H2O heroes

Welcome to the WH Lab, where we put products through a rigorous testing process to find out which ones deserve a place in your kit bag. This month, it’s reusable water bottles – so which ones are worth splashing out on?

Drinking enough water, much like getting your five-a-day, is a health goal made easier with a little help. And much like an Ottolenghi recipe to sex up your Swiss chard, a decent water bottle can turn the business of hydration into pleasure.

But where to begin? From lid logistics to springing a leak, there’s much to consider once you decide to ditch single-use plastic. Fortunately, an expert at our WH Lab has taken on the infinite thirst-quenching options available to make sure that, next time you take a sip mid-sesh, it’s from a bottle you can rely on.

HOW WE TEST

The WH Lab tested 28 of the best reusable water bottles on the market – made from glass, stainless steel and plastic – to find the ones worth recommending. Each bottle’s claims were rigorously assessed by an expert who judged them on ease of use (can you take the lid off mid-workout, that sort of thing), design (how comfortable they are to drink from) and performance (insulation and leak-proof quality). Any additional claims, such as smart design features or a grippy base, were also assessed. Here’s our pick of the bottles that are making a splash.