"Explore if Air Up Water Bottle lives up to hype. Discover features, benefits & more. Your ultimate fitness companion?"
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| "Air Up Water Bottle: A modern hydration solution for fitness enthusiasts." |
Air Up Water Bottle is a product that provides flavored water through natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices [1]. The bottle is designed to give the sensation of drinking flavored water by smelling it, using retronasal smell, and is available for purchase on the Air Up website [2].
The Air Up Water Bottle is best for anyone who suspects they should be drinking more plain water but can't live without the flavorings, and it is designed to save users from adding single-use plastic water bottles to the landfill [3]. This article will explore what the Air Up Water Bottle is, how it works, its product varieties, flavor pod selection, pricing and value, user experience, sustainability impact, competitor comparison, and ultimately answer the question: Is Air Up worth the hype?
What is the Air Up Water Bottle?
The Air Up water bottle is a unique hydration device that combines taste and smell to trick the brain into perceiving flavored water [4]. It uses a patented Scentaste technology based on retronasal olfaction, a neurological phenomenon where scent affects the perception of taste in the back of the mouth [4] [5].
The bottle is available in three sizes: 16, 22, and 28 ounces, with a hard plastic or insulated metal shell [4]. The plastic bottle is made of durable, BPA-free Tritan plastic with a rubber mouthpiece and straw [3] [1]. The stainless steel bottle comes in two sizes, has double-wall insulation, and has a screw-off top for easy refilling and cleaning [1].
The Air Up water bottle enhances the taste of water through scent, utilizing flavor pods that sit atop the water bottle [1]. The scent pods are disposable and infused with fruity scents made from natural aromas with:
- 0 calories
- 0 sugar or sweeteners
- 0 artificial flavors
- Suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets [6]
When drinking through the straw, the simultaneous smell hits the nose, tricking the brain into perceiving the flavor of the scent [4]. This innovative approach encourages users to drink more water, which is a positive health choice, reducing their reliance on sugary beverages [8] [9].
How Air Up Water Bottle Works
The Air Up Water Bottle works by leveraging the science of retronasal olfaction, where scent-flavored air bubbles travel through the straw into your mouth, producing a bubbling sound and perceived as taste [1]. The tongue can only detect basic flavors such as sweet, sour, bitter, or salty, while the nose contains receptors that decode more complex flavors [10]. Air Up allows users to taste their favorite flavors through scent, creating a new drinking experience [10].
To use the Air Up Water Bottle:
- Fill it with fresh drinking water
- Attach the straw and fit the mouthpiece
- Press on the aroma Pod and activate it
- Drink through the straw without tilting the bottle [5]
The bottle has a silicone lid with a straw and a circular indent for the scent puck, which is placed over the straw and fits into the rubbery groove in the lid [4]. When drinking through the straw, the water is infused with the scent, creating a fruity aroma [4]. The effectiveness of the technology is based on a neurological phenomenon where scent affects the perception of taste in the back of the mouth [4]. The science behind the technology is valid, according to Donald Katz, a professor of psychology at Brandeis University [4].
The Air Up water bottle has been tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab [1]. The Lab tested nine different flavor pods, rating them based on flavor, longevity, and strength [1]. The air up® hydration system uses scent to flavor water, with:
- 0 Calories
- 0 Sugars or sweeteners
- 0 Artificial flavors
- 0 Regulated allergens
- Suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets [6]
Air Up Water Bottle Product Varieties
The Air Up Water Bottle comes in a variety of sizes and materials to suit different preferences and needs:
- Three sizes: 16 oz, 22 oz, and 28 oz [4] [6]
- Two materials: BPA-free Tritan plastic and double-wall insulated stainless steel [1] [4]
- The plastic bottle is lightweight but not dishwasher safe, while the stainless steel version is heavier and also not dishwasher safe [1]
- Prices range from $32 to $65, depending on the size and material [4] [6] [11]
Air Up offers starter sets that include a bottle and flavor pods:
- 22oz Original set: $32.00, includes 1 bottle and 3 flavor pods [6] [26]
- 16oz Steel Bottle set: $52.00, includes 1 bottle and 3 flavor pods [26]
- 28oz Steel Bottle set: $57.00, includes 1 bottle and 3 flavor pods [6] [26]
- Each pod flavors at least 1.3 gallons of water, and a 3-pod pack lasts about 10 days, assuming a daily consumption of 50 oz [6] [26]
The Air Up Starter Set (Pearl White bottle + Watermelon pods) includes:
- 1 Pearl White bottle made from BPA-free Tritan
- 3 Watermelon flavor pods, each flavoring at least 1.3 gallons of water
- Priced at $39.99, with free shipping from $59.99 [30]
Other product varieties include:
- Air Up Favorite Five variety pod pack: 5 flavor pods (watermelon, peach, raspberry-lemon, wild berry, and orange-vanilla swirl), equivalent to 6.6 gallons of water, priced at $14.99 [25]
- JMEY Air Water Up Bottle with Flavor Pods: 32 oz, green, Tritan material, round bottle type, 2-pound capacity, priced at $19.99 [29]
- Compatible with Air Up water bottle: various flavor options (blackberry, lemon, grape, coffee, etc.), priced at $21.99 [32]
Air Up Water Bottle Flavor Pod Selection
The Air Up Water Bottle offers a wide variety of flavor pods to enhance the drinking experience:
- There are currently 15 flavors available, ranging from apple to basil-lemon to orange-vanilla [1] [9]. These flavors include lime, lemon, apple, blueberry, cherry, cucumber, peach, watermelon, wild berry, orangeade, basil–lemon, and mango–passionfruit [3] [6].
