Key Takeaways:
- Kangen Water claims to be “restructured” and capable of restoring the body’s alkaline state, but there is no scientific evidence to support these assertions.
- Enagic operates through a multi-level marketing structure, with most sellers earning very little and has an F rating from the Better Business Bureau due to numerous complaints.
- Producing Kangen Water involves the use of chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, raising safety concerns, and its hydrogen and antioxidant claims are misleading.
- Tyent ionizers are a more reliable option, offering stronger plates, better antioxidant properties, a lifetime warranty, and a longer trial period.
Kangen Water has gained attention as a “miracle” product promising improved health, better hydration, detoxification, and even the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Marketed as a premium form of alkalized water produced by Enagic’s high-priced water ionizers, Kangen Water grew to have a loyal following—as well as several critics, including from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
From unverified health claims to its multi-level marketing (MLM) business model, many have questioned whether Kangen Water is as revolutionary as its marketing makes it seem or if it’s simply a well-disguised scam.
In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind Kangen Water, the validity of its health benefits, and the ethical concerns surrounding its sales tactics. If you’re looking to invest in an Enagic ionizer, here’s everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
What is Kangen Water?
Kangen Water is a brand of alkaline water produced by Enagic‘s water ionization machines. It is marketed as having various health benefits, particularly from its supposedly high levels of hydrogen, including improved hydration, detoxification, and balancing the body’s pH levels. However, there is little to no evidence to support these claims.
Enagic claims that Kangen Water is “restructured,” making it different from other alkaline water. Still, there’s no real evidence to suggest that Kangen Water is different from any other type of alkaline water.
Is Kangen Water a Scam?
We can’t tell you if Kangen Water is a scam. All we can do is tell you the facts, and you can draw your own conclusion. Enagic makes many claims about what Kangen Water is capable of but there is little support to back them. Plus, its high price and reliance on a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure raise concerns. Unfortunately, this just scratches the surface of why Kangen Water may be considered a scam.
Kangen Water Scam: Red Flags and Health Concerns
From its business model to the so-called hydrogen water it produces, there are many red flags when it comes to Kangen Water machines. While many of these issues are frustrating, some pose health risks that many Kangen Water users are unaware of.
MLM Pyramid Scheme Structure
Enagic’s Kangen Water machines are sold under a multi-level marketing pyramid scheme structure. Although this has been going on for some time, ABC News dug into the facts and exposed the concerning scheme in a 2024 exposé.
Despite promises of high returns, 99% of Kangen Water machine sellers earn less than $14,000 annually, with 60% making just $285 per year. Many lose money on products or “coaching,” which often involves fabricating success stories to recruit others. Enagic appears more focused on promoting its MLM scheme than selling ionizers.
If sellers have trouble affording products, Enagic offers finance plans. But the fine print reveals that if individuals fail to make payments within a specific time frame, the 10% per annum interest rate jumps all the way to 25%.
Concerning BBB Complaints
Enagic holds an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with more than 25 complaints filed against the business. If you’re investing in a water ionizer, choose a company you can trust, like Tyent, which has an A+ rating from the BBB.
Kangen Machines Use Deadly Chemicals
Enagic’s top selling points include that it can create “Strong” Kangen Water, which is alkaline water with a very high pH, or acidic water, which is water with a pH below 7.0. But Kangen machines require an “electrolysis enhancer” to make these types of water—one that is clearly marked “Not for drinking.” Plus, Kangen doesn’t educate customers on how to properly handle the chemical enhancer.
The makeup of the “enhancer” is processed water, sodium chloride, and sodium hypochlorite—better known as bleach. On the other hand, Tyent ionizers are certified chemical-free.
Unsupported Antioxidant Claims
Another of Enagic’s top selling points is that Kangen water has strong antioxidant properties. When we talk about antioxidants in water, we need to look at the ionizer’s oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). The lower the ORP, the higher the antioxidant properties.
While Enagic claims Kangen Water machines have a low ORP, that’s far from the truth. Enagic says that the K8 is its “most powerful antioxidant machine.” But its ORP is only -722 mV. In comparison, Tyent ionizers have an ORP of up to -1150 mV.
Minimal Hydrogen Levels Due to Lack of Plates
Enagic doesn’t list how much molecular hydrogen their ionizers infuse into their Kangen Water. But the makeup of these machines suggests the water they produce is not as “hydrogen-rich” as they say.
