The 7 Best Water Ionizers: Reviews & Ultimate Guide

This is our review of the best Water Ionizers of 2023.

We reviewed several water ionizers and found out that the Tyent ACE-13 Water Ionizer is the best one overall.

There are several factors to look for when buying a water ionizer and to save you time we spent long hours reading & researching to find out the best overall water ionizer. And because there isn’t a one size fits all because each family has its unique situation, we also identified the best option for different situations.

You will find out the best water ionizers available today, their pros and cons, an explanation of why they are better for specific situations, and a complete buying guide with all the relevant information that you need to know to choose the best water ionizer system for you.

Let’s get started!

Our Top Picks for Best Water Ionizers

• Tyent ACE-13 Water Ionizer (Best Overall Water Ionizer)
• Aqua Ionizer ionHealth (Runner up Water Ionizer)
• Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.5 (Best Value Water Ionizer)
• Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 7.0 (Good Choice Water Ionizer)
• AquaGreen Water Ionizer (Best Budget Water Ionizer)
• Tyent UCE-13 Plus Under Counter Water Ionizer (Best Under Counter Water Ionizer)
• Pure Hydration Alkaline Water Ionizer (Best Dispenser Water Ionizer)

7 Best Water Ionizers Reviewed

After investing our time researching and reviewing several water ionizers, we identified the 7 best options for different purposes.

Buying Guide for Water Ionizer

There are several factors to take into consideration when buying a water ionizer, and with so many options available in the market, it is not a simple task to make the right choice for you and your family.

That is why we present a curated selection of the best water ionizers for different situations, and we also created a comprehensive buying guide for water ionizers so that you can understand the most important factors and be able to make the best purchase decision.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Water Ionizer

When researching for a water ionizer to buy, these are the key features that you should consider:

Cost

Buying a water ionizer is not cheap, and you should consider the cost associated with it before you buy it, to ensure you make the right choice.

There are different water ionizers in the market, and the price range is big, as they can go from $500 to $5.000, depending on several factors.

That is why it is important to decide your budget and the factors that are important to you, to choose the right option for your needs and budget.

pH Range

The biggest feature of a water ionizer is its ability to change the pH of the water, and be able to generate alkaline water.

The pH scale goes from 1 (very acidic water) to 14 (very alkaline water), being 7 considered neutral water.

The best water ionizers allow you to change the pH in a large range, to let you generate water more acidic with lower pH that is useful for cleaning, and water more alkaline with higher pH for drinking and cooking.

ORP Range

ORP, or oxidation-reduction potential, is the capability of a water ionizer in reducing oxidation levels. A lower ORP value means that the water should be more healthy to drink.

The theory is that by reducing the oxidation level of the ionized water, fewer free radicals that cause oxidation will be present in the water, and less damage would be caused in your body.

Number of Plates

Plates are essential in a water ionizer because they are used to convert acidic to alkaline through the electrolysis process.

The more plates a water ionizer has, the more effective it will be at producing alkaline water with a lower (and better) ORP value.

You will find water ionizers with plate counts that can range from 5 to 11 plates, so depending on the number of plates, the higher number typically is better but also more expensive.

Countertop  vs Under Counter Water Ionizer

This is an important factor because depending on the space that you have available in your kitchen, you might decide from the start if you want to look for a countertop or an under the counter water ionizer.

If you don’t have much countertop space, you might want to go for an under counter water ionizer, but if you don’t have much space available under the counter, you will need to go for a countertop unit and you need to make sure it fits in the available space.

In-built Water Filter

Water Ionizers will typically have filtration systems to remove harmful water contaminants and produce clean water.

Different filters will be able to remove different types of contaminants, so it is important to know which contaminants you need to deal with, to ensure you choose the water ionizer with the right water filter in it.

You can check the contaminants of your water in different ways: by checking the CCR of your water provider or by checking the water of your home by yourself, using a  water test kit.

Filter Longevity

As mentioned in the previous topic, water distillers will have in-built water filters, and they won’t last forever because they can only filter a determined amount of water.

So you will need to replace the filter cartridge of your water ionizer from time to time, and that activity will be determined by the longevity of the filter.

The ideal solution would be a combination of good longevity and decent price, to not have to change the filter quite often and minimize the recurring cost of changing the filter.

