When I first became a vegan, the last thing I thought I’d question was my water. To be fair, it was the last thing I questioned.
For the first few years of my vegan journey, I was mostly focused on learning about food additives, expanding my nutritional vocabulary, and learning about my body’s specific needs.
Then, one day, I met a small vendor at a local farmers market who was selling what he referred to as “vegan water.” Intrigued, I decided to speak with him for a few minutes.
Five minutes later, I knew a LOT more about alkaline water, spring water, and why it’s so much healthier than your typical tap water or cheap purified water. Plus, I had to agree – it tasted so much better!
In today’s post, I’m going to show the 9 best vegan water brands on the market.
From pure spring water to natural black-colored alkaline water, and herbal tonic waters, I’ve got something cool and refreshing to share with all of you guys!
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Wait, Isn’t All Water Vegan?
When I first start talking about vegan water, most people look at me like I’m crazy. To be fair, I probably had the same expression on my face when I first heard the term.
So, let me take a few minutes to explain the logic behind vegan water and why you should start taking a closer look at the water you drink.
Water, by itself, is 100% vegan. While it isn’t exactly “plant-based,” it comes from the earth and isn’t categorized as an animal product. Water is life, and humans (as well as many mammals) consist of 60% water. Without it, we’d probably look like some strange bug-like aliens!
Water is essential for human life and helps our body:
- Produce sweat, spit, mucous, and other liquids that are essential to human health and reproduction.
- Maintain healthy cells.
- Repair damaged cells.
- Increase its natural immunity.
- Delivers oxygen to the cells.
- Lubricates your joints and prevents injury.
- … and a whole lot more!
If you can’t already tell, I love water and I’m always telling my friends and family to drink more of it.
So, what’s the deal with vegan water? If water is naturally vegan, what’s so special about so-called “vegan water?”
For starters, most humans aren’t drinking their own well water or drinking straight out of the rivers and springs. Instead, most of us buy pre-packaged water sold by large corporations.
Now, do you see where I’m going? As a vegan, it’s important to look at the ethics behind the company, not just the product itself.
So, to make things simpler for you, I’ve put together a little table comparing vegan water companies with not-so-vegan water companies:
| Vegan Water | Not-So-Vegan Water |
| Tends to come from more natural sources. | Is often low-quality water that’s been purified with chemicals and processes. |
| Tends to make use of recycled packaging, which reduces landfill waste and is far better for the planet. | Often uses pure unrecycled plastic, which only adds to the total plastic waste on the planet. |
| Some vegan water companies give back to their local communities or contribute to clean water operations in countries where clean water isn’t regularly available. | Companies tend to focus purely on profits instead of giving back to local or global communities. |
| Tends to be healthier. Natural minerals and alkalinity hydrate the body better and are even said to have healing properties! | Many of the cheap purified water brands include added chemicals that cause your body to become dehydrated faster, so you’ll drink more water and buy more. More water consumed = more profits. |
Better Water = Better Mind & Body
When you drink real naturally-sourced water, your body can tell the difference. If you compare the taste of alkaline spring water to a big box brand of “purified water,” there’s a huge difference in taste.
You’ll also realize that the more natural water keeps you hydrated for longer, while the sodium-heavy (yes many purified water brands include added sodium) leaves you craving more.
Packaging Matters
Every year our planet produces nearly 300 million tons of plastic waste. That’s as much as the weight of the entire human population!
The sad thing is that most of this plastic can take up to 500 years to fully decompose and often leaves the surrounding landscape full of toxins, preventing plant growth and even causing disease and birth defects in animals.
Time is not on our side.
If you look at most vegan water companies, they tend to invest in recycled plastic, which significantly reduces the amount of new plastic waste. Some vegan water companies even package their water in biodegradable boxes!
All things considered, it’s a lot better for the planet, humanity, and all of the plant and animal life we should be protecting.
The 9 Best Vegan Water & Tonics I’ve Ever Had
Hopefully, you’re beginning to see why switching to vegan water can benefit you and planet Earth! Since I first learned about vegan water, I’ve had the chance to try a lot of it.
