I've been wanting one of these bottles for years, after first seeing their kind at a health food store to the tune of $30+. And as much as I favored glass over plastic, I waited. And I guess I sort of forgot, too. Looks like there are a lot of options out there in a much more affordable range!
So, I looked at a bunch, played with them, and ended up picking the Ello Syndicate, for a number of reasons, though there are some things I wish they had/or didn't. Here are my thoughts:
Glass!
- Pure taste/ No residual smells: I love the glass bottle idea so much. It really does keep the taste so much more pure, and the odor from drinking non-water drinks is not a constant residue like it was in my reusable plastic bottles.
Lids!
- Flip-top lid: You can use this one-handed. The lid pushes up and away from the bottle opening and you can drink without it hitting you in the face, or losing the cap. Fantastic!
- No Spills: I use my bottles on the go and at home. We have large dogs - and a blind dog - so we occasionally have spills. Also, we live in the country with horses and we get bugs like flies in the summer. Even if it's just one that gets inside, it's the one that goes in fresh-made iced coffee!!
Silicone Sleeve!
- Grippy Protection: This sleeve works great. It makes it easy to hold the bottle and it provides decent protection from bumps and jostles of everyday use. You - or your toddler - drop this on the tile and it may still break. It's GLASS. Even plastic, the glassy type, could still shatter if dropped wrong on tile.
Dishwasher Safe!
- Easy to clean: So many travel mugs aren't DW safe. Especially coffee tumblers or insulated containers. They can be great but if it's a pain to wash em... or if someone who isn't paying attention tosses them in the DW and breaks em... well, that stinks. This is easy to wash. Just remove the lid, open the lid so the soap can get all inside it (including that spot some people are getting black mold) and pop it all in the top rack.
- Tip #1: With many items that the DW doesn't thoroughly dry like cups, tupperware or anything with crevices or things that catch water like lips or indents - Dry this on a dish rack and let it dry all the way before sealing it back up again. This also should help prevent mold growth.
- Tip #2: Get a couple for each person using the bottles. You can then easily rotate each day for cleaning and drying out.
Great price!
- Affordable: Compared to the $30+ a pop when I first saw these bottles years ago, this is a nice price, and you can probably afford to get a couple (which helps keep them clean as per above). The MSRP seems to be $14.99. I got my first two at a Target and liked them so well I grabbed a couple online here at Amazon. One was on sale, the other was MSRP. I am still very pleased with the product and the price.
Replacement lids!
- Economical and Environmental: Don't toss (or recycle) the whole thing if the lid breaks. Grab a new topper!
Ello Syndicate Glass Water Bottle Replacement Lid, Coral
. If not available on Amazon (they were before but aren't now) you can likely order from the company directly.
Sturdy!
- I have dropped mine - on to the carpet but it smacked on it's side on the table, hit the wall and then the carpet - twice now and it was fine. The only thing that occurred was that, one time, the seal popped inside the cap and it leaked a bit. I was drinking a carbonated beverage (Emergen-C and Alka Seltzer for my sinus that were messed up from a recent, nearby fire) and that and the tumble and fall from standing desk height caused the temporary leak.
Design changes I would like:
Handle: Although the little ribbon handle is sturdy it seems a tiny bit too short (and I have small female hands). I would like it to be long enough to work like a wristlet. It also is fabric, so every time you wash it, it remains wet. You can *mostly* dry it, but you have to put effort into that - squeezing it with a dish towel repeatedly - and it will remain damp for a little while. When I hand rinse between uses of one bottle on the same day this is annoying. I wish it were plastic or silicon or rubber. Anything less porous than a grosgain ribbon.
Wishlist:
Option for a shorter/fatter bottle with this same lid and silicon sheathing. As mentioned, I use these at home and on the go. On the go this model is perfection - it fits in even my teeny weeny cart cupholders. At home it is more likely to topple due to it's height and tiny footprint. I would LOVE a model this design, this size (maybe bigger honestly though! 32oz!) but stubby so it can't tip over.
Bottom line: I love this bottle and the price is right! I highly recommend it and will likely get more in the future - particularly if they make a large stubby model of the Syndicate! ;-)
| Brand | Ello |
|---|---|
| Material | Polypropylene, Glass, Silicone |
| Bottle Type | Reusable |
| Color | Coral |
| Capacity | 1.3 Pounds |
| Special Feature | Leak Proof, BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe, Carrying Loop |
| Age Range (Description) | Any Age Group |
| Product Dimensions | 2.75"W x 10.75"H |
| Product Care Instructions | Dishwasher Safe |
| Model Name | Syndicate |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Travel, Home |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Reusability | Reusable |
| Shape | Round |
| Material Type Free | Bisphenol A (BPA) Free, Bisphenol S (BPS) Free, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Free, Bisphenol F (BPF) Free, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) Free |
| Style | Water Bottle |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Package Information | glass |
| Manufacturer | Leapfrog Brands |
| UPC | 852090003764 744211772355 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00852090003764 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 11.81 x 4.49 x 3.43 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.58 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 2.75 x 2.75 x 10.75 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.3 Pounds |
| Brand Name | Ello |
| Part Number | 852-0841-073 |
| Included Components | Water Bottle |
| Size | 20oz |
