Coconut Water Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

If you haven't had much coconut water, you may not understand why there are quite a few different brands out there. But if it's all coming from coconuts, shouldn't it all taste the same? But true diehard coconut water fans realize that this is just not the reality we live in. In truth, different brands can produce different coconut waters that taste like entirely different drinks. Therefore, when you buy this stuff, you don't just want to go for the first product you see sitting on store shelves.

Some coconut waters are too sweet, for instance. Others have barely any flavor to them at all. And yet more others come with added flavors, ingredients, and components that make them taste even better than the regular stuff. So, before you decide to buy coconut water next, you should take a look at our ranking of some of the most popular coconut water brands.

We started with the worst brands, and if you're like us, you may want to seriously avoid some of this stuff. But if you keep reading, you'll soon get to the best of the best — and when you do, you may just run out and get a case of the most delicious coconut water brand out there. Let's take a closer look at some of the worst and best brands of coconut water on the market.

When you open up a can of coconut milk, you want it to have a distinct coconut-y smell and taste. That's what it's there for, after all. But just because you're getting coconut water doesn't necessarily mean that you want a drink that tastes just like coconut. After all, coconut water is supposed to be refreshing, not stupifying. But if the flavor you're getting is overwhelmingly that of coconut, you may get tired of your drink after just a few sips.

And that's just what happens when you try O.N.E. Pure Coconut Water. Take one sip, and you'll immediately notice that it has a ridiculously strong coconut flavor. It's not bad, per se, but it's just not what we're looking for in a coconut water. An Amazon reviewer summed it up nicely by saying that this drink "has a distinct smell similar to when you open a can of coconut milk."

Coconut water isn't supposed to be a sweet, super flavorful drink, so sipping on one of these is going to be disappointing if you're looking for refreshment.

The word "purity" in Purity Organic Coconut Water makes you think you're going to get something that's ultimately really fresh and light-tasting. That's how it may sound, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's what you're going to get. Purity Organic Coconut Water actually doesn't taste very pure at all, actually. Rather, it has a sweetness to it that'll make you feel like you're drinking a soda rather than coconut water, which is probably not what you're going for when you grabbed this stuff off the shelf.

Someone on Amazon took to the e-commerce website to share their opinion about this product in a pretty scathing review: "This stuff is awful. Tastes cooked, sweet. I threw out a case of it." Ouch. But we have to agree. The coconut flavor is very, very present — definitely too much so. And that odd sweetness is cloying and persistent. Indeed, it stays in the back of your throat for minutes after you take a sip. Add those flavor factors together, and it's no wonder why we're skipping this one completely.

If you're looking for a coconut water company that offers a wide variety of different flavors, then you should look no further than Zola Coconut Water. Of course, most people will probably go with the original if they really love coconut water, but that's not the only option available. You can also pick up pineapple-flavored coconut water. And the strangest flavor of them all? Espresso.

Even though this may sound enticing, we're here to let you know that this is just not one of the best coconut water brands out there. While the others we've disliked up until this point are way too flavorful, this one has the opposite problem. Zola basically just tastes like you're drinking funky water, and there's not much else going on.

Some customers took to Amazon to review the product, and many of the reviews were not exactly glowing. Said one reviewer, "What does it actually tastes like? A teaspoon of pure coconut milk mixed with a gallon of water ... Sooo disappointed! I would never buy this product again!" That doesn't exactly make us want to go out and buy a case of this stuff — and you probably shouldn't either if you want to get the best of the best coconut water available.

Look, we're definitely not going to knock you for picking up some 365 Everyday Value Coconut Water. First of all, this brand is definitely not the worst of the bunch, and when you're in a pinch, it might suit your needs. And if you're making your way through Whole Foods and just need to grab some coconut water fast, you shouldn't feel bad about giving into convenience.

