HydroJug Review: My Honest Take on the Internet‘s Favorite Water Bottle
Hey there, hydration nation! Liz here, your resident fashion-obsessed fitness fan. If you‘ve spent any time scrolling Instagram lately, you‘ve probably spotted HydroJug‘s eye-catching water bottles popping up on the pages of influencers and athletes alike. But are these trending bottles worth the hype (and the precious real estate in your gym bag)? I put HydroJug to the test to find out.
In this super in-depth HydroJug review, I‘m giving you my honest, firsthand experience with these buzzy bottles. I‘ll dive into the need-to-know details on HydroJug‘s features, compare them to other popular water bottle brands, and share tons of reviews from real HydroJug customers. By the end of this post, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if HydroJug is the hydration hero your lifestyle has been waiting for. Let‘s dive in!
What Is HydroJug, Anyway?
Before we get into the ins and outs of these water bottles, let‘s back up for a sec. If you‘re new to the HydroJug hype, here‘s the 411.
HydroJug is a water bottle brand on a mission to make staying hydrated fun, fashionable, and most importantly, easy. The company was founded by brothers Jake and Hayden Wadsworth, who noticed a void in the market for high-capacity, high-quality water bottles that could keep up with an active lifestyle.
Fast forward a few years, and HydroJug has exploded in popularity. The brand has racked up over 400,000 followers on Instagram and earned nods from major publications like Forbes and Health Magazine. Celebrities and influencers like Kylie Jenner, Lucy Hale, and Jen Selter have all been spotted sipping from their HydroJugs.
So what‘s all the fuss about? I‘ll give you the full scoop in a bit, but here are the highlights that set HydroJug apart from your average reusable water bottle:
- Serious capacity: HydroJugs hold up to 73 oz (over half a gallon) of water, way more than the standard 16-24 oz bottles.
- Convenient features: Integrated handles, wide mouth openings, and protective silicone boots make these bottles super easy to use and carry.
- Style for days: With a rainbow of colors and patterns to choose from, HydroJugs look as great as they function.
Sounds pretty legit, right? I put HydroJug to the test to see if it could live up to the hype. Keep reading for my full review of the brand‘s bestselling bottles.
My Experience With HydroJug Water Bottles
Over the last few months, I‘ve been rotating a few different HydroJug bottles into my hydration routine. I use them throughout my day, from my morning gym session to long WFH days at my desk. Here‘s how HydroJug held up:
The OG HydroJug Half Gallon Water Bottle
Capacity: 73 oz / 2.2 L
Price: $19.99
First up, the bottle that put HydroJug on the map. This hefty half-gallon jug is made from BPA-free plastic and comes in a ton of fun colors. I opted for the "Blush" hue, a soft millennial pink that looks cute on my desk and pairs perfectly with my fave rose gold S‘well tumbler.
The integrated handle on this bottle is clutch for carrying it around, and the wide mouth made it easy to add ice cubes and clean the inside. I love how much water this big guy holds — it‘s enough to keep me hydrated for a full work day without constant refills.
One thing to note: when this bottle is full, it is HEAVY (over 4 lbs). It‘s definitely not the most portable for travel or taking on the go. But for keeping on my desk or toting to the gym in my car, it‘s perfect.
The HydroJug Pro Jug
Capacity: 73 oz / 2.2 L
Price: $24.99
If you want all the capacity of the OG HydroJug but with a few key upgrades, the Pro Jug is your guy. It has the same half-gallon size and convenient wide mouth, but with a few design tweaks that make it even easier to use.
First, the handle. The Pro Jug features an improved handle design with a more ergonomic grip. It‘s a small change, but I noticed the difference, especially when carrying a full jug.
I‘m also a big fan of the Pro Jug‘s durability. It‘s made of a thicker BPA-free plastic that feels even sturdier than the original HydroJug. I‘ve dropped this bottle a few times and it doesn‘t have a dent or crack to show for it. The soft matte finish is a nice added touch, too.
