Is the Air Up water bottle a worthwhile investment? This innovative bottle is designed for those who enjoy the taste of flavored water and find it easier to stay hydrated with a hint of flavor.

According to Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, the Nutrition Lab Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, "People who struggle with staying hydrated might appreciate this bottle, especially those who find plain water unappealing." If you lead a busy life and don't have the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up could be a game-changer.

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

Additionally, budget considerations come into play, as regularly purchasing flavor pods can impact your finances. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may become an ongoing expense. Nevertheless, with seven out of 11 testers endorsing Air Up, it seems to have garnered widespread approval.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is Air Up?

Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, two visionary German university students, founded Air Up after their exploration of Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, a book authored by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. Shepherd's book challenges traditional beliefs by underscoring the critical role of the sense of smell in flavor perception. Inspired by these insights, Jüngst and Jäger embarked on a mission to create the first Air Up prototype, guided by the motto "Neuroscience meets design." Their overarching goal is to enhance global health by addressing poor nutrition, particularly inadequate hydration. This innovative water bottle is designed to accommodate 15 distinctive flavor pods and is available in both plastic and stainless steel versions, offering personalization options with a variety of colorful accessories.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How Air Up works

Air Up orchestrates a sensory symphony that redefines how we taste things. Grounded in the science of olfaction, it leverages our olfactory receptors, which can detect an astonishing 1 trillion scents. Air Up explains:

"Retronasal smelling is our secret to success, allowing us to infuse plain water with the essence of flavor. Our bottles enable you to inhale 'flavored' air from our pods with every sip. This 'flavored' air is translated into taste by your nasal receptors, making your water experience incredibly flavorful without adding any actual flavors. It's akin to savoring through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll embark on a journey where scent becomes a gateway to an entirely new taste dimension.

Master the art of flavor infusion with Air Up by following these expert steps. Begin by filling your water bottle to the capacity line and attaching the mouthpiece with the straw. Gently position the circular pod over the mouthpiece, verifying activation. As you take a sip, marvel at the scented air bubbles traveling through the straw, creating an enticing bubbling sound and taste sensation.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How we tested Air Up

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, our quest for evaluating water bottles is a meticulous one. We've tested countless options, scrutinizing their performance, durability, and user-friendliness. But when it came to Air Up, we went the extra mile.

Our testing panel, composed of 11 individuals from various backgrounds, was a diverse blend of consumers, dietitians, kitchen gear experts, engineers, and chemists. Together, we generated a wealth of data, amassing over a hundred data points and eliciting invaluable feedback. This encompassed everything from taste impressions to comfort during usage and shifts in hydration habits.

Within our Lab, we left no stone unturned. We subjected both plastic and stainless steel Air Up models to drop and leak tests. Our examination extended to nine distinct flavor pods, which we meticulously evaluated for flavor quality, durability, and intensity. Usability wasn't forgotten either; we assessed the water bottle's ease of filling, carrying, drinking from, and cleaning.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is in the flavor pods?

According to Air Up, their flavor pods are crafted using natural extracts from plants, fruits, and spices. While they keep specific details related to their intellectual property under wraps, their commitment to natural ingredients is evident.

Air Up offers a diverse range of 15 flavors, from classic apple to intriguing basil-lemon and refreshing orange-vanilla. You can explore these scents through variety packs or opt for three-packs of your favorite flavor. Each water bottle starter set also includes a selection of flavor pods.

During our testing, personal preferences played a significant role, with no single scent emerging as a unanimous favorite. Testers shared their insights, highlighting varying scent strengths 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 enhance roughly 1.3 gallons of water with captivating scents. The company also emphasizes the importance of checking the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's vibrancy may diminish with time, delivering the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. Storing the pods in their original packaging is crucial, as they cannot be cleaned and should only be opened just before attaching them to your water bottle.

Our investigation revealed that if the pods remained affixed to the water bottle for an extended duration without being used, the scent gradually dissipated, resulting in a less pronounced "flavor" for the water. Considering the per-pod price and the current online-exclusive availability, our experts expressed a desire for pods with a more 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

In our in-depth analysis of the Air Up water bottle, we've examined its durability, weight, and comfort characteristics. We've explored how the lightweight plastic version compares to the heavier stainless steel model in terms of weight.

Through rigorous drop testing, we've assessed the bottles' ability to endure repeated falls onto hard concrete, revealing their individual strengths and vulnerabilities. These real-world trials provide valuable insights into their resilience.

Our leak testing procedures scrutinized the bottles' capacity to remain leak-free when positioned horizontally with tightly sealed lids. Discover the variations in leak resistance between the plastic and stainless steel options.

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

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