Good evening, my fellow alkaline water enthusiasts, I’m your host, Pete. Today’s article features AlkaViva vs Enagic Kangen Ionizers. I put AlkaViva’s most premium countertop ionizer up against Enagic’s top model to see how they compare.
Are you ready to find out if AlkaViva is better than the popular Kangen Water brand? I hope so because I have a ton of useful information waiting for you below.
In this article, you’ll learn about both companies, where they manufacture their ionizers, a feature comparison, the filters, the price, warranties, and other additional tidbits that’ll help you make the best buying decision.
I know how important it is to choose the best ionizer for your home because a quality ionizer should be a one-time purchase that supplies you with fresh, healthy ionized water for years to come.
Now, without further ado, let’s check out AlkaViva vs Enagic Kangen.
Feel free to use the table of contents below to jump to any section or scroll down to start from the beginning.
About the Companies
Enagic Kangen started all the way back in June 1974 as the Sony specialty trading operation.
By 1987, they had changed the company name to Enagic. In April of that year, the Japanese Ministry of Health authorized Enagic’s Osaka factory as a medical equipment manufacturer.
In 2003, Enagic USA, Inc. and international distribution started. Since then, Enagic Kangen has become the most widely known brand in the United States.
Now, how about AlkaViva?
AlkaViva is one of the water ionizer pioneers in the United States. They started the company in 2002 off the grid on the north shore of Maui.
By 2004, AlkaViva started distributing Jupiter Science ionizers in the United States. These early models were actually the first water ionizers I saw offered on the internet.
By 2015, AlkaViva launched a new series of ionizers with molecular hydrogen infusion. They had also developed their signature UltraWater filters.
An EPA-certified lab tested their filters and found that they’re powerful enough to remove nearly 172 known water contaminants to undetectable levels.
Next, let’s check out the companies’ manufacturing practices.
Where do Enagic and AlkaViva manufacture their ionizers?
The country of manufacture is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing a new ionizer.
For this reason, I always recommend buying ionizers manufactured in these countries first.
Enagic Kangen manufactures its ionizers in Japan. Kangen is the only water ionizer company I’ve come across that distributes ionizers that are manufactured in Japan in the United States.
AlkaViva manufactures its ionizers in South Korea. The company uses Japanese platinum and titanium for its electrodes (or plates) inside its ionizers.
Both companies manufacture their ionizers in ISO-certified facilities. ISO or the International Organization for Standardization started in 1947 and is the leader in international quality control.
ISO certifications are #1 when it comes to researching a company’s overseas manufacturing practices.
Who wins? I give a slight edge to Kangen here because Japan is the world leader in ionized water research. However, I’ve found that South Korea isn’t far behind.
The guts of a water ionizer are all basically the same. What I like about AlkaViva is they use Japanese platinum and titanium.
The good part is both companies manufacture water ionizers that are certified as medical devices.
AlkaViva vs Enagic Kangen Water Ionizer Comparison
Now for the fun part.
AlkaViva’s most premium countertop model is its Vesta H2 9-plate ionizer.
Enagic’s K8 (Kangen 8) #ad is its newest “most powerful antioxidant” machine. The K8 has 8 plates compared to the Vesta’s 9.
The table below is a key feature comparison.
Notes:
Horizontal scrolling is on for all devices
| pH Range | Max ORP Value | Self-Cleaning? | # of Filters | # of Titanium Plates | Countertop Only? | Warranty | Molecular Hydrogen Infusion | Water Levels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max 10+ | -900 mV | Yes | 2 | 9 | No | Lifetime | Yes | 8 | |
| Enagic K8 (Kangen 8) | 2.5 - 11 | -850 mV | Yes | 1 | 8 | Yes | 5-Year | No | 5 |
Videos
Vesta H2
Kangen 8
My Analysis
I’ve spent many hours and late nights researching water ionizers and alkaline water products.
When it comes to AlkaViva vs Enagic Kangen, I prefer AlkaViva overall.
Why?
Here are my main reasons for choosing the Vesta H2 over the K8:
Warranty
AlkaViva offers a lifetime warranty while Kangen offers just a 5-year warranty. Considering the price of their machines, Enagic should offer a lifetime warranty.
