Flavorful and convenient, Cirkul offers easy hydration for picky drinkers (2024)

Flavor drops, reusable water bottles and hydration systems have really upped the ante on America’s hydration status. This may be a good sign that we are well on our way to better health as we begin to consume more water instead of sugar-packed drinks, but as there are countless options to choose from, the variety can feel overwhelming.

The Cirkul (available at Cirkul) water bottle is joining the hydration craze, offering uniquely customizable flavor cartridges that offer benefits like hydration-boosting electrolytes and caffeinated energy boosters on the go. The bottle features a built-in dial to adjust cartridge strength, so you can go from subtle flavors to sweet-tooth satisfying tastes.

For anyone who struggles to meet their daily hydration goals—and can't stand the taste of plain water—we think Cirkul could give you the motivation (and excitement) you need to stay hydrated.

About Cirkul

Cirkul's easy-to-use, low-hassle water bottle (available in both reusable BPA-free plastic or stainless steel) boasts an innovative design that allows easy swaps between flavor cartridges.

Cirkul flavor cartridges run the gamut of both taste and personal need, including categories like “FitSip” (which include electrolytes), “LifeSip” (with added B vitamins), “GoSip” (infused with caffeine), and iced tea blends. Cirkul is also continuously rolling out new flavor profiles to cater to both adults and kids alike.

The best part of Cirkul is that each flavor cartridge can be personalized with the bottle's built-in dials. If you’re not feeling in the mood for added flavor, simply turn the dial to “X” for straight water. Alternatively, if you’re all about that flavor life, you can crank the dial up to “9” for the ultimate taste bud punch.

Cirkul claims that its flavor cartridges last for approximately 132 ounces of water, which equates to 11 12-ounce refills, six 22-ounce refills, or four 32-ounce refills.

The price of Cirkul ranges based on how many cartridges you purchase:

• Eight cartridges = $27
• 16 cartridges = $49
• 24 cartridges = $67
• 32 cartridges = $82

When stocking up, you can choose to build a bundle which will save you money on your order.

How we tested Cirkul

In order to test Cirkul (we used the 22-ounce plastic bottle), we simply followed the accompanying instructions. We opened the flavor cartridge packaging, popped it in through the space at the top of the water bottle, and screwed it in until tight.

From there, we dialed the nozzle to achieve our flavor preference: counterclockwise for less flavor and clockwise for more. Then, we tilted the bottle up to get the flavored hydration flowing!

To do this testing, we used the system for three days. We tried two flavor varieties: “Hydrate” LifeSip in Fruit Punch flavor and “Active” FitSip in Mixed Berry flavor. I enjoyed the FitSip during and after workouts and the LifeSip throughout the day.

What we like

The Cirkul system is easy to use

Although we directly followed directions for the sake of testing, this flavor system is incredibly straightforward—no learning curve is required. And being a manual bottle, the Cirkul has no unnecessary bells or whistles that will get in the way of your hydration.

Also, choosing your flavor strength was an impressively easy process—gauging your taste buds was as simple as a turn of the nozzle. So, for those of us who are technologically challenged, have no fear!

It's designed for portability

Cirkul’s main mission is to get America hydrated, especially while on the go. The brand has garnered a community of hundreds of thousands of “Sipsters” across its Facebook page. Those who swear by Cirkul range from busy moms to hiking gurus, so you can rest assured that your bottle will survive the wear and tear of even the most strenuous activities.

Unlike more hefty hydration systems like the Ninja Thirsti, Cirkul is designed to be taken on the go. So you don't have to be home in order to enjoy your favorite flavored water—as long as you have extra cartridges and access to running water for refills, you can stay hydrated all day long.

If you’re an avid drinker, you can sign up for auto-ship plans that will send you your favorite flavor infusers on a timed basis.

Cirkul’s flavors are all-natural

Not only does the Cirkul water bottle system offer hydration, but it also offers healthy, tasty hydration. Each of Cirkul's flavor cartridges are free from sugar and calories, and they come with no artificial dyes, flavors, or added colors. So, put down that can of soda and do your body a favor.

Plus, these flavors are kid-friendly and come in varieties such as fruit punch, blue raspberry, and lemon-lime, so your little one can also stay hydrated without that dreaded sugar crash.

What we don’t like

Cirkul’s flavor infusers produce plastic waste

Although Cirkul’s products boast an 84% reduction in plastic waste (if compared with constant single-use plastic bottle consumption), it still does produce more plastic waste than simply drinking water from your usual refillable water bottle.

Each flavor infuser comes in non-recyclable foil, and the infusers themselves (which include the mouthpiece) are made of a hard plastic material that isn’t able to be recycled.

However, if you are a constant user of single-use plastics, this is certainly a better option for both you and the environment.

What users are saying

Cirkul has gained mostly 5-star ratings across buyers, with one Trustpilot reviewer saying that it's “one of my favorite companies that helps me drink more water!”

Many of the reviews mirror this sentiment, with very few criticisms. One user did find that the bottle “[is] too hard to suck from the mouthpiece.” This product does require you to tilt the water bottle up to begin the flow of both water and flavor, so that could be a turn-off for certain users, but we didn’t find it to be a con during testing.

Should you buy a Cirkul water bottle?

Yes, especially if you’re looking for more exciting hydration.

Just like your regular refillable water bottle, Cirkul offers convenient portability and a snug fit in your car’s cup holder. No matter your mood, you can customize your flavor potency to get that “just right” feel that will keep you coming back for more.

And for those who continuously buy flavored water in single-use bottles, this can be a great option to cut down on your carbon footprint and ensure that you’re making a more environmentally conscious (and budget-friendly) decision.

However, not everyone wants to buy a new water bottle to enjoy new flavors. If you’re solely looking for ways to spice up your bland water, check out brands like True Citrus (which offer crystallized powders) or Mio water drops.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.