I Called It Years Ago—The Owala Is the Best Water Bottle

I am attached at the hip to my water bottle. It goes wherever I go, whether it’s grocery shopping, kayaking on the Welsh coastline, or road-tripping through the Sardinian countryside (I’m totally serious). So it makes sense that my first review for Serious Eats back in 2022 was testing stainless steel water bottles. 

I still remember the hot summer day I spent sticking an instant-read thermometer into each water bottle to take the temperature of ice water over 12 hours. Beyond cold retention (I love an ice-cold glass of H2O), I evaluated the water bottles based on how leakproof, durable, and smooth they were to sip from. At the time, the trendy water bottle was the HydroFlask, which performed very admirably in my tests. But an unknown newcomer took the crown: the Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Fast forward to today, and it’s become the new “it” water bottle. All of my friends have one: We recently had a book club meet-up and nearly everyone was clutching an Owala. While I called it three years ago, my Owala bottle has continued to impress me.

The Takeaways

The Owala FreeSip Water Bottle Could Not Be Easier To Drink From

The Owala combines everything I want in a stainless steel water bottle into one sleek package. It comes in a variety of sizes (24, 32, and 40 ounces) and striking color combinations (I have the Water in the Desert color). The indents on the side of the bottle make it easy to grip, which says something since I have small hands. But the best part about the Owala FreeSip is in its name: It provides a smooth drinking experience. The straw funnels water through the perfectly sized port, so you’re refreshed and replenished with each sip. And if you’re really thirsty, it also has a larger chug port for big gulps of cold, cold water. 

It Has Superior Cold Retention

That’s the other boon: In my tests, it kept ice water under 40°F for 12 hours—wild! This cold retention has saved me from overheating during hot summer days; it’s essential when I go to boxing classes located in an old mill building’s carriage house with weak AC. 

It Holds up Over Time and Won't Leak

Finally, the Owala is durable (I’m clumsy) and doesn’t leak, thanks to a locking lid. The locking mechanism, which is a hinged plastic loop, also serves as a useful carrying handle.

Would I Buy It?

While I tend to be skeptical of the “latest, greatest, trendiest” thing, I’ve had my Owala for years and it’s still my preferred water bottle. So the answer is 100% yes: The Owala is a sturdy water bottle that’s portable, keeps ice water chilled, and that’s smooth to sip from. What more could you want?

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is an editor for Serious Eats, where she’s been testing kitchen gear and gadgets for nearly three years. 
• Her first review for the site was of stainless steel water bottles, and the Owala took the top spot. 
• She’s been using an Owala water bottle as her main source of hydration ever since.