- Gerolsteiner has the highest mineral content at 2,488 mg/L TDS — 348mg calcium, 108mg magnesium, 1,816mg bicarbonate per litre.
- One litre of Gerolsteiner supplies roughly 35% of daily calcium and 27% of daily magnesium at zero calories.
- San Pellegrino is the best balance at 1,109 mg/L TDS plus the lowest tested PFAS of any mineral water at 0.31 ppt.
- Magnesium is the sharpest differentiator: San Pellegrino has 49mg per litre versus Perrier's 3.9mg, despite similar calcium.
- Perrier has the lowest sodium at 9.6 mg/L; Gerolsteiner the highest at 118 mg/L.
- US regulation requires at least 250 mg/L TDS for a water to be labelled mineral water.
What Minerals in Water Actually Do
Four values on a mineral water label account for most of what distinguishes one brand from another:
- Calcium supports bone health and is the mineral most abundant in high-TDS waters. Gerolsteiner delivers 348mg per litre; Volvic, at the other end, contains just 12mg. Calcium from mineral water is absorbed comparably to calcium from dairy, which makes it a legitimate if minor contributor.
- Magnesium is involved in muscle and nerve function and is a nutrient many adults fall short on. This is where brands separate most sharply: Gerolsteiner has 108mg per litre, San Pellegrino 49mg, and Perrier only 3.9mg.
- Bicarbonates affect taste and mouthfeel more than health. Gerolsteiner’s 1,816 mg/L is what keeps it balanced rather than harsh despite the very high mineral load; research has linked bicarbonate above 1,500 mg/L to measurable effects on urine chemistry.
- Sodium is the one to watch rather than seek. The range is wide — from Perrier’s 9.6 mg/L to Gerolsteiner’s 118 mg/L, and Topo Chico at roughly 75mg per 12oz serving.
Mineral Analysis: The Full Numbers
Values per litre, from official source analyses.
| Brand | TDS | Calcium | Magnesium | Bicarbonate | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerolsteiner | 2,488 mg/L | 348 mg | 108 mg | 1,816 mg | 118 mg |
| San Pellegrino | 1,109 mg/L | 166 mg | 49 mg | 252 mg | 31 mg |
| Perrier | 456 mg/L | 150 mg | 3.9 mg | 420 mg | 9.6 mg |
| Evian | 357 mg/L | Moderate | Moderate | Present | Low |
| Acqua Panna | 188 mg/L | Light | Light | Present | ~6.4 mg |
The pattern is clearer in numbers than in marketing language. Gerolsteiner is in a category of its own — more than double San Pellegrino’s mineral load and over five times Perrier’s. And magnesium is the sharpest differentiator: San Pellegrino delivers more than twelve times what Perrier does, despite similar calcium (166 vs 150 mg). If magnesium is what you are after, calcium on the label tells you nothing useful.
Reading the TDS Scale
Total dissolved solids is the single number that predicts how a mineral water will taste:
- Under 50 mg/L — purified waters. Neutral, no mineral character at all.
- 50–500 mg/L — light. Acqua Panna (188), Evian (357), Perrier (456) sit here. Clean and refreshing.
- 500–1,500 mg/L — medium. San Pellegrino (1,109). Noticeable mineral character without being assertive.
- Above 1,500 mg/L — high. Gerolsteiner (2,488). Intense, distinctly mineral, loved by some and too much for others.
US regulation requires at least 250 mg/L TDS for a water to be labelled mineral water. Read more in our guide to what TDS actually means.
Best Mineral Waters for Health
1. Gerolsteiner — Highest Mineral Content
German mineral water from the volcanic Eifel region and the mineral heavyweight of the category: 2,488 mg/L TDS, 348mg calcium, 108mg magnesium, 1,816mg bicarbonate per litre, pH 5.9–6.0. One litre supplies roughly 35% of recommended daily calcium and about 27% of daily magnesium at zero calories. The taste is correspondingly assertive — full-bodied and distinctly mineral. Sodium is 118 mg/L, the highest here. No published independent PFAS data.
2. San Pellegrino — Best Balance
Italian mineral water at 1,109 mg/L TDS with 166mg calcium and 49mg magnesium per litre — meaningful minerality with a smoother profile than Gerolsteiner. Sodium 31 mg/L. It also tested at 0.31 ppt PFAS, the lowest of any natural mineral water in Consumer Reports’ analysis. The combination of real minerals, moderate carbonation, glass packaging, and the best available PFAS figure makes it the strongest overall recommendation.
