Water Purifiers are an essential commodity for every Indian household.
According to Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Govt. of India, almost 37 million people and 1.5 million children in India are frequently suffered with diseases associated with contaminated water.
Being a matter of your health, it is important to choose the right one. Some of the important considerations are mentioned below…
1. Water Purification Technology
There are four types of purifying technologies – RO, UV, UF and Gravity based. Each of these technologies the capability of removing different kinds of contaminants. Below table refers to information on how to select the right purification technology based on your requirements.
| TDS Value | Muddy Water | Presence of Biological Impurities | Ideal Water Purifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 500 PPM | No | Yes | UV |
| Less than 500 PPM | Yes | Yes | UV+UF |
| Less than 500 PPM | No | No | Gravity-Based |
| Less than 500 PPM | Yes | No | UF |
| Above 500 PPM | No | No | RO+TDS Controller |
| Above 500 PPM | Yes | Yes | RO+UV+UF+TDS Controller |
| Above 500 PPM | No | Yes | RO+UV+TDS Controller |
| Above 500 PPM | Yes | No | RO+UF or RO+UV+UF TDS Controller |
2. Purification Capacity
It is represented in terms of liters/hour. Ideal purification capacity depends on your average water requirement of your family. On average, 12 to 15 liters/hour is ideal for most of the Indian households.
3. Storage Capacity
Most of the water purifiers in India come with storage capacity of 7 to 12 liters. For a family with 4 to 5 members, 6 liters’ storage capacity is enough. However, for a bigger family or if you have regular power cuts, then go for large capacity.
Other factors to consider are – storage capacity, flow rate, quality and indicators. You can read them clearly in our “Buying Guide”.
Along with that, we have also provided a list of Best Water Purifiers In India.
Table of Contents
11 Best RO Water Purifier In India
| RO water purifier | Type | Capacity | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENT Grand Water Purifier | RO + UV+ UF + TDS | 8 litres | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Eureka Forbes Aquasure Smart Plus | RO+UV+MTDS | 6 litres | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Aqua Libra Water Purifier | RO+UV+UF+TDS | 14 litres | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Blue Star Aristo Water Purifier | RO+UV | 7 litres | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Konvio Neer Amrit Water purifier | RO + UV + UF + TDS | 150 litres/day | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Livpure Glo Water Purifier | RO+UV+ Mineralizer | 12 litres/hour | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Havells Max Water Purifier | RO+UV | 7-litre | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| R.K Aquafresh Adjuster Water Purifier | RO+UV+UF+TDS | 15-litre | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| HUL Pureit Advanced Water Purifier | RO+MF | 5-litre | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| AO Smith Z8 Water Purifier | RO+Mineralizer | 10-litre | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| V-Guard Libra Water Purifier | RO+UV+MB | 7-litre | 2 Year | Check On Amazon |
Top 11 Water Purifier In India: Reviews
1. KENT Grand RO Water Purifier
KENT is one of the most trusted and largest selling RO water purifier brands in India. The KENT Grand 8-litres Wall-Mountable RO water purifier’s transparent design shows off the brand’s patented Mineral RO technology, and it comes with an inbuilt TDS controller. This particular product is best suited for Indian households and offices. This particular model is extremely effective when it comes to the purification of tap water and municipal corporation water supply.
In terms of structure and appearance, this particular water purifier is an elegant wall-mounted one. And as far as its technology is concerned, the particular purifier brings into action a futuristic system to ensure the supply of completely clean and safe drinking water. The inbuilt TDS controller of the KENT Grand helps in retaining the essential natural minerals inside the purified water.
This particular purifier also comes with a double purification technology that takes into account RO+UV/UF for removing any amounts of dissolved impurities, including harsh chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and salt, which in turn, helps to make water safe for consumption.
It is a given that after a certain period, most water purifiers start losing their capacity. In that regard, KENT ensures that their customers enjoy a peace of mind. As a result, they have brought into action more than 1500 service centres all across the country. Getting in touch with official technicians is easier than ever. This product comes with a 1-Year Warranty, and that’s not all, as it also allows you to get hold of a 3-Year No Charge Service period.
Specifications:
Purification technology: RO+UV+UF+TDS
Storage capacity (in litres): 8 litre
Purification capacity (in litre per hour): 15 litre/hr
UV lamp (in watts): 11 watts
Maximum duty cycle: 75 litre/day
Dimension (mm): 400 (L) x 250 (W) x 520 (H)
Best features
- 8-Litres Tank: Such a capacity ensures that you can always get a glass full of clean water whenever you return home tired.
- Low Power Consumption: With such a low power consumption of 60W, there’s no more worry about paying high electricity bills.
- Food Grade Tank Material: Your water is safe inside the purifier, as it has been certified by the food authorities of the country.
2. Eureka Forbes Aquasure Smart Plus
Eureka Forbes is one of the oldest water purifier brands operating in India, and meanwhile, as the company claims, more than 20 million families around the country trust the brand. With more than 35 years of overall experience in developing superior water purification technology, this brand has positioned itself as the pioneer in the Indian market. Their products are known to tackle the most distinct water conditions.
Eureka Forbes, through their AquaSure Smart Plus RO+UV+MTDS water purifier, has amalgamated highly compact modern design together with smart technology. This particular product is best suited for smart homes. Their universal technology treats water from different sources such as borewell, taps, and tankers. Its reliable purification process comes with an inbuilt 6-litre storage tank that has been planted using superior craftsmanship that ensures providing users with safe drinking water, every day.
