Odds are, you’ve heard about premium ionized water and all of the health perks you stand to gain from drinking it, including more energy, better digestion, and a stronger immune system. Scoring these benefits requires investing in a water ionizer, with Enagic Kangen water machines being one of several options to choose from.
Enagic’s Kangen water machines are pricey, so before you crack open your wallet, it’s important to understand the disadvantages of owning one before deciding if it’s worth the price tag.
This Enagic Kangen water machine deep dive highlights pros, cons, and customer reviews to help you figure out which water ionizer is worth the investment.
What is an Enagic Kangen Water Machine?
Enagic is the company behind Kangen water machines—small appliances that calibrate the pH level of your tap water in order to make it more alkaline or acidic.
The Enagic Kangen water machine works by using a process called electrolysis. Water is redirected from your tap through the machine’s filter, which then goes through several solid electrode plates and membranes that separate the water into its acidic and alkaline parts. These waters can be used for various purposes, including drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
According to Enagic, Kangen water—what the company calls the alkaline water that comes out of their machines—alkalizes the body and brings it back into balance. The company also claims that Kangen water is high in molecular hydrogen, which acts as a liquid antioxidant that helps the body fight free radicals and oxidative stress.
Only, there are problems with these claims. Let’s explore.
Enagic Kangen Water Machine Cons
Before investing your hard-earned money into an Enagic Kangen water machine, there are several red flags you need to know about.
Use of Harmful Chemicals
Enagic Kangen water machines aren’t powerful enough to produce a wide range of water pH levels on their own. They require an “electrolysis enhancer” to work properly. The starring ingredient in the enhancer? Sodium hypochlorite—more commonly known as bleach.
Worse, Kangen doesn’t teach customers how to use the electrolysis enhancer safely, even though all water types—Kangen drinking water, Strong Kangen water, and Strong Acid water—are produced using the same water cell.
Some models also have a chemical injection port for adding glycerophosphoric acid calcium to boost alkalinity, too much of which can cause nausea, constipation, and kidney stones to form. Enagic claims it’s only needed with tap water that has a pH below 6, but this is misleading because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates that tap water have a minimum pH of 6.5.
Poor Customer Support
Enagic’s top priority is selling machines, not customer satisfaction. Past customers report that Enagic’s sales people are “pushy,” “rude,” and “condescending.” After being sent a faulty machine, some customers reported being charged a maintenance fee only to be told there’s no problem with the machine or that they won’t be sent a replacement because it’s their source water that’s the problem. The stock answer from Kangen reps appears to be that everything but the machine is at fault.
Trial Period Issues
Enagic’s trial period and return policy are not generous. A full refund (minus shipping fees) will only be granted if the machine is unused and returned to them within 7 days of receipt. Unused machines sent back within 30 days of receipt are charged a $100 restocking fee.
If you do decide to test it first, the machine still has to be sent back within the short 7-day window—that means you only have 3 days to test it out before you have to send it back. A $100 restocking fee applies here, too, and shipping fees deducted from your refund.
Should you miss the 7-day window but return the machine within 30 days, you’ll instead be charged a cancellation fee. Depending on the model you ordered, you could lose up to $1,100 plus shipping fees.
Short Warranty
Enagic Kangen water machines only come with a 3 or 5-year limited warranty with several sketchy stipulations, such as having to send your machine in to be cleaned within the first year or they’ll void your warranty. An extended warranty will cost you a whopping $600 more and only give you an additional three years.
BBB Complaints
Not only is Enagic not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but the company has an F rating. According to the BBB, the reasons for Enagic’s failed rating include:
- Failure to respond to 2 complaint(s) filed against business
- 7 complaint(s) filed against business that were not resolved
- 26 complaint(s) filed against business
- Length of time business has taken to respond to complaint(s)
The BBB rates companies like Enagic based on information they’re able to collect about them, such as complaints submitted by the public. Ratings represent the BBB’s opinion of how Enagic is likely to interact with its customers.
