Portable Water Ionizers

10/06/2011 , by Admin No Comments Featured Articles

Portable water ionizers are a great option for travel or the office but they are no substitute for a regular water ionizer.  A portable water ionizer will give you alkaline water using a variety of source waters.   They are small, convenient and for the most part, easy to use.  Depending on  the portable option you choose you will be able to produce alkaline water in one to 15 minutes.

Not All Portable Ionizers are Created Equal

Some portable water ionizer options can produce alkaline water in under a minute.  Others can take up to 15 minutes to fully activate the water.  Some are relatively simple to use and low maintenance while others require special care and regular cleaning maintenance.  Some portable options offer filtration while others require using bottled water for elimination of common contaminants.

When choosing a portable water ionizer option it is important to consider how and where you will be using it, what level of filtration you will need and how much time and effort you want to spend maintaining the product.

While a few portable water ionizers use a filter method for creating alkaline water, others require replacement.  You want to weigh the long-term cost when making your choice as well.

Most Popular

The H2Go has been the most popular portable water ionizer choice for several years.  Originally sold as the “Waterman Pitcher,” the H2Go was rebranded and packaged in 2009.  The H2Go comes complete with pH testing drops so customers can see just how effectively the unit is performing and gauge when it is time to replace the filter.

Convenience, speed, filtration and long-term maintenance cost are what have made the H2Go the most popular portable water ionizer choice.  The pitcher with the reservoir cap in place stands less than 8 inches tall and can easily fit into a large purse or a carry-on bag when traveling.

The H2Go can produce 16 – 20 ounces of alkaline water in about 60 seconds using any tap water source.  The filter removes chlorine and other contaminants, including bacteria and significantly reduces heavy metal content.  The unit produces alkaline water with a pH of 9.5 or higher in most areas and will have an ORP range of -150 to -350 depending on your source water.

Relatively low maintenance, once the filter is in place it typically lasts up to 3 months and keeping the pitcher clean involves washing it out with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.  The H2Go and enough filters to last at least a year can be purchased for around $130 with additional filters available in packs of 3 (9-month supply) for about half that cost.

Highest Maintenance/Most Expensive

While there is a lot of buzz about the Hydrogen Rich Water Stick, many customers are unhappy with the maintenance required on this product.  Long term cost is high too.  No filters to replace, instead you replace the entire “stick” for around $80.  Also, the company recommends purchasing multiple sticks based on your age – which can get pricey.

The Hydrogen Rich Water Stick offers  no filtration – you will need to use bottled or pre-filtered water.  Producing alkaline water with the stick can take up to 15 minutes or as little as 5 to 10 to fully charge the water if you shake the bottle once you add the stick.

Once the stick has been dropped into water it must stay covered with water.   For most people that means carrying around 2 bottles of water.  One to house the “stick” and the other to keep topping off the bottle to ensure the stick remains covered.

The  company recommends cleaning the product every 4 to 6 weeks and care should be taken when storing the stick.  Gases build up inside the bottle and if pressure is not released or the top is left on too securely the bottle may explode.

You can expect a pH of 8.5 to 9.0 from the Hydrogen Rich Water Stick with minimal negative ORP.  Each stick is good for about 6 months.  After that you will need to replace it at full price.

Liquid Drops

Considered the most convenient, these drops are very portable, discreet and can go almost anywhere.  The downside is that there is no filtration and while they can elevate the pH of the water by adding alkaline minerals, the ORP is usually negligible.

Also, most drops contain a warning regarding the maximum amount that should be used in a 24-hour period.  Not ideal for an ongoing alkaline water regimen.

No Substitute

Where a traditional water ionizer offers several pH options, with portables you get what you get based on your source water.  No options for just plain filtered water for taking medications or for drinking with meals.  If there are people in your family that require water at different pH levels – like small children, pets or those sensitive to the higher alkaline levels, you don’t have a lot of options.

While portable water ionizers are a convenient way to maintain your alkaline water regimen at the office when traveling abroad or for weekend getaways, they are no substitute for traditional home water ionizers.  Producing alkaline water for families or groups of 2 or more can be a laborious process and filter or replacement costs can exceed the annual maintenance cost of traditional water ionizers in the long-run.

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