Reusable water bottle under $25: steel or plastic

Which reusable water bottle is best under $25? A plain steel bottle for most people. A plastic bottle for the gym bag.

The reason

A steel bottle that is insulated (double walled) often keeps drinks cold for many hours, according to makers. It also does not hold smells or tastes. With care it can last for years.

Do the cost per use. A $20 bottle used 600 times costs about 3 cents a drink. A $5 plastic bottle used 150 times before it cracks or gets a smell costs about the same. Over a long time, steel usually comes out ahead, but only if you do not lose it.

How to keep it clean

Wash the bottle and lid with warm soapy water every few days. Use a bottle brush for the bottom. Let it dry open so no damp smell builds up. Only put it in the dishwasher if the label says it is safe.

What to check before you buy

• A lid that seals. Test it upside down if the store lets you.
• Wide mouth. Easier to clean and to add ice.
• Dishwasher safe or not. Some insulated bottles lose their coating in the dishwasher. Read the label.
• Plastic type. Look for a clear note that it is free of BPA, a chemical some people avoid.

The exception

Choose plastic if you will often leave the bottle in a locker, a car or a school bag where it might get lost or crushed. A $5 loss hurts less than a $20 one. Plastic also weighs less when you run or hike.

For more small buys that pay back, see things worth buying under $25.

Skip a bottle with a built in filter or a bundle of accessories unless you will use them. Replacement filters are a running cost. Our column on why the price tag is only the start explains why.