Cirkul Vs. AirUp Water Bottles: In-depth Differences With Features

Let’s be honest: getting enough water each day can be a real struggle. I mean, plain water can get a bit boring, right?

That’s probably why you’ve seen a bunch of new water bottle innovations out there that promise to make drinking water more exciting. Among these, Cirkul and AirUp stand out as two of the most talked-about options.

Today, I want to walk you through my personal experience with both of these bottles, comparing them based on what they bring to the table—or rather, the bottle. Whether you’re trying to decide which one might help you stay hydrated or are just curious about their features, I’ve got you covered.

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s put it all in perspective with a quick comparison table so you can easily see how Cirkul and AirUp stack up against each other.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Cirkul	AirUp
Flavor Mechanism	Flavor Cartridges (Liquid)	Scent Pods (Flavor Perception)
Bottle Size Options	Multiple sizes available	Primarily one size
Flavors Available	Over 50 flavor options	About 10-12 scent pods
Flavor Intensity Control	Adjustable dial for strength	No direct control
Price	$20-$35 for bottles, $3.75 per cartridge	$40-$50 for bottle, $8-$10 per scent pod pack
Eco-Friendliness	Single-use cartridges	Reusable scent pods
Hydration Experience	Enhanced flavored water	Flavored through scent only

Now that you have a snapshot of their features, let’s get down to business—breaking down the pros, cons, and the overall experience I had with each bottle.

Cirkul Water Bottle: A Flavor Adventure

When I first got my hands on the Cirkul water bottle, I was curious about whether it would actually make drinking water a more enjoyable habit.

The idea here is simple: you pop a flavor cartridge into the top of the bottle, twist it to adjust the intensity, and take a sip.

The cartridges contain liquid flavoring, so you get flavored water without the extra sugar and calories that you’d find in a lot of typical flavored beverages.

The fact that I could adjust the intensity level from 0 to 10 with a simple twist was really appealing—some days I just wanted a hint of flavor, while on others I cranked it up for a burst of taste.

Cirkul Pros

1. Customizable Flavor: The highlight for me was the adjustable flavor dial. I could change the flavor intensity on a whim, which was a real plus, especially if I wanted to make my water taste subtle in the morning and full-on fruity by afternoon.
2. Variety of Flavors: Cirkul has over 50 flavors to choose from. Whether you’re a fan of fruity flavors like strawberry kiwi or something more unique like caramel iced coffee, there’s something for every taste bud. I found myself getting pretty excited to try out new flavors.
3. Convenience: The design of the Cirkul bottle is pretty straightforward, making it easy to fill, attach a cartridge, and start sipping. Plus, the cartridges are small enough to carry a few with me in my bag for flavor swaps on the go.
4. Encourages Hydration: With all those flavor options, it honestly made drinking water way more fun. I actually found myself wanting to drink more water—just to try out different flavors and figure out my favorites.

Cirkul Cons

1. Single-Use Cartridges: While the flavors are tasty, the cartridges themselves are disposable, which isn’t the best from an environmental perspective. Each cartridge is meant for a certain number of sips, and once it’s done, you toss it.
2. Cost of Cartridges: The ongoing cost can add up if you’re using Cirkul regularly. Each cartridge costs about $3.75, and if you’re going through them quickly, that can easily become an expensive habit.
3. Plastic Bottle: The bottle itself feels a bit flimsy. It’s made of plastic, which, while lightweight, doesn’t feel as sturdy as a stainless-steel bottle. I was a little worried about wear and tear.

AirUp Water Bottle: Tricking the Senses

AirUp is definitely a different concept altogether. Instead of adding flavor directly to your water, it uses scent pods that trick your brain into thinking the water is flavored.

When you take a sip, the scent from the pod reaches your nose, making you perceive the taste of the flavor—while in reality, you’re drinking plain water. I’ll admit, it was a bit strange at first, but the concept had me intrigued enough to give it a solid try.

