When I first heard that something like a smart water bottle exists, I was shocked. It was the last item in my head that I would say could be “smart”. But over the years, they’ve become quite popular as users appreciate their unique features such as tracking your water intake, LED sensors or even companion apps.
So here we are, living in a world where even our hydration habits get a tech upgrade. Obviously, these bottles are not cheap as the word “smart” usually implies higher prices in any product. But they are still cheaper than the best hydrogen water bottles, which is yet another kind of tech bottles that I reviewed lately.
In this guide, I shortlisted the best smart water bottles you can currently get your hands on. They are practical, they are stunningly beautiful, and they are smart of course!
What Are the Best Smart Water Bottles?
1st Place: Hidrate Spark PRO Smart Bottle | Check Price (32 oz) | Check Price (21 oz)
2nd Place: WaterH Boost 32 oz. Smart Bottle | Check Price
3rd Place: Water.IO 17 oz. Smart Bottle | Check Price (Black) | Check Price (White)
Hidrate Spark PRO Smart Bottle
KEY FEATURES (21 oz)
PROS
CONS
The Hidrate Spark PRO…Where to even begin? If you’re looking for a water bottle that’s jam-packed with features, this is it, don’t look any further.
It’s unique in that it’s not only backed but also sold by Apple. And yes, it feels very much like something Apple would sell -sleek, slender and fun!
Build
For starters, you have choices. You can go with either a version with a straw lid or a chug lid with a spout. Since I’m not the biggest fan of water bottles with straws, I chose the chug lid, which has been amazing so far. Hands down, it’s one of the most comfortable-to-drink-from lids you’ll ever have.
The insulation doesn’t disappoint either, as you can expect this bottle to keep your water cold for an impressive 24 hours. I’m usually skeptical about all these insulation claims that multiple brands throw like confetti at a party, but Hidrate Spark lived to the hype. Bonus points for that!
And if you’re an ice lover like me, you’ll appreciate that you can throw some cubes in there without confusing the tech. The bottle is smart enough to figure out how much you’re drinking, even with ice hanging out inside.
The bottle itself is made from stainless steel and has a premium feel to it. You can instantly sense that it’s of higher quality than your average plastic bottle.
It’s surprisingly durable too, not falling behind the biggest brands by much. I’ve even dropped it a few times intentionally and not even a scratch is visible, let alone dents. Definitely the quality I was looking for in a bottle priced at $70.
The base of the bottle is also kind of unique. It’s made of a grey, semi-opaque ring of hard plastic, which is where the sensor puck screws in. On the bottom of the puck, there’s a layer of rubber that grips any surface you set it on and deadens the sound when you place it down.
Smart Features
All the magic happens in the sensor puck, seamlessly communicating with the Hidrate app on your phone via Bluetooth.
Here’s how it works. Every sip you take triggers a clever sensor puck to measure the bottle’s weight change, calculate your water intake, and instantly send the data to your phone.
The puck even emits a pleasing glow to let you know it’s logging your data. Personally, I have mine set to glow as a reminder to drink up if I’m behind on my hydration goals.
You can choose from five colors (Red, Gold, Lemon Lime, Aqua, Blue, Purple and Moonlight) or go wild and have all of them at once. It’s like a mini light show encouraging you to stay hydrated.
The app itself is a beauty. It’s intuitive and easy to navigate – no rocket science degree required here. The Home page resembles the Fitness app, complete with your water ring, goal percentage, and bottles to go.
It’s all laid out so clearly that even on the groggiest mornings, you can see how much more you need to drink. And if you happen to drink water from another source (traitor!), you can manually add that intake into the app.
Potential Pitfalls
Alright, let’s mention some drawbacks because you might think that it’s a perfect smart bottle, while in reality, it’s not perfect. I’ve handpicked two main drawbacks I’ve spotted so far in this bottle you must be aware of.
First up, the Hidrate Spark uses its own proprietary charger. Yes, another cable to add to your already tangled collection. While this can be annoying, the battery does last for over 10 days, so only on really extended trips would you need to bring this additional cable.
But probably the thing that literally grinds my gears is the in-app purchase for customizing the glow colors. Sure, you can choose different colors for the bottle to glow when you need to drink water, which is fun and all.
But if you want to customize these colors beyond the basic selection, you need to pay an extra $4.99. What a weird in-app purchase for a bottle that I already paid a significant amount of money for.
Verdict
I must say, I’m loving having this water bottle around. At $70 for a 21 oz. version, it’s definitely on the pricey side for a water bottle. But considering it’s still $180 less than the most expensive bottle I own (weird, I know), I wouldn’t say it’s overpriced.
Plus, it’s a product that Apple sells in their store. And let’s face it, what Apple sells cannot be cheap.
All in all, the quality of this bottle is top-notch, and using it is so fun that you’ll quickly forget about the money spent. Honestly, I think you’ll love this bottle as much as I do!
