Water Ionizer Comparisons

Note: Testing results in St. Louis water may not be the same as the results you will get with your water source.

 

Selecting the Best Water Ionizer for You

 

Some features on the comparison chart above will be more important to you than others. Use the chart and further explanations on this page to study the features important to you. 

 

Which Water Ionizer is the Best?

On this page I give a good understanding of features that are very important to look for in a water ionizer. These are all ways to determine which ionizer water machine is BEST for you. 

Accurate and honest water ionizer comparisons are still difficult to find after 14 years of searching. Companies don't usually focus on testing their brands against others, because it wouldn't make them look good. But I do hundreds of side-by-side videos and comparisons between the various water ionizers. I do this to know the truth about how well each water ionizer does as compared with others.

I intentionally make a point to remain objective and thorough. [I've long since learned the Golden Rule in other words.] 

There is no more comprehensive comparison page for ionizer water machines than this one. 

Testing is one of the most important comparison techniques, using various meters and other testing equipment.

We Sell the Best Ionizers in All Price Ranges

We sell only those water ionizers on the market which are the best in their price-range. Therefore, we don't sell every water ionizer on the chart. In cases where we used to sell one brand or another, we explain on our Reviews page why we stopped. We found out years ago that we had to at least purchase a water ionizer to fully evaluate it, because we couldn't rely on the information from the manufacturer or various sellers.

Read the chart and the rest of this page for the information you need, including strong points and weak points of each machine.

We encourage you to try the water ionizer of your choice and see for yourself. The electric ionizers we sell come with satisfaction guarantees (60-day trials) as well as lifetime warrantees. We only sell superior machines.

Reviews

Another great tool you can use is the Water Ionizer Reviews page. That's where I expose many sales tricks and gimmicks other companies use.

Countertop Water Ionizer Size Comparisons

Do your measurements ahead of time to compare how each water ionizer would fit on your countertop. If you don't have countertop space, consider either an under sink water ionizer or an under-sink faucet kit. Please feel free to call or email us with your installation questions, before or after you buy. We're always happy to help.

Best Water Ionizer Video Comparisons

I have lots of experience with the the alkaline water machine brands that are on the above chart. These videos share important information about these water ionizers to supplement the information on this page.

This next 12-min. video is a great supplement with extra information about the top brands of water ionizers.   

 

How to Effectively Compare the Quality of Water Ionizers

For those who want to see the testing of various water ionizers alkaline water, this next 6-minute video is perfect.

 

Why Buy a Water Ionizer?

I purchased my first water ionizer 25 years ago. Drinking ionized water was so life-changing for myself and my family that after retiring, I decided sell the machines. This is why I built Alkaline Water Plus.

Many customers experience similar health benefits drinking ionized water.

EXPLAINING THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES ON THE CHART

#21 & #22 Connecting to a Water Supply

Most people attach their incoming water line to a faucet. To attach your filter directly to the plumbing we suggest the AlkaViva brand. This brand is far stronger than the others, and will not develop a leak under pressure. 

#12 Cleaning Type & Quality

The Cleaning Type and Quality of Plates is pretty much THE most important feature I look at in a water ionizer.

Inside the water cell (where the plates are) needs to be the best quality. The cleaning system is how your machine will continue to produce the best ionized water in years and decades to come. 

On the picture, below, I have divided the more popular water ionizers into how well they clean their plates. There is either periodic acidic-washes (left) or advanced, automatic, continuous-cleaning method (right).

• The advanced continuous-cleaning methods are by far the best. They make the machine last longer and get better results than the normal automatic acid-wash cleaning.
• The use of acid-washes is a basic, simple technique invented in the early 90's.
• It takes large teams of top engineers to invent something like the patented advanced continuous-cleaning methods.
• Very few manufacturers have the engineering expertise to develop continuous-cleaning systems.

*DARC means Double-Automatic Continuous-Cleaning.

