Air Up takes pride in using natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices to create their flavor pods. While they keep specific details related to their intellectual property a closely guarded secret, their commitment to natural ingredients is unwavering.

With 15 flavors available on their website, ranging from apple to basil-lemon to orange-vanilla, Air Up offers a diverse selection. You can either explore a variety of scents through packs or stock up on your favorite with three-packs. Additionally, each water bottle starter set includes a curated assortment of flavor pods.

During our testing, personal preferences influenced the results, with no single scent receiving unanimous praise. Testers shared their experiences, noting variations in scent strength and flavor profiles.

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

Join the flavor revolution with Air Up, where scents transform into delectable tastes. Air Up underscores the importance of olfactory receptors, capable of detecting over 1 trillion scents. The brand elaborates:

"Retronasal smelling is the heart of Air Up's innovation. It's how we infuse plain water with 'flavored' air from our pods. Our bottles ensure that every sip is a flavorful experience, with your nasal receptors converting 'flavored' air into taste. Astonishingly, your water remains unchanged in terms of actual flavor. It's a culinary adventure through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll savor scents as flavors in a true gustatory revolution.

Perfect your hydration routine with the innovative flavor infusion of Air Up. Begin by filling your water bottle to the capacity line, then attaching the mouthpiece and straw. Secure the circular pod over the mouthpiece and activate it. As you sip, immerse yourself in the scented air bubbles traveling through the straw, enchanting your taste buds.

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

How long do Air Up pods last?

Air Up claims that each of its pods is designed to enrich approximately 1.3 gallons of water with enticing fragrances. Additionally, the company advises consumers to take note of the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's potency may decrease over time, with the most vibrant experience achieved when the pod is freshly opened. It is crucial to maintain 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 findings indicated that if the pods remained attached to the water bottle for an extended period without use, the fragrance gradually dissipated, leading to a subdued "flavor" for the water. Our experts, considering the per-pod cost and the current online-only purchasing option, expressed a desire for longer-lasting pods.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

Do Air Up water bottles truly live up to their promise? Our extensive testing journey revealed that they do indeed transform water into flavorful experiences with their pods. The mango-passionfruit pod, in particular, left a lasting impression with its juicy and satisfying "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were diverse, with some perceiving it as somewhat artificial.

As we delved into the data and feedback from our testers, it became evident that individual preferences and scent perception played a significant role in shaping the experience. Scent perception is a subjective realm, influenced by personal associations and the nuances of each person's olfactory sensitivity. Some testers did not envision integrating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others considered it an innovative addition.

One tester noted, "Inhaling the scent didn't enhance the flavor for me," while another shared, "This is not a mere gimmick. On days when plain water feels uninspiring, the Air Up bottle adds a touch of enjoyment to hydration." Ultimately, your journey with Air Up is intimately tied to your sensory perceptions.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

In our comprehensive testing of the Air Up water bottle, we've uncovered essential insights about its weight, drop resistance, leak prevention, comfort, and ease of cleaning. From the lightweight plastic version to the heftier stainless steel model, we assessed their weight differences.

When it comes to drop testing, we examined how the plastic and stainless steel bottles fared when dropped from a height onto hard concrete. The results revealed their resilience, with each material type displaying its unique strengths and weaknesses.

Our leak testing scrutinized the bottles' ability to remain watertight when laid on their sides with tightly secured lids. The outcomes varied between the plastic and stainless steel variants, providing valuable information for potential buyers.

Additionally, we explored the comfort factor of the Air Up water bottle, evaluating its mouthpiece and ease of sipping. The convenience of cleaning these bottles also came under our scrutiny, with a focus on the stainless steel model's advantages.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

So, is the Air Up water bottle worth it?

The Air Up water bottle raises the question: does it live up to the hype? This unique bottle is designed for those who enjoy the taste of flavored water and find it easier to meet their hydration goals with a burst 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, "Individuals who struggle to stay properly hydrated may find this bottle beneficial, especially if they consider plain water dull." If you're always on the go and don't have the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up could be the solution you've been searching for.

However, it's important to note that the Air Up water bottle may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those who consume large 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 pointed out, "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 add to your expenses. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may impact your wallet. Nevertheless, with seven out of 11 testers recommending Air Up, it appears to win over the majority.

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