Nutrition Diet: Which water brand is healthiest in the USA?

November 11, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2025 YouGov report, over half of U.S. adults consume bottled water weekly, but figuring out which water brand is healthiest in the USA? is more complex than it appears. The answer depends less on a single brand and more on factors like the water's source, purification process, mineral content, and even its packaging.

Quick Summary

This article evaluates what makes a water brand healthy by examining sources, purification, mineral content, and packaging. It compares different types of water and provides a breakdown of popular brands in the USA to help you make an informed decision.

Key Points

No Single 'Healthiest' Brand: The 'healthiest' bottled water depends on personal needs, such as mineral intake preference or desire for maximum purity.
Purity vs. Minerals: Purified water (e.g., Aquafina) offers maximum purity by removing dissolved solids, while mineral and spring waters (e.g., Fiji, Evian) retain natural, beneficial minerals.
Microplastic Contamination: Bottled water can contain microplastics from its plastic packaging, potentially affecting health. Alternatives like aluminum cans or glass bottles can reduce exposure.
Regulation Differences: Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, which is sometimes less stringent than the EPA standards for tap water. This can lead to less public information about contaminants.
Consider Filtered Tap Water: Filtering tap water with a home system is a more environmentally friendly and often more regulated option, potentially offering greater assurance of purity and safety.
Packaging and Environment: The environmental cost of producing and shipping bottled water is high. Choosing brands with sustainable packaging or switching to reusable bottles with filtered tap water is a greener choice.

Defining 'Healthy' Bottled Water

When evaluating bottled water brands, 'healthiest' isn't defined by a single metric but is rather a sum of several crucial factors. The ideal choice can vary based on individual dietary needs and preferences.

Types of Bottled Water

Understanding the different types of bottled water available is the first step toward making an informed decision. The sourcing and treatment methods define each category.

Spring Water: Collected from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the Earth's surface. It retains naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium, which contribute to its flavor profile. Brands like Fiji, Evian, and Poland Spring fall into this category, though Fiji and Evian have significantly different mineral compositions.
Purified Water: Often sourced from municipal tap water and treated to remove contaminants and dissolved solids. This is typically achieved through processes like reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionization. The result is very clean, neutral-tasting water, but with fewer or no minerals. Brands like Aquafina and Dasani are examples of purified water, though Dasani adds minerals back in for taste.
Mineral Water: Must be sourced from a geologically and physically protected underground water source and contain a minimum of 250 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS), with no added minerals. The mineral composition must remain constant at the source. Brands like Acqua Panna and Gerolsteiner are mineral waters, rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Alkaline Water: Has a higher pH level than standard drinking water. Some are naturally alkaline from passing through rocks, while others are ionized during processing. Proponents suggest it can neutralize acid in the body, though more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Important Health Factors to Consider

Source and Purity: While spring and mineral waters can offer a natural balance of minerals, their source can also expose them to trace contaminants, though generally within safe limits. Purified waters, having been stripped of impurities, offer a very high degree of purity. However, independent studies have found contaminants in some bottled water brands, including those sourced from tap water.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): This measures the mineral and salt concentration in the water. High TDS water can offer beneficial minerals but may taste heavier or affect digestion in sensitive individuals. Low TDS water, like purified water, has a clean, flat taste and is suitable for those sensitive to minerals.
Potential Contaminants: A concerning aspect of bottled water is the potential for microplastic contamination from the bottles themselves. Studies indicate bottled water may contain nearly twice as many microplastic particles as tap water. FDA regulation for bottled water is often less stringent than EPA rules for municipal tap water, with less frequent testing and public reporting.
Packaging: Beyond microplastics, the material of the bottle itself is a consideration. While plastic is common, aluminum cans (like Liquid Death) and paper-based boxes (like Boxed Water) offer alternatives with less plastic waste and potential for leaching. The environmental impact of producing and transporting bottled water is also a significant factor.

