Pollution clipping
The smallest size of foreign particles (in microns) that the filter can hold in total. Accordingly, the smaller this size, the higher the filtration efficiency, the less undissolved impurities remain in the filtered water. On the other hand, finer cleaning usually takes more time, which affects the speed (throughput) of the filter. It should be noted that in the case of using reverse osmosis filters, the filtration is very fine, up to 0.01 microns.
Filtration speed
The amount of water that the filter is able to pass through itself per unit of time (of course, effectively purified in the process); usually stated in liters per minute. This parameter is largely related to the type (see above): for example, in jugs, the filtration rate usually does not exceed 0.5 L per minute, while for main devices that supply entire apartments, a throughput of tens or even hundreds of liters is required.
Note that it does not always make sense to pursue a high filtration rate. After all, other things being equal, finer cleaning takes more time; accordingly, the faster the filter works, the higher the chance that the quality of such cleaning will be relatively low. And devices that purify water efficiently and quickly usually have an appropriate price. Therefore, it is worth considering the purpose of the filter and, on the basis of this, determine the balance between the filtration speed and its quality when choosing. It is also worth keeping in mind the conditions of use: for example, if you need to filter low-quality tap water for drinking, it is better to sacrifice speed in favor of efficiency.
Cartridge size
The cartridge size indicates both the overall dimensions of the device and compatibility with non-native accessories from other manufacturers. Cartridges differ in width and height, measured in inches. Among the most common options are
5SL (5"x2.5"),
10SL (10"x2.5"),
20SL (20"x2.5"),
10BB (10"x4.5"),
20BB (20"x4.5").
Standard sizes also include
inline cartridges in the form of modules made from white or transparent plastic. They are a sealed cylinder with pre-installed inlet and outlet fittings. Inline cartridges are connected via threaded connections or fittings, simplifying the replacement process. They do not require a separate housing for installation, as their design allows for direct connection to the pipeline or filtration system. They are also slimmer than traditional filters, making a filter with inline cartridges quite presentable in appearance.
Some water purification systems have cartridges in
proprietary sizes that are only compatible with specific filters. These cartridges are ideal for these systems, providing high purification efficiency. They often combine several filtration stages in one element (e.g., mechanical cleaning, chlorine removal, mineralization). This simplifies system maintenance and improve
...s water quality. Proprietary products undergo strict quality control and are tested for compatibility with specific filtering systems, ensuring stable performance. However, there are drawbacks—proprietary cartridges are more expensive and their range is much smaller than universal ones.Tank volume
The capacity of the reverse osmosis tank. The higher the value, the more water can be filtered for future use. Popular sizes include
a 12 L tank and
a 15 L tank. Only in this case the dimensions for installing the filter will become larger. Accordingly, more is not always better. And yes, it affects the price.
