If you don’t have access to a water filter at home, you may regularly drink bottled water. Different companies use different methods to purify water before it is bottled, and it can be difficult to find ones that use reverse osmosis. Reverse Osmosis bottled water tastes great and you can trust that it won’t contain any harmful contaminants.
In this post, I cover everything you need to know about reverse osmosis bottled water, which commercial water bottle brands are reverse osmosis, and where you can buy them.
What is Reverse Osmosis?
In any solution, there are two parts – the solvent and the solute. In drinking water, the water is the solvent, and contaminants (particulate matter, dissolved solids, sand, clay, lead, cadmium, chlorine, nitrates, pesticides, sodium, etc.) are solutes.
In reverse osmosis (RO) water purification, a semi-permeable membrane is used to filter out suspended and dissolved solids (i.e. contaminants). This membrane – with fine pores measuring 0.0001 microns, is placed between vats of water – one with a lower concentration of contaminants (solute) and one with a higher contaminant concentration.
During the purification process, pressure is applied to push the water (solvent) through the polymer matrix of the membrane. The small pore size allows only water to pass through, leaving the contaminants on one side. Then the purified water is collected.
This movement of the solvent (water) is from a region of higher solute concentration to a region of lower solute concentration. This is against the natural osmotic movement and is therefore called Reverse Osmosis.
9 Reverse Osmosis-Purified Brands Of Bottled Water
Here’s a list of 9 brands of RO-purified bottled water. Many of these brands are available from Amazon or Walmart.
1. Penta Ultra-Purified Water
Penta water transforms naturally sourced water through a U.S. patented purification process that includes: micron filtration, reverse osmosis, deionization, ultraviolet light exposure and ozonation (both forms of sterilization).
This 11 hour process removes harmful chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), lead, arsenic, bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol A (BPA). The Penta ultra-purified water has a pH of about 7 to 8.
Even the Penta bottling and purification process is powered by the sun to help protect the environment. Their purification process is more involved and removes more impurities compared to other brands and as a result may cost a little more.
Where to buy: Propel ultra-purified water can be bought directly from Amazon here.
2. Propel Water
Propel Water features an impressive water treatment process including filtration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, and addition of electrolytes. The electrolytes in Propel bottled water help you re-hydrate quickly without adding any sugar, sweeteners, flavoring, colors, or calories.
With a pH level at around 6.9 (near neutral) and rich in vitamins B, E, and B6, is ideal for fitness freaks. They can also be bought with a jet squeeze mouth piece for hands free hydration while you exercise!
Where to buy: Propel water and all their various flavors are conveniently available on Amazon here.
3. Dasani
Dasani’s bottled water undergoes reverse osmosis and has a pH of 5.6. Created by Coca Cola in 1999, Dasani’s bottles are BPA-free. The RO-purified water is enriched with non-carbonated sodium and minerals for added taste.
This water tastes crisp and fresh. Dasani also sells water in aluminum cans. If you’re looking for something sweet, try Dasani’s Strawberry or Lemon-flavored water.
Where to buy: Dasani products are available from Amazon here.
4. Nestlé Pure Life
Nestlé Pure Life water undergoes a strict twelve-step purification and quality process that includes collection, carbon filtration, RO demineralization, remineralization, and microfiltration.
This water is not sourced from springs – Nestle uses municipal water and runs it through a stringent purification process to ensure good taste.
The Pure Life Sport version comes in a resealable bottle that is easy to hold and drink.
Where to buy: You can purchase Nestlé Pure Life purified water on Amazon.
5. Aquafina water
Not only does Aquafina purify water with RO and ozonation, but it has also developed an extensive process that removes trace compounds like bicarbonates, chlorides, phosphates, sulfates, calcium, potassium, and manganese.
Aquafina water has an average Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reading of 4, which is 2.5 lower than the FDA limit. Aquafina also sells water in recycled aluminum cans as a way to reduce their carbon footprint.
Where to buy: Aquafina water is available on Amazon here.
6. Essentia
Essentia bottled water is supercharged, ionized, and alkaline, with special rehydrating properties. This company takes municipal water, purifies it using reverse osmosis, adds electrolytes, ionizes it, and amps the pH to an alkaline 9.5.
The added electrolytes maintain homeostasis in the body while the alkaline pH adds to the taste.
Where to buy: You can buy Essentia water online on Amazon here.
Water Purification Guide also has a comprehensive list of brands of alkaline water available here.
7. Core Hydration Nutrient Water
Core Hydration Nutrient Water has a rigorous seven-stage purification process, including reverse osmosis, UV exposure, ozonation, and carbon filtration.
With a pH of 7.4, this water comes packed in an easy-to-hold bottle. This water is 99.9% pure, and free of fluoride, chlorine, arsenic, and Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE).
Where to buy: Core Hydration Nutrient Water can be purchased from Amazon here.
8. LIFEWTR
The LIFEWTR Premium Purified Water is another great reverse osmosis bottled water brand with artistically designed packaging and features a refreshing taste. This product is purified and then electrolytes and minerals are added back in to ensure a clean pure taste and so you get an optimal hydration.
LIFEWTR water has a balanced (nearly neutral) pH level of about 6.4 to 7.4. The bottles are also BPA-free and come in a wide variety of size options to fit different needs.
Where to buy: LIFEWTR Premium Purified Water can be order from Amazon here.
9. Arrowhead Fluoridated Water
If you use a water cooler then Arrowhead fluoridated 5 gallon water may be a great option. Primarily sourced from springs in California and Colorado, Arrowhead’s Fluoridated water undergoes RO purification treatment in addition to mineral and fluoride addition.
Microfiltration and UV disinfection are also done to ensure fresh, healthy water. The company states that the added fluoride content helps teeth grow stronger.
Keep in mind that only Arrowhead Fluoridated Water is RO-purified, and their other products are not.
Where to buy: Arrowhead 5-gallon fluoridated water can be purchased online here.
Is bottled water the same as RO water?
In most cases, regular bottled water is not be the same as RO water.
Bottled mineral water and bottled spring water may not be subjected to RO filtration; RO removes most mineral content from the water. Bottled spring water is mostly untouched from the source – it has not undergone any artificial filtration.
Commercially bottled water may undergo additional purification processes like UV filtration, UF filtration, and flocculation. This water may be enriched with additional minerals and nutrients to add to taste.
In contrast, water purified with an RO filter at home usually does not undergo UV filtration too. Additional minerals may not be added to the water to enhance the taste. The pH of unaltered RO-filtered water is neutral, as opposed to bottled water.
The pH of bottled water varies between companies as different additives and minerals change the pH. Some companies add more electrolytes and minerals to help you stay hydrated more effectively and it adds taste
Keep in mind that RO only removes suspended and dissolved solids and is not effective against bacteria and viruses.
Is RO water better than bottled water?
Cost: RO vs Bottled Water
Bottled water is more expensive when compared to RO water. While the initial cost of setting up an RO filter may be higher than purchasing bottled water, the cost of bottled water quickly adds up over time, and setting up an RO filter at home is more economical.
Environmental cost: RO vs Bottled Water
There is also the environmental impact of drinking bottled water. On one hand, RO purification leads to water wastage. But on the other, most bottled water is sold in disposable single-use plastic bottles that contributes to pollution.
If you choose to go down the bottled water path, Water Purification Guide has more information on which brands of bottled water are BPA-free here so you can drink responsibly.
