7 of the Best UV Water Purifiers Homeowners Trust in 2023

There are 50+ different UV water purifiers available for you to purchase online today.

Most of them will eliminate pathogens from the water supply as designed, but some are much more effective than others.

We’ve taken the time to select those that are well worth the investment and that will keep you and your family safe from harmful pathogens.

And we’ve come to our conclusion by researching and testing the different models according to flow rate, UV light intensity, bulb longevity, additional filtration capability, and company reputation.

That’s right, we’re water fanatics and have been for over 8 years. And this review of the best UV water purifiers is a testament to our expertise and passion.

Aquasana is a manufacturing company based out of Austin, TX, and specializes in innovative filtering technology.

The Aquasana Whole House Rhino is a complete home water treatment system that not only removes pathogens via powerful UV purification but also softens water, removes sediment, and provides re-mineralization via carbon filtration.

The activated carbon filter removes heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and organic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, and industrial solvents. The pre-sediment filter removes larger particles such as sand and silt.

The UV filter eliminates any trace of harmful microorganisms that may lurk in the water supply.

An additional salt-free water conditioner may be added to reduce water hardness for well owners.

The Aquasana Rhino stands at 57" high from the ground level and extends about 10" from the wall

The Rhino package consists of a whole house filter, pre-filter, post-filter, UV-filter & monitor, and all the fittings.

  What we like most about the Aquasana Rhino

The Aquasana Rhino is expertly built to transform potentially harmful water into safe, clean, great-tasting water for your entire family. While the build and design are certainly top-of-the-line, one of the best parts about Aquasana would have to be their exceptional customer service team of knowledgeable staff who are always available for consultation.

But what makes the Aquasana Rhino great is that it's much more than just a UV purifier. It eliminates the need to figure out if units from varying manufacturers are compatible with each other. The Aquasana Rhino provides all of your UV, sediment, carbon filtering, and water softening needs into one, very efficient unit.

Throw in a variety of customization options and a 5-year warranty on all products, and it's no wonder Aquasana is one of the best water filtration systems available, period.

  What we don't like

The entire system connects to a mounting bar which rests fairly low to the ground. While it isn't an issue that affects performance in any way, any maintenance done on the system will require you to crouch down, which can be a bit uncomfortable.

  Is it for you?

For homeowners who rely on well water and are concerned about harmful microorganisms from the ground but would rather have all their purification needs met with one unit, the Aquasana Rhino w/UV filter combines everything you need to provide safe, great-tasting water for your whole family.

Pentair is a leader in the clean water industry, providing sustainable solutions to homeowners, businesses, and NGOs around the world.

The Pelican whole house carbon filter with UV purification is one of the most effective water treatment devices for the consumer. Its premium fittings and parts make it long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free while still being affordable to the homeowner.

The large diameter of the tank holds a significant amount of water filtration carbon media increasing the overall performance and lifespan. Parts are affordable and easily replaceable.

The Pelican Carbon Series Systems use an up-flow design and do not waste any water while filtering and conditioning the water for your entire home. While other systems use a down-flow design requiring them to backwash once or twice a week wasting 100-300 gallons of water each time they backwash.

With the UV attachment, the entire unit removes sediment, chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, industrial solvents, and all forms of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.

Pentair's UV unit comes with an external controller to monitor the UV chamber's effectiveness

  What we like most about the Pentair Pelican PC-600

The Pentair Pelican's up-flow system allows for virtually no maintenance on the user's part except for the replacement of the pre-filter every 6-9 months. It also eliminates the need for electricity due to the absence of moving parts. With a capacity of 600,000 gallons, the whole-house filter component allows you to rest assured that your water is being filtered properly and thoroughly.

  What we don't like

Some of the installation instructions can be a bit too technical, especially for those without any prior water purification installation experience. Thus, consulting customer service is highly recommended.

  Is it for you?

For those who want a top-of-the-line, low-maintenance, low water waste, whole-house water filter that will remove all pathogens, the Pelican PC-600 might be for you. It’s powerful enough to filter an entire home from sediment and pathogens, thus may be perfect for homes on well water.

Pelican’s UV system is developed in the largest installed base of UV systems in operation on the planet, and many of their innovations define the industry standards for safeguarding your water from the damaging effects of microbial and chemical contamination.

The technology used in the UV purifier is able to maintain 9-16 GPM, allowing for continuous water pressure while ensuring effective UV disinfection. There is a safety cap installed on the unit to prevent children from accessing the lamp and other components.

