The 7 Best Coconut Waters to Keep You Hydrated in 2023

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Dr. Jennifer Hughes, MD
Medical Reviewer

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As summer looms closer and closer (and sweatiness levels grow higher and higher), many people are in search of hydrating and refreshing drinks to quench their thirst and replenish lost electrolytesโ€”and coconut water fits the bill.

But not all coconut water is created equalโ€”some are loaded with sugar, while others donโ€™t contain the real deal, making it difficult to pick out the best one from the grocery store shelf. 

Weโ€™ve got you covered with the top eight coconut water brands, including our top pick, Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water, plus flavored, pulpy, neutral-tasting, and caffeinated options.

Coconut WaterKey PointsCost
Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut WaterGreat taste; Transparent and ethical sourcing from young Nam Hom coconuts in Thailand; Innovative manufacturing process preserves nutrients; Commitment to sustainability; Fair-trade Certified.$4.00 for 12oz ($0.33/oz) 
VitaCoco Organic Coconut WaterAffordable; Entire process from harvest to bottle takes 72 hours or less; Transparent about sourcing and manufacturing; Organic.$27.49 for 12 bottles ($0.14/oz)
Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water With PulpUsing the pulp helps reduce coconut waste; Great taste; Transparent and ethical sourcing from young Nam Hom coconuts in Thailand; Innovative manufacturing process preserves nutrients; Commitment to sustainability; Fair-trade Certified.$4.99 for 16oz ($0.32/oz)
C2O Original Coconut WaterAffordable; Mild flavor; Contains added sugar (less than 1%), coming out to 2g per 8oz serving. $19.99 for 12 cans ($0.16/oz)
Harmless Harvest Coconut Water & WatermelonReal watermelon juice; No added sugar; Certified Organic and Fair for Life Certified; Sustainably and ethically sourced. $49.99 for 12 bottles ($0.34/oz)
Real Coco Organic Pure Coconut WaterLow in natural sugar (7g per serving); No added sugar; Very affordable; Certified Organic and sustainably manufactured.$27.99 for 6 bottles($0.14/oz)
Once Upon a Coconut – Sparkling Coconut Water + CaffeineAffordable; Sparkling coconut water is unique; Contains vitamin C and natural caffeine from green coffee beans (120mg); Contains 12g of added sugar per serving. $24.99 for 12 cans ($0.19/oz)

Best Overall Coconut Water: Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water

Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water
  • Pros
  • Great taste
  • Transparent and ethical sourcing
  • Innovative manufacturing process that preserves nutrients
  • Commitment to sustainability
  • Cons
  • Expensive
  • High in natural sugar (20g per 12oz bottle)

Best for: People looking for premium coconut water with the highest standards for quality and ethical practices. 

Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water is consistently at the top of peopleโ€™s lists when it comes to favorite coconut water. 

With an antioxidant-rich pink hue and deliciously sweet nutty flavor, itโ€™s no surprise that this product is well-loved. 

Harmless Harvest uses organic or regeneratively farmed Nam Hom coconuts from Thailandโ€”a name that aptly translates to โ€œfragrant ones.โ€ 

The only downside is the priceโ€”at $4 per bottle, Harmless Harvest is two to three times more expensive than most other brands. 

However, they do have solid reasoning behind the price tag, including an impressive commitment to sustainability, ethical and fair trade coconut sourcing, and high-pressure processing that preserves antioxidants and nutrients. 

Best Budget Coconut Water: Vita Coco Coconut Water Organic

Vita Coco Coconut Water Organic
  • Pros
  • Affordable
  • Entire process from harvest to bottle takes 72 hours or less
  • Transparent about sourcing and manufacturing
  • Cons
  • Contains 1g added sugar per 8oz
  • Pasteurization can remove some nutrients and antioxidants

Best for: People on a budget who still want high-quality, organic coconut water. 

At just $0.14 per ounce, Vita Coco is the least expensive coconut water on this listโ€”but they donโ€™t skimp on quality.

Their coconuts are sourced from the Philippines and Brazil, and the picking, cracking, and packing occur right at the farmโ€”not to mention, the entire tree-to-TetraPak process is done in less than 72 hours. 

However, one minor downside is that the ingredients donโ€™t solely contain coconut waterโ€”they have a tiny bit of sugar added, at 1g per 8oz.

Their reasoning is that coconuts can vary widely in flavor profile (including sweetness), so the sugar (less than 1%) can standardize the flavor. 

Overall, Vita Coco is an excellent option for organic coconut water on a budget. 

Best Coconut Water with Pulp: Harmless Harvest Coconut Water With Pulp

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water With Pulp
  • Pros
  • Transparent and ethical sourcing
  • Innovative manufacturing process that preserves nutrients
  • Using the pulp helps reduce coconut waste
  • Cons
  • Not for people who donโ€™t like pulp
  • Expensive

Best for: People who like to chew their drinks (or just like a little bit of extra texture).

For those who like a little texture in their drinks, Harmless Harvest Coconut Water With Pulp is the one for you.

