The 8 Best Gallon Water Bottle Selections To Help You Stay Hydrated

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Getting enough water is critical for your health, happiness, and recreational goals. A gallon water bottle is worth considering when it comes to staying hydrated and tracking your daily water intake. Convenience, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, motivational, and easy to clean, gallon water bottle offers many benefits. Whether you go for sweaty gym sessions, beach days, or backcountry hikes, these reusable water bottles make the perfect companion and ensure you crush those hydration goals. 

The importance of gallon water bottles has led to an ever-growing trend of gallon water bottles. To help you shop and drink water on the hour, we have rounded up the best gallon water bottles designed to make drinking water easy. They can help you stay hydrated and be your ultimate hydration vessel.

Before diving in, let's look at what to look for when looking for a gallon water bottle. Below, we've listed the key elements to consider before buying a gallon water bottle. With this information, you'll be one step closer to meeting your hydration needs.

What to Look for in a Gallon Water Bottle

Durability

If you're looking at water bottles, you're going to want something that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. To determine durability, look for a bottle that is BPA-free, toxin-free, and non-corrosive. 

If you are feeling unsure, comment sections are great places to zero in on what attributes people do and don't like about a certain water bottle.

Cost

A gallon water bottle cost varies depending on the material, features, and brands. Plastic water bottles are typically under $35, while insulated stainless steel water bottles (like Yeti) range from $50 to $150.

Think about how much you are willing to spend before selecting an option. While the most expensive options usually have the best features, the cheaper ones have perks, too, and are worth considering. Set a budget and stay within it.

Ease of Cleaning

Bottles with built-in side handles are often convenient to carry but harder to clean because few cleaning tools can reach all the nooks and crannies. Water bottles with wider mouths and no handles are usually the easiest to clean.

Before you clean, remember to read the instructions to understand proper care procedures. Some water bottles are not dishwasher safe. If handwashing doesn't sound appealing to you, seek dishwasher-safe options. 

Design

Gallon water bottle design affects ergonomics. Carrying, lifting, or pouring a gallon-sized water bottle can be heavy. You want a water bottle that isn't difficult to carry and is well suited for your needs. Some come with straps, and others come with handles. If you have a design preference, factor that into your decision.

Size

Most gallon water bottles are pretty large and can hold 128-134 fluid ounces. If an option says 64 fluid ounces, that's a half-gallon water bottle.

Knowing how much water you want/need on hand will help guide your search. If you're an active person who's going to be carrying the bottle around, opt for a half-gallon water bottle and refill it when able. A full gallon is more convenient if the water bottle is for home use or sits on the sideline at a sporting event.

In all scenarios, a full gallon of water is heavy. Make sure you alternate arms when holding the bottle or stuff it into a backpack with padded straps. While it may be harder to clean, handles make bottles easier to carry.

Material

Gallon water bottles are built using two primary materials: plastic and stainless steel. The material affects the weight and insulation.

If you want a lighter-weight option, a plastic water bottle is ideal. If you prefer keeping liquids cold, however, consider an insulated stainless steel water bottle. Gallon-sized stainless steel bottles are always heavier than plastic ones.

Insulation

Not all water bottles are made equally. Insulated steel bottles are heavier but will keep your cold water cool for longer. Non-insulated varieties don't do much for temperature regulation but generally weigh less.

On the flip side, there are sleeves (think oversized Koozies) that are lighter but not as long-lasting or as effective at keeping beverages cold. Opt for insulation if you don't mind adding a bit of weight to the water bottle.

Weight

The weight of the water bottle is probably the most important factor to consider, especially if you want to carry the bottle around. Weight has to do with overall capacity and the material used. Plastic gallon water bottles are the lightest (and least insulated) and stainless steel bottles are the heaviest (and most insulated).

Features

Some water bottles come with features. For example, there are some that have motivational marks written on the outside. The marks tell you how much water you should drink by a certain time of day.

For those who don't want to tilt a heavy bottle toward their face every time they take a sip of water, a bottle with a built-in straw is attractive. If you are worried about leakage, try finding one with a magnetic top/spout.

Knowing which of these factors and features matter to you most will help you find the best water bottle. Check out our top picks for the following categories!

8 Best Gallon Water Bottles