Since all RO water purifiers work similarly, there is little to distinguish between them. So manufacturers highlight some plus points to prove their products are superior. For example, Pureit has introduced a new product, Eco Water Saver, whereas Kent prides itself on offering Zero Water Wastage in its Kent Supreme series of water purifiers. This article compares Kent Supreme Alkaline and HUL Pureit ECO Water saver models.
Kent vs HUL Pureit – A Tabular Comparison
| Parameters | Kent Supreme Alkaline | Pureit ECO Water Saver |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kent | Hindustan Lever Limited |
| Pricing | Around Rs 16,000 after Amazon discounts | Around 14,000 after Amazon discounts |
| Water Purification Technology | RO + UF + UV + UV_LED + Alkaline | RO + UV + MF |
| Ideal for | All types of water | All types of water |
| Can handle TDS levels | Up to 2000 ppm, but ideal for water with moderate TDS levels | Up to 2000 ppm |
| Purification Stages | Multiple purification | 7-stage purification |
| Storage Tank Capacity | Eight liters | Ten liters |
| Special features | Kent claims Zero Water Wastage and provides Alkaline water | Patented Eco Recovery technology with a 60% recovery rate |
| Mineral Enrichment | TDS Controller | Mineral Enhancer cartridge |
| LED Indicators | In-tank UV LED for enhanced water purification | Tank full, service due, GKC replacement |
| Installation | Wall mount and tabletop | Wall mount. Countertop |
| Warranty | One-year standard warranty plus Optional One-year Extended warranty | One-year standard warranty |
| AMC Costs | Around Rs 5000 to Rs 5500 | Around Rs 6000 plus GKC Rs 3000 |
Our Verdict
Kent Supreme Alkaline is a good water purifier capable of delivering excellent performance. However, I doubt the company’s claims of zero water wastage because the concept involves recycling the rejected water into the overhead water tank. That does not amount to zero water wastage. Besides this drawback and high maintenance costs, the Kent Supreme Alkaline is a good investment.
In contrast, the Pureit Eco Water Saver machine claims to use innovative patented technology to save more water. However, much depends on the TDS levels in the source water. We have tested this machine and discovered that it saves water compared to other water purifier models. The maintenance costs are high because the Germ Kill cartridge requires replacement. Still, the Pureit Eco Water Saver is a decent water purifier.
Pros and Cons of Kent and HUL Pureit water purifiers
Here are the plus points of Kent Supreme Alkaline and Pureit Eco Water Saver.
Kent Supreme Alkaline
- The water purification performance is excellent.
- Installation services are good, and so is the after-sales service.
- The in-tank UV LED ensures water purity inside the storage tank.
- The water purification process improves the pH level of water to 8.
Pureit Eco Water Saver
- The Pureit Eco Water Saver has a better water recovery rate than other water purifiers.
- The 10L storage tank is ideal for medium to large-sized Indian families.
- The Germ Kill Change Indicator alerts users a fortnight in advance. Free installation services are available.
Here are the minus points of Kent Supreme Alkaline and Pureit Eco Water Saver.
Kent Supreme Alkaline
- TDS controller replenishes lost minerals but re-contaminates the water. It is not a good machine if you live in industrial areas with groundwater containing high TDS levels.
- High AMC and maintenance costs can discourage users.
Pureit Eco Water Saver
- There is no transparent window to gauge the exact water level in the storage tank.
- The 10L storage tank makes the machine bulky.
- It can handle water pressure between 10 and 30 psi.
Installation
Installing the Pureit Eco Water Saver machine does not require any structural modifications, whereas you need additional plumbing work for installing the Kent Supreme Alkaline. It is because the rejected water is diverted to the overhead water tank. However, you can collect the rejected water in a 20L water can and recycle it for cleaning bathrooms, watering plants, etc.
Both the machines can be wall mounted and kept on the kitchen countertop. However, wall mounting is ideal because obtaining drinking water is convenient. Otherwise, you can place the machines on a stand mounted on the wall instead of the kitchen countertop.
I recommend installing the machines as close as possible to the water inlet and the kitchen sink because the inlet and outlet pipes can get in the way and affect your kitchen’s ambiance.
Since the tap is located at the bottom of the Kent Supreme Alkaline, you need sufficient space beneath the machine to fill water bottles comfortably. On the other hand, the tap arrangement in the Pureit Eco Water Saver machine makes it challenging to fill water directly into utensils. The arrangement is better suited for filling glasses and bottles.
Performance
The water purification performance of these water purifiers is good because the multi-stage water purification can handle water with TDS levels up to 2000 ppm. The Kent Supreme Alkaline has a UV lamp and UF membrane beside the RO membrane. In contrast, the Eco Water Saver does not offer In Tank-UV purification. On the other hand, the Kent Supreme Alkaline has an in-tank UV-LED arrangement to prevent water re-contamination and maintain its purity inside the storage tank.
