The Best Bike Water Bottle Holder [Buying Guide and Review]

There’s nothing quite like the joy of air rushing past your face as you cruise along on your bike. The bite of the wind, the smells, the fast-moving scenery, it’s a rush that’s made that much better by it being so accessible to all. However, you must make sure you stay hydrated while you’re out, whether you’re riding a road bike through town or taking your mountain bike on an adventure. The best bike water bottle holders make staying hydrated a lot easier, but finding a good water bottle cage that’s both lightweight and reliable can be a challenge.

The best bike water bottle holder keep your bottles secure while off road riding.

That’s why we’ve picked some of the best cages for you, so you can buy with confidence. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each one so that you can stay hydrated and keep cruising in style.

Review of the Best Bike Water Bottle Holders

Here they are, some of the best bike water bottle holders currently available. There isn’t just one water bottle holder that works for everyone, so think about how you use your bike as you read each description. It may be that the bottle cage we like best isn’t the one which will work best for you. Regardless of which one you choose, each of these water bottle cages is rated on performance, durability, and overall design.

Wiel Full Carbon Fiber Bicycle Bike Light Drink Water Bottle Cage Holder – Best Bike Water Bottle Holder

Wiel Full Carbon Fiber Bicycle Bike Light Drink Water Bottle Cage Holder

If you’re looking for a bike water bottle holder designed to hold up under the worst your mountain bike can throw at it, this is one of the best options out there. Its wrap-around design works to hold most standard-size bottles securely while keeping them easily accessible.

The bottle itself is a plastic shell surrounding a carbon fiber frame. The combination is lightweight and durable but still offers a little flexibility. You can trust it to hold your water bottle, but you won’t have to struggle to get the bottle out of the cage due to the carbon fibre.

This package is a 2-pack, so you and a friend or family member will both be set with a new bike water bottle holder. Installation is simple as most bikes, be it road bikes, gravel bikes, or mountain bikes, have a standard attachment point for the bottle cage on the frame.

Each cage comes with two bolts. Tighten them completely to prevent the water bottle cage from rattling or moving around on the bike frames. The bolts don’t tend to come loose, but you may wish to tighten them if your bike is left unused for an extended period.

The water bottle cage is a little under 3 inches in diameter. That means that a standard 3-inch water bottle will fit in it quite snugly. Water bottles larger than 3 inches probably won’t fit in this cage, as there isn’t enough flexibility to hold them without damaging the cage. Smaller bottles won’t be secure either.

We also appreciate that this cage has an attractive design. It’s black and red, with a glossy finish. It’s a good fit for a lot of sports bikes and mountain bikes but may not match a more colourful bike.

Overall, this is a good cage for most users. It will work on a road bike, although it’s designed for the added stability and grip of a mountain bike. It’s not necessarily a good cage for those on a budget or new cyclists, as it is a little more expensive than some alternatives.

Anjoy Ultra Light Full Carbon Fiber Bicycle Bike Water Bottle Cage Holder – Runner Up

Anjoy Ultra Light Full Carbon Fiber Bicycle Bike Water Bottle Cage Holder

Our runner-up pick is another sturdy carbon fiber bottle cage. This is designed to hold up to bumpier rides like those on mountain trails or on gravel paths, but it works just as well mounted to a road bike.

One of the advantages of the Anjoy bottle cage is that it’s fairly nondescript. The black-grey finish matches just about any bike style and colour.

It’s made of lightweight carbon fiber. The material is both durable and strong. It’s also incredibly lightweight for something so strong. If you’re looking to enter biking races and competitions, you already know how important every extra ounce of weight can be.

This is also a good choice for cyclists who use a reusable metal or plastic water bottle. The bolt attachment points are recessed into the cage. This means that the cage won’t damage your bottle as you ride.

These features easily make this one of the best carbon water bottle cages you can buy.

The design is also a little more open than some alternatives. This has both advantages and disadvantages. On the bumpiest rides, you may want to add a strap to help secure the bottle. At the same time, the design makes it easier to get to your bottle, and put it back, without the need to stop.

The total weight of the cage is only 30g. It won’t ever deform, and the cage is corrosion resistant. You’ll be able to use this cage for a long time.

Ibera Bicycle Lightweight Aluminum Water Bottle Cage – Best Budget Model

Ibera Bicycle Lightweight Aluminum Water Bottle Cage

This cage is a good option for anyone who wants a reliable tool, without the large price tag that comes with so many bike accessories these days. The cage is made from an aluminum alloy, meaning that it’s less expensive than the best carbon fibers but just as lightweight.

The cage comes in several different colours. That means that you can match the cage to your bike. This isn’t an important luxury, but it’s one that can make you look better if you want to show off at competitions and races.

The total design is also a little smaller than a lot of carbon alternatives. This can make it a better option for certain types of competition bikes, particularly if you want your cage to fit in a compact area.

It’s also a good option if you prefer to carry a larger-than-average water bottle. It works with 3- inch bottles as well as with slightly larger sizes. This is because aluminum has a little more flexibility than a carbon cage.

