Comprehensive Water Ionizer Comparisons
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to water ionizers. This page features fair, tested, and accurate comparisons of the top home water ionizers on the market, helping you find the best alkaline water machine for your needs.
For over 30 years, drinking ionized water has been my personal method for staying healthy and energized. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing honest information about water ionizers. Our reviews and comparisons provide real, tested facts to help you make an informed choice, whether you’re looking for antioxidant-rich water, high-quality filtration, or reliable performance.
Explore our side-by-side water ionizer comparisons and learn why some machines outperform others in pH range, molecular hydrogen levels, and long-term durability.
WATER IONIZER COMPARISON CHART
There are 43 categories of comparisons on this chart, comparing 22 water ionizers. Pull and drag the chart left & right to see all the items of comparison information.
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.
Explaining the Features (in the chart above)
Click each "#" to explore each of these categories.
#1 Water Ionizer Price Considerations
All home water ionizers are inexpensive when compared with the cost and quality of bottled alkaline water.
Does a high price mean that particular alkaline water machine is better? No. I have found that price does not necessarily equate to better quality.
Choose the 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 original Ange water ionizer, they all disappeared. That water machine was inferior to today's standards, but even so my health and the health of my five children changed drastically.
#2–#8 Customer Service Considerations when Purchasing a Home Water Ionizer
Points #2-8 show the quality of customer servicing. Each of these points is quite important in and of itself. But together as a whole, they paint a picture of longevity, reliability, and excellence (or not).
- Is the repair depot in the U.S?
- Does the company offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee?
- How high is the restocking fee if you’re not 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?
#10 Factory & Product Certification
FDA: The FDA or KFDA (Korean Food & Drug Association) certifies medical and home health-related products such as water ionizers. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Taiwan’s TFDA, and China’s NMPA serve similar functions.
ISO9001: Quality management and customer satisfaction certification.
ISO14001: Environmental responsibility certification.
ISO13485: Medical device certification—relevant for ionizers that can produce super-oxidized water.
CE & UL: Electrical safety certifications.
RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances; ensures toxic materials are limited.
EMC: Ensures the device doesn’t cause electromagnetic interference.
WQA & NSF: Certify safe, durable water filtration materials and technologies.
#12 Cleaning Type & Quality
The Cleaning Type and Quality of Plates is one of the most important features in a water electrolyzer.
The water cell must stay clean for the machine to keep producing effective ionized water. Modern machines use either periodic acid washes or advanced, continuous-cleaning methods.
- Advanced continuous-cleaning systems make the machine last longer and maintain better results.
- Older acid-wash methods are simpler and less efficient.
- Continuous-cleaning requires expert engineering and is rare among manufacturers.
*DARC means Double-Automatic Continuous-Cleaning.
Without consistent cleaning, calcium buildup on electrodes reduces ionization performance and wastes filter life. Continuous-cleaning avoids these issues.
#14 Overall Performance
Alkaline Water Plus focuses more on overall performance than any other feature, which sets this chart apart from other sites.
- Details are accurate and regularly updated.
- Includes hands-on and side-by-side video demonstrations.
- Helps consumers make educated purchasing decisions.
- Rates each ionizer’s overall performance (#14 in the chart).
#15–#16 Testing and Comparing pH
These columns show the lowest acid and highest alkaline pH levels each alkaline ionizer can produce. The higher the range, the stronger the ionization capacity.
Useful drinking pH range is 3 to 10. Extremely high or low pH (e.g., 11.5 or 2.5) is for cleaning or sanitizing—not for drinking.
#17–#18 Evaluating ORP and pH Relationships
#17 measures ORP per unit of pH — a higher ORP means better antioxidant potential.
#18 compares molecular hydrogen levels in each ionizer’s water output.
What is Molecular Hydrogen and Why Does It Matter?
Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a natural antioxidant that enhances the health properties of ionized water. Learn more about Molecular Hydrogen here.
