heywell produces functional, sparkling waters infused with adaptogens, antioxidants, electrolytes, and organic caffeine to support energy, hydration, immunity, focus, and stress relief. Their mission is to simplify wellness by offering drinks that taste good and provide function without excess sugar or artificially fortifying ingredients.
Poppi crafts fruity, sparkling tonics with prebiotic ingredients (e.g. apple cider vinegar) to support digestion and gut health. Their beverages deliver soda-like flavors with added functional benefit, aiming to make healthy hydration light and fun. The brand positions itself as a better alternative to sugary soft drinks.
Rowdy Mermaid creates sparkling botanical elixirs and functional seltzers infused with herbs, adaptogens, and nootropics to support wellness. Their beverages aim to blend flavor with benefits, offering an alternative to sugary or conventional soft drinks. They emphasize clean ingredients, inventive flavor profiles, and holistic health.
Liquid Death is a completely unnecessary approach to bottled water. In fact, they strive to be unnecessary in everything they do. Because unnecessary things tend to be far more interesting, fun, hilarious, captivating, memorable, exciting, and cult-worthy than “necessary” things.
waterdrop's mission is to encourage you to drink more water in order for you to live a healthier, longer and more sustainable life.
Dash offers British spring water with a dash of wonky fruit. No Calories, No Sugar, No Sweetener (naturally) three simple Ingredients. Wonky Fruit & Veg. Bubbles. The different types offered are: Lemon, Peach, Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Cucumber.
Waterboy creates science-backed, sugar-free hydration solutions for recovery and daily wellness. Their products feature electrolytes, glutamine, and vitamins for rapid absorption and effectiveness. The brand stands out for its playful approach to hydration while remaining committed to quality and clean ingredients.
Direct-to-consumer (D2C or DTC) water brands are companies that market and sell bottled water directly to consumers, bypassing traditional retail channels. These brands often emphasize unique selling points such as enhanced mineral content, eco-friendly packaging, or innovative filtration processes to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. The rise of D2C water brands is fueled by consumer demand for convenience, quality, and sustainability.
They offer subscription services, home delivery, and personalized customer experiences, leveraging online platforms to connect with health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. Brands like Liquid Death have gained notoriety for their bold marketing and commitment to environmental causes, illustrating the potential for D2C brands to make a significant impact in the beverage industry.
Among the plethora of D2C water brands, a few stand out for their exceptional product quality, innovative packaging, and commitment to sustainability. Liquid Death has captured consumers' attention with its canned water, emphasizing eco-friendliness and a punk rock ethos. Another notable brand is PathWater, which offers purified water in reusable aluminum bottles, aiming to reduce plastic waste. These brands excel not only because of their product quality but also due to their unique branding and direct engagement with consumers online, creating a loyal customer base passionate about the products and the values they represent.
The D2C water category is witnessing several evolving trends, primarily driven by sustainability concerns and technological advancements. Eco-friendly packaging is a significant trend, with brands increasingly adopting aluminum cans and bottles, which are more sustainable than plastic.
There's also a growing emphasis on functional waters, enhanced with vitamins, minerals, or electrolytes, catering to health-conscious consumers looking for hydration plus added health benefits. Additionally, personalization and subscription models are becoming more prevalent, allowing consumers to have tailored products delivered regularly to their doorstep. These trends reflect a broader shift towards more responsible consumption patterns and a desire for products that support well-being and environmental stewardship.
Everything you need to build a better D2C brand, business and tech stack.
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