After months of testing, research, and field use, we made a startling discovery: almost no bottles meet our standard of truly plastic-free, durable, and sustainable design. Amid today’s plastic pollution crisis and the growing concern over chemical leaching, most bottles, even popular ones, still expose you to health risks. That’s why we created this guide: to show you the only truly plastic-free options available in 2025.
At Lasting Eco, we test products not just for aesthetics or brand hype, but for performance, durability, and material safety. This review will walk you through some of the most popular reusable bottles on the market and explain why the Klean Kanteen stainless steel bottle isn’t just the best option, it’s one of only two options we’ve found that can truly be called plastic-free.
Why Your Water Bottle Material Matters
Most reusable bottles are made from one of three materials: plastic, glass, or stainless steel. Here’s what you need to know:
- Plastic bottles (even BPA-free ones) often contain BPS, BPF, or other BPA (bisphenol) analogs. They can also contain PFA’s and other new compounds that still act as endocrine disruptors, leaching into your drink under heat, UV, or over time.
- Manufacturers will likely continue to change the plastic types used as they dance around regulators playing whack-a-mole and savvy consumers like yourself. The safest bet is to not play the game with your health entirely.
- Glass bottles are safe and inert, but fragile. If you’re active or carry your bottle around, you’re likely to smash it to bits accidentally.
- Note: In our search, we did not find a single glass bottle without a plastic lid or plastic containing lid!
- Stainless steel bottles are the best all-around choice: durable, toxin resistant, and highly reusable. But not all stainless steel is created equal. Look for 18/8 food-grade or higher.
🔍 Why Plastic-Free Matters
Even “BPA-free” plastics leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals when exposed to heat or repeated wear. Studies from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Environmental Health Perspectives show even low-dose exposure to BPA substitutes like BPS and BPF can disrupt hormone function, immunity, and metabolism over time. Check our deep dives on the topic below:
Deep Dive: How Plastic Is Harming Your Body (Part 1 of 2)
Deep Dive: How to Cut Plastic Exposure (Part 2 of 2)
Short on time? Jump to our top picks.
Popular Reusable Bottles Compared
RECOMMENDED
– Klean Kanteen –
- Materials: Silicone, Bamboo, Stainless Steel (some lids contain plastic)
- Materials Touching Contents: Silicone, Stainless Steel (some lids are plastic)
- Vacuum Insulated: Yes
- Straw Lid Available: Yes
- Downsides: Twist Straw lid is not leak-proof, but alternative lids are easily available
– Bambaw –
- Materials: Silicone, Bamboo, Stainless Steel
- Materials Touching Contents: Silicone, Stainless Steel
- Vacuum Insulated: Some bottles are double wall insulated, others are single wall
- Straw Lid Available: No
- Downsides: no straw or other lid options
NOT RECOMMENDED
– Hydro Flask –
- Materials: Plastic, Stainless Steel
- Materials Touching Contents: Plastic, Stainless Steel
- Vacuum Insulated: Yes
- Straw Lid Available: Yes
- Downsides: Paint chips easily, plastic cap
– Yeti Rambler –
- Materials: Plastic, Stainless Steel
- Materials Touching Contents: Plastic, Stainless Steel
- Vacuum Insulated: Yes
- Straw Lid Available: Yes
- Downsides: Heavy and pricey with plastic lid
Clean Water Matters: The Only Plastic Free Option
We’ve personally tested and used a range of Klean Kanteen bottles, and here’s how they stack up:
- Klean Kanteen Classic with Bamboo Cap: This is the only 100% plastic-free option we’ve found. Made entirely of stainless steel and a sustainably harvested bamboo cap, there’s zero plastic contact inside or out. Perfect for purists!
- Klean Kanteen TK Wide (32oz): Our top pick for most people. It’s vacuum insulated, fits ice easily, and keeps drinks cold for hours.
