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I hate drinking water, but this genius $15 fruit infuser bottle is how I'm staying hydrated in 2024
Amp up the flavor factor and guzzle more H2O with this leakproof 34-ounce find.
Confession: I hate drinking water. I think it's boring, and unless it's 90-plus degrees outside, I never think about pouring myself a glass. At least, that used to be the case, until the ingenious Zulay Fruit Infusion Water Bottle made its way into my life. I've always known that staying hydrated is important, but it's really tough to force yourself to guzzle H2O when you have absolutely no desire to. That said, this nifty product gives my water the boost of flavor I crave, and if you've been trying to make hydration a priority, I couldn't recommend it more. Drink in this shamelessly glowing review:
Never sip on boring old water again thanks to this brilliant flavor enhancer.
They say opposites attract, and when it comes to water consumption, I've found that to be true. My husband is an absolute water fiend, and he was horrified when he realized how little I'd been drinking. So for my birthday, he bought me the Zulay Fruit Infusion Water Bottle in hopes that it would improve my hydration habits. (Let's face it, this gift was as much for him as it was for me!)
I accepted it with a playful eye roll, but I was actually eager to see if it would change my relationship with water for the better. As someone who's prone to migraines, I'd been told that staying hydrated could help ward off my debilitating headaches, as well as improve my energy levels throughout the day. It was worth a shot!
Initial impressions
The first thing I noticed about this 34-ounce bottle was how sturdy it felt. It's made of food-grade, shatter-resistant, BPA-free Tritan plastic, and I appreciated that my small, clumsy hands would have no problem holding onto it thanks to its side grips.
Another plus: There are time markers printed on one side to help you track your hourly water intake — an especially important feature for someone who doesn't naturally gravitate toward hydration. Plus, its flip-top lid helps protect the mouthpiece, and it comes with an insulated sleeve and handy carry handle.
We all know that cleaning water bottles can be a huge pain, but this one is top-rack-dishwasher-safe. (It also includes a cleaning brush if you prefer to do it by hand.) In terms of aesthetics, my husband went for classic black, which goes with everything, but it's also available in bright hues if you want a little color.
Fill 'er up
As its name suggests, what sets this water bottle apart is its slotted interior compartment, which can be filled with the produce of your choice to infuse the water with all-natural flavor. All you do is slice your fruit into small pieces, place them into the tube, screw on the lid and place it in the bottle. From there, fill it with water, screw on the cap, and you're good to go.
I cook and bake a lot, and I often have leftover lemon scraps. This infuser bottle gives me the perfect use for them. I've also tossed in clementines and strawberry tops — you can add whatever you'd like!
Testing it out
Once my fruit was submerged, I took a sip and was pleasantly surprised to find that the water did indeed taste a lot more flavorful than straight from the tap. "I could get used to this!" I thought to myself, chugging a bit more. If all it took was adding some sliced-up citrus to my water, I'd have no problem staying hydrated from here on out.
If you've ever had "spa water," i.e. fancy water infused with cucumber and the like, this is similar — but amped up. The flavor was more potent, and I think it's because this bottle's design means that the fruit isn't just floating to the top or sinking to the bottom. It's more evenly dispersed, which helps infuse the water more quickly as well. The slots on the filter are also just the right size: large enough to let those juices out, but small enough to trap seeds and pulp.
Oh, and did it pass the flip test? I'm happy to report that, upon turning it upside down, not a single drop leaked out. I've also thrown it in my bag countless times and have never experienced a single spill.
Needless to say, it was love at first sip. What I'd originally considered to be a tongue-in-cheek gift from my spouse wound up becoming something I use on the daily, and my body (and taste buds) are grateful.
What the masses are saying
I'm not the only fan of the Zulay Fruit Infusion Water Bottle — in fact, over 5,800 Amazon shoppers were so impressed that they gave it a five-star rating.
"It really helps me achieve my hydration goals!" raved an enthusiastic reviewer. "It is a great conversation starter. My coworkers comment that 'it looks so refreshing' and ask me where I got it. It’s easy to hold, clean and doesn’t leak. Great product!"
"This water bottle is my new best friend!" exclaimed a happy user. "Really, I don’t leave the house without it. It’s helping me drink more water and I love that I can use all the parts of a fruit to flavor my water, no waste! The bottle is easy to clean and the handle is perfect for when you have your hands full."
"Great for staying hydrated," wrote a final fan. "The only [way] to make this better would be if it was insulated to keep water cold." (Psst: Here's an insulated infuser bottle.)
One Amazon shopper called this their "new best friend," and I'm inclined to agree.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
