Do Air Up water bottles deliver on their promise? Our meticulous testing process revealed that they do indeed succeed in imparting flavors to water through their pods. The mango-passionfruit pod, in particular, stood out with its juicy and enjoyable "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod were mixed, with some finding it somewhat artificial.

As we dissected the data and the feedback from our testers, it became evident that personal preferences and scent perception played a pivotal role. Scent experiences are inherently individual, influenced by personal associations and the unique characteristics of each individual's sense of smell. Some testers did not envision incorporating the Air Up water bottle into their daily routine after testing, while others regarded it as an innovative enhancement.

One tester remarked, "Inhaling the scent didn't amplify the flavor for me," while another stated, "This is not a mere gimmick. On days when plain water fails to excite, the Air Up bottle adds a layer of enjoyment to hydration." Ultimately, your interaction with Air Up is intimately linked to your sensory experiences.

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

Delve into the alchemy of taste perception with Air Up, where science meets flavor. Air Up highlights the importance of olfactory receptors, capable of detecting a staggering 1 trillion scents. The brand elaborates:

"Retronasal smelling is the magic ingredient that makes Air Up special. It's how we introduce 'flavored' air from our pods into plain water. Our bottles ensure that every sip you take is enriched with this 'flavored' air, and your nasal receptors do the rest, turning it into taste. Remarkably, your water remains unaltered in terms of actual flavor. It's like experiencing flavor through your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you'll witness the transformation of scent into a tantalizing taste experience.

Embark on a sensory journey with Air Up using these instructions. Start by filling your water bottle to the capacity line and securing the mouthpiece with the straw. Position the circular pod over the mouthpiece, ensuring it's activated. When you sip from Air Up, embrace the scented air bubbles as they travel through the straw, delighting your senses with taste.

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, we take water bottles seriously. Over the years, we've rigorously assessed countless options for performance, durability, and ease of use. But when the Air Up water bottle entered our testing lineup, it was clear that this was no ordinary examination.

Our 11-person testing panel, featuring consumers, dietitians, kitchen equipment experts, engineers, and chemists, embarked on a thorough evaluation journey. The result? A wealth of data, comprising over a hundred data points and invaluable feedback. This feedback ranged from taste assessments to comfort during usage and observations on shifts in hydration habits.

Inside our Lab, no detail was overlooked. We conducted drop and leak tests on both plastic and stainless steel Air Up models. We meticulously scrutinized nine distinct flavor pods, rating them for flavor quality, longevity, and strength. Additionally, we assessed the water bottle's user-friendliness, covering aspects like 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 exemplify their dedication to natural ingredients. These pods are carefully crafted with natural flavors extracted from plants, fruits, and spices, although the specifics of their intellectual property are closely guarded.

The brand's website boasts a selection of 15 flavors, ranging from classic apple to innovative basil-lemon and indulgent orange-vanilla. You can explore these scents through variety packs or stock up on your favorites with three-packs. Additionally, each water bottle starter set includes an assortment of flavor pods.

In our testing, personal preferences played a significant role, with no single scent receiving unanimous praise. Testers provided insights into scent strength and their personal flavor preferences.

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 enhance roughly 1.3 gallons of water with captivating scents. The company also emphasizes the importance of checking the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent's vibrancy may diminish with time, delivering the most satisfying experience when the pod is freshly opened. Storing the pods in their original packaging is crucial, as they cannot be cleaned and should only be opened just before attaching them to your water bottle.

Our investigation revealed that if the pods remained affixed to the water bottle for an extended duration without being used, the scent gradually dissipated, resulting in a less pronounced "flavor" for the water. Considering the per-pod price and the current online-exclusive availability, our experts expressed a desire for pods with a more extended lifespan.

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 poses a question: is it a worthwhile investment? This distinctive bottle caters to those who savor the taste of flavored water and find it more enticing to meet their hydration goals 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, believes, "Individuals who struggle to stay adequately hydrated would appreciate this bottle, especially those who deem plain water uninspiring." If you lead a busy life and lack the time to infuse your water with fresh ingredients, Air Up could be the solution you've been seeking.

However, it's important to note that the Air Up water bottle may not suit everyone, particularly those who consume large quantities of water and require a more capacious bottle (the plastic version holds 22 ounces, while the stainless steel version holds 28 ounces). As one tester remarked, "I wish it were available in different sizes to reduce the need for frequent refills."

Consider your budget as well, as regularly purchasing flavor pods can add up in cost. A three-pack of pods, which flavors approximately 3.9 gallons of water, may impact your finances. Despite these considerations, seven out of 11 testers recommended Air Up, indicating its appeal to 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