User Rating |
|---|
Have you seen the S'well water bottle? I have been hunting for one of the best insulated water bottle for some time. I started by going for whatever looked gorgeous. However, most of the bottles ended up being leaky, ugly, mildly annoying, or gross.
Although I can deal with appearance, I can hardly ignore the other features. I needed a bottle that is easy to clean, highly portable, durable, and good looking both on my desk and on the streets.
After several hours of combing the net, I landed one that looked like a perfect product for me: the S’well Bottle. However, before we go far with the S’well traveler review, let us first learn something about the company behind it.
About S’well Bottle
S’well Bottle is a renowned brand that has been making water bottles from 2010. Their focus has been to make portable stainless steel water bottles with exceptional vacuum insulation.
They have managed to keep their product line trim and without losing focus on their design. The result has been a massive success – creating a top-notch water bottle available in a broad array of sizes and looks.
Best Insulated Water Bottle
The Anatomy of the S’well Bottle
- 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Triple wall vacuum insulation that keeps hot up to 12 hours and cold up to 24 hours
- A leak-proof twist cap
Made from the 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, the S’well Bottle does not impart flavors into its contents and is very easy to clean. It is worth noting here that the screw-on lid has a BPA-free plastic, which makes it safe to use though it can contact the contents if you invert the bottle.
Well, S’well claims this bottle can keep drinks cold for 24 hours and hot ones for 12 hours. I don’t drink cold water most of the time, but I tested the bottle with milkshakes and smoothies, and voila, they were still cold 20 hours later.
However, hot coffee seems to remain hot forever. The first time I tried it with my coffee, and I almost burned myself!
I am used to pouring coffee into my mug and gulping it a few minutes later after it gets lukewarm. Therefore, that morning, I took my coffee as usual from my mug then I filled up the bottle with more coffee and came back in the evening, about eight hours later. I poured into the mark and hurriedly took a lovely, big swig.
Ouch! The coffee was piping hot after 8 hours. It is a great change because I can sip on hot drinks rather than gulp them before they get lukewarm or cold. Did I mention the S’well Bottle doesn’t feel hot or warm the way ordinary mugs do?
How to Clean S'well Bottle and the Cap
For the bottle serve you for a long time, you should clean it regularly by washing it with soap and warm water after each use. You should then dry it with its top off. For thorough cleaning, scrub it with the S’well Bottle Brush, and you will have it looking as good as new.
Do not submerge the bottle and its cap in water for extended periods because it will tamper with the vacuum seal. Besides, remember not to run the bottle in your dishwasher, as it’s not dishwasher safe.
It is probably the reason why the S’well bottle appears to fail for some people – they run it through the dishwasher, which makes the vacuum seal ineffective and causes the paint to chip off.
After washing it, dry it completely by removing the lid and placing the bottle upside down then exposing it to good air circulation. That way, the S’well bottle will not trap any funky smells.Sturdy Body
The water bottle has a stainless steel surface, making one of the sturdiest. Some users have reported dropping it (accidentally) on a concrete floor a couple of times and still held up. It also comes with a sleek, matte finish that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Moreover, you can comfortably drink from it. You will not struggle to drink from the S’well Bottle. The opening is not extra big, meaning your water will neither spill nor splash back up if you lower the bottle a little too fast.
Lastly, you will not need to hold it with both hands, as you would do with other, bigger water bottles. This makes it an ideal and the best traveler bottle available in the market today.
Condensation Free
In the past, I have had to refrigerate water bottles before going for a road trip, and it can be annoying to keep wiping my hands on clothes. At times, I find my clothes a bit damp because I placed a water bottle in my backpack.
This forces me to double-check the bottle for leaks and even re-screw the cap when ideally the problem was just condensation. However, this is no longer a problem ever since I got my S’well Bottle.
Its triple-walled insulation layer leaves the bottle’s exterior completely condensation free. Now, I can enjoy an ice-cold beverage without worrying about wetting my clothes, papers, or work desk.
Good for Your Liquid Storage
The S’well water bottle is exceptional because of the 18/8 food-grade stainless steel. It is BPA-free and provides a safer and healthier option compared to single-use plastic water bottles.
