What Bottled Water Has a pH of 7?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

While pure water has a theoretical pH of 7, a number of factors can cause bottled water to deviate from this neutral state. Brands that undergo distillation and have minerals added, such as Smartwater and LIFEWTR, often aim for or achieve a pH close to 7.

Quick Summary

Several bottled water brands, particularly those purified through distillation or reverse osmosis, aim for a pH level of 7. These products are processed to remove impurities and then re-mineralized to achieve a balanced, neutral pH. Water quality and taste can be impacted by the pH level, making neutral water a popular choice for many consumers.

Key Points

Smartwater and LIFEWTR: These brands are processed to be neutral, often containing added electrolytes for taste, and are reliable options for a pH of 7 or very near it.
Distilled Water: Water that has been boiled and re-condensed is stripped of minerals and has a pH very close to 7, though it can become slightly more acidic when exposed to air.
pH is a Logarithmic Scale: A small change in pH represents a large change in acidity or alkalinity; for example, a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 7.
Neutral vs. Alkaline Water: While some brands, like Fiji, are naturally alkaline due to mineral content, neutral water (pH 7) is a balanced, stable option for general hydration.
Not All Brands are Neutral: Brands like Dasani and Aquafina can be more acidic due to their processing and additives, so it's important to check if a neutral pH is your priority.
Safe Drinking Water Range: According to the EPA, the safe drinking water range is between a pH of 6.5 and 8.5, so neutral water falls well within acceptable limits.

The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, with 7.0 representing a perfectly neutral balance. While pure, distilled water straight from the process is neutral, exposure to air can cause its pH to become slightly acidic. For commercially bottled waters, achieving and maintaining a pH of 7 depends on the source and purification method. Many purified and distilled brands intentionally balance their water to a neutral level for a clean taste.

Brands with a Neutral or Near-Neutral pH

Several popular bottled water brands are known for having a pH of 7 or being very close to it. These often include processed waters where the manufacturer controls the final mineral content to achieve balance. Natural spring waters, in contrast, may have varying pH levels depending on the geological makeup of their source.

Smartwater: This brand is purified through distillation, a process that removes impurities, and then has electrolytes added back for taste. According to brand information, it is designed to be a pH of 7.
Distilled Water Brands: Any brand that sells distilled water, where all minerals and impurities are removed, will have a pH very close to 7 immediately after bottling.
LIFEWTR: Often marketed as 'pH balanced', LIFEWTR uses reverse osmosis purification and adds magnesium sulfate and potassium bicarbonate. Its pH typically ranges between 6.8 and 7.2, making it very close to neutral.

The Difference Between Processed and Natural Water

The primary difference between bottled water types with respect to pH lies in their source and how they are treated. This distinction heavily influences the final pH level and mineral composition.

Processed Water (Distilled or Purified)

This water is taken from a municipal or other source and put through an extensive purification process, such as distillation or reverse osmosis, which strips it of almost everything—including minerals. A neutral pH is often a deliberate, engineered outcome.

Natural Water (Spring or Artesian)

Sourced from underground aquifers, natural waters get their unique mineral profile and flavor by filtering through rock. The final pH is a result of this natural process and can be slightly acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Fiji, for example, is artesian water with a pH of 7.7.

What Determines Bottled Water pH?

Beyond the initial source, several factors can influence the final pH of bottled water. Manufacturers use specific processes to control the outcome, while storage and exposure to air can cause natural variations.

Purification Methods

Distillation and Reverse Osmosis: These methods are designed to purify water by removing contaminants and minerals. As a result, the water's natural buffering capacity is lost, and the pH can become unstable. Mineral salts are often added back to stabilize and balance the pH.
Natural Filtration: For spring or artesian waters, the pH is determined by the geology. Water percolating through limestone or volcanic rock can pick up minerals that increase alkalinity.

Exposure to Air

Once a bottle of water is opened, it begins to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This CO2 reacts with the water to form carbonic acid, which can cause the pH to drop slightly over time. While the change is minor and not harmful, it is why even neutral water won't remain at a perfect 7 indefinitely.

Additives and Minerals

Brands that add minerals for flavor or health benefits can also alter the water's pH. Electrolytes, like those found in Smartwater, are added back after distillation to create a specific taste profile and a balanced pH.

Comparison of Bottled Water Brands by pH


Brand	Source Type	Purification Method	Typical pH Level	Why it Matters
Smartwater	Municipal	Distilled + Electrolytes	~7.0	Purified and balanced for neutral taste.
LIFEWTR	Municipal	Reverse Osmosis + Minerals	6.8 - 7.2	Marketed as 'pH balanced', a safe, neutral choice.
Fiji	Artesian	Natural Filtration	7.7	Naturally alkaline due to volcanic rock filtration.
Evian	Spring	Natural Filtration	7.2	Naturally balanced, derived from the French Alps.
Dasani	Municipal	Reverse Osmosis + Minerals	5.6	Slightly acidic due to mineral additives for taste.
Aquafina	Municipal	Purified	5.5 - 7	Can be slightly acidic, but varies.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Neutral Water

While many bottled waters are marketed with an emphasis on either acidic or alkaline properties, finding one with a stable, neutral pH of 7 is a straightforward process. Brands like Smartwater and LIFEWTR that use purification processes like distillation or reverse osmosis and then add electrolytes are reliable options for a balanced pH. For consumers interested in pure, neutral water without any additives, freshly bottled distilled water is the closest you can get to a perfect 7. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference for taste and desired mineral content, but many easily accessible brands provide a safe, neutral pH level that is well within the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommended drinking water range of 6.5 to 8.5.

For more information on water standards and regulations, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all bottled water has a neutral pH of 7. The pH of bottled water can vary significantly based on its source (e.g., spring, artesian, municipal) and how it is processed. Some brands are naturally alkaline with a pH above 7, while others are slightly acidic with a pH below 7 due to purification or added minerals.

A bottled water brand may have a pH of 7 because it has been purified through a process like distillation or reverse osmosis. This process removes most minerals and impurities, leaving pure water with a neutral pH. Manufacturers sometimes add electrolytes back in to achieve a balanced taste and maintain this neutral level.

Bottled water with a pH of 7 is perfectly healthy, but not necessarily healthier than water with a slightly different pH. The human body is equipped to regulate its own pH balance, and the pH of the water you drink has a minimal impact. The EPA's recommended safe range for drinking water is between 6.5 and 8.5.

For brands that state a specific pH like 7.0, it is generally reliable at the time of bottling. However, as soon as the bottle is opened and exposed to air, the water will start absorbing carbon dioxide, which can slightly lower its pH. The change is minor and does not affect the water's safety.

Yes, the pH of water can affect its taste. Water that is too acidic (low pH) can have a metallic or sour taste, while water that is too alkaline (high pH) can taste bitter or have a slippery feel. A neutral pH of 7 is generally considered to have a clean, balanced taste.

Distillation and reverse osmosis are purification methods that typically result in a neutral pH. These processes remove minerals and ions that would otherwise influence the pH. To restore a desirable taste and stability, balanced electrolytes or minerals are often added back to the purified water.

Smartwater is a distilled water with added electrolytes, and its manufacturer aims for a pH of 7. Independent tests have sometimes found it to be slightly below this, around 6.7, but it is still considered a very near-neutral option.