Between natural sparkling and slightly carbonated there is a category that often generates confusion: that of natural effervescents. These are waters that flow already naturally rich in carbon dioxide at the source, without any artificial addition of gas during the bottling phase. A characteristic that makes them particularly appreciated by those looking for a more delicate and “genuine” bubble than the classic added sparkling wines. Also for this category, Altroconsumo’s 2026 test compared the most popular brands on Italian shelves, analyzing their mineral composition, the presence of any contaminants, packaging and environmental impact. Here’s how they ranked.
Natural sparkling waters: the complete ranking
Unlike what was seen in the sparkling wine category, here the podium is occupied by historic brands such as Sangemini and Lete, both capable of winning the title of best of the test and best purchase respectively. However, the picture changes going down the ranking: three products (Egeria, Ferrarelle Effervescent Naturale and Sant’Agata) stop at just 49 points, in a low quality range, while Acqua di Nepi closes the ranking with a score of 42 points, the lowest recorded in this category. A rather large gap, which confirms how marked qualitative differences can be even within the same type of water.
How the test was conducted
To guarantee a truly representative picture of the Italian mineral water market, Altroconsumo constructed the 2026 test following a long and complex path, which involved various work phases, from the selection of products to the definition of the final score.
The first step was to identify which brands to analyze. The choice was not left to chance nor based simply on the notoriety of the brands: the basis was a survey conducted in over 1,150 points of sale distributed in 67 Italian cities, designed to photograph which products are actually most present on the shelves of large-scale retail trade. Only on the basis of this diffusion data were the waters to be subjected to analysis selected, in order to provide a useful and concrete ranking for those who shop every week, and not a theoretical comparison between niche products.
Once the selection was defined, the bottles were purchased directly in the stores: the purchase took place in January 2026, while the laboratory analyzes took place in the following months, between February and March. In parallel with the purchase of products, Altroconsumo technicians also conducted systematic price monitoring, involving a total of 48 sales points in the cities of Milan, Turin, Rome and Cagliari. This has allowed us to combine the qualitative judgment with an indication of the relationship between price and quality, a decisive element for assigning the “best buy” labels to the most convenient products with the same result.
However, the central part of the test took place in the laboratory, where each water was subjected to an in-depth chemical analysis. The levels of the main dissolved mineral salts were measured, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, fluorides and nitrates, elements that influence not only the taste but also the suitability of a given water for specific diets, for example in case of hypertension or the need to reduce sodium intake. Alongside these parameters, particular attention was paid to the search for potentially harmful metals and substances, including arsenic, nickel, manganese and aluminium, as well as emerging contaminants such as TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a compound increasingly monitored at European level for its diffusion in aquifers and surface waters.
Packaging and sustainability
However, the test did not stop at the chemical composition of the water alone. Altroconsumo has in fact broadened the analysis to include aspects related to packaging and environmental sustainability, an increasingly central topic for consumers. The overall weight of the bottle, the presence of recycled plastic (rPET) in its composition and the actual recyclability of the label were assessed, a detail that is often underestimated but which can compromise the correct disposal of the packaging. Added to this was a more practical evaluation, linked to the experience of daily use: from the ease of opening the cap to the convenience of pouring water without waste or drips. All these elements converged in a final score constructed by attributing different weights to each factor, so as to reflect the relative importance of the different aspects for health and the environment. The composition of the water accounted for 50% of the overall rating, confirming it as the most relevant criterion. Bottle and environmental impact accounted for 20%, while labels were assigned 10%. The remaining portion concerned the evaluations of any contaminants and the practical and sensorial aspects linked to the daily consumption of the product.
The result is a detailed and updated photograph of the Italian mineral water market, which allows consumers to orient themselves among the dozens of labels available at the supermarket with concrete data in hand, instead of relying only on brand awareness or the price displayed on the shelf.
Source: Altroconsumo
