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Searching For Best Alkaline Water Brands
Chances are you’ve come out in search of the best alkaline water brands because of a friend’s advice or a commercial featuring your favorite celebrity or athlete. Maybe someone you know has been sipping the stuff for years and you’re wondering what all the fuss is about.
Not long ago, the concept of alkaline water seemingly sprung up overnight. Suddenly, sleek bottles with pH scores stamped clearly on the front lined the shelves at pharmacies and grocery stores.
Back then, with a very basic knowledge of pH levels, most of us were left wondering why we should be concerned with the alkalinity of our water.
Now, as a popular beverage trend, alkaline water is guzzled down by those seeking the promised benefits. Who wouldn’t make the simple swap after hearing that it may help them lose weight, live longer, and enhance digestion?
The supposed miracle water is said to bring about a slew of positive benefits. But at the end of the day, the simple act of drinking water—alkaline or not—is a good place to start for people who want to adopt healthier habits.
“Alkaline water is promoted to help a person fight acidity, when our bodies are already excellent at doing this. Our kidneys help ensure we have the right acid/base balance needed for a healthy body and system,” said Jen Hernandez, a registered renal dietician.
“Our lungs also help balance our acidity/alkalinity. There are some situations in which that balance may be thrown off. For example, when the kidneys are compromised, the body can skew towards an acidic state. This is often treated by a medication regiment, and dialysis in the case of kidney failure.
However, we can also support a good acid/base balance with a healthy diet. There’s a health condition known as metabolic acidosis, in which there’s not enough bicarbonate to balance acidity. This is also medically treated.”
Meet the Expert: Jen Hernandez RDN, CSR, LDN
Jen Hernandez is a renal dietitian and the founder of Plant-Powered Kidneys. She has worked in dialysis settings in several states. She has also worked with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii to help people with the early stages of kidney disease.
This best alkaline water brands list won’t only introduce you to our top 11 picks, we’ll head straight to the source to help you understand what it is and what it can do for your life. Let’s dive in.
First, What’s Alkaline Water?
In high school science class, we learned that all living things (soil, plants, meat, and human bodies) all have a potential of hydrogen, or pH, level. The score, which ranges from 0 to 14, indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. For example, beef has a pH level of 5.4 to 5.7 whereas egg whites have a score of 7.9.
The higher the score, the more alkaline a thing is. The lower, the more acidic it is. Alkaline water has a higher pH level than other types of drinking water, of which the municipally-deemed “safe” levels tend to clock in between 6.5-8.
When consumed, alkaline food and beverages help to neutralize acidity in the body. A high body acidity level has been linked to chronic health conditions like lung disease and renal failure, so it only makes sense to consume more alkaline foods in an effort to prevent them.
Alkaline water either contains minerals by way of natural processes (water passing through rocks in springs) or they’re added to the water to up its pH level. The beverages on this best alkaline water brands list hit between 7.5-9.5 alkalinity, and you’ll find a mix of both untouched water and those with added minerals.
What Are the Benefits of Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is surrounded by health claims and benefits, but very few studies have been conducted to clinically prove the theories.
“There is some potential to helping with reflux disease. However, there’s not enough research to be conclusive with this,” Hernandez said. “The research so far has been in vitro and not with people.”
There is one study conducted on rats that links the consumption of alkaline water to higher metabolic activity, meaning, increased energy, maintained muscle mass, and a longer life span.
Another more recent study links the consumption of alkaline reduced water (electrolyzed water) to better health and disease prevention. Alkaline water has been clinically demonstrated to combat the effects of free radicals on living cells, thus preventing disease.
If the difference between you drinking more water or not lies in the water’s alkalinity, then, by all means, drink up. In general, consuming more water has also been linked to similar effects.
11 Best Alkaline Water Brands
You know drinking water is good for your health, but you may be surprised to find out that not all bottled water brands are created equal. This remains true for alkaline water as well.
This best alkaline water brands list exists to help you narrow down the results in your search for better water, one to help your body, not hinder it.
Ahead, we’ll take you through 11 of our top picks for the purest, kindest, and most sustainable brands on the market. Each one is pretty different, so pay close attention to the things that matter the most to you whether that’s sourcing, pH level, or price.
#1: Essentia
Essentia has been kicking around since 1998 when Ken Uptain realized he needed to share his discovery with the world. Using a three-step ionization process that involves purification, the addition of electrolytes, and the removal of bitter ions, its water has a 9.5+ pH level that’s loved by athletes for its superior hydration.
