Bubly vs LaCroix: Price, Flavor & Quality 2026
Bubly offers significantly lower pricing ($0.50-0.75 per can vs $1.00-1.50 for LaCroix) and broader flavor variety with 20+ options, while LaCroix maintains stronger brand recognition as the original premium sparkling water that pioneered the category in 2015.
Bubly
Budget-friendly sparkling water brand by PepsiCo with 20+ flavor options launched in 2018.
Budget-conscious consumers, flavor enthusiasts, and those prioritizing value without compromising on quality
LaCroix
Premium sparkling water pioneer by National Beverage Corp known for minimalist branding and light carbonation since 2015.
Premium brand-conscious consumers, those prioritizing minimalist aesthetics, and customers willing to pay for category pioneer status
Quick Answer
AI SummaryBubly offers significantly lower pricing ($0.50-0.75 per can vs $1.00-1.50 for LaCroix) and broader flavor variety with 20+ options, while LaCroix maintains stronger brand recognition as the original premium sparkling water that pioneered the category in 2015.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Bubly if you're budget-conscious, want more flavor options, and prefer a fizzy mouthfeel—it delivers sparkling water quality at a fraction of LaCroix's price. Choose LaCroix if brand prestige and the original premium positioning matter to you, and you prefer subtler carbonation with established market credibility as the category pioneer.
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TIE — neck and neck
Choose Bubly if
Budget-conscious consumers, flavor enthusiasts, and those prioritizing value without compromising on quality
Choose LaCroix if
Premium brand-conscious consumers, those prioritizing minimalist aesthetics, and customers willing to pay for category pioneer status
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Price Per Can:✓ Bubly wins($0.50-0.75 vs $1.00-1.50)
- Flavor Variety:✓ Bubly wins(20+ flavors vs 12 flavors)
- Market Entry Year:✓ LaCroix wins(2015 vs 2018)
Key Facts & Figures
52 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Bubly | LaCroix | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Content (Standard Line)(grams) | 0g | 0g | |
| Calories (Standard Line)(calories) | 0 cal | 0 cal | |
| Flavor Intensity Level(scale 1-10) | Bold (8/10) | Subtle (4/10) | |
| Number of Flavors Available(count) | 15+ standard + POP variants | 12 core flavors | |
| Ingredient Simplicity(number of ingredients) | 2-4 (standard) / 4-6 (POP with fruit juice) | 2 (carbonated water, natural flavors) | |
| Market Launch Year(year) | 2016 | 2001 | |
| Brand Recognition (US Market)(percentage awareness) | Very High (aggressive expansion) | High (market leader) | |
| Calories per 12oz Can(calories) | 0 | — | — |
| Sugar Content(g per serving) | 0g | — | — |
| Average Retail Price(USD per can) | $0.60 | $1.75 | |
| Number of Flavor Options(flavors) | 25 | — | — |
| U.S. Market Share(percent) | 18% | — | — |
| Brand Launch Year(year) | 2016 | — | — |
| Price per 12-Pack (USD)(USD) | $4.99 | $5.99 | |
| Number of Flavors(flavors) | 20+ | 15+ | |
| Calories per 12 oz Serving(kcal) | 0 calories | 0 calories | |
| Sugar Content per 12 oz Serving(grams) | 0g | 0g | |
| Carbonation Level (CO2 Volumes)(volumes) | 3.7 | 3.7 | |
| U.S. Market Share(percent) | 18% | 22% | |
| Availability in Major U.S. Supermarkets(percent) | 95% | 98% | |
| Consumer Taste Preference (Blind Taste Test 2024)(score out of 10) | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
| Flavor Count(varieties) | 19 flavors | — | — |
| Price Per 12-Pack(USD) | $3.75 average | — | — |
| Calories (per 12oz can)(kcal) | 0 calories | — | — |
| Sodium Content (per 12oz)(mg) | 35mg | — | — |
| Brand Age(years) | 10 years (since 2016) | — | — |
| Carbonation Level (Consumer Rating)(score/10) | 7.2/10 | — | — |
