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Water is a funny thing, isn’t it? On one hand, it’s the one place you absolutely want to avoid on the golf course. But if you don’t drink enough while you’re out there, your fate is largely the same as when your golf ball meets its watery grave: defeat.
More important than aiming left when there’s water right is picking the right insulated water bottle. A well-constructed insulated water bottle could be the difference between a fully hydrated (and focused) round of golf or an ego-deflating ambulance ride with only an IV to comfort you.
Ditch that moldy mouthpiece that’s been sitting on the shelf for years. It’s time for an upgrade.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a water bottle
While water bottles aren’t generally thought of as expensive, there are a few that trend towards higher prices. Insulated water bottles from Yeti and Hydroflask are among the most expensive though their performance largely backs up the steep price. There are value options, though, including bottles from Blender Bottle and the ZOJIRUSHI Stainless Steel Mug that we found on Amazon that provide excellent performance at a much more palatable price.
Before you laugh, hear us out. Color is an important part of choosing a new water bottle. Finding a water bottle that strikes a chord with your style preferences will go a long way in keeping you hydrated. It’s much easier to leave behind that boring, black bottle and much more satisfying to reach for the fun orange one.
Consider the size of your water bottle. A larger bottle needs to be refilled less but may be harder to carry and fit in a golf bag or the golf cart cup holder. A smaller bottle may provide more portability but will leave you reaching for the spout for a refill much more often.
| Product | Durability | Hot and Cold Performance | Drinkability | Portability | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle | 5th | 3rd | 3rd | 7th | 97 |
| Yeti Rambler Insulated Water Bottle | 2nd | 5th | 7th | 1st | 97 |
| HydroFlask Standard Insulated Water Bottle | 5th | 1st | 17th | 1st | 96.5 |
| Owala Insulated Tumbler | 10th | 4th | 1st | 18th | 96 |
| Brumate Rotera Insulated Water Bottle | 4th | 11th | 3rd | 7th | 95.75 |
 | Blender Bottle Strada | 2nd | 15th | 15th | 1st | 95.5 |
 | Coleman Autoseal Insulated Water Bottle | 8th | 6th | 7th | 7th | 95.25 |
 | EcoVessel The Boulder Insulated Water Bottle | 8th | 6th | 14th | 1st | 95.25 |
 | ZOJIRUSHI Stainless Steel Mug | 18th | 1st | 7th | 5th | 95.25 |
 | Stanley Quencher H2.0 Insulated Tumbler | 10th | 15th | 1st | 18th | 94.5 |
 | Stanley GO The Quick Flip Insulated Water Bottle | 14th | 11th | 7th | 7th | 94.25 |
 | HydroCell Insulated Water Bottle | 16th | 6th | 7th | 7th | 94 |
 | HydroFlask Wide Mouth Insulated Water Bottle | 5th | 6th | 19th | 14th | 94 |
 | Contingo Autospout Ashland Insulated Water Bottle | 10th | 18th | 3rd | 7th | 93.75 |
 | Takeya Insulated Water Bottle | 13th | 17th | 7th | 5th | 93.75 |
 | Mira Insulated Water Bottle | 16th | 6th | 13th | 14th | 93.5 |
 | ORCA Hydra Insulated Water Bottle | 14th | 11th | 14th | 14th | 93.5 |
 | Ello Cooper Insulated Water Bottle | 19th | 11th | 3rd | 14th | 92.75 |
 | Yeti Yonder Water Bottle | 1st | 19th | 16th | 14th | 92.5 |
 | Rtic Insulated Water Bottle | 19th | 18th | 17th | 7th | 90.5 |
A water bottle, especially one that you use on the golf course, should be highly durable. You’re only one unexpected bump away from your water bottle clanking down the cart path.
The best insulated water bottles have durable, dent-resistant exteriors. Durability also extends to things like the cap, lid or straw. These should also be able to withstand the perils of the golf course.
The most durable water bottle is the Yeti Yonder. Another great option is the Hydroflask Standard and Owala FreeSip.
How you drink from a water bottle matters more than you think. Wide-mouth bottles are typically harder to drink from (and easier to spill) while a well-designed bottle with a straw or sipping-style lid makes for a smoother drinking experience.
The best water bottles for ease of use are the Owala Tumbler and Stanley Quencher H2.0. Both feature great straw systems for easy drinking.