#21–#22 Installation Options & Connecting to a Water Supply
Before purchasing, consider how you’ll install your electric water ionizer.
- Undersink: Best with AlkaViva or Smart SMS-9 (with pressure control).
- Direct-Plumb: AlkaViva models hold up best under constant pressure.
- Faucet Diverter: The simplest and safest connection method for most homes.
#26 Power Boosting Capability
Power boosting lets you adjust ionization strength for your water type. It’s especially useful for soft water areas, helping you achieve the desired pH and ORP levels.
#27–#28 Platinum Plating Process & Plate Types
The plating process and plate design directly affect ionizer performance and longevity.
Electroplating with platinum ensures even coating and durability—dipping and baking is an amateur process.
- Varied Electrical Distribution: Advanced grid systems like AlkaViva’s improve ionization efficiency.
- Mesh Plates: Provide more surface area but require continuous-cleaning.
- Dipped Plates: Poorly bonded and prone to erosion.
- Electroplating: Scientifically precise, creates optimal surface area without overheating.
#34–#36 Filtration Quality
Filtration is crucial. Each machine has one or two filters that should be replaced regularly for best results.
The best system available is UltraWater filtration, which removes chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, and heavy metals.
Filter life varies by water quality — replace annually and check your Free Water Quality Report for local data.
#41 Power Supply Comparison
Two main types: Switch Mode Power Supply (newer, efficient, lighter) and Transformer (traditional, durable). Both are reliable when engineered properly.
#42 Hypochlorous Acid Production
Some ionizers include a sodium or mineral port to produce hypochlorous acid — a powerful, natural sanitizer — during electrolysis.
Best Water Ionizer: Comprehensive Comparisons and Reviews
Looking for the best water ionizer for your home? Our chart ranks the top alkaline water machines, making it easy to see which features matter most for your needs. Each water ionizer is analyzed for performance, filtration quality, pH range, and long-term durability.
Accurate and honest comparisons of alkaline water machines are hard to find. Over 14 years, we’ve tested dozens of water ionizers, performing hundreds of side-by-side video demonstrations and detailed measurements. This ensures you get reliable information when choosing the right ionizer water machine for your family.
We stay objective and thorough in all testing. Using professional meters and evaluation techniques, we measure antioxidant levels, molecular hydrogen, and overall performance — helping you make a confident, informed decision about which water ionizer is truly the best.
Explore both the chart (above) and also click on the various features that interest you (see section above "Explaining the Features").
Selecting the Best Ionizers in All Price Ranges (For You)
We sell only those water ionizers on the market which are the best in their price-range. Therefore, we don't sell every one 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 all of the water ionizers we sold and/or compared in order to fully evaluate them, 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 machine 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
This video is a comprehensive breakdown of everything on this comparison page. Watch and listen if you prefer over reading. I share my experience with all the top alkaline water machine brands in the chart above.
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 alkaline water machines, this next 6-minute video is perfect.
What Do Customers Say About Their Water Ionizer Purchases?
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.
- "Ever since I began to consume ionized water, the allergy has recovered." …Prof. Kuninaka Hironaga, Head of Kuninaka-Hospital
- "My new water ionizer has made us healthier than we have ever been. It has also cleared our allergies and given us less watery eyes and itchy noses and more clear breathing and bright eyes." Emissel J.
