Using clear plastic water bottles helps you keep track of your water intake. Not only this but clear plastic water bottles have more compelling benefits such as they’re lightweight, easy to measure and add water to recipes, and many more!
However, how can you choose the right clear plastic water bottle when the market is saturated with a large number of options?
You don’t have to do anything as we’ve figured it all out for you. We ran some real-life tests with the most and least popular clear plastic water bottles and went through hundreds of users’ reviews to get a clear insight into the best options out there.
In this article, we will share an honest review of 5 best clear plastic water bottles and share tips on how you can choose the right pick for you.
5 Best Clear Plastic Water Bottles
Here’s a detailed review of the best clear plastic water bottles on the market. We’re going to share the reviews based on real-life tests, durability, leakproof, and price points of the bottles.
Owala FreeSip Clear Tritan Plastic Water Bottle
Special Features
- Push Button
- Leakproof
- Straw
Among all the incredibly useful features of the Owala FreeSip water bottle, we loved how successfully it passed our leak tests. One of the users reviewed it saying, “I’m so glad I did because this is the perfect leakproof bottle. It’s TRULY leakproof. I haven’t found one like this before.”
And we felt the same! We threw the bottle at high speed in a backpack, turned it upside down, and shook it several times but there was no leak.
Another great thing about this 25-oz water bottle is that it comes with a FreeSip spout and a push-button lid with a lock. You can easily quench your thirst when in a hurry as the locking push-button lid works fast and easily.
There’s a patented 2-in-1 spout in the bottle so you can switch from straw to chug anytime. Women worried about getting liplines for drinking through straws will find the bottle’s wide opening more useful.
The wide opening is also easy for adding ice cubes, fruits, or whatever you want. It also makes the bottle easy to clean. It’s also top-rack dishwasher safe which cuts the hassles of handwashing it.
Cleaning this bottle is a breeze for another reason- you can disassemble the bottle easily to wash every piece of it (including the rubber stopper within the lid).
It’s one of the lightweight options (it weighs only 6.3 ounces) which makes it suitable for any activity including hiking and camping.
Now, let’s talk about the build and construction of this clear plastic water bottle. It’s a great alternative to a metal bottle as it’s made of the safest plastic called Eastman Tritan. It’s durable enough and odor-resistant.
It’s completely BPA-free and there’s no chance of leaking chemicals into your drinks.
However, it’s not insulated and you should not use it for carbonated or hot beverages. It’s because the material tends to pressurize easily which can lead heated beverages or soda to shoot out of the straw when the pressure releases.
For the slim design, this clear plastic water bottle fits all cupholders and sides of the backpacks.
The little handle makes it easier to carry around. You can use a carabiner to clip it anywhere like your backpack. And, the bottle comes at an affordable price (it costs only $14).
Pros
- Made from high-quality Tritan plastic
- Comes with a 2-in-1 spout
- Fits most cupholders
- Lightweight
- It comes in various colors
- The push button prevents spillage and leakage
- BPA-free
Cons
- Not suitable for hot or carbonated beverages.
Recommended: How to Clean a Water Bottle?
CamelBak Chute Mag Water Bottle
Special Features
- Carrying Loop
- Magnetic Cap
- Leak-proof
Another way to get a hassle-free hydrating experience is to use the CamelBak water bottle. It’s a bit pricier than the previous one (it costs $16) but you’ll get to see how worthy every penny is.
The first thing we love about it is the magnetic cap that stays away from your face while drinking.
The cap attaches to the lid using a magnet once flipped open. This feature makes it convenient for activities such as driving where you can easily open the sipping flap, drink, and close it again.
The Chute Mag comes with a covered mouthpiece which keeps particles off the drinking surface. The wide mouth of the bottle allows you to add ice cubes and simplifies the cleaning process.
This 25-oz water bottle is made from high-quality Tritan plastic that’s made with 50% recycled materials. Manufacturers use a more effective recycling method here named the Polyester Renewal Technology (PRT). It’s less energy-intensive and it reduces the environmental footprint.
The material is BPA-free and highly durable. We dropped it several times but it impressed us with the high-quality construction.
