The Best Sparkling Water Brands, Ranked (Yes, We Ranked Water)
2025-01-14 · 5 min read
Sparkling water is the most polarizing beverage category in existence. People have opinions about bubbles the way they have opinions about politics, and they are equally unwilling to compromise. The carbonation level, the mineral content, the mouthfeel, even the can design: everything matters to someone, and everyone thinks they are right. We ranked them anyway.
Topo Chico sits at the top, and this is not controversial among people who have tried it. The Mexican mineral water has a natural effervescence and a mineral bite that is completely distinct. It comes in a thick glass bottle that makes a satisfying pop when you open it. Coca-Cola bought the brand in 2017, which purists lament, but the product has remained consistent. It is the sparkling water by which all others are measured.
San Pellegrino is the classic European choice, served at restaurants worldwide. Its carbonation is gentler, its mineral profile subtler, and the green bottle reads sophistication at any table. Perrier brings more aggressive bubbles and a mineral sharpness that works well with citrus. Both are excellent, but they serve different moods. Pellegrino is dinner. Perrier is afternoon.
In the domestic market, Spindrift stands apart by using real fruit juice for flavor rather than natural flavors, which is a category that means basically nothing. Their grapefruit and raspberry lime taste like actual fruit, not a chemical approximation. Waterloo, out of Austin, has become the go-to for crisp, clean flavored sparkling water. Their grape and black cherry are pantry staples.
LaCroix, once the king of American sparkling water, has lost ground to newer brands but remains decent. The Pamplemousse flavor is iconic even if the brand's cultural moment has passed. At the bottom of the ranking is any sparkling water that tastes like someone described a fruit to the carbonation machine from across the room. You know the brands. We are not naming them. You deserve better bubbles.