Lack of Plates
Enagic claims that Kangen water is hydrogen-rich, and therefore antioxidant-packed, but their machines lack the plates and power necessary to make that possible.
The most powerful Enagic Kangen water machine uses only eight plates, with other models containing as little as four. Worse, their plates are solid, which means they have far less surface area. This results in slower, weaker electrolysis and sub-par hydrogen water.
Enagic Kangen Water Machine Pros
Here are features found across different Enagic Kangen water machine models:
- 4-8 solid plates. Kangen machines lack both the quantity and quality of plates needed to make hydrogen water. Tyent is the only water ionizer company that uses solid/mesh hybrid plates, which increase the amount of surface area available for electrolysis and lead to better results.
- 5 water settings. While Kangen machines feature set “types” of water, they’re not adjustable to your source water. Tyent water ionizers can be customized to your specific water type, with 99 presets to choose from.
- 20-micron carbon filter. Kangen machines lack the filtration capabilities required to adequately remove all harmful chemicals from your tap water. Meanwhile, Tyent ionizers contain an advanced dual Dialapure filtration system which possesses the same filtration capabilities as kidney dialysis machines.
- Automatic cleaning. Even with automatic cleaning capabilities, you still need to perform an 8-step manual cleaning process twice per month if you have hard water. Tyent water ionizers, on the other hand, feature one of the most advanced automated cleaning systems in the industry.
- Transformer power supply. Kangen machines use an obsolete power supply that’s prone to overheating. Tyent water ionizers feature a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS Plus) with multiple adjustable power settings—a larger, more efficient power supply than Kangen machines.
Enagic Kangen Water Machine Reviews
The following customer reviews reveal some of the many unfortunate experiences people have had after investing in Enagic Kangen water machines:
“I bought an Enagic Kangen water machine approximately 3-4 months ago. It would not make low pH water so we sent it for repair. That took about 30 days and we were told there was NOTHING wrong with the machine! Now there is a small crack starting where the upper hose connects to the machine and I’m told they do not warranty parts! A machine that costs thousands and no warranty on parts!”
“I was swindled into purchasing an Enagic Kangen water machine. Not only did I come to find out that I need to add a chemical enhancer into the same membrane my drinking water comes from to get acidic water, but that the person who sold me this thing pocketed almost $3,000 of my money in commissions. I guess the company doesn’t need to make any money, because that would mean my machine would cost almost nothing to build.”
“They have a very short window to return or replace and most of the people will not figure out what they should do within this timeframe. Also, the restocking fee and return fee are insanely high, so most of the buyers don’t want to return them. The business platform, which is basically individual members, are falsely selling the product after they’re trapped in the pyramid marketing scheme.”
Best Enagic Kangen Water Machine Alternative
Now that it’s clear an Enagic Kangen water machine isn’t worth the money or counter space, let’s explore the best water ionizer machines on the market. Meet Tyent.
Tyent
There’s a reason Tyent water ionizers are award-winning and considered the best hydrogen water machines on the market. Scratch that—there are many reasons.
For starters, Tyent’s ionizers feature solid/mesh hybrid medical-grade titanium plates that are dipped multiple times in platinum and baked, making them the strongest and thickest in the industry. They also provide the largest surface area for maximum electrolysis capability.
Tyent water ionizers produce both hydrogen-rich and alkaline water, giving you the best of both worlds. Plus, they generate the highest concentrations of molecular hydrogen (up to 1.8 ppm) and antioxidant levels (up to -1,250 ORP) in every glass. Unlike other ionizers that require chemicals to achieve different pH levels, all Tyent ionizers get the job done chemical-free.
Every Tyent water ionizer comes fully equipped with a dual Dialapure filtration system that removes over 200 dangerous contaminants, including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and 100% of lead from your tap water. Between Tyent’s variety of pre-filters to improve the quality of your source water and real-time filter usage indicator, you can rest assured that you’re always drinking the cleanest and healthiest water in the world.
