The quality of our tap water, to put it mildly, is far from international standards. Agree, drinking untreated tap water is an extreme activity that can result in serious health problems. Therefore, buying a good filter is paramount.
If you do not like to risk your health, then you are probably thinking about how to choose water filters. The variety of offers on the market will make even the most daring get confused.
We will help you put everything in its place and make a choice - this article discusses the existing types of filtering devices and their characteristics.
And also the main criteria influencing the choice of the most suitable filter, and the rating of the best manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, are given. For a better perception of information, visual diagrams and photographic materials, expert video recommendations for selection were selected.
There are several main types of household water filters.
To make a choice, it is better to study in detail the principle of operation, the advantages and disadvantages of each type, so as not to get lost in the variety of proposals.
Water filters offered on the modern market are represented by a wide range of devices and devices that differ in the principle of operation, degree and speed of purification.
View #1 - pure water pitcher
The simplest type of filter for drinking water - jug. It looks extremely simple, the name speaks for itself. The filter is a plastic container in the shape of a jug.
A replaceable cartridge is installed in a special hole. It purifies water from impurities in ways that combine mechanical, chemical, less often biological treatment.
To understand the principle of the filter jug, you need to consider its "heart" - a replaceable cartridge in the context.
Its insides can be very diverse, it all depends on the manufacturer, but the technology is always the same. Water enters the filter from above, successively passes through all levels of purification and enters the bowl of the jug.
In apartment buildings there is a centralized drinking water supply system. Of course, water treatment is carried out before entering residential apartments, but it cannot be said with certainty that even after it the water is completely ready for use. To get really purified water from mechanical impurities and dissolved salts, it is necessary to use additional purification systems, which are presented in a wide range.
Peculiarities
The current water purification in water pipes follows the same type of scheme, it consists of several stages.
First you need to put a mechanical filter- here it is optimal to use trunk options that are equipped with replaceable polypropylene cartridges. Such purifiers effectively trap iron, sand, and other suspensions, which not only improves water quality, but also prevents rust. The main devices are cut directly into the water supply, this allows you to completely clean running water by 100%.
Keep in mind that for hot water treatment it is necessary to use special designs that are resistant to high temperatures. The use of coarse filters allows not only to purify water from mechanical impurities, but also significantly increase the service life of the entire plumbing system in the apartment.
At the next stage, hot and cold water is purified from impurities of chlorine and metals., for this they also use main water filters with carbon cartridges, and the result of using the cleaning system is immediately noticeable to the naked eye - after passing through it, the water acquires a bluish tint, and the unpleasant smell of chlorine also disappears.
While taking a shower from water purified in this way, the inhabitants of the apartments do not complain about the unpleasant feeling of skin tightness that occurs after hygiene procedures using unfiltered water.
At the third stage, hardness salts (calcium and magnesium) are removed, which contribute to the formation of scale and plaque on the inside of the pipeline and other plumbing elements in the apartment. The filters that are used for this contain special softeners.
Well, at the finishing stage, a filter is used, which is installed directly on the sink - it is used to obtain high-quality drinking water.
The most stringent requirements are imposed on modern water purification systems.– it must be efficient, environmentally friendly, ergonomic and reliable. It usually includes filters, as well as hoses and containers for supplying clean water, but at the same time it has minimal dimensions - the most popular options are compact models that can be easily placed under the sink.
Of course, a private house or cottage has a great advantage over apartments when it comes to creating a water purification system, since a separate room or isolated space can be allocated for it, in an apartment the space is limited in size and layout. Therefore, all elements of the cleaning system are constantly in contact with residents.
But it should also be borne in mind that apartment buildings are fed from a common central water supply, therefore, there is no need for preliminary purification, since water enters the house already purified from mechanical impurities, pathogens and dangerous compounds. The main purpose of filters in apartments is the removal of calcium, magnesium salts, as well as excess chlorine.
In the conditions of small apartments, filter jugs and other systems equipped with storage tanks for storing the filtrate are optimal.
Often, water purification systems in apartments contain non-standard methods of water preparation: magnetic field, ultrasound and the like. However, most urban residents prefer the standard approach to water treatment, which over the years of use has proven itself to be reliable and fully compliant with current norms and standards.
Varieties
To remove solid impurities, mechanical filtration is used, while the filters are divided into options with and without auto-washing.
