A good kids’ water bottle should be easy to open, simple to clean, and suited to the way your child likes to drink. The options below include straw bottles, a sip-or-chug design, and a tumbler-style cup. Our top pick is the Owala FreeSip Kids for its two ways to drink, locking lid, and stated cold-keeping time—but the best choice for your family depends on your child’s age, routine, and cleaning needs.
Quick Comparison
| Water bottle | Capacity | Standout feature | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owala FreeSip Kids Stainless Steel Water Bottle | 16 oz | Drink through a straw or sip from the spout | Kids who want two drinking options |
| THERMOS FUNTAINER Water Bottle | 12 oz | Covered, removable straw | School and everyday use |
| Owala Kids Tumbler | 12 oz | Spill-resistant lid and removable straw | Home, stroller, or booster seat use |
| Contigo Kids AUTOSPOUT Bottle | 13 oz | Push-button straw with spill-proof valve | Children ages 3 and up who want one-handed use |
| Ello Pop & Fill Kids Water Bottle | 18 oz | Quick-fill lid and sip-or-chug options | Kids who need a larger capacity |
Our Picks: Best Stainless Steel Water Bottle For Kids reviews
Owala FreeSip Kids: Best for Two Ways to Drink
The 16-ounce Owala FreeSip Kids is a strong all-around choice for children who like to switch between sipping and drinking more quickly. Its special spout lets kids drink upright through the built-in straw or tilt the bottle to sip from the opening.
A push-button lid opens to reveal the spout, while the protective cover helps keep it clean when closed. The carry loop also serves as a lock, a useful design detail for backpacks and busy outings. Double-wall insulation is stated to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and the wide opening makes it easier to add ice and clean the bottle.
The trade-off is cleaning: the bottle itself should be hand-washed, while the lid is dishwasher-safe. It is also not intended for hot liquids. Compared with the smaller THERMOS FUNTAINER, this Owala offers more capacity and a longer stated cold-keeping time; unlike the Ello, it does not offer a quick-fill lid.
Pros:
- Two ways to drink from the FreeSip spout
- Locking, push-button lid with a protective cover
- Insulation is stated to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours
- Wide opening for adding ice and cleaning
Cons:
- Bottle requires hand-washing
- Not for hot liquids
Verdict: Choose the FreeSip Kids if you want a versatile straw bottle with a locking lid and the longest stated cold-keeping time in this group.
THERMOS FUNTAINER: Best for a Covered Straw
The 12-ounce THERMOS FUNTAINER is a compact stainless steel bottle built around a covered pop-up straw. A push-button lid and integrated carry handle make it straightforward to open and carry, while the soft-touch grip gives kids another place to hold it.
Its vacuum insulation is stated to keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours. The bottle uses 18/8 stainless steel and is described as leakproof when closed. The straw can be removed for cleaning, and the bottle is dishwasher-safe, although hand-washing is recommended.
Its smaller capacity may suit younger children or shorter outings, but it means more refills than the 16-ounce Owala or 18-ounce Ello. The covered straw is a practical feature for school, though this bottle is not intended for hot liquids.
Pros:
- Covered, removable straw for easier cleaning
- Push-button lid and integrated carry handle
- Insulation is stated to keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours
- Made with 18/8 stainless steel
Cons:
- 12-ounce capacity is smaller than several alternatives
- Hand-washing is recommended despite being dishwasher-safe
Verdict: Pick the FUNTAINER if a compact bottle with a covered, removable straw matters more to you than maximum capacity.
Owala Kids Tumbler: Best for Easy Sipping on the Go
This 12-ounce Owala is a tumbler-style option rather than a fully enclosed bottle. It has an insulated stainless steel body, a spill-resistant lid, and a reusable straw that can be removed for cleaning. Its smaller shape is described as suitable for home, a booster seat, or a stroller cup holder.
The simpler tumbler design may appeal to children who prefer a familiar straw and easy sipping. The straw is removable, and the product instructions explain how to take out its gasket for cleaning. The cup should be hand-washed; the lid is dishwasher-safe, with hand-washing preferred.
Spill-resistant does not mean leakproof, so this is less suited to being tossed into a backpack than the locking Owala FreeSip or Ello. It is also not intended for hot, carbonated, or perishable liquids. The 12-ounce capacity is best for shorter outings or settings where refills are easy.
Pros:
- Insulated stainless steel body
- Removable, reusable straw and cleanable gasket
- Spill-resistant lid
- Designed for use in a booster seat or stroller cup holder
Cons:
- Spill-resistant lid is not described as leakproof
- Not for hot, carbonated, or perishable liquids
Verdict: Choose this Owala tumbler for supervised sipping at home or on outings, but consider a locking bottle for backpacks.
Contigo Kids AUTOSPOUT: A Straw Option with a Material Caveat
The Contigo AUTOSPOUT is described as a 13-ounce bottle for children ages 3 and up. Its push-button lid raises a straw for one-handed drinking, and a spill-proof valve is designed to help prevent spills even when the spout is open. The straw is tethered while being disassembled for cleaning, which helps keep parts together.
There is an important material mismatch to consider: although the product title calls it stainless steel, the supplied description identifies the lid and body as BPA-free plastic. It also does not provide an insulation claim. If stainless steel construction is a must, the Owala, THERMOS, or Ello options are clearer matches based on their descriptions.
The listing data provided for this product marks it unavailable, so check the listing before considering it. Its cleaning design may be appealing, but the plastic-body description means it does not meet a strict stainless steel requirement.
