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- Zulu Water Bottle Review: the Short Verdict
- Zulu Water Bottles Compared
- Who Makes Zulu, and Where the Bottles Are Made
- Zulu Ace Review (18 oz and 24 oz)
- Zulu Powerfill Pro Review (24, 32 and 40 oz)
- Zulu Powerfill Pro 64 oz Review
- Zulu Base Review (Three Lids)
- Zulu Goals 64 oz Jug Review
- Zulu Goals Mammoth 101 oz Review
- Zulu Echo Kids 12 oz Review
- Zulu Powerfill Pro Kids 18 oz Review
- Zulu Replacement Lids and Parts
- The Rest of the Zulu Range
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Are Zulu water bottles good?
- Are Zulu water bottles lead free?
- Do Zulu water bottles keep water cold?
- Where are Zulu water bottles made?
- Are Zulu water bottles dishwasher safe?
- What materials are Zulu water bottles made from?
- Are Zulu water bottles leak-proof?
- Can I put hot liquids in a Zulu water bottle?
- How do I clean a Zulu water bottle?
- Can Zulu water bottles go in the microwave?
- Why does water spray out of my bottle on a plane?
- Where can I buy Zulu replacement parts?
- What warranty do Zulu water bottles have?
Zulu makes about thirty bottles and gives them names like Ace, Powerfill Pro, Base and Goals. Several look near-identical on a shelf. The range runs from a 12 oz kids bottle up to a 101 oz jug.
This Zulu water bottle review goes model by model and says which one suits which job. Every figure below is Zulu’s own published specification, attributed where it sits, and where Zulu’s website and its product listings disagree I have said so rather than picked a side. Their line-up includes some of the most popular best insulated water bottles, and the Ace is the one worth starting with.
Zulu Water Bottle Review: the Short Verdict
If you read one line: buy the Ace. Its base twists off, and that is the only thing in the whole Zulu range that changes how you actually clean a bottle. It is also one more seal to keep an eye on, which is the trade-off.
Beyond that the choice is mostly about the lid, not the steel. The Powerfill Pro is the one you can top up without unscrewing anything. The Base ships three lids in the box. The Goals jug has time markings and a straw. Pick the behavior you want, then pick the size.
- Easiest to clean properly: Zulu Ace, because the base comes off
- Refills without unscrewing: Zulu Powerfill Pro, 24 to 40 oz
- Most lids for the money: Zulu Base, three in the box
- All-day capacity: Powerfill Pro 64 oz or the Goals 64 oz jug
- For a school bag: Powerfill Pro Kids 18 oz, or the 18 oz Ace
One thing this review is not: a hands-on test. I have not run a cold-retention test on these bottles, so you will not find my own hour figures here. What you will find is every number Zulu publishes, checked against both of its own channels, and some reasoning about what the design choices mean once the bottle is in your bag.
Zulu Water Bottles Compared
Every cold-retention figure in this table is Zulu’s own published rating, not a measurement of mine. Where Zulu publishes two different numbers for the same bottle, both are shown.
| Model | Capacity | Lid system | Zulu’s cold rating | Cup holder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace | 18, 24 oz | Chug spout, locking button lid, removable base | Up to 24 hours | Yes, 3-inch base |
| Powerfill Pro | 24, 32, 40 oz | Quick Fill lid, sip and chug spouts | Up to 30 hours | Most, by Zulu’s wording |
| Powerfill Pro 64 oz | 64 oz | Quick Fill lid, sip and chug spouts | Up to 45 hours | No |
| Base | 18, 24, 32, 40 oz | Three lids: flip straw, twist cap, flip chug | Up to 20 hours on Amazon, over 20 hours on zuluathletic.com | 18 and 24 oz only |
| Goals 64 oz jug | 64 oz | Push-button straw lid, time markings | Up to 36 hours | No |
| Goals Mammoth | 101 oz | Straw and chug spouts, threaded lid | Up to 120 hours cold, 24 hours hot | No |
| Echo Kids | 12 oz | Button straw lid, silicone sleeve | Up to 24 hours with ice | Yes |
| Powerfill Pro Kids | 18 oz | Quick Fill lid, sip and chug spouts | 26 hours on Amazon, 30 hours on zuluathletic.com | Most, by Zulu’s wording |
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- Twist-off removable base, so the inside of the bottle is reachable
- Double-wall vacuum body, rated cold up to 24 hours by Zulu
- Leak-proof locking lid that flips open with a button
- Chug spout, built for a continuous flow rather than sips
- Built-in handle, and a 3-inch base Zulu lists as car cup holder compatible
- Powder-coat finish, in 18 oz and 24 oz
- The removable base is the only thing in the Zulu range that changes how you clean a bottle
- Zulu publishes the same 24-hour cold rating here as on its larger steel models
- The 3-inch base fits a car cup holder, which the 32 oz and larger models do not
- Lids come apart and Zulu lists them as top-rack dishwasher safe
- A base that twists off is a second seal to keep clean and in good order