AirUp Pros

1. Innovative Flavor Experience: The idea of flavored water without adding anything to the water itself is pretty fascinating. Once I got used to the scent-driven experience, it did feel like I was drinking flavored water—even though it was just regular H2O.
2. Eco-Friendly: Unlike Cirkul’s disposable cartridges, AirUp’s scent pods are reusable, and they last for multiple refills. This makes the AirUp bottle a more environmentally friendly option in comparison.
3. No Additives: Because the flavor is purely based on scent, there are no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or chemicals in your water. If you’re someone who prefers completely pure water but still wants a hint of flavor, AirUp fits the bill.
4. Minimal Ongoing Costs: The scent pods are priced at $8 to $10 for a pack of three, and each pod is supposed to last for several refills. Compared to Cirkul, the overall running cost seemed a bit easier on my wallet.

AirUp Cons

1. Flavor Intensity: One of the main downsides for me was the lack of control over flavor intensity. With AirUp, you either get the scent or you don’t. There’s no way to make the flavor stronger or lighter, and that felt like a limitation.
2. Limited Flavor Options: At the time I tried AirUp, there were only about 10-12 flavor pods available. While some of them, like peach and cola, were interesting, I couldn’t help but feel like there wasn’t as much variety as I would have liked.
3. Learning Curve: I’ll be honest—it took a while to get used to how AirUp works. If you’re expecting the typical flavor of a Cirkul or a flavored beverage, the scent-based perception can be a bit of an adjustment. It’s subtle, and if you’re not used to it, it may not immediately feel like the flavor you’re craving.
4. Higher Initial Cost: The AirUp bottle itself is more expensive than Cirkul. The upfront cost ranges between $40-$50, which is a bit steep compared to other reusable bottles out there. However, since the scent pods are reusable, this balances out in the long run.

Which Water Bottle Is Right For You?

So, here’s the big question: should you choose Cirkul or AirUp? Honestly, the answer depends on what kind of hydration experience you’re looking for. Let me break it down a bit further based on different preferences.

• If You Want Customizable Flavor

Cirkul wins here, hands down. The ability to adjust the flavor intensity on the go is something I found incredibly useful.

Some days, I was all about a mild, refreshing sip, while on others, I wanted a bold taste—and Cirkul let me make that choice. Plus, the sheer variety of flavors gives Cirkul an edge if you like mixing things up.

• If You’re All About Health and Purity

If you’re cautious about what you put into your body, AirUp might be a better fit.

Since there are no additives at all—just plain water and the power of scent—you’re not introducing anything you wouldn’t want in your system.

AirUp essentially keeps the water pure while still making it feel less plain.

• If Environmental Impact Matters

AirUp is more environmentally friendly in terms of minimizing plastic waste.

With reusable scent pods that last for multiple refills, it’s a step up compared to Cirkul’s single-use cartridges. If sustainability is a key factor for you, AirUp would be a better option.

• If Price Is A Factor

In terms of initial cost, Cirkul is the more budget-friendly choice. You can get a bottle for around $20-$35, while AirUp bottles start at around $40.

However, if you look at the ongoing cost of flavor refills, AirUp is less expensive over time since the scent pods last for a longer period. It ultimately depends on how often you plan to use it and how much you’re willing to spend upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

In my experience, both Cirkul and AirUp have their strengths and weaknesses. Cirkul’s customizable flavor and variety of options definitely made me reach for my water bottle more often, which was a win. However, the environmental impact of the disposable cartridges weighed on my mind—plus, the ongoing costs started to add up.

On the other hand, AirUp’s innovation with scent-driven flavor is impressive and feels like a healthier option since it doesn’t actually add anything to your water. However, I found that the flavor experience wasn’t as punchy as Cirkul, and the limited number of available scents left me wanting more variety.

At the end of the day, if you want a straightforward way to make drinking water fun and don’t mind a bit of ongoing cost, Cirkul is a solid choice. If you prefer something more eco-conscious and a bit unconventional, AirUp might just be the bottle for you.

Whichever you choose, I hope you find it easier to stay hydrated—because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that drinking more water is a win no matter how you do it!