Air Up vs. Cirkul: My Hands-On Experience and Honest Review of These Innovative Hydration Bottles

If you had asked me a few years ago if I would ever experiment with flavored water or write a blog post about flavored water bottles like Air Up vs. Cirkul, I would have laughed like crazy. I simply love my plain water or if I have to mix something, I can’t go beyond adding some basil seeds as they don’t add any flavor to water but only add some texture to it.

I am generally a well hydrated person and try my best to drink around 2-3l of water every day but giving this habit to my kids was a nightmare. How much ever I tried, both were just not ready to drink water. I tried to explain, bribe, scold, and do all the possible tricks with both, but nothing seemed to be working. It’s not like they don’t like to drink, they are ok to drink juices, soda, and all the usual unhealthy stuff filled with sugar, but I don’t want to give them that. So, it was becoming a daily struggle for me.

I was desperate to find a solution for their health and my peace of mind. I was discussing this issue with my friends as we both have similar age kids and she is the one who introduced me to the world of flavor water bottles. She was trying all the flavors of Air Up and Cirkul water bottles and was in awe of these awesome products.

I was not in favor of mixing any flavor in my water but for the sake of my kid’s health and to get rid of my daily struggle, I decided to give them a try.

Both brands promise to revolutionize the way we drink water but in very different ways. Air Up caught my attention with its unique scent-based flavoring system, while Cirkul intrigued me with its customizable flavored cartridges. For my kids who struggle to drink plain water, these products seemed like the perfect solution. So, I decided to put them to the test, not just to satisfy my curiosity, but to find out which one could truly transform my kid’s hydration habits.

Air Up vs. Cirkul: What Makes Them Unique in the World of Hydration Bottles?

Air Up and Cirkul stand out in the crowded market of hydration products because they don’t just offer a way to drink water—they provide an experience.

Air Up uses a groundbreaking technology that tricks your brain into tasting flavors through scent, without adding anything to the water itself. This innovative method, where smell influences taste, is a completely new approach to hydration that sets Air Up apart.

On the other hand, Cirkul takes a more traditional yet customizable approach. With its flavor cartridges, you can adjust the intensity of the taste with a simple twist of the cap. This flexibility allows you to control your hydration experience, making it easier to stick to your water intake goals without boredom.

Both bottles bring something unique to the table, appealing to different users. Air Up is perfect for those who want to enjoy flavored water without any added sugars or chemicals. At the same time, Cirkul caters to those who prefer a more hands-on, customizable experience, though it does uses Stevia in some of its flavors. Their distinct approaches are what makes this comparison so intriguing and relevant for anyone looking to enhance their daily hydration routine.

If you would like to read indepth review of each one of them individually, you can refer to my posts below.

Air Up vs. Cirkul – flavor technology explained

The Science Behind Air Up’s Scent Technology

When we drink from an Air Up bottle, the experience is more than just about quenching my thirst or hydrating myself —it’s about engaging my senses, or for kids, I am simply tricking them into drinking some water 😊.

The bottle produces flavored air, mixed with the water in my mouth, from unique aroma pods as I take a sip. The intriguing part comes when the scented air really ascends to my nose through a mechanism known as the retronasal route, rather than landing directly on my tongue.

This advanced technology leads my brain into “tasting” the flavor because it confuses smell with taste, even while the water stays pure and flavorless. In other words, we are just tricking our brain making it feel it’s drinking some lovely flavorful water which in reality we are drinking just normal plain water. This makes it a healthier alternative to standard flavored drinks. It’s a fresh method that changes the way we think about flavor and makes drinking water joyful and guilt-free.

Design and Usability: Is Air Up Convenient to Use

The Air Up bottle is quite sleek and its design is well-liked by older kid. It’s made from BPA-free materials, and the bottle is lightweight and durable, making it easy to carry around whether he is at the gym, college, or on the go. The bottle’s design is easy to operate and quite convenient to drink from.

