When it comes to the Air Up water bottle, the question arises: is it worth it? This innovative bottle is tailored for those who relish flavored water and find it easier to stay hydrated 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, suggests, "People who struggle with staying hydrated would enjoy this bottle, especially those who find plain water unappealing." If you're pressed for time and can't infuse your water with fresh produce, Air Up might be the solution you need.

However, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. For those who consume a lot of water and require a larger bottle capacity, the Air Up's 22-ounce (plastic) or 28-ounce (stainless steel) options might fall short. One tester expressed, "I wish it came in different sizes to reduce the need for frequent refills."

Additionally, consider your budget when factoring in the cost of purchasing flavor pods regularly. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, can add up. Despite these considerations, seven out of our 11 testers endorsed Air Up, making it a winner for the majority.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

What is Air Up?

Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, two innovative German university students, founded Air Up after being inspired by Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, a book by neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. This groundbreaking book challenges traditional beliefs by highlighting the significant role of the sense of smell in shaping flavor. This revelation ignited Jüngst and Jäger's creativity, leading to the development of their first Air Up prototype. Their mission? To unite neuroscience and design and address the global health issue of poor nutrition, particularly inadequate hydration. This revolutionary water bottle is compatible with 15 unique Air Up flavor pods and is available in both plastic and stainless steel versions, allowing for personalization with an array of colorful accessories.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How Air Up works

Air Up orchestrates a sensory symphony that redefines how we taste things. Grounded in the science of olfaction, it leverages our olfactory receptors, which can detect an astonishing 1 trillion scents. Air Up explains:

"Retronasal smelling is our secret to success, allowing us to infuse plain water with the essence of flavor. Our bottles enable you to inhale 'flavored' air from our pods with every sip. This 'flavored' air is translated into taste by your nasal receptors, making your water experience incredibly flavorful without adding any actual flavors. It's akin to savoring through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll embark on a journey where scent becomes a gateway to an entirely new taste dimension.

Master the art of flavor infusion with Air Up by following these expert steps. Begin by filling your water bottle to the capacity line and attaching the mouthpiece with the straw. Gently position the circular pod over the mouthpiece, verifying activation. As you take a sip, marvel at the scented air bubbles traveling through the straw, creating an enticing bubbling sound and taste sensation.

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 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

How long do Air Up pods last?

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

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

Do Air Up water bottles truly live up to their promise of enhancing water with flavors? Our meticulous testing process demonstrated that they do indeed succeed in delivering unique flavor experiences through their pods. The mango-passionfruit pod, in particular, left a memorable impression with its juicy and enjoyable "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were diverse, 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 pivotal role. Scent perception is inherently subjective, shaped by individual associations and the intricacies of each person's sense of smell. Some testers did not envision incorporating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others considered it an innovative enhancement.

One tester remarked, "Inhaling the scent didn't amplify 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 layer of enjoyment to hydration." Ultimately, your journey with Air Up is intimately connected to your sensory experiences.

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

ref: Air Up Water Bottle Review: We Tested the Water Bottle That "Flavors" Water Via Scent