- Zulu recommends hand washing the body, so only the lids go in the dishwasher
- One lid style only; the Base is the model that ships three
- Zulu publishes no hot-drink rating for the Ace
- Quick Fill lid that opens for a top-up without removing the lid
- Two interchangeable spouts, sip or chug
- Triple-wall insulation with a copper lining, rated cold up to 30 hours by Zulu
- Locking lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof
- Carry loop that folds flat or swings
- Dishwasher safe, and Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders
- Refilling without taking the lid off is the one thing the rest of the range cannot do
- Two spouts come in the box instead of buying a second lid
- The longest cold rating Zulu publishes outside the 64 oz and the jugs
- Zulu lists this size as fitting most cup holders
- Triple-wall insulation takes interior room, so the bottle is wider than the capacity suggests
- More parts in the lid than a plain cap, so there is more to clean
- Zulu publishes no hot-drink rating
- Zulu says most cup holders, not all, and the taller 32 oz and 40 oz are the ones at risk
- Three lids in the box: flip straw, wide-mouth twist cap and flip chug
- 18/8 stainless steel with a powder-coat finish
- Double-wall vacuum body, rated cold up to 20 hours
- Leak-proof screw-on seal
- Built-in carry handle
- Zulu lists the 18 oz and 24 oz as fitting most car cup holders or bike cages
- Three lids in the box is the widest choice in the Zulu range without buying anything extra
- Zulu lists the 18 oz and 24 oz as fitting a car cup holder or a bike cage
- Powder coat over 18/8 steel, which Zulu describes as resisting chips and rust
- Three lids means three gaskets to keep track of
- The shortest cold rating Zulu publishes for its insulated steel bottles
- Zulu gives two different figures for it, up to 20 hours on Amazon and over 20 hours on its own site
- Zulu recommends hand washing the body even while listing the parts as dishwasher safe
- 64 oz, a half gallon in a single fill
- Quick Fill lid, so a top-up does not mean unscrewing anything
- Sip and chug spouts, interchangeable
- Triple-wall insulation with a copper lining, rated cold up to 45 hours by Zulu
- Locking lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof
- The longest cold rating Zulu publishes for a Powerfill Pro
- One fill covers most of a day without a refill
- Takes the same spouts as the smaller Powerfill Pro sizes
- A full half gallon of water is heavy to carry
- Far too wide for a car cup holder
- Zulu names it the Powerfill Pro XL on its own site and the Powerfill Pro 64 oz on Amazon, which makes a replacement lid harder to search for
- 64 oz, a half gallon, with time markings down the side
- One-touch push-button lid with a lock
- FDA food-grade silicone straw
- 18/8 double-wall stainless steel with a powder-coat finish
- Built-in easy-grip handle and a wide mouth
- Time markings turn it into a hydration tracker rather than just a container
- A straw lid means you drink without lifting a half gallon to your mouth
- Zulu says the powder coat will not chip or sweat
- A full half gallon is heavy, and it will not fit a cup holder
- One lid style, and a straw is more to clean than a plain cap
- Zulu rates it cold but publishes no hot rating
- The 18 oz size of the Ace, with the same twist-off base
- Double-wall vacuum body, rated cold up to 24 hours by Zulu
- Leak-proof locking lid with a button release
- Chug spout and a built-in handle
- The same 3-inch base, which Zulu lists as car cup holder compatible
- Lighter to carry than the 24 oz while keeping the removable base
- Takes the same lid as the 24 oz Ace, so a spare fits either bottle
- Same cold rating Zulu publishes for the larger size
- Stainless steel is heavier than a plastic bottle of the same size
- It is a chug spout, not a straw, so it pours rather than sips
- Hand washing the body is still what Zulu recommends
- 18 oz, sized for a school bag
- Quick Fill lid, so a refill does not mean taking the lid off
- Sip and chug spouts
- Triple-wall insulation with a copper lining
- Locking lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof
- Dishwasher safe, and Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders
- Refilling without unscrewing the lid matters more for a child than for an adult
- The leak-proof locking lid is the claim that counts in a backpack
- Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders
- Zulu gives two different cold ratings for it, 26 hours on Amazon and 30 hours on its own site
- Stainless steel adds weight to a school bag compared with a plastic bottle
- Zulu does not sell kids replacement lids separately, so a broken lid means a warranty claim
Who Makes Zulu, and Where the Bottles Are Made
Zulu is a hydration brand headquartered in Chicago. It describes its mission as supporting everyday movement with products that fit into daily life.
