Staying hydrated is vital for good health. While plain tap water is an excellent choice, many people prefer bottled waters for their convenience, taste, or health benefits. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to know which are the best water to drink.
When it comes to drinking water, people often ask – what is the best water to drink for my health and hydration needs? Here are some top options: Spring water – Sourced straight from natural springs, spring water retains healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Top brands like Evian, Fiji, and Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water offer the refreshing taste of untreated mountain spring water bottled at the source. Alkaline water – With an alkaline pH between 7.5 and 9.5, these waters help neutralize acidity in your body. Brands like Essentia, Waiakea, and Alkaline88 ionize the water and add electrolytes for proper hydration. Fluoride-added water – Municipal tap waters with added fluoride can promote dental health. But check your local water report, as fluoride levels can vary greatly by region. Electrolyte water – Waters like Smart Water, Life WTR, and Propel add electrolyte salts back in for faster hydration. Great for exercise and illness recovery. Filtered tap water – An economical choice, filtered tap water removes chlorine and contaminants while retaining healthy minerals. Use a home filtering pitcher from Brita, PUR, or ZeroWater. This comprehensive guide compares the best bottled water across various categories to help you find your perfect match. We examine factors like taste, price, health benefits, sustainability, and more so you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for still or sparkling, favor purified or mineral, there’s a bottled water out there for everyone.
FIJI Natural Artesian Water stands out as the best bottled water. Sourced from a protected artesian aquifer in Fiji, this water has a naturally high pH and soft, smooth taste. The eco-friendly square bottles are BPA-free. FIJI is worth it for the exceptional purity and taste.
For those seeking a purified water with added health benefits, Essentia Ionized Alkaline Water is the way to go. Customers rave about the clean, smooth taste. Using a proprietary ionization process, Essentia filters out impurities and adds electrolytes for a pH of 9.5 or higher. The higher pH promotes hydration and neutralizes acidity in your body. It’s moderately priced for the ionization process.
When it comes to spring water, the French classic evian stands unmatched. Sourced from a protected spring in the French Alps, evian contains naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals for a crisp, refreshing taste. The premium plastic bottles are BPA-free and designed for easy gripping. It sits on the pricier end but delivers that pure, mountain spring water taste.
For high-pH alkaline water sourced from a sustainable volcanic spring, Filtered through thousands of feet of volcanic rock, Waiakea comes out packed with electrolytes and minerals and has a natural 8.8 pH. The refreshing taste has a silky smoothness to it. The bottles are 100% recyclable and use low-emission transportation. It’s very reasonably priced for natural alkaline water.
If flavored fizzy water is your jam, Liquid Death Berry It Alive sparkling water earns top marks for taste. With vivid berry flavors like raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry, it tastes just like drinking a fruit soda without any sweeteners or junk. The 16.9oz tallboy cans provide bonus hydration in a portable format. It is on the moderately expensive side but delivers a truly delicious bubbly treat.
Originating from an ancient mineral spring in Mexico, Topo Chico earns rave for its lightly carbonated, thirst-quenching taste. With a natural mineral composition high in electrolytes, Topo Chico provides a satisfying drinking experience and hydration. The iconic glass bottle adds to the appeal, though plastic is also available. It comes at a premium cost but provides authentic mineral water geared for refreshment.
For shoppers buying in bulk, Member’s Mark Purified Water offers an unbeatable value. You can purchase a pallet with 48 cases of 40 bottles each – 1,920 bottles total! While not the most exciting flavor, customers say it tastes like most average purified bottled waters. Each 16.9oz bottle comes out to a mere 25 cents – an incredible bargain for stocking up. The bulk format also cuts down on plastic waste compared to single-serve bottles.
When it comes to bottled water, many people prefer glass over plastic due to taste and health reasons. Sourced from natural springs in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, Mountain Valley has a crisp, clean taste. The iconic glass bottle with its 1970’s-inspired design adds retro appeal.
Eco-conscious consumers should check out Boxed Water, which packages its purified water in 92% plant-based cartons. The paper cartons fully biodegrade after 24 months versus 450 years for plastic bottles. It’s fairly expensive but you pay for the eco-friendly factor. The minimalist, millennial-approved branding also looks cool.
Product | Type | Key Features |
---|---|---|
FIJI Natural Artesian Water | Natural Artesian | – Naturally high pH – Crisp, smooth taste – Square eco-friendly bottles |
Essentia Ionized Alkaline Water | Ionized Purified | – pH of 9.5 or higher – Added electrolytes – Purifying ionization process |
evian Natural Spring Water | Spring | – Sourced in French Alps – Naturally occurring minerals – Premium taste |
Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water | Alkaline Spring | – Naturally alkaline pH 8.8+ – Sustainable sourcing – Silky taste |
Liquid Death Berry It Alive Sparkling Water | Flavored Sparkling | – Real berry flavors – Zero sugar or sweeteners – Tallboy cans |
Topo Chico Mineral Water | Mineral | – Natural mineral composition – Light carbonation – Glass bottle options |
Member’s Mark Purified Water | Purified | – Bulk cases of 40 – Inexpensive – Good for stocking up |
Mountain Valley Spring Water | Spring | – Glass bottle – Crisp, fresh taste – Vintage styling |
Boxed Water | Purified | – Sustainable packaging – 92% plant-based cartons – Eco-friendly |
For fans of the crisp, untreated taste of mountain spring water, these are some of the best brands to drink:
Your body maintains a tightly regulated pH around 7.4. Here are some bottled waters that can help promote an alkaline pH for overall balance:
Most guidelines recommend drinking water at consistent intervals throughout the day. But here are the optimal times to drink water:
Alkaline and electrolyte-enhanced waters are generally considered the healthiest, as they help neutralize acidity and promote hydration. Top choices are Essentia Ionized Alkaline Water, Waiakea Volcanic Water, and FIJI Natural Artesian Water.
Purified water undergoes rigorous multi-step filtration so it is very safe. Top purified brands like Essentia, Boxed Water, and Member’s Mark Purified Water use hygienic bottling processes. Natural spring and mineral waters are also considered safe, as they are bottled straight from the source.
evian, FIJI, and Essentia consistently earn top ratings for their crisp, clean tastes. Liquid Death also wins points for their flavored sparkling waters that taste like fruit soda.
This often comes down to personal preference. Spring water retains naturally occurring minerals for a distinctive, refreshing taste. Purified water has minerals removed for a more neutral, crisp taste. Both are clean, safe options.
Glass is considered healthier, as plastic can leach chemicals over time. But plastic is much more portable and convenient. For the best of both worlds, brands like Topo Chico offer multi-packs with plastic and convenient glass options.
While bottled water is far more expensive per ounce than tap, many feel the convenience, taste and health benefits justify the cost. To save money, buy larger sizes or bulk cases which can bring the per-bottle cost down significantly.
Boxed Water’s plant-based cartons fully biodegrade much faster than plastic. Brands like Waiakea use recycled plastic or carbon-neutral shipping. But the greenest option is still reusable water bottles filled with tap.
When it comes to bottled water, there’s an option for everyone – whether you prioritize taste, value, sustainability or health benefits. By reviewing top-rated waters across categories like spring, purified, alkaline and mineral, we’ve highlighted the stand-out choices based on customer reviews. Just think about your preferences, use this guide for an informed buying decision, and stay hydrated with the best bottled water for your needs.
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