2020 will undoubtedly be remembered as the “year of the smart device.” Smart devices have surged in popularity thanks to widespread smartphone adoption and our increasingly digital lifestyle. These innovative products transform traditional appliances to deliver more comprehensive and personalized user experiences.
We’ve already explored smart scales and smartwatches on our site, so let’s dive into something different. Today we’ll examine the Lifefuels Smart Bottle—yes, smart bottles are now a reality. The Lifefuels smart bottle positions itself as a nutritional device that adapts to your daily dietary needs.
You’re probably wondering: how smart can a bottle be? After all, they just need to hold liquid, right? We’ll explore all the impressive features the Lifefuels offers, its cost, where to buy it, and most importantly, whether it justifies the investment. Let’s dive in.
Overview Lifefuels Smart Bottle
The Lifefuels smart bottle is an automated injection system that transforms ordinary water into a flavorful beverage packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. The bottle features two main components: the liquid reservoir on top and the injection system on the bottom. The reservoir holds up to 16.9 fluid oz. and fills with water from the top. The injection system houses small fuel pods containing vitamin and mineral blends. Press the front button, and the system automatically injects and mixes the nutrient solution into your water. Think of the Lifefuels Smart Bottle as a high-tech automated version of those flavor packets you add to bottled water.
Like most smart devices, the Lifefuels includes a downloadable smartphone app that captures and records hydration and nutrition data. The app tracks daily water consumption, monitors nutrient levels in your beverages, and allows you to adjust mixture injection levels.
The Lifefuels runs on a standard lithium-ion battery. It charges via a standard micro-USB wall charger, with a single charge lasting up to 4 days without performance degradation. The bottle’s outer casing features tough anodized aluminum that resists scratches and provides excellent insulation, keeping beverages cold and fresh.
Advantages
- Easy to set up and use
- Mixes with just one touch of a button, no shaking or stirring needed
- Each pod can make up to 30 individual beverages
- 7 different pod flavors available
- Companion app tracks hydration and nutrition
Disadvantages
- 16.9 fluid oz. is not that much
- Companion app is kinda wonky
- Somewhat expensive for just a bottle, even if it is a smart bottle
Who Makes Lifefuels Smart Bottle?
The Smart Bottle comes from Lifefuels, a Virginia-based company founded in 2014 by John Perrelli and Rob Lawson-Shanks. After four years of development, Lifefuels finalized and launched its smart bottle, fuel pods, and companion app. The product is available throughout the US and select international markets. The Lifefuels Smart Bottle has earned two CES Innovation Awards—one in 2016 and another in 2018.
Lifefuels is driven by an environmental mission. Their stated goal is “to empower people to reach their health and hydration goals while reducing (and eventually eliminating) the need for single-use plastic bottles.” They advance this ecological mission through their reusable Smart Bottle design.
How Does the Lifefuels Smart Bottle Work?
Operating the device is straightforward. Open the top, fill with water or your preferred liquid, and screw the cap back on. Open the bottom compartment and insert your desired fuel pod into one of the three chambers until it locks in place. Close the bottom, turn the bottle upright, and press the center button on the injection mechanism. The mixture injects automatically—wait about 20 seconds for complete dispersion. Then simply drink and enjoy.
To connect the app, download it from the app store and ensure your phone’s Bluetooth is enabled. Power on the Smart Bottle using the Power/Reset button on the base. The LED will blink, indicating the bottle is active. Connect the bottle via Bluetooth and open the app. Click “Get Started” to create your account and follow the onscreen setup instructions.
Currently, the app is only available in early access beta for Android devices, though the company plans to release the full Android version soon. For now, you’ll need an iPhone to access the complete app experience. The top reservoir and lid are dishwasher safe, but the injector base requires hand cleaning with the included brush. The company recommends cleaning your smart bottle at least weekly, depending on usage frequency.
Where to Buy and Cost?
Currently, you can only purchase the Lifefuels through their website, though physical retail availability is planned. At the time of writing, the Lifefuels Smart Bottle costs $179, excluding shipping and handling.
Lifefuels Smart Bottle: Worth It or Not?
It depends on your hydration needs. If you already drink adequate water and don’t require an automated drink mixer, you can probably skip this purchase. However, if you have discretionary income and want to optimize your hydration and nutrition, there’s little reason not to give it a try.
