The Owala FreeSip is not your typical water bottle. Sure, it has industry gold standard insulation, top-notch durability, and impressive leakproofness. But it doesn’t stop there. What sets the Owala FreeSip apart is its unique lid with the dual drinking spout.
That said, the Owala FreeSip isn’t without its flaws. In this review, I’ll dive into every possible aspect of this unique bottle. I’ll share my personal experiences, the good and the not-so-good, so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Let me give you a heads-up: once you have one, you might find yourself wanting a collection of them!
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KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
Lid Usability
Let’s start with the most interesting and unique feature of the Owala FreeSip: its lid. If you take a closer look, you’ll see that the design is unlike any other bottle on the market. I honestly think it’s the most ingenious lid design I’ve ever come across.
The lid consists of six parts:
- the lid itself,
- a rigid handle,
- the cap,
- the button that releases the cap,
- the FreeSip spout,
- and a straw fixed to the spout.
Let’s dissect this lid first. It’s significantly bigger than your average bottle lid, yet still very light. Screwing it off and on is effortless and requires four hand movements.
The top features a rigid plastic handle with a unique, ergonomic shape that makes carrying the bottle comfortable. In theory, you could fit three fingers in the handle, but I find it more comfortable to carry it with my middle and third fingers.
The thick plastic of the handle gives me peace of mind that it won’t break any time soon. Plus, it closes with a satisfying “click” and, importantly, covers the button so you won’t open it accidentally.
Speaking of the button, it has a mechanism that releases the cap. Be warned: the cap opens with a lot of force. I’ve hit myself twice already while opening it, so be careful!
Closing the cap demands a bit of force too, until you hear that characteristic “click,” but you can do it easily with just one hand.
But it’s the FreeSip spout that steals the show and makes this Owala bottle so unique. This spout is by far the best I’ve ever used and it allows you to drink in two ways. You can either:
- Sip through the built-in straw
- Swig by tilting the bottle
What surprised me the most, though, was how great it feels to drink from the straw. Instead of the typical round hole, the FreeSip straw has an oval shape, which feels like a pillow for your lips. Drinking from it is super comfortable and doesn’t require much suction force, unlike other bottles I’ve tried.
What I love about this straw is that it’s hidden. Unlike bottles with exposed straws, this one stays protected from germs, which is especially great if you commute frequently or are often in crowded places. Nice touch by Owala.
Lid Usability Score
★★★★★
Insulation
The Owala FreeSip claims to keep your water cold for up to 24 hours. A bold claim, right? But surprisingly, the FreeSip is one of the few bottles that actually lives up to this promise.
I decided to put this claim to the test. I started by pouring 33°F water into the bottle. After a full 24 hours, I checked the temperature with a thermometer and found it was 55.4°F.
It might not sound that impressive, but that’s still refreshingly cold for water (without ice) that’s been sitting out for an entire day in the room temperature.
Insulation Score
★★★★☆
Portability
Let’s get straight to it: the FreeSip is not the most portable water bottle I own. The biggest thing I wish for is for this bottle to fit in my car’s cup holder.
I own three FreeSip bottles with the 40, 32, and 24 oz. capacities, but none of them fits, which can be disappointing. Even the smallest 24 oz. version barely fits, with a diameter of 3.12 inches.
Despite its size, carrying the FreeSip is kind of easy. The 24 oz. version even has flat sides, which help with holding the bottle securely. Unfortunately, you won’t find this feature in the bigger versions.
When it comes to weight, the FreeSip falls somewhere in the middle. It’s not the lightest bottle compared to other popular options, but it’s also not the heaviest. My 32 oz. FreeSip weighs in at 15.2 ounces when empty. Sure, it’s a bit heftier, but honestly, it doesn’t bother me much in my everyday life.
Portability Score
★★★★☆
Durability
The Owala FreeSip is one tough bottle. It’s surprising how it holds up against big names like Hydro Flask and YETI. Made from the same premium 18/8 stainless steel, this bottle can take a beating. Thanks to its lovely powder coating (much like what you find on Hydro Flasks) your grip stays firm.
