According to Air Up, each of its pods is engineered to enhance approximately 1.3 gallons of water with captivating 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. 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 duration 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 pods with a more prolonged lifespan.

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 beliefs 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

Discover the science that powers Air Up's unique flavor-enhancing system. According to Air Up, our olfactory receptors are responsible for most of our taste sensations, and they can detect an astounding 1 trillion scents. The brand elaborates:

"Retronasal smelling is the secret sauce behind our innovation. It's how we infuse plain water with delightful 'flavored' air from our pods. When you sip through our bottles, your nasal receptors interpret this 'flavored' air as taste, transforming your water into a flavorful experience, even though it remains unflavored."

With Air Up, you'll perceive scent as taste, creating a whole new way to enjoy beverages.

Discover the magic of Air Up with these user-friendly instructions. Fill your water bottle to the capacity line, attach the mouthpiece and straw, and place the circular pod over the mouthpiece, ensuring activation. When you sip, anticipate the pleasure of scent-flavored air bubbles traveling through the straw, transforming into taste sensations as they rise.

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 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

Does the Air Up water bottle work?

Do Air Up water bottles deliver on their promise of transforming water into flavorful experiences? Our extensive testing process affirmed that they do indeed succeed in infusing water with the flavors of their pods. The mango-passionfruit pod, in particular, left a remarkable impression with its juicy and satisfying "flavor." However, opinions on the orange-vanilla pod varied, with some perceiving it as somewhat artificial.

As we scrutinized the data and the feedback from our testers, it became evident that individual preferences and scent perception played a significant role in shaping the experience. Scent perception is an inherently subjective realm, influenced by personal associations and the unique characteristics 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 stated, "Inhaling the scent didn't heighten the flavor for me," while another commented, "This is not just a gimmick. On days when plain water feels uninspiring, the Air Up bottle adds a layer of enjoyment to hydration." Ultimately, your interaction with Air Up is deeply intertwined with your sensory experiences.

Air Up Compatible Food Grade Flavor Pods and Bottles: Sipperment

Additional Lab and tester notes

In our comprehensive evaluation of Air Up water bottles, we've closely examined their durability, weight, and comfort features. We've provided insights into the lightweight plastic version and compared it to the substantial stainless steel alternative in terms of weight.

Through meticulous drop testing, we've assessed how well both materials can withstand multiple falls onto hard concrete surfaces, revealing their strengths and potential vulnerabilities. These real-world tests offer valuable insights into their overall durability.

Our leak testing procedures aimed to determine the bottles' ability to remain leak-free when placed horizontally with tightly secured lids. Discover the variations in leak resistance between the plastic and stainless steel models.

Additionally, we explored the comfort aspect of the Air Up water bottle, particularly focusing on the mouthpiece and ease of sipping. Cleaning and maintenance considerations, including the advantages of the stainless steel model, are also addressed

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