Another feature worth mentioning is the Pro Jug‘s improved carrying loop. It‘s wider, sturdier, and way easier to clip a carabiner onto than the original design. I love being able to attach this jug to my gym bag or backpack for easy transport.
The HydroJug Shaker
Capacity: 36 oz / 1.1 L
Price: $16.99
Looking for a HydroJug to fuel your workouts? The brand‘s 36 oz shaker bottle is the perfect gym companion. It‘s made of durable BPA-free plastic and features an easy to use flip cap lid.
The real star of the show here is the removable agitator. It snaps into the top of the lid to help break up protein powder clumps and mixes your drink as you shake it. Game changer! I‘ve used a lot of shaker bottles over the years, and this one blends my post-workout smoothies better than any I‘ve tried.
Another big perk of this shaker is the capacity. At 36 oz, it holds way more than your standard shaker, which is great for those extra long gym sessions. The wide mouth also makes it easy to add mix-ins like fruit or yogurt.
My only gripe? I wish this shaker came in more color options. Right now it‘s only available in a few basic hues like black and white. Here‘s hoping HydroJug releases this big guy in some of their signature fun prints and patterns soon!
How Does HydroJug Compare to Competitors?
The reusable water bottle market is more saturated than a post-marathon HydroJug. So how does this brand stack up to other fan faves? Here‘s my take:
HydroJug vs. Nalgene
Nalgene is the OG of big-volume water bottles. I had one glued to my hand all through college that I loved for its durability and lightweight build. Compared to HydroJug, Nalgenes are definitely more bare bones — no integrated handles or protective silicone boots in sight. They‘re also not insulated, so no luck keeping your water cold all day.
Nalgene does have HydroJug beat in one key area though: portability. A 32 oz wide mouth Nalgene weighs under 6 ounces empty, while a HydroJug clocks in at over a pound. Nalgenes are also way easier to stuff into a backpack water bottle pocket or cup holder.
HydroJug vs. Hydro Flask
When it comes to aesthetics, Hydro Flask is probably HydroJug‘s closest competitor. Both brands offer their bottles in a range of trendy colors and patterns, and have attracted a cult following on social media. Performance-wise though, these two water bottle brands are pretty different.
Hydro Flask‘s claim to fame is temperature control. Their double wall vacuum insulated bottles are amazing at keeping drinks cold for hours on end. HydroJug‘s plastic bottles don‘t have any insulation, so they‘re not going to keep your water ice cold all day. That said, HydroJugs have way more capacity for the price — a 64 oz wide mouth Hydro Flask will cost you $65, while a 73 oz HydroJug is only $20.
HydroJug vs. S‘well
This one almost feels like apples to oranges. S‘well bottles are the gold standard when it comes to a chic, portable water bottle you can toss in your bag. With triple-layered vacuum insulation, a condensation-free exterior, and a ton of gorgeous patterns and colors, they win big on both performance and looks.
But when it comes to capacity? HydroJug has S‘well beat by a long shot. S‘well‘s largest reusable water bottle holds 64 oz, still a full 9 oz less than HydroJug‘s half gallon size. S‘well also doesn‘t offer as many convenient features like integrated handles or wide mouths, and they clock in at a much higher price point (a 64 oz S‘well is $65).
What Real HydroJug Customers Are Saying
You know I‘m a fan, but what are other HydroJug users saying about their bottles? I combed through hundreds of reviews to find out. Spoiler: people are OBSESSED with these jugs. Here are a few common raves and rants:
The Raves
- "Obsessed is an understatement! I take this bottle everywhere with me and it helps me drink way more water every day."
- "The colors are SO CUTE. I get compliments on my HydroJug all the time. And it‘s so easy to clean!"
- "This is the only water bottle that I‘ve been able to use to get my daily water intake. It‘s helped me so much with my health and fitness goals."
