There are two types of people in the world: those who adore sparkling water and those who can't stand it. There is no in-between! If you're a lover of bubbles, you'll find there's nothing more refreshing than settling down with a fresh glass of fizzy goodness to keep you hydrated. If you're not already making your own with a sparkling water maker, we've found the best sparkling water on the market, so you can keep serving up a refreshing glass of fizz.
If you're new to the bubbles, sparkling water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas. This can occur naturally due to geological processes or artificially. Some manufacturers may also add flavourings, although these aren't always the best option for your health - more on that below.
Best sparkling water at a glance:
• Best for a refreshing taste: Perrier
• Best for flavour variety: Dash Water Mixed Pack
• Best for crisp taste: AQUA Carpatica Natural Sparkling Mineral Water
• Best for gentle bubbles: Radnor Hills Spring Sparkling Water
Every brand of sparkling mineral water contains a distinct dose of flavour-giving minerals, so they all taste slightly different. For that reason, not all sparkling water is created equal, so we've researched the very best sparkling water to buy to help you find your all-time favourite. Want to know more about your favourite carbonated beverage? Keep reading for our FAQs.
Best sparkling water
Best for a refreshing taste
Perrier is known as the best for a reason - it's utterly delicious and super bubbly. The spring from which Perrier water is sourced is naturally carbonated, but the company now sources the water and natural carbon dioxide gas separately for efficiency. The level of carbonation in bottled Perrier matches that of the spring, and the bottles are 100% recyclable.
Customer review: "I love this drink it is so fresh. It arrived quickly and was well packaged."
Pros
- Popular worldwide
- Crisp
- Bottles are recyclable
Cons
- Lots of plastic packaging
| What's included: | 6 x 1L bottles |
Best for flavour variety
Dash is British sparkling water infused with wonky fruit and veg for a dash of flavour. These flavoured cans don't include any sugar or sweetener, or calories. The flavoured water includes three ingredients: British Spring Water, wonky fruit or veg and bubbles.
Customer review: "I bought the 16 pack variety box. Love the selection of flavours from Dash! They're always a hit with guests. Big fan of the concept of using wonky fruit - makes me feel like I'm doing my bit in terms of sustainability etc."
Pros
- Sugar-free
- Canned drinks
- 0 Calories
- Natural ingredients
- Uses' wonky fruit' which would have otherwise been thrown away
Cons
- Fruit flavour is mild
| What's included in the variety pack: | 16 Cans (330 ml) |
| Flavours: | Peach; Raspberry; Lemon; Blackcurrant |
Best Italian sparkling water
For a taste of Italy, look no further than San Pellegrino. Bottled at the source of the world-famous spring of San Pellegrino, it's wonderfully earthy and totally moreish. As they're glass bottles, they can be reused or recycled.
Customer review: "My favourite water. I really like it. I drink 3-4 bottles (33.3) each day."
Pros
- Bottled at the Source in San Pellegrino, Italy
- Low Sodium
- Glass bottles
Cons
- Not flavoured
| What's included: | 750ml (Pack of 12) |
Best British sparkling water
If supporting British brands is important to you, look no further than Harrogate Sparkling Spring Water. The clean-tasting sparkling water is light and refreshing, plus the bottle is 100 per cent recyclable and made from 50 per cent recycled plastic.
Customer review: "A refreshing sparkling mineral water ideal for any occasion! Reasonably priced.
Purchasing heavy items such as this from Amazon is certainly easier than lugging them back from the supermarket!"
Pros
- Made from 50 per cent recycled plastic
- British brand
- Refreshing
Cons
- Some customers found it went flat quickly
| What's included: | 24 x 500ml bottles |
Best for a crisp taste
AQUA's sparkling water is nitrate-free, rich in electrolytes and is responsibly bottled at source. It's crisp and refreshing, and the bottles are BPA-free and 100 per cent recyclable.
Customer review: "I am unfortunately a water snob! I've tired nearly every water I can get my hands on, but always go back to this water. Glass bottles are especially good if you work out and about as it keeps the water at a nice chilled temperature and also holds its flavour in hotter weather."
Pros
- BPA-free
- Recyclable
- Crisp
Cons
- Glass bottles may not be practical
| What's included: | 500 ml (24 bottles) |
Best for gentle bubbles
If you get through a lot of bottles or need them for an event, this 24-pack will be the one for you. The sparkling spring water from Radnor Hills is well balanced, packed at source in Powys, Wales. The bottles are 100 per cent recyclable.
Customer review: "This water is the best I have ever drank, its sparkling and invigorating, thirst quenching like no other battled water, it has a smooth soft and gentle tingle on the tongue. All in all the taste is far superior to all the othe4r sparkling waters you can buy. I would definitely recommend Radnor Hills sparkling water (Welsh soft water) above all other water."
Pros
- Recyclable
- Large case
Cons
- Not as fizzy as other brands
| What's included : | 24 Bottles (500 ml) |
Best for taking on the go
Many of you will already love the taste of Buxton's still water, so why not give sparkling a go? This large 24-pack is suited to those who get through a lot in a week. All of Buxton's bottles are 100 per cent recyclable, and the company has committed to making all of its bottles from recycled plastic by 2021.
