Mineral Content Pillar
Highest Mineral Content Water Brands
A mineral-by-mineral breakdown of six leading brands — ranked separately by calcium, magnesium and sodium so you can pick the water that matches what you're actually after. For the full 36-brand database and deep-dive guide, see highest mineral content bottled water brands.
What "mineral content" actually means
Mineral content is measured as total dissolved solids (TDS) — the sum of every dissolved mineral, salt and bicarbonate in the water, expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L). A true mineral water has at least 250 mg/L TDS, but the most mineral-rich brands can exceed 2,000 mg/L.
The four minerals most worth comparing are calcium (bone health), magnesium (muscle and nerve function), sodium (hydration but a concern in restricted diets) and bicarbonate (digestion and acid balance).
Mineral Water Comparison Table
Approximate values per liter as reported on each brand's label.
| Brand | Style | Ca | Mg | Na | HCO₃⁻ | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerolsteiner | Sparkling | 348 | 108 | 118 | 1,816 | 2,500 |
| S.Pellegrino | Sparkling | 179 | 53 | 37 | 236 | 1,109 |
| Aqua Carpatica | Still & Sparkling | 60 | 30 | 2 | 320 | 450 |
| Acqua Panna | Still | 32 | 6.5 | 6.4 | 120 | 175 |
| Mountain Valley | Still & Sparkling | 70 | 4 | 3 | 220 | 220 |
| Crazy Water No. 4 | Still | 110 | 90 | 870 | 1,450 | 3,000 |
All values mg/L. Ca = calcium, Mg = magnesium, Na = sodium, HCO₃⁻ = bicarbonate.
Rankings by mineral
Highest Calcium
- 348 mg/L
- 179 mg/L
- 3Crazy Water No. 4110 mg/L
- 4Mountain Valley70 mg/L
- 60 mg/L
Highest Magnesium
- 108 mg/L
- 2Crazy Water No. 490 mg/L
- 53 mg/L
- 30 mg/L
- 6.5 mg/L
Lowest Sodium
- 2 mg/L
- 2Mountain Valley3 mg/L
- 6.4 mg/L
- 37 mg/L
- 118 mg/L
Still vs Sparkling Mineral Waters
Carbonation does not change a water's mineral content — the same source can be bottled still or sparkling. What changes is taste perception: bubbles emphasize crispness and sharper minerals, while still water lets soft, rounded profiles come through.
Sparkling, mineral-forward
Gerolsteiner and S.Pellegrino are textbook examples — high calcium and bicarbonate paired with natural or added carbonation make them assertive on the palate and excellent with food.
Still, soft and balanced
Acqua Panna and Mountain Valley keep TDS low to moderate. They drink smooth and neutral, ideal for everyday hydration and for pairing with delicate dishes.
How to Read a Water Mineral Analysis Label
A short field guide to the numbers on the back of the bottle.
TDS (mg/L)
Total dissolved solids — the sum of every mineral. Below 50 is very low; 50–500 moderate; 500+ mineral-rich; 1,500+ high.
Calcium (Ca)
Contributes to bone health. Mineral-rich waters offer 100–400 mg/L; soft waters under 50 mg/L.
Magnesium (Mg)
Supports muscles and nerves. Above 50 mg/L is considered magnesium-rich.
Sodium (Na)
Below 20 mg/L is suitable for low-sodium diets. Some mineral waters exceed 500 mg/L.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)
Supports acid balance and digestion. High-bicarbonate waters typically exceed 600 mg/L.
pH
Acidity/alkalinity. Neutral is 7. Above 7.5 is alkaline; sparkling waters often dip slightly acidic from CO₂.
Brand Reviews
Mountain Valley
Still & Sparkling · TDS 220 mg/L · Ca 70 · Mg 4 · Na 3
Review coming soonCrazy Water No. 4
Still · TDS 3,000 mg/L · Ca 110 · Mg 90 · Na 870
Review coming soon