In fact, the brand even funded a study that proved its alkaline water hydrates better than regular water, but hydration isn’t the only reason people choose it over others. Essentia water is said to taste awesome with a smoothness that comes from added potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Today, the brand is owned by Nestle and is considered the top-selling ionized alkaline water in the US natural foods market. Donating more than $1.5 million to humanitarian and environmental initiatives, the brand is based in Washington state but sources its water from a Southern Californian tap supply.
A globally recognized brand, you can find its products in a wide range of stores, including Walmart. Pick up a case of 12 1-liter bottles for $23.
Highlights
- BPA-free bottles
- No chlorine or flourish
- 99.9% pure
- 9.5+ pH
- Donates to key initiatives
#2: ZenWTR
On a mission to prevent ocean pollution, ZenWTR rescues and recycles ocean-bound plastic – plastic rescued from coastal environments and waterways in countries that don’t have formal recycling programs – to craft its custom wide-mouth bottle shape. In fact, every bottle of ZenWTR is made from up to 5 recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles that were prevented from reaching and polluting the ocean.
Launched in 2020 by beverage entrepreneur Lance Collins, ZenWTR has claimed the title of the ‘world’s first plastic negative beverage’ and has a goal of rescuing 50 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic by 2025. Because of this, the brand is also backed by a host of A-List investors that are actively behind ZenWTR including Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Zoe Saldana, Khloe Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Kelly Slater, Lil Jon and Ellie Goulding.
While the make-up of ZenWTR bottles has a positive impact on the environment, the quality of the brand’s H2O has many health benefits as well. In fact, ZenWTR undergoes an 8-step purifying process that includes advanced micron and carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, UV treatments, and vapor distillation and ionization, resulting in ultra-pure product with a pH of 9.5+ and a crisp, clean taste.
According to the company’s website, because they use 100% recycled plastic to make their bottles, ZenWTR has been able to reduce the amount of energy it uses by 84% and greenhouse gases created by 71% per pound of plastic, versus using virgin plastic. To further its environment-friendly mission, ZenWTR provides a helpful recycling guide on its website as well.
Available online and in major retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, Safeway and CVS, Zen WTR is available on the brand’s website.
Highlights
- 100% recycled, ocean-bound plastic bottles
- Vapor distilled
- Certified plastic negative brand
- 9.5+ pH
- Donates 1% of sales to ocean conservation, recycling education and advocacy
#3: Smart Water
Think of Smart Water and Jennifer Aniston’s face may come to mind. As part of its initial marketing campaign, the celebrity helped the brand gain exposure, but sippers still drink it to this day because of how it’s made and what it tastes like.
The whole “raincloud” concept is thrilling, the recent Coca-Cola acquisition uses a vapor distillation method to purify its water. The rest of the method is quite scientific and involves separating, purifying, and regrouping water molecules in a heating and cooling process.
Not all of its waters are pH balanced, though. Smart Water Alkaline is one of the newer launches, offering customers an alkalinity level of 9+ in its water sourced from various places around the USA. Equipped with added electrolytes for taste and hydration, Smart Water is described as “crisp”, like how sipping a handful of fresh rain might be.
One of the most popular bottled water brands to ever exist, Smart Water was originally founded in 1996 by J Darius Bikoff. You’ll find a pack of 12 1-liter bottles for about $30 depending on where you shop.
Highlights
- Free from the big 8 allergens
- 9+ pH
- Contains added electrolytes for hydration
- Tastes fresh
- Uses a unique vapor distillation process
#4: Icelandic Glacial
One of the major appeals of Icelandic Glacial is its “untouched” concept. Sourcing its pure, 100% natural, and alkaline water from Ölfus Spring in Iceland, this exceptional water has been filtered through lava rocks over a process of 5,000 years. Pretty cool.
With a completely natural pH level of 8.4, this pristine water is perfect in its own right. It needs nothing. In fact, since the water is collected underground from springs and transferred into bottles, the first time it actually faces the open air is when you crack open your own bottle.
Everything about this brand is alluring. From its water to its 100% recyclable, BPA-free iceberg-shaped bottles, grabbing one off the shelf is an easy choice. A carbon-neutral company, Icelandic Glacial operates an entirely sustainable facility that runs on geothermal and hydroelectric power.
To offset any other emissions the brand forms in production or shipping, it invests in forestry, renewable energy, and global conservation projects. Recognized for its excellence, Icelandic Glacial won the 2007 Bottled Water World Design Awards for Best Sustainability Initiative.
Everything about this water exudes modern responsibility, and it offers its same alkaline beverage in still, sparkling, and sparkling flavored options—all NSF certified and adherent to WHO and FDA requirements. Founded in 2005 by Jon Olafsson, the brand has maintained complete ownership. You’ll find a case of 12 1-liter bottles for about $30 online.
