Best Alkaline Water Filters: Guide + [Reviews 2020]

If you are like me and value your health over everything else, then an alkaline water filter might be something you need in your future. Combining the best aspects of water filtration and water ionizing, alkaline water filters can turn your boring drinking water into the best tasting, healthiest water you have ever seen inside a home.

Alkaline water filters use a process called electrolysis to change your water at a molecular level to created antioxidant-rich water flow, right from your kitchen sink. The benefits of alkaline water are endless, and you will see an immediate improvement in water tastes and purity.

When it comes to providing your family with clean drinking water, alkaline filters are widely regarded as the best possible solution. There are several different options available from all price points, and each one has its unique benefits and qualities. By following our step-by-step guide, you will learn everything you need to know (and more) about alkaline water filters. We will provide you with in-depth information that helps you choose the best alkaline water filter for you.

Best Alkaline Water Filter Reviews: [Updated]

1. Aqua Ionizer Deluxe|Home Alkaline Filtration System

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This countertop unit is small enough to be hidden in plain sight but does not compromise when it comes to providing quality alkaline water. The platinum-coated finish on the system looks great and will add value to any home.

You can choose from 7 different water types using a simple touch of a button. Choose between wellness water and cosmetic water to ensure you are getting the perfect water for the situation.

There is a stainless-steel hose included that helps combat bacteria build-up and keeps water clean. The activated carbon filter level removes water impurities before reaching the electrolysis process to ensure you are getting alkaline water that is clean and pure from contaminants. This unit is priced right at below $500 and has loads of benefits.

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2. APEC Water Systems ROES-PH75 Essence Series Top Tier Alkaline

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When you make the commitment to invest in a water filtration system, the most important thing to consider is the water quality. While it is nice to have all the additional bells and whistles, the most important thing is the healthiness of the water. APEC has consistently provided us with the most high-quality water testing results and does so with an affordable price tag.

The addition of the alkaline filter is one of our favorite features of this system. The calcium-carbonate filter does a wonderful job of increasing the water’s pH level, which makes it the best tasting water you can find. Combing the alkaline features with the other 5 stages and the reverse osmosis process ensures that you will get the best water quality of the dedicated food-grade faucet. Water testing has proven that you will see a decrease in total dissolved solids (TDS), which is among the hardest contaminants to remove.

The installation process is among the easiest we have seen to this point. APECS endless amount of support and instructional videos available make it almost impossible to steer wrong while you install the system. The bracket that attaches to your cupboard is made from a quality metal construction and ensures that your system will not move around or tip over.

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3. AQUASPREE Exclusive 7 Stage Alkaline Water Filter

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Countertop filters that rely on gravity are becoming more and more popular because of their simple design and easy mobility. The AQUASPREE systems check those boxes and many more. It has a sharp design and looks good sitting on your countertop while still providing quality alkaline water. The holding tanks are massive with this model as well, ensuring that you will have enough water to make it through the day.

Where this system will be great is for people who want to bring their clean water with them. People with RVs or who want clean water at work can pack this up easily and bring their systems with them as they please. It is sized perfectly to not take up too much space on your countertop as well. The filters do a good job of removing common tap water toxins and are easy to change in and out.

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4. Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.0 Aqua-Ionizer Pro Alkaline Water Ionizer Machine

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When it comes to getting the healthiest water available, the Aqua Ionizer may be the choice for you. It uses 110-volts to ionize your water and filter out common contaminants at the same time. The system was a breeze to install, and because of its slender shape, it takes up virtually no space on your countertops. The included water filter lasts for up to 4000 liters as well, which we have found is the equivalent of around ten months!

Our favorite part of the ionizer was the seven different water settings. You can tell the system what you are using the water for with the touch of a button, and it will produce water for that activity that is scientifically proven to be the best. It will provide multiple drinking water types to avoid over-exposure to alkaline water and will also track your water usage.

