They’re essentially tiny granulate cubes made from natural plant and fruit extracts which are low in calories and free from sugar, artificial flavours and sweeteners. The bottles are made with a perfectly sized drinking hole to drop these cubes inside and flavour the water – hence the name, Waterdrop. Plenty can't go in the dishwasher. But washing them regularly is important to prevent germs building up. They are heavier and bulkier than plastic bottles, so not ideal for really young kids, but are better for the environment than plastic bottles. Brands such as Camelbak and Chilly's make stainless steel water bottles which are very popular. Unlike other sports bottles, it’s also beautifully designed. I love the blue linen colour (shown above). The powdered coating means it doesn’t slip, even with sweaty hands, and the ridged edging on the lid makes the cap easy to twist off. The rather large branding down the side is a turn off for me, though at least it’s subtle in colour. That said, Lululemon is a prestigious fitness brand which I imagine many would be proud to show off.

How easy is the bottle to drink out of? Some reusable water bottles have a narrow opening, sharp edges, or use a bite valve, which requires some effort on your part. How comfortable is the bottle to hold? Some bottles are unwieldy to handle, particularly if you have smaller hands, and they can be slippy. Some water bottles are dishwasher safe but it is still important to clean the smaller parts with a toothbrush or bottle brush, especially those with built-in straws. If not washed properly, bacteria like E. Coli can grow inside water bottles and lead to gastroenteritis. Mould can also start forming in unwashed bottles. How long can you keep water in a reusable water bottle?

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Stainless steel is a reasonable option for a sustainable water bottle as it’s 100 per cent recyclable. Plastic uses oil and water in the production and releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, but can be more environmentally friendly if it is recycled. It is important to think about what you will be using the bottle for, as well as the materials used and if they are environmentally friendly,” says Byrne. She notes that the main reason people choose to buy a reusable water bottle is to cut down on single-use plastic and help the environment, so it makes sense to choose a bottle that is environmentally friendly, like the plant-based S’wheat bottle. Waterdrop is fast joining the top names in the booming water bottle industry, with ambassadors including tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz (Djokovic having reportedly made a fairly sizeable investment in the company). In such a saturated market, Waterdrop has come up with something slightly different to stand out: Microdrink cubes.

Rinse out after each use. An obvious tip, but an important one. If you rinse out your water bottle after each use, you won't have to deal with stains on the inside. Cleaning the bottle regularly also prevents odours. Does the water bottle appear to be leakproof? Some water bottles are designed with special leakproof valves (actually using it, however, is the only way to get proof that it really doesn't leak!). Reusable plastic bottles are better than disposable ones, but obviously this doesn't completely solve the problem. Recently there has been an increase in the use of stainless steel for making water bottles. Another type of water bottle that's great are those that are insulated. These bottles are made in the same way as a Thermos flask. This means that the contents of the water bottle keeps chilled, ideal for having refreshing cold drink to hand on a cold day. It can of course keep the contents hot, too. This type of water bottle is more expensive because of its insulation.

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Binchotan Charcoal (also used in high-end barbecuing) not only filters out impurities like chemicals and metals but also imparts healthy minerals like potassium. Tangibly, this means tap water is eradicated of bad smells and tastes like bottled water. It takes around eight hours to do so, meaning you’ll get the best results filling it the night before. UK consumers go through an estimated 14 billion plastic drinks bottles per year, according to Defra, but single-use plastic is falling out of favour thanks to efforts from David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg. More people are turning to reusable water bottles and in return, bottles are getting smarter. The best water bottles these days are insulated, leak-proof, filtered and BPA free. A reusable water bottle will help you cut down on plastic waste and save you money when you're on the go. I’m often a little wary of water bottles with straws because I’ve previously found they become rather unhygienic. This water bottle uses antimicrobial drinking surfaces and a stainless steel telescopic straw, which comes with its own cleaning brush. It’s just as well, since it can’t go in the dishwasher. You can also buy very simple sippy cups with a spout. This type of cup is aimed at babies and toddlers.

Plastic bottles are usually fine in the dishwasher, but stainless steel bottles normally need to be cleaned by hand. We've tested and reviewed 18 popular water bottles, getting a range of people to try them out and rate them for ease of use (including drinking, carrying and cleaning). We also tested how well each bottle kept drinks cool and prevented spills. Looks wise I can’t complain either. The Hydro Flask features a compact design with a powdered coating and a choice of nine colours. My favourite was the rain colour, a pale blue. The bottom is slightly indented in the middle for a stable base and after a month of using it, I can confirm it’s durable and keeps water ice cold.The body curves inwards around three quarters of the way up so you can wrap the rest of the hand around the body as you press the lid. I’d suggest it really needs to be a little higher, though I do have small hands.