The UV chamber has an outlet, inlet, and wired connection to UV controller

  What we like most about the Pentair UV filter

These NSF-Certified UV lamps bring an intense (16 m/J) light that is powerful enough to kill all harmful microorganisms including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. With a flow rate of 9-16 GPM, this UV light can supply pathogen-free water for an entire home.

  What we don't like

This unit is a UV purifier only, so any additional sediment or pre-filter will need to be purchased separately.

  Is it for you?

For those who want a reliable, powerful UV purifier for pathogen removal in addition to their home water purification system, this UV unit from Pelican is perfect for homes.

Acuva Technologies is a water purification manufacturer and distributor based out of BC, Canada. Specializing in UV purification via LED light, Acuva Technologies provides effective purification solutions for homes, RVs, and boats.

The ArrowMAX 2.0 UV-LED water purifier is their most popular residential purification unit, offering 120,000 liters of clean water in its lifetime.

As a point-of-use unit, this UV purifier is meant to be installed at the faucet from which water will be dispensed as opposed to purifying water for the whole house. This makes it useful for small homes, RVs, and boats.

With a flow rate of 2 liters per minute, the ArrowMAX 2.0 is capable of sustaining a high flow of clean, drinkable water consistently. It’s assembled in a high-quality polymer casing with a stainless steel UV reactor.

Acuva also provides pre-filters which are installed prior to the UV purifier, ensuring the removal of sediment and other particulates.

The Acuva package includes the UV unit, smart faucet, carbon pre-filter, and power cord & necessary fittings.

The Acuva unit installs cleanly and easily under the faucet

  What we like most about the Acuva Arrowmax 2.0

As a point-of-use unit, the Arrowmax provides excellent purification of microorganisms and sediment for a single exit point. So, for single faucets, boats, RVs, cabins, and small homes, you'll have everything you need in a single package. The addition of the pre-filter and smart faucet removes the need to purchase any additional filters.

  What we don't like

With a flow rate of 2 liters per minute, this unit is on the lower end of flow rate speeds, thus making it more specialized for point-of-use applications.

  Is it for you?

If you need a reliable UV purification for a single point-of-use and not for the entire household, the Arrowmax provides everything you need to start drinking clean, pathogen-free water.

The Blackcomb 5.1 UV purifier by Springwell is a very powerful pathogen disinfectant that can be attached to a standard whole house carbon filtration system. The 30mj/cm2 dose is powerful enough to kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens including Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

What sets the Blackcomb 5.1 apart from other UV purifiers is the “future-proof” expandability port in the splash-proof case for future upgrades and options. A colored user interface allows for easy visual identification of remaining lamp life and any error or fault codes and even incorporates QR codes to access information and videos via the internet.

  What we like most about the Springwell UV filter

Springwell's smart UV monitor provides you with consistent data to indicate how efficient the UV lamp is working and when the bulb needs to be changed. Additionally, the UV lamp of 30mj/cm2 is one of the most powerful UV lamps available.

  What we don't like

The lack of a sediment pre-filter means you'd need to purchase one separately.

  Is it for you?

For those who want the most powerful UV purifier for eliminating tough pathogens such as Crypto and Giardia, the Blackcomb 5.1 is about as powerful as you can get.

The Crystal Quest UV purifier is a great add-on to any home filtration system. Providing clean water at a rate of 6 gallons per minute and 110V, this UV lamp is powerful enough to provide bacteria, virus, and protozoa-free water for the entire house.

  What we like most about the Crystal Quest UV filter

Crystal Quest's UV filter has a long-lasting bulb and is an efficient and economical method for purifying water via ultraviolet radiation.

  What we don't like

A flow rate of 6 GPM makes this slower than other models and ideal for smaller homes and cabins.

  Is it for you?

This UV purifier is an ideal addition to a water purification system that eliminates heavy metals and sediment but doesn’t kill microorganisms. It may be potentially useful for well water with suspected pathogens.

The UV system by Bluonics features a 12 GPM flow rate and a 55 Watt / 120 Volt ballast. It includes the complete system with an extra ballast, 1 extra quartz tube, and 2 replacement bulbs. This UV system provides enough purified water for the entire household with easy installation and low maintenance.

There is a light indicator on the ballast which alerts the owner if the purifier is active or not. A green light indicates that it is currently working while the red light indicates it is not. The bulbs are replaced every year.

Powerful enough for a large home, the UltraViolet Light Water Sterilizer is effective for both residential and commercial water purification. Can also be used for well water.