The former are compact in size, their diameters correspond to the parameters of the pipe into which they are mounted.
Typically, the body of such products is made of brass or stainless steel, and threaded connections can be of a wide variety of materials and sizes, they are selected individually in each case. Such filters have a fairly low price - as a rule, their cost does not exceed hundreds of rubles, although there are more expensive branded models.
Since the screens are periodically clogged, they have to be cleaned regularly, so the lower part of the flask is usually removable, it can be easily unscrewed and removed, and after cleaning the screen, it returns to its place.
The filter with auto-washing is equipped with a pipe and a tap, which are installed at the bottom of the flask. With the help of a hose, the branch pipe has access to the sewer, so if you need to clean such a filter, you just need to open the tap, and the water flowing under pressure will wash away all the contents into the sewer. After that, the valve is closed and the device can be operated further.
As a rule, such filters are equipped with a pressure gauge reducer, with which they determine the degree of clogging of the mesh: if the pressure drops, then it's time to clean the filter. However, if the filter is equipped with a transparent flask, then a pressure gauge is not needed - the degree of contamination can be determined by appearance.
Depending on the type of connection, all mechanical filters can be flanged or sleeved. Flanged filters are usually used for the production of main filters that are installed in high-pressure water pipes.
Disc filters are less popular. They are a set of rings, the surface of which has scratches of different depths. At the same time, the disks are very tightly pressed together, the water, when passing through them, contacts all the hollows so that ever larger particles settle on their walls. Since the movement is spiral, the removal of suspensions is quite high quality.
Water purified from mechanical impurities can be used for washing, washing dishes, cleaning and other household needs. However, it is not suitable for drinking or cooking. Relatively speaking, it can be used for ingestion only after boiling, and in order to be able to drink water without heat treatment, you need to use fine filters that can effectively remove most of the substances dissolved in the form and disinfect it.
Most often, one of several popular options is used for this.
filter jug
This is the most budgetary and affordable option that effectively reduces the content of chlorine, copper and iron in the liquid, softens the water and retains mechanical impurities.
Cleansing occurs when water passes through a replaceable cartridge, which contains:
- activated carbon - necessary to remove chlorine-containing compounds and microorganisms;
- polypropylene fibers - which are used to precipitate the remnants of solid impurities;
- ion exchange resin - allows you to remove calcium and manganese salts, as well as heavy metal compounds and radionuclides.
The advantages of filter jars include ease of use and low price.
Of the minuses, it is worth noting the short life of the cartridge and the inability to restore them.
When purchasing jugs, you should give preference to brands of well-known manufacturers, since cheaper options often produce only a rough cleaning.
Attachment on the crane
Another popular type of filters, which are similar to jugs in principle. At the time of water passing through such a nozzle, all chlorine compounds and mechanical impurities are removed at the inlet. Certain varieties can also remove hardness salts, heavy metals, iron ions and aluminum, and in addition, nozzles containing activated carbon are cleaned of most varieties of bacteria, phenol and organics.
The popularity of nozzles is due to their ease of installation and small dimensions. The disadvantages are the same as those of jugs, and in terms of the cost of cleaning per input liter of water, it turns out that these filters are more expensive than multi-stage cleaning systems.
Multi-stage cleaning
The effectiveness of cartridge filters largely depends on the number of purification levels - that is, individual filter elements that can trap certain types of contaminants.
Such systems can be one-, two-, three- or even four-stage.
Single-stage contain universal inserts with a multi-layer structure, they are quite cheap. However, their effectiveness raises many doubts, since the composition of water varies greatly in each region, and in the case of using universal systems, it cannot be expected that impurities specific to a particular area will be removed from the water.
Multi-stage filters are a housing of several flasks, each of which contains a special filter component that removes strictly defined types of contaminants. These flasks are interconnected by means of overflows, flowing through which the water is gradually purified. The advantage of such a system is the ability to install a specific filter for your analysis of tap water - this significantly improves the quality of cleaning. However, such filters require free space, are difficult to install and high cost. In reverse osmosis of such filters, a significant amount of water is required - in order to purify 1 liter of water, up to 5 liters of "waste" is needed.
There is an opinion that deep water purification leaches all trace elements useful for humans from it, this theory has not been confirmed or refuted, however, for those who fear the loss of their beneficial properties by water, water mineralizers are always on sale.
Let us dwell separately on filter options that are used in multistage systems for purification from various types of dissolved substances.