On manufacturing and safety, Zulu publishes this on its own FAQ: its bottles and their components are made in China, and all of its products and components are inspected by Bureau Veritas and were certified to pose no risk of harmful leaching chemicals including BPA, phthalates, PVC, polycarbonate, lead, cadmium and latex. Zulu says separately that it tests and evaluates its products with its own internal processes and with FDA accredited third party labs. Those are Zulu’s claims about Zulu, reproduced here as such.
Zulu gives a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of its hydration products, covering defects in materials and craftsmanship. Besides Amazon, it lists authorized retailers including Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Meijer, Staples, TJ Maxx, Ross, Nordstrom Rack and Office Depot.
Zulu Ace Review (18 oz and 24 oz)
- Twist-off removable base, so the inside of the bottle is reachable
- Double-wall vacuum body, rated cold up to 24 hours by Zulu
- Leak-proof locking lid that flips open with a button
- Chug spout, built for a continuous flow rather than sips
- Built-in handle, and a 3-inch base Zulu lists as car cup holder compatible
- Powder-coat finish, in 18 oz and 24 oz
- The removable base is the only thing in the Zulu range that changes how you clean a bottle
- Zulu publishes the same 24-hour cold rating here as on its larger steel models
- The 3-inch base fits a car cup holder, which the 32 oz and larger models do not
- Lids come apart and Zulu lists them as top-rack dishwasher safe
- A base that twists off is a second seal to keep clean and in good order
- Zulu recommends hand washing the body, so only the lids go in the dishwasher
- One lid style only; the Base is the model that ships three
- Zulu publishes no hot-drink rating for the Ace
What the Ace does differently
The Ace is a vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle with a chug spout and a leak-proof locking lid that flips open at the press of a button. Zulu rates it cold up to 24 hours from a double-wall body, and finishes it in powder coat. It comes in 18 oz and 24 oz, in Beige, Black, Cashmere Pink, Ice Blue, White and Yucca.
The feature that matters is the base: it twists off. Zulu’s own line is that this lets you reach every nook and cranny of the bottle, and that is a real difference rather than a marketing one. A standard insulated bottle has one opening at the top, and a bottle brush is the only way to reach the bottom. Take the base off and the inside becomes a short open tube you can actually see into.
What the removable base costs you
A seal that opens is a seal that can fail. The Ace has a gasket at the bottom as well as one in the lid, which is one more part to seat correctly after every wash and one more place for residue to sit. If you are the sort of person who will never take the base off, you are carrying that second seal for nothing. If you are, it is the easiest bottle here to keep genuinely clean.
Size, fit and care
Zulu gives the Ace a 3-inch base and lists it as car cup holder compatible, which the 32 oz and larger models in the range are not. The lids come apart and Zulu lists them as top-rack dishwasher safe; it recommends hand washing the body. Zulu also advises against microwaving any of its stainless bottles and against leaving a bottle in the freezer or a freezing vehicle. It publishes no hot-drink rating for the Ace.
The 18 oz Ace
- The 18 oz size of the Ace, with the same twist-off base
- Double-wall vacuum body, rated cold up to 24 hours by Zulu
- Leak-proof locking lid with a button release
- Chug spout and a built-in handle
- The same 3-inch base, which Zulu lists as car cup holder compatible
- Lighter to carry than the 24 oz while keeping the removable base
- Takes the same lid as the 24 oz Ace, so a spare fits either bottle
- Same cold rating Zulu publishes for the larger size
- Stainless steel is heavier than a plastic bottle of the same size
- It is a chug spout, not a straw, so it pours rather than sips
- Hand washing the body is still what Zulu recommends
The 18 oz is the same bottle in a smaller body, and Amazon lists it as the kids version. The lid, the spout, the removable base and the 24-hour rating are identical, so the only real question is how much water you want to carry. It takes the same replacement lid as the 24 oz.
