A water purifier is a need for every household nowadays. There are plenty of options available. However, lots of technical terms confuse us quickly.
If you are searching for the best water purifier, you have come to the right place. We understand that you want clean drinking water for your family. Don’t waste money on a bad water purification system.
In this article, we’ll simplify things. No complicated scientific explanations needed. Simple and accurate information. We will cover details such as TDS levels to compare between RO and UV. We will provide all necessary details about a buying guide for your home water purifiers.
Check out our detailed review on: 9 Best RO Water Purifiers in India: Our Top Picks for Your Home, 5 Best Aquaguard Water Purifiers in India: Tested and Reviewed
Boiling Water Vs. Water Purifiers
You might think that boiling water is sufficient. We were all used to drinking boiled water during our childhood. Boiling water can kill bacteria, but it cannot remove toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic or dissolved salts. Nor can it remove soil or unpleasant smells commonly found in tap water. Boiling is no longer enough.
The quality of water sources varies greatly depending on the place you live in, India. You may have access to municipal corporation water, borewell water or water supplied by private tanker trucks.
Each water source contains various types of impurities. Municipal water supplies high levels of chlorine, posing challenges to our long-term health. Borewell water contains high TDS levels and is hard. Tanker water contains dirt and physical contaminants, as the containers are hardly ever cleaned properly.
A good quality water purification system can resolve all these issues effectively. We can enjoy safe, delicious and healthy drinking water every day with a good water purification system. It acts as a shield against diseases caused by contaminated water, including cholera, typhoid and stomach problems. Providing our homes with good quality water purifiers is no longer a luxury but necessary equipment for all Indian households.
Related: Is RO Water Good for Health: Guide on Benefits and Risks
Buying Guide to Choose Best Water Purifier in India
1. TDS level and water purifiers
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids. Although it sounds complicated, it is easy to understand. The level of TDS in water refers to the presence of inorganic salts and a small amount of organic matter. It includes calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium as well as harmful heavy metals.
Healthy drinking water should contain a TDS level of 50-300 parts per million (ppm). If the level of TDS is below 50, the water tastes flat and lacks necessary minerals. If the level exceeds 500, the water has a salty and bitter taste.
A high TDS level indicates the presence of harmful contaminants. You can check the TDS level of water from the comfort of your home using a digital TDS meter. Digital TDS meters are easily available and can be bought online. Simply dip the meter into your tap water supply and read the TDS level.
If your TDS level is below 300, you may not require a powerful RO water purifier (UV is sufficient). If it exceeds 500, you must invest in an RO water purifier. Knowing the TDS level can help save costs.
If you live in a region with soft water, there is no need to invest in an expensive RO water purifier. On the other hand, purchasing a simple water filter for areas with high TDS will not serve any purpose. Therefore, the first step to maintaining good water quality is to check the TDS level of your water supply.
Uncover the topic further: TDS Value for Drinking Water: Best Range and Recommendations
2. RO, UV, and UF water purifiers
Reverse Osmosis (RO): The RO technology is the most effective method of water purification available for domestic use. It employs a semipermeable membrane. The membrane has tiny pores through which only water molecules can pass. All other substances—salt, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria—are retained and removed from the water. You can think of it as a fine mesh filter that allows the clean water to pass through.
If you have hard water or high TDS levels, this is a good option. It is necessary if your water source is a borewell.
However, there is a disadvantage. RO technology helps remove the necessary minerals in addition to the impurities. As a result, the purified water may have a slightly acidic pH. But modern filters come equipped with a mineralizer or TDS controller. We’ll discuss them later.
Ultraviolet (UV): UV water purifier technology works differently from other filtration systems. It does not remove any substance physically. Instead, it utilizes ultraviolet light to eliminate bacterial contamination. Picture having bacteria placed under a strong UV light beam. The radiation destroys the DNA of microbes, causing them to die immediately without being able to multiply.
If you are getting a municipal water supply, it has low TDS levels but may be contaminated with bacteria while being transported through old pipelines. In such cases, UV water purifiers can be of great help. As it does not employ a membrane, it maintains the natural mineral content of water and simply makes it free from bacteria.
Ultrafiltration (UF): UF water purifiers work on the lines of RO technology but are less effective. They employ hollow fiber membranes to eliminate bacteria and cysts. However, the size of the pores is larger compared to that of an RO membrane. Hence, they are unable to remove dissolved salts and heavy metals. Unlike RO water purifiers, ultrafiltration (UF) does not require any electricity to operate and works on the water pressure.