When you buy a water ionizer, you’re also putting your money into the company. A lifetime warranty should come standard with a near five-thousand dollar ionizer.
Filters
AlkaViva’s filters are some of the most powerful currently on the market (comparable to Tyent’s .01 micron filters in the UCE-11).
The dual-filter set is more expensive than Enagic’s single filter, but the power of the filters makes them more than worth the extra money.
Personally, I want ionized water that’s ultra-pure without having to purchase a separate pre-filter system.
With the Kangen filter, you’ll more than likely need to invest in a pre-filter or do a citric acid cleaning every so often to remove buildup on the plates. I think Kangen’s single-filter setup is the reason the company recommends citric acid cleansing.
Company Culture
I like AlkaViva’s culture and that they started in America. I trust that they’re selling a legit product, and their A+ BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating gives me that extra assurance.
While I do think Enagic produces a legit machine, their marketing is too aggressive for my taste. It seems that everyone and their mother promotes Kangen Water on YouTube and other websites.
All these people couldn’t have possibly put in the time to thoroughly research the Kangen water machines before promoting them. I’ve also seen them use the term “Miracle Water.” Any brand that uses the word “Miracle” is questionable.
If they toned down their marketing and lowered the price of their machines to be more competitive, I’d be more trusting of them. To me, their marketing approach is a bit frustrating since they’re indeed selling quality ionizers.
Machine Features
Overall, the Vesta H2 is the winner in the features department. Keep in mind, the K8 is Enagic’s most powerful ionizer, and it has one less plate than the Vesta.
Since plates are the most expensive part of any ionizer, it’s strange that they’re charging two-thousand more for an ionizer with one fewer plate.
The Vesta H2 also gives you 8 water settings while the K8 has 5.
Here are the weight and dimensions of each machine below:
K8 – 11 lbs – 11″ x 13.5″ x 5.75″ (Width x Height x Depth)
Vesta H2 – 18 lbs – 12.5” x 14.5” x 5.5” (Width x Height x Depth)
I find it strange that the K8 is nearly the same size as the Vesta H2, yet it weighs substantially less.
Outside of the key features, the machines have mostly the same additional features you’d expect to find in any ionizer.
Price
As indicated in the table above, the K8 costs roughly $2,000 more than the Vesta H2 at the time of this writing.
Overall, the Vesta H2 is more competitively priced. The top three water ionizer companies in the United States – outside of Enagic – are AlkaViva, Life Ionizers, and Tyent.
I can tell that those three companies do their best to stay competitive in the pricing department while Enagic soars above them. I think Enagic’s aggressive marketing plan allows them to get away with it.
It’s up to you whether you think Enagic’s machines are worth the extra money.
Bottom Line
If you want to get more bang for your buck plus a lifetime warranty, I suggest you stick with AlkaViva.
I also like that AlkaViva focuses on molecular hydrogen production in its new H2 series of ionizers. The scientific research supporting the health benefits of molecular hydrogen is the real deal.
I searched Enagic’s website and couldn’t find any information saying that the K8 boosts molecular hydrogen levels. Although, I have seen information scattered around online suggesting that all Kangen Water Machines boost molecular hydrogen.
Considering the molecular hydrogen boost is a key factor for me, I want to see that the company lists it as a primary feature, and AlkaViva does this.
The water machines included in my Top Water Ionizer Ratings all have built-in molecular hydrogen boost technology.
Final Thoughts
I don’t like to trash any company, but overall, I can’t justify paying more for the Kangen 8.
Yes, Kangen has done a fabulous job through its marketing to convince people that only they produce a legit ionizer. This is completely untrue.
AlkaViva, Life Ionizers, and Tyent are my top picks, and as I’ve said before, I believe AlkaViva is the most trustworthy water ionizer company in the United States.
Here’s a recap of the advantages of purchasing the Vesta H2 over the K8:
- Better value
- A lifetime warranty on parts (5-year on labor) instead of a 5-year warranty
- An additional electrode plate
- The K8 is countertop only (you can convert the Vesta H2 into an under-counter ionizer with the faucet kit or check out the Delphi H2 under counter ionizer)
- More powerful filters in the Vesta
- Confirmed molecular hydrogen infusion