Zulu Powerfill Pro Review (24, 32 and 40 oz)
- Quick Fill lid that opens for a top-up without removing the lid
- Two interchangeable spouts, sip or chug
- Triple-wall insulation with a copper lining, rated cold up to 30 hours by Zulu
- Locking lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof
- Carry loop that folds flat or swings
- Dishwasher safe, and Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders
- Refilling without taking the lid off is the one thing the rest of the range cannot do
- Two spouts come in the box instead of buying a second lid
- The longest cold rating Zulu publishes outside the 64 oz and the jugs
- Zulu lists this size as fitting most cup holders
- Triple-wall insulation takes interior room, so the bottle is wider than the capacity suggests
- More parts in the lid than a plain cap, so there is more to clean
- Zulu publishes no hot-drink rating
- Zulu says most cup holders, not all, and the taller 32 oz and 40 oz are the ones at risk
The Quick Fill lid
The Powerfill Pro’s lid has a second opening. Flip it and you can add water or ice without unscrewing the main lid, which is the one thing in Zulu’s range that no other model does. For a bottle you refill at a cooler or a fridge door several times a day, that is a genuine saving of fiddling.
It also ships with two interchangeable spouts, sip and chug, so you are not choosing between a straw bottle and a chug bottle at the point of purchase. Zulu rates the Powerfill Pro cold up to 30 hours, from triple-wall insulation with a copper lining, and describes the locking lid as 100 percent leak-proof.
What triple-wall insulation costs in volume
Three walls and a copper layer take up room. For any given capacity, a triple-wall bottle is wider on the outside than a double-wall one, which is why cup holder fit gets tighter as the sizes go up. Zulu’s own wording is that it fits most cup holders, not all, and the 32 oz and 40 oz are the sizes where that distinction will bite.
Sizes, and the one that is not a Powerfill Pro
The Powerfill Pro comes in 24, 32 and 40 oz. The 64 oz is a separate product with a different insulation rating, covered below. Zulu publishes no hot-drink rating for any of them.
Zulu Powerfill Pro 64 oz Review
- 64 oz, a half gallon in a single fill
- Quick Fill lid, so a top-up does not mean unscrewing anything
- Sip and chug spouts, interchangeable
- Triple-wall insulation with a copper lining, rated cold up to 45 hours by Zulu
- Locking lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof
- The longest cold rating Zulu publishes for a Powerfill Pro
- One fill covers most of a day without a refill
- Takes the same spouts as the smaller Powerfill Pro sizes
- A full half gallon of water is heavy to carry
- Far too wide for a car cup holder
- Zulu names it the Powerfill Pro XL on its own site and the Powerfill Pro 64 oz on Amazon, which makes a replacement lid harder to search for
This is the half-gallon version, which Zulu calls the Powerfill Pro XL on its own site and the Powerfill Pro 64 oz on Amazon. Same Quick Fill lid, same twin spouts, same copper-lined triple wall, and Zulu rates it cold up to 45 hours, which is the longest figure it publishes for any Powerfill Pro.
The name difference is worth knowing before you shop for parts: searching for a Powerfill Pro XL lid and searching for a Powerfill Pro 64 oz lid will not return the same results. And a full half gallon of water weighs about four pounds before you add the bottle, so this is one you set down rather than carry.
Zulu Base Review (Three Lids)
- Three lids in the box: flip straw, wide-mouth twist cap and flip chug
- 18/8 stainless steel with a powder-coat finish
- Double-wall vacuum body, rated cold up to 20 hours
- Leak-proof screw-on seal
- Built-in carry handle
- Zulu lists the 18 oz and 24 oz as fitting most car cup holders or bike cages
- Three lids in the box is the widest choice in the Zulu range without buying anything extra
- Zulu lists the 18 oz and 24 oz as fitting a car cup holder or a bike cage
- Powder coat over 18/8 steel, which Zulu describes as resisting chips and rust
- Three lids means three gaskets to keep track of
- The shortest cold rating Zulu publishes for its insulated steel bottles
- Zulu gives two different figures for it, up to 20 hours on Amazon and over 20 hours on its own site
- Zulu recommends hand washing the body even while listing the parts as dishwasher safe
Three lids in the box
The Base ships with a flip straw lid, a wide-mouth twist cap and a flip chug lid. That covers sipping at a desk, filling and cleaning, and drinking fast mid-workout, without buying anything extra. It is 18/8 stainless steel with a powder-coat finish that Zulu describes as resisting chips and rust, and a leak-proof screw-on seal.