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5. bawell Platinum Alkaline Water Ionizer Machine

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There is a TON that we loved about the bawell alkaline filter. First off, the design is great; it features an easy to use and read LED touch screen and has two filter slots in the back, hiding them but still providing us with great water. The eight customized water types are also a great feature for those of us that want to get the absolute most out of our alkaline water filter.

The first thing I noticed was the improved taste in my drinking water. By selecting the drinking water setting, I was able to let the machine do its job, and I got the best drinking water available. It has a great range of ORP settings from +600 to -800, great for any application. The system is designed to be on your countertop, and its modern look is a nice addition to any kitchen.

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6. EHM Ultra Premium Alkaline Water Pitcher

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The EHM alkaline water pitcher is amongst the best in its class when it comes to self-filtering water pitchers. One of the most common water filtering solutions has evolved throughout the last decade to do so much more with your water than ever before. EHM revolutionized this filtering type by being able to fit a 6-stage water filter into a small, compact water filtering pitcher.

It has a wonderful ergonomic design that allows you to easily handle the pitcher, and even though it fits 3.8 liters of water, it will easily fit in your refrigerator’s door. When it comes to its filtering capabilities, it will remove all the common contaminants found in most municipal water supplies and then some. The entire pitcher is made from 100% BPA-Free, food-grade materials, which helps eliminate micro-organisms that may sneak through the filtering process.

The filters will last from 6-8 weeks, which is standard among self-filtering water pitchers, and they are among the easiest to remove and replace within the pitcher. That is one of the most common complaints among people regarding their self-filtering water pitchers.

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7. Tyent UCE-11 Under Counter Water Ionizer

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We were blown away by the Tyent alkaline water filter. The number of standard water filtration features combined with the high-tech modern alkaline unit does a great job of providing amazing water. The coolest part of this system is that the 9 different settings are completely controlled by your dedicated faucet. The alkaline system is placed under your sink while the faucet is installed above, hiding the alkaline box while still having complete control over your water.

The filtering quality was top-notch for a combined ionizer and filtering unit. While the Tyent is the most expensive system on our list, it is also packed with the most features. The 11 platinum plates are constructed of a mesh-like design that is widely regarded as the best material for electrolysis. There is a reason why this is one of the highest-reviewed water filters we have ever investigated.

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8. iSpring RCC7AK High Capacity Under Sink 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis

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If you are looking for better drinking water and sink water without the need for a full-scale water softening unit, then look no further than the iSpring under sink model. Using a 5-stage reverse osmosis process, your sink water will come out crystal clear after the softener, and filter combo removes over 1,000 different elements that do not need to be in your water.

Another thing we love about this iSpring unit is how easy it is to change the filters out. First off, filters are available from the manufacturer at direct pricing, and they can be changed in mere minutes.

On average, a filter replacement is needed every three months, but considering this small sink unit does not use salt, you can offset the cost, and besides, there is no value you can place on clean drinking water.

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9. Express Water Reverse Osmosis Water Alkaline Filtration System

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This Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filtration system comes with all the bells and whistles one could ever want in a water filtration system. For starters, it is one of the easiest RO systems to install, thanks to the elaborately detailed instructions and top-notch customer support provided by Express Water. Each of the 5 filters is marked with the role it plays in the filtration process, and they also have a diagram that displays where it goes in the bracket. This helps tremendously when changing filters in and out.

The results of the water filtration process speak for themselves, quite frankly. Between the multi-stage filtration process and the top-notch RO process, you will see a decrease of 99.99% of contaminants, and you will have the cleanest and healthiest water you could ever ask for. The components of the system are also top-notch, as they do not have any plastic fittings or valves anywhere.

The flow rate is among the strongest we have seen from a RO system like this, and it remains solid thanks to the high-flow faucet. One of our favorite features of the system is the leak-detection alarm. If the system detects any water where it should not be, it will shut down all water supply, which can save you from disaster!

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What is an alkaline water filter?

An alkaline water filter sometimes referred to as a water ionizer, changes the chemical balance of your water supply to make it the healthiest water possible.

The term alkaline water refers to the water’s pH level and being above 7.5. The alkaline water process uses a water separation called electrolysis, where your water will be filtered into an alkaline stream. This process will also add beneficial minerals like calcium, so you are gaining more from your water supply.