Their service centers are located all across the country, which makes the brand very reliable, even in terms of after-sales service. The purifier is equipped with smart indicators with different colors that highlight the purification process, tank filling, low incoming water pressure, no water supply, or any other error. This helps you understand the health of the purifier and call technicians whenever required.
The particular RO purifier is easy to install, so you may do it yourself. The purifier also comes with a smart Cartridge Life of 6000 litres, which offers your family yearlong hassle-free protection measures.
Specifications:
Capacity: 6 liters
Colour: Black
Included Components: Installation Kit and User Manual
Material: Plastic
Best Features
- Long cartridge Life: With a cartridge life of over 6000 liters, you don’t have to worry anymore about changing the cartridge every now and then.
- Smart Performance: During Voltage Fluctuations, the Smart plus technology protects your purifier from any damage.
3. Aqua Libra Water Purifier
The next best water purifier comes from the supreme Aqua Libra, a reputed brand for purified water solutions.Â
Our list had given a right place for this standard new model RO water purifier because of its innovative premium active copper and high-standard purification technologies.Â
This water filter uses advanced RO+UV+UF technologies and removes various kinds of impurities like harsh chemicals, dirt, viruses, bacteria, salt, and 1000+ contaminants. So it gives a 100% safe and hygienic water supply.Â
As it can work up to 2000 TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), it can remove impurities even from the corporation and borewell water too. So, it is an ideal choice for many Indian households.Â
Along with the best RO, UV, and UF filtration means, this filter equips a copper technology to adjust and balance the pH levels of the water. It removes the acidic materials and toxins from the cellular levels to make the water taste better.Â
As this filter has an alkaline technology, it adds the basic pH nature to the water, and so gives you strength to prevent illnesses and diseases.Â
This RO water filter is compact with just 32*30*26 cm, and so you can install it even in your smaller kitchens, offices, or hotels. It has a 14-liter storage capacity to effectively fulfill the daily drinking water needs of your family, staff, and customers.Â
The brand also offers the best installation facility at Rs. 500 and after-sales servicing at Rs. 350 along with a one-year warranty service for better peace of mind for a lifetime. Â
Specifications:
- Purification technologies: RO+UF+UV+TDS with Copper and Alkaline technologies
- Storage capacity: 14 liters
- Item Weight: 6.5 kg
- Dimensions: 32*30*26 cm
- Material: Plastic, Steel, and Copper
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
Best Features:
- Huge storage capacity: It can store as much as 14 liters of water.Â
- Best Purification Features: It has a high-quality 100 GPD booster pump and 80 GPD RO membrane for better filtration. Also, it has a high-performance LED UV light, UF filter, Alkaline, and Copper technologies for additive filtration effects.Â
- Food-grade tank material: It uses a food-grade ABS plastic cabinet that is safe and hygienic.Â
4. Blue Star Aristo Water Purifier
Well, how can we not include Blue Star, when we are talking about the best Ro UV Water purifiers available in India? Blue Star has been around for quite a long time, and meanwhile, it has gained the trust of millions of households, given the quality of product they provide at such a low price range. Their Aristo RO+UV AR4BLAM01 7-Litre Water Purifier also qualifies our criteria to be considered as one of the best products out there.
Aristo is one of those rare water purifiers that is equipped with the state-of-the-art RO+UF purification technology, together with the most desired Aqua Taste Booster. In this regard, we should elaborate on what exactly Aqua Taste Booster is. Well, it is one of those premium technologies that help in enhancing the taste of water. It is done by maintaining optimal filtering stages.
Aristo comes with some of the most highly sought after water purification filters, namely, Pre-Filter, Sediment Filter, Pre-Carbon Filter, RO Membrane, UV Lamp, and Post-Carbon Filter with ATB. These plethora of stages ensure that none of the contaminants, as well as germs, can survive after filtration.
The presence of the double-layered RO + UV protection ensures that your drinking water is absolutely safe and doesn’t compromise with your health. While RO removes any dissolved impurities, heavy metals, microorganisms, and radioactive matters, UV, on the other hand, cleanses microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and cysts.
Specifications:
Capacity: 7 litres
Colour: Black
Included Components: Water purifier
Item Weight: 8 kg
Material: Plastic
Best Features
- Aqua Taste Booster (ATB): Enhances the taste of the water and helps in maintaining optimum pH levels, thus, in turn, enriches your water drinking experience.
- Large Capacity Filter: The massive 10-inch filter present in this filter ensures an efficient purification process, which, in turn, keeps your water safe at all times.
- Large Storage Tank: The storage tank in this particular purifier can hold 7 litres of water for immediate consumption. Hence, you and your family never have to wait for the filter to get filled.
5. Konvio Neer Amrit Water purifier
Konvio Neer is a relatively new player in the industry, but surprisingly, it has built a solid foundation reputation. The reason behind their meteoric rise is the quality of products they have introduced to the market, along with the affordable price range they offer. As a result, we couldn’t help but include the Konvio Neer Amrit in our comprehensive list of the best RO Water purifiers available in India.
Konvio Neer Amrit has the capability of purifying water input of up to 3000 TDS with 80 GPD high flow imported membrane. The unit comes with a 1-Year warranty on its electrical parts. This means you need not have to worry about the functionality of this product. The product has a branded UV and Alkaline installed, to ensure best-in-class purity. Amrit also comes with an absolutely free Pre-filter as well as an installation tool kit.
Konvio Neer Amrit is a maintenance-free advanced water purifier that has an inbuilt 6 stage reverse osmosis water purification system. This particular feature results in the maintenance of safe and pure drinking water. The particular purifier can purify up to 20 litres of water every hour, and it can also store a whopping 8 litres of water, ready for you to drink.