However, if you truly want the tastiest coconut water out there, you're probably not going to want to opt for this brand every time. It has a somewhat bland taste that isn't super appetizing, for one. At the same time, it's rather inoffensive, so it probably won't bother most people. We think that this brand is best to mix with other flavors to create a more unique drink. If you're making a special cocktail that features coconut water or you're planning on adding some juice to the mix, this stuff might just do the trick. Otherwise, check out what other options you can find at Whole Foods — there are sure to be lots of brands to choose from.

If you're not a true coconut water connoisseur but you've tried it a few times, there's an excellent chance that you've tasted coconut water from Vita Coco. To be frank, we have mixed feelings about this stuff. Is it the best coconut water out there? No. The flavor is kind of on the strong side, but not as strong as the first two brands we discussed. At the same time, that coconut taste is just too much for us to really enjoy.

However, this brand offers so much more than just one flavor of coconut water. The Vita Coco Boosted line boasts coconut water that's got some caffeine added into the mix, for one, which we could all use from time to time on a busy day. There's also the Pressed line, which offers even more coconut flavor (we definitely don't love these).

The best of the Vita Coco brand, however, is the sparkling coconut water. This variety comes in a few different flavors, like grapefruit, lemon ginger, and pineapple passionfruit, which tend to balance or at least cover up the strong coconut taste. Plus, they have that extra bit of carbonation in them that we love. While the brand as a whole is just so-so, these specific products are definitely worth a try.

Looking for a coconut water brand that does some good while quenching your thirst? Be on the lookout for Pure Brazilian 100% Raw Coconut Water at your local grocery store or online. That's because this company claims to replenish a square foot of land in the Amazon rainforest for every bottle you purchase. And who doesn't love feeling like they're doing something good for the planet when they take a sip of their favorite drink?

According to Delish, this stuff is made with a special kind of coconut called anão. While most coconut waters are made with larger Asian coconuts, these coconuts from Brazil are smaller and offer a fresher taste. That's why this particular drink is a lot more refreshing than a lot of other brands out there. It doesn't have as much sweetness to it and some even say that they think it tastes a bit tart.

While Pure Brazilian 100% Raw Coconut Water is definitely good, we think there are better, somewhat more balanced brands out there when it comes to flavor. However, if you happen to see it at the store, you may want to pick it up just to try something new.

The first time you see Amy & Brian Coconut Water, you're not likely to be too impressed. The packaging isn't that appealing, for one, especially when compared to other brands on the market. But just like you can't judge a book by its cover, you also shouldn't judge a coconut water brand by its can. This particular variety actually offers some seriously tasty coconut water, and there are several different varieties for you to try.

While most coconut waters are super smooth, you may want something that has a bit more texture. If that's the case, opt for coconut water with pulp from this brand. That may not sound delicious at first, but you wouldn't believe how much a bit of texture can take this drink to the next level. You can also switch it up when it comes to flavors as well. The lime may be pretty traditional, but we're going to guess that you won't be able to find grape or cinnamon-flavored coconut water from another brand out there.

It may not be the best of the best, but the fact that this brand offers something different means it's worth a try in our book.

You may not come across Taste Nirvana Real Coconut Water everywhere. But when you see it, you should definitely consider grabbing some so you can try it. This brand doesn't have super appealing packaging either, but you'll realize that's a small detail once you take your first sip of the stuff. It's really refreshing, offering a touch of coconut flavoring but not so much that it'll be overwhelming. And plenty of people agree with us. Take one Amazon reviewer, who had this to say about the product: "I have never tasted coconut water that has had such amazing flavor to it. I am now addicted to this. It is not overly sweet but just right for quenching your thirst."

There is one thing we want to warn you about, however. This company offers its products in some admittedly strange packaging sizes. If you just get a standard bottle of coconut water, you may find that it's not enough to quench your thirst. Therefore, if you can get your hands on a "big" or "huge" bottle from the brand, that's probably the way to go.

Those who prefer to drink a coconut water that isn't flavored very much at all are going to fall in love with ZICO Natural Coconut Water. We think that this is seriously one of the best options if you prefer hydration and refreshment to a strong flavor and a thick, more syrupy texture. It almost tastes like normal water but with just the slightest hint of flavor that makes it more appealing than the stuff from the tap.