Part of the benefit of owning your own vegan-oriented website is that companies reach out and give me free water from time to time! So, here are my top 9 favorite vegan water brands…
1) JUST Water – 100% Spring Water, Naturally Alkaline (link)
Remember how I said that some of the best vegan water companies only use recycled packaging?
Well, compared to all of the other vegan water companies on the market, JUST Water uses a fully recyclable box made from plant-based materials to package their water.
Once you recycle your little box of water, it goes on to be used in other paper goods.
Another thing I like about the packaging is that the boxes of water are large 1-liter containers, which reduces the number of boxes you’ll be throwing away in the first place.
They’re also perfect for the gym, which is where I tend to drink the most water!
JUST Water obtains all of its water from natural springs in Glens Falls in New York.
They only take the excess water, which means that it’s sustainably sourced and doesn’t affect the delicate ecosystem. It’s also naturally alkaline with a pH of 8, so it’s great for your body.
Last but not least, JUST Water is minimally processed. It’s purified with UV light and natural ozone, which uses far less energy than large corporate water companies that waste energy on expensive filtration and chemical purification processes.
Key Benefits:
- The boxed packaging is 100% recyclable.
- Minimally processed with no chemicals.
- Naturally alkaline with a pH of 8.
- Sustainably sourced from natural springs, and only uses excess water.
2) LIFEWTR, Premium Purified Water (link)
Most purified waters on the market have developed a bad reputation for the reasons I mentioned above.
However, LIFEWTR is one of the few purified water companies that stands out from the rest. Sure, it’s not 100% spring water and it is “purified,” but it doesn’t contain any of the added chemicals or sodium that your typical store-bought purified water does.
Another interesting fact is that the company recently accomplished its goal of sourcing its plastic bottles from 100% recycled plastic sources. This means they aren’t contributing to global plastic production.
The water itself has an alkalinity level close to 7, and the company claims that it can range from 6.4 to 7.4. The only added ingredients are calcium (which fortifies bones) and electrolytes, which aid in hydration and are supposed to enhance the taste.
The bottles also use BPA-free plastic, so you don’t have to worry about them causing any hormonal imbalances in your body. The BPA-containing bottles used by most large corporations have been linked to increased risk for breast cancer, so this is an important issue for me.
Personally, I prefer alkaline and spring water, but I’ve met several people who have a sensitive stomachs and claim that heavier alkaline waters don’t sit well with them. So, if you’re looking for purified vegan water with a mild pH level, this is a great option!
Key Benefits:
- Uses BPA-free plastic.
- Plastic water bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic.
- Really cool artistic designs on all of their water bottles.
- Mild pH level of 6.4 to 7.4, which is a good option for individuals with sensitive stomachs.
3) Liquid Death Mountain Water (link)
I’ll admit, the first thought I had when I purchased a can (yes– it comes in a can) of Liquid Death Mountain Water was, “This is the most edge-lord product I’ve ever had.”
It’s like somebody tried to combine heavy metal with water and packaged it in a beer-pint-sized can. To be fair, that’s exactly what Liquid Death did!
No matter how much you try to hate on it, though, you can’t actually hate it. For one, it’s some of the best mountain spring water I’ve ever had and has a remarkably crisp bite.
There’s something about the aluminum can that just helps the water get colder and stay colder for longer than a typical plastic bottle.
It also forces you to drink a full pint of water, as you can’t re-seal the can (great for those who are trying to force themselves to drink more water).
So, other than the feeling that you’re chugging a beer, what’s so great about the idea of canned water? I’ll let Liquid Death’s hilarious commercial speak for itself:
Put simply – unlike most plastic water bottles, aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable, which is far better for the planet.
Plus the water just tastes great. It also has a naturally alkaline pH level of 8 and has twice the electrolytes of other store-bought water brands like Aquafina! If you’re an edgy vegan who wants to save the planet and look badass while doing it, Liquid Death is definitely worth trying.
Key Benefits:
- The 16-ounce water cans are 100% recyclable, unlike plastics.
- Liquid Death is naturally alkaline mountain spring water and contains no additives.
- Liquid Death has twice the electrolytes of most store-bought purified water brands.
- Plus, their marketing is almost impossible to say no to… so there’s that.
