The Best Water Bottles for Cycling (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Topping our list of the best water bottles for cycling is this Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle. Made from stainless steel, this 24oz bottle features Thermalock double-walled insulation, which keeps your drink cold for up to 28 hours – just what you need for those long bike rides on hot days. This insulated water bottle also comes with an Autoseal mouthpiece, that can be operated with one hand and easily opens and seals the lid to prevent spills. This makes it particularly suitable for cycling, as you can easily grab a drink without having to stop and unscrew a lid, and you don’t have to worry about the bottle leaking whilst you ride.

There’s a protective spout cover, that you can use to protect the spout when not in use, and an integrated carry handle for easy transportation. After your ride is over, you can put the lid in the top rack of your dishwasher for a thorough clean – although the main bottle must be hand washed. You’ll probably only want to use this for water, as the mechanism in the lid makes it a little difficult to clean. Overall though, this is one of the best bike water bottles available, and perfect if you like your hydration delivered ice-cold.

If you thought the Contigo Autoseal’s chill time was impressive, prepare to be blown away; this Coleman FreeFlow Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle keeps liquid cold for a staggering 58 hours – not that you’re likely to need that. It also keeps drinks hot for 20 hours, if you fancy doubling-up your cycling water bottle as a thermal flask on cold days. It has a super-convenient button-operated Autoseal spout to prevent spills, a slide lock to prevent accidental opening, and a protective mouthpiece cover.

This metal water bottle comes in a choice of 7 funky colors, so you can choose one to match your bicycle. It’s a larger bottle – 40oz – than the Contigo Autoseal, so as you’d expect, it’s a little more expensive, and you’ll also need to make sure you have a water bottle cage large enough to accommodate it. Again, we’d recommend using it only for water, as the spout can be difficult to clean. If it’s pure H2O you’ll be drinking though, this is one of the best insulated water bottles on the market, and is perfect for those who cycle in hot climates.

This CamelBak Big Chill Podium Water Bottle is a sports water bottle that’s specifically designed with cycling in mind. The insulated design uses closed cell technology to keep water cold for twice as long as a standard bottle. Whilst that might not be as long as some, it should be fine for rides of up to 3 hours, and what it lacks in chilling time, it makes up for with the self-sealing Jet Valve cap. This entirely hands-free spout, combined with the easy-to-squeeze ergonomic shape, means you can hydrate instantly whilst riding by sucking or squirting water. The large drinking spout also ensures a satisfyingly high water flow rate.

The lock-out dial on the cap is designed to prevent leaks and spills in between drinks. Although this works fine for cycling, it is prone to leaking when on its side in a bag, so watch out for this. It’s also another model where the cap and spout is awkward to clean, so use it only for water, and soak it thoroughly between uses. It’s worth noting as well that this is a tall bottle, and probably won’t fit in vertical bike water bottle holders.

If you’re looking for a more affordable reusable water bottle, this Pogo Tritan Water Bottle is a great choice. It’s made from plastic, and has no insulating properties, but it is free from BPA, as well as PVC, phthalates, lead and cadmium. It has a chug-style lid that’s great for fast hydration on-the-go, and a built-in, leak-proof spout cover. The removable lid also makes it easy to add ice if you want your drink to stay cold for longer.

There’s a soft touch carry loop for easy transportation, and it’s available in 7 funky colors, so there’s one to suit every bicycle. One of the best things about this bottle is how easy it is to clean, in comparison to similar designs – there’s no difficult-to-access straw, and all parts are safe to put in the top rack of the dishwasher, so you could use it for cold drinks other than water. This sports water bottle is a simple yet effective option for staying hydrated on the road.

This Polar Insulated Water Bottle combines the thermal properties of a vacuum-insulated water bottle with the lightweight properties of a plastic one. The double-walled insulation ensures that your drink will stay cool twice as long as with a regular bottle. If you want it cold for even longer, the bottle is freezer-safe too, so you can fill it half way and freeze it, then top it up with water just before you ride.

