The pH scale is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a substance and its value ranges from a pH of 0/1 to a pH of 14. Neutral substances have a pH of 7 while acidic substances have a pH below 7. Alkaline substances have a pH greater than 7. The higher the pH, the more alkaline a substance it is.
Alkaline water simply refers to water that has a higher concentration of ions in it. This miracle substance is hyped as a cure-all drug- it boosts immunity, has ultra-hydrating properties, helps lose weight, cures mineral deficiencies, neutralizes excess acid in the body, etc. These claims may or may not have concrete scientific facts behind them, but it shouldn’t stop you from owning an alkaline pitcher of your own.
The principle of action of such a pitcher is simple: it not only alkalizes water, but also removes contaminants, mud, odor, unpleasant flavors from tap water, and makes it flavorful, healthy, and rich in ions. They have a varying capacity and the filter each uses also varies depending on the method of action.Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Alkaline Water Pitchers
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1. EHM ULTRA Premium Alkaline Water Pitcher
This water pitcher removes odor and harmful substances like lead and chlorine from the water. It allows the absorption of essential nutrients without affecting the taste of the water. With a flip-top opening at the top, this pitcher doesn’t get too heavy when full and fits the door of a refrigerator. This water pitcher comes with a filter and a coupon to get a new one. The pitcher has a capacity of 3.5L, which is higher than most of the commonly available pitchers in the markers.
It has a sleek, attractive design and is taller than common pitchers. The filter of this unit consists of micro-screen for removal of particulate matter and ion resin exchange and activated carbon for improving taste while removing contaminants.
This pitcher is also safe for refrigeration- the temperature doesn’t affect the pH balance and therefore, you can enjoy cool water in this pitcher. A helpful tip would be to avoid overfilling the pitcher, as it may result in leakage. The lid is poorly constructed- it falls off easily when tilted or while pouring. The users have reported that the construction quality requires some improved or superior quality of materials.
Pros
Cons
2. Lake Industries7000 Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher
This water pitcher features a slim and attractive design, which is compact enough to fit the doors of the refrigerators. The reservoir is a transparent blue color with the lid being navy blue in color. Water can be poured into the pitcher without removing the lid each time.
The cartridge contains seven layers for filtration, purification, odor removal, etc. One cartridge is supplied with the purchase of the pitcher. The filter must be filled to an appropriate level for best results- about three fourth of the pitcher height so that it is in contact with the filter.
When tested with a pH paper, the water from the pitcher provides alkaline water in the range of pH 8 or 9. The filter must be changed every 40 gallon or 2 months. The filter used by this model is cheaply available, making this a great budget buy. Be careful also to remove the sticker before use.Pros
Cons
3. DRAGONN pH Restore Alkaline Water Pitcher
This is one of the few water pitchers that does not have the inherent design flaw of commonly available water pitchers in the market- the lid doesn’t fall off while pouring water. The pitcher also features some clear stickers which need to be removed to allow the passage of water.
Not just that, a lot of users compared the water of this filter with tap or bottled mineral water, finding the pH in the range of 9 for this while less for the others which means it is effective in making the water alkaline. This pitcher has an ion exchange resin and activated carbon to remove contaminants and odors while the micro-screen prevent the release of black particles. The water that passes through is clean. The build quality is superior and the parts fit well.
A few users complained of leaks: this may be due to the poor fit of the cartridge filter. Remember to leave some headspace to prevent leakage of unpurified water into the filtered one. The filter requires you to wash out filter thrice after submerging it for a while to ensure the release of black particles: several users reported not having witnessed this release of particlesPros
Cons
4. Reshape Water Alkaline Water Pitcher With 2 Long-Lasting Filters
This water filter from Reshape features an attractive and unique design and comes in black and ash body. The area where you attach the filter is hollow and therefore it is easier for you to attach the filter to the unit.
The filter consists of a 6 stage filtration system with pre and post filtration, activated carbon, Far Infrared (FIR) Balls, Ion exchange resin, etc. It has been tested effective in removing heavy metals and restoring the pH to 8 or 9 in a very short period of time.Pros
Cons
5. Santevia Water Systems Alkaline Water Pitcher (Black)
This attractive looking water pitcher from Santevia comes in color variants of Black, Blue, and White. The unit comes with one filter when purchased and the lid is equipped with a countdown clock that notifies you when you need a filter replacement.
This product has a great and helpful customer service behind it- even if you, by any chance, receive a cracked product, they are quick to replace it. They are also helpful when it comes to guiding you to set up the unit. Santevia water pitcher makes your tap water much more flavorful and clears all the murkiness and cloudiness of water, resulting in ultimate user satisfaction. It is a well-made unit and is built to last.
This filter will make you save a lot of money on bottled alkaline water. It is effective in removing chlorine from water. The unit is sturdy and the countdown timer, even though it stops working after some time, is good while it lives.Pros
Cons
6. Wamery Alkaline Water Pitcher
This alkaline water pitcher from Wamery features a unique and attractive design. With a capacity of 2 liters or 8 cups, it has a large blue reservoir to store the tap water and comes with one free cartridge. The pitcher is a multi-tasker- it ionizes, cleans, purifies and filters efficiently- all at the same time. The pH tested using the unit by some users read in the range of 8.5 to 9. It also improves the taste of tap water.
This is a quality product that is constructed using superior materials- it is built to last! After setting it up, you have to rinse it following the instruction manual for best results. From the first day, you will notice clarity in the filtered water.