The electrodes are the heart of the alkaline water machine, and it ceases to ionize well if not kept clean.

Without good automatic cleaning the plates develop a calcium film over time. It takes constant cleaning to keep these electrodes clean. Even a little calcium film on the plates will reduce the water ionizer’s capacity to ionize water [pH & ORP].

The trick is keeping the plates pristine clean and free of calcium. Only a machine with continuous-cleaning will ionize as if it was brand-new for as long as you have it.

Another reason to examine the water ionizer’s plate cleaning process is convenience. Intermittent automatic cleaning, otherwise known as acid washes, requires that you have to wait for the acid wash to finish. Sometimes this can interrupt your use periodically throughout the day. It also wastes water in the process.

There is also a matter of filter-life. Acid washes waste the life of the filters.

#27 & 28 Platinum Plating Process and Types of Plates:

The plating process [#28 in the chart, above] and the type of plates [#27] are also important features.

The method of applying platinum to the plate is crucial to the life of the water ionizer. The only safe and effective method of coating the plates with platinum is to use an advanced scientific method called electroplating. It takes a company with a larger, more expert team of engineers to do it. The point of advanced electroplating is to ensure the platinum covers 100% of the plate and that it will never erode.

 

There needs to be binding material between each layer of platinum. That takes expert engineering to do.

 

Binding material ensures the layers of platinum stick permanently. Otherwise, the platinum eventually erodes off the plate. Platinum is necessary to catalyze ionization. Without platinum your ability to get good results for ionization diminishes.

 

Here's an example to illustrate the importance of binding material. The most expensive, longest-lasting paint peels off pretty quickly without a primer to bond it to the surface.

 

The majority of manufactures use a dipping & baking process, which dips the plate in platinum, bakes, dips again, bakes, etc. This is an amateur way to coat plates.

 

Solid Plates: Solid plates are most usual, because they're cheaper to make. With a solid plate the amount of surface area is only as big as the electrode. Companies who use solid plates and no other technique to expand the surface area are amateurs.

 

Amateurs increase the the size of the plate or quantity of plates to make up for their lack of effective design. Too much power to the plates could cause overheating damage to the plates over time.

 

Responsible and experienced engineers use other ways to improve the performance of solid plates.

 

Here are some of the most common design types with comments about how the design affects the overall water ionizer quality.

 

• Varied Electrical Distribution: This is advanced. Usually the machine delivers bursts of electricity to the plates unevenly in a pre-determined grid form. This excites greater ionization than would otherwise be possible from that plate. The expert AlkaViva engineers designed a grid system into their machines.
• The Mesh Plate Design: Mesh plates allow for a greater surface area for ionization. The plate usually has a mesh bonded to a solid plate. Mesh is only good if used with continuous-cleaning. Otherwise it would trap calcium and cause scaling.
• Dipped Plates: When a manufacturer uses “dipping” to coat the plate, the surface area for electrolysis develops air bubbles. This is an amateur technique. It will erode more easily no matter how many times you dip and bake the plate. It's important to pay attention to how expert a company's engineers are.
• Electroplating: Electroplating uses computer programming and electricity to coat the electrode plates with platinum. This is the only 100%-thorough method of coating the plates. It produces a greater surface area for better electrolysis, without having to over-heat the machine. The AlkaViva company uses advanced scientific methods of electroplating the platinum onto the plates.
• Size of Plates: Using larger plates is an amateur technique. It's a technique used to make up for the inefficiency of the design.

 

Large plates require much more energy and so are risky. They require a fast flow rate to keep them cool. This means that the filtration will not be as thorough.

#34, #35, & #36 Filtration Quality: The Best Water Filtration

 

One of the most important features of a water ionizer to consider is the filtration quality.

Each machine has at least one filter in it, sometimes two. Some companies have gone through the process of having their filters lab-tested, and some just report the filter media used. We have analyzed these alkaline water filter systems and have reported their features in the chart, above, # 34, #35 and #36.