4) Drink Simple Raspberry Lemon Maple Water (link)
I have a cousin who’s always complaining to me about how they “hate drinking water.” When asked why, their only response was, “It just isn’t sweet enough for me!”
So, in good spirit, I decided to buy them a box of Drink Simple’s Raspberry Lemon Maple Water. Although the name may be a bit of a mouthful, it’s some of the sweetest-tasting water I’ve ever had.
That’s because it’s not your typical water…
What’s so cool about this water is that it’s natural maple water that comes out of maple trees. Essentially, it’s the stuff that eventually gets boiled down and reduced into maple syrup. It’s not water or syrup; it’s tree sap! Pretty cool, right?
The maple water is then flavored with natural raspberry juice concentrate and lemon extract. No artificial flavors or added sugar.
Each bottle only has 40 calories, contains more manganese than a cup of kale, and is less sugary than coconut water.
If you’re looking for a sweeter way to start drinking more water (or you just want a great-tasting, plant-based beverage), this is an incredible product.
Key Benefits:
- Uses natural maple water harvested from maple trees.
- Contains just 8 grams of natural sugar and 40 calories.
- Healthy water alternative with natural juice added.
- Contains high levels of manganese, a nutrient that helps the body repair tissues and cells.
5) Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water (link)
When it’s hot outside, there are few things I crave more than a cold glass of coconut water!
Unfortunately, many of the coconut waters I’ve found at my local corner store tend to contain added sugar and chemical preservatives. Not so natural, eh?
Harmless Harvest stands out from other brands with its great-tasting 100% natural coconut water.
It’s made with Nam Hom coconuts harvested from certified organic farms in Thailand, which means that no pesticides, chemicals, or GMOs can be found in your coconut water.
Another interesting thing about this coconut water is that it’s naturally pink!
Unlike other species of coconut water that are clear or opaque, many of the bottles have a deep pink hue due to naturally-fluctuating levels of antioxidants within each individual coconut.
Last but not least, this coconut water isn’t pasteurized. Although it’s a healthy process, pasteurization can sometimes take away from the natural flavor of coconut water (which is why many companies add extra sugar).
Instead, Harmless Harvest coconut water is micro-filtered to remove any natural debris, leaving the delicious natural flavor intact.
Key Benefits:
- 100% organic coconut water that comes from certified organic coconuts.
- Contains no added sugar, flavors, or preservatives.
- Naturally pink coconut water thanks to high levels of natural antioxidants.
6) Sunwink Mocktail Tonic (link)
Sunwink’s “mocktails” may not be pure water, but they’re mostly water with a few added juices, vegan sweeteners, and herbal extracts.
Technically, they’re designed to take the place of alcoholic cocktails while providing similar “stimulating” or “relaxing” benefits thanks to the natural herbs in the mix.
While you’re at it, check out my post on why some vegans avoid alcohol.
Currently, Sunwink offers three varieties of their tonics:
- Detox Ginger
- Uplifting Lemon-Rose
- Relaxing Hibiscus Mint
Don’t expect to feel “tipsy” after drinking one of these. However, I did notice a slight alteration in my mental state after consuming them.
Overall, they taste great, are made from 100% plant-based ingredients, contain very little sugar, and are made with healthy herbs and superfood extracts. It’s hard to say no to that, right?
Key Benefits:
- Made from 100% vegan, plant-based ingredients and sweetened with vegan maple syrup.
- Crafted from natural herbs designed to provide mild relaxation and uplift your mood.
- Low sugar and only contain 25 to 50 calories per serving.
7) neuro SONIC | Blood Orange Passion | Beverage for Focused Energy (link)
Neuro isn’t your typical flavored water brand. Neuro’s waters are designed with nootropic additives designed to improve your mood, energy, and mental performance.
Whenever I’m up late at night trying to finish fresh content for you guys, I love to sip on one of these.
Neuro SONIC is packed with healthy superfruits like goji, blueberry, and pomegranate. It also contains 100mg of natural caffeine (about as much as a cup of coffee) to provide mild stimulation.
Last but not least, neuro SONIC features added L-Theanine and Alpha GPC Choline which improve your mood, regulate serotonin, and enhance your brain function!
