Do Air Up water bottles truly deliver on their promise? Our thorough evaluation confirmed that they successfully infuse water with the flavors of their pods. Among the flavors we tested, the mango-passionfruit pod impressed with its juicy and delightful "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were divided, with some perceiving it as somewhat artificial.

As we sifted through the data and feedback from our testers, it became clear that individual preferences and scent perception played a significant role in the experience. Scent perception is a highly personal matter, influenced by individual associations and the uniqueness of each person's sense of smell. Some testers did not foresee incorporating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others regarded it as an innovative addition.

One tester stated, "Inhaling the scent didn't enhance the flavor for me," while another commented, "This is no gimmick. On days when I find plain water unappealing, the Air Up bottle makes hydration more enjoyable." Ultimately, your interaction with Air Up hinges on your sensory experience.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is Air Up?

Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, two enterprising German university students, founded Air Up during their academic pursuits after reading Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, a book by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. Shepherd's book challenges traditional notions by highlighting the pivotal role of the sense of smell in flavor perception. This revelation inspired Jüngst and Jäger to develop their first Air Up prototype, driven by the motto "Neuroscience meets design." Their mission is clear: to promote better health worldwide by addressing the issue of poor nutrition, particularly inadequate hydration. The iconic Air Up water bottle is designed to accommodate 15 unique flavor pods and is available in both plastic and stainless steel versions, allowing for personalization with a range 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

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?

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 enrich approximately 1.3 gallons of water with captivating scents. The company also highlights the importance of checking the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's potency may decrease over time, providing the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. It is crucial to store 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 observations revealed that if the pods remained attached to the water bottle for an extended duration without use, the fragrance gradually dissipated, leading to 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 an extended lifespan.

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 worth your consideration? This unique bottle is tailored for those who enjoy the taste of flavored water and find it more enjoyable to stay hydrated 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, "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 a game-changer.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that the Air Up water bottle may not suit everyone, particularly those who consume significant 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, consider your budget, as purchasing flavor pods regularly can impact your finances. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may be 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