Specifications:
Capacity: 150 litres_per_day
Colour: Blue
Included Components: Pre-Filter, Installation Kit
Item Weight: —
Material Type: ABS
Warranty Description: 1 Year
Best Features
- Large Storage Tank: The purifier comes with an 8-liter storage tank, which means you never run out of clean water.
- Freebies available: On the purchase of this product, you also get a pre-filter and installation tool kit, absolutely free of cost.
6. Livpure Glo Water Purifier
Livpure is another superstar in terms of the water purifier manufacturers in India. Their products have always made a dent in the market, as they always strive to improve their offerings by bringing the best technology to the table. Their in-house team of scientists works thoroughly for innovating new approaches when it comes to water purification. It wouldn’t have been wise had we not included their Glo on our list.
Livpure Glo is quite affordable, considering the features it offers. This 7-Litre RO + UV + mineralizer water purifier has a large storage of 7 litres, in addition to being packed with multiple features for ensuring the ready availability of water at all times. Interestingly, this particular system works in the absence of electricity or adequate water pressure. The product is embedded with an advanced filtration system, which ensures the supply of 100% pure water.
Livpure Glo is also elegant as far as its looks are concerned, as it has a sleek design. The product is power-packed with suave specifications like full tank indicators. When placed at your home, its stylish aura makes the surroundings appear beautiful.
Glo is also popular and highly sought after because of the advanced 6 Stage Purification System it comes with. The six-stage filter system includes sediment filter, RO membrane, pre-activated carbon filter, UV disinfection column, mineraliser, and silver-impregnated post carbon filter. This 6-stage system ensures the elimination of bad taste, hardness, odour, salts, bacteria viruses, and other harmful contaminants from water.
Specifications:
Purification Technology: RO + UV + Mineraliser
Purification Capacity: Up to 12 litres/hour
Max. Duty Cycle: Up to 75 litres/day
Storage Tank Capacity: 7 Litres (approx)
RO Membrane: 75 GPD (Gallons per day)
Purification Cartridges: Sediment filter, ro membrane, pre-activated carbon filter, silver impregnated post carbon filter, uv disinfection column, mineral cartridge
UV Disinfection Column: 24 Ltr./Hr.
Min. Inlet Pressure: 0.3 Kg/Sq.cm
Max. Inlet Pressure: 3 Kg/Sq.cm
Best Features
- Customer Support: Livpure provides 365 days of customer care support for their customers
- Large Water Storage Capacity: Livpure Glo comes with a water storage capacity of 7-litres.
7. Havells Max 7-litre RO Water Purifier
Havells Max stands apart for its unique design and convenience. This portable RO purifier can be used as a table top appliance or can be mounted on the wall. Unlike other purifiers, Havells Max comes with a unique faucet design to ensure zero splashing, zero contamination and zero damage to the outflow unit.
Its powerful 7-stage purification involves unique processes to make water safe and tasty to drink.
- Sedimentation : Removal of suspended particles such as dirt, sand, rust and other physical impurities. This process plays an important role in improving the shelf-life of the activated carbon cartridge and RO membrane.
- Activated carbon filtration: Activated carbon is known for the removal of foul odour, chemicals and dissolved organic impurities such as pesticides and herbicides.
- Reverse Osmosis: Heavy metal residues such as mercury, lead, arsenic and fluorides are removed by the RO membrane.
- UV disinfection: The germicidal UV lamp works at 253.7nm wavelength to keep the water free from microbial impurities.
- Mineralization: The mineral cartridge maintains the pH balance of the purified water by adding essential minerals and salts to it.
- Taste enhancement: The silver impregnated taste enhancer removes volatile organic compounds and improves the taste of the purified water.
- Revitalization: The revitalizer cartridge restructures water to make it biologically active.
The Havells max purifier works perfectly even during voltage fluctuations without causing any damage to the product. The purifier trips only when the voltage moves on the either side of the scale i.e, 170-330V. The 7-litre water tank is designed with an ingress protection cover that makes sure the water stored is free from any external contamination. The tank is removable as well for cleaning and maintenance. The product comes with the essential indicator such as purification, error and tank full indicators.
Notable Features:
- RO+UV purification technology
- Seven stage purification with special functions
- 7-litre water tank
- iProtect purification monitor
- Mineral cartridge + revitalizer cartridge
- Soft touch faucet
- Smart indicators
Verdict:
Budget-friendly and consumer friendly design! The removable tank and soft touch faucet works well at a home with too many people. The purification capacity of the tank is about 15 litres per hour and that is sufficient for an average family of 3-4 members. The quality and efficiency of the purifier is commendable.
Pros:
- Compact design with soft touch faucet
- Advanced purification features
- Mineral cartridge and revitalizer cartridge
- Smart indicators
- Removable tank
Cons:
- Tackles water with very low TDS level
- The mineral filter needs to be changed every six months
8. R.K Aquafresh India 15-litres RO+UV+UF+TDS Adjuster Water Purifier
A made in India product that has been gaining prominence in the field of UV water purification technology! R.K. Aquafresh meets all the certification standards and presents this 15-litre RO+UV+UF+TDS water purifier.
The adjuster technology helps in removing microbial residues, traces of heavy metals, chemicals and other impurities.
The attractive and compact design of the product makes it an ideal appliance to fit in a small kitchen. The reverse osmosis process followed by UV disinfection gives you a safe and clean water to drink. The highly functioning cartridge helps in removing sediments and dissolved impurities. However, it needs to be changed periodically.