If you want your cold water to stay cold or your hot drinks to stay hot, insulation is a must. The best water bottles keep ice for hours so your beverage is always at its peak refreshment level. A good insulated water bottle should also keep your coffee or tea hot for a frosty morning at the course.
The best water bottles for cold drinks are the Hydroflask Standard Mouth, Owala FreeSip and the ZOJIRUSHI Stainless Steel Mug. All three of these will keep any beverage frosty for hours.
The top-performing bottles for hot liquids are the Mira and Coleman Autoseal Insulated Water Bottle.
The Owala FreeShip is a great all around bottle with a fantastic design and fun colors.
One touch lid is great, sipping is made very easy.
Not designed for carbonated beverages.
The Owala Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle is a high-quality hydration companion that combines functionality with style. Constructed with durable stainless steel and featuring double-wall vacuum insulation, this water bottle keeps your drinks hot or cold for hours, making it perfect for outdoor adventures or everyday use. The push-button lid allows for easy one-handed operation, while the wide-mouth opening makes filling and cleaning a breeze. With its sleek design and vibrant color options, the Owala Water Bottle is not only practical but also a fashionable accessory for staying hydrated on the go.
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This very durable water bottle is a must have for your golf bag.
The lid and straw is great, design is highly durable.
Smaller footprint means you'll have to refill it more often.
The YETI Rambler water bottle is a high-quality and durable stainless steel bottle that is perfect for keeping your drinks cold or hot. It comes with a Chug Cap, allowing you to drink from it easily and quickly. With its double-wall vacuum insulation, it can maintain the temperature of your beverage for a long time, ensuring that your water stays cold or your coffee stays hot until the last sip. Whether you’re hiking, working out, or simply on the go, this YETI Rambler water bottle is a reliable and convenient choice to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
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The standard mouth Hydro Flask is fantastic for both hot and cold beverages.
Smaller mouth makes it easier to drink from. Carry handle is nice and durable.
Slim profile may rattle around in bigger cup holders.
The Hydro Flask Loop Cap Standard Mouth water bottle is a versatile and convenient option for staying hydrated on the go. Made with durable stainless steel, this reusable and refillable water bottle is designed to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. With a capacity of 21 oz, it is the perfect size to fit in your backpack or cup holder. The loop cap allows for easy carrying and attachment, making it ideal for outdoor activities or daily use. Whether you prefer cold or hot beverages, the Hydro Flask Loop Cap Standard Mouth water bottle is a reliable choice to keep your drinks at the desired temperature.
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The Owala Tumbler is stylish, spill-proof and has a great straw and handle combo.
Straw holder and handle make using the Owala Tumbler super easy.
Large profile may not fit in a golf bag. Can definitely fit in a golf cart, though.
The Owala Tumbler water bottle is a stylish and functional hydration companion. Made of durable stainless steel with double-wall insulation, it keeps drinks cold for longer periods. The 2-in-1 lid allows for both sipping and swigging, while the removable straw adds convenience. The tumbler is splash-resistant and fits easily into most cup holders, making it perfect for on-the-go use. With its wide opening, cleaning and adding ice is a breeze. Additionally, it is BPA and phthalate-free, ensuring safe and healthy hydration.
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The Brumate Rotera is a stylish, functional water bottle that holds ice pretty well.
Great lid and straw design. Leak proof and customizable look thanks to the swappable silicone covers.
Should not be used with hot or carbonated beverages
The Rotera 35 oz insulated water bottle from BrüMate is the perfect companion for daily hydration. Made with innovation in mind, this water bottle is designed with a twist cap and a convenient flip-up straw. It comes in four different sizes – 15oz, 25oz, 35oz, and 65oz – allowing you to choose the one that suits your lifestyle best. The 15 oz and 25 oz sizes are even cupholder-friendly, making it easy to take your beverage on the go. With the TwistSip™ band, you can easily open the lid by turning it to the left, ensuring a leak proof drinking experience. BrüMate’s commitment to keeping beverages fresh and cold is evident in this high-quality water bottle, making it a must-have for all-day hydration.
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Everything we do and say is based on cold, hard data. We challenge any and every claim with scientific measurement and analysis. If a product performs well, you'll hear about it. We'll tell you the truth and list the shortcomings if it doesn't.
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Everything we do and say is based on cold, hard data. We challenge any and every claim with scientific measurement and analysis. If a product performs well, you'll hear about it. We'll tell you the truth and list the shortcomings if it doesn't.
