Top 8 Plastic Free Water Bottles to Ditch Microplastics in 2024
While avoiding plastic single-use water bottles are a great step towards avoiding microplastic ingestion, investing in a plastic-free water reusable water bottle made from stainless steel, glass, copper, or titanium will ensure that you keep your drinking water clean on the go.
In this article, we review the reasons why you should look for a new non-plastic water bottle and recommend great options in all four of these materials to help find what products are right for you.
Recommended in this article
Microplastic-Free Water Bottle Options
Did you know that the average person ingests about a credit card's worth of plastic every week? Since the industrialization and mass manufacturing of plastic material, the planet has been contaminated with a byproduct of plastic products - microplastics.
{{straws-cut-into-pieces-of-plastic}}
Are Microplastics Bad For Your Health?
Unfortunately, microplastics can now be found in nearly every water source on earth - even in clouds and rainfall. There are many health risks associated with microplastic ingestion and absorption.
{{what-are-microplastics-and-their-health-effects-on-humans}}
These nasty particles can affect our hormones resulting in fertility issues and overall health, especially in men. However, one way to drastically and sustainably reduce microplastic intake is by carefully selecting a reusable water bottle as alternatives to plastic water bottles to carry around our specially filtered (reverse osmosis) water.
{{what-is-reverse-osmosis-and-how-does-it-filter-microplastics}}
Benefits of Switching to Plastic-Free Water Bottles
Regular single use plastic water bottles that you might be purchasing definitely contain microplastics. This is because there is still no standard for filtration techniques to fully remove particles of this size.
Also, some sources such as natural springs likely still contain microplastics. Secondly, even if these plastic water bottles are from a company that claims to filter our plastics, they are still in a plastic bottle! This material, especially if left in warm environments or direct sunlight, can continue to leech microplastics into the water inside the container forever.
{{racks-of-plastic-water-bottles}}
That leaves us with a few options for finding a new container for our filtered water to prevent this from occurring.
Top Materials for Plastic-Free Water Bottles
There are three common materials for water bottle alternatives that will satisfy our microplastic exposure reduction - stainless steel, glass, copper, and titanium.
{{alternatives-to-plastic-bottles}}
Stainless steel, the most common alternative you will see in stores and online, is a great affordable choice at the expense of a heavier base weight. Most stainless steel bottle companies provide insulated options which would be great for keeping your water or tea hot or cold.
Glass is another option that, while brittle, could come with a silicone protector to prevent cracks. The main advantage of glass is that it is transparent, so if you prefer to easily see how much you are drinking throughout the day, glass is for you.
Copper is lighter than stainless steel but more generally expensive and typically uninsulated. Since copper is naturally resistant to molds and other growth, it is a decent option for those who plan on drinking liquids other than pure water.
Titanium is half the weight of stainless steel and even more resistant to heat and cold, making it a solution for those looking for lightweight bottles on camping or backpacking trips. However, it is the most expensive option on this list.
Are All Of These Bottles Truly Plastic-Free?
While a stainless steel, glass, copper, or titanium based water bottle is an excellent step towards reducing microplastic exposure, there are some considerations for plastic components such as plastic straws and caps. Consumers who are looking for a spout lid and the ability to drink upright might have to accept the imperfect solution of a plastic material coming in contact with their drinking water.
However, we have kept that in mind and included a category in our top picks that contains absolutely zero water-contacting (internal) plastics. Keep scrolling for our top picks and truly microplastic free water bottle options!
Categories For Our Top Picks
Completely Plastic Free. Our first category is exactly that - water bottles that have zero plastic exposure to the internal water container (if we can find an option online for you!). These are the choices you should consider if you want a microplastic free water bottle to minimize your microplastic exposure as much as possible.
Budget Pick. Entry-level water bottles that provide the basic protection of non-plastic materials for an affordable price. Note that not every material type will have these budget options!
Style Pick. Popular choices that have name brand recognition for those interested in the looks and design of their water bottle choice. Some additional features include snap-cap lids, built in straws, sling carriers included, and more.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles - Our Top Picks
{{bambaw-stainless-steel-non-insulated-water-bottle}}
{{takeya-actives-vacuum-insulated-stainless-steel-water-bottle-with-spout-lid}}
{{owala-freesip-insulated-stainless-steel-water-bottle-with-straw}}
Glass Water Bottles - Our Top Picks
{{veegoal-25oz-glass-water-bottle-with-bamboo-lid}}
{{ello-syndicate-glass-water-bottle}}
{{civago-32-oz-glass-water-bottle}}
Copper Water Bottles - Our Top Pick
{{kitchen-science-34oz-copper-water-bottle}}
Titanium Water Bottles - Our Top Pick
{{boundless-voyage-titanium-sport-water-bottle}}
Conclusion:
When you choose one of these options, you will be one step closer to a microplastic-free lifestyle that is better for you and your family's health.
If you want to learn more about ways to reduce your daily microplastic consumption for good, read on in our full guide.
{{going-microplastic-free-guide}}
Microplastics can be shed from any kind of plastic, not just straws.
Water stored in any plastic containers will contain microplastics regardless of their source. Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich).