Comparing Water Purifiers

Investing in a good quality water purifier is a great investment one can make towards their family’s health and overall well being. Drinking water may seem insignificant in the larger scheme but its effects can be evident when there is a lack of it. Would you believe it if we told you that there are still countries in the world that continue to lose its people owing to poor quality of drinking water?  

A good purifier is one that can help you protect from physical, chemical and microbial contamination while also not burning a hole in your pocket. Here is a list of top water purifier brands in India that you can consider for your next purchase.

Why Compare Water Purifiers Before Buying?

Not all water purifiers work the same way, and choosing the wrong one can lead to poor purification, unnecessary expenses, and frequent maintenance issues. That’s why comparing water purifiers is essential before making a purchase.

• Does Your Water Need RO? Many buyers assume RO is the best, but it’s not needed if your TDS is below 200 ppm. In such cases, a UV+UF purifier is sufficient and more cost-effective.
  
  

• Is UV Alone Enough? If your water comes from a municipal supply with a TDS level of less than 200 ppm, UV technology can kill bacteria and viruses, but it won't remove dissolved salts.
  
  

• Hidden Costs: Some models have a low initial price but require expensive filter changes every 6 months. Checking annual maintenance costs (AMC) can save you money in the long run.
  
  

• After-Sales Service: Brands like Kent, Pureit, and Aquaguard have widespread service networks, but some budget brands struggle with timely support.

Types of Water Purifiers: RO, UV, UF Explained

Choosing between RO, UV, and UF depends on your water quality, source, and purification needs. Here’s how they compare and when to opt for each.

1. When to Choose an RO Purifier

Best for: Areas with high TDS (above 300 ppm), such as borewell or tanker water.

Why? Removes dissolved impurities, heavy metals, and excess salts while improving taste.

Drawback: Also eliminates essential minerals unless a TDS controller is used.

2. When to Choose a UV Purifier

Best for: Municipal or soft water with TDS below 200 ppm.

Why? Kills bacteria and viruses without altering the water’s natural mineral content.

Drawback: Does not remove dissolved salts, chemicals, or heavy metals.

3. When to Choose a UF Purifier

Best for: Water with visible sediments and microbial contamination but low TDS.

Why? Filters out bacteria and dirt without electricity while retaining essential minerals.

Drawback: Ineffective against dissolved impurities or high-TDS water.

Comparison Table: RO vs. UV vs. UF Water Purifiers

Which One is Right for You?

• High TDS (Above 300 ppm) → Choose RO for deep filtration and improved taste.
  
  

• Low TDS + Bacteria/Virus Risk → Choose UV for safe drinking water without mineral loss.
  
  

• Visible Impurities + No Power Supply → Choose UF for basic filtration in low-TDS water.
  
  

For balanced purification, many modern systems combine RO + UV + UF to ensure both safety and mineral retention.

RO vs UV vs UF – A Detailed Comparison Table

Top 5 Water Purifiers in India (2025) – Side-by-Side Comparison

1. Lustral Water Smart Purifier (Best for Smart Filtration & IoT Features)

• Purification Technology: RO + UV + UF + IoT-enabled smart monitoring
  
  

• Capacity: 10 liters (suitable for medium to large households)
  
  

• Key Features:
  
  

• Real-time water quality monitoring with smart sensors
  
  

• Customizable TDS control to retain essential minerals
  
  

• Auto-filter change alerts for hassle-free maintenance
  
  

• Energy-efficient & eco-friendly design
  
  

• User Rating: 4.7/5
  
  

• Approximate Price: ₹19,000
  
  

• Where to Buy: Available on the Lustral Water Official Website
  
  

2. Kent Supreme Extra RO Water Purifier (Best for Alkaline & Mineral Boosting)

• Purification Technology: RO + UV + UF + Alkaline + TDS Control
  
  

• Capacity: 20 liters (ideal for large families)
  
  

• Key Features:
  
  

• Alkaline water booster for better hydration and health benefits
  
  

• Zero water wastage technology to reduce water loss
  
  

• Retains essential minerals with advanced TDS control
  
  

• User Rating: 4.5/5
  
  

• Approximate Price: ₹18,500
  
  

• Where to Buy: Available on Amazon & Flipkart
  
  

3. HUL Pureit Copper+ Eco RO (Best for Copper-Enriched Drinking Water)

• Purification Technology: RO + UV + MF + Copper Charge Technology
  
  

• Capacity: 10 liters (suitable for mid-sized families)
  
  

• Key Features:
  
  

• Copper Charge Technology enriches water with copper ions
  
  

• Eco Recovery system reduces water wastage
  
  

• Smart power-saving mode to optimize energy consumption
  
  

• User Rating: 4.4/5
  
  

• Approximate Price: ₹17,000
  
  

• Where to Buy: Available on Amazon & Flipkart
  
  

4. Livpure Bolt+ Copper RO Water Purifier (Best Budget-Friendly RO with Copper Technology)

• Purification Technology: RO + UV + UF + Copper Cartridge
  
  

• Capacity: 7 liters (ideal for small to medium families)
  
  

• Key Features:
  
  

• Copper infusion for added health benefits
  
  

• 7-stage purification process for maximum water safety
  
  

• Compact and space-saving design
  
  

• User Rating: 4.3/5
  
  

• Approximate Price: ₹14,000
  
  

• Where to Buy: Available on Amazon & Flipkart
  
  

5. Aquaguard Aura RO+UV+MTDS (Best for Municipal & Borewell Water)

• Purification Technology: RO + UV + MTDS
  
  

• Capacity: 7 liters (suitable for small families and bachelors)
  
  

• Key Features:
  
  

• MTDS technology to adjust water taste and mineral levels
  
  

• Active Copper & Zinc booster for enhanced water quality
  
  

• UV e-boiling technology for additional purification
  
  

• User Rating: 4.2/5
  
  

• Approximate Price: ₹12,500
  
  

• Where to Buy: Available on Amazon & Flipkart

How to Choose the Right Water Purifier for Your Home

Key Factors to Consider

1. Water Source & Quality
   
   

• Municipal Water (TDS below 200 ppm) → UV or UF purifier (suitable for low-TDS water)
  
  

• Borewell/Tanker Water (TDS above 200 ppm) → RO purifier (removes excess salts, heavy metals)
  
  

• Mixed Water Supply → RO+UV purifier (ensures thorough purification)
  
  

2. TDS Level of Your Water
   
   

• Below 200 ppm – UV or UF purification is enough.
  
  

• 200-500 ppm – RO+UV purifier for safe drinking water.
  
  

• Above 500 ppm – RO with a TDS controller to retain essential minerals.
  
  

3. Family Size & Storage Capacity
   
   

• 1-2 members → 5-7L capacity
  
  

• 3-5 members → 8-10L capacity
  
  

• 6+ members → 10L+ capacity
  
  

4. Budget & Maintenance Costs
   
   

• Basic UV/UF purifiers → ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 (low maintenance)
   

• RO purifiers → ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 (filter replacement every 6-12 months)
  
  

• Advanced RO+UV+TDS controllers → ₹15,000 – ₹25,000+

Hope this comparison of various water purifier brands makes the decision easier for you. Key things to understand are your requirements. So, if you live in areas with high TDS levels opt for a purifier with a tds control, and if you live in areas whose municipal supply cannot be fully trusted, opt for a purifier with an RO purification system in combination with UV filtration to kill the microbial contamination. In the end, the best investment would be to go for a hybrid water purifier that also has a remineralization option. This eliminates all the contaminants while also adding back necessary minerals back to your water.