Does Kangen Water Remove Metals? An Unfiltered Look at Water Ionizer Claims

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the manufacturer's own fine print, Kangen Water® machines are unable to remove metallic ions and salinity from water, meaning heavy metals are not effectively filtered. This reveals a critical limitation for anyone asking: does Kangen water remove metals?

Quick Summary

Kangen water machines do not effectively remove heavy metals or salts from tap water, a fact confirmed by the manufacturer's own specifications. The primary function is electrolysis for pH adjustment, not comprehensive purification.

Key Points

Filtration Limitations: Kangen water machines do not effectively remove heavy metals or metallic ions from water, a fact confirmed by the manufacturer.
Health Risks: Consuming water with heavy metals like lead or mercury can cause neurotoxic damage and long-term health issues.
Electrolysis vs. Purification: Kangen machines primarily use electrolysis to alter pH, which is distinct from and does not replace comprehensive contaminant purification.
No Standard Protection: Standard Kangen filtration only addresses basic issues like chlorine and odor, leaving more serious contaminants untouched.
Alternative Solutions: For heavy metal removal, consider alternative and more robust filtration systems like reverse osmosis or specialized multi-stage filters.

Understanding Kangen Water Filtration

Kangen Water is produced by an Enagic water ionizer, a device that uses electrolysis to separate tap water into alkaline and acidic streams. While the machine includes a basic filter, its primary purpose is pH alteration, not advanced contaminant removal. The filter can reduce some chlorine, odors, and sediments, but it is not designed to handle metallic ions. This is a crucial distinction for consumer health, especially regarding potential heavy metal exposure.

The Kangen Filter's Major Blind Spot: Metallic Ions

Enagic, the maker of Kangen machines, explicitly states in its filter specifications that "Metallic ions and/or salinity present in the original tap water" are among the elements not removable by their standard filtration. Heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, exist in water as metallic ions, meaning the standard Kangen process bypasses these harmful substances. For consumers living in older homes with lead pipes or near industrial sites, this represents a significant gap in protection. Without purchasing expensive additional pre-filters, the machine can concentrate heavy metals rather than remove them, potentially increasing exposure risk.

The Real Danger of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water

Heavy metals are a serious health concern because they bioaccumulate in the body over time, meaning they are stored in tissues rather than being flushed out. This accumulation can lead to long-term health problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other health authorities highlight that contaminants like lead and mercury are neurotoxins, which can damage the brain and nervous system. Chronic heavy metal toxicity has been linked to:

Kidney and liver damage
Neurological disorders, including dementia
Gastrointestinal problems
Anemia and other blood disorders

How Proper Filtration Addresses Heavy Metal Contamination

Unlike the electrolysis-focused Kangen process, other water filtration methods are specifically engineered for comprehensive contaminant removal. Systems like Reverse Osmosis (RO) use a semi-permeable membrane to remove a vast range of impurities, including heavy metals, salts, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Other advanced systems, such as Berkey or certain specialized alkaline water filters (e.g., from Tyent or Life Ionizers), employ multi-stage or customized filtration to target heavy metals more effectively.

Comparing Water Filtration Methods


Feature	Kangen Water Ionizer	Reverse Osmosis (RO) System	Specialized Water Filter (e.g., Berkey, Tyent)
Heavy Metal Removal	No, manufacturer states it doesn't remove metallic ions.	Yes, highly effective at removing most dissolved solids and metallic ions.	Yes, depends on the specific filter media used but often targets a wide range of metals.
Primary Function	Water electrolysis to produce alkaline and acidic water.	Comprehensive filtration to produce highly purified water.	Comprehensive filtration with a focus on specific contaminants.
Effect on Minerals	Alters mineral composition during electrolysis, may increase sodium.	Strips away all minerals, often requiring remineralization.	Retains beneficial minerals while removing contaminants (depending on system).
Cost	High initial cost and replacement filter costs.	Varies, but often less expensive than ionizers; higher waste water production for some models.	Moderate to high cost, depending on system complexity.
Energy Use	Requires electricity for the electrolysis process.	Typically requires electricity, though non-electric options exist.	Often non-electric (gravity-fed) or low-energy consumption.

Crucial Information for Kangen Machine Owners

If you own a Kangen machine and your tap water contains heavy metals, you are drinking those contaminants. To protect your health, you would need to invest in a comprehensive pre-filter system specifically designed to handle heavy metal removal. The electrolysis process of the Kangen machine does not compensate for inadequate filtration. This is a particularly important consideration for those on well water or living in areas with known contamination. For more information on potential water contaminants and their impacts, consult authoritative sources like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's guide to well water contamination.

Conclusion: Kangen Is Not a Heavy Metal Filter

In summary, Kangen water machines are not designed to remove heavy metals from your drinking water. The manufacturer's own specifications confirm that the standard filtration does not address metallic ions, a category that includes harmful heavy metals like lead and mercury. For consumers concerned about comprehensive water purification, investing in a system with certified heavy metal removal capabilities, such as reverse osmosis or specialized multi-stage filters, is necessary. Relying on a Kangen machine alone for protection against heavy metals is a significant and potentially dangerous misconception.

Visit the EPA's website for an overview of Potential Well Water Contaminants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, to ensure heavy metal removal, you would need to purchase and install an additional pre-filter system designed specifically for that purpose. This is a separate component from the standard Kangen machine.

The Kangen machine's filtration is very basic and focused on removing sediments and chlorine. Its main process, electrolysis, changes the water's pH and ionization but does not remove metallic ions, which is how heavy metals appear in water.

Yes. If your water source contains heavy metals and you rely solely on a Kangen machine, you will be consuming those heavy metals. These can accumulate in the body and cause long-term health problems.

A water ionizer, like a Kangen machine, primarily alters the water's pH through electrolysis. A true water filter, such as a reverse osmosis system, uses specialized technology to physically or chemically remove a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that drinking alkaline water will neutralize or remove heavy metals from the body. Your body naturally regulates its pH, and the best way to avoid heavy metal toxicity is to ensure your water is properly filtered before consumption.

For effective heavy metal removal, look for a system certified for this purpose. Options include reverse osmosis systems, which are highly effective, or specialized multi-stage filters offered by reputable brands.

If your source water contains heavy metals, the Kangen machine's electrolysis process can potentially concentrate these metallic ions by leaving them behind in the treated alkaline water stream, depending on the specifics of the machine and water chemistry. This is why adding a pre-filter is crucial if contamination is a concern.