Most importantly, the alkaline water filter will make your water the healthiest and best water for your health.

Why you need an alkaline water filter?

By increasing the water’s pH level 7.5 or above (most alkaline filters will increase pH levels to 8-9), you are providing your body with the best water possible. Water with a pH of 7 or below is not as healthy and does always have additional minerals added to it, like an alkaline filter. By making your water’s pH above 7.5, you are making the water “alkaline,” which can neutralize body acid.

There is evidence that alkaline water will be beneficial for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Some studies have proven that people that consume water that has a high pH level will have increase oxygen delivery throughout the body. Alkaline water can also help with immune system support, weight loss, and healthier skin and nails.

The differences between alkaline water and regular water?

The main difference between alkaline water and regular water is the pH balance. Typically, the alkaline water will also have additional minerals that stay with the water throughout the ionizing process that can be beneficial to your health.

These minerals include calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Several questions arise when comparing alkaline water and untreated water. Below are the two most common.

Is alkaline water better than filtered water?

This question is more complicated than it sounds. In a perfect world, your alkaline water filter has built-in water filtering with the ionizer process, or you are running the water through the filter before it hits the alkaline filter. The absolute best water that you can have is a high-quality filter removing common tap water contaminants working concurrently with an alkaline water filter.

Be careful when reviewing alkaline water filters. Some filters are built-into a standard water filter, and then there are alkaline filters that are separate, and you should have another water filter to work with it. It is more common for them to be built into the same system but not always. When it comes down to which is better, alkaline, or filtered water, the answer is both.

Is filtered water alkaline or acidic?

This is a very good question, and the answer will revolve around the pH balance of the water. The magic number for alkaline versus acidic water is 7. If the pH of the water is above 7, the water is considered alkaline. When it comes to drinking water, we do not refer to water as alkaline until it reaches 7.5 or higher.

Most of the alkaline filters on the market will increase your water’s pH level to at least 8. In short, water run through in alkaline filter will be classified as alkaline. Without the ionization process of the alkaline filter, even water that is run through a normal filter could still have a pH of 7 or below.

Water is considered acidic when the pH is 7 or below. Acidic water is said to have negative health benefits if ingested in massive quantities.

Acidity can encourage bacterial growth so you will want to do your best to limit the amount of acidic water you are ingesting. Acidic water can be used for several things, however. Washing dishes, cleaning, and cooking are all places where acidic water is OK.

Best Alkaline Water Filter: Consider These Important Factors

Filters

There are a few things you want to look for when it comes to the filters associated with an alkaline water filter. The first and most important thing is to make sure that there is a filtering process within your water ionizer. Some models simply attack the ionization process and do not have any other filtering capabilities. Not filtering the water can remove a lot of the benefits you stand to gain from ionizing your water supply.

Once you have determined the best route for you, you will want to check the filtering capacity of the filtering system that you are using. This could be using a separate filtering system from your ionizer or a combined built-in filtering process.

Based on the amount of water your entire household will use, you want to make sure that you are not constantly changing filters. They are not free and if you are buying filters with a low capacity, you will be buying more filters and spending more cash. Make sure you are accounting for everything you would need your filter for, especially if it used separately from the alkaline ionizer.

Plates

One of the most important features of the alkaline ionization process is the material and number of plates that are used. If the filter you are purchasing is designed to be used with electricity, then you will have plates in your system. If your system does not use electricity, it will use multiple filtering levels and this section will not be relevant to you.

Plates are used during the electrolysis process where the plate is electrically charged and as water enters the system, the electrolysis being produced by the plates converts the tap water into alkaline water. When it comes to deciding on an electric water ionizer, there a few things to consider.

Number of Plates

a unit with less than 5 plates. Most of them are now built with anywhere between 5-13 plates and the more plates you have, the more electrolysis the water will undertake, and other benefits you will obtain from the plates.