3. Evian — Best Still Mineral Water
French spring water from the Alps at 357 mg/L TDS — moderate mineral content with a clean, rounded taste. The go-to if you want mineral water without carbonation. Widely available and consistent. No published independent PFAS data.
4. Acqua Panna — Lightest Minerality
Tuscan still spring water at 188 mg/L TDS, the lightest here, with roughly 6.4mg sodium per litre and a soft, neutral character. Often served alongside San Pellegrino in restaurants as the still counterpart. Choose it if mineral-forward waters taste too heavy. See our full Acqua Panna review.
5. Perrier — Lowest Sodium
French sparkling mineral water at 456 mg/L TDS with firm carbonation captured at source. Calcium is a respectable 150mg per litre but magnesium is only 3.9mg, and sodium is the lowest of the mineral category at 9.6 mg/L. Tested at 1.10 ppt PFAS — above the precautionary 1 ppt guideline, well below any enforceable limit. The pick if you want mineral water character on a sodium-restricted diet. Full data in our Perrier PFAS investigation.
6. Topo Chico — Most Carbonation, Highest Sodium
Mexican mineral water with the sharpest bubbles in the category and a distinctly saline character. Two considerations: approximately 75mg sodium per 12oz serving, the highest here, and a PFAS history — 9.76 ppt in 2020, improved to roughly 3.9 ppt after filtration upgrades. Full detail in our guide on whether Topo Chico is bad for you.
Mineral Water Comparison
| Brand | Type | TDS | Sodium | PFAS (ppt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerolsteiner | Sparkling | 2,488 mg/L | 118 mg/L | No data |
| San Pellegrino | Sparkling | 1,109 mg/L | 31 mg/L | 0.31 |
| Perrier | Sparkling | 456 mg/L | 9.6 mg/L | 1.10 |
| Evian | Still | 357 mg/L | Low | No data |
| Acqua Panna | Still | 188 mg/L | ~6.4 mg/L | No data |
| Topo Chico | Sparkling | Mineral, saline | ~75mg/12oz | 9.76 → ~3.9 |
Which Mineral Water for Your Goal?
Gerolsteiner — 348mg calcium and 108mg magnesium per litre, roughly 35% and 27% of daily needs respectively.
San Pellegrino — 1,109 mg/L TDS with real magnesium, plus the lowest tested PFAS at 0.31 ppt.
Perrier at 9.6 mg/L, or Acqua Panna at roughly 6.4 mg/L if you prefer still water.
Evian (357 mg/L) for moderate minerality, Acqua Panna (188 mg/L) for the lightest profile.
Mineral vs Purified — Which Is Healthier?
This is the question underneath most mineral water searches, and the answer is genuinely mixed.
Mineral water advantages: contributes real calcium and magnesium, better mouthfeel and taste complexity, and no processing beyond filtration.
Purified water advantages: tests lower for PFAS as a category, since reverse osmosis strips contaminants along with minerals. It is also substantially cheaper and completely neutral in taste.
The trade-off is real: the same lack of processing that preserves minerals in spring and mineral water also preserves whatever else the aquifer contains. In Consumer Reports’ testing, purified waters generally tested lower for PFAS than spring and mineral waters — with San Pellegrino as a notable exception at 0.31 ppt.
For most people, the practical answer is that both are fine, and the choice should be made on taste and budget. If PFAS is a primary concern, a reverse osmosis system at home removes 94-99% and costs a fraction per litre — though it also removes the minerals, which some people then add back with mineral drops. Our full comparison of mineral vs purified water covers the processing difference.
Where to Buy
The mineral waters worth the price, covering different priorities. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; it never affects our rankings.
S.Pellegrino (Glass)
1,109 mg/L TDS with 166mg calcium and 49mg magnesium per litre, moderate carbonation, glass bottles, and the lowest tested PFAS of any natural mineral water.
Gerolsteiner Sparkling
348mg calcium and 108mg magnesium per litre from Germany’s volcanic Eifel region — about 35% of daily calcium in one litre.
Acqua Panna (Glass)
Tuscan still spring water at 188 mg/L TDS with roughly 6.4mg sodium per litre. The choice when mineral-forward waters taste too heavy.
Perrier Sparkling Mineral
456 mg/L TDS with 150mg calcium, and the lowest sodium of any mineral water here. Firm carbonation captured at source.
