Sugar-free flavoured water is booming in Switzerland — and three names keep coming up: Waterdrop, Dropz and TEABALLS. All three promise the same thing: drink more, without sugar, without a calorie bomb. But they work in completely different ways. We compared prices, ingredient lists and the principle behind each — honestly, with figures, as of August 2026.
The quick comparison
| Waterdrop | Dropz | TEABALLS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle | Effervescent cube (microdrink) | Effervescent cube | Pressed soluble tea |
| Price per pack* | 11.00 € / 12 cubes | CHF 8.90 / 20 dropz | CHF 8.90 / ~150 balls |
| Yield per pack* | approx. 5–7 litres (1 cube = 4–6 dl) | 10–20 litres | approx. 30+ litres (4–5 balls/litre) |
| Price per litre* | approx. CHF 1.50–2.10 | approx. CHF 0.45–0.90 | approx. CHF 0.25–0.30 |
| Sweeteners** | Sucralose | Steviol glycosides (stevia) | None |
| Base | Flavourings, acidifiers, vitamins | Flavourings, acidifiers, vitamins, inulin | Tea extract (real tea) |
| Can be drunk hot | No (effervescent) | No (effervescent) | Yes — cold and hot |
| Buying in Switzerland | Online (DE), retail | Online, drugstores | Online (CH), retailers |
*Manufacturer figures, as of 29.08.2026. Waterdrop: grapefruit variety, 12-pack of 25.2 g, 1 cube for 400–600 ml. Dropz: grapefruit variety, 16 g / 20 dropz for 10–20 L. TEABALLS: bottle of ~150 balls, 1 ball per 2 dl glass, 4–5 per litre. **Grapefruit variety checked in each case; other varieties may differ.
Waterdrop: the pioneer from Austria
Waterdrop invented the «microdrink» category and is a marketing world champion: beautiful bottles, a strong range of varieties, a large community. The cube fizzes in the water and releases fruit flavour plus vitamins.
What you should know: in many varieties — grapefruit for instance (as of 08/2026) — the ingredient list includes sucralose, a synthetic sweetener. And at over CHF 1.50 converted, the price per litre is the highest in this comparison: one cube only covers a large glass (4–6 dl).
Dropz: the Swiss challenger
Dropz comes from Switzerland, is available in many drugstores and ships free from CHF 30. The principle is the same as Waterdrop — effervescent cubes with flavourings and vitamins — but it goes further (20 dropz for 10–20 litres) and is therefore clearly cheaper per litre. It is sweetened with steviol glycosides (stevia), so without sugar, but sweetened all the same.
TEABALLS: not an effervescent cube, but real tea
TEABALLS works differently: instead of a flavoured effervescent cube, a pressed ball of tea extract dissolves completely in cold or hot water. So you actually drink tea — just without a bag, without steeping time, without waste.
- No sweeteners — neither sucralose nor stevia. Around 3 calories per glass.
- The cheapest per litre: one bottle (CHF 8.90) makes over 30 litres — about a quarter of the Dropz price and less than a fifth of Waterdrop.
- Cold AND hot: sugar-free iced tea in summer, hot tea in winter — the same ball.
- Over 20 varieties in the sugar-free flavoured water collection, including the organic line.
In fairness: TEABALLS does not fizz, and it tastes of tea — not of lemonade. If you are after the fizzy effect and intense fruit flavours, the microdrinks suit you better. If you want a natural drink without sweeteners, we do.
Which one suits whom?
Waterdrop if variety and lifestyle matter to you and price does not. Dropz if you want the fizzy taste and value a Swiss brand with stevia instead of sucralose. TEABALLS if you want to do entirely without sweeteners, are watching your budget — or would like to drink it hot from time to time. The easiest way to try it is the aroma bundle.
Comparing with air up as well? Here is our air up vs. TEABALLS comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterdrop really sugar-free?
Yes — but it is still sweetened: in the varieties checked (e.g. grapefruit, as of 08/2026) with the sweetener sucralose. Sugar-free does not mean sweetener-free.
What is the difference between Dropz and Waterdrop?
Both are effervescent cubes with flavourings and vitamins. Dropz is a Swiss brand, considerably cheaper per litre and sweetened with steviol glycosides instead of sucralose. Waterdrop offers more varieties and accessories.
What is the cheapest way to drink flavoured water?
Among these three providers: TEABALLS at around CHF 0.25–0.30 per litre (bottle CHF 8.90, over 30 litres) — ahead of Dropz (from ~CHF 0.45) and Waterdrop (over CHF 1.50).
Where can I buy TEABALLS in Switzerland?
Directly in the online shop (free shipping from CHF 75) or from our retailers in Switzerland.
