The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of outdoor gear

Camelbak Eddy+ Review

The Eddy+ is a lightweight, portable bottle with a fold-out straw. Overall we liked this design.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Price:  $14 List | $13.95 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Lightweight, portable, updated straw is an improvement
Cons:  Straw and bite valve still attract mold and dirt, flavors linger
Manufacturer:   Camelbak
By Jane Jackson ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 25, 2019
  • Share this article:
71
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#8 of 19
  • Ease of Use - 35% 8
  • Durability - 20% 8
  • Ease of Cleaning - 20% 5
  • Weight - 15% 8
  • Taste - 10% 5

Our Verdict

The Camelbak Eddy+ is a slightly updated version of the classic Eddy bottle. The plastic, 0.75-liter (25 ounces) version we tested is lightweight, portable, and comes in a variety of color options. The biggest feature that sets the Eddy apart is its straw feature. The straw folds out when in use and collapses into the lid when stowed. This updated version of the Eddy has an improved straw that is more leak proof than its predecessor. Even with its updates, the Eddy+ still has some drawbacks. The straw and lid are difficult to clean, and the soft rubber material seems to attract dirt and mold. We like that the bottle itself is durable and lightweight, and if you clean the bottle frequently, the straw should stay relatively clean and mold-free.

The Klean Kanteen Classic, with its sports cap, is another option we would recommend for easy one-handed drinking. The Klean Kanteen is easier to clean as well, so keep that in mind!


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Camelbak Eddy+
Awards  Editors' Choice Award  Best Buy Award Best Buy Award 
Price $13.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$39.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$20.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$10.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$18 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
100
0
71
100
0
84
100
0
83
100
0
81
100
0
77
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Lightweight, portable, updated straw is an improvementDurable, easy to carry, wide mouth for easy drinking and cleaning, good designLightweight, easy for one-handed drinking, re-designed sport cap is effective, durable, good color optionsLight, durable, resists flavors, simple design, wide mouth makes for easy fillingAffordable, insulates well, has interchangeable lids, portable
Cons Straw and bite valve still attract mold and dirt, flavors lingerExpensive, heavySport cap not as secure as a screw cap, carrying handle is smallDiameter too big for cup holders, wide mouth makes it difficult to drink from when walking or drivingPaint chipping after a few months of use, flip cap seemed to lack security
Bottom Line The Eddy+ is a lightweight, portable bottle with a fold-out straw. Overall we liked this design.The Rambler quickly became our new favorite bottle after a few trips with it. The size, shape, and design make it easy to use.It is hard for us to find anything bad to say about this bottle. It's simple, easy to use, and reasonably priced.A tried and tested classic, the Wide Mouth wins again as our Top Pick for Plastic, as well as the Best Bang for your Buck bottle.For the most part, this is one of our top ranking bottles - it is easy to use, just the right size, lightweight and inexpensive to boot.
Rating Categories Camelbak Eddy+ YETI Rambler 26 Klean Kanteen Classic Nalgene Wide-Mouth Simple Modern Summit
Ease Of Use (35%)
10
0
8
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Durability (20%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Ease Of Cleaning (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
8
Weight (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
3
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
6
Taste (10%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
8
Specs Camelbak Eddy+ YETI Rambler 26 Klean Kanteen... Nalgene Wide-Mouth Simple Modern Summit
Body Material BPA-Free Polypropylene 18/8 stainless steel 18/8 stainless steel Eastman Tritan co-polyester 18/8 stainless steel
Empty weight (oz) 7.1 oz 18.5 oz 7.4 oz 6.25 oz 12.4 oz
Volume (oz) 25 oz 26 oz 27 oz 34 oz 22 oz
Bottle weight (oz) per fluid oz capacity 0.28 oz 0.7 oz 0.27 oz 0.2 oz 0.56 oz
Mouth diameter 2.25 in 3 in 1.75 in 2.5 in 2.25 in
Base diameter 3 in 3.25 in 2.75 in 3.25 in 3 in
Height 9.25 in 10 in 11 in 8.25 in 9.5 in
Body Type Hard-sided/traditional Hard-sided/traditional Hard-sided/traditional Hard-sided/traditional Hard-sided/traditional
Free of Materials BPA, BPS, BPF BPA-free BPA-free BPA, BPS and Phthalate Free BPA-free
Cap Materials Not available Not available Polypropylene, Silicone spout Information not available Not available
Cap/lid type Screw cap with straw Wide-loop cap Sport cap wih spout Loop-top screw cap Screw Cap
Other versions .6 L, .75 L, 1 L 18 oz, 20 oz, 36 oz 18 oz, 40 oz, 64 oz, loop cap/sports cap, wide mouth 16 oz, 48 oz 14 oz, 18 oz, 22 oz, 32 oz, 40 oz
Warranty Got Your Bak Lifetime Guarantee 3 or 5 year warranty Lifetime Warranty Lifetime Guarantee for normal use Limited Warranty

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Eddy+ received average-to-above average scores in our rating metrics, with its strengths being durability and weight.

Performance Comparison


We were quick on the draw with the Eddy+. This bottle is light and easy to carry.
We were quick on the draw with the Eddy+. This bottle is light and easy to carry.

Ease of Use


It seems like the Camelbak Eddy+ is designed with this metric in mind. The whole point of the bottle is to make drinking easy, and we found that the days we had the Eddy+ with us were days where we drank a ton of water. The retractable straw feature and carrying handle make up the bulk of the lid. The carrying handle is large enough for three fingers to fit into it and allows the bottle to be carried easily in hand. The handle is similar to the Hydro Flask Standard in terms of size.