The cost reality: Premium mineral water runs $1.50-4.00 per litre. Filtered tap water costs roughly $0.05 per litre and, with a certified system, removes 94-99% of PFAS. If minerals are what you want, mineral drops added to filtered water deliver them at a fraction of the price. See our best reverse osmosis systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mineral water to drink for health?
Gerolsteiner has the highest mineral content at 2,488 mg/L TDS, with 348mg calcium and 108mg magnesium per litre. San Pellegrino offers the best overall balance — 1,109 mg/L TDS plus the lowest tested PFAS of any mineral water at 0.31 ppt. For low sodium, Perrier at 9.6 mg/L.
Which mineral water has the most magnesium?
Gerolsteiner at 108mg per litre, more than double San Pellegrino’s 49mg and roughly 28 times Perrier’s 3.9mg. One litre of Gerolsteiner supplies about 27% of daily magnesium needs.
Does mineral water actually provide meaningful minerals?
It provides real but modest amounts, and the range is wide. One litre of Gerolsteiner covers roughly 35% of daily calcium; most mineral waters deliver far less. Calcium from mineral water is absorbed comparably to calcium from dairy. Food remains the dominant source by a wide margin.
Is mineral water better than purified water?
Neither is definitively better. Mineral water contributes calcium and magnesium and has more taste complexity. Purified water tests lower for PFAS as a category and costs far less. Choose on taste and budget unless PFAS is your primary concern.
Which mineral water has the lowest sodium?
Perrier at 9.6 mg/L is lowest among sparkling mineral waters. Acqua Panna is comparable at roughly 6.4 mg/L among still waters. Gerolsteiner is highest at 118 mg/L, and Topo Chico carries approximately 75mg per 12oz serving.
What TDS should mineral water have?
US regulation requires at least 250 mg/L to be labelled mineral water. Under 500 mg/L tastes light (Acqua Panna 188, Evian 357, Perrier 456), 500 to 1,500 has noticeable character (San Pellegrino 1,109), and above 1,500 is assertive (Gerolsteiner 2,488).
Can you drink mineral water every day?
Yes, for most healthy adults. The main considerations are sodium if you are on a restricted diet, and cost. If you have kidney disease or a condition where mineral intake is managed, discuss it with your doctor.
Which mineral water has the least PFAS?
San Pellegrino tested at 0.31 ppt, the lowest of any natural mineral water in Consumer Reports’ analysis. Perrier was 1.10 ppt. Gerolsteiner, Evian, and Acqua Panna have no published independent data.
What is the difference between San Pellegrino and Perrier?
San Pellegrino is roughly twice as mineralised (1,109 vs 456 mg/L TDS) and the magnesium gap is the largest difference — 49mg versus 3.9mg per litre. Calcium is similar at 166 vs 150mg. Perrier has less than a third of San Pellegrino’s sodium.
Related Reading
- Mineral vs Purified Water — Full Comparison
- Best Plain Sparkling Water Ranked
- Healthiest Sparkling Water for Daily Drinking
- Acqua Panna Review
- Perrier PFAS Testing (1.10 ppt)
- Is Topo Chico Bad for You?
- Bottled Water Brands & PFAS Ranked
- What TDS Actually Means
References & Sources
- Gerolsteiner Brunnen — official source mineral analysis (TDS 2,488 mg/L, Ca 348, Mg 108, HCO3 1,816, Na 118, pH 5.9-6.0)
- San Pellegrino, Perrier, Evian and Acqua Panna — official label mineral analyses
- Consumer Reports — bottled water PFAS testing (2020)
- EPA — PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (April 2024)
- FDA — sodium in your diet, daily intake guidance
The Bottom Line
Mineral water delivers real calcium and magnesium, and those minerals are absorbed reasonably well — but the amounts are modest outside the high-TDS end, and food remains the primary source. San Pellegrino is the best overall pick: 1,109 mg/L TDS with genuine magnesium, glass packaging, and the lowest tested PFAS of any mineral water at 0.31 ppt. Gerolsteiner wins on raw mineral content at 2,488 mg/L if you want the most assertive profile and the largest nutritional contribution. Perrier wins on low sodium at 9.6 mg/L, and Acqua Panna on lightness at 188 mg/L. What none of them will do is transform your health. If you enjoy the taste and the mineral bonus, mineral water is a perfectly good habit. If you are buying it expecting a nutritional intervention, filtered tap water with mineral drops delivers the same minerals for a fraction of the price.
