Bottled water is a $40 billion‑a‑year industry in the U.S., with millions of consumers assuming it’s safer or purer than tap water—but is that really true? 🧐 As we dig into the science, regulations, and environmental costs, we’ll also highlight the top 5 best‑ and 5 worst‑rated bottled water brands, helping you make informed hydration choices.
📊 Best and Worst Rated Bottled Water Brands
Top 5 Best Bottled Water Brands (based on taste, source, packaging & sustainability):
- Saratoga – Iconic blue‑glass bottle, naturally carbonated spring water, consistent high reviews as a top water choice this year (Business Insider, Cozymeal).
- Voss – Sleek glass or recyclable PET, artesian source, balanced pH and premium appeal (Cozymeal).
- ZenWTR – Alkaline pH 9.5, recycled ocean‑bound plastic bottles, praised for taste and eco‑efforts (Cozymeal).
- Icelandic Glacial – Alkaline pH 8.4, filtered through lava rock, noted for neutral and clean taste (Cozymeal).
- Essentia – Alkaline ionized water (pH 9.5), added electrolytes, crisp flavor well‑reviewed (Cozymeal).
Top 5 Worst Bottled Water Brands (rated by lack of taste, tap‑water source, environmental impact):
- Aquafina – Filtered municipal supply, “purified tap water,” ranked lowest among many taste and quality reviews (Tasting Table).
- Dasani – Similarly purified tap water with added minerals; modest taste reviews, but ecological concerns remain (Serious Eats).
- Good & Gather – Budget alkaline water; described as “just fine” but lacking flavor or standout qualities (Business Insider).
- Waiākea – Volcanic source, higher cost per ounce—received criticism for faint plastic taste (Business Insider).
- Voss (sparkling) – Even premium brands get mixed reviews; Voss sparkling scored lowest in taste test (Cozymeal).
Understanding What’s Actually in Your Bottle
While label claims often sound reassuring—“spring,” “mineral,” “electrolyte-enhanced”—many bottled waters are sourced from public tap systems, filtered, and sold at a hefty markup. The NRDC estimates about 25% of bottled water is just municipal water .
Moreover—and even with top-rated brands—controversial contaminants like PFAS (“forever chemicals”) have been detected in many bottled waters. Consumer Reports found PFAS in 43 of 47 waters tested, and FDA sampling of 197 products detected PFAS in some domestic and imported bottles (oasishealth.app). Microplastics are nearly ubiquitous too—present in over 90% of bottled water globally at ~10 particles per liter according to a major study .
🧠 What You Can Do: Planning & Testing Tools
✔️ Check Transparency: Seek brands that publish Water Quality Reports (WQRs) or disclose spring sources.
✔️ Test at Home:
- Tap Score by SimpleLab – ~$140; tests for heavy metals, bacteria, PFAS.
- Safe Home Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit – ~$200; screens 200+ contaminants.
- PurTest Home Kit – ~$30; covers basics like pH, hardness.
✔️ Consider Filtering Alternatives:
- Pitcher filters (Brita/PUR): ~$30
- Countertop systems (Berkey): ~$200–$400
- Reverse Osmosis under-sink units (e.g., APEC ROES‑50): ~$199–$300
💲 Costs & Eco Impact
- Bottled water: $0.89–$2.50 per liter
- Tap: ~$0.004 per gallon
- Plastic waste: ~60 million bottles trashed daily in the U.S. (ewg.org)
✅ Final Take
Bottled water can be enjoyable and travel-friendly—but quality varies dramatically. Premium brands often deliver better taste and eco-conscious packaging, but lower-tier options may simply be glorified and taxed tap water. Regardless of brand or cost, contaminants like microplastics and PFAS remain concerns.
For health, cost, and environmental reasons:
- Test your water
- Choose credible, transparent brands
- Use quality filtration at home
FAQs
Q: Are top-rated brands safer?
Not necessarily—PFAS and microplastics have been found even in premium bottles.
Q: How risky is microplastic intake?
While health effects aren’t fully known, ingestion is nearly universal; reducing your exposure is prudent.
Q: Is tap or bottled water better?
Tap water is strictly regulated and vastly cheaper. Filters can enhance taste and reduce specific contaminants.
Q: Can I trust a brand’s “spring water” label?
Only if the brand provides source details and third-party testing; otherwise, labels can be misleading.
Resources & Tools
- Tap Score by SimpleLab – mytapscore.com
- Safe Home Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit – ~ $200 on Amazon
- PurTest Basic Water Test Kit – ~ $30
- EWG Bottled Water Guide – (EWG site) (Business Insider)
- FDA Bottled Water PFAS Testing – (Consumer Reports, Oasis)
- Microplastics in Bottled Water Study – (Orb Media & TIME) (TIME)
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. Always verify water quality via official reports, independent testing, or certified labs. Drink responsibly and thoughtfully.
