We’re no strangers to the allure of the emotional support water bottle here at ES Best. At least half of our team sit at our desks with our chins resting gently on our 31.5cm high Stanley Quenchers, sipping water so constantly that the other half of the team acts as ad-hoc lifeguards – fearful that we may drown at any given moment.
As regulars on #WaterTok, the rise of the humble Owala FreeSip immediately caught our attention. Realised in a far sleeker form and available in a vast array of colours and sizes, the FreeSip’s naissance in 2020 didn’t immediately threaten the global Cult of Stanley – but the brand is certainly prepping for a hostile takeover as we speak.
One of the winners of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, Owala was praised for its mantra of ‘hydration made fun’. When Stanley recently came under fire for the existence of lead at the base of their water bottles – Owala chimed in with a promise that they, of course, would do nothing of the sort. Collaborations with the likes of beloved skincare brand Laneige, outdoors specialists Cotopaxi and American superstore conglomerate Target have further cemented Owala’s newfound cult status.
The #Owala tag has now been viewed on TikTok more than 270 million times, and viral videos demonstrating the comparative leak-proof power of their remarkably similar – and dare we say, far more attractive – Quencher-style 40oz Tumbler have received hundreds of thousands of reviews.
What's more, while a singular Stanley Quencher will set you back an eye-watering £44.99, an Owala FreeSip is half the price at £23 flat. You can even scoop up a bundle of Owala's three most popular designs for £83.
One subtly scathing comment reads, “I use my Stanley to water my plants” – referencing the torrential downpour of water that flows from the lid of the Stanley Quencher when tipped upside down. Yikes.
It’s also worth taking into consideration the Gen-Z-appropriate marketing approach that Owala has taken. Where Stanley later adapted to a newfound contemporary interest in the brand’s accessories, much of the population had only ever considered the brand – otherwise referred to as Stanley 1913 – to be a hardware and DIY-focused retailer.
On the other hand, Owala was founded with the intention to – as they put it – create magic out of the ordinary, transforming the mundanity of daily hydration into an uber-fun experience for all. Available in the UK as of July 2023, we simply had to engage in a full-depth review.
There are a whopping eight different Owala designs to choose from, with their hero products being the FreeSip and the 40oz Tumbler. There’s even a brand-new launch on the horizon called for those who find the pop-spring mechanism of the FreeSip jarring. The FreeSip Twist, which is available for pre-order now, features a brand-new twist lid design for the same price.
For this review, we tested four different sizes of the FreeSip and got a first look at the FreeSip Twist. Keep scrolling for our thoughts and feelings. Water bottles at the ready.
Buy now: Owala Free Sip - Owala, £23
Ellie Davis, ES Best Shopping Editor – FreeSip 1185ml
I am a Stanley Quencher super fan. My friends, family, colleagues and anyone I’ve spent more than five minutes with in the few months since it made a splash in my life will have heard me talk about it. It’s my favourite topic of conversation. I like the huge capacity, always having water on hand and the ease of drinking while I’m typing at my desk.
Naturally, I was intrigued by the idea of Owala. “Better than Stanley” – it was pitched to me. Could this be true? Could anything be better than my precious lilac-hued water container?
An immediate plus point in Owala’s camp is that the bottle is leakproof. I have put this to the test and it doesn’t spill or coat my entire bag in water – unlike the Stanley where I’ll find the contents dripping down my leg when I’m out and about. This is down to the integrated straw, making it a far more practical alternative when you’re going from office to home via the gym.
Yet the Stanley is a status item, it’s designed to be held and showed off. The Owala bottle is not quite as attractive. It has a playful colourway but feels more childlike than the sleek pastel hues of its competitor.
There is not much in the capacity of the Owala I’ve been testing: 1.185L vs Stanley’s 1.2L, however, it feels heavier – something to consider when the Stanley is already cumbersome. What’s more, it doesn’t fit in a cup holder. Not so much of an issue as you can stash in a bag, but not ideal on a treadmill (I learnt the hard way).
The leakproof nature is down to a lid, sealed with a clip and opened with a button. This means it’s not ready to drink the second that thirst hits and does mean that there is the possibility of it breaking and rendering the bottle unusable – this hasn’t happened, and it does feel sturdy, but the chance is there.
For the laziest among us, you can fill the Owala without unscrewing the lid, through the chug hole. Nice and handy!
So, is all the above enough to convert a staunch Stanaholic? Well, for sheer ease in portability, since I made the switch to Owala, my Stanley hasn’t made it off my dish-drying rack. Nuff said?
Buy now £23.00, Owala
Abha Shah, ES Best Deputy Shopping Editor – FreeSip 475ml
I know this makes me sound ancient, but I really don't understand the hysteria over water bottles. They are literally just containers in which to stockpile a higher volume of H20, so you're not overdoing your daily step count by shuttling back and forth to the sink for refills. The sole purpose is to trap liquid for you to drink. That's it. It could not get more basic.