The Rants
- "It‘s pretty heavy when it‘s full. I wouldn‘t want to lug this around all day."
- "The lid can be hard to screw on correctly, I‘ve had a few leaks here and there."
- "It‘s kind of awkward to hold, I wish the handle was a bit bigger."
Overall though, the vast majority of HydroJug customers gave their bottles 5-star reviews and said they were a game changer for their hydration. The brand has over 13,000 reviews on their website with an average 4.8 star rating. Not too shabby!
Here‘s a full breakdown of how customers rated the 73 oz HydroJug on the brand‘s website:
| Rating | Number of Reviews |
|---|---|
| 5 stars | 10,962 |
| 4 stars | 1,442 |
| 3 stars | 161 |
| 2 stars | 42 |
| 1 star | 57 |
Is HydroJug Worth It?
So, is HydroJug worth the hype? In my opinion, 100% yes. These bottles have been total game changers for my hydration and have made drinking water feel fun again. I love the motivation of trying to finish my whole jug each day, and the cute colors make me actually excited to carry it around.
On top of the aesthetics and hydration help, I‘m really impressed with how durable and well-designed HydroJugs are, especially for the price. They don‘t have the same insulation power as a Hydro Flask or S‘well, but the wide mouth and big capacity still make them super functional. Plus, they cost a fraction of the price of a lot of those trendy insulated bottles.
One thing to keep in mind: HydroJugs are BIG. The half gallon size is amazing for a desk or gym bag, but not exactly practical for taking on the go. It can also be heavy and awkward to carry for some. If you want a bottle for hikes or travel, I‘d opt for one of HydroJug‘s smaller 32 oz options like the Pro Jug or Shaker.
At the end of the day, I think HydroJug is more than worth the hype for anyone who wants to up their water intake in a big way. The high capacity and cute designs make staying hydrated feel achievable and even fun. And considering how affordable they are? adding a HydroJug to your collection is a no-brainer.
Where to Buy a HydroJug
Ready to jump on the HydroJug bandwagon? Here‘s where to snag one:
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HydroJug.com: The brand‘s website is the best place to shop their full collection. They have the widest selection of colors and patterns, and you can usually find bundle deals and discounts.
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Amazon: You can find a limited selection of HydroJug bottles on Amazon, usually at full price. The perks of shopping here are free Prime shipping and easy returns.
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In Store: Want to check out a HydroJug in person? The brand has a store locator on their website where you can find local retailers. You can also sometimes spot them at gyms and fitness studios.
The Final Verdict
And that‘s a wrap on my HydroJug review! I hope this deep dive gave you all the deets you need to decide if HydroJug is right for you. In my book, these trendy water bottles more than live up to the hype. While they‘re not the most portable option out there, the massive capacity and convenient features make them an awesome pick for anyone who wants to make hydration a habit.
I especially love HydroJug for:
- Desk dwellers: The half gallon size is perfect for keeping you hydrated through back to back meetings and long work days.
- Gym rats: Stash a HydroJug in your gym bag for easy hydration and post-workout shakes on the go.
- Social butterflies: With so many cute colors and prints to choose from, your HydroJug will be a conversation starter wherever you go.
Still not sure if HydroJug is the right fit? Here are a few more reusable water bottles I love:
- S‘well 25 oz bottle: Chic, portable, amazing insulation. Perfect for days on the go.
- *Nalgene 32 oz Wide Mouth: The OG lightweight water bottle. Great for hikes and travel.
- Hydro Flask 32 oz bottle: All the insulation power of Hydro Flask in a more portable size.
Shop HydroJug Water Bottles
The 73 oz HydroJug (Half Gallon)
Best for: All day hydration
Price: $19.99
The 32 oz HydroJug Pro Jug
Best for: Smaller capacity, still tons of convenient features
Price: $16.99
The 36 oz Shaker
Best for: Workout hydration and post-gym shakes
Price: $16.99
