One of the most powerful methods of getting rid of harmful pathogens in water is through UV purification. Therefore, when you install an excellent UV purifier to your home water supply, you ensure that the water is free of microorganisms and your entire family can safely consume it.
There are multiple UV water purifier systems in the market you can select from, and it may be overwhelming deciding which one is worth spending money on.
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There are several factors you should consider before buying a UV water purifier system. This includes pressure range, wattage, and flow rate. There are several models to select from that will cater to your specific needs.
You can be guaranteed that the UV water purifier systems reviewed in this copy are some of the best available systems in the market. We have multiple years of experience in this industry, and some of our work has been featured on CBS, Fox News, NBC, and abc News. This article will help you decide on some of the best UV water purifier systems you can choose.
Ultraviolet Water Purifier
Before getting into some of the best UV water purifiers in the market, we will go over what they are to help you make an informed decision on which one will best suit you. An Ultraviolet water purifier is also known as a UV water sterilizer or UV water filter. It is an efficient system that kills cysts, viruses, bacteria, and any other living organisms found in drinking water. This system is often installed in your primary water pipe at your home’s entry point, and its appearance resembles a thin and long lamp.
Pros of Utilizing a UV Water Purifier System
There are multiple advantages associated with using a UV water purifier, whether you are using it on a private well source or the municipal drinking water of your home. Discussed below are a couple of benefits of using a UV water purifier system to treat your water.
Guaranteed safe drinking water
A UV water purifier system guarantees that the drinking water you are consuming is safe to drink. You also have the reassurance that even if the water is compromised, you will have access to safe water for human consumption. This is also an excellent investment for individuals who have a well on their residential properties. The best part is most of these systems can be applied to any application in your home.
No maintenance
The best thing about UV water purifier systems is that you do not have to keep changing various filters as you require with a whole home water filter. These systems have virtually no maintenance. All you need to do is replace their lamps once every year, and most of them have a reminder that indicates you need to change the lamp in advance. The only other maintenance required is cleaning the case of the lamp every few months. This makes them pretty convenient to have.
No added Taste or odors
When you use a UV filter, you will not notice any additional odor or taste in your water because, essentially, nothing has been added to the water. Expect your water to taste how it has always tasted. The only difference is that you will not be affected by illnesses or diseases that result from contaminated water.
Non-chemical disinfecting
UV water purifiers do not alter the composition of water or add chemicals to it, unlike other methods used to disinfect, purify, or clean water. Instead, it shines light effectively through the water, and as a result, the harmful microorganisms in the water are killed.
Essentially, UV water purifiers use their light to get rid of microorganisms found in water and prevent them from reproducing. The germicidal UV light is used to treat the water because it targets the microorganisms’ DNA and scrambles it to stop it from populating. Once the DNA of the microorganism is scrambled, they cannot behave how they usually do and can no longer reproduce. As a result, you can drink the water safely, and while it may contain viruses and bacteria, you will not fall sick because the UV water purifier will have treated it.
Discussed below are some of the best UV water purifier systems of 2021
#1 SpringWell UV Water Purification System
Features
- Its installation can be horizontal or vertical
- It has a 15 GMP flow rate
- It has a UV dose delivery of 30mJ/cm2
Suppose you need a UV water purifier system that guarantees you protection from bacteria. In that case, the best choice will be the Springwell Blackcomb UV water filter system. This water purifier gets rid of viruses, kills 99.9% of bacteria, and eliminates other common water pathogens.
This UV water purifier system has been designed to be used in the entire house, and you can combine it with a whole house water filter system or use it alone. The purifier provides a powerful performance as it operates at 30mJ/cm2, and it has a flow rate of 15 GMP that ensures when the system is in use, there will be no dips in the water pressure.
The Springwell Blackcomb UV water filter system’s UV lamp is enclosed in a splash-proof case. While this system does not come with a sediment filter, the brand advises users to purchase a filter at an extra cost to protect the lamp.
This system has a user interface that informs you of any real-time errors and about the system’s remaining lamp life. There are available QR codes that you can use to access videos and online information to help you change the lamp.
Why You Should Buy the Springwell Blackcomb UV Water Filter System
This system guarantees you 99.9% protection from bacteria, and it also kills viruses. You can use it throughout the whole house, and there will be no dips in the water pressure in your house. It has an interface that lets you know the remaining life of the lamp system so you can purchase a replacement in advance.
