Looking for the best way to remineralize reverse osmosis (RO) water? While RO systems are fantastic for removing impurities, they also strip away essential minerals. In this guide, we’ll walk you through six effective ways to remineralize so you can enjoy clean, healthy, and great-tasting hydration.
Why You Need to Remineralize Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most effective and common filtration methods available. It removes contaminants like chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and more—but it also removes beneficial minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
As a result, RO water can taste flat or even stale. Worse, long-term consumption of demineralized water can affect overall health because your body has to utilize its own minerals to digest and process the water.
That’s why many homeowners search for ways to add minerals back to RO water—and we’re here to help you do it right. (TLDR: #6 is the best option)
6 Best Ways to Remineralize RO Water
Each method below can help restore essential minerals to your purified water—but they vary in effectiveness, cost, and convenience. Let’s break them down:
1. Use a Calcite (Calcium) Filter
Calcite filters are a common, low-cost solution. These filters add calcium carbonate to water. This form of calcium is most often used in industrial and commercial settings to neutralize acidity and protect plumbing and water distribution pipes. It's very effective in this role and will decrease the corrosion of plumbing by quickly raising the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water.
But it's not very bioavailable when consumed, which means the body prefers other forms of calcium. It improves the measurable aspects of the water ie TDS, pH, but not the hydration requirements our bodies need.
✅ Pros:
- Affordable ($30–$40)
- Easy to install
- Raises TDS significantly and pH slightly
❌ Cons:
- Only adds calcium and that calcium is not recommended for consumption.
- Primarily designed to protect plumbing, not provide healthy drinking water
- Wears out very quickly and requires frequent replacement
Summary: Calcite filters are widely used to remineralize RO water cheaply, but they’re not ideal for consumption, hydration or improving taste.
2. Add Liquid Mineral Drops
Liquid trace mineral drops are a portable way to remineralize reverse osmosis water with a broader spectrum of minerals by adding a few drops to your glass or bottle.
✅ Pros:
- Adds a better blend of minerals (ie. magnesium, potassium, other trace minerals)
- Customizable "dosages"
- Great for travel or solo use
❌ Cons:
- Very expensive for families or even one person who drinks a lot of water
- Inconvenient for cooking or larger quantities of water
- Easy to forget or underuse
- Taste can vary depending on amount used and/or the brand
Summary: Adding mineral drops to RO water is simple, but not always practical for daily household needs. They are great for travel.
3. Mineral-Rich Salts or Baking Soda
This was the original method that started shortly after ROs and distillation systems became more widespread. A DIY method of adding a pinch of salt (ie. Himalayan, Celtic or pink) or a small amount of baking soda.
It does raise the TDS and mineral concentrations of the water, particularly sodium and bicarbonate. But it can come with digestive and taste issues.
✅ Pros:
- Extremely low cost
- Provides sodium and trace minerals
- Good first thing in the morning
❌ Cons:
- Poor taste
- Limited mineral range
- Will cause digestive and explosive intestinal issues if you use too much
Summary: Salt and baking soda is cheap but limited in nutritional value and can put you in the bathroom way more than you want to be.
4. Drop in Mineral infusers
These are designed for use in a travel container or bottle. Drop them into the reservoir, fill it up and swirl a few times over the course of a couple minutes to dissolve minerals and create an improved pH and antioxidant water.
Similar to the mineral drops, they aren't as convenient when large volumes are required and will need to dry between uses. They are great for travel or for keeping at work and using during the day.
Mineral levels won't be as high, but they are better than nothing in a pinch.
✅ Pros:
- Easy to use and very portable
- Improves taste
- Accessible price point
❌ Cons:
- Low mineral content added
- Not convenient for large volumes or if you don't want to wait a few minutes for it to work
- Require some maintenance to keep clean and dry between uses
Summary: The best option for travel and portability. You won't get high mineral levels, but they are more affordable than drops and will create a hydrating and good tasting water.
5. Alkaline Water Pitchers
Alkaline pitchers use mineral beads or ceramic balls to raise the pH and lightly remineralize RO water. They have become extremely popular in the last decade but are more effective at raising the pH and creating antioxidants than adding mineral content back into the water.
They also utilize a carbon and/or ion exchange resin in their filters, using upwards of 50% of the filter space for an unnecessary ingredient. You can't filter RO water any further with a simple pitcher filter.
✅ Pros:
- Easy to use and can keep in the fridge to stay cold
- Improves taste
- Accessible price point
- Higher volume available than mineral drops or baking soda
❌ Cons:
- Low mineral content added
- Can be awkward to fill from RO faucets
- Short filter lifespan than RO mounted remineralizers.
Summary: Alkaline pitchers help raise pH, but aren’t the most effective way to remineralize reverse osmosis water. They are more for use as a basic or entry level filter with tap water.
6. Install an Inline Mineral Filter (Like the REMIN System)
The most efficient and consistent method to remineralize RO water is with an inline mineral cartridge that treats all the water coming out of your RO system.
We recommend the REMIN, which adds calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium—plus 70+ trace minerals—using eco-friendly coral calcium. It's also Made in the US, so you can trust its quality and ingredient safety.
✅ Pros:
- Full-spectrum remineralization
- Boosts pH and antioxidant levels
- Works with all RO systems
- Improves taste of everything—from coffee to soup
- Low maintenance: ~$10/month
❌ Cons:
- Large families may need more frequent replacements
- Will require some basic installation and tube cutting...not difficult, easily done DIY.
Installing a post-RO remineralization filter like the REMIN is the best long-term solution for healthy, mineral-rich water at home.
So what's the best way to remineralize?
It depends on your goals:
- For convenience and daily use, an inline remineralization filter offers the best balance of performance, affordability, and ease.
- For on-the-go hydration, mineral drops or drop in mineral infusers.
- For short-term fixes, alkaline pitchers or calcite filters offer basic benefits.
But for full-home, consistently healthy RO water, the REMIN system stands out.
You invested in a reverse osmosis system to get cleaner, safer water—now make it healthier by putting the minerals back in.
If you’re ready to:
- Improve taste
- Boost hydration
- Support your body with essential minerals
Then check out our REMIN system or contact us for help finding the right setup for your needs.
📞 Questions? Our team is here to help—because we use these same solutions at home and on the go.