Notable Features:
- RO+UV+UF+TDS purification technology
- High purification capacity
- Replaceable cartridge
- One-year warranty
- Push-fit design to prevent leakage
Verdict:
Low priced product with high efficiency. It surprisingly works well with borewell water and offers a very value for money performance. However, installation and maintenance might cause a dent in the pocket.
Pros:
- RO+UV+UF+TDS purification technology
- Push-fit design to prevent leakage
- One-year warranty
- Works well with high TDS level water
Cons:
- Uninterrupted power supply necessary
- Poor build quality
- Bad customer service
9. HUL Pureit Advanced RO+MF 6 Stage 5-litre Water Purifier
One of the leading advanced water purifiers in the world, the Hindustan Unilever Pureit water purifier stands apart for its innovative design and progressive features. The engineering grade plastic body of the purifier makes it durable and stylish. It also ensures that the quality of the purified water is maintained and keeps it free from contamination. The break resistant tap is a feather to the cap.
The 5-litre tank has a purification capacity of 9-12 litres/hour. With continuous water and power supply, the tank is quickly replenished aided by the auto shut off feature in order to save water from overflowing, leakage and wastage.
The six stage purification process purifies water from varied supply source such as borewell, tap water and tankers. The processes include pre-sedimentation, pre-RO carbon filtration, post-carbon sedimentation, reverse osmosis, microfiltration, and post-carbon filtration. Â The RO+UV micro filtration technology removes harmful chemicals and microbial residues from the water making it healthier.
Notable Features:
- Stylish and compact design
- 5-litre water tank
- Six stage RO+UV MF purification technology
- Advanced voltage fluctuation guard (165-280V)
- Break resistant tap
- One-year warranty
Verdict:
Pureit RO purifier is a good buy within a pocket-friendly budget. The 5-litre tank is quite sufficient for a small nuclear family. The innovative design of the product adds to the decor of the kitchen. Free installation and good customer service from Hindustan Unilever!
Pros:
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Stylish and innovative design
- Pocket-friendly price
- Advanced voltage fluctuation guard
- Auto shut off feature
- TDS controller for up to 1800 ppm
- Break resistant tap
Cons:
- Lacks necessary indicators
10. AO Smith Z8 10-litre RO Series Water Purifier
AO Smith water purifier is quite a stunner when it comes to appearance and performance. The green series purifier purifies 100% of the water input and also saves 2x the amount of waste water produced by other RO purifiers. This is a very unique trait and thus it is in our list.
The innovative eight step purification includes a pre-filter, sediment filter, carbon block with ART, patented side stream reverse osmosis, mineralizer filter and ZX double protection dual filter. It can be noted that the input water passes through the RO membrane and double protection filter (SCMT) completely.
The large storage tank has the capacity of holding 10-litres of water at once. The AO Smith green series purifier is suitable for large Indian families and to those who experience frequent power cuts. The silver charged membrane technology (SCMT) safeguards the water from secondary contamination. The mineralizer filter restructures the water molecules by adding essential minerals to the water making it tasty and healthy to drink.
Notable Features:
- 8 stage purification
- Large 10-litre tank
- Advance recovery technology
- Dual double protection filters (SCMT+SAPC)
- Easy access to hot water
- Night assist feature
- One-year warranty
Verdict:
The most innovative and advanced product in the segment! The attractive design of the purifier catches everyone’s eye. It comes with dual faucets for smooth flow of hot water. The purifier has a higher shelf-life of RO membrane and filters. The coil does not burn even after excessive use.Â
11. V-Guard Zenora Water Purifier
V-Guard is a trustworthy Indian brand for assorted electrical appliances. And its Zenora RO water purifier is a supreme reliable product with standard filtration, table-top usage, and smart indicator features. So, it grabbed a mandatory place on our valuable list.Â
With an 8-stage advanced purification, it eliminates microbes, organic impurities, and chemical impurities even from municipal and bore water. Moreover, with a higher TDS capacity of up to 2000, it even removes heavy metals along with many other impurities.Â
It includes a world-class RO membrane with a wider surface area for better water flow and higher efficiency.Â
Moreover, through a special glass UV chamber, it disinfects the water for an added safety. It also comes with a large dirt capacity pre-filter that decreases the turbidity and protects the inner RO membrane. By a calcite media, it balances pH and minerals to enhance the taste of the water.Â
It has a 32*30*26 cm size and designed in such a way that you can use it on the table-top or even install it on the wall. And so, anyone can undoubtedly use it at home or office.Â
Also, it has smart LED indicators to show the purification on or off status, tank-full measure, and low-pressure alert for easy notification.Â
V-Guard serves its customers with free installation, maintenance, pre-filter replacement, and other after-sales timely services across Pan India. It has a wide network of 235+ service centers, 1200+ technicians, and 7 metros direct service facilities to satisfy your needs even if you are in any corner of the country.Â
Specifications:
- Purification technologies: RO+UV+MB with TDS and Alkaline technologies
- Storage capacity: 7liters
- Item Weight: 9.3 kg
- Dimensions: 34.5*20.5*45 cm
- Material: Plastic
- Color: Black
- Warranty: The brand offers a true one-year comprehensive warranty.Â
Best Features:
- Table-top and wall-mount installation: You can mount it on the wall or keep it on a sturdy table too.Â
- Better services: The warranty services cover RO membrane, electrical parts, and filters. It also assures 2 pre-emptive maintenance services and free replacement of 2 pre-filters. As it has no visit charges and one re-installation offer, you can bag more savings.Â
How to Choose the Best Water Purifier?