Pros
- It has a lamp life indicator
- It kills 99.9% of the bacteria
- It has a powerful performance of 30mJ/cm2
Cons
- You require extra components for installation
- Its sediment pre-filter is available at an additional cost
#2 Acuva Arrow 5 UV-LED Water Purifier
Features
- Its installation is horizontal
- It has a 60W power consumption
- It has a 1.3 GMP flow rate
- It has a UV dose delivery of 16 mJ/cm2
You can use this water purifier to treat the water supplied to the ice maker, dedicated drinking water faucet, bathroom faucet, and kitchen faucet. The Acuva Arrow can offer drinking water that is purified at the rate of 1.3 gallons each minute, and it does not disrupt your water’s pressure. If you are interested in purchasing this unit, you have two purchasing options, AC 120/240V or DV 12V.
It is also worth mentioning that this unit has a durable, solid design, and its body’s casing is made from high-quality aluminum. The Acuva Arrow comes with power (AD or DC), plumbing supplies, and mounting equipment for installation purposes. A sediment pre-filter is also included in the Acuva Arrow. However, you can use any pre-filter of your choice with this water purifier.
The life span of the Acuva Arrow is its most significant selling point. If you are looking for a long-lasting system, this is one of your best options because the Acuva Arrow can last up to ten years long. During its lifespan, it would have treated about 900,000 liters of water. It is also an excellent choice to consider if you would like a UV water purifier system that is nearly maintenance-free.
Why You Should Buy the Acuva Arrow
This UV water purifier system can be used to treat water in just about any application in your home. You can be guaranteed that the water pressure in your home will not be disrupted while you are using this system, and it has a very long lifespan. It can last up to ten years with proper care and maintenance, and it is also pretty easy to maintain.
Pros
- It comes with a sediment pre-filter and an installation kit
- It can be hooked to different applications in your house
- It has a long lifespan of up to ten years
Cons
- It has a lower UV dose than other systems
- Its performance is not certified
- It is expensive
#3 Viqua VH410 Ultraviolet Disinfection System
Features
- Its installation is horizontal or vertical
- It has a 60W power consumption
- It has a 14 GMP flow rate
- Its UV dose delivery is 40mJ/cm2
If you are looking for a UV water purifier system that can be used on up to 18 GMP water flow rate, the Viqua VH410 is one of the best and robust systems that you can choose. The Viqua VH410 has a high UV output, and while it is much smaller in size, it offers equal performance to the larger chambers and helps you save on space.
Depending on your needs or requirements, the Viqua VH410 can be installed accompanying a water filter or alone. It is worth stating that the Viqua VH410 does not reduce chemicals such as chlorine or particles from water. While this may not necessarily pose a threat to your health in small doses, it can still potentially affect the odor or taste of your water.
When you purchase the Viqua VH410, you do not have to hire a plumber to help you with its installation. On the contrary, you can easily set it up yourself since it is a simple DIY design that can be installed horizontally or vertically. It is worth stating that the recommended installation is vertical. Its package includes the filter housing and the lamp, along with the wall mounting bracket. However, you should beware that you are required to purchase the fittings needed to connect your Viqua system to the waterline.
The Viqua VH410 system can be used for both well water and city water. It is worth stating that this system is considered the best UV water purifier system for getting rid of cysts and bacteria such as Giardia, Salmonella, and E.Coli. It operates by targeting these microorganisms’ DNA and killing them, which prevents them from having the ability to reproduce. The Viqua VH410 promises a consistently high output and will continue to function to its full potential throughout the lamp’s whole lifespan.
The Viqua VH410’s lamp will need to be replaced after about 9000 hours, equivalent to a year. Fortunately, the Viqua VH410 comes with a lamp change reminder that will sound when you need to replace it, in case it slips your mind. It also has a digital countdown screen that you can utilize to check on the unit’s performance and plan to buy a new lamp before the current one needs replacement.
Besides having to replace the lamp annually, this system requires very minimal extra maintenance. After about every three months, you will have to clean build-up and scale from the lamp sleeve. The user manual contains the guidelines on how to do this safely. Its flow rate can stay up to 18 GMP. This will depend on the ingoing water flow rate in your home, so you will not be required to do anything to enhance the flow rate throughout its lifespan. Essentially, this means that you will not have to deal with the water pressure in your showers or faucets dropping.
Why You Should Buy the Viqua VH410
You can easily install this unit without hiring a plumber, and it requires very minimal maintenance. It comes with a manual that you can use to learn how to maintain it safely, and it also has a lamp changer reminder. This system is also the best if you want to get rid of cysts and bacteria, and you can be guaranteed that it will operate to its full potential throughout its lifespan.
