Bottom Line
With an aesthetic profile and fun, colorful design, the Owala FreeSip Vacuum Insulated water bottle sets itself apart from other water bottles we recommend with its innovative spout. Its dual opening lets us sip or chug while the bottle’s insulated, stainless steel keeps liquids cool.
We put the Owala through rigorous durability testing on the rocky trails of Southeastern Utah and examined its ability to keep our water cold through intense desert sunshine. It’s not compatible with hot liquids and weighs more than we’d like for more intense hiking and backcountry usage. However, the Owala maintains an affordable price without completely sacrificing features.
With its eye-catching aesthetics, versatile spout, and reasonable price, the FreeSip qualifies as a quality option for daily hydration.
How We Tested
Gear analyst Marion Tucker researched 35 water bottles and tested the top 13 in the field while hiking and climbing in Southern Utah. She conducted drop tests to evaluate their durability and ranked each bottle’s ergonomics, insulation, weight, and features after side-by-side comparisons.
Quick Specs
Owala FreeSip Vacuum Water Bottle
Best Budget Insulated Water Bottle
CleverHiker Rating: 4.2/5.0
Price: $35
Weight: 15.2 oz.
Insulated: Yes
Pros
- Lots of color choices
- Leakproof
- Easy to add ice/supplements
- Freesip spout accommodates different drinking methods
Cons
- Can't use with hot liquids
- Not dishwasher safe
- Doesn't fit in cup holder
Durability
Though not as rugged as other bottles, the solid metal design of the Owala proved durable during our testing. With a stainless steel body and plastic lid, the bottle is seam-free and sturdy without being bulky. To test its construction, we put the Owala through a series of falls onto varying terrain. Even after hitting the hardest surfaces, the bottle suffered only minor dents and scratches. Based on these tests, it should stand up to rough conditions and survive years of use.
While it sustained no impact in our testing, the FreeSip’s lid is the part of the bottle most susceptible to damage. Its locking loop, protective cover, push button, and spout are made with a strong but potentially breakable plastic. Cracks or breaks in any of these pieces would drastically affect lid functionality.
Additionally, the protective cover opens by pressing a button on the lid with a tightly wound spring that snaps it in place. With parts of this metal spring constantly exposed, it could wear down over time due to usage and weather.
Ergonomics
The Owala immediately stands out for its eye-catching design and clean curving lines. The bottle is visually appealing, but the Owala’s sleek frame fits into backpack pockets and bags for streamlined carrying. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too wide for a cup holder.
A push-button lid flips open for spout access. When closed, it keeps the mouthpiece protected and the bottle tightly sealed. The lid remains locked courtesy of an additional loop, which feels like overkill, given how well the lid stays closed already. However, the locking loop prevents the button from accidental opening and doubles as a useful handle when carrying the bottle by hand.
The most unique component of Owala’s bottle is the FreeSip lid. It features a spout that’s divided in half: one side a smaller opening with a built-in straw for controlled sipping and the other a wide mouth opening for fast access chugging. This eliminates the need for multiple lids. We loved having a choice in drinking method through the multi-use spout.
Insulation
The Owala features triple layer insulation, separating it from the double layer insulation offered by other bottles. To see how well the bottle kept drinks cool, we filled it with cold water and let it sit out in the sun during a warm day of climbing in the desert of Southeastern Utah. Despite a full day of sun exposure, the Owala kept our water cool for the entirety of the day. Conducting a similar test with ice, we were once again impressed by the insulating power of the FreeSip when our ice remained intact for several hours.
Unlike the other insulated bottles we tested, the FreeSip cannot hold hot beverages. Thus, its insulation is less versatile. However, if you’re not looking to put anything hot in your water bottle, the Owala is a great, cold-drink option. It’s especially suited for those hot days when nothing beats a sip of cold water.
Weight
The Owala FreeSip tips the scale at 15.2 ounces, putting it in the middle range of the water bottles we tested. Hiking with the bottle over the course of a day, the bottle was not as burdensome as similar models, but we did ultimately feel its weight after miles with it on our back.
In addition to hauling it in a backpack, we carried the Owala by its built-in handle to see how the weight felt in hand. The narrowness of the handle only allowed for a three-fingered grip (perhaps less depending on the size of your hand), and its rigid construction was less-than comfortable to hold. Between the awkwardness of the grip and the handle’s constant pivoting, the weight of a fully-filled bottle was quite heavy in our hands. It’s a better casual water bottle.
Features
The Owala FreeSip comes in a variety of striking color combinations that shift from bold and bright to calm and muted. There’s something for everyone’s style. It’s also available in 24 ounce, 32 ounce, and 40 ounce sizes, providing a range of options for your drinking needs.
Many companies now make several different lids to accommodate different preferences and drinking styles. The Owala Freesip’s dual lid eliminates the need for spending money on alternate lids – with a sipping straw and chug options built into a single mouthpiece.
Should You Buy the Owala FreeSip Water Bottle?
With its fun colors and eye-catching design, the Owala FreeSip shines in a lineup of water bottles. Its cost won’t break the bank either- in fact it was the cheapest of the insulated bottles we reviewed. However, its inability to hold hot liquids and its heavier weight limit its application for hiking or backpacking. We would prefer spending extra cash on a bottle with better, more versatile insulation or a lighter build. Even so, we loved the versatility of the FreeSip spout. If you’re looking for reliable hydration for day hikes, trips to the gym, and general everyday use, the Owala is a quality option.
What Other Water Bottles Should You Consider?
For a full list of recommendations, check out our guide to the best water bottles.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Review: When searching for a water bottle that offers superior insulation for hot and cold liquids, look no further than the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth, with a durable stainless steel build and double wall insulation.
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Review: The Standard Mouth features the same double wall insulation and range of color and accessory choices. But its slim design and smaller capacity are better suited for everyday use – even fitting in a cup holder!
Takeya Actives Insulated Review: Another affordable and insulating water bottle choice, the Takeya Actives offers quality insulation for hot and cold beverages. Its sturdy stainless steel frame comes in a variety of colors, offering a lasting option at a lower cost.
