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Owala FreeSip review
Owala FreeSip 24 oz: a straw and a chug spout in one push-button lid. CleverHiker's budget insulated pick, for cold drinks only.
See Owala FreeSip 24 oz on AmazonAmazon page
Rechecked 10/28/2026 by Jonah Beckwith
In one line
Grab it if you want to sip through a straw at your desk and swig at the gym without carrying two lids.
Look elsewhere if hot coffee or a narrow car cup holder is part of the plan. The FreeSip Twist is slimmer at 2.91 in and takes hot drinks, per its listing.
What to know about the Owala FreeSip
Pick this bottle if you drink all day and hate unscrewing things. The straw side keeps flow slow enough for a keyboard, and the open side is quick enough for the gym.
CleverHiker's tester dropped it on rocky Utah trails and saw only small dents and scratches in the steel. The worry was the lid: button, cover, lock loop and spout are plastic, and a spring sits partly exposed. If anything on this bottle fails, expect it to be up top.
Heat is where it stops, so keep it for cold drinks. Care wording also changes by listing. The 24 oz Shy Marshmallow page says dishwasher safe, the 24 oz Denim page says hand wash only, and a 32 oz Angel Food page splits it between a hand-washed cup and a dishwasher-safe lid.
Sources: CleverHiker, updated 06/23/2026; listing specs
Specs from the listing
| Lid | FreeSip spout: built-in straw plus open chug side, push-button lid with lock |
|---|---|
| Size | 24, 32 or 40 oz |
| Height | 10.68 in |
| Base width | 3.24 in |
| Empty weight | 14.1 oz |
| Cold, maker claim | 24 hours |
| Dishwasher | Listings differ |
| Bag safety wording | Lid locks (listing) |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Warranty | Manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty |
Listing scan 10/28/2026. Model number: C03771.
Living with it
Which size to buy
The FreeSip comes in 24, 32 and 40 oz. We link the 24 oz because it fits most bag pockets. In our scan the 24 oz colors were all within a cent of each other, and a 32 oz listing cost just a cent more. If a desk is its home, take the 32 oz. Torn between the two? Think about where it sleeps at night, because a bottle that lives on a desk can be big, while one that rides in a bag every day should be the smallest size that gets you to your next refill.
What wears out first
CleverHiker's drops left the steel with minor dents and pointed at the lid as the fragile part: plastic button, cover, lock loop and spout, plus a spring that is partly exposed. Rinse the spout daily and look the hinge over now and then. A brush that fits the spout matters more here than on a screw cap.
The colors
Nine FreeSip listings turned up in our scan, and the 24 oz colors were priced within a cent of each other. That is unusual. With YETI and Hydro Flask the color you pick can move the price by tens of dollars; with Owala you can choose on looks alone.
Price check
Our 10/28/2026 scan found 3 listings of the Owala FreeSip at this size, and the color you pick moved the price only a little. Pick the Owala FreeSip color first.
Other listings:24 oz, Shy Marshmallow24 oz, Denim32 oz, Very, Very Dark
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Common questions
Will it leak in my bag?
Yes, once the carry loop is flipped down over the button. The listing calls the loop a lock, and CleverHiker rates the lid leakproof. Leave the loop up and a squeezed bag can press the button.
Will it fit my car cup holder?
Probably not. The listing gives a 3.24 in base and still warns that it is wider than standard holders, and CleverHiker lists cup holders as a con. The 2.91 in FreeSip Twist is the narrower Owala.
How this plays out across all 10Cheap fix: Car cup holder expander
Will the lid get moldy, and can I clean it?
Residue builds up in the straw section inside the spout. A thin straw brush reaches it from the top, and the lid should dry with the cover open rather than snapped shut.
How this plays out across all 10Cheap fix: Bottle and straw brush set
Compare it with
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32 oz
Editor tested by CleverHiker
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth: 4.3 oz heavier empty than the Owala FreeSip, base 0.26 in wider, chug lid in place of a straw on the Owala FreeSip.
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Best insulated for most people. Full review
Takeya Actives 32 oz with Spout Lid
Specs from the listing
Takeya Actives: 2.7 oz heavier empty than the Owala FreeSip, base 0.50 in wider, spout lid in place of a straw on the Owala FreeSip.
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Best spout lid for the money. Full review
Stanley IceFlow 2.0 Flip Straw 30 oz
Specs from the listing
Stanley IceFlow 2.0: 10.5 oz heavier empty than the Owala FreeSip, base 0.52 in wider.
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Best flip-straw bottle for the car. Full review
FAQ
How tall is the Owala FreeSip, and how wide is the base?
10.68 in tall and 3.24 in across the base on the 10/28/2026 listing. The listing itself warns that the base is wider than a standard cup holder, even though another bullet calls it cup holder friendly. Trust the measurement over the marketing line.
How much does the Owala FreeSip weigh full?
14.1 oz empty on the listing, so roughly 39.1 oz with all 24 oz of water inside. That is an easy bag weight. CleverHiker found the narrow handle allows only a three-finger grip, so it rides better in a pocket than in a hand.
Can the Owala FreeSip go in the dishwasher?
Listings disagree. One 24 oz color says dishwasher safe, another says hand wash only, and CleverHiker lists the bottle as not dishwasher-safe. A 32 oz listing splits it: wash the cup by hand and put the lid on the top rack.
Is the Owala FreeSip worth it?
Yes, if you want to sip through a straw at your desk and swig at the gym without carrying two lids.
What should I buy instead of the Owala FreeSip?
hot coffee or a narrow car cup holder is part of the plan. The FreeSip Twist is slimmer at 2.91 in and takes hot drinks, per its listing.