- "It is more than a year since I started drinking ionized water and I have not had a single gout attack." Mrs. Ann M E Lee, a retired teacher
- "I've been suffering from gout since 2001 and the attacks were getting worst by the year. After a few months of drinking the alkaline water, I discovered that my uric acid level dropped and the recurrence of attacks has significantly reduced." Kokheng
- "I can finish a 6-hour ride while consuming alkaline water the entire way! And I recover within hours instead of days. This device would absolutely help any runner, cyclist, or tri-athlete train better and smarter. Period." Eric Harr, Professional Tri-Athlete
- "This fall, at the age of 66, my repeat bone scan showed an increase in bone density. The only thing I had changed in the intervening three years was that I now drink ionizing/alkalizing water." Kallie Miller, RN
- "The ionized water has been worth every penny and I can confidently say has benefited me more than all the many holistic remedies I've tried." Faye Suderman
- "I purchased a water ionizer and began drinking ionized water. It's over a year later and my latest checkup reveals NO cancer. " …Ellen
- "When Don started drinking the alkaline ionized water his PSA was 253. When we last saw the oncologist, Don's PSA had dropped down to 1.1 and has remained at low cancer-free levels ever since."
- "We're drinking the Hydrogen Water, and I just had a report on my wife's cancer markers. All three of them went down. That's never happened. So, we're really excited about that. I thought I'd let you know. This little thing makes a lot of Hydrogen." Aldo P. (HR4)
- "This Alkaline Water clears away the rubbish out of my system and helps me considerably." Bob Green
- "Started drinking alkaline water within three to four days my yeast was gone and I thought wow this is something. ...I continued to drink the water... and now it's been a year and my yeast is completely gone." ...Nicole
- "It helped me get my CFS into remission when nothing else seemed to help me." Lanna B.
- "Since drinking ionized water my mother has been going to the bathroom normally and her 'wastes' are more normal." Angie, Colorado
Watch out for Fake Water Ionizer Comparisons, Which Come in Many Forms
I have a lot of information about the various brands on my Water Ionizer Reviews page. I also expose several scams, so I encourage you to read this page.
Kangen Water vs Ionized Water
Is water ionization the same for all alkaline machines, 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.
Brands and Categories of Water Ionizers
There is more information about each brand of water ionizer I sell on the following pages.
Water Ionizer Comparison FAQ
Click each question to expand and view the answer.
How do water ionizers differ in pH range?
Different ionizers produce different pH ranges. Some reach super-alkaline (pH 11.5+) or very acidic (pH 2.5-4) levels, which are useful for cleaning but not for drinking. Look for machines that cover the ideal drinking range of about pH 7-10. The extremes of pH (high/low) can only be attained by adding saline, which requires a port and also can harm the water ionizer.
What types of plates do water ionizers use?
Ionizer plates can be solid, mesh, or coated with platinum. Mesh plates provide more surface area for ionization, while advanced electroplating ensures long-lasting performance. The type and quality of plates directly affect the machine’s efficiency and durability. (See #12 in the section above called "Explaining the Features")
How important is automatic cleaning?
Though all the water ionizers use automatic cleaning, only a rare few use a special feature, called "automatic continuous-cleaning", These advanced systems maintain plate efficiency over time, reducing calcium buildup, because the cleaning is continuous. Machines with only intermittent acid-wash cleaning may require manual intervention and can affect long-term performance. (See #12 in the section above called "Explaining the Features")
What should I look for in filtration quality?
Most water ionizers use high-quality filters, which remove chlorine, heavy metals, fluoride, and microbes. But AlkaViva and Jupiter brands of water ionizers use advanced UltraWater filtration, offering multiple stages for optimal water purity for 249 contaminants up to 99.99%.
Does power supply affect water ionizer performance?
Yes. Switch-mode power supplies are lighter and more energy-efficient, while traditional transformers are robust. Both are reliable, ensuring consistent ionization, especially for machines with multiple plates or advanced features. (See #41 in the section above called "Explaining the Features")
Are there differences in molecular hydrogen or ORP performance?
Some ionizers produce higher antioxidant levels (more negative ORP) and more molecular hydrogen, which can enhance health benefits. Side-by-side testing is the only way to reliably compare this feature. (See #17-18 in the section above called "Explaining the Features")
How do installation options vary?
Water ionizers can connect via countertop diverters, under-sink plumbing, or dedicated faucet kits. Consider your kitchen setup, water pressure, and preferred convenience when choosing an installation type.