We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
Water delivery services provide you with drinking water in quantities that range from single-serve bottles to jugs for refillable water stations. They ensure you always have great-tasting drinking water around when you need it.
The best water delivery services provide the quantities of water you need, whether you like having bottles to take with you on the go or a bulk supply to keep you stocked with water at home. The best services also keep extra fees and delivery costs to a minimum.
7 Best Water Delivery Services of 2023
- Best Overall: Water.com (Primo Water North America)
- Best Value: Costco
- Best for Same-Day Delivery: Target
- Best for Service: Culligan Water
- Most Sustainable: JUST Water
- Best for Variety: ReadyRefresh
- Best for Canned Water: Open Water
Best Overall : Water.com (Primo Water North America)
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/water-comcopy-17a96c0b420d4f11b5b82893f3c5e222.jpg)
Water.com
- Price: Price varies by brand and product, delivery cost may vary
- Est. Shipping Time: Varies
- Availability: Dependent on location
You can order water from a number of your favorite brands with sizes ranging from single servings to 5-gallon jugs.
Regular home deliveries offered
Multiple size and container options
Still and sparkling waters available
Product and brand availability varies by location
Delivery schedule varies by location
Delivery fee varies by company
Now representing multiple water companies (Deep Rock, Hinckley Springs, Sparkletts, and Crystal Springs, among others), Primo Water North America carries an extensive selection of bottled, still, and sparkling water.
Bottled water brands include Mountain Valley, Polar Sparkling Water, Fiji, LaCroix, Sparkling Ice, and more. The company even offers purified nursery water for infants. Packaged water comes in various sizes, including cases of 24 single-serving cans or bottles or cases of 12 to 24 (0.33-1L) bottles. You can also purchase 1 and 2.5-gallon bottles for more accessible storage in the pantry or refrigerator, or a 3- or 5-gallon returnable bottle for an in-home or in-office water dispenser.
If you are creating an at-home setup for yourself for the first time, a local route sales representative will come to your home or office and install your bottled water cooler based on the preferred delivery date and window of time.
After the initial installation, your rep will deliver your water every two weeks. If you aren’t home, leave your empty bottles in a designated spot, and your rep will swap out the empties for full bottles. Subscription services can be canceled at any time.
Best Value : Costco
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Costco-Wholesale-87dcdd3f0c684cc699ed13205debc527.png)
Costco
- Price: Starts at $7 per 5-gallon bottle; minimum purchase for delivery may apply
- Est. Shipping Time: Flexible
- Availability: Nationwide
If you want to keep a water dispenser in your home or office, Costco’s competitive prices are hard to beat.
Affordable prices
Two sizes of bottles to choose from
Customizable delivery schedule
Need to be a Costco member
Minimum purchase may be required for water delivery
No single-serve options available
One benefit of being a Costco member is water delivery with exclusive prices. To sign up for delivery, choose between a 3- or 5-gallon bottle of spring or purified water, add on a water dispenser (both hot and cold are available), and set up your delivery schedule for your home or office.
You can choose the quantity, start date, and delivery frequency and make adjustments at any time.
Prices for Costco’s water start at under $7 per bottle but keep in mind, there may be a minimum purchase per delivery. You will also need your Costco member ID number to sign up.
There is no water delivery service provided for cases of individual water bottles or sparkling water.
Best for Same-Day Delivery : Target
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/target-631844da1b0545f0abc7797c1232c11a.jpg)
Target
- Price: Water cost varies, $10 delivery fee for non-members
- Est. Shipping Time: Same-day with membership
- Availability: Nationwide
You can use Target’s same-day delivery service to have your favorite drinking water delivered to you quickly.
Get same-day delivery on your water using Shipt
A Shipt membership waves delivery fees on your orders
Free four-week trial allows you to try it out
Same-day deliveries require a $35 purchase
Delivery fee is $10 for non-members
Not available in every city
While it may not be the first place you think of when it comes to a water delivery service, Target is a solid option.
You go to the website, add the bottled water of your choice to your shopping cart, and follow the prompts for home delivery provided by Shipt's same-day delivery service. (Note: there is a minimum $35 purchase to use the delivery service.)
If you join Shipt as a member, delivery is free. Otherwise, there is about a $10 delivery fee. If you plan to order frequently (more than 10 times per year), the annual Shipt membership costs approximately $99 and pays for itself. Not sure you want to commit to the membership? You can sign up for a free, four-week trial and cancel at any time.
Target's selection includes various well-known brands such as Fiji, Poland Spring, Evian, LIFEWTR, Hint, and much more.
Best for Service : Culligan Water
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/culligan-water-a52e8a14ab224b1e96b90e77c1f68970.jpg)
Culligan Water
- Price: Prices and fees vary by dealer and region
- Est. Shipping Time: Flexible
- Availability: Nationwide
Known for excellent customer service, Culligan provides regular deliveries of drinking water as well as water filtration system installation in homes.