While the FreeSip is rugged, it’s not invincible. You might find a small dent here and there if you’re not careful and I’ve seen reviews where people show off their battle-scarred Owalas.
Miraculously, none of my FreeSip bottles have a single dent after months of regular use. Maybe I’m lucky, or maybe I just handle them with the grace of a ballet dancer. Either way, these bottles have impressed me.
However, the lid is quite complex, with little elements that aren’t indestructible. There’s a button, a spring in the cap, and other small parts that could break if treated roughly. While I haven’t encountered this problem myself, I’ve seen plenty of reviews where folks complain about the lid’s durability, especially the button.
Durability Score
★★★★☆
Leakproofness
You’d think a bottle with a straw would be a risk for leaks. But if you screw the lid on properly in your FreeSip, you don’t have to worry about a single drop escaping.
The spout is also well protected by a cap that you open with the push of a button. It sounds like a recipe for accidental spills, but here’s where the Owala FreeSip shines: the handle. This little feature is more than just a way to carry the bottle; it covers the button to prevent any accidental openings.
I’ve tossed this bottle into my gym bag, thrown it into the back seat of my car, and even left it rolling around the floor during a road trip. Not once did it leak.
Leakproofness Score
★★★★★
Ease of Cleaning
You need to prepare yourself to spend a few extra minutes washing your FreeSip bottle. In my collection, this bottle stands out as one of the most demanding in terms of cleaning.
First off, Owala doesn’t recommend washing the bottle in the dishwasher. The exterior coating, which gives it that lovely grip and sleek look, can get damaged. So, if value your bottle looking pristine, handwashing is the way to go.
Technically, you can throw the lid and straw into the dishwasher, but I still prefer to wash these by hand occasionally. That’s because the lid has plenty of hard-to-reach places that can collect gunk.
Ease of Cleaning Score
★★★☆☆
Versatility
You can take your FreeSip bottle to a lot of places, be it the gym, work, or school. That’s mainly thanks to its insulation and the amazing experience of drinking from either the straw or spout. Having those options makes this bottle perfect for different situations.
There’s one problem, though: you shouldn’t use your FreeSip with hot beverages. This limitation can put a damper on its versatility. I learned this the hard way when I wanted to take it on a winter hike. Imagine my disappointment when I realized I couldn’t pour my favorite tea into it. I had to resort to my old Hydro Flask instead.
That said, for cold drinks, the FreeSip still has plenty to offer. Despite the hot beverage setback, I still find the FreeSip versatile enough for most scenarios.
Versatility Score
★★★★☆
Price/Value Ratio
The Owala FreeSip isn’t the cheapest option on the market, but it’s definitely worth a closer look. At $33 for the 32 oz. version (which I recommend for its maximum versatility) you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. Why?
If we compare Owala to Hydro Flask, It’s $12 cheaper. This price difference alone highlights the excellent value you’re getting with the FreeSip.
What make this deal even sweeter is the limited lifetime warranty Owala offers. This kind of assurance is rare and always a nice bonus.
Price/Value Ratio Score
★★★★★
Appearance
You can’t review a bottle like the FreeSip without mentioning its appearance as that’s what hooked millions of people, including me.
The first thing that makes it so different is the ridiculous range of colors Owala offers. And if you think that’s impressive, they even have “color drop” events where they release limited edition FreeSip bottles in even more unique hues for a short time. It’s like a fashion show for water bottles.
I started my collection with the “Boneyard” and “Camo Cool” colors, which are both fun and eye-catching. But when I want my bottle to look a bit more serious, I reach for my “Very, Very Dark” FreeSip. It’s nice to have options that fit different moods and settings.
Then there’s the design, another feature that sets the FreeSip apart from other bottles. The unique lid plays a big part here and it’s a great conversation starter. People often ask me where I got this bottle, and I can’t help but feel a little smug. Bonus points for that!
Conclusion: Is Owala FreeSip Worth Your Money?
The Owala FreeSip is one of those rare bottles worth paying extra for. You get tons of value for a reasonable price, and the dual drinking option is my favorite feature, worth half the price alone. In my experience, the FreeSip is one of the best bottles you can currently buy.
Owala FreeSip |
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Final Score: 4.25/5 |
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.
