The Air Up water bottle prompts the question: is it a worthwhile addition to your daily routine? This unique bottle caters to those who appreciate the taste of flavored water and find it easier to meet their hydration goals with a dash 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, believes, "Individuals who struggle with staying properly hydrated may find this bottle beneficial, especially if they consider plain water dull." If you have a busy lifestyle and find it challenging to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up might be the solution you've been seeking.

However, it's important 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 pointed out, "I wish it came in different sizes to reduce the need for frequent refills."

Budget-conscious individuals should also take note, 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 recommending Air Up, it appears to have garnered widespread appeal.

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

Air Up revolutionizes the way we experience taste by tapping into our olfactory receptors. These tiny sensors, capable of detecting over 1 trillion scents, play a pivotal role in our sense of taste. Air Up explains:

"Retronasal smelling is the key to our innovation, enabling us to infuse plain water with flavor. Our bottles allow you to consume 'flavored' air from our pods with every sip. Your nasal receptors translate this 'flavored' air into taste, enhancing your water without actually adding any flavor. It's like tasting with your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you can savor scents as flavors through the magic of retronasal olfaction.

To elevate your hydration experience, follow these simple steps: Fill your water bottle to the capacity line, then attach the mouthpiece with the straw. Place the circular pod over the mouthpiece, push it into place, and ensure it's activated. When you take a sip, scented air bubbles travel through the straw, producing a delightful bubbling sound, and voilà—your senses perceive it as taste.

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 result of their dedication to natural ingredients. They craft these pods using natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices, although specific intellectual property details remain closely guarded.

The brand boasts a wide variety of 15 flavors available on their website, ranging from the classic apple to the intriguing basil-lemon and the indulgent orange-vanilla. You can explore these scents through variety packs or stock up on your top picks with three-packs. Additionally, each water bottle starter set includes an assortment of flavor pods.

During our testing, personal preferences influenced the results, with no single scent emerging as a unanimous favorite. Testers provided insights into scent strength and flavor experiences.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How long do Air Up pods last?

Air Up claims that each of its pods is designed to enhance approximately 1.3 gallons of water with enticing scents. Additionally, the company advises consumers to take note of the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's vibrancy may diminish over time, delivering the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. Storing the pods in their original packaging is essential, as they cannot be cleaned and should only be unsealed just before attaching them to your water bottle.

In our investigation, we found that if the pods remained affixed to the water bottle for an extended period without being used, the scent gradually dissipated, resulting in 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 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 live up to their claims? Our comprehensive evaluation revealed that they do indeed succeed in infusing water with the flavors of their pods. One of the standout flavors was mango-passionfruit, offering a delightful and juicy "flavor" experience. However, the orange-vanilla pod received mixed reviews, with some perceiving it as somewhat artificial.

As we delved into the data and feedback from our testers, it became evident that personal preferences played a significant role. Scent perception varies from person to person, influenced by individual associations and differences in olfactory sensitivity. Some testers didn't find themselves drawn to the Air Up water bottle after testing, while others hailed it as an innovative addition to their daily hydration routine.

One tester remarked, "Inhaling the scent didn't enhance the flavor for me," while another shared, "This is no gimmick. On days when I struggle to consume plain water at home, the Air Up bottle makes it more enjoyable." Ultimately, your experience with Air Up depends on how you engage with and appreciate scents.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

Delve into the world of the Air Up water bottle as we assess its durability, weight, and comfort features. We've explored how the lightweight plastic version contrasts with its heavier stainless steel counterpart in terms of weight.

Our drop testing procedures subjected both materials to a series of drops onto hard concrete, unveiling their respective strengths and weaknesses. The results shed light on the bottles' resilience when faced with real-world conditions.
Leak testing was another crucial aspect of our evaluation, where we examined the bottles' ability to remain leak-free when positioned on their sides with tightly sealed lids. Discover the differences between the plastic and stainless steel bottles in this regard.

Furthermore, we delved into the comfort factor of the Air Up water bottle, particularly focusing on the mouthpiece and ease of sipping. Ease of cleaning, including the advantages of the stainless steel model, was also a key consideration.

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