Spring, distilled, and pure drinking waters available
Customizable delivery schedule and frequency
Supportive customer service
Product availability varies by region
Need to contact a local or regional dealer to start service
Price varies by regional dealer
Culligan is recognized as an industry leader in water delivery and is more than just a delivery service. The company employs certified water experts who provide a high level of customer service and resources to make sure you are drinking the cleanest, best-tasting water possible.
Culligan offers water delivery to your house or business, which can be customized in terms of quantity, frequency, and delivery schedule. Product availability may vary regionally; however, spring water, distilled water, and pure drinking water in various sizes are all generally available.
Or, you can forego bottles altogether and choose to install a filtration system to get clean water straight out of your tap. The company also offers a bottle-free cooler connected directly to your water line but in a stand-alone format.
To start delivery, you will be given information about your nearest regional dealer or representative and can go from there. Should you have any issues with your water filtration system, Culligan has excellent customer service and offers a mobile service team to provide maintenance and checkups. These techs can even repair and maintain some non-Culligan systems.
Wondering if getting a water filtration system is worth the cost? Culligan has an online savings calculator to help you determine your potential savings from softening your water with their systems. Lastly, Culligan offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and will provide a full refund within 30 days if you aren't happy with its products or services.
Most Sustainable : JUST Water
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/just-water-a06004dc082f4b4c9ae49956bc3a99a7.png)
JUST Water
- Price: Starts at $35 per case, free shipping with subscription
- Est. Shipping Time: Every 30 days
- Availability: Nationwide
As one of the country’s most environmentally responsible water delivery services, JUST Water offers natural spring water, as well as tasty zero-calorie fruit-infused waters.
Recyclable cartons made of 88 percent plants
Multiple serving sizes
One-time order and subscription options
Largest format is 1 liter
Subscription required for discount and free shipping
Founded by Jaden Smith, JUST Water is a mission-driven, B Corp certified company committed to giving back more than it takes. JUST Water provides boxed, natural, still, spring water that is sustainably sourced from Glens Falls, New York.
Due to the water's high pH, it is naturally alkaline and has unique mineral content. It is packaged in a recyclable carton made out of paper from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests and plant-based plastic that maintains the water's pure taste. The carton's wide neck also makes it easy to refill, so it can serve as a reusable bottle before you recycle it.
The company's products contain zero artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners, and calories. If flavored water is your jam, JUST Water has a line of fruit-infused waters: natural spring water infused with natural fruit flavors. These come in lemon, huckleberry, coconut mint, orange, watermelon, cucumber, and lime flavor and are packaged in brightly colored cartons that correspond with each flavor.
Delivery service is offered with free shipping. Choose from a one-time order, or sign up for a monthly subscription and get a 15 percent discount.
Best for Variety : ReadyRefresh
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ready-refresh-7055c41f56ba4566ad01cead6a5854c1.png)
Ready Refresh
- Price: $20 minimum order; orders over $50 ship free
- Est. Shipping Time: Every week, two weeks, one month, or two months
- Availability: Nationwide
ReadyRefresh provides a variety of water brands in sizes ranging from individual servings to 5-gallon bottles while including options for both still and sparkling water.
Multiple brands available
Single-serve and large water cooler bottles
Still and sparkling water options
$20 minimum order
Must spend $50 to get free shipping
Offering delivery service for a variety of well-known brands. ReadyRefresh features spring and sparkling water (both plain and flavored) and large bottles for water dispensers.
The company also sells widely recognized brands, including San Pellegrino, Perrier, and Acqua Panna. Bottles for all brands come in various sizes, including cases of six to 24 individual cans or bottles and large bottles ranging from 1 to 5 gallons. Most come in cases of both glass and plastic bottles.
If you sign up for 3- or 5-gallon bottles designed for water coolers, the empties will be picked up at every delivery. And, if you are interested in trying a water dispenser but might not want it forever, you can rent one from ReadyRefresh for a small, monthly fee with an option to buy at a later date.
To minimize waste and environmental impact, the bottles are washed, sanitized, re-used as many times as possible, and eventually recycled. The company states that most containers produced by ReadyRefresh are made from recycled plastic and are BPA-free (more information is available in the FAQ section of the website).
Once you sign up for delivery, you can access your schedule online and modify the quantity or types of products at any time, skip a delivery, or even add an extra one for more products. Want to arrange delivery for yourself and a family member who lives elsewhere? No problem. You can easily have separate orders delivered to different addresses.
Best for Canned Water : Open Water
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/open-water-0fab6e790b84429ba6fb31109ff94e6d.jpg)
Open Water
- Price: Starts at $15.99 per case, free shipping with subscription
- Est. Shipping Time: Choose from 14, 21, 30, 45, 60 days
- Availability: Nationwide
Reduce single-use plastic when you opt for Open Water’s recyclable aluminum bottled water for your water delivery service.