It’s not quite as great as the imaginary “Limitless pill,” but it definitely helps me stay creative, alert, and positive when I have a lot of work to do.
Key Benefits:
- Vegan nootropic tonic water.
- Contains 100mg of natural caffeine for added energy.
- Made with superfruits that are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants.
- Functional hydration.
8) HOPLARK Water | Sparkling Hop Water (link)
HOPLARK has easily produced one of the most interesting “waters” I’ve ever had. As the name implies, HOPLARK is packed full of hops, one of the primary ingredients in beer (and especially IPAs).
In fact, HOPLARK was created for people who crave the hoppy, complex flavors of an IPA but who are trying to avoid alcohol.
After trying it, my consensus was that it tastes nearly identical to an IPA. So much so that I felt myself getting a placebo “buzz” that quickly went away once I realized it! HOPLARK currently offers three different hop water flavors, including:
- Mosaic hops
- Sabro hops
- Citra hops
The best part is that HOPLARK hop water is calorie-free, carb-free, and sugar-free. It’s also made from organic ingredients and contains no chemical additives.
The next time you’re craving a cold beer in the middle of your workday, reach for a hydrating HOPLARK hop water!
Key Benefits:
- Tastes like beer, but is 100% non-alcoholic.
- Made from organic hops and sparkling water.
- Unlike dehydrating alcohol, HOPLARK hydrates you!
9) blk. Natural Mineral Alkaline Water (link)
Last but not least, I have one of my favorite alkaline waters of all time – “blk.” The water is so-named thanks to its natural black color.
To make blk. water, the company starts with simple reverse-osmosis-purified water. Then, they add electrolytes to enhance the alkalinity to a pH level of 8 or higher. At this point, the water is still clear.
The water’s iconic black color comes from the added fulvic acid and humic acid, which are natural acids found in rich soil. Aside from changing the color of the water, these acids also have several notable benefits, such as:
- Increasing natural immunity.
- Improving skin hydration and elasticity.
- Restoring natural energy levels.
- Improving brain function.
- Decreasing inflammation.
Plus, walking around with a bottle of black water is a great conversation starter. You may think blk. water would have an odd flavor from the fulvic acid, but it actually neutralizes flavor altogether.
The result is a water that tastes as close to “nothingness” as I’ve ever had. Last but not least, blk. gives back to communities by digging wells where there isn’t access to clean water!
Key Benefits:
- Alkaline water with a pH of 8 or higher.
- Contains added fulvic acid, which is good for immunity, brain function, and skin health.
- Tastes like nothing.
- Cool black color that’s unlike any other water on the market.
Vegan Water Alternative: Home Water Ionizers
Making the switch to healthier, more environmentally-responsible water companies is a great first step. However, it still leaves one particular problem unaddressed – buying bottled water (even if it’s mostly recycled) still creates waste.
It’s great that more companies are making the switch to using 100% recycled plastic, aluminum, or boxes. While they may source their packaging from recycling centers, there’s no way that all of their products are being recycled after you drink them.
Let’s just say you’re at the gym and you throw away your bottle of alkaline water… There’s very little chance that it’ll ever make it to a recycling plant, unless your gym has designated recycling containers.
There’s even a chance that your city’s “recycling” division doesn’t actually recycle.
Many cities offer recycling bins to their residents, but then go and empty the contents of the recycling bins into the landfill along with your other trash. It’s dishonest and disappointing, but it’s the sad reality of things.
The best way, by far, to ensure that you’re truly living a waste-free life is to start ionizing your own water! By purchasing a home water ionizer, you’ll be able to have a virtually unlimited supply of pure, great-tasting alkaline water.
Just bottle the water in reusable glass, aluminum, or BPA-free plastic water container, and you’ll be able to stay hydrated all day long without contributing to global plastic waste.
How Do Water Ionizers Work?
Water ionizers are a fascinating yet simple piece of technology that filters out acidic and basic (alkaline) molecules from water using electromagnetism. Here’s the step-by-step process for how a water ionizer turns regular water into alkaline water:
- First, you’ll fill your water ionizer up with regular tap water. You can also use a large jug of spring or purified water if your region has particularly dirty tap water.