The catch is the same one every multi-lid bottle has: three lids means three gaskets, and the two you are not using live in a drawer. Lids are the part people lose, and Zulu sells replacements for some bottles but not for the kids range.
Sizes, fit and Zulu’s two cold ratings
The Base comes in 18, 24, 32 and 40 oz, in seven colors. Zulu lists the 18 oz and 24 oz as fitting most car cup holders or bike cages; the larger two it does not. On cold retention Zulu publishes two different figures for the same bottle: up to 20 hours on its Amazon listing and over 20 hours on its own website. Either way it is the shortest rating of its insulated steel bottles.
On cleaning, Zulu’s listing says the lid is top-rack dishwasher safe and that while it recommends hand washing the body for longevity, you can put the whole thing in the dishwasher if you prefer. All parts are BPA free.
Zulu Goals 64 oz Jug Review
- 64 oz, a half gallon, with time markings down the side
- One-touch push-button lid with a lock
- FDA food-grade silicone straw
- 18/8 double-wall stainless steel with a powder-coat finish
- Built-in easy-grip handle and a wide mouth
- Time markings turn it into a hydration tracker rather than just a container
- A straw lid means you drink without lifting a half gallon to your mouth
- Zulu says the powder coat will not chip or sweat
- A full half gallon is heavy, and it will not fit a cup holder
- One lid style, and a straw is more to clean than a plain cap
- Zulu rates it cold but publishes no hot rating
The Goals jug is a half gallon with time markings down the side and a one-touch push-button lid over an FDA food-grade silicone straw. Zulu rates it cold up to 36 hours, and builds it from 18/8 double-wall stainless steel with a powder coat it says will not chip or sweat.
The time markings are the point. They turn the bottle into a rough intake tracker, which is a different job from keeping water cold, and the straw means you can drink from it without lifting half a gallon to your mouth. It will not go in a cup holder, and the straw is more to clean than a plain cap.
Zulu Goals Mammoth 101 oz Review
The 101 oz Mammoth is the largest bottle Zulu makes, and it is part of the Goals line rather than a standalone model. Zulu rates it cold up to 120 hours and hot up to 24 hours, from triple-wall insulation fortified with a copper lining. It has internal markings for tracking intake, both straw and chug spouts, a threaded closure lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof, a built-in carry loop and a protective silicone boot. All parts are BPA free and dishwasher safe.
Those are the longest retention figures Zulu publishes for anything in its range, and the spec sheet does not mention what they cost you. A 101 oz bottle holds about six and a half pounds of water. It will not fit a cup holder, and the triple wall means the outside is wider still than the capacity suggests. This is a bottle you fill in the morning and leave somewhere, not one you carry around.
Availability note: I could not find a current Amazon listing for the 101 oz Mammoth on its own. Zulu sells it direct, and its Amazon jug listing covers the 64 oz. There is no buy button on this section for that reason.
Zulu Echo Kids 12 oz Review
The Echo is a 12 oz vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle for children, wrapped in a protective silicone sleeve that gives a no-slip grip. Zulu rates it cold up to 24 hours with ice, and its leak-proof locking lid flips open at the press of a button. It comes in Purple, Gray/Green and Mojo Blue.
The silicone sleeve does more than grip. A steel bottle set down hard on a classroom desk is loud, and a sleeve turns that into a dull thud, which is the kind of detail that only matters if you have ever supervised thirty children with metal bottles. The same sleeve makes the bottle fatter, so it is a tighter fit in a narrow backpack pocket.
At 12 oz this is a small bottle, which suits a preschool or early-primary child and will run out on an older one. Zulu’s FAQ notes that it does not currently sell kids replacement lids separately, so a broken lid is a warranty conversation rather than a spare part.
Availability note: I could not find a current Amazon listing for the Zulu Echo. Zulu sells it direct. The Zulu Flex is a different 12 oz kids bottle and is not a substitute for it, so there is no buy button on this section.
