Staying hydrated is one of the simplest things people can do to support their overall well-being, but drinking enough water every day is often easier said than done. Between busy schedules, coffee runs, long workdays, and the occasional forgotten water bottle sitting in another room, hydration habits can vary widely from person to person. They also vary quite a bit by state.
To learn more about how Americans stay hydrated, we surveyed more than 2,500 people across the country about how much water they drink each day, how often they feel dehydrated, what prevents them from drinking more water, and which bottled and reusable water brands they prefer most.
The results reveal which states are drinking the most water, how Americans really feel about reusable water bottles, and why plain water still wins out over trendier hydration options.
Which States Drink the Most Water?
To start, we asked Americans how many cups of water they drink on an average day. For this survey, one cup equals about 8 ounces, meaning a standard 16-ounce bottle of water counts as two cups.
Nationally, Americans report drinking 6.5 cups of water per day. That falls short of the classic “eight cups a day” benchmark and is well below broader daily hydration recommendations, which can start around 11.5 cups depending on a person’s age, sex, activity level, climate, and other factors.
Among the states included in our ranking, Nebraska is the most hydrated state in America, with residents drinking an average of 7.56 cups of water per day. That puts Nebraskans more than a full cup above the national average, though still not quite at eight cups.
States that drink the most water:
- Nebraska – 7.56 cups per day
- Arizona – 7.31
- Pennsylvania – 7.23
- California – 7.14
- North Carolina – 7.02
Arizona, California, and North Carolina all make sense near the top of the list. Warmer climates may make hydration feel more top-of-mind, especially during outdoor activities or hot summer months. Pennsylvania’s top-three finish is more surprising, proving that high water intake is not limited to sunny states.
On the other end of the spectrum, Arkansas residents drink the least water, averaging just 5.12 cups per day. That is more than a cup below the national average and more than two cups behind Nebraska.
States that drink the least water:
- Arkansas – 5.12 cups per day
- Massachusetts – 5.90
- Maine – 5.92
- Kentucky – 5.93
- South Carolina – 5.96
Arkansas’ low ranking lines up with other responses from the state. More than 6 in 10 Arkansas residents say they probably or definitely do not drink enough water each day to stay hydrated, the highest share of any state in the study.
But water intake alone does not tell the entire hydration story.
Nationally, 63% of Americans say they rarely or never feel dehydrated, while 37% say they feel dehydrated often or very often. Arizona is one of the more interesting examples here: it ranks second for average cups of water per day, but it also has the highest share of residents who say they often or very often feel dehydrated, at 54%. That suggests people’s hydration needs and perceptions may be shaped by more than just the number of cups they drink.
When asked what prevents them from drinking more water, the most common answer was simple: Americans forget. Nearly half of respondents (46%) say forgetfulness keeps them from drinking more water, followed by not feeling thirsty (38%) and being too busy (35%). Cost and limited access were rarely cited as barriers, with fewer than 4% selecting either response.
So while Americans may know hydration matters, remembering to actually drink water throughout the day is still half the battle.
America’s Favorite Reusable Water Bottle Brands
Reusable water bottles have become more than a convenient hydration tool. For many Americans, they are part of a daily routine, a desk accessory, a gym companion, and in some cases, a full-blown personality trait.
Our survey found that 83% of Americans own a reusable water bottle to help them drink more water during the day. That leaves just 17% who say they do not own one.
Ownership is especially high in some states. Utah residents are the most likely to own a reusable water bottle, with 95% saying they have one. Hawaii follows closely at 94%, while Virginia and New Jersey also report ownership rates above 92%. Louisiana ranks lowest, though even there, more than two-thirds of residents own a reusable bottle.
When it comes to brand loyalty, however, Americans are divided. Nearly 1 in 3 respondents say they have no preferred reusable water bottle brand, suggesting that for many people, the bottle itself matters more than the logo on it.