Easy Installation

Water ionizers are not as difficult to install as other types of water filters, so you should be able to do it by yourself.

Then, the installation complexity will also depend on the type of water distiller you choose. A countertop water distiller installation process is straightforward, the installation process of an under counter water distiller is slightly more complex and you might need to use some tools, but you should be able to do it anyway.

Warranty & Support

Purchasing a water ionizer is a big investment, so you should choose a device with a good warranty and support to give you the trust when doing this purchase.

An extended warranty also means that the manufacturer trusts the quality of its product, which is a good indication.

Good support is also important because it might have some questions or issues with your water ionizer, and it’s good to have someone to help you with this.

What is a Water Ionizer?

Put it simply, a water ionizer is a machine that allows you to change the pH level of the water. This type of device uses the electrolysis process to separate the water into alkaline and acidic streams.

People use this to get alkaline water (water with higher pH) to drink, which is known to bring some health benefits and for being tastier than acidic water.

A water ionizer can also produce acidic water that can be used for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization purposes.

What is Alkaline Water?

Water pH can vary from 0 to 14, and water with a pH level of 7 is known as neutral, water with a pH lower than 7 is known as acidic, and water with a pH higher than 7 is considered alkaline.

So alkaline water is water with a higher pH, and it is believed to have benefits to our health, reducing the harmful effects on oxidation in our body.

Differences Between Alkaline Water and Regular Water?

The main difference between alkaline water and regular water is its pH level. Typically regular water has a pH of 7, and alkaline pH levels can range between 8 and 9.

Alkaline water usually has higher levels of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium which are beneficial for you. And it is also known for having a sweeter taste than regular water, which some people prefer.

How Does a Water Ionizer Work?

As mentioned before, a water ionizer is capable of altering the pH of the water through the electrolysis process.

When the water enters the water ionizer this device uses its charged plates to separate the magnesium and calcium minerals from the bicarbonates, creating two different streams of water, one alkaline stream with the magnesium and calcium minerals, and an acidic water stream with the bicarbonates.

The water ionizer is connected directly to your faucet and has a diverter to pass the water through the machine when you need alkaline water, and the acidic water stream that is not used is discarded through a hose into the kitchen sink.

Water Ionizer Benefits

Ionized or alkaline water produced by a water ionizer has some advantages, such as:

Improve Water

Ionized water is a bit sweeter than regular water, and this taste is preferred by many. Of course, it is a personal preference, but typically people prefer the taste of alkaline water.

Several Health Benefits

Alkaline water is said to have several benefits, but not all of them are scientifically backed up, so we are going to list them with this caveat, and try to mention studies that sustain a specific benefit when we found them:

• Reduces acid reflux: Some studies prove this benefit of alkaline water, as it was found that water with a pH of 8.8 inactivates an enzyme that is known to be linked to acid disease [1]
• Better hydration: Another benefit of alkaline water is that due to its minerals it hydrates better because the water is easily absorbed by the body. Some studies start positively testing this theory [2]
• Reduces bone loss: The high level of minerals like calcium and magnesium of alkaline water contribute positively to the deceleration of bone, as some studies have shown [3] 
• Contains antioxidant properties: Some people claim that due to the low ORP levels and oxidizing agents of alkaline water, it has antioxidant properties which are good for our health. Some studies have shown benefits in animals, for now [4, 5]
• Colon-cleansing properties: Other studies have shown positive impact of drinking alkaline water in the way our colon works [6, 7]
• Improves skin health
• Helps weight loss

Water ionizer Disadvantages

Water ionizers also have some disadvantages, such as:

Focus is Not to Remove Contaminants

Unlike other water filters that remove contaminants from the water, water ionizers just change the water pH, but won’t clean it. Some will have an in-built water filter that can remove some contaminants, but may not remove the contaminants that you need to deal with.

So if you need to remove certain contaminants from your water, you should buy a water filter that is capable of removing or reducing the amount of these contaminants.

Cost

Water ionizers are expensive devices, and some of them can cost more than one thousand dollars. So, make sure it makes sense for you to make a significant investment in one of these devices.

