Air Up asserts that each of its pods can enhance approximately 1.3 gallons of water with delightful scents. Furthermore, the company recommends checking the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's intensity may diminish over time, delivering the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. Keeping 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 investigations, we noted that if the pods remained affixed to the water bottle for an extended duration without being used, the fragrance gradually faded, resulting in a milder "flavor" for the water. Given the per-pod price and the current online-exclusive availability, our experts expressed a desire for pods with a more prolonged lifespan.

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 notions 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

Experience the artistry of enhancing water with scent through Air Up's innovative approach. Air Up highlights the importance of olfactory receptors, capable of discerning an astonishing 1 trillion scents. The brand explains:

"Retronasal smelling is our secret ingredient, allowing us to infuse 'flavored' air from our pods into plain water. Our bottles ensure that every sip is a sensory delight as your nasal receptors interpret this 'flavored' air as taste. Remarkably, your water remains unaltered in taste, but your palate experiences a burst of flavor through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll witness the fusion of scent and taste like never before.

Maximize the flavorful potential of Air Up with these step-by-step instructions. Commence by filling your water bottle to the capacity line and affixing the mouthpiece with the straw. Place the circular pod over the mouthpiece, ensuring activation. As you sip, relish the experience of scented air bubbles traveling through the straw, turning into delectable taste sensations.

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, water bottles are a frequent subject of examination. We rigorously evaluate them for performance, durability, and user-friendliness. However, when the Air Up water bottle came onto our radar, we knew it was time for a unique testing approach.

Our dedicated 11-person testing panel, consisting of consumers, dietitians, kitchen equipment experts, engineers, and chemists, embarked on a comprehensive journey. This endeavor resulted in over a hundred data points and invaluable feedback, encompassing taste perceptions, comfort during usage, and shifts in hydration habits.

In our Lab, we didn't skimp on testing. We conducted drop and leak tests on both plastic and stainless steel Air Up models. Our assessment extended to nine distinct flavor pods, which we meticulously rated for flavor quality, longevity, and strength. We also examined the water bottle's ease of use, considering aspects 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

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

Do Air Up water bottles truly work as advertised? Our comprehensive testing process revealed that they do indeed succeed in infusing water with the flavors of their pods. Among the flavors we examined, the mango-passionfruit pod left a lasting impression with its juicy and delightful "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were divided, with some finding it somewhat artificial.

As we analyzed the data and the feedback from our testers, it became clear that personal preferences and scent perception played a significant role in shaping the experience. Scent perception is a deeply personal matter, influenced by individual associations and the distinct nature of each person's sense of smell. Some testers did not foresee integrating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others considered it an innovative enhancement.

One tester shared, "Inhaling the scent didn't heighten the flavor for me," while another noted, "This is no mere gimmick. On days when plain water feels uninspiring, the Air Up bottle elevates the hydration experience." Ultimately, your journey with Air Up is intimately connected to your sensory perceptions.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

In our thorough assessment of Air Up water bottles, we've scrutinized their durability, weight, and comfort features. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the lightweight plastic version and its comparison to the heavier stainless steel counterpart in terms of weight.

Through rigorous drop testing, we've evaluated the bottles' ability to withstand repeated falls onto hard concrete, highlighting their strengths and vulnerabilities. These real-world tests provide valuable insights into their performance.

Our leak testing examined how well the bottles retained their watertight seal when placed horizontally with tightly secured lids. Discover the differences in leak resistance between the plastic and stainless steel variations.

Additionally, we explored the comfort aspect of the Air Up water bottle, with an emphasis on the mouthpiece and ease of sipping. The cleaning process also came under scrutiny, with a focus on the advantages offered by the stainless steel model.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

So, is the Air Up water bottle worth it?

The Air Up water bottle begs the question: is it worthy of the hype? This distinctive bottle caters to those who relish the taste of flavored water and find it more enjoyable to meet their hydration goals with a dash 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 have a busy schedule and find it challenging to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up could be the game-changer you've been searching for.

However, it's important to consider that the Air Up water bottle may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who consume significant quantities 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 mentioned, "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 impact 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 endorsing Air Up, it appears to have garnered widespread approval.

Feel free to use any of these versions, and if you have any specific preferences or adjustments, please let me know!

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