We Tried 15 Popular Bottled Waters—Here Are the Best (and Worst)
An extensive taste test of 15 bottled water brands—discover which are crisp, clean, and worth your cash, and which leave a distinctly questionable aftertaste.
If you thought all bottled water tastes exactly the same, a blind taste test just might surprise you. In the pursuit of hydration perfection, we gathered 15 of the most common bottled water brands and put them through a rigorous taste test. We ranked them from worst to best based on factors like aroma, mouthfeel, aftertaste, price, packaging, and most importantly—the overall drinking experience. Whether you’re a water snob, a gym junkie, or just want something better for your daily hydration, here’s the ultimate verdict on which bottled waters deserve a place on your desk, in your gym bag, or in your fridge—and which are better left on the shelf.
Why Taste Test Bottled Water?
It’s easy to assume water is water—that all brands taste the same and deliver the same refreshing experience. But several variables, including mineral content, purification processes, and even packaging, lead to significant differences between brands. In this test, editors approached each sample without knowing the brand, sipping each and noting the specifics.
Our Bottled Water Taste Test Methodology
The test involved 15 varieties of still bottled water, sampled at room temperature to avoid the chilling effects masking any flaws or distinctive flavors. Judges scored each brand on:
- Aroma: Is there a smell? Clean, mineralic, or a bit odd?
- Taste: From sharp and mineral-rich, to pure neutrality or unusual flavors.
- Texture/Mouthfeel: Smooth, crisp, soft, or chalky sensations.
- Aftertaste: Pleasant, neutral, or distracting residue?
- Thirst-quenching ability: Does the water feel refreshing or drying?
- Packaging observations: Not a ranking factor, but still noteworthy.
Below are the detailed notes and rankings from worst to best, plus a table summarizing key takeaways for quick reference.
The Bottled Water Ranking: From Worst to Best
| Rank | Brand | Score (/100) | Notable Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Propel | 69 | Noticeably salty, metallic aroma; texture evokes Gatorade minus the flavor; divisive. |
| 14 | Dasani | 70 | Sulfate-like aroma, not very thirst-quenching; comes in recycled bottles and uses reverse osmosis. |
| 13 | Ice Mountain | 81 | Blandly neutral; some note a slight pipe-like aftertaste. |
| 12 | Aquafina | 84 | Powdery texture with mild minerals; decent for budget hydration but nothing memorable. |
| 11 | Naleczowianka | 89 | Stony scent, slightly drying finish; best with food rather than on its own. |
| 10 | Evian | 90 | Clean aroma, gentle mineral taste reminiscent of Alpine springs, eco-friendly bottles. |
| 9 | Voss | 91 | Pristine and soft, but priced much higher than the rest for a subtle difference. |
| 8 | Essentia | 92 | Alkaline, crisp starting sip, leaves no noticeable aftertaste. |
| 7 | Fiji | 93 | Silky, clean, slightly sweet; popular with lovers of soft mineral water. |
| 6 | Smartwater | 94 | Vapor-distilled; bright, clean, and modern flavor, but slightly polarizing to some tasters. |
| 5 | Poland Spring | 96 | Refreshing, light, familiar spring water taste that delivers on expectations. |
| 4 | Deer Park | 97 | Smooth, easy to drink, beloved for everyday hydration. |
| 3 | Core Hydration | 98 | Balanced pH, exceptionally pure sipping experience; crowd pleaser. |
| 2 | LifeWtr | 98 | Artful bottle, light flavor, soft but fully quenching. |
| 1 | Roundy’s Purified Drinking Water (Kroger) | 99 | Clean “sweet” aroma, crisp taste, and neutral flavor—”water, perfected.” Outstanding value and hydration. |
Note: Scores reflect a blend of all tasting categories, with flavor/texture being weighted most heavily.
Editorial Tasting Highlights
Most Surprising Finds
- The “fancier” or more expensive brands did not always fare better in blind tasting; some of the cheapest supermarket and store-brand waters were praised for their neutrality and thirst-quenching quality.