The best filtration system ever developed is UltraWater filtration. Learn more about UltraWater filtration and why it's multiple times better than any other water filtration.

I recommend using filters which remove common municipal chemicals, such as chlorine, heavy metals, Chloramine and Fluoride.

If you have microbe concerns I suggest you use a .01 micron filter.

Water ionizers remove 50-75% of fluoride, because it is acidic. Some water ionizers also have fluoride filter options. Even without a fluoride filter, using a slow flow rate through a carbon filter is another way to remove Fluoride. A slow flow rate is 1.5 liters per minute.

Changing your filter properly at recommended intervals is an important part of getting good filtration. A filter counter can help remind you when it’s time to change filters. Otherwise I suggest to change the filter yearly.

The quality of water source can drastically impact filter life. I offer a free report on water quality for your area. Visit my Free Water Quality Report page.

#10 Factory & Product Certification

FDA: The FDA or KFDA (Korean Food & Drug Association) certifies medical and home health-related products, such as water ionizers. In Japan, it's the Ministry of Health that gives such certification. Taiwan has the TFDA. China has the NMPA (National Medical Products Association).

ISO9001: Manufacturers that meet an 8-step quality-management process defined by ISO can earn this certification. Customer satisfaction assurances and product improvement programs fall under this.

ISO14001: Manufacturers that meet the environmental standards, such as control of wastes, can earn this certification.

ISO13485: Hospital/Medical devices have ISO13485 certification. You must use a sodium port to produce electro-chemically activated super-oxidized water, which is the nature of this certification. [Note: Very strong alkaline or acidic water is not for drinking. It's only for cleaning or sanitizing.]

CE & UL: These are certifications based on the safety of use for electrical equipment. (Note: If the product has CE certification it doesn't need RoHS or EMC - described below).

RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) certifications means the manufacturer self-declares they restrict the use of certain hazardous chemicals. (Note: If the product has CE certification it doesn't need RoHS.)

EMC: This certifies an electronic device does not emit levels of electromagnetic energy that cause electromagnetic interference. (Note: If the product has CE certification it is EMC certified too.)

WQA & NSF: (Water Quality Association & National Science Foundation) WQA means the water filter contains safe, durable materials. NSF certifies each type of filtration technology for safety, whether it's activated carbon, ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis.

#21 & #22 Installation Options

Before you purchase a water ionizer, consider how you want to install it. Most people attach their water ionizer to a faucet. To attach your water ionizer directly to the plumbing we suggest the AlkaViva brand. This brand is far stronger than the others, and will not develop a leak under pressure. 

• Undersink? The only brand I recommend for under your sink is AlkaViva. Direct plumbing under-sink puts a lot of water pressure on the machine, especially up against gravity. AlkaViva water ionizers are the only water ionizers strong enough to not leak eventually under this pressure.
• Direct-Plumb? I also recommend AlkaViva water ionizers anyone wanting to directly attach the water feed line directly to the plumbing. This again has to do with picking a water ionizer that will not leak over time.
• Hook to the Faucet? The majority of water ionizers connect directly to the faucet with a diverter. With a diverter use your faucet normally until you flip the lever, which diverts the water to the machine. This kind of installation doesn't put undue pressure on the machine.

#14, #17 and #18 What is Molecular Hydrogen and why does it matter? (The Best Water Ionizers Will Give the Most Molecular Hydrogen)

Molecular Hydrogen is a molecule created by a light bond between two Hydrogen atoms. Learn all about Molecular hydrogen and how amazing it is.

Molecular hydrogen levels improve the healthiness of the ionized drinking water.

I did this comparison using common drinking levels of ionized water. [Note: The more negative the ORP is, the more capable the water is to fight free-radicals.] I use several types of techniques and meters to measure molecular hydrogen.

#14 Overall Performance

How is the Alkaline Water Plus Water Ionizer Comparison Chart different than the reviews on other water ionizer sites? 