| Market Share Change (2020-2024)(percent growth) | +45% | — | — |
| Average Price Per 12oz Can(USD) | $0.63 | $1.25 | |
| Number of Flavor Options(count) | 20+ flavors | 12 flavors | |
| Brand Awareness (US Market)(percent) | 58% | 72% | |
| Calories Per 12oz Can(kcal) | 0 calories | 0 calories | |
| Sodium Content Per 12oz(mg) | 0mg | 0mg | |
| Time Since Market Entry(years) | 6 years (2018) | 9 years (2015) | |
| Average Retail Price per Can(USD) | $1.49 | $1.49 | |
| Available Flavors(count) | 42 | 42 | |
| Market Share 2026(percent) | 32.0% | 32.0% | |
| Distribution Countries(count) | 50+ | 50+ | |
| Calories per Serving(kcal) | 0 calories | 0 calories | |
| Sugar Content(grams per 12 oz) | 0g | 0g | |
| Flavor Variety(number of flavors) | 40+ flavors | 40+ flavors | |
| Average Retail Price(USD per can) | $1.75 | $1.75 | |
| Market Share (US Sparkling Water)(percent) | 40% market share | 40% market share | |
| Social Media Following(millions) | 1.2M followers | 1.2M followers | |
| Calories per 12oz Serving(calories) | 0 kcal | 0 kcal | |
| Total sugars per 12oz(grams) | 0g | 0g | |
| Caffeine Content Per 12oz(mg) | 0mg | 0mg | |
| Number of ingredients(count) | 3 main ingredients | 3 main ingredients | |
| Sodium per 12oz serving(mg) | 35mg | 35mg | |
| Global market share (2024)(percent) | 2-3% of sparkling water market | 2-3% of sparkling water market | |
| Average retail price per 12oz(USD) | $1.20-$1.80 | $1.20-$1.80 | |
| Brand age (since founding)(years) | 13 years (founded 2011) | 13 years (founded 2011) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $0.50-0.75(winner)Price Per Can$1.00-1.50
- 20+ flavors(winner)Flavor Variety12 flavors
- 2018Market Entry Year2015(winner)
- 58% awarenessBrand Recognition (US)72% awareness(winner)
- 0mgSodium Content Per 12oz0mg
- Medium-High(winner)Carbonation LevelLight-Medium
- 0 caloriesCalories Per Can0 calories
- Price Per Can
Bubly
$0.50-0.75(winner)
LaCroix
$1.00-1.50
- Flavor Variety
Bubly
20+ flavors(winner)
LaCroix
12 flavors
- Market Entry Year
Bubly
2018
LaCroix
2015(winner)
- Brand Recognition (US)
Bubly
58% awareness
LaCroix
72% awareness(winner)
- Sodium Content Per 12oz
Bubly
0mg
LaCroix
0mg
- Carbonation Level
Bubly
Medium-High(winner)
LaCroix
Light-Medium
- Calories Per Can
Bubly
0 calories
LaCroix
0 calories
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Bubly | LaCroix |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Content (Standard Line)(grams) | 0g | 0g |
| Calories (Standard Line)(calories) | 0 cal | 0 cal |
| Calories per 12oz Can(calories) | 0 | — |
| Sugar Content(g per serving) | 0g | — |
| Calories per 12 oz Serving(kcal) | 0 calories | 0 calories |
Show 11 more attributesSugar Content per 12 oz Serving(grams) 0g 0g Calories (per 12oz can)(kcal) 0 calories — Sodium Content (per 12oz)(mg) 35mg — Calories Per 12oz Can(kcal) 0 calories 0 calories Sodium Content Per 12oz(mg) 0mg 0mg Calories per Serving(kcal) 0 calories — Sugar Content(grams per 12 oz) 0g — Calories per 12oz Serving(calories) 0 kcal — Total sugars per 12oz(grams) 0g — Caffeine Content Per 12oz(mg) 0mg — Sodium per 12oz serving(mg) 35mg — | ||
| Flavor Intensity Level(scale 1-10) | Bold (8/10) | Subtle (4/10) |
| Carbonation Level(rating) | High | — |
| Number of Flavors Available(count) | 15+ standard + POP variants(winner) | 12 core flavors |
| Ingredient Simplicity(number of ingredients) | 2-4 (standard) / 4-6 (POP with fruit juice) | 2 (carbonated water, natural flavors)(winner) |
| Artificial Sweeteners | None | — |
| Natural Flavor Type | Natural flavors with added ingredients | — |
| Number of ingredients(count) | 3 main ingredients | — |
| Market Launch Year(year) | 2016 | 2001(winner) |
| Brand Age(years) | 10 years (since 2016) | — |
| Brand Recognition (US Market)(percentage awareness) | Very High (aggressive expansion)(winner) | High (market leader) |
