Alkaline water has risen in popularity due to its claimed health benefits. This water is high in pH levels and contains alkaline minerals and less contaminants than regular tap water. It also boasts negative oxidation-reduction potential, which means more antioxidizing ability that slows down aging. These are only some of the benefits you may get from drinking ionized water. Instead of buying bottled alkaline water or drinking baking soda water or whatever alternative solution, investing in an alkaline water machine ensures you have ready-to-drink alkaline water right at your kitchen counter.
You can find a wide variety of alkaline water machines or water ionizers, which can make it an overwhelming task to choose the best unit for your home. To help you in your search, we picked the top 8 products today and put together a guide that discusses each factor you must consider.
Alkaline Water Machines Comparison
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Best Alkaline Water Machines
Best Overall: Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.0
When searching for an alkaline water ionizer machine for your home, you’ll come across multiple products by Aqua Ionizer Pro. They are a known brand of water filtration systems that have been around for more than a decade. One of our top picks is the Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.0 as it provides everything you may need in an alkaline water machine. This nine-plated water ionizer has seven presets available for easy everyday use. These seven water settings allow you to adjust the alkalinity and add antioxidants depending on your needs, including cooking, brewing tea or coffee, daily drinking, initial drinking, purifying water, cosmetics, and household cleaning.
The Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.0 delivers water with pH levels from 3 all the way up to 11.5 naturally. It also boosts antioxidants in your water with an ORP range of -860 to +1000. It self-cleans to prevent buildup and contamination. It purifies and ionizes up to 4000 liters of water before you will need to replace the filter. This powerful water ionizer is easy to install and use either on the counter or under the sink, within a few minutes. It plugs into a 110-volt outlet and uses 350 Watts of power. Being one of the more advanced water ionizers under the Aqua Ionizer Pro brand, this unit doesn’t come cheap, but it’s more than worth its price for all the benefits you’ll get.
Pros
• Produces pH 3.0 to 11.5 alkaline water
• Antioxidant potential -860 to +1000 ORP
• Customizable presets for everyday and household use
• Easy to Install Under counter or over counter
Cons
• Filter needs to be changed after 4000 liters
• Lithium-ion battery required
• High initial costs
Best for Countertop: Bawell Platinum Alkaline Water Machine
If you’re ready to invest in a premium quality water ionizer machine, another great choice is the Bawell Platinum Alkaline Water Ionizer. It provides purified drinking water, as well as alkaline and acidic water with a pH range from 3.0 to 12.0. The LCD display and touch screen controls allow you to adjust the alkalinity or acidity and the ORP (-800 to +600) of your household water. You can choose from weak, medium, strong, or ultra strong alkaline, and weak or medium acidic. It has seven plates that are platinum and titanium-coated for improved efficiency.
Bawell includes two filters inside to help remove contaminants from your water. The filters can deliver about 1,320 gallons or 5,000 liters of purified alkaline water before you need to replace them. This amounts to more or less one year of usage. The machine is equipped with a voice notification to remind you when the filters are due to be changed. Regardless of the volume of water it has alkalized, the manufacturer recommends annual replacement of filters. This water ionizer also self-cleans and comes with a lifetime warranty to guarantee your peace of mind. This unit installs easily on a countertop.
Pros
• Produces pH 3.0 to 12.0 alkaline water
• Multiple preset modes for different needs
• Dual filtration system
• Lifetime warranty
Cons
• Cannot be installed under the counter
• Higher price
Best Budget: Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 5.0
If you’re on a budget, Aqua Ionizer Pro offers top quality yet affordable priced alkaline water machines. The Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 5.0 provides healthy and tasty drinking water and helps reduce your bottle use. With easy to use controls and digital display, it gives you full control over the pH levels of your water. You can choose from seven preset modes: four alkaline water settings, one neutral, and two acidic, depending on your needs.
Like other Aqua Ionizer Pro models, the Deluxe 5.0 features an inner activated carbon filter. It can purify and ionize up to 4000 liters of water. With only five platinum-coated plates, it provides lesser performance than the rest of our picks. It can produce acidic water with pH levels down to 4.5 and alkaline water up to 11.0 pH. Similarly, it has a smaller ORP range, from -600 to +600, which, to be fair, is still good enough. For its price, it offers great value for your money, not to mention that it’s easy to set up and use. Although, note that this unit only installs on top of a counter or sink.