Other features include a removable carry strap which makes it easy to attach to a backpack, and a removable valve for easy cleaning. Speaking of cleaning, the whole thing is dishwasher safe, so there’s no scrubbing required, and there are no hard-to-access areas that can encourage mold to develop. This cool water bottle is available in a huge variety of color finishes, so there’s bound to be one you love. It fits most standard bike water bottle cages – the contours of the plastic bottle might cause it to sit a little higher than usual, but trust in it to do its thing. Overall, this is a durable, easy-to-clean and good value plastic water bottle, with the added bonus of insulation.

The second bottle from Contigo on our list is this Ashland Chill Water Bottle. At 20oz, it’s slightly smaller than the first bottle, but still features Themalock vacuum-insulation, which keeps drinks cold for up to 18 hours. The push-button pop-up straw makes it easy to drink with just one hand, so you have one left to control your bike, and there’s a lock button to prevent the spout from activating unintentionally.

The bottle also comes a protective spout cover to keep it free from dirt and germs. You can use the spring-loaded clip-on handle to easily attach it to your backpack, or the slim 20oz size should be have no problem fitting in most bike bottle cages. Despite the leak-proof lid, a few users have experienced leaking due to the spring-loaded spout, so make sure to conduct your own tests before storing this bottle on its side. The spout also means it’s not the easiest bottle to keep clean.

This Podium Chill Insulated Water Bottle by CamelBak is the smaller 21oz version of the Big Chill Bottle at number 3. It includes all the same great features, including double-walled insulation that keeps drinks cold for twice as long as a standard bottle, and a hands-free Jet Valve self-sealing cap, which delivers a high water flow and allows you to rehydrate instantly. There’s an effective secure lock on the cap to prevent spills in between drinks.

The bottle is made from BPA-free polypropylene, and includes a Hydro Guard lining which prevents your water tasting like plastic. The ergonomic design makes it easy to squeeze and grip whilst riding, and it should fit in a standard bike bottle cage with no issue. As with the Big Chill, we recommend only using this bottle for water – the mouthpiece can be difficult to clean, and filling it with sugary drinks could encourage mold to develop over time.

The Coldest Water Bottle makes a bold claim – and it delivers. The team of engineers behind this bottle conducted extensive research and testing to create the best insulated water bottle for keeping drinks cold. They came up with an ultra-durable, rust-resistant stainless steel construction that has double-walled insulation to keep your water cold for up to 36 hours (or hot for 13 hours).

Another thing that makes this bottle unique is its ability to float. This may not be particularly useful to you whilst cycling, but it could come in handy if you’re on a cross-country ride or heading to the beach. Other features of this bottle include a rubber grip, large carry handle, and wide lid, which makes it easy to add ice. Whilst this bottle is undeniably great at keep drinks cold, some users have experienced issues with the paint on the bottle smearing – try to keep it away from oil and sunscreen to avoid this. The screw-top cap also means you’ll have to stop cycling to drink safely.

This Under Armour Beyond Stainless Steel Water Bottle may have a sleek, designer look, but it doesn’t compromise practicality for style – this is a bottle built for sports. The Thermos vacuum-insulated double-insulated construction with reflective liner will keep you drinks cold for up to 20 hours – and it really works. The push-button lid can be easily operated with one hand, so it’s perfect for cycling, and it can be locked between drinks to prevent spillages.

At 18oz, it’s on the smaller side, so make sure your bike bottle holder is capable of holding it securely. If not though, there’s a flip-up carry handle that can be clipped to your bag. The bottle is available in a choice of metallic finishes, including Navy/Gold and Rose Gold, which gives it an appealingly luxurious look. The only downside is that the cap is made from thin plastic, and is prone to breaking when dropped.

If you’re looking for a value-for-money option, or a way to carry more water on your bike, check out this pack containing 2 x 24oz Insulated Polar Bottles. These bottles are made from BPA-free plastic, and feature a double-walled construction that keeps drinks cold for twice as long as a regular bottle. They have a high-flow cap with self-sealing valve, which can be operated hands-free, and they don’t leak.

