A Collapsible Water Bottle Is a Foolproof Way to Stay Hydrated Anywhere

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You don’t need us to remind you to drink plenty of water every day. Exactly how much is a topic for a whole other post. But, however much you’re drinking, it probably isn’t enough. That’s why we like anything that makes it easier and more convenient for us to hydrate properly throughout the day. There are plenty of great water bottles available (you might already own more than one), but we love the go-anywhere portability and clever versatility of a collapsible water bottle.

The best collapsible water bottles work exactly like you imagine: They crush, fold, or simply collapse down into an ultra-portable size when you don’t need them (like, say, when breezing through airport security where liquids are a no-no); but open like magic to full size when you’re ready to rehydrate. They’re there when you need them and disappear out of the way when you don’t. In other words, they make for great travel gadgets and camping essential.

There’s no shortage of great collapsible water bottles to choose from. The best collapsible water bottle for you depends on where you plan to take it and what you most like to do on a regular basis. Are you a hiker, a cyclist, a nighttime jogger, or a gym rat? Whatever you’re into, there’s a best collapsible water bottle solution out there for you. That’s why our editors and writers set out to research and compare the top-selling and best-ranked options. After six months of testing, we settled on the 12 best collapsible water bottles worth buying in 2023.

About the Expert: I’ve spent most of my life hiking, kayaking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors. For more than a decade, I’ve traveled the world, including all seven continents, and covered outdoor and adventure travel, sharing my advice on Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. These days, I personally evaluate outdoor gear (like the best collapsible water bottles) and tech gadgets for Men’s Health from my home base south of Boston. So, you might say I’m a little gear-obsessed.

Collapsible Water Bottle

Leave it to a hardcore traveler to develop the best overall collapsible water bottle. This option from Nomader is made from durable, shatterproof silicone that's ultra-tough and is even backed by a lifetime warranty. It's also easy to clean, and the integrated spout/cover keeps the mouthpiece clean and protected from germy environments like airports and muddy trails.

Our testers loved the clever design of this water bottle. While it doesn't collapse down quite as small as other options we tested this year, it's still plenty portable. The integrated strap makes it easy to carry and also functions to hold the bottle tight when it's collapsed. We found the wide mouth easy to drink from and wide enough to accommodate ice cubes, plus it made cleaning this collapsible bottle a breeze. We were also pleasantly surprised to find no weird, plasticky tastes or odors—a nice bonus.

The Nomader is available in eight solid colors, so you can color-coordinate your water bottle fashion (if that's your thing). Our only real gripe is the price. It's more than $50 retail from most online shops like Walmart, although you can save a bit by buying directly from Nomader.

Platy 2-Liter Flexible Water Bottle

This flexible water bottle has been beloved by backpackers for years. That's thanks largely to its high capacity-to-weight ratio. Fully loaded, it holds 70 fluid ounces while tipping the scales at a featherweight 1.3 ounces (for reference, a serving of potato chips weighs just one ounce!). When you need to stash it out of the way, it packs down ridiculously small to just a fifth of its size. Bonus: You can even freeze the bottle, so it can double as an ice pack for hiking, camping, or beach days.

Our outdoor gear-loving testers loved this collapsible water bottle, ranking it among their favorites of this year. It delivers on all fronts, carrying tons of water for long day hikes or even weekend camping (it's cheap enough to bring more than one). But it packs down almost impossibly small at the end of the day or when it's time to break camp. We also like that it pairs seamlessly with GravityWorks' filtration system, so you can have clean, fresh water wherever you go.

Our only beef with this model is that it sacrifices durability for portability. It's thinner than most other options on this list, so it's not ideal as a "daily driver" water bottle. Still, we think it's great for outdoor adventuring. Plus, at least than $20, it's hard to beat the price.

Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle Water Filter System

We've been mildly obsessed with LifeStraw's line-up of water bottles and reservoirs for years. They're perfect for hiking, cycling, kayaking, or pretty much any outdoor adventure. The new Peak Series Collapsible 1L bottle is damn-near-perfect for all of the above. It's a compact, foldable bottle that holds the right amount of water, and features a built-in filter to boot.