Highlights
- Carbon neutral
- 100% recyclable, BPA-free bottles
- Kosher
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Nothing is ever added or taken away
- Sustainable
- Made in a factory powered by renewable energy
#5: JUST Water
JUST Water is one of the newer names on this best alkaline water brands list. Founded in 2012 by Jaden Smith, its quest to face the issues of plastic pollution is solved by its paper, sugarcane, and aluminum packaging.
Known best for its signature shape—a carton instead of a bottle—JUST uses Adirondack mountain-sourced spring water that’s already alkaline from passing through mountain rocks. The source is refilled annually from rain and melted snow, it doesn’t take water from the surrounding community.
One carton of JUST water produces 74% fewer carbon emissions than plastic bottles do, and offers a natural pH level of 8. You’ll get magnesium and calcium in every sip, minerals that give the water a fresh taste and help hydrate your body.
A Certified B Corp, buying from JUST means you’re supporting an ethical and environmentally-friendly brand. Pick up a 12-pack of 1-liter bottles for $35.
Highlights
- Produces 74% fewer carbon emissions than plastic
- Made with recyclable materials
- Bottles made from 88% renewable materials
- Alkalinity of pH 8
- Certified B Corp
#6: Core Hydration
If you live in the US, there’s a chance you know CORE Hydration as the brand used by celebrities and athletes. What Katy Perry apparently swears by to help her hydrate and stay healthy, the brand’s water bottles pop up in a range of music videos sipped on by musicians like Adam Levine and the members of G.R.L.
Choosing musicians to represent its products was a no-brainer, considering the brand’s founder is no other than Lukasz Gottwald (aka Dr. Luke/Tyson Trax/Made in China), an American songwriter, singer, and producer. He launched his alkaline bottled water brand in 2012 alongside Lance Collins, a man that’s no stranger to the beverage industry (he’s the face behind Fuze beverages as well).
CORE Hydration water has a pH of 7.4, one of the lowest scores on this best alkaline water brands list. The company says its levels are still enough for you to feel the positive effects of alkaline water, along with the benefits of electrolytes and minerals.
Bottled in a BPA-free wide-mouth bottle with a cup-like lid, the brand says its water is for everyone, including pets. It’s free from harmful chemicals and minerals like chlorine, fluoride, and arsenic too, meaning you can feel completely safe with what you’re drinking. Now owned by the Keurig Dr. Pepper Group, you can get a 12-pack of 30.4 fl oz bottles for $19 at Walmart.
Highlights
- Bottles are made from recycled plastic & BPA-free
- Works with your body’s natural pH balance
- Low pH of 7.4 to match your body’s natural levels
#7: pHure
With a high alkalinity score of 9.5, pHure water was founded by Allen Pierce in an effort to bring “clean, safe, and affordable drinking water” to everyone. The electrolyte-enhanced beverage uses cutting-edge purification, filtration, and disinfection processes to deliver a supremely clean product.
There isn’t a lot of information about pHure online, but if one thing’s for sure, it’s that the brand’s customers swear by it. Packed in sleek cans or bottles, this water claims to aid recovery and fight inflammation—all you have to do is drink it.
You can get a case of 18 1-liter bottles for $28 at Walmart.
Highlights
- High alkalinity
- Extremely pure & clean
#8: Evamor
Evamor is all about doing better, but like actually, not just superficially. Designed to help you live your best life possible, its simple product focuses on what’s inside the bottle, not expensive labels and celebrity partnerships.
Shining through in taste and purity, Evamor water is completely natural. Nothing has ever been added or taken away. With an 8.8 pH level, each sip is infused with minerals, electrolytes, and fresh hydration.
It’s sourced from an alkaline artesian acquirer that lies way below the earth’s surface. Bottled at the source in Covington, Louisiana, the water is completely US-based. Evamor is a subsidiary of Wm. B. Reily & Co., Inc and was founded in 2000 by Glenn P Morris. Pick up a 12 pack of 32 fl oz bottles for around $37.
Highlights
- Sourced & bottled in the USA
- Nothing is ever added
- 8.8 pH level
- Simple
- Fresh, crisp taste
#9: North Water
Perhaps one of the most aesthetically-pleasing products on this best alkaline water brands list, North Water is also one of the simplest. Sourced from springs that run through Canada’s Rocky Mountains, it’s naturally alkaline and infused with beneficial minerals from the earth.
North Water is perhaps best known for its packaging. Before founder Saawan Logan launched the brand in 2018, she knew her water needed to ditch the plastic. Choosing aluminum that can be recycled time after time, the material is naturally BPA-free and a healthier choice for holding liquids.