The most powerful Kangen Water machine only uses eight solid electrode plates. Some models use as little as four. Solid plates have a lower surface area, which leads to slower and weaker electrolysis. On the other hand, Tyent uses solid/mesh hybrid medical-grade titanium plates that are the strongest and thickest in the industry and have the highest surface area, leading to water with the most molecular hydrogen of any ionizer on the market.
Very Expensive Machines with Short Guarantees
Kangen Water machines are the most expensive water ionizers on the market, ranging between $4,000 and $6,000. And if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you may be out of luck.
These machines only come with 3-year or 5-year limited warranties with numerous stipulations. Getting an extended warranty means shelling out an additional $600, and that only gives you three more years of coverage.
Tyent, however, offers a full lifetime warranty with no fine print or hoops to jump through.
Short Trial Periods
In addition to having a complex limited warranty, Enagic only gives you a 7-day window to test and return your Kangen Water machine. If you miss the window, you could lose up to $1,100, not to mention the shipping fees.
When you purchase a Tyent ionizer, you have a 75-day trial and return period. (But less than 1% of users ever return their Tyent ionizer.)
Poor Customer Support
Numerous reviews call Enagic’s customer support “rude” and “terrible.” Reviewers say that they were frequently lied to and were also often blamed when they told customer support that their machines weren’t working.
Best Alternative to Kangen Water
If you want to invest in an ionizer to get hydrogen-rich alkaline water at home, consider the best alternative to Kangen Water.
Tyent
Tyent’s award-winning ionizers stand out from the rest as the only ionizers using solid/mesh hybrid medical-grade titanium plates that are dipped multiple times in platinum and baked, resulting in the strongest and thickest plates of any ionizer. They also have the most surface area, giving them maximum electrolysis capability and giving you more molecular hydrogen than any other ionizer on the market. And unlike Enagic’s F rating with the BBB, Tyent holds an A+ rating, both for the reliability of their ionizers and their helpful, supportive customer service.
Tyent ionizers also have the lowest oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the industry. The lower the ORP, the higher its antioxidant properties, and the greater the immune support. They also use 0.01-micron filtration, which is the same filtration level as kidney dialysis machines, allowing you to rid your water of more than 200 contaminants.
Tyent ACE-13Products:
Pros:
- Used by famous doctors, pro athletes, and celebrities
- The only water ionizer featured on E!, FOX, ABC, Discovery Channel, and more
- Alkaline pH adjustments for healthy drinking water
- Acidic pH adjustments for beauty water or cleaning
- All Tyent water ionizers are chemical-free
- Plates are the strongest and thickest, and provide the most surface area in the industry
- Use Dialipure filters—the same filtration as kidney dialysis machines—that remove over 200 dangerous contaminants
- 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 hydrogen water and 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
Get started with your own Tyent ionizer.
Learn More About the Kangen Water Scam
Still curious about Kangen? Here’s what else to know about the Kangen Water scam.
Is Kangen FDA-approved?
Not only is Kangen not FDA-approved, but the FDA has issued warnings to the public against the purchase and consumption of Kangen Water, as it “may pose potential health hazards.”
Why is Kangen water so expensive?
Enagic claims that the high price of its machines is due to the amount of platinum it takes to coat its machine’s electrode plates. But Tyent ionizers also use platinum-coated plates without as high of a price tag.
What is better than Kangen?
Tyent is better than Kangen due to numerous factors, including having stronger and thicker electrode plates, a lower ORP, a lifetime warranty, and a generous 75-day trial period.
Kangen Water Scam: The Bottom Line
Kangen Water does not live up to its claims. It is neither the antioxidant powerhouse it advertises nor capable of producing the hydrogen-rich alkaline water it promises.
Whether you call it a scam or not, the truth is that there are many hard-working people who have indeed been scammed by Enagic due to unethical business practices under its MLM scheme structure.
Tyent wants you to know the truth—and the truth is that Tyent ionizers have stronger electrode plates than Kangen Water machines, as well as a lower ORP, a more generous return policy, and the best and simplest warranty of any ionizer on the market. Plus, Tyent ionizers don’t just say that they have hydrogen water. They infuse their water with the most molecular hydrogen of any ionizer on the market.
Start drinking better, cleaner, and safer water with Tyent ionizers.