To choose the right water purifier your needs, you have to consider several factors. We have mentioned these crucial points below in detail for your reference.
1. Water Source
This is the first factor to consider while purchasing a new water purifier for your home or office. Common water sources in Indian households are…
- Municipal Corporation Supply
- Rivers
- Groundwater/Borewell
- Lake/Ponds
Water from rivers and lakes are considered as soft water. And underground water is considered as hard water as it contains high amounts of dissolved solids (TDS). Every water source has its own impurities that require different types of purification. We have mentioned the common impurities based on the water source.
| Water Source | Common Impurities |
|---|---|
| Municipal Corporation | Rust, bacteria, sand, mud, chlorine and vurises |
| Borewell or Groundwater | Sand, dissolved salts, calcium, magnesium, arsenic, fluoride, mercury, lead, mud and others |
| Rivers | Mud, dissolved salts, magnesium, lead, arsenic, fluoride, mercury, sand, and others |
| Lake or Ponds | Sand, algae, mud, viruses, cysts, algae, mud, protozoa, cysts, and bacteria |
2. TDS Levels in Water
Checking out the TDS levels in water is the most important and primary thing to do before purchasing a water purifier. These levels let you know how contaminate the water is and which purification method technology is appropriate the option.
TDS or also referred as Total Dissolved Solids represents the concentration of dissolves contaminants present in the water. Some of the natural minerals ones are calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Dissolved salts can easily pass through a 2-micrometer or even pores without getting noticed.
An appropriate level of TDS is also necessary in the water – because if the TDS levels are low, then the taste will be terrible. On the other hand, if the TDS levels are high, then it represents impurities like lead, fluoride, arsenic, and others.
TDS levels in water can be measured using a digital TDS meter and represented in PPM (parts per million) or mg/L.
Below, we have provided a table representing acceptable TDS values of drinking water.
| TDS (mg/ltr) | Rating |
|---|---|
| Below 300 | Excellent |
| 300 to 500 | Suitable for human consumption |
| 500 to 900 | Not suitable for consumption |
| 900 to 1200 | Unfit for human consumption |
| Above 1200 | Unacceptable |
Digital TDS meter will let you know the amount of dissolved impurities. However, it will not tell you…
- Types of dissolved solids present
- Concentration level of each dissolved impurities
Most of the TDS levels contain harmless salts like calcium, sodium and magnesium. However, some of the dissolved solids are very harmful even if consumed in low quantities. Some of these harmful total dissolved solids are nitrates, arsenic and fluorides.
If you live in an agricultural region or industrial zone, you should be aware of the fact that the pesticide and chemical fertilizer abuse. So, there is a high chance of these contaminants entering the groundwater or river stream.
Now let’s check out types of impurities, TDS levels and which purification method is suitable for your needs.
3. Water Purification Technology
Currently in the Indian market, there are three types of water purification technologies – RO (Reverse Osmosis), UF (Ultra-Filtration) and UV (Ultra-Violet). Working mechanisms of these purification methods are different from each other with their own benefits and drawbacks. Below, we have provided a detail information on how these methods work and other information.
There are several types of contaminants present in the water. Not all water purification systems are equipped for dealing different water sources and their distinct impurities. Every purification technology has different water treating capacity. If you choose a wrong filter, then water may not be treated or filtered which will probably harm you and your family.
You should be aware of all kinds of filters available and their mechanisms before making the purchase. Check out the water source available in the market and make an informed decision.
| TDS Value | Muddy Water | Presence of Biological Impurities | Ideal Water Purifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 500 PPM | No | Yes | UV |
| Less than 500 PPM | Yes | Yes | UV+UF |
| Less than 500 PPM | No | No | Gravity-Based |
| Less than 500 PPM | Yes | No | UF |
| Above 500 PPM | No | No | RO+TDS Controller |
| Above 500 PPM | Yes | Yes | RO+UV+UF+TDS Controller |
| Above 500 PPM | No | Yes | RO+UV+TDS Controller |
| Above 500 PPM | Yes | No | RO+UF or RO+UV+UF TDS Controller |
a) Reverse Osmosis (RO)
As the name implies, this technology is the opposite of osmosis. In this process, the water will have to move from higher concentration to the lower though a semipermeable membrane. As this is against the water’s natural tendency, you may have to apply the force.
RO membrane has tiny pores which forces the water through and rejects the impurities like dissolved salts and other pollutants like bacteria, virus and others. The pore size is around 0.0001 micron. Once the water passes through this filter, it will be free from organic molecules and viruses. Apart from that, it also removes minerals present in the water. The reverse osmosis process also removes monovalent ions so the water will also be desalinated.
Source: water-rightgroup
When To Use RO Water Purifier – if the TDS levels are more than 500 ppm.
Impurities It Can Remove – Lead, Calcium, Sodium, Aluminum, Fluoride Boron, Organic Chemicals, Nitrate, Calcium, Sulfate, Potassium, Magensium and Manganese.
Benefits:
- It will remove all the contaminants like bacteria, arsenic, viruses and dissolved salts.
- Provides safe and tasty water
- Requires very less maintenance
Drawbacks:
- Removes healthy minerals as well. However, models with TDS controller and mineralizer will retain natural minerals.
- Needs continuous water supply. To provide 1 liter of pure water, they discard 3 liters of water.
- Needs electricity for operating.
- Expensive compared to other water purifiers.
b) Ultra-Filtration
Similar to RO, ultrafiltration also has semi-permeable membrane for purifying the water. However, the main difference between them – UF has larger pores (0.01 microns) while RO membrane has tiny pores (0/0001 microns).
