Why Magnesium Prill Beads Improve Water Quality

Magnesium prill beads are a simple, low-maintenance way to improve the quality of pre-filtered water — raising pH, adding magnesium, and improving the taste and feel of the water. Here’s how they work and what to expect.

Browse our magnesium prill beads or see our related guides: What Are Prill Beads? and Do Prill Beads Work?

What Are Magnesium Prill Beads?

Prill beads are small ceramic beads made from magnesium oxide that has been fired at high temperature. When submerged in water, they slowly release magnesium ions and raise the water’s pH towards a mildly alkaline level (typically pH 8–9). They also reduce the surface tension of water, which some proponents claim improves cellular hydration.

How Prill Beads Improve Water Quality

Raise pH (Alkalinity)

Prill beads raise water pH from neutral (pH 7) to mildly alkaline (pH 8–9). This is particularly useful for remineralising distilled or reverse osmosis water, which tends to be slightly acidic due to the removal of all dissolved minerals. For most Australian town water (which is already near-neutral), the pH increase is modest.

Add Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of biochemical processes in the body. Most Australians don’t get enough magnesium from diet alone. Prill beads provide a small but consistent source of dissolved magnesium in drinking water.

Reduce Surface Tension

Prill beads are claimed to reduce the surface tension of water, producing “wetter” water that may be more easily absorbed by cells. While the scientific evidence for this specific claim is limited, many users report that prill bead water tastes noticeably smoother and lighter than untreated water.

Improve Taste

The combination of mild alkalinity, added magnesium, and reduced surface tension typically produces water with a cleaner, softer taste compared to untreated filtered water.

How to Use Prill Beads

1. Rinse the beads in clean water before first use.
2. Place the beads in a glass or ceramic vessel (not plastic or metal).
3. Add pre-filtered water — prill beads work best with water that has already had chlorine removed.
4. Allow at least 8 minutes contact time before drinking. Longer contact (overnight) produces a stronger effect.
5. Refresh the beads by rinsing in clean water every few weeks.

Important: prill beads are a remineralisation and pH-raising tool, not a primary filter. They don’t remove chlorine, bacteria, or chemical contaminants. Always use with pre-filtered water.

Frequently Asked Questions