We all know that drinking enough water is essential to staying healthy, but sometimes, having a glass of water is easier said than done. Often if you’re travelling to foreign countries, the tap water might not be safe, and thus you’re forced to use bottled water as your main hydration method. Other times, such as at movie theatres or sporting events, when you want water, your only options are bottled water.
Most of the time, you only have one choice when selecting your bottle — for sponsorship rights, price, or whatever reason — but when given a cornucopia of different bottles, the choice can be daunting. As the self-appointed bottled water sommelier, I have compiled a power ranking of many popular brands based on taste, price and bottle shape — scoring system included.
8. Dasani (6/15)
Taste: 1/5
Price: 3/5
Shape: 2/5
If Dasani is my only option then I’m going thirsty. The shape is clunky, the wide base/skinny neck combo is an awkward one, but most importantly, it tastes metallic. It is reasonably priced, but the aftertaste is unforgiving.
7. Aquafina (8/15)
Taste: 2/5
Price: 3/5
Shape: 3/5
Aquafina is almost as bad as Dasani, but the metallic taste isn’t quite as strong (although it’s still quite prevalent), and the shape of the bottle is superior. This is the go-to cheap water offered on campus, and I haven’t bought a bottle since September.
6. Smart Water (8/15)
Taste: 3/5
Price: 2/5
Shape: 3/5
Smart Water tastes fine. It’s not as much metallic as it is purified, which some people prefer. The purified taste is a bit of a turn-off, but it’s significantly better than metal. This is a pricey bottle however. Granted you are getting more water in the bottle, but three-to-four dollars for average water is a bit much. (In the event of a tie, the water with the higher taste score gets bumped).
5. LIFEWTR (9/15)
Taste: 3/5
Price: 2/5
Shape: 4/5
First off, they automatically lose a point for calling themselves ‘LIFEWTR’. Was the extra two letters you saved really worth such a pretentious name? The taste is average, but the price is far too high. Like Smart Water, you are getting a larger bottle, but anything over three dollars better be some good tasting water. It does score major bottle points though. Not only are they sleek and elegant, but they come in numerous colour schemes and patterns. Nice ARTWRK.
4. Poland Spring (10/15)
Taste: 3/5
Price: 4/5
Shape: 3/5
Poland Spring is like the Ben Zobrist of water — it’s very versatile, good for both immediate thirst quench and long-term sippage, won’t steal the show with flashy bottle designs, but has made its mark on the water bottle scene. The price is very reasonable for what you’re getting. It also gets a bonus mark for being part of a hilarious Seinfeld episode.
3. Evian (12/15)
Taste: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Shape: 5/5
Evian steals the show at first glance; the bottle layers in a 3D mountain design right below the cap that adds a nice touch. It is rather expensive, but unlike other pricey waters, this one tastes pretty good. No metallic tastes, only slight purification. Pretty pure all around. I’d recommend.
2. Fiji (12/15)
Taste: 5/5
Price: 2/5
Shape: 5/5
Fiji water has somehow become the go-to celebrity water. Probably because it’s so expensive, but that didn’t stop Miami Heat big man Hassan Whiteside from having a fridge dedicated to just Fiji water (that’s real, Google it). Yes, it’s expensive, but the square bottle looks very neat, and the taste is on-par with tap water. Treat yourself every now and then and splurge on this Fijian beverage.
1. Nestle (14/15)
Taste: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Shape: 4/5
Nestle is without a doubt the best bang-for-your-buck water bottle. It’s dirt cheap, tastes as close to tap water as bottled water possibly can, and a shape that can fit in virtually every bag/pocket. It’s fairly flexible as well, and can squish into even the fullest of backpacks. The only reason it lost a point was because your little cousin can do that thing where he twists it in such a way that when he opens the lid, the pressure inside makes a loud noise and the cap shoots into the front seat and almost gets you into a car crash.
To see Brock students blind taste test these waters head over to BrockTV’s Facebook page or YouTube channel for the full reaction.
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