10 best kids’ water bottles: Stainless-steel and leak-proof vessels
You may be trying to encourage your children to do two things: firstly, drink more water and secondly, use less plastic. And what better place to start than choosing the best reusable bottle?
By switching to a reusable bottle instead of single-use plastic, it makes staying hydrated easier, and in the long term it’s good for your wallet and the environment.
According to the British Nutrition Foundation, generally speaking, children should aim to drink about six to eight glasses of fluid per day.
Of course, the amount of fluid a child needs depends on many factors – including their age, gender, the weather and how much physical activity they do – but it is known that young children have a higher proportion of body water than adults. They are also less heat tolerant and may be more likely to get dehydrated, especially when being physically active and in hot climates.
All the bottles in this round-up are made from either stainless steel, which is the most hygienic material for handling food and drink, or BPA-free plastics, so there’s no risk of nasty chemicals from the plastic seeping into your drinks.
How we tested
We put a range of reusable bottles to the test, assessing them only with water and seeing how they fare in terms of usability for drinking, leakages, practicality such as cleaning, and longevity of use. We also gave extra kudos to those with innovative features that improve the life of a product.
The best kids’ water bottles for 2022 are:
Best water bottle overall – Klean kanteen kid classic sippy 12oz (355ml): £16.95, Kleankanteen.co.uk
Best water bottle for younger kids – Contigo gizmo flip autospout kids’ water bottle with flip straw: £20.68, Amazon.co.uk
Best innovative water bottle – Pura kiki 11oz straw bottle: £21, Ulula.co.uk
Best retro water bottle – Blafre stainless recycled steel bottle: £16.94, Amazon.co.uk
Best sporty water bottle – Nike hypercharge 680ml water bottle: £17, Next.co.uk
Best water bottle for older kids – Contigo swish autoseal water bottle: £19.95, Amazon.co.uk
Best water bottle for Scandi style – Liewood anker water bottle: £16.80, Themodernnursery.com
Best no-spills water bottle – Hype bubble gum fizz stainless steel drinks bottle: £14.99, johnlewis.com
Best water bottle for cyclists – BTWIN kids’ bike bottle: £4.99, Decathlon.co.uk
Best water bottle for hot days – Smiggle spritz stainless steel drink bottle: £18, Smiggle.co.uk
Klean kanteen kid classic sippy 12oz (355ml)
Back in the early 2000s you couldn’t buy a reusable stainless-steel water bottle in the US, until Klean Kanteen came along. With a commitment to environmental responsibility, Klean Kanteen has a range of bottles specifically for kids. This classic sippy kid bottle is wonderfully child friendly – the swing-away metal loop meant our two-year-old tester could carry it with pride and she drunk from it well. The spill-proof sippy cap is equipped with a dust cover, and the clever chip-resistant finish is four times more durable and kinder to the planet, plus the matte finish means it doesn’t slip through tiny hands. What really impressed us is the potential longevity of this bottle – it’s compatible with all Klean Kanteen classic caps for easy transition as kids grow up.
The love-heart design we tested is currently unavailable but there are plenty of other cute prints to choose from.
Buy now £16.95, Kleankanteen.co.uk
Contigo gizmo flip autospout kids' water bottle with flip straw
A leaky water bottle is a thing of the past, thanks to this bottle’s integrated spill-proof valve. Ergonomically designed, simply press the button and the mouthpiece will fold out – our four-year-old tester found this rather entertaining in itself – this also means no pesky dirt or germs can get onto the mouthpiece. You do have to suck quite hard to get the liquid out, but after a few goes this now seems second nature. Made from BPA-free plastic, it’s a robust and hard-wearing choice. Simply take apart and wash in the dishwasher for effortless cleaning. Plus, younger ones will love the range to choose from.
Buy now £20.68, Amazon.co.uk
Pura kiki 11oz straw bottle
This 100 per cent plastic-free bottle from Pura can see you through the baby days to adulthood, simply by changing the top – therefore garnering some serious eco kudos from us. The first and only food-grade safe silicone straw around – this product is full of innovation. By purchasing additional tops, you can change it into a baby bottle, a sports bottle, a sippy cup, or even a snack pot – offering real longevity.
We road-tested the 11oz straw bottle, which has a built-in straw mouthpiece coming as a two-part attachment – a spout top and long straw, which attaches to the top, enabling you to drink upright from the bottle. If you take the straw off, it operates as a tilt-up sippy cup.
The silicone sleeve meant our four-year-old tester could handle the bottle with ease – it also made it stand out from the crowd. The lid, which is included, is great for keeping out dirt, plus all parts are dishwasher safe.
