Water purifier buying checklist
Open a section, slide each feature to what you want, and print your own water purifier wish list at the end.
TDS (total dissolved solids) is the salts and minerals in water, in ppm (parts per million). Test yours with a cheap TDS meter, as it decides whether you need RO.
RO usually not needed
Rough guide. TDS does not measure germs, so you still need UV or UF either way.
Common with municipal or river supply. RO is usually not needed: UV and UF are enough.
UF is a fine membrane that strains out germs and dirt. UV light kills germs. RO pushes water through an even finer membrane that also removes dissolved salts.
Kills and strains out germs. The right choice for most municipal water under about 200 ppm.
Borewell and tanker water often carries sand, rust and mud. A pre-filter catches it before it clogs the costly membrane inside.
Fine for clear municipal water.
RO removes useful minerals along with salts. A mineral cartridge adds some back, and a TDS controller lets you set how much natural mineral is kept.
Adds back calcium and magnesium after RO for a less flat taste.
Gravity purifiers need no power or tap pressure. RO and UV purifiers need electricity, so they stop during a power cut unless water is in the tank.
Needed for RO and UV. The storage tank covers short power cuts.
Purified water is stored in a tank, in litres. A bigger tank means you are less likely to run dry while cooking or during a power cut.
Rough, for drinking and cooking. The tank refills as you use it.
Suits most families of three to four.
How many litres it purifies in an hour (L/h). A faster rate refills the tank quickly after you fill bottles or cook.
About 30 minutes to refill
Rough refill times for a 7 L tank at the rated speed.
Keeps up with a typical family.
RO sends part of the water down the drain. Recovery is the share you get back as drinking water. Non-RO purifiers waste nothing, so skip this if you do not need RO.
About 1 to 1.5 litres drained per litre purified
The bar shows roughly how much of the water going in comes out as drinking water.
Wastes far less. A good minimum for a new RO purifier.
Water sitting in a tank for hours can pick up germs again. A small UV LED in the tank switches on now and then to keep stored water clean.
Keeps stored water germ-free between uses. Handy if you travel often.
What the storage tank is made of. It should not leach anything into water or hold smells.
Safe and common on most purifiers.
Claims like "99.9% germ-free" mean little on their own. Look for a test report or certificate that names the lab and what was tested.
A report from a NABL-accredited lab, India's lab approval body, listing what was tested.
Where the purifier sits. Measure your kitchen wall or counter, and check there is a power socket and water line nearby.
The usual choice in Indian kitchens. Keeps the counter free.
Filters and membranes wear out, faster with hard or muddy water. How often they need changing decides your yearly running cost.
About one filter change a year
Rough. Hard or muddy water shortens filter life.
One service visit a year covers most filters.
A purifier needs a technician for filter changes. Ask what a full filter set costs, and check that the brand services your area quickly.
Quick visits in your town and clear filter prices.
A light or display that warns you before a filter is spent, so you do not drink water from a worn-out filter.
A light tells you when a filter is due.
AMC (annual maintenance contract) is a yearly plan that covers service visits and often filters. Check what the warranty leaves out.
A yearly plan for visits and filters keeps costs predictable.
Your wish list
WATER PURIFIER WISH LIST
by TechPP Insights
Your next water purifier should have these minimum features
Your picks will print here.
Scan to make your own wish list
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Choose at least one spec to print your wish list.
Setting up the rest of the home? Air purifier checklist or refrigerator checklist
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