LittleLife Children & Toddler Water Bottle With Easy-Access Lid & Straw, 400 ml

Product Information

We've tested and reviewed 18 popular water bottles, getting a range of people to try them out and rate them for ease of use (including drinking, carrying and cleaning). We also tested how well each bottle kept drinks cool and prevented spills. I’m often a little wary of water bottles with straws because I’ve previously found they become rather unhygienic. This water bottle uses antimicrobial drinking surfaces and a stainless steel telescopic straw, which comes with its own cleaning brush. It’s just as well, since it can’t go in the dishwasher. The lip, for me, is well sized. If it’s too large, you risk spilling water all over you clothes; too small and it’s not a comfortable fit for the mouth. Chilly’s is just right. I also find that, while some steel bottles can leave a slight lingering metallic flavour, these ones don’t. I like the textured feel of the bottle, which makes it a little less slippery than some steel options and prevents it feeling too cold or hot to the touch. Water stays hot for a long time – though I’m not sure about the 12 hours claim – and remains cold throughout the day; ideal if you’re on a long walk or a hike. They’re essentially tiny granulate cubes made from natural plant and fruit extracts which are low in calories and free from sugar, artificial flavours and sweeteners. The bottles are made with a perfectly sized drinking hole to drop these cubes inside and flavour the water – hence the name, Waterdrop. Stainless steel is a reasonable option for a sustainable water bottle as it’s 100 per cent recyclable. Plastic uses oil and water in the production and releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, but can be more environmentally friendly if it is recycled.

Unlike other sports bottles, it’s also beautifully designed. I love the blue linen colour (shown above). The powdered coating means it doesn’t slip, even with sweaty hands, and the ridged edging on the lid makes the cap easy to twist off. The rather large branding down the side is a turn off for me, though at least it’s subtle in colour. That said, Lululemon is a prestigious fitness brand which I imagine many would be proud to show off. 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? Dry it with the lid off. As most reusable water bottles are leakproof, leaving them to dry with the lid on will likely trap humidity and odours inside. Of all the bottles I tried, the Yeti Rambler had the best insulation which is why I’ve made it the best for hot water. The Chug Cap easily screws off which is ideal for drinking tea and coffee. Unfortunately the lid doesn’t screw directly onto the body - you need the Chug Cap between. Baking soda and vinegar. Pair baking soda with white vinegar to effectively clean the inside of your water bottle. Wait for the reaction to finish, rinse out and repeat if necessary.

Any BPA free water bottle, like all the ones above, are safe. Exposure to the industrial chemical BPA is believed to cause health problems, as I have explained in more detail in the introduction, but thankfully manufacturers are extremely cautious to avoid it these days. Glass and stainless steel are both naturally BPA free. If you’re particularly safety-conscious with your water, consider buying a filtered water bottle. Now I’ve got the negatives out of the way, I can talk about why I love the bottle. I have it in taupe, shown above. The powdered body is top and tailed by stainless steel bands with a small logo at the bottom. The lid has a large handle which can be grabbed with a whole fist and under that is what they call their ‘Chug Cap’. It’s a shatter-resistant plastic lid with a large chug opening in the middle for gulping water 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!

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. 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. UK consumers go through an estimated 14 billion plastic drinks bottles per year, according to Defra, but single-use plastic is falling out of favour thanks to efforts from David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg. More people are turning to reusable water bottles and in return, bottles are getting smarter. The best water bottles these days are insulated, leak-proof, filtered and BPA free. Some water bottles are dishwasher safe but it is still important to clean the smaller parts with a toothbrush or bottle brush, especially those with built-in straws. If not washed properly, bacteria like E. Coli can grow inside water bottles and lead to gastroenteritis. Mould can also start forming in unwashed bottles. How long can you keep water in a reusable water bottle? The body curves inwards around three quarters of the way up so you can wrap the rest of the hand around the body as you press the lid. I’d suggest it really needs to be a little higher, though I do have small hands.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. Warm soapy water and a bottle brush will clean all sorts of water bottles including metal, glass and plastic. I recommend that you use fragrance-free soap, as bottles made of silicone and plastic can take on the scent of the soap. For straws, use a pipe cleaner. If a straw is removable, soak the straw at least once a week,” says Byrne. We also love that it's so easy to keep clean – designed with only two parts – that both can be put in the dishwasher. Rinse out after each use. An obvious tip, but an important one. If you rinse out your water bottle after each use, you won't have to deal with stains on the inside. Cleaning the bottle regularly also prevents odours. BPA stands for Bisphenol A, an industrial chemical compound used in the manufacturing of strong plastics. Some research suggests BPA can leak into food and drink and cause health problems. “When looking for a bottle, look for non-toxic materials. Stainless steel is one of the most eco-friendly materials for a water bottle. Not only is it safe, but it is very durable and infinitely recyclable,” says Natalie Byrne, content marketing manager at Go Outdoors.

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. Binchotan Charcoal (also used in high-end barbecuing) not only filters out impurities like chemicals and metals but also imparts healthy minerals like potassium. Tangibly, this means tap water is eradicated of bad smells and tastes like bottled water. It takes around eight hours to do so, meaning you’ll get the best results filling it the night before. I adore the Yeti Rambler, but I couldn’t put it higher on this list because it’s so heavy. The lightest 532 ml version weighs 462g empty. For context, the S’wheat weighs almost half that, at 250g, and Chilly’s Series 2 bottles weigh 390g. Half a kilo may still not sound very heavy, but it sure will take its toll on weaker wrists. Five water bottles impressed us enough to be named Best Buys, including some excellent cheap reusable bottles, but others were marked down for annoying lids or leaving water tasting of plastic. What type of water bottle is right for you? Most companies say they can keep water cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. We wouldn’t recommend keeping water in your bottles any longer than that as it can start to take on a stale taste. That said, you can safely store tap water for up to six months, according to Healthline. Which are the safest water bottles to buy?In a departure from the traditional Chilly’s style, this brand new water bottle has a stainless steel straw with a sporty flip lid and carry loop, designed for use on the go. It comes in either 500ml or a litre. We've tested 18 reusable bottles from brands such as Bobble, Dopper, Chilly's and S'well to find the best options whether you're hiking, commuting or heading to the gym. Plenty can't go in the dishwasher. But washing them regularly is important to prevent germs building up. If you’re buying a reusable water bottle with the intention of becoming more environmentally friendly, it doesn’t get more sustainable than the S’wheat bottle. The S’wheat is a reusable plant-based water bottle made from wheat straw and bamboo. The wheat straw is the stalk part of cereal plants which remains after they’ve been harvested. Usually, wheat straw would be used as biofuel, animal feed or burnt in the open - causing pollutant emissions.