- Cap Selection Tips: While Klean Kanteen offers a range of caps, only the loop caps are plastic-free. The other caps such as the sport cap, chug cap, and cafe cap, are convenient, but they do contain plastic that comes into direct contact with liquids while you drink. For those minimizing plastic exposure, we recommend sticking with:
- Classic bottles
- Classic Bamboo Cap
- Stainless Steel Loop Cap
- TK Wide Bottles
- Wide loop cap Note: this cap contains plastic for the thread and structural body but this plastic does not touch the bottle contents
- Twist (straw) Lid if kept upright mostly
- Classic bottles
- Twist (straw) Lid Caveat: The straw lid does contain plastic however the straw inside the bottle is stainless and the flexible tip of the straw is silicone. The plastic forms the structure to hold the straw and close it So, If you leave the bottle upright and use cold liquids, your drink remains free from plastic contact. This twist lid will also leak if turned on it’s side. Otherwise, these are great for ease of use while driving or walking or just around the house/office. For more rigorous adventures stick with the loop caps and bamboo caps.
Bottles We Recommend:
- Insulated bottles
- TK Wide 32oz Bottle (with separate TK wide loop cap) (Right bottle cap in the picture)
- Classic 20oz (with separate classic bamboo cap or steel loop cap)
- Bambaw Insulated Water Bottle
- While we haven’t tested this one firsthand yet, Bambaw appears to be the only other plastic-free option available based on manufacturer specifications. We’ll update this section if our field tests confirm the build and performance match their claims.
- Uninsulated bottles
- Klean Kanteen Classic (with separate Bamboo Cap)
- Bambaw Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Why we choose them:
Durability: All Klean Kanteens hold up through drops, dishwashing, and extensive field use. We’ve seen them survive hard falls, rugged terrain, and daily wear without compromising performance or integrity. We’re convinced you’ll be using these bottles for multiple decades at the bare minimum and if it should ever fail the metal is 100% recyclable at your local scrap service.
Modularity: A wide range of interchangeable lids make these bottles uniquely versatile.
Sustainability: Klean Kanteen is a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral company, committed to responsible manufacturing and materials.
Warranty: We checked Klean Kanteen’s warranty service and we have to say their devotion to top tier customer service is exemplary. Not only is this company sustainable, they are looking out for their customers best interests.
Cup holders and Biking Tip: 20oz vs 32oz
The 20oz Klean Kanteen TK Wide fits standard cup holders and bike cages, making it ideal for most things including cycling. The 32oz version does not fit most cup holders but can be used with a larger bottle cage on your bike if you can find one that’s suitable for your bike. We recommend the 32oz for most outings it holds enough water and ice to keep you going without needing constant refills. Just beware it doesn’t fit standard cup holders and that can be inconvenient in cars or travel situations.
Final Verdict: What to Choose?
If you care about your health, your future, and the planet you live on, it’s time to ditch plastic for good. Stainless steel is the smart choice for durability, safety, and long-term sustainability, and among all the options out there, Klean Kanteen is the only one that gets it right.
It’s the one of only a few brands we’ve found that offers a truly plastic-free option. No gimmicks. No greenwashing. Just precision-engineered bottles built to last decades, not months.
With Klean Kanteen, you get:
- Plastic-free drinking: when paired with the bamboo or stainless steel loop caps
- Modular convenience: with swappable lids tailored to your lifestyle
- Proven resilience: our bottles have endured the roughest field tests, from off-road adventures to day-to-day drops.
- Sustainability without compromise: backed by B Corp and Climate Neutral certifications
- Customer service that actually serves: Klean Kanteen’s warranty is as solid as its bottles
- Buy It for Life quality: these bottles are built to outlast trends, gimmicks, and greenwashed alternatives
If you’re only going to buy one bottle to use for the next 20 years, make it this one.
Honorable Mentions
Hydro Flask has become an icon among insulated bottle lovers, and for good reason. It’s durable, keeps drinks cold for hours, and offers a wide range of sizes and colors. However, the exterior paint can chip with use, and like others, its lid still contains plastic that comes in contact with liquid.
Stanley Quencher bottles have exploded in popularity on social media thanks to their large capacity, built-in handles, and aesthetics. While they’re stainless steel and vacuum insulated, they also come with plastic straw lids and other plastic components that make them less ideal for those trying to minimize plastic contact or choose sustainable options.
S’well and Ocean Bottle offer sleek, vacuum insulated stainless steel designs, but both use plastic caps or internal components that touch liquid. If kept upright, the risk of leaching is minimal but it’s not a plastic-free solution.
While these honorable mentions are stylish and functional choices, none meet our durability, sustainability, or plastic free standards.
Leave a comment below and tell us about your own experience with your bottles. If you want more product breakdowns and plastic free living tips, sign up for our newsletter