Pros
- It comes with a lamp change reminder
- You can quickly get it running once you have installed it
- It has a high-quality construction which guarantees its durability. This means that this system can last for more than a decade with the proper maintenance and care.
Cons
- Some individuals may find the installation process too complex
- To connect your Viqua VH410 to your water line, you will have to purchase additional fittings
#4 US Water Systems Pulsar UV Disinfection System
Features
- Its installation is vertical
- It has a 49W power consumption
- It has a 10 GPM flow rate
- It has a UV dose delivery of 30mj/cm2
The US Water Systems Pulsar UV Disinfection System is among the current UV disinfection systems that have hit the market. This system is a whole-home application. It provides swift deactivation of microorganisms and renders them incapable of infecting or reproducing.
The Pulsar has a 9000 hours lifetime, and during that span, it is designed to offer a consistent and reliable UV output. All the information you may require to know about the performance of the system can be found in the full-color LED screen that is included.
The UV process can be prevented from working effectively by sediment water because it blocks the UV light from penetrating the water entirely. Fortunately, the Pulsar comes with a sediment pre-filter that is one micron, which eliminates the sand particles, dirt, and salt before the water goes through the system.
Several features ensure that the UV disinfection process is safe and support the Pulsar’s efficiency. It has a stainless steel chamber that is durable, and it helps prevent the power supply in a sealed case and the UV light’s degradation to avoid accidental water damage.
The Pulsar, like most UV systems, is pretty easy to maintain and install. It is worth noting that you will have to replace the lamp annually, but luckily, this can be done without you interrupting the water flow. One of the best things about the Pulsar is that the system informs you when you need to change the lamp. If the system fails to notify you about this in advance, an alarm will sound.
Why You Should Buy the Pulsar
You can be guaranteed that you will not be infected by any microorganisms found in water when you install this system which can be installed in any application in your home. This UV water purifier system functions to its full potential throughout its lifespan, and most of its features also ensure that it operates efficiently. This system is also pretty easy to install and maintain and will notify you in advance when you need to change the light.
Pros
- It is manufactured in the USA
- It has safety features that protect the system
- It comes with a lamp change notification and alarm
Cons
- You may require a plumber to install it
- It has no disinfection performance certifications
#5 Pelican Premium Ultraviolet Disinfection System
Features
- It can be installed horizontally or vertically
- It has 83W power consumption
- It has a 15.8 GMP flow rate
- It has a UV dose of delivery of 40mJ/cm2
This UV water purifier system has been designed to target waterborne pathogenic organisms, which often cause illnesses and diseases like cysts, viruses, and bacteria. The Pelican UV light water purifier is an environmentally friendly system with a 9 to 16 GMP flow rate. This makes it a suitable choice to use in different households. The pelican system will not affect the current appearance, odor, or taste of the water in your home, since it only gets rid of living organisms in the water.
The Pelican premium system stands out from other UV water purifier systems because it has an NSF 55 Class B certification. Essentially, the certification is an assurance that this system is designed to supplement drinking water treatment to get rid of bacteria. It has been tested by a third party and found to be suitable for human consumption.
Therefore, the Pelican is an excellent choice for individuals who would like a UV purification system with no fuss. Your only duty is to ensure that every couple of months, the lamp sleeve is cleaned and the lamp is replaced annually. These processes both require a few minutes to be completed, and they are pretty straightforward.
This system utilizes a particular type of UV disinfection known as thymine dimerization. Fundamentally, this ensures that when the UV light penetrates the living microorganisms’ DNA in the water, it is altered permanently. This prevents it from infecting an individual who will drink the water or reproducing.
To better understand how this process works, the manufacturer offers a simple but helpful analogy, think of a broken zipper. The DNA of the microorganisms cannot be “zipped up” since the mechanisms used to hold it are not intact anymore.
The Pelican unit has a screen of the lamp’s display, which is helpful since it ensures that you do not forget to replace the lamp. This display counts down to when you need to purchase a new lamp. There is a light on the system that turns yellow 30 days before you buy a new lamp. An alarm will also sound, so you will have sufficient time to order a new lamp.
Suppose you have a family that has small kids. It would be best to purchase a UV light that is safe to leave within their reach. Fortunately, the Pelican premium UV disinfection system has a safety cap that prevents young kids from accessing the electric components or the lamp. The lamp also comes with a unique plug, which prevents you from powering it up when it is not safe in the UV chamber.
Why You Should Buy the Pelican
The Pelican has a light and alarm system that reminds you to change the lamp 30 days to the actual replacement. This UV water purifier system guarantees that any diseases or illnesses will not infect you due to viruses, bacteria, or cysts found in water.