Zulu Powerfill Pro Kids 18 oz Review
- 18 oz, sized for a school bag
- Quick Fill lid, so a refill does not mean taking the lid off
- Sip and chug spouts
- Triple-wall insulation with a copper lining
- Locking lid Zulu describes as 100 percent leak-proof
- Dishwasher safe, and Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders
- Refilling without unscrewing the lid matters more for a child than for an adult
- The leak-proof locking lid is the claim that counts in a backpack
- Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders
- Zulu gives two different cold ratings for it, 26 hours on Amazon and 30 hours on its own site
- Stainless steel adds weight to a school bag compared with a plastic bottle
- Zulu does not sell kids replacement lids separately, so a broken lid means a warranty claim
The kids Powerfill Pro is 18 oz, with the same Quick Fill lid and the same sip and chug spouts as the adult model, and a carry loop Zulu describes as built for little hands. It is triple-wall insulated with a copper lining, the locking lid is described as 100 percent leak-proof, it is dishwasher safe and Zulu lists it as fitting most cup holders.
Refilling without unscrewing the lid is a bigger deal for a child than for an adult, because a lid taken off at a water fountain is a lid put down on a water fountain. The leak-proof claim is the one that counts: this bottle lives next to books and a laptop.
A figure to be careful with. Zulu publishes two different cold ratings for this bottle: 26 hours on its Amazon listing and 30 hours on its own website. I have not tested it, so I am not going to tell you which is right. Treat it as somewhere around a day.
At 18 oz and in steel it is heavier than a plastic bottle of the same size, which is worth thinking about for a younger child already carrying a full bag.
Zulu Replacement Lids and Parts
Lids get lost and straws wear out, and this is the question people ask most often about Zulu bottles. Zulu sells replacement lids for some models on its own website. Here is what it currently lists, and which bottles each one fits.
| Replacement lid Zulu lists | Fits |
|---|---|
| Ace vacuum insulated stainless steel replacement lid | Ace 18 oz and 24 oz, and the Vantage 26 oz |
| Goals stainless steel half gallon replacement lid | Goals 64 oz stainless steel jug only |
| Goals plastic half gallon replacement lid | Goals half gallon plastic jug |
| Tempo 30 oz stainless steel tumbler replacement lid | Tempo 30 oz tumbler |
Two things follow from that list. Zulu states that it does not currently sell kids replacement lids separately, so for the Echo and the Powerfill Pro Kids a broken lid means contacting Zulu, where it may be covered by the Limited Lifetime Warranty. And the lid names are tied to Zulu’s own model names, so the 64 oz Powerfill Pro, which Zulu also calls the Powerfill Pro XL, is worth searching for under both names.
The Rest of the Zulu Range
The bottles above are the insulated steel line. Zulu also sells the Goals half gallon and 128 oz gallon jugs in plastic, the Swift 24 oz in Eastman Tritan, and a kids range that includes the Torque 16 oz, the Flex in 12 oz and 16 oz and the Chase 14 oz. Zulu’s FAQ also describes glass bottles made from soda lime glass with FDA food-grade silicone, although no glass bottle appears in its current product catalog.
If you are weighing Zulu against the wider market, our our insulated water bottle resource covers how vacuum insulation actually works. For the kids models there is a fuller comparison in our best insulated kids water bottle round-up, the straw lids are compared in our insulated water bottle with straw guide, and if cup holder fit is your deciding factor we have ranked insulated bottles that fit a car cup holder.
Conclusion
Zulu is a competent mid-market brand with one genuinely distinctive idea in it. The Ace’s removable base is the reason to choose Zulu over a similarly priced bottle from anyone else, and at 18 oz or 24 oz with a 3-inch base it is the most practical bottle in the range.
After that, buy the lid. The Powerfill Pro if you refill constantly and want the Quick Fill opening. The Base if you want three lids in the box. The Goals jug if you want time markings and a straw. The 64 oz Powerfill Pro or the Mammoth if capacity beats portability, accepting that neither goes anywhere near a cup holder. For a school bag, the 18 oz Ace or the Powerfill Pro Kids.
Two cautions worth repeating. Zulu publishes conflicting cold ratings for the Base and the Powerfill Pro Kids across its own website and its product listings, so treat those hours as approximate. And the Echo and the 101 oz Mammoth are sold direct by Zulu rather than through a current Amazon listing.
FAQs
Are Zulu water bottles good?