Pros:
- Push-button, one-handed straw access
- Spill-proof valve is designed to work even when the spout is open
- Straw can be disassembled for cleaning and stays tethered
- Top-rack dishwasher-safe parts
Cons:
- Supplied description identifies a plastic body, not stainless steel
- Listing data marks it unavailable
Verdict: Consider the Contigo only if you are open to a plastic-body bottle and confirm it is available; skip it if stainless steel is essential.
Ello Pop & Fill: Best for More Capacity and Fast Refills
The 18-ounce Ello Pop & Fill offers the largest stated capacity in this lineup. Its quick-fill lid opens for refills without unscrewing the top, and kids can choose to sip through a soft silicone straw or flip the lid to drink from the wide mouth.
The bottle is described as vacuum-insulated and made from BPA-free stainless steel. A locking, leakproof lid is designed to help keep spills out of backpacks and lunchboxes. The slim shape and carry loop also make it easier to bring along for field trips, car rides, and playground visits.
All parts are described as top-rack dishwasher-safe, a helpful point for families who want a simpler cleanup routine. The product information does not state how long it keeps drinks cold, so do not assume a specific cold-keeping time. It is a good fit for children who want more capacity and flexible drinking options.
Pros:
- Largest capacity in this selection at 18 ounces
- Quick-fill lid opens without unscrewing
- Choice of straw sipping or drinking from the wide mouth
- Locking, leakproof design and top-rack dishwasher-safe parts
Cons:
- No specific cold-keeping duration is provided
- Its extra capacity may be more than some younger children need
Verdict: Choose the Ello if your child needs a larger bottle, likes having two ways to drink, and you value quick refills and dishwasher-safe parts.
How to Choose a Stainless Steel Water Bottle for Kids
Pick a Capacity Your Child Can Manage
A larger bottle means more water between refills, but it may also be harder for a small child to carry. The options here range from 12 to 18 ounces. Think about how long your child will be away from a refill source and whether they can comfortably hold and open the bottle on their own.
Match the Drinking Style to Your Child
Straw lids can make sipping easy, while a wide-mouth option may suit kids who prefer to drink directly from the bottle. Some designs offer both: the Owala FreeSip allows straw sipping or drinking from its spout, and the Ello offers a straw or wide-mouth option. A tumbler can be convenient for supervised use, but a spill-resistant lid is not the same as a leakproof lid.
Check How the Lid Closes and Locks
If the bottle will travel in a backpack or lunchbox, look for a clear description of its spill protection and closure. The Owala FreeSip has a push-button lid with a lock, the THERMOS is described as leakproof when closed, and the Ello has a locking, leakproof design. Follow the maker’s instructions for closing the lid before packing it.
Consider Cleaning Before You Buy
Straws, gaskets, and lids can require extra attention. Removable parts can make thorough cleaning easier, but you will want to know whether the bottle is dishwasher-safe or needs hand-washing. For example, the Owala FreeSip bottle requires hand-washing, while its lid is dishwasher-safe; the Ello is described as top-rack dishwasher-safe in all parts.
Look at Cold-Keeping Information
Insulated bottles do not all list the same performance details. The Owala FreeSip is stated to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, while the THERMOS FUNTAINER states up to 12 hours. The Ello is described as vacuum-insulated, but the supplied details do not give a time estimate. Choose based on the information provided rather than assuming all insulated bottles perform alike.
Verify the Materials and Intended Use
Read the product description closely if stainless steel is a priority. The Contigo title mentions stainless steel, but its supplied description identifies a plastic body and lid. Also check what liquids the bottle is intended for: some options are not for hot drinks, and the Owala tumbler is also not for carbonated or perishable liquids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bottle is the best overall pick?
The Owala FreeSip Kids is the strongest all-around choice in this group for its two drinking options, locking lid, 16-ounce capacity, and stated cold-keeping time of up to 24 hours. The best fit still depends on your child’s needs and your preferred cleaning routine.
Which option has the largest capacity?
The Ello Pop & Fill has the largest stated capacity at 18 ounces. It also offers a quick-fill lid and a choice of straw sipping or drinking from the wide mouth.
Which bottle has a stated cold-keeping time of up to 24 hours?
The Owala FreeSip Kids is the option whose supplied description states that double-wall insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. The THERMOS FUNTAINER states up to 12 hours.
Are these bottles suitable for hot drinks?
Several descriptions explicitly say not to use their products with hot liquids, including the Owala FreeSip and THERMOS FUNTAINER. Check the product instructions for the specific bottle you choose, and do not assume an insulated bottle is meant for hot drinks.
Is the Contigo option made of stainless steel?
The supplied product title says stainless steel, but the description identifies the body and lid as BPA-free plastic. If a stainless steel body is important, confirm the materials on the listing before purchasing or choose an option whose description clearly specifies stainless steel.
Which bottle is easiest to clean?
The Ello is described as top-rack dishwasher-safe in all parts. The Owala FreeSip’s lid is dishwasher-safe, but its bottle needs hand-washing. For any straw bottle, check whether the straw and other removable parts can be taken apart for cleaning.
Final Recommendation
For most families seeking a stainless steel kids’ bottle, the Owala FreeSip Kids is the best place to start: it combines a locking lid, two ways to drink, a practical 16-ounce capacity, and a stated cold-keeping time of up to 24 hours. Choose the Ello Pop & Fill if capacity and quick refills matter most, or the THERMOS FUNTAINER if you prefer a smaller bottle with a covered straw. The Contigo’s supplied description identifies a plastic body, so it is not the best match if stainless steel is a requirement.