Pros
• Produces pH 4.5 to 11.0 alkaline water
• Customizable presets for everyday and household use
• Easy to install and use
• Cheaper than most water ionizers with similar performance
Cons
• Not as powerful as the Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.0
• Can only install on counter
Pure Hydration Alkaline Water Machine
If you want pure, alkaline water at the wave of your hand, then the Cosan Pure Hydration Water Ionizer offers the simplest solution for you and your family. This portable machine removes up to 99% of contaminants in your drinking water through four filter cartridges to provide you with ready-to-drink, antioxidant-rich alkaline water. It sits on the counter and does not need any electricity to operate. The four filters use activated carbon to reduce sediments, chlorine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at each stage of filtration. They can be accessed on either side of the machine for easy filter replacement every three to six months.
What we like best about this water ionizer is the touchless infrared sensor that turns on and off the flow of water with a wave of your hand. Battery-operated LED lights will remind you when you need to change the filters. This easy-to-use ionizer filters and treats water to an alkaline state with 9.0 to 9.5 pH levels and -450 ORP. Unlike other models on this list, Pure Hydration does not produce acidic water for beauty or cleaning purposes. It can be installed within minutes on top of your counter with minimal connections and wirings that can get in the way. If you only need alkaline water for drinking or cooking, then this is a good choice for you.
Pros
• No electricity needed
• Simple to install and use
• Removes 99% of contaminants
• Under sink installation available
• Cheap and small
Cons
• AA batteries required
• Does not produce acidic water
• No ORP or pH ranges available to choose from
AquaGreen Alkaline Water Machine
Another affordable alternative to the Aqua Ionizer Pro is this AquaGreen alkaline water machine. The AG7.0 water ionizer offers a lot of the same functionality, easy installation and maintenance, at half the price of high-end models. AquaGreen also features seven water settings for different alkalinity needs. It has two settings of acidic water for cleaning, four levels of alkaline water for drinking and cooking, and one level of neutral, purified water.
This NSF certified water ionizer produces pure water with pH levels between 3.5 and 10.0 and ORP range of -570 to +600, providing more than enough antioxidants in your water. The activated carbon filter removes water contaminants, and unpleasant odors and taste from chemicals such as chlorine. You really get more than you ask for with the AquaGreen water ionizer, as it can purify and ionize up to 6000 liters of water. Depending on the water conditions in your area, this means you’ll only need to replace the filter at least once a year.
Take note, you’ll have to manage your expectations if you end up going for this alkaline water machine. It’s cheaper and definitely looks like it. It also has a smaller range of pH levels and ORP rating. The included one-year warranty may also raise doubts for some users, but you can rest assured that this unit works well for the price.
Pros
• Multiple preset modes for different needs
• Long filter lifespan
• Easy to set up and use
• Good quality for its price
Cons
• Smaller range of pH levels and ORP
• Cheaper materials
aQuasafe Water Ionizer
Another option for an affordable yet powerful water ionizer for your home is by AquaSafe. This alkaline water machine provides you with five different water options that fit your needs, be it drinking, cooking, or cleaning. It has one hydrogen-rich water setting, two different alkaline water settings, one non-ionized and purified setting, as well as one ionized acidic preset. You can also adjust the pH levels of the water as needed. This water ionizer uses 11 platinum-coated titanium plates for a more efficient performance and longer filter life.
The activated carbon filter can purify up to 8000 liters (2113 gallons) of water, equivalent to one year of usage depending on your water’s condition. This ionizer produces water with pH levels from 2.8 to 11.0 and ORP down to -800. The screen shows the pH and ORP, as well as the filter life so you’ll be reminded when you need to replace the filter. You can also easily replace the activated carbon filter by checking in on the screen about it. This screen can tell if you need to replace it anytime. This unit also self-cleans after each use to maintain optimum performance. It also includes all necessary parts and connections for easy and quick installation on your countertop. While it is slightly cheaper than some high-end models, Aquasafe features less water settings and infrequent reviews.
Pros
• Can produce water between pH 2.8 to 11
• Long filter life up to 8000 liters
• Easy and quick installation
Cons
• Not many water options
IntelGadgets IONtech IT-757
Finally, we have the IntelGadgets IONtech IT-757 as one of our top picks for healthy and tasty water with less contaminants and more antioxidants.
Similar to the rest of our picks, you can choose from multiple preprogrammed water settings with this water ionizer, including four alkaline levels for cooking and drinking, one non-ionized purified water, and two acidic levels for cleaning and sanitation. You can also adjust the pH levels accordingly, from 4.5 to 11.0. The pH and ORP as well as the filter life can be seen on the LCD display.