The wide tops allow you to easily fill the bottles with ice cubes if you require, and they’re freezer safe – which is a good thing, because the insulating powers of these bottles leave a lot to be desired. Some users also report the bottles giving their water a plastic-y taste – but on a more positive note, they are easy to clean, and safe to put in the dishwasher.

This 40oz Ashland Water Bottle is another design from Contigo, and is made from BPA-free plastic. It has no insulating properties, but it does have the pop-up Autospout straw with one-handed, push-button opening, and a button lock to prevent leaks in between drinks. There’s also a protective spout cover, and a carry clip to attach it to easily attach it to your bag.

Both the lid and bottle are top-rack dishwasher safe, although the lid has the same awkward-to-clean issue as the other Autospout models, so it’s best to use this only for water for this reason. If you need to carry a large amount of water, and you’re not worried about keeping it cold, this bottle is a solid option.

If you’re worried about buying a bottle that doesn’t fit properly in your bike’s bottle holder, consider this Water Bottle and Cage set from Schwinn. The 23oz bottle is made from BPA-free plastic with a rubber grip, whilst the cage is rust-proof aluminum. Conveniently, the set also includes all the necessary bolts, wing nuts and mounting hardware to install the cage on your bike.

The bottle features a flip-open spout cover that can be operated with one hand, so you don’t need to stop riding to rehydrate. This is, however, made from quite a thin plastic that is prone to breaking if dropped. The bottle also has a bit of a plastic-y smell at first, although this does reduce with use, and there’s no insulation, so it won’t keep your water cold. For the price though, this is a very reasonable option for shorter rides on cooler days.

This Premium 18oz Sports Water Bottle by Embrava has a sleek design that is sure to look great in your bike’s bottle cage. It’s made from durable BPA-free plastic, and features a one-click, flip-open top that can be operated with one hand – the ergonomic shape also makes drinking one-handed a breeze. The lid has a lock to prevent leaks, and there’s an air hole to ensure a fast water flow rate.

The single-walled design doesn’t offer any insulation, so this is another bottle best suited to short rides and cooler climates – although the top is wide enough to fill it with ice cubes if you want. It’s on the slimmer side of bottles on this list, but will still fit in most bike cages, and the wrist strap could also come in handy to prevent you dropping your bottle when drinking on the go. Choose from blue, pink, white or gray, to match your bicycle’s style – the soft plastic surface is scratch-resistant, so it should stay looking great over time.

Speaking of color options, they don’t come much better than this Zorri Sports Water Bottle, which is available in a choice of 10 colors and 4 sizes, ranging from 14oz to 36oz. It’s made from BPA-free plastic and has the popular one-touch pop-open lid, which also serves as a protective spout cover, and can be locked to prevent dirt and leaks.

The bottle comes with a removable anti-slip silicon sleeve, which is useful for helping your bottle stay in its cage, and for you to grip it whilst riding. It also has markings to indicate water level, so it’s easy to keep track of how much you’re drinking. It’s one of the easiest bottles on our list to keep clean, as it comes with a bottle brush and spare silicone pieces. Its downside is the lack of insulation, but if you don’t mind room-temperature water, this bottle is a winner.

The final entrant on our list of the best bike water bottles is another model from Polar Bottle. This 20oz insulated water bottle features a funky stars and stripes design that makes it one super-patriotic, cool water bottle. It has all the same great features as the other Polar Bottles, including double-walled insulation, a reflective lining, and a removable valve for easy cleaning.

It’s also dishwasher and freezer safe, and fits securely in most standard bike cages. One of the best things about this bottle is the shape, which makes it easy to grab and hold whilst riding. It can also be used as a squeeze bottle – although you do have to squeeze pretty hard. All in all, this is another great option for keeping your water cool on shorter rides of 1 – 2 hours.