WaterH Boost 32 oz. Smart Bottle
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
The WaterH Boost Smart Bottle secures second place in this ranking for good reason. While it may not quite match the Hidrate Spark PRO, it comes very close.
Priced at $50, it offers excellent value with a durable build and decent insulation (though there’s room for improvement). Plus, its smart features, including a user-friendly app, add a lot of appeal.
Build
Design-wise, this bottle is a sleek piece of work. It’s not overly aggressive or bright with its colors, fitting in perfectly in an office setting while still looking great.
One of the main differences between the Boost bottle and the Hidrate Spark is that this one doesn’t have a sensor puck at the bottom. Instead, it features a nice, elegant LED ring right below the lid.
This subtle touch adds a bit of flair without screaming for attention. Plus, it comes in four different colors: black, white, blue, and purple – a range that Hidrate Spark currently doesn’t offer. You can pick one that matches your style, whether you’re feeling classic or a bit more vibrant.
The WaterH Boost is BIG, with a 32 oz. capacity. While I initially wished WaterH offered these bottles in smaller sizes, I’ve grown to appreciate the heft.
Yes, it feels big in your hand, but the major upside is that you only need to refill it once to meet your daily hydration goal. It’s incredibly convenient not having to constantly remember to refill your bottle throughout the day.
The bottle comes with a chug cap, which might worry fans of straw caps. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it isn’t really a super large wide mouth option. It’s the perfect size, so the water doesn’t come rushing out all over your face.
Still, it would be nice to have a choice, so I hope WaterH considers adding more options in the future.
One of my favorite features of the cap is the handle that covers the button you press to open the lid, similar to the one you can find in the Owala FreeSip. This is a crucial feature to avoid accidental spills, especially with a button-type lid.
Smart Features
The first thing you’ll notice about the Boost bottle is the digital display that greets you with a friendly “hello” every time you pick it up.
The display also shows a percentage count (although I wish it had an ounces counter too) of how much of your suggested daily water intake you’ve reached, which is super handy.
Setting up the WaterH Boost is very easy. The app took less than two minutes to download and sync up with the bottle, including account creation.
The blue light ring on the bottle lights up as a gentle reminder to take a sip, and you get a notification on your phone too. I found these reminders to be just the right amount – not too obnoxious, but enough to keep you on track.
Potential Pitfalls
The insulation performance was a bit disappointing for me. WaterH promises to keep your beverages cold (or hot) for up to 24 hours, but in reality, you can expect this bottle to keep things cold for about half that time in moderate conditions. Hot beverages stay warm for even less.
It’s not terrible by any means, but if insulation is a priority for you, I’d recommend going with the Hidrate Spark PRO.
Then there are the instructions, which are super simplified. I’m all for clarity and brevity, but a bit more detail would have been nice.
And while I appreciate the simplicity of the app, I do wish there were a few more bells and whistles. It’s functional, sure, but it could use a bit more flair. For instance, it would be fun to change the LED ring color. Just a little something extra to personalize the experience.
Verdict
The WaterH Boost smart bottle makes staying hydrated both easy and enjoyable. From the digital display’s friendly greetings to the perfectly timed reminders, it’s geared towards making hydration a no-brainer.
So, if you’re like me and need a little extra motivation to drink enough water, this bottle could be a fantastic choice.
Water.IO 17 oz. Smart Bottle
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
The Water.IO smart bottle stands out as a unique and premium choice, no question about it. While its $99 price tag is steep, this bottle delivers exceptional value.
It combines beauty and durability with a fantastic app and a host of important features, making it a smart investment for those who want the best in hydration technology.
Build
One of the first things I noticed and instantly liked about this bottle is its exceptional portability. This is an area where many smart bottles struggle, but not the Water.IO.
With a diameter of 2.8 inches, it’s a water bottle that fits in cup holders, making it super convenient for travel. It’s the only smart water bottle I own that can do this, which earns it some serious bonus points.
Weighing in at 1 pound, it’s relatively lightweight, although I’ve seen lighter bottles, especially those with a 17 oz. capacity. All that tech inside must weigh something, right?
Despite this, it’s still portable and versatile enough for various activities. Whether you need a good water bottle hiking, hitting the gym, or just running errands, this bottle is a great companion.
It’s also insulated, working equally well with hot or cold water. Water.IO promises to keep your beverages at the perfect temperature all day, and in my experience, it actually lives up to this promise. This kind of performance is what you’d expect from a smart bottle at this price point.
Smart Features
The brain of this bottle is the cap, and the built-in LED light on it is a brilliant addition that serves as a visual cue. Every time I see it glowing, it gently reminds me to take a sip.
The brightness level is just right and it’s not distracting, so I can stay focused on my tasks while keeping hydrated without feeling like a disco ball is flashing in my peripheral vision.
Interestingly, the smart reminders are not just limited to the LED lights – there’s also a vibration feature.
But the standout feature of this bottle is the app, which I believe is the best among all smart water bottles, hands down.
Besides being simple and sending you notifications, it feels almost like an engaging game. The reward system lets you earn badges and even unlock new colors, which I find pretty fun.