- The ionizer contains several titanium plates that are electrically charged. There is a mix of both positive and negatively-charged plates.
- Each plate is covered by a semi-permeable membrane that allows the molecules to pass through.
- Acidic molecules, such as chlorine, sulfur, and fluoride are negatively-charged ions that are attracted to the positively-charged titanium plates.
- Alkaline molecules, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are positively-charged ions that are attracted to the negatively-charged titanium plates.
- The water passes through the plates and is stripped of all of its ions. It fills up two tanks.
- In one tank, all of the acidic ions are added back into the water, creating acidic water that’s good for cleaning purposes.
- In the other tank, all of the alkaline ions are added back into the water, creating pure alkaline water that’s perfect for drinking.
It’s a bit of an involved process, but that’s the low-down on how these high-tech purifiers work. If you want a full breakdown of the chemistry, check out this video by the CEO of Aqua Ionizer Pro (the first ionizer I’ve reviewed below):
3 Best Home Water Ionizers For Perfect Alkaline Water
Now that you know a little bit of the science behind how these home water ionizers work, here are my top picks! Personally, I invested in the Aqua Ionizer Pro, and it’s the one I have in my home.
However, I’ve had a chance to use and experiment with the other choices at various trade shows I’ve attended, and they all function well.
The main difference between the models is how much power they’re capable of generating.
The larger, more expensive ionizers are capable of funneling more power through the titanium plates, which allows them to produce higher levels of alkalinity.
Conversely, the more affordable machines can’t handle as much power and typically won’t be able to produce alkaline pH levels above 8.5 or 9. A pH level of 8.5-9 is perfect for drinking water if that’s what you’re looking for.
However, the smaller machine won’t give you the option to produce the high-alkaline water that’s good for cooking or cleaning purposes.
1) Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.5 Anti-Oxidant Boost Water Ionizer (link)
If you watched the video I posted above talking about how water ionizers work, then you’ll recognize this product.
As I mentioned, the Aqua Ionizer Deluxe is the machine that I recently invested in for my home. After six months of use, I’ve been quite pleased with its performance.
I simply fill it up with tap water, let it do its work for a few minutes and I’m rewarded with fresh alkaline water that tastes like nothing (which is a good thing when it comes to water).
When it comes to drinking water, I typically set it to produce alkaline water with a pH of 8.5, if I plan on boiling some veggies or making pasta, then I’ll set it to make a batch of water with a pH of 10-11.
The main benefit of this machine (and why it costs so much) is that it’s able to handle a lot of power. This gives you the ability to create a wide range of different waters with varying pH levels.
Depending on how alkaline, you want your water, the Aqua Ionizer Deluxe offers four different settings:
- Cooking water (highest pH)
- Brewing coffee or tea (moderately-high pH)
- Drinking water (moderate pH, similar to bottled alkaline water)
- Purified water (neutral pH, good for animals or individuals with a sensitive stomach)
It also features two settings for acidic water:
- Beauty and cosmetics (slightly acidic pH)
- Cleaning (Moderately-high acid levels, great for cleaning)
Last but not least, this machine has another setting allowing you to create ionized water with higher-than-average levels of antioxidants!
In my opinion, the high price tag is well worth the health benefits. After doing the math on how much I saved versus buying bottled water every day, it’s actually saved me around $600 over the past six months. So, my investment is actually paying off!
What’s Great About It:
- Offers four settings for producing alkaline water.
- Offers one setting to produce high-antioxidant water.
- Offers two settings to produce acidic water (good for cosmetic and cleaning purposes).
- Each filter can process up to 4,000 liters of water before needing to be replaced.
- Durable, well-built machine that comes with a lifetime warranty.
Drawbacks:
- It’s very expensive, but I think it’s worth the investment.
2) aQuasafe Home Water Ionizer (link)
If you’re looking for a more affordable water ionizer that produces similar results, then aQuasafe’s Home Water Ionizer is an excellent second choice.
Although I opted for the more expensive unit above, I’ve tried this particular unit at several trade shows and have found that it produces the same great-tasting (read tasteless) alkaline water.
