RO Purifier Vs UV Purifier What’s The Difference?

RO vs UV water purifier

Safe water is essential for drinking. Hence, water purifiers are important appliances in most homes. When choosing the right one, many buyers find themselves caught in the debate: Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifier vs Ultraviolet (UV) purifier. Both products eliminate harmful contaminants and cater to different water conditions. By understanding how each one works and comparing them, you can make an informed decision.

Let us understand RO and UV water purifiers better, including how they work and the differences between RO & UV water purifiers, as well as which one suits your home.

RO Water Purifier: What Is It? How Does It Work?

Reverse Osmosis or RO is a water filtration system that uses a semi-absorbent membrane to remove dissolved salts and other impurities from water. When evaluating RO vs UV water purifier options, RO stands out for its ability to treat water with heavy metal contamination and high TDS levels. The RO system works as follows:

1. Pre-filtration to remove large particles from the water.

2. Carbon filtration eliminates chlorine and organic impurities.

3. Reverse osmosis membrane to remove dissolved salts and heavy metals

4. Post-carbon filtration for taste and odour.

This multi-stage process makes RO purifiers especially effective in areas where water contains high levels of Total Dissolved Solids.

UV Water Purifier: What Is It? How Does It Work?

A UV water purifier uses UV light to disinfect water. It targets and kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, rendering them harmless. The system usually includes:

1. A sediment filter to remove particles.

2. An activated carbon filter enhances the taste and odor of the water.

3. A UV chamber where water passes through UV light.

When you compare RO and UV water purifier units, UV focuses on disinfection rather than comprehensive purification. It is a perfect fit for homes that get municipal water treated.

Best UV & RO Water Purifiers:

Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Mist Nxt UV+ Water Purifier with Long Cartridge life, Energy Saving Mode, Mineral Charge Cartridge (White)

Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Mist Nxt UV+ Water Purifier with Long Cartridge life, Energy Saving Mode, Mineral Charge Cartridge (White)

Best Seller

500+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

Kent MAX Water Purifier with Double Purification Process of UV+UF, Activated Carbon Pre-filter, Transparent Detachable Tank, ABS Body Material (White)

Kent MAX Water Purifier with Double Purification Process of UV+UF, Activated Carbon Pre-filter, Transparent Detachable Tank, ABS Body Material (White)

Trending

200+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

Pureit Classic UV+ G2 Water Purifier with Advanced 4-Stage Purification, Smartsense Indicators, Advance Voltage Fluctuation Guard (White)

Pureit Classic UV+ G2 Water Purifier with Advanced 4-Stage Purification, Smartsense Indicators, Advance Voltage Fluctuation Guard (White)

50+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

AO Smith Intelli Water Purfier UV+SAPC with Advanced Digital Display, 3 Purification Technologies, Touch Dispensing (Black)

AO Smith Intelli Water Purfier UV+SAPC with Advanced Digital Display, 3 Purification Technologies, Touch Dispensing (Black)

Trending

100+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

Urban Company Native M1 Water Purifier with 8L Capacity | 10-Stage Purifier | 4-in-1 Health Booster | RO+UV+Copper+Alkaline (Black)

Urban Company Native M1 Water Purifier with 8L Capacity | 10-Stage Purifier | 4-in-1 Health Booster | RO+UV+Copper+Alkaline (Black)

Best Seller

500+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

Pureit Revito Max RO+MF+UV-in-tank + Mineral Enriched Wall Mount Water Purifier, 8 stage Purification with Smart Sense Indicators (Black)

Pureit Revito Max RO+MF+UV-in-tank + Mineral Enriched Wall Mount Water Purifier, 8 stage Purification with Smart Sense Indicators (Black)

Recommended

200+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Champ RO+UV From Aquasure, 6 Liters |4 Stages Of Purifications

Eureka Forbes Aquaguard Champ RO+UV From Aquasure, 6 Liters |4 Stages Of Purifications

Price Drop

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

AO Smith WP Z2 Pro UTC RO+Copper (White)

AO Smith WP Z2 Pro UTC RO+Copper (White)

Price Drop

200+ Bought

Free 3-hour delivery

Pickup Available

RO Purifier vs. UV Purifier: Which Is Best for Your Home?

Choosing between an RO and UV purifier depends on the quality of water supplied to your home. Let us compare RO and UV water purifier systems on the following factors:

1. Water Source and Quality

If your water has high TDS or is sourced from borewells or tankers, an RO purifier is a better option. If your home receives municipal water that is treated but may still contain bacteria, a UV purifier is an effective solution. This difference between RO and UV purifier becomes a major deciding factor.

2. Contaminant Removal

The reverse osmosis vs UV filter comparison highlights a significant contrast. RO purifiers remove dissolved and undissolved impurities, including salts, arsenic, and lead. However, UV purifiers only kill microbes, leaving dissolved solids untouched.

So, is RO better or UV? For comprehensive purification in high-contamination areas, RO takes the lead.

3. Water Wastage

A drawback of RO systems is water wastage. Around 3 liters of water may be rejected for every 1 liter purified. UV purifiers do not waste water. When it comes to sustainability, this difference between RO and UV filters might influence your choice.

5. Maintenance and Costs

UV purifiers are generally more affordable than RO systems in terms of initial cost and ongoing maintenance. RO purifiers have more components and filters that require regular replacement.

Still, the difference in cost between the RO and UV water purifiers might be due to the broader purification capabilities that the RO offers.

6. Storage and Flow Rate

Most RO purifiers come with a storage tank, which is particularly useful in areas with irregular water supplies. UV purifiers usually offer on-demand purification without storage.

Ultimately, which is better, UV or RO water purifier, depends on your needs. If you need all-around purification, RO is ideal. For microbiologically unsafe and low-TDS water, UV may be a more suitable option.

When it comes to choosing a water purifier, understanding the difference between RO & UV purifiers is crucial. RO purifiers excel in removing all types of contaminants, especially in hard water conditions. UV purifiers are used when disinfection is your primary concern, and the water already meets TDS norms.

For many, a combination of both technologies (RO + UV) provides the best of both worlds. However, if you must choose one, base your decision on the specific quality of your local water supply. This comparison between RO and UV water purifier options should help you make an informed, health-related choice for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

faq1

faqsQuestions: What is the main difference between RO and UV purifier?
faqsAnswer: The core difference between RO and UV purifiers lies in the type of impurities they remove. RO purifiers remove dissolved salts, chemicals, and heavy metals, while UV purifiers target and kill bacteria and viruses.

faq2

faqsQuestions: Is RO better than UV for hard water?
faqsAnswer: Yes, RO is better than UV for hard water because it removes excess minerals and TDS, making the water safer and better tasting.

faq3

faqsQuestions: Which consumes more electricity: RO or UV?
faqsAnswer: RO purifiers generally consume more electricity than UV purifiers due to the pumping mechanism and multiple filtration stages.

faq4

faqsQuestions: Can I use a UV purifier for bore well water?
faqsAnswer: UV purifiers are unsuitable for bore well water with high TDS. In such cases, RO purifiers are preferred because they remove dissolved solids.

faq5

faqsQuestions: What’s better: RO or UV for municipal water?
faqsAnswer: If the municipal water supply is low in TDS and contains bacteria, a UV purifier may be enough. However, if you want added protection and better taste, an RO system is beneficial.