My elder one uses it almost daily at least on the days when I remind him to carry it with him 😊. He finds it convenient. The bottle is designed to be durable enough for everyday use, while its lightweight build ensures it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to his bag. The scent pods are compact and easy to store, so you can carry a few with you for variety throughout the day. He generally doesn’t do that as he is very selective about his flavors and keeps using what he likes.

Air Up vs. Cirkul – Cirkul

How Cirkul’s Flavor Cartridges Work: A Simple Innovation

Cirkul has made it possible for me to make my younger one drink water with a refreshingly simple yet ingenious system. I have yet to tell my kid about the secret cartridges, she still thinks that I fill in some fruit water and she loves to sip on it the whole day.

The secret lies in its innovative flavor cartridges, known as Sip cartridges, which are designed to provide customizable flavoring with minimal effort.

When you insert a Sip cartridge into the Cirkul bottle’s lid, the magic begins. The cartridge houses the concentrated flavor, and as you drink, water flows through the cartridge, mixing with the flavor to create your desired drink.

What makes Cirkul unique is the dial on the lid, which lets you control the strength of the flavor. Whether you prefer a subtle hint or a bold burst of taste, you can easily adjust the dial to suit your preference, or even switch back to plain water when you’re in the mood for something neutral. I have set the dial to 5 for my younger one as I felt more that setting the taste was a bit strong for her linking but you can surely change the setting as per your liking.

Design and Usability: Is Cirkul Convenient to Use

When it comes to drinking water, my younger one will only drink if it’s easy to drink and tasty at the same time. Cirkul nails it with a design that’s as user-friendly as it is practical. The bottle is sleek and straightforward and it fits easily into her daily routine. The Sip cartridges are incredibly easy to insert and replace, and the adjustable flavor dial gives you total control over the taste intensity. Though it’s not easy for a small kid to do, so I insert my kid’s favorite flavor set the dial to 5, and keep it in her bag. She is happy to sip the whole day. It’s easy to refill too that she does it by herself.

Another good part of the Cirkul bottle is that I only had to buy the lid and cartridges as the cap fits in almost all the hydro flasks. My kid keeps changing her stainless steel waster bottles every now and then and is quite happy to drink water. She is a very picky child so it took me a few trials to find her favorite flavor. Her water intake has increased after she started using a Cirkul water bottle.

Air Up vs. Cirkul – Comparison Between Air Up and Cirkul Hydration Bottles

My Personal Experience – Air Up

My elder one is in secondary school so he understands the technology behind the Air Up water bottle. There is no way I can trick him into anything though being a mother I don’t give up easily. I keep trying all the things. But jokes apart, he has been using an Air Up water bottle for almost a year + and he seems to be quite happy with it. He is the guy who hardly used to drink any water but now says he finishes his 28 Oz water bottle in no time. So now days I am not worried about his hydration needs.

Though there are various pods available, he prefers “Raspberry Lemon”, “Lemon” and “Wild Berry”. He did try other flavors too but he didn’t like them but others might like it.

The average cost of 3 pods is around 12$ and 1 pod is enough for 1.3 gallons of water. So practically it’s much more cost effective than buying those sugary drinks from the supermarket.

Another good part of the Air Up water bottle is that they have recently come up with a Stainless-steel water bottle too, so it has become environmentally friendly too. But be cautious as the Stainless-Steel version is a bit on the higher end.  

Air Up water bottles are quite easy to cleanup as they are dish washer safe. In my house, its mandatory to wash there bottles daily after use. So he has got two of these bottles, one goes in to the dishwasher and other one goes with him. Keeping both mother and son happy.

My Personal Experience – Cirkul

My younger is in lower primary so she has very little patience. She needs instant gratification, so the Air Up water bottle doesn’t work with her. She tried a few flavors of Air Up but didn’t like it much. I would have preferred for her to like the Air Up as nothing is being added to the water in that.

After that, she tried Cirkul fruit flavors and she liked some of them. But I have to be careful as some flavors do have Caffeine or Stevia in them. So I have to select a flavor that doesn’t have these products.