This beverage combines small, tender pieces of organic coconut meat with organic pink coconut water, providing a love-it-or-hate-it kind of texture. 

As with all Harmless Harvest products, this one is Certified Organic and Fair For Life Certified, ensuring the highest standards for ethical and transparent sourcing. 

This newly launched product also helps Harmless Harvest achieve their goal of becoming zero-coconut waste, as the pulp used here comes from the same Nam Hom Thai coconuts that the coconut water is sourced from.

Best Neutral-Tasting Coconut Water: C2O Original Coconut Water

C2O Original Coconut Water
  • Pros
  • Affordable
  • Mild flavor
  • Cons
  • Some people prefer stronger coconut taste
  • Not organic
  • Contains some added sugar (2g per 8oz)

Best for: People who want hydration without an overly coconutty flavor

C2O Original Coconut Water is the best option for people who want the benefits of coconut waterโ€”but donโ€™t really love coconuts. 

Although this coconut water contains the water from young green Thai coconuts (which tend to be sweeter), many reviewers state that the flavor is more neutral and mild than mostโ€”which is a positive for some and a negative for others. 

However, there are a couple of downsides to this productโ€”itโ€™s not organic, and contains some added sugar (less than 1%), coming out to 2g per 8oz serving. 

Best Flavored Coconut Water: Harmless Harvest Coconut Water & Watermelon

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water & Watermelon
  • Pros
  • Real watermelon juice
  • No added sugar
  • Certified Organic and Fair for Life Certified
  • Cons
  • Expensive
  • High amounts of natural sugar (18g per serving)

Best for: People who want a flavored coconut water without added sugar; Those looking for a refreshing and hydrating organic drink. 

Unlike many flavored coconut water, the watermelon flavor in Harmless Harvest Coconut Water & Watermelon doesn’t come with added sugar.

Containing just organic coconut water, organic watermelon juice, and water, this is one of the cleanest flavored coconut waters you will findโ€”and the combined fruits make for an even more refreshing beverage. 

However, although it does not have added sugar, each serving contains 18g of natural sugar from the coconut water and watermelon juice.

At $0.34 per ounce, this product is more expensive than most coconut watersโ€”flavored or otherwise. 

Best Low-Sugar Coconut Water: Real Coco Organic Pure Coconut Water

Real Coco Organic Pure Coconut Water
  • Pros
  • Low in sugar
  • Very affordable
  • Certified Organic and sustainably manufactured
  • Cons
  • 1 liter serving may be too large for some

Best for: People wanting a low-sugar, organic coconut water.  

With just 7g of natural sugar per cup, Real Coco Organic Pure Coconut Water is the lowest sugar option on this listโ€”with no added sugar. 

Plus, at $0.14 per ounce, itโ€™s also one of the most affordable. 

But itโ€™s definitely not low quality, as Real Coco is Certified Organic and sustainable, with the coconut water being bottled where they are farmedโ€”in remote coconut farms in Vietnam and Thailand. 

Best Caffeinated Coconut Water: Once Upon a Coconut – Sparkling Coconut Water + Caffeine

Once Upon a Coconut - Sparkling Coconut Water + Caffeine
  • Pros
  • Affordable
  • Sparkling coconut water is unique
  • Contains vitamin C and natural caffeine from green coffee beans
  • Cons
  • Caffeine content may be too much for some (120mg)
  • High in added sugar

Best for: People wanting to hydrate and get an energy boost simultaneously. 

If you are needing to hydrate but also need a little caffeine boost, Once Upon a Coconut – Sparkling Coconut Water + Caffeine provides this unique combination. 

With 120mg of natural caffeine from green coffee beans and 25% of your daily needs for vitamin Cโ€”plus the natural electrolytes from coconut waterโ€”this product is more hydrating than a cup of coffee would be. 

Plus, this beverage is carbonated, which is rarelyโ€”if everโ€”seen with coconut water. 

However, this coconut water is very high in added sugar compared to the others, at 12g per 10.8oz serving. 

FAQs About Coconut Water

Is It Okay to Drink Coconut Water Every Day?

Yes, itโ€™s okay to drink coconut water every dayโ€”especially products with no added sugar. 

However, you wonโ€™t only want to drink coconut water, as you can overdo it on minerals like potassium, and the natural sugar can add up. 

How Do I Choose Coconut Water?

The best coconut waters are organic, contain no added sugar, and are made of 100% coconut water. 

Itโ€™s also best if the coconuts are ethically sourced and state what region they come from. 

How do I choose coconut water?

Does Coconut Water Really Hydrate Better Than Water?

Coconut water is hydrating because it contains natural sugar and electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium, and sodium. 

But plain olโ€™ water is typically the most hydrating drink for the general population. 

However, coconut water can be useful for rehydration after lots of sweating or bouts of diarrhea or vomiting. 

Plus, coconut water is a healthier alternative to sports drinksโ€”after all, thatโ€™s why itโ€™s nicknamed โ€œnatureโ€™s Gatorade.โ€ 



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