If the water acquires a brown hue and a characteristic taste, then this may indicate a high iron content in it, this phenomenon often occurs when water from wells and wells is used. Such water causes the formation of deposits on the walls of sanitary appliances and clogs shut-off equipment, if the concentration of ferrocompounds exceeds 2 mg/liter, then they must be removed.
The best way out in this situation would be to use a catalytic filter- it is a rather large cylinder in which catalysts are placed; such equipment requires connection to the electrical network.
With the introduction of the backfill composition of special components, manganese, chlorine and other substances can be removed.
As a rule, the removal of deposits is carried out according to a certain schedule, most often at night. The backfill is effectively washed under the influence of water pressure, all pollutants are discharged into the sewer, usually night time is set for this.
Catalytic filters are very complex and by no means cheap equipment, but they are the most reliable and durable of all on the market.
There is another way to remove iron salts from water - aeration. To do this, water is supplied to the tank with air, which is pumped through the pump through nozzles in the form of a suspension, the iron contained in it reacts with oxygen, oxidizes, and the resulting oxides remain in the filter at the outlet.
There are two types of water filters of this type - pressure and non-pressure. For more active oxidation, an oxidizing agent - hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite - can be supplied to these installations. In this case, biological water treatment is also carried out - from microbes and bacteria.
Famous manufacturers and reviews
When buying a water filter, it is very important to choose a truly high-quality product that will effectively purify water from all types of contaminants. Unfortunately, today's market is literally flooded with a wide variety of fakes that claim to produce complex cleaning, but in fact only remove solid particles and chlorinate.
Based on consumer feedback, a rating of manufacturers was compiled, whose products have established themselves as high-quality and reliable.
The absolute leaders are the products of the Aquaphor brand. This company sells a wide range of various cartridge filters - for drinking water, for showers, as well as for washing and dishwashers. Among the products of this brand, you can always choose installations focused on cleaning both cold and hot water, which completely neutralize all types of chemical compounds. However, among the products you can also find such filters, whose tasks include only rough cleaning - all information about the functional purpose is placed on the packaging.
No less popular are the filters of the German manufacturer Honeywell., which offers devices that can withstand significant excesses of the working pressure in the water supply system, which can reach 10 times. Among the products offered by this brand, you can find both coarse and fine filters, and the main filter element is a special metal mesh, which is closed in a reliable high-strength flask.
Among domestic companies, Novaya Voda purification systems are very popular. Products of this brand are distinguished by affordability and exceptionally high quality. The product range includes main filters with a separate tap, the degree and level of water purification in which can be adjusted by changing cartridges.
A large number of users prefer the brand "Geyser", the company tirelessly introduces the latest technological developments into production, thanks to which treatment systems based on ion-exchange polymer were created.
It should be noted that under the brand name "Geyser" a lot of various filters are produced, the products are presented in all regions of our country. In stores, you can find both the simplest household models and complex industrial installations that can purify fairly large volumes of liquid at once.
Atoll - the company operates in the market of treatment systems for more than a decade and tirelessly invests in the improvement of its products. As a result, each newly created model released at this production has an ever more perfect and reliable fastening and a longer period of use. At the same time, the cost of production is low, which makes filters of this brand available to the Russian user.
Coolmart is a Russian company based in Vladivostok. The enterprise began its activity more than 20 years ago, starting with the production of one of the first remineralizing water purifiers in our country. To date, the main volume of products is sold in the Primorsky Territory, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
And also users note the high quality of Fibos products.
You can learn more about the filters of the Novaya Voda brand by watching the following video.
How to choose?
To choose the optimal water treatment system for installation in an apartment, it is not enough to find out the reviews of relatives and friends, you must take into account your own operating parameters.
If financial possibilities allow, then the best option would be a nanofilter that will serve faithfully for many years and does not require replacing the cartridge, and the water after it will be perfect.
Sorption cleaning
There are several ways to purify water used in modern filters. The cheapest and most common filters are sorption. Their work is based on the principle of adsorption - the absorption of substances from a solution by a solid body or a layer of liquid. Activated carbon is most often used as an adsorbent in such filters.
Sorption filters are cheap, purify water well from chlorine, large pollutants like sand and rust, and do not require installation. However, they do not purify water very well, not protecting against bacteria, viruses and hardness salts. Water still needs to be boiled, and when boiled, scale will form on the kettle.
