As a self-proclaimed water bottle connoisseur, I have tried my fair share of trendy drink receptacles. I’ve sipped from a Stanley, duped with Simple Modern, stayed hydrated with YETI, all before landing on the extremely popular and highly sought-after Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle.
Reusable bottles and tumblers aren’t cheap, and you should be able to get years of use out of them, so I wanted to be sure that this one ticked all the right boxes. My non-negotiables include a lid that keeps germs out and a spillproof seal. I’m happy to report that the dual drink function and lockable lid are just two of the reasons this bottle comes out on top.
Let’s get into the details.
Key Specs
- Sizes: 16 oz, 24oz, 32oz, and 40oz
- Colours: 20+
- Material: BPA-free insulated stainless steel, dishwasher-safe plastic lid
- Lid Type: Push-button FreeSip spout
My experience using the Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
After using a Simple Modern Trek Tumbler for a few years, I knew I wanted to swap to a bottle with a lid. I need to have something I can store in a bag without worrying about it leaking. I had seen so many people raving about their Owala FreeSip on social media, so once I landed on a colour I liked (Candy Shop), I added it to my cart and eagerly awaited its arrival.
I fell in love upon opening it thanks to its appearance, but the design really does blend form and function flawlessly. I opted for the 40-ounce bottle, since that was the size tumbler I had previously. The wide mouth of the bottle makes it super easy to fill it with ice and clean the inside, and on days when I use a moderate amount of ice, my water stays cool well over 24 hours. I’ve experimented with a lot of ice, and it has been able to keep cool for 72+ hours.
The lid gives me comfort knowing the spout I drink from won’t get all germy, unlike the exposed straws on tumblers past. I knew I liked sipping from the straw of a tumbler, and enjoy that I can still sip from the straw in the mouthpiece, but also chug larger sips with the bigger spout behind it.
The locking mechanism is another great feature. It actually stays in place, so if something in my bag pushes the open button, it won’t budge unless that mechanism is off the lid. And when it comes time to clean it, I like that every part is removable, including the rubber gasket that seals the spout to the lid when it’s closed.
The drawbacks of the Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
The Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle is pretty close to perfect in my opinion, but it still has a few hiccups. The first is that the base of the 40-ounce model is too wide to fit in standard cupholders, so if that’s a big deal to you, you might have to consider an additional accessory to extend your cupholders or opt for a smaller model.
Another small issue is that when I use a lot of ice, the straw can sometimes come loose and fall into the bottle. This isn’t a huge inconvenience, but it still takes a minute to fix when it does happen.
The spout itself is pretty easy to clean (I like using a straw cleaner to really get in there), but the rubber gasket gets caked in lip product pretty fast, and it’s not the easiest to get clean. Luckily, there are a bunch of affordable replacements for when it gets to a point I can no longer get squeaky clean.
If you’re after a 40z bottle like I was, be warned that it does get quite heavy when it’s full. Since it is large, I also ordered one of Owala’s silicone boots to reduce noise when it’s placed down on a hard surface and prevent dents if I drop it.
My Final Thoughts On The Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
Overall, I much prefer the Owala FreeSip to other popular bottles and tumblers I have tried. I like that it’s leakproof, insulated, ultra-portable, and keeps my water ice-cold for hours. I also like that the lid is dishwasher safe, so I can get it really clean after hand washing.
Of course, if you’re after a bottle that’s lightweight and can fit into your cupholder, this one might not be for you (at least in the larger sizes). But I no longer have to worry about spills and leaks, and that is a big win for me.
Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle Pros
- Comes in so many colours and sizes
- Insulated and keeps drinks cold for hours
- Lockable, covered lid that keeps germs away from the mouthpiece
- Wide opening makes it easy to add ice
Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle Cons
- More expensive than other models on the market
- Metal part of the bottle is hand-wash only
- Gets heavy when full
- Silicone sealing gasket gets dirty fast
- Sometimes the straw comes loose and detaches
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle
Like me, reviewers are loving the Owala FreeSip, giving it an average rating of 4.7 stars. Many say they have ordered it in multiple colours and sizes, and that they have had them for years. They also report that they are super durable and can be used after dings, drops, and regular wear and tear. Some reviewers report it scuffs easily, and while that hasn’t been the case for me, it is worth noting if you are a little harder on your bottles.
