Back to school means back to packing lunches and drink bottles, and every parent wants their children to be well equipped to face the day. Having a good quality water bottle gives you that extra peace of mind. You may be looking for a bottle that keeps water cool throughout the day or something that can store hot and cold drinks. If you’ve ever experienced low-quality bottles that leak or break, you will be eager to steer clear of repeating that experience.
Follow this guide to comparing our top 6 drink bottles for kids, as we review prices, quality, design and cleaning methods. You’ll be happy to know that there are various options out there. Our top options are durable, leak-free and easy for little hands to use.
How we chose our top picks
This top 6 list was compiled after we compared 15 leading brands, 288 different products with 50 reviews and more on Productreview.com.au, Amazon and other leading brands.
Our top drinking bottles for 2021:
Plastic
Tough, sturdy reusable plastic bottles for easy cleaning and comfort:
Insulating
Insulated drink bottles that keep your drink at the desired temperature all day:
Camelbak Eddy Kids Water Bottle—Best for non-spillage
Pros
- Very sturdy and strong.
- Simplified stem and straw are easy for cleaning.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Stain-resistant.
- The mouthpiece can be replaced.
Cons
- Straw is not attached and can get lost.
Price (RRP): $24.99
The Camelbak Eddy Kids Water Bottle is made of taste-free Tritan and is 100% BPA free. It combines the big valve with the stem straw and easy for kids to use. The lid can be detached for easy cleaning. It is also spill and leak-resistant and comes in a variety of designs kids will love.
Specs
- Ages: 3-8
- BPA free.
- Capacity: 0.4l
- Materials: Tritan
Customer Reviews
Customers have found this bottle to be very durable and were happy to pay this price. They were pleased that the mouthpiece was replaceable, but said that it could get lost since it is detachable.
Skip Hop Zoo Straw Bottle —Most affordable
Pros
- Comes with a handy strap.
- Extra straw included.
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons
- Paint fades quickly.
- Not leak resistant.
Price (RRP): $12.74
This Skip Hop Zoo straw bottle has a flexible straw that creates an easy transition for kids moving up from the sippy cup. It has a plastic flip-top lid to keep the straw clean, and an extra straw. It’s made of lightweight plastic in joyful designs and is easy to clean. At just $12.74, it is one of the most affordable available in Australia.
Specs
- 350ml
- BPA free
- Materials: Plastic
Customer Reviews
Customers said this bottle was generally good quality and their children enjoyed drinking from it. They were disappointed that it was not spill-proof.
Skip Hop Zoo Stainless Steel Straw Bottle — Best for kids on the go
Pros
- BPA free and PVC free.
- Comes with strap.
- Non-slip silicone sleeve protects little hands while the drink stays chilled.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Includes extra straw.
Cons
- The plastic straw can be difficult to clean.
- More expensive than other bottles at $31.80
Price (RRP): $31.80
This Skip Hop Zoo stainless steel straw bottle is an excellent insulating bottle, which keeps your drink cool or hot while your child is at school or out for the day. It has a non-slip silicone sleeve to prevent little fingers from becoming chilled. Kids will enjoy the signature zoo characters and bright colours, as well as the sipping straw. A plastic lid covers the straw when not in use and pops up with the touch of a button.
Specs
- Capacity: 350ml.
- Materials: Stainless Steel
Customer Reviews
Customers who have bought this bottle say it is durable and easy for their kids to open and close. Some complained of leaking, and one customer said the lid broke within hours.
Simple Modern Disney Summit Kids Water Bottle — Best for cool drinks
Pros
- Vacuum sealed.
- Sturdy handle for carrying.
- BPA free
Cons
- Not suitable for hot drinks.
- No silicone cover to protect hands from chill.
- Only the lid is dishwasher safe.
Price (RRP): $27.74
The Simple Modern Disney Summit water bottle is a double wall drink bottle that is sturdy and leak-resistant. The stainless steel casing and vacuum seal will keep your drink cool throughout the day. However, it is not suitable for hot drinks. It’s easy for kids to hold and easy to drink from, and they will love the retro Disney designs.
Specs
- Capacity: 280ml
- Materials: Stainless steel
Customer Reviews
Customers were happy with the quality and durability of this item. They found it to be completely leak-resistant and said it was easy for their kids to use. They also said it kept drinks cool for a very long time.
Thermos Foogoo Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Sippy Cup —Ideal for younger kids
Pros
- Vacuum sealed to keep liquids cooler for longer.
- Comfortable to hold with plastic handles.
- No loose parts, safe for younger kids.
Cons
- Capacity is smaller than most other drink bottles.
- Not dishwasher safe.
- Pink colour limits the product to girls.
- Not BPA free.
This Thermos Foogoo Stainless Steel sippy cup is great for young girls and keeps their drinks cool while travelling. It’s small enough to accommodate the tiny hands of younger users. The handles protect little fingers from getting chilled and also allow easy holding.
Specs
- Capacity: 210ml
- Materials: Stainless steel and plastic.
Customer Reviews
Customers found this bottle to be good value for money and said their children were happy to drink from it. They say it is suitable for travelling, but it can be tricky to put it together.
Thermos Funtainer Drink Bottle — Biggest size
Pros
- Push-button lid.
- BPA free.
- Leak-proof.
