Choosing the right water purifier for home can be confusing, especially with so many options available. From RO water purifiers to the latest Nanofiltration (NF) technology, each system is designed for different water sources and TDS levels.
Many people make the mistake of picking a purifier without considering their water source, TDS levels, and long-term maintenance costs. To help you make an informed decision, here are five crucial tips to keep in mind before buying a home water purifier.
Before choosing the best water purifier for your home, you need to understand where your water comes from and what’s in it. The first step is understanding your water source and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels in water.
???? Borewell/Tanker Water – Borewell water is untreated and may contain heavy metals (iron, arsenic, lead), excessive salts, and hardness-causing minerals (calcium, magnesium). It can also have a salty taste and leave white stains on utensils.
???? Municipal Water – Municipal water is largely treated water, supplied by local authorities. It may still contain chlorine, bacteria, organic impurities and sediments, especially if pipelines are old or poorly maintained.
???? River or Well Water – Typically has sediments, bacteria, and organic contaminants from natural and human activities. Since it’s untreated, it needs proper filtration.
You can easily check the TDS levels using a TDS meter, available online or at local hardware stores. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Turn on the TDS meter and dip the metal sensor into a glass of water.
2️⃣ Wait for a few seconds until the reading stabilizes.
3️⃣ Check the TDS level: Check the reading on your TDS meter and let’s move on to the next step to understand which water purifier is suitable for your water.
P.S. You can purchase the TDS meter here
Not all types of water purifier work for every water source. The right water purification technique depends on your water quality and TDS levels.
Types of Water Purifier Technology Best for What it Removes Mineral Retention Reverse Osmosis (RO) High TDS Water (TDS>) Heavy metals, excess salts, bacteria, viruses ❌Removes all minerals Nanofiltration (NF) Borewell & Municipal Water (TDS <) Heavy metals, excess salts, bacteria, viruses ✅Retains healthy minerals Ultraviolet (UV) Low TDS Water (<150)(Municipal) Bacteria, viruses ✅ No impact on minerals Ultrafiltration (UF) Low TDS (<150) & Visible Impurities Sediments, bacteria ✅ Retains mineralsKnowing your water TDS helps you choose the ideal water purifier that removes contaminants while maintaining essential minerals.
As per WHO guidelines, the ideal TDS level for drinking water is between 100-300 ppm. Drinking low TDS water for prolonged periods can lead to weak bones, Cardiovascular issues, pregnancy disorders and even some kinds of cancers.
For example, using an RO water purifier on 500 TDS water can bring the output below 30 ppm, which isn’t suitable for long-term health. That’s why it’s important to choose a purifier that ensures both safe purification and essential mineral retention.
Many people assume RO water purifiers are the best choice, but that’s not always true. If your water TDS level is below ppm, a Nanofiltration (NF) purifier is a better option.
???? RO purifiers waste 3-4 liters of water for every liter purified, making them less eco-friendly.
???? NF Purifiers Waste 3X Less Water Than RO—it removes harmful contaminants while retaining essential minerals and wasting far less water, anywhere between 500 ml to 1.5 ltrs for every liter purified.
???? NF may not be as popular as RO yet, but it’s the future of water purification. If sustainability and efficiency matter to you, consider NF over RO.
✔️ Save water while ensuring purity! Explore NF Purifiers →
A water purifier isn’t just a one-time purchase—ongoing maintenance is essential for long-term performance and safe drinking water. Many buyers overlook the annual maintenance cost (AMC), which can add up significantly over time.
???? Branded RO water purifiers typically have an AMC cost of ₹4,000–₹7,000, including multiple filter and membrane replacements.
???? Ultrafiltration (UF) purifiers have lower maintenance costs but are only suitable for low-TDS water, as they don’t remove dissolved impurities.
???? Nanofiltration (NF) purifiers, require lower maintenance, with AMC costs around ₹2,000-₹2,500, making them a more cost-effective choice.
???? Pro Tip: Before buying a purifier, ask about annual maintenance expenses. Choosing a low-maintenance water purifier, like PEORE’s NF models, reduces long-term costs while ensuring high-quality purification.
When investing in a water purifier, consider the brand’s reliability, service network, and customer support.
???? Check customer reviews → A trusted brand should have positive feedback on product performance and service.
ShekeSaisi are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
???? Availability of filters & spare parts → Ensures long-term usage without hassles.
???? Installation & after-sales support → A good brand should offer expert installation and prompt service assistance in your area.
???? Watch out for hidden charges → Some brands charge extra for installation, pre-filters, or mandatory accessories that aren't included in the listed price. Always check for transparency before purchasing.