Even better, the app creates a personalized drinking plan that adapts daily, considering my sports activities and different beverages I consume.
Another standout feature is the app’s community section. Users share their experiences with the bottle, and many of them are fitness enthusiasts like me. It’s great to exchange thoughts and comments. There’s even an option to create hydration groups and track how much everyone is drinking!
Importantly, you don’t have to pay for all these perks with stupid in-app purchases (looking at you, Hidrate Spark PRO).
Potential Pitfalls
The price is definitely a problem – a big one. Paying $99 for a water bottle, even if it’s the smartest one in the world? Yikes!
While it does offer a lot of value with its features, I can’t help but think it’s straight-up overpriced. In my opinion, if it were priced at $70 like the Hidrate Spark PRO, it would better match the value it provides.
Additionally, the Water.IO bottle holds 17 oz. of water, which, let’s be honest, is pretty small. It gets tiresome having to fill it up 4-5 times a day just to stay hydrated. I often find myself wishing the bottle were bigger.
Verdict
The Water.IO bottle is a premium choice and, let’s be honest, it’s not for everyone. But in the niche world of smart water bottles, it stands out like a peacock among pigeons.
The app is amazing and feels like an engaging video game where you track your water intake, get friendly reminders, and even earn achievements.
But is it worth $99? In my opinion, not really, but if you are willing to invest this much in the Water.IO bottle, then you won’t even think about leaving your house without it!
What Is a Smart Bottle and What Does It Do?
A smart bottle is essentially a water bottle that’s been given a tech upgrade. Imagine your regular water bottle but with features that track your hydration levels, remind you to drink water, and even sync with an app on your phone.
It keeps you on top of your hydration game in a way that’s practical and, dare I say, a bit fun. Whether you need constant reminders or just want to track your intake, a smart bottle takes the guesswork out of staying hydrated.
How to Use a Smart Water Bottle?
Using a smart water bottle may sound straightforward but you might need a little nudge to make the most of it. Let’s break it down:
- First, charge your bottle. These high-tech hydration helpers typically come with a USB charger. Plug it in and let it juice up.
- Next, download the companion app. Most smart bottles sync with an app on your phone. Do we enjoy adding yet another app to our already crowded screen? Not really. But the benefits outweigh the clutter. The app usually helps you set your hydration goals and tracks your intake.
- Once you’ve got the app set up, fill your bottle with water. Your bottle will be ready to remind you to sip away throughout the day and you’ll get notifications or see lights flashing, making it hard to ignore your thirst.
- Now comes the fun part – actually using it. Keep it by your side, whether you’re at the office, the gym, or lounging at home. The bottle will tally every sip you take, and the app will keep you updated. It’s oddly satisfying to see your progress. Almost like a video game, but with water instead of dragons.
- Don’t forget to clean it regularly. Just because it’s smart doesn’t mean it’s self-cleaning. A good rinse and the occasional deep clean will do wonders.
Using a smart bottle is not rocket science, but getting into the groove can take a bit of practice. Before you know it, you’ll be sipping smarter.
Conclusion: Are Smart Bottles Worth It?
Smart water bottles aren’t for everyone. But if you’re a gadget lover, investing in one is absolutely worth it. They’re not just functional – they’re stylish and modern, adding a touch of tech-savvy flair to your desk or gym bag.
I can’t count how many times people have asked me about mine. It’s like carrying a conversation starter around with you.
All things considered, it’s hard to imagine what water bottles we will have in the near future if today’s models are so innovative. Who knows, maybe our next water bottles will talk back or even make coffee. But for now, these smart bottles do a fantastic job of keeping us hydrated and stylish all at once!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is Special About Smart Water Bottles?
What I find the most special about these bottles is that they often sync with companion apps, which offer all sorts of neat features. Imagine setting daily hydration goals and getting gentle nudges if you’re falling behind. It’s strangely comforting. Think of it as your phone’s way of saying, “Hey, drink up!”
In short, they turn the simple act of drinking water into something fun and engaging.
Why Are Smart Water Bottles Important?
These bottles are important because they track how much you drink. For someone like me, who often realizes I haven’t had water all day only when my mouth feels like a desert, this feature is terrific!
You might be surprised at how this simple function can make a big difference in your daily routine.
Should You Get a Smart Water Bottle?
If you need that extra push to stay hydrated, appreciate a bit of tech in your daily life, and enjoy turning heads with your fancy gear, then absolutely, you should get this bottle! It’s practical, fun, and a little bit of a status symbol.
Jeremiah Kowalski
Hey there! I’m Jeremiah, the guy behind WaterBottleAdvisor.com. I used to have a bad habit of guzzling sodas while working remotely, but thanks to reusable water bottles, I’ve turned my hydration game around. After testing over 50 bottles, I’m here to help you find the perfect one to make staying hydrated a joy, not a chore. When I’m not reviewing bottles, you’ll likely find me scaling steep trails around the world, trusty water bottle in hand.