Membrane cleaning
This is a more modern and high-quality cleaning method. The key element here is a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores that traps contaminants. Water passes through the membrane under pressure, purified water enters the storage tank, and dirty water with impurities goes into the sewer.
There are several types of membrane cleaning:
- Microfiltration. Membrane with holes ranging in size from 0.015 to 5 microns, rolled into rolls or tubes, is used. Water is supplied under pressure of 2-3 bar.
- Ultrafiltration. Membranes with a smaller pore size of 0.015–0.02 µm are used. Operates at higher pressure - up to 6 bar.
- Reverse osmosis. Membranes with the smallest pores of 1 angstrom (0.0001 µm) are used. They pass only water molecules and nothing else. At the same time, modern systems do not require high pressure, 1.5–2 atmospheres is quite enough.
The reverse osmosis system is one of the most popular and high-quality membrane purification systems today.
In addition to the semi-permeable membrane, modern reverse osmosis water purification systems have pre-filters and post-filters. For clarity, let's consider how filtration occurs in the reverse osmosis system with mineralization Expert Osmos MO520 from Prio.
Reverse osmosis system with mineralization Expert Osmos MO520
First, tap water enters mechanical pre-filters (A and B), which remove particles larger than 0.5 microns, rust, grains of sand and other large impurities from it. After that, water under pressure enters the membrane (C). Passing through it, the liquid is cleared of everything else: organic and inorganic compounds, heavy metals, bacteria and viruses. Reading water goes into the storage tank, and untreated - into the sewer.
Before reaching the user, water from the tank passes through an additional post-filter mineralizer (D), where it is cleaned of foreign odors and saturated with minerals.
However, not all reverse osmosis systems clean equally well. First of all, the quality of water purification depends on the main element of the system - the membrane.
How to determine the quality of the membrane
Reverse osmosis membranes differ in the degree and selectivity of purification, resistance to chlorine and bacterial contamination, filtration rate, pressure required for operation and the degree of pH correction of water.
One of the best options on the market today is the Japanese Toray polymer composite film membrane. It scores high in all of the above.
Toray membranes are quite expensive, but they provide the highest quality cleaning. In this case, you can not rely on the assurances of manufacturers, but check the quality of the membrane yourself using a TDS meter, or saline meter.
A TDS meter is a device that measures the concentration of impurities in a liquid and indicates how many solid particles per million (ppm) are in the water being tested.
For example, drinking water is between 50 and 170 ppm, while perfectly readable water is between 0 and 50 ppm.
At tap water rates of 260 ppm, Toray membranes provide an output product of 8 ppm, and if the water from the water supply system is especially dirty - about 480 ppm, then the membrane will provide water with indicators of 13 ppm at the outlet.
Cheaper membranes, such as Chinese ones, allow you to get water no cleaner than 60–80 ppm - drinkable, but still quite hard.
In addition to the quality of water treatment, Toray membranes have several other advantages over cheaper options. They operate at an inlet pressure of only 2 atmospheres, and their high performance allows you to create reverse osmosis systems without a storage tank - modern direct-flow systems.
Direct flow reverse osmosis systems
What it is
These are the latest water purification systems that require less space and filter water much faster. Here is an example of such a system - Econic Osmos Stream OD320.
Direct-flow reverse osmosis system Econic Osmos Stream OD320 Unlike a system with a tank, after cleaning with a pre-filter (K870) and a membrane (K857), water does not enter the storage tank, but through the post-filter-mineralizer immediately to the user.
Let's see how this system is beneficial, using the Osmos Stream series filters from Prio Novaya Voda as an example.
System advantages
compactness
The ability to get rid of a bulky tank can be considered a real revolution in reverse osmosis filtration. Now the dimensions of the kitchen and the place under the sink do not matter: the filter takes up very little space.
This is how, for example, the installed direct-flow split system Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 looks like - everything is neat, compact and beautiful.
Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 No restrictions on the amount of water
When the tank of the reverse osmosis system runs out of water, you have no choice but to wait until it is filled again. With direct-flow systems, this problem does not arise. Osmos Stream systems filter water the moment you turn on the faucet, they don't store or do anything ahead of time. At the same time, water consumption is not limited. No need to focus on the fullness of the tank, you can turn on the tap at any time and get up to 1,500 liters per day.
