Find out how your favorite bottled water stacks up!
Summer temperatures are soaring, so naturally you reach for a bottle of ice-cold water to cool down. Staying hydrated is essential for our overall health, especially when it’s hot outside. But not all bottled water is created equal. They taste different, and admit it—you have a favorite! Some people reach for an unflavored ice-cold still water, while others prefer a crisp, refreshing sparkling water to quench their thirst.
However, it’s more than just the type of water that has drinkers divided. People have brand loyalty, and only one can reign supreme. YouGov just released its annual report on which water Americans love best, and you might be surprised by the results.
Did your favorite make the top 10? Keep reading to find out which bottled water brand is the most popular in the United States.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more news, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
How did this report determine the most popular bottled water brands?
To find out which bottled water brand is the most popular, YouGov turned to YouGov Profiles, a source of “living consumer data” with more than 29 million panelists from around the world. This particular report sourced data from profiles in the United States and covered a one-year time frame (May 1, 2024–April 30, 2025).
YouGov survey participants were asked which brands they would consider purchasing the next time they need to buy a beverage. Their answers determined the ranking of bottled water brands across the country—and there is a clear favorite.
What is the No. 1 bottled water in the country?
It’s Aquafina! More than half of Americans drink bottled water every week, and this well-known refresher is the one they reach for more than any other: Nearly 21% of Americans prefer Aquafina over all other brands. Aquafina loyalists will not be surprised to learn that the crisp, cool water also topped YouGov’s list of the most popular bottled water brands last year, though it did manage to gain nearly a percentage point from 2024 to 2025.
Aquafina has been around for more than 30 years (perhaps hinting at the reason for its love and loyalty) and is owned by PepsiCo, which was also the clear winner among water-adjacent hydration and energy brands like Gatorade, Red Bull and Powerade. There’s also a clear generational divide, which we’ll break down ahead.
Which other bottled water brands rounded out the list?
Aquafina may be the No. 1 brand of bottled water in the country, but it is far from the only popular option. Here are the other water brands that made the top 10:
- Aquafina (20.6%)
- Smartwater (18.9%)
- Vitaminwater (15.9%)
- Dasani (15%)
- Pure Life (13.8%)
- Fiji (13.4%)
- LaCroix (12.8%)
- Poland Spring (12.1%)
- Deer Park (9.6%)
- Perrier (8.8%)
How do the rankings change based on generation and gender?
Believe it or not, gender and age—specifically, generation—play a big role in these YouGov rankings. For Gen Z, Aquafina is even more popular than the national average, earning 31% of all votes. Interestingly, while Aquafina is typically the water of choice for men, women prefer Smartwater (due to Jennifer Aniston’s association with the brand, perhaps?), with Aquafina trailing behind in second place. The same applies to Millennials and Gen Xers. Baby Boomers and older generations, however, are totally Team Aquafina.
While there’s no clear reason as to why Aquafina reigns supreme, it’s possible that it is at least partially because Aquafina is easy to find. A PepsiCo product, Aquafina is just about everywhere. Plus, Aquafina is the brand of choice for a lot of major league sports, like the MLB and NFL. Perhaps most importantly, it tastes good! Aquafina undergoes a seven-step purification process, and the end result is really clean-tasting water that’s backed up by the brand motto: “Pure Water. Perfect Taste.”
Were there any other surprises?
YouGov’s study also unearthed some fascinating facts about water drinkers. For example, did you know that people who drink sparkling water every week are the most likely to have completed a post-graduate degree or a four-year degree? Or that they’re the most likely to earn an annual salary of $100,000 or more?
Even more interesting is that 55% of weekly bottled water drinkers identify as female, while 54% of weekly sparkling water drinkers identify as male. Everybody has their preferences!
RELATED:
- This Is the Brand Behind Costco’s Kirkland Bottled Water
- New Study: These Are the Most Popular Soda Brands in Each State
- You Shouldn’t Buy Soda at Costco—Here’s Why
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- YouGov: “Water brand rankings”
- YouGov: “Report Methodology”
- Food & Wine: “This Is the Bottled Water Brand Americans Reach for Most, According to New Data”