All cyclists know how important it is to have a lightweight bottle cage. While aluminum isn’t quite as lightweight as carbon, it’s still lightweight enough to work with performance bikes and in competition.

This is also a good bike bottle holder for women’s bikes as the more compact design fits even the smallest bike designs.

Bushwhacker Shasta Black – Insulated Bike Water Bottle Holder – Best Handlebar Attachment Water Cage

Bushwhacker Shasta Black - Insulated Bike Water Bottle Holder

Unlike the other water bottle holders on this list, this one isn’t designed to attach to your bike’s frame. Instead, this is one of the best water bottle holders for bike handlebars.

Putting your bottle on the handlebars can make it more accessible. However, this comes at the cost of navigation as you’ll be pulling on the handle every time you need the water bottle.

At the same time, experienced cyclists will be able to compensate for the additional push or pull from the water bottle.

This water bottle holder is also a little different in that it’s a fabric bottle holder rather than a metal or carbon option. This makes it a lightweight, flexible, and durable bottle holder. It also means that putting your water bottle back can be a little trickier, particularly when trying to do so one-handed.

But this design also has the advantage of being an insulated holder. If you prefer to keep your beverages ice cold, this is a good option.

Placing your water bottle on the handlebars does have one more disadvantage. It’s less aerodynamic than other placements, even with a fabric bike water bottle holder like this one. If you’re looking to start competing, this may not be the best option.

However, if you’re looking for something that also works away from your bike, then this is a good choice. The straps attach just as easily to a belt as they do to the handlebars of a bike.

Pro Bike Tool Water Bottle Holder

pro Bike tool Water Bottle Holder

This bike water bottle holder is still one of the best options, even if it isn’t the best of the ones we’ve chosen. It’s one of the most flexible designs, which means that it works with a significantly larger range of bottles than some other bottle cages.

The adjustable bike water bottle holder design means that, despite the many different bottle sizes this water bottle holder is compatible with, you’ll always have the security you need. There’ll be no more lost water bottles while you’re out on a ride.

If you’re looking for a lightweight bottle cage that accommodates a wide range of bottles but uses a standard bolt attachment, this is a good option. The aluminum is slightly heavier than carbon, but the difference is minimal, and this design is ultimately more flexible.

Planet Bike Aluminum Water Bottle Cage

Planet Bike Aluminum Water Bottle Cage

This is a good option for cyclists who are looking for a more minimal bottle cage. It’s a lightweight and flexible design, meaning that it will fit most standard-sized water bottles.

The aluminum alloy is tough and lightweight. However, the more minimal design means that you don’t get the same stability and security that you get with a more complete bottle cage.

This doesn’t mean that it’s not a good option. It’s still a solid choice, particularly as it’s an affordable option. It works with all bike frames which have a standard two-bolt attachment point. It also comes in a wide range of colours, making this bottle cage a good option if you want to get your children into cycling early. Matching the bottle cage to your kid’s bike frame may not seem like a big deal, but it can make a huge difference to them.

UShake Water Bottle Cages, Basic MTB Bike Bicycle Alloy Aluminum Lightweight Water Bottle Holder Cages

UShake Water Bottle Cages, Basic MTB Bike Bicycle Alloy Aluminum Lightweight Water Bottle Holder Cages

The last mount on our list is another lightweight bottle cage, and this one is made from heat-treated aluminum alloy.

This system is designed to provide a secure hold on your bottle, while also flexing enough to allow some variation in the size and shape of the water bottle you use. The affordable price also makes this a good choice for casual cyclists and children, and as a first trail bottle holder.

However, the more flexible design also means that your water bottle is more likely to fall out when on rough terrain or on longer rides. This bottle cage is best suited to road bikes that won’t be spending much time off-road.

Buying Guide

Just because we’ve already gone over some of the best bike water bottle cages doesn’t mean that it’s not worth spending some time looking at what makes a bottle cage one of the best.

This buying guide is designed to help you choose between different water bottle holders so that you know you will be buying the right one for you and your bike.

As you consider the different features of each cage, don’t think about what makes a high-quality cage. That will come naturally if you pick a cage that works well for you. Instead, think about how you use your bike, the kind of water bottle you prefer, and where you will be using your bike.

Type of Water Bottle Holder

There are two main types of bottle holders and each is better for a different setup.

Holder with a Front Mount System

A front mount system is generally a mount that attaches to the handlebars or one of the forward elements of the bike frame. Any mount which attaches in front of the cyclist, rather than underneath, is called a front mount system.

They can be the easiest to use as they make it easy to get your bottle out while cycling. However, they aren’t as good for competition use as they cause additional air drag, and may also impede clear steering.

Holder with a Rear Mount System

A rear mount system is meant to be mounted on the frame underneath or behind the cyclist, often just behind the bike seat. These mounts are more common, but also a little more difficult to use while cycling. However, they’re also more aerodynamic, and more popular with mountain bikers and competitive cyclists.

Material

There are three main options when it comes to materials. The material you choose can make a huge difference in the performance and durability of your bottle holder.

