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The best kids' water bottles that DON'T leak 2022
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Having a drink to hand for your child is a must, but finding a water bottle that doesn't leak can feel like the Holy Grail. A leaky water bottle in your bag means damp unwearable clothes, soggy snacks and, most importantly, no drink for your little one!
Pretty much every kids' water bottle on the market promises to be leakproof, so we've road-tested the best for every age and stage. We've picked the best water bottles whether it's for school, nursery or keeping in your changing bag when you're on the go.
We've also tested the water bottles to see how easy they are for a kid to use – and for parents to keep clean!
So what is the best leak-proof water bottle? Check out our pick of the best reusable plastic* and stainless steel water bottles for children.
* All of the plastic bottles shown here are BPA-free, meaning they contain no chemical nasties.
1. Sistema Twist ‘n’ Sip, £3.49
Best for: school
* The Twist ‘n’ Sip drinks bottle is available in three different sizes, 330ml, 460ml and 620ml
* You can choose from a rainbow of brightly coloured shades
* It’s dishwasher and freezer safe
One of the bestselling water bottles on the market, the Sistema Twist ‘n’ Sip has a very simple design and is made from soft BPA-free plastic. The soft plastic means it's less likely to break when it's bashed around in school and nursery bags.
The easy-to-use twist-to-open function means this is the ideal bottle for small hands. It's designed to be used without fingers touching the sipper tip, so it’s hygienic, especially when your little ones have been getting mucky!
We also love that it's so easy to keep clean – designed with only two parts – that both can be put in the dishwasher.
The Twist'n'Sip has great reviews on Amazon, with one buyer saying, 'Have bought this bottle for my two older children in the past and found them to be the best so far! No leaky bottles in their lunch bags and hold plenty for thirsty boys on hot sunny days.'
2. Littlelife Water Bottle, £8.99
Best for: younger children
* This characterful anti-spill bottle has a useful pop-up straw
* It’s made from BPA-Free Tritan copolyester
* The bottle is hand wash only
With a handy wrist strap and a pop-up straw, this BPA-free bottle is a must for keeping older toddlers and younger kids hydrated on the go. If crocodiles aren't your child’s thing, you can also buy the bottle in a dinosaur and owl design. Suitable for children aged three and over, it holds a good amount of liquid and you can also buy spare lids, if your lids tend to go astray like ours do.
3. OXO Tot Hard Spout Sippy Cup, £7.50
Best for: babies
* Has a 340ml capacity and is dishwasher-safe
* Leak-proof valve locks in place – even when dropped
* The large opening makes it very easy to fill and add ice etc.
This clever cup has a patented valve and natural flow rate for an easy transition from drinking from a bottle and has an ergonomic shape that's easy for little hands to hold. The nice wide mouth means fewer spills when pouring in liquids, and the two-part valve comes apart for thorough cleaning and easy reassembly.
4. LiteCup Sippy Cup, £9.50
Best for: doubling up as a night light
* For children aged six months and up – good for progression on from the bottle
* Non-spill cup with an integrated nightlight
* The cup holds 220ml of liquid
Not only is this clever cup spill-proof, it has a light sensitive LED light unit that sits in the base and makes it glow gently at night providing a comforting nightlight – a nice feature when leaving by your child’s bed during the night. The patented circular valve allows free flow drinking from the edge of the cup whilst preventing spills.
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5. Camelbak Eddy Water bottle, £18.15
Best for: keeping water cool
* The Eddy has a capacity of 400 ml
* Kids sip with a straw instead of tipping the bottle back
* Available in a range of bright and eye-catching colours and patterns
* Double-wall vacuum insulated to maintain temperature
Camelbak is known for its innovative water bottles – or hydration solutions – that are used by athletes around the world. This kid-friendly version of the classic water bottle has all the useful features you'd expect, with a jaunty explorer-themed design.
The bottle has a one-finger carry handle and is crafted from insulated stainless steel, which keep water cool (or warm). You open the built-in straw by releasing the lid. Perfect for school and weekend adventures AND an alternative to plastic options. Good for ages 3+.
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6. Tommee Tippee Sports bottle, from £19.05
Best for: older toddlers
* Removable, two-piece non-spill valve keeps mess to a minimum
* Sports spout clicks down to stay clean and stop spills
* The sports bottle has a capacity of 400 ml
With a chunky design, easy-grip sides and non-spill spout, this is the ideal bottle for younger children and toddlers who are gaining their independence. It’s BPA-free and can be cleaned in the top rack of your dishwasher (hurrah!) – or even in your steam steriliser for peace of mind. It’s also available in a range of patterns and colours.