Logan’s love for Canada and passion for sustainability shines through North Water, her brand, a dedication to a healthier future for all. You can buy a case of 12 x 650 ml bottles directly from the website for $40.
Highlights
- Its aluminum bottles can be infinitely recycled
- Naturally sourced from the Rocky Mountains
- Naturally high in alkalinity, pH 8.2
- Nothing is ever added
#10: Bai
You’ve likely seen Bai’s ad featuring Justin Timberlake and the clever play on the NSYNC hit “Bye, Bye, Bye.” At the time of its launch, that ad gained this brand a ton of attention, but its delicious, sparkling waters infused with natural flavors and coffee fruit extract were what made customers fall in love.
Bai Alkaline Water is unflavored and pure but has the same healthy and fun spirit its other beverages do. Using reverse osmosis to purify water sourced from South Brunswick, electrolytes are then added for taste and alkalinity, along with antioxidants for an extra health boost.
The end result is a crisp and fresh-tasting drink that helps fight off free radicals while hydrating you when you need it most. Providing 10% of your DRI for selenium, a mineral that may help prevent chronic disease, Bai claims its water can also combat the effects of oxidative stress.
Founded in 2009 in Princeton, New Jersey, Bai was created after founder Ben Weiss (who was then working with Godiva) discovered the amazing benefits of the coffee fruit. Launched from his basement, the brand gained popularity quickly and was snatched up by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. You can pick up a case of 12 1-liter bottles for $23 on Amazon.
Highlights
- Has a pH of 7.5+
- Added electrolytes and antioxidants
- Great tasting
- Brand has a great reputation
#11: BodyArmor
Another one of the names on this best alkaline water brands list that features celebrities and athletes, BodyArmor is loved by household names like Kobe Bryant and Carrie Underwood. The brand is most popular for its tasty, naturally flavored waters, made with electrolytes, hydrating coconut water, and vitamins.
BodyArmour Alkaline Water is purified by reverse osmosis, has a pH of 9, and is bottled in its facility in Queens, New York. The brand, founded in 2011 by Mike Repole and Lance Collins, is now fully owned by the Coca-Cola Company.
You may recognize both of those names as each of them has made an appearance twice so far on this best alkaline water brands list. Repole is a co-founder of Smart Water (as well as Vitamin Water and Energy Brands), while Collins is one of the faces behind CORE Hydration.
Together, they make a powerhouse team with a wealth of knowledge about the bottled beverage industry, BodyArmour a culmination of everything they’ve learned. Its bottles are BPA-free and recyclable, and you can get a case of 12 1-liter bottles for $18 at Walmart.
Highlights
- Made in the USA
- Has a pH of 9
- Includes added electrolytes
- Bottles are BPA-free & recyclable
How to Shop the Best Alkaline Water Brands
Water is just water, right? It turns out there’s a lot more to the clear, essential fluid than just being clean and chemical-free. Shopping for the best alkaline water brands can get a little confusing. They all look the same, so how do you pick one that’s perfect for you?
It’s important to look closely at the products on this list, but also, the brands themselves, where the water is from, the alkalinity level, and a few other critical specs to help isolate your ideal pick. We’ll walk you through a list of things to be aware of below to help in your final decision.
Brand
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of one or more of the names on this best alkaline water brands list, and that may be all you need to go ahead and make your decision. If you’re interested in something that’s consumed by the masses, we have a few good picks for you here.
Since this is water we’re talking about, you can bet that every single one of these brands is popular in its own right. Water is an essential part of life after all.
So what else should you be on the lookout for when it comes to brand? Mission. Some names on this list are dedicated to giving back, and if you’d like to support one that does, then be on the lookout for details regarding that.
Quality
Water quality is a big topic, but when it comes to bottled water, it’s fine to assume it’s safe to drink. Where quality comes into play with the best alkaline water brands is in a few places actually. For example, where the water is from, how it’s treated (reverse osmosis, added minerals, etc.), and how it’s packaged.
It’s kind of hard to gauge water’s quality, aside from the obvious purity of it. But you will find certain brands that get their water from a variety of sources like a lake, natural spring, or simply a tap. Water from a natural spring that’s been untouched would appear to be the higher quality product, but then it’s important to look at packaging (plastic vs aluminum vs paper) too.
Quantity
It’s normal for water to be sold in standard-sized bottles, and on this best alkaline water brands list, we’ve done our best to include prices for 12 packs of 1-liter bottles for fair comparison—pretty much every brand offers these.
