Ask Wirecutter: I’m So Bad At Drinking Enough Water. Help! (2024)

Now, if you’re feeling dehydrated, that’s enough of a reason to drink more water. But if you’re trying to reach some externally imposed standard of hydration, you should know that the whole “you need to drink eight cups of water per day” thing is a generalization.

“Is this too much for you? Is it too little for you? This all depends on you, your lifestyle, how physically active you are, where you live (humidity levels and altitude), what you do for a living, what you eat, your state of health, and normal physiological and lifestyle-related shifts that occur day to day,” said Jaclyn London, MS, RD, CDN.

From what you’re saying, it does sound like you need more water, but that water can come from your food (juicy watermelon, leafy greens, etc.) and even from most non-water beverages—including carbonated and caffeinated ones. Alcohol, a diuretic, is the exception.

Increased activity level and certain medications (like diuretics for blood pressure) might necessitate that you up your water intake, London said.

“The best way to tell if you need more or less [is] the color of your pee. It should be a light straw color,” she said. “If it’s too dark or too light, that’s a good indicator that you’re under-hydrated or over-hydrated, though I rarely see people who are the latter.”

I kept trying to come up with a fun mnemonic for this, but the best I could do was this: “If it’s straw, yee-haw.” Feel free to suggest better ideas in the comments.

One easy trick to consuming more water is to keep it in sight at all times. Stash glasses around the house within arm’s reach.

“Remember that water can only be hydrating if you drink it,” London said. She said her best tip is to keep your water in sight throughout your workday and everyday life. “The more visual cues you have as a reminder, the more you’ll stay on top of your hydration needs throughout the day, and the better you’ll feel as a result.”

This really works, as Wirecutter journalists have found. “I now just keep a glass of water in every room in my apartment, so whether I’m watching TV on the couch, working at my desk, reading in my bed, cooking in my kitchen, all I need to do is reach my hand out and it’s there,” said Dorie Chevlen, a staff writer on our home team.

Place a glass of water or a water carafe on your bedside table, so taking a drink is the first thing you do in the morning. You’ll be one glass in before even becoming fully upright.

Staffers also point out that sometimes you don’t want the utilitarian option. Maybe a pretty drinking glass or a beautiful carafe will make you excited to drink more water.

If it’s the blah-ness of the “taste” of water (or if your water actually tastes of something that you aren’t fond of), you can add flavorings. Infused waters are spa favorites for a reason: cucumber-mint, strawberry-lime, lemon-blueberry? Yum.

Bubbles are also a good distraction. In our guide to soda makers, we like the Drinkmate OmniFizz because it carbonates all sorts of beverages, and it makes “big, raucous, satisfying” bubbles.

If you’re using packaged water flavorings, London said she cautions people to keep an eye on added sugars, since they’re overconsumed in the US diet. She also adds that electrolyte tablets are best reserved for when you’re outdoors in hot weather and active, since they can also be a sneaky source of added sugars. Basically, stick with the fresh fruit and herb combos or something like a splash of juice.

Our staffers have had luck making their water more enticing with simple maneuvers like adding some ice or a straw to their regular gulp. It may change your perspective.

If the only water that appeals to you is ice-cold water, remove barriers between you and your quarry. Some refrigerators dispense water, but they can be slow to fill your glass, adding to the feeling of onerousness. “I am in the ice-cold-water-only camp, and I have found it very helpful to keep a big water dispenser in the fridge,” said senior kitchen editor Marguerite Preston. “I always have an abundant supply of ultra-cold water at hand, and I only have to refill my dispenser once every few days—which is way less tedious than constantly replenishing an ice cube tray or filling a bottle of water.”

If you need your water to be ice-cold while you drink it, an insulated, double-walled bottle will help keep the liquid colder longer so you’re more prone to drink it.

If you need a reward system, give yourself a reward system. Mark off a pitcher, or buy a bottle that has quantity markings on it, like the Nalgene Wide Mouth Bottle.

Create a chart. Get your hydration-minded partner to give you 50 cents for every cup you drink, and treat yourself to a little prize at the end of the week.

The gamification method has worked for senior staff writer Rachel Cericola. “I find a straw really helps me accomplish my water goals (and, yes, they are goals), which I track using a whiteboard on my fridge,” she said.

That’s it. That’s the tip.

If someone offers you some water, just say yes.

At a restaurant, say, “Yes, please.” In someone’s home, say, “Yes, I’d love a glass of water.” In the hotel lobby, say, “Thanks for the free water, Hyatt.” At one of those “you have helped eliminate waste from 10,000 plastic bottles” refill stations, say, “Fill ’er up.”

“My dehydration anxiety is fueled by the fear of a migraine striking at any moment, so drinking water throughout the day is key,” said senior off-platform strategist Hali Potters. “I get excited when I see a free water station at a bar or an event. Not having to ask a bartender for a glass of water eliminates one step that can sometimes be a road-blocker for me.”

Incidentally, this “never say no” policy is also useful when it comes to bathrooms: When you see one, use it. You’re going to need it after all the water you’re now drinking.

I know you’ve shifted some side-eye at giant tumblers. I wasn’t particularly thrilled with them either, but I became a convert.

First, consider why you’re resistant to them. Is it because they are unavoidable right now and sometimes our adolescent inner selves just want to rebel? If that’s the reason, I urge you to reconsider. I was not a giant-tumbler person until I began long-term testing the Takeya Straw Tumbler with Handle. (We don’t recommend the Stanley because it tends to leak a lot. But there are some alternatives that we do like, including the Takeya.)

If it’s because lugging around 40 ounces of water feels impractical, try setting it in a particular spot, like at your workstation or in the car. Leaving this behemoth on my desk all day has really helped me drink more. And it gives me something to do with my hands and face during particularly boring meetings—something that isn’t an eye roll or a grimace.

This article was edited by Jason Chen.