We found the bottle easy to carry with a two-finger handle which is useful for quickly grabbing it from backpacks with larger side pockets. The handle also makes it easy to attach to packs.
Does it leak? No, it never leaks when closed! We did some crazy leak tests with this bottle and we’re satisfied with the results. In addition, it didn’t spill a bit of water when we knocked the bottle over.
Not only us but most other users also love how lightweight and easy to carry the bottle is. It weighs only 6 ounces, meaning it will never weigh you down no matter where and how you’re carrying the bottle.
Since you can disassemble the bottle, the cleaning will seem even easier. It’s dishwasher-safe as well.
This clear plastic water bottle is stain and odor-resistant.
Pros
- The magnetic cap prevents the bottle from hitting your face
- The wide mouth makes it easy to clean
- It comes with a covered mouthpiece to keep the drinking surface clean
- Made from BPA, BPF, and BPS-free Tritan plastic
- Lightweight but highly durable
- Easy to carry and clean
Cons
- The cap’s magnet can weaken over time
- The plastic material may retain flavors.
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ALTA Series by THERMOS Hydration Bottle
Special Features
- Rotating hydration meter
- Push-button lid
- Slim body
If you need a narrow-mouth water bottle that you can drink from without spillage when in a rush, here you go! Also, you can unscrew the lid completely so you can fit ice cubes, fruits, or whatever else you need.
The lid also twists off easily. It includes a spring cap, a carabiner loop, and a locking mechanism. It opens with a click, locks securely with a metal piece, and features a well-sized drinking spout.
The bottle’s spring-loaded flip cap ensures it won’t hit your nose while you’re drinking.
We love the push-button flip lid that comes with a rotating intake meter.
The plastic cap keeps out dirt and the rotating hydration meter helps you track how much water you drink during a day. Such a fancy lid it is!
It’s a moderately lightweight water bottle with a 6.4-oz weight.
It’s easy and comfortable to carry everywhere including hiking or trekking. This affordable (costs only $14) clear plastic water bottle is made from highly durable Tritan plastic material. It does not break easily according to your tests and hundreds of users’ opinions.
This is a fairly tall bottle with a narrow base diameter (3-inch). This means it’s neither too narrow nor too wide and fits in backpack pockets and most cupholders.
The plastic is free from any kind of harmful substances including BPA.
However, the bottle comes in a particular size, 24 oz, nothing else. If you prefer a larger or smaller-sized water bottle, many brands offer multiple sizes which you can switch to.
It’s an affordable bottle from a huge company. If it breaks quickly after purchasing the bottle, getting a free replacement can be challenging. However, you can replace broken or worn-down lids for $2.
This near-perfect water bottle is dishwasher-safe so you can say that the cleaning is a breeze.
Overall, it satisfies us and hundreds of other users with its high-quality build and incredibly useful features.
Pros
- It comes with a hydration meter
- Made from high-quality materials
- The lid design ensures no leaks
- Comes with a spring-loaded flip cap
- Easy to clean and carry
- The narrow-mouth drinking spout prevents spills
- Leakproof and BPA-free
Cons
- It comes in only one size
- The locking can be difficult to open especially for people with short fingernails.
Recommended: Best Water Bottle With Flip Lid
Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle
Special Features
- Wide mouth
- Leakproof
One of the most budget-friendly clear plastic water bottles on the market is the Nalegene Tritan water bottle. It costs only $13 but offers you several useful features that we are going to share.
It features a cylindrical body and a screw cap which are connected by a retaining strap. This strap ensures you won’t lose the cap, even when you take a sip on a cliffside. However, you need to make sure that the cap is perfectly tight or the wide mouth may let some water leak.
It’s quick to open and close, all you need to do is a half-turn to screw or unscrew the cap even when wearing gloves or mittens.
Although the Nalgene has many qualities, insulation isn’t one of them. The plastic is relatively thin which is the reason for its lightweight nature and transparency. Therefore, this bottle won’t keep your drinks cool under the sun.
This clear plastic water bottle impressed us during the taste retention test. Usually, plastic bottles eventually impart a plastic chemical taste in most cases. Our reviewer, who is extremely sensitive to plastic taste and smell, found that the plastic taste is nearly undetectable.
