All the current deals on insulated bottles got me wondering which might the best budget insulated reusable bottles available in Australia be. I was surprised to find CHOICE ranks Anko and Sistema higher than the Yeti Rambler, which gets top spot for coffee from Popular Mechanics and high marks from the Bushwalking Blog.
I've added the ones from the CHOICE review; please feel free to add any omissions:
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We got these the other week as a random bunnings impulse purchase. Pretty decent considering the price and have gone all day with ice still left at the end of the day
https://www.bunnings.com.au/marquee-700ml-green-triple-insul…
Does it need to be available in store? I can't vouch for any of the Choice rated bottles or any store bought ones as I've never bought one, but I scored a free one through a work event that looks to be exactly the same one as this one (except with different branding). Supposedly copper-plated insulation, if that means anything.
I would highly recommend this bottle. The mouth is large enough to fit ice cubes, it insulates really well (there are times where I've placed cold water in the bottle and left it in a hot car for several hours, come back and it's still nice and cold) and the capacity is great (I actually thought it was 700 ml but 650 ml is still pretty decent, most I've seen in stores are 500 ml).
Supposedly copper-plated insulation, if that means anything.
Considering copper has good thermal conductive properties, that kind of seems like strange advertising 'benefit'
I'm no expert at thermodynamics but I would think that the vacuum insulation would have some sort of effect or interplay with the copper.
Either way, I know how this specific bottle performs. Maybe other bottles are better, I can't say for sure, but I can say that I do really like this bottle, although it being free is another reason I like it.
There's a couple of articles online about it, but they're a bit "market-y". Otherwise there's this reddit thread on the topic.
Considering copper has good thermal conductive properties
So does steel, of which mostly all insulated bottles are made of. @Ghost47 is right: it's the double walling that provides the insulation (much the same way it's double glazing that insulated windows). The advantages of copper are:
@wisdomtooth: But the copper isn't on the inside surface, so neither of those apply. The liquid doesn't touch the copper
Anyway from their blurb , perhaps there's some temp insul difference, but I'll leave the maths to the metallurgists :)
But the copper isn't on the inside surface
Ah, I see. Pity.
they're a bit "market-y"
"A bit," @Ghost47?? 😄
Otherwise there's this reddit thread(reddit.com) on the topic.
Ah, yeah, the 1st explanation there seems valid, and is pretty good:
Copper is a better reflector of themal infrared and high microwave energy, than stainless steel, (but not as good as gold.) It also has lower emissivity of thermal radiation in that range. Nevertheless, the majority of the heat loss from a typical vacuum insulated container is through the cap seal. An inside copper coating will only be a marginal improvement.
So, basically, the internal copper plating is mostly relevant for keeps chilled drinks cold while the bottle sits in the sun (or at least in a bright place). I don't think hot drinks radiate as much heat as the sun, do they?
Does it need to be available in store?
Not necessarily "in store," but at least deliverable to Australia (and still at budget level). That bottle indeed seems great — I drink copper water everyday — but at $41.50, which C³ says has been constant for the last 18 months, it's hardly budget (not even counting the shipping!).
I was surprised to find CHOICE(choice.com.au) ranks Anko and Sistema higher than the Yeti Rambler
You should trust Choice.
Let's see why I pay for Choice:
TL;DR in table form:
| Features | Choice | bushwalkingblog.com.au | popularmechanics.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of use test | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hot test | Not tested | Not tested | Measures heat loss over 24 hours with 190°F water |
| Cold test | Measures time taken for chilled water to reach 11.5°C | Not tested | Measures heat gain over 24 hours with 46°F water |
| Non-profit organization | Yes | No | No |
| Affiliate links | Only for some retailers (#3) | Top 4 links are affiliate | All links are affiliate |
https://www.bushwalkingblog.com.au: Garbage imho
Neil Fahey on August 31, 2018 at 11:29 am
Hi Otter,
Thanks again for your input. This article was never meant to be an in-depth review, just a brief roundup of what’s out there, which is why Rebecca hasn’t tested the claims. You are right that manufacturers claims probably should be taken with a grain of salt. That’s true for nearly every product, though, not just insulated water bottles.
