Fiji Water is one of the leading imported bottled waters in the United States. Straight from the islands of Fiji, this water is purified and packaged in several sizes. If you are looking for a high quality bottled water, a Fiji water is a great option. While there are several downsides to using disposable bottles, Fiji has a number of options to help you avoid creating excess waste. Fiji is great if you are on the go and need a more portable, recyclable and premium choice. This guide will look at various options for bottled water, review the complete specifications of Fiji water, and highlight the pros and cons of choosing this bottled water.
What Is Fiji Water?
Fiji Water is imported from the islands of Fiji and is marketed as a premium bottled water choice. It is collected from a natural aquifer and is some of the purest water available. It’s in a stylish bottle, with multiple varieties to fit your different needs. There are, however, some downsides and environmental concerns about using bottled water. Consider the pros and cons of drinking bottled water, and be sure to recycle those stylish, characteristic Fiji bottles.
The bottles range from 330mL to 1.5L. The 700mL, or 23.7oz., bottle features a sports cap which makes it a more convenient way to drink with one hand. It’s also great if you find yourself losing your bottle cap. The bottle is designed to be carried on your bike or in your car’s cup holder. You don’t need to settle for lower quality water just because you are exercising, tackling a rough bike trail or navigating rush hour traffic.
Fiji’s distinctive bottle features a blue background and a pink hibiscus flower. It’s a bold and memorable design, and the brand carries this same image through all of their marketing. However, the sleek bottles are not as ergonomic as other brands. Fiji Water chose fashion over functionality, but the tall, square bottles aren’t overly uncomfortable to hold, particularly the 700mL sports bottle.
Fiji’s water is slightly alkaline and can have an aftertaste of minerals. Most people find that it’s one of the more pure and mild waters on the market, and it is often rated as one of the most popular choices.
Describing Water
Ever have a bottle of water that tastes great, but the only word that comes to mind is “Good”? We gathered a few basic words to describe water that will help guide you to not only choose the best bottled water for your needs but also better appreciate your drinking water. In no particular order, here are some common words used to describe bottled water.
Fresh
Fresh is most used to describe water that has some acidity. Particularly when the water is cold because slightly acidic water gives a cold, or cooling, mouth feel. The opposite is stale, which usually means the water is too neutral and lacks any minerals. Stale water results in a profile that is bland and uninviting.
Pure/Plain
If you enjoy having little or no minerals in your water, then you will describe almost flavorless water as, “Pure.” If, however, the thought of mineral-free water doesn’t suit you, you’ll probably describe it as, “Plain.” Either way, they usually stem from the same feature. These waters have few minerals and are purified. It is less of an acquired taste than mineral water, but some people don’t like the overly plain or bland mouth feel.
Minerals
The amount of minerals in water has a love-hate relationship with customers. Depending on the water you are used to drinking, mineral-heavy water can either taste distinctive, flavorful, natural or sour, musty and like chemicals. This flavor profile is strikingly correlated with your past experiences. If you drank mineral water growing up, you probably prefer the stronger flavor profile and mouth feel of water with minerals. If, on the other hand, you are used to very purified water, mineral water will probably have tastes anywhere from musty to sour to distinctive. None of the premium waters on this list have mineral attributes. Blind taste testers usually enjoy the pure and soft flavor profile of each of these high-quality waters. Some individuals can taste slight mineral notes in Fiji Water, but it is generally well-received.
Soft or Hard
Soft and hard tastes are often due to the amount of minerals in your water. Soft water can be purer and have less sharp, salty or acidic tastes. Hard flavors result from certain mineral combinations that can make your water feel and taste less smooth.
What is Alkaline Water?
Most premium waters are slightly alkaline. They often use this as a selling point by highlighting the benefits of drinking alkaline water. Alkaline describes the overall pH levels in your drink. Out of 10, ideally you want a pH that is mostly neutral, or between six and eight. If the number is lower than six, it means the water is acidic. A level higher than eight is considered alkaline, and some say it isn’t great for your teeth. Fiji Water is rated between 8 and 8.5 on the pH scale. This means it is slightly alkaline. It is controversial whether alkaline water has any health benefits or not, as there is some short-term research to support both sides of the argument. In taste tests, most individuals prefer either a neutral or slightly alkaline water.
Specifications
Fiji Water
- Prices range from: $39.95, $37.00, $30.00, $37.00, $50.00, respectively
- Sizes: 330mL, 500mL, 700mL, 1L, 1.5L
- Case sizes: 36, 24, 12, 12, 12, respectively
- Delivery plans available
- Free delivery
Pricing
Fiji Water is one of the more expensive brands of water when you look at the entire bottled water market. However, when compared to other premium brands, Fiji Water is a good mid-range choice. It isn’t as expensive per ounce as Boxed Water, but it’s more pricey than Nestle Resource Spring Water. Each size bottle has a different price range, and all prices are listed at the full amount. If you subscribe to monthly deliveries, each of these brands offer a discount. With as much as 20% off and free shipping, it’s a cost-effective choice if you are going to be a loyal customer of one of these brands.