  What we like most about Bluonics UV purifiers

The Bluonics UV purifier is more affordable compared to other models on this list yet it is more than capable of purifying water for an entire home.

  What we don't like

The lack of a support team requires you to have some installation experience.

  Is it for you?

If you're looking for a simple, economical UV purifier, Bluonics is a fine choice.

UV radiation is invisible electromagnetic radiation in-between visible light and X-ray in the electromagnetic spectrum. UV is naturally present in sunlight, accounting for up to 3 - 5 percent of the sun’s rays in terms of solar energy.

There are three subtypes of UV radiation: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C, which are long-wave, medium-wave, and short-wave respectively.

While over-exposure of our skin to UV radiation may damage living tissue and increase our risk of skin cancer, there are many benefits of UV.

UV plays a crucial role in the formation of vitamin D and may help treat skin conditions such as eczema. We also use UV for the disinfection of water due to its germicidal properties.

UV purification systems disinfect water by sterilizing the harmful microorganisms with a UV lamp. These microbiological contaminants include viruses, bacteria, and protozoa which pose health risks.

The UV lamp emits UV rays with the optimal wavelength, typically 254nm (UV-C). The emitted UV rays penetrate the outer cell membrane of these microorganisms, passing through the cell body to disrupt the DNA.

The DNA is altered by the absorption of the UV-C radiation which breaks the internal chemical bonds and prevents reproduction.  As a result, the microorganism becomes sterile and unable to replicate.

How Are Microorganisms Eliminated?

UV does not kill microorganisms. It inactivates them and prevents them from replicating to produce colonies by attacking their DNA.

The DNA of these microbiological contaminants is coded primarily for the purpose of replication.

The ability of these harmful active microorganisms to replicate, multiply, and form colonies results in waterborne diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery, and Guinea worm disease.

However, when these harmful microorganisms are rendered inactive by disinfectants, they can enter our systems and pass through without causing any harm.

Disinfectants can be of two forms – chemical and physical. UV radiation is a form of physical disinfectant which does not alter the chemical nature of water, making it favorable for disinfection. Chemical disinfectants such as chlorine react with water, thus altering its nature and changing the taste and odor.

UV light is effective against all microorganisms, however, there is no guarantee of a 100% destruction of microorganisms. Nevertheless, a 99.99% reduction is possible given that the UV unit is maintained properly, and certain conditions are met.

Water Quality

Some contaminants absorb or scatter UV light which will affect the transmission of the UV rays through water, thus reducing the amount of UV radiation that reaches the microorganisms.

These contaminants commonly found in surface water supplies include iron, manganese, and fulvic and humic acid. Thus, disinfection with UV is most effective when used to treat water purified by filtration which removes such contaminants.

Microorganisms may also be protected by the shadow of dirt, suspended solids, and other forms of floating debris. Water hardness should be at a level that is less than 7 grains per gallon, and the level of Total Dissolved Solids should be lower than 0.3 ppm.

Flow Rate

UV units usually have a maximum flowrate capacity and may have a minimum flowrate too. Water with a very high flow rate will most likely pass through the system without being exposed enough to UV light.

On the other hand, water with a very low flow rate may result in overheating of the UV lamp, leading to damage. The flow rate needs to be neither too high nor too low. UV units also work best with constant flow recirculation systems.

Flow rate for ultraviolet purifiers is measured in Gallons Per Minute (GPM). This is the rate at which contaminated water can flow through the system while being effectively purified. A typical whole-house UV purification system will purify water at 12GPM.

Wattage

In order to generate the required UV-C, short-wave radiation, the ballast needs to be of a certain wattage. For most households, a 55 Watt, 120 Volt system is enough.

Portable UV Units

While water filters are the most common purification device used for the outdoors, a portable UV device could be useful in conjunction with it.  Portable water filters are effective in eliminating sediment and large bacteria but not all microbes.

UV light will eliminate all microbes but not sediment. A portable filter and UV device such as the SteriPen can make for a great combination when traveling outdoors.

Advantages

1. Purification with UV is very effective. It destroys up to 99.99% of microorganisms present in the water. UV is comparatively more effective than chlorine against viruses.
   
   
2. UV is environmentally friendly and user friendly. UV is a green alternative to chlorine and it has no disinfection byproducts. There is also no risk of overdosing and no potentially harmful chemicals are required.
   