The main advantage of ultrafiltration is that they work without any chances of electricity as the water can easily pass through the large pores using gravity without any additional pressure or water pump. As UF purifiers don’t discard any water, there will be no wastage.
However, there are some limitations to UF water purifiers and one of them is large pore size. UF purifier will only remove bacteria, endotoxins, suspended solids and other pathogens. It cannot remove dissolved solids or decrease the TDS levels. This makes UF purifiers not suitable for purification of water with high TDS levels.
When to Use Ultrafiltration Purifiers – If the TDS levels in water are less than 500 ppm
Impurities It Can Remove – Bacteria, protozoa, virus, proteins, silica, silt, colloids, silica, plastics, endotoxins, smog, pyrogens and macromolecules larger than membrane pore size.
Benefits:
- Doesn’t need electricity
- Cost-effective
- Doesn’t waste water
- Capable of purifying dirty muddy water
- Works well with normal pipe water pressure
Drawbacks:
- Only removes bacteria and suspended matter
- Doesn’t remove dissolved salts
c) Ultraviolet Purification
If you have to deal with bacteria and virus in water, ultraviolet purification is the right choice. This water purifier contains a UV lamp. When the water flows through the lamp it receives lethal dose of UV light (254-nm wavelength). Â And this light will attack the DNA and kill them.
But UV purifiers are not capable of removing dissolved or undissolved chemicals or impurities from water. This is the reason why most of the UV purifiers in the market use other form of external sediment filters for removing un-dissolved impurities. For instance, activated carbon filter is used for removing chlorine and other dissolved impurities.
When to Use Ultraviolet Purifiers – If TDS levels are less than 500ppm
Impurities It Can Remove – Viruses and Bacteria
Benefits:
- Kills almost 99.9% of harmful viruses and bacteria
- Requires less energy
- Doesn’t use chemicals like chlorine
- Doesn’t leave any chemical after taste or add any odor to the water
- Less maintenance
Drawbacks:
- Not capable of removing contaminants or purifying muddy or dirt water
- Doesn’t work during power cuts
d) Gravity Based Water Purifier
If you are looking for just basic purification, then gravity based water purifiers are the best option.
Usually, in these purifiers, the filters in gravity water purifier will be placed between two compartment. Water will pass through the filter from top container to lower one to lower compartment using gravity. The lower compartment is where the purified water will be stores and dispersed through tap. Gravity-based water purifiers don’t need electricity for running which is why are commonly referred as non-electrical water purifiers.
They use activated carbon or UF filter in these type of water purifiers. Activated carbon filter is made up of small carbon granules which will absorb all the impurities present in the water while passing it through. When it comes to UF filter, it has a membrane with hollow fibers. When the water will pass through the membrane, the impurities will stick the fibers and only pure water will pass through it. In some gravity water purifier, a secondary micro fiber mesh is also present between two compartments, while in others it is not available. This secondary filter will remove any large impurities before the water gets filtered.
When to Use Gravity Water Purifier – If the TDS levels are less than 500ppm. Recommended for municipality corporation water.
Impurities It Removes – If it has activated carbon filter – Removes Chlorine, Pesticides, Benzene, Volatile Organic Compounds, Colours, Odors. If it has UF – Removes Sediments, Microorganisms and Extremely Fine Particles.
Benefits:
- Doesn’t need electricity
- Water provided is safer than boiled water
- Less maintenance
- Removes virus and germs from the water
- Removes turbidity
- Cost effective
- Easy to clean and use
- It can be placed anywhere at home – table, countertop or any corner
Drawbacks:
- Required regular cleaning
- Doesn’t remove dissolved and heavy metal chemical contaminants
4. Flow Rate or Purification Capacity
Calculating the suitable flow rate can be tricky but important as well. If the flow rate is high, then it can result in unsuccessful purification (as it will have less time for purification). But the flow rate is very slow, then it will take a lot of time to provide just 1 liters of water – this can be very frustrating. So, you have to choose an ideal flow rate that can solve both these problems.
Flow rate or purification capacity is the quantity that is produced by water purifier in an hour. It is usually referred in terms of liters/hour. To calculate the ideal flow rate, you have to consider daily water requirement of your family.
On an average, 12 to 15 liters of capacity is suitable enough for most of the Indian households. Most of the RO purifiers provide the same capacity or flow rate. Some of the high-end models can provide capacity up to 20 liters/hour or above as well.
5. Storage Capacity
The process of purification takes time. Instead of this waiting period, manufacturers have provided storage tank in most of the purifier models. This tank will collect the purified water. It is helpful for people for people who live in an area with frequent power cuts and unreliable water supply.
Most of the water purifiers come with storage tank ranging from 7 liters to 12 liters. For a family with 4 to 6 members, 6liter storage tank is suitable enough. This will ensure you have enough purified water necessary. If you have a big family or if you live in a locality where there are regular power cuts, then you should choose a model with bigger storage tank.
Important Note: Apart from certain UV purifier models, most of the other water purifier models come with a storage tank. So, you will have access to pure water all the time.
6. Tank Material
As it stores the purified water, material used to make storage tank is an important consideration. Most of the purifiers come with storage tanks made up of stainless steel of ABS food-grade plastic that ensure both durability and purity. Apart from that, you should also ensure the tank come with proper sealing for avoiding any external contamination.
7. TDS Controller
RO water purifiers can remove the almost 90% of TDS from the water source. This even includes some of the healthy salts like magnesium, calcium and others. Removing essential minerals and salts will have negative effect on your body. To resolve this issue, manufacturers have added a feature called TDS controller. This feature will check and control the level of minerals and dissolved salts present in the purified water.