Customer review: "Perfect when chilled on a hot day. These keep their fizz quite well and taste quite nice for a sparking water, these are not bitter or metallic they taste fresh!"
Pros
- Large pack
- British
Cons
- Large unit size
| What's included: | 24 bottles (500ml) |
Best for fresh flavour
VOSS is the sparkling water of the stars, and it certainly tastes like it. Fresh and pure, it's utterly delicious. Want flavoured water? This subtle lemon and cucumber variation is all-natural, with zero calories and no sugar, as it's made with natural flavours.
Customer review: "Love this flavour am a fan of lemon water but with the added cucumber it's lovely. I like the fact its got no added sugar. I keep a bottle by my bed and one in my work bag. Will try other flavours soon."
Pros
- No sugar
- Zesty fruit blend
- Made with high-grade PET plastic bottles
Cons
- Lemon taste is subtle
| What's included: | 12 Bottles (330 ml) |
Best value litre bottles
If you are an avid fizzy water drinker, then the smaller bottles just won't do. We love these large bottles that last longer than 500ml bottles. Perfect for a warm afternoon. The best bit is you don't have to lug them from the supermarket as they can be delivered directly to your front door.
Customer review: "This is really good value for money otherwise these days it would be on the no list but great for mixing with fruit squash for the grandkids and us as sparkling water. I will buy again."
Pros
- Large bottles
- Great value
Cons
- Only four bottles
| What's included: | 4 bottles (2L) |
Best for added benefits
otocbd.com
If you have ever considered CBD drinks and you like sparkling water, then this is a fantastic option for you. It does not contain any THC, just CBD - the non-psychoactive element of the hemp plant. It can help restore a sense of calm whilst keeping you hydrated at the same time. Infused with delicious botanical flavours, this pack contains a mix of flavours, each including revitalising botanical extracts with natural adaptogens, purified water, pure CBD and zero added sugar.
One customer said: "Everyday go to CBD drink. It's about time someone came up with innovative and tasty CBD drinks. I've tried so many and all leave an unpleasant aftertaste or have added or artificial sugars. The discovery pack is so good, especially when working from home as each blend is very different so depending on the mood and it gives me the pick me up I need. It is my everyday go to CBD drink. It's about mid afternoon"
Pros
- 25mg dose of pure CBD
- Vegan
- Natural
- Made in the UK
Cons
- Contains CBD
| What's included: | Six cans |
| Flavours: | Green Tea & Garden Mint Botanical Seltzers; Blood Orange & Chilli Botanical Seltzers; Elderflower & Juniper Botanical Seltzers |
What are the benefits of sparkling water?
Fizzy water has grown in popularity in recent years, with fans of fizzy drinks reaching for it as a healthier alternative to one packed with sugar, like cola or lemonade. There are a number of sparkling water benefits:
It's better than a soft drink
If you like to drink sodas, carbonated water is much better for you than drinking sugar-filled fizzy drinks, but gives you the same sensation as having one.
It makes you feel fuller for longer
We've all heard the advice, "If you're feeling hungry, have a glass of water". Many of us think we're hungry when we're actually dehydrated, leading to excess snacking and weight gain. Water makes you feel full, but sparkling water could make you feel fuller, according to research conducted by one of the leading sparkling water brands, Sodastream.
You may be more hydrated throughout the day
Some people don't like the taste of standard water, and that's okay. Rather than reaching for an unhealthy drink or filling up on tea and coffee, fizzy water can help many to stay hydrated as they enjoy the taste.
What's the difference between soda and sparkling?
Although similar, they are not the same.
Soda water is water with carbon dioxide forced into the mix. It is commonly found in cocktails and cordials. The big difference is that it contains sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate to give it that slightly salty taste and neutralise the acidity.
Sparkling water is water with bubbles in it - that's it. This can be achieved artificially by adding carbon dioxide. Sparkling mineral water comes directly from the spring, and it is carbonated with gasses that occur naturally. It's generally free from additives unless fruit flavours are added during the process.
What's the difference between club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water?
Though each of these bubbly beverages appears identical and is, at the crux of it, simply carbonated water, each contains different flavour profiles and is made using different processes.
Seltzer is the simplest of these waters, made by carbonating plain water with carbon dioxide.
Club soda is similar to seltzer water, but in addition to CO2, various minerals — including sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate, and occasionally sodium chloride — are added.
Sparkling mineral water is rich in dissolved solids like potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which occur naturally as the water filters through multiple layers of underground rock and sediment.
Is it bad for you?
It's long been touted that sparkling water can be detrimental to your teeth, but how much truth is there in this? We spoke to Dr Reena Wadia, Gum Specialist and Founder of RW Perio, to find out more.
"Lots of people are switching to sparkling water. Although it doesn't contain sugar, it is carbonated. It's definitely much less erosive than other beverages but can still cause some erosion of the teeth (especially if the water is cold). Watch out for flavoured or sweetened sparkling water – this is more damaging. Plain, still water or tap water is always the best choice."
If you're turning to sparkling water for a healthier soft drink option, look for those that are flavoured with natural flavours and a lower proportion of added sugars.
Is fizzy water less hydrating than normal water?
No, several studies, including this study from the Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, generally agree that sparkling water hydrates you just as well as still water. This makes sense, given that carbonated water is just water infused with gas.
Hannah James is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that makes her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.