Long service life of consumables
Some Prio in-line filters include an automatic membrane cleaning system, which greatly extends the life of this expensive consumable.
Prio Osmos Stream cleaning systems of the MOD, OUD or OD360 series are equipped with an automatic Prio® Jet control unit that flushes the membrane after each cycle of switching on the pump unit. Due to this, the membrane lasts longer.
Prio® Jet block Water saving
One of the significant disadvantages of conventional reverse osmosis filters with a tank is the high water consumption. Purified water makes up only about 20% of the total mass of incoming water, the rest is discharged into the sewer.
In-line filters managed to solve this problem. The high selectivity of the membrane and better filtration can significantly reduce the flow of water discharged into the sewer. Typically, with such a filter, no more than ⅓ of the total volume is sent to the drainage system, and ⅔ is purified water. Saving several tons a year!
In addition, once-through systems are easier to maintain and require fewer mandatory cartridges, which also helps save significant amounts of money. For example, in the Prio Econic Osmos Stream OD310 once-through system, only three elements need to be changed: a pressed activated carbon pre-filter, a granular activated carbon post-filter and a Toray membrane. Unlike 5-6 conventional filter cartridges, this minimalism saves a lot of money.
Compared to conventional reverse osmosis filters, once-through models save significant amounts of money. But are they really that economical compared to having no filters at all? Let's consider what will be more profitable: to buy water or use a high-quality direct-flow filter.
How in-line filters help save money
We will not compare direct-flow reverse osmosis filters with conventional sorption ones, since the latter do not provide such a quality of cleaning. Even filters with ionic resin do not purify water from hardness salts and bacteria, as a result of which it still needs to be boiled, constantly removing scale from the kettle.
Clean and tasty water from reverse osmosis filters can only be compared with purchased water, so we will compare the cost of buying and maintaining a filter with the cost of bottles of purified water.
Five-liter bottles of purified water cost about 80 rubles. On average, one family consumes about 4 liters of water per day: tea and coffee, cooking, just drinking water. It turns out that a family needs 1,460 liters of drinking water a year, which is about 290 bottles, which will cost 23,200 rubles.
Now let's calculate how much money it will take to purchase and maintain the filter. For example, let's take the Prio Econic Osmos Stream OD310 for 11,950 rubles. We add the cost of replacing two cartridges: 870 + 790 = 1,660 rubles.
In total, it turns out 13,610 rubles a year - almost two times cheaper than purchased water.
Even the premium model Prio - a split system with mineralization Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 for 25,880 rubles - will fully pay off in a year and a half, after which you will save about 25,000 rubles a year.
At the same time, reverse osmosis filters with a Toray membrane, which only let water molecules through, can provide even better quality than plants that purify water for sale. After all, often purchased drinking water is taken from the central water supply system, so it may well contain by-products of chlorination.
You can check the quality of purchased water with a TDS meter and decide if it's worth the money. But even if it is perfect, Prio Novaya Voda direct-flow filters will help you get the same much cheaper and faster without having to constantly carry heavy bottles.
The importance of water in human life cannot be underestimated. It is needed daily in sufficient quantities. Not only the taste of dishes depends on its purity, but also, to a large extent, people's health. Various filters are used to clean it. And to determine which water filters for washing are better, you should familiarize yourself with them.
In order for the purchase of a water purification device to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to dwell on one of two possible filter designs:
- flowing;
- back osmotic.
Flow filters are considered the most easy to use, small-sized and affordable. They consist of several containers, which are connected in series by the manufacturer. There may be several such containers. Usually two to five.
Each of them has a filter cartridge. The cleaning system is attached to the water supply system with a rigid or. The structure is installed under the sink, and water flows through the faucet on the washbasin. This filter cleans only cold water.
Flow filter functions:
- purification of running water from large and small mechanical inclusions;
- sorption purification - elimination of harmful bacteria, taste and odors;
- ultraviolet cleaning, if provided by the manufacturer.
As a result, it turns out that such a device purifies running water to a state that is as safe as possible for use. It can be used both with a centralized water supply system and with an autonomous one (water from wells and wells).
Flow type filters take up very little space under the sink. This system will fit perfectly in small kitchens, where there is very little space under the sink.
The flow filter under the sink consists of the following elements (there may be differences, depending on the manufacturer):
- outlet for water connection;
- outlet for connecting a crane;
- filters - preliminary cleaning, mechanical and sorption, fine and finishing;
- tap.