Zulu is a mid-market brand that competes on features rather than on name. Its one distinctive design is the Ace, whose base twists off so the inside can actually be cleaned. Its insulation ratings are in the normal range for vacuum-insulated steel, it backs its hydration products with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and it sells through Target, Walmart, Costco and other major US retailers. The main thing to watch is that Zulu publishes different cold ratings for the same bottle in different places.
Are Zulu water bottles lead free?
Zulu states on its own FAQ that its products and components are inspected by Bureau Veritas and were certified to pose no risk of harmful leaching chemicals including BPA, phthalates, PVC, polycarbonate, lead, cadmium and latex. It also says it tests its products with its own internal processes and with FDA accredited third party labs. That is Zulu’s own statement, reproduced here as such.
Do Zulu water bottles keep water cold?
Zulu publishes a cold rating for each insulated model. The Ace is rated up to 24 hours, the Powerfill Pro up to 30 hours, the 64 oz Powerfill Pro up to 45 hours, the Base up to 20 hours, the Goals 64 oz jug up to 36 hours and the 101 oz Goals Mammoth up to 120 hours cold and 24 hours hot. The kids Echo is rated up to 24 hours with ice. These are Zulu’s figures, not measurements of mine.
Where are Zulu water bottles made?
Zulu states that its bottles and their components are made in China, and that all of its products and components are inspected by Bureau Veritas. The brand itself is headquartered in Chicago.
Are Zulu water bottles dishwasher safe?
It depends on the model and the part. Zulu lists the lids on the Ace as top-rack dishwasher safe and recommends hand washing the body. For the Base it says the lid is top-rack dishwasher safe and that you can put the whole bottle in the dishwasher if you prefer, though hand washing the body is better for longevity. The Goals Mammoth and the Powerfill Pro are both described as dishwasher safe.
What materials are Zulu water bottles made from?
Zulu lists three. Its stainless steel bottles are BPA free and made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, which it describes as highly resistant to rust. Its plastic bottles use Eastman Tritan BPA-free plastic with FDA food-grade silicone. Its glass bottles are soda lime glass with FDA food-grade silicone and plastic components, although no glass bottle appears in Zulu’s current product catalog.
Are Zulu water bottles leak-proof?
Not all of them. Zulu says some of its products use press fit lids that are not intended to be leak-proof, and that whether a product is leak-proof is stated on its packaging or its online listing. Where Zulu does make the claim, it applies when the product is used according to the care instructions and all parts, including gaskets and seals, are properly assembled, undamaged and working normally.
Can I put hot liquids in a Zulu water bottle?
Not in the glass ones. Zulu says soda lime glass is strong but not designed for rapid temperature changes, and that boiling water can make it expand and crack. Its stainless steel bottles cope better with temperature changes, but Zulu does not publish a temperature limit for them, and only the 101 oz Goals Mammoth carries a published hot rating.
How do I clean a Zulu water bottle?
Zulu advises washing after each use and storing the bottle with the lid off so moisture does not build up. For stainless steel it recommends hand washing to extend the life of the product and avoiding chemicals that can cause rusting. For stubborn marks it suggests a paste of two to three tablespoons of baking soda with warm water worked in with a bottle brush, or half a cup of white distilled vinegar swirled for five minutes and then rinsed thoroughly. Its dishwasher instruction of bottle on the bottom rack and lid on the top rack is given for its glass bottles.
Can Zulu water bottles go in the microwave?
No. Zulu says not to put a stainless steel Zulu bottle in the microwave because it will damage both the bottle and the microwave. For plastic containers Zulu advises against using them to cook or boil, and warns that excessive reheating time may damage the container and that high temperatures can lead to microplastic release.
Why does water spray out of my bottle on a plane?
Zulu explains that this is caused by air pressure changes in the cabin: as the plane climbs, the air inside the bottle expands and pushes liquid out when the lid is opened. Leaving the lid slightly open during take-off and tightening it at cruising altitude, opening the lid slowly, and drinking some water before take-off to leave air space all reduce it.
Where can I buy Zulu replacement parts?
Zulu sells replacement lids for several models on its own website, including an Ace lid that also fits the Vantage 26 oz, two Goals half gallon lids and a Tempo 30 oz tumbler lid. It states that it does not currently sell kids replacement lids separately, and suggests contacting it directly for a broken part, which may be covered by its Limited Lifetime Warranty.
What warranty do Zulu water bottles have?
Zulu offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of its hydration products, covering defects in materials and craftsmanship.
