Flavoured water without sugar is a big topic in Switzerland — and three names keep coming up: Waterdrop, Dropz and TEABALLS. All three offer flavoured water without sugar, but they work in completely different ways. We compared prices, ingredient lists and the principle behind each — with numbers, as of 1 October 2026.
The quick comparison
| Waterdrop | Dropz | TEABALLS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle | Effervescent cubes (microdrink) | Soluble Dropz for cold water (microdrink) | Pressed extracts of tea, herbs and fruit |
| Price per pack* | approx. CHF 8–10 / 12 cubes | Check the Swiss price with the manufacturer | CHF 8.90 / 150 TEABALLS (organic varieties CHF 9.90) |
| Yield per pack* | approx. 5–7 litres (1 cube = 4–6 dl) | approx. 10 litres (20 Dropz, 1 Drop per approx. 0.5 L) | approx. 9–15 litres (10–17 TEABALLS/litre) |
| Price per litre* | approx. CHF 1.10–2.10 | not compared | approx. CHF 0.59–0.99 |
| Sweeteners** | Grapefruit variety: sucralose | varies by range (according to the manufacturer: Pure without, Fruity Burst with steviol glycosides, Vitamins with sucralose) | 20 of 24 varieties without sweetener (4 varieties with sucralose) |
| Base | Flavourings, acidifiers, vitamins | Flavourings, acidifiers, vitamins (depending on range) | Extracts of tea, herbs and fruit, plus flavourings and acidity regulators |
| Drinkable hot | No (for cold water) | Flavor range: no (for cold water) | Yes — cold and hot (organic varieties hot only) |
| Buy in Switzerland | Online and in Swiss retail | Online and in selected shops | Online (teaballs.ch), at ALDI SUISSE (selection) — more about where to buy |
*As of 1 October 2026. Waterdrop: prices from Swiss retailers for 12-packs (Galaxus: grapefruit variety, 6 × 12 cubes for CHF 48.50, i.e. CHF 8.08 per 12-pack; Buchmann: Sky variety, 6 × 12 cubes for CHF 59.50, i.e. CHF 9.92); 1 cube for 400–600 ml, giving 4.8–7.2 litres per pack and CHF 1.12–2.07 per litre (rounded approx. CHF 1.10–2.10). Prices may change. Dropz: manufacturer recommendation 1 Drop per approx. 0.5 L, pack of 20 Dropz; the Swiss price was not compared. TEABALLS: glass bottle of 150 TEABALLS, fruit varieties CHF 8.90 (organic varieties CHF 9.90), manufacturer recommendation 3–5 TEABALLS per 3 dl glass, i.e. 10–17 per litre and CHF 0.59–0.99 per litre. **Waterdrop: grapefruit variety checked, other varieties may differ. Dropz: information according to the manufacturer (dropz.com).
Waterdrop: the well-known brand from Austria
Waterdrop is a well-known brand from Austria. The cube fizzes in water and releases fruit flavour plus vitamins.
What you should know: in the grapefruit variety, sucralose, a sweetener, appears in the ingredient list (as of 1 October 2026); other varieties may differ. The price per litre, at approx. CHF 1.10–2.10, is higher than that of TEABALLS (approx. CHF 0.59–0.99), because one cube is intended for 4–6 dl.
Dropz: the Swiss brand
Dropz comes from Switzerland, is available online and in selected shops, and delivers free in Switzerland from CHF 30. The principle is similar to Waterdrop: soluble flavoured Dropz for cold water. The manufacturer recommends one Drop per approx. 0.5 L; a pack of 20 Dropz therefore makes around 10 litres.
On sweetening, Dropz differs by range: according to the manufacturer, the Pure range has no sweetener, Fruity Burst is sweetened with steviol glycosides and Vitamins with sucralose. We did not calculate the Swiss price for this comparison — please check it with the manufacturer.
TEABALLS: not an effervescent cube, but pressed extracts
TEABALLS works differently: instead of a flavoured effervescent cube, a pressed piece of extracts of tea, herbs and fruit dissolves in cold or hot water (organic varieties: naturally cloudy, hot only). The drink is made without a bag, without steeping time and without tea bag waste.
- 20 of 24 varieties without sweetener — 12 TEABALLS varieties and all 8 organic varieties are free of sweeteners. Four varieties (Energy, Mango, Blueberry & Coconut, Watermelon) contain sucralose; this is stated in the ingredient list of each variety. No variety contains added sugar. Around 3 calories per glass (approx. 1 kcal per 100 ml) according to the nutritional information on the product pages.
- Price per litre: one bottle (CHF 8.90, 150 TEABALLS) makes 30 to 50 drinks of 3 dl — that is 9 to 15 litres and roughly CHF 0.59 to 0.99 per litre. TEABALLS is therefore below the range calculated for Waterdrop of approx. CHF 1.10–2.10.
- Cold AND hot: iced tea without added sugar in summer, hot tea in winter — the same pressed piece (applies to the 16 TEABALLS varieties; the organic varieties can only be enjoyed hot).
- 24 varieties (16 TEABALLS varieties and 8 organic varieties): the Flavoured water without sugar collection offers an overview.
In all honesty: TEABALLS tastes of tea, not of lemonade. If you mainly want the fizzing effect and intense fruit flavours, Waterdrop offers the matching concept. If you want a drink without sweetener, you will find 20 varieties without one with us.
Who suits what?
Waterdrop, if variety of flavours and the fizzing effect matter to you. Dropz, if you are looking for a Swiss brand for cold water and want to compare the sweetening by range. TEABALLS, if you want a drink without sweetener (20 of 24 varieties), pay attention to the price per litre — or would like to drink your drink hot now and then. The easiest way to try it is with the Aroma Bundle.
Comparing with air up too? Here is our air up vs. TEABALLS comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterdrop really sugar-free?
Yes, without sugar — but it is still sweetened: in the grapefruit variety (as of 1 October 2026) with the sweetener sucralose. Sugar-free does not mean sweetener-free.
What is the difference between Dropz and Waterdrop?
Both are soluble flavoured products for cold water. Dropz is a Swiss brand, Waterdrop comes from Austria. The sweetening differs: Waterdrop e.g. with sucralose (grapefruit variety), Dropz depending on the range (according to the manufacturer Pure without sweetener, Fruity Burst with steviol glycosides, Vitamins with sucralose).
How much does a litre of flavoured water cost with Waterdrop, Dropz and TEABALLS?
With Swiss retailer prices (as of 1 October 2026), Waterdrop costs around CHF 1.10 to 2.10 per litre and TEABALLS around CHF 0.59 to 0.99 (bottle CHF 8.90 for 9 to 15 litres). We did not calculate a Swiss price for Dropz; please check it with the manufacturer.
Where can I buy TEABALLS in Switzerland?
Directly in the online shop (free shipping from CHF 75 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein) or at ALDI SUISSE (selected varieties, while stocks last). More: where to buy in Switzerland.