After spending a considerable amount of time reviewing the ingredients of each flavor, I was not able to find anything which is completely chemical-free. Almost all the flavors had some chemical ingredients and it does make sense, it’s a product made to last a few months on the super-market shelf, hence chemicals are needed. But when I deep dive into the ingredients and their amount, it was quite insignificant, hence I am ok to give it to my primary school kid. At least it motivates her to drink more water.

Air Up vs. Cirkul – Head-to-Head Comparison

Flavor Experience: Air Up vs. Cirkul

Both Air Up and Cirkul have excellent flavors available but they do take completely different approaches, making the experience with each bottle unique and tailored to different preferences.

Air Up: Flavor Through Scent

Air Up redefines how we perceive flavor by leveraging scent rather than taste. When you drink from an Air Up bottle, the water itself is unflavored, but the scent pods release aromatic molecules that trick your brain into tasting flavors. This method is both innovative and subtle. The flavor experience with Air Up is light and refreshing—ideal for those who prefer a hint of flavor without any sweetness or additives. The flavors, which range from fruity to more exotic options, are gentle, making the water taste clean yet satisfying.

However, because the experience relies on your sense of smell, it may not be as intense as traditional flavored drinks. For some, the flavors might feel too delicate, especially if you’re used to bold, sweet beverages. But for those who want to stay hydrated without the calories or artificial ingredients, Air Up offers a refreshing and guilt-free option.

Cirkul: Customizable Taste

Cirkul has more of a traditional approach to flavored water. With its flavor cartridges, or “Sips,” you can adjust the intensity of the taste to suit your taste buds. My kid likes not very mild and not very strong flavors, so, I have set the level to 5 and it works beautifully for her. You can customize it based on your preference.

Whether you want just a hint of flavor or something more robust, you can get it in with a simple twist. The variety of flavors is extensive, ranging from fruit-infused waters to sweeter, more vibrant options like iced coffee or lemonade. Some of my friends really like their caffeine-infused flavors which have mild flavors and work best to keep caffeine intake in control.

The biggest advantage of Cirkul is its customization. You’re in control of how much or how little flavor you want, and switching flavors is as easy as changing the cartridge. This flexibility makes it a great option for those who like variety in their drinks. However, the flavors are more concentrated, which might not appeal to those looking for a more natural taste.

Another best part I like about Cirkul is that I don’t need to buy whole bottle, I can only buy lid and cartridges and I can use them on almost all my hydro flasks. My lid is going strong from past 1+ year and till now I haven’t faced any issue, though I have to frequently buy cartridges which are fully made of plastic.

Best hydration bottle: Air Up vs. Cirkul? My Final Thoughts on Air Up and Cirkul

In my personal opinion, if you’re someone who finds plain water perfectly fine, then sticking with a reliable stainless-steel water bottle is probably your best option. These bottles are durable, keep your drinks cold for hours, and are a good environment-friendly option especially if you don’t need any frills to stay hydrated. Plus, they’re a great eco-friendly choice that helps cut down on plastic waste, which is something we all should care about.

But, if you’re like my kids and just don’t like to drink plain water for any reason, then the Air Up water bottle is a game-changer. The way it adds flavor using just scent is simply awesome. You are enjoying all the taste without adding anything to the water. You get all the taste without adding any sugar, sweeteners, or chemical ingredients—just pure water with a hint of flavor. It makes staying hydrated enjoyable and effortless, especially for those who struggle with plain water.

What I like about the Air Up water bottle is its sustainability aspect while this is one of the biggest factors which I don’t like in the Cirkul water bottle. But at the same time the flavor you get with Air Up bottle is not very strong, its quite mild.

I’m increasingly focused on living a more sustainable life, and buying plastic cartridges over and over doesn’t sit well with me. With Air Up, I have invested in two bottles and I am sure that these will last me for years, and the scent pods are small, generating much less plastic waste compared to traditional Cirkul flavor cartridges.

 Air up is an eco-friendly option that aligns with my values, allowing me to enjoy flavored water without contributing to the plastic problem. So, for anyone who needs a bit of flavor to stay hydrated but also cares about the environment, Air Up is the way to go. I am trying my best to move my younger one from Cirkul to Air Up and have yet to succeed I will keep you updated with my progress 😊

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