This coconut water is also excellent for a post-workout drink. One Amazon reviewer gave the product a huge thumbs up: "I have been using Kirkland coconut water for the last few years after aerobics at the gym and thought it was great. That is until I tried Zico coconut water which gratefully comes in a larger container, but it is also better tasting and includes electrolytes that you can actually feel after drinking it."

If you want to ditch the Gatorade and all the other high-sugar workout drinks out there for something that feels more natural and refreshing, then ZICO may be just what you're looking for.

When you don't want a bunch of added ingredients and would prefer to keep your sipping simple, Wai Koko Coconut Water is a great option. This stuff is tasty, so much so that it's almost as if you're sipping out of a freshly harvested coconut. We don't know how they made that happen, but we're grateful for it. Even those who don't generally like coconut water may find that they enjoy this stuff.

One reviewer wasn't a fan of coconut water before, but this brand actually made her change her mind: "I first tried this coconut water while in Hawaii and was completely blown away. I was never a big fan of coconut water, but I knew it was healthy and had lots of potassium and magnesium, but when I tried this, I found out it could also be tasty too, and without any added ingredients."

Hey, if you can replace your morning coffee with some of this coconut water instead, we'd say your day is getting off to an excellent start. Try it in one of the brand's flavored varieties, too, like the coffee-inspired kona mocha, pineapple, or passion fruit for something a bit different.

You've probably seen Bai drinks around at your local grocery store. They sell way more than just coconut water, sure, but said coconut water is definitely one of the best products they offer. It's called their Antioxidant Cocofusion, and we think you'll become a fan after trying it once. You can always opt for the plain flavor, Molokai Coconut, which is delicious on its own, but we suggest trying some of the other options as well.

The Andes Coconut Lime is definitely our favorite because the lime flavor really enhances the freshness of the drink overall. The Madagascar Coconut Mango has a sweetness to it that's really delicious, but don't worry about that too much, as it's not nearly as sweet as you may be assuming. And the Puna Coconut Pineapple is for those days when you really just wish you were at some tropical beach without a care in the world.

Oh, and the best part? These drinks will give you a burst of energy when you need it most. They contain as much caffeine as a cup of green tea, so you won't get that jittery feeling either. Sold yet?

Once Upon A Coconut may be relatively new on the scene, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the best coconut waters out there. First of all, you can feel good about buying this product because, for every case sold, 10 percent goes to charity. But there's also the flavor. The Pure variety, which is just plain coconut water, is pleasantly light with just a slight sweetness to it. It's refreshing enough to drink on a hot day, but it's a lot more interesting than your normal bottle of water.

What we really love about this brand, though, is the more exciting coconut waters they have to offer. The Motivator is a unique sparkling coconut water that also comes with 90 milligrams of caffeine. That's equivalent to a tall cup of coffee, so you're going to get that burst of energy you need to make it through your day. Even more fun is the sparkling coconut water mixed with tequila, which will get the party started while helping you feel hydrated at the same time.

And to make it even better, we love the design of the cans this stuff comes in, so it's a great option to serve to guests. It's never going to hurt to keep some of this coconut water stocked in your fridge whenever you get a craving for refreshment.

And finally, we have the best of them all: Harmless Harvest. The first thing you'll notice about this coconut water is the fact that it looks much different than other brands. We're not talking about the packaging, either. Instead, we're talking about the color of this particular coconut water. Harmless Harvest coconut water is a striking pink in color, and that's because the company doesn't add additional ingredients to change the color of the product. Not only does it taste better — it looks better too. Who doesn't want to sip on a gorgeous pink drink that's filled with tons of good-for-you antioxidants?

But of course, the flavor is truly where this coconut water reigns. It's amazingly light and crisp and, while there is a bit of a coconut flavor there, it's not as concentrated as most other brands we've tried. Plus, this brand is widely available at all different kinds of grocery stores, so it should be relatively easy to find compared to some of the other brands we've covered here.

If you're looking for the perfect way to enter the world of coconut water, Harmless Harvest is a great place to start.