It only costs about one-third as much as the Aqua Ionizer Deluxe that I have in my home. So, what’s the catch?
Well, for starters, there aren’t quite as many water alkalinity settings. While the Aqua Ionizer Deluxe features seven different pH settings, this machine only features five:
- High-hydrogen water
- Cooking water
- Alkaline drinking water
- Purified, neutral water
- Sanitizing water
As you can see, the main drawback is that there’s not quite as much room for micro-adjustment. However, if you’re like most people who just want a machine that produces good alkaline drinking water, then this really shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
The only other drawback of this more affordable home water ionizer is that it only has a one-year warranty. My Aqua Ionizer Deluxe, while far more expensive, comes with a lifetime warranty.
With this machine, you’re only covered for up to a year if anything out of the ordinary happens.
What’s Great About It:
- Produces great-tasting alkaline drinking water.
- Offers five different settings for pH levels.
- It’s more affordable than other, larger water ionizers.
- Each filter is capable of handling 8,000 liters of water.
Drawbacks:
- The warranty is only good for one year. If anything goes wrong with the unit after that, you’re out of luck.
3) I-Water Classic 20 oz Alkaline Water Bottle (link)
The I-Water Alkaline Water Bottle isn’t technically a water ionizer. Instead, it’s a water bottle with a built-in filter designed to neutralize acidic molecules in tap water, increasing the pH level and giving it a rich mineral-dense quality.
With an affordable price tag of under $60, it’s also a lot more affordable than shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars for a large water ionizer.
All-in-all, it’s a great solution if you’re just looking to start drinking more alkaline water and you want to eliminate plastic water bottle waste from your life.
I bought one about a year ago for when I’m traveling (as I can’t bring my bulky home water ionizer with me). How does it work? It’s pretty simple:
- Fill up the bottle with regular tap water and let it sit for a few minutes.
- The bottle’s built-in filter contains little mineral balls that remove 90% of acidic molecules like chlorine, fluoride, and sulfur.
- The result is a bottle full of alkaline water.
Unlike the ionizers, it can’t quite remove 100% of the acidic molecules, but it gets rid of most of them, leaving me with alkaline water that has a pH level of around 8 to 8.5.
That’s about the same as alkaline drinking water you’ll buy at the store.
The bottle itself is made from specialized tritan plastic, which is 100% BPA-free and is considered the healthiest plastic to use for food and beverages.
It features a silicone base, so your bottle won’t slip or sweat much, and a handy carrying handle for when you’re on the go!
The filter is designed to last for 1,460 refills (or one year, if you refill your bottle four times a day, every day).
The only drawback of this bottle is that the company doesn’t sell replacement filters, so you’ll have to buy a new bottle once you’re finished.
If you do the math, though, 1,460 bottles of alkaline water would cost you almost $3,000 (if you’re paying $2 per bottle). So, it’s still well worth the investment!
What’s Great About It:
- Incredibly affordable way to turn tap water into alkaline water with a pH level of 8 to 8.5.
- The bottle is made from high-quality BPA-free tritan plastic.
- The filter is rated to last for 1,460 refills.
- Portable, so you can drink fresh alkaline water everywhere you go.
- TSA-friendly, so you can fill it up after passing through security and have fresh alkaline water while you’re flying.
Drawbacks:
- The company doesn’t sell replacement filters.
- Unlike a true water ionizer, it doesn’t create different levels of pH.
In Conclusion
Water is, by far, the most important thing that humans consume. By drinking better-tasting vegan water, you’re not only providing yourself with a superior drinking experience but you’re contributing to a happier, healthier planet along the way!
Whether you opt for the alien-like blk. water or you want to make the switch to boxed water, I support your effort to better yourself.
If you truly want to make an effort to eliminate plastic waste from your life for good, though, I really recommend investing in a home water ionizer.
Even if you opt for the more affordable alkaline water bottle, you’ll be able to have fresh alkaline water everywhere you go without having to worry about purchasing a plastic bottle ever again! Hydration is important, but sometimes you need an extra kick to get you through your day…
If you thought this article was interesting, I encourage you to check out my post on my top 5 favorite vegan energy drinks!