Besides, the high-quality stainless steel is rust-resistant and inherently safe. Therefore, you need no liner inside making it the best water bottle that you can grab for yourself.
However, the claims for S’well bottles rely on water-based tests. Other liquids might have varying results. Nevertheless, you can put a carbonated beverage like soda in the bottle, but you should not shake it needlessly. Lastly, be cautious when opening it.
The manufacturer also cautions against the long-term storage of certain liquids, such as dairy products, alcohol, and some juices as they could spoil and cause an excessive buildup of pressure inside the bottle that may cause an injury or lid failure. Be sure to acquire the best juicer or a personal blender as well fro your natural fruit endeavors.
If you store fizzy soda inside this bottle, be careful when opening as you might end up spraying some Champagne on your precious jacket or have the cap fly away to someone nearby.S’well Bottle vs. Hydro Flask
Although the S’well and Hydro Flask cost a little bit more than other regular water bottles, they offer massive value to their users. However, some potential buyers cannot choose between the two as they find them both similar and confusing.
Similarities
No Condensation in Both: Both bottles are made from materials that prevent the coldness of the water inside to make the exterior of the bottle sweat.Therefore, if you are carrying the bottle in your hand with ice-cold water inside, you will not feel the coldness on your hand. As such, it will not condense and form the annoying water droplets that could make your backpack contents wet.
Can Hold Cold and Hot Liquids for Longer: Customers using both liquids have testified about this. Once you put ice inside any of the two bottles, you will still find some of it left 48 hours later because the triple-walled layers insulate the contents completely making heat exchange almost impossible. The same applies when you have a hot liquid inside these bottles. As one of the best insulated water bottle, they will hold the heat for long hours.
Differences
Size: The first difference is regarding size. Hydro Flask comes in a broad range of sizes, which range from 18 oz to 64oz. It has a broader selection than its S’well counterpart whose size ranges from 9oz to 25oz.
The Mouth: I also noticed that the Hydro Flask bottle has a wider mouth opening that enables to offer more clearance for ice cubes or foodstuffs. Consequently, it is ideal for packing chunky ice, taking lunch, or even a larger smoothie.
Flexibility: In contrast, the S’well Bottle plays its role as the best insulated traveler appliance. It fits perfectly in the car’s cup holder, and so you can carry it along when you are visiting a friend’s house, going to the restaurant, or when you want to stay hydrated in a business meeting.
You simply need to grab the bottle from your car’s cup holder and take it with you. You will find S’well to be less bulky and classier to place on a table than the high-capacity Hydro Flask.
Bottom Line
The two bottles are perfect depending on your needs. You need the Hydro Flask for high-capacity needs such as filling it with ice water and stowing it in your car’s trunk. On the other hand, if you are looking for a flexible, super portable, and stylish water bottle, then S’well will do the trick.
Options
S’well water bottles are ideal for anyone who enjoys customizing and obsessing over those little extras. There are diverse colors at your disposal for you to select. Besides, these bottles have 11 different colored caps. You could pick a different one according to the preferences of every family member and still not exhaust it!
S’well Bottle Pros | S’well Bottle Cons |
|---|---|
S'well Bottle Warranty
The manufacturer gives a one-year warranty on all of its bottles. The warranty covers the manufacturer’s defects, including non-polished surfaces, thermal performance problems, and the base is detachable from the bottle.
The company will review the case and try to replace the bottle with another one of similar size and style.
S'well Bottle Brush
To effectively, clean the S’well Bottle, you need the S’well Brush., which comes with a removable head. It makes it easy to pull it from the handle. The brush is designed to fit in all bottle sizes to simplify cleaning. You can keep your S’well bottle sparkling clean with this beautiful, modern brush.
Verdict
The S’well Bottle is an excellent choice with features that far much exceed FDA safety regulations and those of other quality water bottles on the market. As one of the top rated water bottles, it is triple-layered insulated wall keeps hot and cold drinks for longer hours than your ordinary water bottle.
The 18/8 food-grade stainless steel is non-toxic and resistant to rust, making it a safe option. It also comes in a variety of styles and colors to suit different users. Consider having it around if you desire to hydrate yourself effectively. You can also consider pogo water bottles which are made of plastic or even glass water bottles.