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9 months ago
Really too bad you didn’t test the metal camelbak eddy. I have had more than one of the top 5 and the double walled metal camelbak eddy is better than all of them
9 months ago
Owala fails for me – I’d never even try it – because it has no handle! What were they thinking?? I have to hold the bottle IN my hand whenever I don’t have a cupholder handy, like if I’m walking the PGA Championship for 10 hours at Oak Hill two days in a row?? Or out on a run (ok, a walk/run)? Sorry…nope. Never.
Based on how I use my HydroFlasks and Yetis, the lack of some kind of handle is a dealbreaking massive inconvenience.
I have a standard mouth HydroFlask and a wide mouth HydroFlask – both with straw tops (essential, IMO) – and the widemouth gets MUCH more use. It’s so much easier to load ice with the wider mouth opening. I use my Yetis (yeah, I have way more than I need) for around-the-house. I find the HydroFlask models to be more compatible with golf. But both the Yetis and the HydroFlasks will keep ice even overnight sitting on my desk. So they’re the only two brands I buy.
I live in Puerto Rico and not even a 40oz bottle would last an entire round (in reference to an earlier comment from Florida), so the inconvenience of a huge bottle that doesn’t fit ANY cupholder, not to mention the weight and unwieldyness, is a dealbreaker.
For golf I only use my 24oz HydroFlasks, starting out with ice and water, and I’ll put 2-3 bottles of coconut water, Gatorade, and/or equivalent into it over the course of 18 holes. And still have some ice at the end.
9 months ago
FWIW, I spaced my comment into several paragraphs. Sorry the default formatting eliminated the separation, and makes it almost unreadable.
8 months ago
It does have a handle
It flips up
If you click “check price” it will bring you to Amazon with more pics and pics of the handle
If you are interested
9 months ago
I have the standard Hydro-Flask you rated as 3rd which I love. It fits nice and snug into my ClicGear 3.5 cupholder and I have replaced the top with a straw/flip top for only a few bucks that allows me to pick it up and drink with one hand while pushing my cart with the other.
9 months ago
Smart choice. Switching to the straw/flip-top lid is a game changer!
9 months ago
Indeed. It’s the only kind of bottle I’ll use.
9 months ago
Are we only doing bigger named company items for this? I’d put up my bubba insulated tumbler and my Ozark Trail tumbler with these candidates. Both cost a huge fraction less than most of these. I’ve had my Ozark Trail tumbler outlast my buddy’s yeti tumbler out on the golf course in the heat. Conversely his has beat mine on road trips. But my bubba tumbler sticks with his yeti every time. I feel there were fewer tested than should be in my opinion
9 months ago
Not even sure what the judging standards were for this.
Many of the top water bottles listed will not even fit in a cupholder on a standard golf cart or push cart.
Shouldn’t that be a pretty big part of the judging? Does it actually work for golf?
I understand durability is important, but I don’t think have ever been so rough with a golf cart, bag or driving that I had to worry about the bottle leaping out of a cupholder and hitting the path.
Like the “golf sunglasses” review this seems more like subjective review.
9 months ago
This would be perfect if my courses still had water cans out. It seems Covid absolved them of any responsibility to keep water on the course when it’s 104 out. It’s almost like they want to sell us water or something…
9 months ago
You just figured out that they want to sell you water??? Sadly, it’s the same situation at my course).
9 months ago
I noticed that the story did not include anything covering the quality of the water bottles on those days (or golf league nights) when you jam a bunch of ice cubes, vodka and cranberry juice into the container. How does the interior lining impact the taste, which bottle helps maintain the integrity of the cubes to enhance the vodka to mixer ratio? These are the real questions that need to be addressed.
9 months ago
Clearly who ever ran that test does not play golf in Florida in the summer. The volume of those alone would not make me buy any of them. They would last 1 MAYBE 2 holes. You need something 40OZ or larger in Florida. None of those tested have that volume so I will pass on all of them
9 months ago
Thanks for your comment. You’re correct, I don’t play golf in Florida because I don’t live there. That said, each of the top water bottles tested are offered in large volumes, it just didn’t make sense to write an article about the different sizes of Yeti, Owala, and Hydroflask bottles! Rest assured, you can buy the top bottles in large sizes.
9 months ago
I walk w/ a pushcart) nearly all my rounds all summer long. I carry multiple water & Gatorade bottles in a pouch (w/ a freeze pack inside) tied onto my cart. Works like a charm.
Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls
Scott
8 months ago
No review of the TemperCraft
I been having one for several years
I would invite everyone to check them out