- Can hold a large amount of liquid.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Australian owned company.
Cons
- Cannot be used with hot liquids.
- No silicone sleeve.
This Thermos Funtainer drink bottle is a stainless steel insulating bottle with a capacity of 355ml. It’s big enough to store enough liquid for a young school goer and can keep your drink cool for up to 12 hours. The push-button lid is easy to use and prevents leaking.
Features
- Capacity: 355ml.
- Materials: Stainless steel, plastic, silicone.
- Push button to open the lid.
Customer Reviews
Customers love this bottle, and so do their kids. They have reported no leakage or breakage incidents but suggested that a bigger size would be better.
Things to look for when buying a drink bottle for kids
- Durability: The reality is that kids are going to drop their bottles now and then. So, it’s crucial to choose a bottle that is sturdy and won’t crack easily. Metal water bottles are stronger than plastic. Also, beware of cheap paint that will wash off or fade after a few uses.
- Size: It’s essential to buy a bottle that is a suitable size for your child’s age. If they have little hands, the bottle should not be too broad, and it should also have sufficient capacity to hold the right amount of liquid for their needs.
- Leak-proof: A leaking bottle is every parent’s worst nightmare. Avoid soggy books and school bags by finding a bottle with a secure lid, vacuum seal or leak-proof mechanism.
- BPA Free: Keep your child safe from harmful chemicals with a bottle that is BPA free. Check the labels to make sure that this is specified.
- Insulation: If you want your child’s drink to stay cool all day while they are at school, insulated metal drink bottles are best. More specifically, if you plan to use hot and cold drinks, make sure it is a double-wall bottle and that it can withstand heat.
- Easy cleaning: A reusable water bottle can easily collect grime around the straw and on the inside if not cleaned regularly. Look out for a bottle that is easy to handwash or use in the dishwasher.
Compare the best water bottles for back-to-school
| Product | Price (RRP) | Insulating | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camelbak Eddy Kids Water Bottle | $24.99 |  |
|
| Skip Hop Zoo Straw Bottle | $12.74 | |
|
| Skip Hop Zoo Stainless Steel Straw Bottle | $31.80 |  |
|
| Simple Modern Disney Summit Kids Water Bottle | $27.74 | |
|
| Thermos Foogoo Vacuum Insulated Sippy Cup | $18.00 | |
|
| Thermos Funtainer Drink Bottle | $27.95 | |
|
Source: Amazon, Kitchenware, Hello Green Eco Store (January 2021)
Our methodology
15 brands examined
288 products compared
6 products chosen
- Our team researched the many drink bottle brands available in Australia that produce the best kids bottles.
- We poured over hundreds of online reviews (as of January 2021) to see which products gave customers the best results.
- Our editorial team selects the products on this list based on their benefits and features. Items are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Brands Compared
To choose the best back-to-school drink bottles, we considered the following brands:
- Avanti (9)
- Camelbak (48)
- Cheeki (25)
- Eco Bud (3)
- Enviro Products (4)
- Full Circle (1)
- Joco (3)
- Klean Kanteen (88)
- Sol (12)
- Southern Cross Pottery (2)
- Waters Co (9)
- Thermos (68)
- Simple Modern (8)
- Skip Hop Zoo (7)
- Camelbak (1)
We then carefully read hundreds of online reviews given by customers who have bought and tried these products. We looked at the features of each bottle to see how they performed.
We then chose the 6 top drink bottles in terms of quality, effectiveness, and price based on our research.
Conclusion
Finding a good drink bottle for kids is a treasure for parents because we want our little ones to be healthy and hydrated and develop good habits. Hopefully, this guide will help you make informed choices regarding BPA-free plastic, insulation, cleaning and durability so you can avoid common mishaps such as breaking, leaking and grime collecting.
If your child is very young, the Thermos Foogoo Vacuum Insulated Sippy Cup is a good option for a small water bottle with its sipping spout and handles. The Thermos Funtainer Drink Bottle has a larger capacity than most bottles and has most of the desired features for bigger kids. If you’re looking for something lightweight and affordable, the Skip Hop Zoo Straw Bottle is ideal. However, it’s generally a good idea to compare all of your options before making a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Which kids drink bottle keeps water cold all day?
The Thermos Funtainer Drink Bottle, Thermos Foogoo Vacuum Insulated Sippy Cup, Simple Modern Disney Summit kids water bottle, and the Skip Hop Zoo Stainless Steel straw bottle are all insulating bottles. They will keep your water cool all day.How much does a drink bottle cost?
A drink bottle for kids in Australia can cost between $12 and $30. With drinking bottles, it’s important to note that you generally get what you pay for. So, spending a little more money for a high-quality drink bottle may be worthwhile as they tend to last longer than cheaper alternatives.Where can you buy water bottles?
You can buy any of our top six water bottles online on Amazon, Kitchenware or Hello Green Eco Store. Generally, you’ll also be able to find drink bottles from your local store.Which drink bottle is the best size for kids?
For younger kids, a 200ml bottle is sufficient. For older school going kids, 350ml is a good size. You may also want to consider a larger water bottle if your child takes part in sports after school or if it’s a sweltering day.How do you clean a Thermos water bottle?
Thermos water bottles are usually dishwasher safe. If not, they should be washed by hand with water and soap. Check your bottle label for cleaning instructions.