Reverse osmosis filters for water purification, which are installed under the sink, are more voluminous and expensive. This is due to the fact that the design provides for two additional elements: a storage tank and a reverse osmosis membrane.
Such a membrane is designed to give consumers the most purified water. The thin polymer is rolled up. The pores of this material are so small that only water molecules can pass through.
Naturally, the cleaning speed is much lower than that of flow filters, so it is advisable to use a water collection tank.
Before the membrane there are pre-filters that remove all large impurities from the liquid. After the storage tank, there is also a filter, the purpose of which is to eliminate odor and taste. The output is almost perfect water.
Due to the fact that the liquid is also purified from various useful salts and minerals, some manufacturers can complete the device with mechanisms for saturating the purified water with the necessary chemical elements. This makes the construction somewhat more expensive, but the water becomes more useful.
It is desirable that the tubes of the filtering system are neatly laid and do not interfere. Otherwise, they can be damaged and the use of cold water will be impossible.
Top 11 best filters on the market
Both types of filters are not equivalent to each other and are intended for different categories of customers, so we have chosen the top ten models of flow and reverse osmosis systems, and arranged them in ascending order of popularity.
Place No. 11 - Geyser 3VK Lux
Before buying such a device, it should be noted that its main purpose is to work with soft water. If the water is hard, then it is highly desirable that it has a minimum iron content. Therefore, you need to buy either a water softener or an iron-removal filter for the system.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 3;
- cleaning type - sorption;
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 3 l / min;
It's a pretty productive device. Able to work even in systems with low pressure (from 0.5 atm).
Of the advantages, the low cost of the filter and replaceable cartridges should be highlighted. This model is one of the most popular in the Geyser product line.
Location #10 - Geyser Bio 322
This flow filter model can work with any water supply system. It copes well with loads and is able to provide a stable outlet pressure.
Suitable for those buyers whose water in their homes is hard and has odors. Filter elements will rid the liquid not only of mechanical impurities, but also of bacteria.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 3;
- type of cleaning - sorption, mechanical (iron-free and softens water);
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 3 l / min;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
Cartridges are durable. They rarely need to be changed. In systems where cast iron pipes are used, the water is often saturated with an excessive amount of iron, but this disadvantage is eliminated with the Geyser Bio 322 installation.
Disadvantages: significant cost of the filter itself and cartridges for it. Installation may also be difficult, as additional adapters will be required for connection. It is impossible not to pay attention to the weight of the device - more than 6 kg.
Place No. 9 - Geyser Allegro M
This reverse osmosis filter is popular with any category of consumers. He will find a place in new modern houses and old "Khrushchev". A good option for purifying centralized cold water.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 5;
- chlorine removal - yes;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
The first three stages are used for preliminary water purification. At the fourth stage, only water and oxygen are filtered through a membrane with a pore size of 0.0001 µm. Next, the water enters the tank.
To prevent bacteria from multiplying in the tank, replaceable membranes are installed there, which trap the maximum number of microorganisms. Water in such a container deteriorates 1000 times slower than in a container without a membrane.
At the last stage, the water gets rid of odors and is saturated with minerals. In addition to this filter, you can buy a pump designed to increase the outlet water pressure. Advantages: high service life; the design provides for a pressure relief valve in the tank; high productivity of the cleaning system.
Disadvantages: high cost of construction; installation complexity.
Seat #8 - Novaya Voda Praktic Osmos OU380
The device attracts with its price, small dimensions and lightness. This is an excellent choice for small kitchens where there is not enough space for volumetric reverse osmosis filters.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 5;
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 0.125 l / min;
- the volume of the storage tank - 7.5 l;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
The tank is small - this is the main drawback. At the same time, it fills up quickly. The rate of filling the tank with water can be increased by purchasing a booster pump. Filling time will be reduced to 15 minutes. Thanks to a high-quality Japanese membrane, water purity is ensured at the level of expensive filters.
Among the shortcomings, the low quality of all components and assembly as a whole is noted. But, the device confidently fulfills its warranty period.
Seat #7 - Aquaphor Favorit B150
The model is ideal for . If it is planned to install in a centralized water supply system, then it is necessary to use additional filters for mechanical cleaning. This is due to water pollution in the systems. You can do without it, though you will have to change cartridges more often.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 2;
- cleaning type - sorption;
- chlorine removal - yes;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
The filter is completed with the additional case from stainless steel. This allows you to give completeness to the appearance of the device.