- Flavorless, perfectly clean water was preferred over heavily mineral-rich or flavored options by nearly all tasters.
Brands With Polarizing Tastes
- Propel: While intended as a sports hydration choice, its salty and metallic notes (likely due to added electrolytes) divided opinions sharply.
- Dasani: Suffered due to its distinctive aroma, described as “wine with sulfates.” Its thirst-quenching power compared unfavorably.
What Makes “Perfect” Water?
Preferences were largely for water that registered as neutral—with no aftertaste or particularly strong mineral presence. Tasters praised those that simply “tasted like water”: slippery, smooth, ultra-clean, and with a pure mouthfeel.
How To Choose a Bottled Water Brand
- Check Mineral Content: Spring and mineral waters can have varying levels of naturally occurring minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium) that alter flavor and mouthfeel.
- Purification Methods: Reverse osmosis, vapor distillation, and carbon filtration all create different water experiences. Vapor-distilled tends to be softer and cleaner, while mineral-rich spring water feels heavier.
- Bottle Material: Glass, PET plastic, or recycled—each can contribute to taste or sustainability profiles.
- Consider Your Use: Need ultimate refreshment? Go ultra-pure. Want something with a subtle mineral pop? Try spring variants.
- Try Room Temperature: Many flavors can be masked by refrigeration. For truer tasting, sip at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do expensive water brands really taste better?
A: Not always. Many inexpensive or store-brand waters scored higher than more costly, “designer” brands in blind taste tests.
Q: Can you really taste the difference between bottled water brands?
A: Yes. Tasters detected differences in texture, aroma, and aftertaste, even when drinking at room temperature and without brand labeling.
Q: Is mineral water healthier than purified water?
A: Mineral water naturally contains micronutrients like magnesium and calcium, but both mineral and purified water can be healthy. Choice often comes down to taste, mouthfeel, and intended use.
Q: Are recycled plastic bottles safe for water?
A: Most major brands use BPA-free, food-grade recycled plastics, which are considered safe by regulatory agencies. Some people prefer glass for zero-plastic contact.
Q: Does bottle shape or material affect water flavor?
A: It can. Some sensitive palates detect “plastic-y” or “stale” notes in certain bottles. For the purest taste, opt for brands that package in glass or high-grade PET.
Tips for Enjoying Better Bottled Water
- Experiment with brands—try a new water the next time you stock up, and taste with intention.
- Read the label: Look for purification process and mineral highlights to match your taste preference.
- If you dislike water’s aftertaste, lean toward highly purified or vapor-distilled brands.
- For sustainability, opt for brands with high recycled content or glass packaging.
The Final Word: Our Top Picks
In a market crowded with choices, only a handful of bottled waters earned nearly universal praise in the taste test. Roundy’s Purified Drinking Water (Kroger store brand) emerged as the clear winner—praised for its sweet, clean aroma and neutral, thirst-quenching taste. Runners-up like LifeWtr, Core Hydration, and Poland Spring deliver straightforward, satisfying hydration with little fuss. More expensive or trendy waters (Smartwater, Fiji, Voss) had their fans, but didn’t always justify the premium.
On the other hand, salty, metallic, or overly “mineralic” bottles (like Propel, Dasani, and some import brands) proved divisive and drew consistently lower marks.
A simple but essential lesson emerged: When it comes to bottled water, less—meaning less flavor, less aftertaste, less mineral “personality”—is almost always more.
Did You Know? Hydration Facts At a Glance
- The average adult should aim for 2–3 liters of water daily, though individual needs vary.
- Water flavor can hint at differing mineral profiles and purification practices, shaping each brand’s profile.
- Eco-friendly water brands are on the rise—look for recycled or responsibly sourced packaging.
Next time you’re wandering the store and overwhelmed by dozens of identical-looking bottles, know that not all bottled water is created equal—and sometimes, the least fancy option turns out to be the best sip of all.