You will notice that the water flow will be less with fewer plates and you will also a higher pH level with more plates, which means the water will have more alkaline characteristics. I typically suggest that people do not purchase an ionizer with less than 9 plates. This is a solid number that still handles flow rate and electrolysis well enough to garner the benefits of alkaline water.

If you have the means, 11 and 13 plate models are the absolute best quality and will give you the best performance from your alkaline water filter. You will see that there are models available with 15 plates, but we have found that these are usually used in industrial settings and are too big to use in the home.

Material of Plates

Alkaline water filters have been around for a long time. The material used during the electrolysis process has evolved over time and we believe we are at a point where we can finally tell you the best material for plates. You want to purchase an ionizer with plates constructed from titanium and platinum. Ensure that these are the only two materials that you should be looking for. If you see the word, “alloy,” you need to run away.

Pure platinum and titanium plates have been proven to be the best combination for electrolysis over time. The titanium will usually be the outer layer. It is there because it will be the best option to resist water erosion and it is an ultra-strong material that will last many years. The reason that platinum is the best option is that it is proven to be the best metal at speeding up electrolysis. Thousands of different metal compounds have been tested and these are widely regarded as the best possible combination.

Surface Area of Plates

In addition to the material and number of plates, you also want to look at the size of the plates. Smaller plates will produce less electrolysis within the water supply, and you will notice that the pH levels and ORP levels will not be where you need them to be.

Larger plates can conduct more electricity and therefore expand the ionizer’s ability to add alkaline elements to your water. Make sure you are not buying a model that boasts that it has 13 plates, but they are all super small. Ensure that the surface area of your plates is large enough and that you are getting everything possible out of your alkaline water filter.

PH and ORP Levels

We have discussed numerous things related to pH levels throughout this buying guide, but we will hit the important pieces again. pH refers to the water’s alkaline or acidic properties. If a pH level is below 7, then it is known to acidic and is not as healthy as water with a pH level of about 7, which is referred to as alkaline water. The higher the pH the more alkaline the water is.

ORP stands for Oxygen-Reduction Potential. To make this as simple as possible, I will start by saying when looking at ORP levels, you want the number to be negative. The lower the ORP level, the more electrons the water will have free to combat the contaminants within your body.

Most systems will have the ability to customize your ORP levels, depending on how you want to use your ionizer at that moment. You can usually set the ORP level to between +600 and -600 on many ionizers.

For cooking, cleaning, and washing veggies, a positive ORP is not a big deal. When you are drinking water, you want the ORP to be in negatives. This is because when you consume the water, the electrons within the water available to do their jobs and give you the healthy benefits of alkaline water. ORP is measure in millivolts (mV) and you can test this by using an ORP meter.

Flow Rate

Most water filtrations systems, including alkaline systems, will reduce the flow rate of your water by at least a little bit. It makes sense because the water is running through several fine grain filters that are removing every contaminant it can find. Flow rates will vary from system to system, and it mostly depends on how fast the ionizing process takes within the electrolysis. The more plates and larger surface area of the plates, the faster your water will be delivered.

Keep in mind, many of the models that we reviewed had multiple settings that you could choose from on the alkaline filter. If you choose to forego ionizing, then the water will be delivered quickly from the filtration system. Flow rates are extremely important to me, and I always look for a flow rate of at least 0.5 Gallons-Per-Minutes (GPM.)

Cleaning

Cleaning your alkaline filter will depend entirely on the system you buy. If you buy an under-sink water filter that has all the filtering and alkaline properties built-into one system (non-electric,) then you will have a little more work to do with the cleaning. Filters will need to be flushed with cold water and shaken up to loosen the filtering particles.

If you decide that an electric ionizer is the best option for you, then there are a few notes to remember when it comes to cleaning them. If it has a built-in carbon or sediment filter, cleaning that will be separate from the cleaning of the ionizer. You will still need to back-flush pure water filters, as necessary. But when it comes to cleaning the ionizer and the alkaline system, you will have a much easier time.