Our testers found this to be the best collapsible water bottle for anyone who likes to be active outdoors. The design is dead-simple and the construction is extremely durable, even after months of use (constantly folding and unfolding it). We love that it's easy to wash and to keep clean, either in the dishwasher or by hand. But the biggest selling point is the integrated water filter. There's no need to carry a separate filter or pump—just fill up from virtually any source and drink.

We love everything about this water bottle, from the size and capacity to the clever design and built-in filter. At roughly $42, it's pricier than most other options we tested this year. But almost none of those offer water filtration out of the box. Factoring that in makes this one of the best value filtered water bottles of 2023. Plus, it's available in a smaller, 650ml option for about $5 less.

Collapsible Water Bottle

With an accordion-style design, Nefeeko's is unlike almost any other collapsible water bottle we tested. That allows it to collapse down to about half its full size while the food-grade silicone construction ensures it's rigid enough to stand on its own.

Our team loved the folding and unfolding of this collapsible water bottle. It's dead-simple to pull open when you need it and "crush" down to its most compact form when you don't. We found the 27-ounce capacity perfect for days at the office or while traveling—anywhere with easy access to a refilling station. Most of our team commented on the odd, rubbery taste when this bottle was new, and it never quite seemed to dissipate. We also found this bottle quite a bit more difficult to clean than soft-sided bottles with straight sides. It required careful use of a stiff wire brush.

Still, with a price tag of less than $15, we think this is a solid value. It's arguably the best collapsible water bottle for anyone who can't or just doesn't want to spend more than $20. We also like that it's available in more than a dozen colors, from jet black to eye-popping orange to playful pink.

Collapsible Water Bottle

Hydaway's Collapsible Water Bottle features a one-of-a-kind design that's since been duplicated and imitated by numerous companies after its Kickstarter popularity. The texture is durable and grippy, which is doubly easy to hold thanks to the unique "bulge in the middle" shape.

Our staff testers were a little mixed on this collapsible water bottle. On one hand, the shape and texture make it great for people who tend to drop their bottles, and the shape is also the reason it's able to collapse down to an insanely small size that fits in a back pocket. But that same "ribbed" shape also makes it tough to clean and keep clean without scrubbing with a bottle brush. We also weren't too crazy about the spout, which does fold out of the way, but the design leaves it exposed to germs.

Still, we think this is a solid buy for its clever design and the fact that it collapses down smaller than almost any other rigid collapsible water bottle we tested this year. We also like that it's available in a handful of bold, solid colorways. It is a little pricier than most, however, at around $35. But you can score it with a slightly smaller, 17-ounce capacity for less.

Collapsible Portable Sports Water Bottle

Semetor's collapsible water bottle is like a mirror image of Hydaway's. It features a similar tapered design but with an hourglass shape that's equally easy to hold and collapses down small enough to stash in a pocket. This option does feature a cap to protect the spout, however, and the included carabiner is a nice touch for clipping to your belt loop, backpack, or gym bag.

While we found it awkward at first, our staff grew to love the design of this unique collapsible water bottle. One of our self-proclaimed "clumsiest" writers noted, "This is WAY easier to hold than my CamelBak!" It's easy to hold and to keep tabs on with the attached carabiner. We also appreciate that it's designed to be used with both cold and hot beverages. However, while Semetor touts that the silicone is safe up to 480°F, in reality, the outside gets far too hot against your skin to hold when it's filled with piping-hot liquids (like coffee). It's technically dishwasher safe, although our team found the "ribbed" design tough to get completely clean.

This collapsible water bottle doesn't offer quite the same quality as the Hydaway it's trying to imitate. But it does boast many of the same features, plus a tethered cap and carabiner, which is why we think it's a steal at roughly $13.

Handheld Quick Squeeze

Nathan has a long history of developing rock-solid running gear and apparel. So, it's no surprise that its Handheld Quick Squeeze is one of the year's best collapsible water bottles. The insulated design sets it apart from every other option we tested this year, making it a great alternative for cool-weather adventures. It also features an easy-to-hold strap that's comfortable in the hand and offers a bit of storage for stashing keys or gels.

