Mineral water test: winner of the Stiftung Warentest

Stiftung Warentest has tested mineral water from many brands. The experts examined a total of 78 mineral water for taste and pollutants. The test winners and losers of 2019 (still mineral water), 2018 (classic) and 2017 (medium) can be found here.

Mineral water at Stiftung Warentest: the criteria for good water

Stiftung Warentest tested 78 mineral waters and caused a sensation with the results. Of all the cheap water convince in the test. Stiftung Warentest tested the following criteria:

• Taste : The taste of the water is of primary importance. Plastic bottles and impurities can falsify it.
• Contamination : Many mineral waters are contaminated. They contain residues of pesticides, germs and other dangerous substances.
• Critical substances : arsenic, lead, cadmium and nickel - these are common residues in the water that are undesirable.
• Packaging and label : The quality of the packaging and its safe handling are also important. Correct information on the label as well.

Mineral water in the test 2019: cheap still water is the test winner

As in the previous years, cheaper brands were able to assert themselves in the still mineral waters. 32 non-carbonated mineral waters were tested.

• The test winner is the water Edeka Gut & Günstig Still from the Baruther Johannesbrunnen (grade 1.8). And another good news: With just 13 cents per liter, Edeka's still water is one of the cheapest products in the test.
• Aldi Nord Quellbrunn Naturell is similar in quality, but with less convincing information on the label (rating 1.9). The water Rewe Ja still also received a grade of 1.9: There were deductions for the critical substances (nickel / nitrate and radium 226 and 228), but also the top grade for the microbiological quality.
• The water Rhönsprudel Naturell received the worst grade (3.8 - "sufficient"). This water tastes slightly of plastic and the experts were able to detect pesticide residues here, says Stiftung Warentest.
• Penny Elitess Still performed the worst of the very cheap still mineral waters (13 cents / liter) (rating 3.0 - "satisfactory"). Although this brand received good marks for the other criteria (taste, critical substances, microbiological quality), there was a large deduction for the label.

Natural mineral water: Beware of baby mineral water and organic water

Stiftung Warentest also tested three baby mineral waters and six varieties labeled "organic" (2019). The clear conclusion: The higher price is not justified and the quality is in many cases worse than with conventional water.

• Of the six "organic" mineral waters tested, only the Ensinger Gourmet Quelle Still Bio brand was "good" in the test. Four brands were contaminated with harmful substances and germs.
• The "organic" water with the worst grades (both 5.0 - "poor") are BioKristall Still and Rheinsberger Preussenquelle Still Bio. BioKristall attracted particular attention because of the high radium content. However, in this case there is no health risk from the water, explains Warentest.
• "Baby water" is more expensive than conventional water - but not necessarily better. Two of the three brands tested contained traces of pesticides.
• Volvic Naturally Organic is not a baby mineral water, but the label says that it can be used to prepare baby food. Stiftung Warentest, however, advises against this: This water contains an excessive amount of cancer-suspicious vanadium.

Mineral water Classic Test 2018: Discounters convince again

In 2018, Stiftung Warentest tested 26 classic mineral waters (carbonated). As in 2017 for medium mineral water, the discounters also took the lead in the bubbly Classic Water Test 2018:

• Aldi Süd Aqua Culinaris Kurfels Classic (grade 1.8): great taste, free of harmful substances and no abnormalities in the laboratory - the Aldi water is the test winner at Stiftung Warentest. With 19 cents per 1.5 liter bottle, it is also the cheapest.
• Netto Marken-Discount Naturalis Vitalbrunnen Classic (grade 1.9): the net mineral water is almost as good. There are only minor deviations in the declaration and critical substances - hardly worth mentioning. At 19 cents per 1.5 liters, this is also a typical discount bargain.
• The bottom of the test in 2018 is the Kaufland K-Classic (sparkling) mineral water. The reason for the grade 4.0: The water tasted clearly lemony and slightly acetaldehyde. The nitrate load was also slightly increased, according to Stiftung Warentest. In addition, the experts in the laboratory have detected a pesticide in the water, although natural mineral water must be free from above-ground contamination.

Mineralwasser Medium 2017: Test winner is mineral water from the discounter

• The first two places in the test of medium-mineral waters in 2017 are the water from Edeka's own brand Gut und Günstig and the water from Saskia, a private label from Lidl (both marks 2.2).
• They contain many valuable minerals and hardly any impurities. In terms of taste, however, they don't cut off as well as two branded waters.
• The testers were impressed by the taste of the water from Gerolsteiner and that of Franken Brunnen. They also contain a large amount of minerals.

The losers in 2017: net water contains carcinogenic chromium

• The mineral water was the worst of Netto (Naturalis). According to the testers, it contains too much chromium, which can be carcinogenic. However, there is no immediate health risk.
• The mineral waters of Real Quality, Tip (Real) and Vilsa Brunnen also come in last.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how well tap water compares to mineral water.

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