The resource of the cartridge is quite large - 12,000 liters. Even for a large family, it will last a very long time. Changing the cartridge is easy - there is only one. Replacement should be carried out no more than twice a year. Advantages: clean water at the outlet, no smell of chlorine; installation can be carried out independently; the pressure of purified water is enough for domestic needs.
The disadvantages include the high cost of replacement cartridges. It is also recommended to install additional pre-filters and water softeners. This will be more expensive, but it will make it possible to maximize the life of the cartridge.
Seat #6 - Novaya Voda Expert M310
Good for hard water systems. The liquid goes through four stages of purification, where it gets rid of odors and impurities. The manufacturer claims the filter's ability to operate at a pressure of 45 atm, which is confirmed by tests carried out in a laboratory.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 4;
- type of cleaning - sorption (additionally softens water);
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 2.5 l / min;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
Of the advantages, a pleasant cost of the device and a thoughtful appearance stand out. Unfortunately, there were some shortcomings: a small resource of cartridges and the high cost of their purchase. Otherwise, this is an excellent budget option for apartments and houses.
Place No. 5 - Aquaphor Crystal Eco N
The filter combines qualities such as performance and a high degree of purification. The 0.1 micron membrane retains all impurities that pollute the water. At the same time, it passes the required amount of salts and minerals. The sorption component of the filter detains and eliminates bacteria.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 4;
- cleaning type - sorption;
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 2.5 l / min;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
The resource of the cartridge is quite high - 8000 liters. Comes with a reliable faucet. The weight of the device is only three kilograms. This model is well suited for those who have little space under the sink. Aquaphor Crystal Eco is a compact water filter that will be an ideal solution for autonomous water supply systems.
Place number 4 - Aquaphor OSMO-Crystal 100
This is a worthy option for installation under the sink by the owners of residential premises. Having low cost the filter purifies even very polluted water. Removes not only rust, but also heavy metals, pesticides and chlorine.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 4;
- type of cleaning - sorption (additionally softens water, iron-free);
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 0.26 l / min;
- the volume of the storage tank - 10 l;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
Water from this filter can be used for bathing babies, preparing mixtures. The capacity of the tank is enough for cooking. This model is suitable for all lovers of clean water. Filters will have to be changed every 6 months, so the device can be classified as economical.
Seat #3 - Atoll A-550m STD
A popular reverse osmosis purification system that additionally mineralizes clean water at the 5th stage. The liquid purified in this way enters the container, where it remains until it is consumed.
The capacity of the drive is enough for a supply of drinking water, cooking. As soon as water is drawn from the tank, the purification of new water starts automatically.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 5;
- type of cleaning - sorption (additionally softens water, mineralizes, iron-free);
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 0.08 l / min;
- the volume of the storage tank - 12 l;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
An important role is played by a mineralizer that adds chemical elements to the water that a person needs. Depending on the pressure in the system and the purity of the water, the storage tank will be filled in about 1-1.5 hours.
Among the shortcomings, the following points stand out: it is necessary to remember the timely replacement of filters - it is best to make a table with replacement dates and place it on the device case; the price of cartridges is quite high; installation difficulty.
Atoll A-550m STD is a suitable option for both apartments and private houses. With this device, you will always have clean water rich in essential minerals.
Place No. 2 - Geyser Prestige PM
The products of this manufacturer really enjoy confidence, and numerous reviews on various sites speak of the quality and unpretentiousness of the device, which took the fifth step in our rating.
Characteristics:
- number of purification steps - 5;
- type of cleaning - sorption (additionally softens water, mineralizes, iron-free);
- chlorine removal - yes;
- productivity - 0.14 l / min;
- the volume of the storage tank - 12 l;
- the presence of a crane in the kit - yes.
This device is ideal if the water definitely needs cleaning. The 5-stage system will cope even with heavily polluted water. The model has no particular shortcomings. You can focus on the fact that the system is quite cumbersome. The inconvenience is delivered by connecting tubes, the length of which the manufacturer made with a "margin".
It can work without a pump, but if the water supply system is weak, then you should immediately purchase such an auxiliary device. This feature applies to all reverse osmosis filters. It is quite easy to install, as well as to replace the filter elements.