The Pelican also has a certification, unlike most of the other UV water purifier systems in the market, and it requires very little maintenance. You also do not necessarily need to hire someone to install it. If you have a family consisting of small kids, it is an excellent choice because it has a safety cap that prevents them from accessing its electric components and the lamp.
Pros
- It is an excellent choice for families who have small kids
- Anyone can install it since it comes with video and written instructions
- It comes with everything you require to install it
- It has certification
Cons
- It is known to heat the water sitting inside it before use
- A few users have noted that the fan is noisy
#6 Viqua D4 Premium
Features
- This system can be installed horizontally or vertically
- It has a 50W power consumption
- It has a 12 GPM flow rate
- It has a UV dose delivery of 30mJ/cm2
This UV water purifier system can be used in multiple applications throughout your house. It is worth mentioning that the Viqua D4 Premium is mainly used to get rid of bacteria from the water, which makes it an excellent choice for individuals who use well water in their homes. This system has a 12 GMP flow rate, allowing it to offer efficient and quick water treatment that will not interrupt the water pressure in any of your water-based appliances, such as your shower.
The Viqua D4 Premium stands out from other UV water purifier systems due to its small and compact size. Because of this, it has a much smaller eco-footprint, is space-efficient, and offers equivalent performance to the longer UV chambers. This system has a constant current feature, meaning that even when your power is cut out, this UV lamp will not die. Therefore, installing this system guarantees that you have access to clean drinking water throughout.
The Viqua D4 Premium has a 9000 hours lamp life, meaning its design allows you about a year’s worth of use before you need to replace the lamp. This system should be installed at the entry point of your home. You do not necessarily have to hire someone to install it since most individuals find the installation process pretty straightforward. All you need to do is attach your UV lamp to the sleeve and directly fit the system into your water line. The Viqua D4 Premium comes with an instruction manual that you can refer to.
When it comes to UV intensity or lamp life, you can be sure that the Viqua D4 Premium will not leave you in the dark. It has an interactive screen display showing all the information you may require about your UV filter’s status. This is vital since it allows you to troubleshoot problems when they arise, and you can also purchase a replacement lamp in advance before the current one runs out of life. The display screen also showcases the contact information and the company logo if you need to call their customer service for advice.
The replacements parts of the Viqua D4 Premium can be purchased online at a reasonably low cost. For instance, you can purchase the replacement lamps for less than $100, which is pretty fair since you only have to purchase them once every year. Besides having to replace the lamp annually, cleaning the lamp’s housing is the only other maintenance you need to do every other couple of months. Most of the other bacterial removal in the market, like RO systems, require you to replace filters every half year, and you also have to backwash them, but the Viqua D4 Premium does not need you to do any of these.
Why You Should Buy the Viqua D4 Premium
This UV water purifier system requires very little maintenance, and you only need to replace the lamp once each year. It has an interactive display screen that shows you the UV filter’s status and shows you when your lamp life is about to run out so you can purchase a replacement before it does. It is also space-efficient, easy to install, and you can be guaranteed of having access to clean drinking water at all times.
Pros
- You are guaranteed to have access to water throughout
- It is an excellent choice for individuals who have well systems in their homes
- It is space-efficient and has a much smaller eco-footprint
- It is easy to install and comes with an instruction manual
- It requires minimal maintenance
- It has an interactive screen display containing all the information you need about the status of your UV filter, and it also shows you if you need to replace your lamp.
Cons
- It has no performance certification
Factors to Consider When Buying a UV Water Purifier System
There are multiple factors you should consider before buying a UV water purifier system. Below are some of the factors you should consider before buying a UV water purifier system.
Flow rate
The flow rate in all UV systems is measured in GPM, which measures the amount of water that can flow in a system at a go. It would be best to know the flow rate of your home before you purchase a UV system to make an informed decision.
Your purifying needs
A UV water purifier is an ideal choice if you want to get rid of living contaminants in your water. However, it will not be of much help if you wish to eliminate chemicals or enhance the taste of your water.
Budget
This should not be the primary determinant of the system you choose. That being said, the prices of UV systems vary depending on things like the quality, brand, and functionality. You do not have to buy the most expensive UV water purifier system in the market, but keep in mind that the quality and price are usually interlinked in most cases.
The above-listed are some of the best UV water purifier systems in 2021. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. You can use the outline to select what UV water purifier system works for you. Ultimately, your needs will determine which UV water purifier system best suits you.