7. Chilly's Water bottle 260ml, from £21
Best for: older kids and teens
* Remarkably durable and leakproof
* Crafted from sturdy, high-grade 304 stainless steel
* Comes in a range of sizes, colours and designs
This stylish, simple and eco-friendly water bottle will become an absolute staple. It's crafted from sturdy stainless steel and advanced double-walled vacuum insulation that keeps water hot (for 12 hours) or cold throughout the day. It's reassuringly leakproof and is comfortable to drink from. It also comes in a vast variety of colour ways and designs (a friend has the snakeskin version) so you'll be spoilt for choice!
8. Ion8 Leak Proof Slim Water Bottle, £11.99
Best for: fitting in a backpack
* Durable, leakproof and the width of a drinks can
* Spout cover locks closed for safety
* Available in lots of bright colours
This is a slim and sleek stainless steel that won't leak in your child's bag. It has a hygienic spout cover on the top that opens with one finger and locks closed again. Handily, it's the width of a drinks can, so it can fit neatly in your fridge or in a schoolbag.
You can attach the handy carry ring onto your finger or the loop on a backpack. The steel will keep the contents fresh and it is very easy to clean.
9. Contigo Luxe Autoseal Travel Mug, £24.95
Best for: not spilling
* 100% sealed and leakproof
* Dishwasher safe
* Available in a range of colours
You may find yourself taking this to work, as it looks so lovely but it's ideal for little ones as it actually seals itself between sips, thus preventing leaks.
It can't spill if knocked over (school teachers will appreciate this) and the lid-lock stops your child accidentally pressing the button to open it. It can be used for hot or cold drinks and its double wall keeps drinks cold for 12 hours or hot for five hours. It's BPA-free and easy to clean.
10. Caretta Stainless Steel Water Bottle, £14.50
Best for: eco-conscious kids
A colourful stainless steel reusable bottle to keep drinks warm or cold, this has a leakproof seal made from silicone, not plastic. It cuts disposable plastic bottles out entirely, and helps kids become aware of how much plastic pollution is in our seas. The company donates 25% of profits to remove plastic from the seas.
Which water bottle is best for kids?
Buying a water bottle for your children seems easy, but there are so many on the market, it can be difficult to choose! What features should you be looking for in the ideal bottle for your kids to take to school or nursery?
- A water bottle is usually made from plastic, stainless steel or silicone. Plastic should always be BPA-free, meaning that it contains no harmful chemicals.
- It's useful if the bottle can be washed in the dishwasher to make life easy for parents.
- Plastic bottles are usually fine in the dishwasher, but stainless steel bottles normally need to be cleaned by hand.
- The lid or cap should be able to be closed firmly to prevent a spill, but not so firmly that it makes it hard for children to open by themselves.
- There are also many different types of cap to choose from. Does your child like to drink using a straw or spout – or are they fine with swigging water from an open bottle neck?
- Some bottles have a retractable, pop-up straw so young children can sip a drink more easily without any spills, whilst others have a design with a special push-to-drink valve, which promise to stop any leaks.
- You can also buy very simple sippy cups with a spout. This type of cup is aimed at babies and toddlers.
- Another type of water bottle that's great are those that are insulated. These bottles are made in the same way as a Thermos flask. This means that the contents of the water bottle keeps chilled, ideal for having refreshing cold drink to hand on a cold day. It can of course keep the contents hot, too. This type of water bottle is more expensive because of its insulation.
Good brands of kids water bottle include Camelbak, Sistema, Contigo, Tommee Tippee and Littlelife.
You can buy kids water bottles from retailers such as Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and Argos. Some online retailers have free delivery, too.
Which is the best alternative to a plastic water bottle?
For environmental reasons, we all know that using too much plastic product is a bad idea.
Reusable plastic bottles are better than disposable ones, but obviously this doesn't completely solve the problem. Recently there has been an increase in the use of stainless steel for making water bottles.
They are heavier and bulkier than plastic bottles, so not ideal for really young kids, but are better for the environment than plastic bottles. Brands such as Camelbak and Chilly's make stainless steel water bottles which are very popular.
There are several things to think about when choosing and buying a kids' water bottle.
- Is the cap easy for kids to open and close by themselves?
- What should the water bottle be made from? Plastic is lighter but stainless steel is better for the environment.
- Stainless steel bottles are also often insulated, so can keep the contents either hot or cold.
- What sort of cap or lid does the water bottle have? Does it have a straw, sports cap or spout?
- Does the water bottle appear to be leakproof? Some water bottles are designed with special leakproof valves (actually using it, however, is the only way to get proof that it really doesn't leak!).
- It is light and easy for kids to carry about and use?
- Is the water bottle easy to take apart for cleaning?
- Can it be cleaned in the dishwasher or will it have to be washed by hand?
Got a baby who is just moving on from breast or bottle? Read our round-up of the best toddler cups and beakers.
Read on:
• The best bottles to mimic breastfeeding
• The best buys for weaning your baby
• The best beakers and cups for toddlers
