Water bottles & drinkware

We rank drinkware first on what touches your drink and mouth: steel or glass, with a lid you drink from that is steel or glass too. In lab tests uncoated stainless steel released no detectable BPA and little metal, while polycarbonate and epoxy-lined bottles released BPA (Cooper 2011 (opens in a new tab), Krachler 2009 (opens in a new tab)). Next comes independent lead screening, because the sealing dots under some insulated bottles contain lead solder (Lead Safe Mama (opens in a new tab)). No study has yet linked the choice of bottle to health outcomes (our guide).

What touches your drink 45%

Stainless steel or glass inside, and a lid you drink from that is steel or glass too. Each plastic part your drink or mouth touches costs points.

Independent testing 20%

Highest for independent lead and cadmium tests (XRF screening or lab tests) of the bottle, its paint and its base, with clean results.

Durability 15%

Built to last and to be repaired: a long warranty, parts sold separately and a maker that services what it sells.

Trust 10%

Highest when the maker names everything, answers questions, and has no recalls, warning letters, Prop 65 notices or lawsuits over safety or labeling. Points come off for unresolved problems and for paid promoters it does not disclose.

Value 10%

Price against bottles of the same size and material that pass.

Each product scores every one from 1 to 5, and its rating is the weighted average. We list only products rated 3 or above that break none of our rules.

We avoid

• Plastic bottles, and steel bottles with plastic straws or spouts you drink through.
• Painted or coated interiors, and copper or aluminum bottles with linings the maker will not name.
• “Lead-free” claims on bottles whose sealing dot uses lead and is exposed when the base wears.

Read the research

• Reducing Your Microplastic Exposure
• Lead in Spices, Cookware, and Food