Additional Items
In what is mostly a marketing strategy, Fiji Water also sells an entire line of accessories with their bold, blue-and-white color palette. Fiji offers everything from a beach ball and blanket, to silver sleeves for your bottles. The coaster-like sleeves are designed to keep your bottle from sweating on your table and also provide a firmer grip. They are incredibly expensive for their purpose, at $30-$35 each. However, if you want your bottled water to look even more sophisticated, or if you don’t like moving coasters around your house, they can serve their purpose effectively. Don’t worry, if traditional coasters are more your style then Fiji Water also has those for sale.
How It Compares
Take a look at how Fiji compares to some of the other popular bottled water brands currently on the market.
- From $35 for 36 330mL bottles, around $37.00 for 24 500mL bottles, about $30.00 for 12 700mL bottles
- Ease of Use: 4 stars
- Water Quality: 5 stars
- Bottle Quality: 4 stars
- Monthly Subscription: 20% discount
- Less than $50 for 24 700mL bottles
- Ease of Use: 4 stars
- Water Quality: 5 stars
- Bottle Quality: 3 stars
- Monthly Subscription: $50 off first order
Nestle’s Resource Spring Water is a nondescript bottle of some of the best drinking water on the market. It scores as high as Fiji but is a far less iconic brand. The 700mL bottles are a standard size and shape, which fits well in cupholders. It contains natural electrolytes, which are not only healthy but also give the water a pure yet refreshingly crisp taste. This water is only offered in a single size, so it’s not as convenient as Fiji Water. The bottle quality is rated poorly due to the plain, unassuming look that makes it difficult to stand out against other premium waters. If you want to drink some of the highest quality water but don’t want your friends to know it, this is a great choice for you.
- Less than $30 for 24 330mL bottles, from $20 for 12 500mL bottles
- Ease of Use: 4 stars
- Water Quality: 4 stars
- Bottle Quality: 4 stars
- Monthly Subscription: 15% discount
A great minimalist design and a memorable name, this brand has highly rated spring water out of Glens Falls, New York. Just Water is another slightly alkaline water, but this time it is a bit heavier on the mineral taste. The bottle is an 82 percent renewable resource, and it’s recyclable in most areas. While the environmental aspects of this company are excellent, the bottle style chose fashion over functionality. Similar to Fiji Water, Just Water chose a square, straight-edged design that makes it less ergonomic and more difficult to fit in cup holders. However, check in your area to be sure it is truly recyclable for you because some areas can’t recycle this type of bottle.
- Less than $45 for 24 500mL boxes
- Ease of Use: 3 stars
- Water Quality: 4 stars
- Bottle Quality: 4 stars
- Monthly Subscription: 20% discount
Boxed Water is the most environmentally friendly option on our list, with cardboard cartons that are recyclable and renewable. It’s a great choice if you are looking to avoid that environmental concern many have with using bottled water. The water is closer to neutral, and it has less mineral taste than other brands. However, it’s by far the least comfortable or user-friendly container. The cartons are, obviously, very boxy, and the top fold gets in the way of the drinking spout. It’s not a convenient shape for on-the-go individuals. Don’t think about putting this in your bicycle water cage or in your hiking backpack. The intentionally-plain design is memorable and eye catching in a minimalist way. It is reasonably priced but slightly more expensive than Fiji Water’s comparative size.
Benefits of Fiji Water Bottles
Fiji Water is an excellent choice for a number of reasons. This imported water is regularly rated not only incredibly pure but also refreshing and crisp. In blind tests, it’s usually one of the top rated on the market. It has a distinctive look, which is visually appealing and memorable. It’s a great option if you want guests to know you are giving them quality water. The monthly subscription is one of the best deals, at 20% off each case and free delivery. The bottles are all reasonably priced, and often less expensive than Fiji’s competitors. This brand is one of the most versatile, with five different sizes available. Larger bottles are great for use at home and are more sustainable that a lot of smaller bottles. The smaller bottles are portable, fit in cup holders and are good for parties and large groups. The 700mL sports bottle has one of the best spouts available for premium water.
Drawbacks of Fiji Water Bottles
There are, of course, several downsides to choosing Fiji Water. This brand uses only plastic bottles, which are far worse on the environment than more sustainable choices like paper. While imported water has an exotic feel, it can also create a larger carbon footprint. Prices compared to other premium brands are competitive, but when compared to more mid-ranged water bottles Fiji Water is quite expensive. While the bottle shape is memorable, it’s not a comfortable or practical shape for carrying in your bag, in your car or even in your hands.
Pros
- Highly rated taste
- Distinctive branding
- Good monthly discount
- Flexible sizing
Cons
- Impractical bottle shape
- Less sustainable
- Higher price compared to the whole market
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Conclusion
As a bottled water company, Fiji still remains one of the leading providers of pure, crisp water. Its slightly alkaline taste is refreshing, without tasting bland. The bold bottle is memorable, but hardly the most practical choice. If you are looking for the next bottle choice for your hiking trip or looking for a great bottle to take to the gym, this is not for you. However, if you want a healthy and great tasting water at both the office and at home, these bottles will be perfect for you. Monthly subscriptions are a great deal and help offset the premium price.