8. Water Wastage or Recovery
Some water purifiers need large quantities of water for functioning properly. All the RO water purifiers waste almost 3 liters of water to provide 1 liter of purified water. Some models can waste up to 75 to 80% while some models can purify up to 50% of input water.
Considering global water crisis, it is important to choose RO water purifier only if it is required. If the TDS levels are less than 500 ppm, then it means water doesn’t contain any heavy metals or harmful chemicals. So, gravity-based, UV or UF water purifier would be sufficient. If RO water purifier is your choice, then we recommend to purchase it from a brand that provides models with higher water recovery ratio.
9. Display Indicators
Regardless of their importance, indicators or alerts are one of the overlooked features. Most of the water purifiers present in India have LED indicators which will notify when the tank is empty/full, UV lamp fail, auto-shut off or filter replacement. These indicators will notify you timely and use the purifier wisely and effectively. It also helps you increase the shelf life of the water purifier as well.
10. Weight
This feature may seem insignificant to some people but it matters too. Most of the water purifiers in India weigh around 5 to 12Kgs. Models with less weight are suitable for wall mounting so don’t take any space on the kitchen platform. If water purifiers are heavy, then you have to place them on kitchen counter.
11. Build
Build quality is very important factors in terms of shelf life and conserving purified water. The outlook appearance surely adds elegant touch to the kitchen interiors. The materials used should be easy to maintain and durable as well. Common materials used for water purifiers are aluminum and ABS. Few latest models are coming up with copper for storage tank. We recommend to avoid choosing a model with aluminum tank as they facilitate scale buildup.
12. Filter and Cartridge
While purchasing a water purifier, make sure it has activated carbon or sediment filter. Activated carbon filter is capable of eliminating foul smell and volatile components. But sediment filters can remove large physical particles like dirt and dust in the water.
Having a biotron cartridge is added advantage as it will help to break down the water molecules. It lets you relish the goodness of nutrients available in the water. In the same way, mineral cartridge is also helpful as it will ensure the water contains all the essential minerals are retained in water, along with pH balance and taste. This option is usually not available along with water purifiers. You have to get it fitted on outer side of the water purifier.
If you have it, you don’t have to worry about large pollutants and visible suspended particles. In case, you are purchasing RO water purifiers, having this filter will increase the lifespan of the RO membrane. It will remove large pollutants before they even enter the purification process. If the water source is provided by municipality corporation, then you don’t have to use the filter, as it is already treated for removing impurities.
13. Installation Type
Usually, water purifiers can be installed in two different ways. You can either place them on kitchen counter or else mount it over a wall. There are several types of water purifiers in the market, you can easily choose a model that can fit into your kitchen interiors. If your kitchen is small, then you can purchase an under the sink water purifier as it will stay hidden and doesn’t take much space.
14. Brand
It is always better to choose a brand that has good reputation and comes with trustworthy quality water purifiers. Some of the top brands for water purifiers are Livepure, Kent, HUL Pureit, Eureka Forbes, Prestige and others.
15. Price
Similar to other purchases, price is also an important factor to consider while purchasing a new water purifier. However, it shouldn’t be your first decision. Because safety of your family is most important. So, instead of saving few thousands of rupees, we recommend to concentrate more on features and purification capacity.
Over the years, water purifiers have become cheaper. You can get best-selling branded RO water purifiers for as low as Rs. 8000. Other types of water purifiers come within this budget range or even lower.
16. Warranty and After-Sales Service
Water purifiers need regular maintenance, so having after-sales support is very important. So, you have to make sure the brand you choose has good customer support. Apart from that, you should also look for initial warranty. Make sure the water purifier model you choose has at least 1-year warranty period. It is better to choose products or brands that come with extended warranty.
How Does a Water Purifier Work?
When you turn on the device, water passes through these filters where several impurities and pollutants are trapped. Clear and pure water is expelled to an outlet source. Below, we have mentioned about each filter in detail…
1. Sediment Filter
This is an optional filter so it is not available in every water purifier. It is usually attached outside the machine. This filter is responsible for removing visible suspended particles and larger impurities. Doing so, it will improve the lifespan of the machine by preventing the larger particles from entering the machine. You don’t need a sediment filter if the input water is already treated by the municipal corporation.
2. Activated Carbon Pre-Filter
This filter is capable of removing chlorine and organic impurities like pesticides from the water. This filter also absorbs bad odor and taste altering organic compounds present in the water.
3. RO Membrane
Into this membrane, water will be forced at high pressure with the use in-built water pump. It removes dissolved salts, pesticides, hardness and other heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and microbes like protozoa, virus and bacteria. Later, the water is separated into two – impure part will be discarded down the drain and pure water will pass through the UV chamber for next stage filtration.
4. UV Filter
Pure water from RO filtration will still contain some traces of virus and bacteria. This filter contains high-intensity UV bulb which will eradicate bacteria, parasites, virus and deliver safe water.
5. UF Membrane
This filter also works same as RO membrane. However, it will not remove dissolved solids. Certain water purifiers use both UF and RO membrane. The output water received from both these individual membranes will be mixed to maintain TDS levels of purified water.
6. TDS Controller
This component is usually present for controlling TDS levels in the output water. Apart from removing impurities, RO process also removes essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. This is where TDS controller is helpful. It will retain the sufficient amounts of essential minerals in the purified water.
It separates the input water into parts – A and B. Part A will go through the RO membrane while part B will pass through UV/UF membrane where the TDS will not be reduced but it will kill the microorganisms.