Packaged in recyclable aluminum bottles and cans
One-time purchase and subscription available
Still and sparkling water available
Three-case minimum for free shipping
More expensive than other single-serve waters
Launched in 2014, Open Water claims to be the first company to use 100 percent recyclable aluminum bottles and cans to contain its water to reduce plastic use.
The company went with aluminum because it is the most accessible material to recycle most efficiently and, unlike plastic, can be recycled an infinite number of times. A percentage of each sale goes to repairing damage from plastic pollution.
The product line is simple and basic and includes still water (16-ounce bottles and 16- or 12-ounce cans) and sparkling water (16-ounce and 12-ounce options in bottle and cans). Unlike many other major brands, the sparkling water is not shipped from Europe. Instead, it's made in the U.S. to be as sustainable as possible and cut down on shipping emissions.
Open Water is available in select retail outlets around the country. However, online ordering for home delivery is easy and straightforward. You can also save up to 28 percent by signing up for a subscription.
Final Verdict
Water.com is our pick for the best overall water delivery service because it allows you to order from a number of water brands based on your location, and you can choose services based on your needs. Opt for delivery of single-serve bottles, or choose water services where full bottles are dropped off and empty bottles cleared away at regular intervals scheduled when you sign up.
Compare the Best Water Delivery Services
Company | Price | Est. Shipping Time | Availability | Subscriptions Available? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Water.com (Primo Water North America) Best Overall | Varies by brand and product | Varies | Dependent on location | Yes |
Costco Best Value | Starts at $7 per 5-gallon bottle; minimum purchase for delivery may apply | Flexible | Nationwide | Yes |
Target Best for Same-Day Delivery | Water cost varies, $10 delivery fee for non-members | Same-day with membership | Nationwide | No |
Culligan Water Best for Service | Prices and fees vary by dealer and region | Flexible | Nationwide | Yes |
JUST Water Most Sustainable | Starts at $35 per case, free shipping with subscription | Every 7, 14, 30, or 60 days | Nationwide | Yes |
ReadyRefresh Best for Variety | $20 minimum order; orders over $50 ship free | Every week, two weeks, one month, two months or quarterly | Nationwide | Yes |
Open Water Best for Canned Water | Starts at $15.99 per case, with free shipping on three or more cases | Every 14, 21, 30, 45, 60 days | Nationwide | Yes |
Guide to Choosing a Water Delivery Service
Source of Water
You want to know where the water you’re drinking comes from. Municipal water supplies—tap water—often contain chemicals like fluorine and chlorine. Using a delivery service lets you buy from a company that highlights the source and purity of its water.
Quality of Water
From purified water to spring and well water, to flavor-infused water, many types of water are available for delivery. “Purified” water has been treated to remove bacteria and contaminants. Glacier water comes from rivers of glacial melt caused by pressure and geothermal heat. While it is certainly pure enough to drink, it has not undergone any purification treatment and may have a slight taste due to its mineral content. Well water comes from mineral-rich underground lakes.
Order Customization Options
Water delivery services often allow you to customize your orders to include other beverages, such as coffee, tea, or juice, which are especially popular in offices. You may also be able to select a delivery schedule that's convenient for you.
Order Delivery Fees
Delivery fees add to the bottom-line cost of the service. These fees vary depending on the company, distance from your home or office, and the quantity of water ordered. Shipping fees run from as little as $10 a month to as much as $115 a month for multiple 5-gallon jugs of high-end water. Shipping fees can often be reduced by setting up a schedule so that more water is delivered less frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Where does water delivery service water come from?
Spring water from water delivery services is sourced from a spring, whereas purified water comes from tap water that has been filtered or treated. Most water delivery services offer a choice of either spring water or purified water. Culligan Water has three options: spring water, distilled water, and pure drinking water.
-
Are water delivery service bottles BPA-free?
Many companies using traditional plastics note that their bottles are BPA-free. However, plastic-free options such as glass, aluminum, and even paper packaging are now available. Check with each company to be sure of its packaging options and whether they are BPA-free.
-
How long will 500 gallons of water last?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends allowing one gallon of drinking water per person daily. Depending on the size of your family, your typical daily water consumption, and the time of year, 500 gallons of water should last a family of three anywhere from 42 to 167 days.
-
Is water delivery good for the environment?
Local water delivery services are far more environmentally sustainable than single-use plastic water bottles—which take nearly 500 years to decompose. A 5-gallon food-grade water bottle can be sanitized and reused up to 50 times.
Methodology
When reviewing the best water delivery services, we looked for those that gave customers the most affordable options and the opportunity to subscribe to regular deliveries.
Non-plastic and sustainable alternatives and quantities and types of water provided were important. For example, some people want a steady supply of small bottles, while others keep a water dispenser that needs 3- to 5-gallon jugs. Still and sparkling waters were also included to ensure there was something to meet the needs of everyone seeking a water delivery service.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1133404533-e1aece01bc274769a0af88a87cf6d81a.jpg)
© Santiago Urquijo / Getty Images