The hikers on our test panel loved using this collapsible water bottle. The unique design makes it easy and comfortable to hold, even after long-distance walks and jogs. We also appreciated the extra storage space to hide our essentials somewhere other than our pockets. Our main gripe with this model is that the water can be hard to dispense, requiring holding the bottle in just the right way and squeezing it in the right place to get more than a few drops out at a time. Once we figured it out, however, we found this model to be almost perfect.

Like most of Nathan's gear, this bottle is incredibly well-designed and durable. We have no doubt that it'll last for years. Given its compact 18-ounce size, it's relatively pricey at roughly $30. But the unique design and features still make it a win for us.

Collapsible Water Bottle 1 Liter

Vapur's "anti-bottle" Collapsible Water Bottle has been another fan favorite among avid outdoor adventurers for years. The razor-thin design folds almost flat and rolls up ridiculously small when not in use, but the sides are rigid enough to allow this option to stand on its own when full. Plus, it's dirt cheap and available in a ton of colorways.

For active adventuring—think camping, hiking, paddling, and mountain biking—when we need a basic collapsible water bottle, this is our testers' go-to choice. The thin design makes it incredibly packable, although there is a noticeable trade-off in durability. Still, it's reliable enough to take with us into the backcountry. With more than 10,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon, it's clear many others agree.

The thin, soft-ish design of this collapsible water bottle is enough to rule it out as a "daily driver" for most people. But, as a backup water reservoir, when bringing just one liter of water in your favorite bottle isn't enough, this is almost perfect. Did we mention that it's also around $15 in almost any size?

Stow Collapsible Water Bottle 1L

Hydrapak's Stow is another collapsible water bottle that's purpose-built for the outdoors. It's made from abrasion-resistant TPU plastic that's extremely durable and made to withstand abuse. It can also be frozen and thrown in the dishwasher. Weighing just two ounces, it's among the lightest models we tested and significantly lighter than traditional hard-sided water bottles.

Our outdoor crew loved this collapsible water bottle, and some have sworn by it for years. The heavy-duty construction lives up to the hype, and several of us have had the same one for years without it showing any signs of hard use. We like that it's available in 1L and 500ml sizes, so it's easy to pack more than one for longer trips. The design is also compatible with standard 28mm water filters, so you can pack an entire water filtration system in your pocket, no matter where you're headed.

The soft-sided design of this collapsible water bottle makes this one of the most lightweight and portable options on the market. It probably won't replace a more rigid or even hard-sided water bottle for most people. But if you're looking for a good mix of portability, durability, and price, this is your man.

68 oz Collapsible Water Bottle

The most popular water bottles, even collapsible models, are designed to hold about one liter (33 ounces) of liquid. TakeToday's jumbo-sized alternative has a 68-ounce capacity, so it holds roughly a half-gallon of water. That's more than enough for even the most demanding hydration enthusiasts. The design still folds down surprisingly small, however, making it incredibly packable.

Our team was skeptical about how well a collapsible bottle this large would stand up on its own when full. We confirmed it packs down very small, almost compact enough to stuff into a pocket. But, when unfolded and filled, the design is surprisingly rigid and standalone. We also liked the integrated handle, which made it significantly easier to carry around the weight of so much water. The spout tucks away neatly to protect it from germs too. However, several of our testers noted that their bottles began to leak when placed on their sides.

The jumbo-sized capacity of this collapsible water bottle is enough to make this option stand out among the many models we tested this year. There's a lot to like about this one, and it's surprisingly well-designed for such a large bottle. Plus, at around $33, it's priced well, too, compared to many of the smaller options available.

SkyFlask 350ml

Of course, not everyone needs to carry around 68 ounces of water, or even one liter of water for that matter. If you're looking for a more compact and portable option, HydraPak's SkyFlask 350ml is a great alternative. It's surprisingly small, and the built-in hand strap makes it easy to use for intense on-the-go activities like running or hiking.

