you fill the Mover with water.
The Under Armour Sideline water jug
If long days with minimal access to a water fountain are on the horizon, the Playmaker water jug from Under Armour is a great option. With an impressive 64-ounce capacity, this water jug does not mess around when it comes to hydration. The double-wall foam insulation will keep any drink cold for up to 12 hours, and the leak-resistant flip-top lid keeps the risk of an unintentional post-game celebratory Gatorade-dump moment to a minimum. The ergonomic handle and non-slip side grip make the tasks of drinking from and carrying around this behemoth bottle much easier. Integrated fence hooks make it convenient to hang nearby on game day.
The Penguin thermos from Tomlff
Need some extra cuteness as you head back to the classroom? This stainless steel penguin thermos from Tomlff has you covered. With a twist-off cap and standard thermos insulation, this is a straightforward but adorable choice for a school water bottle. It can keep beverages hot for up to 8 hours, and cold for up to 12, and is made with stainless steel interior, and a rubber exterior that is soft to the touch. With just a 9-ounce capacity, this penguin might not be the perfect pick for a day spent hiking, but its compact size is suitable for car cup holders, or for tossing in a bag. Plus, this bottle will look extra precious on any desk and might even make a great back-to-school ice breaker.
