The average American is not getting nearly enough water intake as they should be. According to Civic Science, “polling shows that close to half (47%) of U.S adults consume far below the recommended drinking amount. We are always told to drink water, but I believe people don’t know the actual importance of drinking water, not only for your physical health but for your mental health as well. Recently, water bottle companies have noticed the correlation between steady hydration and good mental health, so to encourage people to drink more, aesthetic water bottles have become the new craze. This first started off with the Hydroflask back in 2018, but has now led to the great Owala in the 2020s!
The Freesip Owala is well-loved online, earning 4.7 stars on Amazon and making Time Magazine’s list of 200 for best inventions of 2023. Although it may seem like another basic water bottle, it gets its unique name from its sipping mechanism that makes you look like a koala when you drink from it. The sip feature lets you cover the lid from germs and prevents spillage. It also lets you swig from it by tipping the water bottle back. It has a sleek, matte design that is easily marketable for people of all ages, especially teens and kids who are always on the go. Its handle is attached to the lid, making it convenient for everyday carrying, and they come in many sizes: 16oz, 24oz, 32oz, and 40oz. On top of its great technology, it comes in various colors like ‘Sky Marshmallow’ (White and grey), ‘Denim’ (Blue and grey), and ‘Water in the Desert’’ (Yellow and orange). Owala makes the importance of hydration fun for everyone.
In every market there is competition, and Stanley is a big competitor for the Owala freesips. Although the Owala has great features. There are some things that the Stanley Flowstate quencher just does better. For example, one of Owala’s big downfalls is the base model does not fit in many cup holders, causing you to have it roll around in the passenger seat. This is not only convenient but dangerous if you’re not careful. The stanley has a smaller bottom no matter what size you get and can fit snug into your cup holder. It’s very easy to clean because of its lack of nooks and crannies unlike the owala which has many little areas that can easily attract build up or mold. Finally, its handle is much bigger and more comfortable to hold unlike the Owala no matter how full it is.
However, despite all these cons, I believe the Owala rises above all of that especially because of its price! The Owala is significantly cheaper than the stanley, its most basic model Owala (Shy Marshmallow, 28oz) is around $29.99 at stores like Target, whereas the most basic Stanley (Rose Quartz 30Oz) is Around 35-40! That is almost a 10 dollar increase for just two more ounces. Also, the Stanley straw is completely exposed to anything at all times unless you buy a straw cover which is usually another 5-10 dollars. Lastly, the Stanley is notorious for its leaking problem, which has a built-in function to prevent it, unlike the Owala, which I find is much harder to leak than the Stanley. The Owala shows time and time again why it’s the better water bottle compared to its competition.
In the end, it’s completely up to you to choose which water bottle suits your needs more, but the Owala does a great job of offering its innovative mechanics at a solid price for everyone. The sip and chug mechanic is something so simple that may slip over your head, but once you try it for yourself, you’ll realize this convenience is something you needed all along! If the positives outweigh the negatives for you, consider giving Owala a try, you’ll never want another water bottle again after that. I would know, considering I’ve had 3!
