How does Smartwater taste different? Unpacking its unique process

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

The bottled water market is a multi-billion dollar industry, with companies competing on purity, source, and most importantly, taste. Smartwater distinguishes itself through a specific process that creates a flavor profile unlike standard tap, spring, or distilled water.

Quick Summary

Smartwater's distinct clean taste is the result of vapor distillation, followed by the reintroduction of a specific blend of electrolytes for a crisp flavor profile.

Key Points

Vapor Distillation: Smartwater's purification process mimics the natural rain cycle by boiling and re-condensing water, removing impurities and minerals to create a pure base.
Electrolyte Infusion: A precise blend of electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium is added back specifically to enhance taste and create a crisp flavor, not for nutritional benefit.
Consistent Taste: Unlike tap or spring water whose flavor varies, Smartwater's engineered process ensures a uniform and clean taste profile regardless of location.
Neutral pH: The water's pH is carefully controlled and balanced to contribute to its pure and refreshing taste.
Mineral-Free Base: By starting with distilled water, Smartwater avoids the variable mineral content that can give other waters an earthy or metallic flavor.
Engineered Flavor: Smartwater’s flavor is not from a natural spring but is intentionally designed and added back into the purified water for a predictable and smooth finish.

The Science Behind Smartwater's Unique Taste

Unlike many bottled waters that simply filter and bottle water from a specific source, Smartwater's production is a multi-step, engineered process designed to achieve a consistent and specific taste. The two core elements of this process are vapor distillation and electrolyte infusion.

Vapor Distillation: Inspired by Nature

The foundation of Smartwater's taste comes from its purification method. The company utilizes vapor distillation, a process that mimics the natural hydrologic cycle. The water is boiled until it turns into vapor, leaving behind naturally dissolved minerals, contaminants, and impurities. The purified vapor is then collected and condensed back into liquid form. This results in an incredibly pure water base, devoid of the mineral content that gives tap or spring water its unique taste. This removal of all dissolved solids is key to creating a 'clean slate' for the final flavor profile.

Electrolyte Infusion for a Signature Flavor

If the process stopped at distillation, the water would have a flat, somewhat unpalatable taste. To counteract this, Smartwater adds a precise, proprietary blend of electrolytes back into the water. These electrolytes, which include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate, are not added for nutritional value but specifically to enhance the taste. This blend adds a touch of complexity and smoothness that rehydrated distilled water typically lacks. The exact combination and concentration of these ionized minerals are what give Smartwater its signature crispness and clean, smooth finish, without the heavy, mineral-forward taste often found in spring water.

Achieving pH Balance for Consistency

Beyond just electrolytes, Smartwater also carefully monitors and balances the pH level of its water to ensure a consistent taste experience. The pH level can significantly affect how water tastes, and a carefully chosen pH contributes to the pure and fresh flavor that consumers associate with the brand. Some variations, like Smartwater Alkaline, are even ionized to a higher pH for a different feel and taste.

How Smartwater Compares to Other Waters

Understanding the differences in production methods helps explain why Smartwater tastes distinct from other common water options.

Smartwater vs. Tap Water

Tap water's flavor is highly dependent on its local source and treatment process. It often contains varying amounts of naturally occurring minerals, and its taste can be influenced by added chemicals like chlorine. In contrast, Smartwater's flavor is uniform and predictable because its mineral content is added intentionally after a thorough purification process. This means Smartwater will taste the same whether you buy it in California or New York, a consistency not possible with tap water.

Smartwater vs. Spring Water

Spring water gets its flavor directly from the geology of its underground source, meaning it carries a unique mineral profile. This can result in a wide range of tastes, from a slightly earthy flavor to a more mineral-heavy one. Smartwater's taste is manufactured and consistent, lacking the natural variation that defines spring water's character.

Smartwater vs. Filtered Water

Home filtration systems, like a Brita, are designed to remove specific impurities such as chlorine and some metals, improving the taste of tap water. However, they do not create the same blank slate as vapor distillation. Filtered water retains many of the original minerals and characteristics of the tap water it started as, while Smartwater is built from the ground up to a specific taste profile.

The Taste Spectrum: A Comparison Table


Feature	Smartwater	Tap Water	Spring Water	Distilled Water (Plain)
Source	Treated Tap Water, Vapor Distilled	Local Municipal Source	Natural Underground Source	Treated Tap Water, Boiled
Purification Method	Vapor Distillation, Re-mineralized	Filtration, Chemical Treatment (e.g., Chlorine)	Minimal Processing	Distillation (Boiling)
Added Minerals	Yes (Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium)	Dependent on Local Source	Dependent on Geologic Source	No
Taste Profile	Clean, Crisp, Consistent	Variable; Dependent on Location	Earthy, Mineral-Forward; Variable	Flat, Unpalatable

Flavor Variations and Consumer Perception

While the original Smartwater is known for its pure, crisp taste, the brand has expanded its portfolio to include different variations that offer slightly altered flavor experiences. This includes flavored versions like cucumber lime and watermelon mint, which use natural flavors. Smartwater also offers an alkaline version, ionized to a higher pH level, which creates a different mouthfeel and taste that some consumers prefer. Consumer reviews often highlight the clean, refreshing quality of Smartwater, contrasting it favorably with waters they find to have an off-putting aftertaste.

Conclusion: Is the Taste Worth It?

Smartwater tastes different because of its unique, two-part manufacturing process: vapor distillation to purify and remove all existing minerals, followed by the addition of a select blend of electrolytes to create a specific, consistent, and clean flavor. For those who find the mineral taste of tap or spring water undesirable, Smartwater's controlled taste profile provides a predictable and crisp experience. While it's a premium product, the taste is intentionally engineered to appeal to a broad audience. Ultimately, the 'worth' of the taste depends on individual preference and sensitivity to the subtle differences in water's flavor. For many, the consistent purity and flavor justify the cost over standard alternatives.

For more information on the process behind the product, visit the official Smartwater website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vapor distillation is a purification method where water is boiled into steam and then condensed back into liquid. This process removes virtually all impurities and minerals, creating a completely neutral taste profile before electrolytes are added back for flavor.

Smartwater contains electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. They are added back into the distilled water not for nutritional value but specifically to give the water a clean, crisp, and pure taste that would otherwise be flat.

While most tap water is safe to drink, Smartwater offers a taste that is intentionally engineered to be pure and consistent, unlike tap water which varies by location due to mineral content and treatment methods. Whether it is 'better' is a matter of personal preference.

Smartwater's higher price point is due to its multi-step, energy-intensive purification process, which includes vapor distillation and re-mineralization. The cost is also a reflection of its premium brand positioning.

Many consumers report that Smartwater has a very clean finish with no noticeable aftertaste, unlike some other bottled waters that may have a heavy or metallic taste from their natural mineral content.

While the original Smartwater has a carefully balanced pH, the brand also offers a specific 'Smartwater Alkaline' product that is ionized to achieve a higher pH (9.5+ pH) for consumers who prefer it.

Smartwater uses high-quality plastic bottles, but as with any bottled water, exposure to heat or sunlight can potentially cause chemicals to leach into the water and alter the taste over time.