Now, the TDS will selectively mix the water with RO purified water which will thereby increase TDS levels and increase pH levels as well.
7. Mineralizer
TDS controller will mix some water that didn’t go through the RO membrane with output water that is filtered. The resultant water will have enough minerals and chemicals that are usually present in input water, but in smaller amount. This is not a big issue unless but the source water can be polluted with heavy metals like arsenic, nitrate, lead and arsenic. If the output water has heavy metals under limit, it will be safe to consume water.
But the mineralizer will have both positively charged ions of silver and copper which have anti-toxic properties. Silver works better on bacteria and copper on algae. The output water will have a refreshing taste and smell. Apart from removing toxicity, mineralizer can also release essential minerals that are normally last during RO purification. Mineralizer will mix selective infusion of minerals into the output water.
8. Carbon Post Filter
It will act as polisher and improve the purified water taste. Apart from that, it will also remove foul smell from the water.
9. Storage Tank
It is responsible for storing purified water for later use. You have to make sure the storage tank is built using food grade non-toxic material. Most of the high-quality water purifiers have storage tanks made up of stainless steel. Apart from built materials, you should also check for the storage tank capacity.
10. Display
Most of the RO water purifiers have a display that notifies on/off, tank full and other features. Some of the purifiers also notify fault alert, UV fail, TDS level indicator, membrane change, purity indicator and others.
Advantages of Using Water Purifier
There are several benefits of using a water purifier. We have mentioned them clearly below for your reference.
1. Safe and Pure Drinking Water
One of the main reasons to purchase a water purifier is to receive clean water for safety of you and your family. Water purifiers, especially the models with RO purification will remove almost 99% of chemicals, pesticides, germs and other impurities. The resultant water is much better than quick boil over the stove. Click Here to know why RO provides safest and purest drinking water.
2. Remove Industrial Chemicals
Though you may not know it, water you are drinking might be polluted with harshest industrial chemicals. Latest water purifiers come with advanced technologies that make it capable of removing chemicals and provide you with clean drinking water.
3. Reduces Water Hardness
Most of the Indian households have water supply from borewells. So, the water will be hard and not suitable for health. RO water purifiers will reduce the hardness levels in water and make the water soft and suitable for drinking.
4. TDS Controller
Most of the purifiers have the TDS controller technology. This filter will check the water quality of output water and provides the reliable water for drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Rejected water from the purifier is not suitable for human consumption as it mostly contains 90 to 95% of pollutants. But you can use this water for several purposes like floors, toilets, cleaning utensils, floor and bathrooms. If you have a garden or plants, you can use this water for watering them.
Unfortunately, boiling alone is not enough to remove or decrease the TDS levels. It will be helpful just in killing the micro-organisms present in the water source.
Expelling a lot of waste water is the main drawback of RO water purifier. In most of the cases, to produce 25% of pure water, it expels 75% of waste water. If the TDS levels of your water source are low, then waste water generation will be less too. So, to find out whether your RO water purifier is generating more waste water, check the TDS levels of water source. If the TDS levels are low and still 75% water is wasted, then consult customer service for professional help.
A good trusted brand with all the necessary certifications work impeccably for about 5-7 years. Although frequent filter changes are needed. Factors such as supply water quality, filter, maintenance and mechanism also play an important role in determining its shelf-life.
Although most of the brands use food grade plastic to build their storage tanks, it is advisable to use consume the water within three days of purifying it.
Functionality of both the purifiers are the same but differ from each other when it comes to the flow rate, form of filter used and storage. RO+UV filters work best with high TDS level water. However, they need constant supply of electricity and water. RO purifiers even waste a lot of water. On the other hand, non-electric/gravity based filters save water and electricity while their functionality limits only to water with low TDS level.
Hardness constitutes a part of TDS but not the other way round. Hardness basically represents the measure of calcium and magnesium salts in water. Whenever hard water percolates, limescale buildup in the tank/membrane can be observed. TDS is the measure of total dissolved salts which constitutes of both organic and inorganic compounds. The dissolved salts include lead, fluorides, sodium, potassium and other minerals along with calcium and magnesium.
Conclusion
Now that we have reached the climax of this article, we believe that you have gained some important knowledge regarding RO water purifiers. Our list should help you in deciding the best product available in the market. Besides, our buying guide is intended to help you make smart decisions later on during your life when you will require buying another filter.
However, it’s quite natural for you to get confused because of loads of choices available on our list. In that regard, let us recommend three of our favorite water purifiers that we believe you will like as well:
- KENT Grand: We recommend KENT Grand because of multiple factors. First, it has a trustworthy brand and a commendable market presence. Besides, their double purification technology, and RO+UV/UF system remove all the dissolved impurities that also include bacteria, harsh chemicals, viruses, and salt. With over 1500 service centers around the country, KENT brings peace of mind.
- Eureka Forbes Aquasure Smart Plus: Eureka Forbes is another big name in the water purification industry. Their Aquasure Smart Plus comes with a long cartridge Life of over 6000 litres. Additionally, it is Smart plus technology that protects the device from any damage during power fluctuations.
- Ruby Water Purifier: Â This particular water purifier is particularly a favorite one for us as it has a Reverse Osmosis Membrane for removing even the hardest water contaminants like Copper, Lead, Mercury, Chromium, Fluoride, Nitrate, and pesticides.
Hope you liked our article. Please come back for more. In the meantime, if you have any doubts or questions, mention them in the comments section down below. We’ll get back to you at the earliest. Stay healthy, drink healthy!