Kent does not supply a sediment filter with the original packaging. You must purchase it separately. We recommend installing one because it can remove large impurities and reduce the load on the RO and UF membranes.
Another positive aspect of the Kent Supreme Alkaline water purifier is that it improves the pH level of RO-purified water and enhances it to 8. The machine has an alkaline media cartridge that contains silica, calcium, and magnesium balls to enhance alkaline content. However, if you are uncomfortable drinking alkaline water, you can ask your water purifier technician to replace the alkaline media with activated carbon crystals.
Water Wastage
RO water purifier appliances waste a lot of water because the process involves preventing TDS from passing through the RO membrane. This TDS is exited from the machine as rejected water. The percentage of rejected water depends on the TDS content in the source water.
Both these machines use the RO water purification method. So, water wastage is expected. Kent offers a solution by recycling rejected water to the overhead tank and mixing it with the source water. As a result, it can increase the TDS levels. Besides, this water recycling is not possible in apartments or rented houses. Therefore, Kent’s claim of zero water wastage is a sham.
The Pureit Eco Water Saver uses patented technology to reduce water wastage. Though HUL claims it reduces water wastage by 60%, I have doubts. Nevertheless, this machine is better than other water purifiers because the water recovery percentage is higher. The TDS levels in my area are around 800 ppm. Under such circumstances, the Pureit Eco Water Saver wastes around one glass of water for every glass purified.
Water Taste Change
The RO-purification process is excellent for removing TDS from the source water. Unfortunately, it removes essential minerals also with TDS. Hence, the water taste is not good. Therefore, water purifier manufacturers use different mechanisms to replenish the lost minerals and improve the water’s taste.
Kent Supreme Alkaline uses a TDS controller mechanism that introduces raw water directly, bypassing the RO water purification process. The source water passes through the UF membrane and UV chamber to purify the water but does not reduce TDS. This water is mixed with RO-purified water to replenish the lost minerals and enhance the water’s taste. However, We do not recommend this mechanism if groundwater contains heavy metal impurities like arsenic, lead, and sulfur.
Pureit Eco Water Saver uses a Mineral Enhancer technique where the RO-purified water passes through a cartridge filled with minerals like calcium, magnesium, etc. These minerals leech onto the RO-purified water to improve its taste. The advantage is that the water does not get re-contaminated. On the other hand, the drawback is that the mineral enhancer cartridge requires regular replacement. It costs money.
Storage Tank Capacity
Pureit Eco Saver has a larger water storage tank with a capacity of ten liters to cater to medium and large-sized Indian families. The Kent Supreme Alkaline machine has an 8L water storage tank. That should be good enough to cater to the average Indian family. The storage tank ensures you get RO-purified water even during a power cut.
Alarms
The Kent Supreme Alkaline water purifier has an alarm system that indicates it is time to replace the RO membrane and other filters. It has an LED indicator to display the water level in the storage tank.
The Pureit Eco Water saver has alarms to indicate the tank is full, filter, and germ kill kit replacement and service due intimation. The germ kill kit replacement alarm is an excellent safety feature because it alerts you a fortnight in advance. You get time to replace the kit. If you forget to do so, the machine stops working after the germ kill kit expires. Hence, it is a safety device to ensure you always get RO-purified water.
Maintenance Costs
Maintenance costs are higher in the Pureit Eco Water Saver machine because it involves replacing the Germ Kill Kit cartridge at regular intervals. This cartridge costs around Rs 3000 on the market. Besides, the filters and membranes require annual replacement. On average, the overall maintenance charges are around Rs 5000 annually.
Similarly, the Kent Supreme Alkaline water purifier requires filter and membrane replacement after 6000 liters of water purification. Therefore, the annual maintenance costs are between Rs 5000 and Rs 5500.
Service-related Issues
Kent and HUL offer excellent after-sales services to their clients. But much depends on the local service providers in your area. Generally, there are few complaints about service-related issues.
Pricing
Pricing-wise, the Pureit Eco Water Saver is a budget-friendly option, the storage tank capacity is higher to suit the requirements of larger families. The Kent Supreme Alkaline claims to provide alkaline water, with the RO-purified water having a pH of 8. It has alkaline properties but is strictly not alkaline water.
The Pureit Eco Water Saver is available for around Rs 14,000, whereas the Kent Supreme Alkaline costs around Rs 16,000.
Final Thoughts
Kent Supreme Alkaline and Pureit Eco Water Saver water purifiers are excellent appliances because they deliver noteworthy performances. They have their drawbacks, like water wastage and high maintenance costs. But their performances outweigh their drawbacks. Hence, investing in both these water purifiers is a viable proposition.
