Best Alkaline Water Pitchers

Alkaline water is reputed to have a number of health benefits. Drinking alkaline water is said to neutralize the acids in your body, restoring the balance that it needs for proper functioning. Since exercise produces lactic acid in the body, alkaline water is recommended particularly for people with an active lifestyle--that way, they can have more fluid in their bloodstream, and lower levels of urine output. There are several ways of achieving alkaline water: There are electric ionizers, which separate the water into acidic and alkaline parts. Then there are the pitcher-type alkaline water filters. There are distinctions between the number of filtration layers in different water filters. There are also homemade methods of making alkaline water, such as preparing lemon water or adding baking soda to your drinking water. (Baking soda is alkaline, so it will create alkaline water. But because baking soda contains sodium, this method is not recommended for people on low-sodium diets.)

To help you easily compare alkaline water pitchers, we have put together this extensive guide with everything you need to differentiate between the various types on the market and to make a quick, smart buying decision. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of alkaline water pitcher,

• See useful tips about that type of alkaline water pitcher,    

• Read reviews of different brands of alkaline water pitchers, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of an alkaline water pitcher, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

What is alkaline water?

Whether water is acidic or alkaline is determined by its pH (= “potential of Hydrogen”) level. Pure water has a pH of 7, which is the middle of the pH scale, while acids have a pH lower than 7 (with a minimum of 0), and alkalines have a pH higher than 7 (where the maximum is 14). A diet of processed foods--which is a typical Western diet--tends to be acidic. A more natural diet consisting of fruits and vegetables will tend to be more alkaline. An acidic diet which may lead to muscle or bone loss, as well as other problems. So alkaline water is a way of balancing out the body’s system.

Note: Each number on the pH scale indicates that the water has 10 times more alkaline ions, so water that has a pH of 9 is 10 times more alkaline than water that has a pH of 8. It is not recommended to drink water that has a pH level of more than 8.6 for an extended period of time.

Alkaline water pitchers are unlike typical water filters pitchers. Typical water filter pitchers will just remove contaminants, but they will not change the pH of the water significantly. Alkaline water pitchers have a filter that is designed to raise the pH above 8. We can distinguish between alkaline water pitchers by the method by means the filter works:

• Electric ionizers: There are electric alkaline water ionizers that pass water over positive and negative electrodes. This separates the water into alkalized water and acidic water. The alkaline water is suitable for consumption, while the acidic water can be used for washing (it is reputed to be antiseptic).

• Alkaline Water Filter Pitchers: This will be a pitcher that has a filter, usually consisting of several layers, with each layer consisting of a different filtering material. For example, the WellBlue Alkaline Water Filter has seven layers:

  1. Filter gauze,

  2. Ion-exchange resin (to soften the water, removing calcium deposits, and reduce chlorine and heavy metals such as lead, as well as inhibiting bacteria growth),

  3. Activated carbon (to remove organic pollutants and improve the taste),

  4. Far-infrared ceramic balls (to add some trace elements and change the ions present in the water), 

  5. Natural mineral stone, employing minerals such as tourmaline or maifan (a Chinese mineral rock containing calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and selenium),

  6. Alkaline ceramic mineral balls (to make the resulting water more alkaline and produce molecular hydrogen), and

  7. Polypropylene pad. The activated carbon removes chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while the mineral stone will add trace amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and selenium.

  • Fewer layers in the filter: You’ll also see water filter pitchers with fewer filtration layers. For example, the NetStar88 Alkaline Water Pitcher has a five-stage filter, employing

1. Ion exchange resin 

2. Activated carbon,

3. Infrared ceramic,

4. Mineral-adding ceramic, and

5. Alkaline matrix.

• Non-alkaline filters: There are also filters that simply filter the water, without adding any alkalinity--these filters will omit the alkaline mineral layer.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Time for water to get through the filter: Some customers complained that, with some water filters, the water takes a very long time to get through the filter. Note that there are stickers on the ends of the filter which must be removed before inserting the filter into the pitcher. The stickers will not let the water go through the filter.

• The filter is specialized for the particular pitcher: Be sure that you’ll be able to get replacement filters for a water pitcher. The filters may be compatible only with that brand of a water filter. The Life Ionizers "Pitcher of Life" features a three-pack of replacement water filter for their water pitcher.

• Rubberized feet: Rubberized feet on a pitcher filter will keep the filter from slipping on a table or kitchen counter. It will also prevent the filter from scratching the surface of wood or Formica.

• When to drink alkalized water: One customer who used the EHM Alkaline Water Pitcher recommended that you shouldn’t drink the filtered water during the 2 hours after you eat, or for the ½-hour before you eat. This could cause the alkalinity to disturb the stomach acids that perform digestion.

• No BPA: BPA ( = Bisphenol A) is a chemical employed in making plastic and resins. Even though the Food and Drug Administration has determined that the current levels of BPA in food is safe, other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, have expressed concern about its use. So it's best to buy products that are free of BPA. The Wellblue  Alkaline Water Pitcher, for example, expressly states that their product is BPA-free.

