Students stocking a shared kitchen
A multipack gives the flat several bottles to use over time, provided there is room to carry it home, store it and collect the empties.
Who might choose each format?
Students choosing between plain and flavoured drinks
Plain sparkling water and flavoured sparkling drinks are different ingredient choices. A sugar-free flavoured drink can still contain acids, flavourings and sweeteners.
Students with limited fridge or bag space
Individual 330ml cans or 500ml bottles are easier to fit into a bag or chill one at a time. Check where the rest of a multipack will go before buying it.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the drink itself, then choose a serving size and pack that work in your accommodation.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Plain or flavoured | Read the ingredients for added flavourings, acids and sweeteners. Check a flavoured drink’s nutrition declaration separately from its sugar-free wording. | I want plain sparkling water, so I’ll choose by the ingredients rather than the word “sparkling” alone. |
| Individual servings | Compare 330ml cans, 500ml bottles and larger bottles. Check whether a serving fits your bag or the space available for chilling it. | A bottle for lectures matters more to me than keeping a large bottle at the flat. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the number and size of containers, how you will carry the full pack, and where unopened and opened bottles can be kept. | I can share cupboard space for a multipack, but I need to be able to get it home and store it. |
| Packaging | Check whether your accommodation collects the bottle or can material and which bins residents should use. | Our flat needs somewhere practical to collect empties between recycling collections. |
What can catch you out?
-
Picking a flavoured drink when you wanted plain water
Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling, for example, lists citric acid, flavouring and sweeteners. Its sugar-free description does not make it the same ingredient choice as plain sparkling water.
Read the ingredients before choosing, especially if avoiding a particular addition matters to you.
-
Buying a large pack before checking the space
A 6x2L or 4x2L pack takes room to carry and store, and its empty containers need somewhere to go.
Check the cupboard space and your accommodation’s recycling instructions before stocking up.
-
Using bottled water to sidestep a tap-water concern
A preference for sparkling water is separate from a concern about the taste, odour or quality of water in your accommodation.
If something seems wrong with the tap water, raise it with your accommodation provider or water supplier rather than relying only on bottles.
Which brands offer relevant options?
These brand ranges illustrate differences in ingredients and formats; check the particular product when choosing.
Highland Spring
Highland Spring lists plain sparkling spring water in 500ml and 1.5L bottles and a 6x1L multipack.
- The listed sizes give a choice between individual bottles and a supply for the flat.
- Check that a multipack fits your storage space.
Buxton
Buxton lists sparkling natural mineral water in 500ml bottles, an 8x500ml pack and a 6x1L pack.
- The formats cover both individual servings and larger bottles for home use.
- Check the exact pack size when comparing listings.
Evian
Evian lists sparkling natural mineral water in a 33cl aluminium can and a 1L plastic bottle.
- The can is a smaller individual serving.
- Check which container size suits your storage and recycling arrangements.
Volvic
Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling is a flavoured drink in a 330ml can, rather than plain sparkling water.
- It provides a small flavoured serving.
- Its ingredients include citric acid, flavouring and sweeteners, even though it is labelled sugar free.
Tesco
Tesco lists own-label sparkling natural mineral water in 2L bottles and 6x2L packs.
- A 2L bottle and a six-bottle pack offer different quantities for shared storage.
- Check whether you can carry and store a 6x2L pack.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists own-label British bottled sparkling spring water in larger bottles and multipacks.
- The listed 2L product contains spring water and carbon dioxide.
- Check the pack quantity and storage space needed for the version you choose.
Joybuy sparkling-water options
These plain sparkling-water packs include individual 500ml servings and a 6x1L option for keeping at the flat. Compare their container sizes with the space you have.
No image available
San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 6x0.5L
Six separate 500ml bottles give you individual servings to take out or chill one at a time. The listed ingredients are natural mineral water and carbon dioxide; check where the full pack will fit.
No image available
Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 8x500ml
Eight 500ml bottles provide separate servings for a bag or small fridge. This is described as plain sparkling spring water; allow space for the full eight-bottle pack.
No image available
Buxton Sparkling Natural Mineral Water 8x500ml
Eight 500ml bottles offer individual servings for lectures or the flat. The water is described as carbonated natural mineral water; the listing says to refrigerate opened bottles and consume within 3 days.
No image available
Cano Water Sparkling Resealable 12x500ml
Twelve resealable 500ml cans provide separate servings if you prefer a can to a bottle. The listed ingredients are natural spring water and carbon dioxide; check where you will store the 12-can pack.
No image available
Highland Spring Sparkling Spring Water 6x1L
Six separate 1L bottles suit keeping a supply in the flat rather than carrying an individual 500ml serving. Check storage space before buying; the listing says to refrigerate opened bottles and use within 7 days.
Common questions
Should I buy bottled sparkling water as soon as I move in?
Buy it if you prefer the taste or want a convenient fizzy drink, not because moving into student accommodation automatically calls for bottled water. If you have a concern about the tap water, raise it with your accommodation provider or water supplier.
How is plain sparkling water different from a flavoured one?
Check the ingredients: plain sparkling water can contain water and carbonation, while a flavoured drink may include other ingredients. Volvic Touch of Strawberry Sparkling, for example, lists citric acid, flavouring and sweeteners despite being labelled sugar free.
What bottle size works in a shared student flat?
Choose a larger bottle or multipack if the flat has room to store it and you can carry it home. A 330ml can or 500ml bottle is a more practical individual serving when you need a drink for lectures or have little fridge space.
What if I prefer sparkling water to still water?
Sparkling water is an option if you dislike the taste of still water; the NHS includes it among its suggestions for that preference. If you want plain water, check the ingredients of flavoured sparkling products before choosing one.