Place number 1 - IKAR water purification system
The best water filter for washing is the IKAR filter. The highest degree of water purification in conjunction with the IKAR module, which ionizes water, giving it a negative ORP (redox potential) and mineralizes it in batches using the spray method.
This method of mineralization is superior in quality to all other purified water mineralizers. That is, the water at the outlet is not only purified, but also alive. The features of living water were studied back in the 70s of our century, and the most authoritative scientists around the world do not stop writing about its beneficial properties.
Official dealer and service center of SIC "IKAR" -. This is the largest supplier that provides a full turnkey service - free delivery within Russia (as well as worldwide delivery); installation and maintenance services. A nice bonus will be an individual system of discounts.
Water after the IKAR filter becomes a powerful antioxidant - it fights free radicals, stimulates the immune system and cleanses the body. Such water is useful for everyone to drink without exception. IKAR technologies have been awarded several prestigious international awards in Belgium and Switzerland. Water after the IKAR purification system is recognized as water of the highest category.
Characteristics:
- water purification steps - 5;
- cleaning type - premium reverse osmosis;
- cleaning from viruses and bacteria - yes;
- cleaning from chlorine and any other types of pollution - yes;
- passes through itself only a water molecule;
- resource - 1,000,000 liters;
- gives water a negative redox potential (ORP);
- the volume of the storage tank - 10 l;
- the presence of a clean water tap - yes;
- Supplied with mineral supplement "Severyanka +" No. 4 (contains Ca2+, Mg2+ and iodine);
- the ability to connect a pH reactor to adjust the pH of the water.
Filters need to be changed once every 6-12 months, they are sold at any filter store. The IKAR system belongs to the category of economical ones - the cost of water of the highest quality, taking into account the cost of buying a filter, is 2 r. per litre.
How to choose the right filter?
Since it is not easy to choose a modern water filter for washing, you have to listen to the proven recommendations of specialists and experienced users.
Before buying, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- the amount of clean water consumed by the residents of the apartment / house;
- water quality;
- the right place under the sink.
These factors are important, since the choice of the desired model will depend on them. On average, one person consumes up to 3 liters of water, in its pure form and as part of food and drinks. Accordingly, it is necessary to calculate the filter performance for the needs of the family.
Since only reverse osmosis options can boast of the best indicators of water purity, they should be considered first of all. If their productivity is not enough, then you need to stop at flow models. It is reasonable to equip them with softeners and iron-removing cartridges.
Clean water at any time, this is what the installation of filters is necessary for. Modern replacement of filter elements will allow you to get safe water in your home
You also need to pay attention to the condition of the water that is supplied from the water supply. If it is too hard, then you need a filter with a water softening function.
If the water supply system includes lines from old cast-iron pipes, then the incoming water will be with inclusions of large mechanical particles. It is not enough to clean such water from pollution, it is also necessary to remove an excess amount of iron from its composition. Why should you opt for filters with iron removal.
If the water supply system in the house is autonomous and it already has a filter at the entrance to the house, for example, a bottom or pre-filter, then the simplest flow filters will do. You just have to focus on the productivity of technology.
Subtleties of installation and operation
In order for the purchased filter to serve as long as possible, it is necessary to install it correctly. Companies selling such devices often offer free delivery and installation by dedicated professionals. This is an important argument in favor of buying equipment from such companies.
If you have plumbing skills and tools, then you can do the installation yourself. An important step in using the filter is its preparation for work. So that when you first turn on there are no extra odors and turbidity, you need to let the water rinse the structural elements for the time specified in the instructions.
Also, do not forget about replacing cartridges and membranes - these are the main elements that help to get the most potable water.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
This video will help you to correctly determine the main differences and advantages of flow and reverse osmosis filters:
In the next video we will talk about reverse osmosis systems. Here are the specific results of measurements of the main indicators of water:
In conclusion of the article, it should be noted that both categories of filters make it possible to obtain water of the required purity. For any water supply system, it will be possible to find the right equipment, regardless of the budget.
The accuracy of the selection will be significantly affected by a preliminary analysis of tap water. This will allow you to understand how hard the water is, which trace elements are in excess, and which minerals are in short supply.
Do you want to talk about which filter was chosen and installed in the water supply system for the preparation of drinking water? Do you have useful information on a topic that may be useful to site visitors? Please write comments in the block under the text of the article, post photos and ask questions.