• Reduce the risk of kidney stones: If you live an area with “hard water” (=water with lime deposits), you’re familiar with how the scale forms on the heating element of your tea kettle, or other appliances. You certainly don’t want calcium deposits like that in your body. Filtering the water can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, which form from those calcium deposits in your drinking water.

• Preliminary use: Very often, when you use a new water filter, you have to rinse it with water. This is because the first uses of the filter will tend to drive out small particles of the activated carbon. However, the MAVEA 1005727 Elemaris XL 9-Cup Water Filtration Pitcher has a micro-screen that blocks the release of these carbon particles. So it is ready to use immediately upon purchase. On the other hand, the Alkapitcher Alkaline Water Pitcher requires that you soak water when installing a new filter for 15 minutes until the water will be suitable for drinking. The EHM Alkaline Water Pitcher has a filter that should be soaked for 10 minutes before the initial use.

• ORP: You'll also see a factor called ORP, which stands for Oxidation-Reduction Potential. It will be an indicator of how much a substance tends to acquire electrons. You'll see this figure given in units of millivolts or mV. Oxidizing agents seek to gain electrons while reducing agents are trying to reduce their number of electrons. A positive ORP means that the substance is oxidizing, while a negative ORP means that it is reducing. Alkaline water has a negative ORP, so it is trying to reduce its number of electrons.

But free radicals are harmful substances in the body, which have been linked to aging and disease. They are oxidizing compounds that seek out electrons from neighboring substances. So alkaline water, by giving away its electrons, can neutralize the effects of free radicals in the body. In short, you’ll want to look for a water filter that produces water with the most negative ORP possible. The Lake Industries Alkaline Water Pitcher will have an ORP of between -50mV to -200mV.

• Capacity: Pitcher water filters vary in their capacity to hold water. You’ll see water filters that can store 2.5 liters of water, while others can store as much as 4 liters at a time. That way, you can store the water in the fridge until you need it.

• Special fill technology: Some pitcher filters have a special patent to allow a stream of tap water to go into the filter through the lid. When the reservoir is full, the lid closes. You’ll see this in the Lake Industries Alkaline Water Pitcher and the MAVEA 1005727 Elemaris XL 9-Cup Water Filtration Pitcher. The Alkapitcher Alkaline Water Pitcher opens by means of a push button on the handle, so you can fill it using only one hand. The pushbutton will allow you to close it again as well.

• Smart meter: Some filters have a “smart meter” that keeps track of when you have to replace the filter. Usually, a filter is good for two months, but that clearly depends on how much water you run through the filter over that time. It also depends on whether the water in your region is “hard” water, or has a lot of impurities. Typically, a filter must be changed after filtering 40 gallons of water.

• Substances removed: Most filters will remove chlorine ions, zinc ions, copper ions, organic pollutants, microorganisms, and any undesirable odors.

• pH Meter Enclosed: Some brands, such as the NetStar88 Alkaline Water Pitcher include a pH meter so that you can measure the pH level of the tap water before and after using the filter. The Alkapitcher Alkaline Water Pitcher will usually produce water that has a pH of 8.6, which is considered alkaline. Some people noticed a pH as high as 10.3 with the EHM Alkaline Water Pitcher, but after a month or so of use, it would produce lower pH levels, of around 9.6.

• Better for the environment: Using an alkaline water pitcher will save you the trouble of buying bottled water, and it’s also easier (and cheaper) than installing a reverse osmosis filter. Ultimately, that’s better for the environment: It’s estimated that 17 million barrels of oil are used up every year to produce all the plastic bottles of water. And using a filter means you don’t have to dispose of plastic bottles, which take up a lot of volume in landfills. (Statistically, only 20% of plastic bottles end up being recycled.)

• Will still have fluoride in the water: No portable filter will remove all the minerals from the water. If you live in an area where the water is fluoridated, you don’t have to worry that your filter will remove the fluoride--the Lake Industries filter, for example, is not engineered to remove fluoride.

Mavea—  is a German-based company that makes water filters and filter systems. They also have a professional division, which makes filters for coffee machines, combination and conventional ovens, and dishwashers. Their filters help prevent accumulation of limescale, which helps increase the life of the product.

Lake Industries—is a wholesaler of kitchenware, making stainless steel cookware, such as kitchen knives, induction cookware, water filters, French presses, vacuum packing devices, and more. They are located in Henderson, Nevada. Their water filter consists of four layers of filtering agents: a filtering net, coconut activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and multiple mineral stones.

EHM—is a maker of alternative medical products. They make treatments for allergies, acne, belts for traction, monitors, and much more. Their headquarters is in Broward County, Florida. Their water filter can raise the pH of drinking water to 7.8 or higher and can reduce concentrations of lead, copper, chlorine, and other pollutants. Their filters also deposit minerals into the water naturally.

Life Ionizers--are makers of alkaline water ionizers, with their headquarters in Carlsbad, California. They were founded in 1996. They make travel, countertop, and under-the-counter alkaline water ionizers, filters, and more. Their ionizers can raise pH to as high as 11.3. Their technology was even employed by NASA.