The Air Up water bottle begs the question: is it a worthwhile addition to your daily routine? This distinctive bottle caters to those who appreciate the taste of flavored water and find it easier to meet their hydration goals with a hint of flavor.

Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, the Nutrition Lab Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, suggests, "Individuals who struggle with staying adequately hydrated may find this bottle beneficial, particularly those who consider plain water uninteresting." If you lead a busy life and lack the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up could be the solution you've been looking for.

However, it's essential to consider that the Air Up water bottle may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who consume substantial amounts of water and require a larger bottle capacity (the plastic version holds 22 ounces, while the stainless steel version holds 28 ounces). As one tester remarked, "I wish it came in different sizes to reduce the need for frequent refills."

Budget considerations also come into play, as regularly purchasing flavor pods can affect your finances. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may be a recurring expense. Nevertheless, with seven out of 11 testers recommending Air Up, it seems to have won over the majority.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is Air Up?

Air Up emerged as a brainchild of Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, a pair of innovative German university students who, during their academic pursuits, delved into the pages of Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It's of Great Importance, a book authored by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. This paradigm-shifting book challenges established beliefs by highlighting the pivotal role of the sense of smell in the perception of flavor. Empowered by Shepherd's insights, Jüngst and Jäger embarked on a mission to bring their inaugural Air Up prototype to fruition, guided by the mission of "Bridging Neuroscience and Innovative Design." Their overarching objective? To contribute to global well-being by addressing the issue of inadequate hydration, often synonymous with poor nutrition. This cutting-edge water bottle is designed to accommodate 15 unique Air Up flavor pods and is available in two variants—plastic and stainless steel—both of which can be tailored with an array of colorful accessories.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How Air Up works

Peer into the future of flavor perception with Air Up, where scent takes the lead. Air Up underscores the importance of olfactory receptors, capable of discerning a remarkable

1 trillion scents. The brand elaborates:

"Retronasal smelling is the future of taste, and Air Up is at the forefront of this revolution. It's how we infuse 'flavored' air from our pods into plain water. Our bottles ensure that every sip is a futuristic flavor experience, with your nasal receptors transforming 'flavored' air into taste. Astoundingly, your water remains unchanged in taste, but your palate embarks on a sensory journey through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll witness the future of flavor perception unfold before your senses.

Elevate your sensory experience with Air Up by mastering these easy steps. Begin by filling your water bottle to the capacity line and attaching the mouthpiece with the straw. Place the circular pod over the mouthpiece, ensuring it's activated. When you sip, embrace the enchanting path of scented air bubbles through the straw, elevating your taste perception.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How we tested Air Up

In the world of water bottles, the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab is renowned for its comprehensive evaluations. Over time, we've scrutinized numerous bottles, weighing their performance, durability, and user-friendliness. However, when the Air Up entered our radar, we knew we had something unique to explore.

Our formidable 11-person testing panel, comprised of consumers, dietitians, kitchen equipment experts, engineers, and chemists, embarked on a mission to gather extensive data. This endeavor yielded over a hundred data points and invaluable feedback. From assessing taste perceptions to gauging comfort during usage and monitoring shifts in hydration habits, we left no stone unturned.

Within our Lab, we conducted meticulous drop and leak tests on both plastic and stainless steel Air Up models. Our scrutiny extended to nine distinct flavor pods, meticulously rating them based on flavor quality, durability, and intensity. We also evaluated the water bottle's ease of use, considering factors such as filling, carrying, drinking, and cleaning.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is in the flavor pods?

Air Up's flavor pods are a testament to their commitment to natural ingredients. These pods are crafted using natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices, although specific intellectual property details remain closely guarded.

On their website, you'll find an impressive selection of 15 flavors, spanning from classic apple to the intriguing basil-lemon and the luxurious orange-vanilla. You can explore these scents through variety packs or indulge in three-packs of your favorite flavor. Additionally, every water bottle starter set includes a selection of flavor pods.

During our testing, personal preferences played a significant role, with no single scent unanimously favored. Testers shared their experiences, highlighting variations in scent intensity and flavor profiles.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How long do Air Up pods last?

According to Air Up, each of its pods is engineered to enrich approximately 1.3 gallons of water with captivating scents. The company also highlights the importance of checking the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's potency may decrease over time, providing the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. It is crucial to store the pods in their original packaging, as they are not washable and should only be unsealed just before attaching them to your water bottle.

Our observations revealed that if the pods remained attached to the water bottle for an extended duration without use, the fragrance gradually dissipated, leading to a less pronounced "flavor" for the water. Our experts, considering the per-pod cost and the current online-only purchasing option, expressed a desire for pods with an extended lifespan.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

Do Air Up water bottles deliver on their promise? Our meticulous testing process revealed that they do indeed succeed in imparting flavors to water through their pods. The mango-passionfruit pod, in particular, stood out with its juicy and enjoyable "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were mixed, with some finding it somewhat artificial.

As we dissected the data and the feedback from our testers, it became evident that personal preferences and scent perception played a pivotal role. Scent experiences are inherently individual, influenced by personal associations and the unique characteristics of each individual's sense of smell. Some testers did not envision incorporating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others regarded it as an innovative enhancement.

One tester remarked, "Inhaling the scent didn't amplify the flavor for me," while another stated, "This is not a mere gimmick. On days when plain water fails to excite, the Air Up bottle adds a layer of enjoyment to hydration." Ultimately, your interaction with Air Up is intimately linked to your sensory experiences.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

Join us in uncovering the durability, weight, and comfort attributes of Air Up water bottles. We've meticulously examined the lightweight plastic version and contrasted it with the substantial stainless steel alternative in terms of weight.

Through comprehensive drop testing, we've assessed how well both materials can withstand multiple drops onto hard concrete surfaces, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. These practical tests provide valuable insights into their durability.

Our leak testing procedures focused on evaluating the bottles' ability to maintain a watertight seal when placed horizontally with tightly secured lids. Explore the variations in leak resistance between the plastic and stainless steel models.

Furthermore, we delved into the comfort aspect of the Air Up water bottle, particularly focusing on the mouthpiece and ease of sipping. Cleaning and maintenance considerations, including the advantages of the stainless steel model, are also discussed.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

ref: Air Up Water Bottle Review: We Tested the Water Bottle That "Flavors" Water Via Scent