• You can count on the details of my water ionizer comparisons to be accurate. It took me years to compile and I work on it regularly to keep it up-to-date.
• I do something that no other company which compares water ionizers does, hands-on video demonstrations. Many of my water ionizer demonstrations are side-by-side comparisons too.
• My aim is to share knowledge with consumers to help you make an educated choice when purchasing a water ionizer.
• Point #14 rates each water ionizer on the above chart for overall performance.
• I compare the most popular and best brands in every conceivable way.

This chart is my effort to leverage my over 2 decades of experience with water ionizers. My aim is to provide consumers with a simple comparison chart to find the machine that best matches their criteria.

#15, #16 & #17 Testing and Comparing pH and ORP

A very important factor to consider when comparing water ionizers are the pH levels and ORP levels for drinking water.

Point #18 shows the ionizer with the best overall design. This means it will get better ORP per unit of pH in comparison tests. The only way to do this is through side-by-side comparisons,

Point #15 and #16 show how strongly the water ionizer can ionize. 

Keep in mind that one only needs the pH to range from about 3 to 10. For other purposes than drinking, such as for cleaning and sanitizing, a greater range helps.

Keep in mind that the higher pH 11.5 super alkaline water is only good for cleaning grease and grime. The low acidic 2.5-4 pH is only good for sanitizing. These levels are too highly alkaline or acidic for drinking.

#17 shows if the ORP per unit of pH the water ionizer is better or not. The more negative charge of the ORP the better. Focus on the drinking-levels of pH for your ORP [antioxidant] readings.

#2 through #13 Customer Service Considerations when Purchasing a Water Ionizer

Points #2-13] show the quality of customer servicing. Each of these points are quite important in and of themselves. But together as a whole they paint a picture of longevity, reliability and excellence or not [or somewhere in-between].

• Is the repair depot in the U.S?
• Does the company offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee?
• How high is the re-stocking fee, should you not be satisfied?  
• Is there free shipping?
• Is the warranty good?
• Is the importer a Better Business Bureau member?
• Do they give an accurate location for themselves?

# 26 Water Ionizer Power Boosting Capability

Power boosting may help you get the results you want in soft water. Most manufacturers set the machines for average water. Power boosting helps you to be able to customize for the level of alkaline water or acidic water you want.

#1 Water Ionizer Price Considerations

All water ionizers are inexpensive when compared with the cost and quality of bottled alkaline water.

Does a high price mean that particular water ionizer is better? No. I have found that price does not necessarily equate to better quality in a water ionizer.

Choose the water ionizer features that are important to you. Then use the comparison chart above to find the right machine for your needs.

The biggest problem I had 25 years ago was allergies, and with my water ionizer, they all disappeared. That water ionizer was inferior, but even so my health and the health of my five children changed drastically.

#42 Which Water Ionizers Can Produce Hypochlorous Acid?

Only a few water ionizers use sodium in the electrolysis process. They do this by providing a mineral port or a sodium injection port. 

When you add sodium it produces hypochlorous acid (a super strong and effective sanitizer).

#41 Power Supply is Another Way to Compare Water Ionizers

The chart compares other features, such as power supply (#41). Switch Mode Power Supply is the newer technology. It's lighter than a transformer and uses a little less electricity. However, both types of power supply are long-lasting and reliable.

Kangen Water vs Ionized Water

Is water ionization the same for all alkaline water ionizers, including the Enagic (Kangen Water)? Yes. The way a water ionizer works is basically the same for Enagic Kangen and most other machines.

Ionized water is a synonym to Kangen Water. Only testing helps you determine more precisely which water ionizer is best.

Kangen water machines are only average in most ways.

Watch out for Fake Water Ionizer Comparisons, Which Come in Many Forms

I have a lot of information about the various brands of water ionizers on my Water Ionizer Reviews page. I also expose several scams, so I encourage you to read this page.

Purchase Water Ionizers

There is more information about each brand of water ionizer I sell on the following pages.