The best bike water bottle holders in 2020 tend to be those which are made from carbon fiber as they are the lightest and most durable option. However, carbon doesn’t flex particularly much, so these bottle holders are also generally more size limited and may only work with a very small selection of bottles.

This is partly why some of the best water bottle cages for mountain bikes are made from a hardened aluminum alloy. These cages offer great durability, combined with greater flexibility and more bottle options.

The final option is plastic water bottle cages. Plastic might make for a lightweight water bottle cage, but it’s never particularly durable and can often not hold a full bottle on rocky terrain. You should generally avoid plastic as a material for a bike water bottle holder.

Occasionally, you’ll also see fabric bottle holders. Fabric is a good, long-lasting option, but must be mounted carefully and doesn’t work with rear mount systems. These are best for casual cyclists.

Mounting Holes

All hard bottle cages require a mounting system. Not all of them come with mounting holes, but most of the best options will be designed to mount directly to the frame of your bike.

Make sure the mounting holes are listed as standard and check the manufacturing company. If it’s a company from a different country, check to make sure their system will work with your bike. Different nationalities often have different size standards.

Mounting holes should not be too wide, have sharp edges, or be made from a different material than the rest of the bike water bottle cage.

Bottle Retention

Bottle retention is a measure of how well a cage will grip your bottle. In general, the more a water bottle cage wraps around a water bottle, and the more connections there are between the top of the bottle cage and its sides, the more bottle retention you’ll get.

Flexible bottle cages naturally offer less bottle retention than more fixed bottle cages. However, fixed bottle cages fail to grip bottles that aren’t the correct size. Flexible cages with adjustable clamp are usually the best option unless you want to use a specific water bottle.

Easy access

This is all about mounting position and how tight the water bottle cage grips your bottle. Forward mounts are more accessible, particularly on or near the handlebars. Cages which offer a firm but flexible grip are also more accessible.

Hard body cages, such as carbon fiber, and rear-mounted bottle cages are both less accessible when you’re on the move. Access is not impossible, but you’ll need to practice.

Weight

Weight is crucial for competition cyclists, but not necessarily for more casual cyclists.

The more weight there is in your bottle cage, the more total weight you’re going to have to push with the pedals. Consider the additional weight of a full bottle of water, and it makes more sense to make sure your bottle cage is as lightweight as possible.

Carbon fiber is the best lightweight material, but the material doesn’t matter as long as you’re not adding more than a few ounces of weight to your bike.

This doesn’t take into account the weight of the bolts, screws, and washers used to attach the cage. There will be a small amount of additional weight caused by installation.

Just as a pro swimmer works to reduce as much drag as possible to succeed in the pool, a pro cyclist must work to reduce the weight and drag of their bike to the lowest possible level.

Size

Most bike bottle cages are designed for bottles that are around 3” in diameter. The total size of a bottle also depends on its height, which is typically limited by the stability of the water bottle cage as well as its placement. Certain bottle cage placements will prevent you from using a tall water bottle.

Flexible aluminum cages allow more variation in bottle size. Carbon fiber is also suitable and is generally more durable.

Fabric and other materials can sometimes accommodate larger bottles than other types of bike water bottle cages.

Some bike water bottle cages only really work with the bottles that come with them. Others are designed to be more universal. If you have a particular water bottle in mind, you should test it in the cage, and on your bike, before installing the cage. That way, you’re more likely to be able to replace it if it doesn’t function in the way you require.

FAQ

What is the standard size of bottle for bottle cages?

Standard size usually refers to bottles that are 3 inches in diameter. However, some bottle cages are also designed with a maximum weight in mind, and so they require a bottle under a certain total volume. The height of your bottle is usually less important, as long as it fits in the cage where it’s mounted on your bike.

However, it’s important to look at the manufacturer of your bottle cage. Cages made for use in the United States are a different size than those made for use in the European Union or elsewhere.

You should also check the dimensions of your bottle cage as even some cages which are marked as ‘standard’ bike cages come in strange dimensions. While these dimensions may be close to the standard, they can still alter which bottles you are able to use.

How do you know whether the bottle cage is suitable for your bike?

The first thing is to check for attachment points on your bike. Look for two bolt holes in the frame. Different manufacturers place these in different places, so look anywhere where there is a flat plane on the frame.

Curved areas don’t usually have an attachment point. These areas are less stable and tend to rattle the bottle cage too much.

If you don’t have a mounting area, you might want to choose a handlebar water bottle cage instead or find a cinch clamp to help attach the bottle cage.

Conclusion

That’s it. We’ve looked at some of the best bike water bottle holders which are currently available. We’ve talked about the pros and cons of each one, as well as the type of bike and cyclist each water bottle cage works best with.

We’ve also provided you with a buying guide that covers all the most important features of a bottle cage. This way, not only do you have a shortlist of some of the best cages, but you also have the insider knowledge needed to make an informed decision before buying one.

No water bottle cage is perfect. But what is the best water bottle holder for a bike on the market these days?

we choose the Wiel Full Carbon Fiber Bicycle water bottle holder as the best one because of the quilty and clean finishing.