Almost all the electronic ionizer systems now are self-cleaning models. And on top of that, most systems have a scheduled cleaning time, usually after each use. It uses reverse-polarity to wash the plates and ensure there are no leftover contaminants from the alkaline infusing process.

Installation

You will want to consider the installation difficulty when it comes to selecting your perfect alkaline water filter. There are two situations we will discuss here.

If you are looking for an alkaline water filtering that is combined with an under-sink filtering system, you will need to install the full system. This entails connecting your current cold-water sink line to the filtering system so that you can use the water line that installs. Almost all these systems are simple enough to be installed by the homeowner, and many come with great instructions on video support to make it simple.

If you are looking for a higher-end ionizer, one that will most likely end up on your countertop, then the installation is a little bit different. These systems will require power and connection to the waterline. A lot of homeowners will be able to handle this on their own. But we do suggest ensuring that the alkaline filter you are going to purchase work for your space. Nearby power supply and access to connect it to the waterline.

Warranty

Like any consumer product, the warranty is extremely important. Accidents and issues will always occur during production, and it may end up being you who gets the only bad device from the manufacturer. Fear not, within the water ionizing world, warranties tend to be great.

You can find them up to 5 years, and many will go longer; some are even lifetime warranties. This is important to me when dealing with electric filtering, as things with more wiring can be damaged in shipment or anywhere along the manufacturing process.

If you are going with a higher-end alkaline system that has a few plates, remember to ensure that you can get replacement parts for the manufacturer in case any plates or specific parts are damaged over time.

Countertop Unit vs. Under Counter Unit

When it comes to deciding on the style of alkaline water filter, there are some things to consider. There are pros and cons for each type, and you will need to decide which you prefer.
Countertop units are more popular when it comes to higher-end water ionizers.

They will connect to a power supply and water line, and you will have access to your alkaline water from the unit directly. The best part about the countertop units is that you will have access to adjust settings like pH levels and ORP without the need to crawl under your kitchen sink. A lot of them do have a sharp look to them and are ultra-modern, but some folks do not like losing the countertop space and prefer something hidden.

There are a few types of under-counter or under-sink units. Systems that combine standard filtration and alkaline filtering are very popular because they combine the water purification qualities of a filtration system and have a level where the alkaline properties are added to the water. They are hidden below the sink and out of sight. Because there is only one static level of alkaline properties within this style, you will not have as much customization over your alkaline water output.

There are some alkaline, electrical filters that are meant to be placed under the counter, and some even use their dedicated tap system. These are very high-end and can be expensive, but their water testing results speak for themselves. Remember, if an electrical unit is under the counter or sink, you will need to get down there to make any adjustments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERED

Are alkaline water filters safe?

This is a very common question, and the answer is yes, for most people at least. Science has proven over time that the benefits of alkaline water can have positive impacts on the human body.

What are the dangers of drinking alkaline water?

In some cases, consuming far too much alkaline water can agitate your body’s normal pH levels, which may lead to nausea.

Do alkaline filters remove fluoride?

This is a common, but somewhat complicated question. The actual ionizing alkaline process does not remove anything. It is the filters that are combined with this process that do the work removing contaminants and toxins from the water. Check and see the filtering capabilities of your system to get an exact answer on fluoride. Many on the market will combine alkaline capability and fluoride removal.

How often do I have to change the alkaline filter?

The filters that come with the alkaline system will be changed depending on that specific filter’s longevity. They will range from 100 gallons up past 500, investigate how long the filters will last to avoid having to purchase them often.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, an alkaline water filter will have amazing benefits for you and your family. The customization is endless, with many alkaline models, and the health benefits are something we can not overlook. We understand that finding the best alkaline water filter can be a daunting task, and there is so much information out there, it can all be confusing.

By considering everything we have included in our buying guide, we are confident that you will choose the best alkaline water filter for your situation.

We sincerely thank you for tuning into our article and are hopeful that we helped you further understand the benefits and advantages you can obtain from an alkaline water filter.

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John Wood

I started this blog to share expert opinions towards improving the quality of drinking water. Your go-to resource for water filter guides, tips, and advice to purify city or well water before consuming it.