Popular Bottled Water Brands Comparison Table


Brand	Water Type	Source(s)	Purification/Treatment	pH Level	Key Health Consideration
Aquafina	Purified	Municipal Sources	Reverse Osmosis, Ozonation	Slightly acidic (6.5 tested)	Very low TDS (1 ppm tested), offers purity but lacks minerals.
Dasani	Purified	Municipal Sources	Reverse Osmosis, added minerals	Slightly acidic (6.1 tested)	Adds minerals (including salt) back for taste; lower TDS than spring water.
Fiji	Artesian	Artesian Aquifer, Fiji Islands	Filtration, micron-filtered, UV	Naturally Alkaline (7.7 tested)	Naturally high in minerals, including silica, but may have microplastics from bottles.
Evian	Natural Spring	French Alps	Natural filtration	Naturally Alkaline (8.0 tested)	High TDS and hardness, with naturally occurring electrolytes. *
Icelandic Glacial	Natural Spring	Olfus Spring, Iceland	Natural filtration through lava rock	Naturally Alkaline (8.0 tested)	Sustainably sourced and naturally alkaline. Some concern over overseas shipping time in bottles.
Smartwater	Vapor Distilled	Varies (Municipal)	Distillation, added electrolytes	Mildly acidic (6.5 tested)	Stripped of contaminants, electrolytes added back for taste.
Mountain Valley Spring Water	Spring Water	Garland County, Arkansas	Filtration	Naturally Alkaline (7.3-7.8)	Natural spring with minerals and electrolytes. Available in glass bottles to avoid plastic concerns.

*Note: Independent tests may show slightly different values than those listed on labels due to variations in testing methods and sources.

Making Your Choice: Pureness vs. Minerals

Ultimately, the 'healthiest' choice in bottled water is a matter of personal priorities. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

For ultimate purity, purified and vapor-distilled brands like Aquafina or Smartwater are good choices. They remove nearly all dissolved solids and contaminants. However, this also removes beneficial minerals.
For natural minerals and a unique taste, spring and mineral waters like Fiji or Icelandic Glacial are superior, provided you don't have a health condition that requires avoiding high mineral intake. Opting for glass bottles, as with Mountain Valley, can minimize microplastic exposure.
Consider filtering your own tap water. With less stringent testing regulations for bottled water compared to municipal tap water, and concerns over microplastics and environmental impact, filtering your own tap water with a high-quality system might be the most comprehensive and healthiest option.

The Environmental Cost and a Final Word

No discussion of bottled water is complete without addressing the environmental impact. The production and transportation of bottled water are significant sources of plastic waste and carbon emissions. While some brands offer recycled plastic or aluminum packaging, reducing single-use plastic remains a major health and environmental benefit.

When asking which water brand is healthiest in the USA?, the answer is less about finding a single 'best' brand and more about understanding what makes water healthy for your unique needs. Whether you prefer the mineral content of spring water, the purity of distilled water, or the convenience of filtered tap water, staying hydrated is the most crucial part of the equation.

For more information on water quality standards and contaminants, review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's official guidelines.

EPA Drinking Water Contaminants

Conclusion

Deciding which water brand is healthiest in the USA? depends on your priorities regarding mineral content, purity, and environmental impact. While spring waters like Fiji and Evian offer natural minerals, purified options like Aquafina and Dasani provide maximum purity. The presence of microplastics and variations in regulation highlight the importance of careful selection, with filtering your own tap water being a strong contender for the most eco-friendly and potentially healthiest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Purified water is treated to remove chemicals and contaminants, often stripped of its natural minerals. Spring water is sourced from an underground spring and typically retains its natural mineral content.

Some believe alkaline water can neutralize acid in the body, but this is not scientifically proven. Naturally alkaline waters, like Icelandic Glacial, gain their higher pH from minerals acquired in their source.

Yes, studies have shown that most bottled water brands contain microplastics, which can leach from the plastic bottle over time. It is a major concern for both health and the environment.

Yes, some studies have found contaminants such as bacteria, heavy metals, and chemicals in bottled water. While often within regulatory limits, the concentration can sometimes exceed health-based benchmarks.

In the USA, bottled water (FDA-regulated) often has less stringent monitoring and reporting requirements than tap water (EPA-regulated), meaning violations may not be publicly disclosed as quickly.

It depends on personal preference and needs. Mineral-rich water can contribute to your daily mineral intake, but purified water may be preferred if you are sensitive to minerals or want a neutral taste. Your diet provides the vast majority of essential minerals.

Drinking filtered tap water from a reusable bottle is the most environmentally friendly choice, as it eliminates the plastic waste and carbon footprint associated with producing and shipping bottled water.