We Taste Tested 11 Sparkling Water Brands, Here are the Best
Updated: Feb. 22, 2021
Sparkling waters are all the rage, but is top dog LaCroix really the best? We tested 11 brands to find the best sparkling water.
Is it just me, or is there sparkling water everywhere you look these days? I’m not complaining—sparkling water is a great alternative to all those sugary sodas (though I do love a root beer now and again!). In the last few years, it seems like the number of fizzy waters on the shelf has exploded! Just a few years back, I feel like all I ever saw was LaCroix—a favorite of Millenials everywhere. Now, though, there are options abound in the grocery aisle. I had to check out which was best!
For this test, I had to compare apples to apples—or should I say lemons to lemons? I grabbed 11 brands of sparkling water and seltzer (did you know they’re the same thing?), all in the standard lemon flavor, to judge them blindly with a group of sparkling water fanatics. Of course, we’d love to judge all the flavors, but we’ll just start with the basics. These are the brands we tried:
- Bubly
- Canfield
- Dasani
- Ice Mountain
- Klarbrunn
- LaCroix
- Perrier
- Polar
- Spindrift
- Waterloo
- Whole Foods
Trust me, the results are going to shock you!
Honorable Mention: Polar
Score: 7.8/10
For fans of fizz, check out Polar. My crew of testers just loved the amount of carbonation in this sparkling water. The flavor of this lemon option was fairly mild (though authentic), but that was just fine with most folks. For so many fans of fizzy waters, effervescence—not flavor—is the name of the game.
$1.59 for a 2L bottle or $3.50 for a 12-pack; available nationwide.
Runner-Up: Bubly
Score: 8.4/10
We were pretty surprised that Bubly, a Pepsi brand, placed so well in this test. How could a soda company make a healthy option that tasted so good? We’re not sure how they did it, but testers loved this brand’s big flavors—a much bolder lemon taste than any other option, hands down. For folks that like stronger fruit flavors or maybe aren’t 100% sold on sparkling water, Bubly is the brand for you. It bridges the gap between sparkling water and soda when it comes to taste while maintaining that calorie- and sweetener-free formula that we look for.
$3.50 for an 8-pack; available nationwide.
Best in Show: Klarbrunn
Score: 8.6/10
Just nudging out Bubly for the top spot was Klarbrunn. Our sparkling water experts were pretty astonished when they found out this lesser-known brand took the crown. In fact, several testers hadn’t ever heard of Klarbrunn. Popularity aside, this hidden gem delivered! In terms of flavor, this sparkling water walked the line between subtlety and in-your-face flavor. Testers definitely detected the lemon essence—what they considered to be the most authentic lemon option of our batch—but they didn’t find that it was overwhelming. Overall, folks agreed that this sparkling water had it all over the rest with its refreshing flavor and perfect fizz. The only drawback to this option, according to a few testers, was that this option didn’t keep its fizz for an extended period. Not a deal-breaker for most, but slow sippers be aware!
$4 for a 12-pack; available at select retailers nationwide.
The Takeaways
This test was certainly surprising to many sparkling water fans in the office. Why didn’t their beloved LaCroix take the top spot? How did they never see Klarbrunn on the shelf before? The results might shake up their refreshment routine!
This all being said, this test was pretty darn close; nine out of our 11 brands got good scores. So while our top three were our favorites overall, we wouldn’t turn down most of these sparkling water options if they were offered to us at a party or were on sale at the grocery store (psst… do you know these money-saving tricks from Grandma?).
In the end, I can’t blame you if you want to stick with your favorite brand, though it might be worth trying a new one just for fun!
Pineapple Iced Tea
We have a large family, so we go through beverages quickly at our house. This thirst-quenching tea is simple to mix together and has a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, KansasBella Basil Raspberry Tea
Beautiful basil and fresh raspberries lend bright color and refreshing flavor to this grown-up iced tea. You’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience for parties. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, WashingtonCherry Limeade Sweet Tea
Sweet tea and cherry limeade are two of my favorite summer libations, so I decided to combine them—the results are wonderful. —Renee Page, Rochelle, IllinoisHibiscus Iced Tea
This calorie and caffeine-free tea has a delightful rosy color.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, WisconsinSweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy
I love an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day. I also love sweet tea, so one day I got the great idea to mix the two. Wow! It was absolutely delish. I experimented with different flavorings, and this combination was my favorite. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New JerseySmooth Sweet Tea
A pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community MemberHoney-Citrus Iced Tea
A frozen orange or lemon slice in the glass looks pretty and helps keep this refreshing punch nice and cold. Using honey instead of sugar adds a sweet touch. —Sheila Bradshaw, Columbus, Ohio
Iced Honeydew Mint Tea
I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea
I like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, HawaiiRefreshing Raspberry Iced Tea
This recipe makes a gallon, so it's a great choice for a springtime party when you have a medium-size crowd. It freezes well, so feel free to make it ahead of time. —Arlana Hendricks, Manchester, Tennessee
Sweet Tea Concentrate
Sweet iced tea is a Southern classic and this is a fabulous recipe for those tea lovers or for a party. The concentrate will make 20 servings. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, FloridaLemonade Iced Tea
I have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this irresistible thirst-quencher takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North CarolinaAgua de Jamaica
This agua de jamaica recipe features an iced tea made from hibiscus—tart and deep red like cranberry juice. Add rum if you like. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, WisconsinRaspberry Iced Tea
One sip and you'll likely agree that this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted. —Chris Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Rhubarb Mint Tea
A bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, WashingtonIced Raspberry Tea
Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, VirginiaSummertime Tea
You can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee
Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea
Every special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, ArkansasSweet Raspberry Tea
You only need a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test KitchenMinty Tea Punch
Forget sugary (and boring) sodas for your next potluck and treat your family and friends to a refreshing homemade punch. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, ColoradoIced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
I grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, CaliforniaOrange Blossom Mint Refresher
I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This tea has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness; the orange blossom water gives it a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Lemon Lime Almond Tea
I got this delicious tea recipe from a friend and make it about twice a week. It's such a refreshing drink. —Tammy Griffin, Frankston, TexasSweet Citrus Iced Tea
My family has been making iced tea this way ever since I was a child. When I recently prepared it for a church function, everyone liked it so much that they asked for the recipe. — Diane C Kirkpatrick, Terre Hill, PennsylvaniaCranberry Tea
This colorful tea with its sweet spicy flavor is a great winter warmer-upper. The aroma is sure to bring guests to the table! —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, Iowa
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