The runners in our test group seriously loved this bottle. It holds just enough water for modest jogs and runs without worrying about carrying around an oversized ball of plastic once it empties. We found that it shrinks in size as you drink it down, which is a good thing. However, almost all of our testers also found that the strap doesn't quite fit right after the bottle shrinks. It's not quite as tight as we'd like.

Still, this is a great collapsible water bottle alternative for anyone looking for the absolute minimal option. If carrying around even one liter of water is still too much for what you like to do, this is a solid, ultra-portable, packable alternative.

Collapsible Water Bottles (9-pack)

Unlike the à la carte options on this list, this collapsible water bottle is actually sold as a pack of nine. At less than $14 for the entire set, it's easily the most budget-conscious option we tested this year. The eye-popping colorways are great for kids or for doling out to your kids' friends if they need a basic water bottle in a pinch.

Our testers universally agreed that the best thing going for this set of water bottles is the price. At less than $2 per bottle, they're insanely affordable. That's possible because they're also the thinnest and least durable option we tested this year. The quality is better than a fully disposable water bottle but markedly less than any other option on this list. Likewise, the cap is the cheap, basic pop-top drinking cap you might find on any Gatorade bottle. We did like, however, that the thin design means they can be folded down almost completely flat to stuff in a backpack or pocket.

If you're looking for the absolute cheapest collapsible water bottle option available this year, you've found it. These aren't great, and the long-term reliability remains to be seen. But did we mention they're less than $2 per bottle? Seriously.

How to Find the Best Collapsible Water Bottle for You

Shopping for the best collapsible water bottle for you isn't much different than shopping for any other good water bottle. No matter what you're into and what you're buying it for, there are a few things to consider.

Closures

The type of closure is the one feature that differentiates one bottle from another. Some collapsible water bottles use screw-top closures, others use flip-tops, while some rely on suction. There is no one best type of closure. The right one is entirely up to you and how you prefer to drink. Whichever type you decide on, just be sure to look for a bottle with a durable, leakproof closure.

Materials

Collapsible water bottles are available in a wide variety of materials. Some are extremely thin plastic designed for portability over durability. Others use heavier-grade silicone or TPU that's built to last longer and be more rigid, which can make them slightly less portable but easier to hold and drink from. Again, the right material is entirely up to you. Try a few different styles in-store to get a feel for the pros and cons of each option.

Capacity

Consider the capacity—how much your new collapsible water bottle will hold. If you'll mainly be using your bottle around town, at the office, or while traveling (all with easy access to water fountains), a smaller, more portable bottle should suffice. If, however, you're looking for a portable water bottle for long hikes, cycling trips, or any activity that could take you away from reliable water sources, opt for a larger alternative.

Do Collapsible Water Bottles Leak?

As with traditional water bottles, cheap collapsible water bottles can leak and are susceptible to punctures. That's why it's worth spending a bit more (usually more than $25) on a durable silicone option with a solid, well-made neck and spout.

Will My Collapsible Water Bottle Keep Water Cold?

Insulated stainless steel water bottles are always your best bet for keeping water and other beverages cold. Most collapsible water bottles can't compete. The best option for keeping your water cold with a collapsible water bottle is to buy a model with a thicker construction, usually of heavy-grade silicone.

How Do I Wash a Collapsible Water Bottle?

The durable materials used in the best collapsible water bottles mean they're dishwasher safe and can even be placed in boiling water to really disinfect them. Most have small spouts and other nooks and crannies that should be cleaned regularly by hand, however. For that, we recommend a stiff wire or bottle brush that's designed for just that purpose.

How We Selected the Best Collapsible Water Bottles of 2023

Our gear-loving editors and writers here at Men's Health spent the better part of this year researching and comparing dozens of top-selling collapsible water bottles. We wanted to find the best-reviewed models with a solid leakproof construction, a clever, portable design, and a decent price, preferably under $40. We carefully tested each option to find only the best of the best, so you don't have to. The list above includes our honest picks of the 12 best collapsible water bottles worth buying in 2023.

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