If you prefer something a little more portable, it’s worth looking into the product selection on each website. Some offer smaller bottles than others while others sell their water in large bottles.
Since we all have different needs, it’s important to select a brand that meets yours. If 250ml bottles make your life easier, then it makes sense to choose a brand that carries that size.
Sourcing
Quite a few names on this best alkaline water brands list use “untouched” water for their beverages. The pH levels come from the natural processes the water goes through, like running through rocks and collecting minerals. Other brands use regular water from, say, a tap, but use reverse osmosis and add electrolytes to up the alkalinity.
Is one better than the other? Well, it’s a good idea to consider what sourcing from a specific place/country means in terms of the ecological system. If getting your water from a local company that sources from protected, local sources means workers are paid fair wages, then you have yourself a truly clean business that’s easy to get behind.
Alkalinity (pH)
All of the beverages on this best alkaline water brands list will already have a pH higher than 7. You don’t need to fret about selecting one that’s alkaline or not—they all are.
The difference comes in the alkalinity level of each water and what you prefer in terms of taste. The higher the level, the stronger the taste. It’s not unpleasant, but it is slightly more mineralized than pure pH 7 water. Some may argue that as the pH level goes up, the more benefits you’ll get, but there isn’t evidence that proves this theory yet.
Price
Water is something you’ll be (or should be) drinking a lot of. Alkaline water is often higher-quality than your average bottle that contains purified liquid from a municipal lake—yes, some big brands do this, and by the way, they clock in at a pH of 4.5, super acidic.
So right off the bat, you can expect to pay slightly higher prices for alkaline water than you would acidic water. With that said, you still want what you’re buying to be affordable and realistic if you plan on making it a long-term thing.
Some picks on this list are remarkably less than others, but it’s important to look at the brand, the packaging, and the water source to determine value before making your final pick. Often, companies with higher-quality materials will be more costly.
Can You Drink Alkaline Water Every Day?
Our sources are torn on this question. Some believe that drinking alkaline water is harmless, while others say it should only be consumed every other day. So which is it? Most medical articles say that it’s completely safe to drink, but you may want to avoid chugging down gallons of the stuff at a time.
People do drink it daily in place of their regular water, and there’s no arguing it’s better for you than some tap water in the US which scores a 3.5-4.5 on the pH scale: very acidic.
Is There Anything Wrong With Drinking Alkaline Water?
Medical sources say that drinking alkaline water is safe unless you have issues with your kidneys. Due to the higher hydrogen levels in the water, you may experience dry or itchy skin, but overall, there don’t appear to be many negative side effects.
Some suggest that drinking an abundance of alkaline water may change your stomach’s natural pH levels. Your stomach is an acidic place because it needs to be, and certain articles say that this kind of water may affect acidic juices.
What’s the Ideal Alkalinity (pH) for Alkaline Water?
All sources agree that the ideal and safe alkalinity level for drinking water is 6.5-8.5. Now, a score of 6.5 can’t necessarily be called “alkaline” water, considering it’s at the end of the acidic spectrum.
Though drinking water with a pH level of 6.5 may not be harmful, it’s not giving you the benefits you’re after by consuming alkaline water. To get the most out of your drinking water, it’s important that you choose a beverage with an alkalinity level of between 8-9.
Go any higher and the taste of the water may not be as palatable to you, and you won’t find any beverages on this best alkaline water brands list that exceeds a pH level of 9.5.
Final Thoughts
Water is an essential part of life and something we’re told by health officials to drink enough for better health. But what if that water wasn’t actually doing our bodies good like we thought it was? It turns out a lot of conventional bottled water brands are pushing out acidic beverages not much better than soda.
If steering clear of soft drinks for your health and teeth is something you do, then it’s time to turn your attention to your water bottle and get real about what’s inside. In this best alkaline water brands listicle, we’ve explored why alkaline water is beneficial for health just as we’ve looked at why acidic water isn’t.
At the end of the day, choosing safe drinking water (6.5-8.5 pH) is an important choice for our health, and consuming more of it is proven to bring about wellness benefits. Though most sources agree that there haven’t been enough studies conducted on the benefits of drinking alkaline water, the few that did pointed to similar positives.
“Unless you prefer the taste, alkaline water is not better than regular water. If you’re on a tight budget, or have a hard time swallowing the price at checkout, it’s completely safe to choose a regular, non-alkaline bottle of water,” said Hernandez.
Whether you’re a firm believer of the pros that can come from drinking alkaline water, are interested in what it can do for you, or simply want to swap to a bottled water brand that cares more about its sourcing and ethics, we hope this best alkaline water brands list has helped you zero in on one that’s right for you.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. All content is for general information purposes only.
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