Which water filter is better?

Practice shows that using unfiltered tap water for food purposes is more expensive. Often it gives a not very pleasant smell and taste of coffee or tea, and soups and borscht turn out to be completely tasteless. For this reason, the installation of a filter under the sink is so in demand and popular. Consider the types of these products and analyze how they cope with their functions, which filter for water is better.

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Specifics of filters for washing

These products are installed under the kitchen sink and connected to water pipes. Sometimes, if there is not enough space under the sink, the device is placed on the wall.

When choosing a filter, they are guided by the following criteria:

1. Type of filter.
2. Manufacturing company.
3. Model.

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Water filters - which one to choose?

There are 2 types of filters for washing:

• Flow type.
• Using the principle of reverse osmosis.

Externally, the devices are very similar, but the internal “filling” differs dramatically. Consider each of the varieties in more detail.

Flowing

This is a system of several modules connected in series with each other. At the same time, water goes through 3 stages of purification: preliminary, main and final.

Important! The device uses a mechanical filter, sorbent, silver particles. In the end, the water is filtered quite qualitatively. In addition to mechanical impurities, water is freed from pathogens, unpleasant odors go away.

There are such types of cartridges that are used in the filter:

• For mechanical cleaning.
• Universal (for tap water without a large amount of impurities).
• For very hard water.
• For water with excessive metal content.
• Disinfecting.

Thus, it is possible to choose the best household water filter with the optimal set of cartridges for each specific case.

Important! This system is not the cheapest. Frequent cartridge replacement is costly.

Reverse osmosis system

According to the principle of operation, the design resembles a sorption filter equipped with additional units.

Important! The filter is assembled from several modules assembled on one console. Inside each module there is a cartridge filter. Ultrathin water treatment is carried out using a module with a reverse osmosis membrane.

In such systems, the following types of cartridges are used:

• Based on polypropylene, purifying water from mechanical impurities.
• With coal sorbent. This cleaner copes well with organic impurities, salts of heavy metals, hydrocarbons.
• To remove excess iron from water. They contain an active substance that reacts with iron dissolved in water.

After pre-treatment, water passes through a reverse osmosis module. The treatment is so high-quality that the water is akin to distilled properties. To make up for the lack of mineral substances, the filter is equipped with a mineralizer.

Important! Since cleaning is slow, the design is equipped with an additional tank for collecting purified water. This is very convenient if you immediately need a significant amount of purified water.

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The Best Water Filter - The Right Choice

Oddly enough, the primary here will not be a prestigious brand, but the quality of the water.In different settlements and in different houses, it is different. For example:

• If the water pipes are old and rusty, there will be a lot of mechanical impurities and excess iron in the water.
• Sometimes bacterial contamination occurs, which can lead to intestinal infections.

Important! To determine the quality of water, you need to take a sample of it and take it to your local SES or testing center. In the latter case, you have to pay, but you will get the result quickly. The results of the verification (30 points in total) will be issued to you in writing. Having received the cherished printout, you can start choosing a filter, and at the same time the cartridges for it.

Consider a few typical situations.

Water hardness is normal, but there is an excess of chlorine or iron in the water

In this case, the following set is suitable:

• Cartridge for mechanical water treatment.
• Activated carbon sorption cartridge.
• Cartridge with iron remover.

Too hard water

It is advisable to give preference to a reverse osmosis system. The reverse osmosis membrane in this case plays the role of a water softener.

Organics (viruses, germs, bacteria)

The reverse osmosis system again affects the height. To enhance the effect, it is desirable to put a UV filter at the output. As a solution to the problem of which water filter is better, a flow system equipped with ultraviolet treatment is also suitable.

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Overview of water filters - rating of manufacturing companies

Among the enterprises manufacturing water filters, there are many Russian. The products are inexpensive, but quite solid, meeting world requirements. Ratings help solve the question of which water filters to choose - desktop or stationary, which brand is the best choice.

Barrier

This trademark has been known for a long time, since 1993 the company has its own research center, works on German equipment. The company produces filters for washing both types. Most systems are three-stage. In addition, the company also produces cartridges that are easy to replace.

New Water

This is a relatively young brand that has already become famous. It produces filters (flow-through and reverse osmosis) and cartridges for them.

Aquaphor

The brand has been known since 1992. The company's plants are located in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The company's peculiarity is the use of its own unique sorbent “Aqualen” on carbon fibers, with good cleaning properties.

