If you’ve ever dealt with the mess of a toiletry bottle explosion, you know the value of having a good reusable toiletry bottle — especially when you’re on the road and don’t want to stop and restock on supplies.
There are so many different types of toiletry bottles to choose from, whether it’s a 4-in-1 dispenser, a silicone set or even magnetic containers,?it really all comes down to preference at the end of the day.
With so many options to choose from, we decided to put the eco-friendly S’well Travel Bottle Set to the test. These TSA-approved bottles are reusable and also come in a recycled carrying case. The bottles themselves are made of durable, lightweight aluminum and come with leakproof pumps, according to the manufacturer.
Here’s what we liked and what we didn’t about these sleek travel bottles.
The S’well Travel Bottle Set is a high-end reusable toiletry bottle set that’s made from stainless steel, just like the brand’s iconic water bottles. It's more expensive than similar products from competitors, but the price may be worthwhile for those who value style and high-end materials.
What we liked about it
Good dispensary
There’s nothing more frustrating than when a pump bottle doesn’t work or has a poor dispensary. The S’well travel bottles did not disappoint in this department. Each pump dispensed just the right amount of product for my needs. And if I wanted more, it’s easy to do half a pump without making a mess.
In fact, I ended up transferring the rest of my everyday products into the containers as I preferred the pump feature versus squeezing a bottle for moisturizer and other products.
Eco-friendly
All S’well products are made of food-grade, stainless steel that is BPA/BPS-free, so the bottles are nontoxic and do not contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the contents of the bottle. Additionally, they are reusable and designed to last a while. That’s a big selling point for me as I try to reduce my carbon footprint whenever I can by using eco-friendly products.
Easy to clean
Unlike rubber and plastic travel bottles, these stainless steel bottles are easy to clean. While it’s not recommended to put them in the dishwasher, a little soap and water along with a nice shake does the job.
What we didn’t like about it
Bulky
Although these bottles are the TSA-approved size of 3.4 ounces, the design and stainless steel material make them a bit clunkier than other bottles made from more flexible materials like rubber or plastic. However, they do come with their own carrying case so you can keep them out of your toiletry bag to make room for other things.
No filling funnel or “lock”
While the mouth of the bottle isn’t too small, I wish it would have come with a filling funnel to avoid any messy transfers. Thankfully, I had one on hand from my 4-in-1 travel dispenser.
Another thing I didn’t love was that the pump didn’t have a turn-to-lock feature, which made me a bit worried about leaks. However, they do come with some pretty solid caps which should help prevent that.
Pricey
The S’well Travel Bottle Set is on the pricier side, and to me, $35 feels like a lot for what it is. While there is the promise of higher quality, there are a handful of other toiletry bottles and sets that you can get for half the cost. Do your own analysis to see if the higher cost is worthwhile for the S’well Travel Bottle’s high-end materials.
Bottom line
If you prefer your travel accessories to have a clean aesthetic and high-quality build, then the S’well Travel Bottle Set is a great choice. They have a great dispensary, and I appreciate that they are well built and eco-friendly. However, if you’re just looking for something to toss in your bag and not worry about losing, you might go for a more affordable option.
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