How to Choose the Best Water Purifier Machine
Table of Contents
A popular quote reads “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” Yes, without water human life will be questionable. Nowadays, as sensible heads of families, we have another responsibility as well. If you are a responsible dad or mom, you should make sure that your family gets pure water. The water they get in the home should be free of any impurities.
Most importantly, they should be free of harmful micro-organisms. Thanks to water purifier machines available from different brands in the market. One of them can help you ensure that your family gets healthy water. Before understanding how to find the right purifier, you should be aware of certain things.
1. Best Large Capacity Water Filter Jug – Brita UltraSlim Dispenser
2. Best Low Budget Filter – Waterdrop 5-Cup NSF Certified Water Filter
3. Best Water Dispenser – Brita UltraMax Water Filter Dispenser
4. Best Space Saving Filter – Brita Space Saver Water Filter Pitcher
5. Best Alkaline Water Pitcher – Santevia Alkaline Water Pitcher
6. Best Ultra Compact Water Filter – Brita Slim Water Filter Pitcher
7. Best Water Filtering Pitcher – Soma 102-10-01 Sustainable Pitcher and Plant-Based Water Filter
8. Best Filtration System – ZeroWater ZP-006-4 10 Cup Pitcher with Free Water Quality Meter
9. Best for “Undrinkable” Water – LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
10. Best With Water Quality Meter – ZeroWater ZD-20RP 20 Cup Ready-Pour Water Filter Pitcher
Maybe your water is not the most contaminated. But you would still like to be able to drink it without any aftertaste or chloric odor. If you’re willing to pay a little extra for a premium product from a reliable manufacturer, then the Brita UltraSlim should be your thing.
The first brand that usually comes to mind when we talk about filter jugs is the widely recognized Brita. Despite the high price of their models, you are sure to have one of the most reliable products on the market.
UltraSlim is no exception. Made of BPA-free plastic, it offers a perfectly designed format. Being long and thin, it takes up little space on a shelf of your refrigerator. This does not affect its capacity in any way. On the contrary, this model can hold an impressive amount of water, either 25 cups, or 5.7 liters. The filling is done simply, using the upper opening.
One of the criteria of choice for a filter pitcher is at the level of the filter. Of course, it has to meet your needs depending on your water, but you also have to check its durability. Will you need to change it regularly? If you don’t want to worry about that kind of detail, go for the Waterdrop WD-PT-05.
First of all, it is important to know that the Waterdrop WD-PT-05 is more suitable for one or two people. Indeed, its small capacity of five cups, or 1.1 liters, limits you to this level.
Keep in mind that you may fill it out quite often. On the other hand, this size makes its handling much easier and its weight less heavy. Plus, it takes up less space in a refrigerator or on a counter. NSF 42 and 372 certified, this model uses an activated carbon filter and reverse osmosis. It dramatically reduces the taste and odor of chlorine, as well as lead and other contaminants.
The first element that sets this dispenser apart from other models is its large capacity. It contains approximately 4.5 liters or 18 cups. It’s perfect for families: you won’t have to systematically refill it. A tap, located at the base, allows the youngest to serve themselves, without having to ask busy parents.
The second thing you should notice is the special shape of the Brita UltraMax: it is rectangular. It is specially designed for placement in the refrigerator: you put it in a corner, and it just doesn’t bother you anymore. This allows you to keep filtered water longer. A Brita standard filter is included with your purchase. This makes it possible to give better taste to the water, by fighting against the presence of chlorine. The amount of pollutants, such as mercury or copper, is also reduced.
As the name suggests, the Brita Space Saver is a relatively compact filter jug. It takes up little space and is inexpensive, but its capacity is therefore limited. If you are short on space and there are only a few of you, this is a solution to consider. You can place the Brita Space Saver in the fridge or on a counter.
However, the capacity here is 1.5 liters or 6 cups. This is suitable if you live alone or as a couple. Other than that, you are up against a quite classic model. In the box, you have a standard Brita filter. The brand’s Longlast filters are also compatible. The presence of harmful metals, such as leather, zinc, or cadmium, is effectively reduced.
On the cover of the object, you can see the estimated remaining life of your filter – you’ll easily know when it’s time to change it. You can assume that this will be needed every 2 months or so.
The problem with filter jugs is that they don’t just remove what is potentially bad for you – they also remove useful minerals. Santevia Alkaline solves this concern: it adds essential minerals and increases the pH of the water. It also gives a much better taste.
The main function of Santevia Alkaline is to fight against the main problem of filtration: the removal of healthy elements. To do this, it adds minerals to the water. In the opinion of many consumers, the water is then more pleasant to drink than with other filters.
