Drinking clean water is imperative to good health. Given the widespread pollution of water bodies, tap water is no longer a reliable water source. There have been several instances where people have fallen ill due to drinking unfiltered tap water. Therefore, having a quality, if not the best, water purifier at home is a necessity for every household.
However, the market offers several water purifiers that use different water purification systems. Hence, picking the right water filter for the home can baffle you. Choosing the right water purifier could make all the difference in the world.
Clueless about what type of water purifier to invest in or which is the best water filtration system for your home in 2024? Fret not. To help you make the right decision, we have compared the most popular water purification systems, i.e., RO vs. UV water purifiers. Read to know the major difference between both these popular water purifiers and to understand which is the best water purifier for you.
It is a water purification system that moves water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. As a result, only water molecules can move to the other side of the membrane, leaving behind dissolved salts and other impurities. Hence, RO purified water is free from harmful bacteria and dissolved contaminants.
Clueless about what type of water purifier to invest in or which is the best water filtration system for your home in 2024? Fret not. To help you make the right decision, we have compared the most popular water purification systems, i.e., RO vs. UV water purifiers. Read to know the major difference between both these popular water purifiers and to understand which is the best water purifier for you.
In a UV water filter system, UV (Ultraviolet) rays kill the harmful bacteria from the water. Hence the water is completely disinfected from pathogens. The UV water purifier is good for health because it kills all the harmful microbes present in the water without affecting the taste.
While both RO and UV water purifier systems either remove or kill the harmful bacteria in the water, you need to consider several other factors before making the final buying decision.
UV filter kills all the pathogens present in the water. However, the dead bacteria remain suspended in the water. On the other hand, a RO water purifier kills the bacteria and filters out their dead bodies floating in the water. Hence, RO purified water is more hygienic.
RO water purifiers can remove dissolved salts and chemicals from the water. However, UV water filters cannot separate dissolved solids from the water. Therefore, RO systems are more effective in purifying tap water as bacteria are not the only thing contaminating the water. Heavy metals and other harmful chemicals present in the water can affect your health adversely.
RO purifiers have a built-in pre-filtration system that helps them work with dirty and muddy water. On the other hand, UV filters do not work with muddy water. The water needs to be clear to kill the bacteria effectively. Hence, UV filters may not be a good option for areas where the water has a high amount of sediments.
RO water purifiers require electricity to boost the water pressure. However, UV filters can work with normal water pressure.
Another major aspect of choosing a water purifier is the cost. Nowadays, the price of water purifiers is justified. It protects us from water-borne diseases and ensures we don’t miss out on school or work. The RO filter price is justified for the protection it ensures.
Besides the above-mentioned differences, UV water purifiers save on some other important aspects like time (UV purifiers are faster than RO filtration systems) and keep the water in its natural colour and taste.
Here’s a table that will help you understand the key differences between RO and UV water purifiers:
| Sr.No | RO Filter | UV Filter |
| 1. | It is known to kill and filter all microorganisms. | It kills all microorganisms but it cannot filter them. |
| 2. | RO filters need electricity to increase the speed of your regular tap water. | UV filters can work with normal tap water speed. |
| 3. | RO technology in water purifiers effectively remove dissolved solids, salts and metals. | UV filters cannot get rid of dissolved solids and metals. |
| 4. | RO filters remove all suspended or visible impurities from the water. | UV filters aren’t capable of getting rid of any suspended or visible impurities from your water. |
| 5. | RO water purifiers are suitable for water with a TDS level that is above 300 ppm. | UV filters are suitable for water with a TDS level that is below 300 ppm |
When everybody is arguing about the best water filtration technology – RO vs. UV? A. O. Smith – SSM patents another purification technology. Side Stream RO Membrane ensures an increased purified water recovery rate. That means less water is wasted compared to regular RO water filters. Some of the models with SSM technology are A. O. Smith X6+, X3+, and X3 Water Purifiers.
Silver Charged Membrane Technology (SCMT) provides a secondary level of purification, which prevents any potential contamination. So, once water is filtered through different stages of purification, another, and probably the last stage, is SCMT. It’s proven that SCMT+RO provides better water purification than RO and UV.
When we compare RO vs. UV water purifiers, it is evident that RO is a more effective water purification system than the UV system. UV water purifiers only disinfect the water, protecting you from water-borne diseases. It fails to remove harmful dissolved salts and heavy metals from the water, so RO water purification systems are more reliable and efficient.
Want to know our take? We feel that the best water filtration system for your home in 2024 is a RO UV water purifier with SCMT (Silver Charged Membrane Technology) by AO Smith as it is durable, long lasting, energy-saving and cost-effective.
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