I rarely fall victim to consumerist trends online, but an obsession with owning a strong, well-insulated, pastel-hued water bottle took over my mind sometime last year. Since then, I’ve acquired three: a gargantuan Stanley cup that sits by my bed, a mid-sized Owala that I tote around daily to the office and the gym, and a small sippy cup Hydroflask (made for kids) for the rare occasions I leave my home bag-free.
All three vessels are in slightly-different shades of peony and lilac. I love them like they are my children—I might have a new favourite on any given day, but when it comes down to it, I couldn’t bear to choose between them. I justified each purchase as an investment (both literally and figuratively, since none of these bottles are priced reasonably) in my health and a concerted move towards improving my daily habits.
What I didn’t expect is how much sartorial pleasure I would derive from my bottles. My Owala (in the coveted periwinkle-poppy pink Good Egg vault colour drop, which my partner fought tooth and nail in a Carousell auction to buy for me at three times its original price) is a particular point of pride—in its limited-edition, coquettecore garb, it’s better dressed than me. Walking out the door with its (sturdy, dual-purpose) handle looped around my finger gives me the extra pep in my step that I normally associate with a good hair day or a new outfit. The fact that it effortlessly keeps my water icy cold for over 12 hours in Singapore’s scorching heat? Well, that’s just a bonus.
If, up till this point, you’re still with me, then you might just be ready for your own induction into the world of emotional support water bottles. Whether you’re looking for the reliable girth of an insulated tumbler, or the multipurpose utility of a glass vessel topped with a lip balm case, here’s a nifty guide to the best water bottles on the market to start shopping from. We’ve picked out only the chicest and most in-demand options, and these tend to run out quickly—so fastest fingers first.
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Owala FreeSip in Neo Sage
If you only have room for one water bottle in your life, this is the one to get. Versatility is the name of the game with the Owala—it comes with both a concealed straw and a larger opening made for swigging water when you’re too parched to drink in sips. Triple-insulated, it keeps cold drinks icy cold, preserves heat from warm drinks and even plays well with fizzy beverages. Thanks to a top lid that shuts with a single click, alongside a clever dual-purpose handle that doubles up as a lock for when you need to toss your bottle in a bag, the Owala is also more secure and hygienic than any other straw bottle on the market. Thoughtful design aside, it is the kaleidoscopic array of colours the vessel comes in that has earned it so many diehard fans. From its regular rotation of pastel colour-ways (this cactus green is our favourite) to secret, limited-edition drops that command up to 10 times the original price on the resale market, this is a collector’s item that transcends the realm of hydration. Just remember to pick up a set of cleaning brushes along with the bottle—thanks to its intricate mechanism, giving it a full wash is a meditative task in and of itself.
Shop here.
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Stanley classic canteen in Rose Quartz
If you’re into Gorpcore, Stanley’s stylish classic canteen might just be the newest accessory to take your outfit up a notch. Give the viral Stanley tumbler (unwieldy and, ahem, basic) a miss and opt for this unique option that most other water bottle connoisseurs have yet to catch on to. It may only have a single layer of insulation, but that allows it to be lighter than most thermal bottles, thus, easier to wear or tote around.
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Frank Green extra large ceramic bottle in Stone
Available in an array of creamy pastels, this mammoth from Australian brand Frank Green has one very important special touch: a ceramic-lined interior that prevents the tinny taste of stainless steel from seeping into your water. Holding two full litres of water—and effortlessly keeping them icy cold for hours—this model proves that size does matter. It may be harder to travel with, but as an office or home bottle that never leaves your desk except for its daily refill, it will keep your hydration on point.
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Glossier tumbler
I’ll be honest, there’s not much to this water bottle-cum-flask beyond its irresistibly adorable look. Fashioned in brushed stainless steel with a soft silicone cup and the cult beauty brand’s logo printed along its side, this vessel will function well as a camping thermos. But feel free to use it in the city—if only at your desk in the office—if you can get your hands on it, that is. As a limited-edition holiday item, this bottle will certainly sell out within minutes of its next release.
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Hydroflask 40 oz travel tumbler in Baltic
It is a testament to the brand’s sheer consistency and high quality standards that Hydroflask continues to be as popular today as it was six years ago—at the very start of the ‘VSCO girl’ trend that catapulted it to virality. Skip their screw-top tumblers (those verge on being slightly, ahem, basic) and instead opt for the travel tumbler which comes with a flexible straw and durable handle. Don’t let its size fool you, for this massive cup is designed specifically to fit into most cup holders. And, of course, it is completely lead-free (iykyk, water bottle wars 2023).
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Bkr glass bottle with lip balm compact in Sloane
If you want to avoid the deafening thunk of stainless steel on a surface—or just prefer the taste of water in a glass vessel—Bkr is the cult-favourite in this category for a reason. Leakproof and (mostly) shatterproof with a perfectly sized mouthpiece, the true genius of Bkr bottles lies in a new design feature the brand has added in the last few years: a small compact filled with lip balm that clips onto the bottle’s existing lid, allowing you to carry Bkr’s own vegan lip balm along with you all day. Talk about hydration inside and out.
Shop here.
