Buying Mineral Water: How Households, Offices and Families Can Find the Right 6-Pack

Anyone looking to buy mineral water is often faced with a wide choice: still mineral water, medium mineral water or classic mineral water, PET bottles in different sizes, and brands from Germany or abroad. At first glance, many offers look similar. However, differences in carbonation, mineral content, bottle volume, deposit and ingredients can have a noticeable impact on everyday use.

Three common buying misconceptions particularly often lead to unsuitable orders:

• “Mineral water” automatically means pure water: Products with fruit flavour are often soft drinks containing sugar, acidifying agents and flavourings – not pure natural mineral water.
• A larger crate is always cheaper: The price per litre can vary depending on bottle size, brand, deposit and delivery costs.
• “Classic”, “Medium” and “Naturell” are interchangeable: These terms refer to different levels of carbonation and therefore to a different taste when drinking the water or serving it with meals.

The most important criteria when buying mineral water

1. Choose the right level of carbonation for your drinking habits

Carbonation is a useful selection criterion:

• Still mineral water, also known as “Naturell”, contains no added carbon dioxide. It is suitable for people who prefer a mild taste, as well as for offices, households and food preparation.
• Medium mineral water contains less carbonation than Classic. It offers a middle ground between still and highly sparkling water.
• Carbonated mineral water or Classic has a more pronounced sparkle and is often served with meals.

For families, combining still and sparkling water can be a sensible option. If you want to order mineral water online, check the variant directly in the product name and ingredients list. “Natural mineral water” and “soft drink based on mineral water” are not the same thing.

2. Compare bottle size and total volume

A 6-pack of mineral water with 1.5-litre bottles contains 9 litres in total. This is practical for families, offices and people with high consumption, but it also means a greater transport weight. A pack containing 6 x 1 litre, on the other hand, holds 6 litres and is easier to distribute or store.

The most common formats at a glance:

• 6 x 0.75 litres: easier to handle for smaller households, meetings or setting the table
• 6 x 1 litre: a good compromise between portability and storage volume
• Mineral water 6 x 1.5 l: suitable for regular use at home or in the office
• Several 6-packs: useful when demand is high, provided you have enough storage space and the delivery conditions are suitable

Also pay attention to the stated deposit. For some PET packs, it is explicitly included in the offer; for others, you need to check how it is shown in the basket or on the label.

3. Don’t judge mineral content solely by marketing claims

The mineral analysis table provides a more objective basis than terms such as “particularly valuable” or “premium”. Relevant minerals may include calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate and hydrogencarbonate. Values are generally given in milligrams per litre.

Anyone who needs to adhere to a particular sodium content should read the product labelling carefully. A mineral analysis table alone cannot establish whether a product is generally suitable for medical or therapeutic purposes. Claims about preparing infant formula should also only be taken into account if they are expressly stated on the current label.

When choosing branded mineral water, it is also worth checking the origin, bottling location, ingredients and type of packaging. Products such as mineral water from Germany and imported varieties may differ not only in their source, but also in their delivery route and bottle format.

Our selection for different types of buyer

Suitable for: Budget-conscious first-time buyers

Jeden Tag Still Natural Mineral Water 6x1.5L

Why this product suits this profile: This 9-litre pack provides plenty of water for regular use and contains no carbon dioxide.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The clear “still” designation helps prevent accidentally choosing a sparkling variant. Mineral values are stated per litre.

Key benefit & strengths

6 PET bottles, each containing 1.5 litres; non-carbonated; stated values include calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate.

Suitable for: Buyers with high quality expectations

Carolinen Organic Classic Mineral Water with Carbonation 6 x 1 L

Why this product suits this profile: The Classic variant is aimed at people who prefer strongly carbonated water and value detailed mineral information.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information specifies the added carbonation and gives exact values, such as 267 mg of calcium and 60.3 mg of magnesium per litre.

Key benefit & strengths

6 x 1 litre; Classic with carbonation; manufacturer’s storage advice: protect from direct sunlight.

Suitable for: Special uses & high-volume users

Gerolsteiner Medium Lightly Sparkling Mineral Water 6x1.5L

Why this product suits this profile: With 9 litres and a medium level of carbonation, this format is designed for households, offices and catering businesses with regular consumption.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The variant is clearly labelled as Medium, so you can match the level of carbonation to your personal requirements before buying.

Key benefit & strengths

6 PET bottles containing 1.5 litres each; mineral values such as 348 mg of calcium and 108 mg of magnesium per litre, according to the product description.

Suitable for: Small households and taking on the go

Gerolsteiner Naturell Still Mineral Water 6x0.75L

Why this product suits this profile: The compact 0.75-litre format is easier to divide up, chill and take to meetings or on trips.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product is identified as still mineral water without carbonation. The total volume is 4.5 litres, helping to avoid misjudging the amount in stock.

Key benefit & strengths

6 x 0.75 litres; non-carbonated; German origin and mineral values stated in the product description.

Quick checks before ordering

1. Check the variant: choose still, Medium or Classic.
2. Calculate the price per litre: compare the total volume and purchase price, not just the number of bottles.
3. Read the ingredients: Pure mineral water normally contains no added sugar or flavourings. Fruit variants such as Hella Cherry or Hella Pear belong to the soft drinks category.
4. Check the bottle material and deposit: PET is lightweight and commonly used for multipacks. Deposit information should be visible before you complete your order.
5. Plan your storage: Mineral water should be stored in a dry, cool place, protected from direct sunlight and frost. Depending on the product information, opened bottles should be kept in the fridge and consumed promptly.

Frequently asked questions about buying mineral water

Which mineral water is suitable for everyday household use?

That depends on your taste, the quantity you need and your available storage space. Mineral water 6 x 1.5 l is practical for high consumption. Smaller 0.75- or 1-litre bottles are easier to chill and transport. If you have specific dietary requirements, check the mineral information on the label.

How long does mineral water in PET bottles last?

The specific best-before date is shown on the packaging. Unopened bottles should be stored in a dry, cool place away from light. Once opened, the taste may change; with carbonated products, the sparkle will also gradually diminish. The manufacturer’s stated consumption period takes precedence.

Is ordering mineral water online cheaper than buying it in a shop?

There is no blanket answer. Compare the price per litre, deposit, delivery costs and total quantity ordered. For offices or families, having several 6-packs delivered may be convenient, while smaller orders can be less worthwhile once delivery costs are taken into account.