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

What is Air Up?

Air Up was established by Lena Jüngst and Tim Jäger, a dynamic pair of German university students who, during their academic pursuits, found inspiration in Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Shapes Flavor and Why It's Significant, a book authored by the eminent neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd. This thought-provoking book challenges established beliefs by highlighting the paramount role of the sense of smell in the perception of flavor. Motivated by Shepherd's revelations, Jüngst and Jäger embarked on a journey to bring their pioneering Air Up prototype to fruition, guided by the principle of "Blending Neuroscience with Innovative Design." Their overarching objective? To contribute to global well-being by addressing the issue of inadequate hydration, often associated with poor nutrition. This revolutionary water bottle is designed to accommodate 15 distinct Air Up flavor pods and is available in two variations—plastic and stainless steel—both of which can be customized with a variety of vibrant accessories.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How Air Up works

Air Up revolutionizes the way we experience taste by tapping into our olfactory receptors. These tiny sensors, capable of detecting over 1 trillion scents, play a pivotal role in our sense of taste. Air Up explains:

"Retronasal smelling is the key to our innovation, enabling us to infuse plain water with flavor. Our bottles allow you to consume 'flavored' air from our pods with every sip. Your nasal receptors translate this 'flavored' air into taste, enhancing your water without actually adding any flavor. It's like tasting with your sense of smell."

With Air Up, you can savor scents as flavors through the magic of retronasal olfaction.

To elevate your hydration experience, follow these simple steps: Fill your water bottle to the capacity line, then attach the mouthpiece with the straw. Place the circular pod over the mouthpiece, push it into place, and ensure it's activated. When you take a sip, scented air bubbles travel through the straw, producing a delightful bubbling sound, and voilà—your senses perceive it as taste.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

How we tested Air Up

In the realm 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?

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

How long do Air Up pods last?

Air Up asserts that each pod is designed to infuse approximately 1.3 gallons of water with delightful scents. Additionally, the company advises consumers to check the "best before" date on each pod, as the scent may diminish over time and is at its best when fresh. It's essential to keep the pods in their packaging, as they cannot be cleaned and should only be opened just before attaching them to your water bottle.

During our investigation, we observed that if the pods remained on the water bottle for an extended period without use, the fragrance dissipated, resulting in a diminished "flavor" experience for the water. Our experts expressed a desire for longer-lasting pods, given the per-pod price and the current online-only availability.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

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

Additional Lab and tester notes

Explore the world of the Air Up water bottle through our extensive examination of its durability, weight, and ease of use. We'll provide insights into the lightweight plastic version's characteristics and compare them with the heftier stainless steel iteration.

Our rigorous drop testing subjected both materials to repeated falls onto hard concrete, revealing their resilience and potential vulnerabilities. This real-world testing sheds light on how well these bottles can withstand everyday challenges.

In our leak testing, we assessed the bottles' ability to remain watertight when laid horizontally with tightly sealed lids. Uncover the differences in leak resistance between the plastic and stainless steel variants.

Furthermore, we delved into the comfort aspect of the Air Up water bottle, with a focus on the mouthpiece and sipping experience. Cleaning and maintenance considerations, including the advantages of the stainless steel model, are also discussed.

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