Among named brands, Stanley is the most popular reusable water bottle brand, preferred by about 15% of Americans. Hydro Flask and Owala follow closely, both earning about 11% of responses, while YETI comes in at 10%.
Most popular reusable water bottle brands:
- Stanley – 15%
- Hydro Flask – 11%
- Owala – 11%
- YETI – 10%
- Nalgene – 3%
Stanley leads the category, but no single brand dominates. Hydro Flask, Owala, and YETI are all close behind, showing that reusable water bottle preferences are spread across both trendy newer brands and familiar outdoor staples.
Americans are also surprisingly attached to their bottles. More than half (57%) say they feel at least somewhat emotionally attached to their reusable water bottle, including about 10% who say they are extremely attached.
Minnesota residents are the most emotionally attached to their water bottles, with 69% saying they feel at least somewhat attached. Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, and Utah also rank high for bottle attachment. Ohio falls at the opposite end, with only 32% of residents saying they feel attached to their bottle.
Whether people are loyal to Stanley, committed to Hydro Flask, or simply carrying whatever bottle was clean that morning, reusable water bottles are now a major part of how Americans try to stay hydrated.
Which Bottled Water Brands Do Americans Buy Most?
Despite the popularity of reusable bottles, bottled water is still a major part of American hydration habits. But when Americans do buy bottled water, they are not necessarily reaching for premium brands.
The most common bottled water choice is store brand or generic bottled water, selected by 23% of respondents. Close behind, 22% say they rarely buy bottled water at all. Together, that means nearly half of Americans either choose generic bottled water or avoid buying bottled water most of the time.
Among national bottled water brands, Smartwater is the most popular, with about 10% of Americans saying they are most likely to purchase it. Dasani follows at 9%, while Aquafina and Poland Spring each come in at about 7%.
Most popular bottled water choices:
- Store brand/generic – 23%
- I rarely buy bottled water – 22%
- Smartwater – 10%
- Dasani – 9%
- Aquafina – 7%
- Poland Spring – 7%
Premium bottled water brands have a much smaller share of preference. Fiji, Evian, and Voss together account for about 9% of responses, with Fiji leading that group at 6%.
The same preference for simplicity shows up elsewhere in the survey. Regular water is still far more popular than flavored water, with 58% of Americans saying they prefer plain water compared to 28% who prefer flavored water. Another 13% say they have no preference.
Electrolytes are also less common than social media and store shelves might suggest. While electrolyte powders and drinks have become more visible, 60% of Americans say they rarely or never add electrolytes to their water, and only 14% do so daily or several times per week. Among electrolyte products, Gatorade/Gatorlyte and Liquid I.V. are the most commonly used, but nearly a third of respondents say they do not use electrolyte products at all.
Overall, Americans seem to prefer hydration that is simple, affordable, and easy to fit into their routines.
Closing Thoughts
Hydration habits vary across the country, but one thing is clear: most Americans have room to drink more water. Even Nebraska, the most hydrated state in our study, averages fewer than eight cups per day. Meanwhile, 44% of Americans say they probably or definitely do not drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Still, the survey also shows that many Americans are trying. Most own reusable water bottles, many feel attached to them, and plain water remains the preferred choice over flavored options and electrolyte add-ins. For many people, the challenge is simply trying to remember to make water part of the day.
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Methodology
To determine the most hydrated states in America, we surveyed 2,583 Americans from May 29 to June 8, 2026. Respondents answered questions about their daily water intake, how often they feel dehydrated, whether they believe they drink enough water, barriers to drinking more water, electrolyte use, bottled water preferences, reusable water bottle ownership, preferred reusable bottle brands, and emotional attachment to reusable bottles.
The state ranking and heatmap are based on the average number of cups of water respondents report drinking per day. One cup was defined as approximately 8 ounces, and a standard 16-ounce bottle of water was defined as two cups.
States excluded from the state ranking due to insufficient survey respondents: Alaska, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming.
Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number in the article.
Fair Use
You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.