If you like to add flavors to your water, you don’t need to worry about the Nalgene retaining those flavors.
We filled it with tea and vitamin powders. After washing it with warm soapy water, the freshwater tasted clean, though a faint smell remained.
Have we mentioned how simple this bottle is? It has no unnecessary frill, just a plastic cylinder with a plastic lid.
It’s one of the lightweight clear plastic water bottles, weighing only 6.25 ounces. The bottle has graduated marks in both millilitres and ounces so you can measure liquids for backpacking meals or tracking hydration. It also works great with several top-rated backpacking water filters.
However, the retaining strap is the weakest part of this bottle. If this is your only water source on a trek, it’s better to avoid clipping it to your pack by the strap. Otherwise, the Nalgene bottle may get lost this way.
It’s easy to clean the bottle, thanks to the wide mouth. It’s also dishwasher-safe on the top rack.
The wide body of the bottle makes it a bit difficult to fit many cupholders.
Despite a few drawbacks, it remains an iconic backcountry bottle, and we still recommend it for that purpose.
Pros
- It’s made from high-quality and durable Tritan plastic
- Completely BPA-free, eco-friendly
- The wide mouth makes it easy to fill and clean
- The screw-on lid is leakproof
- The wide lid with ridges provides a good grip
- Affordable
- The simple, functional design makes it perfect for outdoor adventures.
Cons
- The carrying strap isn’t comfortable enough
- Doesn’t fit many cupholders.
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CamelBak eddy Water Bottle with Straw Top
Special Features
- Straw
- Carrying loop
- Durable
If you’ve liked the previously reviewed CamelBak water bottle but want a more budget-friendly CamelBak, this is the right pick for you. It comes at an affordable price (only $13) with almost every feature someone can look for in a clear plastic water bottle.
Before getting into more details, it’s just a 5.9-ounce water bottle that’s the lightest bottle we tested! It’s the ideal option for shorter hikes where carrying a large amount of water isn’t necessary.
It’s a 25-oz water bottle which is a good size for everyday use as well as light workouts. You will find it super easy to use and drink from. Still, the water flow was too slow for moderate to intense exercise which left us unsatisfied.
If we talk about the build and construction of this clear plastic water bottle, it consists of four parts– a plastic body, cap, straw, and a silicone big bite valve.
The narrow body fits most cup holders. It’s made from Tritan plastic which surprised us with its durability. During our drop tests, it bounced off the concrete with only minor scratches. The most interesting part is, that the lid’s plastic is robust and won’t shatter upon impact.
The straw is immensely helpful for one-handed drinking without tilting your head. This feature makes it especially useful while driving or cycling.
It is spill-proof, and the loop on the cap is secure enough for reliable handling.
However, we couldn’t rate it 5 out of 5 when it came to the leak test. We ran some robust leak tests and found some minor leakage issues. One example is that, when traveling up a mountain in a car with a full bottle, the pressure drop can cause the bottle to leak water.
Another struggle we went through was, that this bottle was time-consuming to clean due to its multiple parts. It was a bit challenging to thoroughly wash the bottle within a short time.
Regarding the taste of the water, we found a slight rubbery taste in the water. But overall it’s a good deal if you’re searching for a clear plastic water bottle with straw that comes at an affordable price.
Pros
- Highly durable, still lightweight
- It comes with an easy-to-drink-from straw
- BPA-free, safe to drink from
- The wide-mouth design makes it easy to fill with ice cubes
- Dishwasher-safe
- The handle makes it easy to carry
- Affordable
Cons
- The bite valve can deliver water too slowly
- The multiple parts can make it challenging to clean thoroughly.
How to Choose The Best Clear Plastic Water Bottle
Being aware of which bottles are thriving on the market is not enough. There are some factors you must consider before making the final purchase. Let’s discuss them in detail.
The Type of Plastic Used
Since there are different types of plastic, you should know which is the safest to drink from.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and Tritan are some of the safe options as they have a low risk of leaching chemicals.
No matter which type of plastic you go for, make sure you avoid BPA or such harmful substances which can leach into beverages and cause health concerns. But how can you make sure that the plastic is safe to drink from?
