Whether you’re placing it on your desk as you work or slipping it in your bag while running errands, having a water bottle close to you is the best possible reminder that you need to frequently hydrate yourself. And the best water bottles are the reusable ones – with one of those, you never have to buy plastic, single-use bottles when you’re thirsty.
Fortunately, there are a lot of great reusable bottle brands on today’s market, with Japanese Takeya being one of them. Takeya’s Originals and Actives ranges consist of fantastic products that sport a clean design and plenty of practical features. Here are the best water bottles from each of these two impressive lineups:
Takeya Originals
Takeya Originals 24 oz Stainless Steel Bottle
Probably the company’s most popular product ever, the Originals 24 oz bottle is an excellent option for all those looking for a well-made and easy-to-use water bottle. The model is available in 13 different colors and comes equipped with many convenient features that make it very functional and practical.
Besides the leak-proof spout, this bottle comes with a wide mouth, a hinge lock whose job is to keep the cap out of the drinker’s way, and a wide loop handle that allows easier carrying. It is made out of kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel, which makes it toxin-free, rust-resistant, and capable of delivering a pure taste.
However, the best feature of this model is its double-walled vacuum insulation. Not only does it protect the user’s hands from cold or hot beverages, but it also successfully maintains the temperature of one’s drink for hours on end – whether it’s ice-cold water or hot tea.
Takeya Originals 32 oz Spout Bottle
The next Takeya Originals bottle is the 32 oz Spout Bottle, which comes accompanied by a lifetime warranty and sports a design that is very similar to that of the model I’ve described above. It is also made out of food-grade stainless steel and therefore prevents the appearance of lingering tastes.
Another great thing about this bottle’s construction is the fact that its exterior comes coated with powder coating. This special finish makes the model sweat-free and provides the user with an excellent grip. And, like most of the other Takeya bottles, this one is also insulated and has thermoregulatory capabilities.
Finally, this bottle comes equipped with a lid that is very easy to open and doesn’t leak that easily (it’s “leak-proof”). The model is also exceptionally easy to wash. In my opinion, this bottle is a particularly great option for the beachgoers, since it’s really good at keeping water (and other liquids) ice-cold.
Takeya Originals 40 oz Vacuum-Insulated Bottle
Another best-selling product from the Originals range, this 40 oz bottle is made out of BPA-free stainless steel and features a minimalistic but attractive design. Just like most other Takeya bottles, this one also comes equipped with a convenient wide loop handle – carrying this thing around is as easy as it gets.
However, the best thing about it is certainly its double-walled vacuum insulation. In other words, Takeya Originals 40 oz bottle is capable of keeping a drink steaming hot for around 12 hours or cold for an entire day. Pretty impressive, wouldn’t you say?
The model also has a wide mouth – cleaning it or filling it with ice is effortless. The lid, on the other hand, is leak-proof and allows for quick and easy one-handed drinking on the go. While I do prefer cleaning reusable bottles by hand, the best way to clean this one is by putting it on your dishwasher’s top rack.
Takeya Actives
Takeya Actives 40 oz Stainless Steel Bottle
The very first bottle from the Actives lineup I’m going to analyze is this 40 oz bottle, which, as its full name suggests, features stainless steel construction. The model is available in 17 different colors and is one of the best products of its type available on the market.
What makes this Takeya reusable bottle so great? Besides the fact that it features superb insulation, whose job is to keep your drink cold or hot for hours on end, the model comes equipped with what is called by many of its users “the best lid ever”. That’s because it sports convenient features such as the hinge lock, a wide loop handle, or the universal wide mouth.
One feature I particularly liked is the presence of a silicone bumper. It is located at the bottom of the bottle and its job is to increase the model’s overall durability. In addition, it also makes setting this bottle down a lot quieter – no “dings” here!
Takeya Actives 18 oz Straw Lid Bottle
The next Actives bottle is the one equipped with a straw lid. This is a foldable straw lid that, when it’s folded down, becomes completely leak-proof. The straw itself can be opened with a simple flick of a thumb and it’s durable enough to resist bite marks.
Of course, that’s not the only good thing about this model. As a member of the Actives lineup, it also comes with all the goodies such as the silicone bumper or the wide loop handle that makes carrying this reusable bottle as easy as it gets. On the other hand, effortless cleaning and ice filling are ensured by the presence of a wide mouth.
However, those who decide to get this bottle will probably do so because of its phenomenal insulation. The model is capable of keeping drinks hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours, which is seriously impressive and turns this water bottle into a worthwhile purchase.
Takeya Actives 14 oz Kid’s Bottle
You have an active kid and you want to keep him or her hydrated while he or she is having fun at the local playground? Or, better yet, he or she wants to come with you to your backcountry escapades, where proper hydration is even more important? What better way to solve this issue but by providing your little one with a proper water bottle of his or her own?
This kid’s bottle from Takeya comes equipped with most of the features found on its larger cousins. Not only does it have a lid with a foldable straw, but also the double-walled insulation that effortlessly maintains the temperature of both cold and hot drinks. There is also a large loop handle for easy carrying.
In terms of build quality, the model features BPA-free stainless steel construction with a protective silicone bumper that is located at the bottom of the bottle. In other words, this bottle is very durable and is undoubtedly a great option for your little backcountry explorer.
Other reviews of these brands:
Takeya Originals vs Actives – The Verdict
So, which one of these two Takeya lineups is actually better? Should you go for a reusable bottle from their Originals or Actives range?
In my opinion, there are no significant differences between these lineups. While it’s true that Takeya makes their Actives bottles for runners, active people won’t make a mistake if they opt for one of the company’s Originals bottles instead. Both ranges consist of reusable water bottles that are insulated, durable, and feature-rich, so it really all comes down to your personal preference.
I love hiking, backpacking, and camping. From the Camino de Santiago to the West Highland Way in Scotland or simply a great day hike on the weekend. Hiking refreshes me, my mind, and keeps my body reasonably fit. So far I have walked three Camino routes and many other long distance hikes in the UK, Canada, and around the rest of Europe. One of the best was my hike up Ben Nevis.