Owala FreeSip Water Bottle Review: The bottle the internet is obsessed with
It’s the TikTok trend that has made everyone up their daily hydration.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
The drink bottle market is completely oversaturated (pardon the pun) with countless options from fan-favourite brands like Frank Green, YETI, S’well and Camelbak leading the charge.
But there’s one bottle that has soared in popularity recently, with TikTok influencers showing it off and followers eating it up: the Owala FreeSip bottle.
While the brand introduced the water bottle in 2020, it really started to gain traction around 2022 and catapulted into the social media zeitgeist this year. With over 40,000 reviews, now you can barely walk down the street without seeing someone holding one and taking a swig.
If you’ve been living under a rock and want to learn more, or are keen to buy one for yourself but are sitting on the fence, we’re here to help.
Here is everything you need to know about the internet’s favourite drink bottle, as well as what we really think of it and if it lives up to the hype.
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle, 900mL, $69.95 at Amazon Australia
Owala drink bottles came onto the market in 2020 and quickly became a game changer in the water bottle industry thanks to a standout feature: the FreeSip spout.
Combining convenience and practicality, this innovative feature lets you drink however you find most comfortable, either through a built-in straw or wide mouth opening spout. What’s more, its push-button lid makes sure that taking a drink either way is spill-proof and leakproof.
It’s also super functional with triple layer vacuum insulation that keeps cold water at the ideal temperature for up to 24 hours, plus it’s BPA and phthalate free. Many also love the ergonomic carrying loop which hangs off the hand so they never leave it behind by mistake.
Whether you’re after a bold and bright colour or something a bit more subtle, these Owala bottles have you covered. You can choose from a huge selection of colours and designs. Some of the best options include Shy Marshmallow (a silver grey shade), Gemstone Chic (a deep orange with purple and pink lid), Dreamy Field (a light pink with a black and purple lid) and Neon Basil (a neon blue with light green lid).
The 900mL/32oz. size is cup holder friendly, and can easily slip into any gym bag or backpack. Both the lid and straw are safe to put straight in the dishwasher, and while the stainless steel bottle is dishwasher safe, it is recommended to hand wash it to maintain its stylish look.
If the 900mL size isn’t for you, you can also buy an Owala water bottle in 700mL and 1.2L sizes. The brand also sells the SmoothSip Slider coffee tumbler, a stainless steel insulated tumbler, a kids flip bottle and a kids plastic tumbler. They even sell a pet water bowl so your furry friends can lap away in style. Paw-some!
There are thousands of TikTok videos showing people completely head over heels for their Owala water bottle.
TikTok user @themagicalmillennial told her 475,000 followers, “the way it keeps your water cold is amazing too, love a little pastel colour”. She recommends it “for those who are like super active, go to the gym a lot, you don’t want a bottle that leaks, and this one, there’s zero leaking here”.
A second influencer @_lauraread_ called it her “new emotional support water bottle”, and proudly boasted she’s “officially an Owala girlie”.
Here’s what we really think about the internet’s most beloved bottle
Tried and Tested by Cindy Du, eCommerce Producer
About a year ago, I got myself an Owala Classic bottle and as someone who rarely drank water, I’m still using it! And I’m drinking a lot more water! About a year ago, I got myself an Owala Classic bottle and as someone who rarely drank water, I’m still using it!
When looking for a water bottle, I had a few key criteria in mind. It couldn’t be too wide or too small. It had to keep water cold. And I didn’t want a bottle with an annoying mouthpiece that required too much cleaning.
My ideal bottle was a slim build to fit my small university bag, had a coffee cup style mouth piece, was insulated like a travel mug, and have a handle. Not hard right? Luckily, the Owala Classic bottle ticked all the boxes! The absolute best thing about it is the mouthpiece - you can easily sip from the straw or chug straight from the spout without touching the actual mouth piece.
Durability wise, after a year of constant use, it has held up nicely with only a few chips and scratches. Cleaning is also so easy as parts are detachable.
My first colourway was the Shy Marshmellow and I’m so obsessed I recently picked up the Very Very Dark one. There are so many fun colours to choose from though! There really is an Owala for everyone.
Tried and Tested byHarriet Amurao, checkout Shopping Writer
Just when I thought I had ditched water bottles with a straw for good, I found myself converting back to one while I was in America.
Unlike other bottles I’ve had in the past, the Owala offers the best of both worlds – you can sip through the straw or chug with the FreeSip spout which is great.
It’s super easy to carry around with the handle, it’s leak-proof and genuinely keeps my drinks cold for hours. And there’s also no need to touch the straw or push a button for the straw to flip out. Not to mention, it’s so easy to clean, has a non-bulky design and comes in so many cute colourways!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE REUSABLE DRINK BOTTLES BETTER THAN PLASTIC BOTTLES?
Drinking from a reusable water bottle is considered a lot better than a single-use plastic bottle.
Reusable bottles can be used multiple times and can last for years without needing a replacement, making them an eco-friendly option. They’re also incredibly durable, with many made from stainless steel or thick plastic that can handle a good amount of accidental bumps and drops.
While they may initially cost more, buying a reusable bottle can save you a lot in the long run, replacing a daily $5 spend to buy a plastic bottle. They also provide greater insulation to keep your drinks cooler for longer and typically use BPA-free materials so harmful chemicals don’t leach into your drink.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I BE DRINKING EVERY DAY?
The general rule of thumb is to drink at least 2L of water a day, which is roughly eight glasses, but this varies from person to person. Healthdirect recommends that women drink about 2.1L a day and men should drink around 2.8L.
WHAT WATER BOTTLE BRAND IS THE BEST?
There is no set answer to what is best as everyone has their own brand preferences. To help you pick the one for you, here are some of the biggest and most beloved water bottle brands right now.
- Owala: These bottles have become super popular the recent years thanks to their FreeSip lid, which lets you swig and sip your water without spilling or leaking. They also come in a wide range of colours to suit your aesthetic.
- Stanley: Two of the most popular are the Quencher H2.0 Flowstate tumbler and the IceFlow 2.0 bottle thanks to their strong build, great thermal insulation and slick design.
- Frank Green: This Australian brand has soared in popularity due to its minimalist design, great insulation and the variety of sizes and colours.
- Hydro Flask: Known as a popular Stanley dupe, Hydro Flask bottles boast a simple but effective design with great insulation and a wide opening.
- S’well: S’well bottles have a huge following thanks to social media influencers and celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba and Kendall Jenner, who use them as their go-to bottle. They also have excellent insulation, keeping water cold for up to 24 hours.
- Camelbak: The Eddy+ Camelbak bottle has an innovative bite valve to take a sip of water hands free. It’s also vacuum insulated and leakproof.
- YETI: YETI bottles are made from stainless steel and boast double wall insulation that can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours.
Looking for more high quality bottles that’ll keep your drinks cool? Check out our complete roundup of the best water bottles on the market. Also make sure to sign up to our free news.com.au checkout newsletter to get the latest on all biggest shopping trends and upcoming sales.
‘Small but mighty’ stick blenders worth drooling over
Guacamole has never been ‘so fluffy and creamy’ than with these top stick blenders.
‘Top-notch’ baby bottles that get the job done
Finding the right baby bottle can be trial and error but these fantastic options will speed up the process.
Level up your air fryer game with accessories thousands rate
Accessorise your air fryer with these handy liners and attachments for even, convenient and mess-free cooking.
‘Best machine ever’ for pasta lovers
Shoppers say they’ll never buy pasta from the supermarket ever again, thanks to this top-rated pasta maker.