Ello Hydra 64oz Half Gallon Water Jug with Handle and Motivational Time Markers for All Day Hydration, Plastic Reusable Water Bottle with Straw and Locking, Leak Proof Lid, BPA Free

I have been cycling through water bottles for months now, one after the other, looking for my Perfect Bottle. I have learned I need a few things: A handle that doesn't protrude (they keep getting broken), a lid that pops open and doesn't need to be unscrewed, a straw I can use, an open airway that allows me to drink freely, a handle separate from the body of the bottle. These sound like fairly standard things for a water bottle to have but gosh darn it, I've had the hardest time checking off that list! (I also started to use a bottle carrier that helps keep my drinks colder longer, so that started to factor in- it's kind of a bag type of carrier with an insulated body. It works to keep my ice cubes from melting and diluting my tea!) I don't like refilling all the time, I drink a LOT of liquid, so I want 64oz minimum in size. With all these features in mind, I have been on a long, expensive road going through bottles to fit my criteria.I finally found everything I have been looking for in this bottle! I had forgotten what drinking from an unrestricted straw way was like! The last bottle -and the one I have used longest- for some reason has restricted airways so I have to keep unscrewing the lid to be able to drink. I think it's a suction thing but seems a bit odd. That old one was a Zulu brand I found in Walmart. It had a handle on top to grab but it broke in about a week. I could still use it, it was just broken and it didn't take the super glue at all. It protrudes off the back so doesn't fit into the carrier bag well. It also has a hollow handle that is rather hard to clean. This new one, the Ello Hydra, fixes all those problems!This one has a hinged and collapsible handle that tucks away flush to the bottle top when not in use. I have experienced no air issues, so I can just /drink/ when I want to which should not be a novel idea but has become that. The handle does not seem hollow meaning no liquid gets slimy in places a brush can't reach, which also means I may not need to clean with bleach now. The spout is still a soft silicone, which I like. The body of the bottle is smooth and rounded, which I like. The color matches my carrier bag extremely well which was not necessary, but I like it. I shouldn't be this enthusiastic about a water bottle, but I am! It's perfect! The long nightmare is over! This is the one to get! The 'motivational' time markers are just markers, there's no motivational sayings with them which many others have. I don't need motivation to drink and in a carrier, I can't see them anyway. If you /need/ motivational sayings on your bottle, then this is probably not the bottle for you unless you want to Sharpie on your own phrases (an idea that has some merit). I am better than good with not having them. I am over the moon with this Ello Hydra bottle! Stupid, yes, but happy! :D

I initially purchased one of these water bottles to see if I enjoyed it. After having one for several days I decided to purchase a second bottle. These bottles are great because they are aesthetically pleasing. The colors are nice and soft and the bottles hold the perfect amount of water to drink throughout the day and evening. I also like how the bottle is dishwasher safe. I have washed mine in the topic rack multiple times and have had zero issue with warping or melting. Also, there was no weird chemical smells or tastes. I like the versatility of having two options to carry the bottle. You have the side handle and then you have a hidden handle that opens from the top. I also appreciate the lock feature to stop the button from working to open the straw area. I have had no issues with leaking and no issues with button functionality thus far and have owned both bottles for close to a month and used them interchangeably for that duration. These are a great value for the money.

Overall this jug is adequate. I can fill it in the morning and know how much to drink all day.However, it certainly is NOT leak proof. I have spilled several times trying to tighten it to stop the leaking, but fail every time. I am thankful the straw works for me because if I had to tip it up every time I drank I’d be soaked wearing more than consumed.I like the double set of threads to allow left or right orientation of the lid. I do switch out depending on which table I set it on. Plus, always lifting the full jug would seriously overdevelop one side. Lol.My other complaint is although I am glad the handle is not a pass through to allow unreachable mildew to form I feel the separate pieces could be molded together better. When full the handle components strain and groan in a plasticy kind of way. It doesn’t win a vote of confidence for the long haul.I was pleased that this arrived with no odors and does not leach any flavors or impurities into my drinking water. It stays just as filtered as I put it in.The last thing I have yet to test is how dishwasher safe it is. I have only hand washed it thus far. But I hope to find it passing on this point as well. If not, I will update this review.This is a sit-on-the-desk/table bottle only. Definitely not for tossing into gym bag or taking to the beach. I could consider taking it to the flea market if I could keep it upright.It would be nice if it had a rubber/silicone bottom to not mar up the wood furniture too. I bought one but it’s not exactly a perfect fit.

So, it’s a really good water bottle. It’s cheap, it’s cute, it doesn’t take up too much space in your tote and I end up drinking more water now that I bought it.It holds 4 16.9 FL OZ (all the way to the tippy top) you have to open the clear cap with the button which is fun and there’s a straw. I went from drinking two or at most three water bottles all day, to just finishing the bottle at the end of the day, to finishing the water bottle before 7PM.The only bad thing I’d say is the button wears down after a while. I have to press the button and flip the cap myself. Until I discovered if I press it harder it’ll open. But now I jump every time I open it because pressing it hard only works 97% of the time.There’s also a lock to prevent you from opening up in the first place I guess to prevent any spillage. But it doesn’t work at all.