Best water bottles for gym workouts

Buying one of the best water bottles for gym workouts is a smart way to cut back on single-use plastic and stay hydrated at the same time. The trick is finding one that doesn’t leak in your bag all over your gym kit and that you can use with one sweaty hand.

Water bottles for the gym share many of the same traits as regular reusable water bottles. They should be leak-proof, be BPA-free and, if you’re willing to spend more, insulated to keep your water refreshingly cold. Models designed for the gym, however, will also pay attention to how they feel in your hand and how easy it is to unlock the cap and spout.

The best water bottle for gym workouts are very similar to the best water bottles for hiking, so it’s worth considering that style too while you're shopping.

Here's our selection of the water bottles we use when working out in the gym.

Best water bottles for the gym

With a wide handle that boasts a sweat-free grip, the Takeya Actives Insulated Bottle is perfect for most gym goers. It has a double-wall made from stainless steel that keeps your drink cold throughout a workout – and the rest of your day.

The Takeya Actives Insulated Bottle also comes with a removable silicon base that protects the bottle from scraps and scratches, and helps to keep it in place in treadmill trays or cup holders. 

I loved the addition of the lid hinge lock to the drinking spout, which prevented it from flapping back and hitting us on the nose whilst we sipped between sets. You can unscrew the entire lid for easy cleaning, or if you want to add ice. You also don’t have to worry about hand washing this bottle either, because it is dishwasher safe.

If 18oz isn’t large enough for you, the Tekeya Actives Insulated Bottle is also available in 22oz, 24oz, 32oz and 40oz sizes, and nine stylish colorways. While I did find it slightly on the heavy side, I didn’t need to hold it during our workout, so I didn’t find this much of an issue.—Lee Bell

If you’re looking for a great value water bottle to take to the gym, the Camelbak Eddy+ is a fantastic option. It holds an impressive 32oz of water, so it’s ideal if you get particularly thirsty during a workout. If this is too much for you, the bottle is also available in 20oz and 25oz designs.

The water is delivered through a drink straw that you flip up and bite to release the liquid. But don’t worry about spillages—it’s designed to prevent leaks when closed and spills when open, however this does mean you’ll need a strong bite to get a good drink.

The bottle isn’t insulated, so if you want super cool water, you’d be better off opting for stainless steel over BPA-free plastic. Having said this, it’s great value for a solid design, and it’s available in over 12 different colourways too.—LB

If you’re looking for an easy way to drink more water, the Aquafit 1 Gallon Water Bottle can help you to hit your hydration goals.

This hefty vessel holds 128oz of water, so you don’t have to worry about constantly going back and forth to the water fountain. If you’re wanting to keep track of how much water you’re drinking, there’s a time marker on the side to track how much you drink too.

You get two lids with this bottle: a spout lid and a straw lid, along with a handy carry strap (although the bottle itself is shaped for easy carrying, which I loved as I have to walk to my local gym).

However, due to its large size it’s not the most convenient bottle to pack in a small gym bag, so make sure you have plenty of room! Also note that the bottle is not dishwasher safe, but does come with a special brush for cleaning.—Alice Ball

Do you find yourself carrying two bottles at once—your water bottle and your protein shaker? Innermost’s Shaker Bottle can perform both functions so you can lighten the load in your gym bag.

The BPA and BPS-free bottle comes with a removable stainless steel whisking ball, so you can fill up with water to hydrate while you work out, then add the steel ball, a scoop of protein powder and fresh water to mix up a post-workout protein shake.

Leakproof and lightweight, the bottle is made from Tritan which makes it dishwasher friendly. Although, if you haven’t got a dishwasher, be prepared to invest in a bottle cleaner so you can get to hard-to-reach spots.  

Measurements printed on the side are a simple design element but a welcome one, since it helps you keep track of how much water you’ve consumed.—Becks Shepherd

Ah, filtered water. If only you could get it into your water bottle without awkwardly pouring it from a filter jug, missing the opening, and soaking yourself in the process. Well, you can. In this case, it’s Larq Bottle Filtered, a reusable water bottle made for workouts that filters water as you drink. 

It features a double layered filter, with activated carbon to trap contaminates like chlorine and VOCS, and Nano Zero technology to grab onto heavy metals. The overall result? Great-tasting water, which you drink through a low pressure straw. 

Sipping really did feel effortless, although I would have preferred the 25 oz version to the 17 oz, as you’re restricted by how much water you can actually put in the bottle due to the fact that the filter pushes the volume up. 

For portability, the bottle comes with a silicone-coated detachable carabiner so you can attach the bottle to a rucksack or gym bag. A double-wall insulated BPA-free stainless steel keeps your water cold for up to 24 hours.

Although, be warned: the filters need replacing every two months, and they’re not exactly cheap.—AB

It’s happened to the best of us: you didn’t quite close the lid properly on your water bottle before throwing it into your gym bag. Before you know it, your wallet is soaked, your earphones are unresponsive and your back is left with a suspicious wet patch. This is where the Camelbak Podium Chill Water Bottle comes in.

To get liquid through the flow spout, you need to squeeze both sides of the bottle. The self-sealing design of the valve also prevents leaks or spills, although if you’re worried there is a locking mechanism too. I shook the bottle upside down for 30 seconds and didn’t detect any spillage, so this is definitely one you can chuck into any gym bag.

The Camelbak Podium Chill Water Bottle is designed to fit into most bottle cages, making it a great option if you’re a spin-fanatic or fancy a spot of cross training on the bike. It also comes apart for easy cleaning and is dishwashing safe, provided the temperature isn’t too high.

This is because it contains a layer of insulation to help keep your liquid cool. Plus, if it’s style you’re after, the CamelBak Podium comes in a variety of colors and geometric designs.—LB

How to choose the best water bottle for the gym

There are so many water bottles available and in stock right now it can feel totally overwhelming to work out which one is right for you. But don’t worry, as we’ve done the hard work for you and sifted through the options to find the best ones on the market.

But how do you choose the right water bottle for the gym? The first consideration is size. If you like a long workout like an endurance run on the best treadmill, you’ll want a bottle that is big enough to fit in as much liquid as you need without having to stop to refill, ideally 750ml or bigger. If you’re doing a strength class, then a 500ml bottle is probably the best size.

Other criteria to consider are, do you want your water bottle to have cooling technology? Do you want to filter your drinking water? Or perhaps you are a design junkie who wants an Instagram-friendly bottle? Pick something that's going to suit your workout and lifestyle. 

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