UF technology is often used in conjunction with other technologies to provide additional layers of protection. If you live in an area where the water is very cloudy or turbid but contains low amounts of salt, then UF technology can be used. If you have limited access to electricity, you can opt for gravity-fed water filters that incorporate UF or activated carbon technologies.
To know more: RO vs. UV vs. UF Water Purifiers: Which One is Best for Indian Homes?
3. Why a multi-stage water purifier is best
Currently, single-technology purifiers are a rarity for good reasons. As mentioned earlier, water contaminants are complex in India. You may have high TDS levels and bacteria and mud. Hence, the best water purifier comes equipped with multiple technologies. One popular combination is RO+UV+UF.
Here’s how each stage works. The RO membrane removes soluble salts and heavy metals. After that, the UV lamp destroys any virus or bacterial contamination that could have escaped earlier. Finally, the UF serves as the last layer of defense.
A combination of RO, UV, and TDS controller is another commonly used one. The TDS controller is a smart gadget that allows limited amounts of important minerals to pass through the membrane. This helps ensure that the filtered water is neither acidic nor flavorless. It strikes a perfect balance between good-quality water and great taste. If you are searching for a water purifier to equip at your home, look out for products that offer comprehensive purification. Go for nothing but a multi-stage water purifier.
Read More: RO Water Purifier – Pros and Cons: A Comprehensive Guide
4. Mineralizer and Alkaline Technology
We know that RO purifiers remove minerals from water. To address this issue, manufacturers have introduced mineralizer technology. The cartridges featured in these systems provide calcium and magnesium to the water. Certain advanced models include copper and zinc as well.
Drinking copper-rich water helps improve our digestive system and immune function. Alkaline water purifiers increase the pH level of water. Alkaline water is believed to neutralize acidic compounds in the blood.
Good hydrating capacity and better taste of alkaline water make it a preferred choice. If good health is a priority for you, consider investing in an alkaline water purifier or one featuring copper infusion technology.
Related: Alkaline vs Copper Water Purifier: What to Choose for Indian Homes
5. Smart Water Purifiers
With everything in life becoming “smart,” water purifiers too are not left behind. Smart water purifiers come with Wi-Fi connectivity to your home network.
You can check the quality of the water and the filter’s condition on your mobile phone. No need to keep a guesswork chart to keep track of when to replace the filters. The device will give you a notification.
Some advanced models also track your daily water intake. They can sense any leakages and automatically cut off the water supply to avoid any chances of flooding.
Equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, effective and efficient water purifiers are a must-have gadget for busy families.
6. Zero Water Wastage
A significant advantage. Most traditional RO water purifiers generate a lot of water waste. Each liter of filtered water results in 2-3 liters of wastewater. In a water-scarce country like India, this poses a challenge.
Many modern-day water purifiers come equipped with zero-water-wastage technology. These purifiers utilize the rejected water and channel it back to your overhead storage tank.
You can use this water for mopping, washing clothes, or any other cleaning purpose. Saving water and cutting down on our water bills, a water purifier with a zero-water-wastage facility is an eco-friendly solution making a significant impact.
7. Storage Capacity
Consider your family’s size and usage needs. The capacity of a water purifier is a key factor to consider. If you belong to a large family or have frequent visitors, a small tank will not suffice. You would want to avoid waiting for the tank to be filled up repeatedly.
Water purifiers come with tanks ranging from 5 liters to 10 liters and even more. A 6-liter tank is sufficient for a small family of 2-3 people. Families of 4-6 people require a storage tank of 8-10 liters’ capacity.
You should also check the purification capacity of the water purifier, expressed in liters per hour. Higher purification capacities mean that the tank gets filled up quickly. If you live in areas with frequent power cuts, adequate storage capacity becomes even more crucial. You need a water purifier that can provide enough water to see you through the duration of the power cut.
8. Installation and Design
You’ll be interacting with this appliance every day. So, it should be good looking and blend with your kitchen decor. Modern designs are sleek and stylish. Wall-mounted water purifiers help to keep countertop space free and give a tidy appearance. Desktop water purifiers are simple to install.
A good design and strong build quality are equally important aspects of a water purifier. Ensure that the body of the water purifier is made of good-quality, food-grade plastic. A good quality plastic tank helps to prevent any toxic chemicals from seeping into the water from the tank walls, especially during hot weather conditions.