Some users, especially those living in areas where the water has a high metallic ion and a high chlorine content, complained of the filter’s incompetency to filter those out. A few users reported of the pitcher cracking when dropped or if not handled carefully enough.Pros
Cons
7. Claro Alkaline Water Pitcher
This attractively-designed filter from Claro has a capacity of 3.5 liters and comes in three pretty color variants of lime green, navy blue, and white. The filter contains micro screens which reduce the release of black particles and the combined action of ion exchange resin and activated carbon removes contaminants and odor.
This is easy to assemble, easy to use and the filter changing is very simple. The water filters fast and the alkalinity of the filtered water was found by some users to be close to a pH of 9 when tested with strips.
Some users have spoken about an inherent flaw in the design and stability of this otherwise attractive pitcher. The filter is a bit too tall in the upward direction, slightly bulging mid height so you may have to struggle fitting it in the refrigerator door and it is thin at the bottom, making it vulnerable to tipping.Pros
Cons
8. Vigorous Alkaline Water Pitcher Ionizer
This filter is a good investment if you want to save some money on bottled alkaline water. This filter is recommended by most people because it greatly improves the taste of the water and provides clean water. If your tap water is murky, has an earthy taste or is distinctly unpleasant to smell and drink, this filter is the one to buy.
This pitcher is easy to set up. Furthermore, it comes with an instruction manual that guides you through the process. The process of filtering water is somewhat slow- it takes some time for the tap water to pass through and a sufficient amount to collect for consumption.
This attractive looking water pitcher has a transparent body and a white lid. There is an indicator on the top to notify users when a filter replacement is needed. The pop-up lid makes it easy to fill tap water into it.Pros
Cons
9. AccuaPura PREMIUM Quality Alkaline Water Pitcher
This alkaline water pitcher from AccuPura is transparent in color with a white lid. It has a graduated body- so you measure the amount of water filter. It has a capacity of 3.5L, which is greater than that of commonly available ones in the market.
The battery stops working after several uses as reported by some users and the timer or display also malfunctions after some uses. This unit features a filter replacement indicator- which means you can be notified when you need a filter replacement.
The lid doesn’t fit securely to the pitcher: this may be either due to the slight warping of the edges after washing or due to the cheap quality used. The filter ionizes the water and removes heavy metals or contaminants like lead, copper, chlorine, organic impurities, etc.Pros
Cons
10. OXA Large Alkaline Water Purifier
This water pitcher consists of a superior filtration system that features a 7-stage purification system made of activated carbon, ion exchange resin, tourmaline, etc. Its sophisticated filtration system ensures removal of zinc, chlorine, etc.
This water pitcher has a capacity of 2.5 liters and the product comes with two large filters, which means you can filter about 2400 cups of alkaline water before needing a replacement.Pros
Cons
Things to Consider Before Buying an Alkaline Water Pitcher
Filter Indicator
Most water pitchers come with a countdown timer: this will alert you when you need a filter replacement. The manual that comes with the unit will also give you an indication on the number of refills before a replacement so you get a rough estimate.
Every time you filter, the unit measures and keeps a record of it.
Capacity
Typically, water pitchers have a capacity of 1.5 liters to as much as 3.5 liters. The greater the capacity, the higher amounts of water gets filtered each time without requiring a refill.
The capacity of your pitcher depends on your family size. If you are purchasing it for single use, it is better to get a small sized one. One other thing closely linked to capacity is filtration time.
If your unit filters in a short time only, there is strong ground for questioning the efficiency of filtration. Is it really filtering effectively? And then again, slow filtration doesn’t really mean effective filtration.
There are various kits available in the market that helps you test the filtered water for chlorine, iron, and various mineral ion content. You may also buy a pH tester kit.
Cost
The cost of an alkaline water pitcher varies widely- it may cost as low as USD 30 to as high as USD 200 or more. The expensive ones have more features, sturdier build quality, offers greater warranty, etc.
Accessories and Assembly
Most filters are very easy to assemble. The entire set up shouldn’t take more than ten to fifteen minutes. The units come with instruction manual or link to an online guide which will help you set up.
Post assembly, usually you need to rinse the filter thoroughly for 8 to 12 cups or as mentioned. This will make sure the particulate residue or any hazardous chemicals is washed out. This step is vital and do not skip this.
Stages of Purification
Almost all filter, no matter what their price and feature, should be able to remove zinc, arsenic, chlorine, chromium, mercury, cadmium, depending on the content of your local water supply.
The activated carbon provides large surface area for the adsorption of contaminants. The ion exchange resin allows chemical removal of harmful ions and initiates the supply of calcium, magnesium and other beneficial ions. The stages of purification should also remove odor, murkiness, etc.
Design
This may seem like a trivial issue to worry about but it isn’t – you will be carrying your filter around, pouring water from it at least six to eight times a day, and it will be occupying refrigerator space and counter space.
There are color variants in the filter design, ranging from bright blues, green, reds, to softer hues, to suit your liking. The pitcher usually has a transparent body. The lid sometimes has a flap for easy-refill.
The filter should not get two heavy. It should fit refrigerator doors very well and not be too bulky.
Warranty
Yes, water filters do have warranties that depend on the price tag of your unit. Generally, most filters have a warranty of at least one or two years and it can go up to five years to a lifetime.
Water filters also have small individual parts that may need replacement over time. Make sure you find out if a part that is prone to wearing out is easily available for replacement and you may try and find out if replacement is covered in warranty.
Approvals
If you’re buying a filter, make sure the unit you purchase are FDA approved and BPA free.