Eco-Friendly Product Review: Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle

So you’re thinking about buying a Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle, but not sure if it’s worth the price? I wrote this review because I was in the same boat as you, and want to share my experience after using this as my go-to water bottle for about a year.

About This Eco-Friendly Product Review

Before diving in, a few notes about these eco-friendly product reviews:

• I only review products that I’ve personally tried, and that I view to be sustainable based on how it’s made, the materials, product lifespan, packaging, and anything else that’s applicable.
• Some products that I use or view as “eco-friendly” might not be the same products that other people view as green or sustainable. Remember, we’re all on our own journey, so a product that I’m using and find helpful might be different to one that you’re using.
• I was not asked by the manufacturer or any organization to try this product. If you click a link to the product in this post, I may receive a commission if you purchase something linked in this post. More details about that here.

Klean Kanteen: Is It Worth the Money?

I’ve been using the stainless steel Reflect 18 oz. water bottle from Klean Kanteen with the bamboo cap for almost a year. I bought this size because it’s small enough to fit in my purse when I’m on the go. They also have a 20 oz., 27oz., and a 32 oz. growler size, and 64 oz., but I’m basing this review on the 18 oz. bottle since that’s what I’ve used. I’ve broken my review down into different categories and rated them out of 5 to help you decide if it’s the right reusable water bottle for you.

Price: 4/5

The stainless steel Reflect 18 oz. water bottle with bamboo cap is just under $30 on Amazon at $27.56 (at the time of writing this review). I know, I know… a little expensive for a water bottle, right? I had actually asked for mine for Christmas, so maybe you have a holiday or birthday coming up that you can add this to your wish list. Anyways, keep in mind that this is a stainless steel bottle that can last you forever. In fact, Klean Kanteen has a “Strong as Steel Guarantee” where if you are not satisfied with one of their products or if it doesn’t perform to your satisfaction, you can return it to wherever you bought it from or contact Klean Kanteen for repair parts, a replacement, or a refund. Basically, there’s no risk in buying one of these.

As a price comparison, Yeti offers an 18 oz. stainless steel water bottle for $29.99. If you’re buying for quality, this is in the price range I would expect.

Quality and Longevity: 5/5

Speaking of quality, this is one high quality bottle. I’ve had it for almost a year and it has no damage. I take it EVERYWHERE with me, and I mean everywhere. It’s gone everywhere on my travels and is my airport companion, from Paraguay to Milwaukee. I have also dropped this thing quite a few times, even while hiking, and it looks basically the same as when I bought it, save a few tiny scratches. Even the cap looks great, and I love that if it breaks or you lose it, you can buy a new top. On other bottles I’ve owned, if I lose the cap or broke it, I had to toss the whole thing.

The Klean Kanteen also looks sleek—definitely gets style points for the smooth steel look. It uses high quality, food grade 18/8 stainless steel, so this will not rust. I love the look and feel of the bamboo cap, though they do have alternative cap options such as the stainless steel loop cap.

In terms of longevity, this is one of those few products that could definitely last your entire life, which is why I’m giving this product a 5/5 rating on quality and longevity.

Functionality 4.5/5

Overall the Klean Kanteen is very functional. Unlike most other water bottles, doesn’t make my water taste like plastic—or metal, for that matter. It’s simple to clean by just rinsing out and from time to time using a bit of vinegar and water to wash—however, because the opening is so narrow, you might want to get a bamboo bottle brush to scrub it out. Honestly, I haven’t had to do this, because I solely put tap water in my bottle.

Hikers will love the loop that comes built into the cap to make it easy to hook onto your pack. If you’re a hiker, you’re also probably used to having a water bottle that screw open and closed (if you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out the video below). For me, this wasn’t a plus, because it means I need both hands to take a drink. This can tough when you’re driving and need to keep both hands on the wheel. Athletes who need quick access to their water and prefer the water bottles you can just squeeze will also have to get used to the way the Klean Kanteen opens. However, with the screw cap, you don’t have to worry about your water bottle leaking after you toss it in your bag.

Bonus function: I’ve seen hikers using this stainless steel bottle (usually they use the larger sizes) to boil water in while they’re camping, which is pretty sweet if you’re a hardcore hiker or love to camp.

Overall: 4.5/5

Pros: Will last a lifetime, completely non-toxic, cap can be replaced, looks great, very functional, great for travel and hiking

Cons: Price (although worth it, it’s a bit of money for most people to spend on a water bottle), sometimes hard to clean without a bottle brush

In conclusion, I love my Klean Kanteen and would highly recommend it to anyone—whether you’re an avid hiker or just need something to bring to work and fill up instead of buying hundreds of plastic water bottles.

You can buy a Klean Kanteen on Amazon, or your local outdoor or sporting goods store.