Thumbs Up to Air Up?: Water Bottle Review

Zak Muggleton-Gellas, Year 2

Even after being met by a flurry of negativity from my trusted peers, my deluded hope for science to be revolutionary bested my doubts. I was on my way to buying a brand new water bottle: the Air Up. After having it recommended by a friend, I decided to cough up a monstrous £35. Two weeks later, I was – to what can only be compared as a child on Christmas morning – ripping apart the box to get to my new water bottle. 

For those that have managed to avoid the copious amounts of adverts released by this company – I may classify it as bombardment – the air up bottle uses olfactory (smell) receptors (since a large majority of taste is from smell) to allow the consumer to experience a variety of flavours, compared to when just drinking plain water. I am a sucker for science that I would deem to be ‘pretty damn cool.’ I dashed upstairs when the doorbell rang and quickly rinsed the bottle (admittedly could have been more thoroughly, but then the water bottle tastes like soap for days and, if we are honest, that would ruin just about anyone’s day) and filled it to the brim with cold, refreshing water. 

The pack comes with a sturdy water bottle, a thick straw, an insert that gets attached to the straw, a lid and a few sample flavours (lime and passionfruit). After constructing the bottle, I inserted a lime disc and got ready to try it out. I took my first sip and was conflicted. 

It is scientifically wondrous that pure water with nothing added turned out to taste even reminiscent of the projected flavour. They have invented what is effectively a glorified perfume mechanism and it does work! Additionally, it has to be said that I drank significantly more water than usual for the coming weeks, maybe just motivated by the novelty? The million dollar question: Does it work well enough?

Each disc is claimed to last for 5 litres, which is definitely less economically viable than a £1 bottle of squash. A human should drink up to around four litres a day, and at a staggering £2.30 (6.95) per pod, it is an expensive hobby. Upon purchase, I was under the impression that it lasted for 60 litres, but that was entirely due to my lack of common sense. 

Even if someone were to have blindfolded me and tested if I could correctly identify the taste, I probably would have got it correct, but that’s not the crux of the issue. It tasted almost like drinking water with squash but only a few drops of it in a cup. In order for it to be fully worth the money, the flavour would have to be more pungent. If you are expecting a substitute to alternatives (such as squash) then airup is not what you’re looking for, but if you are simply just intrigued, then why not? Personally as a student, I’d recommend saving your money. 

Almost four months later, the bottle is broken (it leaked almost every time I tried to use it) and the tag at which you can hold the bottle by has ripped off. This could be an individualised experience which is why I’ve decided not to include it as a negative above. But nevertheless, I wouldn’t say my care was particularly haphazard, so maybe I deserve a replacement. But as I’m sure many can relate, the effort that would require is just a little too great – unlike this water bottle.