Avoid water purifiers made from low-cost plastics, which can break easily or affect the taste of the water. ABS plastic bodies are industry standard—they are strong and safe.
9. Maintenance and services
This is an essential part of the purchasing process. A water purifier is not a product that can be bought and forgotten. Good care is necessary to ensure its proper functioning. Water filters have a limited life span. The sediment filter needs to be replaced every six months. The carbon filter lasts between six and twelve months. The RO membrane typically has a useful life of two to three years depending on the quality of the source water.
You must take into account the cost of maintaining a water purifier prior to making a purchase. While some filters are inexpensive, others can be quite costly. Keep a tab on the costs of replacing filters. Also, find out about the annual maintenance contract (AMC) costs. Several water purifier brands provide AMC facilities that cover routine servicing and filter replacements.
Regular maintenance through AMC can help you save a good amount of money and reduce the level of hassles needed in the long run.
Having a good service network is vital. Brands such as Urban Company, Kent, AO Smith, Pureit, and Aquaguard have a widespread network of service centers all over India. If you decide to opt for a local brand, you may face challenges in finding a trained engineer when required.
Check out the customer care services available in your area. Good equipment doesn’t guarantee happiness unless we have easy access to repair services. Good after-sales service contributes to a convenient experience.
10. Budget
Let’s talk about money. The price of water purifiers in India varies a lot. You need to create a budget that balances the features of a water purifier with what you can afford to pay for it.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly water purifier, you can get good UV or UF models ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000. Good options for providing clean municipal water with low TDS levels.
But if you want to go in for RO technology, you will have to shell out between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000. This falls under the affordable segment. In this range you can get RO + UV + UF combo systems. These are good all-round performers and fit well with most of the Indian homes.
If you are looking for top-of-the-line products (alkaline, copper, smart features, and no wastage), the range is Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000+. These are loaded with technology. They give a luxurious look and provide good-quality water.
Do not just consider the initial cost of the water purifier. Also calculate the cost of electricity needed to run it and the cost of replacing its filters. A slightly expensive water purifier may have cheaper filters, ensuring economical operation for up to 5 years.
You should be aware that no water purifier have all the features. Choose as per your need.
Avoid Making These Common Buying Mistakes
First, don’t buy a RO water purifier if you have soft water. Although many believe RO is the best option, one should consider the quality of the water supply before purchasing a water purifier. If your TDS reading is low, an RO purifier will remove beneficial nutrients from water, and also the water wastage is high.
Two, do not ignore the water pressure. All RO filters require a specific level of water pressure to function efficiently. If your home experiences low water pressure, the RO filter may work at a slow pace or cease to operate. Look out if the model comes with a built-in pressure booster pump. If not, you can purchase one separately.
Three, do not neglect the installation process. Trying to set up a complex RO filter unit on your own can lead to leaks and improper connections. Opt for a good professional installation service. Good installation helps in maintaining the validity of the product’s warranty and ensures the effective functioning of the device.
Lastly, do not forget to clean the storage tank. Although we use good quality water purifiers, the storage tanks can become slippery over time. Ensure that the technician who services your purifier cleans the tank during his visits. Cleanliness is a part of good maintenance.
Conclusions
So, how do you choose? Begin with the water test. Know your TDS level. Choose the required technology—RO, UV, or a combination. Consider the storage capacity and suitable design to place in your kitchen. Read details about the after-sales services available in your city. Compare the prices of water purifiers along with the cost of ongoing maintenance.
Don’t rush. The product, which you will be using every day for 5-7 years. Take your time and compare different models and choose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best water purifier for Indian homes is a multi-stage water purifier such as RO+UV+UF+TDS Controller. These stages can deal with all types of water impurities found in India, ranging from salt to bacteria.
Yes, RO water is safe to drink. Since RO water filters out essential minerals, it is recommended to opt for a water purifier equipped with a mineralizer or alkaline feature to provide good minerals.
A good water purifier can range from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000. High-end models featuring advanced technologies or copper-based systems can go up to Rs. 40,000. Keep in mind to include the annual maintenance costs.
Boiling water eliminates bacteria but does not remove heavy metals, pesticides or total dissolved solids. If your water contains high levels of chemical contaminants or salts, boiling is insufficient. A water purification system is required.
The life of an RO membrane ranges from 2 to 3 years based on the quality of incoming water and the frequency of usage. Proper maintenance of the water purifier can help increase the shelf life of the RO membrane.