Geyser

Another St. Petersburg company, actively using its own development. The use of a unique ion-exchange polymer in water treatment systems allowed the company to enter the world level.

Important! Geyser and Aquafor cartridges are interchangeable.

Atoll

This is an American brand. All products are NSF certified, which is a guarantee of excellent quality. The company produces 4 varieties of 3-stage filters for different types of water.

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Top Filters

This rating of models is based on an analysis of customer reviews, which will allow you to decide which stationary water filter is better.

Flow systems

Here are the top three best models.

Barrier Expert Ferrum:

• Three-stage cleaning: mechanical, ion exchange and carbon filtration.
• The porosity of the mechanical filter is 5 microns.
• It has the deferrization function, without softening water.
• Free chlorine free.
• The resource of the filtering module is 10,000 liters.

Advantages of the system:

• Good water purification from iron, chlorine and other chemical compounds.
• Easy installation.
• Relatively low cost.
• Compact, beautiful design.
• Easy to replace cartridges.
• Relatively long cartridge life.

Important! Minuses:

• There is no softening function (or rather, there is, but weak).
• The high cost of replaceable cartridges. They are not always commercially available.
• With rare use of the filter, a smack of coal appears. It is necessary to lower 3-5 liters of water.

Aquaphor Crystal H:

• Three-stage cleaning: mechanical, ion exchange and carbon filtration.
• The porosity of the mechanical filter is 0.8 microns.
• The resource of the filtering module is 6000 l.
• There is no deferrization function, there is water softening.

The advantages of the model include:

1. Solid, high-quality filter material.
2. Tasty, well-purified water.
3. High (1.5 years) working life of cartridges.
4. Good water softening, easy regeneration of softening cartridge.

Important! There are also some disadvantages.

• Small resource softening cartridge (200-250 l).
• The need to rinse the softener cartridge about once every 2 months.

New Water Expert:

• Five step system.
• There is no deferrization.
• There are softening and purification functions of free chlorine.

The advantages of the model include:

1. Compact size. The design does not occupy the entire space under the sink.
2. High-quality plastic with reliable connections.
3. Aesthetic design.
4. High-quality water filtration.
5. High filtration rate.
6. Easy cartridge replacement.
7. The filter is equipped with an ultrafiltration function.

Important! Minuses:

• With too hard water, the softener is enough for about a month, not more.
• The high cost of replaceable cartridges.

TOP three reverse osmosis systems

Here are the three reverse osmotic models with the highest customer ratings.

Geyser Prestige-2

According to customer reviews, this is an almost perfect ratio of quality and price. Here are the benefits of the system:

1. Relatively high (compared to analogues) filtering speed.
2. Excellent water purification.
3. Low price.
4. Compact dimensions.
5. Large (up to several years) resource of replaceable cartridges.
6. Easy system installation and cartridge replacement.

Important! However, there are also enough shortcomings:

• Not very tight tee connection. The use of FUM tape solves this problem.
• Not very beautiful crane design.
• Replaceable cartridges are not always on sale.
• A large amount of water goes into drainage (for 10 liters of clean water - from 20 to 30 liters). If you have a meter for water consumption, this is quite expensive.

ATOLL A-550 STD

This system is ideal for a large family, with daily drinking water consumption of more than 10 liters.

The undoubted advantages of the device are:

• Convenience of installation. The inlet hoses are multi-colored, so it is difficult to mix up.
• The highest level of cleaning, because the best cleaning components of world quality are used.
• Excellent quality plastic.
• Good performance.
• Compact size.
• The crane works gently, the filter does not leak.

Important! Disadvantages:

• High price.
• A large number of components. No spare retaining rings included.

PROFI Osmo 100 barrier

This option for those who know how to count money, wants to pick up a water filter at a reasonable cost, but at the same time wants to get well-filtered water. True, there is an additional expense item: a lot of water is simply drained into the sewer. With a small pressure in the system, you need to pay attention to the filters with the pump, otherwise the cleaning will take place very slowly.

Advantages of the system:

1. Relatively low price.
2. More than 5 steps of cleaning.
3. Collapsible flasks (this is a good article of savings for the future).
4. Easy installation.
5. No need for frequent cartridge replacement.

Important! Disadvantages:

• Big sizes. The filter “eats” all the space under the sink.
• Demanding for water pressure in the system.
• No branded mineralizers.
• Poor fittings.

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Stock footage

Now you have all the necessary information for an informed choice. Choose, buy and use!