   
3. There is no change in the taste and odor. Unlike chemical disinfection methods like chlorine that changes the taste and odor of water, UV does not. The chemical structure of water remains the same after treatment with UV.
   
   
4. It is very economical and has very low power consumption. The initial setup cost is relatively low and as well as the operating costs compared to other methods of disinfection including ozone and chlorine. Hundreds of gallons can be treated at a very low rate in terms of operating costs.
   
   
5. Maintenance is simple and easy. Periodic cleaning is required as well as an annual replacement of the UV lamp. The installation of the system is also a simple task.

Disadvantages

1. For the system to effectively disinfect, the water needs to be pretreated to remove debris and dirt. The water needs to be clear and of high quality for a high UV transmittance.
   
   
2. As power is required to operate, the system will not work in the event of a power failure.
   
   
3. UV can only eliminate the microorganisms in the water. Contaminants such as heavy metals, salts, and chemicals cannot be removed with UV, so other methods of filtration are required to ensure the removal of all contaminants from the water.

Best Practices

Because UV purification eliminates microorganisms and not sediment, it is best when used in conjunction with a filtration device. A simple water filtration system installed in the sink will trap heavy metals, salts, and sediment that the UV purifier will not catch.

Another option is to consider a reverse osmosis filtration system that incorporates a UV purifier. These combination systems offer the benefits of both RO and UV. Read our full article on the best reverse osmosis systems for home use.

UV purification systems have 4 main components.

The Reactor Chamber

The reactor chamber is the part of the system that houses the UV lamp and the quartz sleeve. The chamber also controls the flow of water going through the system. Stainless steel is usually used to build the reactor chamber, but some chambers may be manufactured with other materials such as plastic.

The UV Lamp

The UV lamp produces UV-C radiation which is known to be germicidal. UV lamps contain a bead of mercury which plays a crucial part in the production of the UV-C light rays.

UV lamps have filaments that produce an electrical current which heats up the mercury and causes it to evaporate in the air space inside the UV lamp. The evaporated mercury then creates electrical arcs that produce UV-C with various intensity levels which disinfect water.

The Quartz Sleeve

The quartz sleeve is a long, cylinder-shaped tube made of quartz glass. The sleeve protects the UV lamp placed inside from directly touching the water. The lamp transmits UV light into the water through the tube. As contaminants can cloud the sleeve, you have to clean it whenever the UV lamp is replaced to avoid a decrease in functionality.

The Controller Unit

The controller unit acts as the brain of the UV purification system. The unit controls the electrical output of the UV lamp and powers the lamp to produce the UV-C radiation needed to destroy microorganisms.

Controllers may vary in terms of complexity depending on the requirements of the system. Some are a simple cap fitting over the end of the lamp while others have more elements – lamp-change timers, low-UV alarms, and trouble indicating lights to alert the owners in the event of a system failure.

Replace the UV Lamp Annually

Although UV lamps do not burn out like fluorescent lamps, it will solarize. As the lamp solarizes, it loses its intensity to around 60% of that of a new UV lamp which decreases the UV dosage. New lamps generate a dosage of 60,000 µW-s/cm² which drops to about 36,000 µW-s/cm² (the minimum required dosage to effectively eliminate microorganisms) after a year.

To prevent a decrease in effectiveness of the system, you will have to replace the UV lamp annually. Keep in mind that frequently turning on and off the lamp (less than once every 8 hours) will shorten its life span.

Monitor the System’s Performance Regularly

To ensure that the system is functioning properly, you will have to sample water and test for bacteria count on a regular basis. You can sample the water before and after purification with the system then compare the bacteria counts to determine whether the system is effective.

Clean the Quartz Sleeve

Deposits of minerals and debris will eventually form on the surface of the quartz sleeve. This will in turn reduce the penetration of the transmitted UV radiation through the sleeve and into the water. To remove these deposits, the quartz sleeve needs to be cleaned regularly, depending on the water quality. Minimal cleaning will be required for water pretreated via reverse osmosis, distillation, and deionization.

Monitor the System’s UV Dosage Regularly

UV light intensity meters can be used to indicate the penetration of UV rays through the quartz sleeve and the water. The intensity level determines whether the UV dosage, thus indicating when you need to clean the sleeve or replace the lamp. A high UV dosage will have no negative impact on the purity of the water. However, a low UV dosage indicates that the system is not adequately disinfecting the water.

As maintaining UV purification systems is simple and easy, you can do the maintenance by yourself.  If you do however encounter any difficulties, you may contact a water treatment professional to assist you with the process.