Every few years one water bottle becomes the one you see everywhere. Right now it is the Owala FreeSip, and unlike most trends there is a practical reason: the lid.
The FreeSip spout
The patented spout lets you drink two ways. Hold the bottle upright and sip through the built-in straw, or tilt it back and swig from the wide opening. It sounds minor; in practice it means one bottle works at your desk, in the car and after a workout.
A lid that actually locks
A push-button flips the lid open, and the carry loop folds over to lock it shut. Locked, it is designed to be leak-proof, which is the difference between a bottle you trust in a laptop bag and one you keep upright in a cup holder.
Cold all day
Insulated stainless steel keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. The wide mouth takes ice cubes easily and makes cleaning simple. It is for cold drinks only.
Owala or Stanley?
| If you want | Buy |
|---|---|
| A leak-proof bottle for bags, with a straw and a spout | Owala FreeSip 24 oz |
| The biggest capacity with a handle, mostly in a cup holder | Stanley Quencher H2.0 40 oz |
Care and durability
The lid goes in the dishwasher; the body should be washed by hand to protect the finish and the insulation. Pull the straw out regularly and clean it with a straw brush. The one part owners report breaking is the carry loop, so avoid hanging a heavy full bottle from a bag strap by the loop alone. Owala backs the bottle with a limited lifetime warranty.
Choosing a size
The FreeSip comes in 24, 32 and 40 oz. The 24 oz is the everyday size: it fits in most bags and many cup holders and is light enough to carry all day. The 32 oz suits long workdays and gym sessions where you do not want to refill. The 40 oz is for people who track their water intake and want to finish one bottle a day, at the cost of weight and width.
Cleaning properly
Wash the body by hand with warm soapy water and a bottle brush, and leave it upside down to dry with the lid off. Every week or so, pull out the straw and clean it and the spout channel with a thin brush. If a smell develops, a soak with a little baking soda or a bottle-cleaning tablet resets it. Put the lid in the dishwasher on the top rack.
Should you buy it?
Buy the FreeSip if you want one bottle that goes everywhere and never leaks in your bag. Skip it if you need hot drinks or insist on putting everything in the dishwasher.
Key features
FreeSip spout
Sip upright through the built-in straw or tilt back to swig.
Locking push-button lid
Keeps the spout clean and stops leaks in a bag.
Insulated stainless steel
Keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Wide opening
Easy to add ice and to clean.
Carry loop
Doubles as a lock for the lid.
BPA free
Free of BPA, lead and phthalates.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Two ways to drink from one spout
- Push-button lid locks and does not leak in a bag
- Keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours
- Wide mouth for ice and cleaning
- Carry loop doubles as a lock
- Limited lifetime warranty
What could be better
- Body is hand wash only
- Not for hot drinks
- Carry loop is the weak point
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
The lid is dishwasher safe. The insulated body should be washed by hand to protect the finish and insulation.
No. The FreeSip is designed for cold drinks only.
With the lid clicked shut and the loop locked, it is designed to be leak-proof in a bag.
It fits many standard holders, but it is wider than some. Measure yours if you have a narrow console.
Owala is leak-proof and has a straw and a spout. The Stanley Quencher holds more and has a handle but is not leak-proof.
Take the straw out of the lid and use a small straw brush; the lid itself can go in the dishwasher.
Final verdict
The most practical everyday bottle: two ways to drink, a lid that actually seals and cold water all day. Hand-wash the body and it will last years.
What owners report
Gathered from what long-term owners consistently say, not from a single test.
Owners rave about how cold it keeps water, how reliably it stays leak-proof in a bag, and the built-in straw, with several saying they prefer it to a Stanley. Many say they never leave the house without it. The durability complaint that comes up is the carry loop handle breaking, and some feel it is expensive for a bottle.
Reader rating
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