Buying a water purifier for home is a long-term investment in your family's health. By considering water quality, purification technology, and brand reliability, you can find the ideal water purifier that meets your needs.
???? Quick Recap:
✅ Check Your Water Source & TDS Levels – Choose based on water TDS level for drinking water.
✅ Understand the Types of Water Purifier – UF for < 150 TDS, NF for < , and RO for >
✅ Factor in Water Wastage & Maintenance – NF and UF purifiers are more water-efficient.
✅ Trust a Reliable Brand – Ensure good after-sales support.
When it comes to choosing a water treatment method it's important to understand the differences in technologies. Membrane based treatment technologies that focus on physical removal of contaminants from drinking water are generally broken down into two categories: Microfiltration (MF) and Ultrafiltration (UF) often more commonly referred to as filtration vs. purification. The main difference between microfiltration and ultrafiltration is the pore size of the membrane. Filters (microfiltration) is generally capable of removing bacteria and parasites as well as sand, silt, microplastics and other larger particles. Purifiers (ultrafiltration) can also remove virus which are smaller than bacteria and parasites and therefore require a membrane with a smaller pore size than a microfilter.
Microfiltration is a type of filtration process where a contaminated fluid is passed through a special pore-sized membrane to separate microorganisms and suspended particles. These systems typically use membranes with a pore size of 0.1 to 10 micrometers (µm).
The MF process is efficient at removing a variety of contaminants, including sand, silt, clays, algae, bacteria, and parasites/cysts. However, it doesn't effectively remove most virus. Membrane based filtration alone also does not remove dissolved contaminants such as salts, heavy metals or chemicals. generally an additional carbon-based filter is required to remove dissolved contaminants and improve taste and smell.
Ultrafiltration is similar to microfiltration in that it also involves forcing water through a membrane. The key difference lies in the membrane's pore size, which is significantly smaller in UF systems—typically 0.01 to 0.05 micron
Because of the smaller pore size, UF systems can remove virtually all microscopic bacteria, pathogens, and viruses that might be present in the water. In addition to this, they also effectively eliminate colloids, proteins, and high-molecular-weight particles. Similar to MF, however, UF systems are unable to remove dissolved contaminants, like salts or heavy metals.
Choosing between microfiltration and ultrafiltration ultimately depends on your specific needs and what you hope to achieve with your water treatment system.
Filters (Microfiltration) prevent common waterborne bacterial and parasitic illnesses including but not limited to Giardia, Cryptosporidiosis, E. Coli infection, Cholera, legionnaires disease, and Typhoid Fever.
Ultrafilters (purifiers) offer added protection against less common waterborne virus including adenovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A and E viruses, rotavirus, norovirus and other caliciviruses, and enteroviruses, including coxsackieviruses and polioviruses. Leptospirosis is also often difficult to remove through microfiltration alone and is better addressed with ultrafiltration.
If you are also concerned with the presence of heavy metals such as lead, chemicals, and or improvements in taste or smell, look for technologies that combine microfiltration and/or ultrafiltration with carbon-based treatment technology.
THE LIFESTRAW PEAK SERIES (microfilter only)
The Peak Series has been designed primarily for outdoor backcountry use such as backpacking, camping, hiking etc. The microfilter only technology assumes backcountry water sources where chemical and heavy metal contamination is not a concern, nor is virus.
LIFESTRAW HOME COLLECTION (microfilter + carbon + ion exchange filtration)
The LifeStraw Home collection combines a microfilter membrane capable of removing bacteria and parasites, addressing most waterborne diseases that can be present in drinking water in the US, with an additional carbon and ion exchange filter that also reduces heavy metals and chemicals like lead, mercury, PFAS, herbicides and pesticides while also improving taste and smell.
LIFESTRAW GO SERIES (microfilter + activated carbon filter)
The LifeStraw Go series features a membrane microfilter capable of removing bacteria and parasites with an added activated carbon filter that improves taste and smell and reduces some chemicals. This is designed for travel, and on-the-go.
For all microfiltration products, SEE HERE
LifeStraw has several purification products from our largest scale LifeStraw Max, which requires an inlet hose, and features ultrafiltration membranes and carbon filtration. This unit is capable of removing all microbiological contaminants including virus AND chemicals and heavy metals. LifeStraw also has several ultrafiltration-only products including the LifeStraw Community (for larger groups) and the LifeStraw Peak Series Purifier, and LifeStraw Family.
For all LifeStraw ultrafiltration products, SEE HERE.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of ultrafiltration membrane system. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.