Key Points
- Smart water bottles have evolved from simple timers and Bluetooth connectivity to advanced features like temperature control, UV light technology, and built-in speakers.
- High costs, unnecessary features, and battery life concerns are some reasons to avoid smart water bottles.
- Smart water bottles can be less durable due to their electronic components and raise data privacy concerns.
It’s hard for us to ignore the world’s obsession with smart products. Smart devices, smart appliances, smart cars… it seems nothing is safe from a high-tech makeover. One of the most unexpected products to receive this treatment today? Smart water bottles. This new product category takes the simple act of staying hydrated and incorporates LED lights, location tracking, built-in Bluetooth speakers, a charging bank, and more. While it might sound cool, you don’t actually need to own a smart water bottle. We’ve compiled five good reasons to avoid one.
5 Must-Know Facts About Smart Water Bottles
- Some smart water bottles come equipped with sensors to monitor your water intake throughout the day. These sensors detect when you take a sip to track the amount of water you consume in a day.
- Smart water bottles connect to your smartphone with Bluetooth. This feature allows them to sync with fitness tracker apps, make personalized hydration recommendations, and even send reminders to drink water.
- More advanced smart water bottles can regulate the temperature of your beverage. These products combine thick insulation with heating and cooling elements to can keep your water cool on a hot day or warm it up during colder weather.
- Certain smart water bottles integrate ultraviolet light technology into the cap to keep the bottle clean. The UV light kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that may be present in the water.
- Smart water bottles with location tracking ensure you’ll never lose your water bottle again. Plus, you can keep track of your distance and steps when you take your water bottle on a workout with you.
The History of Smart Water Bottles
Smart water bottles have a short but fascinating history. This smart product first emerged as a response to the growing fitness tracking trends of the early 2010s. At the start, smart water bottles came with relatively simple features. The most common of these included built-in timers to remind you to drink water and Bluetooth connectivity to link to your fitness tracker. But, as the years have gone on, smart water bottles have gotten much more advanced (and much more complicated).
The evolution of smart water bottles mainly revolved around the advancement of built-in sensors. By the mid-2010s, smart water bottles emerged on the market with sensors and Bluetooth connectivity built right in. This revolutionized the way these bottles could track and monitor water intake. These sensors, embedded within the bottle, detected when users took a sip and used that information to calculate the amount of water consumed. Coupled with smartphone apps, users could conveniently monitor and manage their hydration levels in real time.
- 20 fluid ounces
- Glow reminds you to drink water
- Built-in Bluetooth speaker
In recent years, brands have pushed the boundaries of smart water bottle innovation even further. Smart water bottles now incorporate temperature control, UV light technology, dedicated fitness trackers, LED lights, Bluetooth speakers, charging banks, and more. The more features added, the more demand there is for these smart water bottles. As time goes on, it’s likely that smart water bottles will continue to evolve — incorporating even more advanced features along the way. It’s all a little much, to be honest. Let’s discuss why you might want to avoid them altogether.
Why Avoid Smart Water Bottles?
A smart water bottle might sound cool at first, but think about it: Is this really something you need? While these high-tech water bottles offer a range of innovative features, there are five good reasons to avoid a new smart water bottle today. Let’s explore these five reasons below.
High Cost
Smart water bottles tend to be far more expensive than traditional reusable water bottles. Even some of the priciest reusable water bottle brands, such as Stanley or S’well, are more affordable than the price of a smart water bottle. We can credit these high price tags to the advanced technology and the other additional features built into the bottles. If you’re on a tight budget (or simply don’t want to shell out almost $100 for a water bottle), you’re better off with a simple, reusable water bottle over a smart one.
Useless Features
Smart water bottles come with a range of advanced features and smart settings. This might sound appealing to some, but it’s quite overwhelming for others. This is especially true of older and younger consumers. From temperature adjustment to Bluetooth connectivity to UV purification and beyond, this added complexity is totally unnecessary for certain consumers. Not everyone needs all these smart features. There’s nothing wrong with preferring a straightforward and fuss-free hydration experience.
Battery Life
Did you ever think we’d be living in a time where you’d need to charge a water bottle? It’s hard enough to remember to charge your phone, laptop, and other smart devices. Incorporating a smart water bottle into the charging routine can prove to be too much for some. Not to mention, all those electronic components will probably require maintenance at some point. Your top priority is making sure you’re getting enough water. You don’t need the added distraction of your water bottle’s battery level.
Build Quality
If you drop a single-use plastic water bottle on the ground, it’s not likely to break. If you drop a metal water bottle on the ground, it might dent, but it probably won’t break. But, if you drop a smart water bottle on the ground, you run the risk of damaging any one of the smart features. The more electronic components you add, the more fragile the smart water bottle becomes. This can be a serious concern for individuals who rely on their water bottles for high-intensity workouts and activities where reliability and durability are essential.
Data Privacy
You’ve probably heard concerns about social media sites, smartphones, and smart security cameras tracking user data. When you use a smart water bottle, you’re adding one more way for tech companies to collect and store your data. Smart water bottle companies track hydration habits and other personal information through their connected apps. How does the brand handle and store your data? Does the brand share your data with third parties? Privacy-conscious individuals need to consider these questions seriously before buying a smart water bottle.
©Anicka S/Shutterstock.com
In Review: Reasons To Avoid A New Smart Water Bottle Today
From cost to features, battery to build, privacy, and beyond, not everybody needs to purchase a smart water bottle today. In fact, you may be better off avoiding smart water bottles altogether. Of course, it’s important to note that these reasons do not negate the benefits and convenience smart water bottles offer to others. Ultimately, the decision to choose a smart water bottle or a traditional one depends on your individual preferences, budget, and desired level of simplicity. Just don’t forget what we’ve discussed. Let’s review below.
| Reasons to Avoid a Smart Water Bottle Summary |
|---|
| Smart water bottles are so much more expensive than single-use or reusable alternatives |
| Not everyone needs smart features incorporated with something as simple as a water bottle |
| Short battery life and long charge times can make smart water bottles an inconvenience |
| The more technologically advanced the water bottle gets, the less durable it becomes |
| Smart water bottle companies track your data and other personal information |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©lmot11/Shutterstock.com.