- The flavor pods are made from natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices [1] [5] [27]. They contain no calories, sugars, sweeteners, artificial flavors, regulated allergens, or additives, making them suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets [25] [26].
- Each pod can flavor about 1.3 gallons of water [1] [10] [26], and the company recommends checking the 'best before' date on each pod since the scent may fade over time [1] [11].
Air Up offers various flavor pod packages:
Product | Description | Contents | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Favorite Five Variety Pod Pack | A curated mix of five beloved scent flavors - watermelon, peach, raspberry-lemon, wild berry, and orange-vanilla swirl | 5 air up® flavor pods, equivalent to 6.6 gallons of water or 70+ cans or 50+ bottles | $14.99 [25] |
Starter Sets - Flavor Pods (3-pack) | Flavors: Peach, Cherry Cola, Lemon, Apple, Cherry, Watermelon, Wild Berry, Ice Tea Peach, Orangeade, Raspberry-Lemon, Strawberry Lemongrass, Orange-Vanilla | 3 x Flavor pods | $7.99 - $12.99 [26] |
Candy Island Variety Pack | 3 pods, 15 litre capacity | €8.99 per pack (currently out of stock) [15] | |
Sweet Sip Bundle | 8 pods, 45 litre capacity | €19.99 per bundle (originally €21.98, currently out of stock) [15] | |
Flavor 5 Variety Pod Pack Vol. 2 | 5 pods, 25 litre capacity | €12.99 per pack [15] | |
Flavor 5 Variety Pod Pack Vol. 1 | 5 pods, 25 litre capacity | €12.99 per pack [15] |
Additional scent pods come in packages of three, costing between $8 and $13 each [4]. The scent pods are infused with fruity scents and are designed to be replaced every three days [4]. However, users should note that the scent may linger in the silicone nozzle even after cycling through a few pods, leading to a cloying amalgamation of scents [4].
Pricing and Value of Air Up Water Bottle
The Air Up Water Bottle is available in various sizes and materials, with prices ranging from $32 to $65 [4] [6] [11]. The 22oz Original bottle is priced at $32.00, while the 16oz Steel Bottle costs $52.00, and the 28oz Steel Bottle is $57.00 [26]. The bottle uses flavor pods that last for about 1.3 gallons of water [1], with each pod flavoring at least 160oz (~1.3 gal) of water [14]. A pack of three scented pods costs between $7.99 and $12.99 [13] [32].
Product | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
air up® Favorite Five variety pod pack | $14.99 | 5 flavor pods, equivalent to 6.6 gallons of water or 70+ cans or 50+ bottles [25] |
Starter Sets - Bottles | $32.00 - $57.00 | 22oz Original: $32.00, 16oz Steel Bottle: $52.00, 28oz Steel Bottle: $57.00 [26] |
Starter Sets - Flavor Pods (3-pack) | $7.99 - $12.99 | Prices vary between $7.99 and $12.99 [26] |
air up® Starter Set | $59.99 | Just $59.99 away from free shipping [29] |
Starter Set - Pearl White bottle + Watermelon pods (3-pack) | $39.99 | 1-5 business days, free shipping from $59.99 [30] |
JMEY Air Water Up Bottle with Flavor Pods | $19.99 | List Price: $25.00, Price: $19.99 (with 20% savings), Eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime [31] |
While the Air Up system offers a unique drinking experience, some users may find the flavor pods to be expensive and wasteful, as they need to be replaced every 1.3 gallons [7]. The price per pod ranges from $7.99 to $12.99 for 3 pieces [13], and each pod lasts for 4 gallons [13]. However, new customers can get 50% off or more compared to other flavored drinks, and there is free shipping on orders of 3+ pod packs [13]. Concerns include pods not lasting long for the per-pod price and not being ideal for those who drink a lot of water and need a larger water bottle capacity [1].