The green design we tested is currently unavailable but there’s a pink-swirl option that’s just as kid-friendly.
Buy now £21.00, Ulula.co.uk
Blafre stainless recycled steel bottle
All the way from Norway comes this long-lasting sleek stainless-steel water bottle from Blafre. We tried out the 500ml bottle, which is great for school-aged kids, but there’s also a smaller 300ml size (Amazon, £15) and a larger 750ml option too (Amazon, £20). To make the most of this product, you’ll also need to purchase the leak-proof drinking spout (Small Kins, £6.75). If we were to change anything, it would be to have the spout included with the bottle, making it a little more purse-friendly too.
Buy now £16.94, Amazon.co.uk
Nike hypercharge 680ml water bottle
For sports fanatics, this is the bottle to go for. Accommodating just a little less than 700ml of liquid, your child is sure to stay hydrated throughout the day, plus the labelled measurements on the bottle keep track of water intake.
The straw can be conveniently opened with one hand, but those under the age of eight may find it a little tricky to do it themselves. The mouthpiece makes for an enjoyable drinking experience and the detachable straw tip means it’s easy to clean. There were no leaks while using, and the whole bottle is dishwasher safe, which is a bonus. Made from BPA-free plastic, it’s a sturdy bottle that is pretty lightweight, and the ergonomic carry handle makes it perfect for energetic kids who are always on the go.
Buy now £17.00, Next.co.uk
Contigo swish autoseal water bottle
At first glance, this just looked like a fairly expensive water bottle but put it into everyday life and it’s pretty impressive. Due to the 500ml size and usability, we’d recommend this for older children – probably best for those in senior school, or fast approaching. Wonderfully compact, it’s made up of just two pieces. Drink one-handed by pushing the large button and releasing again to seal – leaky bottles are really a thing of the past with this auto-seal technology. It’s easy to clean and all parts are completely dishwasher safe.
Buy now £19.95, Amazon.co.uk
Liewood anker water bottle
This is the only bottle we tested that caters for hot drinks as well as cold – the thermal function keeps liquids hot for up to 12 hours and cold up to 24 hours. While your offspring are unlikely to be seasoned coffee drinkers, this 350ml bottle is so stylish adults will be desperate to borrow it. It comes with both a normal lid and a sports lid as well as a cleaning brush, as it’s hand-wash only. The stainless steel is of the highest quality, and the paint is water-based but durable. However, bear in mind it’s likely to chip if dropped on a hard surface.
Buy now £16.80, Themodernnursery.com
Hype bubble gum fizz stainless steel drinks bottle
Made from stainless steel, this 500ml water bottle has a narrow mouth for easy drinking and minimal spillage. We found the metal kept water nice and cool but, when full, it can be quite heavy for younger kids. It’s also hand-wash only, so it’s best to stick with water only. Our 11-year-old tester loved the cool bubble-gum fade design with a speckled overlay, and there’s even a matching backpack (John Lewis, £24.99) too, so they're sure to be the coolest in class.
Buy now £14.99, Johnlewis.com
BTWIN kids’ bike bottle
If you’ve got a keen cyclist on your hands, make sure they keep hydrated with this brightly coloured bottle. Compatible with all bikes from 14in to 24in, it comes with an attachment that keeps it nice and secure. Made from BPA-free plastic, it’s impact resistant and the taste or smell of what’s inside isn’t affected. You'll even get change from a fiver, so it’s a steal while avoiding single-use plastic – win, win!
Buy now £4.99, Decathlon.co.uk
Smiggle spritz stainless steel drink bottle, 500ml
You’ll struggle to find a more refreshing drinks bottle. Designed with a spritz function, simply push the lever and mist will shoot out to help cool you down. This BPA-free bottle holds 500ml of water. The double stainless-steel wall is designed to keep contents cool for around six hours. The design is a crowd-pleaser, and our mini testers thought the spritz feature was the coolest thing on the planet.
The ombre design we tested is currently unavailable, but there’s a super-cute seahorse print that’s just as colourful.
Buy now £18.00, Smiggle.co.uk
The verdict: Kids’ water bottles
Klean Kanteen performs on every level for a solid reusable kids’ water bottle, with its kid classic with sippy cap – no leaks, easy to drink from, and offering the longevity factor, all while going that extra mile with sustainability. We also applaud Pura for inventing a 100 per cent plastic-free reusable water bottle that can last a lifetime.
Planning to be out and about with your little ones? Take a look at our round-up of the best kids’ wellies