I have a water bottle at work, sure. I use it to stay hydrated but not to a manic level. It's not on a pedestal or carefully locked away when I'm not in the office. I don't have mild panic attacks if it's out of my direct line of sight, like I do with my phone. It is just a thing that exists, like paperclips and public bins.
Needless to say, I was never the target audience for a Stanley bottle.
And it turns out, I'm just as blase about its so-called successor, the Owala.
Hilariously (for others, not me), I was given the kids' version to try. The only difference that I can see is that it's a smaller 475ml volume, presumably because children haven't developed the upper body strength required to lug around the 710ml adult version.
There are two locks to negotiate before you can quench your thirst, which is trying enough for an adult so I can only imagine the frustration for parched kids. That said, the double shield does mean that not a drop leaks out when it's properly closed, good news for mess-averse parents. This gives it a point over Stanley, who has had its good name dented by reported in-bag leaking.
The Owala looks nice. It's comfortable to hold. Look, it's fine. It's a sippy cup. I can't drum up much more enthusiasm for something that just. holds. water. Insults don't get more cutting than indifference.
I can't help but think this Gen Z madness over water bottles is a smokescreen for an underlying issue, a way to cling onto a minuscule element of control in an increasingly spiralling world. In which case, I would rather waste £30 on a couple of strong drinks or a relaxing spa treatment than splurge it on a water cup.
Buy now £19.00, Owala
Tania Leslau, ES Best Shopping Writer – FreeSip 946ml
Contrary to the less-favourable opinions of my colleagues, I love my new Owala bottle. As someone who slacks when it comes to staying hydrated, the bottle has many redeeming features that keep me sipping. Firstly, it’s a great size for keeping desk-side as not many refills are required. The flippy lid that unleashes itself at the push of a button is wildly entertaining and the rich olive hue is so chic which in my eyes, is a major win.
However, I feel obliged to note that my positive review is most probably down to a personal quirk that not many people share. According to my close friends and family who have spent extended periods of time dining with me, I’m a bit of an unorthodox drinker. I struggle to ‘down’ large amounts of liquid which bottles featuring larger mouthpieces tend to promote. Yes, this is niche, and yes, Fresher's Week was a traumatising time because of my pathetic gullet - but Owala’s sippy-cup design which features an in-built straw meant I could swig elegantly and in peace. Plus, no spillage occurred because of the mess-free design which brings out everyone's inner child, whether you like it or not.
Not to tap into the ‘I’m Not Like Other Girls’ cliché, but milkshake-shaped Stanley cups have never piqued my interest, especially now I have Owala on my radar. I’m also terrified of tripping and impaling myself on the Stanley's external hard-plastic straw, which realistically says more about my constant state of existential anxiety than it does about the bottle.
While I’m unsure if the less girlish, Instagrammable designs will spark internet sensation, I speak for the strange sippers everywhere when I say I’m team Owala.
Buy now £23.00, Owala
Saskia Kemsley, ES Best Shopping Writer – FreeSip 710ml, FreeSip Twist 710ml
When first unboxing the vast selection of Owalas on offer, I was immediately drawn to the mid-sized, ‘Gemstone-Chic’ coloured option. Neither too big nor too small, this Goldilocks was satisfied by the promise of 710ml of water with easy refill via the chug mechanism so I can get those daily two litres down the gullet.
As a veritable water bottle enthusiast who has a kitchen drawer dedicated to their collection, the FreeSip definitely took me by surprise. I’m well aware that many critics of the #EmotionalSupportWaterBottle lifestyle peg the trend as childish – an opinion I’ve wholeheartedly rebuked since its rise in popularity back in 2020. However, it’s safe to say that I’ve never felt more baby-like than when sipping from this water bottle.
Is this really a problem? No. Did it unsettle me during the first week of use? Absolutely. I couldn’t help but feel that the squashed oval shape of the sip section looked exactly like a child’s first sippy cup. Yet with influencers like Madeline Argy using literal sippy cups made for babies - it seems as though anything goes these days.
This nevertheless led me to prioritise the use of the chug mechanism, which I found far more appealing. In addition, where I did opt to sip, I often found that the straw had disconnected from the lid. Since my colleagues didn’t have this issue, I’m going to chalk it down to a faulty bottle.
The powerful spring opening of this water bottle also became a bit gimmicky over time. Rather than freely popping the lid open, I find myself attempting to mute the sound by opening the mechanism gently – with a hand shielding the top of the lid.
In comparison, the FreeSip Twist solved that problem entirely while keeping the handy carry loop in a far more flexible design.
Slight qualms aside, I’m quite obsessed with my new hydration accessory. Attractive, easy to drink from and available in an array of colours which suit my personality – I’m officially an Owala Stan.
Buy now £23.00, Owala
