This Travel Writer Knows Water Bottles. The Only One I’ll Use Is on Sale for Black Friday
Most of us don’t drink enough water, and that may be because there isn’t enough to keep the practice enjoyable. But take it from a travel writer who takes 50 flights a year, a fancy bottle of Zojirushi is the answer. It is insulated, pleasant to sip, leak-proof, elegant and lightweight. It’s also only $31 this Black Friday.
There are few things more practical in everyday life than a portable water bottle who — checks grades — inspires you to drink more water. As a professional traveler, I never miss it. And given my singular love for The Zojirushi insulated bottle range and their variety of sizes and colors, no one on my holiday shopping list will be without them either.
I went through dozens of water bottles. It’s the only one I use now.
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Sorry, Stanley: Zojirushi’s stainless steel mug is best in class
In addition to traveling regularly, I also write about kitchen appliances and utensils, and I try not to dole out superlatives where none exist. I know from experience that many of the best lists come down to nuance or personal preference, but not here.
As someone who has put my mouth in front of many an insulated bottle to gauge how much plastic I’m asked to tolerate in order to enjoy the liquid it contains—which leads to whether the experience of sipping actually inspires more sipping—I can say without hesitation that Zojirushi is in a class of its own.
It has a sharp design. The thin frame makes it easy to grip and sip.
If the brand looks familiar but you’re not familiar with their bottles (since they haven’t reached the height of Stanley Cup fever), Zojirushi is best known for its beloved singing rice cookers. However, Zojirushi offers a variety of travel mugs, and yes, they are insulated to a degree that you might want to consider using for over-hot coffee that stays over-hot for several hours. Insulation is a selling point, but never mind the coffee – it’s water where the Zojirushi bottles are truly in a higher class.
Let this be a testament: Although I also received many promotional insulated bottles that I could have used for free, when I inadvertently left my Zojirushi in an airport one time before boarding, I had my finger on the Amazon trigger for its replacement before the plane even took off. (I hope this brings daily joy to whoever found it.)
All the features that make the Zojirushi bottle worthy of a gift
The delicate sipping mechanism avoids messes better than others I’ve tried.
In the coffee test modules, Zojirushi kept the liquid hot – like really hot – virtually all day thanks to its vacuum insulation. But it also works magic for cold water, and I use mine almost exclusively for that purpose. I put ice in the bottle on a hot summer night and in the morning the ice was still ice. And its generous opening allows for easy application of most refrigerator ice cubes.
The roof opens with a satisfying sound at the touch of a button, which can even be operated with one hand, for those of you who get thirsty while driving. The locking mechanism is so airtight that not only do I often confidently toss it into a tote next to my laptop, but I’ve also packed it in a bag full of clean clothes for a weekend away.
The head flips 180 degrees, exposing a delicate sipping mechanism that doesn’t get grimy as quickly because it doesn’t require as much lip contact. The physics between the cup and the sipper even creates a pleasant gurgling sound similar to a water fountain. I don’t have the science to explain this, but I just know that it truly enhances the drinking experience.
All the elements of the tray are easily disassembled, allowing for judicious cleaning, including in the dishwasher. The interior of the bottle is stainless steel, allowing for a pure taste, and the exterior and lid are all BPA-free plastic.
More! It’s available in several sizes and slight pattern variations, with a multitude of stylish colors, for around $35. (Also well within the appropriate range for the average white elephant exchange, just saying. Is it weird that I want to see people fight over this?) The 12 ounce black color in the Stainless steel mug is on sale for Black Friday for just $25.
4. 6 stars on Amazon
I’d like to think I was the only preacher of the magic of these bottles, but the Amazon reviews don’t lie, and over 20,000 people have given the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug 5 stars. One enthusiastic reviewer even points out a factor I hadn’t considered: BEST FOR MOTORCYCLES! You know what? I agree. Again, no matter what people are in your life this year, this bottle is probably for them.
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