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★ 5 Methods Compared

How to make alkaline water at home — honestly compared.

From baking soda to ionizer machines, every way to make alkaline water at home. We compare cost, taste, pH consistency, and how each stacks up against bottled alkaline water.

See All 5 Methods ↓ Jump to Comparison Table

Searching for how to make alkaline water at home? You have several options. Some are practically free, others require a serious investment.

The real question is not just how to do it, but whether the result matches what you're actually looking for: consistent pH, good mineral content, and water that tastes clean.

Below we break down five DIY methods honestly — including what works, what doesn't, and what you should know before choosing any of them. We also explain why many people who start making alkaline water at home end up switching to bottled alkaline water instead.

★ Quick note

Alkaline water simply means water with a pH above 7. Regular tap water usually sits between 6.5 and 7.5. The methods below raise that pH to varying degrees.

★ The Methods

Five ways to make alkaline water — trade-offs and all.

Each method has trade-offs. Here's a clear look at what to expect from each one.

01
Cheapest

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Cheapest

How it works: Add roughly ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda to 250ml of water. Sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline (pH around 8.3 in solution), so it raises the pH of your water immediately.

Pros

  • Cheap and easy
  • Available at any grocery store
  • Quick and simple

Cons

  • Noticeably salty, metallic taste
  • High sodium content (not for everyone)
  • No beneficial minerals (Ca, Mg, K)
  • pH varies with tap water source
Cost Tier
Cheapest
pH Achieved
~8.0 – 9.0
Taste
Salty / metallic
02
Most Debated

Lemon Water

Doesn't actually work

How it works: Squeeze half a lemon into a litre of water. The theory is that although lemon juice is acidic (pH 2-3), it produces alkaline byproducts when metabolised. However, the water itself remains acidic when tested with a pH strip.

Pros

  • Inexpensive and widely available
  • Adds vitamin C and flavour
  • Pleasant taste

Cons

  • Does NOT actually raise water pH
  • Acidic on contact (tooth enamel risk)
  • "Alkaline effect" claim isn't measurable in the water itself
Cost Tier
Cheap
pH Achieved
~3 (acidic!)
Taste
Pleasant lemon
03
Mineral Drops

pH Drops or Mineral Drops

Decent middle ground

How it works: Pre-formulated drops add alkaline minerals (typically calcium, magnesium, potassium) to your water. Doses vary by brand. You add a few drops per glass.

Pros

  • Adds beneficial minerals
  • Better taste than baking soda
  • Portable

Cons

  • Bottles aren't cheap and run out fast
  • Inconsistent dosing per glass
  • Quality varies wildly between brands
Cost Tier
Mid-range
pH Achieved
~8.5 – 9.5
Taste
Variable
04
High Investment

Ionizer / Water Ioniser Machine

Big upfront investment

How it works: Electrolysis machines split tap water into alkaline and acidic streams using electrodes. The alkaline output is what you drink. Quality (and price) varies wildly.

Pros

  • Consistent on-demand alkaline water
  • Adjustable pH levels
  • No bottles to manage

Cons

  • Significant upfront capital cost
  • Annual filter replacements add up
  • Some studies question pH durability
  • Mineral content depends on tap water
Cost Tier
High investment
pH Achieved
~8.5 – 11+
Taste
Clean, depends on source
05
Filter Pitcher

Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher

Best DIY value

How it works: Pitchers with replaceable filter cartridges (typically containing calcium carbonate, magnesium and ceramic media) raise pH and add minerals to tap water as it passes through.

Pros

  • Lower upfront cost than ionisers
  • Adds minerals + raises pH
  • No moving parts

Cons

  • Filters need replacing every 1-3 months
  • Limited daily output (1-3L)
  • pH consistency drops as filter ages
Cost Tier
Mid-range
pH Achieved
~8.0 – 9.5
Taste
Clean
★ Side By Side

All five methods vs Designer Water pH10.

No spin. Real numbers. Real comparison.

Method
Cost Tier
pH
Taste
Minerals
1. Baking Soda
Cheapest
8.0–9.0
Salty
No
2. Lemon Water
Cheap
~3 (acidic!)
Pleasant
Vitamin C only
3. Mineral Drops
Mid-range
8.5–9.5
Variable
Yes
4. Ionizer Machine
High investment
8.5–11
Clean
From source
5. Filter Pitcher
Mid-range
8.0–9.5
Clean
Yes
★ Designer Water pH10
Premium · ready to drink
10+ (consistent)
Smooth · 96.9% preferred
Ca · Mg · K + H₂
★ Why people switch

Why most home alkaline-water makers switch to bottled.

DIY alkaline water gets you started. Bottled alkaline water gets you consistency. Here's why most people make the switch.

🎯

Consistent pH every glass

Designer Water pH10 is bottled to a stable 10+ pH. DIY methods drift between 7.5 and 9.5 depending on tap water, filter age and dosing.

🧪

Real mineral content

Calcium, magnesium and potassium added during mineralisation. Most DIY methods add nothing — or add inconsistent quantities.

⚛️

Molecular hydrogen included

Designer Water is also infused with molecular hydrogen at time of bottling. No DIY method achieves this at home.

⏱️

Zero faff, zero waste

No measuring, no filter changes, no batch failures. Just open the bottle and drink. The cost-per-litre is competitive when you factor in all the setup.

✓

Six independent certifications

SANBWA, ISO 22000, Kosher, Halal, GC Mark, GFSI. Every batch tested. Nothing about DIY is independently audited.

😋

Tastes better

96.9% of South Africans preferred Designer Water in independent taste tests. Salty baking-soda water doesn't compete.

★ Skip the experiments ★

Skip the kitchen chemistry. Just open a bottle.

14-stage purified, mineral-enriched, hydrogen-infused alkaline water at pH 10+. Bottled in Midrand, delivered nationwide. Six certifications. No measuring, no mess.

Shop Designer Water → Read the benefits →

Related reading:

Hydrogen Water: What It Is & Where to Buy in South AfricaAlkaline Water in JohannesburgBottled water vs home-made alkaline water