Air Up's commitment to natural ingredients shines through in their flavor pods. These pods are meticulously crafted using natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices. While the brand keeps specific intellectual property details under wraps, their dedication to pure, natural elements is clear.

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

In our testing, personal preferences played a significant role, as no single scent received unanimous acclaim. Testers provided valuable feedback on scent strength and flavor experiences.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is Air Up?

Air Up, a groundbreaking venture, was founded by Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, two forward-thinking German university students. Their journey began when they delved into the pages of Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, a book by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. Shepherd's book challenges conventional wisdom by emphasizing the role of the sense of smell in shaping flavor perception. This revelation led Jüngst and Jäger to create the very first Air Up prototype, driven by their mission to merge neuroscience with design and combat poor nutrition, especially inadequate hydration. The viral Air Up water bottle boasts compatibility with 15 distinct flavor pods and comes in both plastic and stainless steel versions, which can be personalized with a wide range 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

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 really work? Our rigorous testing revealed that they do indeed deliver on their promise, infusing water with the flavors of their pods. The mango-passionfruit pod, in particular, stood out with its juicy and satisfying "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod varied, with some finding it a bit artificial.

As we analyzed the data and feedback from our testers, it became evident that personal preferences and scent perception played a pivotal role. Scent experiences can be highly individual, influenced by personal associations and the uniqueness of each person's sense of smell. Some testers didn't foresee incorporating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others found it to be an innovative addition.

One tester shared, "Inhaling the scent didn't enhance the flavor for me," while another noted, "This is far from a gimmick. On days when plain water doesn't appeal to me, the Air Up bottle makes hydration more enjoyable." Ultimately, your interaction with Air Up is shaped by your sensory perception.

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?

Is the Air Up water bottle the right choice for your hydration needs? This unique bottle is tailored for those who savor the taste of flavored water and find it more enjoyable to meet their daily hydration goals with a burst 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 to stay properly hydrated may find this bottle beneficial, particularly those who consider plain water uninspiring." If you have a hectic lifestyle and don't have the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up might be the solution you've been seeking.

However, it's essential to consider that the Air Up water bottle may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who consume substantial 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 remarked, "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 giving Air Up their recommendation, it appears to have garnered widespread approval.

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