Benefits include clear skin, boosted metabolism, and a drink you'll actually want to keep sipping.
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While you may have developed a preference for a particular type of bottled or purified water, you probably haven't spent much time thinking about the benefits specific kinds of water have on your health. However, the taste of your beverage could tip you off to components in your water that could have a profound impact on your wellbeing—including pH level, the measurement of how basic or acidic your water is. The higher the pH, the less acidic your water is. Tap water is generally around a 7 pH level, while alkaline water has a pH level of 8 or higher.
Although it hasn't been scientifically proven, there is research supporting the idea that alkaline water can have major benefits for your overall health. In fact, a 2018 study published in the journal Medical Gas Research found evidence to suggest that daily consumption of alkaline water had benefits ranging from the improvement of sleep issues to relief from gastrointestinal pain to improved athletic performance.
Since there are a lot of alkaline water options on the market, we've gathered up some of our favorites to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Best Alkaline Waters
- Most Hydrating: Essentia Ionized Alkaline Water
- High PH: smartwater Alkaline 9+pH, 33.8 Fluid Ounce Bottles
- Best Plastic-Free: Flow Alkaline Spring Water
- Best Taste: Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Alkaline Water
- Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Lifewtr Premium Purified Bottled Water
- Most Affordable: EHM Alkaline pH Water Filter Stick
- Most Portable: Invigorated Water pH ON-The-GO Alkaline Water Filter Pouch
- Best Pitcher: Ehm Ultra Premium Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher
What to Consider
Though taste is certainly a factor in choosing a water, if you are drinking alkaline water for its health benefits, there are a few more things that you will want to consider before you buy.
pH Level
As mentioned above, the higher your water's pH level is, the more alkalinity it will have, and the less acidic it will be. Since our bodies have a natural pH level of around 7.4 and alkaline water's pH is generally higher than that, for some people, drinking alkaline water can cause stomach issues and bloating. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may want to stay on the lower end of the spectrum and not go above a pH of 8.
With higher pH waters, you may also start to notice a kind of silky, slippery texture to the water. If this isn't something you like, aim for water with a lower pH level. Since there isn't conclusive scientific proof to back up the advantages of alkaline water, we also don't know which pH level is most effective, so don't worry if super high alkalinity doesn't work for you.
Added Minerals
Many alkaline waters on the market will first filter the water to remove things like heavy metals, and then add beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium for both taste and health benefits. Some will also add in electrolytes, which are great after a particularly sweaty workout or when recovering from sickness.
How We Selected
To find the best alkaline water among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular alkaline waters available and considered price, ingredients, taste, feel, and pH level. We looked at both expert reviews and more than 34,000 customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these beverages on sites like Amazon, to settle on the alkaline waters you'll find below.
Key Specs
- pH Level: 9.5
- Added Minerals: Yes
People love alkaline water not just for its potential health benefits, but also because of its smooth feel and, some would argue, superior taste.
Essentia is known for its silkiness, but besides its coveted mouth feel, clinical testing suggests that it hydrates more efficiently than its competitors. Essentia also uses microfiltration and reverse osmosis processes and is made without harsh chemicals; it also has electrolytes added in, making it a great choice after a sweaty workout.
Key Specs
- pH Level: 9
- Added Minerals: Yes
Chances are you're already familiar with Smartwater, but this version takes the brand's pH to the next level—9, to be exact. It's vapor distilled, ionized, and purified to give you that super clean, refreshing taste that the brand is known for. While standard Smartwater is not technically alkaline, it is pH-balanced, so it's also a good option if you are sensitive to high alkalinity.
Key Specs
- pH Level: 8.1
- Added Minerals: Yes
If you're looking for a portable alkaline water but don't love the idea of drinking out of plastic, try Flow, the containers for which are made primarily from paper and sustainable materials that are 68% renewable and 100% recyclable.
While only an 8.1 pH, this water is still considered alkaline, and may be a good choice for those with sensitive stomachs. It has naturally occurring minerals like magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate, and potassium, and it comes in flavored options as well if you don't like the taste of plain water.
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Key Specs
- pH Level: 8.4
- Added Minerals: No
If you want to feel like you are drinking straight from the heart of a glacier, then Icelandic is the choice for you. It has a naturally high pH of 8.4, and has been cleared of any impurities without adding any additional minerals or electrolytes. If you don't like that slippery, silky feeling that some alkaline waters can have, you may prefer this one, which has a crisp, refreshing feel to it.
Key Specs
- pH Level: 6.4 to 7.4
- Added Minerals: Yes
Super high pH alkaline water can be a bit too harsh for some people, particularly those with sensitive stomachs. Lifewtr is a great option if you want some of the hydration benefits of alkaline water without a super high pH. This pH-balanced Lifewtr is purified and has some welcome additions like electrolytes, magnesium sulfate, and potassium bicarbonate for flavor.
Key Specs
- pH Level: 8.6
- Added Minerals: Yes
Want to enjoy alkaline water on the go? These sticks allow you to make your own alkaline water anywhere and any time. Simply stick them in a glass of water and it will increase its alkalinity to a max of 8.6 while also depositing minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium in just 10 minutes. This set is the most affordable option on our list, and also comes in packs ranging from 1 to 10.
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Key Specs
- pH Level: 10
- Added Minerals: No
Another on-the-go option, these filter pouches are about the size of a large teabag, can be used for up to 50 days, and can filter up to 26 gallons of water each. They filter out harmful materials like lead and heavy metals while leaving in good minerals like calcium and magnesium. They also can increase alkalinity of your water to a pH of 10, and they come in a resealable pouch that makes them easy to take along with you.
Key Specs
- pH Level: 10
- Added Minerals: No
Committing to drinking alkaline water doesn't mean you have to start buying cases of bottled water. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly option, you'll love this alkaline filter, which removes toxins, heavy metals, and minerals, and increases the pH of your water to 10. This model holds 3.8 liters and adds in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants to your drink.
Gabrielle Hondorp
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