Products + Pricing:
- Tyent UCE-13 Plus is an under-counter water ionizer that comes with a sleek stainless-steel faucet—available in chrome, antique, and matte black: $4,795
- Tyent ACE-13 is an above-the-counter ionizer that’s loaded with advanced features and a super-lux design that suits any kitchen: $3,995
- Tyent H2 Hybrid is both a water ionizer and hydrogen water generator, giving you the best of both worlds: $4,250
- Tyent Edge-9 Turbo is the perfect water ionizer for small spaces: $2,495
Pros:
- Used by famous doctors, pro athletes, and celebrities
- The only water ionizer featured on E!, FOX, ABC, Discovery Channel, and more
- Plates are the strongest, thickest, and provide the most surface area in the industry
- Feature the widest range of pH level options, from alkaline for healthy drinking water to acidic for beauty water or cleaning
- Use Dialipure filters—the same filtration as kidney dialysis machines—that remove over 200 dangerous contaminants
- Offer a variety of pre-filtration options to maximize the quality of your source water
- All Tyent water ionizers are chemical-free
- Tyent has dozens of premium certifications, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
- Trustworthy and transparent—Tyent shares third-party lab results publicly
- Tyent is the only water ionizer company to offer a 100% full lifetime warranty with zero stipulations that covers both parts and labor
- Tyent offers a generous 75-day trial period, with a less than 1% return rate
- Accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for excellent customer service and support, A+ rating
Check out Tyent’s water ionizers in more detail to decide which one’s right for you. Financing is available with payments as low as $25 per month!
Learn More About Enagic Kangen Water Machines
Still have questions about Enagic Kangen water machines? Keep reading to learn more.
Is Enagic Kangen water good for you?
Kangen water is what Enagic calls the alkaline water generated by their water ionizers. The company claims that Kangen water is rich in molecular hydrogen, which acts as a liquid antioxidant that helps the body fight free radicals and oxidative stress.
The problem with this claim is that Kangen water machines lack the plates and power for this to be possible. Enagic’s most powerful Kangen water machine only has an ORP of -722, contradicting their antioxidant claims. For context, Tyent water ionizers produce alkaline water with a negative ORP of up to -1,250.
Why is Enagic so expensive?
Enagic, the company behind Kangen water machines, is a multi-level marketing business. That means when you buy an Enagic Kangen water machine, you pay far more than it’s worth in order to fund the commissions of several layers of salespeople and personnel.
With up to eight people pocketing commissions and Enagic taking their cut from each water ionizer purchase, how much is actually going back into the machines? Odds are, not very much.
Is a Kangen water machine worth buying?
Despite being a long-established name in the water ionizer industry, Kangen water machines aren’t worth buying. They’re far less powerful than other brands (especially Tyent), require chemical enhancements to function optimally, and have inferior filtration, among other faults. They also come with the shortest warranties in the industry (3 or 5-year limited warranties filled with stipulations).
What is the lifespan of the Kangen water machine?
According to Enagic, the average lifespan of an Enagic Kangen water machine is 15-20 years with proper maintenance—only, Kangen machines are as high-maintenance as it gets.
Maximizing the lifespan of your Enagic Kangen water machine involves:
- E-cleaning your machine up to twice a month
- Deep cleaning it twice a year (which involves sending it to Enagic’s head office)
- Running beauty water daily for 3-5 minutes
- Running the cleaning cycle after producing strong acidic water and strong Kangen water
It’s better to save yourself the hassle and invest in a low-maintenance water ionizer machine from Tyent as they’re built to last a lifetime.
Try the Best Alternative to Enagic Kangen Water Machines
Enagic Kangen water machines have been around for decades. Unfortunately, the technology behind them hasn’t evolved—perhaps because most of the money made goes into paying commissions to their salespeople rather than the machines themselves.
Tyent water ionizers outshine Kangen models in all categories, including superior electrolysis capabilities, more pH level options to choose from, fully customizable filtration, and zero chemical enhancements. They also come with a 75-day trial and a 100% full lifetime warranty with zero stipulations that covers both parts and labor.
Try a Tyent water ionizer today!