This alkaline water machine will alert you when the activated carbon filter needs to be changed, although there is no available information on the exact amount of water it can purify and ionize. You may need to replace the filter between 6 to 12 months depending on your usage and the water conditions in your area. This unit is self-cleaning after every use and includes all necessary hoses and connectors for countertop installation, along with a pH testing kit to assure your confidence and peace of mind in the water ionizer. While it’s not the cheapest model on this list, it works with the same functionality as our top two picks for a much lower price. Although, there aren’t as many reviews we can find at this time.
Pros
• Multiple preset modes for different needs
• Easy to set up and use
• Cheaper than similar models
• Comes with a pH testing kit
Cons
• Lesser known brand
• Lacks information
What is an Alkaline Water Machine?
Before we proceed with our buying guide, it’s essential to understand what an alkaline water machine does and if it is indeed something you need for your home. An alkaline water machine or water ionizer is an appliance that works by raising the pH level of plain tap water. It uses a process called electrolysis to separate the stream of water into alkaline and acidic. Then, the alkaline segment is what goes out of the machine for drinking.
Alkaline water machines can bring a lot of benefits for your personal health, as well as for the environment. Having alkaline water ready to drink from your sink can help save money from buying bottled water. It can also reduce your wastes, thus helping you save the environment.
Water ionizers are ideal for those who want to stay healthy with help from drinking alkaline water rich with minerals and antioxidants, instead of regular tap water that may be contaminated with chlorine, lead, and other organic compounds.
Most of the alkaline water machines we featured above are compact and light enough for your kitchen counter. We chose products that are easy to install and operate and don’t require a lot of maintenance. At most, you’ll only need to replace the filters once or twice a year.
Some of the best water ionizers use a combination of metal plates, filters, and electrical power to operate, producing both acidic and alkaline water with certain amounts of antioxidants and minerals. You can find a wide variety of alkaline water machines in different sizes and appearances. The simplest and smallest units come as a water pitcher with a specialized filter, while larger ones involve filtration systems that can treat the water for the whole house.
Most alkaline water machines, like the ones we picked, sit on your countertop or under the sink with a small footprint. They can connect directly to your water faucet for instant alkalization of your tap water, while some units may not be compatible with well water.
How Do Water Ionizers Work?
The process used in a water ionizer is called electrolysis. From your faucet, water goes into the machine through a plastic attachment. Once inside the unit, water undergoes a filtration system to remove common contaminants, like heavy metals, chemicals and VOCs. This filtered water then heads into the electrolysis chamber which contains electromagnetically charged metal plates separated by an ion-permeable membrane.
This membrane only allows ions (energetically charged atoms and molecules) to pass through. Meanwhile, energetically neutral atoms and molecules, such as water molecules, are not allowed to pass through. Water molecules are energetically neutral, so they don’t pass through the membrane. Alkaline minerals in water have a positive energetic charge, while the acidic carbonate has a negative energetic charge, thus, they are positively charged ions and negatively charged ions, respectively.
The charged plates separate those ions: the alkaline ions are attracted to the negative plates, while the carbonate ions are attracted to the positive plates. Once separated, they produce two streams of water, one alkaline and the other acidic. Each of these water streams coming out of the machine contains different minerals.
Depending on your setting, the alkaline water comes straight out of the faucet and the acidic part is discarded through a separate hose leading to the sink, or vice versa. Ionized alkaline water is typically used for drinking and cooking. On the other hand, acidic water can be useful for sanitation and cosmetics purposes, such as washing dishes, cleaning your hands and face.
Difference Between Alkaline and Regular Water
The most obvious difference between alkaline water and plain tap water is their pH level. This is the measure of acidity or alkalinity of water. Regular drinking water has a pH of around 7, alkaline water ranges from 8 to 10 on the pH scale. This is simply because alkaline water contains more minerals that give it a higher pH.
Another notable difference is the taste. Alkaline water has a sweeter flavor when compared to regular tap water. In tap water, the acidic carbonates naturally balance out the alkaline minerals, giving the water a neutral taste and odor. Some alkaline water users note that this can also impact how refreshing it is.
You may not realize it but your tap water is often packed with contaminants that may have harmful effects on our health, aside from affecting the taste and odor of your drinking water. Overall, alkaline water is claimed to taste better, with a higher concentration of needed minerals and less contaminants.
