The best water bottles in 2020

These are some of the best alternatives to disposable plastic water bottles to keep you hydrated all day long.

We all know that disposable plastic water bottles are bad to drink from and bad for the environment. And yet, despite that, many of us still drink plastic bottled water occasionally, if not regularly. (I'm guilty as charged when it comes to getting my hydration from plastic, and I'm trying to change how I drink).

Thankfully, alternatives to single-use plastic bottles exist, with various options for reusable water bottles to meet everyone's hydration needs.

How to pick a reusable water bottle

Water bottles are mainly made from three different materials: plastic, glass and metal (or stainless steel). All three have their own hydration pros and cons.

Plastic is lightweight and durable, but plastic can transfer a taste or odor to your beverage when you drink. Glass bottles are safer to drink from than plastic and don't hold onto taste but they're fragile and not ideal for rough outdoor activities like backpacking. Metal water bottles and stainless steel are also usually insulated (there's insulation around the body) and are the best at keeping the beverages you drink cold or hot (depending on if they start cold or hot, naturally), but they can be heavy and subject to dents and scratches.

After you decide what material you want your reusable drinking water bottle to be made of, consider the lid type. Do you want a straw lid, a flip-top spout lid (like a travel mug) or a screw top? Maybe you need a lid that can attach to a backpack with a carabiner or a lid that won't unscrew in your work bag.

Also, consider size and design when picking your perfect water bottle. Most companies make their bottles available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 12 to 40 ounces and beyond. Smaller sizes allow for thinner, sleeker designs with a narrow mouth, while larger sizes usually mean a wide-mouth bottle or a juglike design ideal to drink from at all-day events like beach days.

I scoured the web for the best water bottle options for the most functional and fashionable reusable water bottles from which to drink. I began my search with brands I already knew created good products, like S'well bottles, though I ended up finding a couple that aren't as evangelized but still create cool products to help you stay hydrated.

All of these brands have received multiple customer reviews on Amazon -- the bottles on this list are all in the four-star range with mostly favorable reviews on Amazon (no one can please everyone). From basic bottles to portable pouches to all-day canteens, try replacing your plastic disposable drinking water bottles with one of these reusable models. In the end, it's up to you to decide which is the best water bottle -- and to stay hydrated.