User Experience about Air Up Water Bottle
The Air Up water bottle has received mixed reviews from users, with an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 based on 776 reviews for the starter sets [26]. However, on another platform, the bottle has an average rating of 1.8 out of 5, based on 99 reviews, with only 18% of reviewers recommending the product [18].
Positive user experiences include:
- The innovative concept and pleasant scents that encourage increased water intake [18].
- The variety of flavors available for different palates [18].
- The ability to flavor water without additives using scented pods [18].
- The bottle's capacity to hold up to 32 ounces of fluid [18].
- Testers who struggled with staying hydrated or found plain water boring enjoyed the product [1].
Negative user experiences include:
- Weak flavor enhancement, with the effectiveness of the scented pods depending on the flavor [18].
- Difficulty in drinking due to the straw design, which prevents the bottle from functioning properly as a regular water bottle [4].
- Non-returnable policy and mold formation on caps [18].
- Leaking problems and a plastic bottle that doesn't keep water cold [18].
- Some testers did not notice a significant difference in taste or found the scent to be artificial [1].
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab tested the Air Up water bottle, collecting over a hundred data points [1]. Consumers were asked to assess whether the pods made them think they were drinking flavored water, how often they reached for it, how easy it was to use, and if anything changed with their hydration habits [1]. The results were mixed, with some testers finding it innovative and helpful in increasing their water intake, while others saw it as a gimmick [1].
Sustainability Impact of Air Up Water Bottle
The Air Up Water Bottle offers a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottles, reducing plastic waste by up to 88% and being up to 99% more transport efficient [6] [12] [21] [22] [23]. The company uses renewable energy sources for production, with pod production in the Netherlands being entirely powered by wind energy and the Tritan bottle facility in Austria getting 100% of its electricity from renewables [21] [22] [23].
Some of the key sustainability initiatives by Air Up include:
- Implementing carbon-neutral delivery in all European markets, excluding the UK, in December 2021 [21]
- Making Tritan bottle packaging more than 25% lighter in March 2022 and switching to FSC certified, recycled shipping cartons in April 2022 [21] [22] [23]
- Opening a Tritan bottle production facility in Austria in December 2022 and a pod production facility in the Netherlands in January 2023 [21] [22] [23]
- Purchasing biofuel for their sea and air shipments starting January 2023 [21] [22] [23]
- Planting a tree through their partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects for every order placed on their website [22]
Each Air Up pod can flavor over 1.3 gallons of water, reducing the need for 10 - 16.9oz plastic bottles per pod [21]. The pods are made from recyclable materials, but their recyclability varies widely depending on location [4] [12] [23]. The company is working on developing compostable pods, but no details have been shared yet [4].
Competitor Comparison with Air Up Water Bottle
- Just offers a variety of flavored waters and bundles with a focus on sustainability using aluminum bottles that can be reclosed and recycled [24].
- ONDRASOVKA a.s provides a wide range of flavored and non-sparkling mineral waters with a rich history and commitment to quality [24].
- Aguas Cotti delivers purified water, soda, and flavored water for home and business in the Metropolitan and Quinta regions of Chile [24].
- Eurounico Ltd's Rose Drops No.1 Drinkable Organic Rose water offers natural spring water infused with Bulgarian rose oil from certified distilleries, rich in minerals and probiotics [24].
- Sanrojal Bebidas y Alimentos S.A.S develops, produces, and markets treated potable water, flavored waters, mineral water, and also offers water bottling services to other companies [24].
- Danone Waters Deutschland GmbH provides natural mineral water filtered through six layers of volcanic rock, as well as various flavored drinks, teas, and juices [24].
- Vichy Catalan Corporation offers a wide range of high-quality mineral water products with and without gas, as well as flavors without added sugars [24].
- VIVREAU North America provides sustainable bottleless water systems, reusable glass bottles, and Vi Taps to help clients become more environmentally responsible by replacing traditional bottled water [24].
Bottle | Overall Score | Features |
|---|---|---|
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Straw | 85 | Insulation, comfortable carry loop, flip-up straw, quality construction [26] |
Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated | 84 | Well-insulated, great carrying handle, easy-to-clean design, stainless-steel straw, quality materials [26] |
Waatr CrazyCap Pro | 78 | UV filtration, large volume, well-insulated [26] |
Other top water bottle competitors include:
- Hydro Flask Standard Mouth (21 ounces): Best stainless steel water bottle, appreciated for its reliability, simple design, and pleasant drinking experience [25].
- CamelBak Eddy+ (25 ounces): Best bottle for the car, with a straw lid that makes it easy to drink from while driving and fits in a cupholder [25].
- Purifyou Premium (22 ounces): Best glass water bottle, made of borosilicate glass, which resists thermal shock, and has a metal-lined cap [25].