Benefits Of Using an Alkaline Water Machine
Alkaline water machines have seen a rise in popularity in recent years mainly due to the claimed health benefits of alkaline water. These include the following:
Alkaline water neutralizes acidity levels in the body.
It helps restore balance in your body by neutralizing acidity levels. Alkaline water users often say that one of the most important benefits of drinking alkaline water is that it helps lower acidic content in your body, particularly in the stomach and gastrointestinal tracts. It can help to reduce the effects of acid reflux or heartburn.
Alkaline water machines produce clean and pure water.
Aside from removing acidic components in the water, alkaline water machines have some filtration system built inside them. Before separating into acidic and alkaline water streams, it removes common contaminants found in tap water, such as sediments, chlorine and lead. With a water ionizer, you will not only get alkalized but also purified drinking water, for your health and safety.
Alkaline water detoxifies and cleanses the body.
Alkaline water can help eliminate the buildup of mucus on colon walls. This is beneficial for your health, allowing and improving your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Alkaline water can also cleanse your body by eliminating acidic wastes and toxins that may have accumulated over time.
Alkaline water helps in weight control.
Consuming alkaline water can also help control your weight. This is because the body’s need for fatty tissues to protect your organs from acidity is reduced because of the neutralizing property of the alkaline water.
Alkaline water tastes better.
As we have mentioned, alkaline water is known to taste sweeter and feel more refreshing than regular tap water. You too will notice the difference in quality and taste when you start using an alkaline water machine for your drinking water.
Alkaline water provides various minerals for the body
An alkaline water machine not only gives you pure and better-tasting water, but it is also said to have added minerals that are beneficial for your body. These include magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which are vital for your health.
Alkaline water contains more antioxidants.
Alkaline water can help slow down the natural aging process of your body in the form of antioxidants. Ionized water is claimed to neutralize the growth of free radicals that can damage your cells and tissues, speeding up the aging process.
Disadvantages of Using an Alkaline Water Machine
While it may all sound too good to be true, it’s important to remember that too much of anything can be harmful. Alkaline water may be safe for use in moderation, but too much intake can also have negative effects on your health.
Alkaline water neutralizes gastric acids which your stomach uses to digest food and kill bacteria. Likewise, excessive amounts of alkaline water over time will signal your body to produce more stomach acids, which can’t be good for you in the long run. After all, regular water is neutral for a reason.
Excessive alkaline water intake may also lead to dry, itchy skin and other dermatological problems. To top it off, alkaline water machines can be expensive, especially if you are looking for the best quality in the market.
How to Choose the Best Alkaline Water Machine
There are a number of different alkaline water machines available today. To help you narrow down your search based on your specific needs, here are the important factors you must consider before making a purchase.
Filter
Most water ionizers come with a built-in water filter which removes common contaminants like lead and chlorine, providing you with clean and safe drinking water. The efficiency of this filter may vary based on the model and brand. The best water filters will be able to reduce water contaminants regardless of water pressure. Typically, you’ll find either a single or dual filtration system consisting of activated carbon to remove contaminants such as lead and chlorine which can give water an unpleasant taste and odor.
Depending on the water’s condition, your water machine’s filter can only purify a certain amount of water. Take note of the lifespan of the water filter before you make a purchase so you can have a clear idea when you’ll need to replace it. Some high capacity filters can last up to a year, while others will last for six months or less. Regular filter replacement helps prevent buildup of sediment and other water contaminants, so make sure to consider this factor when computing the costs for your water ionizer.
pH Range
The main purpose of a water ionizer is to alter the water’s alkalinity, so it’s only right that you consider the range of pH levels it can create, from acidic, neutral, to alkaline water. Water’s pH level is a measure of how acidic or alkaline it is, starting at pH level 1 for a highly acidic water (and higher for less acidic), pH 7 for neutral water, and upwards for alkaline water, with pH 14 for a strong alkaline.
A lot of water ionizers allow you to adjust the pH levels of the water they produce, or choose from preset options that suit your needs. Low water pH (below 7) may not be the best for drinking, but it’s useful for cleaning and disinfection. Acidic water is known to kill some disease-causing bacteria. It is also beneficial for some skin conditions. On the other hand, alkaline water is ideal for drinking and cooking due to its improved taste and additional health properties.