Check if the bottle has FDA approval or has safety certifications indicating that they are safe for food and drink.
Water Bottle Lid Types
There are screw-top lids, caps with nozzle, caps with spouts, and some other types of lids to choose from. Here’s how you can make a fair decision to choose one option from them:
- With a screw-top lid, you need to open the bottle each time you drink. Try to choose a bottle with a durable lid that includes a handle and prevents it from easily slipping or getting lost. If you prefer not to splash yourself every time you drink, this type of lid might be a better option.
- Caps with nozzle act like a short, thick straw and sometimes you need to bite the end for water to come out. It prevents spillage and makes sure you have a clean drinking experience every time.
- Caps with spouts come with a flipping mechanism with a small straw-like spout or opening. Sometimes the straw flips up, or a lid over the spout flips open. You may need to pull the spout up to drink or press a button to reveal it.
Additionally, make sure the lid is made of BPA-free materials.
Size and Weight of The Bottle
Don’t overlook the size and weight of the bottle as these factors will affect how easy it is to carry the bottle or how well it fits to cupholders. Common sizes range from 16 to 32 ounces.
Larger bottles will offer more hydration and require less frequent refills. However, they will potentially be bulkier. If you need a bottle for daily use, a 16 or 25-ounce bottle is convenient for carrying around in a bag or backpack without weighing you down.
If you ask for recommendations for outdoor activities like hiking or sports, an 18 to 32-ounce bottle may be more suitable. It will ensure adequate water supply without frequent refills.
However, think about the weight when filled, as a larger bottle can be heavy and less convenient to carry around. Lightweight materials such as Tritan plastic are excellent for maintaining durability without adding extra weight.
Handle Types
Most clear plastic water bottles come with a handle attached to the lid so you don’t lose the lid.
The bottle can feature no handle, a fixable handle, or a rigid handle. If you can take the risk of misplacing the lid, you can go for no-handle bottles.
Flexible handles are soft on your fingers but may not be as durable over time. With screw-top lids, you’ll need to grip the lid itself to open the bottle. This can be difficult if you previously screwed the lid on too tightly.
Rigid handles, on the other hand, add sturdiness and durability to the bottle. You can easily attach such lids to your backpack without the worry of the handle breaking.
Additional Features
When selecting the best clear plastic water bottle, you shouldn’t miss out on some added features some bottles offer.
Check if the bottle comes with clear labeling, such as volume markers in ounces and millilitres. These markers will help you track your water intake. Some bottles offer hydration tracking meters that help you monitor your daily water consumption.
Try to go for a wide mouth opening as it makes the bottle easier to add ice cubes, fruits, or drink mixes.
Looking for bottles with leak-proof lids will help prevent spills and make sure that your bags remain dry. Features like silicone gaskets and secure locking mechanisms can help achieve this.
FAQs
how Often Should You Change Your Plastic Water Bottle?
You should change your plastic water bottle once a year. Over time, plastic can wear down and there can be scratches. Chances are the scratches will be the shelter for bacteria. Regular use and cleaning can also weaken the plastic. If you notice cracks, odors, or a change in taste, replace the bottle immediately.
How Do You Clean a Clear Plastic Water Bottle?
To clean a clear plastic water bottle, use warm soapy water. Use a bottle brush to scrub the inside to remove any residue. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap. If the bottle has tough stains, use a mixture of baking soda and water. Let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing. Rinse well again.
How to Remove Plastic Smell From a Water Bottle?
A mixture of warm water and baking soda works like magic to remove the plastic smell from a water bottle. Let it sit for a few hours and rinse thoroughly. If this isn’t an option for you, use a solution of vinegar and water, leaving it overnight. Rinse well the next day.
Conclusion
Now, you know what are the best clear plastic water bottles on the market and how to choose the right option for you.
Since each bottle comes with individual features and benefits, you should cross-check your needs and requirements and make sure that the bottle aligns with them. If you prefer durability over everything, the CamelBak Chute Mag would be the best option.
On the other hand, if you prefer budget-friendly options, you can go for the Nalgene Water Bottle or the CamelBak eddy Water Bottle. Choose wisely!