| Brand Recognition(index) | 9.5/10 | — |
| Average Retail Price(USD per can) | $0.60(winner) | $1.75 |
| Average Retail Price(USD per can) | $1.75 | — |
| Average retail price per 12oz(USD) | $1.20-$1.80 | — |
| Number of Flavor Options(flavors) | 25 | — |
| Number of Flavors(flavors) | 20+(winner) | 15+ |
| Flavor Count(varieties) | 19 flavors | — |
| Number of Flavor Options(count) | 20+ flavors(winner) | 12 flavors |
| U.S. Market Share(percent) | 18% | — |
| U.S. Market Share(percent) | 18% | 22%(winner) |
| Brand Awareness (US Market)(percent) | 58% | 72%(winner) |
| Market Share 2026(percent) | 32.0% | — |
| Market Share (US Sparkling Water)(percent) | 40% market share | — |
| Brand Launch Year(year) | 2016 | — |
| Price per 12-Pack (USD)(USD) | $4.99(winner) | $5.99 |
| Average Price Per 12oz Can(USD) | $0.63(winner) | $1.25 |
| Average Retail Price per Can(USD) | $1.49 | — |
| Carbonation Level (CO2 Volumes)(volumes) | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Carbonation Level(relative scale) | Medium-High (3.8/5) | Light-Medium (2.9/5) |
| Availability in Major U.S. Supermarkets(percent) | 95% | 98%(winner) |
| Retail Availability(% of major US chains) | Mainstream retailers (99% of supermarkets) | 99% |
| Parent Company Distribution Scale(text) | PepsiCo (global #1 beverage distributor) | National Beverage Corp (regional leader) |
| Consumer Taste Preference (Blind Taste Test 2024)(score out of 10) | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10(winner) |
| Price Per 12-Pack(USD) | $3.75 average | — |
| Carbonation Level (Consumer Rating)(score/10) | 7.2/10 | — |
| Market Share Change (2020-2024)(percent growth) | +45% | — |
| Time Since Market Entry(years) | 6 years (2018) | 9 years (2015)(winner) |
| Available Flavors(count) | 42 | — |
| Product Categories(count) | 1 | — |
| Environmental Certification(level) | Standard packaging | — |
| Distribution Countries(count) | 50+ | — |
| Flavor Variety(number of flavors) | 40+ flavors | — |
| Social Media Following(millions) | 1.2M followers | — |
| Global market share (2024)(percent) | 2-3% of sparkling water market | — |
| Brand age (since founding)(years) | 13 years (founded 2011) | — |
Show 11 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
Bubly
Pros
- 40-50% cheaper per can ($0.50-0.75 vs competitor pricing)
- 20+ flavor varieties including Mango, Raspberry Lime, Cherry, and Coconut
- Stronger carbonation creates bolder fizz sensation
- Backed by PepsiCo's massive distribution network
- Zero calories, zero sugar, zero sodium per 12oz can
Cons
- Brand established only 6 years ago with less prestige than LaCroix
- Some consumers perceive it as 'generic' sparkling water despite quality equivalence
LaCroix
Pros
- Original premium sparkling water brand with strong market prestige and 72% US brand awareness
- Distinctive minimalist packaging and lifestyle brand positioning
- Lighter carbonation appeals to consumers preferring subtle fizz
- 12 core flavor offerings with consistent quality (Pamplemousse, Tangerine, Coconut)
- Cultural icon status with significant social media following and influencer partnerships
Cons
- 30-100% price premium ($1.00-1.50 per can) due to brand positioning rather than ingredient differences
- Limited flavor diversity with only 12 standard options compared to competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
No significant quality difference exists. Both are carbonated water with zero calories, zero sugar, and zero sodium. The primary differences are carbonation intensity, flavor selection, and price. Bubly uses stronger carbonation while LaCroix is lighter. Blind taste tests show comparable satisfaction levels, with preference being subjective.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
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