ORP range
The Oxidation-Reduction Potential or ORP refers to the ionizer’s ability to reduce oxidation levels in the water. A higher ORP value signifies a higher amount of oxygen, while a negative ORP value indicates less contamination. The lower the OPR range, the more antioxidants are added in the water. Regular water typically has an ORP ranging from +200 to +400, while alkaline ionized water has negative ORP values, hence the anti-oxidizing benefits.
Number of plates
Water ionizers use platinum-coated titanium plates in the electrolysis process of separating alkaline and acidic ions. The more plates are present in an ionizer, the better its efficiency in alkalizing water. This is because more plates mean more powerful performance, allowing your ionizer to produce water with the most ideal ORP values. Consider the number of plates in an alkaline water machine so you can be sure of its efficiency. Some lower-end models use five to seven plates, while the more expensive water ionizers use up to 11. It’s also important to note that more plates in an ionizer will consume more electricity when operating.
Ease of Installation
Most water ionizers involve a quick and easy installation whether you’re a skilled DIYer or not. First, you must consider where you’ll install the machine, either on top of your kitchen or bathroom counter, or under the sink. Countertop models are typically light and compact and require minimal installation. However, if you have limited counter space, you may want to opt for a unit you can store under the counter.
A majority of countertop models come fully assembled with the necessary hoses and connectors included. On the other hand, under-counter models may require a more complex installation, although still simple enough for most homeowners with basic mechanical skills.
Warranty
Finally, you must also consider the included warranty in your water ionizer. Look for a unit with a minimum one-year warranty offered by the manufacturer. A longer coverage gives you confidence in the quality of the product and assurance that you can return the unit or request free replacement parts in case any issue occurs.
How to Install a Water Ionizer
Setting up your water ionizer is a fairly easy and straightforward process. You can start by finding the best location for your unit. Place it on a steady, level surface near your chosen water source such as your kitchen or bathroom sink.
Most models connect directly to a water faucet with included hoses and connectors, especially countertop units. You may also purchase add-on adapters for under-the-sink installation or direct connection to your plumbing.
For larger units designed to provide alkaline water for the whole house, you may need to hire a professional for proper installation and maintenance.
Water Ionizer Maintenance
Like any other appliance, water ionizers will only work as effectively if you observe proper usage and maintenance. Failure to do so increases the risk of sediment buildup inside the unit, leading to lesser performance in filtering and producing clean and safe alkaline water for you and your family.
Most alkaline water machines are self-cleaning, which means less worries for you. They reverse polarity automatically after each use to prevent buildup. Nevertheless, some units may not be as effective in self-cleaning, so you may need to check and initiate the cleaning process once in a while. To be sure, consult your user manual to determine whether your water ionizer has a manual or automatic cleaning routine, and how often it does so. Look for instructions on manual cleaning and follow them carefully. The best water ionizer machines perform automatic cleaning before it starts up and shuts down for optimum efficiency and longevity.
You’ll also want to make sure to replace your filters as needed, typically after six months up to a year of use. No matter the quality of your tap water, sediments and other contaminants will eventually accumulate on your machine’s water filter. Sediment buildup can interfere from effective removal of contaminants, and unpleasant odors and taste in your drinking water. It can also risk damage to other components of your water ionizer, especially if your water is highly contaminated. You can find more information about your filter life and proper replacement in your user manual.
Aside from ensuring its cleanliness inside, you’ll also need to keep its exterior looking shiny and new. Wipe down your machine with a damp cloth or sponge at least once a week to remove any dirt or dust accumulation on its exterior. Avoid directly spraying cleaning solvents without consulting your manual first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need an alkaline water machine?
Tap water is usually safe to drink, but you never know what contaminants it may contain. While a simple water filtration system may be enough, an alkaline water machine provides the added benefits of alkaline minerals and antioxidants along with purified drinking water. Instead of buying bottled water, you can create alkaline water from your own kitchen with a countertop water ionizer.
How often do you need to change filters in an alkaline water machine?
The quality of your water and the frequency of use are the main factors that affect your filter’s life. Usually, filters need to be replaced after six months up to a year. Higher amounts of contaminants in your water means your filters become clogged more quickly, and will need replacement more often.
Can you drink alkaline water everyday?
In most cases, it’s perfectly fine to drink a few glasses of alkaline water everyday. However, if you only drink alkaline water, excessive intake can disrupt your digestive system’s natural production of gastric juices. It’s recommended to keep your alkaline water intake to a minimum.
