Owala (brand)
Water bottle brand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Owala is a drinkware brand owned by Trove Brands that specializes in insulated stainless-steel water bottles.[1] The brand is known for its FreeSip bottle, which features a dual-mode patented lid that supports drinking through a built-in straw or from a wider opening.[2] The FreeSip was selected as a Wirecutter pick and was included in Time's "200 Best Inventions of 2023".[2][3]
 | |
| Product type | Insulated water bottles |
|---|---|
| Owner | Trove Brands |
| Country | United States |
| Website | owalalife |
History
Owala was launched by Trove Brands in 2020, with the FreeSip as its first product.[1][4] Trove Brands was founded by Kim and Steve Sorenson; their son Michael Sorenson serves as CEO.[1][5]
The company originated with the BlenderBottle, a protein-shake mixing bottle, and later expanded into a portfolio of brands including Owala.[1][4] Trove Brands initially tried to market the FreeSip under BlenderBottle, but the launch performed poorly; it was later withdrawn and relaunched under the Owala brand.[1][4]
Coverage describes Owala's growth as occurring over multiple years rather than as an "overnight success."[1][4] Owala's visibility increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period amid broader interest in reusable water bottles, including social media attention such as videos of nurses using the FreeSip.[1][4][6][7] The brand has since been discussed alongside other reusable bottle brands such as Stanley and Hydro Flask.[3][8]
Products
FreeSip is Owala's best-known insulated bottle line.[2][3] It has a patented lid,[9] allowing users to drink from either a wide-mouth opening or the built-in straw.
After selling out of the original Freesip bottle in 2020, Owala released the Freesip tumbler-style with a handle. This design came in 30 and 40 oz, is cupholder friendly, leak-proof, and 24 hours cold.[10]
Owala bottles are modular, allowing consumers to mix and match colors for the lid, handles, and other components.[11]
The SmoothSip Slider was also released in early 2025. They are sold with handle or no handle, comes in 15+ colors, is leak-proof, and can be used hot or cold.[12]
Owala also offers stickers, bottle cleaners, and pet bowls.[13][14]
Marketing
Owala releases limited-edition colorways through scheduled events called "Color Drops."[1][3] These limited releases use scarcity to encourage purchases; the company is known for using fear of missing out (FOMO) as a marketing strategy.[1][4] Limited-edition designs have also been listed for resale at higher prices than standard retail, with some designs reselling for hundreds of dollars.[2][4][15]
Reception and awards
Wirecutter selected the FreeSip as a water bottle pick, pointing to its lid design and colorways for its inclusion.[3] In 2023, Time recognized the Owala FreeSip bottle as one of the best inventions of 2023.[13] BusinessQ Magazine named Owala "Marketer of the Year" in 2024.[16] In 2025, it obtained a 2025 Red Dot Design Award.[citation needed]