- Mira Cascade (17 ounces): Best tapered bottle, with a minimalist design and a lid that covers the drinking lip [25].
- Thermos Hydration Bottle (24 ounces): Best plastic water bottle, inexpensive, lightweight, leakproof, and dishwasher safe [25].
-
Is Air Up Worth It?
The Air Up Water Bottle offers a unique way to enhance the taste of water without adding calories or artificial flavors. The flavor intensity is designed to be subtle, enhancing pure hydration with a gentle taste rather than overwhelming the senses [14]. This makes it an appealing option for those who want to drink more water but find plain water unappealing.
While the flavor pods are not specifically designed for children, many young fans enjoy using the Air Up Water Bottle safely on a daily basis [14]. The lack of sugar, calories, and artificial additives makes it a healthier alternative to sugary drinks for kids and adults alike.
Ultimately, whether the Air Up Water Bottle is worth it depends on individual preferences and needs. For those who struggle to drink enough plain water or find it boring, the Air Up system can be a helpful tool to encourage hydration. However, the ongoing cost of replacing flavor pods and the potential for the scent to linger in the silicone nozzle may be drawbacks for some users.
Conclusion
The Air Up Water Bottle offers an innovative approach to flavoring water without adding calories, sugar, or artificial additives. By leveraging the science of retronasal olfaction, the bottle tricks the brain into perceiving flavored water through scent. While the system has its merits in encouraging hydration and reducing reliance on sugary beverages, it also has some drawbacks, such as the ongoing cost of replacing flavor pods and mixed user experiences regarding flavor intensity and bottle functionality.
Ultimately, the value of the Air Up Water Bottle depends on individual preferences and priorities. For those seeking a unique way to enhance their water-drinking experience and increase their daily water intake, the Air Up system may be worth trying. However, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits against the costs and limitations before making a purchase decision.
FAQs
Q: Is investing in an Air Up water bottle a good decision?
A: Generally, the Air Up water bottle is a worthwhile investment. The mango-passionfruit pod, for example, received positive remarks for its authentic flavor, although the orange-vanilla pod was noted to taste somewhat artificial. Preferences varied among testers, with some disliking certain pods while others enjoyed them.
Q: What is the lifespan of an Air Up pod?
A: Each Air Up flavor pod is designed to last long enough to flavor at least 1.3 gallons of water, which equates to about 10 refills of a 16-ounce bottle.
Q: Can children safely use Air Up bottles?
A: Absolutely, Air Up is safe for children. The pods contain natural flavors and the bottles are constructed from Tritan, which is a robust, BPA-free material. It's important to ensure that the water is drinkable and the pods are used correctly. Many children are already fans of the product.
Q: Are Air Up bottles a healthy choice?
A: Air Up bottles are indeed a healthy option. They do not contain sugar or chemicals, so those expecting a very sweet taste might find them lacking. However, they do support healthy hydration.
References
[1] - https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/a43121311/air-up-water-bottle-review/
[2] - https://www.eatthis.com/air-up-water-bottle-product-review/
[3] - https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/air-up-water-bottle-review-48966102
[4] - https://www.wired.com/review/air-up-water-bottle/
[5] - https://us.air-up.com/pages/how-does-air-up-work
[6] - https://us.air-up.com/starter-set
[7] - https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cooking/content/air-up-water-bottle-review
[8] - https://thatannamarie.substack.com/p/you-dont-need-a-scented-water-bottle
[9] - https://www.zerozen.co.uk/air-up-water-bottle-sustainable-or-not/
[10] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAdj-AGkQTQ
[11] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2fHIEflOPQ
[12] - https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/air-up-develops-reusable-bottles-using-eastman-tritan-renew/
[13] - https://us.air-up.com/collections/pods
[14] - https://us.air-up.com/products/favorite-five-pod-pack
[15] - https://intl.air-up.com/collections/pods
[16] - https://www.amazon.com/MEETDUMPL-Compatible-pods%EF%BC%8CCompatible-%EF%BC%8CCompatible-Watermelon/dp/B0CCSFB6PQ
[17] - https://www.thedailybeast.com/air-up-water-bottle-review
[18] - https://thingtesting.com/brands/air-up/reviews
[19] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olU_Qm6DJtA
[20] - https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/water-bottles/air-up-water-bottle-review-a7999117073/
[21] - https://us.air-up.com/pages/air-up-sustainability-hub
[22] - https://uk.air-up.com/pages/air-up-sustainability-hub
[23] - https://xtalks.com/air-up-revolutionizing-hydration-with-scent-and-sustainability-3595/
[24] - https://www.inven.ai/company-lists/top-25-air-up-competitors
[25] - https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-bottle/
[26] - https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-water-bottle
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