Water Ionizer Installation

A water ionizer is not extremely complex to install, you just need to connect it you your faucet. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but usually, this type of device can be installed in a few steps, as listed below:

Step #1 – Turn off the water:

The initial step to installing a water ionizer is to turn off the main water source and drain the water from the system.

Step #2 – Choose the water ionizer location:

Then, you need to choose where you want to install the water ionizer. Make sure you select a place with enough room to install it, and that you choose a place near the kitchen sink and which you can access easily.

Step #3 – Connect the faucet diverter:

Next, connect the faucet diverter that will allow you to choose if you want the water to run normally or if it should be diverted to the water ionizer.

Step #4 – Prepare the water ionizer:

Using the manufacturer’s guide, make sure the water ionizer is prepared and all the assembly and connections are done.

Step #5 – Connect the diverter to the water ionizer:

I snow time to connect the installed faucet diverter to the water ionizer. Use the plastic hose to link the faucet diverter to the water ionizer.

Step #6 – Test it:

In the last step, you want to check if everything is working properly. So, just turn on the power and then the water and check if there are no leaks, and that everything is working as expected.

Water Ionizer Maintenance

Water ionizers are easy to maintain, and there are basically two activities that you might need to do:

Water ionizer filter replacement:

If your machine has an in-built water filter you will need to replace it from time to time, usually every 6 months, but check the manufacturer’s guidelines and swamp it according to the defined timelines.

This is a straightforward activity that will only take you a few minutes. You just need to take out the old filter, replace it with the new one, and flush it before using the machine.

Water ionizer internal cleaning:

A Water ionizer should be cleaned with some periodicity to avoid performance degradation and maximize its longevity.

Some water ionizers have a self-cleaning feature that will save you from having to do this task manually. But if you have to do this activity manually, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any issue with the machine.

FAQ About Water Ionizers

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about water ionizers.

What is the cost of a water ionizer?

The price of a water ionizer can vary a lot, depending on several factors like brand, longevity, quality, pH range, ORP range, number of plates, etc.

You will find water ionizers from $500 up to $5.000, a wide price range.

Can I install a water ionizer myself?

Usually yes, as water ionizers are not difficult to install.

Even if you are not great at doing these types of manual activities, water ionizers can be installed in a few steps. Just make sure you follow the detailed instructions provided by the manufacturer of your device.

Can I still use my tap water when I connect a water ionizer to my faucet?

Absolutely! When you connect a water ionizer to your faucet it has a diverter that lets you choose if the tap water flows directly from the faucet or if it goes through the water ionizer.

Why do some water ionizers let me change pH levels?

First, because water ionizers also allow you to generate acidic water, that can be useful for other purposes different from drinking, like cleaning or disinfection.

Then, even when you want to drink alkaline water, you might want to start increasing the water pH slowly to get used to its flavor.

Another reason is that different people might preferer distinct levels of alkalinity, so if you have more people in the same household, each one can adjust the water ionizer to produce alkaline water according to their preferences.

How many plates should a water ionizer have?

There is no right number of plates, but it’s important to understand what a higher number of plates does.

The higher the number of plates of a water ionizer, the powerful it is, so the ionization process will be better and quicker.

That being said, typically the price also increases with the number of plates, so it is important to find the right balance for your needs and budget.

Can my pet drink alkaline water?

Yes! Pets can drink alkaline water as humans can.

How long does ionized water stay ionized?

Usually, ionizer water stays ionizer for 18 to 24 hours, as after this period it starts losing its antioxidant properties.

Can I store alkaline water?

Yes, you can store it in a glass or BPA-free plastic container or bottle, if well isolated.

But as mentioned above, it will lose its antioxidant properties in 18 to 24 hours, which will impact its quality if you drink after this period.

Can I use a water ionizer in an RV?

Yes! YOu just need to make sure you have enough space for the water ionizer machine, and that you can plug it into a power source.

The connection to the faucet can be easily done and undone, so you can move from your house to an RV easily, and vice versa.

Our Verdict

Alkaline water has several benefits to your health, and the best way to get it using a good water ionizer machine.

After reading our guide you should know by now the most important factors to look out for when buying a water ionizer, and you should also know the best options available in the market, and how they suit different situations.

For us, the best overall choice is the Tyent ACE-13 Water Ionizer, but all the water ionizers we have in our top are great options, so you can’t go wrong with any of them!