Another advantage of the Santevia Alkaline is its design. It is well crafted and pleasant and fits perfectly with the ambience of a modern kitchen. In addition, different colors are available: gray, white, red, or blue in particular. And this, without big price variation.
There are two things you particularly value: your space and your budget? There is a product that will allow you to preserve both. This is the Brita Slim filter jug. Particularly affordable, it is primarily intended for students or people who need to save some money.
The Brita Slim is not very tall. It fits easily in a refrigerator, even when it is fully loaded which is pretty handy if you’re not the type to put everything down to the millimeter.
It’s not huge, but still quite suitable for a single person, a student for example this pitcher can thus be a smart move-in gift. As for filtration, it works classically, with Brita filters with activated carbon and ion exchange resin.
Are you disappointed with the appearance of filter jugs? Are you looking for a product that will enhance your kitchen while being particularly effective? The Soma 102-10-01 is a top-of-the-range and environmentally friendly model, which may well meet your expectations.
First of all, it is very pretty and gives a particular style to the object. Then it is made from durable white oak. You get a look that is both elegant and natural.
Efficiency has not been sacrificed on the altar of design. The product has been tested by the Water Quality Association and is NSF / ANSI Standard 42 and 53 certified. To put it more simply: it filters contaminants such as copper, cadmium, or mercury, and it filters them well.
If what matters most to you is the quality of the filtration and would like to take advantage of a model with suitable capacity, the ZeroWater Pitcher may well meet your filter jug requirements.
First, let’s applaud the great idea that ZeroWater had: a water quality test device is included directly with your purchase. This helps you avoid having to wonder about the actual effectiveness of the product.
If you need to be more reassured about its filtration performance, know that this model is NSF certified. It has been independently tested, found to remove approximately 99.6% of dissolved solids in water. A good score can be explained by the presence of a 5-stage filtration system.
Is the water that comes out of your tap bad tasting and smelly? Maybe you’ve heard of the name LifeStraw before. This is the manufacturer who offers the famous straws that allow you to safely drink water from swamps or other unappetizing sources.
Its popularity is due to its ultra-efficient filtration systems. And their Home model in the form of a pitcher is just as effective. It uses activated carbon and ion exchange technology for everything related to dissolved solids and chemicals.
But where it stands out the most is that it removes over 99.99% of bacteria, parasites, and microplastic particles. It still preserves the minerals that are good for health and present in the water.
The ZeroWater ZD-20RP comes in the form of a water dispenser with a tap for service. The tap has a push button that can be easily operated with one hand.
This model offers a large capacity of 20 cups or 4.6 liters. It is therefore ideal for the family. In addition, it is designed so that you can slip it into the fridge without taking up too much space.
It’s made of sturdy plastic and there’s no need to worry – it’s BTA-free. You can easily tell how much water is left since its blue walls are transparent. The filtration of the ZeroWater ZD-20RP is NSF certified, which means it is known to be efficient. This is due to its five stages, comprising a carbon layer and an ion exchange system.
Some dangerous contaminants can be present in tap water. They are DDT, Dioxins, perchlorate, arsenic, PCBs, and mercury. The other contaminants include lead, chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, and bacteria.
When you get into the market of a home water purifier, you will come across the term TDS. What is it? Let us find here:
TDS is the short form for Total Dissolved Solids. Impurities that are more than 2 microns are referred to as TDS. The water in your area will be safe to drink if its TDS is less than 500 ppm. But, in any area, tap water can have TDS that ranges from 1000-3000 ppm.
When the TDS content is high in water, it can change even the taste of the water. Even, it can contribute to different health hazards. How to reduce TDS in water? This can be done by using the right RO Water purifier. If the water has more chlorides, sodium, and potassium, it can increase the TDS level in addition to the impurities. If the toxic ions like arsenic, cadmium, nitrate, and lead are high in number in the water, it can lead to health issues. If consumed in excess quantity, the water can turn out to be dangerous for health.
Now, let us get into some useful points to consider when you are on the verge of selecting the right home water purifier home:
Understanding the technologies behind water purification systems will help you. Based on it, you can decide on the type of purifier that will suit the water in your area:
When this technology is used in the appliance, it will be efficient enough in getting rid of volatile organic chemicals. Further, it will get rid of THM compounds, benzene, chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and other impurities. As carbon is a porous material, it can get rid of these impurities. However, it cannot get rid of any dissolved solids. It means that when you buy an appliance that works on this technology, there should be additional purification methodologies. They should work in conjunction with the activated carbon filter.