Cheers
Neil
And the top 4 are all affiliate links.
Choice:
Our performance test measures how long it takes for chilled water (approximately 3°C) to reach 11.5°C while stored in each bottle.
Our ease of use test assesses ease of carrying, opening and closing, drinking and dismantling to clean. We also look for any leaks, condensation, odd tastes in the water and spills while drinking.
We also include general information on volume, dimensions, which bottles are double-walled for improved insulation and handling, and more.
Shopping links on the CHOICE website
CHOICE is an independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping consumers. Clicking a link will take you to a retailer's website to shop. While we make money if you buy through some retailer links, this doesn't influence any of our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission. We're currently testing this service and will consider providing more shopping links in the future. Tell us what you think.
Top 2 are NOT affiliate links, #3 is, #4 isn't
Let's check https://www.popularmechanics.com/
Everything has an affiliate links as far as I can tell.
TL;DR of TL;DR Bushwalking blog even admits they didn't test anything
Bushwalking blog even admits they didn't test anything
Yeah, well, just a random review among the top results from a cursory search. Perhaps there are better choices to compare CHOICE to?…
I have a yeti rambler and it kills the anko ones that i bought for my kids. Not sure i trust choice based on my own experience. Anko are great for the price, especially if they are prone to being lost.
especially if they are prone to being lost.
✔️ Check 😞
Meh. Just buy one you like the shape, colour and spout of. I hate the otherwise great insulted bottle I’ve got because it has a stupid silly straw. Much rather have a nice big opening to drink properly from.
Agree on spout — I love those Decor ones with a flip top, bc its the only one without a straw easy enough to drink from while driving — but… what about insulation? (which that Decor one hasn't got)
Which Is The Best Budget Insulated Reusable Bottles…..
There's a few of them on that list, like the Sigg and Yeti, that I woudn't exactly describe as "budget"! haha
Fair enough!
Best bottle is the one I got for free when I bought my car, it even comes with NFC 😬
If Choice gone to Fahrenheit then we know how impartial they have become!
I got a Sistema one when Coles had them for half price at $10 a few years ago. Got a few dints on it but still works well.
I don't know about budget, but we have pretty much Yeti everything in our family and the quality is top notch. Kids have the water bottle and when at rhe beach in 30+ weather, the water is still ice cold. Unlike the cheap ones from wollies a few years back, had a sip, and it was just about hot water.
Yeti for the win but not cheap, great quality. Kids are rough and the bottles still look brand new.
I’ve previously purchased double walled bottles at Aldi middle aisles. About $10. Best of all my bottles at home (admittedly I haven’t paid Yeti, Frank Green etc prices)
Full stainless steel or titanium double walled construction with a screw cap that has a single oring that you can replace when its worn.
I've tried a few of the stainless steel flasks however they leave a metallic aftertaste with water.
My preference is glass so I use this Double Wall Glass Tea Infuser Bottle - 480ml $12 & scrapped the infuser. Tea stays hot/warm for about an hour which is fine for my use case.
They're all a dime a dozen these days.
I have some Klean Kanteens from back in the day & they are OK, though nothing special.
I only use them for filtered water. I wouldn't use them for juice or anything acidic as stainless steel can leach.
stainless steel can leach
😲
Stainless steel can still leach metals such as chromium, iron, and nickel into food and beverages. (Nontoxu)
Is that bad, though?
To reduce the risk of leaching, it is best to use magnetically-attractive type of stainless steel such as 316Ti which adds titanium and molybdenum to strengthen the alloy. (Heritage Steel)
Don't they do that already?
I wouldn't use them for juice or anything acidic
What would you use instead? Plastic?? 😄
What would you use instead? Plastic??
Glass.
Got a Lenovo tablet for $50 yet?