We loved the retractable straw feature on the Eddy - it facilitated hydration on the days we brought this bottle out and about.
We loved the retractable straw feature on the Eddy - it facilitated hydration on the days we brought this bottle out and about.

The retractable straw is the Eddy+'s claim to fame. When the straw is in the closed position, it is out of the way and doesn't leak. When open, the straw will leak a little bit if tipped on its side or upside down. The Eddy+ compares to the Klean Kanteen Classic in terms of ease of one-handed drinking. We preferred the Klean Kanteen overall because of its stainless-steel body and sports cap that was easier to use overall than that of the Eddy.

Durability


Overall, this bottle proved to be very durable. Its plastic body bounced off the ground when dropped, remaining pretty much unscathed. The updated lid seems like it is made out of more burly plastic than the previous version of this bottle, improving its overall durability. We felt like the Eddy+ compared to the Nalgene Wide Mouth in terms of overall durability. The straw and bite valve are the weakest points of this bottle, and if you are prone to chewing on the straw, it will definitely wear out quickly. Luckily, Camelbak sells replacement parts for the bottle online.

If the straw gets moldy or old replacement parts are sold online for relatively cheap adding to the longevity (and long-term price) of this bottle.
If the straw gets moldy or old, replacement parts are sold online for relatively cheap, adding to the longevity (and long-term price) of this bottle.

Ease of Cleaning


Here our take on the Eddy+ gets a bit conflicted. On one hand, the bottle is easy to clean, with only a few different parts that are all dishwasher safe and able to be disassembled fairly quickly and easily. On the other hand, the bottle seems to attract mold and get dirty pretty quickly with consistent use. We found the straw and to be pretty hard to clean by hand.

We tended to use the Eddy+ as a bottle for just water which allowed us to wash it less frequently.
We tended to use the Eddy+ as a bottle for just water, which allowed us to wash it less frequently.

Other bottles with many moving parts received similar scores to the Eddy in this metric. The LifeStraw Go, the Simple Modern Summit (with the flip cap), and the Contigo Thermalock Glacier all received similar scores in this metric due to their comparably complicated lids.

Weight


With a measured weight of 7.1 ounces, the Eddy+ is one of the lighter hard-bodied bottles in this review. The Klean Kanteen Classic and the Platypus Meta are both around the same weight, with the Classic weighing 7.4 ounces, and the Meta at 8 ounces. We felt like the Eddy was light enough to compete with the Nalgene Wide Mouth as our go-to for hiking. The Nalgene weighs 6.25 ounces and has a much simpler design.

The Eddy+ is lightweight enough to bring most places without a second thought. We brought this bottle to the climbing gym the coffee shop and on hikes.
The Eddy+ is lightweight enough to bring most places without a second thought. We brought this bottle to the climbing gym, the coffee shop, and on hikes.

Taste


The Eddy+ did not excel in this metric. The rubbery bite valve and straw seemed to impart flavor. When we filled the bottle with sports drink mix, these fruity flavors seemed to linger for days after. Similarly, the Simple Modern Summit had lingering flavors in its flip cap lid — both lids have many nooks and crannies where flavors can live for weeks if the bottle is not cleaned frequently. The Summit has the advantage of having interchangeable lids, which kept flavors separate and the bottle cleaner overall. Also, the Eddy+ had a plastic-y flavor initially that took a few days of use to get rid of. This same thing happened with the Hydrapak Stow, since both bottles have silicone parts that have a pretty district smell.

The Hydro Flask shown on the right was much better at shedding flavor than the Camelbak Eddy on the left.
The Hydro Flask, shown on the right, was much better at shedding flavor than the Camelbak Eddy on the left.

Best Applications


We found the Eddy+ to be a great everyday bottle — especially when we were trying to drink a lot of water. The sippy straw is highly addictive, and we found ourselves refilling this bottle constantly. The fact that the Eddy is lightweight makes it portable for both urban and outdoor use. We liked bringing it on hikes, since it has a large capacity but a fairly low-profile shape that didn't seem to take up too much room in our packs. Besides the fact that it is made of plastic, the Eddy is a great around-town bottle, too. That said, we prefer a glass or stainless bottle for everyday use to reduce our contact to plastics.

The 0.75-liter Eddy+ works well in urban and outdoors settings. Here we stashed it in our bike bottle holder on a commute.
The 0.75-liter Eddy+ works well in urban and outdoors settings. Here, we stashed it in our bike bottle holder on a commute.

Value


Sold for $15 online, the Eddy+ is a pretty good option for folks on a budget. The bottle is durable, long-lasting, and versatile — we find that versatility is a big factor in a bottle's value; bottles that can be used in many different situations are good investments overall. Its stainless-steel counterpart, the Klean Kanteen Classic is significantly more expensive, with a price tag of $21. On the other end of the spectrum, the Nalgene Wide Mouth retails for $11 and is a simple bottle to the Eddy+.

Conclusion


The Camelbak Eddy+ is a slightly revised version of a classic. This plastic bottle with an integrated straw has been replicated and emulated by many different bottles over the years. We like the Eddy+ because it is simple, inexpensive, and versatile. There are a few drawbacks with the bottle, though, that take away from it winning any awards in our eyes. The tendency toward funk build-up and the lingering flavors that occur with the straw and bite valve take away from the overall positive experiences we have had with the Eddy. Overall, this is a good bottle, but not our favorite pick.


— Jane Jackson