UV or Ultra-Violet rays are efficient enough in getting rid of pathogens and microorganisms. However, UV filters are not efficient enough in getting rid of hardness from the water. A purification system with this technology will employ a fiber membrane. This membrane will get rid of suspended solids. However, systems with this technology cannot get rid of pathogens and bacteria.
Reverse Osmosis is a technology in water purification that helps with getting rid of impurities. It also helps with removing dissolved solids. This is done by passing them through a permeable membrane. In devices functioning under this technology, it helps with getting rid of heavy metals, nitrates, chloramines, minerals and salts from the water.
Water purifiers that come under the category of gravity-based purifiers are known for the affordability. The good thing about this type of purifier is that it does not need electricity to operate. This type of purifier will help with getting rid of cysts, chlorine, dust, and bacteria from the water.
The quality of water in your home should act as a deciding factor in selecting the right purifier:
You should get help from a professional service for water testing. They will tell about the nature of water in your home.
Some water purifiers do not store water. They just filter the water from an inlet and let out with the press of a button through the outlet. But, if you live in an area that has frequent power cuts and if the purifier does not have storage capacity, it will be an issue. So, you should go for a purifier with a storage facility.
This is another consideration when shopping for a water purifier machine for your home. In general, gravity-based purifiers do not need electricity for operating. However, this type is not as efficient as electric-based purifiers. If there will be frequent power outages in your area, you can go for a UF purifier that functions without electricity. All the RO + UV, UV and RO purifiers need constant electric supply for purifying the water. You can also find a portable purifier if you are a frequent traveler.
Most UV and RO systems are pretty heavy and bulky. Before you shop for one, you should ensure that you are aware of the dimensions. There should be an inlet for power supply and there should be the required space for mounting the purifier on the wall in your kitchen or dining area.
There should be an inlet for water and also there should be a continuous supply of water with decent pressure. This should be ensured, particularly, if you mount the purifier high in the wall. If you cannot get it installed on the wall due to space restrictions, you will have to choose table-top models that function without electric supply.
As you know, the brand is an essential consideration regardless of the appliance you wish to shop for. This is true for the home water purifier home as well. Only when you go for a purifier from a reputed brand, you can ensure product quality and the best result from the purifier.
Related reading: Best Cheap Water Purifier Machine
If you plan to choose a purifier in a place that will not be frequently visited, you cannot see it very often. In this case, you can look for a unit with an app display function. With such an associated application, you can keep a watch on the proper functioning of the unit. Also, it will notify you when it is time to replace the filter. Even, it will notify you when cleaning of the purifier should be done, etc.
Most water purifiers like UV-based and RO-based units should be cleaned regularly. Also, the filters in them should be replaced then and there. Only when the brand that you choose has a very good after-sales support team, you can ensure everything happens at the right time. Also, the proper maintenance will help you make sure that your family will always get safe drinking water at the home.
Some companies make sure that their water purifiers are certified from competent bodies. Based on your country, you will have such certifying agencies that authenticate the quality of the purifier. So, when you compare models and brands, check whether they have got the certificate of quality from reputed agencies.
Some brands offer manufacturer warranty for a year along with free installation service. However, small companies charge additional for installation. So, before you shop for a water purifier machine, check the product warranty and installation details.
Remember that water purifier is not like television. Yes, in addition to the initial investment money you spend on this appliance, you will have to spend on changing the filters frequently.
Some companies recommend that the filters should be changed once in a year, while some should be replaced once in six months. Even, some models require changing of filters once in two years. So, you should plan for the maintenance expenses as well.
Of course, most companies offer free replacement of filters for the first time, thereafter, you will have to spend money on the filter replacement. So, enquire how often the filter should be replaced in different water purifiers and accordingly make your selection.
A water purifier system is very practical against water contaminated with bacteria, chromium, and lead. It can remove 99% of dissolved solids and keep smelly water pure.
Some come with a device to test the particles in the water. After filtration, it should indicate that there are virtually no contaminants left. The best type of this design is the ZeroWater ZD-20RP. However, the model we think has the best filtration system is the ZeroWater ZP-006-4. But our favorite model remains the Brita UltraSlim Dispenser, a large capacity water filter jug with an ultra-slim body.
Make the right choice of water purifier by considering the points mentioned above. Among the many factors, the nature of the groundwater in your area is an essential consideration in selecting the purifier with the appropriate technology. Wishing you a safe and healthy water supply every time with the help of the best water purifier!
This post was last modified on January 11, 2022 4:35 pm