Air Up is undeniably a one-of-a-kind water bottle. The idea that the water itself isn’t flavored, and that the taste I perceive comes purely from my brain, intrigued me so much that I had to try it for myself.
But the concept and reality don’t always match. While I genuinely appreciate the bottle’s clever design and the sheer fun of using it, I ran into one major drawback:
The flavor is extremely subtle – too subtle for my taste.
Air Up is marketed as a solution to make plain water more enjoyable, so naturally, I expected the flavors to be more pronounced. In that sense, my expectations weren’t quite met.
That said, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind the taste of water but simply wants a gentle, enhanced drinking experience, Air Up could be perfect.
Keep reading to explore all the features of this unusual bottle and see if it’s the right fit for you.
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KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
Why Are Air Up Bottles so Popular?
Undoubtedly, the biggest selling point of Air Up is its innovative scent-based flavoring. Using “Scentaste” technology, it taps into retronasal olfaction – the process where your brain perceives flavors through smell. Yes, the taste you experience comes mostly from your nose, not the water itself.
In simpler terms: you inhale aromas from the scent pods while drinking plain water, and suddenly your water tastes flavored, all without any sugars, sweeteners, or additives. You’re literally drinking plain water, but your brain disagrees.
This clever concept, combined with a sleek, visually appealing design, has made Air Up a hit on platforms like TikTok and a favorite among influencers. Its viral success aligns perfectly with the trend of younger generations, Gen Z and Millennials, seeking healthier, more exciting ways to stay hydrated.
Flavors Overview
Air Up currently offers over 25 flavors, and some of the most popular ones include:
- Peach
- Wild Berry
- Watermelon
- Cherry Cola
- Lemon
- Mango-Passion Fruit
- Bubble Gum
- Strawberry Lemongrass
- Apple
- Kola (my personal favorite)
So yes, Air Up does give you a pretty solid catalog to choose from. The problem? When you put it side by side with Cirkul’s 100+ flavors (with new ones dropping every month) Air Up’s lineup suddenly feels a little… modest.
That being said, I haven’t come across a single Air Up flavor I actively disliked. The real catch is that every flavor leans toward the subtle side. You’ll notice the taste, but it won’t smack you in the face. For some people, that’s perfect. For others (like me), it sometimes feels like the flavor is whispering instead of talking.
For example, my parents actually preferred Air Up over the other options I tested. They fell in love with it almost instantly, saying the subtle flavor boost was exactly what they’d been looking for.
Even the lowest flavor setting on Cirkul (level 1 out of 10) felt too sweet for them, but Air Up hit the sweet spot – well, more like the subtle spot. It gave them just enough to make water more enjoyable without crossing into “flavored drink” territory.
Do Air Up Pods Last Long?
One Air Up pod flavors at least 5 liters (170 oz) of water. On paper, that looks impressive. But let’s put it into perspective with some competitors:
- Cirkul cartridges: about 3.5 liters (120 oz) each.
- Waterdrop microdrink tablets: roughly 400–500 ml (13.5–16.9 oz) per cube.
So in terms of sheer endurance, Air Up clearly wins the longevity game. You get more liters per pod, and that’s not nothing.
But personally, I’d rather burn through a Cirkul cartridge faster and actually taste the flavor than stretch out 5 liters of water that only whispers “maybe this is mango… or maybe it’s just water with aspirations”. Dig deeper into the two most popular flavor bottle systems in my Cirkul vs AirUp review.
Is Air Up Healthy?
Air Up is about as healthy as it gets, because, plot twist, it’s just water. That’s the whole point. No sugar, no syrups, no chemical cocktail hiding behind “natural flavors”. Just plain water tricking your brain into thinking it tastes like peach, kola, or bubble gum.
Compared to other hydration systems that load you up with sugar or artificial sweeteners, Air Up absolutely crushes the competition in the health department.
Yes, science tells us that sweeteners like sucralose or stevia are safe in reasonable amounts (I use them myself daily without losing sleep over it). But if we’re being honest, nothing beats drinking pure water. It’s the gold standard, and Air Up simply dresses it up with a scented disguise.
So what exactly does Air Up bring to the health table?
- Zero calories. No sugar, no hidden energy boost – just hydration.
- No artificial sweeteners. Unlike Cirkul, soda, or most flavored waters, there’s no sucralose, aspartame, or stevia involved.
- Allergen-friendly. The pods use natural aromas and, according to the brand, contain no regulated allergens.
- Hydration made fun. This might be the biggest win. If you’re one of those people who finds plain water boring, Air Up gives it a playful twist. Granted, the flavor is subtle, but that’s also why many people love it.
A Few Words About the Bottle
Air Up isn’t just quirky because of its scent-based flavoring; the bottle itself is part of the charm. The company gives you plenty of choices, so you don’t feel stuck with a single model. Depending on your budget, taste, or obsession with matching colors, you can pick from:
- Tumblers
- Plastic Air Up Click
- Plastic Air Up Twist
- Twist Pro (plastic/stainless steel)
- Pod-ready straw – yes, even a straw that takes pods. Think “Air Up lite” if you’re on a budget.
I personally went with the Air Up Click (Tritan plastic), and I have to say, it was a solid choice. The bottle feels sturdy, the design has a cool, unusual vibe, and honestly, it does earn you a few extra style points at work or school. “Cute and fun” is how I’d describe it.
That said, I do have one complaint. Closing the lid with a pod in place demands using both thumbs. You really have to press hard until you hear the famous click.
On the bright side, once you’ve wrestled it shut, the bottle works beautifully. The straw and spout are comfortable, drinking feels effortless, and the lid makes it essentially leakproof.
And, of course, it’s ultra-lightweight (6.25 oz) and portable. The handy loop makes carrying it around easy, so it scores high on convenience.
Which Country Is Air Up From?
You might think Air Up’s uniqueness stops at its scent-based flavoring and quirky design. Not quite. The story gets even more interesting when you look at where these bottles come from.
Unlike the overwhelming majority of reusable bottles that proudly carry a “Made in China” stamp, Air Up bottles are produced in Austria, while the flavor pods are crafted in Germany – the very country where the company was born. There’s something oddly refreshing about it.
I think this might be the first bottle (or product, period) I’ve ever owned that was made in Austria!
Is Air Up Worth It?
By now, you probably have a sense of whether Air Up is your kind of bottle. But let’s break it down with some numbers so you can see the bigger picture.
I grabbed the 21 oz Air Up for $50, which came with 5 flavor pods.
Each pod flavors at least 5 liters (≈170 oz) of water, so the starter kit gives you a total of 25 liters (≈850 oz) of flavored water.
Doing the math, that puts the initial cost at around $2 per liter. Not exactly cheap, but remember – that includes the bottle itself.
Once you’ve got the bottle, the ongoing cost comes from refills. A 3-pack of Air Up pods costs $6–$9, which breaks down to $2–$3 per pod.
With each pod covering 5 liters of water, that’s $0.40–$0.60 per liter – significantly cheaper than buying pre-flavored bottled water, which often runs $2–$5 per liter.
Of course, there’s a trade-off. Air Up’s flavor is subtle, more like a gentle whisper than a full-on sugar blast. Compare that to Cirkul, which delivers bold, punchy flavor at every sip. If you love subtle, guilt-free hydration, Air Up’s price makes sense. If you crave strong, sweet flavors, you might find it underwhelming.
Bottom Line
Air Up costs a bit upfront, but the ongoing refill cost is surprisingly reasonable. If you drink water regularly and want a low-calorie, sugar-free way to make it more exciting, it can be a worthwhile investment.
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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.
